The World's Easiest Homemade Lentil Soup

Last week I made up a recipe using stuff from my cupboard. Not an uncommon occurrence, to be sure - but this one was actually GOOD! I know it was good because every last bite was eaten, and one of my co-workers copied my recipe and she liked it too! :::beam:::

So, I shall share with you my recipe for The World's Easiest Homemade Lentil Soup (whatta' mouthful, huh?)

Pour the following into a large crock pot:

1 bag dry lentil beans (yes, you should rinse them and pick out the icky ones first-duh!)

2 cans Cajun Stewed Tomatoes (fyi...my friend couldn't find them at her store, so she used Mexican-style stewed tomatoes and said they were delicious.)

4 cans of water (What measurement is that, you ask? The empty stewed tomato can will do quite nicely.)


Spicy sausage, sliced (so cool - other than picking out shrivelled beans and opening cans, slicing the sausage is the only prep required!)


Put the lid on the pot, set it on high, and let it cook all day!

That's it - no salt or any spices needs to be added because the spicy sausage and stewed tomatoes provide all the flavor you need.

You are amazed. Admit it. You know you are....

Where Has Our Respect Gone?

The following was emailed to me as one of those ubiquitous chain fowards. I have no idea who the author is, but I think the message bears repeating...and thinking about. I have often wondered with annoyance why people don't refer to him as President Obama, as the author describes in pargraph 4.

Arrogance of being President while being Black

I don't think anyone was under some real illusion that the election of Barack Obama actually means the end of racism in America . I'm pretty sure that the president-elect knew it better than anyone. After all, he saw it every day, from the moment he announced his candidacy. To some degree, he saw it within his own party during the primaries. And he saw it in all ugliness during the general election. For half of this country, he was "That One". No matter how big and clear his victory was. No matter how smart he is. No matter how decent he is. No matter what a true patriot he is. No matter how optimistic and positive his vision for America was. All that didn't matter. Because at the end of the day, he was still black.

I'm quite old. I remember, vaguely, where my parents were on November 22, 1963. I've seen so many presidents. Some were feared, some were hated, some were adored, some popular and some not. But all of them, without exception, were treated with the highest respect deserving the office of the president of the United States.

That is until a black man won the right to occupy this office. It's been 13 months now, and in the eyes of so many, Barack Obama is still that one. He is being disrespected and at the same time being held to the highest standard of any president I've ever seen – and not just by the Republican side! He has to perform three times better than any president in history, and even that may not be enough.

For the media, he is many more times just "Obama" than "President Obama". They create scandals out of nothing issues. It took them at least 6 years to start giving Bush a small part of the shit he deserved. It took them 6 months to begin crap all over Obama because he's yet to fix the catastrophe that was left for him.

They use condescending tones when they talk about him, and only mildly less condescending when they talk TO him. With anyone else, CNN wouldn't dare go to commercials every time the president speaks, like they did during that summit on Thursday. They wouldn't dare be counting how many minutes George Bush or Bill Clinton were talking. Chris Mathews wouldn't dare make an issue out of Ronald Regan calling members of congress by their first name, like he is not actually the president. They fully cooperate with the Right-Wing smear machine when it comes to president Obama's national security performance – even if almost every independent and military expert actually thinks that he's a terrific Commander-in-Chief. You'll never see them on TV, and virtually no one from the Left, in congress and outside, defend the president on this matter.

I don't care about the Far-Right. They're just crazy ignorant Neanderthals. It's the way the beltway and the mainstream treats this president that is shocking. On Thursday, almost every Republican had no trouble interrupting him in the middle of a sentence. They looked like they're going to vomit every time they had to say "Mr. President". They all had this Eric-Cantor-Smirk whenever he spoke. Then they went out and started to spit their stupid talking points, to the delight of the media. Sarah Palin, a woman who can hardly read, thinks that he was "arrogant" towards John McCain, and somehow this is an important news. Because you see, "Obama's Arrogance" is the talking point of the day.

Oh, those talking points. He is arrogant (because he knows the facts better than all of them combined). He is an elitist (because he uses big words that they don't understand). He is weak on national security (because he actually thinks about the consequences). He divides the country (well, he did that the day he had the audacity to win the election). Worst of all, he actually thinks that he's the President. He even dared to say so on Thursday. How arrogant of him. You'd think that previous presidents didn't have any ego. Somehow it turned out that the one president who treats even his biggest opponents with the utmost respect – is the arrogant one. I wonder why?

I expected that his winning the Presidency would bring out some ugliness, but it's been far worse than I imagined. The racism coming from the Right is obviously clear and shameless, but there's also some hidden and maybe subconscious and disturbing underline tone behind some of the things that I read here and throughout the Left blogosphere, even before the end of Obama's first year - 'He's weak, he's spineless, he's got no balls, primary him in 2012'. It'll be dishonest to deny that.

The fact is that for millions in America , Barack Obama is this uppity black man (Not even a "real" black), who received good education only due to affirmative action, and has no right to litter the sacred Oval Office with his skin color. They just can't accept the fact that the president is a black man, who unlike his predecessor, was actually legally elected. But what's really sad is that it's not just the fringe, its deep deep in mainstream America.

Barack Obama's ability to remain above all this slob, to keep his optimism and his strange and mostly unjustified faith in people, while continuing to gracefully deal with an endless shitstorm – is one of the most inspiring displays of human quality I have ever seen. And I can only hope that the Cosmos is on his side because God is and He never makes a mistake.

-Author Unknown - but speaks for me

Just wondering...

...why are the bigoted people who rant about being morally right usually grammatically so wrong? Does that mean that the lack of education equals moral superiority?

...why do people call themselves the "tea party?" The original club was about taxation without representation. You are represented.

...why do those same people "want their country back?" Who took it? I bet Ireland, England, or wherever else their ancestors are really from is still there....Why don't they just go back?

...why do people complain about taxes when the US already pays less than other industrialized nations? Do we want equality with third world countries?

...why is the connotation of the word "liberal" so bad? Wasn't a driving force of the emergence of our country the mottos "Don't Tread on Me," and "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death?" Liberty: Good. Oppression: Bad. Right?

...why do the same people who want to take no social responsibility for those with less privileges also want to control the (marriage, childbirth, religious...insert your issue here) rights of others? If they don't care about the less fortunate, can't they just leave them alone??? I swear, gay marriage, abortion, and Islam aren't contagious....really.

...also, continuing on the above thought - why are the people who want control over the rights of others also the ones who want the freedom to own as many guns as they choose? Last I checked, the presence of guns do affect other people; whereas, gay marriage does not.

Things that make me go hmmm.....

Expendable Me

Stolen Shoes!

What???!!!! They were on the floor of my dining room this morning!

I say that makes them Fair Game!

Minimum Wage Shoes

I am making Federal Minimum Wage today, courtesy of my ever-lovin' Governator. By my calculations, I owe the State about 12 minutes an hour worth of Auditing work based upon the $7.25 an hour wage.

I was thinking I could maybe E-bay off some of my shoes to delay the time my family might end up homeless on the street at that wage.

Then, I thought, "No...if I must be a bag lady, gosh-darn-it, I am at least going to be one with cute shoes!!"

Hmmm....I wonder if I have a pair to accessorize a shopping cart?

Podos-Fantastique!

I admit it...I am a bad blogger. I don't always find the time to write what occurs to me, and if I have the time I have no ideas. The time issue should be solved in about, oh 3 months from tomorrow (good-bye school forever!). A friend suggested something for those times when I have no ideas....I am now pleased and excited to announce my new periodic series, The Shoes of the Day!

Yes, dear Reader, I will now post a photo and perhaps an observation about what shoes I am wearing each day! Let me start with yesterday's shoe (above-and with apologies to those who already saw them on my FaceBook page) and today's (right) podos-fantastique (podos being from the Greek, meaning "foot") choice.

The House in Marrakesh: The Beach at Diabat

The House in Marrakesh: The Beach at Diabat

I am feeling the urge to fly back to Africa...

I have been reading blogs about Morocco, craving Moroccan food, even dreaming I am there. Sigh....

The Spring Feet Pledge

It is time, once again, for my yearly PSA....So, my sisters, won't you please join me by raising your big toes and repeating after me:

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow The Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toed shoes:

• I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not bulge out between the straps.


• I will go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact, and chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.


• I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.


• I will shave the hairs off my big toe.


• I will not wear panty hose, even if my poor, misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother, or sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.


• If a strap breaks, I will not duct-tape, pin, glue, or tuck it back into place, hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or I will toss it.


• I will not live in corn denial; rather, I will lean on my good friend, Dr. Scholl's, if my feet need him.


• I will resist the urge to buy jellie shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99, even if my feet are small enough to fit the kid's sizes. This decision is made out of concern for the safety of myself and others; as no one can walk properly while standing in a pool of sweat, and I would despise myself if I took someone else down with me as I fall and break my ankle.


• I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toe begins to swell into something that resembles a Vienna sausage.


• I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers, and no sandal can make creepy feet look good.


• I will promise, that if I wear flip-flops, that I will ensure my shoes actually flip and flop, making the correct sounds, while walking, and I will SWEAR not to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.


• I will promise to go to my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they cost about $25, and are worth EVERY penny).


• I will promise to throw away any white or off-white sandals that show signs of wear...nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.

In conclusion, many of these rules should be observed by men, as well. Especially the pedicure and hairy toe thing. And socks with sandals??? That might be tackier than dirty white sandals.

(Also, if anyone knows who deserves the credit for first writing this pledge, I would love to acknowledge that wise individual. I have been re-posting it every spring for years, but do not know who the original author might be. She is my Hero.)

Ideas...

My Statistics professor asked us to elaborate on Albert Einstein's statement, “The formulation of a problem is far more often essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”

Here is my reply....

Perhaps one of the most frustrating responses a person can receive when trying to implement a new idea or process is, “But, that’s the way we’ve always done it!” My gut reaction to that is always, (Insert sarcastic tone here :) “And, how has that been working out for you so far?” Because, quite obviously, if the old way really worked so very well, chances are we wouldn’t be having the conversation in the first place.

Of course, I wouldn’t actually say that (not in the professional arena …all bets are off at home, though! ), but I think the take-away from Einstein’s quote is that if we want to affect real change on our environment and somehow move past old problems with a new and viable solutions, we need to step away from the problem from our old viewpoint and find a new and innovative way to approach it. We have to open our minds, listen to new ideas, and try new paths for sparks of true innovation to ignite.

In today’s technologically-advanced business environment, we have the option to gather vast amounts of research and ideas more quickly and efficiently than ever before. We can better understand and relate to others on a globalized level; discourse, research, and data from all corners of the world can inspire scientists and business-people alike to view old problems from new perspectives.

Many times the innovative idea most feared is the one most misunderstood. By taking advantage of the plethora of research available today, people are able to educate themselves, rather than just listening to the strongest voice in the room and accepting that one viewpoint as the be-all-and-end-all authority. At that point, creative thought can expand and lead to innovative ideas.

Ok, obviously a hot-button issue for me ::::climbing down off my soap box:::::

But....think about it.

Sources, Sources...

I am not always popular in my online classroom environment (I know, you are shocked, right?). Right now, I am reallllllllly not popular. My professor and classmates are castigating large non-profit organizations, and they all agree they are evil. Everyone but me.

Thay are quoting sources stating that CEOs are being paid these huge salaries, and that fundraisers are being given incentives. They all seem to believe that the employees should work for free, and ignore that even school-children are given incentives for fundraising. The following is my reply, and feedback is welcomed:


Re: WK 6 DQ 1

Professor and Class,

What is a non-profit organization? Usually it is an organization that has sought, and been granted, tax-exemption status by proving to be legally able to meet the set requirements. It is "an incorporated organization which exists for educational or charitable reasons, and from which its shareholders or trustees do not benefit financially. Any money earned must be retained by the organization, and used for its own expenses, operations, and programs (Investor Words, n.d.)."

Now, in reading the posts in this thread, it sounds as though some of these organizations may be guilty of adhering to the letter, but not the spirit, of the law. Although, having benefited personally in the past as a military wife from the Red Cross and as a Girl Scout leader from the United Way, I am not so sure that the ends do not justify the means. This is a hard world to gather charity from, and competition is the ruling force in a capitalistic society...

At any rate, it seems the major concern here seems to be with the salaries made by the organization's CEOs. I was surprised by the salary quoted by a previous student: "the CEO of the Red Cross pulled down a $651,957 salary in the fiscal year 2003. $450,000 is listed as the base salary."

I read the financial statements for 2008, where $1,394,034 was listed as the total salaries paid in 2008 by the Red Cross (2009). If the CEO's salary is truly that high, how are the other 34,000 employees paid?

If I subtract $651,957 from $1,384,034, I am left with $742,077. For 34,000 people? Some of whom must actually receive a living wage….so the others get, what? $12,000 per year? Doubtful. My family struggles on a much higher amount of income.

So, I looked up the reported Red Cross CEO’s salary for 2008 on the Better Business Bureau’s Web site (n.d.), and found the following information:

Chief Executive : Gail J. McGovern, President and CEO
Compensation*:
$47,005

Staff Size: 34,000

I think that salary is more than reasonable; in fact, I am certain $47,005 is much lower than Ms. McGovern could receive in the for-profit sector. At some point, even a non-profit has to realize that they get what they pay for; and if salaries for their employees do not reasonably compensate, they will not attract the best and brightest to lead their cause.

Maybe sources are the problem? I am inclined to trust the organization's audited financial statements and the Better Business Bureau.

Comments are welcome.

Sincerely,

Meircee Boulahroud
MBA Student
Sacramento, CA (PST)


References:

American Red Cross. (2009). American Red Cross FY09 financial results. Retrieved February 13, 2010 from http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/corppubs/FY09FinancialStatement.pdf

Better Business Bureau. (n.d.). Charity reports index. Retrieved February 19, 2010, from http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/national/human-services/american-red-cross-in-washington-dc-679

Investor Words. (n.d.). Online dictionary. Retrieved February 19, 2010, from http://www.investorwords.com/3331/non_profit_organization.html

Safety First!

According to the Sacramento News and Review, those yellow bumpy things at the street corners downtown are intended to assist the blind by acting as a sort of braille for the feet; indicating to the visually impaired that one is now standing on a street corner, and should therefore use caution when proceeding across the street.

I submit to you, fair reader, that the bumpy box on the ground is actually a safety hazard, and the very opposite of a display of sensitivity toward the challenged amongst us. I know this fact from experience. Think about it....you are walking along on the level concrete, rushing to work in the early morning fog. You come to the downward sloping corner, which has been overlaid with raised, yellow, plastic bumps of approximately 1" in diameter each, sloping downward. You are wearing flats, and the plastic patch of bumps is wet from the fog.

If you are me, you probably slip, your legs flaying into very painful splits. You might even fall. Wearing light gray dress pants. In front of a cute guy on a cuter motorcycle. He might get off his bike to help you gather all of your stuff....like your rolling laptop bag that rolled into the street, your now-broken travel mug that had moments ago contained your life-infusing morning coffee, and the contents of your purse, which have spead out north, south, east, and west. The very definition of humiliation.

It could happen.