#RevolutionaryHeroes Indivisible

Last summer, even before the presidential election, the group Indivisible was formed. In their own words:

Indivisible is a nonpolitical initiative energizing and informing Americans about the value and potential of government.

What put this group on the map was an online publication released in December: Indivisible: A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda. indivisibleguide.com The guide, created by a group of former congressional staffers, provides specific tactics for fighting against the conservative agenda by taking a page from the tea party’s playbook. So far, more than 6,000 local groups have registered with Indivisible.

Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg are two of the most visible founders.

The group also has seven programs explaining and exploring different roles and facets of government. This includes everything from training the next generation of local and national leaders to the role of government in developing our favorite new toys (e.g., GPS and self-driving cars) to making real-life connections with government through creative, engaging local events.

These folks are grassroots in the extreme—but with a focus on creative, effective methods to bring about a culture change in government.

Check them out! Then do something about it!!

https://www.indivisible.us/ www.facebook.com/USIndivisible/ @usindivisible #indivisible

#RevolutionCookbook Roasted Red Peppers

This tasty, smoky confection cannot be contained by any mere jar. In the past, I have purchased smoky, roasted red pepper in a jar for various recipes. The unused portion invariably goes blue with mold. There had to be a better way. I am now a convert of do it yourself to get a better product. With no further ado, I give you…

Roasted Red Peppers

Ingredients
2 fresh red peppers (green won’t work) or as many or few as you want—this is not a jar!
That’s it!
Maybe some olive oil, a squirt of lemon and a dash of salt for garnish.

Directions
1. Place peppers on cooking tray with parchment paper.
2. Turn oven up to 500 degrees F / 260 C (hot!). (I use a toaster oven.)
3. When top of peppers turn black, flip them to reveal another red side. Continue blackening and flipping until all sides are black. 10? 15? 20 min? This is actually one where you have to pay attention.

4. Once completely blackened let cool until you can touch them. Place carefully into plastic bag. (I tried paper once, didn’t work as well.)

5. Let them cool completely. Remove blacked skin. Carefully slice one side, open and remove stem and as many seeds as you can.
6. Slice and serve plain or garnished. They go fast! On the off chance you have some leftover, simply place in storage container and splash a bit of olive oil on them. They’re good for a couple of days.

#QuirkyNYC Coney Island USA

Words simply cannot describe how much I love Coney Island. I’ve been going there since I was a kid. Man, has it changed. But there will always be Nathan’s. I cannot pass this iconic 101 year old institution without getting a chili dog. Yeah, I like hot dogs. Wanna make something of it?

February is the off season in this part of town—even when it is almost 60 degrees out! That makes me very happy. Not in a general way, because I appreciate the underlying cause of a 60 degree February day in NYC (ok many days), but in an ‘I’m sure glad I can play at the beach today’ kind of way. There’s a difference.

One of the good things about having the boardwalk pretty much to yourself is that you can hear the waves without having to be right next to the water. It was that quiet.

The only regret I had was that I was not allowed to visit my beloved Zoltar. Zoltar sits directly beneath the WonderWheel, (which you wouldn’t catch me dead on--95 years old, and it looks it). One of the many things I love about Zoltar is that he senses you and starts talking, even before you put your dollar in to get your fortune. Alas, he’s a three-season kind of guy. We’ll get together next time, after the park opens in April.

#ConeyIsland #LunaPark #Wonderwheel #Brooklyn #Nathans

#Resist -- and how: Be good to yourself

You know that feeling when you’ve just finished a huge (yuge?) project that is really, really important? You’re elated, exhausted and almost too tired to celebrate. But you do. Success is success after all. As you’re dragging yourself out the door to head home after a night of as much revelry as you can muster, your friend turns to you and says ‘Don’t forget, the next one is due next week.’

All jubilation sags out like a tire with a slow leak as you remember that there are two huge projects due next week, another one the week after that, and there’s talk of other major projects that also have to be done now! now! now! It’s enough to make you crawl under a rock.

As someone who habitually gives 150% to everything I do, I know that rock. We’re good friends. We’ve spent some quality time together since the election. Recently, however, my rock has encouraged me to not get to the point where I need to crawl under it. I have to say that I’m listening—and it makes a difference.

When I feel like my Herculean efforts are doing absolutely nothing to help keep the social justice that we’ve achieved so far (forget forging ahead for new areas of health and equality!), I take a break. A serious one. Science says this is essential! The list is endless, here are some basics:

Sleep (enough, not too much), trees (even just pictures of them!), a quick walk or run around the neighborhood, and things that make you happy in general. I like cooking—but not all the time and pretty easy things, which I’m sharing with you! I love NYC and know it like the back of my hand, but there is still so much quirky. Go in search of your own quirky! Spend time with your friends and family—and agree that at certain times talk of politics is forbidden. Volunteer—deliver meals, read to people, build houses, be a role model buddy—the options are limitless!

You’ll be back…

#WednesdayWomen at the Underwear Run, New York City

#RevolutionaryHeroes The Beatles

Almost 50 years ago, during times as confused and scary as our own, the Beatles released the song ‘Revolution.’ This song could not be more timely and wise (and wise-cracking). Check out some of the lyrics then go have a listen to John, George, Paul and Ringo.

http://bit.ly/1W4cLJh


‘You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world

But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out’

Pick your favorite Beatle and find out what that choice says about you! http://bit.ly/2l0omsL

http://bit.ly/2l0omsL

(PLEASE CUT AND PASTE LINKS BECAUSE THEY OFTEN DON'T WORK HERE--IT'S WORTH IT. I PROMISE!)

#RevolutionCookbook Grilled lemon chicken

I have a confession to make. I love my George Forman. Can I hear that again? I LOVE my George Forman Grill—the lean, mean, fat-reducing machine. Mine has the removable plates for easy cleaning. It doesn’t get much better than that.

One of my favorite recipes for the old GF is infinitely flexible and frequently relied upon to quickly satisfy me at the end of a long, busy day.

Grilled Lemon Chicken

Ingredients
• Boneless, skinless breasts or thighs
• Juice from one big (or 2 small) lemons
• Generous helpings of fresh or dried herb/spice of choice (e.g., tarragon, parsley, basil, cumin, cilantro—whatever you have)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Put chicken in bowl to marinate.
2. Add herbs, salt and pepper.
3. Cover with lemon juice. Toss and let marinate at least 30 minutes up to 24 hours.
4. Grill.

On the GF, I check it after 10 minutes of grilling. Thighs usually need a little longer than breasts. In a grill pan, check at 5 to 7 minutes then turnover and continue cooking for another 3 to 5 minutes or until done (no pink inside). Serve with greens or on top of salad.

As a delicious alternative, before you juice the lemon make lemon peels to add to marinade. Add some cumin and mint (fresh or dried), salt and pepper to taste, then marinate as usual and grill. Yum!

#QuirkyNYC: Free (or incredibly cheap) Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you’ll recall the old adage ‘All work and no play makes Jill a dull (and burned out) revolutionary,’ you’ll follow me to my indoor winter playground!

Sure, sure the place is filled with paintings, but I prefer visiting the many artifacts from distant lands. When I hit the Met, I am an adventurer!!

Did you know that the Greeks wanted their statues to look as life-like as possible? They thought that the eyeballs in particular were a dead giveaway that this was a statue perched 50 feet (15 m) above the ground on the top of some column. Really? That’s the only problem? Anyway, there were special eyeball artists to make statues look more realistic. The next time you see a statue with gouged out eyeballs, now you know why.

I love this rock. I remember the first time I saw it. A friend took me there and said I would just love this. I was beyond disappointed. It took a while for our relationship to develop. As you can see, there is a layer of water that looks like glass on top, but the sound that this rock makes is that of a babbling brook. In this one, the eyes are the deceivers. I can just imagine this crazy artist named Noguchi, who moved to NYC at the height of the 1930s depression. He set up shop across the street from cemetery monument makers, because they had the best rocks. More on him in another post.

Despite all of the discoveries you’ll make in your endless, aimless wandering (forget the map!), you’ll need a break at some point. I always head to the courtyard of the glorious American Wing and get myself a cup of tea. I alternate looking out on Central Park and in to the monumental courtyard.

Both Friday and Saturday nights are free at the Met! That’s a tad misleading because you still have to go up to a cashier to get a ticket. You’re encouraged to give a little something. On the flip side, you can really go any time you want—and pay what you want. The suggested donation is $25. As every European (and not so many Americans) knows, you don’t have to pay anywhere near that—unless you can afford to.

#metropolitanmuseumofart #noguchi #eyeballs #AmericanWing

#Resist -- and how: Tell your story

On World AIDS Day last year (December 1st for those who want to put it in their calendar for this year), I wrote an opinion piece ‘After decades of research, why is AIDS still rampant?’ http://bit.ly/2gcy0Gq

Nobody ever talks about AIDS or HIV anymore, even though 5,753 people will become newly infected with HIV—today. And tomorrow and the day after that. HIV is not an equal opportunity virus, like flu. It targets people who are historically discriminated against.

You want proof? Almost 15 years after we’ve pretty much stopped talking about HIV, AIDS remains a leading cause of death for African American men and women, and Latino men.

Our resistance is going to have to tackle the hard issues of inequality, discrimination and social justice. By identifying specific pieces of the puzzle—including health injustice, criminal justice reform, the immigration ban—and telling YOUR stories—in local newspapers, at town hall meetings, to your government representatives—we make it personal.

And it is personal.

#blacklivesmatter #AIDS #theresistance #immigrationreform

#WednesdayWomen: Genesis at Housing Works, New York City

#RevolutionaryHeroes – Bessie Colman

The year is 1921. The place is France. Bessie Colman becomes the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license.

Talk about a can-do spirit! She started school in a one room segregated school house in Texas and proved herself to be an outstanding math student. (There are lots of #HiddenFigures in the US!) Her natural talents and interest in aviation were not enough to ensure that she got training in the US. She taught herself French so that she could go to France to study. The rest is history! At least in terms of a pilot’s license.

Like many early pilots, Bessie Colman died in a plane accident. She was on her way to do flying stunts at an airshow as ‘Queen Bess.’ She was 34 years old.

#blacklivesmatter #theresistance #resist #blackhistorymonth

#RevolutionCookbook White Bean and Kale Stew

Garlicky White Bean & Kale Stew

Do you hate cold, gray winter days as much as I do? Here's a recipe for garlicky white bean and kale stew to warm your cockles.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions
6 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but really delicious)
5 bay leaves
Pinch chili flakes
Sea salt
Cracked black pepper
2- 2 ½ cups cooked white beans (lima, butter, navy, cannelini…)
2 cups packed shredded kale leaves
2 cups vegetable broth
1 can (14 oz.) organic whole tomatoes
Olive oil to garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large stockpot. Slice onions and add to the pot with a couple pinches sea salt, chili, bay leaves and paprika. Cook for a few minutes until the onions have softened, then add sliced garlic. If the pot becomes dry, add a little juice from the tinned tomatoes.
2. Add all other ingredients, bring to a boil, season to taste, and serve with a drizzle of olive oil (since everything is cooked, you don’t need to heat it long). If you are going to let it simmer for a while, add the kale about 5-10 minutes before serving so that it retains more of its nutritional value.

Serves 3-4

#RevolutionCookbook Vegan Corn Muffins

Vegan Corn Muffins

What does a vegan revolutionary have for breakfast? Some days you just want to feel normal, like everyone else. No food issues. No living proof of your strong ethical animal treatment beliefs. Just one of the crowd. What could be more normal that a corn muffin?

I give you a simple, delicious, nutritious recipe that will fool your non-vegan friends into believing that you’ve given it all up.

Ingredients
• 1 cup corn meal (fine ground)
• 1 cup flour
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 4 tablespoons sugar (or sweetener equivalent)
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup alt milk (e.g., almond or soy work well, so does regular milk for non-vegans who don’t want to go all the way)
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 ½ cups of cooked corn (I often use frozen and put it in water for about an hour to defrost, fresh off cob is delicious but not always practical)

Directions
1. In one bowl, mix all dry ingredients
2. In another bowl, whisk all wet ingredients
3. Dump wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix.
4. Place into pre-heated 350F degree oven for 23 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins. I use those little paper muffin cups. If you can make it work without them, more power to you!

#RevolutionaryHeroes -- Housing Works

Housing Works

I started writing about Housing Works as a Quirky NYC experience—and it is!—but it is also a quintessential never give up kind of revolutionary organization. People think of Housing Works as a great place to buy second-hand furniture, clothes and books, stylishly presented at irresistible-bargain prices. Their outposts are located in neighborhoods where rich people live and donate great stuff!

Housing Works was born in 1990 and is the brain child of the legendary AIDS activist group ACT UP. At the time, the AIDS epidemic in NYC was exploding, as was the homeless crisis. Not surprisingly the two overlapped in complex and often unpopular ways. The founders believed that stable housing was the key to helping people living with HIV live healthy and fulfilling lives and to prevent the further spread of the virus.

In order to expand the many services that Housing Works also provides (e.g., health care, legal aid, job training), in 1995 they opened their now famous thrift shops and eventually opened the Bookstore Café at 126 Crosby Street. Talk about your out of the box thinking! Amazingly, they proved the skeptics wrong and started bringing in significant amounts of money—funding nearly 90% of their operating costs.

Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States. Even though many think that HIV/AIDS is no longer a problem in the US, approximately 45,000 Americans will be newly infected with HIV this year alone.

Just because an issue is unpopular or ignored, doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. Remember that! You’ll need to in order to keep moving forward.

The next thing to do? Check them out: http://www.housingworks.org/ Buy things from them! Here’s a radical idea: volunteer and become a member! This is how revolution starts…and continues.

#HousingWorks #QuirkyNYC #AIDS #homeless #TheResistance

#WednesdayWomen Priya & Dharshni--WiDS, New York City

#QuirkyNYC: Free (or incredibly cheap) WiDS

I just spent the day with some of the smartest women in town—for free! I signed up for the Women in Data Science (WiDS) NYC conference. The room was jam packed and, apparently, the waiting list was even longer.

What is data science? Basically, it’s anything to do with the combination of numbers AND (this is the really important part) creativity. These two elements are used to problem solve a wide variety of questions: anything from improved customer experience to climate change to the relationship between fried chicken and labradoodles (really!).

I want to give a big shout out to Dr. Tian Zheng @tz33cu a brilliant and funny statistics(!) professor. She emphasized the importance of bringing the skill set that you have—whatever it is—to the table; of working collaboratively, since no one person can have all of the answers; and of sharing the process and methods in a public forum so that others can replicate and improve on the final product, which is never really final.

Technically, this is not exclusively a quirky NYC activity, since WiDS has conferences across the US and around the world! Here’s how to get involved: http://www.widsconference.org/register.html

#WiDS #smartwomen

#Resist --and how: #SanctuaryCities

This sign is taped on the gates of the hardware store that was the subject of my post on this blog on January 3: http://maureentravels.blogspot.com/2017/01/sanctuarycity.html

#americathebeautiful

#RevolutionCookbook Scallion Pancakes

Scallion Pancakes--Korean Style

Today is all about appetizers—easy, impressive and delicious (and need I say economical)!

Ingredients:
Pancakes
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 bunch of scallions, halved and cut into 2-3 inch lengths
• 1 tsp salt
• Oil for cooking

Dipping sauce
• Soy sauce
• Chinese Chinkiang (black) vinegar
• Fresh ginger (if inspired)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients together and let sit for about 10 minutes. Check consistency before cooking – batter should be a little bit runnier than American pancake batter, so that the Pa Jun cooks quickly and evenly.
2. Heat a saute pan over medium heat and coat with a thin layer of oil.
3. Fry 4” to 5’” rounds in hot vegetable oil (3-4 minutes until set and golden brown on bottom, turn over and finish by cooking 1-2 more minutes, adding more oil if necessary).
4. Drain on paper towels and cut into quarters.
5. Serve with dipping sauce of ½ soy sauce and ½ Chinese Chinkiang vinegar—add some slivered ginger.

Serves 5-6.

#WednesdayWomen Mileka-- #FrenchRoast New York City