Swag Award December 21-27

In the wee hours of Christmas Eve, Senators on Capitol Hill took a landmark vote on the health care reform bill that they had been debating for months. It was the first Senate vote to take place on Christmas Eve since 1895. The House of Representatives voted and passed their version back in November, and the Senate vote was one of the remaining barriers that needed to be overcome in order for the dream of reforming our nation’s health care system to become a reality. The vote was split along party lines with all 60 Democratic Senators voting in favor of the bill, 39 Republicans against and one abstention from Senator Jim Bunning ( R) of Kentucky.

The bill would require most Americans to have health insurance, cover 15 million additional people under Medicaid, and subsidize private coverage for low and middle-income citizens. The budget office estimates that the bill would provide coverage to 31 million uninsured Americans.

Since the monumental vote occurred on Christmas Eve, I thought it would be only fitting to tell this story in a similar fashion as ‘Twas the night before Christmas.’ Enjoy!

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the House
All the Senators were anxious to vote and get the hell out.

The decision was split along party lines like a hair,
and President Obama hoped that health care reform soon would be there.
Two weeks ago, to most the bill was considered dead,
Months ago Joe Wilson wasn’t afraid to say he didn’t believe what the President had said.

Most Americans were off of work and nestled in their beds,
While visions of affordable health care danced in their heads.
A mom in her kerchief, and a dad in his cap,
Dreamed of the day when a routine trip to the doctors wouldn’t take all of their stacks.

When out of Capitol Hill, there rose such a clatter,
The Obama’s were on vacation, but rose to see what was the matter.
I awoke that morning and turned on the TV in a flash,
To see news anchors talking about the new bill that had just passed.

With the Senate Majority Leader looking pleased and content,
I said to myself “I can’t believe they finally passed it.”
So rapid to the microphone all the Democratic Senators came,
And Harry Reid, the leader called them all by name!

Now Specter! Now Kerry! Baucus and Franken!
On Chris Dodd! On Lieberman and the other Senators, he thanked them.
A major victory indeed for the Obama administration.

There’s no public option in the Senate bill,
And it has to be reconciled with the bill from the House of Reps.
But we can all agree that for reform to happen,
These were some important first steps.

Reducing the cost of care, and coverage for millions more,
Leveling the playing field for the average citizen and looking out for the poor.
The Senators rejoiced in unison, and then hopped on their various flights.
“Affordable health care for all, and to all a good night!”

Healthy alternatives in a junk-food nation

It's no secret that Americans love to eat. It's in our fiber. It is the very essence of what makes this country what it is. It's not truly American if it's not as 'American as apple pie," right? The melting pot that our country has become is no more evident than in our cuisine. Burger joints, Chinese restaurants, pizza parlors, hot dog stands, kebab/gyro stands, chicken shacks and seafood restaurants alike are all reflections of the cultural and regional influences that we as Americans incorporate into our cuisine.

American cuisine, while pleasurable for the pallet is also notoriously high in calories. Restaurants, especially fast food establishments have sought to combat this problem by offering low calorie options and posting calorie counts for all of their products.

A recent study done by Yale & New York University found that posting calories has little to no effect on the buying habits of fast-food customers. For a nation that places as much emphasis and spends as much $$ on health-related items, while disturbing, the findings are not surprising. Relative to its size, America ranks at the top of world list with its almost 75% overweight population..

Just as our cuisine is creative, inventive and full of variety, so too are the diet and exercise techniques that so many employ to shed those dreaded pounds. Veganism is one of the myriad dietary choices one can make to live a healthier lifestyle, and it is a choice that has been 30 years in the making for Brenda Beener. Unlike vegetarians, vegans seeks to exclude animal products of any kind from their diets, including eggs, dairy products and honey.

Beener's family and its love for food and cooking traces its roots back to New Orleans, where traditional dishes are rich in seafood and meats. Think gumbo, crawfish, and jamabalya. Beener gradually overcame her love for those tasty, native dishes in order to become a complete vegan. She has not had any meat in 12 years. "Being from New Orleans, the hardest part was overcoming seafood" says Beener.

As time passed, Beener's repertoire of vegan dishes expanded and she took chef courses to enhance her seasoning and presentation skills. From those classes, Beener began offering her services to friends and family, personally preparing delicious and aesthetically pleasing vegan dishes. The feedback was so positive, that what began as hobby has turned into a fledgling business Beener now calls 'Seasoned Vegan.'

Seasoned Vegan is a labor of love that combines Beener's passion for the vegan lifestyle with her passion for preparing dishes. Beener uses all organic ingredients and seasonings in her dishes, and I can tell you from first hand experience that they are outstanding. I had some 'tuna' casserole that knocked my socks off. Seriously. I'll be back for more real soon.

Beener takes pride in the fact that it usually doesn't take much to convince bona fide carnivores such as myself that vegan dishes can taste just as good if not better than their meaty equivalents.

"Sometimes people are skeptical initially, but I just let them taste the samples and let their taste buds do the talking. The seasoning is what makes my dishes stand out from others. "

Vegan Chicken

Teriyaki Orange Broiled Chicken, Yams, Brown Rice,

Mustard & Kale Greens & Corn Muffins

The Seasoned Vegan team is comprised of Beener and a small group of assistants who prepare and package meals and dishes. The Seasoned Vegan team makes house calls as well as caters events and functions to bring a fine vegan dining experience wherever the customer desires. These services do not come without cost however. Using all organic ingredients, and providing in-home services may run a tad more than a traditional restaurant dinner but Beener's justification begs a question that we all must ask ourselves; "At the end of the day it's about my health, my life, and how much that is worth to me?"

Now that's food for thought...

For more information on Seasoned Vegan, and a look at some of Mrs. Beener's popular dishes, visit. SeasonedVegan.com.