Thursday, February 13, 2014

Spinning Out of Control

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to bring awareness to issues in the Black community.  Today I'd like to shed light on healthy living and working out, especially for Black women.  Well, there is one workout that many Black women don't participate in. No, not yoga.  Spinning. You know why? Cuz the seats are made for women who are not as *clears throat* blessed.

Look, I've tried to do spinning with all this wagon I'm draggin, and it just don't work.  For the first 5 minutes you're fine but the more you get into the workout, the more the seat gets into your...well, you know.

So for Black History Month, I would like to start a petition to expand the size of the seats on spinning machines. I'm taking this one all the way to the White House, to Michelle Obama herself!  I know she feels my pain....

Monday, February 10, 2014

The Curious Case of Marcus Smart

If you haven't heard, Marcus Smart, is a sophomore guard for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys. He also happens to be a projected Top 5 NBA Draft pick for the upcoming 2014-2015 season.  And in a recent game, he was ejected for shoving a fan.  Marcus shoved this after the fan yelled something at him.  Because of this, Marcus was suspended for 3 games by the Big 12.  Never mind that no one knows WHAT this fan said to Marcus.  Never mind that numerous college basketball players throughout the years remember this same 'fan' talking crap.  Never mind that he's never had any other disciplinary issues.  Marcus was culpable.

Three weeks prior to this, Richard Sherman, a cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks was interviewed by a (White female) sideline reporter after his team advanced to the Superbowl. The reporter asked him a question to which he replied that the wide receiver was wack and that indeed he, Sherman, was the greatest cornerback of all time.  Is it true? Maybe not, but I respect his bravado.  I guess I was the only one. Nevermind that Sherman has a degree from Stanford.  Nevermind that he's a member of a respected Black fraternity. Sherman was crucified in the media for being thuggish and brash.

Both of these incidents happened with young Black men against 'innocent' White people.  I guess the archaic notion of Mandingo isn't as irrelevant as we thought.  Is this the post-racial society we were hoping for?  Where racial microaggressions go unchecked?

Marcus Smart.
       Richard Sherman.
             Trayvon Martin.

All of these young Black men regarded as thugs.

Reacted to disrespectful fan. 
      Pumped up after making play to advance his team to the Superbowl. 
             Wearing a hoodie in the wrong neighborhood. 

Happy Black History Month.

Friday, February 7, 2014

Pernil

For those of you tired of the bacon recipes, I bring you a pork recipe!  (See what I did there.)

For my Latino friends, pernil is nothing new.  However to my circle of friends and family, pernil was a life-altering addition to our holiday dinner tables.  Pernil is a slow roasted cut of delicious fatty and marbled pork shoulder.  Although the recipe and the cut of meat may look intimidating, it is very easy to make.  And trust me, people will be talking about this dish for years to come.  

Ingredients

1 pork shoulder arm picnic (preferably more than 10 lbs)
1 t. of salt per lb.
1 packet of Sazon
12 minced garlic cloves
3 T. olive oil
3 T. vinegar
1 1/2 t. dried oregano
1 roasting pan (like what you use for turkeys)




1. Wash your pork shoulder and place skin side up in roasting pan.  Slice 1 inch deep holes all over pork shoulder.

2. In food processor or blender, mix together salt, sazon, garlic cloves, olive oil, vinegar, and oregano.

3. Take your herb mix and lather up that pork shoulder.  Make sure you get the herb mixture deep into the cuts on the pork.

4. Wrap the pork tightly in foil and let it marinate for at least 8 hours. (You can do this up to 2 days.)

5. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 6 hours.

6. Unwrap the foil to expose the skin.  Bake for another hour at 375 degrees to allow the skin to get crispy.



Make sure you serve the pernil in all of it's juices.  Also, if you think it's amazing the first day, it's even better as leftovers.

Seriously, you're GOING to thank me later.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Book Review: How to Be Black



What better way to celebrate Black History Month than with a Black reviewing How to Be Black.  This book is satirical and autobiographical.  The satirical part was way better than the autobiographical.  The author is a comedy writer who takes you through the hilarious trials and tribulations of being Black (well, sans slavery and stop and frisk.)

The book is decently funny and a quick read.  It's probably more of a conversation starter than anything else.  Imagine buying this book for your office's annual Christmas gift exchange??  THAT would make the $21.95 totally worth it!
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