Recently I was inspired to submit an entry into the “One Minute to Save the World” contest. It’s a video contest where contestant have the opportunity to submit a 1 minute video that shares there message on how to save the world. I chose the topic of “going vegan” as an easy way to create paradise on earth. The medium I chose was in the form of a rap tune. Gary Pfeffer used his video and composition skills to put together a soundtrack and the video for the project.
I’ll tell you upfront that I’m no singer and although I sang on this video I was not willing to do it in front of the camera. This created a unique situation… who was going to be on the video? With the help of my friend Whitney the solution manifested in the form of puppets. With a visit to Jo-Ann Fabrics and a little guidance I threw together some cool puppets to share this vegan message.
Puppet Master
Gary pulled out all the stops in creating this video, even going so far as to purchase a couple fast food burgers to drop into the toilet in the slow-mo finale of the video. This might not seem like a big deal but for a raw vegan the idea of standing in line at a fast food restaurant and ordering a burger is enough to turn my stomach… though it was only 5 years ago that I was chowing 1/4 pounders and dying from the inside out.
To bring it home we added the seductive appeal of eating naturally for the health of the planet by including a cameo appearance from the Raw Dessert Goddess, Heathy Pace… those grapes never had it so good.
On the set of "Be the Change" music video
So how can refining your dietary choices change the planet? Can reducing your consumption of animal based products really save the planet? Once you look at the facts the answer is an unequivocal “YES”! Here’s another bonus; consuming less animal products and increasing your intake of whole foods and organic fruits and vegetables will dramatically change your health for the better… who needs universal healthcare if everyone is healthy? Here’s a few facts for you to digest while considering what impact your personal choices on the rest of the world:
Most of you out there probably weren’t aware that during the summer we were in the midst of a durian drought. Not to worry, the drought is over. For those of you who haven’t been formally introduced to durian or had an official durian experience… allow me to make the introduction:
Meet Durian: King of Fruits
Durian, commonly referred to as the “King of Fruits” is a tropical fruit that grows on some the oldest living and tallest fruit trees in nature. Durian has 3 properties that make it the King and make it unique: smell, texture and taste.
First off durian has a high sulfur content, which is the chemical that gives garlic, onions and eggs their distinct odor. The potent odor given off by a durian has gotten it banned from public transportation and places like theaters and hotels in Southeast Asia. Don’t be surprised if you hear comments from unschooled observers first encountering durian like, “is there a gas leak?” or “did the cat pee in the corner?” No two durians smell the same and the smell evolves as the fruit ripens as well. It’s this smell that attracts tropical wild life like tigers, orangutan and elephants who are known to savor a good durian.
So if you’ve made it past the smell, now comes the texture. Durian is one of the few fruits having a high fat content like avocado and olives. Durian also has the highest protein content of any fruit. Durian is the total package: fat, protein and sweetness (carbs). No wonder they call it the King. This combination of fat, protein and sweetness give durian the texture of custard when fresh and ice cream when frozen.
It all comes down to flavor and durian is not lacking in that department. In truth, the taste defies all description and any attempt to describe the taste is an injustice that has the potential to deter an individual from having their own durian experience. I’m not going to lie to you, many of the descriptions you will come across regarding the taste of durian is unflattering at the least extreme and hostile at the greatest extreme.
What's that smell?
One critic compares Durian to “crème cheese onion sauce and sherry wine” another “its taste can only be described as indescribable, something you’ll either love or despise… Your breath will smell as if you’d been French-kissing your dead grandmother.” I know what you’re thinking, “why the hell would I want to eat that?” I’m not sure I can persuade you with words. Let me just say I equate eating durian with a religious or shamanic experience. The durian fruit is considered a warming food, stimulant and aphrodisiac. It’s funny that the foods that compliment durian are aphrodisiacs as well like nutmeg, vanilla and cacao. When consuming durian, especially for the first time, preparing yourself and the dining environment is a must. Durian can’t be consumed casually like picking up a slushy at the Quickie Mart. A certain amount of reverence has to be shown to a fruit that weighs in at around 8 pounds and is protected by a hard spiked shell. Light some candles, turn down the lights, put on some tribal rythymns and open your heart and mind. Enjoy this brief video introduction to Durian, the King of Fruits:
Take a look at this divinely inspired creation that is a synergy of marinated eggplant, breaded dehydrated onions, cashew cheese, walnut pate and tomatoes. This was the featured entree the other night at Conscious Media Tuesday at Shakti. The turn out was the lowest but the entree was the bestest! I’m debating whether to do “Philly Cheese Fake” 2 weeks in a row. Send me an email if you want specifics on the recipe.
I’ve got a video in the works of the assembly. Here are the basics in photo form:
Most middle aged dudes who are aware of their prostate have heard of saw palmetto extracts and supplements. The average person is oblivious to the fact that they grow like crazy all over Florida. The range of the saw palmetto stretches from South Florida up the coast in South Carolina. One of Florida’s major yet little known exports is saw palmetto fruit:
With about 2,000 tons harvested from South Florida and exported to Europe each year, the humble berries have become what some estimate is a $50 million a year crop in the state.
No one knows the precise value because the industry has operated quietly, with immigrant workers earning cash for berries taken from parks, riverbeds and ranch lands with no questions asked and no taxes paid. AP Press
The Seminole Indians were onto something when they noticed that during the fall months while consuming these olive sized fruits that their need for nocturnal trips to the piss bush was reduced while their mojo was increased.
Noni's long lost sibling
To my pleasant surprise I was greeted by several drooping bunches of ripe and semi ripe saw palmetto fruits the other day in my parent’s side yard. Being an amateur wild forager I was aware that these guys were edible but not very palatable. Maybe they’re an acquired taste I thought as I found a black juicy ripe one to sample. There was a oily sap coating the ripe ones so I rinsed it just in case it was rabid armadillo spray or something that may spoil this foraging experience. I’d like to mention how ironic it is that these berries are supposed to support prostate health and the prostate being next door neighbors with the asshole. It seems fitting that these olive looking berries should taste like a bag of assholes. You may be saying this is a pretty harsh description, well the only thing I can compare saw palmetto to is noni, ripe, mushy, blue cheese funk noni. I’m talking the fresh stuff off the tree, not some sissy fruit juice concentrate that had a noni fruit placed next to the bottle while the label was applied. I acknowledge the magical healing properties inherent to the noni fruit. Though the taste is a potent deterrent it can’t be denied that noni is powerful medicine especially since your face goes numb after eating it. I’m still experimenting with saw palmetto berries to see if I can adopt a taste for them. Imagine if blue cheese and vomit had a love child. Actually it’s not that bad… well, maybe. There is a brief instant where it almost tastes good. I haven’t given up on these dingle berries though. At this moment I’m pickling a jar of them. Hopefully the salt and vinegar may deactivate some of the vomitis properties inherent to the fresh berries. Time will tell.
Lots of fun stuff to think about for October. I’ve been working on a recipe book and working with a friend to produce a DVD to accompany it. Every time I visit a book store or go online I see more live food recipe books but I also see scores of … well, “dead food” books. I look at the people on the covers and it’s hard not to notice even with the make up and airbrushing that they aren’t radiating health. Am I judging a book by it’s cover? These books are big budget full color Food Network endorsed circus acts. Wow, how can a person compete with that? My feeling is that I’m not really competing with “that”, I shouldn’t even be concerned with “that”. It’s nice to know that “that” exists but I shouldn’t spend my energy on it. Besides, I’ve got my hands full working the recipe book, there’s also media nights going here in Atlantic Beach at Shakti and there’s a juice feast scheduled to happen. Still with all this going on there’s still time to play in the kitchen and test out recipes… like this one:
Almond Cashew Cheeze
1 C almonds
1 C cashews
1/2 C water or rejuvalac
1 t salt
*** If you don’t use rejuvalac add 1 t of apple cider vinegar and 1 T miso
Process all ingredients smooth in blender or food processor
Classic Marinara
2 C sundried tomato
1 whole tomato
3 T lemon juice
3 T C Italian herb
1 T olive oil
salt to taste
Process all ingredients smooth in blender or food processor
Add sun dried tomato soak water to blender if sauce it too thick.
In the not so distant past I worked on documentary and feature films. A film I helped to produce several years ago is now available on DVD. Take a look at the details and make the purchase if it moves you…
Blessings, Adam
NOW ON DVD!
THE 95TH: THE IRON MEN OF METZ is now available for purchase through our newly launched website! This World War II documentary chronicles the stories of the brave veterans of the 95th infantry division, as they return to the battlefields of Metz, France, 55 years after they liberated this Nazi stronghold in a key Allied victory.
THE 95TH: THE IRON MEN OF METZ first aired on PBS (WTTW: Chicago) and was lauded by critics and viewers alike. It’s now available on DVD – loaded with Special Features – or download the film only. Simply visit www.the95thmovie.com — there, you’ll find a link to purchase the DVD, along with a sneak peek at the trailer, selected scenes, production insights and more. Be sure to also sign up for our newsletter to stay informed on all things 95TH!
A portion of the proceeds from all sales of the DVD will benefit the 95th Division Association, a group that supports these heroes, as featured in the film.
Please take a moment to visit our website and purchase your copy today — and feel free to forward this email to any veterans, film lovers, or friends and family who would be interested in the documentary.
Thank you for your continued support — we couldn’t share this incredible story without you!
The Human Revolution lit up the night at Raw Spirit East on Saturday August 29th. Enjoy this song featuring an eclectic bunch of conscious musicians. Visit The Human Revolution online to learn more about their music and purchase songs, albums and other conscious merchandise.
The weekend of August 29th-30th was the Raw Spirit Festival’s first visit to the East Coast. The event was held just outside of D.C. in Maryland on the sprawling grounds of the Patuxent River 4-H Center. Check out what Viva Pura has to offer by following this link.
I had the pleasure of being a food vendor and demo chef. Enjoy this clip from the festivities and check back for music from The Human Revolution and hooping from Hooping Harmony.
The past few days have been an adventure in all things flying, crawling, buzzing and stinging. I’m fascinated by the world of pollinators particularly bees and butterflies. Eventually I’ll invest in a camera that will allow me to capture an image of them doing a job that is integral to the survival of most of the planets inhabitants. Lizards too, I’m fascinated by lizards as you can see…
The other day while on a durian hunt at an across town Asian market I came across this insect specimen in the grocer’s freezer section next to the frozen steamed buns and mochi ice cream. There were no instructions on the packet for preparation. Any suggestions out there?
Got bugs?
The next day I did some yard work and came across a swallow tail butterfly who’d seen better days. I decided to move the little guy over to the butterfly garden for safety sake.
Swallow Tail rescue... not really
Cicadas, what’s up with these loud, thick headed kamikaze freaks? I got hit 3 times in the course of a couple hours. I pulled out my camera to take a picture of one that buzzed me. It had the most amazing little ruby speckles between it’s reflective eyes. As I was pulling out my camera a black and white wasp about the size of a humming bird hoovered into view. I was thinking he wanted his picture taken as well. No sooner than I set up to take its picture did it zero in on the cicada and put a death grip upon it. This was about as cool as the time I watched a rattle snake deep throat a field mouse in Arizona. I was able to snap 2 pictures before the wasp flew off with the cicada. Impressive considering the size of cicadas.
Wasp jumps Cicada
That's gotta hurt...
And finally to finish the day off another close encounter with wild life… too close. I pissed off a nest of wasps will mulching and one of them decided to pierce my ear. I recently read a chart that rated the description of wasp stings as if they were fine wines. This was definitely a top shelf sting… fiery hot with throbbing pulsations that evolved into puffy numbness with a dash of stabbing heat. Nothing a little aloe, DMSO and MSM can’t handle.
Oh that smarts!
The story doesn’t end here. As I was harvesting fresh aloe for my throbbing ear I was startled to see a Cuban anole (lizard) with that butterfly I had “rescued” gripped firmly in its jaws. Some rescue job. I’m wondering if the wasp sting was instant karma for meddling in lives of butterflies. Live and learn.
