Food

So I just got finished watching "Food, Inc" an amazing documentary about food in our country. I cannot believe what goes on in the farming and food industry. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised since it seems every facet of our lives is somehow compromised by corrupt individuals. I first heard about this video from watching Oprah one day. I rarely watch her show but for some reason one day I happened to tune in and there it was. I learned so much about what happens to food that I am grossed out. It is so funny that in our "advanced" society we allow this kind of stuff to occur. The video outlines several branches of the food industry: corn, soy, chicken, beef, etc. It shows how these products are genetically, hormonally, or chemically altered for mass production. Then these products seem to have horrible problems, like ecoli in beef. Instead of naturally killing the ecoli they then use more chemicals like amonia, yes, amonia, to wash off the beef before selling to the consumer. Anyway, wow. Such an eye opening video that I believe more people should watch. I am not trying to pressure everyone into becoming some gree-hippy-weirdo just be educated about food.

You must watch this documentary.

The Oprah special I watched said something about how Americans spend 9% on average of their income on food-one of the lowest percentages in the world. We then spend 18% on average on our health care. If we changed that by buying organics and food that is produced better and doubled our food budget to 18% we could probably lower our health care to 9%. Personally, I choose to eat better food than to go to the doctor. I have see and heard of so many "quack" doctors that I (no offense to the great ones out there-thank you great doctors)would rather stick to prevention than reaction when it comes to my health.

By the way, the last time I went to the doctor the nurse practically reprimanded me for trying to figure out what was wrong with myself.(what is so wrong about listening to my body and trying to know what is happening?-in her words: "patients don't usually diagnose their own problems") Then I was crying and yelling hysterically when they tried to force me into a procedure that I did not want. Then the only thing they could do was put me on a prescription with no explanation as to why. Once I got home I read up and figured out why this was being prescribed but I did not follow this doctor's advice as it was totally wrong for my body and what I was trying to achieve for myself.

I am so grateful for the gospel, for its purity, wholesomeness, and truth. Today I got a new calling: Primary President. Wow, I am so excited because its a great calling, but still I'm feeling overwhelmed. I love kids. Its seems that my life has been consumed with helping to raise other people's kids. 1. Either I'm supposed to make all my mistakes on them therefore being a perfect parent for my children or 2. I need so much help in this area that the Lord needed me to practice before having my own. JK haha!!! No, I am truly blessed and honored to be the steward of children, whether mine or others' I am a mother in a non=traditional sense. I am passionate about kids!!

lov

A Great Weekend

Matt and I had a great weekend. It started off with my friend Desiree' being in town Friday night with her new husband and both of their parents. They were here to see Wicked, but we met them downtown to say hello and to give her a wedding present. She's so happy being married and I couldn't be happier for her.

Saturday I worked more on my Stationery while Matt worked. Then we spent time running errands for Mon/Dad Green and waiting for Andy and Naomi to arrive. We got to spend a few hours of fun together and take some fun pictures!

Sunday went well as Matt lead the music in sacrament meeting and I got to teach sharing time. Then Matt got set apart after church and had his first presidency meeting while I worked in the primary room. Being in the presence of, and hearing the stake president give a blessing was very special. I was reminded of just how amazing Matt is and his talents are huge and innumerable. It was a very nice church day as the spirit was so strong and we both learned a lot from our day. We came home so refreshed and ready to conquer the new week and the challenges life has for us.

Matt's dad has his hip replacement this week, Wednesday. We thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers, I really feel like that is what's keeping us going!

My Favorite Things- Why should Oprah have all the fun?

So every Christmas season Oprah has this show where she gives her audience tons of stuff. Its fun to watch because she shows a lot of cool products that I can only dream about having someday. Well as I was busy cooking in the kitchen this weekend I realized I have my own "Favorite Things" so I should tell everyone about them, cause why should she have all the fun with her favorite things? It's fun to find gratitude in my own life and not pine away wishing for other things. FOR SOME REASON MY BLOG IS NOT LETTING MY PARAGRAPHS BE SEPARATED LIKE THEY ARE WHEN I'M TYPING THEM. SORRY, I'LL TRY TO WORK ON THAT. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE THAT PROBLEM?

My first favorite thing is a tool that Taylor and Kara gave me, a leftover from their wedding gifts. They were kind enough to let me have it since they weren't needing it. It's a tool that has different attachments to do different things. For example it can mix up a milkshake, it can chop nuts/onions/cilantro, it can stir pancake batter for you and many other wonderful things. I just love this little tool I especially use the chopper for the three things I mentione above. I don't know the price, but it sure has been a fantastic tool.

Behind the tool in the picture, you'll see another one of my favorite things. It's a bottle of stevia. Stevia is a natural sweetener that can be used for anything. I like to use it to sweeten herbal tea, smoothies, recipies, whatever. It's great because a little drop goes a long way and its much better for you than sugar! Even though the bottles can be expensive, I've had mine for over a year and the liquid hasn't even fallen beneath the top of the sticker on the bottle yet.

The second picture you see was my craft time for the week. I made some more baby bibs. My ward seems to be exploding with babies all the time!

This weekend was our first day of primary. It was utter chaos from start to finish with more kids than expected, teachers not show up, blah blah blah, but it worked somehow. We decided that we need to split into a jr/sr primary since we are so much bigger than we realized. I really enjoyed having that third hour off, to do other things, but its not going to work now with our primary of about 35 as opposed to the 20ish we had during the holidays.

Matt started school this week, it was strange not having him home in the evenings. He's taking four classes! I really hope all goes well.

Recipe: Many ask me for recipies. Here's one I made this weekend, very good! As you can see, I make up things as I go along so I'm not sure how much of what i put in there. Just use your best guess!!

Potato Fries

Potatoes cut in long strips (5lbs. I was feeding us and another family)

olive oil (maybe 2 TBS.)

seasonings of choice (start with paprika, garlic salt/powder, cayane pepper, chilli powder, onion flakes, chives) to taste-mix it up and use other seasonings for a different flavor

salt

Pour oil, seasonings, salt over potatoes in large bowl, mix well. Cook on cookie sheet for about 375 for 45 mintues or until desired crispiness. (take about 2 cookie sheets for 5 lbs.) Turn a time or two while cooking. They are very good with ketchup, but I love them with some ranch dip and a little bit of hot sauce!!