The Importance of Support

Due to the recent and untimely death of the young and talented Amy Winehouse, I began to think and analyze the circumstances regarding the singer's demise. When the news scattered the Twitterworld and the all the news outlets picked up on the news of her death, the world reacted with a guarded sadness -- people were not THAT shocked to hear that a Grammy winning twenty-seven year old had been found dead in her London apartment.

Winehouse’ experiences with drugs, alcohol, and the scrutiny of her romantic life have all been overshadowed by her immense talent. Her five Grammy Awards and revitalization of the music industry are proof enough that the singer had a "good life." That was from an outsiders point of view. The "success" that she experienced from a very young age that catapulted her to a level of super-stardom and immortality all came crashing down on Saturday. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, but no arrests have been made, and the mere speculation that this death is drug related cannot be ignored as the cause of death, then again, we won't know definitively until autopsy results are released.

Drug abuse has become a very real issue that has been publicized, especially in the celebrity world. Throughout the modern "celebrity era" there have been dozens of drug related premature deaths of actors, singers and entertainers. The world has been saddened briefly by these events and then moved on. With the emergence of "Celebrity Rehab" on VH1 and shows that deal with the trafficking and growing use of drugs as innocent as marijuana to severe abuse of doctor prescribed drugs and homemade drugs, a legitimacy has evolved to drug use.

Amy Winehouse had a net worth a tens of millions of dollars, she could have almost anything that she wanted, and yet she is dead at 27 years old. We all know she has battled addiction, something that is clinically a life-long disease that needs to consistently be treated. The singer made people happy with her music, and her life was presumably cut short by a demon that had haunted her for a long time.

Sadness is a universal feeling that all humans are capable of feeling. Many people seek healthy remedies such as therapy, exercises and activities that stimulate the brain to be happier. Unfortunately, there are other people who use drugs to cope with the sometimes harsh realities of life. Friends and family are the best support for anyone dealing with any sort of sadness or feeling of emptiness in one's life; yet sometimes as Coldplay once said "you get what want, but not what you need." This may have been Amy's life.

We don't choose our parents and lives that come with the turmoil or bliss of being born, but we have a choice to face life head on, but it doesn't hurt to have a support group to make the hardest days that much easier.

RIP Amy.

A Woman's Right to Choose Her Food

Literally billions of years of pregnancy have taken place with people eating meat, wheat or chicken, it's yours for the picken"

Emily Deschanel has been a vegan for along time and pregnant for a lot less. She has been able to do what is best for her body, wouldn't you think that she would be doing best her growing fetus' body?

The debate should cease about what is and what isn't good for a fetus. Maternal instincts often speak louder than any other authority figure; and in this situation the mother is always right. Eating as a vegan in a non-vegan society cannot be easy, but is completely doable. There are ongoing counterproductive remarks against people who choose a specific and even more so when someone is carrying a child.

The religious tolerance that this world experiences borders on the intolerance of certain people's dietary restrictions and beliefs. People who come up to me and are shocked that I am unable to tolerate certain foods look at me like a I some type of leper. I have not only done nothing wrong, but I have embraced a lifestyle that leaves me more comfortable. So the next time you want to make a pregnant woman uncomfortable, remember that she is probably carrying a baby that is making her uncomfortable enough.

Eat up, drink up, and enjoy life.... Just let people do it in the way that I want. (disclaimer: when I say "drink up" I do not mean in any way shape or form drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Modern Orthodox: not my M.O

Many people will not like what I have to say. Good.

Tonight I went to a "Modern Orthodox" Synagogue to commemorate the third anniversary of my father's passing. The Hebrew term for this is "Yartzheit." I toiled with the idea of going to a place of worship, because quite honestly I don't buy it. I asked some of my closest friends what I should do, and the consensus was to go. I tried going to a synagogue that was not immersed in the community that I was raised in, but the weekday nightly prayers are scarce in Los Angeles.

I ended up going with my oldest sister and mother to the place I spent countless hours on Saturdays during my formative years. As a child, I had no say in the matter, the same way I ate when I was told, and not when I wanted to eat. As an adolescent, my "choices" were pushed, and I accepted it... and then I grew up. There was no quantifiable difference in me spiritually throughout the years, I merely became the person I wanted to be. Not a person who prays, not someone who observes Orthodox Judaism, I am a Jewish person, period. Label me how you want.

As I entered the sanctuary (they really need to change the name of this room) of Beth Jacob in Beverly Hills, I saw someone from my formative years who I did not care to see. I didn't run away, I faked a smile and said "Hi, it's so great to see you!" Those words that came out of my mouth in my head were actually "I have to see this fucking tool?" I walked in to see some familiar faces, none of which I was excited to see. I semi-cordially had a Lakers discussion with a 75 year-old accountant who I've seen age as he's seen me grow up - wonderful.

I sat in the back, zoning out all the bullshit that was being recited by the cantor. In between the afternoon prayer "Mincha" and the evening prayer "Ma'ariv" some guy from Yeshiva University, who is paid to study Talmud all day for the summer gave a speech about the concept of a Kohen -- the most sanctified tribe member, for lack of a better term -- killing someone and his repercussions. The answer to his remedial question is : who the hell cares? He rambled on for about five minutes aimlessly, and suddenly, out of nowhere someone in the audience abruptly cut him off and left the speaker humiliated and speechless. In Judaism, the action of embarrassing someone is compared to killing that person. The fact is, that no matter how terrible this speech was, it was 100% wrong of this low-life to cut off the speaker for no reason at all.

The thesis of the speech was completely out of context and relevance to anything today or even in the last 100 years. The irrelevance factor annoyed me, even pissed me off a little bit -- I was somewhere that I did not want to be hearing about bullshit that will NEVER apply to anyone in the audience. IF anyone ever kills someone, the justice system will run its course, for better or worse. The insensitivity of this person cutting off another idiot clearly didn't solve anything. It did not help ease my discomfort of being somewhere that I totally did not want to be, I should have been wearing one of those t shirts that say "I'd rather be skiing." As a person who chooses not to take part in these rituals, and paying my respect to my dead father by saying meaningless words on a specific day on the Jewish calendar, I was completely offended and mortified that this is what a Modern Orthodox synagogue was offering. I knew better growing up, I saw it coming, and I even saw some of the brainwashing that took place to some of my peers to become these black an white people who are obsessed with anything Judaism related. To me, it's the same as someone who gets into drugs, alcohol or any other addiction that makes people go crazy.

This is a synagogue that is not foreign to scandals. Please ask me about the scandals if you are so interested, I promise they are juicy. Disrespecting people by offending them publicly is wrong. I had to witness it, which completely devalued any attempt I had at getting any meaning from the service tonight. Thanks Beth Jacob.

I'm writing this blog to inform, not to get people to stop going or go elsewhere. There is just too much bullshit out there to worry about the bullshit religion that labels itself in ways that are just silly. I respect people, and listening to this bullshit that was then cut off rather maliciously, completely undermined my feelings of celebrating the beautiful but short life of my father who accepted me for who I am, the same way he accepted everyone else with all f their baggage.

I started this blog by saying that many people will be unhappy with what I have to say, synagogues don't have that disclaimer before you enter; maybe they should.

Independence Day Meat Free Monday Style

As a contributing member of society, I have elected to take part in the growing trend of meat free mondays. Not only is it good for your health, but it also is wonderful for the environment. There is less pollution to the planet and to your body by taking on this new phenomenon. While I do enjoy a great steak from time to time, it is not a core part of my diet, and I feel healthier for it.

This weekend marks America's 235th birthday, and to celebrate, millions of Americans will be firing up the BBQ and celebrating the country's independence. However, this Fourth of July happens to fall out on a Monday this year. I happened to stumble upon this Independence Day, vegan dish that can be used as my celebratory cuisine for America's birthday. Of course there are more meat-like recipes out there to replace the hamburgers, hot dogs, and steaks that America loves to grill, but adapting to this healthier alternative is just like America becoming independent.

Man vs. Fat

I understand that TV is supposed to be mindless, and the MPAA and FCC have too much time on their hands to deem what is and what isn't suitable for children of some, most and all ages are able to watch. Since most TV is garbage, (as I have said, the majority of the TV that I watch is live sports); I know what I am getting myself into when I "unwind" before I go to sleep.

With the growing health epidemics called obesity and heart disease plaguing America, I find it highly unfortunate that any TV network pays and profits from "Man vs. Food". The Travel Channel offers this rubbish programming during the summer when healthy people may be out of town, yet the concept of the show is absolutely disgusting.

Adam Richman travels the United States looking for the most gluttonous foods available, and then is "challenged" to eat this heart-stopping, belt bursting food, acid inducing food. Not only does he have to eat this food that should send most people to the ER, but he has to eat this food in under a certain amount of time - not enough time to enjoy what might be delicious food.

Moderation has been the word of the century, but clearly America did not get the memo when some TV execs green-lit this show. In addition to heart disease and obesity, the next growing epidemic is diabetes which is spiraling out of control in this world, and especially in the lower classes who are glued to TV without outdoor and active activities offered to them.

I've had enough of the MPAA and FCC telling me forever that the word "FUCK" is offensive, when the same people who regulate the words that come out of the mouth's of people ON TV should be regulating what goes into the mouth's of other people being watched on the same TV.

The Game of NO OFFENSE

The NBA has been on rampage making sure that homophobia is banished from the game of basketball. Just over a month ago, Kobe Bryant was caught on national TV using a derogatory slur against gay people. The NBA handed out a large fine of $100,000 for his words, and the LGBTQ world applauded the NBA for its quick and strong reaction to Kobe's misbehavior.

Shortly after that, president and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, Rick Welts, came out publicly. The NBA executive is one of the most high-profile figures still active in sports to declare that he is gay. This was a positive step forward in the world of sports and the progressive world that has encouraging these brave actions.

Former NBA player and current NBA analyst, Charles Barkley responded to the recent anti-gay and gay openness by saying, "I’d rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can’t play.” He is absolutely right. People make a big deal out of the possibility of of homophobic responses in the locker room, the fact remains that these people are here to do a job, and get paid A LOT of money for it.

There's never been a peep from anyone who works in business, law, or medicine who works with openly gay people. A brilliant manager of a hedge fund, trial lawyer, or surgeon is never questioned for his or her sexual preference -- the quality of their work speaks for itself.

Last week Joakim Noah, of the Chicago Bulls was fined $50,000 for using a gay slur directed towards a spectator during the Eastern Conference Finals. He apologized almost immediately and absorbed his punishment with grace. People will make mistakes, people will be insensitive, but as things seem to be going people are becoming more tolerant in the world of sports, and especially basketball.

What I've been eating

Normally food is not something that I would blog about, but recently I have been having stomach issues. Readers, please use your imagination when I say stomach issues. Over the last few weeks, almost everything I ate did not agree with my stomach. I'm not talking like a small argument that people have everyday, I'm talking about an all out war, where whatever went into my mouth was dead WRONG.

After basically not eating for nearly three days, I regained my appetite and slowly began eating "normal" foods again. I started out with plain rice, chicken soup, and simple tuna sandwiches without any veggies or sauces. Then I my body was aching for more substantial food (a good sign) and I had a plain hamburger from Pico Kosher Deli with a knish. So far so good. That was Thursday.

Friday my diet contained a protein-filled breakfast with egg whites and toast, and I was feeling good. For lunch I had a meal from Real Food Daily with my Vegan-Gluten Free partner who we shall refer to as "VGFGF". Friday night VGFGF and I ventured to simple pea soup and chicken salad with very little dressing for myself and a steamed vegetable salad for her. and it digested FAIRLY well. Saturday brunch was at Le Pain Qutidien, egg whites and bread with jam -- worked out well.

Saturday night we went to a sushi restaraunt that we had never been to, Takami Sushi in Downtown LA. The ambience gets an A, the knowledgability of the staff regarding the food, food intolerances, and dietary choices gets an A+, but the availability of gluten free and vegan food were scarce.

After that meal I can definitely say that my stomach was back o normal! I haven't jumped into the sauces, and I just observed my first Meat Free Monday! My vegan meals today were not only delicious, but healthy and nutritious. I feel more energetic overall, maybe my excitement and energy is due to the VGFGF being back in town.