We've always heard America called a melting pot. Since it's beginning, we've been a nation of immigrants, and in the beginning, our founding fathers were searching for religious freedom. I find it ironic that all these years later, there are Americans that want to prohibit immigrants seeking religious and political refuge, entrance into our great country. Most immigrants are seeking a better life for themselves and their family. Most are not rapists, thieves or terrorists. Most end up paying taxes and contributing to American society.
Racial or religious profiling is wrong. I remember when I went off to Berkeley in 1963, I had a roommate who had never met a Jew before. She was skeptical of me in the beginning, as she had been taught so many stereotypes. We became fast friends, and all the barriers came down. She couldn't believe how she had been misled by her family and community for so many years. The same is true when you get to know any person of another race, religion or culture. Usually they don't fit the stereotype. Today, it's the Muslims that many are questioning. Muslims have been living in our country for a long time, now all of a sudden we want them out because of terrorism? Of course we have to keep terrorists out, but that doesn't mean that Muslims that have been here for decades should be sent home. That's ridiculous.
There are good people and bad people in every religion, culture and country. The Oklahoma bombers were white Americans. Go to rural Idaho and you will find many hate groups flourishing. They are usually against anyone that isn't American, white and Christian. But this is NOT America. We are a nation of immigrants from all over the world. That is part of what makes us great, the fact that anyone, from anywhere, has an opportunity here. Let's work on strengthening requirements for immigration, and not just keeping someone out because of their ethnicity.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Did You Get YOur Driver's License At 16?
I remember the day I turned 15 1/2. I was down at the DMV as soon after school as my mom could get me there. I couldn't wait to get my learner's permit. My parents were great at allowing me to practice driving during the time I had my learner's permit. By the time my 16th birthday came around, I was a pretty good driver, and ready to go get my permanent license. My mom had promised me she would take me to the DMV after school on the day of my birthday. She did, and I passed the test with flying colors. I was now free to drive one of my parents' cars whenever they were available.
Fast forward 55 years, and take a look at a typical 16 year old today. Many teens are not so excited about getting their license. In fact, only about 75% of young adults between the ages of 20-24 have a drivers license, compared to 91% of that age group driving 30 years ago. Why aren't teens so excited about driving? I know for me it was a really big deal. The license, and of course terrific parents who let me use the car whenever I wanted, meant freedom. I could turn up the music and cruise Hollywood Blvd. or go to Truman's drive in after school for french fries and a coke.
What is it about society today that makes driving less important for teens? I think much of it has to do with mobile phones and texting. From a very early age, kids have the ability to stay connected with friends through phone and text. They are essentially free, because parents are not listening to their conversations (for the most part), and this makes kids feel independent. Maybe parents should know what their kids are texting. Perhaps this is how many of them get into trouble, but that's a topic for another time. When kids do turn 16, they have services like Lyft and Uber to take them where they want to go, for very little money. Back in our day, we had to work all summer to pay for insurance and gas money. Also, kids like to drink, and the fact that they are taking Uber instead of driving while drunk, is a very good thing. Statistically there are less cases of drinking and driving among teens since Uber and Lyft came along.
My kids were still in the generation where they couldn't wait to drive. They all got their licenses on their 16th birthday. But my niece, just 8 years younger than my youngest child, didn't get her license for several years after her 16th birthday. She just wasn't that interested in driving. My thought is that through phone and text, most kids already have a life separate from their parents, and feel very independent. They no longer need the car to get that feeling. Any thoughts on the subject?
Fast forward 55 years, and take a look at a typical 16 year old today. Many teens are not so excited about getting their license. In fact, only about 75% of young adults between the ages of 20-24 have a drivers license, compared to 91% of that age group driving 30 years ago. Why aren't teens so excited about driving? I know for me it was a really big deal. The license, and of course terrific parents who let me use the car whenever I wanted, meant freedom. I could turn up the music and cruise Hollywood Blvd. or go to Truman's drive in after school for french fries and a coke.
What is it about society today that makes driving less important for teens? I think much of it has to do with mobile phones and texting. From a very early age, kids have the ability to stay connected with friends through phone and text. They are essentially free, because parents are not listening to their conversations (for the most part), and this makes kids feel independent. Maybe parents should know what their kids are texting. Perhaps this is how many of them get into trouble, but that's a topic for another time. When kids do turn 16, they have services like Lyft and Uber to take them where they want to go, for very little money. Back in our day, we had to work all summer to pay for insurance and gas money. Also, kids like to drink, and the fact that they are taking Uber instead of driving while drunk, is a very good thing. Statistically there are less cases of drinking and driving among teens since Uber and Lyft came along.
My kids were still in the generation where they couldn't wait to drive. They all got their licenses on their 16th birthday. But my niece, just 8 years younger than my youngest child, didn't get her license for several years after her 16th birthday. She just wasn't that interested in driving. My thought is that through phone and text, most kids already have a life separate from their parents, and feel very independent. They no longer need the car to get that feeling. Any thoughts on the subject?
Monday, April 25, 2016
Edible Utensils Are Good For The Planet
Narayana Peesapaty of Hyderabad, India, recently developed edible utensils. His company, Bakeys, uses millet, rice and wheat flours to make chopsticks, forks, knives and spoons, to replace the plastic variety that are used in billions of take out orders worldwide. The utensils come in three flavors, plain, sweet and spicy. They are not intended to replace metal cutlery, but are meant to be used for take out food. Imagine how many plastic utensils are thrown away every year, just to sit in a landfill for the rest of time because they do not decompose. The edible utensil is waste and chemical free.
Current plastic utensils contain polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which can leach a chemical called styrene. Exposure to styrene can lead to eye irritation, headaches, fatigue and depression. Most importantly, most companies do not recycle #6 plastic because it is not cost effective. The edible utensils are great for the environment. There is no recycling necessary. Even if the consumer doesn't want to eat the utensil, it is biodegradable, and will not hurt the environment. Congratulations to Mr. Peesapaty for developing a product that will help our planet. I believe edible utensils will be seen everywhere in the U.S. in the not too distant future. Cost is probably an issue right now, but over time, the cost of these utensils will decrease and they will become the new norm. To keep up with food trends, I would expect to see gluten free edible utensils in the very near future.
Current plastic utensils contain polystyrene, or #6 plastic, which can leach a chemical called styrene. Exposure to styrene can lead to eye irritation, headaches, fatigue and depression. Most importantly, most companies do not recycle #6 plastic because it is not cost effective. The edible utensils are great for the environment. There is no recycling necessary. Even if the consumer doesn't want to eat the utensil, it is biodegradable, and will not hurt the environment. Congratulations to Mr. Peesapaty for developing a product that will help our planet. I believe edible utensils will be seen everywhere in the U.S. in the not too distant future. Cost is probably an issue right now, but over time, the cost of these utensils will decrease and they will become the new norm. To keep up with food trends, I would expect to see gluten free edible utensils in the very near future.
"Always Ready:" The U.S. Coast Guard
A group of Newcomers were lucky enough to tour the U.S. Coast Guard facility in San Diego. Thank you Tema for arranging such an informative tour. About 20 Newcomers met at the Coast Guard Headquarters in San Diego, right near the airport. We began our tour in the Ward Room with a power point presentation.
The Coast Guard is the world's most respected and reliable search and rescue organization. Their duties are multifaceted. They protect Americans on the sea, protect us against threats delivered by sea, and they protect the sea itself. Some of the activities they are engaged in include protecting American ships from pirates, stop ships delivering illegal drugs or immigrants, rescue recreational boaters as well as cruise ships and airplane crashes, and work to protect the sea and its inhabitants. The Posse Comitatus Act was passed years ago which allows the Coast Guard to be the cops on the high seas.
During war, the Coast Guard changes uniforms and becomes part of the Navy. They are managed by Homeland Security. The Coast Guard is the smallest of all armed forces. There are only 49,300 members, about the number of members of the New York City Police Department. There is also an Axuillary Coast Guard, which consists of volunteer who work aside the Coast Guard.
We saw a Coast Guard helicopter up close. They are huge, although they only seat about four people, with room for at least one stretcher. They're used to rescue people from accidents in the water. They are in the air 20-30 minutes after their call to action. They have a 250 mile range, and can fly for six hours.
Because of money, it is difficult to recruit good men and women to the Coast Guard. They have their own academy just as the other branches of service do, but they are not given as much in government funds as the other branches of services. In fact, they receive 60% less money per person than the Navy. It's a shame, because after our tour today, I realize how important they are to protecting our coast line and protecting the environment.
Our tour ended, and we all headed to Point Ballast Brewery on India Street in San Diego. Not being a beer drinker, I cannot vouch for the fabulous beer they produce, but those who did drink a pint, were all raves. The food was good, fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, kale and brussel sprout salad, and vegetarian burger made from chick peas and butternut squash, just to name a few of the menu items. It's always a great day when you combine good friends, good food, and an informative tour. This was definitely a great day.
The Coast Guard is the world's most respected and reliable search and rescue organization. Their duties are multifaceted. They protect Americans on the sea, protect us against threats delivered by sea, and they protect the sea itself. Some of the activities they are engaged in include protecting American ships from pirates, stop ships delivering illegal drugs or immigrants, rescue recreational boaters as well as cruise ships and airplane crashes, and work to protect the sea and its inhabitants. The Posse Comitatus Act was passed years ago which allows the Coast Guard to be the cops on the high seas.
During war, the Coast Guard changes uniforms and becomes part of the Navy. They are managed by Homeland Security. The Coast Guard is the smallest of all armed forces. There are only 49,300 members, about the number of members of the New York City Police Department. There is also an Axuillary Coast Guard, which consists of volunteer who work aside the Coast Guard.
We saw a Coast Guard helicopter up close. They are huge, although they only seat about four people, with room for at least one stretcher. They're used to rescue people from accidents in the water. They are in the air 20-30 minutes after their call to action. They have a 250 mile range, and can fly for six hours.
Because of money, it is difficult to recruit good men and women to the Coast Guard. They have their own academy just as the other branches of service do, but they are not given as much in government funds as the other branches of services. In fact, they receive 60% less money per person than the Navy. It's a shame, because after our tour today, I realize how important they are to protecting our coast line and protecting the environment.
Our tour ended, and we all headed to Point Ballast Brewery on India Street in San Diego. Not being a beer drinker, I cannot vouch for the fabulous beer they produce, but those who did drink a pint, were all raves. The food was good, fish tacos, pulled pork sandwiches, kale and brussel sprout salad, and vegetarian burger made from chick peas and butternut squash, just to name a few of the menu items. It's always a great day when you combine good friends, good food, and an informative tour. This was definitely a great day.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Liberty Market Food Hall
It's been compared to Quincy Market in Boston or Pikes Market in Seattle, but I'm not so sure I would make that comparison. Right now, it's about 90% food stalls and restaurants. There are a few small gift shops and a florist and a wine store, but the rest of the market is food. We were there on a Friday, and it was bustling. One thing that won't change as the market evolves is the high level of noise. It is best walk through the market, get your food, and go to one of the outside areas to eat. It is very loud inside.
Our favorite place was Parana, a stall serving empanadas. We sampled one, loved it, and took some home for dinner. They can easily be reheated or frozen and saved for another time. There are at least 6 different fillings to choose from, all delicious. It's by far the most popular food stall in the market. Other choices included a stuffed burger stand, Thai kitchen, healthy salads and wraps, creole food (including beignets), lobster rolls, Mexican food stall, barbequed beef stand, raw bar, pasta stall, and several delicious bakeries and a gelato stall. Prices are moderate, food looked great everywhere I turned, and there is lots of seating.
There are also several restaurants in or adjacent to Liberty Market, most notably Stone Brewery. Wow, what a place. It's huge, with many rooms for private parties, lots of outdoor seating, and even an area for playing bocce while waiting to eat. I have not been to this location of Stone Brewery, but if it's anything like the Escondido location, the food is creative and delicious. I can't wait to try it for dinner on a warm summer evening.
The food hall at Liberty Station is definitely something you could put on your agenda for out of town visitors. I think most would like it. It's fun, everyone can pick out their own kind of food, and there's plenty of room for kids to run around in the outside eating areas without feeling confined. It's a great addition to the food scene in San Diego.
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
No Calorie, No Points Breakfast (Almost)
In anticipation of a big dinner at Luxe Buffet, I decided to go very light on breakfast and lunch. I was saving my points for a splurge at this Chinese buffet in Carlsbad. The philosophy of Weight Watchers is that you can eat whatever you want if you account for it. So, I scrambled up a delicious breakfast of egg whites with sauteed zucchini, mushrooms and onions. It's a great 1 point breakfast and almost no calories. A side of mixed fruit, 0 points on Weight Watchers, completed the meal. Here's the recipe.
Veggie egg white scramble
3 egg whites
1/3 cup broccoli, cubed
1 large mushroom, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
Spray a small pan with Pam, and saute all veggies until soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the egg whites, and incorporate all ingredients, and cook until eggs are scrambled. Add salt and pepper. You can make this with any veggies you have on hand, or you can add protein, like shredded cheese or diced chicken if you desire. I use whatever I have on hand. Spinach, tomatoes and olives also work well. So simple, so delicious, and you can save your points or calories for a splurge later in the day.
Veggie egg white scramble
3 egg whites
1/3 cup broccoli, cubed
1 large mushroom, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
Spray a small pan with Pam, and saute all veggies until soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the egg whites, and incorporate all ingredients, and cook until eggs are scrambled. Add salt and pepper. You can make this with any veggies you have on hand, or you can add protein, like shredded cheese or diced chicken if you desire. I use whatever I have on hand. Spinach, tomatoes and olives also work well. So simple, so delicious, and you can save your points or calories for a splurge later in the day.
Monday, April 18, 2016
Brunch in Lake Elsinore
We began the meal with some slightly spicy lamb meatballs, which were absolutely delicious. I held myself to just one, knowing that lots more food was on the way. The main lunch was a vegetarian pasta salad, with olives, onions and artichoke hearts and cheese and tomato paninis. It was a just wonderful. The sandwiches consisted of mozzarella cheese and heirloom tomatoes on the inside, melted butter on the outside, then grilled to a golden brown. Yum. The dessert was to die for. I plan to make it for my next party, as it can all be made ahead of time. It was poached pears in port with a reduction sauce, on a bed of marscapone and topped with marscapone. It was out of this world, and so pretty. Madeleine also served soft chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and wonderful espresso or latte from her espresso machine. What a feast. A great day was had by all, food and conversation and just getting together was long overdue.
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