Cafe Cherie: A discussion of T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain"

This edition of Cafe Cherie discusses T.C. Boyle's 1995 novel, "The Tortilla Curtain."

The novel explores the issues of immigration, compassion, and human rights.

Give it a listen:

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Leo at the iron

I could not resist posting this pic of Leonardo DiCaprio from a back issue of Esquire magazine.

Although the corresponding interview was mostly drivel, it's just great to see a man holding an iron that's not a golf club.

Feminist quote bag

In praise of strong women


"What's the alternative? Being a weak woman? What do you get from that? Nothing. I'm strong because I believe in what I do. When I put my head on the pillow at night, I know I have not hurt anybody. That's my message to people: Don't hurt anybody. Know what you're about. Keep learning. Don't shut down. Don't give in. Don't give up. Don't settle. Find what you like to do and do it."

-- Doris Roberts, actress, "Everybody Loves Raymond"
Courtesy of USA Weekend


In support of family

"It wasn't like a group consensus thing with my family ... We kind of all came to the natural conclusion that we didn't want to be part of a religion that didn't support him, so we just kind of left.

-- Anne Hathaway, actress, talking about her family leaving the Catholic church after her older brother came out as gay.
Courtesy of the Detroit Free Press

A new blessing for a cruelty-free feast

"& say, On this grace I feed, I wilt
in spirit if I eat flesh, let the hogs,
the rabbits live, the cows browse
the eggs hatch out chicks & peck seeds"

--- Virgina de Araujo, "The Friend ..."

Chris and I read this before partaking of our Thanksgiving dinner. Use it for your next vegetarian/vegan feast, you don't need a special occasion to celebrate the "grace" of eating plants ... and contribute to the destabilization of patriarchal meat consumption.

Blessed be.

Ecofeminism in action: Green products that really work

One of my ongoing goals is to replace my toxic household cleaners with environmentally-friendly products.

Yet, there is an issue of cost, availability and performance of some of these products.

I believe that by replacing the products I use frequently, and targeting the most toxic products, I can positively impact the environment.

Toilet bowl cleaner is very toxic. If you've ever gotten a drop on your hands while cleaning the bowl, you know it burns. So, I replaced the brand I've used for years with Green Works toilet bowl cleaner. It works great, it's affordable and it's widely available ($2.39 at Target.)

Dishwasher detergent is another product I use frequently.

My biggest challenge was finding a brand that cleans effectively.

Well, Eureka!

Enter Seventh Generation automatic dishwasher detergent. As dishwasher detergents go, it is a little pricey ($5.39 for 75 oz. at Target,) but I believe the results and the reduced environmental impact are worth it.

Chris put this product to the test this morning with a bowl containing the dried, crusty remnants of Cream of Wheat -- sound appetizing? Anyway, we were amazed when it emerged from the dishwasher sparkling clean with no trace of the cereal left and no detergent residue.

I've also notices my glasses becoming clearer with each successive wash. My old detergent left them covered with residue that the Seventh Generation product seems to remove over time.

I love the company's credo from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy: "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."

The company claims that, "If every household in the U.S. replaced just one box of 75 oz. automatic dishwashing detergent containing phosphates with our phosphate-free product, we could save 100 million pounds of phosphates from entering our rivers and streams."

While the mainstream detergent industry decided to voluntarily ban phosphates in its products in July, Seventh Generation has been working for 20 years to develop environmentally-friendly formulas.

According to Clean Water Action of Michigan, phosphates encourage algae bloom that kills fish and aquatic plants that clean and balance our ecosystems.

Seventh Generation is also chlorine-free. And while I'm not negating the efforts of the detergent industry's efforts, nobody is saying anything about chlorine, which is basically a pesticide used to kill living organisms and has its own list of associated health risks including cancer and heart disease.

I urge you to try environmentally-friendly products and make substitutions whenever you can. Every little bit helps.

And that's ecofeminism in everyday action.

New airport security measures carry risks for women

From examiner.com:

There has been much discussion this week as the new TSA airport security measures were unveiled; airline passengers do have a choice, but both options of airport security measures present health concerns for certain groups of women. Pregnant women, cancer patients and women with other health problems have concerns about the radiation risks of the new airport scanners; in addition, women who opt for the alternative “pat down” may feel uncomfortable, an invasion of privacy or, in some instances, humiliated or threatened.

The health implications of airport scanners

The new airport scanners introduced under the TSA airport security measures require that you step into a booth with your arms raised above your head. In order to produce a photo image of your body, the airport scanner will either use electromagnetic waves or low energy X-rays, depending on the type of scanner used.

Although official guidelines indicate that the amount of radiation emitted from the airport scanners is “minimal”, some people may feel that the risk is not worth it. In addition, women who are pregnant, have/had cancer or other associated health problems are more vulnerable to the perceived risks than others.

TSA airport security pat downs: Why some women will fear them

The alternative to the airport scanner is a “pat down” by a member of airport security. The “pat down” has sparked debate because of its “intrusive” nature of the patting down of “private parts.” Women may find this more distressing in certain instances. In addition, for women who have been a victim of abuse, or raped, the whole process of the “pat down” could be more than she could endure.

Women's health and airport security measures

Airport security is of utmost importance but the new TSA airport security measures may cause health problems, either physically or emotionally, for many women. Flying suddenly got a whole lot more “risky” in terms of women's health – if you suffer from the problems mentioned. Learn as much as you can about the new TSA airport security measures before taking a flight this holiday season.

World AIDS Day is coming Dec. 1

AIDS is still with us.

We all know what it is, but for the record, AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

It poses a threat to men, women and children around the world. The vast majority are from lower- and middle-income countries.

Wednesday, Dec. 1 is World AIDS Day. The theme for this year's event is "Universal Access and Human Rights."

World AIDS Day started in 1988 with the goals of raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.

Oakland University is hosting a series of events on campus:

• "Safer Sex Seminar" 12 - 1 p.m. in the Oakland Room in the Oakland Center.
• "Positive about being positive: A conversation with Todd Heywood About Living with HIV" 5-6 p.m., Oakland Room.
• HIV/AIDS awareness event "Rogue 3" 8 - 11 p.m. in the Gold Rooms.

Wear a red ribbon to show support.

Related Links:

Avert.org -- claims to be the world's most popular AIDS website