WOW!!
Recently, I have been reflecting on the character, qualities and accomplishments that partly define my being as a woman and the women of my family. While growing up you notice patterns that describe your mother, grandmother, aunts, sisters, nieces, female cousins, close family friends and childhood girl friends. Some of those qualities are strength, understanding, humor, intellect, vibrancy, attitude, style, grace, love, nurturing, religion, forgiveness, ambition, determination and focus.
I realized those qualities is what produced fine character in the woman I know.
It's the same qualities and characteristics that made us strive,achieve and reach for the best of our soul. When I struck out on my own to find the woman I would become, I sought out people who had an understanding of a woman's work and what that meant to the world. No doubt, it meant bringing all those positive self affirmations as a contribution to our families and community.
When I entered College as a young woman who was vulnerable and uncertain of her image and journey, I waited for an epiphany to strike me at the tender and fragile age of 21. I thought some shower of wisdom would pour down on me and in all my overly confident natural beauty and artistic intellect, that the world would see the light and reward me for my enlightenment. Well, what Can I say, I was truly feeling it. The good thing was I enjoyed my own company and still do. It does not take long before you realize that your not the center of the earth as life taps you on the shoulder and reminds you of your place in this universe.
I got off track and had not practiced drawing from my inner strength because that voice would have told me you have all those qualities and characteristics inside of you that was passed down and taught to you by the women that came before you. As I became more confident as a student and matured closer to womanhood, I constantly reminded myself to apply those family traits to my daily life.
While on campus interning with the Wayne State University (Detroit) College Day program, I heard about how the "Women of Wayne" which nickname is (W.O.W.) and how they assisted some of my female colleagues with scholarships, resources and support to uplift females in academics, research, service and networking. The alumni group shared similar qualities the women in my family had passed on to me and I admired the W.O.W. contribution to the university and community as my co-workers and many female students have benefited from (W.O.W's)resources and services.
I have some amazing women in my family and have met some amazing fellow women alumni.
Who we are and what we have become is nothing surprising or new to us because it is a long and distinguished history. I am proud of the women in my family and female colleagues. So, if we seem a little too strong for those who have not met us or known our life history then understand that it's called the W.O.W. Factor!!
Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Check it out: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Carson McCullers: The Heart is a Lonely Hunter
Author Carson McCullers
The other day I was going through my library of books and as I traced my fingers across the cover jackets looking for a good read that would peak my interest, I stopped on a title I had not read since my college english literature class. I must have re-read it again since I found a bookmark in the middle of the book that was dated 10 years ago and the pages and cover have started to yellow. The book was author Carson McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter".
I remember most parts of the book but what I remember most is how it moved me emotionally to feel compassion for the characters. I tend to dread reading books as emotionally twisting as this because it takes me a little while to recover from the connection I feel with the stories.
So, I have decided to delve into the book again for spring reading.
Here is the Book Jacket Description:
When she was only twenty-three, this was Carson McCuller's first novel, that created a literary sensation.
She is very special, one of America's superlative writers who conjures up a vision of existence as terrible as it is real, who takes us on shattering voyages into the depths of the spiritual isolation that underlies the human condition. This novel is the work of a supreme artist, Carson McCuller's enduring masterpiece. The heroine is the strange young girl, Mick Kelly. The setting is a small Southern town, the cosmos universal and eternal.
The characters are the damned, the voiceless, the rejected. Some fight their loneliness with violence and depravity, some with sex or drink, and some--like Mick--with a quiet, intensely personal search for beauty.
Another Short spring read from my worned book collection is:
Thornton Wilder's, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey"
Book Jacket Description: The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thornton Wilder's second novel, won him the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes. The novel opens in the aftermath of an inexplicable tragedy-- a tiny footbridge in Peru breaks, and five people hurtle to their deaths. For Brother Juniper, a humble monk who witnesses the catastrophe, the question is inescapable: Why those five? Suddenly. Brother Juniper is committed to discover what manner of lives they led-- and whether it was divine intervention that took their lives, or a capricious fate.
I plan to recover from these thought provoking and emotional roller coaster books by reading a few comedies.
Check out my other blog: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Happy Reading
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
The other day I was going through my library of books and as I traced my fingers across the cover jackets looking for a good read that would peak my interest, I stopped on a title I had not read since my college english literature class. I must have re-read it again since I found a bookmark in the middle of the book that was dated 10 years ago and the pages and cover have started to yellow. The book was author Carson McCullers, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter".
I remember most parts of the book but what I remember most is how it moved me emotionally to feel compassion for the characters. I tend to dread reading books as emotionally twisting as this because it takes me a little while to recover from the connection I feel with the stories.
So, I have decided to delve into the book again for spring reading.
Here is the Book Jacket Description:
When she was only twenty-three, this was Carson McCuller's first novel, that created a literary sensation.
She is very special, one of America's superlative writers who conjures up a vision of existence as terrible as it is real, who takes us on shattering voyages into the depths of the spiritual isolation that underlies the human condition. This novel is the work of a supreme artist, Carson McCuller's enduring masterpiece. The heroine is the strange young girl, Mick Kelly. The setting is a small Southern town, the cosmos universal and eternal.
The characters are the damned, the voiceless, the rejected. Some fight their loneliness with violence and depravity, some with sex or drink, and some--like Mick--with a quiet, intensely personal search for beauty.
Another Short spring read from my worned book collection is:
Thornton Wilder's, "The Bridge of San Luis Rey"
Book Jacket Description: The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Thornton Wilder's second novel, won him the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes. The novel opens in the aftermath of an inexplicable tragedy-- a tiny footbridge in Peru breaks, and five people hurtle to their deaths. For Brother Juniper, a humble monk who witnesses the catastrophe, the question is inescapable: Why those five? Suddenly. Brother Juniper is committed to discover what manner of lives they led-- and whether it was divine intervention that took their lives, or a capricious fate.
I plan to recover from these thought provoking and emotional roller coaster books by reading a few comedies.
Check out my other blog: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Happy Reading
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
A Tribute to Ted Hunt
The original and motivational Ted Hunt-
I recall the first years of College when I met Mr. Ted Hunt. He was fatherly, charismatic, wise and an original.
I started thinking about what does it mean to be an original when so many things are canned, staged or contrived to fit a so called image. I am optimistic, but find that originality is slowly diminishing in our society.
There are signs of it's demise in the lack of new generative ideas. Where are the individuals who create an idea completely on their own? We also gain knowledge from our experiences and history which provide those original thoughts. We should never compromise on aspiring to do the arduous work of seeking originality. What does that mean?
The Webster's dictionary list it as being an authentic work of art or the first form of anything and furthermore the definition expounds that originality is something fresh and novel. All these terms are a good basic description but as we face the future and learn from the past, we should embrace originality as not only a core center of ourselves but as an extension to all that we are. Every part of me spiritually, mentally and culturally, I accept wholeheartedly. Irregardless of the burdens I have learned to love all parts of myself which can not be duplicated.
While I listened to Ted Hunt speak in the 1980's during college, I heard the originality of his message in his voice. I still review his training materials. Mr. Hunt developed a Motivational Series for Youth called "Yes I Can".
The series was published in Detroit by Brumich and was entitled: Turning on to Yourself. I consider Ted an original because he took what worked and what he already knew and developed an original plan to address low self esteem. He had given workshops to Detroit Public School students on counteracting the poor attitude and excuses on why the teens could not suceed in school. Ted knew that it was not just academics alone that would build the mind and character of youth, but he knew that it was their original core of self that needed to be addressed as apart of the education of a child. His message in the 1980's was called Today's Youth: How to strive to be the best person you can be." This title still applies to students today.
Mr. Hunt's "Seven Keys to Personality" were 1) Desire 2) Faith 3) Hope 4) Smile 5) Kindness 6) Romance 7) Charity. Ted took old themes and taught youth in a real world applicable way and his original output was the interpretation and individuality of what each student developed as their goals.
I was apart of a Wayne State University (Detroit) counselor intern M. L. King/ Rosa Parks/ Cesar Chavez College Day program where we administered this training to at risk public school youth.
Mr Hunt has been deceased for a while and I still recall his speeches. He had many wonderful motivational sayings. I remember one in particular. Ted said, "I know that when love and skill work together, you can expect a masterpiece! May Ted Hunt's memory live on. He was an original.
Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Check it out: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
I recall the first years of College when I met Mr. Ted Hunt. He was fatherly, charismatic, wise and an original.
I started thinking about what does it mean to be an original when so many things are canned, staged or contrived to fit a so called image. I am optimistic, but find that originality is slowly diminishing in our society.
There are signs of it's demise in the lack of new generative ideas. Where are the individuals who create an idea completely on their own? We also gain knowledge from our experiences and history which provide those original thoughts. We should never compromise on aspiring to do the arduous work of seeking originality. What does that mean?
The Webster's dictionary list it as being an authentic work of art or the first form of anything and furthermore the definition expounds that originality is something fresh and novel. All these terms are a good basic description but as we face the future and learn from the past, we should embrace originality as not only a core center of ourselves but as an extension to all that we are. Every part of me spiritually, mentally and culturally, I accept wholeheartedly. Irregardless of the burdens I have learned to love all parts of myself which can not be duplicated.
While I listened to Ted Hunt speak in the 1980's during college, I heard the originality of his message in his voice. I still review his training materials. Mr. Hunt developed a Motivational Series for Youth called "Yes I Can".
The series was published in Detroit by Brumich and was entitled: Turning on to Yourself. I consider Ted an original because he took what worked and what he already knew and developed an original plan to address low self esteem. He had given workshops to Detroit Public School students on counteracting the poor attitude and excuses on why the teens could not suceed in school. Ted knew that it was not just academics alone that would build the mind and character of youth, but he knew that it was their original core of self that needed to be addressed as apart of the education of a child. His message in the 1980's was called Today's Youth: How to strive to be the best person you can be." This title still applies to students today.
Mr. Hunt's "Seven Keys to Personality" were 1) Desire 2) Faith 3) Hope 4) Smile 5) Kindness 6) Romance 7) Charity. Ted took old themes and taught youth in a real world applicable way and his original output was the interpretation and individuality of what each student developed as their goals.
I was apart of a Wayne State University (Detroit) counselor intern M. L. King/ Rosa Parks/ Cesar Chavez College Day program where we administered this training to at risk public school youth.
Mr Hunt has been deceased for a while and I still recall his speeches. He had many wonderful motivational sayings. I remember one in particular. Ted said, "I know that when love and skill work together, you can expect a masterpiece! May Ted Hunt's memory live on. He was an original.
Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Check it out: http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
InnerVoice New Logo Launch
Welcome to my Great News!
What is the good news? The launch of my new innervoice logo.
The logo is a culmination of my personal and professional journey
that encompasses the the story of my childhood,experiences,artistry, creativity, thoughts, voice and sound. Under the new logo will be the development of Consulting, creative writing, publishing, media, design and crossing the barrier of communication through translation and interpretation of voice, sound and language. The voice, sound and language is an influence of my childhood growing up in a household of a deaf mother and a hearing father and the deafness or hearing impairment of some of my sisters, nieces, nephews and friends. It is truly a triumphant story of how my parents adapted a family to a disability or a blessing depending on how you look at it and educated ten children up through college and taught the hearing and non-hearing children to RISE above challenges,stigmas and to keep our spiritual and family values close to our heart as we faced life on a daily basis. In the future,I will speak on spoken words that translate in the silence and the inspiration, interpretation and revelation of thoughts that influence our lives.
My family was always a mixture of primarily African Americans,Cherokee Indian, European, Irish, Hispanic and Asian. Through my younger nieces and nephews I have seen the cultures of my family broaden even further.
Innervoice is also an influence of the people I have met on my life journey and our shared experiences. Many people have stories but the experiences and stories I share with you are accounts of my family, loved ones and friends life journey. Keep on telling your true authentic story as I do and never accept to be silenced by negativity. You own your own journey. Keep telling it.
The South Carolinian novel that I am working on is in character development! The novel will be apart of the revised Inner voice Brand and logo.
Description of Innervoice: Innvervoice logo is a combination of Scriptural writing with a feminine touch. It has an edge and whimsical quality with the letter "R" and the "O" in the word voice and has a natural organic, leafy and fluid letter "I" and "V" in the middle. The color indicates a darker red, burgundy or maroon mauve. I worked with the graphic designer and received feedback on giving him a description of my vision and words that have described my life, loved ones and friends journey over the years and he began to visually design and forge the initial identity that you currently see as a logo. Check back as I begin to expand and revise the logo.
The Graphic Logo Designer: Mr. Shawn Enojado
Innervoice circle artwork design is all rights reserved. (Gloria J Bailey)
Let Your Inner Voice RISE-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
One Race Global Film Foundation
Check it out! (Noveau)
The One Race Global Film Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by actor, director and writer Vin Diesel, with the mission of fostering the growth of diverse national and international voices in under-served communities within the global entertainment industry.
Through education and training in film, video, and new media production, One Race students gain hands-on experience as writers producers, directors, actors, cinematographers, physical production technicians and editors of short film and video projects during an intensive summer training program and year-round weekend workshops conducted in host countries.
Good to see and congrats to the foundation and Vin Diesel.
Website Link: http://www.oneraceglobalfilmfoundation.org
More Information? http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
The One Race Global Film Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by actor, director and writer Vin Diesel, with the mission of fostering the growth of diverse national and international voices in under-served communities within the global entertainment industry.
Through education and training in film, video, and new media production, One Race students gain hands-on experience as writers producers, directors, actors, cinematographers, physical production technicians and editors of short film and video projects during an intensive summer training program and year-round weekend workshops conducted in host countries.
Good to see and congrats to the foundation and Vin Diesel.
Website Link: http://www.oneraceglobalfilmfoundation.org
More Information? http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Saturday, December 26, 2009
ForbesWoman Views
Welcome Everyone,
I recently was quoted in a Forbes.com Magazine article written by Caroline Howard, the Deputy Online Editor at ForbesWoman.com
My commentary represents my personal statement based on education, work, travel, social, cultural and political history and not necessarily the perspetive of my employer.
Caroline sought the opinion of the ForbesWoman online community group in regards to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor image in the Latina community and her symbolic statement to wear red finger nail polish for her photo shoot for the cover of Latina Magazine.
(See: http://www.latina.com)
I have posted the article: Check it Out!
ForbesWoman Views
Tweets (And More) Of The Week: Why Are We Looking At Sotomayor's Red Nails?
ForbesWoman Community 12.24.09, 12:00 PM ET
Heads turn and mouses click at the sight of "first" photos. Consider the hoopla and steep price tag surrounding the People and Hello! get of the first exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins last year.
While convincing the Hollywood power couple to smile for the camera came in at a reported tune of some $14 million, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor decided to grant her first photo shoot as new justice to Latina magazine. For obvious reasons.
On this month's cover, Sotomayor appears to be pledging allegiance. The colors and her expression convey the muted tones of quiet authority. All except for her bright red nails.
Florian Bachleda, the creative director of the magazine, recently wrote a post about the photo shoot with Sotomayor on the Society of Publication Designers Web site, "A Wise Latina and the Color Red: Latina's Justice Sotomayor Cover." "On the day of the shoot, Justice Sotomayor entered the room with a big smile on her face, and the first thing she did was extend her hand and introduce herself to everyone in the room. Everyone ... it was incredibly refreshing to see."
But what's up with her nails? Bachleda writes that during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, the justice was fully prepped on everything from potentially explosive questions down to her dress and nail color. She was, apparently, advised to keep the lacquer neutral. But, he continues, "on the day of the White House reception celebrating her appointment, Sotomayor asked the president to look at her freshly manicured nails, holding up her hands to show off her favorite color: a fire-engine red. The president chuckled, saying that she had been warned against that color."
Why red and, really, should we even be looking at her nails? To answer the first question, Latina Editor Mimi Valdés says, "In many Latino families, red is a very important and symbolic color. ... For many, the color is very much a point of pride." We put the second question to the ForbesWoman community.
Gloria J. Bailey, director for Diversity and Outreach at East Carolina University-Fine Arts, weighs in: "Good for judge Sotomayor for being proud of her heritage and the symbols of her Latina Culture. She represents all of the people and also has a right to acknowledge her own history as a part of the American experience. It is time that America accepts the full story of all our people."
Courtney Smith says, "Not sure why this is such an issue ... but after reading the article, very appropriate considering what red is supposed to represent."
Blogger Paola Bonomo, who writes the blog Live From Planet Paola, directs us to two of her posts on similar subjects after informing the community, "I am in favor of women wearing whatever they see fit, including nail colors." One post was on Carme Chacón, the Spanish defense minister who was roundly criticized ("mostly by men, obviously") for presiding over a military parade wearing an elegant pantsuit rather than a dress. The second post was a celebration of the daring décolletage of Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany and No. 1 on this year's ForbesWoman 100 Most Powerful Woman list.
Ratzo Rizzo strikes a similar chord, demanding powerful women have the right to dress feminine: "I wonder why we always want to de-feminize any woman in a position of power or authority. We should feel powerful as women doing all of the things women can do--including wearing fabulous nail polish."
The personal is political, writes Kathleen Meghan Serafin, who sees the red polish as symbol of Sotomayor's bravada: "While I think it is great that a Latina is now a Supreme Court Justice, Sotomayor was the wrong Latina. Based on her previous public statements, it seems she will not make impartial judgments. The red nail polish says 'look at me.' Very distracting. She is supposed to be doing a job, and it is not as the next Oprah."
Marianne Mullen disagrees, noting, "There is nothing wrong or improper about wearing red nail polish. What's next, that women can't color their hair if they are on the bench? Good for her. She's staying true to herself in a man's world."
But a great majority of our community fired barbs at even bringing up the topic. Amy Pietrasanta sighs, "Oh please, who cares? I have a dream--that someday women will be judged by the content of their character and not their nails, hairdos and outfits." Gen Lee adds, "Ditto. She deserves merits on her own, not on how she looks. Let's move on." Jean Kristensen sums up with: "I think that focusing on the color of a woman's nails it ridiculous and completely unfair. I also point out that I love red nail polish and wear it whenever I chose."
Readers, where do you stand in the debate?
Tweets (And More) of the Week is a series of reader-created conversations. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Yahoo! Shine, and we look forward to featuring you on our site.
See Also: Judging Sonia
Enjoy this story? Keep reading at ForbesWoman.
About ForbesWoman Group on Linkedin.com
"Building a global community of smart, accomplished women who
are curious about one another and about business. Connecting
the Forbes newsroom and the Forbes audience. Serving the
interests of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals."
Happy Reading from Rise.
Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
(aka: Gloria J Harden-Bailey)
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
I recently was quoted in a Forbes.com Magazine article written by Caroline Howard, the Deputy Online Editor at ForbesWoman.com
My commentary represents my personal statement based on education, work, travel, social, cultural and political history and not necessarily the perspetive of my employer.
Caroline sought the opinion of the ForbesWoman online community group in regards to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor image in the Latina community and her symbolic statement to wear red finger nail polish for her photo shoot for the cover of Latina Magazine.
(See: http://www.latina.com)
I have posted the article: Check it Out!
ForbesWoman Views
Tweets (And More) Of The Week: Why Are We Looking At Sotomayor's Red Nails?
ForbesWoman Community 12.24.09, 12:00 PM ET
Heads turn and mouses click at the sight of "first" photos. Consider the hoopla and steep price tag surrounding the People and Hello! get of the first exclusive photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins last year.
While convincing the Hollywood power couple to smile for the camera came in at a reported tune of some $14 million, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor decided to grant her first photo shoot as new justice to Latina magazine. For obvious reasons.
On this month's cover, Sotomayor appears to be pledging allegiance. The colors and her expression convey the muted tones of quiet authority. All except for her bright red nails.
Florian Bachleda, the creative director of the magazine, recently wrote a post about the photo shoot with Sotomayor on the Society of Publication Designers Web site, "A Wise Latina and the Color Red: Latina's Justice Sotomayor Cover." "On the day of the shoot, Justice Sotomayor entered the room with a big smile on her face, and the first thing she did was extend her hand and introduce herself to everyone in the room. Everyone ... it was incredibly refreshing to see."
But what's up with her nails? Bachleda writes that during Sotomayor's confirmation hearings, the justice was fully prepped on everything from potentially explosive questions down to her dress and nail color. She was, apparently, advised to keep the lacquer neutral. But, he continues, "on the day of the White House reception celebrating her appointment, Sotomayor asked the president to look at her freshly manicured nails, holding up her hands to show off her favorite color: a fire-engine red. The president chuckled, saying that she had been warned against that color."
Why red and, really, should we even be looking at her nails? To answer the first question, Latina Editor Mimi Valdés says, "In many Latino families, red is a very important and symbolic color. ... For many, the color is very much a point of pride." We put the second question to the ForbesWoman community.
Gloria J. Bailey, director for Diversity and Outreach at East Carolina University-Fine Arts, weighs in: "Good for judge Sotomayor for being proud of her heritage and the symbols of her Latina Culture. She represents all of the people and also has a right to acknowledge her own history as a part of the American experience. It is time that America accepts the full story of all our people."
Courtney Smith says, "Not sure why this is such an issue ... but after reading the article, very appropriate considering what red is supposed to represent."
Blogger Paola Bonomo, who writes the blog Live From Planet Paola, directs us to two of her posts on similar subjects after informing the community, "I am in favor of women wearing whatever they see fit, including nail colors." One post was on Carme Chacón, the Spanish defense minister who was roundly criticized ("mostly by men, obviously") for presiding over a military parade wearing an elegant pantsuit rather than a dress. The second post was a celebration of the daring décolletage of Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany and No. 1 on this year's ForbesWoman 100 Most Powerful Woman list.
Ratzo Rizzo strikes a similar chord, demanding powerful women have the right to dress feminine: "I wonder why we always want to de-feminize any woman in a position of power or authority. We should feel powerful as women doing all of the things women can do--including wearing fabulous nail polish."
The personal is political, writes Kathleen Meghan Serafin, who sees the red polish as symbol of Sotomayor's bravada: "While I think it is great that a Latina is now a Supreme Court Justice, Sotomayor was the wrong Latina. Based on her previous public statements, it seems she will not make impartial judgments. The red nail polish says 'look at me.' Very distracting. She is supposed to be doing a job, and it is not as the next Oprah."
Marianne Mullen disagrees, noting, "There is nothing wrong or improper about wearing red nail polish. What's next, that women can't color their hair if they are on the bench? Good for her. She's staying true to herself in a man's world."
But a great majority of our community fired barbs at even bringing up the topic. Amy Pietrasanta sighs, "Oh please, who cares? I have a dream--that someday women will be judged by the content of their character and not their nails, hairdos and outfits." Gen Lee adds, "Ditto. She deserves merits on her own, not on how she looks. Let's move on." Jean Kristensen sums up with: "I think that focusing on the color of a woman's nails it ridiculous and completely unfair. I also point out that I love red nail polish and wear it whenever I chose."
Readers, where do you stand in the debate?
Tweets (And More) of the Week is a series of reader-created conversations. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Yahoo! Shine, and we look forward to featuring you on our site.
See Also: Judging Sonia
Enjoy this story? Keep reading at ForbesWoman.
About ForbesWoman Group on Linkedin.com
"Building a global community of smart, accomplished women who
are curious about one another and about business. Connecting
the Forbes newsroom and the Forbes audience. Serving the
interests of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals."
Happy Reading from Rise.
Let Your Inner Voice Rise-
(aka: Gloria J Harden-Bailey)
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Sunday, December 20, 2009
NBCD Journal 20 Holidays
NBCD Journal 20
Happy Holidays Everyone and Welcome Back!
Holiday Menu
It has been a pretty busy year and the holiday break will give us all a chance to rest and restore positive energy. The menu for this Christmas will be a combination of homemade and special order.
This year, I decided to keep things light and make Leek Soup for Christmas Eve. It reminds me of a bowl of Leek soup I had at a California Kitchen Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, California several years ago. I like to add sage, turkey ham and a few more golden potatoes to my soup. One of the ingredients in Leek Soup is white wine so I chose Sandy Cross Vineyards Muscadine wine that is bottled in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Duplin Carolina Bald Head Red Sweet Table wine works well with punch drinks. I am going to try my best to venture to Raleigh/Durham to try the California Kitchen’s new Moroccan Salad or Baja Fish Tacos with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. I will let you know how it turns out. As a base, I chose Knorr Leek Recipe Mix and just follow the directions on the package. Speaking of special orders, I will be picking up a Whole Cajun Turkey and a mini ham from the Honey Baked Ham store. My menu side items will be scalloped potatoes with reduced fat cheddar cheese. My main vegetable will be the underrepresented Cauliflower. Once I lightly steam my cauliflower, I plan on adding sautéed corn, orange bell pepper, and onions to it. This should give me a colorful dish. I am adding a side of corn bread stuffing for the kids. Homemade stuffing is great but if you are in a hurry, Stove Top stuffing will do fine.
One of the favorite deserts in our house is Pecan Pie and Peach Cobbler so I will have that on hand for everyone to consume. There are also good pecan pies at the Honey Baked Ham store, Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter and Sams Club. I decided to purchase pie crust for the canned peach pie filling and picked up a jar of Delmonte fresh peaches to lighten the taste of the canned filling. You will notice I am bias to the texture, taste, sight and smell of the food I eat which makes cooking more enjoyable for me. For New Years I plan on a seafood menu of crab salad, shrimp, black eye peas and rice for good luck and the addition of Chinese food. As a child, my family would go to our favorite Chinese food restaurant for New Years Eve and come home and ring in the New Year.
Stress Release
The holidays can be stressful on the cook so I de-stress by playing holiday music of old school, new school, jazz and classics. Some of the holiday classic songs I listen to while I cook were my father’s favorite singers such as Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. Natalie Cole is unforgettable also.
The Luciana Souza/Romero Lubambo Duos II acoustic jazz CD is wonderful. Luciana’s voice is crisp and melodic. Lately, I have been burning up the Al Jarreau song “Brite N’ Sunny Babe”. Yep ladies, I consider myself a Brite N’ Sunny Babe for the New Year. I hope you do too.
Thanks Natalie Cole for making us fabulous 40 and up women of today look good. A Class Act.
Meanwhile, my kids and I are listening to everything from the Black Eye Peas, Lupe Fiasco, Barcelona, Beyonce’, Shakira, The Fray, Mary J Blige, John Legend ,Alicia Keys, The Avett Brothers and many others.
Don’t forget to dance to the music while cooking. It’s a fun way to burn off those holiday calories.
Check it out:
You can find other health and cultural commentary by visiting the blogs:
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Web Tip: http://www.nataliecole.com
I wish you a positive, energetic and bright New Year.
Keep the faith and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
Happy Holidays Everyone and Welcome Back!
Holiday Menu
It has been a pretty busy year and the holiday break will give us all a chance to rest and restore positive energy. The menu for this Christmas will be a combination of homemade and special order.
This year, I decided to keep things light and make Leek Soup for Christmas Eve. It reminds me of a bowl of Leek soup I had at a California Kitchen Restaurant in Manhattan Beach, California several years ago. I like to add sage, turkey ham and a few more golden potatoes to my soup. One of the ingredients in Leek Soup is white wine so I chose Sandy Cross Vineyards Muscadine wine that is bottled in Mount Airy, North Carolina. The Duplin Carolina Bald Head Red Sweet Table wine works well with punch drinks. I am going to try my best to venture to Raleigh/Durham to try the California Kitchen’s new Moroccan Salad or Baja Fish Tacos with Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. I will let you know how it turns out. As a base, I chose Knorr Leek Recipe Mix and just follow the directions on the package. Speaking of special orders, I will be picking up a Whole Cajun Turkey and a mini ham from the Honey Baked Ham store. My menu side items will be scalloped potatoes with reduced fat cheddar cheese. My main vegetable will be the underrepresented Cauliflower. Once I lightly steam my cauliflower, I plan on adding sautéed corn, orange bell pepper, and onions to it. This should give me a colorful dish. I am adding a side of corn bread stuffing for the kids. Homemade stuffing is great but if you are in a hurry, Stove Top stuffing will do fine.
One of the favorite deserts in our house is Pecan Pie and Peach Cobbler so I will have that on hand for everyone to consume. There are also good pecan pies at the Honey Baked Ham store, Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter and Sams Club. I decided to purchase pie crust for the canned peach pie filling and picked up a jar of Delmonte fresh peaches to lighten the taste of the canned filling. You will notice I am bias to the texture, taste, sight and smell of the food I eat which makes cooking more enjoyable for me. For New Years I plan on a seafood menu of crab salad, shrimp, black eye peas and rice for good luck and the addition of Chinese food. As a child, my family would go to our favorite Chinese food restaurant for New Years Eve and come home and ring in the New Year.
Stress Release
The holidays can be stressful on the cook so I de-stress by playing holiday music of old school, new school, jazz and classics. Some of the holiday classic songs I listen to while I cook were my father’s favorite singers such as Nat King Cole and Johnny Mathis. Natalie Cole is unforgettable also.
The Luciana Souza/Romero Lubambo Duos II acoustic jazz CD is wonderful. Luciana’s voice is crisp and melodic. Lately, I have been burning up the Al Jarreau song “Brite N’ Sunny Babe”. Yep ladies, I consider myself a Brite N’ Sunny Babe for the New Year. I hope you do too.
Thanks Natalie Cole for making us fabulous 40 and up women of today look good. A Class Act.
Meanwhile, my kids and I are listening to everything from the Black Eye Peas, Lupe Fiasco, Barcelona, Beyonce’, Shakira, The Fray, Mary J Blige, John Legend ,Alicia Keys, The Avett Brothers and many others.
Don’t forget to dance to the music while cooking. It’s a fun way to burn off those holiday calories.
Check it out:
You can find other health and cultural commentary by visiting the blogs:
http://innervoice-rise.blogspot.com
http://culturalcommentaryartist.ning.com
Web Tip: http://www.nataliecole.com
I wish you a positive, energetic and bright New Year.
Keep the faith and stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy!
Gloria J Harden-Bailey
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