Appetizing Thoughts: Rise

African shape cookie

Mom’s sugar cookies continues to be an old favorite. It’s a simple recipe because of the hint of spice she adds to the dough. Despite Dad’s elaborate holiday dinners, Mom would make a brief appearance in the kitchen to quickly make her famous cookies. Sometimes she would call my sister and me to help decorate the cookies, and sometimes we came downstairs without Mom asking for help. Now that my sister and I are no longer living in the house, whenever we come home, we demand Mom make her famous sugar cookies. Back then, it was only a television that provided easy distraction. Holidays were less about electronics. Days off weren’t dependent on social media, the number of  ‘likes,’ and streaming videos online.

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The Kids are Alright

Roast Sweet Potatoes Stuffed with Spiced Couscous and Yogurt by Sanura Weathers of "My Life Runs On Food."

Among my circles of friends, I straddle two styles of communication between older and younger adults. The difference in their communication approach is their perception of social media. My older friends avoid it, but they use it for networking purposes to benefit their careers. My younger friends over expose their personal lives on social media. And, when both groups discuss social issues, the divergence of opinions are apparent, but they all agree the Civil Rights Movement is evolving.

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Kwanzaa Culinarians 2014: Cacao Benne Cookies

Cacao Benne Cookies

Make a pot of tea or coffee, light a candle, grab a comfortable seat, and plate a few cacao benne (pronounced “benny”) cookies. How was your year? Since the time I’ve learned 14 isn’t my favorite number, I’ve cautiously waited for the year of 2014. It’s a painfully honest number. And, when the clock turned 2014 in the midnight hour on January first, I said a silent prayer. God help us. And, as I’ve imaged, this year is a roller coaster of emotions. Russia. Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Ebola in West Africa. Mike Brown and other victims of the police. Family members passing. By the time summer arrived, my stomach was jumping to the tune of “War” sung by The Temptations. Since the beginning of human relationships, I’m sure there’s a country or region involved in a war somewhere around the globe. Perhaps, due to my sensitivity to 14, this year’s wars and conflicts deeply troubled me. It’s 2014 communicating, “War… What is it good for?… absolutely nothing…”

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Appetizing Thoughts: Kwanzaa Culinarians

Candle

Habari Gani? I just launched KwanzaaCulinarians.com with Bren Herrera of FlanboyantEats.com, Chrystal of DuoDishes.com, Courtney of Coco-Cooks.com, Lisa of Anali’s First Amendment and more food bloggers. The site features chefs, food activists, businesses and organizations of African descent collaborating together to share recipes and stories celebrating Kwanzaa. Read more