What is the premise of Campbell and Esselstyn? Friday, Feb 24 2012 

Week Five melissariley2 12:39 pm

The main premise of Campbell and Esselstyn is to promote a diet that would change the eating habits of people everywhere. Dr. Campbell is a nutritional scientist at Cornell University and Dr. Esselstyn is in charge of the Breast Cancer Task Force at the Cleveland Clinic. Each doctor preformed studies around the world to see if animal based products indeed had an impact on a person’s health. In both of their research, they discovered that people who consumed large amounts of animal based foods were more likely to develop certain illnesses and diseases then people who did not consume large amounts of animal based foods. In the documentary “Forks and Knives”, their main goal is to discuss the research that they discovered that provides proof of how effective a plant based diet can be in someone’s life. This type of diet would be beneficial not only to the health of the individual who decides to commit to it but also for the nation’s healthcare system. People spend millions of dollars each year to insurance companies who sell expensive plans and to pharmacies for prescription medication. This nation could save a ton of my money by making simple changes in our eating habits. The film stresses that that our nation, especially our youth, is being plagued by obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. They may also have a shorter life span because of the poor food choices they make. These life threatening factors can be avoided or even reversed by simply saying no to animal based products and processed foods. The film follows a few people who were diagnosed with common diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Their doctors suggested that they adopt a plant based diet and show them how to prepare the foods on their own. Food is seen as the primary medicine in the film.

 

What is the premise of Campbell and Esselstyn? Friday, Feb 24 2012 

Week Five megriley22 11:52 am

“Forks Over Knives” by Campbell and Esselstyn is a film that addresses one of the main issues of America today, healthcare. In today’s society, an alarming amount of citizens suffer from moderate to severe obesity. This is due to an increase of consuming fatty, oily, and fried foods. Fresh, healthy foods are becoming less and less common in American households because of the demand for more convenient, processed foods.  With this obesity comes other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, clogged arteries, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. What is more alarming is that the people who are developing these diseases are getting younger and younger. Those affected by such life threatening conditions are no longer being associated with just the older generations. They also are becoming dependent on a large number of medications in order to survive. Rising hospital costs and routine pharmacy visits has dramatically increased the costs of healthcare in this country. This is ultimately reducing the life span of the average American person.

In this film, Campbell and Esselstyn explain how they believe that they have found a way to prevent, treat, and in some cases reverse such diseases.  They believe that if you can eliminate eating animal based products from your diet, reduce the amount of junk food that you take in, and replace these foods with a plant based diet, you are almost guaranteed good health. While it may sound too good to be true, Campbell and Esselstyn have years of extensive research that they have performed to back up their conclusions. They have done studies in China and the United States, where they witnessed promising results. They also have real life examples of people who switched their diets to plant based products and that showed good, healthy progress. I enjoyed the piece of the film that we watched and I agree that their methods could help slow down the deaths and diseases associated with obesity

 

why is it important to preserve traditions? Sunday, Feb 12 2012 

Week Four megriley22 12:28 am

A tradition is defined as a long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation. Traditions are important because they are the foundations upon which communities are built and are what actually holds them together. They have a way of bringing people together, even strangers, and allows for a sense of community among others. I feel as though it is important to preserve traditional practices because essentially they bring out the uniqueness of different cultures. The foods we eat, the clothes we wear, and the beliefs that we practice are what make us who we are. Preserving traditions is also important because it is a must that such practices are passed down to the next generations. If we do not preserve the traditions, future generations will be missing important parts of their culture. Basically they will be lacking a piece of their history.

I appreciate that Dr. Vaz is doing her best to preserve the practices surrounding the St. Joseph Altar tradition in New Orleans. I feel as though this tradition is important to preserve in order to honor the ancestors of many New Orleanians. Growing up, I witnessed the tradition every year in elementary school. I remember being excited to get my bag of cookies, lucky bean, and St. Joseph prayer card. Although this tradition was so familiar to me, I never really knew the story behind this tradition. I also did not know how much time and preparation and people it takes in order to pull off these beautiful altars. Now that I learned the importance of such a wonderful tradition, I will make sure to pass down the information that I learned to my children to come. I will also be more appreciative of all of the items on the altar when St. Joseph’s Day arrives.

 

Why is it important to preserve tradition? Saturday, Feb 11 2012 

Week Four melissariley2 11:29 pm

Preserving traditions within local communities is extremely important for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it is a way to pass down a number of sacred practices and customs   from generation to generation. In the article “Prayer and Pageantry on St. Joseph’s Feast Day”, Dr. Kim Vaz discusses how in New Orleans, the tradition of creating the St. Joseph’s altar has survived and continues to this day from its origin in Sicily around the 1800s. It is amazing to know that this tradition has still been preserved for hundreds of years and has crossed cultural, ethnic, and racial boundaries, even crossing over to different countries and continents. Secondly, preserving traditions is a way to respect and honor those people who played a major role in the tradition. A great example is how St. Joseph is honored during the establishment of the St. Joseph’s altar. The Sicilians honored St. Joseph with the first altar because of his actions and intercessions that sustained the people during the great famine. In reverence and respect for the saint’s protection, the people of Sicily created an altar each year with handmade delicious food that had a special meaning and relationship to St. Joseph. Preserving traditions is a teaching method that allows others to learn about how the traditions came into existence. Since the St. Joseph’s altar is common to certain regions and areas of the world, many people do not know its significance or even may have never heard of it before. It is important to inform others about this tradition and to spread the stories and knowledge of this sacred tradition to keep it alive. In relationship to the St. Joseph’s altar, someone may choose to participate in a ceremony within in the community or may even decide to make their own one.

 

Week 4: What is the purpose of preserving traditions? Friday, Feb 10 2012 

Week Four alexysn 5:50 pm

Traditions are long-established actions or patterns of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation.  In preserving traditions, you are ensuring that a notable mark that was made continues on as remembrance. One purpose for preserving traditions is so that there is something sacred. With the ever changing society, it is good to have traditions just to keep an aspect from the past that remains the same. Because it is something old and unusual it makes the action more valuable. When I hear traditions I also think of culture and family. Another purpose of preserving traditions is to reinforce the importance of retaining the memories of culture and family. Lastly, traditions are like a bond that keeps, not just a family, anything solid. With religion, the tradition of the Lord’s Supper keeps the Christian’s faith sewn together. In organizations, keeping a specific activity going as a tradition attracts people to want to be a part of it. This in the end makes an organization stronger and adds more people who are willing to keep the traditional events.

 

Blog 1: Describe a memorable food tradition in your family. Remember this is a public blog. Friday, Feb 10 2012 

Week One alexysn 3:36 pm

Every year our family hosts a big Christmas Eve celebration. Everyone in the house always prepares a different entrée. My mom makes her signature sweet potatoes, my aunt makes her special cabbage, I make deviled eggs, and my brother helps with the bar-b-q. Even though all of these are house favorites, most people come over for one thing, my dad’s Million Man March Chocolate cake. How this cake got its name is still a mystery to this day, but the name was provided by my dad. The M.M.M. is a large assembly of African American men in Washington D.C. that promoted unity and self-help among black communities everywhere. Because he really enjoyed the march, he decided to name his favorite cake after it. The cake consists of 3 layers of homemade chocolate cake. In between those layers is a fluffy, whipped cream- like icing. The whole cake is topped with a homemade rich, milk chocolate icing. Every year, it goes to minute we put it out. We never have any left over for ourselves to just enjoy.

 

Blog 3: What are the social, religious, and/or economic connections to bread? Monday, Feb 6 2012 

Miscellaneous iyaross 11:34 am

The social connection that New Orleanais has with bread is the historic style and make of the bread. This bread has served them for decades trying to feed and fulfill the emptiness of the people in New Orleans. French breach particularly has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to land in this unique city of New Orleans. The bread has put New Orleans on the map. They have brought over to America the tradition and social atmosphere of good wholesome fresh bread to this city.

When it comes to religion in connection t bread particularly French bread for the celebration of St. Joseph’s altar. The bread symbolizes many things but mostly the rise of the people and the hope that the people shared with each other during the drought, which is why it is essential for this bread to be token seriously. This is why individuals who celebrate this holy day that this French bread is a must to have spread across the table. These individuals who make the bread usually sing and say religious thinks so that their cooking/ baking stays holy and for God.

With the mass production of bread factories back in the early nineteenth centuries bread was the most talked about and paid for product. Different people  made bread differently in which bread( real bread) was key to a success and substantial  growth in the economy at that time. However, once the market crashed and bakery owners started to lose their factories the bread industry stared to collapse, and everything with it. Only a few factories were actually able to survive this devastating disaster. Yet, the one who did were able to contract an build up their business and tend to their neighbors and costumers

 

What are the social, religious, and/or economic connections to bread? Saturday, Feb 4 2012 

Week Three melissariley2 2:34 am

In Michael Mizell-Nelson’s article entitled “French Bread”, he writes about how French bread came about and describes the connection between the bread and the city of New Orleans. This culinary creation has an important social connection that can be traced back to its origin. In the 17th century, loaves of bread had a significant tie to impoverished citizens. On numerous occasions, bakers donated their stale loaves of bread to those who needed it the most, like institutions (such as Charity Hospital) who assisted the poor. Another instance of giving was when the government found out that bakers were making their loaves shorter. Margaret Gaffney Haughery was an influential person who donated large sums of money and numerous loaves of bread to the poor within her community. After her husband and her infant died during the yellow fever and cholera outbreak, she wanted to give back to those who faced the same struggles she did. She began to work in hotels and Laundromats, saving the money she earned to fund institutions who served the poor. She had the opportunity to expand her services when she bought a bakery from a baker who could not afford to repay his debts to her. When she took over the bakery, she was able to produce more bread quicker and distributed them to the military and other armed forces. Her supply and production of bread became extremely known during the time of the Civil War. When bread shortages became more prominent after the Civil War, Margaret began to distribute flour and bread to many people. She was given the name “Breadwoman of New Orleans” for her contributions for helping to feed those who were less fortunate. Her selfless acts had a huge impact on the community.

 

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