Alfredo sauce...solved...maybe

Well, I tried a white pasta sauce today and it pleased 3 out of four Johnson's who tried it. One person said it was disgusting. No, it is not who you think, it the elder Johnson male, who refused to eat dinner because he thought my food was disgusting. Whatever...seriously...everyone is a critic. Well, now it is your turn to see if you like this version or do I do back to the drawing board and create another sauce.

Here is what you need:

one brick of cream cheese
one stick of butter
one cup of milk
one canister of Parmesan cheese

That's basically it. I melted the butter first (over medium heat), then I melted the cream cheese into the butter. Next, I incorporated the milk with a whisk (to get rid of any lumps). I season with barely a dash of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. I sprinkled Parmesan cheese in at the end. Here is where you have to adjust things to your taste. Some recipes call for tons of cheese, I chose not to. My reasoning is I am going to put it on top, why waste it to melt in the sauce where I can not taste it? When I served it, I did sprinkle some whole milk mozzarella and provolone cheese on top, but that was just because it was here. Also I served it with linguine, not fettuccine .

Let me know what you think. If you decide, you do not like the flavor, we will have to develop a flour based recipe.

Review of Christopher Columbus and the Afrikan Holocaust: Slavery and the Rise of European Capitalism Part one

This is the first of at least a twelve month series of the books I will be reading as part of my New Year's Resolution. Although, I already told you; my resolution is as follows. Read twelve books that I have started previously. These are books laying around the house that I have had good intention on reading, but never found the time during my university days to sit and read a real book.

This will be extremely informal just like the blog. I have down enough academic writing to make my eyes bleed. However, I want to share this journey with you to encourage you to read and expand your world by way of literature. I have narrow interest so most of the books will be about history in general, issues relating to the African Diaspora, religion, and self improvement. There will be a few wild cards, but do not expect many. 

Overview

Christopher Columbus and Afrikan Holocaust: Slavery and the Rise of European Capitalism is authored by John Henrik Clarke. The book contains 11 chapters and approximately 123 pages, which makes it a quick and easy read. The subject of this book is to first examine what was precipitating issues that made the slave trade possible, both in Europe and in Africa. Although brief, an examination of how the events that occurred in Europe and Africa in the 14th and 15 century, lead to Europe's rise and Africa's demise.

The Nature of the Gathering Storm

This three page chapter sets the tone of the book. John H. Clarke prepares us for the journey ahead by taking us back to the Europe of the Middle Ages. During that time, the inhabitants of the land were nearly destroyed. The plague, the Crusades, and internal turmoil were all ripping the area apart. So the question is risen how could a people in such distress conquer and annihilate so many people. This is the most important point of the book, and one of the most powerful quotes,
"there weren't enough soldiers in Europe to take the continent of Africa, India, the Caribbean Islans, and both South and North America...the greatest achievement of the Europeans was the conquest of the mind of their victims."
Clarke outlines four ways this mental deception took place.

1. The myth of a people in darkness waiting for another people to bring them light. I have to admit this one knocked my socks off. My introduction to Christianity was by racists, who had always painted the portrait of the heroic missionary going to save the savage brown beast. Whether we are comfortable admitting it, that perception follows you all the days of your life. I have always justified slavery because it saved us from a sinner's hell. You are taught to never even question what happened because we are better off because of it.
2. The myth of a people without a legitimate god. I can see the ramifications from the Ivory Coast to the shores of Honolulu how the religion was used to strip peoples of their identity and sense of self worth. And how religion was raised as a murderous banner to hide behind while raping and pillaging land after land and people after people. I do not believe that we left the true God back on the shores of the West African coast, but I do believe we lost our ability to see God through our own eyes and own history.
3. The myth of the primitive and aborigine. Different does not mean inferior. The adobe houses made of mud in the America southwest or the tree house of the tribes of the South American people did not make them savage, it meant they were more resourceful and had a respectful way to live in harmony with nature.
4. The myth of the invader and the conqueror as a civilizer. Here Clarke again says something so powerful that you have to step away to catch your breath before proceeding...he says that no people ever spread civilization at anytime or anywhere in all of human history through invasion and conquest....the invader destroys civilization in the name of civilization. From the halls of Montezuma, to isles of the West Indies to the Taj Mahal and everything in between...ancient and strong empires had existed for millennia until first contact with the like of people like Columbus. 

The reason why books like this are important to me and should be to any person of any nationality is best summarized by Clarke...not only did they colonize history...they colonized information about history...they colonized the image of God...You have to look back to understand how we got where we are today. For me it is not only why did the slave trade occur, but why are we still victims of it today.

Winterpalooza aka Snowpocalype!!!

I wanted to stop by and give some helpful hints concerning weather related disasters, calamities, and other types of trouble.

Power up/Power down

When there is a threat of severe weather, my top suggestion is to make sure all your devices are charged. Your phone is your lifeline out. Charging your computer could provide you light and entertainment if the lights go out. Yes, you will not have any internet access without electricity, but your dvd drive works. So does the lame pre-installed apps. When you have the money, you might invest in a battery operated usb charger for such an occasion as this.

Next, you need to unplug all essential equipment if the power goes out. There will be a surge of electricity when the power comes on, and it might fry your device. DO NOT trust the power strip for protection. It is a glorified extension cord, it will not protect your equipment.

Food in the fridge will stay good for almost a day if you keep the door closed. Take out what you need, and leave it alone until the lights return. Candles are great, but flashlights are better. Neither you or the baby can burn the house down with a flashlight. You can get some long lasting powerful flashlight are a reasonable price, a thought for the future.

Water

Of course, you have heard to drip the hot water in one of sinks. I vote for the kitchen since it is further from your room and you do not have to listen to it drip all night. Next, you need to open any cabinets and door that have water pipes in them. You want to keep the heat circulating around these pipes. Yes, you are letting warm air out, but in this case, it is a sacrifice you have to make. Leave the heat going!!! If not for your own warmth, you have to keep the house warm. 

Cold Air

Skin exposure to this air could cause frostbite, but it is very hard to breath as well. It can cause weather related asthma symptoms. My advice is always be over prepared this time of year. Extra gloves, hats and scarves tucked in your bag. If you accidentally get wet, you need your defense against the air to be dry. Our baby friend needs to wrapped like you are swaddling her. No exposure to the air at all if you have to go out. For you, cover your entire head and face minus your eyes with your scarf. 

Inside the house, if you have drafty windows, use a rolled up towel to block the drafts. If you are without heat, waiting to be rescued, remember heat escapes from our extremities. Protect your hand, feet, and head above all else. A final word about frostbite. Frostbite equals nerve death and amputation, not something to be fooled with.

Well, now you are modestly prepared for the impending disaster...next time I think I will remind you to buy a shovel...just sad....