Eating Green

So my beautiful sister knows that I am trying to be somewhat responsible in my eating habits. Since my family is not going 'veggie' with me, I try to buy them healthy all natural alternatives. After the soy milk coup d'etat I continue to buy them animal products, I like my head and want to keep it and my family close to heart.

So the beautiful sister sent me this in an email a bit ago and I thought it was worth sharing.

Eating GreenYour guide to organic and other in-the-news terms
When deciding what to feed your family, you're bound to face a bewildering array of food labels claiming that items are organic, natural or free range. Here’s what these labels mean:
Growing Conditions
Organic-If a product bears a "USDA organic" label, you are guaranteed that’s it’s at least 95 free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge and that it hasn’t been genetically modified or irradiated. No hormones or antibiotics are allowed; animals must be fed organically-grown feed and have access to the outdoors. While some experts have suggested that organic foods are healthier than conventionally-grown, the USDA doesn’t support these claims.
Sustainable-Sustainable agriculture refers to crops that are raised in ways that don’t harm the environment, are humane to animals, and that supports farm workers and farming communities. Not all sustainable foods are organic — most come from small family farms which may not have the time or resources to get organic certification (it is expensive and time-consuming). A related label is "Fair Trade," which certifies that farmers in developing countries have received a fair price for products like coffee that are grown in a sustainable way.
Natural-Natural refers to meat and poultry that contains no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. There is no certification and because a food is called "natural," it doesn’t mean that farm animals were raised organically.
Locally Grown-Locally grown refers to crops produced no more than 250 miles from where they’re purchased. The emphasis is on seasonal, fresh produce, meats and dairy products but these crops may have been raised with pesticides.
If the label does not specify that the food any special growing conditions, you should assume it’s conventional. Crops and cattle are raised using synthetic chemicals, like fertilizers and pesticides to curb insect growth and increase the amount of food produced. Farmers can give their animals antibiotics, growth hormones and other medications. This is the way most crops and livestock have been raised in the U.S. for the past 50 years.
Hormones and Antibiotics
Antibiotic-Free-The term "antibiotic-free" is unregulated but producers can label foods "no antibiotics administered" or "raised without antibiotics," which means animals were raised entirely without the substances. Concerns have been raised that antibiotic use in cattle causes antibiotic resistant bacteria to develop, threatening human health.
Hormone-Free-For pork and chicken, the label "hormone free" is meaningless; these substances are banned when raising pigs and chickens. Beef may carry a "no hormones administered" label but no outside authority currently certifies this claim. Controversy has arisen over the artificial hormone rBGH which increases milk production. The U.S. is one of the few countries to approve its use; others have banned it because of concerns over human and animal health.
Animal Welfare
Free Range-Chickens that aren’t confined to cages and are granted access to the outdoors are called "free range." But the USDA only requires limited outdoor time; conditions can be crowded and dirty and there’s no outside monitoring.
Grass-Fed-Cattle raised largely on grass and hay are referred to as "grass-fed." No government regulations or inspections apply to the term and these cattle may not be organic. Since cows’ stomachs more easily digest grass than grain, it is a more natural, humane and antibiotic-free way to raise cattle.

beautiful sister:

So to steal a phrase, I'm not in the mood.

(You really should update, if only for me ;)

I haven't been in the mood for quite a while.

It all started when this goshdarn computer continued breaking on me, week after week.

Now, I don't know, maybe it's just from not using so much? I really have no desire to really get on this contraption, really ever.

Here is my contribution, here are the fun and interesting things that have been going on in our lives lately. Not too much really.

me, I'm still a cheeky brat.

Chad is still super hot, ahem, I mean playing gigs, writing amazing music.

We've had two new members adopt us, although Merlin got caught in the radiator fan one day (obviously a complete accident) and doesn't come around so much anymore.

Merlin

Guiness

HALLOWEEN 2007

Kenan wanted to be something creepy and cool. zombie. He pulls it off well.

Ashton is a character from an anime game/book/cartoon called Naruto. His character is Gaara, he controls sand, so he carries it with him at all times.

No folks this is not the infamous, Jack Sparrow, this is Johnny Depp. "All the girls want to kiss Johnny Depp"- Evie. She was right, I know I got my kiss, I mean how many times do you get the opportunity to kiss Johnny Depp.

*while going through the pictures for the post I realized I have quite a few pics that never got posted. I will be making up various albums through snapfish, if you are interested let me know and I will email them to you.*

maybe I'm biased

but I don't think so. You all know Chad plays music, you all know I think he's amazing. Well here is your chance to let me know what you think. I want your honest opinions. Here is his bands' site MATADOR. I really want your feedback. Please comment. thanks.

Doesn't anyone have anything interesting to say anymore?

Updates

Wow! it's been a while, especially for me, since I've written. Most of you already know but we have been having a bit of computer problem lately. In the past 3-4 months we have had to replace our motherboard in the CPU, going on the third time now. We have spoken with the company that warranties us and we will probably file for their no-lemon policy. That is once they place the computer in the right place and diagnose the problem officially. Let's not talk about it, suffice to say it was a hard lesson for me to learn, as I never backed anything up and have now lost all the things that were important to us.

So with that said there are no pictures for you, I am rarely on this thing anymore, which I've conceded is a good thing. We are using the kids old computer we have for them to play games on, it's really slow and we can't really download most things onto it anyway.

Since then school has gotten under way as well as the thousand and one birthdays that occur at this time of the year.

Evie's birthday was a blast, I can't believe she is 10. We took her camping again, it's what she wanted to do. We went fishing and caught quite a few fish, she caught the first one which was cool. She is back in school and really likes it, she is doing well.

Ash's birthday was yesterday and we took the 14 year old to Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios for the day. Just Chad, Ash, and I went, it was a really nice day. He looks so much like Chad at that age. He is still homeschooling and we are really having fun.

That's about it, hope all is well with you and yours. Will talk to you eventually.

Keep buying Hummers, yeehaw!

So I was reading the newspaper on Sunday and I was heartened to see the headline-"House Oks $16 billion in taxes on oil companies"

I read the first few paragraphs out loud to Chad so we could discuss, this is the gist of it. Basically, the democratic-led House, while declaring a new direction in energy policy, approved $16 billion in taxes on oil companies while providing tax breaks and incentives for renewable energy and conservation efforts. Republican opponents said the legislation ignored the need to provide more domestic oil, natural gas, and coal. One Republican was quoted as saying..."the pure venom.. against the oil and gas industry."

Well, duh... yeah, there is venom against this particular industry, not because of what they produce , because let's face it we all use and depend on it, but instead the fact that they vehemently deny and even encourage distortion of the facts that this is one of the lead causes of global warming. And in denying, allow themselves no out to try and come up with a plausible solution. Instead they push aside their conscience, choose to fatten their wallets, and thicken our air.

I thought what a great thing, they are going to hit them where it hurts, until Chad brought up the very good point that it won't hurt the oil companies they'll just raise the price of gas again. Oh shite, he's right, then I said well that's when it is our turn to do our part and choose wiser, more fuel efficient products. We got into a discussion about how everyone would have to do this in order to make any kind of difference. I think these changes are inevitable, who can afford a $45 gas fill up twice a week?

I decided to finish the article.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi said " We are turning to the future." My heart excited I read on. Part of the bill calls for more stringent efficiency standards for appliances and lighting and incentives for building more 'green' buildings. I was thrilled, this is something that I have been looking at lately for our home, and different options and ideas for that 'dream home' Chad and I are always constructing.

Then I read on and quickly remembered this is politics that we are dealing with. One back does not get scratched on it's own.

" Democrats avoided a nasty fight by ignoring.... calls for automakers to make vehicles more fuel efficient."

Aha, we have come to the real story. Yes, the democratic house won a victory, but not against the oil companies. What is really happening , is the everyday person, you know you and I, we are getting screwed, royally. We are the ones, who, if we have the heart and the want to change , can't afford a major overhaul all at once. We can only change a little at a time, while still having to pay outrageous prices for oil which we are 'almost' forced to use. I say 'almost' because we can get radical and hippie-like, but for the most part that is not a realistic option . For the people who have the means to negotiate a major overhaul of fuel-efficiency, well let's just say that most of them are not so motivated to do this.

So the rest of us, the regular guy, can just bend over, take a deep breath, and relax, while the guys who make all the decisions insert the gas nozzle and smile.

music: Modest Mouse- The Lonesome Crowded West

300

So Tuesday morning I ran out and bought 2 copies of 300, when I say ran I mean it. I gave one to my in-laws for their birthday and the other one is sitting in a prize position on my desk. I am getting ready to sit back and enjoy the movie, but I thought I'd take one more second out and encourage everyone to see this movie, again even, if you've already seen it.

I can't pinpoint exactly why this movie turns me on so much, but it does, and I champion it at every turn. Yeah sure, there are a couple of hotbodied guys running around in speedo-type loincloths throughout the whole movie, and yes a hotblooded 30 something female such as myself thoroughly, let me say that again, thoroughly, appreciates that, but that is not the whole reason I watch. The movie really struck something in me, it really inspired me to take stock of what's missing lately. The Spartans stood in the face of opposition and did not bend their morals, not an inch. That is what lacks in so many of us today in these times. The willingness to trade what you know to be true in your heart for the sake of others, for the feeling of going with the crowd.

Never back down from your heart.

In the end it's all you own.

Another good title along these same lines:

Happy Feet

no, but really.

Checking out

So I mentioned in a post a bit ago that this surfer girl had not been to the beach. *gasp, shock* I know! Well, I made it a point to just start going. Waves or not, I just feel better at the beach, the sand on my feet, the salt on my skin, it's a complete healing process for me. I brought out some of the smaller boards so the kids could get their feet wet, so to say. Believe it or not we found a perfect spot, all the reports called for flat, lake like conditions, but this particular spot had a small bump to it.( I have found my secret surf spot, I think, as the hurricanes wiped out our last semi-secret spot.) So the tikes and I got out there, and caught a few. Now my feet are itching to be wet everyday. Surfing is so awesome, you really feel the power of nature out there, you have to have total respect for her, or she will bitch slap you into oblivion. It's good for the soul. Hope everyone tries it, I'm available to give free lessons. "wish you were here?"

My Picks

Stardust is a story by Neil Gaiman that I read some time ago. This one comes out, I think, 8-10-07.


The Dark Materials Trilogy is one the kids and I stumbled upon last summer, we listened to the first two on CD, when we couldn't get the third one right away I went ahead and read the book myself, amd later listened with the kids. Philip Pullman is the author, this is the first story The Golden Compass. I think this one comes out 12-7-07

Gorgeous, there are no other words, well maybe cheeky.

The Evil Villain and the Life Rafts

There was a girl with fair red hair and freckles on her nose.

She had a way about her that had you on your toes.

She swam into town one day, all giggly and excited.

She marked her prey, swam right in, and recited,

"I'll take you away from here" she said to her mark.

"We can roam these waters, anywhere you like, even well after dark."

The two of them took off like a flash, best friends you've never seen.

But somewhere watching in the town there was a jealous gleen.

The Evil Villain lurked in the doorway, quiet as a mouse.

When the two went off like that he ran into his house.

He murmured to himself, "they never invite me,

I'll get to them this time, they can't leave me here, you'll see."

He searched his rooms, behind his door, underneath his bed.

He ran around that house looking until he turned beet red.

"I know they are here somewhere," he scratched his head in wonder

"Aha," he thought, then took off like a bolt and flash of thunder.

As he ran to where the two were playing he had something in his coat.

He jumped on in, then thought better of it, and went to his boat.

He rowed along the town, until he saw the two.

He went to them and asked to play, and do the things you do.

They laughed and said "We'd never keep up you silly man, are you daft?"

He said to them, "You silly girls, that's why I brought these life rafts."

As they hopped on, held on, and began to enjoy the ride.

They realized very quickly, they no longer had the ability to glide.

They could not swim in the water they loved so much.

The rafts had taken this from them at the slightest touch.

They held on for dear life, no longer having fun,

as the Evil Villain laughed and laughed and took them on a run.

"Ha, Ha," he said no longer an outsider.

"You thought to keep me out, but now I am the better."

They looked at him confused, and said to him,

"Why did you do this, I thought we could be friends?"

He replied right back, "My dears
you always left me out and never cared for my tears.

it is my turn now to see you cry and shout, and wiggle on my hook."

They said to him, "We never meant to hurt you Evil Villain, we never saw your hurt looks.

You lurked inside the doorways, never seeming to care

if we had known how much you wanted to join in our affairs

we would have asked you to come and play with us."

He cut them off with a shout of rage and started a big fuss.

"You never noticed how I sulked and pouted.

It was because you never cared to notice," he shouted.

Furious and in a rage, the Evil Villain shook and screamed

"I'll teach you to ignore me, watch this, I can be mean!"

He stole the life rafts from the two, as they floundered and kicked.

He watched them struggle, his mind gone sick.

All at once he had a shock, one of the two turned to him, looked at him,

and said helplessly, "Please, the light is going dim."

With that she went under, you see she could no longer swim.

The Evil Villains heart turned soft as dough,

he realized that he could no longer carry on with the show.

He dove straight down, grabbed the girl around her waist

went to the top, straightaway for now it was a race.

She struggled to regain her life, and looked with wonder at the villain

he looked so cool, calm, collected, he was just chillin'

"You saved me, when you meant for something else

what happened to your black heart, did it melt?"

The Evil Villain looked at her and said,

"I finally realized my soul is clear as well as my head.

I could no longer continue with my plan.

I wanted to be friends and talk, like a regular man.

Their is no evil lurking here.

I want to run and play, my dears."

The two and him went off like nothing you have seen.

It was as if all that had happened before was just a dream.

The Monster at the Shallow End

Three tired travelers, hit an unexpected snag in their travel plans. They seem to be lost on a river in the jungles far away from any known civilization. As they decide to try and get to shore they absentmindedly let themselves drift toward the shallow end. Which is the first of many mistakes they are about to make. As they get closer something is lurking in the depths so quietly and unobtrusively that no one seems to notice until BAM!!! a hand-like appendage reaches out for each of them. A roar, and a grab, a shake, and then very low, a chuckle. The monster has gotten his slimy hands on each of them, they are all shaken and wondering, but there is no time to wonder, he is reaching for them again. One of the travelers, the male of the group, is so frightened that he races for the shore, not knowing that this has led him to certain doom. He runs for the shore and amazingly enough, the monster doesn't even give him a second glance, his appetite is on the two juicy women travelers. The monster, however glances at the man and makes a sound like a deep belly laugh, and he lunges for the women again. They quickly move out of his reach and realize that he will not venture far from the shore. As they try to stay out of the monsters grasp, they are also frantically trying to talk some sense into their friend who has left them. He is looking odd and they are worried about him. He suddenly takes off for the farthest point, crouches and dives into the deepest, blackest part of the river. The two women are immensely relieved and travel down to him. They approach him cautiously as he is looking unwell. As quick as an instant their friend is reaching and grabbing for them, looking mighty hungry indeed.

All the while the monster at the shallow end is laughing hysterically, "How do you think I came about?" he muses. "I too, once ventured upon that cursed shore, but there is no coming back from it. Now my friend we will rule these waters together, you in the deep, me in the shallow, and we shall never be hungry."

The two women look at each other, frightened and scared, whatever shall they do? As they are pondering their fate, the monster from the deep jumps onto the shore once more. The women are unsure of what is happening. They watch in awe as their former friend strolls down to the monster. He says in a gravelly, subdued voice, "These two morsels of flesh will not be your dinner, monster. You shall let them pass and drift to their safety, or you will answer to me. And I will drag you to your death in the deep waters of this river."

The monster looks at him baffled. He is confused, he remembers the gnawing hunger that consumed him when he first turned. He also remembers, barely, the love he could feel as a human, and assumes this is what drives the newly turned monster. He allows the women to pass, not for the love, but for the fear of the deep end.

The two women, still weary and now afraid, look at their former friend with gratitude as they slowly creep toward the deep end and safety. They can see just beyond the pass that there is a different kind of light down there, one that looks optimistically normal. As they go to wish their friend farewell and love, he looks at them with a glint in his eye. "You did not think I was going to let that monster eat you, did you? I am far too hungry to share, this day." He leaps on them and all you can hear above the strange twitterings of the insects that live in this place, are the crunching of the women travelers bones.

The Impish Faerie with Pink Gossamer Wings

The beautiful faerie captures the lady of the water, and says to her "You will do my bidding or else."



The lady of the water looks at her amused, and with a small grin on her face, inquires "What exactly does 'or else' entail?"



The faerie stares her down and says nothing more. She lightly, oh so lightly, presses her shining pink gossamer wings into the lady of the water's face. Slightly, ever so slightly, presses harder and harder until the lady is forced under the water as the faerie giggles maniacally.



The lady of the water has now decided it is time to show who rules the depths of this water. She says in a loud and roaring voice, " I am Queen here, who do you think you are? I rule these waters and you will do as I say, and I demand one request."



The faerie seems to shrink and says with a shaky voice "Which is?"



"I ask for one kiss from the beautiful impish faerie with the pink gossamer wings," demands the lady of the water.



Which the clever faerie gives to her without the slightest hesitation. All is made well in the murky waters of the kingdom which the lady rules.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)

WE WERE SWIMMING THE DAY AWAY, WHEN THE KIDDIES AND I CAME UP WITH THESE STORIES. WE THOUGHT WE'D SHARE. HOPE YOU ENJOYED THEM.

Tried and True

I've been trying to get centered. Focused. I've been feeling a little harried lately. I've had it easy for awhile now, and I was starting to let the summer creep up on me. Now that I've started working again I really haven't had any time to self indulge. So to combat that, I really am focusing on yoga again. There are many benefits to yoga, but for me I love how alive it makes me feel. It reminds me that there are few precious hours of this life that we walk, and if we don't take the time to stop and center ourselves, and focus on the really important things, than those things tend to get neglected or taken for granted.

I was driving home today and the kids and I were talking. I mean really talking they weren't all looking for my attention, we were taking turns, and really listening to each other. We were driving along and having a good time, a really good song was on the radio, I look over and there were some sandhill cranes walking along the side of the road. I slowed down to show the kids, I always do when we see wildlife. (We are still fortunate enough in our little neck of the woods to still get to see real live animals) Sandhill cranes are nifty. They make a really cool noise and they are big, as big as me sometimes, and they can be mean. They are common enough around here, but I really love to see them. In the springtime it is an amazing site, with their families, walking around. Today they were just meandering alongside the road, and as I watched them I had this blinding shock of clarity. That life is not harried, life is good. If I am lucky enough to get to drive around on a Saturday morning laughing and goofing off with my kids, then I am going to love and thoroughly enjoy every minute of it. We jammed along comfortably in silence while I strived to see the beauty in this construction laden town of mine, and miraculously it was there.

I guess it was there all along I finally took the time to center and find it.

Party pictures

If you missed our party this year....

actually it was pretty tame compared to other years.

Here are the pictures to keep

you in the know.

rockin' good times.

To tide you over

I found this on someone else's site and thought it looked cool. It was interesting, pretty right on, they give you a little bio at the end that tells you about yourself based on the pics you pick. I wanted to do another one, because on a lot of the categories I had a hard time choosing just one picture, but decided first thought, best choice. Or some such nonsense.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Musings

Well the beginning of summer is upon us, and I have been busy. I deep cleaned my house for two weeks, and then had a weekend long party and destroyed it. (pictures soon) Deep cleaned as in scrubbed down every room top to bottom. May not seem like a big deal to you but I fucking, yeah fucking, hate cleaning. How much do you say? Kenan asked this very question, (because he couldn't believe that I would hate cleaning more than him. The answer I gave him follows.) I said " If someone told me that I would never have to clean again for the rest of my life if I would but give away one of my children, I would seriously consider it." He was shocked and hurt by my answer. I didn't say I would do it, just that I would lie awake at night trying to justify it. :)




Anyways, that's been the whole of my summer so far. I have made a promise to myself to go to the beach at least once a week. You might wonder why, I, the surfer girl have to force myself to go to the beach. I wonder the same thing, as I can't recall the last time I went. So I put it on my summer schedule.

My book reading is going. I can't really say much more about it. I've read two books so far and the first one was alright, the second is not even worth mentioning. I start the third one today. I must admit that I liked trashing the second book in review. Evil? I don't think so, new career for me? maybe. Why, oh why, do you have to have a degree for everything in this country? It didn't used to be like that, right?

and oh yeah, I'm in the work force again. Hopefully just for the summer but we all know how 'the best laid plans of mice and men' work.

current plans:

Reviews

I saw a chance to obtain some free books, not just any free books either. Books that you can't buy yet. How do you ask, do I get to have books that no one else can have? Well, I've been telling you all for years that I am special, so there.

No really, I entered a ?contest?, not really the right word, to be a

"ELLE readers prize fiction juror"

and I got it, woohoo me.

Not really a big deal, but like I said, free books.

I got the books this week, 6 in all. I have to review 5 of them and pick one to

be the favorite. I am excited to get started, but therein lies my problem . You see I had just traveled to the library and picked up 4 books to read. 3 fiction, 1 non. Now I have to read these other 5 books before the summer. What's a girl to do? I had already started reading a book, that I didn't really have much hope for. The newest by Stephen King, "Lisey's Story".

I personally have a love/hate relationship with this author. His books all start out very promising, but for me most of them just kind of fizzle out at the end.

There are a few exceptions, The Dark Tower series is one of my favorites of all times. I wanted to pick the first one up and start all over, the second I finished the last one, but that kind of follows the story doesn't it. Stephen King was also the first author that I, as a young pre-teen, actually sought out in the library so long ago. Which is another reason I always hold out hope for his books. Bringing me back to my point. I had already started his book, and with all his books was entranced in the beginning, so I decided to finish it, before going on to my free books. I got hooked into this book I couldn't put it down, it took me 2 1/2 days to read, but that is only because I had to do some kind of wife/motherly duties. Although yesterday I shirked quite a bit and read, read, read. "Lisey's Story" was awesome, in my humble opinion, one of his best. It was a relationship book, you know the kind, but it dealt with a bunch of relationships. He interwove the story amazingly, I couldn't put it down, not even in those natural chapter breaks. It does have the typical weird factor of his stories, and if you know anything about him at all, you know that alot of his stories are semi-based on his personal life, or feelings anyways. Even if you don't like him per se, you just might like this one. Try it out and let me know what you think. Or give me a good reason why you won't listen to me.

Catching Up

So I realized that my last few posts have been, ummm, I guess I could say .......informative. It reflects the recent changes I've been making in my life, so forgive my excitement for a bit, because I am sure there will be many more like them. But back to the origins, I will fill you in on what's been going on lately.

(my anniversary bouquet *sigh*)

School is rapidly approaching it's end, and I am as usual procrastinating, right down to the last minute, with our wildlife sanctuary. I have made a few improvements to my yard. I added a water source, and I have been rewarded to see many birds frollicking in it. A couple of new plants and such, but I'll let you go to my other blog for all that. However, my most favorite thing we encountered was this furry little guy in our compost bin. We rescued him, he was too small to climb back out after he got in, and then he trotted off like he owned the place.

The kids have been doing well, Ashton tests again this Friday, he will be testing for a brown belt. He was excited because this is the first time that he got to break a board with his hand, and he demolished it. Kenan, I hope, is thankful that he will be graduating 6th grade. His big plans for the summer include: surfing, and working on his Dragon Brothers blog. He may also give lead singer a try, you never know. Genevieve and I had an awesome girls night the other night, Aunt Jenna came too. We went to see Lady Sovereign, Akon, and Gwen Stefani play. It was very cool to get to take her. She loves music, heart and soul, and has already placed an order for her next show. I'll steal Jenna's word when I say she was 'awestruck' at the sight of Gwen.

Chad's birthday is on Tuesday, he has a couple of shows coming up in the next few weeks, very excited about that. I love him more every time I look at him, he is an amazing person. I am very grateful for the charmed life I lead, and especially grateful to those I choose to live it with.