These cookies are great for a snack, after dinner sweets, morning energy boost (when you're low on fruit), etc. These cookies are sweet and loaded with nutrients. Last time I made these, I was able to take leftover cookies with me to class and they were the best snack for that needed morning or afternoon class energy (when I didn't have time to make smoothie to bring with).











I couldn't really find any vegan coconut butter cookie recipes so I halved and altered KP's "best vegan chocolate chip cookies" and made these with the addition of coconut butter.
Most vegan cookies use coconut oil, which is still good. However, I think using coconut butter is better as it comes with more nutients (a bit less fat) 2 Tbsp of coconut butter is 20 grams, while 1Tbsp of any oil is about 14-16 grams fat.

For this recipe I used

dry
1/2 cup flour + 1 to 2 Tbsp quick oats (or more flour)
1/8 tsp pink him sea salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 TBSP Flaxseed (can use more)
1/2 tsp sodium-free baking powder (I highly recommend Hain brand)

wet
1/4 cup and 2 Tbsp organic raw/turbinado/coconut sugar
2 to 3 Tbsp coconut butter (how to make coconut butter)
3 to 4 Tbsp almond/coconut milk

mix dry and wet

then add:
1/2 tsp Bragg raw apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp vanilla

I use 1.5 to 2 Tbsp vegan chocolate chips (photographed chocolate chips are from Trader Joes).

Makes 9 cookies (measured with tablespoon).

Patriarchy and misogyny is the one of the major issues within the Black community that is most popularized through popular rap music and this issue is thoroughly explained in Christelyn Karazin's recent post titled, "Why No Self-Respecting Black Woman Should Pay to See “Straight Outta Compton."




Karazin's video addresses many important and too often ignored issues and truths about the misogyny against women of color especially that which continually exists within and because of the black community (that allows for this to happen).

Hip hop and rap culture (which follows an extreme patriarchal basis) allow and continue the mistreatment and marginalization of women of color in the black community as well as LGBQT identities. The devaluation of women of color while elevating women of whiteness, the promotion of violence against women especially women of color, and the glamorization of all forms of criminality are the messages that are conveyed through too many popular rap songs. I'm not saying all rap/hip hop does this, but most of the popular rap songs out today do. This isn't to say that rap/hip hop are the only music types that do this as there is a lot of sexism in the country music industry and few rock songs. However, neither of those two are really as popular--reaching huge, youth audiences--as hit rap songs that do not help the black community. These are the issues that are too often ignored, continuing the marginalization and mistreatment towards women of color as well as Black individuals whose identity also intersects with the LGBQT identity/community.

I always thought that it was popular hip hop/rap music that perpetuates and contributes to the stereotypes, misogyny, and violence against women of color. I don't listen to hip hop/rap so I don't know many names nor the history until watching this video. However, I am aware there are very few hip hop/rap music artists who do not contribute to the degradation and marginalization of women of color and those artists either don't make music anymore (e.g. Queen Latifah) or aren't very popular (e.g. Common).


A recent post from Madam Noire titled, "Another Black Man Bashes Black Women." Women at Madam Noire talk about a recent instance exemplifying the disrespect towards black women by black men in the hip hop industry. The women talk about how these attacks of disrespect, sexism, stereotypes against black women happens way too often on account of black men. They also talk how these men fail to stand up for and defend black women, let alone rectify the false stereotypes they constructed while they are constantly defended and supported by black women. Just watch the video below or click here to see the discussion.

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In the Gender/Women's Studies courses I have taken, there was always a discussion on the oppression, violence, degradation, and overall misogyny inflicted upon women of color, and the sources from which it all occurs as well as the cycle that perpetuates it (which I have addressed earlier in this post). Topics discussed in class included an evaulation of the music and culture that manages to perpetuate the toxic cycle against women of color.  I based a section of my essay for my Feminist Theory course on the concept of intersectionality, which you can read below from page 2 to 5. The part of this essay that really relates to this topic is on pages 3 to 5, where I mention and discuss feminist scholar Kimberle Crenshaw, who coined the term intersectionality. It is within those pages that the importance of intersectionality is emphasized. This whole post relates to the concept of intersectionality, the intersection of ethnicity/"race" and gender. There is only one race as in the human race/species so...

The company known most for it's vegan butter products has expanded over the years to now offer other condiments, boxed meals, and snacks. Earth Balance's vegan-version of the popular cheese crackers has been out for a while, and I recently tried them. But of course, the box is now gone (eaten within a few days, oops).

I have been told that these squares are more like cheese-its than the actual cheese-its (and the person who said this is not vegan, who recently had the original snack). To me, they taste like the perfectly light and crisp combination of Ritz crackers and Cheddar cheese. That is the most accurate way for me to describe it.

Whenever I go to Kroger, I end up with more vegan junk food than I do at my Whole Foods...
Yet when I shop at Walmart, I get affordable organic fresh and frozen produce and very little vegan junk (even though Walmart now carries So Delicious Ice Cream). It's nice that healthier alternatives to junk are expanding. It may not be super healthy, but at least these alternatives are a lot better than the original junk that they emulate. They offer a start and an option to worse snack foods.

A lot of people ask and wonder why there are now so many vegan/healthier versions that try to emulate the taste and likeness of popular junk foods. The reason for that is because a lot of these vegan products have had to step it up due to criticism of not being similar enough to the actual non-vegan meat/dairy items. So for people trying out or transitioning to healthier eating or veganism, those products can be helpful as a temporary substitute to what they are or were used to.
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The deliciousness...




It's summertime which is the perfect time to cool off, stay hydrated, and keep the vitals lifted especially with climate change, heatwaves and trying to keep the electricity bill low. So, here's a smoothie that is perfect for the summer and wellness.



Ingredients used in this smoothie:

• 1/4 - 1/2 cup baby kale
• 1.5 cups frozen mango
• 1/2 cup organic frozen cherries
• 3/4 cup org. frozen berries
• 1-2 frozen bananas

On a television-related talk-show note, my favorite comedian Wanda Skyes was recently on the Ellen Show as she is promoting her stand-up tour, which I hope to see when she comes to Atlanta. Anyway, I came across this video of the two in what I could only wish would become a new show called "White & Black." Basically, if this were an actual show, I would definitely watch it.

This is the film that has been described as "Call of Duty/Halo meets Groundhog Day" for its utilization of elements that pertain to both a serious warfare video game and a comedic repetitive nightmare, which makes the film even more unique and interesting.

There are so many things that were done right in this film that I want to highlight and mention. Part of that brilliance are these subtle references that hint, symbolize, and remind us of the landings at Normandy that make the film seem as though its providing some type of historical allegory, but with a science fiction, slightly futuristic edge.

Edge of Tomorrow was released on June 6th, which interestingly enough, is the same day that the Normandy invasion of WWII took place, D-Day. The very beginning of the film reminded me and appeared as though the film setting was taking place in Europe during WWII.

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When I first saw the trailer for Edge of Tomorrow, I actually I wasn't too keen on seeing it and thought it looked as though it going to be just like Oblivion. But when I actually went to see the film, I soon realized it was far from it. I called-off the film at first with the thought that it's just going to be another Tom Cruise action movie, and found that it is actually a lot more than that. There is a lot of substance, a great balance of genre, and great character development, which all work together to make it a film worth watching. It wasn't until I was informed about Emily Blunt's performance of the female lead, that I really became interested in seeing it.

 The fight sequences, editing and camera techniques are altogether precise creating a film worthy of our time, you'll be amazed without having to see it in 3D or Imax.

Tom Cruise. Emily Blunt. Edge of Tomorrow. 2014. Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Quality Vegan Pizza






One of the more challenging aspects of veganism, excluding the arguments against the vegan lifestyle, is going out to eat. Finding a vegan restaurant that is nearby can be really difficult and inconvenient unless you live in a city. Driving all the way to the city to dine at one or a few vegan restaurants is a bit ridiculous to do on a regular basis or anything more than once in a while. So it's really nice to find regular, non-vegan restaurants that can work with the vegan diet/lifestyle.. there is even a vegan menu for Mellow Mushroom.





There are a few pizza places I really enjoy that offer both quality food and vegan options. In the past few years, I have found that Mellow Mushroom and Maddio's Pizza Joint are nearby pizza places that make for great alternatives to vegan restaurants. Both restaurants offer vegan options and their regular crusts are vegan (you can still ask to make sure). Mellow Mushroom also offers a gluten-free, vegan crust that is much lower in sodium than the regular crust and is made of ancient grains- I didn't take a picture of that one though.

Mellow Mushroom is my very favorite non-vegan restaurant and in the past couple months, I have probably ordered and eaten there so many times I don't even know the number. But if you're looking for or longing for a vegan pizza that is baked fresh, with really fresh ingredients, and not some prepackaged, frozen, vegan pizza, I highly recommend visiting a Mellow Mushroom restaurant.






One of the great things about Mellow Mushroom is that if you order Daiya vegan cheese and/or make it known that you're vegan, they already know not to add butter, parmesan, or any other non-vegan items to your pizza. And this is awesome because I too often forget to (verbally) provide the common vegan list of what-not to add to my meal- "no butter, no eggs, no meat, no dairy, no milk, no etc." I often forget to include all of these no's when placing my order at a regular/non-vegan restaurants because I usually eat out at vegan restaurants and going out to a non-veg restaurant is not something I usually do unless I'm familiar with the place (and I am very familiar with Mellow).

The same thing also goes for Maddio's Pizza, only you can see how the person prepares your pizza, and you will also notice that they usually change their gloves after making every pizza (if not, just ask for them to do so).  I'm pretty sure that the Mellow Mushroom and Maddio's chains are nationwide in the U.S., and they should provide vegan opinions such as Daiya vegan cheese, tofu/tempeh, and of course a variety of fresh vegetables.

Last time I went to Maddio's, I didn't take a picture of the pizza itself, but here's one of the take-out pizza boxes with a vegan dessert I made later on (will share the recipe of the photos below in a later post).



Fast forward to 2020, Atlanta has an awesome small business chain of ALL VEGAN pizza restaurants called Plant Based Pizzeria! So if you're in ATL and would like a place where you don't have to triple check for non-vegan contamination

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On another note regarding representation in media, I came across a number of articles that not only mention Olivia Wilde's part in the UCLA "State of Female Justice" panel, but also also examine the usual sexism within the film/television industry and media in general. This article led me to a great discussion panel from Laura Flander's GRIT TV. 






This State of Female Justice panel features some really great and inspiring women Eve Ensler, Ashley Franklin, Susan Burton, Olivia Wilde, and Kimberle Crenshaw. I'm actually familiar with Crenshaw's works since I have read a few of her essays on intersectional feminism and how women of color are greatly disadvantaged/marginalized in the legal system in my feminist theory course.

I highly suggest that this video be watched in its entirety because it is brilliance. These women accurately articulate only a few of the major and severe, complex systemic issues women still face in our society, showing that there is so much more that needs to be done to create positive change for women.

Angelina Jolie transforms into the mysterious Evelyn Salt in this original, action-packed spy thriller. This is one of the very few action films, if not just the one, where the female is not dehumanized as an object, reduced down to a sex-symbol that does a few action scenes but instead is just a woman who is an intelligent protagonist that vengefully fights strong, hard, frightening, and mean without doing pretty. 

As far as films/television/media go, this is something we definitely need to see more of- female characters that are strong and intelligent, rather than only objectified.

Angelina Jolie. Salt (2010). Capital Pictures. Film Still.

The action film that was originally written for a male lead, Salt (2010), stars Angelina Jolie as a CIA operative who appears to be an undercover Russian spy. It might sound like just another spy-thriller but Salt proves to be far from it. Jolie's portrayal of this enigmatic character, with so many different faces and sides, is just as strong and forceful as the punches she throws. As director Phillip Noyce explains [when discussing the film and Angelina's adroit acting capabilities], Jolie smoothly combines drama with action and brilliantly knows how and when to switch between the two.

Angelina Jolie. Salt (2010). Capital Pictures. Film Still.

With some seriously brutal fight scenes and very dangerous stunts (most of which Jolie did herself), Angelina proves she can and will do it all, even when she's disguised as one.   SALT is my favorite action film. It is also one of my highly recommended and definitely favored Angelina Jolie films. 

Angelina Jolie. Salt (2010). Capital Pictures. Film Still.

Tomb Raider was the first film I ever saw of Angelina Jolie, and I have always admired her since seeing that film (despite the sexualization of Lara Croft, she still is a strong, female character that with a sensual edge which is admirable). Over the years, my admiration and respect for Angelina Jolie has only grown as I look up to her for her extensive and remarkable humanitarian efforts, and her work behind the camera as a film writer, director, etc., but also because she really cares about the work she does. Jolie puts a lot of effort and hard work into the film projects and continuous humanitarian efforts for which she is actively involved. She is empathetic and makes sure to have as many different perspectives considered while aiming and stressing for accuracy, both in her films as a writer/director and as a humanitarian. 

I think Jolie and this character, Salt, both make for great female role models in our mainstream media.

Photo Source:
Salt. Dir. Noyce, Philip. Perf. Jolie, Angelina. Exec. Prod. Kavanaugh, Ryan. Kidney, Ric. Vahradian, Mark. Colombia Pictures. Sony Pictures. 2010. Film.

• Blend dates with water until you have a creamy liquid consistency, pour in glass.
• Blend frozen bananas with a little bit of water or nut milk until it has a thick, ice cream resemblance
• Scoop the banana ice cream onto date-drink and enjoy!