April 22nd marks the celebration of Earth Day. Created in 1970 by Gaylord Nelson, the Holiday focuses on the health and well being of the planet. The very first Earth Day gave birth to nationwide environmental protests which Nelson hoped would "… shake up the political establishment and force the [modern environmental movement] onto the national agenda.” The inaugural Earth Day observance shook and forced its way into the American holiday cannon. The event brought together a diverse and multicultural group of over 20 million Americans voicing their opinions on pollution, animal extinction, loss of wilderness, and other Earth-changing problems.

It’s a very simple mix of potatoes, peas, onion, ginger, chilies, spices and a touch of fresh lemon juice. To bind it all together you add a bit of besan (chickpea flour). Then you form it into patties and then fry.

Ingredients:

1 cup pearl rice (long grain white rice may be substituted)
2 medium sized white onions chopped fine
1/3 cup Wesson Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dill
1/4 cup chopped parsley
about 50 grape leaves (may be purchased in gourmet shops or in gourmet dept. of a large supermaket)

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, granular
• 1 cup tomato puree
• 1 cup Sylvia’s Hot Sauce*
• ½ cup water
• 2 stalks celery, cut julienne style
• ½ cup diced onion
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper
• 2 lemons sliced
• 4 (4-oz.) catfish fillets
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon Sylvia’s Secret Seasoning*
• 2 tablespoons olive oil