Action alerts: Protect our environment
If there’s one thing we should all be fighting for together, it should be our environment. Not to sound sanctimonious here, but this is our home and if we don’t protect it, we’re not going to be able to continue living here as a species. Instead of fighting about whether something exists or not—whether it’s evolution, the disappearance of a species, or global warming—we need to be coming up with solutions from all sides. Here are a few ways you can ask for solutions today.
Tell BP it’s time to pay up!
Did you know that BP still has yet to pay a cent in Clean Water Act fines? What the heck is holding them up after the death and devastation their destruction caused our Gulf Coast? Click here to demand that BP pay up now! They are liable for the maximum penalty and I think most Americans would want them to pay this fine now.
Ask for clean air
It’s crazy that we have to even ask, right? But so many companies are given the right to just exude whatever they want in the air, polluting and poisoning. Click here to demand that we obtain the right to clean air in America. Personally, I think we need an environmental bill of rights in this country to protect our land, water, and air, but asking for this protection for the air is a good start!
Stop mountaintop removal mining
More than 100 mountain removal mining permits are currently being fought for by the coal industry. Such mining causes the burial of streams, water contamination, and the destruction of the mountains themselves. The long-term devastation could even be more massive. Click here to ask that these permits be denied and that our mountain tops remain untouched.
Stop the Keystone pipeline
This Sunday, activists will be marching to the White House asking that the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline be stopped. Even though President Obama stopped this venture long ago, it remains in danger as TransCanada and others continue to put pressure on the project. Click here to find out more information and to add your voice in protest of its development.
Protect clean air
In addition to asking that all Americans be granted clean air to breathe, we can also ask President Obama to protect the current clean air standards as we move forward in adopting newer, more comprehensive measures. Click here to ask the president for his support.
Zero by Kathryn Otoshi
My daughter and I loved Kathryn Otoshi’s book about bullying, One. So when we saw that the library also had her book Zero, we thought we’d read it, too. I think I liked Zero even better than One because its message is about accepting yourself the way you are and how everyone is important, everyone can be a part of something even if you think otherwise.
The number Zero is big and round, but she feels empty inside because there is a hole right in the middle of her. She wants to count with the numbers—which, by the way, are the same colors from the previous book, making this one an effective sequel!—but since she thinks she’s not worth anything she can’t have fun counting with the rest of the numbers. She especially wants to be like number One, who looks bold and solid with strong strokes of color and corners rather than the roundness that Zero has.
Zero even tries to be something she’s not in order to count. She tries to change herself into a One, then an Eight and a Nine, but of course, it doesn’t work. She desperately wants to be anything other than herself and it just rings so true of so many children who want to be someone else.
Then she actually tries to impress the rest of the numbers, thinking that will help—and who hasn’t been there? Instead of impressing them with her speed, of course she runs right into them, which only makes her sadder. She feels like she is worth nothing.
Then, as she professes she will never count or have value, Seven—the bully from the previous book!—tells her that every number has value and that it’s what’s inside that counts. Seven tells Zero to be open, and that she will find a way. As soon as Zero sees herself differently—as open rather than empty—she suddenly realizes her value. She stands next to the numbers and helps them count more by adding herself, saying, “If we help each other soar, we can count even more!”
Once again, Oteshi uses such simple yet delightful concepts to help children understand that each and every one of them has worth, has value—and sometimes we just need to look at things a little differently in order to really understand them. That’s actually a good lesson that adults could really use, too.
One by Kathryn Otoshi
I am always on the lookout for new books that share not just gorgeous art and storytelling, but also positive messages with my kiddo. When I came across Kathryn Otoshi’s colors and counting picture book called One, I knew I had found a winner.
The story personifies colors. Blue is a quiet little color, for example, who likes to do blue things, like jumping in water or sky gazing, while orange is outgoing, green is bright and purple is regal. The illustrations are very simple—just blobs of watercolor for each personified color—but they’re also very bright and help illustrate the personality. Regal purple is very composed, for example, while sunny yellow has fuzzy protrusions that make it look like the sun.
Then hot head red, a huge, towering color, hits the scene and bullies blue by saying, “Red is hot. Blue is not.” Then it showed the blue color flattened and watered down, feeling bad about itself. And while the other colors attempt to comfort blue, they never stand up for blue—until one day, after Red gets bigger and bigger and bullies all of the colors, a gray number one comes along and tells Red, “No!” It’s really that simple, and with that one instance of standing up for itself and its friends, number one inspired the rest of the colors to stand up to red. Then the colors turn into numbers as they count off saying, “No!” to the big red color.
First Red gets angrier and tries to hurt Blue, but the rest of the colors help him and they stand together. Red feels tiny until one tells him that he can count, too, and red becomes the number seven on the last page, where the numbers shout together, “Everyone counts!”
Isn’t that a marvelous story? I particularly like how the colors are used to personify how bullying works and makes you feel—and then the ending, how even the bully can count as an important member of the group. Most anti-bullying books seem to focus more on one-upping the bully rather than integrating him or her into the group, which is really what often needs to occur anyway in order for peace to really be achieved.
This is such a wonderful book. My seven year old loved it, but I know kids much younger will, too. I would heartily recommend it for any library or classroom to help make everyone feel counted.
Eating vegetarian on Thanksgiving
While most of the country is looking forward to a meat-filled Thanksgiving dinner, I am not. For vegetarians, Thanksgiving can be an awkward holiday. Why would anyone want to celebrate anything with a deep-fried turkey, or worse a turducken?
There is good news for us veggie lovers. With a little preparation and creativity, anyone can enjoy some meatless dishes on Thanksgiving Day.
Stick with the basics.
Most meat-eaters I've come across are not adventurous when it comes to trying out new vegetable dishes. If you are offering to bring a few sides to Thanksgiving dinner, stick with the basics. Prepare a creamy pot of mashed potatoes with vegetable broth. Make green bean casserole that is vegetarian-friendly. Toss a simple salad that will complement any main course. It's easy to prepare almost any side dish without meat ingredients, and your friends and family will not taste the difference.
Recreate a holiday favorite.
For me, stuffing or dressing is a real treat. This bread casserole is usually "stuffed" inside the turkey and baked - not a vegetarian option. I've learned how to recreate a "turkey" stuffing by baking the only meatless ingredients in a glass dish. Unless a guest asks, I don't even tell them it's vegetarian. I've never had any complaints over my turkey-free stuffing.
Bring something just for yourself.
If you're worried about not having enough to eat on Thanksgiving, then bring your own main course. You can go wild by eating a Tofurky, while everyone else is chowing down on real turkey. I would bring enough to share, just in case there is another vegetarian present. There is no reason vegetarians shouldn't feel stuffed on Thanksgiving Day, too.
Save room for dessert.
Dessert is my favorite course. The main advantage of desserts is that most of them are vegetarian-friendly. Go ahead and eat another slice of pumpkin pie. Don't feel bad about putting extra whipped cream on that pecan pie.
Remember to pig out all you want on Thanksgiving Day. Even us vegetarians love a huge meal.
College Update: Big XII, Pac-12, SEC (Week 11)
BIG XII CONFERENCE [Scores] [Standings]
Best Wins from Week 11:
- Kansas State kept it going with a 23-10 win over TCU.
- Oklahoma State applied a few more nails to the West Virginia coffin, 55-34. No defense for the Mountaineers.
- Texas continued its effort to stay relevant by beating Iowa State, 33-7.
Rankings Update:
- ESPN Heisman Watch: 1. Kansas State QB Collin Klein. The runaway favorite is also the only Big XII candidate to make the list.
- Big XII in the AP poll: 2. Kansas State; 13. Oklahoma; 18. Texas; 23. Texas Tech.
- Big XII in the BCS standings: 1. Kansas State; 12. Oklahoma; 15. Texas; 23. Texas Tech; 24.Oklahoma State.
Week 12 Preview:
- Oklahoma meets West Virginia in what would have been a major showdown a few months ago. But not so much now.
- Oklahoma State and Texas Tech jockey for bowl position.
PAC-12 CONFERENCE [Scores] [Standings]
Best Wins from Week 11:
- Stanford overcame Oregon State for the second-best standing in the league, 27-23.
- Oregon remained unbeaten by easily handling Washington, 59-17.
- UCLA stayed relevant with a 44-36 escape over Washington State.
Rankings Update:
- ESPN Heisman Watch: 3. Kenjon Barner, RB, Oregon; 6. Marquise Lee, WR, USC; 7. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon. It's Mariota's first appearance on the list.
- Pac-12 in the AP poll: 1. Oregon; 14. Stanford; 15. Oregon State; 17. UCLA; 21. USC.
- Pac-12 in the BCS standings: 2. Oregon; 13. Stanford; 16. Oregon State; 17. UCLA; 18. USC; 25. Washington.
Week 12 Preview:
Big games out on the coast:
- Stanford knocked off USC when it was No. 1. Now it will try to do the same to Oregon.
- Meanwhile the Trojans will try to salvage their season with a win over cross-town rival UCLA.
SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE [Scores] [Standings]
Best Wins from Week 11:
- Texas A&M 29, Alabama 24. As they say, 'nuff said.
- LSU stayed near the top with a 37-17 win over Mississippi State.
- And Missouri continued to reach toward SEC relevance by knocking off Tennessee, 51-48.
Rankings Update:
- ESPN Heisman Watch: 2. "Johnny Football" is A&M QB Johnny Manziel. We predicted a few weeks ago he'd have a Heisman by 2014. He may be ahead of schedule.
- SEC in the AP poll: 4. Alabama; 5. Georgia; 7. Florida; 8. LSU; 9. Texas A&M; 12. South Carolina.
- SEC in the BCS standings: 4. Alabama; 5. Georgia; 6. Florida; 7. LSU; 8. Texas A&M; 9. South Carolina. Yes, they ran the "inside straight" ... 4-5-6-7-8-9. Mississippi State dropped out.
Week 12 Preview:
- It's mostly nonconference games this week the way the new SEC schedule works out.
- Tennessee and Vanderbilt have their annual showdown, but no one much cares outside of the state.
College Update: ACC, Notre Dame, Big Ten (Week 11)
ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE + NOTRE DAME [Scores] [Standings]
Best Wins from Week 11:
- Notre Dame stayed alive in the national title chase with a 21-6 win over future ACC foe Boston College.
- Virginia got up off the mat for its second straight win, 41-40 over Miami, only to go right back in the loser column on Thursday night, losing to North Carolina by 37-13.
- Clemson maintained its high ranking with a 45-10 trouncing of Maryland.
Rankings Update:
- ESPN Heisman Watch: [4. Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o]; 8. North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard; 9. Clemson QB Tajh Boyd. It is the first appearance for Bernard, who has been red hot.
- ACC in the AP poll: [3. Notre Dame]; 10. Florida State; 11. Clemson. The Irish move up after Alabama's loss.
- ACC in the BCS rankings: [3. Notre Dame]; 10. Florida State; 11. Clemson.
Week 12 Preview:
- Notre Dame is back in its future ACC realm, facing Wake Forest.
- Georgia Tech, at 5-5, faces 6-4 Duke in a game with more postseason implications than it ought to have.
BIG TEN CONFERENCE [Scores] [Standings]
Best Wins from Week 11:
- That little "improbable-Indiana-to-the-Big-Ten-title-game" boomlet? Over. It required a win over Wisconsin. Didn't happen. Badgers 62, Hoosiers 14. Thanks for playing ... we have some lovely parting gifts.
- Nebraska came back from a double-digit deficit for the fourth time in Big Ten play to knock off Penn State, 32-23. The Huskers are likely to make the Big Ten title game.
- Pudue broke its losing streak with a 27-24 escape over Iowa.
Rankings Update:
- ESPN Heisman Watch: 5. Ohio State QB Braxton Miller. Miller remains the only Big Ten player to get any notice.
- Big Ten in the AP poll: 6. Ohio State; 16. Nebraska 23. Michigan.
- Big Ten in the BSC standings: Ohio State is ineligible. Nebraska is No. 14; Michigan No. 21.
Week 12 Preview:
- Wisconsin has earned a spot in the title game as the top eligible team in the Leaders Division, but it will be a pretty hollow opportunity if the Badgers lose badly to Ohio State.
- Nebraska can take another step toward the other spot by beating Minnesota.
Yummy pumpkin treats for Thanksgiving
If you're like me, you look forward to a table full of desserts on Thanksgiving Day. Growing up, we always had the same three pies. Now that I'm in charge of dessert, however, I like to shake things up. Every year, I bring a different pumpkin treat. Here are some of my favorites from years past:
Pumpkin Pie
To be honest with you, I haven't made a pumpkin pie since high school, but it still deserves to be on the list. The spiced pumpkin filling inside a buttery crust is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Instead of using a canned pumpkin mix, try pureeing your own fresh pumpkin and mixing it with a variety of spices. Served with a dollop of whipped cream, it won't last long on Thanksgiving Day.
Pumpkin Cheesecake
This is my favorite way to enjoy pumpkin this time of year. I love cheesecake, and I love pumpkin, so what could be better than combining the two? It's quite simple to make. Begin by following any standard cheesecake recipe. The one on the back of a Philadelphia Cream Cheese box is delicious. Add a bit of canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice seasoning. Taste the batter until you are pleased with the result. Bake and serve! Your guests will be in heaven.
Pumpkin Trifle
If you want something more artistic on your dessert table, then a trifle is the way to go. My favorite recipe combines layers of pumpkin pudding, whipped cream and gingerbread cake. It's sweet and spicy all a the same time! Be sure to assemble it in a large, clear dish so that your guests can see all the delicious layers.
Pumpkin Mousse
If you read my last post, you know that I love a good mousse. Pumpkin mousse if an airy way to serve the holiday fruit. Mix some canned pumpkin with your favorite spices, and whip to a fluffy consistency. Serve with a cup of coffee, and you have a really special Thanksgiving Day treat.
Go ahead and try out some of these pumpkin desserts. Pumpkin is a very versatile ingredient, so if you come up with some other ideas, please share!
Yoga Kids: A DVD program for the whole family
We ran across a Yoga Kids DVD at the local library and I decided to check it out for my seven year old. We have toyed with yoga off and on since she could walk, and sometimes she enjoys it—especially if she’s pretending to be a tree—and sometimes she doesn’t. She also enjoys tai chi, tae bo, and taekwondo—the latter of which she is most familiar.
As soon as the program started, I thought she would hate it. It’s very, very slow, takes forever to start, features lots of makeup and long songs without much movement. (I then realized the video was intended for ages 3 to 6!) I don’t know if it was because it was new—which is always novel—or because she got to play with my yoga mat, but she actually enjoyed the movie.
It features a woman dressed as a “faery,” which just means she’s got wings and lots of glitter on, and a man playing guitar while three children do yoga poses with them. The poses they do, however, are so simple that I would really recommend this video for the preschooler crowd rather than children my daughter’s age. That said, if you look up Yoga Kids online, you’ll see that they have a whole bunch of different DVDs and programs that you can use with your children, so there could be something for much older kids, too.
Chile’s Magic Mountain Hotel
In the Huilo Huilo nature reserve in southern Chile, there is a hotel that looks more like it was made by nature than by man. The Magic Mountain Hotel, as it is called (not to be confused with the ride at Disneyland) is literally a pyramid shaped building made to look like a mountain, complete with a waterfall that flows down from the top of the structure. The exterior is covered in an overgrowth of plants and moss, giving it even more of a natural feel.
The hotel was first built as a hideaway, a place for the friends of the owner to stay while they were out hunting and fishing in the area. Since then it has become a hot-spot for tourism in the country, a welcome break from more standard and sterile hotels. To add to the appeal, Magic Mountain is set among the trees of the rainforest and the only way to access it is by crossing a bridge made of wooden planks.
The interior of the hotel is just as amazing as the exterior. Each room has a window that gives visitors an amazing view of the rainforest. The décor and the construction of the inside are organic and made primarily of unfinished wood. It looks more like someone constructed it in a hurry, but the end result is something that is completely unlike any other hotel.
In addition to the unique feel, there are also many of the amenities that one could expect from a more traditional hotel. There is a bar, a library, hot tubs made from the trunks of giant trees and even a miniature golf course that winds its way through the forest.
Staying at the Magic Mountain Hotel is like staying in some sort of fantasy castle, straight out of a book about fairies and wizards, except there’s running water and flushing toilets. If you plan on taking a trip to South America, seriously consider a night in Chile at this amazing hotel.
Reading Pile: 11/17/12
Avengers Assemble #9- Only one issue without Bendis and an Avengers title is so much better it’s slightly unbelievable. I find it funny that they sort of abandoned the whole idea of having the movie cast of characters only and have already expanded with Wolverine, Captain Marvel, and Spider-Woman popping up. Considering the only push of this title was to make some sort of horribly loose connection to Thanos due to the movie and cement Bendis as their new ‘cosmic’ guy, it’s not too surprising that this book is going to be sort of floundering for purpose. Still, Kelly Sue DeConnick gives us a nice start to a fairly light hearted story. Hopefully the pacing will pick up as there are only four actual pages of action, but I wouldn't place the blame on the creative team as there are only twenty pages for the entire book (at a painful $3.99 cover price). However, there are some genuinely cute moments between Hulk and Spider-Woman that make this book more worthwhile than a lot of other crap Marvel is churning out. B
Suicide Squad #14- For crossovers like this Death Of The Family, I grade kinda harshly. First, is it at all relevant to understanding the main story? In this case, absolutely not. Second, did the crossover interrupt the main story of the title? I haven’t been reading SS since the second issue, but if I would hazard a guess and say yes. Third and finally, did the forced crossover actually catch enough of my interest to get me to want to read Suicide Squad? Nope. For me it was a complete failure, but a lot of that stems from the absence of Floyd Lawtons mustache and this despicably thin Amanda Waller. Hey, I’m picky that way. I just don’t understand the creative decision to make both characters look more generic and forgettable. On top of that, the relationship between Harley and the Joker was always mentally abusive, but I can't seem to recall it being this physically abusive as well. I can't really see the appeal of going that route, even if you are trying to prove he is more violent now. C
X-Men Legacy #1- I'm sort of surprised and yet not really by how much I liked this issue. I pretty much always want to give Simon Spurrier a chance, and so far he's always entertained. I didn't think I would care at all about a book starring Legion, but Spurrier did a great job of offering a unique and fun perspective in this first issue. Approaching the character on a (sort of) redemption arc but extensively dealing with numerous dissociative personalities makes for a dynamic plot, and also sort of reminds me of Crazy Jane from Morrison's Doom Patrol. I'm doubtful the series will really take off considering a lot of fans probably don't care much about Legion either, but at least they priced this better at $2.99. B+