Unmangled Mango

A mango is a fleshy yellowish-red tropical fruit cultivated in India.  It is eaten ripe, or used green for pickles or chutneys.  “The king of the fruits”, is one of the most popular, nutritionally rich fruits with unique flavor, fragrance, taste, and health promoting qualities. 

The typical “mango” shape is oval or round with an outer skin that is smooth and green that turns into golden yellow, crimson red, yellow or orange-red when ripe.  Fresh mango season lasts from April until August.  Internally, the mango flesh is juicy, orange-yellow in color with a centrally flat, oval shaped seed (stone).  The mango fruit is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Preparation and serving method:

Wash mango in cold running water and dry outer skin.  Cut the fruit lengthwise into three pieces so that the middle portion consists of husky seed.  Slice through the skin to separate the skin from the pulp.  Chop pulp into desired sections.

Mango fruit can be eaten alone, as an addition to fruit salads, pickles, jam, relish or smoothie. 

 

 

 

 

Right To Protest

As an American and member of the “Baby Boomer” generation, I am all too familiar with one of our most basic rights:  the right to assemble, protest, and petition.

The founders of our great nation wanted to break free of the tyranny of a nation that denied them the civil liberties that they believed all people were granted when declaring independence on July 4, 1776.  The ratification of the Bill of Rights in 1791 reaffirmed their faith in independence from governmental tyranny.  Freedom fails to survive when those in power make exceptions to the First Amendment for speech or criticism that they dislike.

In the years following WWI, Americans feared the Communist Revolution in Russia would spread to the United States.  Thousands of people who were deemed to be “radicals” were arrested without warrants or regard to constitutional protections against unlawful search and seizure.  A small group of people decided to take a stand against these civil liberties abuses, and thus was born the American Civil Liberties Union.  The ACLU is committed to fight for freedom and the protection of constitutional rights for generations to come.

Social change movements erupted in the 1960s, with varying degrees, that changed government policy and how most Americans live today.  The protesters believed in a more direct democracy and so took direct action – public marches, picketing, sit-ins, rallies, petition drives, and teach-ins – winning converts to their causes and changing public policies at the local, state, and federal levels.  They contributed their time, energy, and passion with the hope of making a better, more just society for all.

In recent weeks, a young unarmed African-American was shot and killed by a white police officer in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson.  This incident has fostered protesters to demonstrate amidst actions of looters, vandals and others seeking to inflame tensions.  It is disheartening to see a Midwest suburb with a population of over 21,000 become a war zone on national media.  The lives of those involved in the incident have needlessly been forever changed.  Decisions were made that fateful day, based on emotion, fear and what was thought to be facts.  Now, countless lives have been needlessly affected – businesses have been destroyed, jobs have been lost and values/safety has been compromised.  The recent actions have not contributed to a better society for all – it has served as an open forum for anger.  My heart is heavy that we have so little value for one another in action and deed. 

Can a peaceful protest truly exist when the topic is riddled with such fierce emotion?

Turkey Burgers

 

                                         Spinach Goat Cheese Turkey Burgers
                                        
                                         Ingredients:
                                         1 lb ground turkey
                                         1 egg, lightly beaten
                                         1/4 C thawed frozen chopped spinach
                                         1/3 C Panko breadcrumbs
                                         3/4 C crumbled goat cheese
                                         2 tsp Tony Chachere's seasoning
                                         ketchup/mustard/lettuce/tomato for garnishment

                                         Directions:
                                         In large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, egg, thawed spinach, bread
                                         crumbs and seasoning.  Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.  Add
                                         the goat cheese and mix again until combined.

                                         Heat up a grill pan over medium heat.  Spray with nonstick spray or add a
                                         drizzle of olive oil.  Form six patties from the turkey mixture and cook for
                                         about six minutes on each side.  Serve warm with whole wheat buns and
                                         favorite garnishments.

                                         YUMMY!!!
                                         

Finding Your Own Voice

“Ask for what you want, and be prepared to get it.”  Maya Angelou

 Our voice is our essence, so create it with tone, style, tenor, pitch and personality for the world to see.  Finding one’s voice is a continuous quest of retuning as the essence of who we are is ever changing.

Here are some tips:

1. Be assertive and direct vs demure and unsure
When ordering at a restaurant, do you say, "I’d like the grilled chicken” vs “Could I have the grilled chicken?"  What's the difference? The first way is assertive and direct while the second way of asking is demure and unsure; it's as if you're asking for permission. In the future, if you want something -- whether it's a raise at work or to have more sex at home -- then say it with confidence!

2. Speak Up -- But Don't Engage in "Up speak"
Up speak is a rising intonation at the end of a sentence.  Using up speak essentially turns every sentence into a question. Popularized by California teenage girls (a.k.a. "Valley Girls") in the 1980s, this cutesy yet annoying way of speaking still exists today. Surprisingly, it has made its way into an older generation of women. Don’t be guilty of making a good and solid point only to up speak causing your words to sound uncertain.  So, next time you're making a strong point, listen to yourself. Make sure your voice is reflecting your inner strength.

3. Grow a Pair!
Whether we're talking about testicles or breasts, you've got to grow a pair! Use assertive language and stand up for yourself.  Don’t allow your audience to intimate your knowledge. Channel your inner goddess to access your core strength to advocate for yourself. Take out words that imply inferiority such as "just" or "only" (i.e. "It's just an idea" or "I'm only an assistant") and use more assertive language (i.e. "I have a great idea" or "I'm a well-qualified assistant"). Pay attention to the volume of your voice. Are you talking in a low tone so that others can't hear you and don't take you seriously? Raise your volume and make your points loudly and clearly.

4. Don't Beat Around the Bush
Bushes are for landscaping, but when it comes to conversations, women tend to beat around them more than men. Women attempt to protect others' feelings, and in doing so often come across as being indirect. Don’t add on qualifiers at the beginning of sentences i.e. "I know you've probably thought of this idea before, but..." or "I was wondering if maybe you might have time to..." Many women fear coming across as too aggressive or bitchy if they are direct. Adopt a tone of voice that is serious yet not defensive or punitive, then you will be heard.

5. Stop Apologizing Needlessly
Women have a tendency to apologize more than men. A heartfelt apology is great when there is something to truly be remorseful about, however many women have developed a habit of apologizing. They apologize when they are trying to move past someone on the sidewalk (instead of saying, "Excuse me"), and even apologize when someone bumps into them. They apologize for making a point in a meeting that is not in agreement with another point ("I'm sorry, but I just don't agree!"), or asking for something they want ("I'm sorry, but could you please tell me the time?").

This habit of over-apologizing undermines a woman's credibility and confidence. The next time you want something, don't apologize for it -- just ask!

Use your voice. You don’t embark on a quest for your voice just for the sake of beauty — a noble pursuit, but it’s not enough.  You must use your voice to express yourself, to help others, to change the world:

Simplicity vs Complicated.

Minimal vs Consumer

Content vs Discontent

People are internally motivated by four needs:  to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy.  When they overlap, you have voice-your calling, your soul’s code.