Continuing Social Graces During Distancing

Spread Kindness, not the virus.

It's a different time right now, there's no understating that, but when times are tough its as important - more important - to maintain our social graces, our etiquette.

I'm not going to get into how physically distance, what to do to slow the spread. There are enough resources on that. Just this one comment: trust science. Look for resources by medical, health, and scientific professionals, experts.

But let's all work together to try to spread kindness, not the virus. Being nice, being good to people is more important than ever.

Cauliflower Ground Meat Replacement

Last June I started exploring, probably a lot later than most who know me might think, the whole plant-based thing, starting , mainly with trying to give up beef products because of both health and environmental reasons. Since then I have had mixed results. Since the beginning of the year I have actually been trying to be as plant-based as I can, not full-on Vegan, but probably the closest definition is flexitarian.

My chili cauli with veg ready
for beans& sauce

In giving up meat, I am really trying to not use supermarket plant-based but highly processed meat replacements. A fake burger or sausage is just not going to be the same as meat, plus they still are processed foods and even if 'vegan' still unhealthy. Instead I try new recipes that aren't based on meat-centric ones with meat replacements. Lots of non-Euro, non-American recipes

But sometimes you get the craving for an old standby, a comfort food selection maybe. So how do you do that and still have it taste good? For me, I have found a pretty good option: roasted cauliflower. When 'riced' it can turn into something close to ground meat whether beef or chicken or whatever., it all depends on the preparation. At the end you can find my recipe for Cauli Chili.

Generationalism Has Got To Go

Even trying to be a positive graphic, this still
highlights the perceived differences in generations

Let's start with a simple statement: Generationalism is just another ism. Another generalization. And therefore it needs to stop.

In the modern age when things change from generation to generation, every generation has thought and will think that ones before are stodgy and unadaptive and the ones after are ungrateful and flighty. Every One. Just wait, if you are in the current generation, you will soon be in the same boat, lamenting the next generation's flaws. And older generations, we should know all this by now, having experienced the same from our predecessors.

U of Tennessee Vols Step Up Vs. Bullying

You may have seen it on the news already, but I wanted to extend my gratitude to the University of Tennessee for taking a stand against bullying.

By producing the design that caused a student to be bullied, and donating all proceeds to STOMP Out Bullying, they show that they have a heart.

What You Think About Immigrants & Minorities May Just Be Wrong

A common scene by people protesting
undocumented immigration

In the current rhetoric of the day regarding immigrants, policy and perception against immigrants is too often spun to say that they are people with high crime rates that make our country worse just by being here. This is and has been used against blacks in America as well. We are told that they bring and create crime to our society. It creates a perception for whites that they need to defend themselves. We have seen how this perception affects things from the actions of police (justifying use of force) to national policy meant to keep them our of the country.

But if you have seen or heard these arguments and leaned toward believing them, you might want to see some statistics for yourself and then form your own perception. Here is some help.