All That Jazz

All That Jazz
by Gabriel Constans

Jazz is an original art form of American music that first became popular in the 1920s. It has continued to expand and deepen its roots throughout the music world. Elements of jazz have been integrated into classical, folk, blues, soul, country, rock, and rap music. Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, and John Coltrane are just a few of its famous innovators. This smoothie is perfect to drink while listening to their music – or making your own.

Yield: 4 1/2 cups

2 1/2 medium bananas
3 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 1/2 cups apple juice
3 apricots, finely chopped
3 tablespoons honey

Place ingredients in a blender, and blend on medium speed for 1 minute.
Pour, stir and let yourself move with all that jazz.

Elephants, Ivory & NBC

Elephants, Ivory & NBC

As if big game hunting wasn’t disgusting enough on its own, it’s horror is compounded when a national sports channel broadcasts the entire thing, and when the animal being hunted is under constant threat from cruel and relentless poachers. Tell NBC Sports that you won’t stand for “Under Wild Skies” continuing to be on the air.

In a recent episode of this show, the host and his guide stalk and shoot a bull elephant, who trumpets and writhes in pain, even charging after the two men. The host then shoots it again between the eyes. After the elephant falls, the two men stand next to the dead elephant to gloat about their “achievement.” Upon returning to their camp, they discuss how “special” it is to bring back an elephant’s ivory.

This show demonstrates an absolutely horrific lack of respect for wild animals in their own habitat, a lack of any kind of empathy for the suffering of these animals, and a complete ignorance of the problems facing these animals every day.

Please join the thousands of people who are voicing their outrage at this episode and this show. Tell NBC Sports to remove the show from their programming immediately!

Thank you for taking action,

Emily L.
Care2 and ThePetitionSite Team

Charleston Cherry

Charleston Cherry
by Gabriel Constans

The Charleston was the ballroom sensation of the 1920s. Named for Charleston, South Carolina, it is believed to have evolved from African-Americans dance steps then common, called the Jay-Bird and the Juba. It began simply as a rhythmic twisting of the feet, but when it reached Harlem it took on a fast, flapping kick. In 1923, a revue called Runnin’ Wild was presented in New York City by Cecil Mack and James P. Johnson. It featured the Charleston and ignited the public’s demand for this dance throughout the land. You’ll enjoy this cool Southern thirst-quencher any time of the year.

Yield: 4 1/2 cups

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 frozen banana (slices)
20 pitted cherries
1 ripe banana
2 cups filtered water

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and blend on high speed for 30 seconds.
Pour into tall glasses and try to drink while dancing.

Amazing Activists

Amazing Activists

Amnesty activists are amazing. And to prove it, we wanted to send you an update on three victories your activism helped us win:

Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience Nasrin Sotoudeh released from prison in Iran! Nasrin, a human rights lawyer, was arrested 3 years ago and sentenced to prison for defending political activists and juveniles facing the death penalty. Amnesty activists took on her case and never gave up on her. Last week she was released and reunited with her family. Welcome home, Nasrin!

20-year victory: USA signs historic treaty to end irresponsible arms sales around the world — In April, when the Arms Trade Treaty was adopted at the UN, we pledged that we would demand that the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress sign and ratify this landmark treaty to end the unscrupulous trade in deadly weapons used by dictators, war lords and criminal gangs to commit atrocities. Today, we are one step closer: Secretary of State John Kerry signed the treaty this morning. This is the result of decades of dedicated activism from Amnesty members — your work paid off!

Amnesty welcomes a new leader — It’s Steven W Hawkins’ first day as Amnesty International USA’s Executive Director. Steven brings a deep commitment to social justice and grassroots organizing. He chose to come to Amnesty because of you — a vibrant movement of individuals committed to creating a world in which everyone can enjoy all of their human rights. Follow Steven on Twitter @StevenWHawkins!

Thanks for your continued dedication to making the world a better place.

In solidarity,

Cammie Croft
Chief Digital and Communications Officer
Amnesty International USA

Blueberry Boogie

Blueberry Boogie
by Gabriel Constans

Boogie Woogie is an American original. It is a spin-off of jazz and rhythm and blues that influenced rock-and-roll. One person who helped popularize this style was Fats Domino, whose song “Blueberry Hill,” was a big seller. “Fats” was so named because of his large size – when he sat on the piano bench, it would disappear from view. Drink the Blueberry Boogie when you’ve got the blues. It will lift your spirits and your blood sugar.

Yield: 4 cups

1 cup soft tofu
2 cups frozen or fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons honey
5 drops peppermint extract
2 cups filtered water

Place ingredients in a blender, and mix on high for 30 seconds.
Pour into tall glasses and boogie woogie away.

The Science of Empathy

The Science of Empathy: Principles and Practices Teleclass
by Paulette Rao, MCC, BCC

Effective coaches are high in empathy—the ability to tune into the emotional state of the other person and dialogue about what is going on with non-judgment and genuine acceptance.

So how do we, as coaches, enhance our ability to be empathic?

In this hour and forty-five minute class, you will learn how to engage rather than enmesh with your client’s feelings to support the client’s growth process. You will learn how to speak in a way that you become an intelligent mirror for the client, not only sharing back what you’ve heard, but noting discrepancies that seem to emerge among the various statements the client may be making. By sharing these discrepancies in a neutral tone and being descriptive rather than judgmental, you can maintain your empathic approach while catalyzing a space for new insights and sustainable change to occur.

Learning Objectives:

Definition and Role of Empathy
Distinctions between Empathy, Sympathy and Compassion
How to Express Empathy Effectively
Why Empathy is Crucial in Coaching
The Four Components of Empathy
The Challenges to Being Empathic
How We Can Enhance Our Ability to be Empathic

Dr. Marshall Rosenberg the author of Nonviolent Communication describes empathy as a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Empathy, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being.

Sign Up Here: https://scienceofempathy1018.eventbrite.com/

Fracking Water Contamination

Fracking Linked to Contamination

When I’m not playing a superhero, I do my best to help out the real superheroes who are fighting to keep our water clean. That’s why I started a petition to President Barack Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, which says:

“Preliminary studies by the EPA linked fracking to water contamination in three communities: Dimock, Pennsylvania; Parker County, Texas; and Pavillion, Wyoming. But the EPA abandoned its own findings and stopped these investigations. President Obama and new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy must reopen these fracking investigations and provide residents with safe drinking water.”

I first got involved in the fracking fight years ago when I traveled to Dimock, Pennsylvania, to meet families who were suffering serious health impacts from using water contaminated from fracking operations. I met many people whose children and pets were suffering from skin lesions, hair loss, vomiting, severe headaches, dizziness and pain throughout their bodies—and they could light their tap water on fire!

When the going got rough, a group of concerned citizens and I stepped in to help these people get safe drinking water. Thankfully, the Environmental Protection Agency came to the rescue and delivered families water while conducting an investigation. But when the EPA abruptly closed the case, stopped water deliveries to the residents and deemed the water safe to drink, we knew something was wrong.

Thanks to EPA whistleblowers, the Los Angeles Times was recently able to report that the fracking investigation in Dimock was shut down despite evidence from the EPA’s water tests showing that Dimock’s drinking water was severely impacted by fracking. Since that time, many residents have not had access to safe drinking water.

That’s why I started a petition to President Obama and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy calling on them to reopen the investigations into water contamination from fracking. We’ll deliver the petition signatures to the EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday this week to show the public demand for action.

Can you add your name to my petition, and then share it with your friends?

The EPA has also shut down investigations in Wyoming and Texas. Early results of all three investigations showed that the EPA had evidence linking gas drilling and fracking operations to groundwater contamination. Yet instead of protecting people in these areas, the EPA ignored its own scientific data and abandoned the investigations.

It’s time for the EPA to do its job and protect the drinking water of the American people from toxic fracking. Join me in calling on the new EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, and President Barack Obama, to reopen the EPA investigations in Dimock, Pennsylvania; Pavillion, Wyoming; and Weatherford, Texas; and provide safe drinking water to the residents of these communities during the investigations.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

Mark Ruffalo
MoveOn.org

Safety at Chemical Plants

Safety at Chemical Plants

In April a fertilizer plant exploded in West, Texas, killing fourteen people and injuring hundreds. Since then, there have been at least six other chemical accidents, including two that included fatalities.

But instead of letting state inspectors in to figure out what is going wrong, the five chemical plants have simply denied the inspectors entry and gotten away with it. We can’t let this continue.

Join us in demanding that OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) inspect the five chemical plants in Texas that kicked out state fire inspectors who were trying to prevent another West, Texas tragedy. Click here to sign our petition.

Back in April, a fertilizer plant exploded in the small town of West, Texas — killing 14 people and injuring 200. The plant stored explosive ammonium nitrate — but had no alarms, no automatic shutoff system, no firewall and no sprinkler system. And it was across the street from a school.

When Texas fire inspectors stepped up their enforcement after this tragedy, five chemical plants flat-out denied them entry. And there’s nothing under Texas law that mandates such inspections. The state has no fire code, and only scheduled inspections are required.

If Texas can’t protect its residents, the federal government must. Sign our petition to OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) demanding that they inspect the five chemical plants who have denied access to the Texas fire inspectors.

Keep fighting,
Laura Clawson, Daily Kos

Orange Marmalade

Orange Marmalade

This was finished about a month ago and I hid it in the garage to give to Audrey on her birthday. Her birthday came and went and I forgot where I’d put it. All of a sudden I wondered why she hadn’t put the sculpture up somewhere in the house and realized she hadn’t seen it yet! I found it and gave it to her yesterday.

This is my best sculpture so far. It is from a slab of orange translucent alabaster. Since I do not have a tool to make holes in stone, it took some time using a small cone abrasive on the end of the angle grinder to make it happen. Many hours of shaping and sanding and grinding discovered this inside the rock.

Mellow Fellow

Mellow Fellow
by Gabriel Constans

Calm that tummy. Get rid of indigestion. Quiet the baby. Peppermint provides energy, relaxation, and calmness.

Yield: 3 1/2 cups

1 cup brewed peppermint tea
2 fresh parsley leaves, chopped, or 1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 cup coconut milk
1 cup carrot juice
4 tablespoons maple syrup

Place all the ingredients in a blender, and mix on medium speed for 30 seconds.
Pour, serve and mellow out.