Final project...cost and reflection

Cost
Chicken breast 6.50
Salad mix 3.50
Cherry tomatoes 3.50
Lemons 2.00
Black pepper,brown sugar,oregano,garlic,brown sugar 2.00
Total about 18 dollars
Reflection
Overall it was a great experience,I don't cook at all and I learned the basics to hold my own when I do try next time.For 18 dollars me,my sister in law,my little brother and my cousin all ate and we had seconds.we got great value and it was a better meal then my sister law was expecting(she was gonna buy McDonald's before I told her about the final project.After this project I will definitely try making more meals at home preferably dinner,And using as much organic and healthier options.

Final project

Final project...the recipe

What I came up with was a lemon chicken salad..
Ingredients
6 pieces of chicken breast
Organic salad(50 percent baby spinach/50 percent spring mix)
Half a garlic cove
2 teaspoons of black pepper
2 teaspoons of oregano
1 lemon
1 teaspoon of brown sugar

First you have to wash with water the chicken breasts and place in a plastic container
Squeeze half a lemon over chicken
Smash a half a cove of garlic and place on chicken breasts,add the black pepper,and oregano in the amounts mentioned above and stir
Sprinkle one teaspoon of brown sugar  on a pan on a heated stove place the chicken breasts once the sugar has caramelized in pan and let cook.

Final project....

Well I went to the trader joes after work(the one on 14th st by union square).I was amazed at how many people were in there and how long the lines were,And after working a 16 hr shift and getting hit by a cyclist full speed.I thought I'd go to my super market and put something organic with what's available..... 

Blog 13

          Obesity.....It's synonymous with Americans.As much as we are known for our freedoms and diversity.We are also known for this growing problem.The United States has troubling statistics.CDC.gov states nearly 35 percent of Americans are obese.Elizabeth kohlbert author of "why are we so fat"Believes she has the answer to her question.I recently read book 3:Fat land in which ms kohlbert points to big portion sizes and vendors trying sell larger quantities,and uses examples like mcdonalds "super sizing" to plead her case.I oppose because I think obesity has more to do with food quality over portion size.
          "Once wallerstein introduced the bigger boxes,popcorn sales at his theaters soared,and so did those of another high margin item,soda".Soda no matter the size is super unhealthy.Sure drinking a 16 fl oz is worst then drinking 8 fl oz,But drinking 8 fl oz,Constantly will help make you obese.One of my uncles who was really obese I would notice it was not the amount of food he would eat,But the quality.Meals with high saturated fats and drink with loads of sugar were he's fav.He always used to tell me why am I going to spend money at a super market and waste my time cooking it.When I can go to a fast food restaurant and have a good tasting meal at a bargain of a price.
          "They don't want to eat Two bags-they don't want to look like a glutton".gluttony I think is humanity's main problem.We take our food for granted.Good food or bad food.We just don't know when to stop.To the point we are throwing away tons of leftovers.

Manufactured demand blog

          Germs,,,,,Those weird looking creatures,you remember seeing under a microscope,when you were a kid.the word cooties makes you cringe.Ahh thank god for all those cootie shots I tool.There's one thing I noticed in my adult life.Majority of people are still really germophopic.From riding the subway,and seeing commuters excess use of hand sanitizer.To pedestrians walking in the street with surgical masks.People are afraid of germs,and when it comes to our water supply,that view doesn't change.Or might even be heighten.As proven by this myth"but tap water is still susceptible to germs,as well as perrcorus chemical agents."
          This myth raises questions,And one of those questions.....Is this all true?Well I will argue against this myth,As I found a study done in 2006,courtesy of Wikipedia that shows 89.3 percent of the nations community water systems were in compliance with more than 90 EPA standards.Add a regulated water system.With a good quality water filter at home and a free price tag.That is very hard to beat.
          This myth reminds me of certain times in my life.Good memories and bad.Growing up I was really into baseball.My dad had this dream of me and my brothers making it into the pros.Well that dream kinda faltered and now wants us all to become cops.But that's another story for another day.I remember playing little league baseball in the park,In my hometown of queens ny,Two to three times a week and drinking out out of the public water fountain with no problem.I never got sick,Nothing.I did that for years.That was of course was the good memory.The bad memory of course doesn't end as pretty.I went to Dominican republic when I was 10 years old,And become really good friends with the kids in the neighborhood.We would play games afterward I would see them drink out of the water fountain in the streets so I would do the same.After a few days I got really sick.I was vomiting everything I ate,had really bad diarrhea.I was severely dehydrated.We went to the hospital where the doctor told me I had caught a parasite most likely from the water supply.

Blog 11 happy meals

          "Would you like a happy meal"?I know what your thinking.Really a kids meal from mcdonalds?No I'm actually talking spinach and kale,and lettuce,pretty much anything you could eat straight from the ground.Hear me out,I recently read "happy meals" by micheal pollen.Where he gives steps we can do for healthier eating.The steps that are possible for me and my family,Because we have done it is step 9."cook.If you can plant a garden.Eat complete meals,at the table,If possible not alone.Eat slowly."My dad is an avid Gardner,ever since I was young we've planted everything from cilantro,to tomatoes in our backyard.Nothing like eating fresh ripe food with your family.
          Even thou,I've occasionally eat "organic" through my fathers gardening.I also can say my parents have bad grocery shopping habits.Processed meats with ingredients only a chemist would know,Is not a surprise in my household.Even when you tell them it's bad for you.My parents are the quantity over quality type.They think its ridiculous to pay to pay 5 dollars for organic milk,when you can have regular milk with all the good stuff like artificial growth hormones for half the price.
          "Stay out of the middle"Mr Pollan describes,In he's article is probably the hardest to overcome for my household as my parents that's where my parents do most of there grocery shopping.My mother is always looking for a bargain.which certainly is always in the middle aisles.Its so bad my mom would compare supermarket prices and shop at the supermarket with the best deals.

Blog 9 "organic agriculture"

          Food......It is not a luxury,but a necessity.Without it life is not possible.With an ever growing population and demand higher than ever.The food industry figured out ways to come up with the supply part of the equation.What corporations came up with is farming that has been industrialized.Use of harmful pesticides the norm,And Genetically modified crops just to name a few.The negatives of such procedures have been well documented.Environmental damage and consumer health have all taken a back seat.To one sole goal,Maximizing profits.All is not lost,Ladies and gentleman.According to sustainable table,the website for the films,The meatrix.One way we can help reverse this trend is through organic agriculture.Which provide us with safer food to eat,and is more Eco-friendly to the envirment.
         In Industrial farming,Stock are crammed together.They never see daylight and spend there entire life's Indoors.Do to the conditions some can not even turn around.Inhumane and animal cruelty is second nature in these farms.In organic farms,According to the reading"A farmer using sustainable methods,Might keep his or her animals indoors in bad weather,But the animals are given ample space to move around naturally and are healthy,Comfortable and well cared for".Thats news is sure to make the animal rights activist in all of us proud.
          We all know the phrase,"Bigger is better",But how would you feel knowing the cow,That is now your steak was given growth hormones banned in countries like Canada and Europe.The milk you drink with these nice chocolate cookies could contain the same chemicals.All the just another negative thought when getting into industrialized food.When going organic,"No added or artificial hormones are allowed for organic farms,Nor are they used in sustainable farming".Another positive to choosing organic.
          It's scary what has become of our food Industry.Quantity vastly exceeds Quality.In the end  we the consumer have a choice.Organic agriculture is one of those smart choices we can not use to not only better our life's and that of nature,But also sent a message.Corporations are good with statistics,calculating profits and loses.taking a stand ,Will surely help encourage change.Ways you can help are by,supporting your local farmer.By buying there products at farmers market.Also look for the usda organic label when shopping at the supermarket.

Blog 9 part 1 meatrix films

          In the meatrix,Leo is an ordinary pig in what he thinks is a family farm.Until moopheus,comes and tells him things are not what it seems where our food comes from,and offers him two pills.one pill to stay where he is(blue pill)or take the red pill to find out the truth.Leo takes the red pill.Leo awakens in a factory farm.where Leo is shown the harsh realities of being an animal in a factory farm.Pigs are cramed together,where they can hardly move.Pigs are fed antibiotics to keep them alive under these harsh conditions,which in tern creates super bacteria that harm humans.Everything from animal cruelty to communities being destroyed by the practices of factory farming are shown to Leo.Leo decides in the end to join in the fight to stop these practices.
          The meatrix revolting,shows the dark side of dairy factory farming.In the film it is exposed how corporations keep cows in crammed spaces and inject them with growth hormones that are banned in Europe and in canada.most of our dairy and cheese come from farms like these.calfs are fed with a milk replacement partly made by cows blood as a cost saving measure.the film ends with moopehus being kidnapped,and Leo stated we can help by supporting our family farmer as he goes off in a bid to save moopehus.
          Part 2.5 of the meatrix,shows one of the agents exposing moopehus,to all the ins and outs of a cow slaughterhouse.In the film it shows how speed is the main proposition.Creating hazardous conditions for the workers.Also the line is moving so fast it causes the meat to get contaminated with feces from the cow intestine.Which opens up the door for disease such as ecoli.In the end moopehus is saved by Leo.

Blog 8 midterm reflection

          Wow,it's been a long time coming.Cant believe we are close to taking the catw soon and close to wrapping up eng 099.Its been a fun and interesting class dr x.You ve been an excellent teacher thank you for your innovative teaching techniques I have learned a ton.Now.....to the writing.Out of all my blogs my monalisa I believe is blog number 6.I think this is my best one because not only do I feel like it's the one best put together,with everything I learned in class,from having a good intro to keep the reader engaged.To having a good thesis based statement and using great examples to prove my case.I like the article in general and feel it could be used on an actual catw.
          The class activities that have helped me the best were thesis based writing and summarizing.Ive learned that having a good thesis sets up your whole essay.I used to be very disorganized in my writing but learned structure.Through good summarizing.throwing in practice catw from time to time really helps to see if you've improved or not and what are your weaknesses so you can work on it.the lesson on introduction was great,as to me your intro is the most important part of your essay.learning new ways to start an essay and be creative in keeping the reader reading is very important.
           Well for me my biggest weaknesses is grammar and keeping my wording legible.so I will definitely be working on that.Time management as well,I remember on my first cat w I didn't have enough time to finish my conclusion.Im gonna see what techniques I can use to help with that.the packet has a good structure that works.15-20 min of reading.10 min to plan I don't really use this step I kinda just jump into the writing.50 min to write the response which is good,and the 10 min to revise and edit which I don't do neither which I will begin to do if I got time.

Blog 7 "does knowledge make us happier"

          Humans,we have always been a curious species.Since the dawn of our existence,Evidence shows us of the great wonders man has accomplished.Through trial and error and a little something called knowledge.In an essence,it's what makes us strive,makes us prosper.Without it humans are nothing more than another species on a planet,Full of the latter.Its what sets us apart.which leads up to a perfect question to ask?"Does knowledge makes us happier"?                                                                
          Indeed it does.Knowing the answer of a question is always better than being perplexed with uncertainty.In the matrix and the allegory of the cave.Both stories speak about being set free with knowing the truth.In the protagonist case in the matrix it's choosing the red pill and seeing how "far the rabbit hole goes".In the allegory of  the cave it's seeing the true meaning behind the shadows.what are the positive and negatives?Negatives as history has shown there have been times we have gone to far with knowing or wanting to find out the truth.Physics is one example as were constantly pushing the envelope.When the first atom bomb was made,Edward teller one of the scientist feared detonating the weapon would destroy earth,by igniting the earths atmosphere with a self sustaining fission reaction of nitrogen nuclei.Thank god that didn't happen.A lot of positives came out of humans entering the atomic age.We found a new source of energy,and new medicines were discovered.Our education system is great you can study and learn pretty much any topic you want,you can change the world with one single thought or idea.That makes it all worth while.

Blog 5 Truman show

          Sea haven,the constructed world put in front of an unsuspecting Truman Burbank by Cristof,for the amusement of millions.Truman's life the epicenter of entertainment for all.Reality t.v at its best.A great example how addicted our society is too constant real world drama.How does ones life compare to Truman's......In particular mines....smiley face.Fortunately for me I never experienced such tragedy as he did.Cannot imagine losing my father in front of me on a fishing trip.He's phobia for water is completely understandable in my book.My family life is the view of your your typical American family.Both my parents are still together and me my two siblings are really close.Truman is an only child and Truman's mother wasn't to helpful when Truman told her,he ran into he's father in the street.Our work life's are completely different,Truman works in an office for an insurance company,and I work as an emt.In the 8 years I've been in the work force.I have never held an office job.I never liked the thought of sitting in one place answering phones or on a computer.doesn't fir my personality.Me and Truman have a lot in common personality wise,as he's a bit of a jokester and he's kind and polite with everyone.
          To live or not to live in Cristof's world that is the question.Given Truman's situation being in an unwanted pregnancy mad all.No foundation or support system from birth.Who knows how he's life would have turned out.Cristof in an Essenes saved him and gave him stability.Pretty much gave him a normal life.Sure he benefitted from it and made tons of money from it.If I were given the choice Truman had.To walk into the real world or stay in Cristof world.I would have said the same thing."In case I don't see ya,good morning,good evening and goodnight."In the end I would feel like a prisoner,He wanted to go to Fiji and he couldn't.He was in love with the extra but couldn't be with her.He's father was killed and when he tried to escape he almost suffered the same fate for real.In the end Truman was not in control of he's own life.Cristof was,and I cannot love a life where I'm not in control of my own destiny.

Blog 6. Http://nyti.ms/ihxponu

          Hope....it is a strong word and a strong emotion.life altering Choices in your life have been made based on this feeling.Never got married because you were hopeful your ex would call?ouch.Scratching your head at the rent money you lost for being hopeful that you can bet on a race horse named Delilah?double whammy.Is hope in our lives actually a bad thing?does it make us blind and irrational from making the right choices in our life's?Simon Critchley believes so.Author of the article "abandon (nearly)all hope.In he's article Mr.Critchley makes some strong points citing stories from Greek mythology to human history to back up he's views.I for one,strongly disagree with the authors views.I feel hope is a good thing and drives humans in the right direction.
          The Author points to history,Using the example of the pelopennesian war.In which the Athenians were at war with the Melians.The Athenians presented the Melians with an ultimatum.Either surrender to them or be destroyed.The Melians held on to hope,that there allies would come and save them.when there demands weren't met.the Athenians invaded,Sparta did not come to Melos aid,And all men of military age were killed.With the woman and children becoming enslaved.I will use history as well in favor of the positives of hope.During world war 2 The axis powers(Germany,italy,Japan)with imperialistic ideation were seeking pretty much to take over the world by force.Germany had overwhelming success taking over European countries.For example Defeating France in one month's time.Can you imagine Britain or the allied powers having no hope and surrendering on the basis that Germany is too strong too intimidating.The world we live in would be a completely different place.One can only imagine the consequences in a world run by adolf hitler instigator of atrocities such as the holo cost.
          "Hope is the evil of evils,because it prolongs man's torment.Often,by clinging to hope,we make the suffering worst".A quote by Nietzsche,Used by the author in he's article.I feel hope brings out the best in us.Can you imagine someone that's just been told they have cancer,that there not gonna seek treatment because they have no hope.I read a recent study that one out of every 3 people will get cancer sometime in there lifetime.Picture that person stating ah I don't need chemo.Ah I don't need surgery,it's a scary thought,one that's inconceivable.
           In my eyes hope is a good thing and one that humans need.It shapes our life's and civilizations have been shaped in the past,present and future by it.That my friends is never going to change.Hard choices will be made based of it and that's never a bad thing.Nothing like the feeling that even thou things are bad now.......there is always hope that things will get better.

       

Blog 4 "allegory of a cave"

          In plato's "The Allegory of the cave",Socrates tells a story to his student Glaucon to explain that we live an unexamined life.We live a closed life,always on the same level of knowledge ,Never being able to increase that knowledge.There are illusions are created by our culture/society(By those who benefit from keeping us ignorant)and we believe these illusions to be "real".When we are given knowledge,we become wise.Free of these illusions,but gaining knowledge is a slow,painful process.Gradually,we become wise.When we try to explain what we have learned.What is "real"(fine and right)to others,We fail because they deny or cannot understand the truth.They conclude the knowledgable person is ridiculous,stupid,or crazy and dangerous.Seeking truth is a journey from the cave of light and those who love wisdom will complete the journey.
          History is a true testament to this ongoing phenomenon.Throughout time we have seen the vast majority of society accepts principles and rules put together by government and higher society.Once these rules are challenged.By a brilliant mind who thinks outside of the box,It is considered blasphemy.One such time in history that calls out to me,One of the greatest minds to ever grace this planet.With references like "Father of modern observational astronomy,and Father of modern physics,He's legacy speaks for itself.Galileo Galilei is known for all he's break through work in physics,astrology and mathematics.Through all the great discoveries he made,He is probably best remembered not for he's discovery of Jupiter's largest moons,or analysis of sunspots,But for he's stance on heliocentrism,Which is a belief that earth and planets revolve around a stationary sun.This was at a time when almost everyone believed in geocentrism.Where the earth is at the orbital center of all celestial bodies.Including the Catholic Church,Which was in charge at the time.Which found heliocentrism.False and against the beliefs of the bible.The church for-bided Galileo from advocating heliocentrism.Untamed,Galileo wrote a book defending he"s views.For this,He was tried found "suspect of heresy".He was forced to renounce he"s views and forced to live under house arrest the rest of his life.As we all know with modern science Galileo was right.If one thing history shows us is,and in regards to allegory of a cave.Majority of society lives an un examined life,and are chained in a cave.The very few that go out of the cave and see the light.Accomplish great and wondrous  things.Without fear of persecution or tribulation.

"I know the truth so don't bother me with facts"

          Ever ended a relationship because you heard,your significant other was talking to someone else?Never played the lottery because you heard it was a scam?Or maybe you stopped eating a particular food because your friend said it would make you bald before you hit 30?If yes,It means you probably believed a lie or rumor told to you by a friend,family member,or possibly a complete stranger you sprung up a conversation with,As you went about your day.When someone makes a strong point over a topic of discussion.It leaves us with a lasting impression.We don't need to search for facts,What for?When we are presented with such a convincing proposition.We have already chosen which side to represent.[here you have a series of sentence fragments; they make it hard for the reader to figure out what ideas go with which ones]. I recently read an interesting article written by Jeffery Kruger,called "I know the truth so don't bother me with facts.In the article Mr Kluger addresses how once humans believe a rumor or a lie.It is hard to change there point of view.Even when they are proven wrong.I agree,I cannot recall how many times I've believed a rumor or a lie been proven wrong and I still refuse to change my point of view.                                                                                                          
          In the article,the author mentions a study conducted by 2 assistant professors of communication at Ohio state university,In which they take in students who believe a rumor in regards to the proposed mosque to be build around ground zero,and set out to present the students with facts on the topic and see if they would change there view on the subject.The study had troubling results,In which out of all the students surveyed.Only 33 percent were willing to change there view.Which means the other 66 percent even after being shown facts to contradict the rumor,still wouldn't change there mind.The vast majority chose to stick with the rumor.
          In this paticular case the topic is all the negatives surrounding building a mosque around ground zero.Some of the negatives that I personally have heard throughout the years.Are Muslims took down the towers,It would be total disrespect to all those who perished to have the practicing religion of those responsible around the scene of such tragedy.Most people associate Islam,which is practiced by one billion peaceful people around the world with radical Islam,who interpret the Koran the wrong way,and influence and manipulate people to carry out hianuius acts like those that occurred on 9/11.I remember being in middle school a few days after it happened.I was in gym class sitting next to one of my friends and one of the students went up to him and said he was gonna beat him up because,he's people were responsible for 9/11.I remember my friend stating I'm Indian I nor my people had nothing to do with that.while other students separated the altercation.Bringing to light my own personal experience.A few years later in high school I was dating this girl for a few weeks.When one of my best friends stated she was talking to another guy.I Ended up ending the relationship on the rumor of my best friend."One thinks it's my best friend there's no way he would lie to me".Case and point turned out to be a lie.My friend ended up having a really bad crush on her.......I know something out of a tv show......right.
              Everyone believes lies or rumors for many different reasons.It can be someone's ego gets in the way,no one likes to be proven wrong or look bad in front of people.It could be fear,a lot of people are afraid of the truth and what it brings it could mean change,or a lot of other things.These are just a few examples but the reasons are vast.Society will continue this trend,as will I for the countless reasons. [something missing here] Next time I'm in a debate about something and I'm being hard headed and ignorant I ll be sure to say "I know the truth,so don't bother me with facts",with a smirk.[nice last line]
       

Hype essay part

          According to Kalle lasn's "hype",American corporations are going to extremes to reach out to the American consumer.One cannot help to agree with the author"s sentiments."Advertisements are the most prevalent and toxic of the mental pollutants".Simple everyday tasks,like going to the supermarket or going on a date with that special someone.Whether if your day was eventful or not.We always seem to be on the radar of that creative advertiser trying to get us to remember there products or service.
          Everyday an estimated 12 billion display ads,3 million radio commercials,and more than 200,000 t.v commercials are dumped into the north Americas collective unconscious writes the author.That is a staggering number in just a 24 hr period.Advertising methods are clearly getting out of control.The author states that our children,Watch Pepsi and snickers ads in the classroom."Collective unconscious" is correct,When has it become ok for our children to be encouraged to drink and eat unhealthy.In a place where I learned about the food guide triangle.Next time a parent wonders why all there son or daughter wants to drink is soda over healthy alternatives,they won't understand why.
          "We haven't quite woken up to the absurdity of it all",the author states.So So very true.A good example of this is athlete endorsements.Some athletes already make millions doing what they do best.Excelling at there particular sports skill set.Did you know some athletes make millions more advertising certain products.....yep.Lebrun James who many people say can surpass Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time has naturally a lot of endorsement deals.Did you know one of those endorsements is basken Robbins.The mentality is if you have the best basketball player in the world and he states in commercials,and billboards.That all he eats is basken and Robbins ice cream that's gonna bring a ton of revenue for basken and Robbins.Also gonna affect your choice when buying ice cream,If Lebrun says it's the best than that's all I'm going to get.I personally remember once not be able to choose a flavor in basken Robbins and saw a poster with Lebrun James holding an Ice cream cone.I remember telling the cashier I want the ice cream Lebrun James has in that poster.
          With all of that being said kalle lasn hype illustrates how advertisements are getting out of  hand.Corprate America will do anything to get there products or service to you.Whether it's targeting your kids in math class.Or helping you to choose which ice cream parlor to go to and what flavor to get.We will continue this trend for now.
         

Learning from the ebert &roepers of the hype essays

           Hype was an interesting piece of work.I had the privilege to read 6 essays.Written by my peers,That were then evaluated by my classmates and a professional evaluator.On the topic of advertising and kalle lasn view on the subject.In the following essay I will describe what I learned from each response.Based on the evaluations of my classmates and the professional reviewer.
          In response number 1,I learned that you need to have a clear understanding of what your writing.As some classmates stated that the writer did not have a clear understanding of the main idea.In essay number 2,everyone felt that it was a passing essay.It was well written good format and references.our 3rd essay to go over was almost the complete opposite outcome of essay 2.Almost everyone felt it was a bad essay.It had poor grammar and mechanics.Essay's presentation as said by the evaluator is "general and repetitious".
         Essay 4 was a little confusing for me as I personally gave it a fail mark.I felt writer did not use any references from hype and went more with there own personal ideas.Which in tern,I learned you can use this technique as long as your able to back up your statements in a nice proper order.Reference 5 was one of those essays that had the class spilt on pass or fail or an I don't know mark.writing was very brief as shown with a two sentence conclusion and essay came more of a debate.This essay taught me that you need balance in your writing and can't be too one sided and your own personal opinion or the writer's you are writing about.
          Reference 6 the crown jewel in my opinion of all the essay's.Majority of the class gave it great reviews as well as the evaluator giving it a high passing score.Great writing technique keeps the reader just wanting more.Really a great baseline for any essay.Through reading the evaluations of my classmates and evaluator I have learned to to stick to the main Idea.Try to organize my writing better and try to keep the reader engaged.Also use references and personal experiences and don't contradict myself in my writing.