Let's Go!!!!

So, at the age of almost 64, I formally attended my first rally and protest last evening.   Make no bones about it though, this does not mean that I have not cared, been passive, or have had my head in the sand for the other 63 years of my life.  On the contrary, I am quite outspoken about my beliefs, will share conversation with others, and have never been afraid of my beliefs. 

The recent ban on immigration is disturbing on so many fronts.  It has repercussions that most of us cannot even imagine yet or wrap our arms around.   However, I attended the rally for so many other reasons.    I have said so many times, and will continue to state, that this environment has awakened the “silence” of many.  By “silence” I don’t just mean folks not stating their mind in words or action, but “silence” in not truly being aware of how others have lived, been marginalized, while others have been so privileged. As a white woman, I cannot fathom, let alone understand what our African American friends and neighbors have lived.   I have never considered myself a racist, a bigot, or thought of myself as better than someone else.   I hope I am learning just how misinformed I have been, the rose colored glasses or off!!!!  Nothing can be corrected until we truly understand. I don’t think any of us truly understand. It is impossible, as so, so many of us have not “lived” it!  It is heart breaking.

As I returned home last night, I was contemplative in my car, alone with just my thoughts.  Just how far am I willing to go, what am I willing to do, and do I even know what I can do?   It is overwhelming in every capacity. 

What I do know, is that I stood with thousands last night, male, female, black, brown, yellow, white, gay, straight, adult, children, leaders, followers, every nationality, descendants of immigrants, Christian, Muslim, Jew, and other religions and beliefs that I may be totally unaware or comprehend.   But, we stood together, often shoulder touching shoulder. We listened, we replied, we sang, and yes, I cried.  I cried for all the times I could have done more. I cried for all the folks that are marginalized.  I cried because of my privilege in direct contrast to someone else’s plight.    

For the past few weeks I have felt ready to implode.   I need to do something!  I went to bed last night, feeling that I had taken the first step.  Now the real challenge begins.  How do I put into action assistance and resistance?  Assistance to make a difference to a few or many.  Resistance in never accepting what I know to be less than my beliefs. Resistance to acts that cause further anquish to the marginalized and more privilege to others.   This is the question many ask ourselves. What can I,  or we do?   I don’t have those answers. I wish I did,  because I would sleep better each night knowing that I was active with action.  

Maybe the answer is truly in baby steps.  It may be a phone call to our legislators.  It may be serving lunch to the hungry on the weekend.  It may be donating extra clothes to the poor.  It may be volunteering at services that assist refugees.  It may be donating teaching hours to a poor school that needs mentors after hours.  Volunteer at Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  The opportunities are endless. The fact that our country has so many ways to assist is amazing.     Make that first call. Ask that first question that may lead to a more definitive way.    Yes, awaken, the “silent” activist in yourself.

Somehow I know this won’t be my last rally, my last protest, my last time to stand with so many in diversity,  yet in strength.  I can’t do them all, it is impossible. That does not mean I care more about one cause than the other …  it only means that there is much to do, I am only one person, so I can do what I can do, and I can share with others how they may be able to join in as well.  

Regardless of our religion, our Baptism, our beliefs, we truly are all one race of humanity.  We are strong in our diversity, and we have strength in our differences.  Embrace it and let’s go!!!!

Active With Action

One of my Christmas presents this year, and probably my favorite, was a book called “A Call To Mercy” of Mother Teresa’s.  It is page after page of her words, others testimonies, and prayer and reflection.  It is humbling on each and every single page.  It is indescribable her love of the poorest of the poor, and her faith and love in Jesus Christ.

One of her concepts that makes me pause is her concept and reaction of “Christ in the distressing disguise.”   By this she means the mentally ill among us, the poor among us, the physically sick among us, the unloved among us, in essence the marginalized among us.   She sees Christ in each and every single circumstance, and calls it “Christ in the distressing disguise.”   With this thought in her every moment, every thought, she ministered unconditionally to the poorest of the poor.  She ministered to the Christ, and held the Christ in her hands, every time she touched, serviced, prayed, and cradled someone in her arms.  Just imagine the feeling of knowing that you are cradling Christ in your arms.  Certainly makes one look upon situations in a totally different light.

In our current environment of so much distress, concern, disappointment, worry, and outright hate, the one thing that we can continue to do is stay the course with our beliefs, never accept through silence, and never get “used to” circumstances that we have no control over.   The control we do have relates directly to our hearts, our actions, and our interactions.   I share one of Mother Teresa’s passages, as I feel it relates to action: 

“Love is for today; programs are for the future. We are for today; when tomorrow will come, we shall see what we can do. Somebody is thirsty for water for today, hungry for food for today.  Tomorrow we will not have them if we don’t feed them today. So be concerned with what you can do today.”   … Mother Teresa

To me, this is a call to take action today.  Nothing can be “fixed” totally today.  Not with the magnitude of changes being forced through at the rate they are being forced.   But today react with love; take care of the marginalized, for if they aren’t helped today, tomorrow may not matter.

Should we channel our strengths and finances in building a wall?  Is a wall what Christ would call us to do for our brothers and sisters?   Or would Christ call us to reach across a wall to offer help?   Would He call us to reach across a wall to welcome the marginalized?  Would He call us to reach across a wall and offer our hand to render aid?    Would He even tell us to build a wall?   Again another one of Mother Teresa’s passages:

“You see, we have a wrong idea that only hunger for bread is hunger. There is much greater hunger and much more painful hunger:  hunger for love, for the feeling of being wanted, to be somebody to somebody. A feeling of being unwanted, unloved, rejected.  I think that’s a very great hunger and very great poverty.”  … Mother Teresa

So what do we do?   I, for one, feel helpless in trying to prevent the country I know and love into building any kind of wall or barrier to our neighbors.  Let alone have to pay a dime for said wall.   Yes, I can call or write my Congressman or Senator, or whoever.   But do I feel that will make a difference … no!!!!   But what I can do is in my neighborhood, my city, my region … I can reach out and offer a hand to the marginalized.  I can get involved with Catholic Charities, who service the refugees in our areas, I can work at our lunch program in my church, that services the homeless, the hungry, refugees among them, I’m sure.   It’s the starfish proverb … throwing one starfish back into the ocean from a beach full of starfish may not make a difference to the hundreds left on the beach, but it makes a difference to the one, or the few,  that  were assisted.

I read an article recently on how to be an activist without losing your mind.   It was an interesting read.  I’ve lived my entire life, through the Vietnam War era, and I’ve never actively protested anything. Yes, I have strong feelings, and I’m not afraid to share them with others during conversations.  But I’ve never really protested or even considered myself an activist.   But maybe so now!   The article suggests that it really is impossible to react to everything you feel is wrong.   It would be exhausting and almost impossible to do so.  But rather, it suggested, that you pick the ones closest to your heart.  That doesn’t mean that you care less about the others, or don’t see the validity in the others, but that you simply choose the ones you want to become active with action!!  I like that … active with action!!!   In this manner, you can channel your energies, your time, your commitment to your cause.   I’m sure I will have more than one, more than two, maybe more than whatever.  

I think there is a silver lining to every tragedy.  The silver lining for all of us now, is that “silent” activists may have just been awakened.  Can you imagine what a difference we can all make, when we channel our energies into positive action for the marginalized?   What a glorious magnitude we may have on the future of many.   They are “Christ in the distressing disguise.”    I feel the need to be physically and prayerfully active with action.

Linebacker Snacks ... NO!!!!!!

Super Bowl Sunday is almost upon us.  We have weathered so far, in the past 12 weeks, Halloween, Thanksgiving, four weeks of Christmas/Holiday celebrations,  New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day.   One more major eating frenzy, at least until we get ready for Valentine’s Day … Super Bowl!!

We love to celebrate all of our happy occasions with food. My health educator and personal trainer refers to these past few weeks as National Eating Season.  True, ever, so true!!!   I like to call it “entertainment by mouth.”  It is not an exaggeration to think, that on any given day or days, during this period of time, we could eat as many as 8,000 to 10,000 calories per day!!!    And, let’s face it, on those days that we may consume that many calories, do we really feel like exercising?   My guess would be a resounding, No!!!!!   So couple the excess calories with the loss of any physical movement (other than the exertion of propping our feet up on the couch), and is there any doubt at all, why it is so easy, and almost expected to gain weight?  

With the assistance of my health educator, the support of my friends in my wellness class, and hard thoughtful processing and planning, I was able to absolutely maintain my healthy habits, my normal exercise routine, and most importantly my weight during these past many weeks. 

Now I need to stay focused and continue through Super Bowl parties and fun!   I LOVE football.   I’ll be watching the game and cheering on my team of choice …  (NOT THE PATRIOTS!!!!)    What I won’t be doing is eating like a linebacker.   It’s just not necessary.   There is plenty of good food, plenty of fun appetizers, and yes, even a little alcohol, in moderation, should you choose.    How about instead of a table full of fried wings with blue cheese dip, taco chips with queso, cheese and crackers, Swedish meatballs, and processed turkey and lunch meats … what about these healthy alternatives?

Instead of fried buffalo wings with blue cheese dip:  How about crockpot buffalo chicken, made with chicken tenderloins with Frank’s hot sauce and low sodium dry ranch dressing mix.     Delicious!!!  Low fat, low calorie, and can easily be eaten by itself, or use celery, jicama sticks, or carrots for dipping.     The calories in one fried buffalo wing, (and who eats just one) is 89 calories.  There are 144 calories in 4 ounces of shredded chicken tenderloins.   This goes a long way when being used for a dip, or even eating plain.  You have probably already saved yourself 100’s of calories.

Instead of taco chips and queso:  How about salsa and fresh veggies.    Of course, the queso and chips are awesome.  I’m not saying otherwise, but again look at the calories.   One cup of chips is 293 calories, and again, are we only eating one cup?   One cup of queso is 263 calories.  That may sound like a lot of queso, but all night, dip after dip after dip after dip … maybe not!!!   Fresh veggies and salsa, at the most are probably 200 calories, and you can munch all night.  Add some hummus to the mix as well. Delicious, tasty, and healthy.

Instead of cheese and crackers:  How about string cheese?   There is about 113 calories in one ounce (one slice) of cheddar cheese.                And looking at calorie content in “generic” crackers, there are 81 calories in 5 crackers.  Unless you are taking one teeny tiny slice of cheese, and breaking it into tiny squares to share with 5 crackers, again you are looking at adding on a lot of calories to your evening.  String cheese, which takes a little longer to eat, especially if you are like me and have to pull it apart in strings, is 80 calories for one stick.  Again, you are saving a lot of calories.

Instead of Swedish meatballs:  How about crockpot London Broil.  Made with very, very lean protein flank steak, low sodium tomato soup, cream of mushroom soup, and dried onion soup.  It slices into the most delicious bits of steak!!   It is only 219 calories for 4 ounces!  Swedish meatballs are 284 calories for a cup, and again who is stopping with a cup???

Instead of processed turkey and lunch meats:  How about a tray of boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce.   Processed turkey and lunch meats are not only high in calorie, but they are excessively high in sodium.  Boiled shrimp are low sodium, low calorie, and look exquisite on your table!!!

Then top it all off with a big pot of what I call “Sharon’s Not Quite Chili”.   Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb Laura’s Lean Ground Beef

1 or 2 cans of rotel tomatoes

1 can Kroger Red Beans (rinsed and drained)

Onion

Sweet Potato

3 small cans of Hunts No Salt Added Natural Tomato Sauce

Low sodium/fat free chicken broth (enough for consistency you like)

Cumin

Chili Powder

Cinnamon

 Directions:   In a soup pot sauté chopped onion and peeled/chopped sweet potato for a few minutes.  Then add ground beef and continue to brown until beef is cooked.  Drain in a colander to discard any extra fat.   Return mixture to pot and add in tomato sauce, rotel tomatoes, chicken broth, red beans, cumin, chili powder, and cinnamon (to taste).    Bring to a boil and then simmer for a bit.   About 100 calories per bowl and depending on how much beef is in each bowl, equals a lean protein and vegetables.

So there you have it!   A party table that all will enjoy, will not have excessive calories, you can enjoy the game, party with friends, and when you go to bed you experience the best feeling ever …

The survival again, of a challenging event, that you were able to keep healthy, delicious, fun, and you have not derailed the hard work you have done for months both with your food plan and  your exercise plan.

We’ve got this!!!   We do not have to eat like a Linebacker!!!!!     And more importantly, we don’t have to look like one either!!!