GroundReport.com

Thank You, Jean Claude

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:23:27 -0600

I had the honor to work as an installer on the Gates Project in February 2005. It was a transformational moment for me and the City that I love. There is something magical about spending an entire week in Central Park, especially in the frost of winter, surrounded by nature and sky, laboring to raise a work of art. Jean Claude was everywhere that week. Greeting us for breakfast in the Boat House, touring the installation site in a donated Maybach limousine, selflessly sharing her moment and vision, posing for the camera, scolding us for sneaking our children into the lunch room. No matter, that we had to get up at 5:30AM to arrive at ‘work’ on time.

At the coffee urn one morning the New York City Police Chief assigned to Central Park, turned to me and said, “This is okay. I was skeptical, but this is okay.” Jean Claude and Christo could melt the hardest of hearts with their senseless acts of communal joy.

We installers, total strangers at the beginning of week, became fast friends that week. We shared the wonder of Central Park changing into something new and different. The Gates directed the eye to all the beauty of Olmstead’s manmade creation, highlighting its details by wrapping it in waves of saffron. On the first day, there was anxiety that we won’t get finished in time as 450 novices strained to build and raise 7,500 Gates in a single week. On days two and three, the whole Park felt like a field day at summer camp with each team striving to make and then exceed its quota. Swiftly we learned and mastered the techniques of kitting, moving, assembling, leveling, securing and lifting the orange Plexiglas, aluminum and nylon structures. Our crew working to the west of the Bethesda Fountain started at Cherry Hill and then pushed north on Central Park Drive framing the Lake to the border of the Rambles. Working together like commoners raising a barn, we lifted 107 Gates that week. By the morning of the fourth day, Thursday, an order filtered down from Jean Claude and Christo for us to slow down and relish the moment. At lunch, all of us confessed to having had a secret moment of awe, that rarest of human emotions, overwhelmed by the joy and beauty of the event. That afternoon, we were instructed to stop working and walk the Park and take in the project in the state of becoming. We nicknamed it the “100 Block Walk”. I took that walk five times that week in sun, snow, slush and darkness.

With the leaves gone in late February, Central Park becomes a series of sweeping vistas. Christo and Jean Claude picked February because the sun is bright but cold and the weather shifts rapidly from sun to rain to snow. Under the late winter sun, Central Park turns into a string of large venues under a big sky framed by the City. On Saturday, February 12, 2005, the park filled with civilians and the media. It was the moment of the unfurling. Armed with grappling hocks we waited for the signal to unwrap the saffron curtains. When the moment arrived, the first Gate opened with a crash as the cardboard tube in the middle of the fabric smashed to the ground. My son rushed to pick up the tube and stack it on a hand truck. Everyone was smiling and exactly in that moment.

As the Gates billowed in the cold wind, he said, “This is the best day of my life”. I turned to him looking at the throng of people who had come to see the spectacle and said, “911 is finally over, New York can go back to living.”

Thank you, Jean Claude Denat de Guillebon.

SurivivingThe Holidays With The Relatives

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:20:50 -0600

The holidays are coming that means one thing, spending time with the family.

Now unless you have the family from hell, most holiday get-togethers are not that bad. For the most part, you get to catch up with friends and relatives, eat, drink and be merry.

However, for those situations where you are spending time with in-laws or family members that you have little in common or simply do not like, a holiday get-together might feel longer than Quentin Tarantino's “Grind House”.

No worries, here are few ideas that might help you get through the holidays. Some are serious, others are tongue-in-cheek, but they are all helpful hints to make your holiday stress-free.

1. Control the conversation

Everything should not be about you, but during the holidays, maybe it should be. While you are spending time with the family, do not let Uncle Bob dominate the conversation talking about the virtues of trout fishing. Be the captain of this ship and focus on things that you like (i.e. movies, TV shows, etc). For example say something like “Did you get a chance to see “the Hangover?” or “Have you seen that show Glee...?” Do not hog the whole conversation, be courteous and ask them what they have seen or read, etc. but do not give them time to ramble. By controlling the conversation, your holiday experience will go a whole lot faster.

2. Make small talk and move on

One good way to bide your time is make small talk with family members. Try not to get into long winded talks with them because the next thing you know your mom's new boyfriend is telling you how he recently passed a kidney stone. Ask them things like work, school, hobbies, etc. By doing this, you are showing interest, when you are really not. This is should take no more than 10-15 minutes. If you find a conversation that seems interesting stay, if not, move on to the next person or group. Do this until you circled the room, then you can either repeat or find the Man Cave.

Read on how to find the Man Cave and more holiday survival tips at http://www.ehow.com/how_5671297_surive-holidays-relatives.html

India: Environmentalists to Campaign 'Ride A Cycle'

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:38:21 -0600

As the campaign for climate change is gaining momentum and talks to cut down carbon emission is reaching its crescendo, a humble attempt is being made in southern India to push the cause of the good old peddle bicycle.

Come December 2009 and 70 cyclists will set off on a 900-km-long tour from Bangalore to the beautiful Nilgiris Mountains in Tamil Nadu, to promote the cause of environmental concern.

The Nilgiris are popularly known as the Blue Mountains in the Western Ghats of India. The Nilgiris are a set of 24 peaks located in the western parts of Tamil Nadu, and borders Karnataka and Kerala.

The eight-day tour of Nilgiris will beginning December 15 and pass through Bangalore, Mysore, Hassan, Mercara, Irupu, Sultanbathery and Ooty. The entire stretch is soaking in not just in natural beauty but also has rich dose of heritage, culture and cuisine.

'The success of the tour of Nilgiris in 2008 has ensured that more people want to go out for cycling creating awareness about the multiple benefits of commuting by the most humble mode of transport - the cycle says Ravi Ranjan (RR), founding trustee of the ‘Ride A Cycle Foundation’ - the NGO organizing the event.

As compared to the first edition of the tour of Nilgiris in December 2008 that saw 56 participants, this year 70 participants have been selected out of 300 entries received to take part in the event. Those selected come from various parts of the country, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and even from the US.

The group will cover an average distance of 120 km a day. 'On some days because of the sharp inclines, the riding will be tough. But the challenge is worth taking up. Most people will cycle for about 7 to 10 hours a day, starting each morning at 6 a.m.,' said R.R.

'No one can ride beyond 4 p.m. Once it is 4 p.m., riders must wait where they are for the sweeper truck to pick them up and take them to the end point.’

Giving details of the kind of assistance being provided to the participants R.R said, a support team of 20 people will also be on the tour. A doctor, a fitness consultant, and a fully equipped vehicle to manage emergencies will accompany the cyclists during the event,' he said.

'In addition, every single hospital and police station along the route is being alerted about the tour. They would be intimated again a day before the cyclist will be riding through their neighborhood. This way the hospitals will be prepared for an emergency,' added R.R.

The journey will give riders not only a great deal of adventure and view of the breathtaking natural beauty of southern India but a chance to promote the cause of the environmental concern, says the Foundation.

‘Ride A Cycle Foundation’ is a Bangalore-based not-for-profit organization advocating the cause of environmentally friendly sustainable mode of transportation.

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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a working journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com

Trocaire funded NGO arranged workshop at Arkari valley

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:37:17 -0600

Human Rights demanded providing of civic amenities to residents of Arkari.

CHITRAL: A one day awareness raising workshop on human rights was held
at Arkari valley the most remote, backward and non accessible locality
of Chitral organized by Legal Awareness Program for Human Rghts (LAPH)
funded by Trocaire in collaboration with Khair Andeesh welfare Society
Arkari. Niaz Ali Shah Chairman Board of Director LAPH was chief guest
on the occasion while the ceremony was presided over by Zar Khan
teacher retired and notable person of the valley. The workshop was
started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Mis Fauzia Monitoring
and Evaluation Officer LAPH briefed the participant's about aim and
objectives of the organization working for protection of human cum
women rights. Niaz Ali Shah highlighted achievement of LAPH with
introducing its history. He said that it came into being in 1998 by
some volunteers of the area. He said that LAPH providing free legal
assistance to needy, deserving and helpless women of Chitral besides
it we also supporting poor students (female) to continue their
education at college level as well as rehabilitating of widow women of
Chitral he added. He said that we raising awareness regarding basic,
fundamental and human rights through seminars, workshops and training
among different segment of the society as well as also arranging
workshops for police force and government official to sensitize them
about women rights. Women rights are exploiting by domestic practices
and other tactics he added.

The participants were given task to prepare presentation pointing out
problems and difficulties reflecting to inhabitants especially to
women folk of the valley in group working. Miss Laila Naz and Miss
Bibi Alam highlighted main problems, deprive ness and human rights
violation in their presentation. They said that the valley comprising
over 8000 population but there is no girls school, no college, no BHU,
no electricity in the entire valley. They said that main road of the
valley is in a very dilapidated condition and that is why that more
than 70 people were died in 15 road mishaps in a few years on this
road. They said that women folk of the area are totally deprived from
their basic and fundamental rights because there is no job
opportunities and other facility for them even they bring drinking
water from far away because the pipeline freeze due to chilly weather.
There is no playground in the area and that is why the young
generation is involving in social evils like drug addicting. There is
no opportunity for women folk to get vocational training or any other
skill capacity building to enable them to gain their livelihood with a
honor way. They said that the only dispensary of the area established
in 1964 but could not up-graded to Basic Health Unit. There is no
communication network and residents of the entire valley are totally
deprived from telephone facilities as a result they are badly
suffering to contact heir relatives in case of any emergency.

Syed Akram Shah member BoD stressed upon the participants to continue
their joint efforts for sustainable development of the area as well as
to highlight their problems through media.
He said that the government spent million of rupees but due to
dis-honesty of contractors the road is still in a very dangerous
condition. Zar Khan demanded for approval of special quota in
recruitment in border police force from this valley because it
adjacent to Afghanistan border but youth of this valley are totally
ignoring during recruitment in border police force. He thanked to LAPH
team who arranged this workshop in the valley because no one have
visited the area even District Nazim never came here in his 4 years
tenure. He criticized Works and Services department for no
construction of the road and 14 people were died in a fatal road
accident due to poor condition of the road but no compensation paid
to them. He said that it take 4 hours traveling from Chitral to
Arkari due to big ditches in the middle of road. He said residents of
the area have arranged of a micro hydro power station on self-help
basis. He said that students of this valley struck off their further
education after passing their matriculation examination due to no
educational institution of degree level in the valley. He strongly
criticized education department because of no girl's school in the
area. He said that no EDO has visited the area since last year. G.H.
Farooqi a local journalist sensitized the participants regarding
reflecting their problems through print and electronic media. A large
number of male and female attended the workshop. They were also hosted
lunch at end of the workshop.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No. 03025989602,
03469002167, 0943-302295, 414418
Email: gulhamad@gmail.com

Lawari top blocked for alll type of vehicular traffic

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:02:19 -0600

Chitrali labor fall to death.

CHITRAL: A Chitrali labor who was working in an under construction
building at F-7/3 Islamabad was fall down from the roof of the
building and badly injured. He was rushed to Pakistan Institutes of
Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital Islamabad but he succumbed to his
injuries and died before reaching to hospital. The deceased was
identified as Daulat Hussain resident of Dewsar village of Yarkhun
valley the most remote and backward valley of Chitral. He was working
in an under construction building as a labor. His dead body would be
shifted to his native town for burial but due to continue rain and
snowfall at Lawari top (blocking for traffic) the bereaved families
facing some difficulties to shift his dead body to his native town. It
is merit to mention here that an other young labor had also died at
Islamabad last month who committed suicides but police were in the
opinion that the boy was murdered by his colleagues and they also had
arrested his fellows who were living in his room.

Chitral once again in grip of chilly weather and sever cold. Lawari
top blocked for all type of vehicular traffic.

Due to rain and snowfall on the peaks of mountains Chitral once again
remained in grip of sever cold weather on Monday and Tuesday. The
only land route of Chitral Lawari top was blocked for all type of
vehicular traffic at 2. hours on Tuesday morning as a result hundred
of passengers were stranded at both sides (Dir and Chitral) who
waiting for its opening. Tehsil Nazim Chitral Sartaj Ahmad Khan while
talking to APP said that Lawari top blocked for all type of vehicular
traffic after snowfall on Monday night and essential edible things
could to supplied to Chitral timely. He demanded from high ups of NHA
to open the top and release fund for clearance the road so as assure
supply of essential goods to Chitral. Besides it a passenger van was
also faced to a road accident as its tire was removed due to traveling
in snow bound pass of Lawari top but luckily the driver success to
control the vehicle and the passengers were miraculously survived in
the accident. A PPP leader Wing commander retired Fardad Ali Shah
told APP on telephone from Dir that due to road accident and snowfall
at Lawari top passengers vehicle returned to Dir district on Monday
Evening and they will try today on Tuesday to cross the Lawari top if
the weather allowed them. Hence Lawari top temporarily blocked for
vehicular traffic due to light snowfall. Besides it National Highway
Authority not allowed passengers to travel inside the tunnel which was
strongly criticized by District Nazim Maghfirat Shah and other
political leaders. They said that despite that the matter was decided
in a high level meeting that Chitrali passengers would be allowed for
2 hours to travel in side the tunnel but even than they were not
allowed and returned. They demanded from the Federal government to
direct NHA high ups to allow Chitrali passengers for journey inside
the tunnel at least for 2 hours a day during the lunch break of
labors. They also criticized longest load shedding by Wapda and
demanded for running diesel generator immediately to minimize duration
of 12 hours continueload shedding.
G.H. Farooqi PO Box NO. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No. 03025989602,
03469002167, 0943-302295, 414418
Email: gulhamad@gmail.com

How dark chocolate helps ease emotional stress - latest scientific evidence

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:50:45 -0600

According to the article, "New Evidence That Dark Chocolate Helps Ease Emotional Stress," published online in the Nov. 12, 2009 issue of Medical News Today, the "chocolate cure" for emotional stress is getting new support from a clinical trial published online in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Proteome Research: Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects. See the study's press release, "Metabolic Effects of Dark Chocolate Consumption on Energy, Gut Microbiota, and Stress-Related Metabolism in Free-Living Subjects."

The American Chemical Society's study found that eating about an ounce and a half of dark chocolate a day for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in the bodies of people feeling highly stressed. Interestingly the study found that dark chocolate partially corrected other stress-related biochemical imbalances.

According to the press release, Sunil Kochhar and colleagues looked at growing scientific evidence that antioxidants and various other substances in dark chocolate may reduce risk factors for heart disease and other physical conditions. But consumers want to know what other substances and how does each substance work to balance health and reduce the risk of coronary diseases and emotional risk factors?

The latest study suggested that chocolate may ease emotional stress. But how does dark chocolate reduce stress? What exactly is the evidence?

The most recent study identified reductions in stress hormones and other stress-related biochemical changes in volunteers who rated themselves as highly stressed and ate dark chocolate for two weeks. "The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 grams [1.4 ounces] during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of healthy human volunteers," the scientists say.

According to the study's abstract, "Dietary preferences influence basal human metabolism and gut microbiome activity that in turn may have long-term health consequences. The present study reports the metabolic responses of free living subjects to a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate for up to 14 days. A clinical trial was performed on a population of 30 human subjects, who were classified in low and high anxiety traits using validated psychological questionnaires.

"Biological fluids (urine and blood plasma) were collected during 3 test days at the beginning, midtime and at the end of a 2 week study. NMR and MS-based metabonomics were employed to study global changes in metabolism due to the chocolate consumption. Human subjects with higher anxiety trait showed a distinct metabolic profile indicative of a different energy homeostasis (lactate, citrate, succinate, trans-aconitate, urea, proline), hormonal metabolism (adrenaline, DOPA, 3-methoxy-tyrosine) and gut microbial activity (methylamines, p-cresol sulfate, hippurate).

"Dark chocolate reduced the urinary excretion of the stress hormone cortisol and catecholamines and partially normalized stress-related differences in energy metabolism (glycine, citrate, trans-aconitate, proline, β-alanine) and gut microbial activities (hippurate and p-cresol sulfate)." That's what consumers want to know--that the dark chocolate (like in 85 percent cocoa) reduced the stress hormones.

"The study provides strong evidence that a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate during a period of 2 weeks is sufficient to modify the metabolism of free living and healthy human subjects, as per variation of both host and gut microbial metabolism." Check out the American Chemical Society's Journal of Proteome Research web site as there are 45 studies referenced in the abstract.

References

Serafini, M.; Bugianesi, R.; Maiani, G.; Valtuena, S.; De, S. S.; Crozier, A. Plasma antioxidants from chocolate. Nature 2003, 424 ( 6952) 1013 [CrossRef], [PubMed], [ChemPort]

Grassi, D.; Necozione, S.; Lippi, C.; Croce, G.; Valeri, L.; Pasqualetti, P.; Desideri, G.; Blumberg, J. B.; Ferri, C. Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives. Hypertension 2005, 46 ( 2) 398– 405 [CrossRef], [PubMed], [ChemPort]

Taubert, D.; Roesen, R.; Lehmann, C.; Jung, N.; Schomig, E. Effects of low habitual cocoa intake on blood pressure and bioactive nitric oxide: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 2007, 298 ( 1) 49– 60 [CrossRef], [PubMed], [ChemPort]

Parker, G.; Parker, I.; Brotchie, H. Mood state effects of chocolate. J Affect. Disord. 2006, 92 ( 2−3) 149– 1.59 [CrossRef], [PubMed]

D.Tomaso, E.; Beltramo, M.; Piomelli, D. Brain cannabinoids in chocolate. Nature 1996, 382 ( 6593) 677– 678 [CrossRef], [PubMed], [ChemPort]

Holmes, E.; Loo, R. L.; Stamler, J.; Bictash, M.; Yap, I. K.; Chan, Q.; Ebbels, T.; De, I. M.; Brown, I. J.; Veselkov, K. A.; Daviglus, M. L.; Kesteloot, H.; Ueshima, H.; Zhao, L.; Nicholson, J. K.; Elliott, P. Human metabolic phenotype diversity and its association with diet and blood pressure. Nature 2008, 453 ( 7193) 396– 400 [CrossRef], [PubMed], [ChemPort]

Photo credits: Flickr.com.

Oppression on Mobile, Email goes Unnoticed

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:56:48 -0600

For long mankind has known oppressions of various kinds. In the long list two more variety has been added in recent times. One is the oppression on your mobile phone and second on your internet mail box. Both of them have added a new dimension to word oppression but essentially in the tone tenure and character it remains the treatise that Karl Marx so laboriously built up in his magnum opus ‘Das Capital.’

Let me first talk about those telemarketing people who may call right at the time of some important meeting and try to sell the idea of home loan, easy finance, credit card, health insurance and some policies and plan. They have no concern at to what the person whom they are calling would be doing and they are least bothered to courteous enough to ask whether you are willing to spare some time for them. All they relish is to barge into the privacy of your tele-space and bombard you with their product and services. The mobile phone has really stated becoming an instrument of oppression and people are silently suffering from this menace.

Recently I traveled from Chennai to New Delhi to attend a conference for three days. To my surprise the telemarketers from Chennai doubled their efforts to bombard me with their calls. I was disturbing others in the conference halls who were listening to important deliberations on climate change. I had to keep going out to pick up the call to find out who was making the call. Since my profession demands to be accessible all the time I don’t switch off my mobile and the telemarketers taking advantage of such liberty for doing their business. Such menace has been reported in the courts and judgment has been passed against such practice but still there is no end to such unwanted calls. So far there is no mechanism evolved to check this menace and many like me are suffering from such kind of oppression is continuing unabated.

The other kind of oppression is through email box, again this is a big nuisance that’s developed since the internet e mail come in vogue. There are junk mails that could be filtered or deleted but then there are others that are unsolicited asking to answer them why I one is doing such thing and commanding what should one must do. Such characters do not have the audacity to identify them, nor to do they provide genuine address and telephone number and the kind of profession they are engaged. What they are interested is in shooting email demanding explanation for ones general conduct. Such characters are keen to pass judgment and issue character certificates. Such self righteous person wants their judgment to be accepted without making any whimper. This is the most oppressive kind of oppression that is making rounds on the cyber space and people like me are silently suffering from it.

People do have the right to express their viewpoint and are entitled to hold them to no matter how outlandish they maybe. If someone do not subscribe to them they may politely and due courtesy clarify their doubts. If still not satisfied have a choice to disassociate.

However, there characters that do not choose to do. They feel they are the only repository of wisdom and try to intrude into the privacy of the e mail box trying to tell what they feel is right and is wrong. Such oppression is continuing unchecked and it’s demeaning the goodness of the cyber space.

I am writing this because I moderate a intellectual forum called South Asia Contact on the Yahoo groups. Recently I have received an email from one reader who is not part of the group but who has taken upon the mantel to cast judgment on the activities of this group. He has collected e mails of some members of this group and has sent them personal emails tarnishing their image. In a mud slinging exercise this person has questioned the aim and purpose of this group and has tried to pass a judgment that are of his likings. This person has nothing to say about himself then his name. He has got some supporters who were expelled from the group since they were indulging in vilification campaign, degrading religious sentiments of the members of this group.

My take on this is there is no need to respond to such unsolicited mails as they are not worthy of comments. In this context, I may like to know if any action could be intimated against such kind of persons who are indulging in character assassination and sending mails to such effect. I would be happy to chase such characters so that they don’t harm others and if they do so, do not get away as free masqueraders in their self righteous campaign. Unfortunately I don’t know any such mechanism to check such kind of menace and as a result I am suffering from such kind of oppression in stoke silence. Notwithstanding, in a humble way I am trying to build the bridge of peace, among various sections of society, communities and nations in this strife torn world.

Syed Ali Mujtaba is a working journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba@yahoo.com

Put Together a Christmas Gift bag for $5

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:35:35 -0600

Looking for ways to be creative this holiday season, without spending a lot of money? Follow these simple rules to create a stand out gift for cheap price.

Step 1

Go to your local dollar store and find a small gift bag.

Step 2

In the same Dollar Store, find a Christmas card or a holiday card (i.e. Happy Holiday, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.) Usually these cards are two for a dollar, so you can usually buy one for 50 cents, (You can also be creative and add Christmas decorations or steamers to make your bag stand out).

Step 3

If the person you are buying for likes to read, check out the book section , which are loaded with great books for a dollar. Continue to look around for items like candy, CD's, gloves, scarves, hats, etc which might be interesting gifts.

Read the rest @ http://www.ehow.com/how_5648414_put-together-christmas-gift-bag.html

Vegetarian holiday recipes - garbanzo bean flour pancakes with carrot juice and lentil loaf

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:05:12 -0600

Let's say you want a vegan Thanksgiving and are on a no-salt-added and/or no-sugar added diet. Toppings to a vegan lentil loaf could include organic tomato paste that you get from a can which says organic tomatoes are the only ingredient. In tomato paste, most of the time, there's no salt added compared to tomato sauce in cans or jars to which lots of salt is added. In tomato paste, most of the time there's also no calcium chloride added to preserve the color of the tomatoes as there might be in canned tomatoes rather than tomato paste.

Another topping that's vegan for lentil loaf might include red cabbage pickled in apple cider vinegar and a little water to dilute the acid, if needed. Add lemon juice and your favorite spices to the pickling mix such as cloves and minced garlic, if desired. Let it stand overnight in your refrigerator in a covered jar. Then top the loaf with the red cabbage and then put dried breadcrumbs on top of that and bake.

Or top the loaf with tomato paste and then sprinkle the dried whole grain bread crumbs all around the loaf before you put in in an oiled loaf pan to bake. Here's a vegan recipe for Thanksgiving lentil loaf, no salt or sugar added. Use instead favorite herbs and spices. Chopped onion also can flavor the top of a loaf instead of salt or sugar.

Uses herbs such as dried oregano, basil, mint, parsley, garlic, onion, and other plants as well as spices such as black pepper or a pinch of cayenne pepper for added heat. Or use lemon juice and chopped onion instead of salt to season your vegan loaves and casseroles. Chopped carrots sweeten a lentil loaf. Instead of salt, you can top the loaf with pickled red cabbage that has been pickled not in salt and water but in apple cider vinegar and spices of your choice or lemon juice and herbs.

Lentil Loaf with oat meal, spices, and tomato stuffing

Ingredients

2 cups green lentils

4 cups water

1 cup old fashioned oat meal

1/2 cup flax seed meal

1/4 cup rice bran

1/4 cup oat bran

2 eggs

1 cup vegetable broth

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon chopped or dried mint leaves

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or macademia nut oil

1 cup dried whole grain/sprouted grain bread crumbs

Directions

1. Combine lentils and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 40 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

3. In a large bowl, mix together 2 cups cooked lentils, eggs, broth, tomato paste, oregano, mint, minced garlic, black pepper, parsley, olive oil or macademia nut oil. Pour into prepared pan.

4. Bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle top with dry whole grain/sprouted grain bread crumbs, and continue baking another 10 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Garbanzo Bean Flour Pancakes with Carrot Juice or Pureed Pumpkin and Spices

When you wake up on Thanksgiving morning, why not enjoy a healthy breakfast or brunch of garbanzo bean flour pancakes with carrot juice or pureed pumpkin? Either carrot juice or pureed and spiced pumpkin can be used as the liquid part of this recipe.

Serve garbanzo bean pancakes also as a side dish with your lentil loaf lunch and a salad of red cabbage marinated in apple juice vinegar, lime or lemon juice, and olive oil with a sprinkling of spices and herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, thyme or your favorite spice to add a fragrant scent.

Why use white flour and milk to make pancakes when you can use garbanzo bean flour, flax seed meal, and carrot juice or pureed pumpkin with your favorite pumpkin spices instead? Yield: about 5 pancakes. Double the recipe for 10 pancakes. This recipe is good for lacto-ovo vegetarians. Out of season for pumpkin? Then carrot juice is fine all year long. For a Thanksgiving breakfast try spiced pumpkin that's pureed to the consistency of paste or use carrot juice to mix with the leavened garbanzo bean flour.

If you're vegan, substitute for the egg whites or eggs a teaspoon of flax seed meal in the batter to hold the pancake together while frying, but it will taste better if you use 1/4 cup egg whites or one egg as part of your ingredients as far as keeping the pancake from crumbling in the frying pan. Another substitute for egg or oil in the batter is a 1/4 cup of tofu liquified with a teaspoon or two of water to a paste consistency in order to hold the batter together. The garbanzo flour pancakes are a good substitute for those allergic or sensitive to wheat flour.

Note that pumpkin puree may be used instead of carrot juice to form the liquid part of the pancakes for a Thanksgiving breakfast or brunch treat.

Ingredients:

1 cup garbanzo bean flour

3/4 cup carrot juice or 3/4 cup pureed or canned pumpkin

1/4 cup grated carrot

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or macademia nut oil

1 egg or 1/4 cup egg whites or egg substitute

1/4 cup flax seed meal

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)

1 teaspoon (5g)baking powder

3 tablespoons of raw, creamed organic honey or maple syrup to pour over pancakes.

1/8 teaspoon of sea salt (optional)

1. Step 1

Use a cup (90 grams) of garbanzo bean flour, that you can find in most health food stores. Or grind your own dry garbanzo beans in a grain grinder or Vita-Mix blender that has a dry grinding blade and container just for grains or legumes.

You can also substitute lentil flour for garbanzo bean flour, but garbanzo bean flour has the nuttier taste for pancakes. Add one teaspoon of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to the dry ingredients and mix. Optional, if you're not on salt-restricted diet, you can also add 1/8 teaspoon of salt.

2. Step 2

Put the flour, carrot juice or pureed pumpkin, flax seed meal, finely grated peeled carrot, egg, baking soda, baking powder (optional 1/8th teaspoon of sea salt), and mix either by hand or in a blender.

3. Step 3

Oil a frying pan with rice bran oil, olive oil, or macademia nut oil. Or use an olive oil pan spray.

Heat the frying pan until it's hot. Then pour about 1/3 cup (80 mL) of the batter into the frying pan. Move the pan around until you form the shape of a pancake. Or spoon the batter with a ladle or tablespoon onto the hot oil in the pan.

Fry your pancake until bubbles are all over the top of the pancake. Then flip the hotcake over and fry it on the opposite side until it's browned, but not burned. Serve with honey or maple syrup.

How To Plan For Black Friday

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:09:27 -0600

On November 27th, The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday will be upon us once again.

However thanks to the bad economy, department stores like Sears are already jumping again and are offering great holiday deals.

For those of you who like the hustle and bustle of Black Friday, here are a few tips to the get the most of one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Find three or more friends or family members who are willing to wake up early for Black Friday. Designate someone's home to be the meeting place for Friday morning and meeting time that is best for everyone, (2AM might be best, 3AM at the latest). Some stores might open at midnight, so discuss if there will be person who will take that store and some of the other early openers.
Assign a store(s) to each person and go over the ads the night before or look online a few days before to see what items should be on your list or maybe taken off.

Read the rest at http://www.ehow.com/how_5638836_organize-black-friday-crew.html