Blog 3: What are the social, religious, and/or economic connections to bread? Sunday, Mar 4 2012

The Article French Bread, introduced the reader to the history of the poor boy bread, also called a po-boy. The author discussed the social economic and religious relations between bread and the city of New Orleans.

The social ties to the French Bread is mostly in the title, “Poor Boy”. The sandwich was used to feed the poor and less fortunate. This was an easy and cheap meal. Also the bread was a part of the strike that was going on in New Orleans at the time. Owners of popular bakeries agreed to provide bread or po-boys.

French bread is religious because it is included in the St. Joseph’s. They are included in special rituals and praises to ensure good fortune for the year. Also, further back, bread has always been religious. Bread is used in communion and throughout the bible as a blessed food.

Economically, bread is tied to New Orleans because over the years the price lowered. When the bakeries were able to get in new machines for making bread, they were able to make (more) longer bread and for a cheaper price. This drew in more sales and allowed for french bread to expand.

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Blog#5 What is the premise of Campbell and Esselstyn? Sunday, Mar 4 2012

Campbell and Esselstyn are trying to prove that a plant based diet is in fact better for the human body. They conducted studies, together and separately, to determine if the animal based diet was contributing to some of the progressive diseases that infest our country today. After conducting one study, they see that countries that don’t have access to the animal meat diet don’t know of the diseases that are so deadly. Not only are they trying to prove that the plant based is better but they are trying to persuade everyone to make the healthy switch, especially the youth. The youth are more obese than ever and their fear is that they will live less than their parents. Overall, their premise was to ensure the all of the facts and benefits about the plant based diet was available to all of society.

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Blog 6 (QEP 4): What is the purpose of the feasts described in Daniel? How do ancient feasts compare to modern St. Joseph’s Day feasts? Saturday, Mar 3 2012

The purpose of the feast described in Daniel was to drink and eat off the gold plates from the temple God but worship a different god, one that didn’t provide for that feast. When comparing Daniel’s feast to the St. Joseph’s Day feast, there are many differences. First, the feast is prepared from scratch and is very elaborate. In the feast with Daniel, everything was taken from the temple of God. Second, for the St. Joseph’s day feast, they give thanks to Joseph and God usually for a personal encounter or as a tradition. In Daniel’s case, they were just worshiping the Gods of “gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone”, not the real God or provider. There was no true meaning behind their feast. Lastly, in the St. Joseph’s day alter, different rituals take place to ensure good fortune in the areas of life, money, and food.

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Blog 2: From what you’ve read for this week, speculate how documenting St. Joseph’s altars might play a role in the promotion of a just and humane society? Saturday, Mar 3 2012

Documenting St. Joseph alters would help in promotion of a just and humane society because it would bring many valuable practices to the attention of society. The St. Joseph’s alter was started in Sicily as a cry for help and mercy to relieve to town of the drought. Once the drought ceased, the Sicilians continued the traditions of the alter as a praise to Joseph. When the tradition moved to the U.S., in New Orleans, the St. Joseph alters became more elaborate and popular. By documenting the St. Joseph alters, promotes the importance of preserving traditions, taking time to be selfless, and expanding religious faith. Preserving traditions are important to building families and showing respect. The alter is usually open to others in the community, so this allows for new people to come together and bond. Lastly, you are increasing the religious faith. People are coming and making these alters to praise, give thanks or as remembrance. all of these qualities would build a better society.

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Week 4: What is the purpose of preserving traditions? Saturday, Mar 3 2012

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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Week 7: Does the author have a political agenda? Give examples to support your claim. Saturday, Dec 10 2011

Yes, Schlosser had a political agenda. This was evident through the way he wrote the book. The reader could tell that he was trying to get a point across about the fast food industry. He wanted the world to be aware of all the hidden and unknown topics. The other side of the industry that was so crucial, the world had to know. He begins by writing how the industry all, innocently, started. Not much longer after fast food began to take off, the author describes the techniques and thoughts of the people in charge. He includes this to show that they were being manipulative and solely focused on the business that was coming in. Owners would hire certain people to attract a certain age group. For example, teens, they knew that hiring teens would bring in, not only that age groups business, but also their interest in working at the location. The owners only targeted this group because they knew minimum wages would please them. Also, they would add certain aspects to the restaurants to attract a broader range of people. For example, the drive thru, Ronald McDonald, or the play area, all of these were incorporated to bring in families. This work was all being done to attract people to eat food that they knew wasn’t healthy for anyone to eat. Schlosser then moved on to when the fast food industry was at its peak. The big corporations began to make loads of money, making them more powerful. At this point they were becoming overly corrupt, focusing more on quantity and not quality. Health of the food started to decline more than before, while more money went to the locations, advertisements, and companies.

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BLog 12. What did you think of the book Fast Food Nation? Saturday, Dec 10 2011

I thought that fast food nation was an excellent book. They brought aspects of the fast food industry to the attention of the people of our society today. The book informed the reader about the origin of “fast food” ; where and how it all began. The book also was very descriptive about the process involved in making the products, like potatoes, beef, and chicken that were served at the restaurants. Through this book I feel the author, Schlosser, was trying to get a point across to society about how fast food isn’t entirely what meets the eye. He goes so in depth, and provides information that he knows the reader will find interesting. Although the book was great, if I was asked if they should choose this book as a read again for next year’s freshman, I would say no. Yes, it was very informative, but I don’t understand how reading Fast Food Nation was beneficial in relation to Freshman Seminar.  

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13. What are your thoughts about Xavier and its mission after your first semester? Friday, Dec 9 2011

After being here for a whole semester I felt like I have already adjusted, and I love it. The teachers are amazing, the work load is manageable, and the activities that occur on campus keep me enthused about each day. I feel like the mission is definitely in effect. I love how the teachers are so supportive and have all the available resources to help the students succeed. The events planned are also very enjoyable. I came to Xavier thinking that I would be in the books and having no escape. There is always something going on at the UC or on the weekends to keep the balance. My favorite moment so far has been homecoming. Xavier really tries to incorporate the overall aspects of college life. I feel like that is their mission altogether. They want us to have the fun, the education, and the extracurricular activities. So far, that is all I have noticed. They are doing a wonderful job, With the new additions and upgrades to our campus; I know I will only see it progressing more overtime.

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