Feed Your Mind

Have a laugh...The Govt saved our economy!!!

2008-09-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

2008-09-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Government bailed out Wall Street today...these traders made risky, greedy decisions and in the end the government saved them by pumping in billions of dollars. The party of SMALLER Government. It's so ironic how they cling to this laissez-faire/economy will fix itself, economic plan.... yet when it comes to helping the PEOPLE of America who were not greedy, maybe they just couldnt afford insurance because they had to buy groceries...well to give them socialized health care would be as Huckabee taunted "EUROPEAN" and wouldn't let the people have their essential freedoms...you know freedoms like...signing insurance forms before being treated for the heart attack you're having.

Why I'm voting Republican (Satire)

2008-09-19T19:45:00.001-07:00

Free Obama Buttons

2008-09-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Hey,
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Are Americans Dumb? I hope not.

2008-09-10T18:19:00.001-07:00

Anybody who believes that the Republicans can fix the mess they created
probably believes that the iceberg could have saved the Titanic."
-- Hillary, with a zinger and 'forgetting' to be polite, above all else,

So the polls have had McCain coming from behind and now show him in either a lead or dead heat...I really don't care about national polls but care mainly about the key swing states. Nonetheless, I have to say I'm really annoyed and bewildered how half of the population is considering a vote for Mcain/Palin.

Let's break things down plain and simple to you small towners (I am one!) who just don't get it!

*Those urbanites are not OUT to get you, they are not all liberal elite. Elite however would be defined by the Republican candidates. For example
1. John McCain doesn't know how many houses he has (I know one more he doesn't need!)
2. They are worth millions in net worth and eat dinners in one night you could never afford in three weeks. Giulani and Palin quickly criticized Obama and the media as liberal elite, but the taxpayers of Alaska paid for Sarah Palins $700 per night hotels in the liberal elite NYC, she cheated Alaskans out of money so she could get paid to work from home (isn't that a common complaint of stay at home mom's...you don't get paid for your work?) Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090803088_pf.html
These people live it up on dollars you will never see perhaps in your whole life and then turn around and tout small town values.

* Second, many voters say they just want a common person as president, someone like them or someone they can drink a beer with. I don't want someone like me to be the President or VP, I want them to be smarter than me, experienced and capable of deciding if indeed we should support Israel in the even of an attack by Iran. I want the President to know the difference between a Sunni and a Shiite, Waziristan, Kurdistan, and Balochistan. I don't care if you are a Mom, Hunter, Jew or anything else if you arent capable of explaining to me how to stimulate the economy and lower gas prices then you are not worth my time of day.

*It does not make you"liberal and elite" to have an education. Barack Obama went to the top law school in the US and was head of the Harvard Law Review, thats not affirmative action and it means something, he's smart and thats worth something! Upon leaving Harvard he had offers and could have easily joined as a clerk for the Supreme Court or prestigious law firms in Boston and NYC, he declined and chose to go and help the poor people of South Side Chicago. After all Gandhi, Mandela, Martin Luther King and Jesus were community organizers of the sort...Pontius Pilate was a governor.
McCain graduated 894th out of 899 of his graduating class. Yes he fought in a war and thats honorable, but it doesn't give you experience of how to run a country. If anything being a POW should make you realize how avoidable a situation like war should be...hence, going around sing Bom Bom Bom Bomb Iran doe's not seem very prudent. We have homeless POW's all over the major cities, does that give them a qualification to run for President. You can't run POW as experience...take POW away and you have a senator...hmm the same title as Mr. Obama, which the McCain camp (once again showing hypocrisy) says isn't sufficient experience.

*Republicans cannot claim sexism as a defense when it has been something the party has completely ignored since its existence. They dont stand for womens equality! In fact it was McCain who called Chelsea Clinton an ugly dog and lest we forget how many times we heard the B word used with Senator Clinton. Now all of a sudden if you ask if someone not experienced is experienced.....criticize her for not doing an interview with anyone for 2 weeks...criticize the validity of abstinence only education when her 17 year old daugher is pregnant..It's sexist...This is the party that thinks YOU small towners are so stupid that you really believe its okay for McCain to mention lipstick on a pig but Barack Obama doing so is Sexist. Please, must you prove them right? I know you small towners, you aren't this stupid...you're caring, nice and have common sense...Don't fall victims to such vicious political Rovian attacks!

9/11 happened under Republicans...No other similar event happened on US soil for over half a century..please explain to me why people now believe that they will be safe under Republican watch, because another attack didn't happen? An attack didn't occur under 8 years of Clinton does that mean he and his party were the best at protecting us from terrorism? What has the the Iraq war done? It made more than 1/2 the world hate us....it created more hostility and terrorists. And made us trillions of dollars in debt..this makes YOU suffer

DO NOT, DO NOT use the deaths of those 3000 people as a justification for war and absolutely do not use it as a political gain for your political agenda...It's sickening. They did not die for use at your political convention. On the 7th anniversary of the tragic events, God rest the souls of those who died at the hands of evil and God protect us from the neo-fascism the government is trying to create with 9/11 as its justification.

I don't know what to say anymore...please how can you look at the last 8 years economically, politically, culturally and say I want more of that...Mcain is a carbon copy of Bush, and Palin makes Bush look liberal... Right Wing Evangelicals should not fall for political trickery, the politicians touting it..have they ever came through for you? Has abortion stopped, do homosexuals still exist? This is hardly a topic that is even discussed once the office is assumed, you're being used!. Its a means of getting elected. Sinclair Lewis once said "when Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross."

Every empire falls and I feel that America is starting its descent...I honestly believe a change in administration is enough to reverse that trend.

Why the Media Should Apologize

2008-09-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

BY Roger Simon

ST. PAUL, Minn. — On behalf of the media, I would like to say we are sorry.

On behalf of the elite media, I would like to say we are very sorry.

We have asked questions this week that we should never have asked.

We have asked pathetic questions like: Who is Sarah Palin? What is her record? Where does she stand on the issues? And is she is qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency?

We have asked mean questions like: How well did John McCain know her before he selected her? How well did his campaign vet her? And was she his first choice?

Bad questions. Bad media. Bad.

It is not our job to ask questions. Or it shouldn’t be. To hear from the pols at the Republican National Convention this week, our job is to endorse and support the decisions of the pols.

Sarah Palin hit the nail on the head Wednesday night (and several in the audience wish she had hit some reporters on the head instead) when she said: “I’m not a member of the permanent political establishment. And I’ve learned quickly, these past few days, that if you’re not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone.”
See Also

* John McCain's idealistic dilemma
* Palin wows GOP, puts Dems on notice
* Clinton aides: Palin treatment sexist
* Politico's guide to the conventions

But where did we go wrong with Sarah Palin? Let me count the ways:

First, we should have stuck to the warm, human interest stuff like how she likes mooseburgers and hit an important free throw at her high school basketball tournament even though she had a stress fracture.

Second, we should have stuck to the press release stuff like how she opposed the Bridge to Nowhere (after she supported it).

Third, we should never have strayed into the other stuff. Like when The Washington Post recently wrote: “Palin is under investigation by a bipartisan state legislative body. … Palin had promised to cooperate with the legislative inquiry, but this week she hired a lawyer to fight to move the case to the jurisdiction of the state personnel board, which Palin appoints.”

Why go there? What trees does that plant?

Fourth, we should stop making with all the questions already. She gave a really good speech. And why go beyond that? As we all know, speeches cannot be written by others and rehearsed for days. They are true windows to the soul.

Unless they are delivered by Barack Obama, that is. In which case, as Palin said Wednesday, speeches are just a “cloud of rhetoric.”

Fifth, we should stop reporting on the families of the candidates. Unless the candidates want us to.

Sarah Palin wanted the media to report on her teenage son, Track, who enlisted in the Army on Sept. 11, 2007, and soon will deploy to Iraq.

Sarah Palin did not want the media to report on her teenage daughter, Bristol, who is pregnant and unmarried.

Sarah Palin thinks that one is good for her campaign and one is not, and that the media should report only on what is good for her campaign. That is our job, and that is our duty. If that is not actually in the Constitution, it should be. (And someday may be.)

The official theme of the convention’s third day was “prosperity,” but the unofficial theme was “the media are really, really awful.”

Even Mike Huckabee, who campaigned for president this year by saying “I am a conservative, but I am not mad at anybody,” discovered Wednesday night that he is mad at somebody.

“I’d like to thank the elite media for doing something,” Huckabee said, “that, quite frankly, I didn’t think could be done: unify the Republican party and all of America in support of John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

And could that be the real point of the attacks on the media? To unify the Republican Party?

No, that is simply the cynical, media view.

Though as Lily Tomlin says, “No matter how cynical I get, it’s just never enough to keep up.”

I couldn’t resist that. For which I am sorry.

Same old hypocrisy, Same old Republicans.

2008-09-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

Cartoon & Joke of the day

2008-09-02T17:26:00.001-07:00

John McCain’s V.P. pick is the governor of Alaska, a unknown hockey mom named Sarah Palin that no one ever heard of. The only other job she had in politics was the mayor of a small town known as Wasilla, Alaska, and now she has the opportunity to be on a ticket opposite of Barack Obama, the first black man she’s ever seen. - Bill Maher

"Thirty-eight million people watched Barack Obama at the stadium in Denver. There were 84,000 full-throated supporters who turned out there at the field. The Republicans fired back today. They say, 'We can also fill a stadium with thousands of screaming people. For example, the Superdome during Hurricane Katrina.'" –Bill Maher

What were Bush and McCain doing while New Orleans DIED 3 years ago?

2008-09-01T20:32:00.001-07:00

So I'm a little late (3 years) with this information but I find it extremely interesting and coincidental. Hurricane Katrina hit the morning of August 29th which is also the birthday of Senator McCain. President Bush and Senator McCain were celebrating the Senator's birthday while New Orleans DIED in the meantime. This is not a bash on McCain since he really had no role of doing anything outside of his position as Senator of Arizona, however, as one of an elite 100 you should really put forth some effort to at least show concern about a natural disaster that killed 2000, mainly poor black Americans. Before time of the Senators birthday in the afternoon it had become evident in the morning just how truly devastating this would be to New Orleans. However, the old mans birthday seemed to be of utmost importance to the President at least on that day and for about 3 more days. Lets just be glad Gustav was not another Katrina and that the local level government did a good job this year in evacuating the residents and that very minimal looting occurred.

In case you thought I wouldn't corroborate my sources, here is the official picture from www.whitehouse.gov showing what Pres. Bush was doing on the afternoon of Hurricane Katrina

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/08/images/20050829-5_p082905pm-0125-515h.html

Note below picture reads:President George W. Bush joins Arizona Senator John McCain in a small celebration of McCain's 69th birthday Monday, Aug. 29, 2005, after the President's arrival at Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix. The President later spoke about Medicare to 400 guests at the Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort and Country Club in nearby El Mirage. White House photo by Paul Morse

Gotta love Political Cartoons

2008-08-29T20:26:00.000-07:00

(The above cartoon is a reference to McCain not knowing how many houses he owned...its 7 by the way)

Palin who? McCain chooses Veep.....

2008-08-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

Paul Begala is one of my favorite Political Commentators and he said it best when he suggested McCain needed a check-up from the neck up. Senator McCain made a truly political decision today by choosing one of the least qualified VP choices in history...making Dan Quayle comparable to George Washington. After seizing on an opportunity after Obama's veep choice of a white male, the Republicans opted to show that they too can mix it up and provide a possibility to also make history. When I refer to McCain making a truly political decision I am suggesting that this move was made in order to get votes not to choose the most qualified individual who is capable of leading the country in the event of the President's death. As a man who has been inflicted with cancer four times and is at the age of 72, the likelihood of his veep taking over is indeed likely.

Can this woman tell me the difference between a Sunni and Shia, describe to me the intricacies of the Afghan/Pakistan border and the infiltration of the Taliban in the Tribal regions? Is she capable of deciding whether or not we should support Georgia amidst a Russian aggression? What makes her more qualified than a one term mayor of Cincinnati (considering the population of the state)? After all being Governor of a non-contiguous state for less than two years that has more moose than people (and oh yeah and mayor of a tiny village and member of the PTA) means very little, not to mention the highest degree she obtained is a simple B.A. When there are dozens of other men and WOMEN with multitudes more experience than her, why would McCain be so "brave" and attempt such a Hail Mary move? Like i said, its fully political.

He wants to attract females (who he assumes to be ignorant) who will vote for a ticket solely because there are some ovaries around. In addition she is a shining example of everything the Evangelicals (who aren't too happy with McCain) hope to see: Staunchly Pro-life, Lifetime member of the NRA, hunter, Mom. In addition she lives in that nice little state that has lots of oil...and oh yeah what Republican candidate isn't complete without a scandal (she tried to fire her ex-brother and law from a state position)...her views represent everything that makes those value voters comfortable.

Security moms should be somewhat weary however when they realize that this woman's hand is close to being on the red button....being part of the PTA, and 2nd runner up to Miss. Alaska doesn't exactly equate to having the knowledge of whether or not an attack by Iran on Israel is a justifiable reason to enter into a 3rd war.....Oh and don't forget, the woman is a mother of a soldier...how many times did we have to hear that today? We all have respect for every soldier who shows the utmost patriotism and supports his/her country. However, this fact is being used as a political talking point as to why she is qualified...seriously? Joe Bidens son (Attorney General of Delaware) will also be shipped out to Iraq...how many times was this referred to in the Democratic convention?I don't really remember once. But the Mccain team saw this as an advantage..maybe all those women out there will feel like Palin is just like them..not one of them smart Harvard Law educated persons who uses big words.

This is ridiculous and shows that this position is only political to McCain..nothing more...he once said he would rather lose an election than a war...but he is clearly showing in order to win an election he would put an inadequately prepared individual a heartbeat away from leading the most powerful country in the world. Additionally will all those traditional value voters accept the fact that this Mother of 5 is not tending to her newborn son with Downs syndrome...shouldn't she be following the role they view as most suitable, Mother first?

One of the main attack points of the McCain campaign had been Obama's lack of experience...therefore it seems somewhat antithetical to choose such an inexperienced woman... Obama is ridiculed for his inexperience; then when he chooses Biden, a man with massive amounts of experience and vast knowledge of Foreign Policy, he is considered to be opting for more of the same, an insider. In summary... if you lack experience you are unqualified for President but if you have experience you are also unqualified because you offer nothing new to the political scene. You can't make this stuff up!

Barack Obama made a wise choice in Joe Biden, it wasn't a political move (with a possible exception being that Biden may appeal to Penn. swing voters) he complements Obama. Whatever weaknesses Obama may have, Biden compensates. For example, Obama may be lacking in Foreign Policy yet Biden is perhaps the most experienced U.S individual in Foreign Policy. Where Biden is lacking in speech skills and tact, Obama gracefully redeems.

McCain I don't know what you were thinking but I thank you for making this dumb move. Huckabee, Lieberman or Romney would have been excellent choices from a leadership perspective...but you wanted to show how Diverse the GOP can be and presume an ignorant female population will blindly vote for someone with the same genitalia.... This is a losing ticket as long as Americans actually realize that McCain is attempting to manipulate gender and the pro-life movement..

Democratic Convention: Are you convinced yet?

2008-08-29T18:13:00.000-07:00

Over the last four days the Democrat's have convened in Denver and we have seen the first African-American nominated to a major political party. This candidate, Barack Obama, is not just a figurehead of some racial equality movement, but a qualified individual who is leading in the polls. Obama accepted the nomination 45 years after Martin Luther King delivered his "I have a Dream Speech". Whether or not this was a symbolic gesture, I am not completely sure; but as you listened to the words of his near 1 hour speech you came to realize you were experiencing a historic moment. For those of us who have seen the devastation brought on by the Bush Administration over the last eight years we finally saw a beacon of light last night. Not only does Barack Obama offer hope for a nation heading in the wrong direction, he represents the fulfillment of a true American Dream; A dream where a mixed raced child raised with no Father and living on Food Stamps attended two of the most prestigious Universities in the world and went on to be editor of the Harvard law review, Professor at the University of Chicago while subsequently representing and assisting the disenfranchised peoples of the South Side of Chicago. In a nation that has historically disadvantaged those outside of the WASP classification, Barack Obama has shown that diligence and audacity mixed with his true vision and intelligence can overcome all barriers.

I enjoyed watching and was inspired by the convention. On Monday night Michelle Obama showed her true colors as a loving mother and wife, with true poise and intelligence. An accomplished Ivy-league graduate and former Associate Dean of the prestigious University of Chicago, Michelle makes McCains "mistress-wife" Cindy appear laughable. All former caricatures of a radical race activist ala Black Panthers was quickly eliminated.

Tuesday night brought forth Hillary Clinton where she addressed a crowd which contained some former supporters still upset over what they viewed as an unfair primary campaign. All of the pundits were watching to see non-verbal cues of Hillary Clintons "true intentions" as she addressed the delegation. Many felt that she did not truly support Obama and is instead preparing for her 2012 run on the hopes of an Obama loss. Despite such presumptions, Clinton pulled off a powerful convincing speech that should have swayed even the most discontent of her supporters. She properly pointed out to her supporters that they did not just vote for her gender but for her ideals...therefore if they followed her true beliefs from the beginning they would now be...as her...supporting Barack Obama. While there were some overshadowing discussions of scorned Clintons and the possibility of them 'stealing' the show, it was none of the sort. The Clintons were gracious and supportive and I saw not one non-verbal clue showing that there was any personal doubt in their words being delivered.

Now to the big speech.....admittedly I originally had doubts over Obama....I was a proud Clinton supporter. However, unlike some vengeful Clinton supporters I immediately threw my support behind Obama when it became clear Clinton would not receive the nomination. Clinton said it best during campaign season when she noted that the differences between her and Obama pale in comparison to the differences between herself and McCain....now to the Obama speech.....so perhaps as a Democrat and Obama supporter I am a smidge bias, nonetheless, Thursday Night's acceptance speech was utterly awe-inspiring. Republicans have continuously pointed out flaws in Obamas rhetoric, saying it's unsubstantiated ideas that have no way of being achieved. He pointed out everything he planned to do, and how it would be accomplished. He catered to nearly every type of Democrat, Independent and even liberal Republicans. He noted the importance of gender equality including equal pay, 2nd amendment rights yet smart gun control, security yet responsible foreign policy. I don't know if I can even put into words how exquisite this speech was. He addressed every weakness he has been accused of and easily refuted those claims (i.e he will raise taxes, has no experience, no foreign policy knowledge) in addition he tactfully reminded us of all the mistakes of the last 8 years and that Mccain will only be a continuation of it. Furthermore, he countered the concept that McCain equates to change...if McCain has voted with Bush 90% of the time do you want someone who only offers a 10% chance of change? Well said Obama....

If Obama doe's not win this election I will be ashamed of America for once again falling for traditional Republican attack tactics. Obama not just showed his oratorical skills last night, he presented perhaps the best political speech since the one 45 years ago to the day by none other than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tengo Hambre para la comida Cubana...Frijoles Negros con Arroz Amarillo aka Black Beans with Yellow Rice

2008-07-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Another thing Stamford is really lacking in is any type of good Hispanic food. Black Beans and yellow rice is a very traditional dish found on every Cuban table. Its such a great taste that mainly uses the broth created from the black making the additions to the beans very minimal...and its low in fat.

Ingredients for Beans:
1 can black beans
1 medium onion
1 green pepper
4 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
1. Fry the onion and pepper until soft then add the garlic.
2. Add the black beans and spices and let simmer for 30 minutes.

Arroz Amarillo (Yellow Rice)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, red pepper and garlic and cook 2 minutes.
2. Stir in rice, turmeric and cumin; cook 1 minute.
3. Add broth, water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer 17 to 20 minutes or until liquid is completely absorbed.
4. Remove from heat and stir in parsley.

Another Appetizer...Gobi Manchurian

2008-07-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not one who typically enjoys Cauliflower, but this recipe can make even the most vegetable unfriendly individuals begin to dig it...okay so its not that healthy maybe thats why, but hey occasionally you can splurge. This is another 'indo-chinese' dish that implements the use of soy sauce and garlic.

INGREDIENTS

For the Cauliflower Fritters

1/2 Head of Cauliflower

1 cup All purpose flour

1/3 rd cup Corn Flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon Red chilli powder

For the Sauce

2 Cloves Garlic

1 medium onion

2 Green Chilis

2 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce

2 Tablespoons Sweet Chili sauce

1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce

1/4 cup chopped coriander

Oil for frying

Directions:

In a bowl mix All-purpose flour, corn flour, salt and chili powder and add water to form a fine batter.

Dip the cauliflower into the batter and cover.

Heat oil in a pan, deep fry the cauliflower florets covered with batter until brown and cooked. Set aside.

How to Make the Sauce

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add chopped Onion, green chilies, and garlic.Saute for 5 minutes or until soft and brown.

Add soy sauce, tomato sauce, and chili sauce saute for two minutes.

Add the fried cauliflower and mix them so all the florets is covered with the sauce. Remove from flame and garnish coriander leaves.

Are We Immune to Other's Suffering?

2008-07-21T19:31:00.001-07:00

Have we become immune to suffering? I pondered this question after seeing this video that happened last month. Its in my own state of Connecticut where in fact I was not surprised really at all to see that people just walked by while this poor man potentially lay dying on the unforgiving pavement. For non Northeasterners this region has a reputation for being cold, and I am often inclined to agree from situations I have observed. However, Hartford residents are being challenged for honor of most unsympathetic by...Italians...really?

In a country known for its 'amore', there was no remorse whatsoever to Italian sunbathers as two Gypsy girls lay dead on the beach after drowning in the strong ocean current. The Italians have always had problems with the Gypsies and even more so lately, I also had some run-ins with them while in Italy. Nonetheless, have those sitting there lost all dignity? Two dead little girls are within a stones throw of you, and you eat a sandwich? Is your tan and and your disgusting speedo of so much importance that you cannot be inconveienced by what you consider some worthless street rats? I had been to this area of Italy before and I have continously brag about the spirit of the Italians and how much they love life...today they made me rethink my prior assumptions.

Najood: Divorced at Age 10

2008-07-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

Child marriage is a problem all throughout the Middle East and South Asia, and is particularly widespread in impoverished Yemen. This story is not particularly uncommon and in fact the ending is likely one of the better ones throughout the world. Nujood was given away into marriage to a man three times her age. She was beaten by him and forced to sleep with him (even though he promised her parents he wouldn't sleep with her until she came of age). She was brave enough to run away to the court and get a divorce. The worst part is though, Shariah law dictates that Nujood owes her ex-husband money as a result of the seperation.

The video tells the story much better than I can, but when I see Nujood I think of courage and the possibility of change. She went against what society accepts, she is a divorcee, a stigma. While many would condemn the parents for what they did, in this part of the world it is honorable for them to accept their daughter back. Gossip in the Middle East and South Asia amongst neighbors is so widespread and influential it can change a persons priorities, even in the case of family.

What does all this mean? Is it even right for someone such as me, outside of their society to judge what is wrong and what is right? How can you judge a situation when everyone's moral compass is different?

western morals shouldnt be forced on an unaccepting society...Traditions can be okay, but not when it forces someone against their will or imposes restrictions on their freedoms. As long as outdated customs are enforced, women will continue to be victims of a well-defined religious patriarchy.

Here's to you Nujood, in a world where you are taught to be quiet and respect male and elder authority, you did what was best for Yourself, something many women never find the strength to do.

Nujood is lucky....At least 1 million other women in the last year were not.

Some Southern Comfort: Sweet Breakfast Rice & Cinnamon Toast

2008-07-13T09:18:00.000-07:00

Because I grew up in Kentucky I'm accustomed to Southern Food. I miss not eating American food prepared Southern Style , American food (at least Vegetarian style) in the Northeast can be so bland. For example we went to a diner the other day and ordered cheese fries and chocolate chip waffles (yeah no food boundaries that day) and the cheese fries were basically some plain soggy french fries with two pieces of American cheese on top...seriously, that's all you got? The waffles were very bland and the only thing that made them chocolate chip, was some chocolate chips were thrown on top...not mixed in with the batter. So basically outside of Pizza here, I have given up on any American food that is at least somewhat pleasing to the palate.

So yesterday I decided to make two of the tastiest breakfast items, neither of which I have found in Connecticut. The first was a classic cinnamon toast and the other sweet breakfast rice. Perhaps because they are so full of flavor and texture is why I really cannot get enough of these two dishes, and like most of the previously posted recipes, it is extremely easy.

CINNAMON TOAST INGREDIENTS
Six pieces of white bread (or more or less depending on how hungry you are)
Brown Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter

DIRECTIONS
Put oven on Broil (or near 500 degrees)
Butter each piece of bread
Put a layer of brown sugar on top, a little thick
Dust with Cinnamon
Put in oven for around 7-10 minutes, monitoring closely

Note: When done correctly the toast should be a little crispy around the edges and soft in the middle. DELICIOUS.

SWEET SOUTHERN BREAKFAST RICE
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Rice
4 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons Butter

DIRECTIONS:
Thoroughly wash rice
Add milk and sugar
Bring to boil
After bringing to boil let simmer while covered for 45 minutes to 1 hour
Occasionally stir to ensure rice doesn't stick to bottom
Put butter on top before serving

Easy Appetizer: Pudla (Chickpea flour pancake)

2008-07-10T20:44:00.000-07:00

I just started making this appetizer/snack a few weeks ago and am addicted to it because of its simplicity and yummy taste. In India this dish is often served at breakfast.

Pudla is a chickpea flour pancake that can vary in ingredients according to your preference. I like to add green peppers (capsicum), but some people add mixed vegetables to it...whatever chopped vegetables you add to it, it should be okay as long as the consistency of the batter remains. Like I said you don't have to follow this recipe exactly in terms of veggies you add to it, but keep the spices at the same measurement.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cup Besan (chickpea flour)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red chili powder
3 small green chilis finely chopped (optional)
5 garlic cloves minced
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 cup green bell pepper (capsicum)

Directions
1. Mix Besan with water and stir to make fine batter
2. Add salt, chili powder, onion, chiles, garlic, bell pepper and cilantro
3. Let sit for 15 minutes
4. Heat oil in skillet then pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into the pan and spread into a thin layer
5. Cover and let cook for 1-2 minutes, or until brown
6. Flip onto other side and let brown.
7. Thats it! Continue this process until all of the batter is used.

From Dirt to Glamor: Dalit Women and Their Time to Shine

2008-07-09T20:13:00.000-07:00

I put a lot of academic and personal focus on India and I always keep my eyes open for uplifting stories of Indian Women. There was a rather intriguing article in BBC yesterday speaking about Dalit (aka Untouchables) scavenger women who gather and clear human excrement. In a somewhat rags to riches demeanor the article notes how the women went from the bottom of the social strata to being considered a little more than sub-human. They joined others this week in New York for Mission Sanitation and even participated in a fashion show presenting some work of the women.

The head of the Indian NGO noted:
"In India scavengers have been looked down upon for centuries. But those who have abandoned that work are... being treated with respect which they deserve. I am over the moon with happiness."

Under no circumstance would I demean what these women have achieved but them moving out of scavenger work does not now equate to them deserving respect....they deserved it before. The Indian government banned manual scavenging in 1993, but like many other 'social laws' it is not widely implemented.

In a land often emphasizing its peace, harmony, Democratic and Gandhian principles I am often dumbfounded by the absolute disregard for those deemed different or 'unclean'. India has been so focused on its economic boom that it forgets that economic progress does not equal social progress; trickle down theory will not change centuries old social, religious mores. Until a concerted effort outside of a technicality eliminating 'caste system' and promoting affirmative action is actively pursued, I cannot see any changes soon. After all sex-selective abortions in urban upper class families are on the rise....proof that a strong economy will not serve as a panacea for an adherence to tradition and an age old preference for males.

The efforts of the NGO should be applauded. I see a grassroots movement in India as more potentially effective than its bureaucratic government.

चिली Paneer

2008-07-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Paneer is an Indian Cheese often compared to Tofu that is an essential for vegetarians in India. Alone, paneer has a very faint taste, but when combined with sauce and spices it creates a delicacy your mouth will not soon forget.
I had often made Mattar Paneer, but was looking for something new to do with it. I ate Chili Paneer at a restaurant and fell in love with the unique taste. The soy sauce gives an indo-chinese flavor to it while the corn flour on the Paneer gives it a slight crunch that seals the amazing flavor.

Ingredients:

1 package of Paneer cut into small squares

1/2 Green Bell Pepper (Capsicum)

1 Chopped Onion

2 cloves of garlic (optional)

Corn Flour

5-10 Small Green Chili (depending on your preference)

2 Tablespoons Tomato Sauce

1 1/2 Tablespoons Soy

1 1/2 Tablespoons Red Chili Sauce ( I prefer the sweet red chili sauce)

Salt to taste (i use very little salt since the soy sauce is high in sodium)

Oil to fry
Directions:
1. Take paneer pieces and cover all sides in corn flour. Once covered heat oil in pan. Fry paneer until brown. Set aside
2. Take chopped onions, chilis, garlic and bell pepper and fry until soft and brown.
3. In separate bowl mix together tomato sauce, chili sauce, soy sauce.
4. Now add paneer, fried vegetables and sauce together and simmer for a few minutes. Add salt if desired.
5. Enjoy

Welcome

2008-07-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Blogging has become a worldwide phenomenon over the past few years। A few years ago I also maintained a political blog but decided to end it when I moved away from home। As I begin a new blog I wanted it to be something that is not only worthwhile for those who visit, but also helps to raise awareness to issues that I feel are important. I named the website Food for Thought because quite literally I wanted the blog to be an intersection of Food and Thought. Under the title of food will be a growing assortment of vegetarian recipes. Because of my love for Indian food and the fact that I am married to a Gujarati, a majority of the recipes will be Indian in origin. However, because I am not Indian and also enjoy vegetarian food in general there will be an eclectic mix of vegetarian, including a throwback to my origins in the South.

Despite a very busy schedule, I plan to update the blog frequently and actually serve as a source of information for those who visit it. As a student at a Graduate school that encourages Social Activism I would also like to use this Blog as a medium to do so. I have a few issues that I am very well-read and passionate about. One such issue is the increasing act of female infanticide in India which has left nearly 50 million women literally "missing".
As previously mentioned I study International Affairs: Global Conflict & Security, and my area of focus is South Asia. I have a background in analyzing terrorism in Kashmir, India and Pakistan but have more recently switched focus to social/feminist issues in the region.
Finally, the blog will also follow global news stories of interest and American Politics where I will offer my related commentary. Therefore plan on seeing daily updates on news stories and related issues and around two new recipes a week.