Some people care. Some people don't. Those that don't give a damn about you or your life should really just stay where they are and not intrude. If I don't care about you, you won't see me in your life. You'll know I care because I do participate in your life.
Ya know though, if I don't give a damn, I just stay away. I don't hang out. I don't put up false fronts; smiling at your face and then shoving a dagger in your back when you turn around, enjoying your misery, pain, heartache, or sadness.
I hope there comes a day when I no longer know such people.
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label people. Show all posts
30 July 2007
08 June 2007
Where is that pink daisy razor
He was a mentor to me. One of my favorite chefs and as I approached my final graduation, a friend.
He was 65 and died of a heart attack in his sleep. He was the first instructor hired for the culinary program at my school and all the recipes we used in the first few labs were his creations. He designed the program. He taught there for 13 years and realistically probably taught half the people working in kitchens in this area (4 new classes a year).
The chef instructors, faculty, staff, and students are numb. Everyone knew him, even those not in culinary. Everyone in culinary loved him.
One friend said, he was so good, why does it seem the good ones always leave us.
He loved when he would taste a students food and it wasn't seasoned enough, he would taste, then begin with this 'can you hear that'? What chef the student would always ask. Then he would very quietly say 'hep me' in his Swiss-German accent. Student would respond with a pardon me or something like that. He would say, the food, it is screaming 'hep me' I NEED salt.
He was hysterical and had a wealth of knowledge about food and cooking. He began as an apprentice in Switzerland when he was 9 years old. Not a typo, NINE years old. He left home and lived in a room above the kitchen and for 2 years was essentially a slave to the chef, but he said he woudln't have done it any other way because of all he learned.
He came to here by accident. He was flying somewhere else (South America somewhere) and in mid-flight, the pilots went on strike. His plane was closest to here, so that's where they landed. This was 1966. He was stuck here with little money and no way to get anywhere, but he could cook. He went and got a job and stayed here. He was going to retire in a year or so and move back to Switzerland.
I was at work when I got the call. Work is maybe a mile from school, so I went there. It was really hard, seeing these men, chefs (like baseball, there's no crying in the kitchen) that are always so tough and stoic, all looking as if they had just been crying or could not wait for their class to end so they could go cry.
I'm really freakin bummed and feel like I could cry for days. I'm gonna miss him.
Oh yeah, the reason God required Peter home. He was tired of his food tasting like Peter's wife's food and/or being totally bland. We did have a laugh over God's lasagna screaming 'hep me'.
God bless you Chef and thank you.
He was 65 and died of a heart attack in his sleep. He was the first instructor hired for the culinary program at my school and all the recipes we used in the first few labs were his creations. He designed the program. He taught there for 13 years and realistically probably taught half the people working in kitchens in this area (4 new classes a year).
The chef instructors, faculty, staff, and students are numb. Everyone knew him, even those not in culinary. Everyone in culinary loved him.
One friend said, he was so good, why does it seem the good ones always leave us.
He loved when he would taste a students food and it wasn't seasoned enough, he would taste, then begin with this 'can you hear that'? What chef the student would always ask. Then he would very quietly say 'hep me' in his Swiss-German accent. Student would respond with a pardon me or something like that. He would say, the food, it is screaming 'hep me' I NEED salt.
He was hysterical and had a wealth of knowledge about food and cooking. He began as an apprentice in Switzerland when he was 9 years old. Not a typo, NINE years old. He left home and lived in a room above the kitchen and for 2 years was essentially a slave to the chef, but he said he woudln't have done it any other way because of all he learned.
He came to here by accident. He was flying somewhere else (South America somewhere) and in mid-flight, the pilots went on strike. His plane was closest to here, so that's where they landed. This was 1966. He was stuck here with little money and no way to get anywhere, but he could cook. He went and got a job and stayed here. He was going to retire in a year or so and move back to Switzerland.
I was at work when I got the call. Work is maybe a mile from school, so I went there. It was really hard, seeing these men, chefs (like baseball, there's no crying in the kitchen) that are always so tough and stoic, all looking as if they had just been crying or could not wait for their class to end so they could go cry.
I'm really freakin bummed and feel like I could cry for days. I'm gonna miss him.
Oh yeah, the reason God required Peter home. He was tired of his food tasting like Peter's wife's food and/or being totally bland. We did have a laugh over God's lasagna screaming 'hep me'.
God bless you Chef and thank you.
28 May 2007
Why
Why is it, that we as humans (all of us-Americans, Russians, Germans, French, Italian, British, Irish, etc), are so afraid of what another does that is different from what we do. I'm not gay, but I do have friends that are, and they are no different from me or anyone else for that matter.
Those using Christianity to bash the gay community (or any other group of people for that matter), a big pox on you. You know full well that God says judge not, lest you be judged. God is the only perfect. You and I can never attain perfection. We can try, but it will never happen. Go home and quietly pray for those you think need God's help. Be a friend to those you feel need Him. I guarantee you, He is not happy with you when you are mean and cruel to His creation. We will all be standing before Him someday and we will all be judged for our deeds throughout our life. We each screw up enough without trying. Do you really want to add hatred to your list of screw-ups?
Russian Nationalists Attack Gays, Right Said Fred, and a German Politician
Those using Christianity to bash the gay community (or any other group of people for that matter), a big pox on you. You know full well that God says judge not, lest you be judged. God is the only perfect. You and I can never attain perfection. We can try, but it will never happen. Go home and quietly pray for those you think need God's help. Be a friend to those you feel need Him. I guarantee you, He is not happy with you when you are mean and cruel to His creation. We will all be standing before Him someday and we will all be judged for our deeds throughout our life. We each screw up enough without trying. Do you really want to add hatred to your list of screw-ups?
Russian Nationalists Attack Gays, Right Said Fred, and a German Politician
Russian skinheads, ultra nationalists and fundamentalist Orthodox church members make good on their pledge to "clean" Moscow streets of gays. Pop groups like Tatu and Right Said Fred were part of the scattered gay-rights protest, and so was a German politician.
15 May 2007
aaaccckkkk
Between working full-time and going to school full-time, I have no time for anything else. I am so behind on homework it ain't EVEN funny. The job basically fell into my lap. I need a management position to meet my internship requirements. Makes it difficult when you technically have no management experience. A former instructor is in a partnership with another gentleman and I ran into the former instructor and he was in need of a manager. Since they are just opening, there are only 3 employees, the 2 owners, and the one owners wife. Pretty much requires full-time which of course I am down for, but I'd rather it be AFTER graduation in December.
So now, homework is suffering. Sleep? What the hell is that.
At least it is interesting. But shit, what I need more than anything is like a week long nap.
So now, homework is suffering. Sleep? What the hell is that.
At least it is interesting. But shit, what I need more than anything is like a week long nap.
26 April 2007
Kitty interviews Twango
Here I am being interviewed by Joie de Kitty
1. Tell me what your favourite memory with a male family member (Dad, uncle, grandpa, etc.) is.
My favorite memory with a male family member? Hummm, that's a tough one. I only remember this from being told, but it is my absolute favorite. I was the 2nd grandchild and the first granddaughter on my mom's side. To say I was the apple of grandpa's eye is an understatement. I could do no wrong in his eyes. Not long before he died, (I was 5) I got into his matches. Now, he had those big enormous boxes of the sulfur tipped matches. I decided to play pick up sticks with those matches while he was at work. My grandmother told me to pick them up. I responded by getting a wet wash cloth, lying on the couch and telling my grandmother, I can't, I have a sezer (fever). She made me pick them up and I did begrudgingly, crying the whole time and hyperventilating the phrase, 'wait till pawpaw gets home'. As soon as he came home, my grandmother said I was off like a rocket to meet him at the back door and proceeded to tell him all about what a horrible person 'his wife' was. He told my grandmother, Linda, those are my matches and if that baby wants to play pick-up sticks with them, she can. Grandmother said I looked at her with a 'take that' look. It's a favorite, because it truly let me know that I was special.
2. What is your earliest memory involving food? Was it positive or negative, and do you still eat that food?
Easily, the times cooking with my grandmother (the one from above). She didn't teach her daughters to cook. She thought, what do they need to know how to do that for, I cook. Well, when they got married, her phone would ring off the hook with, 'Mamma, how do I make/do xxx?' When I came along and showed interest in what she was doing, she plopped my butt on a counter and began teaching me how at around 4 or 5. The first thing I remember making with her was meringue. She would give me a bowl with the egg whites and a fork and tell me to beat it till it was stiff. Now that I'm a mom, I know she was just trying to get me out of the way, but I kept coming back for more, so she gradually increased my responsibilities till I was chopping and applying heat right along with her.
3. We know you love Cute Knut. Do or did you have any pets? What do you love about them?
We do have a pet, actually he is my oldest daughters and he is a Second Chance pet. His name is Freedom. He's really a pretty cool dog. He knows I'm 'grandma' and gets the grandparent spoiling treatment. He of course gets a stocking and presents at Christmas and a present on the 4th of July, as that is supposedly the day he was born, hence his name. What I love about them is the unconditional love. They are happy to see you whenever you get home; 5 minutes is like 5 days to them. It just makes ya feel loved. It was really cute when after he had broken his leg, but it was healed, he had gotten used to the sympathy thing and when he would hear someone in the kitchen, he would come in there to see if any snacks would be coming his way. If he didn't get any, he would play that sympathy card and limp as if he still had the cast. Funny thing was, he didn't always limp on the same leg. It was too cute and I had to give a treat for that.
4. One of the things I miss about the US is the commercials on TV... What is your favorite commercial, and why?
Right now, I'm loving this commercial Nationwide titled light switch. I don’t' know why, but it just cracks me up.
5. Where would you like to travel and why?
There truly are so many places I want to travel. France, Italy, Germany, oh hail, all of Europe truthfully. I would love to do a culinary tour of the world as that would serve two purposes, both the culinary aspect but the cultural end as well. Egypt for sure as I am fascinated by their ancient culture. The Middle East for the religious aspect, Germany as I am more German in heritage and I'd love to see my 'roots' so to speak, but I think I'll cheat and just say everywhere, cause honestly, it is true.
Now it's your turn to play if you wish:
Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will respond by asking you five questions in the comments here on this post so check back here. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
1. Tell me what your favourite memory with a male family member (Dad, uncle, grandpa, etc.) is.
My favorite memory with a male family member? Hummm, that's a tough one. I only remember this from being told, but it is my absolute favorite. I was the 2nd grandchild and the first granddaughter on my mom's side. To say I was the apple of grandpa's eye is an understatement. I could do no wrong in his eyes. Not long before he died, (I was 5) I got into his matches. Now, he had those big enormous boxes of the sulfur tipped matches. I decided to play pick up sticks with those matches while he was at work. My grandmother told me to pick them up. I responded by getting a wet wash cloth, lying on the couch and telling my grandmother, I can't, I have a sezer (fever). She made me pick them up and I did begrudgingly, crying the whole time and hyperventilating the phrase, 'wait till pawpaw gets home'. As soon as he came home, my grandmother said I was off like a rocket to meet him at the back door and proceeded to tell him all about what a horrible person 'his wife' was. He told my grandmother, Linda, those are my matches and if that baby wants to play pick-up sticks with them, she can. Grandmother said I looked at her with a 'take that' look. It's a favorite, because it truly let me know that I was special.
2. What is your earliest memory involving food? Was it positive or negative, and do you still eat that food?
Easily, the times cooking with my grandmother (the one from above). She didn't teach her daughters to cook. She thought, what do they need to know how to do that for, I cook. Well, when they got married, her phone would ring off the hook with, 'Mamma, how do I make/do xxx?' When I came along and showed interest in what she was doing, she plopped my butt on a counter and began teaching me how at around 4 or 5. The first thing I remember making with her was meringue. She would give me a bowl with the egg whites and a fork and tell me to beat it till it was stiff. Now that I'm a mom, I know she was just trying to get me out of the way, but I kept coming back for more, so she gradually increased my responsibilities till I was chopping and applying heat right along with her.
3. We know you love Cute Knut. Do or did you have any pets? What do you love about them?
We do have a pet, actually he is my oldest daughters and he is a Second Chance pet. His name is Freedom. He's really a pretty cool dog. He knows I'm 'grandma' and gets the grandparent spoiling treatment. He of course gets a stocking and presents at Christmas and a present on the 4th of July, as that is supposedly the day he was born, hence his name. What I love about them is the unconditional love. They are happy to see you whenever you get home; 5 minutes is like 5 days to them. It just makes ya feel loved. It was really cute when after he had broken his leg, but it was healed, he had gotten used to the sympathy thing and when he would hear someone in the kitchen, he would come in there to see if any snacks would be coming his way. If he didn't get any, he would play that sympathy card and limp as if he still had the cast. Funny thing was, he didn't always limp on the same leg. It was too cute and I had to give a treat for that.
4. One of the things I miss about the US is the commercials on TV... What is your favorite commercial, and why?
Right now, I'm loving this commercial Nationwide titled light switch. I don’t' know why, but it just cracks me up.
5. Where would you like to travel and why?
There truly are so many places I want to travel. France, Italy, Germany, oh hail, all of Europe truthfully. I would love to do a culinary tour of the world as that would serve two purposes, both the culinary aspect but the cultural end as well. Egypt for sure as I am fascinated by their ancient culture. The Middle East for the religious aspect, Germany as I am more German in heritage and I'd love to see my 'roots' so to speak, but I think I'll cheat and just say everywhere, cause honestly, it is true.
Now it's your turn to play if you wish:
Leave me a comment saying, “Interview me.” I will respond by asking you five questions in the comments here on this post so check back here. I get to pick the questions. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
15 April 2007
Somethings I just don't understand
Anybody that has kind of been reading the stuff I post will know I've been going through some personal growth (luckily it isn't my backside).
That being said, one thing I've noticed about it all:
People who thought they knew me, never really did or they thought so little of me before that they didn't believe I was capable of growing as a person.
I've gotten comments from more than one person along the lines of (it's not all, just a sampling):
Lots of people feel they know me. How I think and feel based on similar past situations. I've really given a lot of thought to a few things and either they just never really took the time to truly get to know me or they have such a narrow opinion of me as to think I could never possibly change.
Now perhaps they feel I could never change because they themselves are for the most part stagnant individuals, never having their own beliefs challenged by anyone, so they stick to their own little rut in life. That's fine. If that is the case and they enjoy where they are, then hey, more power to them.
To those who feel I've changed too much, sorry you feel that way. I'm enjoying the learning and growing and I intend to do a lot more of it. It's not as if my heart has changed. I'm still the same person, I just view some things differently than I did xxx years ago.
There is nothing wrong with changing your mind when you have new information; changing your mind just to change your mind, that's something else entirely.
Years ago, cocaine was used for medicinal purposes. Then people were given new information on cocaine and they decided, humm, not such a good medicine after all.
That being said, one thing I've noticed about it all:
People who thought they knew me, never really did or they thought so little of me before that they didn't believe I was capable of growing as a person.
I've gotten comments from more than one person along the lines of (it's not all, just a sampling):
- I've known you for xxx years. The person I knew would never think/feel something like that.
- Oh, you are just trying to fit in with your new friends.
- You've always felt xxx way about this issue. I don't believe you feel the way you say you do.
- You are acting so out of character.
Lots of people feel they know me. How I think and feel based on similar past situations. I've really given a lot of thought to a few things and either they just never really took the time to truly get to know me or they have such a narrow opinion of me as to think I could never possibly change.
Now perhaps they feel I could never change because they themselves are for the most part stagnant individuals, never having their own beliefs challenged by anyone, so they stick to their own little rut in life. That's fine. If that is the case and they enjoy where they are, then hey, more power to them.
To those who feel I've changed too much, sorry you feel that way. I'm enjoying the learning and growing and I intend to do a lot more of it. It's not as if my heart has changed. I'm still the same person, I just view some things differently than I did xxx years ago.
There is nothing wrong with changing your mind when you have new information; changing your mind just to change your mind, that's something else entirely.
Years ago, cocaine was used for medicinal purposes. Then people were given new information on cocaine and they decided, humm, not such a good medicine after all.
27 March 2007
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
While I thought I had gone through the vast majority of changes in my life, I'm still changing.
I'm more tolerant of things I was not formerly tolerant of and less tolerant of things I was previously tolerant of (go figure).
I seem to be more sympathetic.
I'm far more willing to show and share my emotions.
I'm still standoffish if I don't know you, but I warm up a bit quicker than I used to.
I'm more trusting.
I am softer (so sayeth a few friends).
I have looked, delved, and explored; trying to find the answer as to why. From what I can see, I place the blame for all the above on the shoulders of one person. I want to be a better person. Not a different person. I'm still me, just a better me.
That really is so not like me. I've always been fine with who I am. I've never felt the need to have someone in my life. If there was a special someone, great. If there wasn't a special someone, that was fine too. My company has always been sufficient. I enjoy me, my likes, dislikes and quirks.
He's the most gentle person I've ever known. He's very passionate about the things he loves, and would not hesitate to shoot someone breaking into his home, but the side I get to see, the one he hides from most others, is the most amazing person. Not that he is perfect, far from it. He can be a supreme ass, no doubt about that. He has a temper for sure. It may take a lot to light that fuse, but once lit, it's time to run for cover - where then I can giggle(to myself only and only if I'm not the one that just lit that fuse) at just how red his face is and look for the smoke that is soon to be pouring from his ears a la Saturday morning cartoons. But I've only lit that fuse twice thank goodness and both of those times were misunderstandings. He figured out I am not a mind reader though and misunderstandings won't be a problem any longer. I owe him more than I can ever repay.
Now back to changes. With the changes I have gone through, I've grown in a different direction than I ever anticipated. I hate to say it because it sounds so snobby, but, I've evolved. That is the best way to describe it. Evolving however means there are certain things (or people) that need to be reevaluated. That's the hard part. I am a much different person today than I was 5 years ago, hell, even 2 years ago. That is going to require a lot of thought.
Here it is Spring and I'm looking at a different kind of Spring cleaning.
I'm more tolerant of things I was not formerly tolerant of and less tolerant of things I was previously tolerant of (go figure).
I seem to be more sympathetic.
I'm far more willing to show and share my emotions.
I'm still standoffish if I don't know you, but I warm up a bit quicker than I used to.
I'm more trusting.
I am softer (so sayeth a few friends).
I have looked, delved, and explored; trying to find the answer as to why. From what I can see, I place the blame for all the above on the shoulders of one person. I want to be a better person. Not a different person. I'm still me, just a better me.
That really is so not like me. I've always been fine with who I am. I've never felt the need to have someone in my life. If there was a special someone, great. If there wasn't a special someone, that was fine too. My company has always been sufficient. I enjoy me, my likes, dislikes and quirks.
He's the most gentle person I've ever known. He's very passionate about the things he loves, and would not hesitate to shoot someone breaking into his home, but the side I get to see, the one he hides from most others, is the most amazing person. Not that he is perfect, far from it. He can be a supreme ass, no doubt about that. He has a temper for sure. It may take a lot to light that fuse, but once lit, it's time to run for cover - where then I can giggle(to myself only and only if I'm not the one that just lit that fuse) at just how red his face is and look for the smoke that is soon to be pouring from his ears a la Saturday morning cartoons. But I've only lit that fuse twice thank goodness and both of those times were misunderstandings. He figured out I am not a mind reader though and misunderstandings won't be a problem any longer. I owe him more than I can ever repay.
Now back to changes. With the changes I have gone through, I've grown in a different direction than I ever anticipated. I hate to say it because it sounds so snobby, but, I've evolved. That is the best way to describe it. Evolving however means there are certain things (or people) that need to be reevaluated. That's the hard part. I am a much different person today than I was 5 years ago, hell, even 2 years ago. That is going to require a lot of thought.
Here it is Spring and I'm looking at a different kind of Spring cleaning.
21 March 2007
The Man in the Glass
This was in Dear Abby today. I had never read it, but I like it.
The Man in the Glass(Author Unknown)
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
The Man in the Glass(Author Unknown)
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself
And see what THAT man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people might think you're a straight-shootin' chum
And call you a wonderful guy.
But the man in glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
19 February 2007
I'm so lucky
or maybe that should be fortunate.
It's been several months since I told a friend about something that happened many years ago. We knew each other at the time, but nothing more than a nod in the other's direction.
A couple of weeks ago, I brought up something else from that time. He can't even think about that time period or the people he knew. He had tears in his eyes just thinking about it. If only he was there he said. It would have never happened. Some of the players he knew, was friends with. He hates that he knew people like that. The other players, even I don't know who, so he wants to not even think of the people we knew then, cause he knows that two of them were probably people he knew.
Cryptic I know, but that's all I'm prepared to say.
It's been several months since I told a friend about something that happened many years ago. We knew each other at the time, but nothing more than a nod in the other's direction.
A couple of weeks ago, I brought up something else from that time. He can't even think about that time period or the people he knew. He had tears in his eyes just thinking about it. If only he was there he said. It would have never happened. Some of the players he knew, was friends with. He hates that he knew people like that. The other players, even I don't know who, so he wants to not even think of the people we knew then, cause he knows that two of them were probably people he knew.
Cryptic I know, but that's all I'm prepared to say.
26 December 2006
Natural and Organic Foods
Naturally and organically grown foods have the flavor nature meant for them to have. Because of the use of chemical pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics, and factory farms, mass farmed poultry and produce have lost much of the qualities that attracted our ancestors. American culture has put price before quality, nutrition, and flavor. Instead, visual appeal, yield, and disease resistance are the prized attributes.
Nutritious soil is the beginning of organic farming, producing adequate nourishment for the plant, which provides healthy nutrients for the body and flavor for the taste buds. Many people prefer organic and naturally grown foods, as they taste better and remind you of what grandma would put on her table. Chemical fertilizers, added to the soil in traditional farming, leave a chemical residue on the product, which can be harmful. Pesticides can have adverse effects on our health causing many different health problems. Such problems include neurotoxicity, immune system suppression, disruption of the endocrine system, and effect male reproduction.
While comparing the nutritional value of organically grown and conventional grown fruits, vegetables, and grains in forty-one published studies show organic have more nutrients. In comparison, there is 27% more vitamin c, 29.3% more magnesium, 21.1% more iron, and 13.6% more phosphorus. Nitrate levels were 51% less in organic than in the conventional. Salicylic acid, helps combat hardening of the arteries, in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory, and is up to six times greater in organically grown foods, in addition to having higher percentages of calcium and antioxidants.
Organic grown foods have strict regulations, which prohibit the usage of hormones, anti-microbials, antibiotics, or any growth promotants. Animals that are treated with any drug or chemical cannot be sold as organic, not them or any of their by-products. When organic foods are processed, they are restricted from the use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives, colorings, and antioxidants.
Battery cage broiler chickens, raised for their meat are placed in windowless buildings with as many as 40,000 other chickens. Because of the cramped confinement, chickens have no room to spread their wings and have to get their beaks clipped to keep from pecking one another. Waste products, dust, feathers, and ammonia from the urine permeate the air, causing breathing difficulties for the animals. Large fans are used to circulate the air, giving the atmosphere a sandstorm effect, which actually sandblasts their skin. The chickens are given mass doses of antibiotics to help keep them alive. These doses total more than four times the amounts given to humans. In addition to the antibiotics, the birds are given drugs to promote faster growth, in so doing, the average chicken breast of today weighs seven times more than did the average chicken breast 25 years ago. This drug induced growth results in obesity for the birds; internal organs and legs are unable to keep up with the growth rate. The birds suffer from heart attacks, organ failure, and crippling leg deformities. Chickens developing leg deformities usually die because they cannot reach the water or feed. Once chickens reach seven-weeks old they are packed into crates, and then shipped to the slaughterhouses.
By contrast, chickens that are raised on a natural farm are never given hormones, antibiotics, or any other artificial ingredient. The soil, feed, and pastures have no pesticides or herbicides used in them. The chickens are raised the way nature intended. They enjoy the freedom to move around in open pastures, scratch, preen, and benefit from the fresh air and sun light. In the evening, they automatically return to roost in the buildings that protect them from predators. The buildings are secured at night for the birds' protection, but are immediately opened back up the next morning for the birds to graze and exercise another day. Some farms have portable buildings so that the birds can be moved from one location to another, giving them access to different grazing areas, which helps the land to recover. Tender grasses and seedlings are able to reproduce.
Conventionally grown produce has ten times less mineral content than produce that is grown organically. There are over 400 chemical pesticides used on a regular basis in conventionally grown produce with 79% of the conventionally grown products containing chemical and pesticide residue. Modernized, conventional farming uses more petroleum than any other industry. To produce synthetic fertilizer, more energy is used than to till, cultivate, and harvest crops. Leaching from fertilizers resulted in high nitrate levels in water and food; high nitrate levels have been proven to cause cancer. On average, conventional produce is found to contain only 83% of the nutrients that are found in organically grown produce. Produce with the highest levels of pesticide residue include peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, red raspberries, imported grapes, spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and hot peppers. Produce containing the lowest levels of pesticide residue are pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelon, plums, kiwi fruit, blueberries, papaya, grapefruit, avocado, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli, onions, okra, cabbage, and eggplant.
Organically grown produce contains higher levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, essential minerals, and phytonutrients; lower levels of mycotoxin, and are more resistant to various mildews and fungi. In fact, organically grown oranges were found to have up to 30% more vitamin C than their conventionally grown counterparts, despite being smaller. You cannot overdose on antioxidants that come from a food source. Your best choices are blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, papaya, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, prunes, raisins, plums, oranges, red grapes, cherries, sweet potatoes, yams, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, garlic, red bell pepper, onion, corn, avocados, kiwi fruit, nectarines, peaches, pears, grapefruit, lemons, apples, bananas, and eggplant. Frequenting your produce aisle will ensure a healthy supply of antioxidants in your diet.
A study performed by European Scientists at Newcastle University found that rats are healthier on organic foods than on conventional food. The rats that were fed the organically grown produce slept better, had stronger immune systems, and were slimmer than rats fed a diet of conventional produce.
Organic farms prevent soil erosion and help build healthy soil. The soil in organic farms are found to have less nitrogen leaching, better nutrient holding ability, more efficient nutrient cycling, and has less run-off and erosion than their conventional counterparts.
Natural and organic foods are by far our best choice when choosing healthy, nutritious food. Making the right choices will increase our health and longevity. Organic and natural foods have the least amount of chemicals and pesticides; have more nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, are environmentally friendly, and help in maintaining our ecosystem.
Twango ©
Nutritious soil is the beginning of organic farming, producing adequate nourishment for the plant, which provides healthy nutrients for the body and flavor for the taste buds. Many people prefer organic and naturally grown foods, as they taste better and remind you of what grandma would put on her table. Chemical fertilizers, added to the soil in traditional farming, leave a chemical residue on the product, which can be harmful. Pesticides can have adverse effects on our health causing many different health problems. Such problems include neurotoxicity, immune system suppression, disruption of the endocrine system, and effect male reproduction.
While comparing the nutritional value of organically grown and conventional grown fruits, vegetables, and grains in forty-one published studies show organic have more nutrients. In comparison, there is 27% more vitamin c, 29.3% more magnesium, 21.1% more iron, and 13.6% more phosphorus. Nitrate levels were 51% less in organic than in the conventional. Salicylic acid, helps combat hardening of the arteries, in addition to acting as an anti-inflammatory, and is up to six times greater in organically grown foods, in addition to having higher percentages of calcium and antioxidants.
Organic grown foods have strict regulations, which prohibit the usage of hormones, anti-microbials, antibiotics, or any growth promotants. Animals that are treated with any drug or chemical cannot be sold as organic, not them or any of their by-products. When organic foods are processed, they are restricted from the use of synthetic chemicals as preservatives, colorings, and antioxidants.
Battery cage broiler chickens, raised for their meat are placed in windowless buildings with as many as 40,000 other chickens. Because of the cramped confinement, chickens have no room to spread their wings and have to get their beaks clipped to keep from pecking one another. Waste products, dust, feathers, and ammonia from the urine permeate the air, causing breathing difficulties for the animals. Large fans are used to circulate the air, giving the atmosphere a sandstorm effect, which actually sandblasts their skin. The chickens are given mass doses of antibiotics to help keep them alive. These doses total more than four times the amounts given to humans. In addition to the antibiotics, the birds are given drugs to promote faster growth, in so doing, the average chicken breast of today weighs seven times more than did the average chicken breast 25 years ago. This drug induced growth results in obesity for the birds; internal organs and legs are unable to keep up with the growth rate. The birds suffer from heart attacks, organ failure, and crippling leg deformities. Chickens developing leg deformities usually die because they cannot reach the water or feed. Once chickens reach seven-weeks old they are packed into crates, and then shipped to the slaughterhouses.
By contrast, chickens that are raised on a natural farm are never given hormones, antibiotics, or any other artificial ingredient. The soil, feed, and pastures have no pesticides or herbicides used in them. The chickens are raised the way nature intended. They enjoy the freedom to move around in open pastures, scratch, preen, and benefit from the fresh air and sun light. In the evening, they automatically return to roost in the buildings that protect them from predators. The buildings are secured at night for the birds' protection, but are immediately opened back up the next morning for the birds to graze and exercise another day. Some farms have portable buildings so that the birds can be moved from one location to another, giving them access to different grazing areas, which helps the land to recover. Tender grasses and seedlings are able to reproduce.
Conventionally grown produce has ten times less mineral content than produce that is grown organically. There are over 400 chemical pesticides used on a regular basis in conventionally grown produce with 79% of the conventionally grown products containing chemical and pesticide residue. Modernized, conventional farming uses more petroleum than any other industry. To produce synthetic fertilizer, more energy is used than to till, cultivate, and harvest crops. Leaching from fertilizers resulted in high nitrate levels in water and food; high nitrate levels have been proven to cause cancer. On average, conventional produce is found to contain only 83% of the nutrients that are found in organically grown produce. Produce with the highest levels of pesticide residue include peaches, apples, strawberries, nectarines, pears, cherries, red raspberries, imported grapes, spinach, bell peppers, celery, potatoes, and hot peppers. Produce containing the lowest levels of pesticide residue are pineapples, plantains, mangoes, bananas, watermelon, plums, kiwi fruit, blueberries, papaya, grapefruit, avocado, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, radishes, broccoli, onions, okra, cabbage, and eggplant.
Organically grown produce contains higher levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, essential minerals, and phytonutrients; lower levels of mycotoxin, and are more resistant to various mildews and fungi. In fact, organically grown oranges were found to have up to 30% more vitamin C than their conventionally grown counterparts, despite being smaller. You cannot overdose on antioxidants that come from a food source. Your best choices are blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, papaya, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, prunes, raisins, plums, oranges, red grapes, cherries, sweet potatoes, yams, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, garlic, red bell pepper, onion, corn, avocados, kiwi fruit, nectarines, peaches, pears, grapefruit, lemons, apples, bananas, and eggplant. Frequenting your produce aisle will ensure a healthy supply of antioxidants in your diet.
A study performed by European Scientists at Newcastle University found that rats are healthier on organic foods than on conventional food. The rats that were fed the organically grown produce slept better, had stronger immune systems, and were slimmer than rats fed a diet of conventional produce.
Organic farms prevent soil erosion and help build healthy soil. The soil in organic farms are found to have less nitrogen leaching, better nutrient holding ability, more efficient nutrient cycling, and has less run-off and erosion than their conventional counterparts.
Natural and organic foods are by far our best choice when choosing healthy, nutritious food. Making the right choices will increase our health and longevity. Organic and natural foods have the least amount of chemicals and pesticides; have more nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, are environmentally friendly, and help in maintaining our ecosystem.
Twango ©
16 December 2006
I'm constantly amazed by people
You hear the term 'mean girls' and you think, do I know any? Then you realize, yeah, you know some, but the funny thing is, they think they aren't the 'mean girls'. You hear them bitch and moan about how other people are and what terrible things they say/do, yet they turn around and do the same damn thing. Can they really not see that they hate what they are, what they have become?
The world in general would be a much nicer place if people could look at themselves objectively. Looking at yourself through rose-colored glasses is not a good thing. Ganging up like a pack ready to devour their young on someone with a dissenting opinion but then bitching that they constantly have their opinion stifled. Puhlease. If the words coming out of your mouth were coming out of the mouth of the person you detest, you'd be all up in arms at what they had to say. Take off the rose-colored glasses and take an honest look at yourself.
Now, if you know me and if you are wondering, hummmm, is she talking about me. I'd say you might have your first clue that those glasses need to be removed.
Edited to add:
Re-read the last two sentences.
I am a bitch. I've never denied being a bitch. In fact, I often times laugh when someone calls me a bitch, because they obviously feel it is an insult whereas I do not. There are many people I have thought of as friends in this life. Many of them have lied, placated, patronized, and insulted me. I have weeded these people out of my life, preferring instead to have positive influences. Those positives include not judging, accepting, and understanding.
Again I say, if you are wondering, hummmm, is she talking about me. I'd say you might have your first clue that those glasses need to be removed.
The world in general would be a much nicer place if people could look at themselves objectively. Looking at yourself through rose-colored glasses is not a good thing. Ganging up like a pack ready to devour their young on someone with a dissenting opinion but then bitching that they constantly have their opinion stifled. Puhlease. If the words coming out of your mouth were coming out of the mouth of the person you detest, you'd be all up in arms at what they had to say. Take off the rose-colored glasses and take an honest look at yourself.
Now, if you know me and if you are wondering, hummmm, is she talking about me. I'd say you might have your first clue that those glasses need to be removed.
Edited to add:
Re-read the last two sentences.
I am a bitch. I've never denied being a bitch. In fact, I often times laugh when someone calls me a bitch, because they obviously feel it is an insult whereas I do not. There are many people I have thought of as friends in this life. Many of them have lied, placated, patronized, and insulted me. I have weeded these people out of my life, preferring instead to have positive influences. Those positives include not judging, accepting, and understanding.
Again I say, if you are wondering, hummmm, is she talking about me. I'd say you might have your first clue that those glasses need to be removed.
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