Is Tofu good for you?

 

 

  Not everybody eats meat. It could be for certain reasons. They're vegetarians/vegans, they can't digest meat, they want to get healthier and think tofu is a good substitute. But there are questions some people ask which are.... how healthy is tofu?

    There are health benefits for Tofu as it may support your heart, lower your risk of certain cancers and much more. But what is Tofu? Tofu was invented in Japan over 2000 years ago and was brought to the sates by the fifties or sixties. Not many people were.... into Tofu. Knowing it was made of soy and many people were...not into that. Eventually, becoming a Vegetarian and wanting to get healthier was the new norm, and it still is today.

  The question is....is it heathy? It has health benefits like I listed, but it's also like a cheese in some way. Cheese has protein, but certain vegetarians and vegans will not eat cheese. And to get their protein from the cheese and meat, Tofu became available. 

  Tofu became available for health nuts. There were firm selections of Tofu to some that were softer, or in between. Tofu was made of not only soy, but other ingredients like a substance that makes Tofu what it is and it's similar to cheese making. Separating the curds and whey in Tofu form to make it what it is. It's a substitute for both meat and cheese. What kind of recipes does tofu give for people that want to stay healthy and away from meat?

 You can find Tofu in salads, fried, grilled and much more. There is a recipe called Tofu Brians, no joke, served in China called 'Douha'. You find it congealed in a soup like texture and people eat it, in China of course. 

  There are many recipes that you can find online on how you want to enjoy your slice of Tofu. Even some recipes for Tofu can be traced to Chinese cuisine which they mostly use Tofu when available. 

 Tofu can even be put in soup to replace crotons. Even people would replace bread with tofu. (only in certain recipes) Tofu is good for certain type of people, but it's not for everybody. I have never tried Tofu. I don't know if I ever want to. I guess....I will in the future when meat supplies and certain other foods would be replaced. But then again, who know.

 Many restaurants (especially Vegan) have Tofu in their menu. They have them in their salads, replacement for meat since it has a lot of protein, grilled, sautéed and many more. More Vegan and organic restaurants are popping up with people wanting to get healthier and ditch processed foods. Well, Tofu can also be processed like American cheese, but it could be healthier than that. So....is Tofu healthy? Really healthy? I don't know; I would like to say yes, but I would have to try a piece. You be the judge.

Happy Mother's Day- Poem

 

A day for mothers,

grandmothers,

godmothers,

stepmothers,

even mothers that adopt children

today,

is your day

Once a woman,

gives birth,

to a child,

they are a mother,

I made my mom,

become a mother,

40 years ago,

and I'm happy,

that she's still here

A baby is born,

a mother is born,

giving life,

after birth,

happiness,

is born

for mothers day,

your mom,

deserves breakfast,

in bead,

or brunch,

at a restaurant,

they'll thank you,

flowers,

for mom,

to enjoy,

to brighten their day,

to make them,

feel special,

For some,

their mothers,

are in the heavens,

my grandmothers,

are one of them,

you miss them more,

on Mother's Day,

than any other day

Mother's Day,

is a special day,

for everyone,

that has a mother,

they love,

so,

no matter how you celebrate,

remember the mothers,

grandmothers,

godmothers,

stepmothers 

and every other mother in between,

and remember,

today is their day

Celebrities on the Simpsons

 

   The Simpsons has been holding a lot of records. One of them being the longest primetime cartoon show that has been 'The Flintstones' and 'Bonanza'. The even hold a world record for having the guest celebrity voices on the show. Some voicing themselves or another character. Here are a few that are still memorable or voicing the character today.

  Danny DeVito- Danny DeVito, known for his shows like TAXI and It's always sunny in Philadelphia voice Homer's half-brother in the second season and third season of the show. I think he also voiced himself in another later Simpson episode. What has happened to Homer's brother? Well Danny DeVito couldn't be around the show since his schedule was busy. They decided to let him voice again only his brother was poor again. You have to watch the episodes to find out how he got rich.

 Joe Mantegna- Voices Fat Tony and 'Fit'-Fat Tony. Started voicing the supposed mob boss around the third season and let's just say...he hasn't stop. Even though he is acting in shows like Criminal Minds and it's spin off shows, he still likes to voice a criminal mobster that has been in almost every season of the Simpsons. I guess this is a plus for him after staring in the horrible Godfather part III movie. His character Fat Tony (Fit-Fat as well) is supposed to be a character like in the godfather, or any of those mob bosses of the time.

Mel Brooks- Appearing as himself in one episode, Mel Brooks is known for many things. A Director, Producer, Actor...but what is he doing in Springfield? It seems Homer lost his license and long story-short, he has to ride a limousine. One of his passengers is Mel Brooks. He makes this cameo memorable. I don't know if he's been in many recent episodes.

 

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson- Also known as Mulder and Scully to X-Files fans, when that show was becoming popular, one of the writers decided to mix the two shows together. David and Gillian portray their characters on X-Files helping them solve an alien mystery Homer saw after getting drunk. Let's just say...it's a pretty good episode. Sadly, I never got into X-Files, but this episode was worth their cameos.

 Kathleen Turner- Playing an icon of a doll similar to Barbie, Kathleen Turner voices the woman who created 'Malibu Stacy'. During the era of the 'Talking Barbie doll', the episode started to make a talking 'Malibu Stacy' as well. It's not a doll Lisa Simpson would like as she decides to go to the inventor of the doll only to find out she no longer works with the company. Kathleen Turner does a pretty good job only voicing one time.

 John Waters- John Waters is a director of raunchy films, but what is he doing in Springfield? He voices a character named John who's just as flamboyant as the real actor is. Homer....doesn't take it well finding out John is gay. This episode is pretty deep explaining Homer's gay phobia eventually accepting John for who he is. This episode was tough to create back in the 90's and would be taboo then, now...it's one of the best episodes of the Simpsons.

 Kelsey Grammer- Ever since the first season of the Simpsons, Sideshow Bob was voiced by Kelsey Grammer. He used to be Krusty's former sidekick until he framed Krusty. Ever since then, Kelsey Grammer has been heard in almost every season when Sideshow Bob appears. Always wanting to kill Bart Simpson and harm the Simpson family. Most of the seasons, something happens to Sideshow Bob. He gets married, dies, plots revenges, becomes mayor of Italy and so on and so forth. I don't think Kelsey Grammer, or Sideshow Bob will leave Springfield anytime soon.

   David Hyde Pierce- Around the eighth season of the Simpsons, the show decided to poke fun at a certain show named 'Fraiser'. Kelsey Grammer voiced Sideshow Bob, so they decided to throw in David Hyde Pierce who portrays Sideshow Bob's brother Cecil. He too plots revenge with world domination and killing Bart. They even poked fun on the episode since both Kelsey and David play brothers on Fraiser. 

 Johnny Cash- During Homer's 'trip', he visions a coyote voiced by Johnny Cash. Giving Homer words of wisdom and helping him out of his journey. After Homer fights with Marge, he ends up stranded at a golf resort having a drug trip after eating an insanity paper during a chili cookoff. He soon sees the coyote and the late Johnny Cash voiced him.

 Phil Hartman- This story is pretty tragic, but there once were two characters named Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure and they both were voiced by Phil Hartman. He was a great actor starring in shows like SNL, News Radio and many more. He even voiced other characters in other shows, but he shined voicing on the Simpsons. Sadly...he was killed by his wife who took her own life afterwards. Sadly, the characters that he voiced were silenced forever. We still see them in backgrounds, but they are no longer voiced by Hartman. We miss him.

Patrick Stewart- Homer joined a secret club around the sixth season. The leader was voiced by Patrick Stewart. Let's just say.... Homer's stay was short lived, but Patrick didn't just voice him. He voiced another character in later seasons who worked at the Nuclear Power Plant. Actually, covering Homer's mistakes and was retiring. It seems any character Patick voices has to find a way to save Homer's ass.

 Glenn Close- In season seven a mystery was answered about whatever happened to Homer's mother. She is revealed and is voiced by Glenn Close. She explains her vanishment in a few episodes and sadly, her character dies. Glenn Close still voices Homer deceased mother in his dreams and everything else that has happened to him. I felt bad for Homer. Losing a mother can be heartbreaking. Glenn Close does a perfect job voicing Homer's mother dead or alive.

 Penny Marshall- Considered one of the first guest stars to voice on the Simpsons (I don't think that's right though) Penny Marshall portrays a babysitter who's really a bandit. Bart and Lisa have to deal with her but are saved by Maggie and take care of the babysitter bandit themselves. Penny Marshall was considered one of the first to guest voice on the show, but there could have been others before. I don't know. She's no longer with us and the babysitter bandit was a one-time character.

Jane Kaczmarek- Around later seasons, the show added new characters to see how long they would last. One of them was a female judge voiced by Malcom in the middle mom Jane Kaczmarek. The characters have similarities to the mother in Malcom. She's tough and forces Homer and Bart to be lashed together to teach Homer he's a bad parent. Marge is soon roped into the 'bad parent' trope as well. The character is still seen and is still voice by her.

 Meryl Streep- During the sixth season of the show.... a famous guest star voiced the Reverand's daughter named Jessica. She is worse than Bart would be going as far as to steal money from the collection plate and have Bart face the consequences. Meryl does a good job making a poor innocent sweet Reverand's Daughter so evil. Not many people knew it was her at the time, but well.... hearing the daughter now.... I know it's her voice. She hasn't voiced the character since.

 Bryan Cranston- In a later season, Bryan Cranston voices a James Bond like character that only Homer can see. He gives Homer some advice on how to better his marriage with Marge. Only he can see him, and others wonder if Homer is ok. He eventually tries to make his wife happier with suggestions that Bryan Cranston's character gives him. I guess it seems to work. I vaguely remember the episode. Bryan Cranston also starred in a couch gag portraying himself as Walter White.

Winona Ryder- Lisa always tries to be the best in everything. However, she has to prove herself when another girl (voiced by Winona Ryder) comes into the school. She is better at Lisa in everything. Making Lisa jealous enough to sabotage her project. Eventually, she feels bad and reveals that she did it. However....Ralph Wiggum wins beating Lisa and the new girl. Winona Ryder sadly never voices the character again. The girl's name is Alison.

Elisabeth Moss- Having a short cameo on the Simpsons, Elisabeth Moss plays a young woman who is pregnant, and Homer delivers her child. Homer has a special bond with the child and Elisabeth Moss' character is ok with that. Until... the father comes home. Homer is told never to see the baby again after Marger finds out the secret. Homer feels upset about what happened and well.... his baby Maggie forgives him. Short, but sweet, Elisabeth does a good job.

Ray Romano- During the final season of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', Ray Romano voices a roofer that only Homer can see. He eventually ends up in a loony bin only for Ray's character, who is named Ray, to appear. The first time this episode was on air, Ray Romano hints to Homer about the show 'Everybody Loves Ray' to him. Ray Romano's ok, but I think he also was a one-time character since he hasn't been seen since.

Albert Brooks- In my opinion, Albert Brooks (or A. Brooks as he's known) was considered the first guest star to voice on the show. He's voiced a lot of characters on the show. Even voiced the main villain in the movie the Simpsons had back in 2007. He voiced Hank Scorpio, who was a super villain, but is seen once and only once. He voiced Jaque a bowling instructor that lusted for Marge. He voiced that character again in later seasons. Albert Brooks voices many characters, and I don't think he's going to stop anytime soon.

  If I listed anymore characters on the show, it would be a long list. Almost every Beatles (minus John) guest voiced as themselves. Lady Gaga, Barry White, Ludacris, Dolly Parton. Any famous singer, sports star, even SNL stars have guest voiced as either another character or themselves in almost every season. Recently they did an episode with Lizzo guest voicing as an elf. Richard Gere voiced himself when Lisa was becoming a Buddhist. Let's just say.... look on-line and you'll be amazed of the list of people guest voiced on the Simpsons as themselves or another character.

Cinco De Mayo birthdays

 

     Tomorrow is Cinco De Mayo. The fifth of May. That day, some people will go out and celebrate with a fiesta and parties celebrating a day that was known for the 'Battle of Puebla Day' in Mexico. Why did it turn into a holiday many Americans celebrate? I don't know. But I know one thing, we do not celebrate Cinco De Mayo. Why? Something more important happened on May fifth. My brother was born.

  It got me thinking, even though it's an important holiday in Mexico and certain parts of America, who else has a birthday on Cinco De Mayo? Some people have birthdays on Holidays. Like Fourth of July, Christmas, Easter (at certain times), Thanksgiving (at certain times) and many more. So.... besides my brother, who else has a birthday on Cinco De Mayo?

 

  Henry Cavelle- Born on May 5th in 1983, he is known for many roles. But his most famous is playing the man in steel Superman. How was his performance? I'm not a big fan of Superman as I am with Batman (BTW: Michael Keaton best Batman) but he was fine. Not great but worth seeing. 

   Adele- Born on May 5th in 1988, Adele is known for many chart-topping performances before losing her voice recently. Has memorable songs like "Hello", "Skyfall", "Rolling in the Deep", "Someone like you" and many more. Sadly, she hasn't been singing much since 2021 after releasing her hit '30', She is doing ok, but isn't able to sing as well as she used to.

   Danielle Fishel- Born on May 5th in 1982, Danielle Fishel is known by one name.... Topanga. Playing the lead girl in a show called 'Boy Meets World' for many seasons, that's all Danielle is known for. She still acted (I think she still does today) as she is only known for that one role. She does appear in reboots and reunions once in a while, but she's still Topanga to me.

  Pat Carroll- Born on May 5th, 1927, and sadly passed away a few years ago, Pat Carroll was known as a voice actor. It was her distinct voice that brought us the ugly sea witch named Ursala and she was amazing. (Sorry Melissa McCarthy) that made her sinister and one of the top ten Disney Villains. She also voiced other characters like Jon's Grandma in some Garfield cartoon movies. We miss u.

John Rhys Davies- Born on May 5th, 1944, John Rhys Davies was known for being Indiana Jones sidekick Sallah and Lord of the Rings as well. He hasn't acted much since he's getting on in years and it will be 80 this year. He even voice acted in some movies like being Aladdin's father in the last Aladdin movie (don't see the live action by the way). He's still acting, but I haven't seen him in much.

    There are a lot of people celebrating their birthday on Cinco De Mayo. My brother being one of them but having a birthday on a holiday might not be a bad thing (unless it's Christmas). Enjoy your birthday, if it's tomorrow like my brother. Until then, enjoy and MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU. BTW: Tomorrow, for any Star Wars fans out there it's called Revenge of the Fifth. 

Summer coming early

 

 It's not even May yet...and everyone's wearing shorts. Some kids are even starting to get ready for summer vacation while their parents try to deal with the heat.

   What is going on?

     It's almost 90 degrees outside as it is the last days of April. It's as if Summer is coming closer, and closer, and closer.

   It's rare to have summer heat in the springtime, but it happens. It's as if there is no spring or fall. All we have is Winter and Summer.

  Sure, once in a while you get a few hints of Spring weather, but it's rare. It's really rare. Does it mean, that in the future.... Spring and Autumn will cease to exist?

   The call the beginning of May 'May Day'. A day where people celebrate Spring. Not knowing what the temperature will be this week, this would be one 'May Day' not being able to celebrate in the sun.

  Heavy rainfall will soon come as the heat gets more intense. 

   Even famous poems talking about the start of May brings good weather. Well... this year it'll feel like an oven outside, and many won't be able to enjoy it like me. Having heat problems or suffering heat stroke is pretty much a death sentence to certain people. Some May weather would be treated with cool and warm temperatures mixed in. This year, it doesn't feel like we will be getting a cool sensation many desperately need. 

  Beautiful flowers start to bloom in each May. Time to water them. You forget.... they die. The heavy rain will help, but if this Spring weather becomes more like summer weather, how long will the flowers bloom for? Who knows.

  Some years.... we've had normal Mother's Day weather. Some years....it feels more like a Summer holiday than a Spring one. 

   Yes.... Father's Day is known as a summer holiday, but this year, it feels as if both holidays are getting a summer treatment. 

   Every season has its positives and negatives. This year, we feel more of Summer and Winter and less of Spring and Fall. I don't know if this will be happening in the future. But if so... many years from now, Spring and Autumn will become extinct. But.... for now, enjoy Spring....while you still can.