Mail

See what I got in the mail today?! I wasn't even expecting this. I got it through VocalPoint, so I guess joining has paid off! I go to their site every so often to do a survey (usually five minutes or so), and every so often I get fun things like this in the mail! They also sent about four or five coupons!

Think before you ask...

Do I want a proctology exam?
That's what Joe Wurzelbacher (a.k.a. "Joe the Plumber") feels that he has gotten just for asking an elected official a question. Full story.

Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other.

This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties. A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.

I saw these on the Common Room blog...I thought I would share...

Organic chickens...

I just opened my package of organic chicken (and livers), and the chicken is now roasting in the oven! I didn't realize that the livers were packaged with the chicken, so thawing the whole chicken resulted in thawed livers, as well. I just started my broth and dumped in the livers; I'll add the chicken carcass (that seems so yucky, but I can't think of another word) once it's been cooked and de-meated (?). :-) I'm curious to see if my broth will gel better with an organic chicken. Hmmm.
I just heard a bump. I think my son might have awakened from his 2-1/2 hour nap...it must be this rainy, dreary day.

Prayers

Here are a few prayers I found that Paul prayed for Christians. Sometimes I find myself having a hard time knowing how to pray, so I use these prayers.

Ephesians 1:16-19 (New Living Translation)

16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him.

Ephesians 3:14-19 (New Living Translation)

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Colossians 1:9-12 (New Living Translation)

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

Philippians 1:9-11 (New Living Translation)

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Interesting

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081020/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_money

From what I can understand, McCain is open about who donates money to his campaign; Obama is not open. McCain even lists donors who he is not required to list. Hmmmm....

A few ideas for yogurt

I was talking to a friend about my success with my homemade yogurt, and she just wasn't too sure about the plain yogurt. So, I thought I would share my ideas on using my homemade yogurt.
Now, Nathan (my two-year-old) loves to eat my yogurt just as it is. He doesn't know any different, so he thinks it is wonderful. I, on the other hand, have taken some time to grow accustomed to eating yogurt that doesn't have extra sugar in it. However, as I was eating some yogurt today, I thought, "Hey, this is pretty good; I think I could even eat it on its own!" The thermos-made yogurt is just wonderful. :-)
Here are my ideas:
1) Dip - Use fresh orange, apple, peach, or most any kind of fruit slices and dip them into the yogurt. We love the orange slices dipped in yogurt.
2) Smoothies
3) Yogurt cups - When we went camping I made Nathan his own yogurt cups using little Rubbermaid containers. He loved it, and I had a quick and healthy snack for him!
4) Avocado dip - 1 avocado, 1 cup of yogurt, 1/4 cup green onions, and a dash of red pepper. Process in food processor...Yum!
5) Topping for oatmeal or soup.

Okay, my brain quit. I've also heard of people mixing yogurt with honey, which could be good for you if the honey is raw (having the natural enzymes and such). Also, it is quite a bit cheaper to make your own yogurt than it is to buy yogurt. One gallon of milk costs $4 (although I rarely pay more than $3.60), and a quart of good yogurt costs at least $3.50. One quart of milk plus 1/4 cup of yogurt makes one quart of yogurt, so you can get four quarts of yogurt out of one gallon of milk.
Enough? Oh, if you have a baby or toddler, I highly recommend starting them on plain yogurt. I believe infants 9 months and older can have yogurt. My whole goal has been to start Nathan out with healthy food so he will hopefully not have the cravings for junk food like I do. :-)