Volunteering, Unboxing, Booch Making, Plant Saving, Vegan Eats!

Well, I had to break down and purchase a few groceries earlier than I wanted to but the plus side is that I bought all of this for $23 and I had a $25 gift card so at least I didn't have to touch my bank account.  I still have a lot of what you see here including the celery, hummus, rice, spaghetti sauce, and apple sauce.  I will be using those items as the week progresses.  

At the end of last week, I had some cubed butternut squash topped with a sweet brown mustard sauce my parents found at Walmart that just happened to be vegan.

Before I get into more of the foodie type photos I thought I would tell you about a few things that happened Friday and on to the weekend.  Most of you here in the states are aware of the government shutdown.  In our county we have approx. 100 federal employees AND their families that were being affected by it.  Friday I jumped in last minute and helped at a local church that was having a dinner for Furloughed Families.  There were about 150-200 people or-so that attended.  

When I saw on the church website they were saying there would be a tea/coffee bar - I knew I could help donate TEA from my boxes and boxes of tea leftover from The Sororitea Sisters.  I brought 3 boxes and gave away a lot of it and served a lot, too!

Saturday Morning I stopped over at a place here in town that does Community Breakfasts and volunteered there, too.  I wasn't sure if they would see an influx of people because of the Furloughed Families or not but I knew I had the time and wanted to help.  When I got there I learned that our local Special Olympics Athletes were going to be volunteering as well.  

It was a nice morning and those who volunteered with The Special Olympics did GREAT!  Over 20 years ago I volunteered with the Special Olympics for about 2 or 3 years and LOVED it!  I helped with Basketball, Track, Softball, and attended a few Swimming and Bowling tournaments.  I really enjoyed my time with the Athletes.  And I enjoyed Saturday morning with some of them serving breakfast, too!

I just received another goodie box from Thayers!  WooHoo!  I'm totally LOVING their products and have so much more to share with you but that will be for another day and another post!

Check this out!  BOOCH!  It's official!  My father and I started brewing!  I figured that my parents' house is the best place to try it!  He already has all of his winemaking stuff set up!  Special thanks to a family friend who gave us 2 SCOBY's to get us started!  YAY!  This was the 'granddaddy' of the booch we are brewing.  We had 2 smaller ones we are trying, too.  And with a creative way to cover them, too!  Up top...that's a sterile mouth mask that my dad had and it fit nicely.  We used a bunji cord on this one, too, just in case!

I do have more foodie pics...I swear...but first...my poor plant!  I'm told this is a Dumb Cane Plant.  I've had it for 5 years and over the last 2 or 3 months it's been wilting away to nothing.  I've been trying to save it any way I can.

But after months of this happening to 90 percent of the leaves I knew I didn't have any other choice but to hack it.  It pained me to do it but I had to!

It even had new growth on the top.  So, I took the better-looking tops off and I'm trying to propagate a few of them.  So far they aren't rooting so I'm not sure if they are going to work or not.

There was also new shoots on the bottom...as you can see here...after I hacked nearly everything off.

Here's another look at what I had to do to try and save what I could of this plant.  I'm not sure if it's going to work but time will tell and I will surely report back!

So...on to the FOOD!  First up...Potato Celery Soup!  Saturday I went over to my parents' house and my mom and I cooked for several hours and actually did some meal planning (which I am horrible at).

This soup contains the following:

1 T Earth Balance (Vegan Margarine)
1 T Coconut Buttery Flavored Oil (Vegan, of course)

1/2 Onion

3/4 Bunch of Celery (I used leaves)

2 Small Potatoes

2 Carrots
About 2 and 1/2 C Water
1/2 C Almond Milk
1/2 C FRESH Parsely
Pinch Onion Sea Salt
Pinch Black Pepper

After cooking everything in a pot until soft I took about 75 percent of the mixture and pulsed in a blender and then added the rest of the mixture in for a heartier soup.  It was YUMMY!  I think we also added just a little bit of Bragg's Liquid Aminos and Old Bay Seasoning to it - to taste.

Next up...we made a HUGE batch of Lentil Veggie Stew.  This is the veggie part!  I could have totally eaten it just like this!  It was tasty!  We then added the Lentils and cooked down and it looked a little like this...

Here's what this recipe contained:

1 and a 1/2 C Green/Brown Lentils
Coconut Oil - Vegan Butter Flavored as needed
1 Sweet Onion
1 Carrot
2 Celery Stalks
1 Potato
4 Cloves Garlic
1 Small Zucchini

1 tea Ground Coriander
1 tea Ground Cumin
1 tea Turmeric
1/2 tea Cinnamon

2 and a 1/2 C Water
3 C Canned, Diced Tomatoes with Juice
1 C FRESH Parsely
2 T Lemon Juice
1/2 tea Old Bay Seasoning
Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Braggs Liquid Aminos, Agave Nectar - to taste

This was pretty wonderful and we divvied it up into many meals for my parents and myself for the week.

And...finally...Quinoa Black Bean Spinach Stuffed Peppers!  These had the following in them:

About 3 C Cooked Quinoa
3 C Spinach (cooked down)
1 C Black Beans
Oil as needed
1 Small Onion
2 Cloves Garlic
2 tea Cumin
2 tea Smoked Paprika

1 Can Diced Tomatoes with Juice
1/4 C FRESH Cilantro
Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Lemon Juice, Bragg's Liquid Aminos, Chili Powder - to taste

We put the mixture into 4 Bell Peppers that we cut lengthwise.  They looked a little dry and we all like sauce so we poured some sweet spaghetti sauce over top of them.

It worked really well!  And we are still eating leftovers!  My mom has been doing a lot of cooking for the two of them since my father has been out of the hospital and watching his food intake more.  He's been doing really well.  They aren't vegan or even vegetarian but they are eating more plant-based foods than before.  My father has lost about 15 pounds already.  And has enjoyed nearly everything we have been fixing!  PLUS...it's great because I can grab some leftovers! 

Vegan Aldi Finds! Plant Based Dips & Tofu!

Just another quick post today!  I just HAD to share what I found at my local ALDI this week!  3 Plant Based Dips from Good Foods!  I doubled checked to make sure they are also vegan because I have seen some items that will say Plant Based but still have dairy or even meat in them!  YIKES!

First up is this Queso Dip!  It's WONDERFUL!  I already finished the whole container!  Oops!  Guess I will just have to get more!  The base is a cauliflower and almond combo alongside some other wholesome ingredients - including Chia Protein!  I was checking out their website and I see they have a BUFFALO flavor, too!  I MUST get my hands on that!

Before I get to the other 2 dips I found and bought the other day I thought I would insert the TOFU here!  I finally found the ALDI Tofu!  I haven't tried it YET but here is what it looks like!  It's already baked and Teriyaki flavor!  I can't wait to try it!  

I have noticed a lot of the vegan items I have found locally I can't find again.  The Vegan Cream Cheese and Shreds and a few of the vegan burgers have been pretty consistent but I can't find the ice cream anymore or a lot of the other burgers or vegan chick'n alternatives.

Here is the Creamy Cilantro!  I haven't opened it yet but it sounds and looks wonderful!  This one has both cashews and almonds in the base with the cauliflower and chia protein!

As I continue to look at that website I noticed they have a Tzatziki too!  OMG!  A Vegan Tzatziki!  Yes, please!  I have to find that one, too!

And here is the 3rd one I grabbed!  This one was pretty good.  It threw me for a loop a bit because there was 'bits' of something in there...it wasn't as smooth as the queso!  I think it was the minced garlic and/or the almond bits.  The taste was good, tho!  I might put it thru my blender again! LOL

Aldi is REALLY stepping up their game!!!  YAY!

What's In My Kitchen For December

Thanks to a few of my blogging buddies for reminding me to hurry up and post my 'What's In My Kitchen' for December!  I'm going to TRY not to repeat too much here, but, this first one I MUST!  The first item on my Top Ten for this month is Grapeseed Oil.  I recently stocked up on the Natural, Garlic, and Basil Pesto Grapeseed Oils from Wildtree as we will no longer be reps but I still LOVE the product!

#2 on my list for this month is Organic Liquid Smoke which also happens to be raw vegan!  I have had this in my pantry for a while and I seem to go in spurts when I use it but for the past month, I have been tossing a dribble or two in many of my dips!  A little bit goes a long way!  This is my FAVORITE brand!

I've blogged about this before.  This is my #3 for this month.  It's Sesame King's Tahini but more specifically their Garlic flavor. 

As many of you know I'm garlic obsessed and will try just about anything that is vegan that also has garlic in it! 

Not shocking that 2 out of my top 3 contain garlic, eh!? 

This is also my secret weapon when it comes to my most recent vegan cheese sauce!

#4 is Dill.  I have been adding a dash of dill in almost everything for the past month or so.  I LOVE the aroma of dill and the taste.

#5 is Chickpeas.  This really isn't a surprise, I realize that but when I don't know what else to eat I bust out a can of chickpeas and throw something together - real quick and easy!

Plus I thought this graphic was a wonderful comparison!  Less Fat, More Fiber, ZERO Cholesterol, Less Sodium, WAY MORE Potassium and Calcium, and More Iron than chicken!  Knowledge is POWER!

#6 is Justo Mayo.  I realize this is a convenience item but it's pretty darn good.  The price is right.  And it seems to be more and more available in my area than any other vegan mayo.  That and if you have followed their battles in the last couple of years I have had a soft spot in my heart for their company and how hard they fought their competitors to stay afloat and get where they are today!  They have been able to educate a lot of people along the way about plant-based foods not having to be more expensive, too!

#7 on my list is Amy's Kitchen VEGAN Soups.  I have to admit that I'm not sure if all 6 pictured are vegan because I have never come across a few of them but I LOVE they have as many vegan options as they do!  And those few days I was sick and didn't feel like making anything or even moving - I was grateful I could find them locally.

#8 on this months list is Potatoes!  Plain and Simple.  Potatoes!  Hillary got me on the bandwagon, finally!  Thanks, girl!

#9 is Bragg's Liquid Aminos and/or Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos!  Since I'm not much of a sea person I like to add these two items to my sauces, dips, vegan cheeses, etc to give it a little more savory flavor while still incorporating more aminos into my foods! 

#10 has to be these Bare Coconut Chips.  They have moved out of my kitchen and into my office.  I like to snack on them while at work!  Yum!

Scroll down for a 2nd post today and swing by the Kitchen Link-Up, too!


 

Vegan Buffalo ArtiHearts & Plant Based Veggie Chips

I've teased a few of you about the mini haul I was able to get this passed weekend but I almost forgot about 2 items I got prior to that.  These Spicy Artichokes AKA Monterey Farms ArtiHearts Buffalo Flavor showed off the vegan "V" on the back of the package.  So I knew I had to try them at least once.  I found these at the Erie Giant Eagle a few weeks ago!  Tonight I put them in a Sun Dried Tomato Wrap and what I couldn't fit in the wrap I ate as-is and dipped in salsa.  Both were tasty but I will say due to their size they were a bit difficult to eat in the wrap.  I think they would be ideal for stand alone dipping or even thrown in a salad!

Next up are Brad's Veggie Chips CHEDDAR.  Again, they feature the "V" we tend to look for on the packaging.  They are also Raw, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, USDA Organic, Non-GMO, etc.

These are NOT a new product but rather an updated, re-packaged product.

I'm almost finished with these and wanted to share them with you before I move on to other foods and snacks.  It's been a while since I had Brad's.  Mostly because when I do find them they are really pricey.  But the last time I went to the Whole Foods Market they were on sale for at least 2 bucks off so I was surely tempted.

Have you seen the flavored Artichoke Heart yet?  Have you tried them?  What did you think?

Sunday Sources!

I figured SUNDAYS are a good time to share some of the research I have been doing lately!  One of the many sources I have come a crossed lately is the PlantBasedResearch.org site.  I don't know why I haven't visited the site sooner!

It's an online narrative review of peer-reviewed, scientific research papers, and educational resources that are relevant to plant-based nutrition. Links to the abstract are included with every article, and links to the free full articles are included when possible! A narrative review is a collection of research papers supporting a particular theory - this website is by no means an exhaustive directory of all research on nutrition and disease but presents the growing body of evidence supporting the theory that whole food, plant-based diets offer the best chance for avoiding chronic disease, and in some cases, reversing it.

I'm always interested in learning more and more each day and I think this site is a great way of doing it so I declare PlantBasedResearch this Sunday's Source of the Day!

Improvements with Aches & Pains

Earlier this year (I can't believe I'm already saying that - it's March!) I was telling you about some aches and pains I was having that seemed to be increasing.  I also told you that I was looking into ways to improve them.  I feel like I have done that (somewhat) successfully.  Of course some days are better than others.  I have to tell you that I haven't been diagnosed with anything and I'm not really self-diagnosing either.  But what I can tell you is that almost everything I was dealing with lined up to fibromyalgia systems.  Steps I have taken to help with my systems have helped a great deal.  After doing research on the subject I found out that many doctors will say that it's true if you have 13 (or 15 - depending on who you talk to) out of 18 pain points.  I can say that I have different levels of pain and/or aches in 16 out of 18 of them.  

So what have I done to make these improvements?  

First and foremost I have upped my B Vitamin intake.  I have also added Spirulina and Chlorella tablets.  I've always LOVED Turmeric so I have increased my intake in that as well!  I have been wearing different bras for the past couple of months.  They are high impact sports bras.  I have changed the way I sleep.  I used to be a side sleeper and have changed to laying on my back.

I have picked up many things from Forks Over Knives, Dr. McDougall, and the Hallelujah Diet.  All of which are plant based.  Each day I have been trying to learn more and more and implement something new.  So far I have seen a HUGE difference.  I will continue to report on things I find to be helpful.

More Vegan Options From Mainstream Candy Shows & Back To Basics!

I have more to share with you from a not-so-long-ago Candy Show.

Eventho I wasn't the person to attend 'said Candy Show' I was lucky enough to get my hands on some of the vegan products thanks to my lovely parents!

First up - today - are these wonderful Matcha Snakaroons from Laughing Giraffe.  I have had a half dozen flavors from this company before and am a fan but I have to tell you these top my list!  YUM!  Since they are a Matcha product I might even review them for the Sororitea Sisters Blog, too!

You have probably seen Nature's Bakery's FIG BARS nearby.  This is the FIRST time I have seen their Brownie Bars and WOWZA are they TASTY!  As you can see I was lucky enough to try their NEW Double Chocolate Brownie!  Yippeee Skippy...these are VEGAN!

My parents said that this year was WONDERFUL for vegan products and many of them shined bright during the show!  This is a annual, national candy show that he's attended for YEARS, too!

Up next are a few different flavors of breakfast and/or snack bars from Orchard Bar.

These are a mix of fruit and seeds but the thing I want to point out right away is that these are MOIST.  The fruit "jelly" surrounding the whole bar is quite gooey and fresh!

I can't say as I have had another bar quite like it!  It was memorable for that fact.  Secondly - the fruity flavors never failed to pack a powerful tarty punch and blast of flavor in your mouth!

Here's one of the other flavors I had recently.  I can't tell you which one I liked better.  They were both good!

I'm also liking that more and more companies are stating that the product is vegan.  Regardless I am still a label reader - but - it's great to have it identified right away and SEE the word VEGAN if you know what I mean!?

This next product I am hot and cold about.  I'm happy that it clearly states Maple Bacon Flavored Almonds VEGAN on the label.  And the label itself is pretty cool if you are into label EYE CANDY like I am.

BUT...I didn't think these really tasted like bacon.  Not that I ever liked bacon even before going veg.  Therefore, I personally don't care that they weren't closely bacon-esque anyways.  However, if you are a 'bacon person' and looking for a TWIN of bacon-with-out-the-bacon...I don't know if this would fit the bill.  Having said that...a co-worker who is NOT veg in anyway really liked these so I guess that is all that really matters!

That about does it for the Candy Show wrap-up!  But I have more to share with you in today's post...so here goes...This next photo is my new Positively Posh Easy Peasy Big Bath Chunk Bar.  I realized eventho they aren't a vegan company they do have many vegan beauty care product options!  That I am thankful for!  This Sweet Mint Lemonade flavor smells AMAZING!  It certainly lives up to it's name, too, it's so large of a bath bar that you might need two hands to hold it.  The retail price for this specific bar is $9.  Yes...that IS pricey...but I didn't make any other purchases this past weekend and haven't bought any pampering products as of late so I thought I would treat myself!

Monday I stopped in a Wegmans while traveling to have some lunch - which I will show in the next photo - but - also spotted these two 'rays of light'.  That's RIGHT...I was FINALLY able to get my hands of Daiya Dressings locally!  I bought Home Style Ranch and Blue Cheeze.  I will already say I am a fan of BOTH.  I have made my own vegan ranches at home before and some where better than others but this VEGAN Blue Cheese...OMG!  Winner!  Winner!  Tofu Dinner!!!!  It's out of this WORLD!  Yum!  Because these are priced at $3.99 each this was another 'once in a blue moon' type of purchase for me but I will certainly be buying them again I just have to pace myself!

And finally this last photo of this post...my lunch that day!  It included: corn, watermelon, roasted yams, raw mushrooms, HUGE Blackberries, celery, and I think that is about it!

It was a solid lunch!

I have a confession to make...not so much in the last month...but..prior to that for a few months I was being LAZY.  I was consuming beer on a weekend sometimes.  I was falling back on pastas and had a little bit too much bread, I think.

Well, I think the beer, bread, and pasta caught up with me.  Eventho I was rather bloated this past week I can FEEL that I have gained a notable amount of weight back and just seemed to realize it.  Therefore, I think it might be time for a reboot!  I've already started this reboot and plan on continuing with it for a while...at least a month...maybe more.  What I am doing is this...MOSTLY juicing, smoothies, salads.  I will fill in holes from time to time with other things such as raw veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds.  I think my cheats for the most part will be with my dressings.  The dressing may or may not be store bought...and/or if I make them at home may or may not be higher in fat.  But with me cutting back on so many other foods I shouldn't be that concerned about the higher fat in a dressing once a day.  Another thing I may do once or twice a week is include blended soups I make at home, myself, too!  Years ago I did this in the summer months...June, July, August...I believe...and for the most part this worked well.  What non-veg people might not understand is that - when I do a salad - I do a salad!  I throw all sorts of stuff on my salads!  I hope to post most of them here!  Stay tuned for some REALLY FUNKY salads, and salad dressings...not to mention dips and/or spreads.

These are the type of recipes you will be seeing from me in the very near future!  So it's Back To Basics for me!!!

Also...I don't have a code for MIDWEEK MUNCHIES but let me know if you participated this week in comments!  I would LOVE to see them!

Vegan 'Meaty' Stew?

I have to admit this sort of freaked me out!  Even my mother said it looked like 'meat' you would put in a stew.  It's not.  It's actually Jackfruit!

My mother is not a vegetarian and she sampled a little bit of this Sesame Ginger Teriyaki Jackfruit and thought it tasted like meat, too!

Normally I am not a fan of meat alternatives or fake meats but I think because this is straight up fruit based it seemed to be better than a lot of the others you see on the market.

It came as a packet that you could heat and serve and I just added carrots to it and poured it over pasta.

Here's a photo of the package!  It's from the Jackfruit Company.  It's Nut-Free, Dairy-Free, and Vegan.  It's the Sesame Ginger flavor.

Overall it was a very impressive product.  I don't think it's something that I would eat everyday as it was a little more salty than I like...but it had a good flavor.

The reason I bought it was purely because of the Jackfruit!  It's rare to find Jackfruit anything around me!  I've only ever had Jackfruit flavored things and have also had dried Jackfruit that I bought from The Raw Food World.  This was a nice change and certainly gave me some ideas as to what to do with it if I can find some down the road.  Other ideas that I am drawn to are Jackfruit Tacos and Jackfruit Sandwiches (instead of Pulled Pork Sandwiches), for example.

Winter was Spring & Spring is Winter

This is what I woke up to Saturday Morning.  But this isn't the first snow we have seen in the last few weeks!  Today it's raining but we might see some more snow over the next few days.  Not that much, really, but let's face it...it's SPRING!  Why isn't Spring acting like Spring?  Probably because Winter didn't act like Winter, either.  Oh well.  I've been thinking of doing a cleanse or detox of sorts and have been thinking of how to go about it.  I think FIRST what I might do is omit breads and pastas as I have been using it as a crutch lately and feel those are the two items that have added a few unwanted pounds.  I'm not going to go overboard, here, I really just want to shred 5 pounds...10 at the very most.  I seem to feel better at that weight.

I think I will try and NOT consume pasta or bread (unless it's sprouted bread like Ezekiel because I have a half loaf left).  I've also been thinking about doing soups, salads, for dinners and nearly Raw Til 4 up until then.  That may be a real challenge for me some days, however. More on that in the coming days.

In the meantime - here's something I made last night - it's a twist on Da(h)l.  Actually it started off as a Da(h)l and then I added Chickpeas and a handful of Cashews, too!  Mostly because I under estimated the amount of red lentils I had on hand prior to cooking.  So I guess this would qualify as an EATING FROM YOUR PANTRY Meal.  I sampled some last night when it was finished and it turned out good!  It will be my dinner this evening, too!

Recipe for Cashew Chickpea Da(h)l:

1 C uncooked Red Lentils
1 C Chickpeas
1 Handful Cashews
2 T Garlic Grapeseed Oil (Wildtree Brand)
1 Small Sweet Onion
1 t Ginger Powder
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 t Curry Powder
1 t Turmeric
1 Can Coconut Milk
Dried Cilantro (or Basil) to Taste
Black Himalayan Sea Salt to Taste
Nutmeg to Taste

Encaustic Art

Before I get into posts from last week I wanted to do a quick post about Encaustic Art.  It's something I have been fascinated by for YEARS.  In a nutshell it's art and/or paintings using wax as the base/medium.  I'm not sure I want to actually use wax if I do get into attempting this form of art.  For kicks I quickly found out there are vegan alternatives!  Plant Based Waxes.  I just LOVE the colors in Encaustic Art that is what really draws me in.  I may pursue this down the road.  Just HAD to share in the meantime.

Happy Mail Monday ~Skin, Hair, & Lips

Just a quick little note to tell you about Happy Mail Monday!  I was thrilled when I received these in the mail today!  Actually it was via FedEx.  I can't wait to try them!  There is Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash, and Lip Lush (Lip Gloss).  Acure is an Organic Company!  A Plant Based Company!  And a Cruelty-Free Company!  Among other things but I will save that info for future product review blog posts!

The Food Revolution Summit

I thought about including this in another post but there is just SO MUCH about it that I thought it was better to do a separate post about it instead!  What am I talking about?  The Food Revolution Summit!  I will be participating online this year!  You can still sign up - just visit that link above!  Everything starts this Saturday and goes thru May 5th.  There is even a welcome message from Joaquin Phoenix.  The hosts are John Robbins and Ocean Robbins!

Check out all of the people who are contributing content to this summit!  Dean Ornish, MD - I have read a few of his books and followed him for a while now!  Kris Carr - I get her eNewsletter and LOVE her website as well as having seen her on a few Documentaries and YouTube Channels lately!    I have to admit I am not as familiar with Mark Hyman, MD, Mayor Cory Booker, or Robyn O'Brien but I will be researching them over the next few days!  Joel Fuhrman, MD, I have read a lot about but I am not familiar with Dolores Huerta but am interested in her topic of "Loving The Hands That Feed Us!"  Rip Esselstyn I have been a fan of for the last couple of years!  I have seen articles and videos as well as books and documentaries of his efforts and expertise!  Jeffrey Smith will be talking about Protecting Your Family From GMO's - a bigger and BIGGER topic these days!  3 others I will have educate myself about PRIOR are Brenda Davis, RD, Vandana Shiva PhD, and Mark Bittman.  I was very happy to see Russell Simmons on the list, too!  He's done amazing things getting the word out about vegetarian/veganism and yoga and health!  As well as Kathy Freeston - I follow her site and her Instagram!  Ken Cook will be talking about "Sustainable Food For Us All"

One of my favorites on this list is Neal Barnard, MD...probably the person I have known about the longest (aside from Russell Simmons, that is).  Zoe Weil, Michael Klaper, MD, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Thom Hartmann, and Andrew Kimbrell I will need to brush up on before listening in - as well!  Towards the end of the line-up I see Seane Corn - One of the many Yoga People I have tried to follow for a while.  Then there is Mike Adams speaking on Keys to Health Freedom and Will Potter with "Ag-Gag Bills VS Your Right To Know" 2 very timely topics that we are hearing more and more about these days!  And finally, the hosts, John and Ocean with "Igniting a Food Revolution".  I can totally understand why this event is nearly a week!  SO MUCH info!  Of course I cannot hear all of them but I do hope to hear several!

Have you signed up yet?  Who do you know of on this list?  Anyone you have learned anything from yet?  If so what?  Do tell!