Little Green Footballs

From respect, to deserved lampooning.

How much I learned from his website. Especially his readers.

I still visit, only to watch the abyss to which he has fallen.

Children Could Fly!

This is a link to MIT students who sent a camera into space and could take pictures of the earth's curvature, all for under $150.

Simple, but creative genius.

I think it's possible to allow children to fly (and cheaply) without the use of an engine. In other words, man powered flight. Please read my other post about the Gossamer Albatross.

How can it be accomplished? Have children slide their arms in a small fixed wing that is filled with helium. The rest of their body would be attached to a helium filled rudder in the back. Send them down a zip line that would release them 10' above the ocean.

It's a simple idea, but if these MIT students could send a camera in outer space to take pictures, we could do this.

This link shows a home-made gas powered paraglider.

More on Veganism

Went to Roscoe's for dinner tonight. A cross between a deli and sports bar.

After trying this vegan thing for 20 years, I have finally realized something:

Restaurants are not the place for me to go for enjoyment. If I want to do it solely to be around friends and family, fine. But to go and actually eat food, I'm kidding myself.

Sure, I have the Souplantation, buffets where I can choose, but to go in a typical restaurant, I know I'm going to be largely disappointed. I'm telling you, that's just the way it is.

If you ever were to think about going vegan, trust me--learn to do things at home. After 20 years, I'm a slowwww learner.

But all in all, if one truly wants to eat a vegan healthy diet, restaurants are not the place to go. And by vegan, I don't mean eating french fries, a hamburger without the hamburger, and a coke--though I've done that a number of times. But good whole foods. Hell, I don't even care about "organic". If the pesticides get me, so be it. I want to eat healthy, whole, fresh, non processed foods. Go to a restaurant, what's easier to order, a hamburger or an apple?

When the average person goes to a restaurant, he's making a pact with the devil. You're going to get the sweetest, saltiest, caloricly rich, high fat, alcohol, you name it food that the mind can create. And people wait in line for this.

Hell, most people already think I'm crazy enough. Maybe I'll just make a sandwich at home, sneak it in the restaurant, and eat that way. At least I won't have to defend myself to the waiter for not ordering meat.

What Do You Eat

Often times when I tell others "I'm vegan", the response is: "What do you eat?".

In the above picture, this is a snack I made for lunch. Phad thai noodles, broccoli/tofu in a peanut sauce, collard greens, 4 bean salad and chips with a guacamole dip.

J No"Leadbetter" Golf Pro

If you want to learn to golf properly, always get advice from the Professional.

911 Tribute

Samuel Barbar


This is a commercial created by Budweiser just after 9/11.

The Internet

People who don't use the internet are missing out on the greatest tool mankind has ever invented. It really saddens me when people are cavalier about this grand technology.

If you're reading this, you're probably like me, knowing well the power of the internet and its ability to democratise the world's information.

Cuban Blog

This is a blog by a girl from Cuba.

I'm interested in Cuba, partly because my wife is Cuban. And to see the difference between a free society and one that is totalitarian.

While Michael Moore creates a movie on the evilness of capitalism, and Oliver Stone makes a documentary praising Hugo Chavez , this blog above gives you a real taste of what life is like in Cuba.

Culture-Food

The gentleman said, "I'm pleased your husband is a vegan. But, I would feel deprived if I didn't eat the foods of my culture. Food brings me much happiness. And not partaking of meats would make me unhappy". This is a conversation my wife had with another restaurant patron.

When I think about that, the person does make a good point. And perhaps for very important family gatherings I may eat the food that culture dictates, such as turkey for Thanksgiving.

But honestly, nah. Whether I eat turkey or not, doesn't make the gathering any less or more happy because I didn't participate in eating an animal. And trust me, when it comes to Thanksgiving, there's plenty to eat besides turkey.

It's not that I want to thumb my nose at our precious traditions. But I have chosen to eat consciously. More and more, others are realizing that vegans don't eat certain foods not to offend the host, but for other reasons. And when I can be in someone elses home and not made to feel guilty because I'm not eating all the foods they are eating, I have a higher respect for them. For they realize I am their guest, they respect my food choices. And they realize I don't have to eat the same way they eat for us all to have a good time.

The Burkha

I went to Walmart. This woman (or I assume a woman) was wearing a burkha.

If there's one thing I have a gut reaction to, it's seeing someone with a burqa.

It's as if they are spitting in the faces of Americans. And they know we can't do a damn thing about it.

Imagine wanting to wear christian religious garb in Saudi Arabia. Stoned to death at worse, and your head chopped off at best. They want us to be tolerant, while they are intolerant. And the muslims realize they can use our laws to get special treatment.

Muslims around the world cheered when the planes flew into the World Trade Towers. They hate the Christian West.

Islam is not a religion of peace. They want to take over the world and have all those who do not believe the way they do to be put to death or subjugated.

Funny Golf Swing

Make sure you have your volume turned up.

In Regards To My Last Post

When it comes to "Veganism" or not eating any animals or animal by-products, it is considered to be politically left rather than right.

Web sites that I love include a website like vegsource.com. A doctor who I highly respect is from the left.

What's funny, is that I'm from the political right. I'm conservative.

And what's even funnier is that "The Left" is supposed to be tolerant, while those on "The Right" are considered mean spirited and bigoted.

So while I can take what these people offer in the way of nutrition, they cannot do the same.

And here's my example:

It was Matthew Scully, a Republican, who wrote the speech for Sarah Palin accepting the Vice Presidential ticket for the Republican Party. Matthew Scully had been linked through VegSource (He had written an excellent book on animal suffering called "Dominion"). VegSource readers called for his expungement. All because he didn't line up with their beliefs.

Another case is John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods. He wrote an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal about health care. Because it doesn't line up with the left, they are now calling for the boycott of Whole Foods.

So this is the "Tolerant Left".

My wife is a Liberal who in every election has voted for a Democrat (except this one). She's for abortion, and against capital punishment. But it's so funny to read comments about her from "Friends" on Facebook. She's called a "Right wing republican". And believe me, from this crowd, there is nothing worse than calling someone that.

So while the Left is the party of tolerance, they are the intolerant.

Another case in point: I just read today that there is a new study confirming broccoli reduces heart disease. After the article about the study, most of the comments turned to bashing former Bush presidents. And even relating one of them to the devil.

As someone on the right, I still don't get the vile hatred for President Bush, but no question, it's palpable.

My Veganism

As a child, I grew up eating the typical American diet.

For breakfast, my mom would make my brother and I a pound of bacon, buttered toast, eggs, all washed down with milk.

This is how I ate. Everyday.

Now, for the most part, I don't eat any meat or anything that comes from an animal. Things like cheese, butter, milk, yogurt and ice cream.

It amazes me that I've made this turn-around.

For breakfast, I may have a juice comprising of spinach, carrots, celery and apple. Or cereal consisting of grape nuts, banana, blueberries, strawberries topped with pecans. My milk of choice is called "Rice Milk", which is not milk at all, but a liquid created by mixing water with brown rice and a few other ingredients.

For dinner, my wife and I went to the Soup Plantation. It's an all-you-can-eat salad bar. I had a couscous salad, broccoli salad, tomato/cucumber/onion salad, wonton salad and a big spinach salad. Along with a curry split pea soup.

I absolutely love to eat this way. For many, it is thought that I'm deprived because I don't eat the standard American diet. And at one time, I did indeed feel deprived. But not anymore. When I see others eat their rich, high protein and high fat diet, I don't miss it at all. I'm happy in the knowledge that I'm doing what is most healthy for my body.

I wish I could stay where I'm at now. I like eating this way. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, soups, salads, the choices are endless.

It was the fast that I did a few weeks ago that got me back on the right track. Sometimes I slide ever so slowly into the murky pit of eating bad foods, and it's doing a fast that brings me right back. That's why I love a fast so much. And as I come back, I find myself getting stronger and stronger.

All I can do is to try and live by my own truths. Even if it's against the status-quo. I pray I can be faithful in my beliefs.

Two Recipies

Here are two recipes of my creation. Though power packed with nutrition, they are also tasty. No food on this planet provides the nutrition of greens.

Collard Greens

add water
vinegar
brown/garlic sauce (found at Asian market)

bring to boil, then simmer for 2 hours


Salsa

spinach
avocado
onion
tomato
cilantro
lime juice

Blend together in food processor

Let This Speak For Itself

Sometimes words can't describe. If you just happen to come across my blog, please take a few minutes and watch this video.