Entries Tagged 'Food' ↓

Damn! That says a lot of the people whom are to be leaders of our area.

There’s a article in the Buffalo News about living on $2.95 a day. The challenge was presented to a few politicians for two days… and they failed.

The “poverty challenge” was put forward by the Homeless Alliance of Western New York, which earlier in the week called on community leaders and lawmakers to join in solidarity with the 30 percent of Buffalo residents who live at or below the federal poverty line of $866 (or $1,466 for a family of three) in income per month.

A realistic approach to stretching a dollar would have been for them to be poverty-stricken for a full month. A full billing cycle of rent, gas, electric, phone, internet, cable, food, credit cards, auto & health insurances. Now add in a couple of kids.

During the challenge, LoCurto gave up cable television and the Internet, saving about $2.48 against his budget. But he continued to use his cell phone, drove to work and maintained his health insurance.

“That left me with a budget for the day of negative 82 cents, before I started eating,” said LoCurto, who represents the Delaware District. “I don’t function if I don’t have three meals a day, and they weren’t elaborate meals . . . What do you do if you have to buy a $4 bottle of Tylenol? You don’t have dinner that day?”

A realistic challenge would be for these politicians to actually have their paychecks reduced to the poverty level for the full effect of being the working class poor. When you play a game with monopoly money, you know it’s only a game. But when you’re looking at a real budget with real money and finding away at real survival of supporting a family…. it no longer becomes the thought of “let’s pretend you’re poor” it becomes you’re actually living in the poorer lifestyle. A lifestyle of which making ends meet is a daily struggle.

A further realistic “challenge” would be living as the working class poor for a full year, so when minimum wage is increased & an economic stimulus check is being issued by the government, you’ll see how the cost of living adjusts your budgeting for the year…. a budgeting of going without more because food prices jumped through the roof & utility rates are robbery in broad daylight. After 12 months you see you’re further behind.

The alliance developed the challenge to call more attention to poverty in the second-poorest large city in the country, according to U. S. Census Bureau data.

When a lesson is to be taught with monopoly money, nothing is ventured…. nothing is gained, and politicians are no less ignorant when it comes to living a poorer lifestyle. They lived it for 2 days and then went back to their richer living. I bet the $4 bottle of Tylenol doesn’t seem so expensive now, does it? No rules have been broken today by any politician because you drove your child to daycare.

The “fed-up” in me is saying the effects of lifting people out of poverty is more than playing pretend for two days, because for people who are struggling more than myself it’s more than 48 hours of budgeting bills and modes of transportation. It’s more than 48 hours of making smaller meals so your food supply lasts a little longer. More than 48 hours of opting not to buy a new pair of sneakers for your children because you don’t want the electric cut off in your home.

This poverty challenge was a failure before it began, because the poor are still poor and the politicians get to go home with their financial security still in tact. Thanks for playing the game though.

Take this quote from a channel 4 news story:

The goal is for people to spend those checks on goods and jump start a struggling economy.

President George W. Bush recognized many will use the money on necessities.

President Bush said, “This money will help offset high prices at the pump and grocery store.”

and Consider this…. New York Average Gas & Fuel Prices
Diesel $4.32
Super Unleaded $3.74
Unleaded Plus $3.55
Unleaded $3.39

and this…

Lowest State Avg: $3.04 - New Jersey
Highest State Avg: $3.66 - California
National Average: $3.29

“economic stimulus package”???? Check this: Vendors and the poor alike getting squeezed by food costs
Price hikes are worst to hit U.S. in 17 years

Keep in mind: Persons below poverty,(US census 1999)

Rochester: 25.9%
Buffalo: 26.6%
Syracuse: 27.3%

Yet this chart tells another tale and a different scale:

Now take a look at this next news story …. Thruway authority voting toll increase 10% for next couple years

and this… Coal price hikes boost electric rates, more increases coming

So the President thinks we should be rewarded because we’re forced to spend more no matter what…. then he’s hoping we’ll put our “economic stimulus” check towards shopping at the mall? WTF? If we don’t pay the electric bill (no matter what increase is added) we’ll have to go without. I hope these government rewards come every month because despite this one-time lumps sum…. OUR COST OF LIVING ISN’T GOING DOWN!!!!!!!

It’s a rock and a hard place that we’re stuck between. Americans have to drive to work to earn a wage, then we’re (all) forced to tighten our belts when the cost of living gets to be too much because minimum wage was increased…. and like clock-work, the cost of living increases as it always does, but I don’t recall such a sudden impact like this one.

As if the President of the United States didn’t realize “a struggling economy” is the result of the working class poor of Americans struggling to survive day to day life.

It was a dreary day. Rainy, foggy… A day to go out for some great wings at a place called Honey’s. It’s a bar with restaurant-type qualities to take the young ones to. They have a reasonably priced menu and the staff was very friendly. Specialty wing sauce is available for purchase. The raspberry BBQ is highly recommended.

Part two of my post is the toll we’re forced to pay for enjoying our family day in Western New York. A picture’s worth 1,000 words

For as many times I’ve heard it said that the taste of food is so much better when you’ve quit smoking. It’s true. For breakfast (yeah, as in the first meal of the day in the morning) I made a western omlet. For lunch, a salad with french dressing. I never realized how much flavor I had been missing out on all these years.

I’ve had a handful of Life Savers so far though, but no cigatettes. My friends still say that I have to take this all one day at a time. I think it’s getting easier.

Honey’s BBQ sause: (awesome for wings)

Texas Brand Chili dog mix:

Yancey’s Fancy Buffalo Wing flavored Cheddar cheese:

The things we have everyday are the things we are most thankful for. My home, family, friends, my job. My community both on & offline.

As we soon sit around the table and share in some great food, prayers to those who are without and to our servicemen & women who are over seas, or just away from their families.

Where ever you are, Happy Thanksgiving.

Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Spaghetti Dinner

When: Thursday, November 15th, 2007
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Where: School Cafeteria
(601 McKinley Pkwy
Buffalo, NY 14220)

Adults: $7.00
Children: (3-10) $3.50

Take outs available
$7.50 & $3.50
(Call 826-3610 - ext. 232 to place take out orders only)

Volunteers needed for serving & baked goods
Call main office: 826-3610 ext. 222

…. as the “The Pierogy Pocket Capital of America…”

HT Christopher Byrd over at In da Buff for the links.

You can vote once a day…voting ends 10/23!!!!

Click here to vote

Buffalo, New York isn’t taking its 2006 Capital of the Pierogy Pocket title for granted and has even enlisted the support of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for this year’s campaign! In order to defend last year’s title, Corpus Christi Church held “Buffalo’s Biggest Pierogy Party” on September 9th — during which Reverend Anzelm Chalupka shared his own pierogy pride through an original song — and established a “Pierogy Hotline” for Buffalonians to talk about their love for pierogies. Several politicians, including Senator Clinton, sent letters in support of Corpus Christi’s quest and students at Buffalo’s City Honors School created original pierogy-inspired artwork for the contest. If named Capital of the Pierogy Pocket, Buffalo would use the prize money to restore the headquarters of the Parish Nurse Ministries to allow the group to continue providing free health services to local residents.

Come, Vote for Buffalo Today!

I saw this here, who saw it here…..

1. How do you like your eggs? sandwich style (fried w/yoke broke or egg salad)

2. How do you take your coffee/tea? hate coffee, but take my tea plain

3. Favorite breakfast food: don’t eat breakfast

4. Peanut butter - smooth or crunchy? smooth preferred

5. What kind of dressing on your salad? Bleu cheese

6. Coke or Pepsi? PEPSI!!!!

7. You’re feeling lazy, what do you make? Ramon noodles

8. You’re feeling really lazy. What kind of pizza do you order? cheese & pepperoni

9. You feel like cooking. What do you make? Cheese burgers…. If I’m really in the mood BBQ hamburgers.

10. Do any foods bring back good memories? Ribbon Candy

11. Do any foods bring back bad memories? Jello, I got sick from it once (when I was sick) haven’t had it since.

12. Do any foods remind you of someone? Pizza reminds me of everyone, because everyone I know likes it.

13. Is there a food you refuse to eat? clams, jello, peas,

14. What was your favorite food as a child? Spaghetti O’s

15. Is there a food that you hated as a child but now like? fried oinions & peppers.

16. Is there a food that you liked as a child but now hate? Jello

17. Favorite fruit and vegetable: strawberries and broccoli

18. Favorite junk food: chips/dip

19. Favorite between meal snack: anything of interest.

20. Do you have any weird food habits? mayo & ketchup mix on my burgers.

21. You’re on a diet. What food(s) do you fill up on? Doesn’t apply

22. You’re off your diet. Now what would you like? Doesn’t apply

23. How spicy do you order Indian/Thai? Doesn’t apply. Never had that type of food.

24. Can I get you a drink? Pepsi, please.

25. Red wine or white? Red

26. Favorite dessert? I don’t eat much sweets, but I love cherry and pumpkin pie during the holidays

27. The perfect nightcap? a brewski

HT my sis for sending this interesting email all about bananas:

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world’s leading athletes.

But energy isn’t the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit’s ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a “cooling” fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat , sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body’s water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, “A banana a day keeps the doctor away!”

PS: Bananas must be the reason monkeys are so happy all the time! I will add one here; want a quick shine on our shoes?? Take the INSIDE of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe…polish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit !!!