The Kind Diet By Alicia Silverstone (Flirting With Veganism): Suggested Reading

Dear Friends:

I’ve always been interested in becoming a vegetarian. Due to my lactose intolerance (Dairy makes me quite an unhappy camper), love of animals, and general revulsion to the unnaturalness of processed food this seemed a plausible route for me. Yet, my dilemma was that I never knew how to go about it in a proper and healthy manner (always wound up getting hungry and starting up a chicken binge). Granted, I cut out all: red meat, pork, and fried chicken ages ago; however, thanks to “The Kind Diet” I’ve been flirting with the idea of entirely plant-based diet (and doing so correctly and gradually) and craving “nasty foods” less and less.

Alicia Silverstone (star of the 90′s classic Clueless) is wonderfully candid and conversational as she educates the reader about the world of: plant-based foods, proper nutrition, and the dangers imposed upon animals (and subsequently the environment) due to unnatural practices in the farming industry (a lot of things we take for granted, in terms of food processing, will literally turn your stomach).

What impressed me most about the book was that it didn’t come off as preachy (i.e. ‘Don’t eat meat! If you do you are gross and evil!’). I know that Alicia is a PETA member but her tone is neither judgemental nor self aggrandized. Like a loving mother Alicia gently guides the novice vegetarian through all of his or her options. If you merely want to ‘flirt’ with the idea then go right ahead. If you want to become a full on Vegan then there is a chapter for you too. And if your goal is to be a ‘Superhero’ (refusing all animal products and processed foods) then have at it.

I’ve just begun to flirt myself and I’m pleasantly surprised by the results. Granted, this isn’t a huge paradigm shift for me (as I was never largely carnivorous anyway) but I notice the positive changes in myself. What I love most about a plant-based diet is that it brings about an awareness of what you are putting into your body. It is really easy to just stop at a McDonald’s and scarf it down. It is another entirely when you are shopping for your food and then preparing it, for yourself, in a way that will be good to your body. It truly brings to light the idea that your body is in fact a temple.

If you’re interested in this type of lifestyle then read ‘The Kind Diet.’ I highly recommend!

With love…

Sincerely,

Toddy English.

How Internet Porn Has Changed Teen Sex (lol)

Like most guys of my generation—I’m on the downslide to 40—I have fond memories of my first experience with pornography. I was 14 years old and my best friend had just discovered his father’s secret stash. We gathered in his basement and delicately turned the pages as if they might disintegrate. I asked him if I could borrow a few mags “just for the night,” which in hindsight was a pretty bold request. I was, after all, essentially announcing my intention to masturbate. Slipping past my parents with the stack of old Hustlers stuffed inside my jacket, I somehow made it to my bedroom and, not believing my good fortune, stayed up all night relishing the spoils.

To the modern 14-year-old, the scenario would be laughably quaint: There’s no stash to be hidden these days. You can “clear history,” along with any residual shame, in one click. At each adolescent fingertip is an inexhaustable stream of high-def images and Flash video—some 400 million pornographic Web pages in all. The sheer breadth is staggering: If you watched porn 24 hours a day, for example, it would take you several years just to get caught up on the 13,588 professional titles released in the United States in 2005 alone. Plenty more is out there in bulk on the digital shelf, no credit card required: bestiality, piss-drinking, throat-fucking, bukkake gang bangs, triple anal penetrations—all exhaustively cross-referenced. Any day now, some poor kid may actually go blind masturbating.

The awkward truth, according to one study, is that 90 percent of 8-to-16-year-olds have viewed pornography online. Considering the standard climax to even the most vanilla hard-core scene today, that means there is an entire generation of young people who think sex ends with a money shot to the face. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the age divide falls, but it’s safe to say that the first purebred guinea pig to have grown up never knowing a world without fisting on demand is probably around 22 years old…

http://www.details.com/sex-relationships/porn-and-perversions/200907/how-internet-porn-is-changing-teen-sex?currentPage=1

Dear Friends:

I had to LOL at this, several times. Alright, I’m almost 27-years-old and I do admit to having learned a lot from porn. However, when I was sixteen there wasn’t this WEALTH of internet porn (well, I’ve never been an internet power user so damn if I know). My first boyfriend had to coach me on how to give him a blow job (lol)…Now, these kids are coming to the bedroom with extreme kink. Honey, let’s just say that anal is not relegated to the gays anymore. These children are down for WHATEVA these days! lol

However, this could do more harm than good. Teens these day see sex solely as entertainment value (only emphasized by porn). I wonder is there anything the parents are doing to counter the fantasy? If someone tried to give me a facial on the night I trid losing my virginity I’d slug them. Real TALK!

With Love…

Sincerely,

Toddy English.

Wicked By Gregory Maguire (A Must Read)

 

Dear friends:

I’m way late on this but “Wicked: The Life and Times of The Wicked Witch of the West” is a brilliant book. I purchased it a few weeks ago and I’m almost at the end. It isn’t a quick read, but it is a great read. You’ll find yourself savoring every single minute detail in Maguire’s rendering of Oz like the tasty morsels of a sirloin steak.

The book is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. It is the story of a little green girl named Elphaba Thropp, raised in a province of Munchkin land, who would grow up to become the most infamous witch/bitch in all Oz (and cinematic history). If you loved the witch before (like I did and still do) you’ll love her more after “Wicked”.

Check this one out!

Sincerely,

Toddy English

Suggested Reading: Keep The Faith (A Memoir)

 

Dear Friends:

Last week, while I was down and out in the doldrums of sickness, I had the oppurtunity to read Faith Evans’ memoir “Keeping The Faith.”  This was, surprisingly, a very very good book. I finished it in two days!

For those who don’t know her Faith Evans is a great R&B songstress (who doesn’t get enough credit) that emerged in the mid 1990′s with hits like, “You Used To Love Me” and, my JAM, “Soon as I get home.” Faith was one of the first artists signed to Sean “Puffy” Combs’ label, Bad Boy. As well all know the Bad Boy sound rule the airwaves in the late 1990′s. Not only was Faith Evans considered the “First Lady” of Bad Boy but she was also the wife of the late great emcee The Notorious B.I.G…

The book begins with Faith’s humble beginnings in Newark, New Jersey and ends with the aftermath of the death of her husband. And trust me there is NO filler inbetween! The story is a varitable whose who of prolific R&B/Hip Hop artists from the 1990′s. Moreover, we’re made privy to Biggie’s womanizing ways AND the controversial “Tupac Incident” that started a coastal beef that’s now the stuff of hip hop legend.

Faith pulls no punches in this, forreal. She talks about how Big constantly cheated on her and how she began cheating back. She also talks about the love square between: herself, Big, Charli Baltimore, and Lil Kim.

The funniest part, for me, is when Faith almost got busted for attempting to buy weed. She walked into a local bodega (that was really a front for selling drugs) that was, at the moment, being raided by cops. The excuse she used was, “Officer I don’t know what’s going on! I’m just in here trying to pay my rent!” (lol).

I have so much respect for Faith after this book.

Anyway, give this one a read. I honestly thought it was better than Biggie’s bipoic, “Notorious.”

Suggested Reading: The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson

 

Dear Friends:

I highly recommend “The Last Days of Krypton” by Kevin J. Anderson. Granted, I’m bias. I love all things Kal El aka Superman. However, this book is a wonderful spin on the mythos. Before there was Superman there was the planet Krypton.

Presently, I’m only eight chapters in; however, I cannot put it down. The author gives us a glimpse into Kryptonian civilization and what the planet was like prior to it’s destruction. Furthermore, Jor-El (Superman’s father) is the protagonist. So far it is very good. If you’re a sci-fi/Superman fan, or just want a good read, this is the book for you!

Toddy English.

Word Of The Day: Lamentation(s)

Dear Friends:

I love the written word. Therefore I always endeavor to expand my vocabulary by incorporating new utterances into my conversation, daily…

Furthermore, I really abhor the bastardization of the English language. Okay, admittedly, I can bandy about slang terminology with the best of them. However, I find the English lexicon to be so wonderfully prosperous that it makes no sense to slang words when there are so many ready to be utilized (I blame the text message/valley girl/hip hop culture(s).

 So I figured, “Why not include that in the blog?” Now, here it is…

So, without further adieu I give you, “The Word of The Day”.  This will be a regular thing. I find a word. You all learn the definition and utilize it in a sentence, at least once, during the day.

Today’s word is…

Lamentation(s)…

1.	the act of lamenting or expressing grief.

2.

a lament.

3.	Lamentations, (used with a singular verb) a book of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Jeremiah. Abbreviation: Lam.

Suggested Reading: The Book of Angels!

 

Dear Friends:

I was in Barnes and Noble last weekend and, oh my goodness, I nearly had an orgasmic response upon sight of, “The Book of Angels”. Now, as you all know I happen to love reading and talking about religion. Moreover, I’m also an artist (I draw and paint n stuff). Therefore this piece of work was right up my alley…

The book details the origin and history of angels as well as the different tiers of the angelic order. Most impressive was the imagery by Ruth Thompson and L.A. Williams! Absolutely divine (no pun intended)!

Great book if you’re into fantasy art like me…

Lucifer: After the Fall

 

The Angel of Death

Christ The Lord: The Road To Cana (suggested reading)

Dear Friends:

I am already nine chapters into Anne Rice’s ‘Christ The Lord: The Road To Cana’ and felt the need to rave about it!

The first installment, ‘Christ The Lord: Out of Egypt’ was a splendorous read. It took place during Yeshua’s (Jesus’) formative years as he learned the true extent of his frightening supernatural powers. The follow up, The Road To Cana, picks up where the prior left off…Yeshua as an adult, only a handful of years prior to his death by crucifixion.

Once again, Ms. Anne Rice is at her best. Alright, I definitely give this one four stars. Love, Love, LOVE IT baby!

Sincerely,

Toddy English

The Language Of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence For Belief (suggested Reading)

 

Dear Friends:

As you can probably already tell I’m a bibliophile. I love books. I love reading books. Sometimes, if a book really grabs my attention, I can devour its contents within a manner of days. ‘The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence For Belief’ (By Francis Collins) is one such book.

One day, almost a week ago, I was in the library and saw this book on the shelf. I wasn’t really looking for it (or maybe I was) but it just called out to me. Divine intervention or mere coincidence? Hmmm, you be the judge.  Whatever it was I needed to read it.

As you all know I used to be Super Christian before switching over to hard line Atheism. One of the reasons was because I found it utterly impossible to reconcile religious faith with the study of the natural world (science).

I believe in science and evolution wholeheartedly. So, the mere suggestion that there could be a reconciliation between the two concepts peaked my interests (particularly as former devout Christian). Needless to say I dove into this book in hopes of answers, regardless of the author’s religious leanings.

Francis S. Collins’ book was a really great read, overall. Like Richard Dawkins’ ‘The Selfish Gene’ you don’t need to be a scientist to understand it (as everything is placed in layman’s terms). Not only did I learn a little bit more about evolutionary biology (my FAVORITE); Quantum physics/mechanics; and various other scientific theories I also found his arguments for a creator to be very compelling (albeit a little bit cliche’)…

I was intrigued by his examples for God in mathematics, the human genome (how much DNA we humans share with our four legged friends), and Sir Darwin himself.

However, playing Devil’s Advocate, the vast majority of the arguments Mr. Collins’ presents FOR a God are rehashed and redundant. In some instances he chides believers for making an infinite being into a ‘God of the Gaps(i.e. for everything unexplainable in the natural world it must be attributed to God…unless proven otherwise).’ Yet, he himself does exactly the same thing by suggesting that our intrinsic, “Moral Law” has to be a divine machination simply because science cannot explain it otherwise (my take is that altruism is an evolutionary adaptation…The good of the tribe will be good for the individual and vice versa).

This is just one example of numerous contradictions provided by the book as Collins tries to make a case for faith. He also quotes C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia) at great length in his efforts.

In the end, however, the book–to me–was yet another attempt, by an apologist, to validate the Judeo Christian deity (none of these books even alludes to Isis or Horus creating the universe). Collins didn’t tell me anything, regarding the case for faith, that I hadn’t heard ad infintum. Every “answer” he presented was a logical fallacy simply because I’ve debated it, myself, several times prior to reading the book (and I am sure many other skeptics and atheists have as well). Moreover, only to reiterate, it was just more of “Jesus is the only true God” spiel. For all we know Zeus could have created the universe. Definitely not a book for anyone considering a faith outside of Christianity.

Also, my questions completely went unanswered, such as…

“Why did God wipe out the dinosaurs?” Why brutally annihilate an entire species just to evolve another one? To me that just seems extremely cruel and malicious. Why would a loving and benevolent “creator” do something like that? If it was merely a force of nature that is understandable. But if it was a calculated plan then I don’t believe I would want to know such a God!Furthermore, why does god create beautiful creatures like: Zebras and Antelope (all of my favorite animals are herbivores) only to have them brutally massacred in order to feed obligate carnivores?

Questions like that I cannot ignore. Collins evaded all of the tough stuff that I was hoping he, a world renowned scientist, would tackle.

On the whole…The only detail that resonated with me was “Why.” Yes, Science can account for everything that occurred throughout evolution; however, it cannot tell us why everything happened. That, to me, made the book worth my while, overall.

In all, speaking solely for myself, I need more than mere apology in my search for “truth” and the question of faith. And I’m certain many other skeptics will feel the same way. The book was a good read; however, I am still seeking my own truth. On that note I am so glad that there can be a reconciliation of science and God.

With Love!

Sincerely,

Toddy English

Suggested Reading: Christ The Lord Out of Egypt by Anne Rice

 

Allow me to preface by stating that Anne Rice is one of my favorite writer’s of all time! I absolutely ADORE her work. The casual observer may know Anne best from “Interview With The Vampire”. My personal favorites have always been The Vampire Chronicles, which encompassed: Interview With The Vampire, The Vampire Lestat (my favorite), The Vampire Armand, The Vampire Vittorio, The Tale of The Body Thief, The Queen of The Damned (loved the book. Hated the movie), Memnoch The Devil, Blood and Gold, and Blood Canticle…Just off the top of my head.

Although she is most popular for her vampire tales Mrs. Rice has also delved into historical fiction as well; my favorite work from this genre being “The Feast of All Saints.” Now, I will add “Christ The Lord Out of Egypt” to this prestigious list!

I purchased this book last Sunday and I’m almost done reading it. Absolutely splenderous, and I’m not saying this as a Rice diehard.

What I love most about Anne Rice’s historical fiction is that she does the research. Every minute detail is about each culture, within a specific time period, is perfectly choreographed.

Christ The Lord is the first person narrative regaling the life of Jesus Christ. It tells the tale of Jesus’ childhood and the discovery of his profound supernatural abilities. Anne Rice takes us into this most prolific individual’s psyche and expounds upon his relationship with some of history’s most famous figures: Mother Mary, little Judas, and Big Joseph to name a few…

Whether you are religious or not I highly recommend this.

Enjoy!

Sincerely

Toddy English