BROWARD BALLOT RECOMMENDATIONS for Caribbean American Voters – 2018 Midterms

By

-

October 18, 2018

Caribbean Voter's Guide - New York, Florida, Texas, Georgia

I requested a list of Broward ballot recommendations from my friend Marlon Hill. He’s always in the thick of election activities, and spends much more time researching candidates than I do. We agreed on most, but I went a different way on a few. Please do your own research before you fill in your ballot. These are suggestions, not gospel. They do lean Democratic, and skew toward the interests of the Caribbean-American vote.

Here’s what he shared with me. (Posted here with permission)

Here are some other resources from our friends at SFLCN.com if this isn’t right for you:

Broward County – Caribbean Voter’s Guide

Miami-Dade County – Caribbean Voter’s Guide

West Palm Beach – Caribbean Voter’s Guide

Marlon’s Recommendations:

Download your Sample Ballot: https://www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Sample-Ballot

Vote by Mail Request (by Oct. 31):

https://www.browardsoe.org/Voting-Methods/Vote-By-Mail-Voting/Absentee-Ballot-Request-Form

Early Voting (Oct. 22 – Nov. 4):

https://www.browardsoe.org/Voting-Methods/Early-Voting-Dates-Hours-and-Sites

Election Day: Must go to your designated precinct, 7am to 7pm

https://www.browardsoe.org/Voter-Information/Voter-Lookup-Free-Access-System

US Senator: Bill Nelson

District 20: Alcee Hastings

District 22: Ted Deutch

District 23: Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Governor: Andrew D. Gillum/Chris King

Attorney General: Sean Michael Shaw

Chief Financial Officer: Jeremy Ring

Commissioner of Agriculture: Nikki Fried

State Senator (D34): Gary Farmer, Jr.

State House (D93): Emma Collum

State House (D98): Michael Gottlieb

State House (D103): Cindy Polo

State House (D105): Javier Estevez

County Commission (D2): Mark Bogen

County Commission (D4): Lamar Fisher

JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT

Retain Justice Alan Lawson: YES

FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL

Retain Judge Burton Conner: YES

Retain Judge Jeffrey Kuntz: YES

Retain Judge Carole Taylor: YES

CIRCUIT JUDGE

Group 38: Stefanie Moon

Group 46: Tanner Channing Demmery

COUNTY COURT

Group 19: Jackie Powell

SCHOOL BOARD

District 1: Jim Silvernale

Broward Soil & Water Conservation

District 2: Richard Leys

FL CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS (Must pass by 60% statewide vote to be ratified)

YES: 3, 4, 9, 13

NO: on others

AMENDMENTS

#1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption: NO

Increases the amount of a home’s value exempted from property tax (Will force local governments to cut public services or raise local taxes)

#2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments: YES

Makes the cap on non-homestead (2nd homes and commercial) property assessment increases permanent (Will continue to limit resources available for public services; Three South Florida property appraisers support the amendment and say a Yes vote will avert a sudden and largely unexpected tax crisis for more than 530,000 residential and business property owners in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties)

#3 – Voter Control of Gambling in Florida: YES

Requires voter approval of casino gambling (Removes authority to expand gambling from the legislature and returns it to voters)

#4 – Voting Restoration Amendment: YES

Restores right to vote for most people with felony convictions upon completion of sentences (Gives 1.5 million Floridians the right to vote after paying their debt to society)

#5 – Vote Required to Impose, Authorize, or Raise State Taxes or Fees: NO

Requires 2/3 vote of legislature to impose or increase tax or fee (Will tie the hands of future legislatures making it nearly impossible to address budget needs, such as teacher raises and natural catastrophes)

#6 – Rights of Crime Victims; Judges (multiple questions): NO

Adds a Marsy’s Law (victims’ rights) to state constitution, increases judicial retirement age; prohibits judges from deferring to admin agencies to interpret law (Victims’ rights already protected in the Constitution; Eliminates an existing provision that protects the constitutional rights of the accused)

#7 – First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities: NO

Requires death benefits for first responders and military members, a supermajority vote for college fees, and adds state college system structure to constitution (3/4 majority vote to increase fees makes it very difficult to meet university needs)

#9 – Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces: YES

Bans offshore oil and gas drilling and vaping in enclosed indoor workplaces (Concern for the environment overrides concern about putting vaping in the Constitution.)

#10 – State and Local Government Structure and Operation: NO

Prohibits counties from abolishing certain local offices, changes start date of legislative sessions, and adds an executive office and executive department to constitution (Takes away control granted to charter counties limiting ability to respond to local conditions)

#11 – Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes: NO

Repeals some obsolete language; repeals a provision saying that changes to a criminal statute are not retroactive (Impact of criminal statute portion is unclear and disputed. Other repealed provisions are already unenforceable or expired)

#12 – Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers: NO

Prohibits public officials from lobbying for compensation while in office and 6 years thereafter (Applied too broadly at local level; will not solve problems of money and influence in politics)

#13 – Ends Dog Racing: YES

Prohibits betting on dog races (Ends legal wagering on inhumane dog racing)

BROWARD COUNTY REFERENDA

#1: Funding for Countywide Transportation System Improvements thru Levy of Surtax: YES

The penny sales tax will be used to improve Broward county’s transit and transportation system

#2: Standards for Establishing County Commission Districts: NO

This is unnecessary as it is in the state constitution

#3: Redistricting Procedures for County Commission Districts: NO

Not sure this really provides a solution to the redistricting issues; but a YES is okay as it can be seen as a good potential first step

#4 : Broward County Affordable Housing Trust Fund: YES

This will establish an affordable housing trust fund. Broward County has one of the most severe needs for affordable housing in the state; the key will be ensuring that the money will be used as planned

#5: Broward County Office of Inspector General’s Discretion to Commence an Investigation: NO

No need to expand IG role

#6: Broward County Planning Council Revisions to Zoning Glossary and Public Hearings: YES

The clean up language is fine. The Commission is sufficiently aware of the issues at one public hearing

#7: Central Examining Boards Appointment of Alternate Members: YES

The CEBs are currently unable to be filled.

#8: Board of Rules and Appeals Quorum Shall be the Majority of the Total Board Membership: YES

Allows the Board to do business when not all members have been appointed.

#9: Posting of Notices, Agenda and Backup Materials No Later Than 48 Hours Prior to Meeting: NO

Not necessary in Charter. The sunshine law already governs this situation. Potential slowdown with getting items on agendas. This is also a highly reactive amendment because of one workshop the City of Fort Lauderdale held without good notice.

#10: Composition of the Independent Board That Nominates the County Auditor: YES

We have not been able to get the listed position appointed.

#11: Composition of the Broward County Inspector General Selection Oversight Committee: YES

We have not been able to get the listed position appointed.

#12: Housekeeping Amendment to Delete Ineffective or Unnecessary Language: Yes

These are all housekeeping matters to clean up the Broward County Charter

Tasting the rare native Caribbean Wines

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 18, 2018

0

Screen Shot 2018-10-16 at 7.51.42 PM — Photo @ocaobay.

When you think of an authentic cocktail hour in the Caribbean, a good rum punch makes a good first sip. But did you know that Caribbean-grown and distilled wine could also be on the menu? Many brands across the region offer table wines produced from imported grapes. But two exciting new ventures are growing their own grape varieties right here in the region, producing high-quality Caribbean wine with delicious results. Be sure to add these Caribbean wines to your next drinking tour.

Ocoa Bay Wines: Dominican Republic

Tasting the rare native Caribbean Wines — Ocoa Wine

Legend has it over 500 years ago, Spanish explorers planted vineyards around Ocoa Bay in the Dominican Republic. Half a millennium later, the grapes have returned thanks to new wine company Ocoa Bay Wines. The Caribbean’s wet tropical climate often proves unkind to winemaking. But the relatively dry microclimate between the mountains and the sea in this region offers the perfect conditions for happy grapes. They currently offer a dark, decadent Tempranillo red, a refreshing pink Moscato and a crisp white Colombard. Besides their stunning wines, the Ocoa Bay Winery also curates the total wine experience on their grounds. Guests can tour the vineyards and relax at the onsite restaurant, tasting room and clubhouse.

Curaçao Winery: Curaçao

When you think delectable drinks of Curaçao, Blue Curaçao comes first to mind. But the Dutch island is staking a claim on wine with their first native brew from the Hato Landhuis vineyard. Just outside the Caribbean hurricane belt, Curaçao enjoys relatively dry weather. Roelof Visscher of Hof van Twente, the largest vineyard in the Netherlands, saw the potential of this unique microclimate. With his sister and business partner Hermien, they converted the island’s oldest plantation to grow grapes for the brand, Curaçao Winery. They currently offer a range of reds, rosés and whites, including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. They also have plans to produce blends using native wild grapes. The vineyards offer tours regularly, and also have a charming bed and breakfast for those wanting to savor the terroir a bit longer.

Two New films that illuminate the cuban Diaspora

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 17, 2018

0

cuban film — Pita and Orlandito on the Playa Cajio in Cuba. From new film "Voices of the Sea."

Sometimes being Cuban feels like being split in two — a Diaspora of loved ones scattered and separated by geopolitics and economic strife. Now two new films explore the emotional core of this experience: one about a immigrant missing home, and another about Cubans debating whether to leave the island they love. Both have been making the rounds on the film circuit to much acclaim, with recent features at the Third Horizon Film Festival in Miami. Be sure to bookmark these films for a festival near you.

Ángela

Director and Producer: Juan Pablo Daranas Molina

Life can feel so overwhelming for those striking out in a new country. This moving short film explores this dynamic through Angela, a young immigrant from Cuba, seeking a new start in New York. The story follows her through the Big Apple as she struggles to find a job, while trying to overcome loneliness and longing for her family back home. New York-based filmmaker Juan Pablo Daranas Molina directed the film and wrote the script with actress and director Idalmis García. Molina is also part of the inventive Cuban-American production group, Fila20. The short also played under the short film catalog at the famed Cannes Film Festival and at the prestigious Glasgow Film Festival in Scotland.

Voices of the Sea

Directed by Kim Hopkins

The decision to leave your homeland proves emotionally fraught for Cuban migrants, with the deep knowledge that they may never return. A new feature documentary Voices of the Sea/Voces del Mar explores this decision, following a family living in the poor but close-knit fishing village of Cajio Beach. Mariela, a young mother of four, longs for a better life in America, while her older husband Pita wants to stay in the village that he’s called home his whole life. The tension between the couple—one desperate to leave, the other content to stay—builds into a high stakes family drama after her brother and the couple’s neighbors escape. Directed by British filmmaker Kim Hopkins, the documentary played at film festivals around the world. PBS stations and web platforms across the country will also broadcast this film, as a co-production of American Documentary/POV and ITVS.

The Secret Underwater Sculpture of the Caribbean

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 16, 2018

0

Between overfishing and heavy traffic of diving tourists, the Caribbean’s coral reefs face constant environmental pressures. Responding to these challenges, amazing underwater sculpture parks have cropped up throughout the Caribbean sea, showcasing stunning artwork by international artists. These underwater sculptures provide unique attractions for locals and visitors alike, relieving some traffic pressure off the region’s reefs. Plus, many of the sculptures serve as artificial reefs, built with materials that support reef growth and marine life. Here, we’ve rounded up the most special underwater art sites for your dream diving destinations.

Grenada’s Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park

Grenada’s waters houses the first underwater sculpture park in the world, created by underwater sculpture pioneer Jason deCaires Taylor in 2007. An artist and passionate ocean advocate, Taylor placed the park down current from natural reefs, creating new spawning areas for coral polyps. Built from PH-neutral cement, the sculptures’ porous surface also encourages growth. The park includes various stunning works, but perhaps “Vicissitudes” proves the most iconic. It features a circle of children standing hand-in-hand. Taylor casted the face from local children. Radiant coral now covers their faces, which come alive at night. Scuba divers, snorkelers and even glass-bottom boaters can access the sculptures.

Grand Cayman’s Amphitrite

Named after the Greek goddess Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon, this 9-foot bronze statue looms large over the ocean floor. Canadian artist and avid diver Simon Morris installed the statue in 2000, 55 feet below the waters of Sunset Reef, off the coast of Grand Cayman. The boutique scuba outfit Sunset House commissioned the piece as an additional underwater attraction. The goddess statue has been voted the most popular shore dive on Grand Cayman, the world’s single most visited dive destination. In 2014, the goddess also received a male partner to share the oceans with. Morris installed a 13-foot statue “Guardian of the Reef” — a half-human, half-seahorse protector of the seas.

The Bahamas Coral Reef Sculpture Garden

The Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF) launched the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden in 2014 as a tourist and educational attraction. Just 5 meters below water lies the park’s most famous piece, “Ocean Atlas,” by Jason deCaires Taylor. Towering at 17 feet, the sculpture echoes the Greek Titan Atlas, though reinterpreted as a young girl “supporting the weight of the ocean on her shoulders,” says Taylor. The largest single sculpture ever installed underwater, “Ocean Atlas” was modeled after a young local girl named Camilla. The project also includes stunning sculptures by award-winning Bahamian artists Willicey Tynes and Andret John. All works also function as artificial reefs.

Mexico’s Underwater Museum of Art

Just off the coast of Cancun, the Museo Subacuático de Arte (MUSA) features over 500 permanent life-sized and monumental sculptures. The first works were contributed by underwater sculptor pioneer Jason deCaires Taylor. But the park also includes work by a slew of Mexican artists like Karen Salinas Martinez, Roberto Diaz Abraham and Rodrigo Quiñones Reyes. This sheer variety of sculpture offers moving artistic explorations, from cultural identity to global environmental turmoil. One can access these stunning sites by scuba and snorkeling tours, as well as glass-bottom boats. Roberto Díaz Abraham, former President of the Cancun Nautical Association, and Jaime González Cano, Director of the National Marine Park, founded the project in 2009.

Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains – Babe Made Blog

By

babemadeblog.com

-

October 16, 2018

0

I grew up on plantains. In the Caribbean, plantains are a side dish staple because they taste good with literally anything. Who can resist their tender sweet goodness? It wasn’t until I started cooking that I realized because of the way they’re cooked, they aren’t necessarily the healthiest things to eat. So me being myself, I needed a way to have these regularly without feeling like I’ve splurged on a decadent dessert treat. How do you healthify food cooked in fat? Bake it. Behold, my delicious, sweet, and satisfying Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains.

Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains - Babe Made Blog

I distinctly remember the aroma coming from the kitchen when my mom way frying these up. Dinner was gonna be good. Always tender and sweet while savory at the same time. I could literally eat a bucket of them. I mean why do they have to be a side dish anyway?

Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains - Babe Made Blog

What I love about this recipe is that I’ve managed to find a way to make plantains taste exactly like the way you’d make them in the pan without the extra oil or butter calories. While this recipe calls for a fat to be used, it’s minimal compared to how plantains are usually prepared. If you’ve been around the blog, you can see that I love making healthy swaps without sacrificing flavor like my Vegan Garlic Hummus Ranch Dressing or the Cauliflower Carbonara with Tofu Bacon. The recipe is also really easy and quick to make. You can have these whipped up in less than 15 minutes with prep and cook time. It’s just a win-win situation.

Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains - Babe Made Blog

Feel free to double or triple the recipe. Generally, I like to have one plantain per person but feel free to make that bucket I mentioned. ?

If you try these, let me know in the comments!

Healthy Vegan Baked Plantains

Servings: 2 people

Ingredients:

Get the full recipe here…

Read our interview with food Blogger Christina Collie of BabeMadeBlog.com here.

A New Documentary is Exploring Chinese-Caribbean identity in Canada

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 13, 2018

0

What do you do when your face doesn’t suit preconceptions of the Caribbean? That’s what comic. writer and filmmaker Danielle Ayow explores in her upcoming documentary But You’re Not Black. Born in Toronto, Canada, to Chinese-Trinidadian parents, Ayow was always proud of her island roots, but grew frustrated by the general disbelief she constantly encountered outside the community.

“Wondering if this experience is unique to me, I’ll travel to Trinidad to visit family, make dumplings with contemporaries, get ready for Carnival, and consult experts and academics to get to the root of my discomfort,” says Ayow about the project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/butyourenotblack/but-youre-not-black

Between exploring historical files and marching for carnival, the documentary ultimately seeks to broaden perceptions of Caribbean identity. “But You’re Not Black shines a light on how society’s conceptions of culture and heritage are often perceived based entirely on someone’s visible race — and the impact that can have on an individual’s sense of identity,” says Ayow.

A shorter version of the film premiered at the 2017 Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. She is currently developing a expanded version, diving deeper into her exploration of Chinese Caribbean culture. To complete the project, she is holding a Kickstarter drive for additional support, in addition to development grants from Breakthroughs Film Festival and Red Square Motion. The new edition of the documentary will broaden the research into Chinese Caribbean history, interviewing more subjects and experts in Trinidad and Canada. The new film will premiere at Breakthroughs Film Festival in June 2019.

Ayow is a popular stand-up comedian, as a regular on Crimson Wave, Dawn Patrol and Second City. She also guest hosts the popular The Royal Canadian Movie Podcast.

South Africa Is So Much More Than A Great Safari Destination

By

Macaulay Thompson

-

October 12, 2018

0

Giraffe isghting on safari in South Africa_MyTravel Stamps (1) — Giraffe sighting on safari. Photo by Macaulay Thompson, mystravelstamps.com

In the past 24 years since the end of apartheid, South Africa has morphed into one of the most sought-after vacation spots on the African continent. As a black traveler, I was unsure of what to expect when I visited. But now that I’ve been, I can categorically say this: Its turbulent history will tug at your heartstrings and simultaneously inspire you, because the country’s gradual progress shows that change–even if slow–is possible. What’s more, its biodiversity and dramatic scenery will both beguile and confound you, and its present-day fusion of music and food will be a deliciously pleasant surprise.

I’m serious. If South Africa isn’t already on your travel wish list, here are five compelling reasons to add it right now.

Incredible landscapes

The mega-diversity of South Africa’s woodlands, coastal areas, mountain ranges, floral varieties, and endemic species combine to provide spectacular landscapes, as well as multiple opportunities for great wildlife exploration everywhere you turn. There’s something awe-inspiring for everyone. From the rugged mountain ranges of the Richtersveld desert, to the geological wonder that is The Valley of Desolation in the east. If the savannah isn’t your natural habitat, no worries. You can also dive into the cosmopolitan culture of city life, like the legislative capital of Cape Town.

The Food

Much like in the Caribbean, South African cuisine is a convergence of tasty ingredients, wide-ranging spices and cooking methods influenced by its indigenous, immigrant and expat populations. The delectable results cause an immediate explosion of flavor on the tongue. Every meal I had there left me wanting more. Don’t leave without trying an authentic braai (barbecue), babotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping). Then try malva pudding (every kind of decadence you can imagine on a plate), Cape Malay curry (famous for its fruity and full-bodied flavor), and…KFC chicken in Cape Town! Yes, you read that right! The greasy, but oh-so-good grub from Sir Colonel Sanders’ kitchen is the best I’ve tasted outside of Trinidad and Jamaica.

The Safaris

With its range of private and public wildlife reserves, big-game spotting is one of the most popular tourist activities. Looking for lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, and elephants? They’ve got you covered. More interested in seeing cheetahs, wildebeest, impalas, hyena, giraffes or hippos? No worries, they’ve got those too.

The best part about a South African safari is that you can choose the vacation style that best suits your personality, preferences and pocket. There are luxury, glamping, tent, caravan, and cabin/forest hut options. One thing to note is that while public reserves usually have larger herds, their rangers must stick to the public roadways, so if the animals don’t come out when you’re there, it’s a wasted game drive. However, if you stay at a private reserve you’re allowed to go off the road and into the bush to track the animals. I did that, and it was well worth the extra dollars, because those spontaneous detours yielded many memorable encounters.

Notable sites

As a person of color, no trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to Robben Island, the stark prison now turned thought-provoking museum where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters spent years in exile, near Cape Town. It is one of several World Heritage Sites in the country. Other points of historic interest include the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg and the shanty town of Soweto, the southwestern township that gave birth to the freedom movement.

For visual interest, journey to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. Some other highlights include the beautiful Chapman’s Peak Drive, arguably the most scenic five-and-a-half miles you’ll ever come across in one consecutive ride. And explore the epic 360-degree city views you get atop Table Mountain, which sits 3,500 feet above sea level. Also, the riotous color that abounds at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens makes it instantly Instagram-worthy. It’s a nature reserve and expertly nurtured garden that houses a wide variety of plants, many of which are rare and endangered species.

The Winelands

According to 2016 estimates, South Africa ranked eighth in the world in wine production, and the country produces about one billion liters annually. There are four main wine regions – Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington – and I encourage you to set aside a day to visit one or more of these. The town of Stellenbosch, which is about an hour outside of Cape Town, sits at the center of the oldest wine routes in the country. It’s a picturesque little village bordered by the dramatic outline of the Hottentots Holland Mountains on one side, and Dutch-style architecture homes and oak-lined streets on the other.

Even if you’re not a wine aficionado, you’ll enjoy it. Most days out of the year I am a teetotaler, and I still had fun. If you prefer not to indulge in copious wine tasting, you can snack off plates filled with cheese and crackers, soak in the scenery, browse art galleries, or dine at local eateries.

Best time to go?

I visited South Africa in November when the weather was just starting to warm up. Their summer runs from December to March, autumn is April to May, winter is June to August, and spring is September to November. For optimal visibility on a safari, the best time to go is between May and October because it’s their dry season.

Read more of Thompson’s epic adventures around the world on her Instagram and at her travel blog, MyTravelStamps.com. And check out her exclusive Island Origins guide to traveling in Nevis. Plus, read our interview with the intrepid traveler discussing her globetrotting life.

Explore your Child’s Caribbean roots with these inspiring books

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 12, 2018

0

For first generation Caribbean-Americans, navigating their island roots can be tricky and filled with so may questions. Why does my family eat the food we eat? Why do my parents speak the way they do? What does it mean to have a cultural connection to a place I’ve never seen? We may not have all the answers for our kids, but we do have stories — beautiful, technicolored children’s books that celebrate what it means to be from the islands. Fill your child’s bedtime with colorful Caribbean wonder with these inspiring new children’s books by Caribbean and Caribbean-American authors.

For Pure Childhood Glee: Islandborn, by Junot Díaz (Author) and Leo Espinosa (Illustrator)

From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot Diaz, Islandborn tells the story of little Lola learning about her native Dominican Republic. When she’s asked at school to draw her home island, Lola can’t, because she doesn’t remember what it was like. So she goes a journey, asking her loved ones about their memories. She learns about the beauty of the DR, and its tragic history under dictator Rafael Trujillo. Learning about her history, good and bad, is crucial says Diaz. The story also mirrors his own experience leaving the DR at 6 years old for the U.S. “Young people are far more sophisticated than any adult gives them credit for,” said Diaz in an NPR interview. “It allows her, in some ways, to connect to her family more deeply and to herself, and ultimately leaves her far more — at least in my mind — leaves her in a better place than she was when she started.”

For Sports Fans: The Field, by Baptiste Paul (Author) and Jacqueline Alcántara (Illustrator)

The world’s favorite game is captured in all its glory in this book written by St. Lucian-born author Baptiste Paul, who beautifully blends in his native French creole into this light-hearted story. The story follows two siblings as they rouse their community—family, friends, and the local fruit vendor—for a pickup soccer (futbol) game. Boys and girls, young and old, players and spectators come running—bearing balls, shoes, goals, and a love of the sport. Perfect for little sport fans, the book is also a celebration of Caribbean Creole culture and close-knit communities. The story is a personal one for Paul. As a child, the soccer field “was the place where I was the happiest — the place where the hardships magically disappeared and where Creole came to life.”

For Kids With Big Dreams: Turning Pages: My Life Story, by Sonia Sotomayor (Author) and Lulu Delacre (Illustrator)

In America they say dreams do come true, and it can for little American girls with deep island roots. Just ask Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Born in The Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, Sotomayor shares her life story in this inspiring book Turning Pages. The first Latina Supreme Court Justice, she shares how the love of books inspired her as a child. Books helped young Sotomayor to connect with her family in New York and in Puerto Rico, to deal with her type one diabetes diagnosis, to cope with her father’s death, to uncover the secrets of the world, and to dream of a future for herself in which anything was possible. Keeping true to her Puerto Rican roots, the book is also published in Spanish as Pasando páginas: La historia de mi vida.

For Kids Learning To Love the Skin They’re In: Boonoonoonous Hair, by Olive Senior (Author) and Laura James (Illustrator)

Children with big beautiful hair know well what it takes to take care of it. Now they can see their hair celebrated Boonoonoonous Hair by Jamaican-born author Olive Senior, a Commonwealth Prize winner. With beautifully illustrated pictures by the acclaimed artist Laura James (the team that created Anna Carries Water), a young girl learns to love her difficult-to-manage, voluminous and boonoonoonous hair. The book is set to release in 2019.

Turning Vegan with Food Blogger Christina Collie

By

Monique McIntosh

-

October 11, 2018

0

Ever thought of going full vegan, but you were too intimidated by the process? The whole rigmarole of revamping the pantry, scouring ingredient lists, and radically changing the way you cook can feel overwhelming. But for food blogger Christina Collie of BabeMadeBlog.com, transitioning into a vegan diet can be fun, engaging, and full of culinary surprises. Half Jamaican and half American, Collie grew up on decadent pasta dishes and Caribbean-style curries. Now as a vegan (and a recent law grad), she finds creative and easy ways to have her cake and eat it too — incorporating these delicious flavors into her healthy vegan lifestyle.

We spoke more with Collie about her own vegan journey, from her favorite recipes, to the special vegan ingredients that even sway her meat-loving family.

When did you first become passionate about cooking? I definitely became more interested in food as an adult. As a kid I had very little interest creating food, even when I moved out of my parents’ house. When I was 19, I would do a lot of frozen dinners, or pita sandwiches. All very easy things that didn’t require cooking. It wasn’t until I became vegan in 2015 that I didn’t have that luxury anymore. And it sparked my interest in food, because I started following recipes and finding dishes that were amazing and also vegan. That kept me going. Every day was about creating something new that tasted delicious.

Why did you decide to turn vegan? It’s started as a health thing. Back in 2015, I had just finished my first year of law school, and I wasn’t particularly healthy. I started watching food documentaries on Netflix. They really discuss in detail the food industry and the effects of eating animal products on your body. Slowly but surely I cut down my intake. First it was vegetarian for a month. Then I noticed I was going a couple of days without eating any animal products. No cheese or eggs. Then eventually I became one hundred percent vegan.

Was there one vegan dish that convinced you to transition completely? Like yes, I can do this! The first thing I made following a vegan recipe were these raw vegan brownies, using dates, syrup and nuts. Everything goes into a food processor and they were just incredible! I couldn’t believe I made something so simple and so quickly that tasted so good. Even though I don’t have a huge sweet tooth, that was the first thing I made that made me realize yes, I could probably do this.

What do you enjoy most about cooking vegan? Making things that taste good! If I want to make tacos, I think, oh, I can do mushrooms, quinoa and make a vegan sour cream to put on top. I get to create something in my head, And that first bite is the greatest thing I enjoy about cooking.

What vegan meals do you enjoy cooking for your family now? Do they have any favorites? Apparently my curry is really good. It’s the thing that gets the most compliments. I do a sweet potato and lentil curry, or some cauliflower curry. With some rice, that’s probably my staple dish in the family.

Has anyone in your family become vegan as well? Overall, no. Not completely vegan. But they have made a few changes. I try to convince them through my food. Just last weekend I went over to my mom’s house and made my pancakes and breakfast sandwiches for my sister and my mom. When they tasted it, they had a big “aha” moment. They’ve started buying vegan ingredients for themselves. My sister now buys the vegan mayo because she can’t tell the difference, and it’s a little lighter calorie-wise. Even my dad. He’s Jamaican and not at all into the vegan thing, but since trying some of my dishes, he has cut down on his meat intake.

What vegan swap-outs do you use when cooking Caribbean dishes? Like for your curries? There are these soya chunks that I didn’t know existed until two years ago. We went to Jamaica over the summer and I had curry soya chunks, and it almost has the same consistency as something like goat. It has a toothsome meat texture. I tried to duplicate it at home. It wasn’t as good as the one I had in Jamaica. But that is a swap-out I use for curry. The texture is really satisfying.

Which Caribbean dishes do you find lend themselves well to vegan cooking? I would say curry is probably the best thing to adapt. It’s satiated that Caribbean tooth of mine. I also found Caribbean vegetables in general are great. I love making plantains. Breadfruit is really good. Those are things you can enjoy that you don’t have to modify or change.

What dish do you wish was vegan? Oxtail! Without even thinking about it. My stepmom makes in my opinion the best oxtail. but she can’t veganized it. Although all the other ingredients are vegan, except for the oxtail itself. But I haven’t been able to duplicate that oxtail flavor and texture.

What advice would you give someone thinking about becoming vegan? My biggest advice is to take your time and not be so hard on yourself. It’s easy to make mistakes, especially when you go out to eat. Because sometimes the server in the restaurant doesn’t know what vegan exactly is. Or at the beginning there might be something that you’re craving, you feel like you need to have it. My biggest thing is to take your time with it. Maybe start doing one or two days a week. Then slowly adjust yourself to it, so you don’t have to think twice about it. That’s why recipes were so important for me when I was transitioning.

Recipe Fire Round:

Favorite vegan appetizer? My tofu nacho cheese sauce that I make. That one is my absolute favorite. It’s easy to make. And I can mix it with vegetables for a broccoli cheese sauce.

Favorite vegan weeknight dinner? Probably pasta. I can make that in less than 15 minutes. And no matter what pasta you do, it’s super satisfying and delicious

Favorite vegan dessert of yours? Coconut ice cream. I use full fat coconut milk or cream. You mix in your preferred sweetener and flavorings, like strawberry. You put it into a ice cream maker and just freeze it. It’s amazing.

Favorite vegan party food? Cauliflower wings! Those are my absolute favorite. Beer-batter or panko-encrusted. I’m actually working on a recipe for jerk cauliflower wings too.

Favorite vegan date night meal of yours? Macaroni and cheese. When I think decadence I think really cheesy, hot macaroni and cheese with the crust on top. It’s my favorite thing to have on a night like that.

Favorite (and most surprising) vegan revamp? Probably pizza. Even before going vegan, the idea of non-meat and non-dairy pizza just seemed really weird to me. I eventually found some vegan cheese brands I liked, like Earth Grown Mozzarella Shreds (found exclusively at Aldi) and Miyoko’s Mozzarella Cheese. It was surprisingly good.

Vegan Panko Breadcrumb Parmesan Cheese

By

babemadeblog.com

-

October 10, 2018

0

I caught my wife eating this out of the jar twice this week. I wanted to find cheap quick way to get that cheesy Parmesan flavor without the equipment or expensive cashews. So I came up with my delicious, quick, and cheap Vegan Panko Breadcrumb Parmesan Cheese.

vegan panko breadcrumb parmesan cheese What I love most about this recipe is that it doesn’t have to be refrigerated and can be made in less than a minute. It tops EVERYTHING! I use it kind of how I top everything with my Tofu Bacon Crumbles. Did I mention that it browns in the oven like cheese?

vegan panko breadcrumb parmesan cheese Like most of my recipes, this is a great alternative to actual Parmesan cheese because it’s virtually fat free (depending on your panko brand) and about 300 calories for the entire recipe. Fulfilling those New Year’s resolutions will be easier than ever with a swap like this.