Pad Thai (vegan, gluten-free)

 

I was on a group post where people were talking about how to make a good vegan pad thai.   Honestly, isn't completely from scratch, but this is how I do it. From another perspective it stretches premade food much further.  Bonus, is that it is gluten free (excluding optional extra).   

Ingredients (you can multiply-this feeds about 2 adults or 1 adult and 2 kids)

1 Amy's vegan pad thai

1 microwave rice bowl (the type that cooks in a minute)-You can also use other rice-but you will need to precook

1 small box firm or extra firm tofu cubed (If large use half)

1 or 2 carrots sliced diagonally

1 to 2 Tablespoons olive oil

A little bit of water (depending on if pan is non stick)

Optional extras:

up to 2 cups broccoli

vegan meat (may make it not gluten free)

Up to 1 cup sliced red onion

Up to 1 cup chopped cilantro

Up to 2 cups cauliflower

Up to 1 cup canned corn

Up to 2 cups cooked white potatoes (air fried or fried, boiled, canned)

Up to 2 cups chopped leafy greens (kale, turnip greens, etc)

Instructions

1. First, consider which type of pan you want to use-a metal or a non-stick.   A large frying pan is recommended, but you can also use a larger pot.    If using metal you'll need a little more oil and you'll need water.   Even in a non-stick a small amount of water is helpful.   We are talking tablespoons not cups.    

2. Heat the water and oil, on about 6 or 7.   Add the hard vegetables (carrots and optionals) and onions.   You may possibly add optional vegan meat at this point depending how pre-cooked it is.   Be careful when adding vegetables that you don't burn yourself.   

3.  Put the pad thai in the microwave.    Continue to let the vegetables cook.   Depending on how they are looking you may want to turn down heat (but not off).   

4.   When pad thai is ready add it.   Then add tofu and quicker cooking vegetables (like the leafy greens, cilantro).    Optional, more pre-cooked or cooked vegan meat also goes in here.   

5.    While that cooks put the microwave rice in the microwave.  When it is done add the rice.    After that it should be pretty much ready.    If you aren't quiet ready to eat right then, make sure to turn heat down to lowest setting possible or even completely off.  

Additional recipes, all vegan.    

Cinnamon Apple Bread Easy WFPB Pumpkin Cookies

Lime Flavored Rice

Marinated Black Beans

Mayo (vegan)

Mint Salad (WFPB)

No Grate Potato Latkes

No Knead Basic Bagels

Paprika Hummus

Parfait

Post-frost vegetables only soup (or beverage)-vegan and gluten free

Quinoa Instapot Stew

Roasted Potatoes

Spaghetti with Peppers

Tomato stew with carrot tops

Tofu with Green Onions

Vegan Cheese and Banana Pepper Bread

Veggie Crumbles Lettuce Wraps

Rachelle Kaufman is the vegan author of several books.  She hasn't written a cookbook as of yet and doesn't know if she will.  But she has written the awesome vegan fiction novel: Bubble Burst: The Truth About the Dairy Farm. 

 Vegan Parfait

This is an easy to make treat!   You can multiply the recipe depending how many you are making.   Each makes ones.   

Ingredients:

One vegan yogurt (I used So-Delicious Coconut)

One oreo cookie crumbled

A few slices of pear (cut similar to picture).   

A handful of trail mix

Just follow the picture and arrange as seen.   I like to go in the order oreo, pear slices and then trail mix. Enjoy!   

   And check out my other recipes:

Cinnamon Apple Bread Easy WFPB Pumpkin Cookies

Lime Flavored Rice

Marinated Black Beans

Mayo (vegan)

Mint Salad (WFPB)

No Grate Potato Latkes

No Knead Basic Bagels

Paprika Hummus

Post-frost vegetables only soup (or beverage)-vegan and gluten free

Quinoa Instapot Stew

Roasted Potatoes

Spaghetti with Peppers

Tomato stew with carrot tops

Tofu with Green Onions

Vegan Cheese and Banana Pepper Bread

Veggie Crumbles Lettuce Wraps

Rachelle Kaufman is the vegan author of several books.  She hasn't written a cookbook as of yet and doesn't know if she will.  But she has written the awesome vegan fiction novel: Bubble Burst: The Truth About the Dairy Farm. 

Zionist Psychology 101

 There was an excellent #SARS2 thread recently on the psychology of COVID denial.   See: Mike Hoerger, PhD MSCR MBA on X: "As a clinical health psychologist, I notice that many people are using psychological defense mechanisms to downplay the risk of COVID. These are my Top 7 examples: 🧵 https://t.co/Fkal1FUw1w" / X (twitter.com)

So, as an MSW and someone who was in raised and left Zionism, I've decided to apply the same to Zionism. I'll go through and explain the defense mechanisms Zionists use.

#1 – Denial – Pretending a problem does not exist to provide artificial relief from anxiety.

• Accusing Gazans of making up images or stories.
• Making videos mocking Gazans.
• Claiming Gazans have plenty of resources like food, water or electricity (even though the government of Israel has publicly stated cutting these off).  
• Using the term war, instead of genocide or Holocaust.     
• Saying media coverage is biased towards the Palestinians.   
• Citing the Israeli government or IOF (IDF).    
• Obsessing over one lie or misprint in a newspaper and generalizing it to everything related to Gaza or Palestinians.   
• Dehumanizing Palestinians.

#2 – Projection – When someone takes what they are feeling and attempts to put it on someone else to artificially reduce their own anxiety.

• Americans (or others in the diaspora) posting pictures of Israeli flags, especially as profile pictures.
• "Stand with Israel"
• Calling criticism of Israel antisemitism (could also be #3 displacement) 

#3 – Displacement – When someone takes their anxiety and redirects their discomfort toward someone or something else.

• Irrational angry outbursts.
• White people who are unhappy with their own lives taking out their anger on Gazans.
• Telling Gaza supporters to go to Gaza.
• Shaming, guilting or exiling Jews who don't support genocide ("What is wrong with you", You aren't really a Jew, etc).
• Calling criticism of Israel antisemitism (could also be #2).
• Blaming Hamas instead of Israel.
• University witch hunts.

#4 – Compartmentalization – Holding two conflicting ideas or behaviors, such as caution and incaution, rather than dealing with the anxiety evoked by considering the incautious behaviors more deeply (hypocrisy)

• Talking about reducing civilian "casualties of war" (when it is actually a genocide).
• Rabbis or others stating concerns about the conditions of Palestinians while stating they support Israel.
• Asking for understanding for those who "aren't ready for a ceasefire" rather than being concerned about how many people will die because of that.

#5 – Reaction formation – expressing artificial positive feelings when actually experiencing anxiety

• Talk of how Gaza will be better when the "war" is over.
• Articles about how a child in Gaza got medical care in Israel at sometime.
• Talking about how the Jewish community is coming together to support each other (even though the opposite is true).

#6 – Rationalization – Artificially reducing anxiety through a weak justification.

• Citing Hamas
• Citing Oct 7
• Citing Hostages
• Claiming Israel is the only "safe" place for Jews (It isn't).
• Zionist vegans citing Israel has more vegans than Palestine.
• Citing or in many cases misciting issues like LGBQT rights or women's rights to justify killing Gazans.
• Also, not Zionists but the silent: Not speaking up because it might offend people.
• Also, not Zionists but the silent: Being more concerned with feelings of others than deaths.

#7 – Intellectualization – using extensive cognitive arguments to artificially circumvent genocide anxiety

• Long rambling threads trying to justify genocide.
• Long rambling articles trying to justify genocide.
• Think tanks funded by or affiliated with AIPAC.

Other posts on Zionism:

 Lessons from the Hungarian Holocaust: Even with a ceasefire Israel will still continue to kill.

Today's Zionism is in violation of Judaism.

Rachelle Kaufman is the author of a number of books including Amazon.com: An American Jew in Budapest eBook : Kaufman, Rachelle.   Having been brainwashed that "Israel is always right" from childhood, Rachelle has overcome that brainwashing to see the truth.   

Today's Zionism is in violation of Judaism.

 

This post may just be a messy train of thought.  I think the point I would like to make though is Jewish doesn't equal Zionist.   

In fact, Zionism is in direct violation of the Torah, at least in the way Zionism is currently being carried out. Today's Zionists disobey and ignore at least half of the ten commandments.

• Thou shalt not kill (self explanatory)
• Remember the Sabath Day, keep it holy (Zionists can't even stop killing on the Sabbath)
• Thou shall not steal (food, water, homes, electricity, etc)
• Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor (Let's be honest, there are a lot of Zionist lies)
• Thou shall not covet thy neighbor's house (which I would take to include the land the house is built on)

But I would also like to make a point of, don't play into the hands of the Zionists.   The Zionists work very hard to convince Jews that Jewish=Zionist.   When describing the behaviors (etc) of Zionists make sure you say Zionists and not Jews.     

On a similar note, I highly recommend against using antisemitic/ anti-Jewish symbols like swastikas.   Yes, because I would say most Jews including anti-Zionist Jews find it hurtful, but more importantly it plays into the Zionists, by equating Jews with Zionists. That a Jew has to be a Zionist is what the Zionists want all Jews to think.    I do want to mention though, I think the use of swastikas is actually limited to a very small number of individuals, but Zionists will play it up and try to make it seem common-perhaps another reason to not do this.   

I also hope Jews who are reading this will learn from this.   And if they are Zionists or perhaps not sure if they are or aren't, they will consider this.    And consider all the ways that modern Zionism is violating Judaism.   

Rachelle Kaufman is the author of a number of books including Amazon.com: An American Jew in Budapest eBook : Kaufman, Rachelle.   Having been brainwashed that "Israel is always right" from childhood, Rachelle has overcome that brainwashing to see the truth.   

Post-frost vegetables only soup (or beverage)-vegan and gluten free

 

This soup uses only vegetables that will survive the first frost.   Made thinner with water this can also be a beverage.   

The very simple directions are broadly chop where needed.  and soak in salt water for at least an hour.  Rinse thoroughly and discard water.  Throw everything into an instant pot (using soup setting).   Cool and then blend in a blender.   

Ingredients:

Water (which will be discarded) mixed with 1 to 2 tsp salt.   

One turnip with leaves.   

About 2 cups of additional turnip leaves or kale leaves (Swiss Chard would probably also work).   A mix is preferable.   

About 1/4 cup green onions or green onion clippings*.

About 1 to 2 TBS green garlic.   If you don't have this, you could use a clove of garlic or omit.   

About 1/2 cup cilantro.   

1 to 3 cups water.   If you use one cup it will be thicker, but watch out for burning.   

Highly recommended: Vegan Bouillon Cube.   I used the Massel Pho Cube-see link if interested.   Asian Instant Soup In A Cube Recipes - Massel

Completely Optional: Pasta or rice that people can add in.

Also Optional: Dehydrated Green Onions or Green Garlic for the top

*By clippings I'm referring to the tops that some of us cut off to keep the green onions growing straight.   

And check out my other recipes:

Cinnamon Apple Bread Easy WFPB Pumpkin Cookies

Lime Flavored Rice
Marinated Black Beans

Mayo (vegan)
Mint Salad (WFPB)
No Grate Potato Latkes
No Knead Basic Bagels

Paprika Hummus
Quinoa Instapot Stew

Roasted Potatoes
Spaghetti with Peppers

Tomato stew with carrot tops
Tofu with Green Onions
Vegan Cheese and Banana Pepper Bread
Veggie Crumbles Lettuce Wraps

Rachelle Kaufman is the vegan author of several books.  She hasn't written a cookbook as of yet and doesn't know if she will.  But she has written the awesome vegan fiction novel: Bubble Burst: The Truth About the Dairy Farm. 

Lessons from the Hungarian Holocaust: Even with a ceasefire Israel will still continue to kill.

 People often associate the Holocaust with gas chambers and concentration camps.   In Budapest (and other places) there was a lot more to the Holocaust then that.   And as an author of two books on Budapest, I can tell you this; There is a lot that resembles what is happening in Gaza currently.   

I support a ceasefire.   But I don't see that as the end of the genocide of the Israeli government.   In Budapest people were forced out of their homes into small crowded areas.   Sounds familiar.  

Now let's explore how genocide is committed using these techniques.  During the Holocaust in Budapest many people died from disease.   Crowded conditions and lack of resources make it easy for disease to spread and be more deadly.   The Israeli government has forced people out of their homes with bombing and threats of bombing and denied people basic resources like food, water and electricity.  

The spread of disease is even more of a problem currently as we are still in a SARS2 pandemic, despite what various world oligarchs seeking personal gains and reelection say.   And despite what they are pushing those who work under them to say. 

Furthermore, SARS2 carries an advantage in that it damages T-cells and the immune system.   Causing people to have weaker immune systems and more other viruses and diseases to spread.   SARS2 very likely has many long term effects that can be deadly including an increased chance of heart attack and stroke.  And that each even if one doesn't have a heart attack or stroke, each infection one gets is a chance a person might die, especially with limited medical treatment.  In addition to SARS2, tuberculosis is also on the rise.   The government of Israel is not just killing by bullets and bombs, they are also killing by disease.   Even with a ceasefire, the government of Israel still has created the conditions they want to commit genocide and kill the people of Gaza.   

Not only that in Budapest Jews were shot on the streets and near the Danube River.  Now it is worse, in the weapons used are bigger and more deadly.    But even by IF* (Israeli Forces) video, there is video evidence of four likely unarmed surrounding Palestinians being shot dead.   

My point is you don't have to have gas chambers and concentration camps to have a Holocaust.   You simply have to have dehumanization, brainwashed crowds chanting slogans supporting the killing "aka stand with Israel" and even more brainwashed people willing to passively or actively kill for the predator class.   

So, I will say it again.  Never again is never again.   For everybody.  

*I use the term IF verses IDF, because they aren't defense forces when they are attacking the innocent.   

Rachelle Kaufman is the author of a number of books including Amazon.com: An American Jew in Budapest eBook : Kaufman, Rachelle and Amazon.com: Kaufman Green Guide: Budapest: A Green Guide to Budapest. eBook : Kaufman, Rachelle, 

You don't want me as a juror under SARS2 circumstances, but you may get stuck with me...

 I haven't been called to jury duty lately, but just reading about the stress of others here is what I have to say if I am.  Sorry, but under the current SARS to circumstances I likely can't uphold justice.   

It's not that I don't want to be a juror under normal circumstances.    In many ways I do...granted when I say that I mean an activist juror.   But you aren't required to state why you made your choice so???   

Realistically, even for this I'd have to put current childcare expectations aside which are ridiculous in the state I live in.   But let's for the sake of this just focus on SARS2.  

I don't even feel comfortable taking the oath.   Because I don't truly believe I can uphold it.   If I say I can, I am probably just doing it under duress.   

Really there are several problems:

1. Given we are in "you do you" territory, I kind of have to do me.   As in my health and safety and that of my family matter more than the unfortunate person who would have me as a juror.   This would be multiplied indefinitely if I got an anti-masker bully judge who made me (or tried to make me) remove my mask.   As in the more dangerous the situation the more I'm doing anything possible to get out of it, even convicting someone who I can't say is guilty.   But at the end of the day, it is my life or theirs.    

2.  I'm not sure I can actually find anyone guilty due to COVID brain.  And no, I'm not talking about my brain.   I'm talking about that of someone who is put on trial.   

As in "how do I know what happened was really the person" and not the person's brain going haywire from SARS2 (COVID).   One thing I have observed: SARS2 will cause people to do things out of character.   And by out of character, I mean both a lack of character and impulsivity.   

I see two problems with that.   First, the simpler, which is what is the point of jailing someone for years, possibly life, if the cognitive impairment was temporary.   

So, if I am called, I fully plan to be an activist juror in most cases and refuse to convict if it is safe for me to do so.   See the first rule, if someone is coughing next to me maskless.   

3.  That being said, I might be able to throw out number 2 under a certain circumstance.   The circumstance being the prosecutor is masked and the defense attorney isn't.   That would also go back to my reasons for why I actually want to be a juror.   I'm not betting on either of them being...but there are sometimes pleasant surprises.  

Anyway, the jury is out on if all this will actually play out in real life.   

Other COVID related posts:

101 How not to Write an Inclusive Unmasking Letter

Maskless "Environmentalists" Throwing Paint: Please Stop

Shouldn't the anti-mask trolls be out enjoying their best life? Why are they here on social media?

Rachelle Kaufman at this point just wants people to stop killing each other.   She doesn't think this is too much to ask, yet 95 percent of the world seems determined to kill each other.   She is also a mother, gardener, and author of a number of books.   For more info on her books please visit Amazon.com: Rachelle Kaufman: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle