Red Bean Jambalaya
Jambalaya is traditionally made with meat, seafood, vegetables and rice but the plant-based version relies on vegetables, rice, and legumes. A dish of Spanish and French influence, Jambalaya is a thick hearty soup that can be made in minutes with a packet of Frontier Soups Jambalaya Soup Mix – dry Calasparra Spanish rice seasoned with garlic, salt, onion, chili pepper, canola oil, turmeric, sugar, spices, paprika, and saffron along with carrots, red and green bell peppers, onions, and scallions. Read more 
The Day the Crayons Quit
The battle lines have been drawn.
Every office in the country should have a copy of The Day the Crayons Quit lying around. People may scoff, roll their eyes, and even think that someone left their kid’s book at the office or the waiting room by mistake, but don’t turn away. Pick up the book and read it. Maybe it’s been a few years since you’ve read a children’s book (if you’re not the proud parental unit of a child under the age of 10, then it’s probably been a while). This one’s worth it. Read more
Healthier Choices on the Road
Traveling across the United States on major highways can be difficult. Road conditions and traffic are often challenging and unpredictable while the dining options leave a lot to be desired, especially if healthier fare is the goal but times are a changin’. Instead of McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin Donuts, or Taco Bell, consider the following options for a healthier alternative when a Clif Bar just isn’t going to suffice for another meal: Read more
Rogue Chocolatier
Chocolate is universally loved by many but dark chocolate is the most under appreciated decadent indulgence in the world. As a die-hard confirmed milk chocolate lover for decades (yes, hard to admit but true), I didn’t know what I was missing. Friends would insist that acquiring a taste for dark chocolate was like acquiring a taste for good wine and that I should give dark chocolate a chance. So, I did and gradually I fell in love….truly, madly, deeply in love with dark chocolate. Read more
Blackberries: They Finally Got The Memo
I love berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, anything with an “eerie” in it. ~Jordin Sparks
Anyone who tastes a sun-kissed berry picked at the peak of ripeness doesn’t want to settle for that once a year fix (i.e. raspberries in July, blueberries in August, etc) so growers had to figure out a way to give consumers the most popular berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries – throughout the year.
In the early days, berries looked just like their summer counterparts but lacked flavor and sweetness so growers went back to the drawing board and figured out which varieties were not only hearty but flavorful so that berry lovers can enjoy a bowl of fresh berries every month of the year. Read more
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
Paddock Post 