November 2nd, 2008
Since the title of this blog contains the word “eat”, I might as well do something productive with it and put the interesting recipes I find here. Since I’m going veggie, that means it’s a political thang too. Oh how convenient!
Here’s one I found over at the Veggie Table forums. I can’t wait to try!
Butternut Squash Stew
1 T.olive oil
1 ea.small butternut squash, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes (abt. 2 c.)
1 ea. medium onion, cut into 8 wedges
1 t. minced fresh garlic
¼ c.chopped fresh parsley
1/2 ea.medium red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch, square pieces
2 cans(14½ oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained (same as chickpeas)
½ t.salt
1/8 – ¼ t. crushed red pepper
1 c. frozen peas
1 ea.small zucchini, halved lengthwise & sliced into ¼-inch half-moons
1½ c.water
1½ t. instant vegetable bouillon granules
1/8 t.ground black pepper
1 c. uncooked couscous
In a Dutch oven, heat oil; add squash, onion and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until onion is crisply tender, 4-5 minutes. Add parsley, bell pepper, tomatoes, beans, salt, and red pepper; continue cooking until mixture just comes to a boil, 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Civer; cook, stirring occasionally, 12 minutes. Uncover; add peas and zucchini. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and liquid is reduced, 6-8 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a 2-quart saucepan, combine water, bouillon granules, and black pepper. Cook over high heat until mixture comes to a full boil, 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in couscous. Cover; let stand until liquid is absorbed, 5 minutes.
To serve, spoon couscous onto serving platter and top with hot stew. Yields: 6 servings.
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May 19th, 2008
This article tells about a previously undiscovered tribe in the Amazon. Predictably, logging companies want their land. Reading the comments was interesting. Why can’t we just leave people alone? Is our way of life really better? How could we possibly know?
Shouldn’t they at least have squatter’s rights?
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January 20th, 2008
I’m reading this book right now called Evil Genes. It gets all into the genetics of personality, focusing, of course, on evil personalities. It really pushes the whole “celebrate genetic diversity” thing that I think about. It is a scary book, in that you know her research is probably right on, but you just really don’t want to hear it, because thinking about people being made in an evil way, genetically speaking, just flies in the face of so many of our beliefs. It’s a fascinating read though, and the author knows how to write in an entertaining, accessible manner.
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January 20th, 2008
Every day, Sage brings his work home from school and we do it for homework. He doesn’t do it in class because his mind is on other things, commonly referred to as “ADD”. He’s not having behavioral problems, we just have to do a lot of extra work. Another downside is that he sometimes feels dumb because he doesn’t get a concept because he wasn’t paying attention when it was explained. When I explain it at home, he gets it.
Of course the teachers and even one of the principals want me to medicate him. I can tell my own principal even thinks I should do it. I was talking to my students about this issue, and they told me not to do it. That it made them grind their teeth at night in their sleep and not feel like themselves. They said it didn’t work, which seeing that they are in a disciplinary AEP, is self-evident. None of them liked it, and these are kids who would be quick to endorse a drug they liked, believe me.
So the issue remains. What to do? At what point will being in public school just be unworkable for Sage? A homeschooling friend of mine gave me the website of the homeschooling group in town, but disappointingly, you cannot belong unless you don’t subscribe to the notion of evolution and things of that nature. It was a bit narrow, let’s say.
So that means if I homeschooled (because you just don’t do that kind of thing yourself), I would have to move back to Austin where I know there is an inclusive homeschooling community. I would have my friends back. I would have to support myself freelancing.
So I keep going around and around with this. My therapist insinuated that I have problems making decisions. I told him that I didn’t think that was the case, as most parents would simply go with the status quo–drug their child and keep him in public school. He backed down from his original assessment.
I am having problems with this decision though. I like the country, but not enough to stay here if he is having problems that I can help solve. I think what it really comes down to is getting that freelance income up there and feeling secure enough to quit my job knowing I could maintain our standard of living. That’s it. That’s the thing. Thanks for listening. 
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