People

http://blog.drugpolicy.org/2010/01/drug-war-proponents-attack-nyc-harm.html

A smart, compassionate move by the New York City Health Department to promote safer practices among heroin users has come under fire from drug war proponents. A harm reduction pamphlet called "Take Charge, Take Care" has been called a "how-to guide" for heroin use [NYT], but I can't help suspecting that these criticisms are fueled more by a callous disregard for the health and safety of heroin users than by any real concern that kids in New York City will pick up a pamphlet and decide to start injecting heroin.

The Health Department is acknowledging that no matter what drug control policies are in place, some people will still use heroin, and those who use should be informed so they can do so as safely as possible. The pamphlet advises heroin users to inject with others present so they are not alone if an overdose or some other complication occurs. "Take Charge, Take Care" also promotes safer injection techniques to help users better avoid disease and infection.

The New York Post ran a negative piece on the Health Department publication earlier this week, but readers shot back with three strong, thoughtful letters-to-the-editor in support of the harm reduction pamphlet. Read them here.

You can also check out DPA Communications Specialist Anthony Papa's defense of "Take Charge, Take Care" on Counterpunch.

I got a converter box from a guy on DamnPortlanders (he was asking 10 bucks but when I got there I gave him $15 because he seemed like a college student). Today I got an indoor antenna at Radio Shack for 11 bucks. It's not the amplified type; it's super simple.

I think we get about 16 channels on it. I'll count later... right now Tenzin is watching Cyberchase. We get the channels I care the most about, namely, several flavors of OPB and a local station that has a nightly news with a meteorologist for the weather report.

I think we're going to be able to watch NCIS tonight too. Sorta nifty... but we haven't seen it for about a year and maybe it's crappy now.

Thank you December for taking such a physical/emotional/stressed-out tole on my body. 
At the moment I'm home sick...poooooooo! 

But I've got the radio on, Elmer at my side with his respective toy (waiting for me to throw it for him), the sis reading "Lolita" on the couch across from me, and I'm about to delve into a few of my favorite cook books (note above pics) for some recipe inspiration. This is something I plan on doing a LOT more of now that I'm returning back to normalcy. As I gain recipe inspiration from these books (which I will, mark my words) I'll share the original recipe/source, and then follow up with my own interpretation of that recipe. I'm really excited to get the ball rolling on this project! I just need to think of a fun title to give it for blog postings. Let me know if you come up with anything clever.

Owwwww. Cramps. Really bad cramps. Seriously. I have a high pain tolerance - and I'm complaining. Boo.

But hey - in spite of feeling pretty awful I'm at least being kind of productive.

xoxo~

Hmm...Anybody know if the Movie Theater at the Mall just Closed for good?

The Marquee just reads, "Closed," no mention of whether its a temporary or permanent status.

Okay - so I suck for not getting this recipe up yesterday. Boo me. :(
But here it is, if you're still interested. There's a lot of steps, and it may seem overwhelming, but I PROMISE it's really simple, and very easy to make if you read the whole thing through.

Go to Hulu (hulu.com)
search for
Black Books

Watch. Laugh. I laughed till I cried.

Happy new year.

Zucchini-Parm Stuffed with a wilted Swiss Chard/Walnut crumble mixture, served with Apple/Tomato/Bell pepper Marinara

Umm. I'm really kind of speechless about this dish. It's SO unbelievably "quick and easy", taste-satisfying, and just magnificent.
When I whipped it up for the Sis this afternoon (on my lunch break) all she said was: "Mmmmmm. It's giving me goose-bumps".
I reallyreallyreally can't wait to share this with you guys!!!!!!

Stay tuned...I'll have the recipe up tomorrow in full detail. My New Years gift to you all!

xoxo

Yay, I love snow. We have about uh... like 6 inches of accumulation. I was out shoveling the walk and the street in front of our house but I think it's a bit of a lost cause.

Yay.

We will take pictures tonight when it's all dark and shiny.

If anyone wants some, I have 2 starts.

( Instructions behind the cut )

I have my first 2 loaves in the oven right now...not sure how the recipe is but it sounds very sweet.

If you want some reply to this and we'll work out a drop off.

While the following recipe might be old news to most of you, it never gets old with me, and remains my all time favorite treat, not to mention a current favorite breakfast pick-me-up.

My Favorite Smoothie

3 C Frozen Bananas
2 whole ripe peeled Bananas
2-3 C frozen Pineapple
6 C Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Zest of 1 large Orange
2 tsp Vanilla

Blend!!

Drink, sip, sigh, smile, refrigerate for later - or share with a loved one for optimal enjoyment.

Hopefully everything will go all right and I will be an enrolled student this upcoming Fall!