The Sympathizer
Vietnam is a country, not a war.
The war known as the “Vietnam War” was fought by the generation before mine from the early 1960’s until 1975. In the most simplistic terms, the Vietnam war was a civil war between North and South Vietnam (sound familiar?) with the North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong (a South Vietnamese Communist group) fighting to reunify Vietnam under a communist rule.
The US became involved in the conflict to prevent communism from spreading because the American leaders felt threatened by democracy’s counterpart. Russia and China backed North Vietnam while the US, South Korea, Australia and several other countries backed South Vietnam. After years of fighting, the North Vietnamese captured Saigon in 1975 ending the war (the US lost) and the two regions were reunified into a communist country. Read more 
Where does $1 to Teleton go?
Fundacion Teleton USA is primarily known as Teleton – a Texas-based 501 (c) (3) whose stated mission is to “raise critical funds and awareness to inspire a more inclusive, accepting world for children with disabilities and their families.” Specifically, Teleton raises funds “to build and support the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute of Teleton USA (CRIT), which assists children with neurological and musculoskeletel disorders, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, genetic disorders, and amputations.” In other words, Teleton raises funds to help kids but exactly how much goes to the kids? About 25 cents of every dollar, according to the most recent financial information (2014 IRS Form 990).
If you contributed $1 to Teleton in 2014, this is how the dollar was spent: Read more
The Ultimate Dairy-Free Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese sandwich is classic comfort food that makes for the perfect lunch along with a bowl of soup (preferably tomato). Two pieces of whole grain bread grilled on a skillet (with a touch of olive oil) with cheese oozing out the sides is so simple and yet so satisfying. Crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside, the grilled cheese sandwich was one of my favorite go-to sandwiches when I wanted to taste total deliciousness.
Being plant-based doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this all American favorite thanks to Field Roast CHAO Slices – rich and creamy vegan cheese slices that melt just like Cheddar, American, Provolone, or Muenster when placed between two slices of bread and grilled on the stove or in a panini maker. Read more
The Israeli Conflict in 700 Words
Every newspaper, magazine, and media outlet is spewing out articles about Israel these days – often with several related stories because there is simply so much information and an abundance of opinions, all of which can be overwhelming. The conflict between Israel and the rest of the world is daunting and polarizing which is all the more reason the public needs to be informed. With that in mind, the Israeli conflict is described below in 700 words: Read more
The Big Why Questions for 2017….
With the beginning of a new year comes hope for a better future, a more enlightened approach to problem solving, and a commitment to do better. And, so we ask ourselves the questions that transcend time. Questions that hang over us like a wet towel or an annoying mosquito that never seems to go away. Questions that we try not to think about because they may be too hard to solve. Questions that are complicated, inconvenient and often easier to dismiss than figure out. But, questions nonetheless that are worthy of our time because they make us look at our ourselves and see if our actions are aligned with our beliefs. The questions also make us wonder if we are part of the problem or the solution. Read more
Where does $1 to United Way of New York City go?
United Way New York City (UWNYC) is just one of 46 United Way chapters in New York and one of 1,256 chapters in the United States, but this northeast chapter office raised more than $57 million last year and distributed nearly $40 million (69%) in grants to organizations that focus on health, education, and income. United Way is – for lack of better words – a way to unite people and organizations. Read more
Mushroom Corn Tortillas
Mushroom Corn Tortillas are plant-based soft corn tortillas filled with meaty mushrooms and topped with a tomato and avocado salsa that has been seasoned with scallions, cilantro, chipotle powder, salt, and pepper. Easy to make – less than 15 minutes – and delicious, the Mushroom Corn Tortillas are also wholesome and nutritious.
The key to the quality of this recipe is in the tortillas. Buy fresh corn tortillas made with stone ground corn, water, and lime for the best flavor. All of the ingredients can be purchased at Trader Joe’s which makes the shopping easy and economical. The recipe can easily be doubled to serve 4. Read more
When in Philly, Go To Vedge
On a beautiful street lined with 4-story brick brownstones in downtown Philadelphia is one of the best restaurants in the city, if not the state or for that matter, the eastern seaboard. That the restaurant only serves vegan food is all the more surprising because fans of Vedge are an eclectic group of eaters: carnivores, paleos, vegetarians, vegans, and more. The common denominator is the shared passion for incredibly great tasting food which is what Vedge delivers consistently. Read more
Whole Grain Blueberry Flax Bread
Blueberries are not often paired with bread unless the fruit is in the form of jam but the combination of whole grain and bread flour blended with ground flaxseed, walnuts, cashews, coconut flour, pecans, dates, vanilla bean, and freeze-dried blueberries makes a wonderful loaf of bread that isn’t just for breakfast. With no added sweeteners, Whole Grain Blueberry Flax Bread is a nutrient dense no-knead loaf that is wildly different and wildly delicious owing to a 1.75 ounce packet of instant hot cereal (Wildway Blueberry Flax Instant Hot Cereal) that gives the bread a subtle blueberry but robust grain flavor and moist texture. Read more
Life Among the Savages
Sometimes a book reminds readers that our lives never really change despite the outside factors that seem to change daily. We write but the computer has replaced the typewriter, we raise children but the social norms change; we drink milk but we buy the containers at the grocery store instead of having them delivered; and we drive cars but with seat belts and air bags. Yes, progress allows us to do things differently but it doesn’t take away the core aspects of our lives: to grow, learn, love, procreate, work, eat, survive, struggle, and die. Life Among the Savages is just that book. Read more
Paddock Post 