blog\ˈblȯg, ˈbläg\ noun- short for weblog: an online personal journal

Good as my Momma's Potato Salad!

2012-01-08T20:03:00.006-05:00

One of these days I'll get into the habit of MEASURING stuff...

Very finely chopped celery (about a stalk and a half), onion(about 1/2 cup) and pimento (about 2 Tbls) ...

Boiled red potatoes, boiled eggs

(these are small/med potatoes...about 20 and 5 eggs)

Drain liquid from sweet relish (1 15 oz jar)

Peel potatoes/leaving some skin, chop w/egg

Add celery, onion, pimento and drained relish

Add salt, pepper and a pinch of dill

.... and mustard powder (also use regular mustard)

Mix with mayo and Miracle Whip

(about 1cup mayo, 3/4 cup MW) more or less to your liking) ...

The Kitchen is Open!

2012-01-01T17:45:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving 2011

Turkey/oyster dressing/gravy, mashed potatoes, candied yams, roast beef gravey, fresh green beans with tomato and garlic, greens and cabbage, mac-n-cheese!

Fish (perch) and eggs w/sweet and red potato home fries!!

Burger with avocado, sweet yellow peppers!

Collards, kale and cabbage w/chorizo!

Corney cornbread!!

Black-eyed peas w/garlic, tomato, onions and smoked turkey sausage

New Year's Day 2012!!

The Mac Daddy of Mac-N-Cheese!!

2012-01-01T17:25:00.002-05:00

1½ cups macaroni (cooked/drained)
1+ cup each shredded:

Colby/jack
American (add to white sauce)
Muenster cheese (needs to be chilled to shred)
Asiago
Mild cheddar brick (I usually chop this one into real little cubes)

White Sauce
2 Tbls butter
2 Tbls flour
3 Tbls butter (added at end)
5-7 cups whole milk
1 egg yolk (added to milk)
¼ tsp. minced garlic
Salt/white pepper to taste

In large pot melt butter, add flour stirring constantly til bubbly (don’t let brown).
Add about 4 cups of milk (with egg yolk), stir on med/low heat til warm, add the rest of the milk til warm, stirring constantly. Add American cheese, garlic, salt/white pepper. The cheese will thicken sauce slightly, but don’t sauce should remain somewhat thin, don't boil.

Turn off heat, add 3 Tbls. butter.

Egg yolk added to cold milk to temper

Add to sauce

Add minced garlic

Add American cheese and muenster cheeses to sauce

Turn off heat add butter

Pour sauce over drained macaroni, added all other cheeses

Back at 350 til golden but still loose.

Oyster Dressing

2012-01-01T17:02:00.002-05:00

I've got to do a better job at measuring things! Approximating here:

About 4 stalks celery/1 medium onion chopped

Saute in 3 Tbls butter. Prepare cornbread a day ahead (preferably)

Add to crumbled cornbread and dried bread crumbs (about 5 cups) w/1 egg

and chicken stock (about 3-4 cups), sage, rosemary, thyme, spicy paprika, salt/pepper (I add to taste)

Add sage sausage or sausage of choice (chorizo pictured) about a cup

Add oysters (3 large added here) I break them up, but you can use whole

Transfer to baking dish/bake @ 350 for 30 minutes.

USNS MEGAR EVERS CHRISTENING CEREMONY 11-12-2011

2011-12-09T22:10:00.004-05:00

I had the honor of speaking with Myrlie Evers-Williams--the wife of slain civil rights activist Medgar Evers--as she reflected on the high honor bestowed upon her late husband.

WHAT'S KIM COOKIN'?! (cont......)

2011-11-20T17:17:00.008-05:00

Panko-crusted walleye, grilled polenta topped w/ roasted poblano pepper-mushroom cream sauce

w/ spinach salad w/turkey bacon bits, red onions, roasted red pepper...

Prepare instant polenta as per package instructions. I added a blend of Italian cheeses ... pour into loaf pan and chill till molded, cut into desired pieces brush with olive oil, grill about 5 minutes on each side.

Panko crusted walleye

Rinse, pat excess water from walleye fillet, coat with thin layer of flour, dregde in season egg wash, coat with panko, fry in olive oil......

Poblano mushroom cream sauce (low fat version!)

Place poblano directly on gas burner, roast until outer skin is blacken, place in paper bag to cool, then pull outer blacked skin off and remove seeds.

1/4 cup olive (replaces butter)

1/2 small yellow onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (replaces whole milk)

1 c. vegetable stock, fish stock, chicken broth or water (replaces heavy cream)

1 roasted poblano

7 or 8 shitake mushrooms

salt/pepper

Saute mushrooms, in a little olive oil, set aside.

In a shallow pan saute onion until soft, add garlic for about a minute (careful not to burn), sprinkle in flour, stirring constantly til bubbly, add milk, stir, add other liquid, salt and pepper, stir til thickened. Add poblano. Pour entire mixture into food processor, puree.

Add sauce back to shallow pan, bring to slow boil, stir in mushrooms. Stir. Turn off heat, finish with a pat of butter if desired.

Yummo-lisious!

Occupy Pittsburgh 10-15-11

2011-11-20T02:05:00.004-05:00

With a camera and microphone in hand, I was in the mix of things when the global protest against corporate greed raised its voice in the "Steel City''. Here's a snapshot of the sights and sounds from ''Occupy Pittsburgh''...

<p>&amp;amp;lt;hr class="more"&amp;amp;gt;</p>

Spanish Paella!

2011-11-20T01:08:00.005-05:00

4-Chicken thighs, 1 lb. medium shrimp/shell-on, 1-2 chorizo sausage links, 1/2 lb. mussels, 2 cups fresh green beans, 1 cup frozen peas, 1 cup rice, 2 saffron threads, 1/2 diced pepper, 1/2 diced onion, 1 large tomato diced, 2-3 cups fish stock/chicken broth

Start with well cleaned chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

Cooking in a little olive oil/set aside. Soak saffron threads in 1/2 cup warm water for 5 minutes


Green pepper and onion sauteing in oil and drippings from chicken ...chorizo sausage cooking in another pan.

Add chicken and chorizo to peppers and onions

Add 2 cups water, fish stock or chicken broth, diced tomatoes and prepared saffron and liquid, 1 cup rice ... cover and cook under low heat until liquid is almost absorbed ... (add more liquid if absorbing before rice is cooked through)...


Add fresh green beans, peas, shrimp and mussels in final minutes...

Can you say ...yummmmm!

Blacks in Technology

2011-10-11T21:25:00.005-04:00

The death of tech guru Steve Jobs puts a spotlight on the preparedness of African Americans for employment and careers in the tech world.

GOOD-BYE TO A GRAND LADY

2010-04-20T07:01:00.016-04:00

Dr. Dorothy Height, who as longtime president of the National Council of Negro Women was the leading female voice of the 1960s civil rights movement, has died. She was 98. A Howard University Hospital spokesman said she died early Tuesday morning.
As a teenager, Height marched in New York's Times Square shouting, ``Stop the lynching.'' In the 1950s and 1960s, she was the leading woman helping the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other leading activists orchestrate the civil rights movement.
The late activist C. DeLores Tucker once called Height an icon to all African-American women.

Dr. Dorothy Irene Height
March 24, 1912 - April 20, 2010

Sad and so DISGUSTED!

2010-03-22T04:59:00.015-04:00

Obama Social Secretary Ran Into Sharp Elbows

by Peter Baker/New York Times
Published: March 11, 2010

WASHINGTON — Long before the State Dinner party crashers and the tension with her White House colleagues and the strain in her relationship with the first lady, Desirée Rogers began to understand she was in trouble when David Axelrod summoned her to his office last spring to scold her.

Ms. Rogers had appeared in another glossy magazine, posing in a White House garden in a borrowed $3,495 silk pleated dress and $110,000 diamond earrings. But if the image was jarring in a time of recession, Mr. Axelrod was as bothered by the words and her discussion of “the Obama brand” and her role in promoting it, according to people informed about the conversation. (Article continues:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/12/us/politics/12rogers.html

* * * * * * * *

The above article was an attempt to explain why the writing may have been on the wall for former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers.

Former White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers/White House Photo

Well, as the title of this blog implies, I'm very dismayed by the ousting of White House Ms. Desiree Rogers. After the embarrassing and highly publicized White House State Dinner gate-crasher drama, it appears that she alone has taking the fall.

Depending upon who's telling it, she either quit, got fired, was asked to resign, but for all intent and purposes she left the (big white) building over a week ago. Forced out of her plum job even though the now infamous 'gate-crashers' got through not one, but two layers of Secret Service agents; even though the head of The U.S. Secret Service has taking full responsibility for the breach; OUT, even though the White House Social Secretary is NOT in responsible for keeping the POTUS safe.

During the media firestorm that ensued in the wake of the gate crasher saga, Ms. Rogers would be lambasted for things she chose to do on her own time--like attend NY Fashion Week or the MTV Awards. And so I ask, "What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?"

All of it left me wondering, if Mr. and Mrs. Obama will sit back one day and ask, "Was it all worth it?" First they cut ties with their church and then their pastor, and now longtime friend, the dynamic, intelligent, classy, stylish and highly successful Desiree Rogers, all for the sake of what???

Public perception.

I found nothing in the above NY Times article that mentions anything about Ms. Roger's incompetence or ineptness. There's a reason for that; those are not words one would use to describe her.

Ms. Rogers is after all no ordinary woman of color or of any color for that matter. A Wellesley College graduate and Harvard M.B.A; she was president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas before becoming a senior executive at Allstate Financial, and most assuredly among Chicago's movers and shakers before assuming the peachy White House position.

Of course mindful of the fact that conservative media spun the Jeremiah Wright controversy out of control, the fall out as in Desiree Roger issue case is about perception. Yes, he President and First Lady must maintain a certain image, but at the end of the day, who really cares that Ms. Rogers went to fashion week or the MTV awards; what law did she break by doing so?

Let this be a lesson to future presidents and first ladies: Don't hire a high powered, dynamic, intelligent, classy, stylish and highly successful, 'ain't I a woman' woman to work within the confines of the backbiting D.C. bubble; or better yet, write into the job description: Be prepared to lose you self identity for the next 4 to 8 years, don't have a life, a life style, nor sense of style or you'll most definitely be eaten alive.

Why Can't Folks Simply ENJOY ... a GREAT Movie???

2010-03-13T23:27:00.018-05:00

Yes, the film "Precious" is a dark, depressing, shockingly sad movie; but it is also a GREAT movie.

Yes, the film's main character is an overweight, dark-skinned, illiterate, pregnant HIV-infected teenager; but the intelligent, bubbly, confident, overweight, dark-skinned acting novice who portrayed her "NAILED IT!"

Yes, the villain in the film, is a loud, foul-mouth, abusive, do-nothing Black welfare mom; but the comedienne who portrayed her also "NAILED IT!"

And, as Hollywood history continues to be written, it will now include the successes of the Oscar nominated, African-American directed film "Precious, based on the book "Push" by Sapphire"

So why can't some folks simply ENJOY a great movie? It is after all ... 'just a movie' right?'

Why the tired conversation about stereotypes, and criticism about the fact that traumatic lead character is overweight and dark-skinned while the perceived 'do-gooders' in the film are light-skinned?

There's even some grumbling that the film makes it seem as though only black kids suffer child abuse. Huh??? What??? That's simply ridiculous.

For those who where paying attention, the postscript to Precious states, this film was made "for precious girls everywhere." I would venture a guess that includes black girls, white girls ... brown, yellow and red girls. Be that as it may, the film is set in Harlem, and based on a book by a former teacher who who taught in Harlem.

For those paining over some underlying slight at black folk--women in particular-- it should be noted that the author grappled with those same issues before finally agreeing to allow her book be translated to the big screen.

"Sapphire's story: How 'Push' Became 'Precious'...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120176695

In the interview Sapphire says, "I wanted to show that this girl is locked out by literacy. She's locked out by her physical appearance. She's locked out by her class, and she's locked out by her color."

"Precious" director Lee Daniels says he expected his film to go straight to DVD; but of course that Hollywood history now includes him, his cast and crew sitting front stage at the Academy Awards with six nominations--winning 2.
And while some choose to manufacture controversy surrounding the film, hopefully, the millions of moviegoers who helped make the film a blockbuster hit, walked away with a message of triumph and redemption against insurmountable odds, which is the real story being told.

Yes, "Precious" IS a heavy set, poor, dark chocolate, illiterate HIV infected black girl ... on screen.
Off screen, Gabourey "Gabby' Sidibe is heavy set, dark chocolate, middle class, intelligent, well-spoken, witty, CONFIDENT, breath of fresh air, who went from virtual obscurity to international stardom overnight.
Gabby broke the mold on what Hollywood 'lead actress' should look like; which brings to light another-- probably unintended--message and probably the one that we should be talking about, and that is, 'don't judge a book by its cover.'

For those who walked away from the movie thinking, the movie unfairly targets the Black community, believe this, there are indeed kids like 'Precious' ...
and women like Gabby ... everywhere.

Gabby Sidibe in her own words:
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/fashion-articles/gabourey-sidibe-precious-interview-0210

Live at the G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh

2009-09-24T20:57:00.006-04:00

"The sky is no longer the limit ... "

2009-07-21T19:29:00.009-04:00

So says California teen Kimberly Anyadike, who made aviation history by becoming the youngest African-American female to fly coast-to-coast. I had to chance to chat with Kimberly and her mom recently; I couldn't help but flashback to the inspiring words of President Obama as he addressed NAACP convention delegates in New York ...

Click on arrow to listen to snippets of my conversation with Kimberly.

DON'T BLAME IT ON THE GOOD TIMES, BLAME IT ON THE .......

2009-07-04T01:16:00.034-04:00

Diprivan ... ?

While millions of fans focus on the positive that Michael Jackson brought to entertainment and the world, L.A. officials continue digging for 'the dirt, and have apparently found what they were looking for--Diprivan-- a hospital grade sedative found in Michael Jackson's home.

The who, what, where, why's and how's of Michael's death has dominated the news for over a week, and now, as L.A. officials prepare for the hundreds of thousands of fans expected to converge in and around the Staples Center Tuesday for Michael's funeral, the case has taken yet another twist. Diprivan, a powerful drug used to induce unconsciousness during surgery has been found in Michael's home.

A nurse who worked with Michael came forward this week to say that Michael--who battled severe insomnia for years--begged her for the intravenous drug--Diprivan--to help him sleep, just days before he died. Cherilyn Lee says she refused. She says she told Michael that the drug was not safe, and that if he took it, she feared he would not wake up.

Just last year, officials at the Mayo Clinic issued a warning that in rare cases, Diprivan can trigger an irreversible chain of events leading to heart dysfunction and death.

Did the unlawful use of Diprivan kill Michael Jackson?

That question is just among the many who, what, where, why's and how's that will be analyzed and debated in coming weeks. And, as the wall-to-wall Michael news continues, it's clear, the "King of Pop" cannot rest in peace -- at least not yet.

*****UPDATE 8/25/09******

Court Papers Show Jackson Died of Propofol (marketed as Diprivan)

By Solomon Moore

LOS ANGELES — Lethal levels of a powerful anesthetic caused Michael Jackson’s death, according to preliminary coroner findings cited in Texas court documents unsealed Monday http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/us/25jackson.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1251202397-LxPjcCwx5tw6ipRNkTxe6A

In the meantime, fans the world over are focused on the positive ...

corsematin.com

... The good times...

nytimesonline.com
... The sunshine ...

... The moonlight ...

Public domain photo

...The ... BOOGIE ...

Michael Jackson August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009

Your thoughts???

REMBERING THE "KING OF POP"

2009-06-25T23:45:00.023-04:00

Shock waves in entertainment today, the man known as the 'King of Pop' dies suddenly of cardiac arrest. I was speechless upon hearing the news earlier this afternoon as were many of my friend and colleagues. No matter what you may think about him and his personal trials and tribulations, there's no denying the legacy he leaves behind in the entertainment industry.

Click arrow on Blogger below to view video ....

I never met Michael, but did get to meet his brother Marlon during his visit to KMJQ/Houston in 1986.

Michael Jackson, 50, Is Dead

By The New York Times

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-hospitalized/?em

Joel Ryan/Associated Press More Photographs

This post is written by Jon Pareles, Ben Sisario and Brian Stelter in New York and Brooks Barnes in Los Angeles.
Michael Jackson, the singer, songwriter and dancer who earned the title “King of Pop” in a career that reached unprecedented peaks of sales and attention, died Thursday, a Los Angeles city official said. He was 50.

Updates:
Reaction From Around the World Readers across the globe described what he meant to them and how they viewed the legacy of his music and career. Share your comments and photos here.

Michael's death came on the same day as the death of actress Farah Fawcett. Michael's passing, sudden and unexpected; Farah's very sad and much anticipated, as she allowed cameras to document her courageous battle with cancer for months. Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett, both legends in their own right. Both will be missed.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6429754.html

Your thoughts on the passing of two entertainment legends.

The Meaning of Michelle Obama

2009-05-23T17:58:00.014-04:00

click TheFirstLady

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!

2009-05-21T20:37:00.038-04:00

When it comes to President Obama 'cutting' funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) ...

Oh NO, he DIDN'T!

www.thescsucollegian.com

Contrary to the internet chatter stating otherwise, the Obama administration education budget DOES NOT cut funds to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

North Carolina A&T

An AP headline and story sparked outrage last week with accusations that President Obama had "turned his back on black college students." The writer says Obama 'cut' budgets, when in fact the Obama administration increases funds to HBCU's.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iz1fWOdA5AaQdcZYxCE46Xd1tUQAD983GND80?CFID=17198190&CFTOKEN=84243253

FSU.COM

The blogosphere has been absolutely rabid with criticism of President Obama's proposed education budget, and what's been described as a "cut" in funds to over a 100 of the nation's federally recognized HBCU'S--Historically Black Colleges and Universities. At issue, a temporary 2-year grant created by Congress in 2007 to supplement the already existing Title III provisions. On the issue, the shouts of "hold the President accountable" are ricocheting throughout cyberspace! On this issue, my voice is not part of the chorus.

Background:
** Title III: The program helps eligible institutions of higher learning to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.
**In 2007 Congress passed sweeping legislation to make college more affordable for students across the nation, via the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. (CCRAA) As part of this landmark piece of legislation 170-million dollars (85-million each for fiscal years 2008 and 2009) was targeted for 105 HBCU's via Title III. The funds were part of an overall 510-million dollars included in an over 18-BILLION dollar piece of legislation. Hispanic, Native American and other minorities institutions also benefited from this 510-million dollar provision to help offset years of underfunding.

Fast forward:
When the Obama Administration's Fiscal Year 2010 budget was released last week, many were dismayed that this 2-year supplemental grant--85-million dollars each year--was not extended beyond its expiration date. Many, in my view mis-characterized this as a budget 'cut'. It was, in my view, mis-characterized as a sign of President Obama's indifference to Black college students and HBCU's. I didn't buy it!

In an effort to find out how HBCU officials were interpreting the news, I spoke with a Title III Administrator at an HBCU in the northeastern U.S. This official acknowledged that he, "never expected to receive the extra funds past the 2009 expiration date." He said, "It was understood that they were temporary grants for 2008 and 2009."
He was however, concerned that the budget proposal submitted by President Bush in June of 2008 did NOT include the extra funds, but had actually cut traditional discretionary funding by 85-million dollars, while using the temporary Congressionally mandated grant funds to make up the difference. He was concerned about how that proposed cut would pan out beyond 2009.

Our conversation took place Tuesday (5/19) before he saw the actual numbers in the Obama administration education budget; however he learned the answers today (Thursday 5/21) after receiving and reviewing the budget.

Via email this HBCU official writes: "I just reviewed a copy of President Obama’s budget request for the Department of Education. In that request, President Obama is recommending $296,595,000 for the HBCU and HBGI (Historically Black Graduate Institutions) programs and an additional $85,000,000 for the CCRAA in fiscal year 2009 that begins on October 1, 2009.

As I indicated previously, it was understood that the CCRAA grant is a two year grant, the first award received in Fiscal Year 2008.

President Obama’s budget for FY 2010 shows increases in the appropriations for HBCU ($250,000,000) and HBGI ($61,425,000); together, this request represents a $20,830,000 increase in the appropriation over the preceding year.

How can this be interpreted as not supporting Black Colleges? Someone is sorely misinformed about the President’s support. What President Obama has initiated, so far, indicates more than ever that he supports Black Colleges."
End of email

Still, there is a move a afoot on Capitol Hill by UNCF officials and others to have the temporary grant made permanent. Requests have been made to House and Senate Approriations Committees for a line item increase in the budget. UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax states, "I'm confident that if the request is made, President Obama will not reject it."

I close with this: I understand the calls to hold the President accountable, we should absolutely hold all of our elected officials accountable. But WHO was holding then President Bush accountable when HE proposed to decrease the HBCU's budget and make up the difference with funds from the Congressionally mandated College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)? That budget proposal basically amounted to a proposed misuse of funds. IMHO

www.howard.edu

Your thoughts?

"MY DADDY ATE MY EYES"

2009-05-19T19:34:00.005-04:00

Angelo Mendoza Jr.

Those words from a 4-year old boy who was found by a neighbor naked, unconscious, and covered in blood on the floor of his home. Police called to the scene discovered that the boy was missing an eye and the other was terribly damaged. Little Angelo Mendoza Jr. told police, "My daddy ate my eyes."

What on earth possesses a man to do this to his beautiful young child?!?!

People like this don't deserve the rights afforded to them by the criminal justice system!

Your thoughts?

Good-bye to Jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale

2009-05-15T12:02:00.013-04:00

Former OU, NBA great, and jazz musician Wayman Tisdale has died

Wayman, Dave Koz, Me/Philly 2005

Wayman Tisdale was truly one of the nicest, God-fearing men in entertainment. He will be missed!

TULSA -- Tisdale's wife, Regina, confirmed the sad news Friday morning. Wayman, who was just 44-years-old, died at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa.

Wayman had been battling cancer for the past two years. Last year, he had his right leg amputated below the knee in hopes of stopping the cancer, but his fight had continued.

He was a basketball standout at Booker T. Washington, Class of '82. Then he went on to the University of Oklahoma where he was a three-time First Team All-American.

From there he went to the Olympics in 1984 where he and his team won the gold medal.

He was drafted to the NBA and had a great career there.

Wayman also had a whole second career in the music industry as a jazz bassist, combining, funk, blues, and complex syncopated jazz rhythms to achieve notoriety in that field.

At a Legacy Award dinner last month, friends had noticed that Wayman had lost about 30 pounds.

According to the Tulsa's NewsChannel 8, Wayman was emotional at that April 16th Legacy Award ceremony, explaining how his family had helped him through this tough fight.

"And to my wife... she's been with me through thick and thin. And I know God gave me the right woman..." Wayman said. "Also, to my kids. My son. Come here boy. He had to grow up overnight. And become the man of the house overnight. And, there's not one day that goes by before he goes to bed that he says 'Dad, do you need anything?' And, I love you man."

Please keep the Tisdale family in your prayers.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG ... WITH A TWIST

2009-05-12T06:35:00.016-04:00

Disney.com

It's a fairytale that's been told in many different versions the world over; a beautiful princess kisses a lowly frog which then magically transforms into a handsome prince. The newest version featuring Disney's first African American princess, has an interesting twist ...

Of course the story doesn't end there, but some are offended that in this version of this classic fairytale about "the most magical kiss the world has ever known", the first black princess becomes a frog.

Your thoughts?

Cast: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780521/

Terrence Howard	...	James (voice)
John Goodman	...	Eli 'Big Daddy' LaBouff (voice)
Keith David	...	Dr. Facilier (voice)
Anika Noni Rose	...	Princess Tiana (voice)
Oprah Winfrey	...	Eudora (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	Ray (voice)
Jenifer Lewis	...	Mama Odie (voice)
Bruno Campos	...	Prince Naveen (voice)

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SICK!

2009-05-06T13:19:00.027-04:00

You really don't!

Image at tascanteenassn.org

"An acidic body is a breeding ground for disease, but no disease can exist in an alkaline environment." REPEAT ... An acidic body is a breeding ground for disease but NO disease can exist in an alkaline environment.
Dr. Otto Warberg/Wolfe Holistic Health Clinic, British Columbia Canada

Dr. Otto Warberg received the Nobel prize for discovering the cause of cancer - this being lack of oxygen (or low alkaline pH). Scientists have found that healthy people have systems that are alkaline. http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/

Two approaches exist today as to the best way to prevent or alleviate disease conditions:

* One wants to add toxins (poisons/prescription drugs) to a sick body, the idea is that the toxins will "fight" the illness. In other words, just give the patient toxic drugs and you sometimes get an immediate improvement; that is, if treatment is effective, no more disease symptoms.

** The other wants to remove toxins from a sick body, this is also called detox, the idea is that the toxins cause the disease. Detox removes the toxins and allows the body to heal itself ... REPEAT ... Detox removes the toxins and allows the body to heal itself.http://www.detoxifynow.com/cause_of_disease.html

The latter works!

It is possible to 'eat yourself well'!!
Eating more fruits and raw vegetables will help alkalize your body; remember disease cannot exist in an alkaline environment.
http://www.eating-veggies.com/

Transitioning to a more alkaline diet-- more raw veggies and fruits-- can go a long way towards improving your overall health. It requires a commitment to a healthier lifestyle and discipline to stick with it.

I've evolved to a more vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, and yes sometimes I fall off the wagon, but the amazing thing about it is when I do, my body lets me know ... "girlfriend get back on!!"
I feel so much better inside and out. And being an avid cook, it's been a challenge but also fun learning new healthier ways to cook old favorites.

Multi-award winning artist Kirk Franklin teams with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about about heart disease and stroke which are by-products of a poor non-alkaline diet.

Kirk Franklin
"Fight of Our HEALTH" Tour
http://www.fightofourlife.blogspot.com/

EAT WELL ... BE WELL!!

WHAT'S KIM COOKIN'?!

2009-05-01T21:32:00.045-04:00

Having my way with veggies and a crock pot...
Homemade vegetable soup

Zucchini, summer squash, carrot, red and green peppers onions, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, green beans, basil, oregano ...

Add water to crock pot and cook slow

Add chicken (optional)

Chopped salad with roasted chicken strips

Lettuce, spinach, fresh corn, peas, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, red onions, boiled eggs... lightly drizzled with roasted tomato dressing ..... garnished with blue corn chips
...yummo!

Pasta and veggie stuffed roasted peppers ...!

Brown rice pasta, green/yellow zucchini, red onions, roasted peppers, spinach, garlic and other spices, roasted tomatoes... delish! Lots of nutritious veggies, and the bran in brown rice pasta contains lots of dietary fiber and the germ contains many vitamins and minerals... much better than white pastas.

Cheesy chicken tortillas ...!

Gotta splurge every now and then ... but there's lots of fiber and protein in the wild rice and beans ... Chicken, 7 grain wild rice, black beans, lite monterey jack/colby cheeses, topped with diced tomato and green onions, lettuce, and melted cheese! Whipped them up for my son and his boys!

Red quinoa (like rice but packed with protien) with veggies... For the health conscious!

Carrots, peas, spinach, and bean spouts ... !

Quinoa is billed as a grain, but it’s actually a high-protein, super-nutritious seed that is as tasty and versatile as it is healthy.
http://www.dietobio.com/dossiers/en/cereals/quinoa.html

IT'S DAY 101, 1360 TO GO!!

2009-04-30T04:54:00.017-04:00

BBC.COM

WHEW!!! Finally, the first 100 days has come and gone!

Of course this milestone won't stop the critics, the wannabe critics, the experts, the 'I think I'm an expert(s)', the bloggers, twitterers, youtubers ... et al. Keep your seat belt on, we've got 1-thousand-3-hundred-60 days to goooo!

President Obama's prime time presser aimed at recapping his first 100 days lasted an hour; within that hour, the most telling moment for me, was encapsulated in 6 minutes 40 seconds, when the President was asked:

What has "enchanted, surprised, troubled and humbled" him the most."

In that profound, unscripted 6 minutes and 40 seconds, the president's true substance and character came through loud and clear. Thinking deeply on how to answer the question , the President said he was surprised by the number of critical issues his administration is facing all at once, but he was grateful to his staff working diligently to tackle of them.
He expressed a profound respect and gratitude for the men and women and uniform and to the American people who understand we face tough times.
He was troubled by the bickering partisan politics that continues in Washington even in these troubled times.
And he was humbled by the office of President itself; "Humbled by the fact that the presidency is extraordinarily powerful, but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life, and there are a lot of different power centers. And so I can't just press a button and suddenly have the bankers do exactly what I want or, you know, turn on a switch and suddenly, you know, Congress falls in line."
He showed that he is a humble man, with a brilliant mind; able to comfortably share the spotlight, and reach across the isle and across the pond to engage those with whom he doesn't agree.

First 100 Days Press Conference (FULL VIDEO)

I WONDER WHAT DAD IS THINKING??

2009-04-28T08:19:00.016-04:00

The Chevy Vega-GM/Lordstown, OH (1970's)

My first car was a Vega, a white one with maroon interior, purchased in 1980!

My dad--a former auto worker--worked faithfully at an Ohio General Motors plant for decades, first as an hourly employee, later as a foreman, and before his retirement, the parts manager; his duties at one time included ordering parts from various suppliers around the country.

I remember vividly, the day he came home talking about how he was asked to order this one particular part from Mexico. He said, "I refused to do it". Of course you have to have known my dad to know what that actually meant. If he he didn't agree with something, he'd let you know in no UNCERTAIN terms FOR SURE! Anyone whoever has been on the receiving end knows what I'mtalkin'bout! (smile). I was very young and didn't quite know what all of the fuss was about at the time.

Anyway, as the child of a GM worker. I benefited from all of my dad's benefits. My siblings and I had a good life, oooh and we always had the latest 'rides'--GM models of course! My favorite was that maroon Pontiac Grand Prix, by then I was a high schooler WITH a driver's license! HOT DOG!! You couldn't tell me nuttin'!

So now, over 30 years later, GM is on the verge of collapse and planning to phase out the storied Pontiac brand. I--as do many others--watch in disbelief as the company frantically works to stay afloat.

Will it survive?
Dad is in heaven now, I wonder, 'What he's thinking?'

Dad and mom back in the day ...

Your thoughts on the auto crisis? Cast your vote in the poll.

MICHELLE OBAMA SNEAKS OUT FOR BURGERS

2009-04-24T11:08:00.002-04:00

She doesn't get much, but the the First Lady of the United States need a little 'ME TIME' too!! Entertaining a group of youngsters at the White House for 'Take Your Kids to Work Day' the First lady said she likes to wander away from the White House every now and then. She told the kids she and her crew once got to go to the Five Guys hamburger chain ``and nobody knew it.' By 'nobody' she meant the reporters who are assigned to track her every move. She doesn't go anywhere outside the grounds without her Secret Service security detail.

MSNBC VIDEO: MICHELLE TALKS ABOUT HER LIFE OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

'TICK TICK TICK' ...

2009-04-24T08:21:00.013-04:00

www.smh.com.au photo

The countdown is on to the 100th day! The 100th day in office for the 44th President of the United States. Some major news networks and cable stations planning big election-night style broadcasts to mark the occasion.

Who created this 100-day marker of success or failure? Why is THIS 100th day being met with so much more anticipation than others?

As all eyes--including mine--have been on Obama for the past 3 months, I'm impressed by his efforts to build bridges from as close as 'across the isle', to 'across the pond'. It was a promise of the campaign and one that he's attempting to fulfill.

How do you rate Mr. Obama's first 100 days in office, and why? Your thoughts?

Video Timeline: Obama's first 100 days

Your thoughts?

THE TEACHER PUT WHAT! IN HER STUDENT'S BACKPACK!?

2009-04-23T08:44:00.010-04:00

CNN Photo

UNSAFE!... UNSANITARY!... UNCOOL!
Obviously this teacher was a little pi--poo'd off!! But, sending human fecal matter home in the child's backpack; that's a little over the top! Not only that, why did pop's choose to deal with the matter by sending an EMAIL to school officials???

Your thoughts? Feel free to comment below...

Teacher sends boy, 5, home with bag of human feces by Marlee Ginter

YAKIMA, Wash. -- A 5-year-old student at Apple Valley Elementary in Yakima headed home on the bus with more than books in his backpack. Inside was a smelly package his father never imagined he'd be toting around.

"I'm still kind of in shock over this, because why would somebody do this? It's disgusting!" said the boy's father, who wished to be identified only as "Jason."

Jason says his son's kindergarten teacher had bagged up a piece of human feces and stuck it in his son's backpack. His wife found the stinky mess.

"She found a clear plastic bag with a piece of fecal matter wrapped up in a brown paper towel with the note on it," he said.

The note read, "This little turd was on the floor in my room."
COMPLETE STORY: http://www.kval.com/news/local/43424887.html

IS THIS OK?

2009-04-22T12:05:00.007-04:00

President Obama on cover of Washingtonian

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-moeller/media-literacy-101-the-et_b_189488.html

The image has already gone viral!
Washingtonian Magazine--no doubt in an effort to boost its bottom line--will feature a swim trunk clad Barack Obama on the cover of its May issue featuring the "26 Reasons to Love Living Here"--here meaning Washington D.C. Mag. editor-at-large Garrett Graff defends his decision to use the photo, saying "You have a buff president and the paparazzi like taking shirtless photos of him," Garrett added, "The magazine tried to "capture the energy and excitement" over the Obamas and "have a little fun."

Height of disrespect? Cast your vote to the right (you can vote for more than one category)

~HE'S JUST A KID!

2009-04-21T07:24:00.000-04:00

Associated Press photo

The lone surviving Somali pirate from this month's high seas hostage drama arrived in the U.S. last night. Seen in photos handcuffed and shackled, 16-year old Abdiwali Abdiqadir Muse SMILED for the throngs of reporters outside a federal jail.
Does he realize what's happening to him?

According to reports he told his captors "We're just hungry and poor, please don't kill me."
Muse was reportedly outside his home in a small town in Somalia when armed pirates came and got him.

Do you have sympathy for this for young Somali pirate?

Complete story:
www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5izUbtx1o15cqD9GcYDcuI16mUxQQD97MQCDO0

~PULL UP YA' PANTS!!

2009-04-20T00:02:00.000-04:00

thenewblackmagazine.com

Obama impersonator ... funny and ON POINT!!!
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1345089824?bctid=8674810001

MTV News sat down with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama back in November. Interviewer Sway asked several question from MTV viewers including one about ... SAGGING PANTS!

click on arrow

Complete interview here>>>> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1598409/20081102/story.jhtml

~'Tweens' ... crazy for Obama girls ...

2009-04-19T21:35:00.000-04:00

NOWPUBLIC.COM photo

Two young black girls who are NOT gyrating their hips ... NOR shaking their butts ... NOR showing off most of their body parts ... are the latest craze!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/17/AR2009041703536.html?hpid=topnews
I like this!