Describe a memorable food tradition in your family. Sunday, Mar 4 2012

A food tradition that has been in my family for several generations is the gumbo, baked macaroni, and sweet potato dishes that my grandmother and mother prepare for Christmas dinner. My grandmother’s gumbo is the favorite part of the meal among my family members. The recipe has been in the family for years and no one else has ever attempted to make it because it would not come out the way that my grandmother makes it. It is something about the way that she cooks it that makes it both delicious and unique. To this day, I have yet to taste a gumbo like my grandmother’s. The main ingredient that is essential to her gumbo is seafood, which includes shrimp, oysters, and crabs. She also adds regular smoked sausage and hot sausage. Since it takes a couple of hours to cook, she usually prepares all of her seasonings and cooks it on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, she serves up the gumbo over white rice with a dash of filé and a couple of dinner rolls on the side. Along with the gumbo, my mom cooks homemade baked macaroni and sweet potatoes. The macaroni that she bakes consists of noodles, two types of cheeses (cheddar and mozzarella), milk, and butter. She bakes the sweet potatoes in the oven and covers them with marshmallows and walnuts on top. Sometimes she has to kick us out of the kitchen because we often try to sneak a taste before she is ready to serve it. In recent years, I have been in the kitchen with my mom, learning how to cook theses two wonderful dishes. I hope to also one day learn how cook my grandmother’s gumbo so that I could one day continue the tradition with my own family. Every Christmas dinner is memorable and it always has us looking forward to next year’s dinner.

 

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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? Sunday, Mar 4 2012

In the article “History of Saint Joseph Altars”, Sandra Scalise Juneau writes about how the Saint Joseph’s alters came about and she describes the significance of each component of the altar. Documenting the St. Joseph’s altars can be connected to the idea of promoting a just and humane society. A just and humane society is referred to as a society that values the importance of everyone living within it, where everyone is treated equally and with care and compassion. St. Joseph was and is still known as a man of peace and love. The Sicilians dedicated their lives to not only caring for their own families, but also to caring for the members that lived in the community. The St. Joseph’s altar was a way that the Sicilians gave thanks to St. Joseph and honored him for his protection and provisions that he granted them during the famine. In today’s society, there is a lack of love and care for our fellow neighbors on both the national and local levels. In our own local New Orleans community, there are news reports every day telling of how someone was murdered or assaulted. The St. Joseph’s altar can be seen as a sign of unity and peace, bringing people together from all walks of life to put together a ceremony dedicated to St. Joseph. Making the cakes, cookies, and food for the altar requires a lot of time, effort, and manual work. It is not an easy task and every effort made by those willing to participate is always appreciated. Members within the community are often welcomed to share in the celebration. On March 19, a day that only comes around once a year, the St. Joseph’s altars are set up and people from within the community are provided with the opportunity to share in communion with each other, giving thanks and honoring St. Joseph.

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Describe a memorable food tradition in your family. (Week 1) Saturday, Mar 3 2012

A food tradition that has been in my family for several generations is the gumbo, baked macaroni, and sweet potato dishes that my grandmother and mother prepare for Christmas dinner. My grandmother’s gumbo is the favorite part of the meal among my family members. The recipe has been in the family for years and no one else has ever attempted to make it because it would not come out the way that my grandmother makes it. It is something about the way that she cooks it that makes it both delicious and unique. To this day, I have yet to taste a gumbo like my grandmother’s. The main ingredient that is essential to her gumbo is seafood, which includes shrimp, oysters, and crabs. She also adds regular smoked sausage and hot sausage. Since it takes a couple of hours to cook, she usually prepares all of her seasonings and cooks it on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, she serves up the gumbo over white rice with a dash of filé and a couple of dinner rolls on the side. Along with the gumbo, my mom cooks homemade baked macaroni and sweet potatoes. The macaroni that she bakes consists of noodles, two types of cheeses (cheddar and mozzarella), milk, and butter. She bakes the sweet potatoes in the oven and covers them with marshmallows and walnuts on top. Sometimes she has to kick us out of the kitchen because we often try to sneak a taste before she is ready to serve it. In recent years, I have been in the kitchen with my mom, learning how to cook theses two wonderful dishes. I hope to also one day learn how cook my grandmother’s gumbo so that I could one day continue the tradition with my own family. Every Christmas dinner is memorable and it always has us looking forward to next year’s dinner.

 

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

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.

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

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.

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

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 17^th 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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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, Jan 21 2012

In the article “History of Saint Joseph Altars”, Sandra Scalise Juneau writes about how the Saint Joseph’s alters came about and she describes the significance of each component of the altar. Documenting the St. Joseph’s altars can be connected to the idea of promoting a just and humane society. A just and humane society is referred to as a society that values the importance of everyone living within it, where everyone is treated equally and with care and compassion. St. Joseph was and is still known as a man of peace and love. The Sicilians dedicated their lives to not only caring for their own families, but also to caring for the members that lived in the community. The St. Joseph’s altar was a way that the Sicilians gave thanks to St. Joseph and honored him for his protection and provisions that he granted them during the famine. In today’s society, there is a lack of love and care for our fellow neighbors on both the national and local levels. In our own local New Orleans community, there are news reports every day telling of how someone was murdered or assaulted. The St. Joseph’s altar can be seen as a sign of unity and peace, bringing people together from all walks of life to put together a ceremony dedicated to St. Joseph. Making the cakes, cookies, and food for the altar requires a lot of time, effort, and manual work. It is not an easy task and every effort made by those willing to participate is always appreciated. Members within the community are often welcomed to share in the celebration. On March 19, a day that only comes around once a year, the St. Joseph’s altars are set up and people from within the community are provided with the opportunity to share in communion with each other, giving thanks and honoring St. Joseph.

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Describe a memorable food tradition in your family Friday, Jan 13 2012

A food tradition that has been in my family for several generations is the gumbo, baked macaroni, and sweet potato dishes that my grandmother and mother prepare for Christmas dinner. My grandmother’s gumbo is the favorite part of the meal among my family members. The recipe has been in the family for years and no one else has ever attempted to make it because it would not come out the way that my grandmother makes it. It is something about the way that she cooks it that makes it both delicious and unique. To this day, I have yet to taste a gumbo like my grandmother’s. The main ingredient that is essential to her gumbo is seafood, which includes shrimp, oysters, and crabs. She also adds regular smoked sausage and hot sausage. Since it takes a couple of hours to cook, she usually prepares all of her seasonings and cooks it on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, she serves up the gumbo over white rice with a dash of filé and a couple of dinner rolls on the side. Along with the gumbo, my mom cooks homemade baked macaroni and sweet potatoes. The macaroni that she bakes consists of noodles, two types of cheeses (cheddar and mozzarella), milk, and butter. She bakes the sweet potatoes in the oven and covers them with marshmallows and walnuts on top. Sometimes she has to kick us out of the kitchen because we often try to sneak a taste before she is ready to serve it. In recent years, I have been in the kitchen with my mom, learning how to cook theses two wonderful dishes. I hope to also one day learn how cook my grandmother’s gumbo so that I could one day continue the tradition with my own family. Every Christmas dinner is memorable and it always has us looking forward to next year’s dinner.

 

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What are your thoughts about Xavier and its mission after your first semester? Wednesday, Nov 16 2011

As my first semester of college is coming to an end, I have a lot of thoughts and opinions about my experience. I can say that I have enjoyed these first four months of college, where I have had a chance to experience many things. I like living on my own and I have gained a greater sense of independence. I have to rely on myself to make it to class on time and to get things done. I noticed that in college you have a lot of free time, but you must do something productive with that extra time. I have learned that you have to manage your time wisely, balancing both your school work and the time you spend with your friends. There is a time and place for everything and you can’t always go out when you want to.  As of now, the work load in college is not hard, but it is demanding and requires a lot of time and effort. I have definitely improved my study habits and skills, learning how to dedicate more time to my studies. So far, I do like it at Xavier. The school is definitely carrying out its mission statement on a daily basis. I also feel as though it is adequately preparing me for my future career. The environment is fit for learning, supplying the students with the necessary resources, like books and modern technology to aid us during this academic journey. The diverse learning environment has allowed me to meet a number of new people from all over the country with different cultures and backgrounds. I have made new friends and I am very grateful for that. I think that St. Katharine Drexel would be proud of the type of institution that Xavier has developed into thus far.

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What did you think of the book Fast Food Nation? Thursday, Nov 3 2011

My thoughts about the book Fast Food Nation are for the most part very positive. The book was very informative, providing me with an insight on how fast food industries operate. It took me a little while to truly get interested in the book, but overall it was pretty interesting to see what goes on in our beloved McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and other major fast food restaurants. Schlosser did a good job at providing history behind the forces that led that to the creation of these food restaurants. The author was very descriptive, using detailed language to speak on subjects that are often neglected or pushed aside. Schlosser effectively conveys the truth about the industry that is oftentimes covered up or misrepresented by using real life testaments from people who work on both sides of the industry. He shows how large companies usually take advantage of the small business owners who provide them with their products. It is very unfortunate that people have to endure such treatment with little to no benefits. I credit the author with not striking the fast food industry, but providing solid facts that uncover the truth. I like how the author is honest about what goes on behind closed doors, letting the reader into the world of the fast food industry. The conditions that workers who work in the industry have to endure to produce the food that we enjoy are very appalling. The way that they slaughter the cattle is also very disturbing. The author also effectively showed how the food is prepared. I knew that the food was processed, but I did not know that the flavors were constructed in factories. Reading this book has certainly changed my outlook on fast food and it definitely has me thinking twice about ordering a double cheeseburger from McDonald’s.

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