Are
we all really that different? Sometimes I have a hard time understanding why so
many people choose to only stick to a certain group. I understand wanting to
stay within your comfort zone, but does something such as language, the
religion you were born into or identify with, or your ethnic background really
mean that you don’t have something in common with someone who is different? It
seems most people are scared of what they do not understand. It is easy to fear
something that you do not know anything about and label and make stereotypes.
But what happened to those fearless days when we were little--when we did not
see the differences between people? In our minds was there really such a thing
as religion, gender, ethnicity, or race at three years old? My mother told me
that when I was three I used to walk up to total strangers and ask them if they
liked my tights. I probably wouldn’t consider doing that now, but it shows the
fearlessness of a child. Children have a lot of wisdom that we often times
overlook. Why can’t we be inspired to do the same?
I
have had my fair share of awkward moments stepping outside the community and
group of people I grew up around. But it has only brought me blessings as I
have found like-minded people from all different backgrounds. And what I have
realized is how much more I have in common with some people that were raised in
totally different circumstances. I will definitely say that food has played an integral
role in this, as often these friendships start over a meal. We have all
experienced joy, pain, heartbreak, love, and hate. Our differences should not
stop us from realizing that at the core we are more alike than different.
So
many international conflicts have started over how people identify themselves
within a group while labeling another group with negative traits. Even those
who had formerly been living peacefully together have become deadly enemies.
As
many of us come from different backgrounds what responsibility do we have to
other groups or individuals who identify differently? Because physical or
mental borders separate us from another does that mean we still do not have
responsibility to them?
In
honor of moving beyond our comfort zone and breaking borders, let us eat comfort food, something
simple and sweet. I have shared this recipe with many people it is a Brasilian
Passion Fruit Mousse (recipe at the bottom).
DOCUMENTARY:
The Dark Side of Chocolate
DO YOU EAT CHOCOLATE??
Synopsis: A team of journalists investigate how human trafficking and child labor
in the Ivory Coast fuels the worldwide chocolate industry. The crew
interview both proponents and opponents of these alleged practices, and
use hidden camera techniques to delve into the gritty world of cocoa
plantations.
Written by
Andrew McGraw-Herdeg
Passion Fruit Mousse or Mousse de Maracuja
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 ml.) whipping cream
- 1 cup (250 ml.) sweetened-condensed milk
- 1/2 cup (125 ml.) frozen passion fruit juice concentrate
- (optional) one fresh passion fruit
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in a blender, and blend at low speed until
the liquid becomes light at fluffy. Pour the mixture into a serving
bowl, or individual dessert dishes. If fresh passion fruit is available,
spread a small amount of pulp, including seeds on top of the mixture.
Chill for at least 2 hours prior to serving. Serves 4.
(recipe from http://flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.com/2009/10/recipe-passion-fruit-mousse-mousse-de.html)
