Food Days (OUTSPOKEN DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

I saw this funny video circulating on social media. Then I started to think about my food education. It all didn't happen in a classroom. School Food exposed me to many foods I wouldn't have ever tasted. My grandmother cooked 90% of our meals at home. So when I started school in the early to mid-80s, I had never heard of;

• Chicken Fried Steak
• Chicken Patties
• Boxed Mashed Potatoes
• Burritos
• Tetrazzini (Chicken or Turkey)
• Chicken Nuggets
• Tator Tots
• Traditional Sloppy Joes (Muh Diva puts canned vegetable soup in her recipe)
• Cream Gravy
• Sugar Cookies
• Fruit Roll-Ups

I still remember my first pizza day in Kindergarten. Our teacher told us what was for lunch and I was excited because I knew what that was. That weird rectangle on my plate confused me. It only had pepperoni on it. Where were the vegetables & other meat? And why was corn & salad on my plate, too? Even at an early age, I knew not to ask much at school. I was teased enough without opening my mouth. The next time we had pizza at home, I learned about the different types of pizza. We ate Supreme at home. And schools served us one topping, corn, and salad because they had more people to feed. I guess that explanation satisfied Kindergarten me. Probably when I mentally made the separate groups, "Food I ate home" & "Food I ate at school" 

My first salad bar experience was at school. If a student didn't want the hot lunch, they could go over & make their own chef's salad. But no salad rivaled school Fiesta Salad. It is similar to a taco salad but with chili con carne & rice. I only know one picky eater that didn't get in the lunch line for Fiesta Salad. As a young adult, I guessed the correct recipe one day and make it. It wasn't on the internet as it is now.

Fiesta Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 Tbl sp & 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• 1 tsp bottled minced garlic
• 1 lb ground sirloin
• 2 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery, and onion
• 1 (19-oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 oz corn chips (more if you want)
• 1/2 cup rice, cooked and hot
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1 Tbsp sour cream (optional)
• 2 Tbsp salsa (optional)
  

Directions:

1. Cook the first 5 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned, stirring to crumble.
2. Add diced tomatoes; bring to a boil.
3. Add beans; cook 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Set aside.
4. In a bowl place the chips inside.
5. Top with the rice.
6. Add 1 cup of the chili mixture over the rice.
7. Add the cheese.
8. Top with the lettuce, tomato, and condiments

Nowadays, I don't eat the meals I did as a school-age child often. Some of them, not at all. I limit the beloved Ravioli Casserole to once a year, but I don't eat Chili Mac at all.

Oh and I still prefer Muh Diva's version of sloppy joe. Even my Fiesta Salad is now made with no salt added canned tomatoes, fresh black beans, frozen corn, and lightly salted corn chips. Oh, and salad goes great with pizza. But it's cool to realize the foods that the school lunchroom introduced to me. And a nice trip down memory lane for my emotions & taste buds.

So, what were your school lunch favorites? Leave them in the comments.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

Isn't That Part of the Game

*Spoilers are in This Post*

Are any of you guys watching Love is____ on the OWN Network? I'm a Will Catlett (That Guy, First, Black Lightning), who plays Yasir fan. I saw him on a commercial for it and I had to watch it. The well-written storyline is keeping me watching it. The plot is a black influential couple, Nuri & Yasir in 2017, tell the story of their escalation to prominence & love in Hollywood that started in the late 1990's. It is based on the love story of the show's creators, Salim & Mara Brock Akil.

Both characters come with relationship baggage. Nuri dated multiple men at the time she met Yasir. Yasir had a roommate with a few benefits, named Ruby. He was unemployed, slept on her couch for 5 months and they had sex twice. Yet, Ruby is very jilted. Especially since Yasir has moved on to a job & a new love life. Ruby feels like she prepared Yasir for his new phase. (I feel like she enabled him, actually. But I don't write the show.)

But isn't that part of the game. Don't every dating, romantic & sexual we experience prepare us for next of love. I'm going to paraphrase a common dating advice quote. Sometimes a person's purpose in another's life is to help them become a better person for another person. Everyone is not your "end all to be all", but everyone is a learning lesson. I sometimes think we are taught to understand that lesson late.

I often wonder why we don't understand that fact. Why do we let obvious temporary intimate involvements hurt us when they are over? I am often led to the same thought. "Love stories" we are steered to follow, enhance the happy ending relationship. But also in the path of people to get to the finale, the teachable storyline is there.

Pay Attention to it All!!!

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

Sizeable Judgements

If I were to wed today, there would be 3 married women involved in my wedding. My sister, A and friends Intellectual Diva(ID) & Pink Red are married. I can't imagine asking them to take off their rings. The jewelry I pick could be silver & their ring is gold and I still would have them to take their ring off. I definitely can't imagine either of them doing that request.

Who sees the Matron of the Bride's ring? I never have. Only thing I notice is:

• If the Matron is older than the bride and the rest of the wedding party
• If the Matron(and Maid) have on different dresses than the bridesmaids

I think this sister should take her husband's advice and wear her band. Also, discuss her decision with the bride and also to remind her that this is her wedding and marriage. Anyone that would judge her husband based on the size of her wedding ring, does not need to be around. Oh, and she is included in the anyone.

In my opinion, only three people are needed in a marriage; a loving husband, a loving wife, and their higher power(if they don't have one, I guess two). Judgments are Never needed or wanted. And sometimes the main negative judge is we, ourselves.

Blame My Timeline!

Any Grey's Anatomy fans reading this? Remember when Miranda chose her bridal party? That plan sounds better and better as life continues.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

To Laugh or Not to Laugh; It Might be Questionable

*Profanity Warning*

Tootsie
Grease
Revenge of the Nerds
Weird Science
Blazing Saddles
Clueless
Superbad
All of these movies and more have at least one problematic but comedic scene that perpetuates rape culture and sexual harassment.

The movie, Animal House turned 40 years recently. An article came across my timeline about should fans stop laughing at Animal House because if it's many rape culture jokes, now that #MeToo has been organized. You can read it HERE.

It was a very interesting read. But it was the comments that caught my eye. Well, they caught my eye roll actually.

Some people are really ready to argue for their entertainment classics and not accept that they too are socially problematic.

"Good god... one of the funniest movies of all time... get a life."

"Oh how we live in the United States of the Offended. It's a classic movie."

"Keep Animal House, get rid of metoo."

My favorite was the "It's a movie, not real life". I never really liked the movie, Animal House. I liked it even less after I went to college. I never knew of or went to a toga party. But a man did climb through the window of woman that was in a sorority and beat & raped her. I saw her some years ago since her attack. I can still see some of her scars. I wish these commentators would put themselves in the victimized characters proverbial shoes. How would they feel if they knew some stranger was looking at them through a window via a ladder.  What if their 13 years old had attended a college party and was stopped? Doesn't seem as funny, does it?

We all have liked some questionable entertainment. One of my favorite Prince songs is "Darling Nikki". The song is a banger. But if I was Apollonia when The Kid melodically called me a whore just because I decided to work with his professional rival, at that moment I would've stormed out also. That banger banged someone's fictional feelings. But when you look at the humanity of it all, your emphatic feelings may take a hit too.

Comedy is Subjective. And that is what many in the world need to learn. Sometimes when we chuckle, "That's messed up or "That's Foul", we should also think, "Could this "joke" actually have a horrible message"? It's not always slapstick comedy. It could be triggering to a past, present, or future life.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!

It's Hot! Let's Talk Chafing!!!

Heat causes sweat. Sweating on certain body parts causes chafing. Chafing irritates the skin and that is very uncomfortable. Boob sweat(excessive perspiration under the breasts) has been a hot topic in my off-line world. A lady I know noticed that I never seem to ever have any. I can sort of imagine her wondering that since I am plus size lady with a large bust. I laughed & I told her about the products I use. She encouraged me to make the post and here we are.

Gold Bond Friction Defense
Monistat Chafing Powder Gel
Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel
I like these products under my bust & stomach and thighs. Gold Bond looks like a deodorant stick. When I put on my deodorant, I put this on afterward. Monistat & Lanacane are in tubes and are easy to carry in a purse or bag.

Cornstarch
I am surprised natural & organic fans don't encourage this product, more. Talcum powders have been proven to cause cancers. Cornstarch is a natural product to control body moisture. It is good on the hands, glutes, & feet. I have a separate can for the body & for cooking. Cornstarch makes a fine gravy & Lemon Meringue pie also. LoL

Ok, my short skirt-wearing ladies, there are clothing products

here for us to combat chafing.

I ditch the slip & wear slip shorts or men's silk boxers to keep my skirt from sticking to my skin and stop my thighs from sticking as I walk.

Combating skin chafing is important. We sweat so we can keep our bodies cooled off. But while we are cooling, our skin doesn't have to be irritated. And irritation is not healthy!!!

And don't forget to drink Water!!!

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms

Just A Tip(OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

Ok, this post won't contain recipes. It will contain my favorite nutritional tips to follow. I like these because they are fact-based and also fun.

The company, Diet Solutions teaches me so much. Sometimes I wonder how I maintained life & business without their help. They love visual aids & if they do not have a visual aid, they do the research to obtain one.

Have you ever wondered how to measure recommended portions of food? Thanks to DS's research, here is a guide to help.

The USDA page, ChooseMyPlate.gov gives the most common sense tips. I feel a lot of care is given to this page to make nutrition and eating right as simple as possible.

Then there are food tips and inspirations found in everyday life. Pay attention to your timelines on social media. Look at the article after the one you just read. Notice a side ad on the side of your email. Sometimes you see a gem of a better life.

So, these are my most favorite food & nutrition tips. So much if pushed at us about eating right, it can get complicated. It as always great to find fact-based & fun tips. Because Nobody likes tough things to chew on.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms

What Have I Told Y'all About Those Beards?

I saw this on Facebook. I was shocked. Not shocked that beard toupees exist, I'm shocked that my thoughts are being proven true. I'm not usually attracted to or date men with full beards. I also think guys with lots of hair hide their secrets better. But you knew that because you read my post HERE.

The fake beard lifting off of a male face tells me this man is not about the lying life he thinks he is. His face can't handle that amount hair on it. Might be more truths (Keywords is might) coming from the owner of this face. And I might be able to detect a lot more b.s. coming from that face.

And to answer the question, after a quiet deep breath & sigh I would encourage him to leave it off. He will more than likely look better to me without it and would tell him that. Smile, bat my eyes, & stroke his arm & hands to accompany my words. If I am close enough, I might even stroke his face so he would know I want to see his face. He's already embarrassed, no use of me being a jerk about it. I would only break out in laughter and tease him if he's an a-hole because of the situation. It's the same reaction I would have if the guy's toupee on his head fell. But I prefer low haircuts & bald heads, also.

Trendy pop culture foolishly influencing the "rules" again.  When we all figure out how to be comfortable at any stage of our looks, life might feel a little bit better.

I won't let style tell my clumsy 5'2" body that thinly crafted high heels will make me look sexier. A man shouldn't glue a hair rug on his face in order to be handsome. Too many low pump wearers & mustache havers in relationships and very single stiletto & beard lovers that debunk those trendy mindsets.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms