06 10 / 2011
The Lede: Steve Jobs, Son of a Syrian, Is Embraced in the Arab World
Steve Jobs, the innovative force behind Apple Computers, grew up in San Francisco but traced his roots back to Syria.
20 8 / 2011
“That Woman Who Comes to Clean”
That woman who comes to clean
What do you know about her?
She’s just the woman who enters your office after hours
Leaving your office nice and clean for the next business day.That woman who comes to clean
Washes your urinals and toilets
Dusts your tables and desks
Vacuums your rugs and carpets
Mops your floors and tiles
Throws away your waste and garbage
Recycles your empty cans and bottles.That woman who comes to clean
Her torn hands tremble with age
Her weary eyes reflect a deep pain
Her shoulders slump with the weight
of responsibilities too huge for her to handle
Her bones ache from the laborious tasks
Her breath comes out in short spurts
She sneezes and wheezes
The toxic smell of cleaning chemicals
constantly invade her nostrils.That woman who comes to clean
She works diligently without complaints, without asking for a pay raise.
Hands you a “Thank You” note and a bottle of wine during the holidays,
Hoping you would not notice how she has slowed down over the years,
Fearing that you may take advantage of the fact that she is a woman
working in dark and dangerous places after hours,
Worrying about whether you would fire her when you find out how ill she is,
Praying that you would just let her keep her job.That woman who comes to clean
She drives a pickup truck
from one door to the next
making your living environment
clean and habitable
for next to nothing in return.That woman who comes to clean
She’s my mother.
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20 8 / 2011
Sick Roommate Soup
Ingredients
64 oz. chicken broth (I used Pacific Organic Free-Range low-sodium broth)
2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
5 cloves garlic, crushed in a press
1 5-oz package prewashed baby spinach
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup stelline (pasta stars)
Goya adobo seasoning, to taste
Love
Preparation
Melt butter in large pot over medium-low heat.
Add garlic and onion; saute over medium heat until onion becomes translucent.
Stir in tomatoes (do not drain); cook another minute.
Add chicken broth and bring to high simmer (almost boiling).
Add stelline, cook for 5 minutes.
Add chicken, cook until just cooked through (not rubbery).
Turn off heat.
Season with Adobo to taste.
Add spinach and recover pot until wilted.
Serve to sniffly friend.
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14 7 / 2011
"In light of the case law and all of the compelling circumstances, the Government’s latest position seems nothing but petty. Indeed, the Government’s continuing efforts to deport Lawson — who is now sixty-five years of age — from the country where he has lived for some fifty-one years, and its continuing efforts to deny this highly-decorated Vietnam War veteran citizenship in the country for which he so valiantly fought, are mean-spirited at worst and puzzling at best. They betray a desire on the part of the Government to continue punishing Lawson for his actions of so long ago … Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Lawson has redeemed himself. Through the way he dealt with his “experience of trial and suffering,” he has shown that he is and has been, since August 4, 2005 and before, of good moral character. His petition is granted."
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01 7 / 2011
Random Steak Sauce
Made steaks tonight. My roomie made some awesome rice to go with it, perhaps recipe later? Also yummy mushrooms and onions in butter-wine sauce… read that sentence and you have the recipe, plus a touch of balsamic.
I randomly decided to whip up some steak sauce and it ended up being pretty good.
Amounts are very approximate, I just kinda threw stuff together and it worked.
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. ketchup
1 tsp. ginger paste (the kind in the tube)
Whisk together, taste, adjust as necessary.
Done right, it should be a little sweet, a little tangy, a little savory, and a lot yummy. Makes 2 servings.
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29 6 / 2011
Spicy Fish Stew
4 large filets white fish (flounder, tilapia, etc.)
2 cups canned low-sodium greens
1 cup jar sauce (prepared tomato sauce)
½ pkg (about 10) medium mushrooms, sliced
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
2 fat cloves garlic, finely chopped
Splash of lemon juice
Louisiana hot sauce to taste
Olive oil
Lightly coat bottom of large, heavy skillet with olive oil and turn heat to medium-high.
Sauté onions and tomatoes until onions have softened. Add garlic and mushrooms, sauté 1 min.
Add greens and jar sauce and bring to a simmer.
Break fish up into skillet and stir in.
Cook until fish is white and firm.
Serve over rice and beans, couscous or pilaf.
Prep time: 15 min. Cook time: 15 min.
Makes 4 medium servings.
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