Meat and Nightmares

I need to hear your opinion, oh wise ones-

I am thinking about cutting red meat out of my diet as well as going all natural.  Thoughts?  Concerns?  Am I crazy?  Do you have to be handsomely wealthy to even ponder such a thought? 

I just recently watched Food, Inc. and it made me want to become a hermit, plant a garden, live on a farm and boycott most of the food in the grocery stores. If you haven't seen it, do (unless you have a phobia of giant corporations- then it will give you nightmares). 

On my first trip to the grocery store after watching the show, I winced while passing by the red meat aisle. All I could think was, there is ammonia in that there meat.  And did you know that almost every package of hot dogs contains corn syrup?  Gag.

I am surrounded by farmers and gardeners, so I have options.  Should I take the plunge?

 

Death to Carrots

I am an analyzer.  You name it and I probably have mulled over the thing, person, place or idea in my head at some point in my life. 

I most enjoy analyzing people- especially when they are doing something I wouldn't do.  There are times I decide that I want to try that thing or do what that person does, because there HAS to be a reason to do it or like it or eat it.

For example, I have never particularly enjoyed the taste of peas and carrots (specifically cooked peas or fresh carrots). Gross.  I know there is a reason why people eat these vegetables.  Someday I will figure it out.

I try a carrot every once in a while just in case my tastebuds have matured.

For example, the day I learned that my father had died and was flying to Indiana to be with my family, the stewardess passed around a small package of carrots for each of the passengers.  I remember thinking, I might as well get used to doing things I don't want to do. I ate every last raw carrot.

I still hate the taste of them.

Next up?  British Comedy.  My sister and I are going to spend an evening watching British Comedy on PBS because, gosh darn it, I am going to learn to like it (or at least appreciate it).  I have always wanted to be British... and funny.

Friendly Faces and Far Off Places

Last night I went out with three of my best friends from my high school years.  We ate Mexican food, talked about life and relaxed at Starbucks.  Yes, Starbucks.  MUST HAVE STARBUCKS.

Susan is an avid traveler and has been to every continent.  In another week she is flying to Kenya and then will spend some time driving across Europe.  I want to fit in her suitcase.  Should I try it?

Rachel is a missionary in Ethiopia and her family is in The States for a few months.  Rachel and Argaw, her husband, started an orphanage there and have three children.  "It's a risky business making babies, but somebody has gotta do it," she said with a laugh.

Kristen is a home health care nurse who lives in the Fort Wayne area and knows all of the interesting and fun haunts here.  The other night before my art museum escapade we couldn't think of a place to eat so we called her up.  She is one of the most joyful people I know.

Susan, Rachel, Kristen and Genesis (Rachel's baby)

I LOVE that I can keep in touch with these women. 

I can't wait to be old and hear what we are passionate about.  Last night we talked about God, sex, family, death, traveling and writing.  Fifty years from now we will either be obsessed with our dentures or excited about life.  From the looks of this group, I am betting it will be the latter.

Starbucks, God and Vampires

I spent the day yesterday packing. Again. And the rest of the day I traveled. Again.

I don't mind traveling, but honestly I prefer the open road to the airport. I can't even count how many airplanes I have been on and to my ever-expanding thighs the comfort level lessens every time.



My mother and I arrived at Spokane, Washington last night at 11:00pm to visit my brother (that is 11:00 pm West Coast time- 2:00 am Indiana time). I still have not caught up on my sleep from my drive from Florida to Indiana.

I thought about this fact this morning and how I KNOW that God placed a million Starbucks in Washington just so I can stay awake this week.

I used an IPhone application to search for the nearest Starbucks locations. I found eight within a two mile radius of our hotel! If that isn't direct evidence of God's love, I don't know what is.

After spending the morning exploring my brother's university, we are off to Western Washington to stay in Port Angeles. And for all of you Twilight fans out there, we are going to Forks. Yes, the vampire infested, werewolf ravaged, Forks.

See you there.

P.S. I flew through Phoenix and as I was sitting at my gate, I thought, "Bella ran right down this hallway. I bet she escaped from Alice and Jasper in that restroom right over there."

Boobra and Barbara Love Twinkies

I was thinking today that a higher-than-normal amount of my friends are nurses. Because of this I hear some interesting stories.

One woman worked in a nursing home and I will never forget her boob stories. This nurse was bathing an older woman and, of course, Boobra and Barbara were no longer perky and "happy to see you". So while lifting one of the twins in order to wash underneath, the nurse found a Twinkie that the old woman had stuck there to save for later. Who needs a pocket?

Another time, a nurse noticed a growth on a woman's arm in the nursing home as she was walking down the hall. The growth was pretty large and was just below the hem line of her t-shirt sleeve. Upon analysis the nurse realized that the woman had tucked her boob in her sleeve and the growth was not a mole. That flexibility would come in handy when it is time for a mammogram. Plop.

I had thought about becoming a nurse before I began college. Although I think that I would have enjoyed it, I made the correct decision when I chose to study communication.

I can rely on other people's nursing stories to keep me entertained. When I am old enough to tuck my twins under my belt I am going to hide a Twinkie under there just to give my nurses a story to tell.

Three-Week Vegetarian

When I was in high school I decided to attempt to become a vegetarian. I didn't eat THAT much meat and I thought it sounded refined. Also, I had a friend who was considered eccentric at that time because she recycled and wore bright green bell bottoms. I figured becoming a vegetarian was just as cool.

So, I refused meat.

People automatically think that if someone is a vegetarian, that they are a healthy person. This is what I thought so I ate salad for lunch for the first week. The second week I realized that there are a lot of other options for the pure vegetarian. Potatoes, pasta, chips, chocolate and Ranch dressing do not contain a hint of meat.

I could handle saying no to hamburgers, chicken fingers, pepperoni pizza and sausage but when it was Taco Day at school it became too much to handle and I gave in. I couldn't resist the seasoning soaked, hamburger-like meat.

Looking back, if I couldn't refrain from eating that, then I must like meat more than I readily admit.

Brussels Sprouts Rule

As I was growing up I didn't eat Brussels sprouts. My mother did not make them so I never gave the forbidden veggie a try.

On occasion I tune into cooking shows on T.V. One Saturday I watched a show that offered a recipe for Brussels sprouts. I bought the vegetable that day and to my surprise they have become a favorite of my side dishes (and on occasion main dishes) for dinner.



No joke, my brother is currently attending college and he called me one evening. "Hey, do you have that recipe for those green things you make? I want to make some for my roommates and I." I found out through some prodding that he was referring to sprouts, not all that green I rake in as a Financial Aid Administrator.

Cut fresh (not frozen) Brussels sprouts in half, sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Place them in the oven for 15 - 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

That's it. Simple and good.

Did I mention I have a love for cabbage too? I am a sucker for stinky vegetables.