We lived a lifetime between the lines,
past the farms, fields, and forests -
Traversed continents,
explored the world -
And recorded our journey
on each others' bodies ...
---------------
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
In honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Here is an email I sent to Jason Kenney in response to comments he made on a radio show. I'll post more of his comments (not included here) in a subsequent post so you can get the full picture of just how ludicrous his statements were. This government never ceases to astound me with how right-wing, reactionary, and backward they can be.
An email to Jason Kenney: Kenney.J@parl.gc.ca, Minister@cic.gc.ca
Hon. Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Jason Kenney,
As I am sure you are aware, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. An essential part of eliminating racism involves recognizing the ways in which "racial discrimination can arise on a systemic or institutional level from everyday rules and structures that are not consciously intended or designed to discriminate." [1]
Zoe
As I am sure you are aware, today is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. An essential part of eliminating racism involves recognizing the ways in which "racial discrimination can arise on a systemic or institutional level from everyday rules and structures that are not consciously intended or designed to discriminate." [1]
Many Canadians like to believe that we live in a country where racism is a thing of the past, but this is simply not the case. Systemic racial discrimination exists in Canada and our government has a responsibility to support organizations that develop, maintain, and promote anti-racism and anti-oppression policies, principles and practices. As a Canadian tax payer, I fully support funding such organizations.
With this in mind, I wanted to express my concern about comments that you made on The Roy Green Show on March 19th, 2011. Mr. Green read to you the Anti-Oppression Principles and Practice of an organization called Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services. In response, you stated (regarding funding of Access Alliance by Citizenship and Immigration Canada): "I wasn't aware of it and had I been aware it is not the kind of organization that I think tax payers should be supporting" and "I think it's offensive to finance that kind of thing." Sir, I am a tax payer and I willingly and gladly support any organization, like Access Alliance, that is committed to eliminating racism and all other forms of oppression and I ask that you, as an elected representative, also support this because it is in the best interests of all Canadians. I would also ask that you reconsider your characterization of funding for anti-oppression initiatives as "offensive", as it could be interpreted as support for maintaining oppression.
Lastly, I am also concerned about the statement that Mr. Green read on his show, which he claimed came from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The statement was "we are absolutely not providing funding for their anti-oppression nonsense. We do not stand for these types of things." Am I to understand that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will not provide funding for anti-oppression work of any kind? This is deeply troubling and not at all consistent with Canada's commitment to protect the human rights of all persons. Please look into this issue and ensure that your department has a clear understanding of how important it is to fund anti-oppression initiatives.
Thank you and I look forward to hearing about the continuation of funding for Access Alliance by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and a retraction of the statement that you made on the Roy Green Show. I have copied my member of parliament, Paul Dewar, and opposition critics Olivia Chow (NDP) and Justin Trudeau (Liberal Party) so that they can also respond to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Zoe
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Breakfast Time!
After a long hiatus from writing, I present to you the following! (Inspired by this article: http://ca.shine.yahoo.com/food/healthy-breakfast-dos-donts-morning-sandwich-recipe-article-hqbv.html)
Four unhealthy breakfast adventures that are delicious AND somewhat not nutritious. See recipe below!
Rise and shine, wake and bakers, all night drinkers, unrepentant poets and thinkers ... Findings from focus groups of society’s happy misfits shows that eating an unhealthy breakfast may help you discover unchartered edible territory. Below are 4 simple ways to begin your day with delicious indigestion.
1. Check the pizza box from last night (see counter or fridge).
Pizza is a perfect breakfast after a night of unrestrained merry making (that is, assuming that the extent of your merry making has not caught up with you yet). It can also be a suitable hangover food for some, but not all. The downside is that the best leftover pizza is not gluten or lactose free. Sure, you can find gluten and lactose free pizza, but it just ain’t the same!
2. Make breakfast the greasiest meal of the day.
It’s between 5 and 6 am. You’ve been up all night partying, dancing and drinking, but, technically speaking, this is your first meal of the day. You and your friend(s) wander into an all night Szechuan, Cantonese or Vietnamese restaurant and order everything fried on the menu. A pile of spring rolls appears and are smothered in plum sauce. Fried vermicelli and General Tao chicken (or tofu) is followed by dumplings (boiled, but lightly crisped) and, finally, deep fried banana for dessert. Your stomach may not agree, but your mouth says “food good!”
3. The heavier, the better.
Even mice understand that breakfast should be a hearty meal; something you may feel the need to work off, but was fundamentally satisfying. Personally, I feel that this can only really be achieved with a hot breakfast. You can get different kinds of poutine (hash browns poutine, traditional, many cheeses, with smoked meat, etc.), but what’s essential is that there’s potatoes, gravy and cheese involved. Eggs (sunny side up, over easy, scrambled, or just straight up fried) are also essential. Meat eaters may want to add bacon and or sausages. Toast may also be added. On the downside, it does leave vegans and the lactose and gluten intolerant out. But there is hope! Gluten free and vegetarian gravy can be done.
4. It tastes like candy!
Many of us who grew up during the 80s will remember the glory days of breakfast cereals loaded with sugar. Those were happy and action packed good times, although often followed by severe energy level crashes and child burn out. Nowadays grocery store shelves seem to be more dominated by muesli, granola, and ‘healthy alternatives’. While these cereals do have appeal, they lack other essential nutrients: like marshmallows (promotes a flexible attitude and sweet demeanour), chocolate (produces happy brain chemicals), and honey (nature’s sugar). For an added jump start to your day, have a mocha! Blend the bliss of chocolate with comforting kick of coffee and ride the caffeine highway through your morning.
Recipe: Grandma’s Sweet and salty peanut butter and marshmallow melt
When I was a kid my grandma used to make us this awesome treat after we went swimming. I don’t think we had it for breakfast, it was more of an afternoon snack, but it comes to mind as a clear possible winner in the Awesome Breakfast category.
1. Get a hot dog bun and open it up (if pre-sliced; different types of bread could be used instead)
2. Spread peanut butter over the bun/bread
3. Top with large marshmallows (cutting them in half makes it easier)
4. Place on a shallow pan in the toaster oven (marshmallow side up, of course)
5. Toast until brown on top
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly
7. Eat and enjoy the sweet gooeyness of toasted marshmallows and the salty goodness of peanut butter!
Four unhealthy breakfast adventures that are delicious AND somewhat not nutritious. See recipe below!
Rise and shine, wake and bakers, all night drinkers, unrepentant poets and thinkers ... Findings from focus groups of society’s happy misfits shows that eating an unhealthy breakfast may help you discover unchartered edible territory. Below are 4 simple ways to begin your day with delicious indigestion.
1. Check the pizza box from last night (see counter or fridge).
Pizza is a perfect breakfast after a night of unrestrained merry making (that is, assuming that the extent of your merry making has not caught up with you yet). It can also be a suitable hangover food for some, but not all. The downside is that the best leftover pizza is not gluten or lactose free. Sure, you can find gluten and lactose free pizza, but it just ain’t the same!
2. Make breakfast the greasiest meal of the day.
It’s between 5 and 6 am. You’ve been up all night partying, dancing and drinking, but, technically speaking, this is your first meal of the day. You and your friend(s) wander into an all night Szechuan, Cantonese or Vietnamese restaurant and order everything fried on the menu. A pile of spring rolls appears and are smothered in plum sauce. Fried vermicelli and General Tao chicken (or tofu) is followed by dumplings (boiled, but lightly crisped) and, finally, deep fried banana for dessert. Your stomach may not agree, but your mouth says “food good!”
3. The heavier, the better.
Even mice understand that breakfast should be a hearty meal; something you may feel the need to work off, but was fundamentally satisfying. Personally, I feel that this can only really be achieved with a hot breakfast. You can get different kinds of poutine (hash browns poutine, traditional, many cheeses, with smoked meat, etc.), but what’s essential is that there’s potatoes, gravy and cheese involved. Eggs (sunny side up, over easy, scrambled, or just straight up fried) are also essential. Meat eaters may want to add bacon and or sausages. Toast may also be added. On the downside, it does leave vegans and the lactose and gluten intolerant out. But there is hope! Gluten free and vegetarian gravy can be done.
4. It tastes like candy!
Many of us who grew up during the 80s will remember the glory days of breakfast cereals loaded with sugar. Those were happy and action packed good times, although often followed by severe energy level crashes and child burn out. Nowadays grocery store shelves seem to be more dominated by muesli, granola, and ‘healthy alternatives’. While these cereals do have appeal, they lack other essential nutrients: like marshmallows (promotes a flexible attitude and sweet demeanour), chocolate (produces happy brain chemicals), and honey (nature’s sugar). For an added jump start to your day, have a mocha! Blend the bliss of chocolate with comforting kick of coffee and ride the caffeine highway through your morning.
Recipe: Grandma’s Sweet and salty peanut butter and marshmallow melt
When I was a kid my grandma used to make us this awesome treat after we went swimming. I don’t think we had it for breakfast, it was more of an afternoon snack, but it comes to mind as a clear possible winner in the Awesome Breakfast category.
1. Get a hot dog bun and open it up (if pre-sliced; different types of bread could be used instead)
2. Spread peanut butter over the bun/bread
3. Top with large marshmallows (cutting them in half makes it easier)
4. Place on a shallow pan in the toaster oven (marshmallow side up, of course)
5. Toast until brown on top
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool briefly
7. Eat and enjoy the sweet gooeyness of toasted marshmallows and the salty goodness of peanut butter!
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