CHANGE BEGINS WITH YOU

I had just about decided to never watch the news or read a newspaper or touch my computer.  All the news seemed really BAD, and I was frustrated that I couldn't really do anything about it.  I doubted that my measly vote would make a difference, although I sincerely wanted to vote everybody who was in - out

While going through my possible blog posts folder I came across the following,  which was written on the tomb of  an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey (1100 A.D.):

"When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.  As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

"But it, too, seemed immovable.

"As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

"And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize; if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

"From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world."

What a concept!  If we all decided - before we were on our deathbeds - to start change within ourselves, what might we accomplish?

Energy efficient CFL light bulbs - what everyone should know

With thermometers, fluorescent bulbs & energy saving CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) --- Short of calling the Haz-mat team to your home when one has broken it's important to be aware  of the "Clean-up" protocol and the effects these  mercury containing household items have on our  health and environment.

Investigate Magazine warns 
"The real cost is not one light bulb breakage, but how badly affected homes will be after 20 years of amateur attempts to clean up one of the deadliest neurotoxins on the planet. A generation of children crawling on mercury-infested carpets would give new meaning to the phrase, "dumbed-down". 


Check out page 4 of our March issue of LIFE-STYLE magazine for guidelines on properly "cleaning-up" and disposing of these light bulbs. Be patient the magazine will load in a moment or so. 

PINK SLIME AND THE AG-GAG BILL

Our esteemed politicians are at it again.  Both Florida and Utah now have bills pending that would make it a first degree misdemeanor to take photos, video or audio recordings of a farm or agricultural operation without previous written consent.  Sen. Jim Norman tried to push this through last year, making it a felony.  It didn't pass then, so now he's reintroducing it by sneaking it into a larger agricultural bill (SB1184).


If you are concerned about being kept in the dark about what goes on in producing the food you and your children eat, there is petition that you can sign to let the Florida Senate know your feelings.  Click on this link http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/stop-floridas-ag-gag-bill/ .

MORE ON PINK SLIME

Wow!  The Pink Slime post generated more responses than we've ever seen from any post.  


We have a little more info for you concerning this.  You can follow this link to read more and see a video from ABC World News.    When you read the report please pay special attention to the role played by Joanne Smith, a former Undersecretary of Agriculture.  Can you say conflict of interest?

HOWZABOUT A LITTLE PINK SLIME FOR DINNER TONIGHT?

If you've been watching the news the past few days, you've seen the most recent uproar about mechanically separated meat - fondly known as pink slime.  This conglomeration of meat scraps and connective tissue is turned into a yummy concoction with special machines, then bathed in some nice ammonium hydroxide (ammonia mixed with water) to supposedly kill the ecoli and salmonella.  


This has gotten such bad press that even McDonald's quickly announced that they didn't use it, however it is mixed into the hamburger meat you buy in most supermarkets.   If you needed another reason to buy at Publix. Sweet Bay or Costco, this is it.  They do not use pink slime to bolster their ground meat.  We haven't heard from WalMart, Sam's Club, Target or Winn Dixie so far.


This isn't really news.  It's been floating around the internet for a long time now. The FDA says it's safe for human consumption and I'm sure you can trust them; after all, they allow a certain amount of rat feces in ground black pepper too - which is why I buy peppercorns and grind my own.  



Let us know your take on this.  Would knowing this was in the meat you buy lead you to make different choices?

GOING GREEN

Check out the "Going Green" recipes in this month's issue of Life-Style magazine. Delicious, low-calorie treats that will make your mouth water and your tummy shrink.  Turn to Page 11 and try out some of these healthful, tasty recipes.
http://www.rstylelife.com/


Be patient and wait a few seconds for the magazine to load, then click on the upper right-hand corner to turn the pages.  

Happy Eating!

Over 40? - So What!: MARCH ISSUE OF LIFE-STYLE IS HERE!

Over 40? - So What!: MARCH ISSUE OF LIFE-STYLE IS HERE!

MARCH ISSUE OF LIFE-STYLE IS HERE!

We're a little late this month, but the March issue of Life-Style is published.  In honor of Green Earth and St. Patrick's Day, this is a "green" magazine this month.


Check out our articles on the joys of being Irish, the dangers to our environment, some yummy green recipes, and much more.  Please comment on our Speak Out - Speak Up page and let us know what you think.  We love your comments and, like chocolate, we can't get enough.  (That was a naughty thought).


Thanks for all your nice comments on our recent posts.  Some of them were dug from the archives of our old blog since we were hard at work on the magazine, but our faithful readers will, I hope, forgive us.  For those new readers who checked us out, let us know what your thoughts are on our blog and our magazine.


Just click on the magazine cover on the sidebar to the right and enjoy!

WHY DIETS DON'T WORK

In the endless search for an end to our plumpness, we have tried boring one-note diets; i.e. The Cabbage Soup Diet, The Grapefruit Diet, etc., the boring elimination diets; i.e. The No-Protein just Carbs Diet, The No-Carbs just Protein Diet, and that all-time favorite The No Food Diet (fasting).

So, what's the problem with all of the above?  Two words, BORING and TRIED.

Unless you've had a lobotomy, BORING is a sure-fire way to induce you to give up on any 'diet', and the word TRIED is simply a beforehand excuse for failure.

If your aim is to actually lose the muffin top for a lifetime (rather than just fitting into that little black dress in time for the class reunion), you have to learn to eat in a satisfying, sensible way and overcome your addiction to fatty, sugary foods.  

Eat things you love to eat and forget there was ever a place called McDonalds. A Big Mac, fries and a shake is quite possibly the worst food you could eat, with the exception of the 'healthier' Chicken McNuggets our children have been brain-washed to love by TV ads and, shamefully, by our school system.  There is not one redeeming quality to any of it.

Cut out the crap and after a while you will rediscover the taste of real food. Once your abused taste buds have recovered from the numbing effects of too much fat, sugar, salt and chemicals, you will start to enjoy the simpler, whole unprocessed foods that your body craves.

Just take the money you would have spent on a Happy Meal (happy for Mickey D's not for your kid's body) and take your child to a Farmer's Market.  Let them see what food looks like that doesn't come in a box with a cheap toy made in China. Let them pick out an interesting looking fruit or vegetable, then let them help you prepare it for dinner.  The love for real food won't come overnight, but it will come if you persist.

Get rid of your muffin top and, at the same time, keep your kids from ever having one.