It's November!!! So, that means that Thanksgiving is soon to come. Lots of food talk happens during November. I know am not the only person that watches food & cooking shows or segments and answers Food Debates. It seems that no other holiday brings about food debates like Thanksgiving. I think they are funny. They are such first-world issues. But let me add my two cents (well my 20 cents) and give you my opinion
Ham vs Turkey
I say both. Both will be on my plate. I only get turkey during this time and the next time I should get ham will be Easter. The people who pick ham, usually say that Turkey is just a big chicken or it is too dry.
There are so many debates about the subject of turkey that it is unreal. I have experience in making a turkey. Made my first one 8-10 years ago. I watch Tyler Florence make this RECIPEand I volunteered to make the turkey for the family. But in Bag vs Tent, I say bag.
I've never made a turkey any other way. Also tenting requires basting. And in the debate of Bag vs Basting, bag will win every time. I'm not getting up all the time to keep the bird moist. The bag handles that quite well.
Oh, how do you like your turkey, Fried, Roasted, or Smoked? All 3 ways.
Most people have only had it roasted. Smoked turkey is a great alternative to ham. And my friend ID's father makes the best fried turkey. As long as the turkey is fully cooked, I have a preference that is not so picky.
Speaking of fried turkey, how do you like to "season" it? Do you like Brining or Injecting? Taste-wise I prefer either.
But when it comes to preparation, brine, I injected a turkey I roasted, once and it is not as easy as it looks.
And once the bird is prepared and on the table, Dark or White? I prefer white on my plate. I like dark meat for a good leftover stew or casserole.
Ok so we've tackled the meat, Let's talk side dishes.
Mashed vs Sweet Potatoes
I don't eat sweet potatoes as a side item. So, I have to say mashed. We have sweets on our table, but I fixed mashed to eat the next day with some leftovers last year. Turkey with mashed potatoes was good. I just topped it off with a bit of my aunt's gravy that goes with her cornbread dressing.
Yes, I said dressing. And that is my answer in Stuffing vs Dressing. I always thought if it was cooked in the turkey it was stuffing.
We don't stuff the bird with it. We put it in a casserole dish, so it is dressing. Oh, I'm Southern, I eat cornbread or wild rice dressing. White bread or sourdough dressing is weird to me and prefer not to eat it again, in life.
Now Canned vs Homemade cranberry sauce is very easy.
Unless my cousin, Clois is making the cranberry sauce, it will be canned. We have both jellied & whole berries because there is one adult & some kids that don't eat the whole berries.
And to round out this debate discussion I will take on dessert. Which one is do you prefer, pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie.
I've never had pumpkin pie (Pumpkin roll is delicious). I don't like pecan pie at all, So, apple pie wins. Sweet potato pie actually wins, if I should tell my truth. Well, if my mother is really in the holiday spirit and makes my favorite, Millionaire wins.
Okay, so those are my picks in the Thanksgiving Food debate. What are your picks? No matter what you pick, Be Grateful that you have something to pick at all.
I like Halloween. I have happy great Halloween memories. Even the year I had the flu in the 1st grade, I had some fun. My mom still let me wear my Care Bear (I was Tender Heart) costume in the house all day. I just had to wear my mask on the back of my head so I could breathe. So, Halloween is good.
But, we need to talk about some of the bothersome parts of this holiday. First up, slutty costumes. Well, not all slutty outfits. I mean if your costume is of a slut then, it has to be slutty. I have issue with slutty versions of children's cartoons and toys.
Like sexy Big Bird seems very perverse. Who watches Sesame Street and thinks about sex? I feel like that about all sexy versions of kids stuff. In my opinion, they should be banned. Apparently, I am not the only person. Buzzfeed feels the same way. I had never heard of a sexy Charlie Brown until I saw this video. He is so right, Charlie is a bald depressed little boy. What is Sexy about a Bald Depressed Little Boy? Or at least if the consumer stop buying this stuff, the makers will stop making them. And I not saying an adult dressing like a child's cartoon is perverse.
These Minnie Mouse costumes are tasteful and very sassy. But only wearing some panty style shorts and a bandeau bra in the colors of the characters is not classy or cool.
If I see offenders about blackface this year, I will cry. I don't how many time it has to be said to get it through the skulls of those that want to do it. DON'T DRESS IN BLACKFACE!!!
This year I am not buying into not knowing any better. If I see it done I am deeming the offenders Racists from this day forward. That will go for celebrity and non-celebrities alike. It is okay for anyone to dress like someone of another race and not change their racial skin tone.
Ellen and Miley Cyrus have done it. Oh, I know Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj may not be what you want to dress up as, let's use Olivia Pope as an example.
Here is an example on how to dress up as Olivia Pope without the use of blackface. Many different models dressed as Livvie as their race.
Oh and black people, I didn't forget about you. Don't Dress In Whiteface. Don't let Nick Cannon and Snoop make you be offensive also.
Hollywood is not paying you for that role so, go as that character with black skin.
Yeah, my sister's kids always have the good stuff.
However you are celebrating this holiday, let it be classy, intolerant, safe & fun. If you have a couple of Pixy Stix, can you send them my way. They're my favorite and I'm not passing those. LoL I have no clue what is going to be passed out & I'm not in charge of door snacks this year. I'm preparing dinner, Candy Corn Quesadillas (Recipe found HERE) & Salad.
I know I have not done a post on October Awareness. I will not front guys, this year, It Is Hard!!!
It Is Hard when the medical portion of the US government changes the recommended guidelines for mammograms yet again and the age gets older and not younger.
I'm just going to leave one fact here on this point. The founder of Susan G Komen, Nancy Brinker died at age 36.
It Is Hard when a panel of women on morning talk television can wear purple for Spirit Day. Some even Instagrammed their outfits. But will they do it for Domestic Violence Awareness, also? The keyword is Also.
It Is Hard when the focus on Breast Cancer rarely include male breast cancer in the conversation. Breast cancer is not typically associated with men. However, male breast cancer can occur in rare instances at any age, although it is more common in older men.
But what is even Harder when I look upon my FB timeline and woman I know to post this story and adds the caption "U had to be the worst Girlfriend in the World!". I've been wondering when I was going to use this accidental side eye picture I took at the State Fair this year.
Umm Ma'am, it is for you. This 25-year-old man had also gone to his girlfriend's home, "forcefully" took her keys, driven her car "recklessly" up the street and destroyed a utility pole and two fences with the vehicle prior to setting her home on fire but the girlfriend gets the blame. Knowing the person who said the "U had to be the worst Girlfriend in the World!" statement, this had been a slip of the tongue, well finger. I know it had to be.
It Is Hard whenthe other signs of breast cancer do not talk about as much as the lump. Many do not ever get a lump.
Persistent itching and the appearance of a rash or small irritation similar to an insect bite
Sharp pain in your breast
Vaginal pain
These can be signs also.
It Is Hard when you don't see as many of these
as you do these.
I am just happy the church I attend, had one this past Sunday.
Hey, I can brag on mine if I want to.
Churches are having funeral services for victims of both issues. I feel they need to take time to show awareness to both. I have my theories on why they don't but my theory still doesn't negate that the need is there.
It Is Hard when I personally know people right now suffering from both of these. When I say right now I mean at this very second on October 22, 2015. I know somebody suffering from the effects of breast cancer. That person may be too weak to read this post. I know somebody in an abusive relationship. That person's phone is controlled so even if I test out the link, they will not be allowed to read it.
Matter of Fact All these things mentioned in this post happened this October of this year, 2015.
So yeah, that is why It Is Hard but I know in my heart when I post this it will be worth it to somebody. I don't wear the colors because they are cute together.
I wear them in support. I think of different makeup looks because they can't. They could be the worse whatever but they don't deserve to suffer. Everybody needs support. If you can walk or run, do it. Some are not financially able to donate but in our discretionary funds sometimes budget a little donation in. When you see flyers to a balloon release, go to it. Help pass out awareness cards when you can. And most importantly pray (or send up positive thoughts) for those going through this issue. A little can go a long way.
I have to give a slow clap to the internet. I didn't see as many insulting fat girl are easy pictures & memes as I thought I would. Most of them were repetitive. And hopefully more won't pop up. I know wishful thinking.
Cuffing Season is here. And there are these dudes are looking for warmth. My fellow plus size, fat, & big sisters, Watch Out. There are some guys out there who will only date us just to cuddle up once it get colder out. Yeah, it is "our season" to Netflix & Chill constantly.
No, it should not be. Men like this are a part a culture that one of my favorite bloggers, CeCe Olisa calls Closeted Chubby Chasers. You can read about them HERE. And I agree with CeCe, we must stop this behavior by not being available for this type of behavior.
But we know where some of this behavior stems from. Many people believe that Fat Girls are Easy. Big Girls are so Desperate & Lonely that anybody can have sex with us.
Plus Size women are Not Discriminating in whom they let bed them. The self esteem of these women is so low that anything go with them.
Whoever started that myth need to be punched & kicked along with the people who believe it. There is even a slang term for going after fat chick to bang called Hogging. I can't make THIS up. Oh yeah, while the world was appalled at no N-words in SAE, there was plus size coed brought to a party just because so some jerk could score with her for being her size.
If anyone ask me (and they never do) the belief that fat people are weak individuals will live longer than racism & feminism. And because there are not many big people having healthy relationship seen in the pop culture media it is quite easy for the jokes & negative beliefs to slide into being a norm.
I've never subscribed into the notion, of course. I'm not saying I've never had low self esteem but I don't think I ever been with any man that only wanted me as his fat notch on his belt. But if there was one, I pray to God he never confesses. I'm flunking that test because I'm going in on his piggy butt. I like to think I have discernment for these type of people. Plus, I've never deemed myself as that hard up and I've been fat all my life. But I know it is sometimes hard. Compliments & flattery feels good. It should feel good to everyone. But liking flattery should make anyone think you are willing to give up the cookie to continue to feel good.
Yet, masses believe in a desexualized version of this culture of people. Blaming the victims is easier than to tell the aggressors that they are wrong. That's why we have to believe we are not this dumb stereotype. I'll rather a man to get upset and tell me I am stuck up and call me all kinds of vulgarities than to allow myself to let him make me into a statistical myth. Let me see, I'm female and me rule us. I'm Christian and church girls are freaks. I'm single so, I'm lonely. And Fat girls are easy. Oh wait, I'm a black woman. I have an attitude. That's what keeps my legs closed.
It's October. So, I'll say this early. Happy Health-o-ween!!! I feel like I am reaching with that greeting. I might be but that's not the point. Halloween does not have to be filled with all sugary treats. Here are some less sugary treats you can provide for your loved ones & you this Halloween.
I've never carved a pumpkin. I remember my Kindergarten teacher carved one. Then she fried the seeds and served them to us, the students. But to all of us have never carved a pumpkin, Do Not Fret. We can carve oranges. When I started researching healthy Halloween recipes this was probably the first thing I saw. I think they are so cute.
•Choose which side of each orange will be the jack-o'-lantern's face; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each so that it rests flat. Cut another small slice from the top. Spoon out pulp. Chop pulp and combine with apple and grapes; set aside.
•Cut faces as desired; decorate with cloves and almonds. Spoon fruit mixture into jack-o'-lanterns.
Growing up, I didn't go trick-o-treating. After dinner, we went to parties. Until I was 7 or 8, my foundation church hosted a Halloween party. Not Neewollah or Hallelujah Night but Halloween. One of the elderly mission sisters was the witch. Without teeth, she could beat the kids bobbing for apples on a string. RIP Sis. Davis After those years, we went to parties at the Eastern Star/Mason lodge where my great aunt was a member. Once we got home my aunt would have popcorn balls ready. We ate those while our folks went through our candy. My great grandmother made them for her grandchildren. I always figured that was how my aunt learn how to make them. I know many people who make popcorn balls. They put a range of treats from candy-coated chocolate to white chocolate pretzels in them. I found a recipes that put raisins in them. Maybe the popcorn ball makers will try this recipe.
1.Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Prepare a medium bowl of ice water. Put popcorn in large bowl.
2.Combine brown sugar, corn syrup and butter in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. As soon as the syrup starts to lightly bubble, cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar is melted and the mixture darkens, about 2 minutes.
3.Immediately pour the mixture evenly over the popcorn; gently mix with a wooden spoon or spatula until well coated. Gently stir in raisins.
4.Dip both hands in the ice water. Working quickly, press small handfuls (heaping 1/4 cup each) of the popcorn mixture firmly into 2-inch balls. (Make sure each ball gets a little bit of the raisins.) Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. If they seem too fragile, rinse hands with cold water and press and squeeze each ball again to help keep it together.
5.Let cool completely before storing. To store, individually wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container.
Like the video, I don't like candy corn. It is just a bunch of sugar. They are cute but just sweet to be sweet. But since candy corn is one of the Halloween symbols, I have a recipe to make without raising blood sugar numbers astronomically high. Since Halloween will be on a Saturday this year, I think I might make this for my family. I don't usually cook on Saturday but I think I might make this recipe an exception.
2.Cut the tortillas into a triangle, leaving the bottom uncut and round. Cut them in pairs so they will match together. Place all tortillas in a sealed zipper plastic bag to prevent drying out.
3.In a small bowl combine the salsa and sour cream; stir to mix.
4.In a medium mixing bowl combine the chicken, green chilies, onions yellow bell peppers and salsa/sour cream and stir to completely combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
5.Place one side of a pair of cut tortillas on a large baking sheet. Spoon 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto the tortilla and evenly spread it over the tortilla. Place the corresponding tortilla on top of the chicken mixture. Repeat for all the tortillas.
6.Sprinkle separated the cheese to cover the top tortilla in a candy corn pattern: white for the tip, dark orange for the middle (the largest section) and light orange for the top. Cover the whole tortilla. Repeat for the remaining quesadillas.
7.Place quesadillas in the oven. Bake until the cheese has totally melted but don’t over bake until the cheese is thin and runny (about 5 minutes). Remove from oven, trim any extra cheese if desired and serve.
Here are some Healthy Halloween Tips
•Procrastinate - Purchase Halloween candy the day of trick or treat to avoid temptation. Buy less than what you think you will need to avoid leftovers and purchase candies that you do not like, if you still have leftovers place them out of sight. If you really have a hard time with temptation choose to pass out non-candy treats such as bouncy balls, spider rings, pencils, erasers, bubbles or stickers.
•Eat Before You Trick or Treat - Serve a healthy family dinner before the fun begins, this way the kids will not be tempted to eat candy along the way. Sign a contract between you and your children regarding when and how much candy all of you can eat.
•Get Moving - Get some exercise by making this Halloween a fun family physical activity event. Set a goal of how many houses you will walk to and then stick to it! Wear good shoes for walking too!
•Safety First - Remember to stay in groups when trick-or-treating. Don’t allow your child to walk up to a house alone and always keep a watchful eye on where they are headed next. Use sidewalks when available, and use crosswalks when crossing busier streets. Smart safety tips to keep in mind:
-bring a flash light while walking,
-only go to houses with the porch light on,
-inspect candy before allowing children to eat it, and
-be on your way home before the street lights come on.
Alright, you guys have a fun October 31st, however you would like to spend it. Be safe!!!
I watch Dish Nation every night. If I am going to watch pop culture gossip & news, I prefer a show that is making fun of it and not reporting it like it major news. Dish Nation is perfect for me. As you see in the clip the discussion turns to "What Would You Do on Your Last Day on Earth". One of the co-host said basically he would have sex with everyone he ever wanted to have sex with. The other co-host used humor to tell him what was wrong with his plan and suggest he chose another one.
I thought it was just me that thought having sex with a desired person or people was a risky idea. Who said that person wants to have sex with you? Who says that person would trust that you were going to die? Can imagine having to go to the funeral just make sure that person was dead? Okay let's say the person or people says yes, what if it's not all you thought it would be? It's not like you have all the time in the world to give them a do-over.
If I knew I was going to die the next day, sex is not on the to-do list. Well, if I had a husband, it would be. But as a single woman, No, I other things to do. You guys know I would have to type one last post to tell you guys I died. I'll have it in the automatic schedule to be release. I'll have someone trusted to make sure it was properly released. Then it's off to Cheesecake Factory, Pei Wei, & Taco Bell, my favorite place to eat, to dine once more. Finally, assigning my prayer journal to my mom, sister, niece or nephew after I write in it one last time. Oh and also assigning certain personal items to to my friends. I would probably tell everyone I feel don't know I love them that I do. The last hours would me getting ready to leave this Earth. Only person who I want to get ready with is God. So, who has time for Sex. LoL
But since we don't know, let's live our Best lives.
First day of Fall is approaching us. Fall signals the start of the TV season for 2015-2016 . So, what will OUTSPOKEN_DIVA start out watching this time. I don't have many changes to my schedule. I do have a lot of reading spots in the schedule. Maybe, I can get some of those free Kindle books I downloaded some time ago read. If I'm not reading then I will be viewing a web show. Oh guess what? My favorite web show, Roomie Lover Friend is on BET at 10pm on Wednesday. I told you guys, the Revolution will Not be televised, it will be on the web, probably on YouTube.
Sunday will be a reading & web show day with one TV break to watch, Last Man on Earth. It's a cult classic on Fox. If you watch it, you know by now Phil/Tandy now has company. Actually he has left "civilization" with Carol to live on their own. What shenanigans will these two get into? I feel like the other Phil even though he is played by Boris Kodjo is fake. Will the others feel this way also.
Monday, I have Big Bang Theory & Jane the Virgin on CBS & CW. We already know for commercials that Leonard & Penny are supposed to get married. I have a theory that once the married man moves out, Stuart will become Sheldon's roommate. Howard wants to put Stuart out, the comic book store is up and running & Sheldon needs a roommate. I'll give Amy & Sheldon until Christmas to continue to be broken up. As for Jane, we will see her navigate life as a single mother. Raphael will take care of his child but I don't see them getting back together this season. Raphael has hotel issues to deal with. I feel like Michael will be around to date her this season until the baby Jane had with Raphael get in the way. The perils of being a new mother with keep Jane a Virgin. So, no need to worry if Jane will remain one.
I already blogged about one of the shows I will watch on Tuesdays. You can read about The Muppets, HERE. Oh and to the reader that sent me an email about The Muppets being puppets and I need to grow up, go play your little video games & Lego sets and leave me to my Muppets. Sorry, about that but cowards love sending mean emails.
I also have Fresh Off the Boat & Marvel's Agents of Shield. Fresh Off the Boat lets me relive my younger life. I never remembered that the 90's were so politically incorrect. But there were and I love reliving that time period through the Huangs. I know I have been trying to quit Agents of Shield since half way through the 1st season. This last season was pretty good with them adding the Inhumans, I have to at least start this season.
Morris Chestnut is in a New show called Rosewood. I'm going to start my Wednesday with him playing a private pathologist, where he is highly in demand with law enforcement in Miami, Florida. Actually ABC vs Fox battle for my time between 8-9pm. Wednesday. Empire live and Blackish later on OnDemand.
One or the other needs to be moved up an hour earlier. Blackish to 7:30 or Empire to 7:00 I don't want to dodge spoilers this season. #Blackish ~vs~ #Empire
Last year ABC won because I started with The Middle so, I continue and watched Blackish instead of Empire. I watched Empire later on OnDemand. This year, Fox wins.
Like Tuesdays, ABC totally wins my Thursday. I will be in Shondaland riding Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, & How to Get Away With Murder screaming TGIT.
Let me say it one time this season, I am a True fan of any show I watch and Grey's Anatomy is No exceptions. I don't give up on a show just because a certain character dies or leaves. With that said, Meredith Grey said in the promo commercial, everything has change and change we will get. My only hope is that Dr. Miranda Bailey becomes the Chief of Surgery. You guys know by now I am Team Fixer. I could care less or Fitz or Jake. As long as Olivia Pope is doing her job as a crisis manager, I am happy. And I've read that I will be happy many times during this season of Scandal. I've also read and heard that we will find out who murdered Rebecca in the first episode of How to Get Away With Murder. I also want to know who did she text about bringing some eggs to the Keating home. Oh and to see my TGIT eye candy Nate. Free Nate! Free Nate!! Free Nate!!! Oh and Congratulations, to Viola Davis for the Emmy win for her role as Annalise Keating!!!
The Amazing Race on CBS is my type of "reality" show and I watch it on Fridays. My mom and I talk about if we were Racers every week. And yes, I am a Black person with a degree and I am a fan of Tyler Perry's comedies. Not a fan of his dramas but I watch his comedy shows, For Better or Worse & Love Thy Neighbor on OWN on Fridays.
After that, I am catching up on The Middle & Blackish on ABC OnDemand. Sue Heck reminds me of my niece, Alura and Frankie Heck has to based on my mother. And Blackish is my life. I relate to the show.
Saturdays, I call a thing a thing and that is watching Iyanla, Fix My Life on OWN. While she is fixing other people's life, she gives me affirmations to help fix mine also. I know I having messy spots like everyone else and even if the topic doesn't relate to me, I still learn things from that topic. After that I watch Being on Centric and Unsung on TVOne OnDemand. I like learning about celebrities that are or were not big pop culture trends. Plus, I like singing along with the music. Oh Unsung keeps in the "way back machine".
So, that is what I will be watching so far. I live-tweet the following: Last Man on Earth Jane the Virgin The Muppets Fresh Off the Boat Marvel's Agents of Shield Empire (sometimes) All of TGIT The Amazing Race Iyanla, Fix My Life (sometimes)
You can find me on Twitter @OUTSPOKEN_DIVA, just let me know you read this post in a DM so I will know. Alright, here's to Great TV season!!!
