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REMINDERS FROM GOD: "Quiet your chattering mind then feel the Joy of My Spirit emanate from your being." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: With Love 1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." Signed, sealed, and delivered. God?s letter for life was sent to us embodied in His Son, and as such was concluded, "With Love." With love, God watches over the goings on of our lives. With love, He guides and directs our paths. With love, He corrects us as a loving parent corrects a child. With love, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. It is through His love that He sees us for who we are, meets us where we are, and provides what is needed for us to move forward. As "good stewards of the manifold grace of God," we demonstrate His love by loving others even as we are loved by Him. Such love does not condemn, or exclude. Such love embraces, loves the unlovable, and reaches out to those who have yet to understand such love. And if we become a true reflection of His love, it is then that in the things we do, that others will see the signature of God--signed, sealed, and delivered--with love. Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
- Isaiah 29:14 ************************** WORD FOR THE DAY: inkhorn INK-horn , adjective;
1. Affectedly or ostentatiously learned; pedantic. noun: 1. A small bottle of horn or other material formerly used for holding ink. Quotes: . . .the widespread use of what were called (dismissively, by truly learned folk) " inkhorn terms."
-- Simon Winchester, "Word Imperfect", The Atlantic Monthly , May 2001 In prison he wrote the De Consolatione Philosophiae , his most celebrated work and one of the most translated works in history; it was translated . . . by Elizabeth I into florid, inkhorn language. -- The Oxford Companion to English Literature , s.v. "Boethius, Anicius Manlius Severinus (c. 475 - 525)." Origin:
Inkhorn derives from the name for the container formerly used (beginning in the 14th century) for holding ink, originally made from a real horn. Hence it came to refer to words that were being used by learned writers and scholars but which were unknown or rare in ordinary speech. ************************** You might be a REDNECK if...
...you've ever filled your deer tag on the golf course.
THINGS TO PONDER: How did a fool and his money get together? CONFUCIOUS SAYS: Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change. Everything you can imagine is real.
- Pablo Picasso Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
- Groucho Marx The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you're still a rat.
- Lily Tomlin "Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you."
- Arnold Palmer
******************************
Baked Tortellini Here we bake tortellini in a light cream sauce flavored with nutty fontina and a touch of nutmeg. Make it a meal: Serve with your favorite green salad. 6 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups low-fat milk, heated
1/2 cup grated fontina cheese, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 pound fresh or frozen cheese tortellini, preferably low-fat (see Tip)
1/4 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 4 individual gratin dishes or a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish with cooking spray. Put a pot of water on to boil for cooking pasta.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes. Add hot milk and bring to a simmer, whisking, until smooth and slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup fontina and nutmeg, stirring to melt cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl.
Meanwhile, cook tortellini in boiling salted water until just tender, 6 to 8 minutes or according to package directions. Drain and rinse well. Toss with the cheese sauce.
Divide the tortellini among the prepared dishes. Top with remaining 1/4 cup fontina. Mix breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over gratins. Bake gratins for until golden and bubbly, 15 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately.
Tips & Notes
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 4; cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking. | Equipment: 4 individual gratin dishes or a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish
Look for low-fat cheese tortellini in the frozen-foods section of your supermarket. If not available, choose the brand lowest in fat. Nutrition
Per serving: 400 calories; 8 g fat (3 g sat, 3 g mono); 18 mg cholesterol; 68 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein; 10 g fiber; 239 mg sodium; 182 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (84% daily value), Fiber (40% dv), Magnesium (28% dv), Calcium (23% dv). 4 Carbohydrate Serving Exchanges: 4
*********************
Roast Beef Pot Pie Making pot pies with Bisquick mix is foolproof and delicious! 1 cup cubed cooked roast beef
1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy
1 bag (12 oz) Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamersâ„¢ frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 cup Original Bisquick mix
3/4 cup milk
Heat oven to 400°F. In 3-quart saucepan, heat beef, gravy, frozen vegetables and seasoned salt to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Spread in ungreased 1 1/2-quart casserole.
In small bowl, stir together Bisquick mix and milk until well blended. Pour evenly over beef mixture.
Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until light brown. Variation
For Turkey Pot Pie, use 1 cup cubed leftover cooked turkey instead of the roast beef and chicken gravy instead of the beef gravy. Special Touch
Add extra flavor to the topping by stirring in 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried dill weed or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder with the Bisquick mix. Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 230(Calories from Fat 80),Total Fat 9g(Saturated Fat 3g,Trans Fat 1/2g),Cholesterol 20mg;Sodium 730mg;Total Carbohydrate 27g(Dietary Fiber 4g,Sugars 6g),Protein 12g;Percent Daily Value*:Calcium ;Exchanges:1 Starch;0 Fruit;1/2 Other Carbohydrate;0 Skim Milk;0 Low-Fat Milk;0 Milk;1 Vegetable;0 Very Lean Meat;1 Lean Meat;0 High-Fat Meat;1 Fat;Carbohydrate Choices:2;*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. ********************** All-American Stuffed Turkey Burger For a meal that "sticks to the ribs" try this hearty giant turkey burger. It's fun to make any time. Serves: 4
Prep. time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 16 minutes
1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup quick cooking oats
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash pepper
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup dill pickle relish, drained
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 teaspoons prepared mustard
8 slices Cheddar cheese
6 lettuce leaves, (optional)
4-6 tomato slices, (optional)
Prepare a charcoal grill or preheat the broiler. In medium-size bowl combine turkey, oats, egg, garlic powder and pepper. Divide turkey mixture in half. On 2 pieces (each 10 X 11-inch) wax paper, shape each half of turkey mixture into a 6-inch diameter circle. Sprinkle onions and relish over one circle of turkey mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border around outside edges; top with catsup and mustard. Cut cheese into 4 equal strips and arrange cheese strips, spoke-fashion, over catsup and mustard. Carefully place remaining turkey mixture circle on top of cheese. Remove top layer of wax paper from turkey mixture. Press turkey mixture edges together to seal. Lightly grease a grill rack and position over hot coals or a broiler tray and place it about 6 inches from the heat source. Invert the giant burger onto grill rack or broiler tray and remove the wax paper. Grill for about 8 minutes per side or until internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached on meat thermometer. To turn burger, slide a flat cookie sheet under burger and invert onto another flat cookie sheet, then slide back onto the rack*. To serve, cut burger into fourths. Serve with lettuce and tomato slices if desired. *Can also use greased grill basket if desired.
********************* Cheese Meat Loaf A favorite every time! If you're not feeding a crowd, freeze one loaf (either before or after baking) for later use. Yield: 25 slices 2-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2/3 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
2-1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Dash garlic salt
3 eggs, beaten
2-1/2 cups tomato puree
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, mix together the beef, cheese, onion, green pepper, bread crumbs, salt, thyme, and garlic salt. Combine the eggs and tomato puree and blend into the meat mixture. Turn into two 8-inch by 4-inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour. **********************
Pizza Casserole
Prep Time 10 Minutes
Total Time 55 MinutesMakes 6 servings Betty Crocker's Heart Healthy Cookbook shares a recipe! Dinner ready in less than an hour. Enjoy this casserole made with pizza ingredients in a new way – a delightful meal.
8 ounces uncooked wheel-shaped macaroni (about 3 1/2 cups)
1/2 pound bulk turkey Italian sausage
2 3/4 cups meatless tomato pasta sauce
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 can (4 ounces) Green Giant mushroom pieces and stems, drained
1 cup shredded fat-free or part-skim mozzarella cheese (4 ounces)
Heat oven to 350º. Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain. Cook sausage in skillet, stirring frequently, until no longer pink; drain.
Mix macaroni, sausage, pasta sauce, olives and mushrooms in 2 1/2-quart casserole.
Cover and bake about 30 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with cheese. Let stand about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. **************************** Beef and Bean Taco Casserole
Prep Time 20 Minutes
Total Time 50 Minutes
Makes 5 servings Your family will dig into a hot-from-the-oven casserole that combines tasty taco ingredients in one dish.
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 can (16 oz) Old El Paso refried beans
1 jar (16 oz) Old El Paso Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso 40% less-sodium taco seasoning mix
2 1/2 cups coarsely broken tortilla chips
1/2 medium green bell pepper, chopped (3/4 cup)
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1 cup shredded lettuce
Heat oven to 350°F. In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in refried beans, salsa and taco seasoning mix. Reduce heat to medium. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place 2 cups of the broken tortilla chips. Top evenly with beef mixture. Sprinkle with bell pepper, onions, 1 cup of the tomato, the cheese and olives.
Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted. Top baked casserole with lettuce, remaining 1/2 cup tomato and remaining 1/2 cup tortilla chips. ********************* Time to Prune
Late winter is a good time for pruning some trees and shrubs, as wound closure for plants begins in the spring. Pruning deciduous trees and shrubs in the winter promotes fast regrowth in the spring, as most are dormant during the winter months. It’s also easier to see the shape of the tree or shrub, since the foliage is gone. Here are some tips: Prune on a mild, dry day.
Remove any dead and diseased branches. Then remove the overgrown and smaller branches to increase light and air at the crown of the tree.
Cut branches at the node, the point at which one branch or twig attaches to another.
When pruning apple trees and other fruit trees, cut water sprouts right to their bases. Remove weak twigs. *********************
Pruning Pointers for Trees and Shrubs Pruning trees and shrubs may be the most feared act in gardening. Using sharp metal objects to cut away life goes against our natural inclinations. Remember that Nature is the Great Pruner. For example, when trees grow too close together, branches die as they compete for sunlight and airflow. Pruning is a vital part of gardening. The key is to know why we're sharpening our shears. Consider these three reasons: To Thin:
Remove to improve. Thinning is about cutting out all dead, diseased, and injured parts to let in more air and light. Most important, thinning prevents confusion of a plant's structural line and enhances it health. To Reduce:
In Nature, most plants we grow are in splendid isolation, trying to spread unnaturally fast. Our job is to prevent certain shrubs and trees from outgrowing their position in a yard. Judicious reducing helps plants develop into sound structures without over-stressing their limbs. Also, maximum flowering and bountiful fruit are only possible by pruning. To Amputate:
It sounds harsh, but severe pruning is necessary to restore older trees and shrubs to better health. Most plants are amazingly forgiving with experimentation. Think twice, cut once, and watch carefully. Your plants will tell you in their own way how to do better next season. Pruning Pointers
Here are some pruning pointers for late winter and early spring. Plants are dormant but the coldest part of winter has passed, lowering the chance of cold damage near pruning cuts. Prune butterfly bush severely. These plants bloom only on new shoots. Stimulate new growth by lopping the whole plant to within a few inches of the ground.
Cut to the ground some or all of the oldest stems of shrubby dogwoods. This will make way for the youngest stems that will provide next winter’s show of bright yellow or red. On apple and other fruit trees, cut water sprouts right to their bases. These vigorous, upright shots soak up the plant’s energy and bear few or no flowers or fruits. Remove weak twigs. For smooth hydrangea, cut all stems to the ground. For bigleaf or oakleaf hydrangea, cut stems with old flowers still attached back to fat flower buds. For lilacs, remove all dead canes. Cut out all crossing branches, keeping the strongest or most useful ones for a graceful form. Cut back last year’s growth dramatically, though never more than one-third of the live wood. **************************** TODAY'S PET TIP Healthy Dog Teeth
Keeping your dog's teeth clean can help keep your dog healthy.
Use a soft toothbrush. Start by offering your dog a taste of the dog toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth.
Repeat the process with the tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line.
Work from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do not try to brush the entire mouth at first.
If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease - prevention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DOGGIE TIPS : DENTAL DENTAL DENTAL --- POSTING THIS IN MEMORY OF SHOALS - one of the elderly dogs we took in that was 15 yrs + that had gum disease due to dental problems never taken care of. We had him treated from the beginning but his age was against him, and he died from the disease over the weekend of January 20th, 2011. I like to think we gave him a month of love and attention got him off of his feet and able to walk during his last month on earth. Showed him that the human race was good. He was found a shabby stray all matted and abused. Lived for at least a month in kennel cage and when he had gotten to me had atrophy so bad he could barely walk. Except for the mouth infection that was so bad when he was recieved in and ear infections, which was treated he soon built up his strenght and walked and showed enthusiams and what a really loving dog he was. He even showed his personality lot toward the end and voiced what he wanted when he wanted it. lol. So here is to Shoals. . REMEMBER TO GET DENTAL WORK FOR YOUR DOG> > > REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR DOG DENTAL WORK by at least watching what you give your dog, mine like apples, carrots, and it does clear tarter. . . they like the chew bones that clear tarter. so sometimes the NATRURAL WAY maybe just as good as the MODERN WAYS. YOU can make your choice yourself. . . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Many dogs hate having their teeth brushed - and it can be a real challenge. But good dental care is important to your dog's good health. So how can you teach your dog to like it, or even tolerate it? The first thing you can do is to be patient. When brushing your dog's teeth, give tons of positive reinforcement when your dog is tolerant and well behaved. With that being said - some dogs are NOT tolerant and will bite. Please be careful so you don't get hurt. Here are some doggy tooth brushing tips:
Get your dog used to touching around his mouth (assuming your dog has an even temperament). Pet your dog around the face. Look at his teeth. Gradually progress from first just touching the area to massaging the gum area.
Introduce a toothpaste that he likes. Some are flavored vanilla and even meat or poultry. You can allow your dog to lick it off your finger to start. Remember - give TONS of praise when he does well.
Introduce the toothbrush. You can gradually introduce the toothpaste by first allowing him to sniff it. Then you can even massage his face with it. Make sure he is not afraid of it before placing it in his mouth.
Eventually - combine the toothbrush and toothpaste together and brush your dog's teeth.
It can take days to weeks to get a dog to accept brushing. And some dogs will never allow you to do it. Dental care is a real problem. More than 80% of dogs have dental disease or gum disease. In fact, this is one of the most common diseases in dogs.
But some dogs just never tolerate brushing. If your dog won't let you brush, what can you do? Another option is to give a good dental treat that is proven to minimize tartar. Pedigree has a very good one called Dentastix®. It's an X-shaped bone type treat with a special texture that helps clean between your dog's teeth as he chews, all the way down to the gum line. And you can choose the size that best fits your dog's mouth. These tartar-control treats are very effective when used as part of a daily oral care routine - and they taste good, so your dog will look forward to eating them every day. I hope these tips help you care for your dog's teeth. ********************* The blind man walks into a bar and says, "Wanna hear a blond joke?" The bartender tells him, "Well, I'm blond and I won't appreciate it. The man sitting next to you is 265 pounds, and is also blond. The man behind you is 285 pounds, and he's blond too. Do you still want to tell that joke?" "No way," says the blind man. "Not if I have to explain it three times." ********************** A boy took a position in an office where two different telephones were installed. "Your wife would like to speak to you on the 'phone, sir," he said to his employer. "Which one?" inquired the boss, starting toward the two booths. "Please, sir, she didn't say, and I didn't know that you had more than one." ********************* John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.â€
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
I know where have I been? lol Out enjoying the beautiful SC weather. Have all my gardens cleaned, and almost planted for my flower beds. Have sweet peas for eatin up, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, radishes, and sunflowers and millet up for my birds. I have been doing spring cleaning and all sorts of things around the house. Seems since I turned 60 last month, my body has done exactly that, gone 60 mph in our 35 mph zones here around the house. lol My computer went down, OBTW whereever and whoever sent me that virus, and whammy that burn out the power supply on my computer and caused the other damage, THANKS HEAPS. . may a million fleas find your arm pits and other private area's this summer!!. . . Anyway, I am back. . .maybe not every day with your favorite blog and all. . but I will try. There are days the "GREAT OUTDOORS" screams to me to be out, especially after that ugly weather we have had. Now as Jack Benny would say; "ON WITH THE SHOW!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REMINDERS FROM GOD: Revelation 3:20
(20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Here, Christ is reporting that—in His own church—some know that He is at the door, but they will not rouse themselves from their spiritual lethargy to open it. By implication, they will not invite Him into their lives. As unbelievable as it sounds, there are those in His church who will keep Him on the outside looking in (see Song of Songs 5:2-3)!
But there is hope. In Revelation 3:20, that word "if" holds out hope—hope that a Laodicean can repent, can change, can choose to open the door to Christ rather than ignore Him. Are we opening the door? Are we opening ourselves up to Christ to build the kind of relationship that will lead to eternal life (John 17:3)? Our calling is irrevocable (Romans 11:29), and it is God's will that we succeed (John 6:39-40). And when a thing is God's will, Isaiah 14:24 says, "Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass, and as I have purposed, so it shall stand." God has given us everything we need to succeed; we just have to open the door. Are we opening the door? There are some easy tests: » Are we diligently praying, studying, meditating, fasting, and not allowing our deceitful and sleepy natures to accept excuses for failure? » Are we opening our minds and hearts during services by being alert and eager? » Are we wise or foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-12)? Have we been lulled to sleep and see no need for urgency (II Peter 3:4)? God knows the true answers to each one of these questions. Do we? These relationship-building tools are our Christian responsibilities. They are the daily, little things given to us that, in a large measure, tell God the real intentions of our hearts. Failure to handle these "trifles" proves us as unfaithful servants (Luke 16:10-13). One who gives careless attention to his responsibilities is a Laodicean. We need to open our doors to Christ as never before because, as Romans 13:11 says, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." ~~~~~~~~~~~ Romans 13:9-10
“The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,†“You shall not murder,†“You shall not steal,†“You shall not covet,†and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.†Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.†************************** WORD FOR THE DAY: fraternize • FRAT-er-nyze • verb
1 : to associate or mingle as brothers or on fraternal terms 2 a : to associate on close terms with members of a hostile group especially when contrary to military orders b : to be friendly or amiable Examples:
The boss warned that fraternizing with the junior employees could be a risky career move for a manager. "Packers and Bears players fraternize with each other in the offseason. They attend each other's charity functions. They work out together and, dare I say it, look out for one another." -- From an article in the Green Bay Press-Gazette (Wisconsin), January 22, 2011 *********************
Home Improvement Grants for Senior Citizens
By Kenneth Black, eHow Contributor .
For many seniors, finding the money to fix up a home can be a substantial burden. Many are retired and on fixed income. While the income may have slowed, the expenses often do not. In some cases, home improvement grants are available for seniors. These grants can help pay for at least a portion of the repair, significantly lowering the overall cost of the repair. Types
Home improvement grants for seniors come in a couple of different ways. Though most are ultimately paid for by a government agency, those agencies may work through private companies to administer the programs. For example, a utility company may offer improvements for energy efficient projects such as new appliances or windows. Though the money may come from the government, it is the private entity that runs it. Features
While some grants may not be exclusive to seniors, many seniors may choose to take advantage of them. Other grants, however, are exclusive to seniors. For example, the USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation program is available to seniors in certain areas whose income is less than half that of the local area. Grants are available up to $7,500. (See Resource 1) Function
Seniors interested in grants should make sure to understand the conditions that come with them. For example, the USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation grant may also require seniors to take out a loan in conjunction with the grant, if they are able to pay. Further, grants usually supplement a repair or purchase, so some out-of-pocket expense is going to be required. Potential
Remember that home improvement grants for seniors can come from many different sources. Local housing authorities would have the most up-to-date information about what is available in a local area. State housing agencies may be able to also provide some information about where to go for more information (see Resources below). Further, local utility companies will also be able to provide information on what they may offer. Benefits
Once the grant is provided, it must be used for the original intention. However, once the work is done, a grant never has to be repaid. Therefore, for seniors who will eventually sell their homes, the grant process adds instant value to the property. This is true on virtually any type of project funded by grant money. Considerations
Often, programs that are reserved for seniors are not necessarily reserved for those who are retired or 65 or older. For example, the Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation grant is available to those 62 years and older. Further, nearly all grants have some income restrictions. References•USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehab Loans
Resources•USDA Rural Housing Grant
•Public Housing Agencies
Read more: Home Improvement Grants for Senior Citizens | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5547576_home-improvement-grants-senior-citizens.html#ixzz1EFN6jytU
******************** Shortcut Chicken Cordon Bleu Boneless chicken breasts are quickly sautéed and topped with a mouthwatering sauce starring cream of chicken soup, white wine, ham and Swiss cheese. Serves: 4
Prep. time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20
INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp. butter
4 boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 lb.)
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. Chablis or other dry white wine
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup chopped cooked ham
4 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles, cooked and drained DIRECTIONS: Heat the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 10 minutes or until well browned on both sides. Stir the soup, water, wine, cheese and ham in the skillet and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken and sauce with the noodles. ******************* Baked Pork Chops with Garden Stuffing Herb-seasoned stuffing mixed with colorful vegetables make a savory bed for tender, oven-baked pork chops topped with a golden mushroom sauce.
Serves: 6
Prep. time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup
3/4 cup water
1 bag (16 oz.) frozen vegetable combination, (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots)
1 tbsp. butter
4 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing
6 bone-in pork chops, 3/4" thick (about 2 pounds)
DIRECTIONS: Heat the oven to 400°F. Heat 1/3 cup soup, 1/2 cup water, vegetables and butter in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the stuffing and mix lightly. Spoon the stuffing mixture into a greased 3-quart baking dish. Arrange the pork on the stuffing. Stir the remaining soup and remaining water in a small bowl. Spoon the soup mixture over the pork.
Bake for 40 minutes or until the pork is cooked through. Tip: You can try varying the vegetable combination or the stuffing flavor for a different spin on this recipe. ****************************************** Braised Beef Short Ribs Short ribs braise to melting tenderness in an savory sauce featuring beef broth spiked with red wine, tomatoes and herbs.
Serves: 6
Prep. time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hr. 45 mins.
INGREDIENTS: 3 to 4 lb. beef short ribs, cut into serving-size pieces
Ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
3 medium Italian plum tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Swanson Beef Broth or Swanson Beef Stock
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary leaves or 1 tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crushed
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water DIRECTIONS: Season the ribs with the black pepper. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ribs in 2 batches and cook until they're well browned on all sides. Remove the ribs from the skillet. Add the celery, carrot, onion, tomatoes and garlic to the skillet and cook until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the broth, wine, vinegar, rosemary, bay leaf and ribs and heat to a boil. Cover the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes or until the ribs are fork-tender. Remove the ribs from the skillet. Cover and keep warm. Stir the flour and water in a small bowl until the mixture is smooth. Increase the heat to medium. Stir the flour mixture in the skillet. Cook and stir until the mixture boils and thickens. Discard the bay leaf. Serve the sauce with the ribs. ****************************************** Campbell's White Chicken Chili Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup and dry onion soup and recipe mix combine to flavor this scrumptious chili featuring chicken, white kidney beans and chili powder, and served with shredded Cheddar cheese and sliced green onion. Serves: 5
Prep. time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound) , cut into cubes
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
2 cups water
1 envelope dry onion soup and recipe mix
2 cans (about 15 oz. each) white kidney beans (cannellini), rinsed and drained
Shredded Cheddar cheese
Sliced green onions
Heat the oil in a 3-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and chili powder and cook until the chicken is well browned, stirring often. Stir the soup, water and soup mix in the saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve with the cheese and onions. ******************************************* Scallops with Walnut and Snap Pea Orzo Serve this seafood dish with sourdough bread and salad. Serves: 4
Prep. time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes 1 1/4 pounds sea scallops, (about 24 medium scallops)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, or Herbes de Provence
8 ounces orzo
Non-stick cooking spray, as needed or 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped garlic cloves
1/2 pound trimmed snap peas
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, some reserved for garnish
1 tablespoon basil flavored oil
Rinse scallops and dry well. Sprinkle herbs evenly over scallops.
Cook orzo according to package instructions and hold in covered pan Coat a non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Sauté garlic, snap peas and walnuts over medium high heat for 2-3 minutes. Add to orzo and keep covered. Re-coat skillet with cooking spray. Sauté scallops over high heat for 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Place scallops on plate with the orzo and drizzle a little basil-flavored oil over the scallops before serving. Sprinkle with reserved chopped walnuts. ******************** PET TIP: It Was Invented in 1872 and It Is a Danger to Pets - What Is It? There are lots of items that can be dangerous to pets. Anything that is not digestible is dangerous - cassette tape (very bad), string, plastic and fabric to name a few. Here is another one. And it was invented on this date in 1872. It is the toothpick. Some pets like used toothpicks because well... they often are coated with or smell like remnants of food. Some pets will play with them and others eat them. Depending on the size of the pet's mouth, I've seen them get caught and even poke a whole in the gums or mouth. I had one dog come in pawing at his mouth in a lot of pain - the owner could not even restrain him for an examination. When I looked, I saw that a toothpick had gotten wedged in the roof of the mouth. It dug in to the gums and they were bleeding. I gently restrained the pet and got it out - everything was fine. So - if you are a toothpick user - please toss them in the trash where your dog can't get them. ********************* A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, 'Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up!' After a few seconds, Little Larry stood up. The teacher said, 'Do you think you're stupid, Larry?' 'No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Larry watched, fascinated, as his mother smoothed cold cream on her face. 'Why do you do that, mommy?' he asked. 'To make myself beautiful,' said his mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue. 'What's the matter, asked Larry 'Giving up?' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The math teacher saw that Larry wasn't paying attention in class. She called on him and said, 'Larry! What are 2 and 4 and 28 and 44?' Larry quickly replied, 'NBC, FOX, ESPN and the Cartoon Network!' ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Larry's kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police station where they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin board of the 10 most wanted criminals. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person. 'Yes,' said the policeman. 'The detectives want very badly to capture him. Larry asked,"Why didn't you keep him when you took his picture? " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Little Larry attended a horse auction with his father. He watched as his father moved from horse to horse, running his hands up and down the horse's legs and rump, and chest. After a few minutes, Larry asked, 'Dad, why are you doing that?' His father replied, 'Because when I'm buying horses, I have to make sure that they are healthy and in good shape before I buy. Larry, looking worried, said, 'Dad, I think the UPS guy wants to buy Mom...' ****************************************** The boss of a large company says to his protege : " I'm transferring you to the northern office " The protege says : " But that place is full of whores and football players!" The boss replies : " My wife used to live there ! " The protege quickly responds: " Really ?? What position does she play ? " ******************************************* A coffin was being moved when it fell off a wagon, and started down the hill.
One of the morticians started chasing it.
As it rolled past the hospital, the mortician yelled to one of the nurse practitioners walking by, "Doc, quick, give me something to stop this coffin." ***************************************** "What makes you think the baby is going to be a great politician?" asked the young mother, anxiously. "I'll tell you," answered the young father, confidently; "he can say more things that sound well and mean nothing at all than any kid I ever saw." ****************************************** This guy is 72 years old and loves to fish. He was sitting in his boat the other day
When he heard a voice say, "Pick me up." He looked around and couldn't see anyone.. He thought he was dreaming when he heard the voice say a gain, "Pick me up." He looked in the water and there, floating on the top, was a frog. The man said, "Are you talking to me?" The frog said, "Yes, I'm talking to you. Pick me up then kiss me and I'll turn into the most beautiful woman you have ever seen. I'll make sure that all your friends are envious and jealous because I will be your bride!" The man looked at the frog for a short time,
Reached over, picked it up carefully, and placed it in his front breast pocket. Then the frog said, "What, are you nuts? Didn't you hear what I said? I said kiss me and I will be your beautiful bride." He opened his pocket, looked at the frog and said,
"Nah, at my age I'd rather have a talking frog."
With age comes wisdom.
*******************************************
Written by a 90 year old This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! Make sure you read to the end!!!!!! Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio . "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote 45 lessons life taught me. It’s the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here’s the column once more: 1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 2. When in doubt, just take the next small step. 3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Friends & parents will. Stay in touch. 5. Pay off your credit cards every month. 6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone. 8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it. 9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck. 10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile. 11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present. 12. It's OK to let your children see you cry. 13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it. 15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks. 16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind. 17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger. 19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer. 21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. 22. Over prepare, then go with the flow. 23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple. 24. The most important sex organ is the brain. 25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. 26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?' 27. Always choose life. 28. Forgive everyone everything. 29. What other people think of you is none of your business. 30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time. 31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 33. Believe in miracles. 34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do. 35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now. 36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young. 37. Your children get only one childhood. 38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved. 39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere. 40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. 41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 42. The best is yet to come... 43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 44. Yield. 45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."
*****************************************
Paddy and Mick were both laid off, so they went to the unemployment office. When asked his occupation, Paddy answered, 'Knicker Stitcher. I sew da elastic onto ladies' knickers and thongs.'
The clerk looked up Knicker Stitcher on his computer and, finding it classified as unskilled labour, he gave him £80 a week unemployment pay.
Mick was next in and when asked his occupation replied, 'Diesel Fitter.'
Since a diesel fitter was a skilled job, the clerk gave Mick £160 a week. When Paddy found out he was furious. He stormed back into the office to find out why his friend and co-worker was collecting double his pay.
The clerk explained, 'Knicker Stitchers are unskilled labour and Diesel Fitters are skilled labour.' 'What skill?' yelled Paddy. 'I sew da elastic on da knickers and thongs, Then Mick puts 'em over his head and says: 'Yep, diesel fitter.'
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDERS FROM GOD: "No matter how gloomy the outer circumstances, My Spirit is always shining inside you revealing the way." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: With Love 1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV: "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." Signed, sealed, and delivered. God?s letter for life was sent to us embodied in His Son, and as such was concluded, "With Love." With love, God watches over the goings on of our lives. With love, He guides and directs our paths. With love, He corrects us as a loving parent corrects a child. With love, He blesses us in ways we cannot imagine. It is through His love that He sees us for who we are, meets us where we are, and provides what is needed for us to move forward. As "good stewards of the manifold grace of God," we demonstrate His love by loving others even as we are loved by Him. Such love does not condemn, or exclude. Such love embraces, loves the unlovable, and reaches out to those who have yet to understand such love. And if we become a true reflection of His love, it is then that in the things we do, that others will see the signature of God--signed, sealed, and delivered--with love. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
- Job 19:26 Romans 8:35,37 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.†**********************
WORD FOR THE DAY: flounce • FLOUNSS • verb
1 a : to move with exaggerated jerky or bouncy motions b : to go with sudden determination 2 : flounder, struggle Examples:
Bernard flounced around the house in a huff, yanking doors open and slamming them shut as he stomped from room to room. "The Master of the Music flounced out with the choir flouncing out in perfect unison behind him." -- From Terry Pratchett's 2009 novel Unseen Academicals ****************** You might be a REDNECK if...
...you've ever financed a tattoo.
THINGS TO PONDER: Are people born stupid or do they have to work at it? CONFUCIOUS QUOTE: Look at the means which a man employs, consider his motives, observe his pleasures. A man simply cannot conceal himself! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're going and hook up with them later.
- Mitch Hedberg When two men in business always agree, one of them is unnecessary.
- William Wrigley Jr. People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.
- George Bernard Shaw "Achievement seems to be connected
with action. Successful men and
women keep moving. They make
mistakes, but they don't quit."
- Conrad Hilton
*******************
How to Practice Random Acts of Kindness
edits by:Evan, ??????????????????????, Ellen Etc, Krystle (see all) Article Edit Discuss View History
Perform random acts of kindness.Random acts of kindness are a means by which we make a deliberate attempt to brighten another person's day by doing something thoughtful, nice, and caring for them. Kindness is a way of showing others that they count and that even in the face of hostility and selfishness, you're making a stand for kindness. Originally associated with Anne Herbert, who is said to have once written "Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty" on a placemat in a restaurant,[1] this concept has become an organized celebration through various events around the world, as well as referring to a general call to action in the name of kindness. And you don't need to wait for someone else to instigate a day or week of celebrations to practice random acts of kindness; you can put them into play any time you like! By doing kind acts for others, you're helping to create kindness-aware communities that value generosity of spirit and action and kindness toward others as essential parts of a healthy community. Here are some suggestions for encouraging others with your random acts of kindness. Steps 1 Be kind. Kindness as an attitude is infectious. When you're willing to share your kindness, others will be inspired by your example and think about doing something as kind themselves. Fan that flame by being kind to everyone. 2 Be thoughtful. Random acts of kindness can be shown through thoughtfulness about the needs of others. How many times do you wish someone could have been more thoughtful before they did or said something? Try to be an example of this for others to follow.
Put someone else first. If you get to the grocery store check-out line at the same time as someone else, you can decide to smile and wave them through first.
When you're stuck in traffic and the last thing you want to do is let a car get in front of you, just remember that somebody else had to let you in, and repay the favor to the next person! 3 Use your manners as a form of kindness. Manners aren't dead, they've just been forgotten in many ways. Yet, manners are the bedrock of courteous and kind relations and their use is an indication of respect for others. Hold doors open for others, hold an umbrella over someone in the rain, and be on time for everyone you've promised to meet.
Say thank you. Whenever anyone does something for you, be grateful and let them know it. 4 Give out compliments generously. There's usually an awkward silence when you're stuck in an elevator or waiting in a queue with a stranger. Instead of staring at the floor, find something you like about the other person and compliment him/her on it. Not only will it make him/her feel good, it just might kick off a conversation with a new friend.
Surprise your neighbor by telling her how amazing she looks today.
Tell your boss how truly clever he is – and mean it!
Praise your child for her skills and good thinking. Make it something out of the blue that you've noticed rather than run-of-the-mill schoolwork or chores.
Write a handwritten note to a friend or family member telling them how much you care about them. 5 Think about people who quietly make a difference to your community and thank them. Think of all the people in your life whose faces and names you'll never know but who serve and protect you day after day.
Send some prepackaged treats like donuts or pastries to your local police station, paramedics, or fire department, with a card letting them know how much you appreciate their service to the community. (Since homemade desserts could be contaminated, unless they know you such homemade treats probably won't be eaten, so it's best to buy something from a reputable bakery.)
Send your child's clean and good condition toys and books to a local preschool. Say thank you to the early childhood carers and teachers who do so much for young children.
Pop over to your neighbor's house with a freshly baked cake. Yes, your neighbors are an important part of your community and they make a difference just by being about. Acknowledge their importance and role in your life. 6 Cheer up the lonely. Lonely people are everywhere, in all walks of life, of all ages. Helping lonely people to feel wanted is a hugely rewarding random act of kindness.
Write a letter to a stranger. It only takes a few minutes to write, but a letter can make someone else's day, or even their week. Think of all the people who are lonely, isolated or just in need of cheering up: soldiers fighting overseas, kids in juvenile detention centers or elderly people in nursing homes. Do a simple search online and you'll find services that will provide you with list of people who'd love to hear from you.
Pay for someone else's coffee in the queue. If they've got time, offer them a chat.
Visit a retirement home and spend time talking to the residents. You could offer to read to them, sing for them, or even get them involved in writing poems, stories, or a playing on a wiki! 7 Volunteer. Offer helping hands. Do you ever see homeless people and feel overwhelmed by your inability to make a difference? Even if you can't save them all, you can do a lot with one small act. Buy a pair of gloves or dig up an old blanket, and give them to someone who's living in the cold streets or to any organization that serves the homeless.
Clean up without being asked. The next time you see someone littering, don't just shake your head and look the other way. Pick up the litter and throw it away, and while you're at it, look around the street for any other trash that needs to be removed. If you take a walk, take a plastic grocery bag so you can collect the trash that would otherwise just make you unhappy, and know that you're doing a random act of kindness for the people who will come through after you!
Make up food parcels for people in need. 8 Shower a coworker with kindness. Offer to take them out to lunch or shout them a beer after work. Finish off something for them so they can go home early for their kid's birthday party.
If your coworker has had a horrible day, buy them some flowers or give them a warm hug to make them feel better. Everyone needs just a little extra love sometimes.
Take freshly baked muffins or cookies in to work and share them with your coworkers, staff, and others. 9 Share a little wealth around. Why not surprise someone completely by paying for something they were expecting to pay for? Here are some fun suggestions:
Pay for the coffee and cake for the table next to yours at the local cafe.
Pay for the movie tickets of the people in the line behind you.
Pay for the entrance fee for some children and their parents waiting to get into the zoo.
Pay for the parking for the car next to yours. Feed the meter if it's allowed to stop someone from getting a ticket! 10 Give your family a break. There are lots of kind things you can do for your loved ones. Some of these can include giving them a break from the more mundane chores around the house so that they can do something different for a change.
Make them breakfast in bed.
Wash their car(s).
Do the weeding while a family member's at work.
Promise to do the dishes for a week – without complaining! 11 Hold a friends night-in. Order pizza for everyone, and play board games or watch movies together. Treat them to a special cake at the end in honor of the friendships that each of you share together. 12 Send a message. Write down your favorite poem on happiness or jot down some thoughts on hope, then leave it somewhere for a stranger to find. You could also leave a message in a favorite book you've enjoyed, letting someone else know they can have the book to read and hope that they love it as much as you did; leave the book somewhere for them to find. 13 Forgive somebody. You'd be amazed at the ripple effect an ounce of forgiveness can have in your life and in the lives of others. Unburden yourself of the past and think kind thoughts again about that person. 14 Share a smile. When meeting a new person, or even chatting with an old one, express joy. Show that you're happy to be with them, and that they make you happy.
If you meet someone grumpy and frowning, give them your smile. Ask them if they're having a hard day, commiserate with them, and wish them better luck from this point on. Don't see it as their bad mood reflecting negatively on you; instead, make it about how you can help them to feel better. 15 Expect nothing. The greatest act of kindness is the one that is freely given because you care about another person and want them to be happy and you don't expect anything in return. The thing about kindness is that it has its own rewards and will improve your sense of well-being and happiness; what more could you possibly want? *********************** Tip for Treats for Dogs with Bladder stones Here is a tip from : Carol Ellery - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
My dog is presently on Hills Prescription s/d canned food due to a bladder stone problem. We are trying to dissolve the stones to avoid surgery. My vet advised that under no circumstances was Diesel to have any treats, not even celery which I thought might be okay because celery is 95% water. However, I felt so bad about not being able to give my little guy treats as rewards for good behavior, doing tricks, etc., I consulted once again with the vet and was given this idea. Use a can of the food to make him prescription treats. I sliced the can of food very thin and placed the slices on a non-stick baking sheet and put them in the oven at 250 deg. and baked them very slowly until they were almost completely dried out. I then broke the slices up into small treat sized pieces. It took about 3 hours at this low heat, but the enjoyment he gets out of these special treats and the pleasure I get from being able to reward him and see how happy he is, was well worth the time and effort to do it. AND more importantly he is not getting anything he shouldn't have during this 3 month course of treatment. Hopefully the stones will dissolve and we will have no more problems. I learned a very expensive and difficult lesson from this illness. I was killing my dog with kindness by giving him treats that were not good for him, even though they seemed trivial, i.e. letting him lick out the leftovers in a pudding cup, a little piece here and there of cookies. Take heed and don't do it. These things are not meant for animals and I have learned my lesson.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Can dogs get toothaches? I thought today would be a good day to answer this question. If your dog had a toothache, how would you know? Dogs can't talk, so it's up to the pet owner to figure it out. Do you know the signs? According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs show oral disease by age 3, and it is the most common health problem treated in veterinary hospitals today. Common signs of a toothache are:
Yellow and brown tartar buildup
Bleeding
Bad breath
Red inflamed gums ( gingivitis)
Difficulty chewing
Change in eating habits
Pawing at the mouth
Here is a great guide to help you care for your dog's teeth.
Go to: http://www.petplace.com/how-to-care-for-your-dog-s-teeth
Veterinary care should include periodic dental exams, which are important in order to maintain good oral health. The frequency with which dental examinations should be performed depends on your pet's age. Never underestimate the importance of good dental health. Studies show that brushing your dog's teeth just 3 times a week could increase his life by 5 years! ****************** Warm Red Cabbage Salad
In this quick German-inspired side dish, red cabbage is cooked until just tender and combined with sweet apples, caraway and a tangy vinaigrette. Serve with roasted pork loin or turkey kielbasa. Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced (about 1/4 large head)
3/4 teaspoon caraway seeds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 crisp, sweet apple, such as Braeburn or Gala, cut into matchsticks
1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly, ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, toasted (see Tip) Preparation
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add cabbage, caraway seeds and salt. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add apple, shallot, vinegar, mustard and pepper and stir until combined. Serve sprinkled with toasted walnuts. Tips & Notes
Tip: To toast chopped walnuts, heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Nutrition
Per serving: 76 calories; 4 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 2 g protein; 2 g fiber; 216 mg sodium; 183 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (60% daily value), Vitamin A (15% dv), source of omega-3s ******************* Creole Barbecue Shrimp Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 10 min
4 servings INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons Pure Vegetable Oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 to 4 cloves chopped garlic
Dash salt
3/4 cup Tomato Ketchup
2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
2 tablespoons water
24 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
1 lemon, cut into wedges
DIRECTIONS:
1.HEAT oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and dash of salt; cook about 2 minutes. Add ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning and water. Stir well; bring to a simmer. Cook about 5 minutes; cool to room temperature. 2.PLACE shrimp in large stainless steel bowl (do not use aluminum or copper); pour 1/2 of cooled sauce over shrimp. Toss to coat; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours. 3.HEAT grill. Grill shrimp, about 5 minutes per side, until done (discard any sauce left in bowl). Place grilled shrimp on serving platter. Heat remaining 1/2 sauce; pour over shrimp. Garnish with lemon wedges. *********************** Tangerine Pound Cake Prep Time 20 Minutes
Total Time 3:40 Hrs:Mins
Makes 16 servings Pound for pound, this fine textured cake, rich in butter and eggs is a winner served plain or dressed up with whipped cream and fruit. Pound Cake
3 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon grated tangerine peel
1 teaspoon vanilla
5 eggs
1 cup milk Tangerine-Rum Glaze
3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/4 cup tangerine juice
2 tablespoons rum or 1 teaspoon rum extract
Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom and side of 12-cup fluted tube cake pan or 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans with shortening; lightly flour. Mix flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.
In large bowl, beat 2 1/2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, the tangerine peel, vanilla and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed 5 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in flour mixture alternately with milk on low speed, beating just until smooth after each addition. Pour into pan(s). (If using fluted tube cake pan, place pan on cookie sheet.)
Bake fluted tube cake pan 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes, loaf pans 55 to 60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, heat 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons butter and the tangerine juice over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; stir in rum.
Immediately poke long skewer into top of baked cake at 1-inch intervals (about 20 times). Spoon glaze over cake, allowing glaze to soak into holes. Cool 20 minutes; remove from pan(s) to wire rack. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Substitution
Orange peel and juice can be substituted for tangerine peel and juice. Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 400(Calories from Fat 145),Total Fat 16g(Saturated Fat 9g,Trans Fat ncg),Cholesterol 105mg;Sodium 190mg;Total Carbohydrate 60g(Dietary Fiber 1g,Sugars ncg),Protein 5g;Percent Daily Value*:Calcium ;Exchanges:nc Starch;nc Fruit;nc Other Carbohydrate;nc Skim Milk;nc Low-Fat Milk;nc Milk;nc Vegetable;nc Very Lean Meat;nc Lean Meat;nc High-Fat Meat;nc Fat;Carbohydrate Choices:nc;*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. *********************** Chicken, Apricot, and Ham "Lollipops" Makes: 8 servings Prep: 15 minutes
Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients
Oil for baking pan
1-1/4 cups apricot jam
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 cups fresh whole-wheat bread crumbs (from about 7 slices firm sandwich bread)
1 pound thin chicken tenders (about 16 pieces)
16 (8-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked in water 30 minutes
8 ounces thinly sliced deli ham, halved crosswise
3 celery ribs, cut into 5-inch-long thick matchsticks
1/2 seedless cucumber, cut into 6-inch-long matchsticks Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degree F and lightly oil a large baking pan; arrange rack in middle of oven. 2. Reserve 1/2 cup jam. Stir together remaining 3/4 cup jam and the mustard, for dipping sauce. 3. Spread bread crumbs out on a plate. Thread chicken lengthwise onto drained bamboo skewers. Working with one skewer at a time, wrap each with a piece of ham and brush with some reserved jam. Immediately roll in bread crumbs, pressing with fingers to adhere. Arrange skewers, as coated, in a single layer on prepared pan. Bake, turning once, until bread crumbs are golden brown and chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. 4. Transfer to a platter and serve with dipping sauce, celery, and cucumber sticks on the side. Makes 8 servings. Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8 servings Calories150, Total Fat (g)2, Saturated Fat (g).5, Cholesterol (mg)24, Sodium (mg)326, Carbohydrate (g)23, Fiber (g)1, Protein (g)11, Vitamin A (DV%)0, Vitamin C (DV%)0, Calcium (DV%)0, Iron (DV%)0, Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet *********************** Low-Fat Spaghetti Carbonara This delicious pasta dish has few calories. Serve it with a leafy salad for a quick and easy meal Serves: 4
Prep. time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
1 pound spaghetti, or thin spaghetti, uncooked
6 ounces turkey bacon, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup liquid egg substitute
2/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, cook the bacon and garlic in a small sauté pan over medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the garlic is aromatic and the bacon is lightly browned. Add the wine, increase the heat, bring the wine to a boil and cook until it has reduced by about half. Pour into a large serving bowl and let the sauce cool for about 5 minutes. Stir in the egg substitute and the parsley. When the pasta is done, drain it well and add it immediately to the bacon mixture. Add the Parmesan cheese and toss quickly. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and serve. ***************** Suit the action to the word, the word to the action, with this special observance, that you o'erstep not the modesty of nature.—Shakespeare.
*******************
A Brit, a Frenchman and a Russian are viewing a painting of Adam and Eve frolicking in the Garden of Eden. "Look at their reserve, their calm," muses the Brit. "They must be British." "Nonsense," the Frenchman disagrees. "They're naked, and so beautiful. Clearly, they are French." "No clothes, no shelter," the Russian points out, "They have only an apple to eat, and they're being told this is paradise. They are certainly Russian!" *********************** Mrs. Muggins: "It's raining, and Mrs. Goodsoul wants to go home, and I have no umbrella to lend her except my new guinea one. Can't I let her have yours?" Mr. Muggins: "Hardly! The only umbrella I have got has her husband's name on the handle." ****************** Sympathetic Lady: What's the matter with your hand, my little man? Boy: Sawed the top of my finger off. Sympathetic Lady: Dear, dear, how did you do that? Boy: Sawing. ******************* My father was the presiding judge in a case involving a man charged with tax evasion. As the defendant stood before him alone, Dad asked if he had counsel. Looking toward the ceiling, the man replied, "Jesus Christ is my counselor and defender." My father nodded slowly while framing his next question, which was, "Do you have local counsel?" *********************** VISITOR—"What became of that other windmill that was here last year?" NATIVE—"There was only enough wind for one, so we took it down."
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDERS FROM GOD: "Tender Love is the secret. Love those who you are training, Love those who work with you. Love those who serve you." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: Holding On Ecclesiastes 2:11, NIV: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." We have each been given two hands. With our hands we greet strangers with a friendly handshake, we open doors on buildings and cars, we pick things up and we put things down. With our hands we embrace what is dear to us, and with our hands we push away what we do not like. But two hands are all we have, and they will only hold so much. So we must choose what we will hold and of what we will let go. Consider what you can hold onto that you can take to Heaven--nothing of this earth. But in letting go of the things of this earth, we gain freedom to hold so much more than we could ever have imagined. Once we choose to release our grip off our wants and this world, our hands are free to hold the hand of Christ--and to hold the hand of another who needs Christ as much as you do. Use your hands to embrace this truth, and your hands will hold more in Heaven than they ever could have held on this earth. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. - Exodus 33:11 ************************ WORD FOR THE DAY: ambisinister am-bi-SIN-uh-ster , adjective;
1. Clumsy or unskillful with both hands. Quotes:
I feared I had simply become ambisinister until I realized that his sitar had fewer frets than mine did.
-- Richard Connerney, The Upside Down Tree: India's Changing Culture
Professor Fischer says that the reserve physicians "Were surgically ambisinister , medically at the zero point, and lacking in discipline, military skill and temperance."
-- The military surgeon: Journal of the Association of Military, Volume 34, 1914 Origin:
Ambisinister is a combination of the Latin roots Ambi- , "both," and sinister , "to the left side." ************************** You might be a REDNECK if...
...your brother-in-law is your uncle AND your grandfather.
THINGS TO PONDER: Why aren't there seat belts in buses and taxicabs? Computer dating is fine, if you’re a computer.
- Rita Mae Brown We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.
- Arthur Schopenhauer I have a rock garden. Last week three of them died.
- Richard Diran "Success is a state of mind.
If you want success, start thinking
of yourself as a success."
- Dr. Joyce Brothers ************************* The Top Ten Reasons Why
Men Prefer Rifles Over Women
#10. You can trade an old 44 for a new 22. #9. You can keep one Rifle at home and have another for when you're on the road. #8. If you admire a friend's Rifle and tell him so, he will probably let you try it out a few times. #7. Your primary Rifle doesn't mind if you keep another Rifle for a backup. #6. Your Rifle will stay with you even if you run out of ammo. #5. A Rifle doesn't take up a lot of closet space. #4.. Rifles function normally every day of the month. #3. A Rifle doesn't ask, "Do these new grips make me look fat?" #2. A Rifle doesn't mind if you go to sleep after you use it. And the number one reason a Rifle is favored over a woman:
# 1. YOU CAN BUY A SILENCER FOR A RIFLE
*********************************
MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A WOMAN !!
On a transatlantic flight, a plane passes through a severe storm.
The turbulence is awful, and things go from bad to worse when one wing is struck by lightning.
One woman, in particular, loses it.
Screaming, she stands up in the front of the plane 'I'm too young to die,' she wails.
Then she yells, 'If I'm going to die, I want my last minutes on earth to be memorable!
Is there anyone on this plane who can make me feel like a WOMAN?'
For a moment there is silence.
Everyone has forgotten their own peril.
They all stare, eyes riveted, at this desperate woman in the front of the plane.
Then a cowboy from Alberta stands up in the rear of the plane.
He is handsome, well built, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.
He starts to walk slowly up the aisle, unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time.
No one moves. He removes his shirt.
Muscles ripple across his chest.
She gasps.
He whispers . . .
"Iron this. Then get me a beer". ****************************************** The Garden of Eden..... the lament of men The Lord made man in the Garden of Eden.
Then he said to himself,
"There's something he's needing.'"
After casting about for a suitable pearl,
He kept messing around and created a girl. Two beautiful legs, so long and so slender, Round, slim, and firm, and ever so tender. Two lovely hips to increase his desire, And rounded and firm to bring out the fire. Two lovely breasts, so full and so proud, Commanding his eyes, as he whispers aloud. Two lovely arms, just aching to bless you, And two loving hands, to soothe and caress you. Soft, cascading hair hung down over her shoulder, And two dreamy eyes, just to make him grow bolder. 'Twas made for a man, just to make his heart sing. .
.
.
.
Then he added a mouth. Ruined the whole bloody thing.
***************************
Priceless Observations
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself,
'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.' - Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'
- Eleanor Roosevelt
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.
- Mark Twain
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
- George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
- Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
- Mark Twain
By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy;
if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
- Socrates
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
- Groucho Marx
My wife has a slight impediment in her speech..
Every now and then she stops to breathe.
- Jimmy Durante
I have never hated a man enough to give back his diamonds.
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat..
- Alex Levine
My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery,
people would stop dying.
- Rodney Dangerfield
Money can't buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan
Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP.
- Joe Namath
I don't feel old.. I don't feel anything until noon.
Then it's time for my nap.
- Bob Hope
I never drink water because of the disgusting things
that fish do in it.
- W. C.. Fields
We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to
work its way through Congress
- Will Rogers
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older,
it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
- Phyllis Diller
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step,
he's too old to go anywhere
- Billy Crystal
And the cardiologist's diet: - If it tastes good spit it out.
********************************************** Super Social Media Site I hear YouTube, Twitter and Facebook are merging to form a super-social media site – It's going to be called YouTwitFace ********************************************** Old Timers Bar
Four old retired guys are walking down a street in The Villages, Florida ..
They turn a corner and see a sign that says, 'Old Timers Bar - all drinks 10
cents.' They look at each other, and then go in, thinking this is too good
to be true.
The old bartender says in a voice that carries across the room, 'Come on in
and let me pour one for you!
What'll it be, Gentlemen?' There seemed to be a fully-stocked bar, so each of the men ask for a
martini. In short order, the bartender serves up four iced
martinis.....Shaken, not stirred, and says, 'That'll be 10 cents each,
please.'
The four men stare at the bartender for a moment.
Then look at each other...they can't believe their good luck.
They pay the 40 cents, finish their martinis, and order another round..
Again, four excellent martinis are produced with the bartender again saying,
'That's 40 cents, please.'
They pay the 40 cents, but their curiosity is more than they can
stand.--They have each had two martinis and so far they've spent less than a
dollar.
Finally one of the men says, 'How can you afford to serve martinis as good
as these for a dime a piece?'
'I'm a retired tailor from Boston ,' the bartender said.
'And I always wanted to own a bar. Last year I hit the Lottery for $25
million and decided to open this place.
Every drink costs a dime - wine, liquor, beer, it's all the same.'
'Wow! That's quite a story!' says one of the men.
The four of them sipped at their martinis and couldn't help but notice seven
other people at the end of the bar who didn't have drinks in front of them,
and hadn't ordered anything the whole time they were there.
One man gestures at the seven at the end of the bar without drinks and asks
the bartender, 'What's with them?'
The bartender says, 'Oh, they're all retired old farts from Canada, waiting
for happy hour when drinks are half price.'
********************************************** WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WOMEN'S REVENGE 'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked.
'No,' she replied, 'but my husband refused to come shopping with me
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN ' S PERSPECTIVE) I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root
and still be afraid of a spider. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles..
The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him..
He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.
She directs him down the correct aisle.
A few minutes later, he deposits a huge bag of cotton balls and a ball of string on the counter.
She says, confused, Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons for your wife?
He answers, You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store
to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco
and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper.
So, I figure if I have to roll my own, so does she. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WORDS A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day.
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men.'
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREATION A man said to his wife one day, 'I don't know how you can be
so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.'
The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you.'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO DOES WHAT A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.
The husband said, 'You are in charge of cooking around here and
you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, ' No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says. 'HEBREWS'
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
********************************************** A man and woman were having dinner in a fine restaurant. They were gazing lovingly at each other and holding hands. Their waitress, taking another order at a table a few steps away, suddenly noticed the man slowly sliding down his chair and under the table, but the woman acted unconcerned. The waitress watched as the man slid all the way down his chair and out of sight under the table. Still, the woman appeared calm and unruffled, apparently unaware her dining companion had disappeared. The waitress went over to the table and said to the woman, "Pardon me, ma'am, but I think your husband just slid under the table." The woman calmly looked up at her and said, "No, he didn't. He just walked in." ********************************************** Chicken Breasts with Creamy Mushroom Gravy Satisfy gravy cravings with a 30-minute dinner take using chicken breasts.
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (4 oz each)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
3 tablespoons Original Bisquick® mix
2 medium green onions, sliced (2 tablespoons)
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick.
In shallow dish, stir 1/2 cup Bisquick mix and the garlic powder. In another shallow dish, beat egg. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with Bisquick mixture.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Turn chicken; cover and cook 4 to 6 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove to serving platter; cover to keep warm.
In same skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned. Add 3 tablespoons Bisquick mix and the onions; cook and stir until mixed. Stir in milk and soy sauce. Cook until mixture is thick and bubbly. Serve over chicken.
**********************************************
Chicken Tortellini with Portabella Mushroom Sauce Prep Time 10 Minutes
Total Time 20 Minutes
Makes 6 servings 2 packages (9 ounces each) refrigerated chicken-filled tortellini
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
3 cups chopped portabella or shiitake mushrooms (6 ounces)
2 teaspoons chopped fresh or 3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves
1 container (10 ounces) refrigerated Alfredo sauce
Cook and drain tortellini as directed on package. Melt margarine in 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook mushrooms in margarine, stirring occasionally, until brown and tender. Stir mushrooms and sage into Alfredo sauce. Toss with tortellini. ********************************************** Wild Mushroom Manicotti Looking for an Italian pasta dinner? Then check out these manicotti shells packed with wild mushrooms and veggies – a cheesy meal. 8 uncooked manicotti shells
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
2 medium bell peppers, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
10 pearl onions, peeled and cut in half
3/4 pound wild mushrooms, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed), rehydrated and chopped
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup shredded Italian-style six-cheese blend (2 ounces)
1 container (10 ounces) refrigerated reduced-fat Alfredo sauce
2 tablespoons water
Heat oven to 350°. Grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Cook manicotti shells as directed on package.
Melt margarine in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Cook bell peppers and onions in margarine 2 minutes; stir in mushrooms. Cook 2 to 3 minutes longer or until peppers are crisp-tender. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar and cheese.
Fill shells with mushroom mixture. Place in baking dish. Mix Alfredo sauce and 2 tablespoons water. Pour sauce over shells. Cover and bake 30 to 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly. **********************************************
Lemon Ginger Chicken
Prep Time 35 Minutes
Total Time 35 Minutes
Makes 4 servings Add a little zest when you serve chicken breasts by using this quick and easy skillet recipe. Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 1/4 lb)
1/2 cup Original Bisquick mix
1/4 cup Progresso plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon grated gingerroot
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil Lemon Ginger Sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon grated gingerroot
1 drop yellow food color
Lemon slices, if desired
DIRECTIONS: Between pieces of plastic wrap or waxed paper, place each chicken breast smooth side down; gently pound with flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/4 inch thick.
In shallow bowl, mix Bisquick mix, bread crumbs, lemon peel and gingerroot. Pour 1/2 cup water into another shallow bowl. Dip chicken into water, then coat with Bisquick mixture.
In 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken in oil 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (170°F).
Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix lemon juice, 1/4 cup water, the sugar, cornstarch, gingerroot and food color. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Pour sauce over chicken. Garnish with lemon slices.
**********************************************
I'm 63 & I'm Tired
I'm 63 and I'm Tired "I'm 63 and I'm Tired"
By Robert A. Hall
I'm 63. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.
I'm tired of being told that I have to "spread the wealth" to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it.
I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to "keep people in their homes." Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the left-wing Congress-critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the bubble help them with their own money.
I'm tired of being told how bad America /Canada is by left-wing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood Entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States and Canada will have the economy of Zimbabwe , the freedom of the press of China , the crime and violence of Mexico , the tolerance for Christian people of Iran , and the freedom of speech of Venezuela .
I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to.
I'm tired of being told that "race doesn't matter" in the post-racial world of Obama, when it's all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of U.S. Senators from Illinois.
I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the Emancipation Proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less arrogantly of an all-knowing government.
I'm tired of being told that out of "tolerance for other cultures" we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and mandrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America and Canada , while no American nor Canadian group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.
I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's, and if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.
I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease, and I must help support and treat them, and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them, and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.
I'm tired of illegal aliens being called "undocumented workers," especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, "Undocumented Pharmacists"? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic, and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person, who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare, or who serves honorably for three years in our military.... Those are the citizens we need.
I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves, or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo, and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims, who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon, or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq, or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia, because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British, Canadian and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.
I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. Read the papers; bums are bipartisan. And I'm tired of people telling me we need bipartisanship. I live in Illinois , where the "Illinois Combine" of Democrats has worked to loot the public for years. Not to mention the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet.
I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.
Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were "poor." The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.
I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.
Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to have to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.
Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate. There is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
This is your chance to make a difference.
( Just thought this was a good article to post here. . at least in my frame of mind as I make this up and post it) **********************************************
God's Wife LOOK OUT FOR THE LAST STORY....
IT WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF
Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child..
The winner was: A four-year-old child, whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, 'Nothing, I just helped him cry.' *********************************************
Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of a family.. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted. A little girl said, ' I know all about adoption, I was adopted.. '
'What does it mean to be adopted?', asked another child..
'It means' , said the girl, 'that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy! '
*********************************************
On my way home one day, I stopped to watch a Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was
'We ' re behind 14 to nothing, ' he answered with a smile.
'Really, ' I said. 'I have to say you don't look very discouraged.'
'Discouraged? ', the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face... 'Why should we be discouraged? We haven't
been up to bat yet. ' ********* ***************** ******************* Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.
On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. 'Guess what, Mom, 'he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me..... ' I've been chosen to clap and cheer. '
*********************************************
An eye witness account from New York City , on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, p eering through the window, and shivering with cold.
A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'
'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,' was the boy's reply.
The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.
By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks
And gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, ' No doubt, you will be more comfortable now. '
As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up in to her face, with tears
In his eyes, asked her. 'Are you God's wife?' ********************************************* SHARE THIS WITH ALL WHO LOVE AND CARE FOR CHILDREN. Hope this put a smile (and perhaps a few tears!)
On your face. It Sure did mine.
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDERS FROM GOD: "Learn calm. All great work for Me is done first in the soul of the individual." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: Holding On Ecclesiastes 2:11, NIV: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." We have each been given two hands. With our hands we greet strangers with a friendly handshake, we open doors on buildings and cars, we pick things up and we put things down. With our hands we embrace what is dear to us, and with our hands we push away what we do not like. But two hands are all we have, and they will only hold so much. So we must choose what we will hold and of what we will let go. Consider what you can hold onto that you can take to Heaven--nothing of this earth. But in letting go of the things of this earth, we gain freedom to hold so much more than we could ever have imagined. Once we choose to release our grip off our wants and this world, our hands are free to hold the hand of Christ--and to hold the hand of another who needs Christ as much as you do. Use your hands to embrace this truth, and your hands will hold more in Heaven than they ever could have held on this earth. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? - Matthew 3:14 ******************* WORD FOR THE DAY: thimblerig THIM-buhl-rig , verb;
1. To cheat or swindle, as in the traditional shell game known as thimblerig. noun: 1. A game in which the operator rapidly moves about three inverted thimbles, often with sleight of hand, one of which conceals a token, the other player betting on which thimble the token is under. Quotes:
Vending wonder, big diversions with little fibs, my father loved to play the game, cog the die, and thimblerig the ear, offering up the pleasure of an afternoon s deception.
-- Lee Siegel, Love and Other Games of Chance
"I do not permit any man to thimblerig his debts to me into my debts to him." Burbank seemed deeply moved.
-- Roger Rosenblatt, Beet: A Novel Origin:
Thimblerig as a verb derives from the con artist's game of the same name. The word is a combination of thimble , the small metal cap used in sewing, and rig , in the archaic sense of "to trick or scheme." **************************** You might be a REDNECK if...
...you have a color coordinating rope that ties down your car hood.
You might be a REDNECK if...
...your 'huntin dawg' cost more than the truck you drive him around in
THINGS TO PONDER: Why do psychics have to ask for your name?
THINGS TO PONDER: If the cops arrest a mime do they tell him he has the right to remain silent? CONFUCIOUS QUOTE: Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.
****************************
TODAY'S PET TIP Traveling with Your Dog in the Car
Summer months see more Americans hitting the road for weekend trips and extended vacations. More and more pets are now joining their owners on these trips. When traveling with your pet in the car, it's import to follow these tips: # Use Proper Restraint: When traveling in your vehicle, your pet should always be properly restrained for both your and their safety. In the case of an accident, a dog can weigh up 30 times its weight upon impact while traveling at 35 mph. Today, many companies create seatbelt systems and crates to keep animals safely secured while on the road. # Never Leave Your Pet In the Car: In 70-degree weather and above, it takes only minutes for the temperatures in your car to escalate to triple digits. Leaving the window open an inch does not provide adequate ventilation. Many states are passing laws that prohibit leaving your pet alone in your automobile. So if your car is parked, please make sure to remove your pet from the car. # Bring Water: Car travel can make your pets feel anxious and result in nervous panting. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your trip to allow your pet the opportunity to re-hydrate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 Tips for a Healthy Dog 1. Play with your dog - Play is not something dogs outgrow but rather an activity they keenly pursue throughout their lives. Unhealthy unhappy dogs do not play, so play serves as a barometer of well being, indicating that a dog is well fed, in good health and content. 2. Yearly examinations by your vet - Annual physical exams are an important part of providing optimal health care and the best longevity for your beloved companion. Dogs age quickly and they are unable to tell us if they are feeling a little "off". (In fact, they are very good at hiding illness.) Remember, a year for you is comparable to about 5-10 years of life for your dog - and a lot can change in that much time. Get a check up every year.?? 3. Healthy Diet - A healthy well balanced diet is critical. There have been a lot of advances in canine nutrition. By feeding the dog food recipe that best supports your dog's unique needs, you're giving him the support he needs for a happy healthy life. The Longevity recipe gives adult dogs the special nutrients they need to support their hearts, minds and immune systems. The Healthy Joints recipe helps your dog stay active. Complete with chondroitin and glucosamine, it helps keep joints healthy. The Healthy Weight formula dog foods is a low-fat corn-free recipe specially formulated to keep dogs trim. Sometimes, dogs can be ill for weeks and you are unaware of it. This may not be from a lack of monitoring or caring; dogs just naturally hide their illness until it is so far advanced they can no longer hide the disease. Monitor your dog's activity level, appetite, urine, water intake and bowel movements for any abnormalities. TODAY'S PET TIP How to Select the Right Dog Treat
The ideal dog treat is one made of good quality ingredients, moderate to low in calories, consistent in ingredients (thus unlikely to cause stomach upset from bag to bag), very appealing to your dog and safe. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publishes feed regulations and ingredient definitions. If the dog food (or treat) follows the guidelines set forth by AAFCO, the label will include a statement that says "Formulated to meet the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile for Puppies/Adults/Senior.") Some companies create treats to be in compliance with the AAFCO standards. It is also important to ensure you are buying the proper size relative to the size of your dog. Dog treats that are too large or too small can cause esophageal obstructions in some dogs. ************************** There is a theory which states that if ever anybody discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.
Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001) The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents.
H. P. Lovecraft (1890 - 1937), "The Call of Cthulhu", first line He hasn't an enemy in the world - but all his friends hate him.
Eddie Cantor (1892 - 1964) You know what's interesting about Washington? It's the kind of place where second-guessing has become second nature.
George W. Bush (1946 - ), Speech on May 17, 2002 "For every failure, there's an alternative
course of action. You just have to find it.
When you come to a roadblock,
take a detour."
- Mary Kay Ash ******************* Italian Stuffed Sandwich Wedges 30 min
8 to 12 as an appetizer INGREDIENTS: 1 (18 to 22 oz.) round Italian bread loaf
1/3 cup Crisco Pure Olive Oil
1/2 cup chopped pimiento stuffed olives
1/2 cup chopped ripe black olives
1/4 cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 pound sliced salami
1/4 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
1 (12 oz.) jar roasted red peppers, drained
1/4 pound sliced pepperoni DIRECTIONS: 1.CUT bread in half horizontally. Scoop out bottom and top, leaving a 1/2-inch thick shell. 2.COMBINE oil, green olives, ripe olives, parsley, oregano, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon juice and garlic in medium bowl. Stir to mix well. 3.SPOON half the olive mixture into bread shell. Top with salami, cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoni and the remaining olive mixture. Cover with bread top. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill at least 3 hours or overnight. Cut loaf into wedges. Serve. ******************* SPANAKOPITA Recipe for Traditional Greek Spinach and Feta Cheese Pie
2 lbs. fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
2 cups finely chopped green onions
1 1/2 tsp. fine Traditional Portuguese Sea Salt
1/4 cup Organic Extra-virgin Olive Oil
3 cups chopped onion
1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
1/2 lb. feta cheese, crumbled (traditionally made from sheeps milk, feta cheese from goat milk is also good)
14 filo leaves (usually sold frozen, thaw thoroughly!)
3/4 cup clarified butter (ghee), melted.
DIRECTIONS: 1) Wash and clean the spinach. Discard the stems. Drain & cut the leaves into shreds. 2) Combine the spinach, parsley, dill, green onions and grey sea salt in a bowl. Let stand for 15 minutes, then press out all of the liquid. 3) Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and saute the 3 cups of chopped onions until soft and transparent. Add the spinach mixture from step 2 and saute for a few more minutes. Add the feta cheese and black pepper. 4) Place each of 7 filo leaves in a buttered 10" x 17" x 2" baking pan, bruhing each leaf with melted clarified butter. Add the spinach mixture from step 3, spread into a thick layer then add remaining filo leaves, again brushing each leaf with melted clarified butter. Cut into 3"x 3" pieces with a sharp knife. 5) Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown. ******************* Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore An Italian classic. Thanks to the slow cooker, Chicken Cacciatore can greet you warmly when you come home from work! Prep Time 25 Minutes
Total Time 4:45 Hrs:Mins
Makes 6 servings An Italian classic. Thanks to the slow cooker, Chicken Cacciatore can greet you warmly when you come home from work!
1 cut-up whole chicken (3 to 3 1/2 lb), skin removed
1/3 cup Gold Medal all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium green bell pepper
2 medium onions
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes, undrained
1 jar (4.5 oz) Green Giant sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese
Coat chicken with flour. In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 15 to 20 minutes or until brown on all sides; drain.
Cut bell pepper and onions crosswise in half; cut each half into fourths. In 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker, place half of the chicken pieces. Mix bell pepper, onions and remaining ingredients except cheese; spoon half of mixture over chicken.
Add remaining chicken; top with remaining vegetable mixture. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest piece is cut to bone (170°F for breasts; 180°F for thighs and legs). Serve with cheese. Note: This recipe was tested in slow cookers with heating elements in the side and bottom of the cooker, not in cookers that stand only on a heated base. For slow cookers with just a heated base, follow the manufacturer’s directions for layering ingredients and choosing a temperature. ******************* Ropa Vieja Total Time:8 hr 30 mins Ingredients 9/10 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/5 cup sherry vinegar
1 1/5 stalks celery, thinly sliced
3/5 large onion, chopped
3/5 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 5/6 cloves garlic, minced
1 5/6 teaspoon ground cumin
3/5 teaspoon salt
3/10 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 5/6 pounds flank steak, trimmed of fat, each steak cut into thirds
3/10 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3/10 cup chopped pickled jalapenos
6 corn tortillas, heated (see Tip) Directions
1. Combine broth, vinegar, celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add beef, submerging it by tucking the vegetables under, over and between the pieces. 2. Put the lid on and cook on low until the meat is fork-tender, about 8 hours. 3. Transfer the meat to a cutting board; let stand for 10 minutes. Shred the meat with 2 forks and return it to the slow cooker. Stir in cilantro. Garnish with jalapeno and serve warm tortillas on the side. Tip: Wrap corn tortillas in foil and bake at 300°F until steaming, about 10 minutes. ******************* Barbecue Pulled Chicken 8 servings
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 5 1/2 hours Ingredients
1 8-ounce can reduced-sodium tomato sauce
1 4-ounce can chopped green chiles, drained
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon sweet or smoked paprika
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of fat
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced Preparation
Stir tomato sauce, chiles, vinegar, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ground chipotle and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Add chicken, onion and garlic; stir to combine.
Put the lid on and cook on low until the chicken can be pulled apart, about 5 hours.
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the sauce, stir well and serve. Tips & Notes
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month ******************* How to Be Wise Wisdom is not book learning, not instantly obtainable, and not something you're gifted with at birth. Indeed, wisdom defies exact definition for to define it too tightly would be to curtail the breadth of its potential for self-growth. Wisdom comes with time, experience, and the willingness to maintain an open-mind about the world and all its people. While wisdom accumulates over the years, it requires constant filtering to remove the prejudices and bias that also accumulate, as well as constant reflection and a willingness to challenge one's own beliefs and values on occasion. The essence of wisdom tends to be lauded in all cultures, and is often viewed as a state that leaves you calm, able to think through things before acting upon them, and not be someone who is easily caught up by the myriad fads and crazes pulsing through society at any time. Wisdom includes an ability to stand back and take in the bigger picture while still admiring the details that make things function well. With time, a wise person grows deeper in knowledge but does not abuse that knowledge by shutting out others or claiming to be the sole repository of ideas and answers; instead, a wise person willingly shares what they have learned and enables the growth of others willing to listen. Confucius once said that "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." These ideas are explored throughout the article, which is a starter guide for the person keen to focus a little more on the gaining of wisdom. Steps
1 Know yourself. While time-consuming and sometimes challenging, it is still easier to learn about everything and everyone else in the world than about yourself. The hardest journey is often the one that requires looking inside yourself honestly to work out what drives you and what beliefs, opinions, and biases you hold within. Unless you're willing to know yourself well and learn to love both the strengths and weaknesses within you, it is difficult to be wise. If you don't know yourself, you're more likely to succumb to covering up weaknesses and overplaying strengths instead of practicing self-acceptance and being honest. Knowing yourself provides the space in which you can err, grow, and forgive yourself as you journey through life. Be careful of the term "self-improvement". While this term means well, it presumes we're all a mess at the core and need sorting. Even if that is true, it does not help you any to be vulnerable to the advice drawn from another person's journey and to try and replace your experiences with theirs. By all means learn from the experiences of others who have made journeys of self-discovery but don't make the mistake of believing that their journey is the right one for you or that you can simply replace your experiences with theirs. You must do the hard work alone.
Be wary of any self-improvement advice that claims to have "secrets". The only "secret" to self-improvement is that it requires hard work and constancy. Beyond that, you can fiddle at the edges (attested to remarkably by the massive success of the self-help industry) but you cannot change the reality of having to do the work of personal introspection and reflection on the world yourself. 2 Realize that you know nothing. The wisest of people have long been those who realize they actually know very little – often in spite of decades of learning and reflecting. The more you think about people, things, and events, the more it becomes clear that there is always more to know and that what you do know is but a pinhead amid all knowledge. Acceptance of the limitations of your own knowledge is a key to wisdom.
One of the key barriers to wisdom is over-reliance on or expectation of "expertise". We live in a world sold on the importance of expertise as a panacea for everything, including our own effort of thinking. Granted, many (certifiable) experts are clever and they do know a lot about their specialty. But to equate expertise with wisdom is to conflate the meanings of each term – expertise refers to someone's high level of knowledge in a distinct field, whereas wisdom refers to the broader concept of being able to see the bigger picture of life, to have considered responsiveness to all the things life throws at us, to live calmly reassured of life's purpose, and to never assume that there is necessarily an answer but still to be comfortable living with that reality.
Mary Jaksch advises that now and then we need to adopt "beginner's mind".[1] This is the mind of a person starting afresh, being challenged anew by doing something that you've never done before. This brings excitement into your life as well as having the potential to unnerve you because you're not an "expert" at it. In addition, she advocates "don't know" mind, a martial arts mindset that reflects the wisdom of the warrior. Rather than prejudging situations by what you do know, keep your mind open and tell yourself that "I don't know" and allow yourself to learn. When you cease to have a fixed idea of people, things, and situations surrounding you, you grow in wisdom because you soak up changes, new ideas, and don't set any person above or beneath you. 3 Accept that there will never be an end to learning. If you thought the learning ended the moment you left high school or college, then you're in for a harsh perspective on life. The idea of learning is far broader than textbooks and what the teachers tell you; constant learning is the ability to stand still and question things that happen to you and to grow from your life's experiences. The problem with thinking that learning stops the moment you decide it stops, is that you cease to grow at that point and become set in your ways and beliefs. And once you start believing that the thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and ideas that are in your head now are forever more all you ever need to know and trust, you shut yourself down to other people's perspectives and ways of seeing the world. This risks cessation of internal growth and being absolutely certain that anything you think or believe is right while anything that challenges your beliefs or thoughts is wrong. Anais Nin neatly summed up this need to continue learning: "Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death." 4 Take time to contemplate. Wisdom cannot be hurried and it certainly cannot grow when the mind is feasting on pop culture and fast living. It is essential to take time out from everyday living just for thinking and reflecting over your own activities and over the wider happenings in the world and beyond. If you don't do this, you risk being reactive rather than proactive, an intellectually lazy response of not being bothered to make sense of the world yourself and happy to be carried along by the current.
Practice being proactive by learning how to plan and strategize your efforts in life. Planning and strategizing requires downtime to think, somewhere quiet and away from the hubbub of people's demands, raucous TV programs, and relentless online opinions.
Talk and do less; think and feel more. 5 Learn from suitable mentors. Find people whom you respect and believe emulate the values and ideals that represent a wise way of living life. Look for people doing the things you find interesting and of importance. Ask those people questions and ask them for feedback on your own ideas. Listen with great care to what they have to say, for you will learn much from their experience and reflection. When in doubt, ask your mentors for advice and guidance; while you don't necessarily have to agree with what they have to say, it will certainly give you food for thought.
Read the writings of philosophers and social commentators who have covered the topic of wisdom. There will be many differing understandings of what it means to be wise and wide-ranging exposure to others' opinions and ideas about wisdom is also helpful "mentoring".
In your fields of interest (work, home, hobby, sport, pastimes, etc.), read about other people's experiences. While you won't necessarily respond to similar situations in the same way that they did, knowing how others before you have dealt with situations that you're likely to face is an excellent source of foundational knowledge to help your own mind work out how you'd respond and to trigger new ideas and skills from within you.
Watch happy people and soak up their joy. You don't even need to ask them for advice – simply watching and listening to their joyous interaction with life can teach you a great deal about how to embrace a more joyful outlook. 6 Move on from living a life of "shoulds". Listening to other people's "shoulds" is a surefire way to curtail your own sense of self because "shoulds" are a species of other peoples' insecurities being visited on you. If you listen to them too much, they begin to drive your life. Let go of other people's standards of how they think your life "should" be (their own life should be enough of a handful for them). Find your own moral pathway and follow it, and minimize the "shoulds".
With respect to "should have dones" from the past, let go of them. Hindsight is the means by which you fool yourself into thinking you could have been wiser back then. There is no point reaching back and positioning yourself for a wisdom that did not arise when sought. By all means learn from the experience and be ready to adjust your approach to life's situations as a result, but avoid getting stuck into the place of no return where "should have done" rules your life. This soon leads to "I never get anything right" self-pity and can easily drain you of self-confidence. 7 Be unhurried. Be still at least once a day, to allow yourself time to rest and to stop taking in the rush of the world. Being constantly busy, feeling indispensable, or worrying incessantly about being seen as inadequate may make you a paragon of workplace virtue but it does not make you wise. Stop. Listen. Stand still. Take in what the unhurried perspective brings to you. 8 Be humble. Is it wise to toot your horn and to sell yourself all the time? The business and marketing world have convinced us it's a necessity, because we've managed to turn ourselves into commodities in need of a good sales pitch, and business language frequently reflects this. However, there is a huge difference between acknowledging to yourself and others that you are good at doing something and exaggerating a range of skill sets beyond your comfort zone just to keep up with the competition. Being humble is not about abdicating your self-worth; rather, it's about being realistic and only emphasizing all that is good and capable within you. In turn, people will know that they can depend on your reliability for those traits. Being humble is wise because it allows the real you to shine through. Humility also ensures that you respect the abilities of others rather than fearing them; the wisdom of accepting your own limitations and connecting with other people's strengths to bolster yours is infinite. 9 Be gentle. Gentleness rests at the heart of wisdom. It is a way of life that respects all beings, and also insists on gentleness toward yourself. If you push yourself too hard all the time, you won't find wisdom; instead of embracing your imperfections, you'll always be running from them, which prevents you from discovering inner peace. Being gentle with yourself allows you to gain wisdom through self-respect. 10 Question everything including yourself. If you're fond of preaching generalizations to reinforce your set world view, you'll be prone to accepting anything that aligns with your mindset, no matter how poorly constructed an opinion or argument it may be. An inquiring mind probes, and seeks for holes in information. This doesn't mean you have to discard the information or beliefs but you do need to understand when your view of things is shaky or based on tenuous assumptions. When you're questioned and your own opinions are proven untenable, the wise reaction it to keep searching for more solid and reliable explanations and to cease defending the indefensible.
There is no reason to think your own answers are right. And there is even less reason to think that your current answers will never change throughout your life. As you grow and change, so too do the things you once thought set in concrete. Allow for this growth, and you will gain in wisdom.
Often the answer lies in the question – take heed of what caused you to ask the question and within that rests the heart of your concern. Use the question to find the answer.
Avoid following the herd. Being wise requires standing back and assessing whether it's just socially condoned or the latest fad rather than good and useful. If being part of it won't improve your quality of life, why participate? Reflect carefully before leaping. 11 Be responsible for yourself. Do what's right for you in life; deep down most of us know what this is and yet we live in a world where it can very easy to avoid self-responsibility and to offload the blame on the government, the school system, our neighbors, the TV, the weather... And the voice of duty also allows us to circumnavigate self-responsibility through unquestioning adoption of the advice of parents, teachers, friends, and anyone else who feels they have the finger on the pulse of who we are instead of figuring out these responsibilities for ourselves. Only you can know who you are and only you can be responsible for your ultimate choices. If you've spent years doing what was right according to someone else's standards rather than your own, you're not being responsible for yourself. Change the job where nobody recognizes your talents and find one where people will discover the tiger within. Move on to a housing situation where you're comfortable, not cowering. And find a way to earn a living that doesn't compromise your compassion, care, and interests. Self-responsibility, including learning to accept the consequences of making your own decisions, increases wisdom.
Don't suppress your feelings and emotions. To do so is unwise and unhealthy. Emotions have a way of finding an outlet and if you've ignored them under a thin veneer of professionalism or trying to be "strong", the eventual outburst of emotions can be uncontrolled. Being responsible for yourself includes nurturing your healthy emotions and dealing promptly with your negative emotions rather than avoiding them. A wise person embraces feelings and intuition (gut feeling) as part of their whole and learns how to listen with care and discrimination to feelings instead of stifling them. 12 Keep life uncomplicated. For many people, a sense of meaning in life is "created" from being overly busy and by complicating everything from work to love. Complexity can make a person feel important and wanted but it is not wisdom. Rather, it's a form of distraction from oneself and from dealing with issues in life that really do matter, like questioning what your purpose is and what life is all about. Complication rules out reflection, leaves you vulnerable to the mysticism of expertise, and can cause you to make things harder than they need to be. Keep it simple and wisdom will flourish. 13 Avoid being media addicted. Related to keeping life uncomplicated and not following the herd, detaching yourself regularly from media is a vital part of being wise. Small doses are fine but anything that saturates you and controls your thinking is an abdication of the self and the need to think. When media dominates your day and night and you believe you're best pals with the movie stars, the internet entrepreneurs, and the top 100 bloggers, then it's time to clear the fluff out of your head.
Linked with keeping your life uncomplicated is the need to keep yourself free from communication overload. Media saturation in your life is not about learning learning or increasing your knowledge. Unfortunately, much media is repackaged and you already know it but convince yourself it's news. Be selective and read that which enhances your understanding of world affairs rather than simply confirming your existing knowledge. And as already stated, question everything. 14 Be there for others. Share your wisdom with others to help guide them. As a mentor and teacher yourself, you can help other people learn about critical thinking, embracing feelings, loving lifelong learning, and trusting themselves. Bear in mind that wisdom is not about the fairytale image of the wise old man stuck in a cave on a mountaintop; keeping apart hermit-like can easily border on contempt and dislike for your fellow humans. Avoid the elitist temptation to use learning as a barrier against others; knowledge is for sharing not hoarding, and wisdom will only grow when exposed to everyone else's ideas no matter how confronting they may be. And beware navel-gazing; reflection time is important but so is time spent giving back to people the knowledge, skills, and love that you have gained. Tips
When you ask others, learn to give credit, and receive it when due. Often, take the time to relax and take a look at the world around you. Warnings If you use logic to make decisions, consider this: When you have too much doubt in your reasoning, it will be hard to make those decisions.
Some decisions you will doubt, because your decisions are only as valid as your reasoning, which - at times - you may think is not at all valid. But without decisions, you may not attain the things you want. No article can advise on how to balance these needs, that is up to you. *******************
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
PERSONAL NOTE : at noon today it is 71 F degrees - eat your heart out you ppl up north that are still cold and need to thaw out and I have daffidills blooming in my yard. would share photo but dang it have not figured it out yet, says all my photos are too big. . ... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ REMINDERS FROM GOD: "Go back into silence to recover calm. You accomplish more by this than by all the activities of a long day." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: Holding On Ecclesiastes 2:11, NIV: "Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." We have each been given two hands. With our hands we greet strangers with a friendly handshake, we open doors on buildings and cars, we pick things up and we put things down. With our hands we embrace what is dear to us, and with our hands we push away what we do not like. But two hands are all we have, and they will only hold so much. So we must choose what we will hold and of what we will let go. Consider what you can hold onto that you can take to Heaven--nothing of this earth. But in letting go of the things of this earth, we gain freedom to hold so much more than we could ever have imagined. Once we choose to release our grip off our wants and this world, our hands are free to hold the hand of Christ--and to hold the hand of another who needs Christ as much as you do. Use your hands to embrace this truth, and your hands will hold more in Heaven than they ever could have held on this earth. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. - Matthew 3:13 *********************** WORD FOR THE DAY: urbane • er-BAYN • adj
: notably polite or polished in manner Examples:
When had my willful and tomboyish cousin turned into this urbane young artist greeting the guests at her opening reception? "It is an archetypal scenario: innocent nave falls victim to the chicanery of a malevolent, urbane and -- most importantly -- seemingly innocuous predator." -- From an article by Judith Acosta on The Huffington Post, December 27, 2010 ************************* 5 Signs That Your Dog Is Aging You aren't getting older, you're getting better - or at least that's what a lot of people tell themselves. The same goes for our dogs, but we can't ignore some of the changes that occur as the years go by. Every dog ages differently, but as the body gets older there are some common changes that will occur. Here is a list of some of the most common conditions that develop in elderly pets. 1. Loss of hearing - As your dog ages, the nerve cells and hearing apparatus degenerate, resulting in a gradual loss of hearing. 2. Loss of vision - The lens of the eye becomes cloudy with age. Natural changes result in lenticular sclerosis, which typically does not cause significant vision loss. However, cataracts may develop, which do interfere with vision. 3. Decreased activity - As dogs get older, their body's metabolic rate slows. This results in a decreased activity level. 4. Weight gain - Elderly dogs require 30 to 40 percent fewer calories. By eating a normal maintenance diet, obesity often develops. 5. Infections - As the body ages the immune system weakens, making it harder for the dog to ward off infections. As your dog gets older, medical treatment can become more expensive. To make sure that you can provide the very best care for your dog, I recommend that you consider pet insurance . Do it now while your dog is still under 6 years of age and in relatively good health. A small pet insurance premium is much more affordable than large veterinary bills. Thanks to better nutrition, better veterinary care and excellent care from their owners, dogs are living longer these days. Learn what to expect as your dog ages, so you can help give your dog the best quality of life possible in his golden years. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TODAY'S PET TIP
Encouraging Your Dog to Drink
Proper hydration is crucial in the healing process; however, the ill or painful dog may not be interested in drinking. It is important NOT to force water into your dog, as it could lead to aspiration pneumonia if your dog is not swallowing appropriately.
Listed below are several options to encourage your dog to intake water. 1. Give your dog an ice cube to lick.
2. Allow your dog to lick water from your hand or your finger.
3. Feed canned dog food, as it has a higher water content.
4. Add warm water or low-sodium broth to your dog's food.
5. With your veterinarian's permission, offer small amounts of Pedialyte.
6. Adding an ice cube to the water bowl can encourage some dogs to drink. If your dog is weak and not interested in food or water, see your veterinarian.
************************************** Les Dawson
"I used to sell furniture for a living. The trouble was, it was my own." Phyllis Diller
"Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?" Lenny Bruce
"Miami Beach is where neon goes to die."
****************************
Sausage Calzone
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Total Time 55 Minutes
Makes 6 servings 8 oz bulk Italian pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 jar (4.5 oz) Green Giant sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can (16 oz) pizza sauce
3 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz)
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 450°F. In 10-inch skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in mushrooms and 1/2 cup of the pizza sauce; cook until thoroughly heated.
In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, boiling water and oil until dough forms (add additional tablespoon of water if needed). Place dough on surface sprinkled with Bisquick mix; roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape dough into a ball; knead about 10 times or until smooth. Roll dough into 12-inch round.
On ungreased cookie sheet, place dough round. Top half of dough with sausage mixture to within 1 inch of edge. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over sausage mixture. Fold dough over filling; press edge with fork to seal. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 14 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cutting board. Cool 5 minutes before cutting into 6 wedges. Heat remaining pizza sauce; spoon over each serving.
Variation
You can use a package of sliced pepperoni in place of the sausage and onion. Just stir pepperoni together with the 1/2 cup pizza sauce and mushrooms and fill the calzone. Variation
To personalize your calzone, add your family’s favorite pizza toppings. Try bell pepper, olives or onions. Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 470(Calories from Fat 220),Total Fat 24g(Saturated Fat 8g,Trans Fat 1 1/2g),Cholesterol 35mg;Sodium 1670mg;Total Carbohydrate 46g(Dietary Fiber 3g,Sugars 10g),Protein 17g;Percent Daily Value*:Calcium ;Exchanges:2 1/2 Starch;0 Fruit;1/2 Other Carbohydrate;0 Skim Milk;0 Low-Fat Milk;0 Milk;0 Vegetable;0 Very Lean Meat;0 Lean Meat;1 1/2 High-Fat Meat;2 Fat;Carbohydrate Choices:3;*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. ****************************** Amish Breakfast Casserole We enjoyed a hearty breakfast bake during a visit to an Amish inn," recalls Beth Notaro of Kokomo, Indiana. "When I asked for the recipe, one of the ladies told me the ingredients right off the top of her head. I modified it to create this version my family loves. Try breakfast sausage in place of bacon."
12 Servings Prep: 15 min. Bake: 35 min. + standing Ingredients
1 pound sliced bacon, diced
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 eggs, lightly beaten
4 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
1-1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese Directions
In a large skillet, cook bacon and onion until bacon is crisp; drain. In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in bacon mixture. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings. Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 piece) equals 273 calories, 18 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 153 mg cholesterol, 477 mg sodium, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 18 g protein.
***************************
Beef and Pepper Stir-Fry This stir-fry is quick and easy to make and perfect when you are in a hurry but want to serve a nice meal. Serves: 4-6
Prep. time: 7 minutes
Cooking time: 10
2 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
4 tablespoons beef broth, divided or 4 tablespoons dry sherry, divided
4 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed (upto 1 teaspoon)
1 pound top sirloin, thinly sliced into 1/4-inch strips
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons Vegetable Oil, divided
1 green pepper, cut into strips
1 sweet red pepper, cut into strips
chow mein noodles or hot cooked rice
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons broth or sherry, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, garlic and red pepper flakes. Add beef and toss to coat; set aside.
In a small bowl, combine water with remaining cornstarch, broth and soy sauce; set aside.
In a wok or skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add green and red peppers; stir-fry for 1 minute or until crisp-tender. Remove peppers to a platter.
Add remaining oil and half of the beef to the pan; stir-fry for 1-2 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Remove to platter. Stir-fry the remaining beef. Return peppers and beef to pan. Stir cornstarch mixture and add to pan; bring to a boil, stirring constantly until thickened. Cook 1 minute longer. Serve immediately over chow mein noodles or rice
************************** Boston Baked Beans In some parts of the country, you can't have a potluck or church supper without a big pot of baked beans—great with baked ham and cole slaw! Yield: Serves 8 1 quart pea beans
1/2 pound piece salt pork
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
boiling water
Wash and pick over the beans and soak them overnight in cold water. In the morning drain them and cover with fresh water. Simmer until the skins break. Put the beans in a bean pot, score the pork and press on top of the beans where it will brown, filling the pot three-quarters full. Add the sugar, molasses, salt, soda, and mustard. Cover with boiling water. Cover the pot and bake without stirring for 8 hours in a slow oven, 250 degrees F. Keep beans almost covered with water. Remove the pot's cover for the last half hour of baking.
***************** He: "I never knew until to-day that the Rev. Dr. Preachly married an actress." She: "Oh, yes! It is she who rehearses him in those beautiful extempore sermons he preaches." ********************* The trouble with weather forecasting is that it's right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.
- Patrick Young There are only two kinds of people who are really fascinating: people who know absolutely everything, and people who know absolutely nothing.
- Oscar Wilde I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don't even invite me.
- Dave Barry
******************* You might be a REDNECK if...
...you hooked up with your present girlfriend as a result of a message on the wall of the mens' room at the Flying J Truck Stop
********************* THINGS TO PONDER: Why when you say a color a lot does it start to sound really strange? CONFUCIOUS QUOTE: To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. ************************ MAMA'S BIBLE ............. Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful
doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later,
they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they
were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city. The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama." The second said, " I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."
The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well.
Well, I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed.
After the holidays Mom sent out her Thank You notes.
She wrote:
" Milton , the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all of my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."
Luv Ya,
MAMA
******************************** Painting the Church There was a Dublin painter named Paddy the Painter who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.
********************* Newfie Bedroom Troubles
George is passing by Ned's shed one day when through a gap in the door
he sees Ned doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of an old red
Massey Ferguson. Buttocks clenched he performs a slow pirouette and gently slides off
first the right welly boot, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move
lets his braces fall down from his shoulders to dangle by his hips over
his corduroy trousers . Grabbing both sides of his checkered shirt he rips it apart to reveal
his tea stained vest underneath and with a final flourish he hurls his
flat cap onto a pile of hay. 'What on earth are you doing Ned', says George. 'Lord tunderin' jeezuss, ye frightened the livin shit out of me' says an
obviously embarrassed Ned, ' me and the Missus been having some trouble
lately in the bedroom department, and the Therapist suggested I do
something sexy to a tractor.' ************************* Guy goes in an adult store and asks for an inflatable doll.
Guy behind the counter says , 'Male or female?'
Customer says , 'Female.'
Counter guy asks , 'Black or white? Customer says , 'White.'
Counter guy asks , 'Christian or Muslim?'
Customer says , 'What the hell does religion have to do with it?' Counter guy says , 'The Muslim one blows itself up.' ************************** The missus was watching a cooking program the other day. I said, "What you watching that for? You can't cook." She said, "You watch porn." **************** A salesman was traveling through the countryside, selling insect repellent.
He came to a farmhouse and tried his pitch on the farmer.
"Sir, my bug spray is so good you will never be bitten again. I guarantee it."
The farmer was dubious. "Young man, I'll make you a proposition. I'll tie you out in my pasture buck naked, covered with that bug spray. If there is not a single bite on you come morning, I'll buy a whole case from you. And get everyone in the county to buy a case......we will make you rich."
The salesman was delighted. They went to the field and he stripped.
The farmer sprayed him thoroughly with the bug spray and tied him to a tree.
Back to the house went the farmer.
The next morning, the farmer and his family trooped out to the cornfield.
Sure enough, the salesman was there, hanging in his bonds, not a single bite on him.
Yet he was a total wreck!
Pale, ghastly, haggard, and drawn, but not one bite on him.
The farmer was perplexed.
"Son," he said, "Now, you don't have a bite on you but you look like hell! What the devil happened?"
The salesman looked up through bloodshot eyes and croaked, ....... "Doesn't that calf have a mother? ********************************* REVENUE CANADA
At the end of the tax year, Revenue Canada office sent an inspector to audit the books of a local hospital. While the auditor was checking the books he turned to the CFO of the hospital and said, "I notice you buy a lot of bandages. What do you do with the end of the roll when there's too little left to be of any use?"
"Good question," noted the CFO. "We save them up and send them back to the bandage company, and every now and then they send us a free box of bandages."
"Oh," replied the auditor, somewhat disappointed that his unusual question had a practical answer. But on he went, in his obnoxious way.
"What about all these plaster purchases? What do you do with what's left over after setting a cast on a patient?"
"Ah, yes," replied the CFO, realizing that the inspector was trying to trap him with an unanswerable question. "We save it and send it back to the manufacturer, and every now and then they send us a free package of plaster."
"I see," replied the auditor, thinking hard about how he could fluster the know-it-all CFO. "Well," he went on, "What do you do with all the leftover foreskins from the circumcisions you perform?"
"Here, too, we do not waste," answered the CFO. "What we do is save all the little foreskins and send them to Revenue Canada , and about once a year they send us a complete dick." *********************************** ****************************** Best Duck Joke Ever A duck walks into a pub and orders a pint of beer and a ham sandwich. The barman looks at him and says, Hang on! You're a duck.
I see your eyes are working replies the duck.
And you can talk! exclaims the barman.
I see your ears are working too says the duck.
Now if you don't mind, can I have my beer and my sandwich please?
Certainly, sorry about that says the barman as he pulls the duck's pint.
It's just we don't get many ducks in this pub... so what are you doing round this way amyway? I'm working on the building site across the road explains the duck, I'm a plasterer.
The flabbergasted barman cannot believe the duck and wants to learn more, but takes the hint when the duck pulls out a newspaper from his bag and proceeds to read it.
So, the duck reads his paper, drinks his beer, eats his sandwich, bids the barman good day and leaves.
The same thing happens for two weeks. Then one day the circus comes to town.
The ringmaster comes into the pub for a pint and the barman says to him, you're with the circus aren't you? Well, I know this duck that could be just brilliant in your circus, he talks, drinks beer, eats sandwiches, reads the newspaper and everything!
Sounds marvellous says the ringmaster, handing over his business card, get him to give me a call.
So the next day when the duck comes into the pub the barman says, hey Mr. Duck, I reckon I can line you up with a top job, paying really good money.
I'm always looking for the next job says the duck, where is it? At the circus says the barman.
The circus? repeats the duck.
That's right replies the barman.
The circus? the duck asks again, that place with the big tent?
Yeah the barman replies.
With all the animals who live in cages, and performers who live in caravans? says the duck.
Of course the barman replies.
And the tent has canvas sides and a big canvas roof with a hole in the middle? persists the duck.
That's right! says the barman. The duck shakes his head in amazement, and says.......
V V
V
V
V
V
What the f....... would they want with a plasterer??!
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDERS FROM GOD: "Let joy flow from your house. It affects all who come there." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: Filling Out The Application James 1:22 NIV: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Application of God?s Word to our lives is our ultimate goal of personal Bible study, so that through His Word, we might be transformed by His truths. Depending upon where you are in your spiritual walk, application can take on many different shapes. Sometimes, application is like a salve applied daily until an irritation is cleared up. Sometimes, it is like setting a broken bone?quickly done?then clothed with a protective covering while healing takes place. Sometimes, it is a bandage covering something not terribly severe, but in need of protection from dirt and infection. Whatever the case, God?s Word (like so many healing aids), won?t work for us unless we apply it. God knows your heart and what you need and He has just what you need to move forward in your walk with Him. If you are not sure how to apply His Word, just ask God, and try asking a Christian friend to help. Many others have been down the path you are on, and would be more than willing to help any who are themselves willing to be helped. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
- Leviticus 19:18 ********************* WORD FOR THE DAY: linchpin • LINCH-pin • noun
1 : a locking pin inserted crosswise (as through the end of an axle or shaft)
2 : one that serves to hold together parts or elements that exist or function as a unit Examples:
A matching DNA sample was the linchpin in the murder case. "Although ties to the EU remain its economic linchpin, the country has shifted economic and foreign policy toward its old Ottoman holdings in the Mideast and ethnic brethren in Central Asia." -- From an article by Joel Kotkin in Newsweek, October 4, 2010 ************************* Quotes of the Day "All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another,
and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you"
- Wayne Dyer Last year I went fishing with Salvador Dali. He was using a dotted line. He caught every other fish.
- Steven Wright Household tasks are easier and quicker when they are done by somebody else.
- James Thorpe In case you're worried about what's going to become of the younger generation, it's going to grow up and start worrying about the younger generation.
- Roger Allen Bob Hope
"A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don't need it." Franklin P. Jones
"Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job." Albert Einstein
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." THING TO PONDER: Is the grass really greener on the other side?
THING TO PONDER: Why isn't phonic spelled the way it sounds? You might be a REDNECK if...
...your soap on a rope doubles as an air freshener.
You might be a REDNECK if...
...the receptionist checks the rat traps at your place of business.
************************** Did NPR’s ‘This American Life’ discover Coke’s secret formula? By Brett Michael Dykes
One of the most closely guarded trade secrets in the history of commerce may be a secret no more: NPR's "This American Life" thinks it has found the exact recipe for the world's most popular soft drink in a 1979 newspaper article. According to the show's host, Ira Glass, the drink's secret flavoring component, which was created by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886, is something called "Merchandise 7X." The show's staff recently stumbled across the February 8, 1979 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which published an article on page 28 about a leather-bound notebook that once belonged to Pemberton's best friend, another pharmacist in the Atlanta area named R. R. Evans. The notebook contained a number of pharmacological recipes--but the main entry, for students of commercial history, was what's believed to be the exact recipe for the soft drink: all of the ingredients listed with the exact amounts needed to whip up a batch. The Journal-Constitution piece also featured a photo of the page in Evans' notebook detailing Coke recipe--essentially revealing the recipe to the world. But since 1979 well antedated the explosion of digital media, the photograph of the recipe didn't travel far beyond the Atlanta area. Coke's recipe is one of the most closely guarded secrets in American commerce, steeped in cloak-and-dagger lore. After businessman Asa Griggs Candler bought out Pemberton--who also conjured up cough medicines and blood purifiers, among other things--in 1887 for $2,300, the exact recipe for 7X was placed in the vault in an Atlanta bank. It's been reported that only two company employees are privy to its ingredients and how they're mixed at any given time--and that those two aren't allowed to travel together out of fear that a traveling accident might take both of their lives. According to company historian Mark Pendergrast, Candler was so paranoid about the recipe leaking out of his proprietary control that he would go through the company mail himself to prevent any employees from seeing invoices that might tip off its ingredients. "It's this carefully passed-on secret ritual," Pendergrast told Glass, "and the formula is kept in a bank vault at Sun Trust, which used to be the Georgia Trust Company." After Pendergrast reviewed the recipe in the 1979 newspaper photo, he concluded that it could well be the real deal: "I think that it certainly is a version of the formula," he said, adding, "It's very similar to a formula that I found" in one of John Pemberton's notebooks when he was doing research for the book. So what's the secret to making Coke? Well, here's what was written in the notebook: The recipe: Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops Pemberton had reportedly hit upon the formula for Coke in an attempt to overcome the addiction to morphine he contracted after the Civil War, so it's perhaps not surprising that, in addition to alcohol, the drink originally contained Coca leaves laced with cocaine. After Atlanta passed a local prohibition ordinance in the 1890s, the company took the booze out of the formula, and the company has used cocaine-free coca leaves since 1904. When the beverage debuted in Atlanta-area pharmacies owned by friends of Pemberton, marketers pronounced it "a shot in the arm"-- while Pemberton himself hailed it as a cure for cure pain, impotence and headaches. In our more enlightened age, of course, we know that Coke "adds life"--together with a dollop or two of neroli and nutmeg oil. ************************* Grillades Makes: 4 servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 0 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour, 30 minutes Grillards or Grillades are very popular dish and are served on grits or rice. This recipe is adapted from Goudchaux's Sugars Collection of 1949 recipes.
Ingredients
1 pound beef round steak 1 large onions minced
3 tbsp oil or bacon fat 2 cups boiling water
1 bay leaf 2 tbsp flour
1 1/2 tsp salt 1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 sprig thyme 1/2 can tomato paste (optional)
dash cayenne 1/8 tsp pepper
carrots optional) 2 tsp garlic powder
Directions
Slice the round steak into long finger size strips. (Maw Maw likes to use a meat hammer to tenderize the meat.) Fry meat in oil until brown and set aside. Add tomato paste, water, and seasonings. Cover, lower heat and simmer adding meat (and carrots, if desired), for 45 minutes, Tomatoes may be omitted if brown gravy is desired. For a thicker gravy, remove cover and cook down. Serve over grits or rice. ************************** Arroz con Pollo Arroz con pollo, or chicken cooked with rice, is a common dish in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. We use quick-cooking brown rice here to help you get this on the table in just 40 minutes. Serve with a mixed green salad tossed with cilantro-lime vinaigrette.
4 servings, 2 pieces & 3/4 cup rice each
Active Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and/or drumsticks (about 8 pieces), skin removed, trimmed
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup instant brown rice
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed Preparation
Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add half the chicken pieces, skinned-side down. Cook until browned on one side, 4 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken; transfer to the plate.
Add onion, garlic and tomato sauce to the pot and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add broth and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Stir in rice, return the chicken to the pot, cover and simmer until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F, 8 minutes. Stir in vegetables, cover and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve the chicken over the rice. Nutrition
Per serving: 378 calories; 16 g fat (3 g sat, 7 g mono); 87 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 31 g protein; 3 g fiber; 735 mg sodium; 506 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (70% daily value), Zinc (24% dv), Magnesium & Vitamin C (17% dv)
2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 1/2 lean meat, 1 fat ************************* Portobello & Beef Patty Melt This diner classic gets a makeover by replacing some of the ground beef with finely chopped portobello mushrooms, which add moisture and flavor. We like a smear of pickle relish on top, but you could try chutney, mustard or hot pepper relish in its place. Make it a Meal: Round out the plate with Oven Sweet Potato Fries and Balsamic & Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower. 4 servings
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients
12 ounces 93%-lean ground beef
2 cups finely chopped portobello mushroom caps, (about 2), gills removed
3 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 slices rye bread
1 clove garlic, peeled
8 teaspoons pickle relish
4 slices Swiss cheese, (2 ounces) Preparation
Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler. Line a broiler pan with foil.
Gently mix beef, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire, thyme, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Shape into 4 patties and place on the prepared pan. Broil until cooked though, 4 to 6 minutes per side.
Meanwhile, toast bread. Rub each slice of toast with garlic.
Place 1 patty on each piece of toast, top each with 2 teaspoons relish and cover with a slice of cheese. Remove foil and place the sandwiches on the pan; broil until the cheese is just melted, 30 to 60 seconds. Nutrition
Per serving: 299 calories; 11 g fat (5 g sat, 4 g mono); 61 mg cholesterol; 26 g carbohydrates; 25 g protein; 3 g fiber; 583 mg sodium; 412 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Zinc (36% daily value), Iron (20% dv), Folate (17% dv), Calcium (15% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat ************************* Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 8 min
Yield: 4 servings Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan5 min
8 min
4 servings
INGREDIENTS:1 pound fresh asparagus
2 tablespoons Crisco® Pure Olive Oil, divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:1.HEAT oven to 450°F. Trim asparagus, snapping off tough ends. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the center of a rimmed baking sheet; spread asparagus evenly in the pan, in a single layer. Drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil; sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. 2.ROAST 5 minutes for crisp-tender asparagus, 8 minutes for softer asparagus. 3.TRANSFER asparagus to serving dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve immediately. VARIATION 1.ROASTED BROCCOLI WITH PARMESAN: Substitute 1 pound fresh broccoli, large leaves and woody stalks removed, cut into 2-inch long pieces. Follow directions above, except roast 5 minutes, turn broccoli; roast an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. ************************* Turkey and Bean Tostadas An easy taco dinner kit lets you make and dine on tostados in just 20 minutes. Prep Time 20 Minutes
Total Time 20 Minutes
Makes 5 servings 1 box (14.5 oz) Old El Paso soft taco dinner kit
1 lb lean (at least 93%) ground turkey or lean (at least 80%) ground beef
2/3 cup water
1 can (15 oz) spicy chili beans in sauce, undrained
3 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, if desired
1/2 cup sour cream, if desired
Heat oven to 350°F. On ungreased cookie sheets, place tortillas (from dinner kit). Bake about 7 minutes or until crisp. Place on individual plates.
In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain. Stir in seasoning mix (from dinner kit), water and beans; heat until hot.
Divide turkey mixture evenly among tortillas. Top with taco sauce (from dinner kit) and remaining ingredients. ************************** We were discussing the "don'ts" of public speaking in the PR class I teach. "Don'ts" include a man reaching into his pant pocket and jangling change as he speaks, which is very distracting. To illustrate my point, I asked for a student volunteer, saying, "I need a man with coins in his pocket." What I got was a girl yelling out, "Honey, so do I!" ************************* TODAY'S PET TIP Healthy Dog Teeth
Keeping your dog's teeth clean can help keep your dog healthy.
Use a soft toothbrush. Start by offering your dog a taste of the dog toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth.
Repeat the process with the tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line.
Work from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do not try to brush the entire mouth at first.
If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease - prevention. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How kissable is your dog? Does he have bad breath? Are his teeth stained? Well, if you do not brush your dog's teeth it is very likely that your dog has "doggy" breath, stained yellow teeth and/or swollen gums. If you brush you dog's teeth, I congratulate you. You are in the top 20% of pet owners in the country. However, if you do not brush your dog's teeth, you are making a big mistake... Healthy teeth and gums are important for biting and chewing, and even more important for your dog's overall good health. Tooth and gum disease can lead to serious health problems, including infection, kidney problems and heart disease! Brushing your dog's teeth makes a world of difference. In fact, the American Animal Hospital Association says brushing your dog's teeth could add as much as five years to his life. So if that's not something you are already doing, you really must start. You should brush your dog's teeth at least three times a week. ************************ A very tired nurse walks into a bank, totally exhausted after an 18-hour shift. Preparing to write a cheque, she pulls a rectal thermometer out of her purse and tries to write with it. When she realizes her mistake, she looks at the flabbergasted teller, and without missing a beat, she says: 'Well, that's great....that's just great....
Some asshole's got my pen!'
********************* A woman went to the emergency room, where she was seen by a young
new doctor. After about 3 minutes in the examination room, the doctor
told her she was pregnant.
She burst out of the room and ran down the corridor screaming.
An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was; after
listening to her story, he calmed her down and sat her in another room.
Then, the doctor marched down the hallway to the first doctor's
room. "What the heck's wrong with you?" He demanded. "This woman is 68
years old, she has two grown children and several grandchildren, and
you told her she was pregnant???!!!"
The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and
without looking up said:.........."Does she still have the hiccups? ************************* The dean of the Law Department was very busy and rather cross. The telephone rang. "Well, what is it?" he snapped. "Is that the city gas-works?" said a woman's soft voice. "No, madam," roared the dean; "this is the University Law Department." "Ah," she answered in the sweetest of tones, "I didn't miss it so far, after all, did I?"—Carl Holliday.
**************************
There were 2 blondes and a brunette. The first blonde said "I want to be smart." POOF! She was a brunette. The other one said the same thing.POOF! She was a Brunette too! The Brunette said "I want to be dumb!" POOF! She was a man! ************************* Following a few frantic minutes, air-traffic controllers finally made radio contact with the lost young pilot. "What was your last known position?" they asked. "When I was No. 1 for takeoff," came the reply. ************************* The baby pulled brother's hair until he yelled from the pain of it. The mother soothed the weeping boy:
"Of course, she doesn't know how badly it hurts." Then she left the room.
She hurried back presently on hearing frantic squalling from baby. "What in the world is the matter with her?" she questioned anxiously. "Nothin' 'tall," brother replied contentedly. "Only now she knows."
************************** The Italian Bank Robber...
>
>
> A hooded armed robber bursts into the Bank of Italy and
> forces the tellers to load a sack full of cash.
>
> On his way out the door with the loot, one brave Italian customer
> grabs the
> hood and pulls it off revealing the robber's face.
>
> The robber shoots the guy in the head without hesitation!
> He then looks around the bank to see if anyone else has seen him.
> One of the tellers is looking straight at him. The robber walks over
> and calmly shoots him in the head.
>
> Everyone by now is very scared and looking down at the floor.
>
> "Dida anyone elsa see a my face?" shouts the robber.
>
> There follows a tense silence. Then an elderly Italian gent, looking
> down, tentatively raises his hand and says:
> "I tinka my wifa may have caughta glimpse"
*******************************
Accident A man wakes up in the hospital bandaged from head to foot. The doctor comes in and says, ‘Ah, I see you’ve regained consciousness.
Now you probably won’t remember, but you were in a huge pile-up on the freeway. You’re going to be okay, you’ll walk again and everything, but your penis was severed in the accident and we couldn’t find it.’
The man groans, but the doctor goes on, ‘You’ve got $9,000 in insurance compensation coming and we now have the technology to build a new penis. They work great but they don’t come cheap. It’s roughly $1,000 an inch.’
The man perks up. ‘So,’ the doctor says, ‘You must decide how many inches you want. But I understand that you have been married for over thirty years and this is something you should discuss with your wife. If you had a five incher before and get a nine incher now she might be a bit upset. If you had a nine incher before and you decide to only invest in a five incher now,
she might be disappointed. It’s important that she plays a role in helping you make a decision.’
The man agrees to talk it over with his wife. The doctor comes back the next day, ‘So, have you spoken with your wife?’
‘Yes I have,’ says the man. ‘And has she helped you make a decision?’
‘Yes,’ says the man.
‘What is your decision?’ asks the doctor.
‘We’re getting granite countertops.’ *****************************
HELP! MY BIRD WON'T EAT VEGETABLES! Getting Your Bird Addicted to the Good Stuff
by Deena Stevens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A frequent concern heard from bird owners is the inability to get birds interested in eating vegetables. Because vegetables contain vitamins and nutrients considered essential to a bird's health, refusal to eat such foods can be very frustrating for bird owners.
I had never had to deal with such a situation until this last spring, when Piper came to live in my home. Piper is my 'foster tiel', meaning that I am keeping and caring for her until her owner is able to resume providing for her. Piper is a sweet and lovable cockatiel who had no desire, whatsoever, to eat any of the fresh vegetables I offered her. Even the standard favorites of my other birds - broccoli, kale and corn - were completely ignored. She simply turned up her beak and waddled away It was then that I hatched a plan. My other birds sometimes enjoyed their vegetables chopped up and tossed together like a salad. To do this, I would place various vegetables into my little hand held food chopper and chop away. The manual chopper would quickly and conveniently reduce veggies into cockatiel and budgie bite-sized pieces, which I would then separate onto plates to go into each bird cage. I decided to try adding some millet and some sunflower-free fresh seed mixture to some of this salad preparation to see if I could get Piper a little more interested in trying some vegetables. It was an immediate hit with my whole flock, not just my foster tiel. Once Piper dug into the seed, she began getting a 'taste' for the vegetables surrounding it. It wasn't long before I was able to cut down on the amount of seed I was adding to her salad mixture, and still get the same level of excitement and anticipation from her at mealtime. Now she'll even nibble on her favorite vegetables whether or not they have any added seed or millet at all. It's been an amazing transformation for a bird who, only a few months ago, wouldn't give veggies the time of day. I have six birds for whom I care, so the quantities shown in the pictures accompanying this article will have to be varied for the number and size of birds with which you are dealing. For one cockatiel, I might suggest starting with something akin to a broccoli floret, a palm sized piece of kale, a baby carrot, and a couple of pieces of cilantro, with about a teaspoon of fresh seed mixed in. The amount of each ingredient can be adjusted for your individual needs. The hand held chopper can be found in the kitchen departments of many different large retail stores. I've even heard of them being advertised on television. I bought my particular chopper through Pampered Chef, and like it because it is very easy to clean thoroughly. I vary the vegetables on a daily basis to provide variety and nutritional balance. As a general rule, dark leafy greens are a high nutrient source, so I try to include some of those ingredients everyday. Try to buy organically grown veggies, and be sure to wash all of your vegetables thoroughly. When I use carrots, I sometimes run them over a cheese grater to produce paper thin bits. I've found that my birds prefer carrots offered in that manner over simply being chopped in the chopper. Remember to avoid using any onions or avocados, because they can be toxic to birds. Using this method, you may find that you are quickly and easily able to convert a seed-junkie bird into a vegetable-loving ball of feathers. It certainly worked for me!
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDERS FROM GOD: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
(26) For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. (27) But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; (28) and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, (29) that no flesh should glory in His presence. Nobody will ever come before God and say, "I did it by the strength of my own hands." Though this person may have faith and a strong will, he is certainly not perfect. Many times, when the Israelites' faith broke down, God had to intervene in some way to save them. Whether it is Israel at the Red Sea or Israel out in the wilderness, time and again He had to intervene and spare them, even in times when they showed a measure of faith. Since man's creation, humans have been exalting themselves against God by choosing to do things their own way. However, there is only one way that works eternally, and every human being will be led to see his weaknesses and know that it is by grace that we are saved. This realization does wonders to a person's feelings about himself, making humility possible. This, in turn, makes it possible for him to yield to God, which makes it possible for him to deal with other human beings, not with a high hand or as a master to a slave, but as a friend—as an understanding brother or sister who has gone through similar experiences and seen their own failures, and who can commiserate, sympathize, show compassion and mercy, encourage, and inspire the one who has failed. God will work in each person and will do it in such a way that he will come to realize that merely knowing the truth—and even believing the truth and acting on it—are not enough. God must save them by grace. This is not to say that works are unimportant. They are vital to maintaining and developing a relationship with God. They are important in building character, and in this sense, without works we will have a difficult time being saved. If nothing else, doing good works shows that a relationship exists between a person and God. So works are important to earning rewards, to building character, to providing a witness for God, but they still will not save us of and by themselves because, since we are imperfect, they are also terribly flawed. *************************** WORD FOR DAY: urbane • er-BAYN • adj : notably polite or polished in manner Examples: When had my willful and tomboyish cousin turned into this urbane young artist greeting the guests at her opening reception? "It is an archetypal scenario: innocent nave falls victim to the chicanery of a malevolent, urbane and -- most importantly -- seemingly innocuous predator." -- From an article by Judith Acosta on The Huffington Post , December 27, 2010 Did you know? City slickers and country folk have long debated whether life is better in town or in the wide open spaces, and "urbane" is a term that springs from the throes of that debate. The word traces back to Latin "urbs," meaning "city," and in its earliest English uses "urbane" was synonymous with its close relative "urban" ("of, relating to, characteristic of, or constituting ********************** Rethink Your Food Storage Seven ways to make your food last and get your fridge and pantry in order. You don't need a news report to tell you that the cost of food is up: You notice it on every grocery trip, and feel a guilty twinge when tossing something that's gone bad. Here, tips to manage your food inventory — and waste (and spend!) less. 1. Clear Up the Cupboard Consolidate
Stop tossing your cookies (and crackers): Store open packs properly
Don't just roll and go
For stay-crisp cereal and chips, try Copco Bag Caps ($6 and up, copco.com), which clip onto bags for a tight seal — and easier pouring
Swap your stock
Move older cans to the front (so they'll be used first) when unpacking new ones 2. Learn These Cold Truths Never put dairy or eggs in the refrigerator door, where temps are highest. Put leftovers near the front so you'll remember to eat them within four days.
The only place food will stay safe indefinitely is in the freezer; just pop in eats while still fresh. To pack: Fill containers nearly to the top; tightly wrap items in plastic or, for zip-seal bags, squeeze out the air. 3. Stop Guessing Fact: You can't tell if food is spoiled solely by its look or scent (but throw away ASAP if either is funky). For a when-to-toss guide, check out stilltasty.com, which pulls info from the FDA and other food-safety sources. 4. Reuse by the Rules Not all containers are food-safe a second time. Glass jars clean easily for refilling with sauces, salad dressings, soups, and more
Margarine/dairy tubs and takeout containers aren't dishwasher-safe and can even degrade if hand-washed
Zip-seal plastic bags: While your mom might have done the old rinse-and-reuse trick, it's not a good idea, food-safety-wise. These hard-to-clean bags can harbor bacteria 5. End Container Chaos! When storing empties, nest smaller ones inside big ones. Slide lids vertically alongside the stack, or stash them upright in a mail sorter.
To make hunting easier, use a baking pan with sides as a slide-out tray in your cabinet. 6. Reserve Judgment Home vacuum sealing helps keep food fresh by taking out air, the main culprit in staleness and freezer burn. The process — typically using plastic bags and an appliance that sucks out the air — is really only worth the trouble and cost if you buy in bulk and freeze perishables or store dry goods for months (not weeks). 7. Square It Away Consider shape the next time you buy storage bowls: Ones with corners maximize shelf space.
************************ Mujibar was trying to get a job in India.
The Personnel Manager said, 'Mujibar,
you have passed all the tests, except one.
Unless you pass it, you cannot qualify for this job.'
Mujibar said, 'I am ready.'
The manager said,
'Make a sentence using the words
Yellow, Pink, and Green ..'
Mujibar thought for a few minutes and said,
'Mister manager, I am ready.'
The manager said, 'Go ahead.'
Mujibar said,
'The telephone goes green, green,
and I pink it up, and say,
Yellow, this is Mujibar.'
Mujibar now works at a call center.
No doubt you have spoken to him.
I know I have. ************************** Painting the Church There was a Dublin painter named Paddy the Painter who was very interested in making a penny where he could, so he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further.
As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the parish priest decided to do a big restoration job on the outside of the Church. Paddy put in a bid, and, because his price was so low, he got the job.
So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with turpentine..
Well, Paddy was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened, and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Paddy clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.
Paddy was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty,
so he got down on his knees and cried:
"Oh, God, Oh God, forgive me; what should I do?"
And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke..
(you're going to love this)
"Repaint! Repaint!
And thin no more!" ****************************** Caribbean Ham and Black Bean Soup
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Total Time 25 Minutes
Makes 4 servings Bring the fabulous flavors of Island cuisine to your dinner table with this zesty ham and Progresso black beans soup - ready in just 25 minutes!
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 cups water
1 cup diced fully cooked ham
1/2 cup Green Giant frozen whole kernel corn
1 can (15 ounces) Progresso black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons hot-pepper (jalapeño) jelly
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
DIRECTIONS: Spray 3-quart saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Cook onion in saucepan over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp-tender.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Substitution
Hot-pepper jelly adds a little punch to this zesty soup, but if you don't have it, use apple jelly. Special Touch
Garnish individual servings with chopped fresh cilantro. *****************************
Slow Cooker Orange Pork Tenderloin with Butternut Squash
Prep Time 20 Minutes
Total Time 8:20 Hrs:Mins
Makes 6 servings In 20 minutes, you can combine five ingredients in the morning and enjoy a slow-cooker sensation at suppertime!
3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces (6 cups)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pork tenderloin (2 pounds)
1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
DIRECTIONS: Arrange squash around edge in 3- to 4-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt. Place pork in slow cooker (it will overlap squash slightly). Mix marmalade and garlic; spread evenly over pork.
Cover and cook on low heat setting 7 to 8 hours.
Remove pork from cooker; place on cutting board. Cut pork into slices; serve with squash Variation
Try another flavor of marmalade, such as pineapple.
Success
If you have time, brown the pork in oil on all sides before placing in the slow cooker. Browning adds color and a deeper flavor. Health Twist
Watching your salt intake? Omit the salt, and season with pepper. Special Touch
This is a great recipe to serve for entertaining. Fan pork slices in a circular pattern on a platter, and spoon squash in the center. Drizzle remaining juices over pork, and garnish with slices of fresh orange. Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 290Total Fat 6g(Saturated Fat 2g,Cholesterol 95mg;Sodium 270mg;Total Carbohydrate 24g(Dietary Fiber 2g,Protein 35g;Exchanges:1 Starch;1 Vegetable;4 Very Lean Meat;1 Fat;Carbohydrate Choices:1 1/2;*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. ********************************* Savory Chicken and Rice Prep Time 35 Minutes
Total Time 35 Minutes
Makes 4 servings 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (4 oz)
1 cup baby-cut carrots
1 2/3 cups water
1 package (4.3 oz) long grain and wild rice mix with herbs Heat 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken in skillet about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center. Stir in remaining ingredients including seasonings from rice mix.
Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer about 3 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender and liquid is absorbed. ***************************** Grilled Ham and Potatoes au Gratin Packs Prep Time 40 Minutes
Total Time 40 Minutes
Makes 4 servings 1 3/4 cups cubed (3/4 inch) cooked ham (3/4 lb)
3 medium baking potatoes, peeled, cut in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/8-inch wedges (about 3 cups)
1 1/3 cups Alfredo pasta sauce (from 16-oz jar)
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, if desired Heat gas or charcoal grill. Cut 20x18-inch sheet of heavy-duty foil; spray with cooking spray. Place ham on center of sheet. Top with potatoes, pasta sauce and cheese.
Bring up 2 sides of foil over ham mixture so edges meet. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold; fold again, allowing space for heat circulation and expansion. Fold other sides to seal.
Place packet on grill over low heat. Cover grill; cook 20 to 25 minutes, rotating packet 1/2 turn after 10 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
To serve, cut large X across top of packet; carefully fold back foil to allow steam to escape. Sprinkle with chives. Kitchen Tips
To double the recipe, double the ingredients and divide them between two foil packets.
Shredded Parmesan cheese can be substituted for the Swiss cheese. ***************************** Ham and Hash Brown Casserole Use refrigerated hash brown potatoes to assemble a dinner casserole in 15 minutes. Then pop it in the oven! Prep Time 15 Minutes
Total Time 1:10 Hr:Mins
Makes 6 servings 1 bag (1 lb 4 oz) refrigerated hash brown potatoes
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
2 cups shredded Colby or mild Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1 cup chive-and-onion sour cream potato topper
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon peppered seasoned salt Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
In large bowl, mix potatoes, ham and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese. Spread in baking dish. In same bowl, mix sour cream, milk and seasoned salt with wire whisk until well blended. Spoon over potato mixture; stir to mix. Cover baking dish with foil.
Bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered about 10 minutes longer or until bubbly and thoroughly heated. *************************** "The Blonde and the Cow" (This is for blondes and friends of blondes!)
A blond city girl named Amy marries a Colorado rancher.
One morning, on his way out to check on the cows, the rancher says to Amy,
'The insemination man is coming over to impregnate one of our cows today, so I drove a nail into the 2 by 4 just above where the cow's stall is in the barn. Please show him where the cow is when he gets here, OK?'
The rancher leaves for the fields. After a while, the artificial insemination man arrives and knocks on the front door.
Amy takes him down to the barn. They walk along the row of cows and when Amy sees the nail, she tells him, 'This is the one right here.'
The man, assuming he is dealing with an airhead blond, asks, 'Tell me lady, 'cause I'm dying to know; how would YOU know that this is the right cow to be bred?'
'That's simple," she said. "By the nail that's over its stall,' she explains very confidently.
Laughing rudely at her, the man says, 'And what, pray tell, is the nail for?'
The blond turns to walk away and says sweetly over her shoulder,
'I guess it's to hang your pants on.'
(It's nice to see a blond winning once in awhile.)
To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research. (stolen from random email - er researched from many emails!) ************************** *The Funniest Staff Meeting Ever!*
*The boss of a Madison Avenue advertising agency called a spontaneous staff
meeting in the middle of a particularly stressful week. (This is one pretty
sharp boss!) When everyone gathered, the boss, who understood the benefits
of having fun, told the burnt out staff the purpose of the meeting was to
have a quick contest. The theme: Viagra advertising slogans.*
*The only rule was they had to use past ad slogans, originally written for
other products that captured the essence of Viagra. Slight variations were
acceptable.
About 7 minutes later, they turned in their suggestions and created a Top 10
List. With all the laughter and camaraderie, the rest of the week went very
well for everyone! The top 10 were: *
*10. Viagra, Whaazzzz up!
9. Viagra, The quicker pecker picker upper.
8. Viagra, like a rock !
7. Viagra, When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.
6. Viagra , Be all that you can be. *
*5. Viagra, Reach out and touch someone.
4. Viagra, Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman.
3. Viagra, Home of the whopper!
2. Viagra, We bring good things to Life!*
*And the unanimous* *number one slogan:*
*1. This is your peepee... This is your peepee on drugs.* ***************************** A widowed Aussie woman, still in good shape, was sunbathing on a deserted beach in Florida............................
She looked up and noticed that a man her age, also in good shape, had walked up, placed his blanket on the sand near hers and began reading a book.
Smiling, she attempted to strike up a conversation with him.
"How are you today?" "Fine, thank you," he responded, and turned back to his book. "I love the beach. Do you come here often?" she asked. "First time since my wife passed away 2 years ago," he replied and turned back to his book. "I'm sorry to hear that. My husband passed away three years ago and it is very lonely, she countered. "Do you live around here?" She asked. "Yes, I live over in Coral Springs " he answered, and again he resumed reading. Trying to find a topic of common interest, she persisted, "Do you like pussy cats?" With that, the man dropped his book, came over to her blanket, tore off her swimsuit and gave her the most passionate lovemaking of her life. When the cloud of sand began to settle, she gasped and asked the man, "How did you know that was what I wanted? The man replied. "How did you know my name was Katz? ************************* The Nudist Colony
A man joined a very exclusive nudist colony. On his first day he took off his clothes and started to
wander around the area. A gorgeous petite blonde walked by, and the man
immediately got an erection. The woman noticed his erection, came over to him and
asked, 'did you call for me?' The man replied, 'No, what do you mean?' She said, 'You must be new here. Let me explain. It's a rule here that if you get an erection, it implies you called for me.' Smiling, she led him to the side of the swimming pool,
laid down on a towel eagerly pulled him to her and happily
let him have his way with her. Later, the man continued to explore the colony's facilities. He entered the sauna and as he sat down, he farted. Within seconds a huge, hairy man lumbered out of the
steam room toward him. 'Did you call for me?' asked the hairy man. 'No, what do you mean?' replied the newcomer. 'You must be new.' answered the hairy man, 'It's a rule
that if you fart, it implies that you called for me.' The huge man easily spun him around, put him over a
bench and had his way with the newcomer. The newcomer staggered back to the colony office where
he was greeted by a smiling, naked receptionist, 'May I
help you?' she asked. 'Here's my membership card. You can have the key back
and you can keep the $500 membership fee.' 'But, Sir,' she replied, 'you've only been here a few hours.
You haven't had a chance to see all our facilities.' 'Listen lady, I'm 68 years old. I only get an erection once
a month, but I fart 15 times a day. I'm outta here.' ***************************** ENJOY - A Blonde's Year In Review January
Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight. February
Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels.....
Helllloooo!!!.......bottles won't fit in printer!!! March
Got really excited.....finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months.....
Box said ' 2-4 years!' April
Trapped on escalator for hours ....
Power went out!!! May
Tried to make Kool-Aid.....wrong instructions....
8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!!! June
Tried to go water skiing.......
Couldn't find a lake with a slope. July
Lost breast stroke swimming competition.....
Learned later that the other swimmers cheated- they used their arms!!! August
Got locked out of my car in rain storm.....
Darn car filled up with water because convertible top was open. September
The capital of California is 'C'.....isn't it??? October
Hate M & M's....They are so hard to peel. November
Baked Thanksgiving turkey for 4 1/2 days ...
Instructions said bake 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!! December Couldn't call 911.
'Duh'.....there's no 'eleven' button on the stupid phone!!!
THE BEST BLONDE JOKE OF THE YEAR - SO FAR A man was in his front yard mowing grass when his attractive blonde female neighbor came out of the house and went straight to the mailbox. She opened it then slammed it shut and Stormed back in the house. A little later she came out of her house again, went to the mail box and again, opened it, slammed it shut again. Angrily, back into the house she went. As the man was getting ready to edge the lawn, here she came out again, marched to the mail box, opened it and then slammed it closed harder than ever. Puzzled by her actions the man asked her, 'Is something wrong?' To which she replied, 'There certainly is!'
(Are you ready? This is a beauty...) 'My stupid computer keeps saying, 'YOU'VE GOT MAIL!'
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
REMINDER FROM GOD: "Speak to Me. Listen to Me. You will find soul-rest." -- GOD Our Daily Devotional: Do Not Grow Weary Galatians 6:9, NIV: "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." The long road is often the least appealing. In our fast-paced world today, it seems so many of us so often look for the quickest solution, or the short answer. My wife could tell you I am not one for the short answer. She has often asked me if I could just give her a simple yes or no and leave it at that. With me, the explanation that goes with the yes or no may be repetitive, and overly lengthy. But, my quirks aside, in life the best things may call for repetition, and often develop over time. Consider how we love others, and how we might love others toward the Lord. With the right amount of prayer, time, and love, we can help others let go of the short answers and turn toward THE Answer. But we ourselves must remember that even though our efforts may feel repetitive and lengthy, the harvest indeed will come if we do grow weary, if we do not faint, and if we do not give up. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Isaiah 1:18 Psalm 33:4-5
“For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.â€
*********************
WORD FOR THE DAY:
earwig • EER-wig • verb
: to annoy or attempt to influence by private talk
Examples:
Some of the students are not above earwigging the professor in an attempt to improve their grades. “In Mississippi's casual sociality, lawyers see judges on hunting trips and at cocktail parties, and sometimes visit them privately in chambers. Occasionally, talk turns to the subject of a case pending before the court. Such ex-parte communication -- or 'earwigging,' as it's more commonly known -- is a technical violation of ethics standards, but it is hardly rare, and is usually harmless.†-- From an article by Peter J. Boyer in The New Yorker, May 19, 2008 ********************
Three blondes were walking through a field when they came across a set of tracks.
The first blonde looked down at the tracks and said, "I think they could be bird tracks." The second blonde went to look and said, "No, I think these are deer tracks." They stepped aside and the third blonde went over to the tracks.
She looked down, then got run over by the train! ********************
Quotes of the Day Norman Wisdom
"I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry." Buddy Hackett
"As a child my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it." Paul Lynde
"I wish I had the nerve not to tip." "Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them."
- Orison Swett Marden Writing about music is like dancing about architecture.
- Elvis Costello Any word you have to hunt for in a thesaurus is the wrong word. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- Stephen King There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers.
- William James You might be a REDNECK if...
...one of your kids was born on a pool table
You might be a REDNECK if...
...none of your shirts cover your stomach
THINGS TO PONDER: Why is a keyboard called a keyboard if it just has little buttons? THINGS TO PONDER: Why does unscented hairspray smell? CONFUCIOUS QUOTE: He who will not economize will have to agonize. ******************** Pulled Pork with Caramelized Onions
Traditional pulled pork is barbecued, which gives it a smoky flavor. But the slow cooker happens to be the absolute easiest way to cook pulled pork—and you can get a hint of smoke by adding chipotle chile. Serve the pulled pork with potato salad, collard greens and grits. Or make it into a sandwich and serve it on a bun with coleslaw.
8 servings, about 1 cup each Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 5-9 hours Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 large onions, thinly sliced
1/3 cup raw cane sugar, such as Demerara or turbinado (see Notes)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 cup chili sauce, such as Heinz
1 1/2-3 teaspoons minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce (see Notes)
3 pounds boneless pork shoulder or blade (butt) roast, trimmed Preparation
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, 3 to 6 minutes. Add sugar and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the onions are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes more. Add garlic, oregano, pepper and salt and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add vinegar and bring to a boil. Cook until mostly evaporated, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in chili sauce and chipotle to taste.
Place pork in a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker and cover with the sauce. Cover and cook until the pork is almost falling apart, about 4 hours on High or 8 hours on Low.
Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred using two forks. Stir back into the sauce.
Variation: Turn 3 cups leftover pulled pork into Pulled-Pork Torta. Preheat oven to 375°F. Coat a deep-dish pie pan or other 9-inch round baking dish with cooking spray. Heat 3 cups finely shredded Pulled Pork with Caramelized Onions (including sauce) just until warm. Drain one 14-ounce can no-added-salt diced tomatoes (reserve juice); combine with 1/4 cup diced Spanish-style chorizo (see Note) or pepperoni in a bowl. Mix well. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the prepared pan to cover the bottom. Top with one 8-inch flour tortilla (preferably whole-wheat). Spoon one-third of the remaining mixture over the tortilla. Top with another tortilla. Repeat twice, topping with a fourth tortilla. Drizzle the reserved tomato juice over the top and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top and continue baking until the cheese is melted and the torta is bubbly, about 20 minutes more. Let cool for 10 minutes. Serve sprinkled with 1/4 cup each finely chopped scallions and chopped fresh cilantro, if desired. Tips & Notes
Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. To finish, bring the sauce to a simmer and continue with Steps 2 & 3. The cooked pork can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. | Equipment: 4-quart or larger slow cooker
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New England Clam Chowder Chopped clams, aromatic vegetables and creamy potatoes blended with low-fat milk and just a half cup of cream gives this chunky New England-style clam chowder plenty of rich body. Serve with oyster crackers and a tossed salad to make it a meal. "Excellent - made as written but toward the end I added a little extra salt and some garlic powder to bring out the flavors. This was a big hit in my house and perfect for a chilly night. The creaminess was just right for New England... 6 servings, generous 1 cup each Active Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients
2 teaspoons canola oil
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried
1 medium red potato, diced
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice, (see Makeover Tip)
1 bay leaf
3 cups low-fat milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 ounces fresh clam strips, (see Shopping Tip), chopped, or 3 6-ounce cans chopped baby clams, rinsed
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Preparation
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer half of the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add onion, celery and thyme to the pan; cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add potato, clam juice and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the vegetables are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Whisk milk, cream, flour and salt in a medium bowl. Add to the pan and return to a simmer, stirring, over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add clams and cook, stirring occasionally, until the clams are just cooked through, about 3 minutes more.
To serve, discard bay leaf. Ladle into bowls and top each serving with some of the reserved bacon and scallions.
Tips & Notes
Makeover tip: Check sodium carefully when using clam juice because the amount of sodium can vary dramatically between brands. We use Bar Harbor clam juice with only 120 mg sodium per 2-ounce serving.
Shopping tip: Look for fresh clam strips at the seafood counter. Nutrition
Per serving: 253 calories; 13 g fat (6 g sat, 4 g mono); 59 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein; 1 g fiber; 585 mg sodium; 392 mg potassium. Nutrition Bonus: Iron (50% daily value), Vitamin C (23% dv), Calcium (21% dv), Vitamin A (17% dv). 1 Carbohydrate Serving Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 low-fat milk, 1 lean meat, 2 fat
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Taco Supper Skillet
Prep Time 35 Minutes
Total Time 35 Minutes
Makes 4 servings 1/2 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso taco seasoning mix
2 1/4 cups water
1 1/2 cups uncooked wagon wheel pasta (5 1/2 oz)
1 1/2 cups Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamersâ„¢ Niblets frozen corn
1 can (15 oz) Progresso kidney beans or pinto beans, drained, rinsed
1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
In 12-inch skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until brown; drain.
Stir seasoning mix, water, uncooked pasta, corn, beans and tomato into beef. Heat to boiling; stir. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover; cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is desired doneness and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Stir in sour cream. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese and chives. Cover; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Health Twist
Ground turkey can be used in place of the lean ground beef, and fat-free sour cream can be substituted for the regular sour cream. You'll reduce the fat to 17 grams per serving. Health Twist
You can reduce the sodium in this recipe to 750 milligrams per serving by using Old El Paso 40% less-sodium taco seasoning mix.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Information: 1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 660(Calories from Fat 210),Total Fat 23g(Saturated Fat 12g,Trans Fat 1g),Cholesterol 85mg;Sodium 1060mg;Total Carbohydrate 77g(Dietary Fiber 12g,Sugars 5g),Protein 34g;Percent Daily Value*:Calcium ;Exchanges:5 Starch;0 Fruit;0 Other Carbohydrate;0 Skim Milk;0 Low-Fat Milk;0 Milk;0 Vegetable;0 Very Lean Meat;0 Lean Meat;0 High-Fat Meat;1 1/2 Fat;Carbohydrate Choices:5;*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. ******************** Dangerous Foods: Are They Harmful to Your Dog?
By: Dr. Dawn Ruben For mysterious reasons, as few as six to 40 macadamia nuts have caused severe toxic signs in dogs. Toxic Food Americans spend over $10 billion dollars a year on food for our pets. Despite buying the best food available, some pets would rather eat what we eat. However, certain foods can be dangerous to your pet, causing varying degrees of illness. Some food is toxic due to ingredients and some by improper cooking, storage or poor hygiene. Alcoholic Beverages. Ethanol is the component in alcoholic beverages that can be toxic when an excessive amount is ingested. Pets are much smaller than us and can be highly affected by small amounts of alcohol. Exercise caution when drinks and pets are together. Toxicity can cause a wide variety of signs and symptoms, and may result in death. Signs may include odor of alcohol on the animal's breath, staggering, behavioral changes, excitement, depression, increased urination, slowed respiratory rate or cardiac arrest and death. Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums. Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock. Avocados. The leaves, fruit, bark and seeds of avocados have all been reported to be toxic. The toxic component in the avocado is "persin," which is a fatty acid derivative. Symptoms of toxicity include difficulty breathing, abdominal enlargement, abnormal fluid accumulations in the chest, abdomen and sac around the heart. The amount that needs to be ingested to cause signs is unknown. Do not feed your pet any component of the avocado. Baking Powder and Baking Soda. Baking soda and baking powder are both leavening agents. A leavening agent is a common ingredient in baked goods that produces a gas causing batter and dough to rise. Baking soda is simply sodium bicarbonate. Baking powder consists of baking soda and an acid, usually cream of tartar, calcium acid phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate or a mixture of the three. Ingestion of large amounts of baking soda or baking powder can lead to electrolyte abnormalities (low potassium, low calcium and/or high sodium), congestive heart failure or muscle spasms. Chocolate. Chocolate, in addition to having a high fat content, contains caffeine and theobromine. These two compounds are nervous system stimulants and can be toxic to your dog in high amounts. The levels of caffeine and theobromine vary between different types of chocolate. For example, white chocolate has the lowest concentration of stimulants and baking chocolate or cacao beans have the highest concentration. Depending on the type of chocolate ingested and the amount eaten, various problems can occur. The high fat content in chocolate may result in vomiting and possibly diarrhea. Once toxic levels are eaten, the stimulant effect becomes apparent. You may notice restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and possibly excessive panting. Heart rate and blood pressure levels may also increase. Seizure activity may occur in severe cases.
Toxic Food
Coffee (grounds and beans). Dogs that eat coffee grounds or beans can get "caffeine" toxicity. The symptoms are very similar to those of chocolate toxicity and can be just as or even more serious. Fatty Foods. Rich and fatty food are favorites of dogs. They often get them as treats, leftovers or from getting into the trash. These fatty foods can cause pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can affect any pet but miniature or toy poodles, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers are particularly prone. Signs of pancreatitis generally include an acute onset of vomiting, sometimes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is often evidenced by hunched posture or "splinting" of the abdomen when picked up. The dog may become very sick quickly and often needs intensive fluid and antibiotic therapy. Dairy Products. Dairy products are not highly dangerous but can pose problems for two reasons. One is their high fat content and like other foods with high fat content, there is a risk of pancreatitis. The second reason is that pets poorly digest dairy products since they lack the enzyme required to digest lactose. This affects some pets more than others, and can cause gas to diarrhea. Small amounts of plain yogurt or cheese are tolerated by most dogs but it is probably safest to avoid dairy products altogether. Grapes and Raisins. So far, about 10 dogs poisoned by grapes and raisins have been officially reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The amount of grapes or raisins ingested has been between 9 ounces to 2 pounds, and dogs ingesting these large amounts have developed kidney failure. Aggressive, and sometimes prolonged, treatment may be necessary to give the affected dog a chance at survival; without treatment death is possible. Despite testing, the reason for the kidney failure and the amount necessary for toxicity remains unknown. For now, any dog that ingests large amounts of grapes or raisins should be treated aggressively, so contact your veterinarian immediately if ingestion has occurred. Macadamia Nuts. Macadamia nuts, also called the Queensland nut or Australia nut, can be toxic. The mechanism behind why these nuts are toxic is a mystery. However, it has been noted that as few as six to 40 nuts in dogs have caused severe toxic signs. Dogs develop weakness, depression, vomiting, difficulty walking, tremors, abdominal pain, lameness, stiffness and/or pale gums. The signs usually dissipate in 12 to 24 hours. Moldy or Spoiled Food. Dogs love to get into the trash. A medical problem arises when the trash contains moldy or spoiled food. In addition to food poisoning, some pets can develop tremors related to the ingestion of certain molds.
Toxic food
Nutmeg. You may not realized this but high levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic principle is not well understood. Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death. Onions or Garlic. Dogs and cats lack the enzyme necessary to properly digest onions and this could result in gas, vomiting, diarrhea or severe gastrointestinal distress. If large amounts of onion or garlic are ingested or onions are a daily part of your dog's diet, the red blood cells may become fragile and break apart. This is due to the toxic ingredient in onions and garlic, thiosulphate. Signs can begin immediately after eating the onion or a few days later. Large quantities of garlic need to be ingested before signs of toxicity are seen. Severe anemias and even death can occur if the dog ingests lots of onions or garlic and receives no treatment. All forms of onion and garlic are a problem. This includes raw, dehydrated, cooked, powders or those in foods. The most common source of onions for cats is in human baby food. Some baby foods have onion powder added for taste. When consistently fed baby food with added onion powder, signs of toxicity can develop. Many people use garlic pills as 'natural' flea control. The amount of garlic is low but if large amounts of the pills are ingested at one time, toxicity may occur.
Toxic food
Xylitol (sugar sweetner) Xylitol is a sugar-alcohol sweetener found in sugar-free human food products such as chewing gum, candy as well as other products. Dogs that eat significant amounts can develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, which can cause weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures. Xylitol is a sugar-alcohol sweetener found in sugar-free human food products such as chewing gum, candy as well as other products. Dogs that eat significant amounts can develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, which can cause weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures. Symptoms can begin in as little as 30 minutes and last hours. It is recommended that pets that experience symptoms be taken to a veterinarian or local emergency clinic for evaluation. Yeast Dough. When ingested, bread or yeast dough will "rise" in the stomach just as it would for bread. As the dough rises and ferments, alcohol is produced. There are two problems with yeast dough. The biggest problem is that the dough often rises to many times its size, expanding the pet's stomach. The second problem is from the alcohol component, which can cause "alcohol toxicity." Symptoms of vomiting, retching, abdominal discomfort, lethargy, depression or bloat is possible.
If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tips on Chocolate Toxicity
By: PetPlace Veterinarians
The toxic principles of chocolate are the stimulants theobromine and caffeine. The amount of chocolate that it takes to poison your pet depends on the type of chocolate he's eaten and his weight. White chocolate has the least amount of stimulants and baking chocolate or cocoa beans have the highest. Once toxic levels are reached, signs of toxicity include: restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and/or excessive panting. If your pet isn't treated, he could go into a seizure - possibly even die
Tags: Religion, Recipes, Jokes, Quotes, tidbits
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