Pink Slime is something that I just recently heard about on television. I wanted to take a look to see what it actually is and how the USDA and meat processors use it and think it is safe.
I was reading up on this and this is what I have found. Pink Slime is actually a filler and processed in the following way.
According to the Washington Post, the process involves taking USDA-approved beef trimmings, separating the fat and meat with centrifuges, then squeezing the lean beef through a tube the size of a pencil, during which time it is exposed to ammonia gas. The combination of the gas with water in the meat results in a reaction that increases the pH, lowering acidity and killing any pathogens such as E. coli.
This filler is processed at a company and then shipped out to the places that process our meat. It is then added to our ground beef.
The Pink Slime process is actually using Ammonia to kill off E. Coli? Ammonia, a chemical that is commonly found under our kitchen sink to be used a cleaning agent? Isn't Ammonia labeled with a big giant skull and cross bones? Isn't there a warning that states not for consumption and if you get it in your eyes or swallow it to call poison control right away? So, why is this chemical or poison in our food?
I thought E. Coli could be eliminated if the food is cooked and/or stored properly? Am I wrong, or is there more to it?
I read a statistic that 70% of our grocery stores supply us with the USDA approved product. I was unaware of this. Unless you are buying ground beef that is USDA Organic, you are running a high risk of feeding your family the Pink Slime. I also read that many of our schools are using ground beef product with Pink Slime. So, even if you as a family decide to use organic to eliminate that risk, your children may still be getting it at school.
They say that it is safe, but it is not a necessity to be listed on a label of ingredients. Are you serious? Shouldn't that be our decision to make? Shouldn't we be able to decide?
I grew up in farm country in Western Pennsylvania. My family was fortunate enough to have a cow and pig every year. We knew what was going into that animal for feed and medicine. It had land to roam on and lots of grass to graze in. We never had to worry about what was in our meat. Unfortunately we all do not have that opportunity.
My thoughts are that if this process of the Pink Slime is going to continue, the stores need to label these so we know what we are buying. Then, if we choose to buy it we know what we are ingesting. I think that the restaurants that have not already taken this meat out of their menu, need to immediately. Lastly, our schools need to get this Pink Slime out ASAP! We should have a say in what they consume at school and I know I am guilty of not really looking past the school lunch menu and into what they are really eating.
**Just a tip to keep pink slime out of your house. I have started buying a boneless pot roast and having the butcher at my grocery store ground it up for me. The taste is fabulous, it can be much cheaper, and I find that if I get a large roast I can freeze it and it still tastes fresh when comes out of the freezer!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Will I ever get to sleep? New Baby Woes
Lately there has been a lot of new babies being born amongst my friends and family. Five months ago I even welcomed our new little one, but the difference being this is my third child. I was laughing the other night, as I was typing on facebook to a relative who has a three week old, over a conversation about lack of sleep.
So, I started to think back to my first two children. The lack of sleep that left you feeling like a zombie. Those sleepless nights when they are teething. Waking when they are infants every 3 to 4 hours, if you were lucky, to feed them. Little colds that would keep them congested and you from getting any sleep. Really, and all those who give the advice of "sleep when the baby sleeps"? Yeah right! When they sleep there is laundry to be done, and dinner to be made, and floor to be vacuumed! If you did not get those things done on a daily basis, you were screwed because it is almost impossible to catch up. I remember sitting up at night for about 6 months when my daughter was teething. She would go to bed at 9 and be back up at 10 and just be up and down all night. I can tell you every single line from Elmo in Grouchland. That was the only movies we watched as we cuddled on the couch. She would stop crying and just lay there, on my pregnant belly, with her rosy red cheeks and a runny nose. She was done crying, but then I would start! Everyone had advice on what to do. "Let her cry it out!", "Rock her in a rocking chair!", "Medicate her!" I would sit and just say "God, please if you are listening, I will do anything just please let me be able to sleep a good nights sleep!"
The truth is I tried each of those thing and it never worked. We had to find out what worked for us. What works for one baby may not work for another. I found that the more stressed and tense I was, the worse my baby would be. Now, that said, I only no that now that I have my new little one! It really is trial and error with your baby. People can give you advice and you can try what you would like to. But, more often than not you have to fall into a routine that works for you.
With my new son, when he gets cranky, gassy, or fussy, we rock in his favorite chair and I pull him close, I sing or talk to him in a sweet voice. I relax my body and tap on his bum gently. This is what works for us. He calms down and stares into my eyes. I am relaxed so he is relaxed!
Sleep is such a valued thing. You just feel as though if you can get one good nights sleep the next 6 months will be better somehow!
Your babies sleep patterns will change and it will get better. Just when your body adjusts to no sleep your baby will start to sleep better, that's usually how it goes!
I have figured out that once your baby is getting a little older and is taking in about 24 ounces or more, you can squeeze in those feeding during the day. This makes it so that they are full before they go down to sleep for the night. You know they have had all they need for the day and if they are waking at night it is for something other than food. More often than not, this is when they will sleep for a longer period of time at night.
Remember to trust in yourself. Even first time moms have the answers. You know what is best for your baby even if it means trying different methods to find what works for you.
Do you have any advice or tips that you can post on my blog? Maybe you can help another sleepless mother...
So, I started to think back to my first two children. The lack of sleep that left you feeling like a zombie. Those sleepless nights when they are teething. Waking when they are infants every 3 to 4 hours, if you were lucky, to feed them. Little colds that would keep them congested and you from getting any sleep. Really, and all those who give the advice of "sleep when the baby sleeps"? Yeah right! When they sleep there is laundry to be done, and dinner to be made, and floor to be vacuumed! If you did not get those things done on a daily basis, you were screwed because it is almost impossible to catch up. I remember sitting up at night for about 6 months when my daughter was teething. She would go to bed at 9 and be back up at 10 and just be up and down all night. I can tell you every single line from Elmo in Grouchland. That was the only movies we watched as we cuddled on the couch. She would stop crying and just lay there, on my pregnant belly, with her rosy red cheeks and a runny nose. She was done crying, but then I would start! Everyone had advice on what to do. "Let her cry it out!", "Rock her in a rocking chair!", "Medicate her!" I would sit and just say "God, please if you are listening, I will do anything just please let me be able to sleep a good nights sleep!"
The truth is I tried each of those thing and it never worked. We had to find out what worked for us. What works for one baby may not work for another. I found that the more stressed and tense I was, the worse my baby would be. Now, that said, I only no that now that I have my new little one! It really is trial and error with your baby. People can give you advice and you can try what you would like to. But, more often than not you have to fall into a routine that works for you.
With my new son, when he gets cranky, gassy, or fussy, we rock in his favorite chair and I pull him close, I sing or talk to him in a sweet voice. I relax my body and tap on his bum gently. This is what works for us. He calms down and stares into my eyes. I am relaxed so he is relaxed!
Sleep is such a valued thing. You just feel as though if you can get one good nights sleep the next 6 months will be better somehow!
Your babies sleep patterns will change and it will get better. Just when your body adjusts to no sleep your baby will start to sleep better, that's usually how it goes!
I have figured out that once your baby is getting a little older and is taking in about 24 ounces or more, you can squeeze in those feeding during the day. This makes it so that they are full before they go down to sleep for the night. You know they have had all they need for the day and if they are waking at night it is for something other than food. More often than not, this is when they will sleep for a longer period of time at night.
Remember to trust in yourself. Even first time moms have the answers. You know what is best for your baby even if it means trying different methods to find what works for you.
Do you have any advice or tips that you can post on my blog? Maybe you can help another sleepless mother...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Make A Muscle! Make A Difference! MDA
I got a Facebook post from my brother-in -law this morning. In the post he was asking friends and friends of friends to please buy a Shamrock for Muscular Dystrophy. This is their annual program that collects a lot of money for kids with M.D. Our family has a friend who is 7 years old and he has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. We bought a shamrock for him!
The MDA Shamrocks campaign started in 1982 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and taken nationally a year later This program raises funds to support MDA’s fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases, including its programs of research, services, advocacy and education. The program benefits MDA’s nationwide network of some 200 medical clinics, and it helps send thousands of children with muscle diseases to a week of accessible fun at MDA summer camp.
Shamrocks Against Dystrophy is the nation’s largest charity-related fundraiser associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
A number of top retailers and restaurants help sponsor and support the campaign, including: Applebee’s, Burger King, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Jiffy Lube, Kroger, Lowe’s, Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven and Valero Corner Stores.
So, please buy a shamrock. One dollar can go along way if we all donate!
About MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
The MDA Shamrocks campaign started in 1982 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and taken nationally a year later This program raises funds to support MDA’s fight against muscular dystrophy and related diseases, including its programs of research, services, advocacy and education. The program benefits MDA’s nationwide network of some 200 medical clinics, and it helps send thousands of children with muscle diseases to a week of accessible fun at MDA summer camp.
Shamrocks Against Dystrophy is the nation’s largest charity-related fundraiser associated with St. Patrick’s Day.
A number of top retailers and restaurants help sponsor and support the campaign, including: Applebee’s, Burger King, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Jiffy Lube, Kroger, Lowe’s, Pizza Hut, 7-Eleven and Valero Corner Stores.
So, please buy a shamrock. One dollar can go along way if we all donate!
About MDA
MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Appreciate what you have in the now!
I know we all hear it. We here it from our parents, our teachers, our neighbors, and our mentors. They all tell us to slow down and enjoy what we have. They say never to wish those times away! Well, I know that is easier said than done and I am guilty of doing this too. As I am sure we all are.
When my 2 older kids were young, I was still a youngster myself. The ripe old age of 23 was when my first child came. And, 3 months after I gave birth to her I found out I was again pregnant with my son. I think this is where I started to rush everything in my life. I couldn't wait for my daughter to walk because I was going to have another baby to deal with. I couldn't wait until she could talk so I could better understand what she was meaning. I was tired, literally, and tired of not knowing what those cries meant. I was so anxious to get her into a big girl front facing car seat so that I did not have to carry 2 infant car seats. The same happened with my son when he came. I didn't even have an excuse to rush him. There were no babies coming from this momma anytime soon, or if at all!
I couldn't wait until they started preschool and then from preschool I was excited for them to start elementary school, sport, and friends. Well, Let me tell you, it has happened they are in the 3rd and 4rth grade now and all I want is that time back. All that time that I wished away. All those times that I thought "God, I just want her to walk. my back is killing me and I am tired" Well, now I wish that she wanted to crawl in my lap, hold my hand, and ask for me to pick her up. The same goes for my 9 year old son.
Since I have my new little one, I get to enjoy those special moments and I am in no hurry to make him grow up. I want to enjoy every moment with him as I know that in the blink of an eye he will be grown up and not needing me for as much as he used to. I listen to his every cry, every giggle, and every wimper. I hold him when he needs me, I cuddle because I want to, and I stare while he is eating. The rest of the world can wait. My housework goes on hold and I am cherishing every moment I have with him.
So, cherish every moment you have with your children. Hold them tight, read them stories, and tuck them in at night. When you do this, make sure to slow down and enjoy the time you have with them. You never know when it is that you won't have it anymore!
When my 2 older kids were young, I was still a youngster myself. The ripe old age of 23 was when my first child came. And, 3 months after I gave birth to her I found out I was again pregnant with my son. I think this is where I started to rush everything in my life. I couldn't wait for my daughter to walk because I was going to have another baby to deal with. I couldn't wait until she could talk so I could better understand what she was meaning. I was tired, literally, and tired of not knowing what those cries meant. I was so anxious to get her into a big girl front facing car seat so that I did not have to carry 2 infant car seats. The same happened with my son when he came. I didn't even have an excuse to rush him. There were no babies coming from this momma anytime soon, or if at all!
I couldn't wait until they started preschool and then from preschool I was excited for them to start elementary school, sport, and friends. Well, Let me tell you, it has happened they are in the 3rd and 4rth grade now and all I want is that time back. All that time that I wished away. All those times that I thought "God, I just want her to walk. my back is killing me and I am tired" Well, now I wish that she wanted to crawl in my lap, hold my hand, and ask for me to pick her up. The same goes for my 9 year old son.
Since I have my new little one, I get to enjoy those special moments and I am in no hurry to make him grow up. I want to enjoy every moment with him as I know that in the blink of an eye he will be grown up and not needing me for as much as he used to. I listen to his every cry, every giggle, and every wimper. I hold him when he needs me, I cuddle because I want to, and I stare while he is eating. The rest of the world can wait. My housework goes on hold and I am cherishing every moment I have with him.
So, cherish every moment you have with your children. Hold them tight, read them stories, and tuck them in at night. When you do this, make sure to slow down and enjoy the time you have with them. You never know when it is that you won't have it anymore!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Cut Throat Sports
When did sports become so cut throat? I just finished reading a story about a man who went to his daughters hockey game and, while sitting in the stands, pointed a laser in the eyes of the opposing teams goalie. Really? How did it get to that point? Will the daughter ever look back at that game and wonder if she was good enough to win that game on her own without the "help" of her moron father. Will everyone always look at that game and say "Really, you couldn't have won that game without cheating!"
How are our kids supposed to better themselves if their parent interjects themselves into a situation like this. He should feel ashamed of himself!
It is unbelievable how hard some parents can be on their children when it comes to sports. In my family, we push our kids to exceed in the sports they choose to participate in, but not at the expense of others. I know that if my children or I as a parent help to cheat, they will never learn to be better. There is something to be said for losing. It builds character and teaches a child how to work hard to become better at whatever they will do. You can't cheat your way into the NHL, NFL, or NBA. Your name does not get you into the NHL, NFL, or NBA. And certainly, if you make it their, your father can't sit in the stands and shine a laser in the eyes of the opponents to help you win. The only thing that will get you into a professional team is your skills and your hard work
We tell our kids the following two statements and they apply all the time.
1."To be the best you have to play with the best"
This means you want to play against the best players you can. Even if this means you lose every game. The only way you can be better is to watch and learn from those who are better than you.
2. " If you have to tell us how great you are, then you are not so great!"
First, you can be good at something but there is always room for improvement. And, usually the kid that will walk around talking about how awesome they are and how much better they play than others, isn't that great. It is usually the kid that sits quietly, plays hard, and keeps his mouth shut and listens to others that excels tremendously in a sport and in life.
In conclusion, the lesson in this story is simple. Cheaters never win and winners never cheat! Work hard and win on your own merit. It will make them stronger and will help them excel in life! This goes for kids and parents alike!
How are our kids supposed to better themselves if their parent interjects themselves into a situation like this. He should feel ashamed of himself!
It is unbelievable how hard some parents can be on their children when it comes to sports. In my family, we push our kids to exceed in the sports they choose to participate in, but not at the expense of others. I know that if my children or I as a parent help to cheat, they will never learn to be better. There is something to be said for losing. It builds character and teaches a child how to work hard to become better at whatever they will do. You can't cheat your way into the NHL, NFL, or NBA. Your name does not get you into the NHL, NFL, or NBA. And certainly, if you make it their, your father can't sit in the stands and shine a laser in the eyes of the opponents to help you win. The only thing that will get you into a professional team is your skills and your hard work
We tell our kids the following two statements and they apply all the time.
1."To be the best you have to play with the best"
This means you want to play against the best players you can. Even if this means you lose every game. The only way you can be better is to watch and learn from those who are better than you.
2. " If you have to tell us how great you are, then you are not so great!"
First, you can be good at something but there is always room for improvement. And, usually the kid that will walk around talking about how awesome they are and how much better they play than others, isn't that great. It is usually the kid that sits quietly, plays hard, and keeps his mouth shut and listens to others that excels tremendously in a sport and in life.
In conclusion, the lesson in this story is simple. Cheaters never win and winners never cheat! Work hard and win on your own merit. It will make them stronger and will help them excel in life! This goes for kids and parents alike!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Technology and the Loss of Kids Imaginations!
I remember having such a vivid imagination when I was young. I would play house with my sister on the front porch and use our porch swing as the car. I would seat belt my Cabbage Patch kids in with the belt from a bathrobe. We used to pretend there were leprechauns in our yard and set traps for them. We would go into our basement and play barbies with my brothers old Tonka Jeep and make towns out of Lincoln Logs.
There were no talking babies, no handheld games, no laptops, my Cabbage Patch even had yarn for here hair. I had to make my toys talk and walk, I had to pretend that the horse was galloping into the Lincoln Log Barn. Where have all our kids imaginations gone?
As much as technology has done for us, I think it has taken a lot away from our kids. There is really nothing we can do about it. We all adapted and there is no going back. If you go to the store and look at the shelves with the babies on them. There may be 1 or 2 dolls that are just regular dolls that come with a bottle and you have to pretend but the rest can talk, cry, eat, and even poop in their diapers.
Really? How much fun can that possibly be? I have watched my kids over the years get so bored with these toys. They play with them for a few days and then the toy will be found in the bottom of the toy chest with the next stop being a box in the basement.
I watched my kids in my mother-in-laws basement when she was moving. They had taken out their uncles Rock em' Sock em' Robots and Hungry Hungry Hippos. They played those games all day and asked if they could have them to take home. Now, isn't that funny, hours of entertainment by the toys that had the least instant satisfaction!
We waste millions a year for our kids to play with the latest and greatest toys. I would love to see my kids use their imaginations more. How about you? What are some toys you think make kids use their imaginations?
There were no talking babies, no handheld games, no laptops, my Cabbage Patch even had yarn for here hair. I had to make my toys talk and walk, I had to pretend that the horse was galloping into the Lincoln Log Barn. Where have all our kids imaginations gone?
As much as technology has done for us, I think it has taken a lot away from our kids. There is really nothing we can do about it. We all adapted and there is no going back. If you go to the store and look at the shelves with the babies on them. There may be 1 or 2 dolls that are just regular dolls that come with a bottle and you have to pretend but the rest can talk, cry, eat, and even poop in their diapers.
Really? How much fun can that possibly be? I have watched my kids over the years get so bored with these toys. They play with them for a few days and then the toy will be found in the bottom of the toy chest with the next stop being a box in the basement.
I watched my kids in my mother-in-laws basement when she was moving. They had taken out their uncles Rock em' Sock em' Robots and Hungry Hungry Hippos. They played those games all day and asked if they could have them to take home. Now, isn't that funny, hours of entertainment by the toys that had the least instant satisfaction!
We waste millions a year for our kids to play with the latest and greatest toys. I would love to see my kids use their imaginations more. How about you? What are some toys you think make kids use their imaginations?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Pay It Foward Project!
I am starting the Pay it forward Project! Paying it forward is so important to so many people. The great thing about paying it forward is that it can be something small to you the giver, but be something so huge to the person receiving. You never know.
Paying it forward does not mean it has to be monetary to mean something. Holding a door for a person with a baby carriage or telling the frustrated mother with the screaming kid in the grocery store that it is okay and asking if she needs help. If you have a little extra money maybe it is paying for the elderly mans coffee in front of you.
This Pay it Forward project, for me, is to teach my kids about what it means to give to others. We have payed it forward before and It taught me and my kids a lesson.
6 Years ago, My kids and I would pass a homeless man everyday when we would drop off my husband at work. Same spot, same time, everyday. Honestly, I would turn my nose up and look away, everyday. My kids started asking me why he holds that sign asking for money. Everyday from then on out I would look at him, first reading the sign then looking at his face. His sign said "Vietnam Vet, Homeless and Hungry". I started thinking where is man could have come from, where he has been, and where he may go. It was pretty sad. Now, I don't have a lot but I did have more than this man had. My kids asked me to give him the money I had in my pocket, which was probably $5 bucks. I could have rolled down my window, given him the money, and rolled along. But, I told them no, I was not going to give this man money. They asked me why and I told them I had something better planned. The next day I packed my husbands lunch for work and I packed my homeless mans lunch. I packed a brown bag with a ham sandwich, chips, a soda, and some snacks. My husband thought I was crazy, but I explained to him that this was going to teach our kids to be generous to others. When we rolled up to the light where he stood, I rolled down my window and handed the brown bag to him. I said, "I don't have money to give to you but here is a lunch for you to eat today". He said "God Bless you, I will not be hungry today". My kids felt so good that they had done something nice for him. Truth be told, I felt so good inside. Maybe, he payed it forward in someway. Maybe that brown bag lunch started some kind of chain of events that made someone else have a great day.
I want this to be something that is talked about. Kids and adults alike can learn from this project. So, for the next week, I want to hear your stories about what you, your kids, or your family have done to pay it forward.
Talk to your kids and tell them about this project. Ask them at dinner what they did to pay it forward and tell them what you did in your day to pay it forward.
This project is going to spread kindness and compassion. Remember, something small you might do can change the course of events in someone else's life!
Melanie~
Paying it forward does not mean it has to be monetary to mean something. Holding a door for a person with a baby carriage or telling the frustrated mother with the screaming kid in the grocery store that it is okay and asking if she needs help. If you have a little extra money maybe it is paying for the elderly mans coffee in front of you.
This Pay it Forward project, for me, is to teach my kids about what it means to give to others. We have payed it forward before and It taught me and my kids a lesson.
6 Years ago, My kids and I would pass a homeless man everyday when we would drop off my husband at work. Same spot, same time, everyday. Honestly, I would turn my nose up and look away, everyday. My kids started asking me why he holds that sign asking for money. Everyday from then on out I would look at him, first reading the sign then looking at his face. His sign said "Vietnam Vet, Homeless and Hungry". I started thinking where is man could have come from, where he has been, and where he may go. It was pretty sad. Now, I don't have a lot but I did have more than this man had. My kids asked me to give him the money I had in my pocket, which was probably $5 bucks. I could have rolled down my window, given him the money, and rolled along. But, I told them no, I was not going to give this man money. They asked me why and I told them I had something better planned. The next day I packed my husbands lunch for work and I packed my homeless mans lunch. I packed a brown bag with a ham sandwich, chips, a soda, and some snacks. My husband thought I was crazy, but I explained to him that this was going to teach our kids to be generous to others. When we rolled up to the light where he stood, I rolled down my window and handed the brown bag to him. I said, "I don't have money to give to you but here is a lunch for you to eat today". He said "God Bless you, I will not be hungry today". My kids felt so good that they had done something nice for him. Truth be told, I felt so good inside. Maybe, he payed it forward in someway. Maybe that brown bag lunch started some kind of chain of events that made someone else have a great day.
I want this to be something that is talked about. Kids and adults alike can learn from this project. So, for the next week, I want to hear your stories about what you, your kids, or your family have done to pay it forward.
Talk to your kids and tell them about this project. Ask them at dinner what they did to pay it forward and tell them what you did in your day to pay it forward.
This project is going to spread kindness and compassion. Remember, something small you might do can change the course of events in someone else's life!
Melanie~
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