Magazines & Chocolate

Onion Quiche - Delish!

2011-12-16T04:07:00.001-05:00

Since I had my tonsillectomy (more on that later), I decided to cook more often and try new things in the kitchen. Starving for two weeks will do that to a person. With this new found appreciation of food (and I was already quite appreciative to begin with), I decided to be adventurous this week and try at least one new recipe - starting with Onion Quiche. Tried it on Monday and it was so good, I made it again last night. Pure tastiness and very easy to make. I altered the recipe a bit (increased the cheese; added seasoning; and used two types of onions, cooked until they started to brown). If you don't have an aversion to onions, give it a whirl. It goes great with a side salad of bitter greens and a sweet dressing (I used a creamy sweet vidalia onion dressing - overkill, I know).

I Want One!: Botanic Gifts

2011-12-01T18:50:00.000-05:00

One of these would look great on my desk...or in my house...or just about anywhere. I would probably stare at it all day long.

info here

Black Folk Don't Tip?

2011-09-02T12:32:00.001-04:00

Largely due to this stereotype (and the fact that I dated a waiter), I always tip 20% - even when the service is awful. Further, when I encounter said lousy service, I often wonder if they behaved that way because they assumed they would not get a tip to begin with. Sad I know
I tip, my family tips, and my friends tip; and we are Black!

video platform video management video solutions video player

Ode to the Black Seed: "A Cure for Every Disease Except Death"

2011-07-20T09:54:00.004-04:00

In my late 20s, I developed a skin condition that is rather unsightly. Because little is known about the origin of this condition, I won't go into specifics, but I will tell you that it recurs every year (typically in the Fall and Spring, but I've also had recurrences in the Summer) and it leaves its victims with scars that look a lot like cigarette burns all over the trunk of your body.
Doctors believe this rash is viral in nature (albeit noncontagious) and in keeping with the behavior of a virus, my initial outbreak was the worst. I had too many cigarette burn-like marks on my arms, chest, stomach, and back to count. They itched like the dickens at night, and it took at least three months for the symptoms to resolve. Needless to say, the BF was giving me the serious side eye by month two.

Because this rash isn't common, it took me a while to see a doctor (at which point I had already figured out what it was thanks to Google) and get a prescription for a topical steroid which relieved the itching, but did nothing to clear up the rash. Over the years, the rash became less severe, but has nevertheless persisted at the beginning of almost every season and nothing prescribed by the dermatologist has ever worked. After a particularly bad outbreak which convinced me the rash was inching its way to my face, I figured I would try a holistic approach to ridding my body (at least outwardly) of this mystery condition. Enter Black Seed soap.

Never a huge fan of most of the soaps you find in the drugstore or grocery store aisles as they almost always dried my skin or caused me to break out (I can pretty much only use one brand consistently w/o a problem), I decided to experiment with natural soaps, which lead me to Honey and Black Seed soap by Nubian Heritage. Other natural soaps worked great as far as moisturizing my skin and leaving me with a healthy glow, but only the black seed has annihilated the rash so far. I usually use the soap every day, but whenever I am lax and the rash rears its ugly head, black seed puts the kibosh on it with a quickness. (I prefer the Nubian Heritage brand as it moisturizes my skin, but suggest Madina black seed soap as well for those of you with oily skin).
The successful treatment of my symptoms led me to look into black seed and what exactly it is. The seeds come from a plant technically known as Nigella Sativa, which is indigenous to southwest and southeast Asia, and are often used as a spice otherwise known as black cumin.

'Nigella sativa'' has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries, both as a herb and pressed into oil, in Asia, Middle East, and Africa. It has been traditionally used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal health, kidney and liver function, circulatory and immune system support, as analgesic, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidants, anticancer, antiviral and for general well-being.

In Islam, it is regarded as one of the greatest forms of healing medicine available. Prophet Mohammed once stated that the black seed can heal every disease—except death...

I don't have the foggiest idea how it works and I'm not a doctor or herbalist, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it does work for me and clears up my symptoms every time. I like to share things that work and hopefully someone else can benefit from trying black seed soap. For more information, check out the Kitchen Doctor.

More Desk Pimpishness

2011-06-13T09:38:00.002-04:00

When I saw this *gasp* I had to have it! Too bad they don't come in red. I also picked one up for a colleague who always wears super sexy high heels.
I give you...

The Stiletto heel tape dispenser!

Now that's pure desk sexiness right there. LOL

I don't find these things; they find me!

Black in Latin America

2011-05-06T12:41:00.004-04:00

watched the segment on Brazil recently
Good stuff (despite some issues I have with "Skip" Gates):

Watch the full episode. See more Black in Latin America.

Big Girl Pants

2011-05-04T10:22:00.002-04:00

For Lent, I gave up complaining.
Well....I tried to anyway.
For some reason this scene from The Other Guys made me think about fighting the urge to complain (read: WHINE).
(Warning: mild cursing ahead...)

2011-04-28T04:02:00.006-04:00

These ladies are hilarious.
My hair is similar to Nikisha's and the pineapple thing (or, as I like to call it, the "Sideshow Bob") does work when I don't want to put a scarf on my head (and it helps retain length as some natural hair tends to shrink close to the scalp if you don't stretch it). I have used satin pillow cases in the past, but that caused my face to break out (long story), so I do rock a silk scarf. There's just no getting around it. Maintaining the hair can be complicated.

Still Pimpin'....

2011-04-27T11:06:00.000-04:00

...my desk that is
Picked up some cute stickies at Target with a gift card:

Have a Good Weekend

2011-04-15T11:47:00.002-04:00

I Wanna See!

2011-03-17T11:19:00.005-04:00

I hoped to make SXSW this year so that I could see awesome(-looking) films like this, hear good music, introduce my web project which is aaaaalmost ready for unveiling, and just enjoy what Austin has to offer.  But, alas, due to the cost of SXSW, I will have to wait until this hits theaters (or video). 

ahem....   #SXSWistoodamnexpensive

Nice

2011-03-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

One day I said to God

"I am going to search this world over

To find the meaning of my existence

I am going to find the talent within me

And develop it to the best of my abilities

I am going to make the most of this life that I have been given

And I shall do this without infringing on anyone else's

Opportunity to do the same."

And God replied,

"I couldn’t ask for anything more."

-Javan

via: iamthenublack

It Just Wasn't His Time

2011-03-03T16:05:00.000-05:00

Dog Survives Euthanasia

Good Mooooooorning!

2011-03-03T06:25:00.000-05:00

Strange Dreams

2011-02-28T13:01:00.002-05:00

Last night I had the oddest dream that I took a last minute vacay to Bahrain with a group of friends.  We checked in to our hotel which, while very nice inside, was right smack in the middle of an unstable and undeveloped area (note: I know that's not Bahrain in reality, but this was how it was in my dream).  We didn't bother looking at our rooms, left our luggage in the lobby, and set off exploring in a jeep or van or bus - I don't recall which.

The roads were so muddy and full of holes that we stalled and decided to hop out and walk.  As we trudged through the mud, I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten to notify my employer and take leave for the trip which lead to a major freak out and me considering flying all the way back home immediately. On the other hand, I was hesitant to leave - muddy potholes and all.  The dream ended with a situation I can only attribute to reading Black in Cairo (one of my fave blogs) and watching female reporters cover the Egypt uprising recently.  We encountered a man beating a woman with his shoe and I confronted him. The dream ended with us squaring off to fight.

Laaaaawd!  What does it all mean?!

Whatever Happened To...

2011-02-25T06:05:00.002-05:00

The Boys (of "Dial My Heart" fame)? I found myself wondering today when I mentioned them to a colleague (don't ask). As it turns out, they found success as adults as The Suns [of Light] with half the group residing in Gambia. Here's a vid:

Interesting

I'd Watch It

2011-02-18T11:49:00.002-05:00

Totally Random

2011-02-18T09:55:00.002-05:00

I stumbled upon this wedding photographer's site today and gasped when I saw this bride. I love love LOVE her dress - actually her dress, her hair, the whole look (and the styling of the bridesmaids). Gorgeous

(click the photo for other photos of this wedding)

Jumping and Dunking

2011-02-15T08:00:00.002-05:00

"I'm sick of seeing us jumping and dunking all the time. That's not all we do - we're not just jumping and dunking."

DIALOGUE EP1 from Creative Control on Vimeo.

Freedom Behind Bars: Meditation in Prison

2011-02-14T10:03:00.003-05:00

I came across this video last night coincidentally after our yoga instructor mentioned meditation in prisons this weekend. No one seems to really know how meditation and/or yoga works, but it does. That's why I'm taking it again - even considering a sunrise yoga class and I am not a morning person by any means. If only people picked up the habit of meditation before it gets as far as incarceration. Maybe it would help kids cope with some of the issues that lead them to a life of crime to begin with. Too bad everyone can't afford yoga classes or to see a therapist (nor health insurance for that matter). Thank God for the non-profits out there that offer yoga and TM to troubled youth. Though I'm not sure how many of those there are.

via: The Black Bottom

I Hope He's Right!

2011-02-02T12:18:00.001-05:00

Resolutions

2011-01-26T12:07:00.001-05:00

We're about a month into the new year. How are those resolutions coming?

Mine:

Avoid foods with unfermented soy (haven't gotten started on that one yet since soy and soy derivatives are in everything here. Everything! Check your ingredient listings)
Go back to yoga (class starts in February)

Anyway, for those of you who have resolutions revolving around exercise, health, fitness, etc., here's motivation for you - my 68-year-old father doing a handstand (he can to it on his elbows too). If he can do that, you can do whatever it is you have on your list.

I'd Watch It

2011-01-21T23:45:00.001-05:00

milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.

Good Stuff: PaperMate Apex Pen

2010-12-17T13:15:00.000-05:00

I feel silly blogging about this, but I have a serious notebook addiction which, of course comes along with pens!  So, when I find a pen that rivals my Dr. Grip, I must share.  Behold, the Papermate Apex (1.6 B).  This pen is awesome!  I prefer thicker lines when I write and I don't put much pressure on my pens, so I'm pretty picky.  I also use a variety of paper and require a pen that works with most (if not all) paper stock. Check it out:

Not Cool

2010-12-10T13:16:00.002-05:00

I'm pretty sure this would give me a heart attack.