You're in Luck! New posts to read!

 All Students:  Be sure to read the entries for this group --March writers).  Everyone is required to comment on at least THREE different pieces of writing.  You must submit comments on Canvas (for each one, include the name of the author and the title of their piece, and then your positive, specific comment ) by Friday, April 14 on Canvas.

Remember, comments must be positive, supportive, constructive, and SPECIFIC.  No "Good Job!" comments, unless you follow that with specific things you thought were done well in the piece.  Show them you actually took the time to read and enjoy their work!

"Visiting the Holy Land " by Alyssa M

 

   I just recently took a two week pilgrimage throughout Israel to explore the biblical history found within God's promised land and it changed my life. Not only did I get the opportunity to experience new cultures but it allowed me to grow a deeper connection with my faith than I ever have before. Visiting sites like the Jordan River brought the Bible to life for me and seeing the remains of first century buildings like the second temple and southern steps where Jesus walked was breathtaking.

       So much history is packed into this country but my favorite piece was the Mount of Olives/ Garden of Gethsemane. This is where Jesus overlooked the City of Jerusalem and wept for his people. The Garden is where He prayed and expressed His fear to God before being arrested. Seeing the site where Jesus expressed humanity allowed me to understand the depth of His sacrifice.Not only does the country hold historical significance but also future significance. Megiddo, a city which stands upon 30 other layers of previous destroyed civilizations overlooks the field where us Christians believe the biblical Battle of Armageddon will take place at the end of the tribulation period.I realized that although I  may never be able to go back to Israel in my lifetime , I know that one day I will be back on that field with Jesus; that’s insane !!! It was so amazing to hear the stories each and every place had to tell.

   The most emotionally impacting part of my trip was getting baptized in the Jordan River. Baptism signifies cleansing past transgression and surrendering to Christ in order for Him to work through you. Jesus was also baptized here by John the Baptist in His early years of ministry. I felt so extremely connected to Christ in that moment. Expressing humility by surrendering all my struggles to the Lord was incredibly freeing! Knowing that Jesus also expressed the same humility when being baptized made the experience deeply personal and strengthened my personal relationship with Him.

  My favorite part besides the biblical connections was  experiencing the distinctly different cultures and lifestyles all packed into one small country. As an example , the Arabs are beautifully hospitable and welcoming. While shopping in Old City Jerusalem an older gentleman name Abraham showed me where I can find the most authentic and homemade olive oil. Later in the trip I  revisited a shop owned by a mother and her two daughters and they welcomed us by sharing their authentic lunch with us and showing us the customary way of eating. It was the best food I had on the whole trip! Small and seemingly insignificant details like these made me fall in love with the culture and customs.

 

Israel also holds a very strong political point. As an American , I have never had to worry about being in any immediate wars or danger which isn’t the case for The Israeli people. Israel is in a continuous state of war with their bordering countries Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. Visiting the Golan Heights which overlooks the Syrian  border , and Tel Dan which faces the mountains of Lebanon puts into perspective how quickly their homes and lives can be disrupted. Israel is less than 100 years old and has experienced more wars than America which is over 200 years old. Their continual fight for freedom has given them such a deep love for their land and their people. We spoke with a retired tour guide on the hills of the Golan Heights named Oded who said “ When just  one Israeli solider dies the whole country mourns”. If you were unaware every Israeli citizen is required to serve at least 4 years in the military (both men and women). The starting service age was 15 until recently it was changed to 18. Hearing this individual citizen’s contribution to protecting their home showed me that their Patriotism is Unrivaled and inspiring.

 

This trip has changed my life and I  can definitely say that I have popped my “American Bubble” and  developed a deep sense of sympathy and respect for Israel and every other country that experiences similar persecution. As a believer I have never been more confident in my decision to choose Christ as He chose me. The evidence of Christ’s sacrifice and love for humanity is in every brick and stone of Israel. Regardless of your religion or viewpoints I highly encourage each and every one of you to visit Israel and educate yourself on the rich history and have fun experiencing the culture of the Israeli people !

 

Thank you for letting me share this experience with all of you , God Bless!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View Of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jordan River 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old City Jerusalem 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Temple Mount

"The Curtains Are Just Blue" by Barsha S

 

So say you’re me and you’re 24 years old and clueless about everything and you’ve just gotten off of work late and it's 11 PM and you walk into the parking lot of a secluded but not really secluded gas station store a few blocks from the lab that you've been hibernating in for the past two months.

 

And you’re hungry so you stare blankly at the menu, and you’re usually too tired to make decisions but today you’re tired in a different kind of way, so you look at the menu again.

 

You decide to order the blue raspberry milkshake. You’ve never been great at making decisions but this one plummets you into a memory from when you were nine and for whatever reason plagued by the strong conviction that you were going to die.

 

You were nine and you and your childhood best friend had these blue raspberry milkshakes. They were amazing and that night you convinced yourself God would not kill you until you had another one, and maybe another few hours to spend time with your friend again. But you like to think of yourself as a little older and more experienced and you didn’t die then so you won’t die now. And you’ve always had quite the burning passion for not starving to death, most of the time. Which is why you took this job.

 

You lay your tote bag and your purse and your body onto the suspiciously sticky cushion on the seat closest to the exit and rest your head against the curtains, which happen to be blue. You stare at them some more and they ripple like waves.

 

Bored and unusually fidgety, you sweep away the blueish blue curtains to reveal the smudged glass, and in it you see your reflection and beyond it you see a city that snores without sleeping like a giant, who isn’t working itself to death, rather that the boundaries of life and death didn’t seem to apply it for its life’s work was beyond it. Its organs churned out waste and its brains split into parts which walked the streets calling for the taxi of why did it turn out this way.

 

And why? Who was to blame for the atomization of modern society? It was Satan, or Moloch, or the demiurge or whatever symbol which was corrupted with greed and selfishness, representing itself more than the suffering it was meant to mean. Or it was some poor group of people. Or it was the schismogenic forces of technocapital itself, so slick and slippery that giving it a name felt so powerful. Or maybe it was just those god forsaken blue curtains.

 

The nightness of it all begged you to ask the question, are things real because they are the same or are they real because they are different? And there was no answer, so you look at the glass again.

 

Then, when you look, you see your face reflected in the glass, and the ugly red blotch on your cheek tells you answers. It was whatever you were born with that made you different, not the world. It was what happened to your sister several years ago. It was the sudden terrifying realization that anything was possible. It was the trust you could put in the fact that the world was safe and predictable. It was your mother. Because your mother, she was in love with the rush hour traffic jam of whatever did I do to deserve this. And too much time passed and it turned into the every hour traffic humdrum of it was my fault. And a mother’s shame metastasizes into rage and she takes it out where she can. But now you have to leave and you have to board the taxi of its not your fault.

 

Instead you threw yourself into your studies and then into your work because it was one thing you could control. You wished you knew why but the only way to know why was to split the world into two identical versions where only one thing was different. Then, the control group would tell what would have happened. But the world is neither a perfectly constructed novel, nor is it capable of splitting, unlike populations and unlike people. Everything, both science and art was an attempt to assign meaning to your life, and just because the world is sometimes too endlessly complex for the replications of science, and too uniform for the symbolism in art, doesn’t mean that you couldn’t try to find the answers.

 

And now a quarter of the milkshake is gone, and when you take 19 steps on the checkered blue floor and exit out the doors you think you’ll be safe. You’ll call a taxi to take you back to your apartment because you are too sleep deprived to drive at the moment, and you’ll be safer for it.

 

 

“How to Make Vegan Fried Fish” - Isis Price-El

 

My Nanny had a favorite recipe that her grandmother made for her on special occasions when she was a child. Her grandmother lived in the South in the late 1800s. You could only imagine how that would’ve felt for black women. Despite her limited resources, low wages, and the odds being against her, she was able to create a special recipe for my Nanny. She had made this fried fish recipe for my Nanny only once in a while. The recipe has evolved, as it has been passed down through generations. When my Nanny's mother passed away when she was 16 years old, she decided to make several life changes, including becoming a vegetarian. My mother was raised a vegetarian, and her children are third-generation vegetarians. Being a vegetarian or vegan used to be more difficult, but there are now so many options and creative ways to explore plant-based foods. There are numerous heavily processed options available for vegan foods, but my family has had great success working with more plant-based ingredients. So, here’s a vegan version of a traditional southern fish recipe passed down from my great-great-grandmother.

 

 

 

Prep Time= 10 min

Cook Time= Around 30 minutes

 

Dry Ingredients:

2 teaspoon Black Pepper

2 tablespoons Garlic

1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

1 tablespoon Old Bay

1 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast                                                                                             

2 tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

1 teaspoon Cumin

3 Tablespoons Nori Flakes

½ Cup Fish Fry

¼ Cup Hemp Seeds

 

 

Wet Ingredients:

1 tablespoon Mustard

1 Can Heart Of Palm

½ Cup Unsweetened Creamy Oat Milk

2 Tablespoon Sesame Oil

Vegetable Oil

Louisiana Hot Sauce (Optional) < I would recommend it though :)

 

 

 

 

Prep

 

Step 1: Start by draining the can of the hearts of the palm. Then continue to slice them in half. (I like to make the pieces smaller so they are easier to coat later on). Poke holes into the pieces of the heart of palm. Place a fork in the middle and drag down to slightly shred them. Be sure not to place the fork too deep. This helps them get volume and texture! So you can enjoy that flaky consistency!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Step 2: Season the hearts of palm with nori flakes and sesame oil. This step is to give the hearts of palm that “fish” flavor. I would recommend adding more nori to taste the flavor through the dry batter. (Let marinate for rest of prep time)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: In a medium bowl, mix milk, mustard, and hot sauce to taste. Mix until bubbles start to form. Try to stir slowly to be sure the mustard blends properly. (Place the wet mix into the refrigerator until later use)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: Mix all of the dry ingredients together to make the dry batter. Mix until the seasoning disappears within the fish fry. The seasonings are just the basic measurements, I prefer seasoning to taste. (If you like your fish crispy add more hemp seeds for extra crunch and protein)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Place wok on the stove and pour a good amount of vegetable oil. The best way to check if the oil is hot is using a chopstick/wooden stick, if bubbles form around the chopstick the oil is ready. (A wok is a chinese frying pan that resembles a bowl. I recommend using a pot or pan that is similar to a wok because it makes the frying easier and safer)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6: Dip the hearts of palm in the dry mix then the wet mix. Be sure to do this process slowly. Coat the hearts of palm very well and be very generous with the dry mix. (For a extra crunch repeat the process twice)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Place in oil and fry until crispy. Remember, place the “fish” in at a low level so the oil wont splash back and harm you. Work in batches so the pan isn't too full and to cook more efficiently. After cooking, let them cool for around 2 minutes. Then serve

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 8: Force your brother to take photos holding the food you prepared :)

(Be sure to have someone try your version of the recipe and add your own toppings. My favorites to add are lemon and hot sauce)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this inspires you all to incorporate more vegetables into your diet and test out some vegan recipes. They are not only super interesting but also very tasty as well. Becoming more conscious of what you consume will change your life. As my Nanny would say “Eat to live, don't live to eat!”

“How To” make tamales." by Aidan A

                                                                             

First things first is that tamale season is over, sadly. So in order to make myself feel better, I am going to share how my family makes tamales. This is a very important tradition that my family has been doing for most of my life. Recently, I've been allowed to be a part of the process and not just enjoy the fruits of my family's labor. Although the exact history is not entirely clear, many historians believe that tamales were first made by the Aztecs ten thousand years ago. This is a really cool fun fact as this is where my family originates from. I want to share this process with everyone so that you can enjoy some extremely delicious tamales.

 

 

Ingredients: If you can't find any of these ingredients at your local grocery store, Amazon is always available.

●      Masa

●      Corn husk

●      Beef

●      Sauce

Step 1. Find a pot big enough to fit however many corn husks as you want, then fill it with warm water and close the lid. Keep them submerged until they become soft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2. You can prepare the meat however you like. Personally I enjoy beef the most. I recommend using a crock-pot and whatever seasonings you like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3. The addition of sauce is only really necessary for tamales that are made with meat fillings. I recommend using a red salsa that can be either homemade or store bought.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4. This step is possibly the most important step in making a tamale that isn't dry. You want to put these in the large bowl of a stand mixer: masa marina, salt, cumin, baking powder, and whisk to combine. Add the oil, then beat on low speed until combined.  Then gradually add the stock, and beat on low speed until combined.  Once the stock is incorporated, increase speed to medium, and beat for 10 minutes until fluffy, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl if needed.  Cover the mixing bowl with a damp paper towel and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 5. Assembly

Take the husk by hand and spread the masa across the husk using any object, preferably a spoon. Add filling to the center of the husk(make sure not to overdo it since it could fall out). Fold the husk to keep anything from falling out.

Step 6. Add water to the bottom of a big pot. Then add a steamer basket, fill it with your tamales, and steam until the tamales are hot and cooked through. Make sure to keep your tamales hydrated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7. Finally you have reached the final step in making your own batch of tamales. You should have flavorful and not dry tamales in front of you if you follow all the directions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't be afraid to freeze them so that you can have a tasty snack whenever you want.

 

* All photos credited to Youtube channel “Simply Mamá Cooks”

"Midnight Blues" by Sohaib H

What exactly is midnight we seem to be interested in? Regularly, the mind and body’s turmoil concludes during this resting period, but only the latter can really rest. This double-edged sword which interrupts the circadian rhythm holds to be too complex. With the flash of the darkness and a standstill between day and night, the mind settles into its own abyss. These are times absolutely no one prays for. To become the prey of your own thoughts is something truly dreadful. All “moral” restraints of the mind have been totally and utterly shattered, leaving you to be the one chained to your own thoughts. The mind wanders curiously, as untethered as can be, through the forest of the unknown, places not previously ventured.The  forest contains the most pungent memories of the past. Futures are now at a glance through the scope of your past. During this time, what else can really be done? There is no one on the other side of your consciousness that can help, but on the internal side of your mind lies a beast who attacks unprovoked. To face distraction and ignore the beast is a violent act, as the beast grows stronger with memory.

            The nocturnal hours add weight to the thoughts which encircle our mind. Every now and then, the tempest stops and we get a crystal clear picture of our worst. The shrill storm screams even louder now, for what purpose must this still continue? The silence grapples with these thoughts to see which will emerge victorious. The cardiac thumping being the only form of recognition of life. The eyes stranded open, not by the time of the day, but by the timeless thoughts unseen throughout the day. The beast preys still, stalking from the cliff of regret. The night has grown too strong, the defense of the mind is yet again stripped and laid bare. Revealing the scars and injuries of the past. The sight of this entertains the beast and prods it forward. It is impossible for the mind to fight back against the beast, as it is a product of itself.

            The longer the mind fends for itself, the closer it gets to the edge of the cliff. The questioning of one’s own existence, purpose, and identity. With this provoked questioning, many dip further into their own abyss, finding themselves only in their past, not relying on their future self. The past failures hold much more meaning than the infinite future ever will to these abyss divers. For those who achieved unconsciousness by now, this event will hold no meaning to their future endeavors. If the day can break the midnight shade, you can move the weight of your mind. Those who recognize the mind’s recognition of conflict will truly heal. These memories aren’t simply dark thoughts, but unresolved quarrels of the mind. With the adequate arming of this information, one can find the resolution to these within themselves or learn nothing from it.

            It is events like midnight which really teach us about ourselves; ascertain that we are truly human. Life in itself is never consistent or constant. The only constant of life is the generously provided inconsistency.

"How to make Pozole Rojo with pork" by Arianna O

 

This recipe my mom and I have recently started to make for my family more often and our whole household enjoys eating it each time. This recipe is a modified version of my grandma’s way of making it so you can see how long this recipe has been in our family. I have always seen my mom make this dish and recently I have been able to help out and make this meal. So now I’m happy to join in on making this and glad to help my mom out. My mom and I make this meal on Christmas Eve because that has always been our tradition. It’s a long process to make but its always worth it in the end. This is my one of my favorite childhood meals my mom has made for me when I was younger so this meal always brings back nostalgic memories. I recommend eating this meal on cold days or whenever!

 

Prep time- 30 minutes // Cook time- 3 hours

 

Materials:

-Large pot or stock pot

-Iron pan

-Blender

-Bowls

 

Ingredients:

Most ingredient can be found at Cardenas :)

-3 pounds of pork shoulder

- 4 ounces of Ancho Chiles

-1 large can of white hominy

-3 bay leaves

-8 cloves of Garlic

-2 tb of oregano

-Salt

-Water

 

Garnishes ( prep while cooking)

-½ small head of lettuce

- Chopped cilantro

-½ white onion

-Lime

-1 bunch of red radishes

-Tostadas

  

Instructions:

Step 1: Pour 5 quarts of water into pot and bring to a boil

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: Grab Chiles and discard stems, seeds, and veins form chili pods. Then Heat chile on iron pan on medium heat for a couple of minutes until softened. Do not let them burn! Put these aside for the red sauce for the pozole.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3: Then grab the pork shoulders and cut off any fat from the meat. Then put it in boiling water and let it cook until ready which is an estimate of 2 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4: When pork is full cooked and tender. Then add spices to the pot which is the bay leaves and oregano. When you put oregano smoosh together to break it up so there is no big chunks. Then add a medium pinch of saltt. Then bring pot to simmer, reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes.

 

Step 5: To prepare red sauce put these ingredient into the blender and put  the chiles you heated, 2 ½ cups of water, a teaspoon of salt, 4 cloves of garlic, and oregano. Then once blended strain the red sauce into pot.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6: When sauce is added into pot. Add the hominy blend into the pot and a couple pinches of salt. Maintain pozole at a simmer and partially cover it to keep cooking it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7: Pozole should be fully cooked after leaving it for 5 minutes and ready to serve with garnishes on top. You can add the lettuce, radishes, onion, lime,  tostadas on the side or whatever fufills your liking (I recommend adding all the toppings for the best tasting pozole). Now you can enjoy!

This how my pozole turned out :)