First, the Bad News

The Cove "The movie"

2010-09-25T11:13:00.001-07:00

I recently watched the movie The Cove. I was horrified how Japan are so cruel and so darn down heartless when it comes to the killing of thousands of Dolphins. An estimated 23,00o Dolphins and Porpoises are killed in Japan each year. "An estimated" no one really knows the exact numbers because they are so many. We are depleting our oceans of fish and mammals.
After watching this movie my heart ached for those animals. Why are we so cruel and don't care for the suffering of the innocent?
Why has our humanity and greed cast a blind fold over our eyes? To the point where we don't care for what or who gets killed as long as our pockets get full. Why has humanity lost the sensibility to the beauty that's in the animals?

The most important question here is what are you going to do?

If we demand they will supply. If we all get together and STOP asking for animals to be our entertainment. If we decide enough is enough, it's time to stop and make a change. Someone has to do it?

Will it be you?

Will it be you? Or will you turn a blind eye and look the other way and do NOTHING!

What example are we to our children? Do we teach them to continue our legacy of being cruel? Our legacy of ignorance? Or do we take a stand and make a change?

Some people may say: What about you and having a dog? Someone asked me that as a defense and ignorance to what they do?! What kind of a question is that, and is there an answer for that? I think not. That is totally out of content, out of someone's ignorance.

I am really upset and ache to see what people do to animals and the environment. We don't care!
Remember one thing, what you do to the innocent it will be done to you and even more. I believe in karma. And you cause suffering and pain? Guess what, soon you too will be in that situation. Wouldn't you like someone to speak out for you? Wouldn't you be thankful that someone took the time to listen to your cry. Perhaps do something to make the pain stop? Why not do that for the animals that have no voice and their cry goes unheard. Why not be their voice?

Well, the time for a change is now. MAKE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING STOP RIGHT NOW!

Start by BOYCOTTING animal parks, SEA WORLD, zoo and the CIRCUS.
Don't buy fur, animal skin doesn't look good on anyone. Don't support cruelty, NO ANIMAL TESTING!

Tell me: How long can you hear someone crying - How long can you see someone dying - Before YOU ask yourself why? Before YOU do something about it!

fruits of our words

2010-08-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Did you know that your words are like seeds? They have creative power, meaning in the future we will eat the fruits of our words. Our words produce exactly what we say. Our words have power.
That's why it's important to make positive declarations over our lives every single day. We should be saying things like " I am blessed, I am talented, I am prosperous, I am healthy and I am creative, I am wise"
When we do this we not only hear it, but we visualize it. We are not bound to our surroundings. You have what IT takes to make your lives better. Believe it and it will come to pass.

Many of us are stuck believing what people around us are saying about us.
For example: If you had bad parents that never saw good in you. They always told you you were "good for nothing" and you grew up believing it. Those words will come to pass and your life will project what was said unto you.

Remember you have what it takes to break those words that bind you. God created us all equal no more no less. So, what is keeping you from reaching your best? The answer is YOU, your words and actions. Believe you can do anything you set your mind on, and believe mostly in YOURSELF.

Moving to a New City...San Diego

2009-06-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

I think a change is always good. Moving on the other hand is the worst experience ever. I really hate packing and loading up to move your stuff to a new place. It took us about a week of HARD labor to get all our things packed and ready for storage. It really was a lot of hard work, at the end of each day we were so tired that every muscle in our bodies hurt. I was in so much pain that even my toe nails hurt. Talk about not being used to hard labor. I can not imagine doing this for a living!!

The day came and we went to our local Home Depo. Where we empluyed the help of two guys. That alone was another ordeal. When they saw us drive up, it was like we were giving money away or something...those guys came running towards our car. Trying to open the door to assure that they will be going with us. Luckily we had been here before and new to keep our doors locked. Now trying to chose two guys from a crowd of like fifty all surrounding your car...now that was hard. How do you go about picking how will work and do a good job for you?
It wasn't easy, but we manage to pick a couple of hard working guys. I was impressed of how well they worked together and how hard they worked.

After all that ordeal we finally were finished and on our way to a relaxing week well spend at my sisters house.

Now in San Diego, even though it's just 2hrs from Los Angeles. It really seems like a totally different world.
Finding things in LA are so much easier and at the same time have more variety of things we like.
Now in San Diego I feel I will need more time to reagust and find "my specialty stores". But I am liking the enviroment and the people.
People here seem to be more relaxed, friendlier and not rude as a lot of people in LA.

To summerize I think our future looks good, we are excited to uncover the riches that San Diego might offer us.

Will post more later...

Pick up line...

2008-10-13T13:50:00.000-07:00

Today after my Dr. appointment. I stopped by the 99 cent store, which by the way it's the 1 dollar store now.
As I was shopping minding my own business. I came accross this guy, probably in his late 50's. He seemed like a friendly guy and I was friendly back to him.
All of a sudden I noticed he seemed like he was following me around the store. But he seemed harmless, so I ignored him.

At the check out, I looked over, and there he was checking out too. Looking at me!

Great I not only picked up groceries I also managed to pick up a guy. A total stranger!

On my way to the car, I turned around and he wasnt following me. I get to my car and all of a sudden he is there. Admiring my car, he said you have a nice car.
"Want to go for a cup of coffee"? What was I doing? Did I give him a signal that I was interested?

I picked up bell pepper, and gave him a wink?? What did I do? Nothing that I can think of. I was just being friendly.

Why is it that man get the wrong impression if a woman is being polite or friendly. Doesnt mean we want to go out.

At the car he said you want to go for a cup of coffee. I said no thank you. He continues, well can I have your phone number. No. Well, can I give you my number and you call me? I said look, I am not interested in going out. Thank you!

Finally he left.

I thought for a second, that I had some wierdo on my back and was going to follow me.

Give me a break...I wasnt even looking my best!!

After the surgery

2008-09-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

My baby finally had her surgery. She had her surgery this past Friday. Thank God now she is home recovering.
We were at the hospital almost ALL day. We got to the hospital around 9:30 am and got back to the house about 10:00 pm!!

All this time it had been just the two of us at the hospital. I had waited for my "mother in law" to show up. She never did...according to her she got lost. Yeah right!!

I had told her to come, thinking she would want to be with her daughter.

But it turns out after an argument we got into...she thought I was trying to get away from my "duties" and not wanting to take care of my baby. What an old hag!!
Her true feelings came out...finally! I knew she really didn't want to come. But I couldn't believe it or didn't want to believe that her mother didn't want to come and baby her own daughter. But I was wrong.

Oh well enough of that.

Now it's back to being just us, I guess it's how it's supposed to have been in the first place.

My baby recovers and I had my eyes opened up. But what's most important that we have each other and our love keeps growing. Knowing who to count with and who not to. Our little circle has closed even more. But here we remain and here we will be.

Endometriosis

2008-08-10T20:03:00.000-07:00

(In women of childbearing age, the inner layer of the uterus (endometrium) goes through a series of monthly changes known as the menstrual cycle. Each month, endometrial tissue grows and thickens in preparation to receive a fertilized egg. Menstruation occurs when this tissue is not used, disintegrates, and passes out through the vagina. The outer layer of the corpus (myometrium) is muscular tissue that expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus and contracts during labor to deliver the child.

About 3 weeks ago my partner fainted at work. I was out of town so, when I got that dreaded call from her office. I was in shock! I was scared for her and for me! She has always been very caring of her diet and taking good care of herself over all.

When one of her co-workers called me telling me that she had been taking to the ER by the ambulance. I almost fainted myself.

I came home as soon as I could and went straight to the hospital. To find my baby laying on a hospital bed all alone. My heart ached for her!!

She then told me what had happened. She said she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and soon after that she fainted. Next thing she new she was inside the ambulance.

After so many test done to her at the hospital. They did an ultrasound of her abdomen and her uterus. They saw that she had a really big grown on one of her ovaries. They let us go and next day we went to an OBGYN.

The Dr. confirmed to us that she had a growth and that it was called "Endometriosis". Located in her left ovary. The ovary size is 3 centimeters, the endometriosis she has is 9 centimeters. As you see in the first picture (above)

So the next step he suggested was to have a procedure done to determined what the next step would be. The procedure would be looking inside her Uterus by doing a Laparoscopic surgery and hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery are, "minimally invasive" procedures.

A laparoscopic surgery requires only small "keyhole" incisions in the abdomen. In the case of hand-assisted surgery, a 3-4 inch incision is also used to allow the surgeon's hand access to the abdominal organs. As a result, the person undergoing the procedure may experience less pain and scarring after surgery, and a more rapid recovery.

That was about three weeks ago. Now we are still waiting to have the approval of our insurance!!

Thank G d my sweety has not felt that bad. The reason is that I have her resting while I do most of the work.

She goes in to her job only 2 days a week, which makes it better for her to be in less pain.

All we have to do is wait for the insurance people to authorize the referral.

Bed Bugs Inn - In the BUDGET INN RIVERSIDE, CA

2008-08-06T21:40:00.000-07:00

About 3 weeks ago, I stayed in a Hotel in Riverside CA. I found the motel through "Expedia.com" Thinking that it was a good source to find a good rate and a good motel. I went ahead and booked a room. My sister and I were due to an orientation in UCR.

Our one night turned into a NIGHTMARE! All night we could hardly sleep. I felt bites all night long. But being a paranoid person, I just thought it was my brain working over-time. I thought okay, is not the bed( It can't be the bed). So, it must be my brain and my nerves.

In the morning around 5am. I woke up and asked my sister, how well she had slept. So, I asked did you sleep well? She said; I didn't fall asleep! All night long I felt like little animals were crawling on me. I screamed and told her I felt the exact same thing and added that I felt biting!!We both jumped out of bed and looked at each other with horror.

When we pulled the covers off the bed. The bed was covered in blood smudges. Both my sister and I had been an "open buffet" to BED BUGS!!

We had bite marks, that until today I can still see all over my body. I was really horrified and grossed out. If my post helps anyone...please do not stay here.

My worst nightmare came true. I was devastated! I have visit third world countries and I have never experience such horror! On top of that I am in the bedding industry so, I know how nasty this bugs are and how unsanitary this place must be to have bed with bugs. We got out of there so fast we didn't even want to bring anything back. We wanted to burn our clothes and everything we were wearing. Those bugs come back to your clean home in your luggage, shoes anything they can hold on tight. I trashed everything I had on that day including my bags.

Here is the info of the motel if you or anyone you know is looking to stay in Riverside, CA

DO NOT STAY HERE!!!

BED BUGS INN!

Budget Inn in Riverside, CA

1911 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92507
USA

Long Beach lesbian and Gay pride

2008-05-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

On May 17 and 18 was the Long Beach Pride festival.

I had never attended a pride festival before, and I don't think I will be doing it again.

It was hot, crowded and had little to no shading areas. I was disappointed for the most part. But most outdoor events tend to get me that way. I tend to forget for some reason or another, how incredibly hot and crowded these events tend to get.

We went with some friends of ours so we didn't have to pay for parking which was $15.00 dollars. Entrance fee was $20.00 each person. Come on now, someone is making a lot of money. And what do you get in return....not much.

The only thing to do is people watching. There was nothing good to buy, and on top of that it seems like the "gay" community is unaware or don't really care about killing themselves. They smoke like there is no tomorrow. Well, maybe true for some. But come on, that made me sick, and it made it unbearable. Oh yes, let's not forget alcohol stands at every five steps you took.

I came home regretting to have gone, with a headache less money in my pocket and nothing to show.

I was disappointed and will most likely will not be attending one in the future!

hey, it's only my point of view.

what do you think? How was your experience?

Oh on top of that, I almost forgot to mention. I ran into someone that I did not know he was gay!! It was a bad situation to be in. Some may say, a little awkward?!

Keep skin healthy and beautiful with natural cleansing products

2008-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

How you clean your body not only helps prevent bacterial growth, gets rid of dirt, keeps your body fragrantly fresh, but also helps beautify your skin, preserving it well for the years ahead.

To soap or not to soap?

Nothing beats time-tested soap for washing away dirt and bacteria. But there is no need to scrub your face and body like when cleaning the dinner dishes.

Overuse of soap or bathing with harsh soaps strips away the body's natural oils, which, consequently, harms and prematurely ages skin.

Natural body oils help protect our skin from infection. Once oils get scrubbed off, bacteria can more easily enter the body.

Washing methods vary with skin types.

No one method of washing works well for all types of skin. Dry skin may do better without soap at all. Instead, it may be best to use a milky cleanser.

Those with oily skin, however, may find "gentle" cleansers too greasy, which could create or accelerate skin problems.

If you have oily skin, don't assume scrubbing reduces oiliness. In actuality, the reverse happens.

Whether you scrub your skin with a harsh cleanser, wash too frequently or clean too vigorously, you stimulate the skin to produce more oil because the skin then feels deprived of its natural oil.

An increase in your skin's production of oil and the irritation can lead to unsightly skin eruptions.
Here are some skin treatment suggestions for all of us:

* Body wash. Instead of soap, try the new all-natural body washes. Body wash rinses off easier than soap, giving it one advantage over soap. Body washes are also formulated with other ingredients that help hydrate and soothe skin while they clean.

Natural ingredients like lavender for soothing or peppermint for stimulating add a new sensation to cleaning your body. Emollients and botanicals help soften and smooth skin, and also promote better-looking skin. Natural humectants hold in anti-aging moisture.

* Keep out of hot water. Hot water causes blood to rush to the skin's surface, warming and easing tight muscles and stiff joints, but damaging skin. Heat causes the body to perspire. This loss of moisture leads to dry skin. Hot water may also result in broken capillaries.

* Bathe with care. A vigorous bath or shower refreshes the body, but be careful. Over manipulation can stretch the skin, leading to wrinkles and sags.

In addition, scrubbing enlarges pores, making them more susceptible to dirt and environmental impacts.

Many people neglect an essential part of a bath -- rinsing. Soap may leave a film over your body, drying skin. After you wash your hands, face or body, be sure to rinse thoroughly.

* Use scrubs sparingly. Resist the temptation to clean pores with a gritty scrub. Misuse of these scrubs, some made with crushed shells, may widen pores and cause them to droop. Use scrubs gently and sparingly. If your skin gets the slightest bit irritated, stop the product's use right away.

* Astringents may not help. Astringents may clean pores, but, in the long run, make the problem worse. Astringents inflame skin, and, with the skin swollen, the pores look temporarily smaller. But, because astringents dehydrate skin, they age skin, further enlarging pores.

* Natural skin aids. Advocates of natural products suggest using jojoba oil to cleanse pores. This oil, from the bean of a desert bush, is said to resemble skin oil.

Researchers believe this proximity to our natural oils helps break up sebum, a mixture of fat and wax produced by the oil glands that clogs pores.

Usually we think of herbal extracts as an addition to a bath that aids in soothing, relaxing or refreshing -- as in aromatherapy.

But cleansers and soaps made with herbs can also help clean, soften and protect skin.

The French have long honored the belief that chamomile has beneficial effects for the skin, helping to reduce inflammation and soften skin. Many find arnica soothes skin irritation and promotes healing. Comfrey is used to soothe, moisturize and cleanse. Ask at your health food store for an herbal cleanser that meets your skin's needs.

With care and attention and use of natural products, you can help your skin, the body's largest organ, stay clean, healthy and looking great.

What To Eat For Glowing Healthy Skin

2008-03-28T10:14:00.001-07:00

"you are what you eat” not only applies to our overall health and nutrition, but how our skin looks and feels as well. As the largest organ in the body, our skin can benefit from the same nutrition we get from foods that have a positive effect on our heart and other major organs. In fact, new research suggests that eating foods rich in protein and certain vitamins and minerals might provide valuable anti-aging effects.

Eating well and drinking plenty of water will help your skin, as well as the rest of your body, stay healthy. But can certain nutrients help prevent skin problems, such as dryness or loss of elasticity? And how much is too much?

Vitamin A

Best bets:
sweet potatoes, tomato sauce, liver, eggs, milk

Also found in:
orange, red and yellow fruits and vegetables, such as mangoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, tomatoes, asparagus; green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli

Essential for:
antioxidant properties, which help reduce the risk for certain diseases, including cancer, and help fight and prevent infection; growth and repair of cells, tissues and skin; relieving allergy symptoms.

When lacking, can cause: dryness, itching and loss of skin elasticity

B Complex Vitamins (riboflavin, niacin, B-6, B-12 and biotin)

Best bets:
whole grains and whole-grain cereals; enriched and fortified grain and cereal products

Also found in:
rice, wheat germ, oatmeal, sunflower seeds, fish, eggs, almonds, liver, yeast, low-fat dairy products

Essential for:
relieving dryness and itchiness; easing stress

When lacking, can cause:
dry, flaky, sensitive skin; eye disorders
Riboflavin (B2)

Best bets:
whole grain and enriched breads and cereals; milk and other dairy products; meat and organ meats; eggs; nuts; green leafy vegetables

Niacin
Best bets:
whole-grain, enriched and fortified breads and cereals; poultry, fish, beef, peanut butter, legumes, enriched and fortified grains and grain products

Note:
Too much niacin, typically as a result of supplements, can cause flushed skin, rashes and liver damage.

B-6 (pyridoxine)
Best bets: organ meats, chicken, pork, fish, whole grains, nuts, legumes

B-12 (cobalamin)

Found in:
fish, milk and milk products, eggs, meat, poultry, fortified breakfast cereals

Note:
Certain people may be at risk for B12 deficiency and should speak to a physician or dietitian before using a supplement. They include adults over 55, those with pernicious anemia or gastrointestinal disorders, and vegans (vegetarian who eats plant products only).

Biotin

Best bets:
eggs, liver, yeast breads, cereals

Vitamin C

Best bets:
citrus fruits, berries, red bell peppers, broccoli

Also found in:
potatoes, garlic, onions, dark green and green leafy vegetables (spinach, parsley), apples, cabbage, tomatoes, sprouts, melons

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; antihistamine effects; fighting skin infections and healing wounds; producing collagen and elastin for firm skin; healthy gums and firm capillaries

When lacking, can cause: scurvy; loose teeth and swollen gums; excess bleeding; wounds that won't heal

Vitamin E

Best bets:
green leafy vegetables, broccoli, oils, almonds, hazelnuts

Also found in:
peanuts, red bell peppers, olives, brown rice, apples, whole grains, wheat germ, sweet potatoes, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas)

Essential for:
antioxidant properties; reducing risk of disease; fighting free-radical damage; potential to help slow aging

Sodium (salt)
Essential for:
regulating fluids and blood pressure

Note: Nearly everyone gets enough salt. Large amounts of sodium are found in highly processed foods (fast food, canned products, frozen dinners). These foods should be eaten infrequently, because an excess of sodium causes fluid retention and swelling and may contribute to other health problems.

Zinc
Best bets:
meat, seafood, liver, eggs, milk, whole grains, wheat germ, fermented soybean paste (miso)
Also found in: apricots, peaches, onions, seafood (oysters), cocoa

Essential for:
healing and overall skin health; working with vitamin A to maintain and repair skin; providing strength, elasticity and firmness to skin; promoting tissue growth; playing a role in many vital functions in the body

When lacking, can cause: reduced resistance to infection

Macro Nutrients

Carbohydrates

Best bets:
whole-grain carbohydrates (breads, barley, brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, quinoa, couscous, oatmeal)

Essential for:
energy, fiber and B vitamins

Protein

Best bets:
meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dry beans, nuts, tofu

Essential for:
energy and repair of body tissues and cells

Note:
Excess protein is stored in the body as fat.

Fats (essential fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid)

Best bets:
vegetable oils, poultry fat, soy oils, nuts and seeds

Essential for:
maintaining healthy, hydrated skin

When lacking:
dry, scaly and flaky skin; hair loss
Water

Best bets:
water, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cooked grain products

Essential for:
proper hydration of cells; regulating body temperature; carrying nutrients to cells and wastes away from cells

when lacking, can cause: dehydration

Note:
Check your urine color to see if you're getting enough water.

Light yellow good

Clear maybe too much

Dark yellow/orange not enough

If you have special nutrition needs, discuss them with your physician.

Before making any changes to your diet, first consult your physician.

If you need a facial or want to read more about having healthy skin or if you have any problems with your skin.

Please visit: www.facialsfromheaven.com

Juice it up!

2008-03-06T11:42:00.000-08:00

♥ The Cholesterol Buster ♥

A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30's. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.

♥

Super Breath

This juice is specifically for people who want to improve their skin complexion. The ingredients are Apple, Carrot and Tomato. For better effect use Green apples. This juice also had an added advantage of eliminating bad breath. This is due to the Apple, Tomato combination.

♥

Super Cooler

A combination of Bitter gourd milk and Apple is used when one generates lots of internal body heat. This juice will instantly cool down your internal body heat and make you more comfortable. It also fights bad breath just like our previous recipe.

♥

Super Skin

It is a very well know fact that orange and cucumber are the most vital things to have if one is concerned about the skin. A combination of these two combined with ginger will act as a supper supplement for your skin. Its combined effect will improve the skin texture and moisture content in the skin. It is also a body heat reducing drink.

♥

The Wild Thing

Now, this one is one of my favorites. Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon blends together to form a wonderful mouth watering juice which is excellent for you kidney and bladder. It also helps dispelling excess salts from your body. Some people use a tint of salt with this juice but I like to drink it as it is without the salt flavor.

♥

The Sugar Fighter

This is a simple but very useful and easy to digest juice. It regulates the sugar content in our body. The juice is made of Pear and banana. Pear is good for an ulcer, constipation, and urination and also works for congestion, fever alleviation, and cough. Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt. Banana contains tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.

♥

Anti Oxidant

A juice made by mixing mango, pear, carrot and apple will act as an anti oxidant. It clears the body heat, counteracts toxicity and decrease blood pressure. Apple is a well known anti oxidant. The addition of mango makes this juice a very tasty drink.

♥

Purple Pine

Purple pine is made from pineapple and grapes. A black grape is usually used. The drink is high in iron and pineapple acts as a Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive agent. It is a good drink to have after your lunch or dinner. Grape juice is known to be good for heart.

♥

Reading Labels

2008-02-27T16:27:00.000-08:00

Other Labels
Aside from the labels outlined in previous sections, the following are some other labels that are common on animal products:
Certified:Meat that has been stamped with this label has been “evaluated” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture “for class, grade, or other quality characteristics.”
Grass-Fed:This label is used on beef to indicate that the cow ate a diet of grass—what they would naturally eat—instead of the unnatural and unhealthy grain diets that most cows are fed in order to fatten them up before slaughter. Although cows surely suffer less when they’re allowed to eat grass (grain diets can lead to liver abscesses, constant digestive pain, and death), grass-fed cows are still subjected to mutilations without the use of painkillers and are often killed in the same slaughterhouses as cows from factory farms, and they threaten fragile ecosystems by eating all the grass and other plants and pounding down the earth in the areas where they are kept.
Natural:Use of this label is permitted if the product contains “no artificial ingredients or added color and is only minimally processed.” According to farmer Amiel Cooper, “Natural is a virtually meaningless word [when it is applied to animal products].”32
No Antibiotics:This label can be used on beef and poultry products, provided that the producer supplies “sufficient documentation … that the animals were raised without antibiotics.”33
No Hormones:This label applies only to beef. Since hormones are not supposed to be given to pigs or chickens, pork and poultry products cannot legally be tagged with this label without the disclaimer “Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones.”
None of these labels regulate the welfare of animals in any way.

How You Can Help
Go Vegetarian:Adopting a vegetarian diet is the single most important thing that you can do to help animals. The average vegetarian saves more than 100 animals every year! It's easier than ever to go vegetarian, and we have all the help you need to get started. Request a FREE vegetarian starter kit, and then visit VegCooking.com for great recipes and products and a shopping guide!
Subscribe to GoVeg.com E-News:Receive updates on our latest contests, investigations, recipes, and new vegetarian products. Everything you need to know about vegetarian living delivered to your inbox monthly!

Organic and Free-Range Products: Better for Your Health?

2008-02-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

The Transport and Slaughter of Organic and Free-Range Animals
There are no standards regulating the treatment of organic, free-range, or cage-free animals during transport and slaughter, and many of these animals are shipped on trucks through all weather extremes to the same slaughterhouses used by factory farms. At the slaughterhouse, the animals are hung upside-down and their throats are cut, often while they are still conscious and struggling to escape. Some are still conscious when they are forced into the scalding-hot water of the defeathering tanks or when their bodies are hacked apart. If you’re buying organic or free-range animal products because you think that the animals were given kind deaths, you are sadly mistaken. Read more about what happens to animals during transport and at slaughterhouses.

Organic and Free-Range Products: Better for Your Health?
Organic and free-range meat products are loaded with saturated fat, cholesterol, and excess protein, which have been shown to cause heart disease, cancer, obesity, and a range of other serious ailments. Since organic and free-range animals are often killed in the same filthy slaughterhouses used for factory-farmed animals, their flesh is just as likely to be contaminated with bacteria that can make us sick. The only way to protect yourself from the health problems caused by meat is to leave it off your plate for good. Learn more about how meat affects your health.
One reason that consumers buy organic milk is that they think it’s healthier, but in reality, it is just as unnatural for humans to drink the milk of a cow as it is for a dog to drink the milk of a rat. Organic cow’s milk is loaded with as much saturated fat and cholesterol as regular milk, and it is often contaminated with pus and blood from cows who had udder infections and weren’t given medicine because, if they were, the farmers wouldn’t be able to label their milk organic. According to physician and author Dr. Michael Greger, “The dairy herd is sick—these are sick and diseased cows, producing pus-filled milk that even industry standards call ‘unhealthful.’”29 Plus, organic milk is certainly not hormone-free—all milk contains hormones because cows produce hormones naturally. All dairy products—including those labeled organic—increase your risk for a host of illnesses, including heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, acne, and diabetes.
Organic and free-range eggs are loaded with artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol. Our bodies make all the cholesterol we need, and eating additional cholesterol in the form of animal products such as eggs can lead to heart disease, obesity, and strokes. Plus, eggs are the primary source of salmonella infection, which sickens more than a million people every year in the U.S.30,31
Organic and free-range farms produce massive amounts of untreated animal excrement that fouls surrounding waterways, and these farms contribute to global hunger because the animals are being fed grain that could go to hungry humans. Read more about how the farmed-animal industry pollutes the environment, sickens rural communities, and contributes to world hunger.
Read more.

Free-Range Chickens-Free-Range Turkeys

2008-02-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

Free-Range Chickens
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that free-range chickens used for meat have access to the outdoors, but many free-range chickens never spend any time outside because they’ve been bred and drugged to grow so obese that they can hardly move. Washington State University farm expert Terry Swagerty confirms that most free-range chickens never go outside because, he says, “They’re not bred for mobility. They’re bred for hogging down food.”23 Or as The Seattle Times puts it, “[T]hey’ve been known to plop down and not walk at all.”24 Richard Lobb, spokesperson for the National Chicken Council, explains in a moment of candor, “If you go to a free-range farm and expect to see a bunch of chickens galloping around in pastures, you’re kidding yourself.”25 Some in the chicken industry are conning consumers by labeling these birds free-range when most are deprived of everything that is natural to them and forced to endure the same conditions as chickens in factory farms—including extreme crowding, cruel breeding, and filthy and disease-ridden living conditions.
Free-Range Turkeys
Like free-range chickens, free-range turkeys are generally not treated any better than turkeys raised in factory farms. Birds who are labeled free-range must have access to the outdoors, but access can mean a hole in the shed that goes out to a tiny, fenced-in mud lot. Plus, like chickens, many turkeys who are sold under the free-range label have been bred and drugged to grow so large that walking is painful or impossible.
University of California-Davis poultry scientist Ralph Ernst explains, “These [free-range turkeys] are raised much like the regular turkeys.”26 Another industry insider, turkey farmer Mary Pitman, says, “Consumers can really be fooled. Some farms can qualify for free range, but they raise [turkeys] in the same conditions as industrial farms.”27A recent investigation into free-range turkey farms found that turkeys on these farms spend nearly all their time in extremely crowded, filthy sheds where the air is so heavy with ammonia that it hurts to breathe, and the birds are bred to grow so obese that they become crippled. The dead are left to rot among the survivors. Learn more about what investigators found and go on a photo-tour of a free-range turkey farm.

The Egg Industry's History of Deceiving Consumers

2008-02-27T16:23:00.001-08:00

The Egg Industry's History of Deceiving Consumers
Awareness of the horrors of egg factory farms has increased substantially in the last 10 years. United Egg Producers (UEP), the industry's main trade organization, responded to this concern by slapping a label reading “Animal Care Certified” on each carton of eggs. The “certification” was meant to whitewash the industry's tarnished image. It still permitted all the worst abuses, including allowing factory farmers to cut off hens' sensitive beaks with a hot blade, cram six or seven hens into tiny battery cages where they can't spread even one wing, and house them in filthy sheds with more than 100,000 other birds.17 Compassion Over Killing, a Washington, D.C.-based animal rights group, successfully used legal action to force United Egg Producers to remove the “Animal Care Certified" label. Instead of treating hens better, however, the UEP has now begun using a new misleading label that reads, “United Egg Producers Certified: Produced in Compliance With United Egg Producers' Animal Husbandry Guidelines.” This label still permits the exact same horrible treatment of hens.18
Cage-Free and Free-Range Chickens Used for Eggs
Although many consumers believe that labels such as free-range, free-roaming, or cage-free mean that these chickens spend their days in natural outdoor settings, the label means something entirely different to the egg industry.
Hens on commercial cage-free farms are not kept in cages, but they still have their sensitive beaks cut off with a hot blade and are crammed together in filthy sheds where they will live for years until their egg production wanes and they're sent to slaughter. They never go outside, breathe fresh air, feel the sun on their backs, or do anything else that is natural or important to them. They suffer from the same lung lesions and ammonia burns as hens in cages, and they have breast blisters to add to their suffering.
Although hens in cage-free systems are clearly better off than hens in cages—just imagine a cat or dog living in a tiny cage for two years with five to six other cats or dogs and never leaving that cage until it's time for slaughter—their bodily condition can actually be worse because they are taken from cages and plopped down in their own excrement for years at a time. This does not mean that cages are good, which the industry might claim, but from an animal welfare perspective, “cage-free” means “much better but still extraordinarily cruel.”
Reports from people who have visited free-range egg farms indicate that conditions are no different in these systems. While free-range and organic egg farms are technically supposed to give birds outdoor access, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has decided that “they may be temporarily confined” for “reasons of health, safety, the animal's stage of production or to protect soil or water quality.” 19 This loophole is big enough to drive a truck through, and the owners of many free-range egg farms take full advantage of it by almost never allowing the birds outside. At a Horizon Foods organic and free-range farm, the hen sheds house more than 400,000 birds—hardly a small, natural, family-run business. Style Weekly reported that “when you pull into the parking lot, there is not a chicken to be seen or a cluck to be heard. To the left of the lot stands the egg-processing plant. To the right, five long windowless 'chicken houses.' Except for the sound of an American flag snapping in the wind, all is silent.”20 Scott Akom, general manager of the Horizon farm, freely admitted that the hens do not see the light of day, and he refused to allow the reporter to actually see any of the free-range birds. He said that all of his free-range hens were currently kept in sheds, telling the reporter, “Free-roaming and cage-free mean the same thing. The chickens are free to go wherever they want. Inside the chicken house.”21 When birds are given outdoor access, it's usually for very short periods of time, and the outdoor area often just consists of a hole cut in the shed wall leading to a small, muddy enclosure.
Male chicks who are born on organic or free-range egg farms are crushed to death or stuffed into garbage bags and left to suffocate because they don't produce eggs and are of no use to the industry. A report in E magazine explained the reality behind this misleading label: “If people got the full story, I would hope they would choose not to consume eggs at all. It's intrinsically problematic to raise chickens for egg consumption. Male chicks are thrown away, even in small-scale operations, since they don't lay eggs. That's 50 percent of the chicks that are destroyed.”22

Organic Animal Products

2008-02-27T16:22:00.001-08:00

Organic Animal Products
“Organic” simply means drug- and chemical-free—organic animals can be subjected to all the same types of cruelty that occur in factory farms, and as long as they are not dosed with drugs or fed food that was treated with pesticides, their meat and milk can be labeled “organic.” However, because farmers are accustomed to dosing animals with drugs to make them grow larger and increase their profit margin, very few have been willing to go chemical and drug-free. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, less than 1 percent of animals raised for meat in the U.S. meets the criteria for the organic label.6 Among the farms that are chemical-free, some may continue to dose animals with drugs and then fraudulently label their animal products organic. When the European Union randomly sampled “hormone-free” cow flesh from the U.S., they found that 12 percent of the meat had been treated with powerful sex hormones that are banned in Europe.7
Even if they are genuinely drug-free, animals on organic farms are often treated no better than their counterparts in factory farms. Farmers know that the more animals they raise in the least amount of space, the more profitable they will be. Many organic farms cram thousands of animals together in sheds or mud-filled lots, just as factory farms do. Steve Demos, former overseer of the Horizon Organic brand of milk, explains, “There’s a certain idealistic appreciation for a farm with 10 cows grazing on a hill at sunrise. But there are 280 million people in the Unites States. … Long ago they said that small was beautiful; they forgot to tell you it’s not profitable.”8
Animals on organic farms often suffer through the same mutilations that occur in factory farms. Cattle have their horns sawed off and their testicles cut out of their scrotums, and they’re held down and branded with sizzling-hot irons, resulting in third-degree burns. Pigs on organic farms may have their tails chopped off and chunks of their ears cut out—and some have rings put into their noses in order to permanently prevent them from rooting in the grass and dirt, which is one of pigs’ favorite pastimes. Chickens on organic egg farms usually have their beaks burnt off. None of these animals are given any painkillers.
The living conditions of animals on organic farms are often very similar to the conditions in factory farms. Chickens and pigs are often confined to large warehouses that reek of ammonia and rotting excrement. Many organic cows are sent to factory-farm feedlots to be fattened prior to slaughter, where they live in tiny enclosures caked with feces and mud—cows who are fattened on feedlots can still be labeled organic as long as they’re given organic feed.9 Cows on organic dairy farms may be kept in sheds or filthy enclosures, where they spend their lives mired in their own waste, enduring the strain of continuous pregnancies and the theft of their babies. According to an investigative report by Salon.com, some organic dairy companies, such as Horizon Organic, are really factory farms in disguise—the report states that the cows “at one of Horizon’s dairy farms in central Idaho … don’t look too happy. … [E]xperts say that a substantial percentage of cows at [organic] farms like Horizon’s are confined to pens.”10
Farmers may not give medicine to animals who are suffering because the farmer can get a higher price for their meat and milk if the animals retain organic status.11 Studies have found that up to one-third of pigs on some organic farms are suffering from untreated infections, and reports also state that organic pigs often suffer from internal and external parasites, which could be passed on to the people who eat them.12,13 Organic chickens on some farms suffer from higher mortality rates than drugged chickens because extremely crowded and filthy housing conditions can lead to parasites and cannibalism.14 When the udders of cows on organic dairy farms become infected from frequent milkings, many farmers don’t give the cows medicine because then their milk would lose the organic label, which allows the product to be sold at a higher price.
Given these facts, it’s not surprising that the Advertising Standards Authority of the British government has ruled that it is deceptive to claim that animals raised on organic farms enjoy better lives than animals in conventional factory farms.15 The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals testified before a British parliamentary committee, saying, “Organic farming is often perceived as being synonymous with high standards of farm animal welfare. However, this perception … appear[s] to be without foundation.”16 Similarly, a commission funded by the European Union concluded that “a growing body of evidence suggests that the animal health situation on organic farms is no better than that reported in conventional livestock production systems

Organic and Free-Range Animal Products: Fact or Fiction?

2008-02-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Organic and Free-Range Animal Products: Fact or Fiction?
A recent Gallup poll found that 96 percent of Americans believe that animals should be protected from cruelty, yet animals on today's farms receive no protection from even the worst abuses.1 As people become more aware of the horrors of factory farming, companies are responding by adding labels to their products with comforting words such as “organic,” “free-range,” “cage-free,” and “natural.” These labels may conjure up images of animals who roam freely in green pastures, but the reality of life and death for animals on organic and free-range farms is very different.
On organic and free-range farms, most animals are mutilated without the use of painkillers, kept in filthy, disease-ridden sheds, and finally forced to endure a long trip to the slaughterhouse without food or water. There are no humane slaughterhouses—in fact, free-range and organic animals are often sent to the same slaughterhouses that kill animals from factory farms.
Industries that exploit animals like to put out statements or design labels that are designed to trick consumers into believing that they treat animals well. Two of the most heavily marketed “animal welfare programs” are “Swine Welfare Assurance Program” (SWAP) and “United Egg Producers (UEP) Certified.” These labels are simply fancy names for factory farming—both were created by meat and egg lobbying groups, and both simply serve to put a happy face on the absolute worst practices in today's factory farms.
The UEP Certified label reads, “Produced in Compliance With United Egg Producers' Animal Husbandry Guidelines.” What the label doesn't say is that the "guidelines" mean next to nothing. The program allows factory farmers to cut off hens' sensitive beaks with a hot blade, cram six or seven hens into a tiny cage where they can't spread even one wing, and house them in filthy sheds with more than 100,000 other hens.2 UEP had been stamping its egg cartons “Animal Care Certified," but after Compassion Over Killing sued the industry for misleading consumers, the industry was forced to adopt the less deceptive “UEP Certified” label. However, the exact same horrific treatment of hens continues. Watch what happens on UEP-certified farms.
The SWAP label shows a gentle hand cradling a pig. In reality, SWAP allows all the worst abuses, including keeping mother pigs in filthy cement-and-metal crates so small that they can't even turn around and cutting piglets' ears, yanking out their testicles, and chopping off their tails—all without any painkillers. SWAP even allows farms to kill sick piglets by slamming their heads into the pavement.3 Most people would agree that the products from animals who are abused in these ways should not be labeled “care certified” or “welfare assurance,” but the meat and egg industries have adopted these phrases to con consumers and increase their profits.
Animal products with labels designed to make us feel good about eating animals are typically not much better for the animals themselves than the regular animal products are, but they are also nearly as harmful to our health. The only advantage that organic products have is that they are not laced with arsenic, antibiotics, or hormones. Although flesh from these animals might be safer than that from drugged animals, the best choice is to avoid all meat. Organic, natural, and free-range flesh, milk, and eggs are devoid of complex carbohydrates and fiber and are laden with artery-clogging saturated fat and cholesterol, just as all animal products are. Major studies linking the consumption of animal products to heart disease, cancer, and other leading killers suggest that it's these components of animal foods-animal fat, animal protein, and a lack of fiber-that cause disease. Organic and free-range animals are killed in the same filthy slaughterhouses as animals from factory farms, so their flesh is subject to the same bacterial contamination from unsanitary conditions as well.

Vegan Fare...VeggieGrill takes first place!

2008-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Some well-meaning vegans have chosen to ignore the fast-food and chain restaurant market because of its emphasis on animal flesh, but the bottom line is this: In order to convince meat-eaters to stop eating animals, vegetarian options must be convenient and available in the places where meat-eaters munch. There will never be vegan or vegetarian options at restaurant chains unless vegetarians and vegans support them. Some of us never thought that we’d see the day when Burger King or Bennigan’s offered veggie burgers, but now that they do, the millions of carnivores who eat there can see that choosing meatless meals is easy and tasty. This is a huge step in the right direction.

Almost every restaurant has at least one vegan dish available. By making educated choices and asking the server for assistance, dining out can be a delicious—and cruelty-free—experience! We put together this handy guide to help you navigate the chain restaurant world.

Arby’s offers a baked potato and a garden salad or side salad with Italian dressing. Finish it all off with an apple or cherry turnover.

Remember going to Baskin-Robbins when you were knee-high to a grasshopper? Awaken the kid in you by trying the chain’s dairy-free and gelatin-free ices and sorbets, which are just as yummy and cooling as ice cream—without the pus and hormones.

Boston Market has several vegan options, including the steamed vegetables, zucchini marinara, tossed salad (without the croutons and dressing), apple cobbler, chunky cinnamon applesauce, cranberry walnut relish, and fruit salad. The servers will also happily customize sandwiches upon request.

Burger King’s BK Veggie™—a flame-broiled vegetarian burger (contains dairy products)—has enjoyed continued success. Every time a customer sees "BK Veggie™," it is a reminder that "having it your way" doesn't have to mean taking a bite out of Bessie.

The French fries, hash-brown nuggets, breadsticks, English muffins, and CrissCuts at Carl’s Jr. are all vegan. In the restaurant, there is an all-you-can-eat salad bar that offers a variety of fresh vegetables and a three-bean salad that can be topped with fat-free Italian dressing. Carl’s Jr. also offers Great Stuff™ baked potatoes.

At Chili’s, you can have the tostada chips and salsa as appetizers, followed by the veggie quesadillas—replacing the cheese and sour cream with extra vegetables—or the Cadillac Fajitas without the meat.

Chipotle offers a vegetarian fajita burrito, but be sure to order it with black beans—the pinto beans are cooked with bacon.

The pizza sauce and dough at Chuck E. Cheese, Little Caesars, and Papa John’s are vegan, while Pizza Hut uses vegan sauce, and its Thin ’n Crispy and dessert crusts are vegan. By omitting the cheese and choosing your favorite vegetable toppings, you can easily make a delicious vegan pizza.

The Broiled Portobello Stack at Claim Jumper is vegan if you ask for an unmarinated portobello mushroom.

Coco’s offers a delicious Boca burger that’s vegan if you order it without the mayonnaise. Just like any other place...if you are vegan ask for no mayonnaise and cheese.

The Daily Grill, located throughout California, offers a vegan grilled vegetable plate.

Even Denny’s—known for its traditional breakfasts, lunches, and dinners—has some vegan options. Denny’s vegan foods include oatmeal, English muffins, bagels, grits, applesauce, fresh fruit, vegetable plates, seasoned French fries, baked potatoes with several vegetable toppings, garden salads with light Italian or oil-and-vinegar dressing, and sandwiches that can be made with several vegetable options. It also serves a vegetarian burger.

Hard Rock Cafe offers a vegetarian burger, a veggie sandwich, and salads.

Houston’s offers a veggie plate and the Vegetarian Burger. Just be sure to order the burger on vegan bread.

Johnny Rockets features the Streamliner, a vegan Boca burger with grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and mustard.

Macaroni Grill has several vegan options, including all the pastas with garlic and oil and its Capellini Pomodoro. Try these tasty bites without the cheese: Tomato Bruschetta and Penne Arrabbiata. When opting for a salad, choose the house or garden without the cheese and top it with the restaurant’s balsamic vinaigrette, Italian dressing, or roasted-garlic vinaigrette.

The Veggie Stack sandwich is your vegan option at Mimi’s Café, which is located on the West Coast and in the Midwest.

A great place for bagels, breads, soups, salads, and sandwiches is Panera Bread. A bagel with roasted garlic hummus is one vegan possibility. Each location varies its menu options, so just ask about the vegan options before ordering.

P.F. Chang’s is one of the most vegan-friendly restaurant chains around. Its vegetarian menu is terrific, and everything can be made vegan, from appetizers such as Tofu Lettuce Wraps to entrées like Orange Peel Tofu.

Another restaurant that I was told to add is called Pizza Fusion. I have not tried it before but reading from their website http://www.pizzafusion.com/ sounds like I will be as soon as they open one near me.

Pizza Fusion is a new take on America’s favorite food. We proudly serve up delicious, gourmet pizza in its purest form - untainted by artificial additives, like preservatives, growth hormones, pesticides, nitrates and trans fats (to name a few). While we’re famous for our pizza, our organic menu features an eclectic variety of gourmet sandwiches, salads, desserts, beer and wine. Additionally, we proudly offer health conscious alternatives for our friends with selective diets and food allergies, such as our delicious gluten-free pizza, brownies and beer and our tasty vegan selections. Coming soon to California San Diego, Santa Monica and Temecula.

Now for my second best place, one of my favorites is Qdoba which offers a range of vegetarian dishes. Made with fresh ingredients. For example: Grilled Vegetable Burrito Fresh grilled red pepper, yellow squash and zucchini sauteed in a flavorful garlic herb seasoning - 100% vegetarian.

A great alternative to Subway is Quiznos Subs. It offers a veggie sub that’s filled with guacamole, black olives, lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and mushrooms—just be sure to order it without the cheese and ask for the balsamic vinaigrette instead of the red wine vinaigrette. Grab a side garden salad and some potato chips, and your stomach will be appeased in no time.

The Natural Burger without the Safari Sauce and the Morningstar Garden Grill are the vegan options at Rainforest Café.

Ruby Tuesday offers a fabulous veggie burger that’s vegan if you leave off the mayo and cheese. It also offers a yummy veggie burger wrap and has a terrific salad bar.

Subway’s Veggie Delite—or the Veggie Max-on Italian bread and without cheese and mayo—is delish! Want to spice things up a bit? After visiting Subway, visit the nearest grocery store, purchase some fake lunch meats, and load up your sub!

Several of Taco Bell’s dishes can be veganized simply by omitting a few ingredients. The 7-Layer Burrito can be vegan with five layers—just forgo the cheese and sour cream. The tacos, nachos, and Mexican pizzas are vegan when you ask the cashier to hold the meat, cheese, and sour cream. Or stick with the bean burrito without the cheese.

Now let's talk about wonderful comfort food with out the guilt. My first choice has to be VeggieGrill they have a wide variety of dishes, burgers from Papa's Portabello to Carne Asada all of which are Vegan. Great food with out the guilt. Great locations and great ambient. To wrap it up Love it! VeggieGrill wins my first choice award...if I had one to give!

Head to Wendy’s for a plain baked potato, the Deluxe Garden Salad with red Italian dressing and no cheese, or French fries. You can also ask for a veggie sandwich, which includes everything that would normally be on the burger except the meat—there’s even a button for it on the cash register.

Cheap Meat

2008-02-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

Cheap Meat

The New York Times' recent story "Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler" outlined the various ways in which meat-eating is a bad habit, akin to oil-guzzling. Running a piece like this in a paper like The Times should get some people to reconsider the amount of meat they eat, but unfortunately the article didn't mention ceasing the practice all together, whichâ€”as the meat-free already knowâ€”makes a real impact. While the news that meat-eating is no good may not be all that new to most of us, perhaps we can take comfort in the fact that this idea is finally being considered newsworthy.

Shocking Practices
The Washington Post recently exposed an extreme case of animal cruelty at a meatpacking plant in Chino, Calif. In undercover video footage gathered by The Humane Society of the United States, investigators captured images of slaughterhouse workers trying to get "downer" cows to stand for inspection. Downers are cows that are too ill or exhausted to walk from their transport into the slaughterhouse under their own power. In egregious violation of animal-cruelty laws, the workers were filmed giving downers electric shocks and spraying water up their noses in attempts to get them on their feet. The full video and story can be found here.

Good News, Finally!

And to end on a somewhat upbeat note, USA Today ran a story recently that highlighted the growing interest and membership in animal-rights groups. While the piece is peppered with disdainful remarks from biased sources about the small percentage of Americans who agree with animal activists, it is also full of facts about the growing numbers of PETA and HSUS members, and recent events that have galvanized mass awareness of animal issues. For the full story, click here.

2008-02-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

Ingredients Guide

Not sure what kombu is or where to find it? What exactly is agar-agar, and how is it prepared?

Our handy guide takes the mystery out of those unfamiliar ingredients and even tells you where to find them!

Agar-Agar: Sea vegetable that can be used in place of gelatin in many recipes. Available in flakes or bars in Asian markets and health food stores. (Check out our gelatin alternatives section for preparation and substitution tips.)

Agave Nectar: From the agave plant. Can be used as a replacement for honey. Available in natural food stores.

Arrowroot: Starch that can be used for thickening sauces. Use 1 Tbsp. to thicken 1 cup of liquid. Available in health food stores.

Blackstrap Molasses: Unrefined molasses with a stronger taste than regular molasses. Available in health food stores.

Bragg’s Liquid Aminos: Unfermented alternative to soy sauce that can be used to flavor tofu, stir-fries, soups, and pot pies. Available in health food stores.

Brown Rice Syrup: Made from malted brown rice. Can be used in place of sugar, honey, and other sweeteners. Available in health food stores.

Bulgur: Crushed wheat kernels that are typically used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Found in most grocery stores and health food stores.

Carob: Can be used as a replacement for chocolate in baking. Found in health food stores.

Carrageen: Seaweed that can be cooked as a side or used as a gelling agent. (Check out our gelatin alternatives section for preparation and substitution tips.)

Couscous: A nutty-flavored, quick-cooking grain that can be used in place of rice. Found in grocery stores.

Daikon: A large, white, Japanese radish. Found in specialty markets and Asian markets.

Demerara Sugar: Unrefined cane sugar. Available in most grocery stores and health food stores.

Edamame: A green soybean that can be steamed, sautéed, or tossed into soups. Available in Asian markets and most grocery stores.

Egg Replacer: Can be a powdered replacer, like the one made by Ener-G, or puréed tofu. (Check out our egg replacements section for more egg replacers.)

Florida Crystals: A brand of unprocessed sugar. Found in most grocery stores and health food stores.

Galangal: Also known as “Thai ginger.” Similar in taste and appearance to ginger. Found in Asian markets.

Garam Masala: Typically used in Indian food. A blend of cumin, black pepper, cloves, fennel, cardamom, dried chili, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and other spices. Found in the ethnic section of most grocery stores.

Herbs de Provence: A mixture of dried herbs from the southern region of France. Normally contains marjoram, savory, fennel, basil, thyme, and lavender.

Hijiki: Dark-green sea vegetable that needs to be rinsed before cooking. Found in Asian markets and health food stores.

Kohlrabi: A root vegetable that is similar in taste to cauliflower. To prepare, boil until tender. Found in many grocery stores and Asian markets.

Kombu: Seaweed that is often used as a flavoring agent in soups, stews, and chilis and for braising tempeh. Found in Asian markets and health food stores.

Kudzu: A starchy powder that can be used to thicken sauces, gravies, and stews. Whisk with cold water until smooth to avoid clumping when adding to a recipe. Found in health food stores. (If you do not have kudzu, cornstarch and arrowroot can be used instead.)

Miso:Fermented soybean paste that comes in several varieties. The darker the paste, the stronger and saltier the flavor. Can be used to replace anchovies in Caesar dressing or in a marinade for tofu. Available in Asian markets and health food stores.

Nori: Thin black seaweed typically sold in sheets. Used as a wrapper for sushi. Found in health food stores, Asian markets, or the Asian section of grocery stores.

Nutritional Yeast: Nutty, cheese-like flavored powder. Cannot be replaced with brewer’s yeast or active yeast. Found in health food stores.

Pectin: A natural gelling agent found in fruits that can be used to thicken jams and jellies. Found in most grocery stores.

Quinoa: Pronounced “keen-wah.” A fast-cooking ancient grain that’s loaded with protein. Must be rinsed before cooking. Growing in popularity and can now be found in most grocery stores and in health food stores.

Seitan: Made from wheat gluten. A perfect substitute for meat in any dish. Found in health food stores and Asian markets. (Check out our meat substitutes section for preparation tips and a recipe for homemade seitan.)

Stevia: A naturally sweet herb with no calories. Much sweeter than sugar. Found in the baking aisle of most grocery stores or in health food stores.

Sucanat: A semi-refined cane sugar that tastes like brown sugar.

Tahini: Made from sesame seeds and also called “sesame butter.” Found in the ethnic foods aisle of most grocery stores.

Tamari: True soy sauce. Fermented from soybeans. The wheat-free version of shoyu, another soy sauce. Found in Asian markets and most grocery stores.

Tamarind: A fruity and sour pod from a tropical evergreen. Found in Latin, Asian, and Indian markets. Tempeh: A cake of pressed soybeans. Found in most grocery stores and health food stores. (Check out our meat substitutes section for preparation tips and more information.)

Turbinado Sugar: Light brown raw sugar that has been partially refined and washed. Found in more grocery stores.

Umboshi: Tart Japanese plum that is dried and pickled. Found in health food stores and Asian markets.

Ecological Apocalypse: Why Are All The Bees Dying?

2008-02-06T10:44:00.000-08:00

GM, toxic chemicals, chemtrails destroying eco-system, threatening very survival of humanity.

The alarming decline in bee populations across the United States and Europe represents a potential ecological apocalypse, an environmental catastrophe that could collapse the food chain and wipe out humanity.

Who and what is behind this flagrant abuse of the eco-system?

Many people don't realize the vital role bees play in maintaining a balanced eco-system.

According to experts, if bees were to become extinct then humanity would perish after just four years."

If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man," said Albert Einstein.

Others would say four years is alarmist and that man would find other food sources, but the fact remains that the disappearance of bees is potentially devastating to agriculture and most plant life.Reports that bee populations are declining at rates of up to 80% in areas of the U.S. and Europe should set alarm bells ringing and demand immediate action on behalf of environmental organizations.

Experts are calling the worrying trend "colony collapse disorder" or CCD."Bee numbers on parts of the east coast and in Texas have fallen by more than 70 percent, while California has seen colonies drop by 30 to 60 percent," reports AFP."

Approximately 40 percent of my 2,000 colonies are currently dead and this is the greatest winter colony mortality I have ever experienced in my 30 years of beekeeping," apiarist Gene Brandi, from the California State Beekeepers Association, told Congress recently.The article states that U.S. bee colonies have been dropping since 1980 and the number of beekeepers have halved.

Scientists are thus far stumped as to what is causing the decline, ruling out parasites but leaning towards some kind of new toxin or chemical used in agriculture as being responsible. "Experts believe that the large-scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor," reports Germany's Spiegal Online.

Bee populations throughout Germany have simultaneously dropped 25% and up to 80% in some areas. Poland, Switzerland and Spain are reporting similar declines.

Studies have shown that bees are not dying in the hive, something is causing them to lose their sense of orientation so that they cannot return to the hive.

Depleted hives are not being raided for their honey by other insects, which normally happens when bees naturally die in the winter, clearly suggesting some kind of poisonous toxin is driving them away."In many cases, scientists have found evidence of almost all known bee viruses in the few surviving bees found in the hives after most have disappeared.

Some had five or six infections at the same time and were infested with fungi -- a sign, experts say, that the insects' immune system may have collapsed."A study at the University of Jena from 2001 to 2004 showed that toxins from a genetically modified maize variant designed to repel insects, when combined with a parasite, resulted in a "significantly stronger decline in the number of bees" than normal.

According to Hans-Hinrich Kaatz, a professor at the University of Halle in eastern Germany and the director of the study, the bacterial toxin in the genetically modified corn may have "altered the surface of the bee's intestines, sufficiently weakening the bees to allow the parasites to gain entry -- or perhaps it was the other way around. We don't know."Kaatz was desperate to continue his studies but funding was cut off.

While we are lectured by government to change our lifestyle and cough up more taxes for the supposed peril of man-made global warming, an environmental catastrophe that could eliminate the human race in the figurative blink of an eye is looming.Why are major environmental groups and lobbyists ignoring this mammoth threat to our very existence?

Where is Greenpeace? The hyperbole surrounding man-made global warming is swallowing up all the attention while real dangers like the rapid die-off of bee populations and its link to GM food is largely shunned by governments and activist foundations.Is it a stretch to hypothesize that government mandated spraying of crops with deadly chemicals as well as toxic substances contained in chemtrails could be part of a deliberate program to eliminate the bee population?

Or is this just another example of big business flagrantly abusing the eco-system in order to drive up profits?

The elite have publicly stated their desire to significantly reduce world population on numerous occasions.

Just yesterday we featured a story about a British Government Ministry of Defence report that postulated on the future use of bio-weapons to thin the human population in under 30 years.

Making bees all but extinct would be a swift and plausibly deniable method of enacting global population reduction long dreamed of by the maniacal sociopaths that control the world.

Either way, this issue represents an overwhelming threat to the food chain and an environmental crime of the highest order, for which the perpetrators need to be brought up on charges of accessories to genocide, should a deliberate effort to endanger the food chain be proven, and the chemicals responsible immediately banned.

Please circulate this article to environmental groups and demand they investigate who and what is killing our bees!

Meat and the Environment

2008-02-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

Meat and the Environment Would you ever open your refrigerator, pull out 16 plates of pasta and toss them in the trash, and then eat just one plate of food?

1 How about leveling 55 square feet of rain forest for a single meal or dumping 2,500 gallons of water down the drain?

2,3 Of course you wouldn't. But if you're eating chicken, fish, turkey, pork, or beef, that's what you're doing—wasting resources and destroying our environment.

Animals raised for food expend the vast majority of the calories that they are fed simply existing, just as we do. We feed more than 70 percent of the grains and cereals we grow to farmed animals, and almost all of those calories go into simply keeping the animals alive, not making them grow.

4 Only a small fraction of the calories consumed by farmed animals are actually converted into the meat that people eat.

A major 2006 report by the United Nations summarized the devastation caused by the meat industry. Raising animals for food, the report said, is “one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. The findings of this report suggest that it should be a major policy focus when dealing with problems of land degradation, climate change and air pollution, water shortage and water pollution and loss of biodiversity.

Livestock’s contribution to environmental problems is on a massive scale ….

5 Growing all the crops to feed farmed animals requires massive amounts of water and land—in fact, nearly half of the water and 80 percent of the agricultural land in the United States are used to raise animals for food.

6,7 Our taste for meat is also taking a toll on our supply of fuel and other nonrenewable resources—about one-third of the raw materials used in America each year is consumed by the farmed animal industry.

8 Farmed animals produce about 130 times as much excrement as the entire human population of the United States, and since factory farms don't have sewage treatment systems as our cities and towns do, this concentrated slop ends up polluting our water, destroying our topsoil, and contaminating our air.

9 And meat-eaters are responsible for the production of 100 percent of this waste—about 86,000 pounds per second!

10 Give up animal products, and you'll be responsible for none of it.

Many leading environmental organizations, including the National Audubon Society, the WorldWatch Institute, the Sierra Club, and the Union of Concerned Scientists, have recognized that raising animals for food damages the environment more than just about anything else that we do. Whether it's the overuse of resources, unchecked water or air pollution, or soil erosion, raising animals for food is wreaking havoc on the Earth. The most important step you can take to save the planet is to go vegetarian.

Homemade Bath Bonbons

2008-02-05T10:33:00.000-08:00

If only there was a silver bullet for the perfect bath. Something absolutely pure that infused the bath with emollients and natural fragrance. Something that didn't have sneaky toxic ingredients (like parabens and synthetic fragrance) and didn't cost a fortune.

Oh, wait, there is!

Homemade bath bonbons, and you can easily make them with kitchen cabinet ingredients.

SIMPLE SOLUTION: Like many kids, my daughters have sensitive skin. I spent ridiculous amounts of money on very expensive all-natural bath products for them—money that was going down the drain since my youngest daughter was still a mess of itchiness post-bath. So we threw open the kitchen cabinets and started playing around with coconut oil, cream, honey and other ingredients known for their salubrious effect on skin. My daughters think this is intriguingly gross (slimy! sticky! lumpy!) and hence, they adore it. So it's become part of our nighttime routine: We mix up a batch of homemade bath goop, the girls soak, and then step out of the bath like soft, glowing, little goddesses.

And then there was the bonbon bonus. I started noticing that my hands were exceedingly soft after their bath. Of course, I needed to ditch my commercial bath products too. So I took the plunge and started playing around with a few bath concoctions of my own. Here is my favorite formula.

INGREDIENTS:

9 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (see note)

3 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons baking soda

3 tablespoons sea salt

3 drops ylang ylang pure essential oil (optional)

Since coconut oil has a melting point of 76 degrees F, the temperature of your oil will make a difference in the method you use. Coconut oil does not need to be refrigerated, but once you make the bonbons keep them there so that they don't melt. You can't start with refrigerated coconut oil because it is very hard, so start with room temperature.

If your room temperature is above 76 degrees, the oil will be liquid—you will need to stir in the ingredients and then pour the mix into an ice cube tray, mini muffin tin, or similar receptacle. Then refrigerate until hardened, remove (you may need to briefly set the container in warm water to release the bonbons) and store in a jar in the fridge.

If your room temperature is below 76 degrees, the coconut oil will be softly solid (as opposed to hard solid like straight from the refrigerator). You can mix the ingredients and then scoop by rounded tablespoon onto a baking sheet or plate to chill in the fridge. Once hardened, remove (you may need to set the sheet or plate in shallow warm water to release the bonbons, or line the sheet with wax paper first) and store in a jar in the fridge.

Dissolve one or two bonbons in your bath, get soft. Makes 12 bonbons.

Note: Coconut oil is commonly used in food, but has been used as a skin moisturizer for centuries by people living in the tropics. Studies show that it imparts significant improvement in skin hydration and increases skin surface lipid levels. Buy virgin coconut oil, which is unrefined, and if you can find it select a fair trade brand.

Coconut oil is available in health food stores and some supermarkets.

I am not a meat eater anymore!

2008-01-28T15:46:00.000-08:00

Many of you may be asking, why is she posting about vegetarian? She is not vegetarian or is she? Yes, I have made a change in my life, and would never think of going back.

Sometimes I must admit it was hard. But over all I don't miss it. The reason I find it easy to change my life style was thinking of all the animals...Innocent animals that died, so that I could eat them. Ohhh it makes me sick just thinking of that. I know I took part of taking many lives Innocent lives that die to be eaten by humans. It is so much better for us to eat vegetables and not be a part of killing the innocent. I am so happy that now I am at peace knowing that no animals have to die for me.

Animals have feelings and they do not know what wrong they have done to deserve to die!

Please think about it next time you bite into a hamburger, or a chicken...think about their pain.

Are You a Meat-Guzzler?

2008-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

Big shocker—raising animals for food is terrible for many reasons, but if you haven't been keeping up with the news, did you know that going vegetarian does more for the environment than switching to a hybrid car? It's true.

I grew up in California, and when I was younger, I would drive from Sacramento to LA with my family several times a year. We would pass a gigantic feed lot on the 5 that always seemed to stretch on forever—as far as the eye could see.

And before you could even see the lot (and long after you passed it), you couldn't escape the smell. I felt like the horrendous stench (methane) was being burned into my nostrils and it would give me a headache each time we passed by.

I can't even imagine actually being stuck there, like so many cows are—and you also don't have to be a genius to know that something that smells that strong and that bad cannot be good for the environment.

Take a look at this article ("Rethinking the Meat-Guzzler") from The New York Times—you can see the feed lot for yourself.The article is awesome, so be sure to read the whole thing. Here's a little quote:If price spikes don't change eating habits, perhaps the combination of deforestation, pollution, climate change, starvation, heart disease and animal cruelty will gradually encourage the simple daily act of eating more plants and fewer animals.

Mr. Rosegrant of the food policy research institute says he foresees "a stronger public relations campaign in the reduction of meat consumption—one like that around cigarettes—emphasizing personal health, compassion for animals, and doing good for the poor and the planet.

"Raising animals for food is bad for the environment, plain and simple. Stop eating meat and you'll help the environment. It's win, win, people.And in other newspaper, uh, news...did anyone see the USA Today article about how the animal rights movement is goin' strong? Check it out. And FYI, those are my girls rocking the Mars Candy Kills demonstration in the top photo in the article—amazing, right?

I am BACK!

2008-01-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

I has been a long time...I know. But I am back now, hopefully I will stay longer this time. I have missed blogging though.

So, much has happend that I don't know where to start. But that's a subject for another day.

See you later

Mar

NYC PASSES PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING BILL!

2008-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

Last week, New York City took a giant step forward in the fight against plastic. New York's City Council passed a bill requiring large stores and retail chains to collect and recycle plastic shopping bags. According to a New York Times report: "New York is by far the largest American city to enact so broad a measure to limit the environmental impact of the bags. Altogether, each year the country is estimated to use 86 billion bags, which end up blowing down city streets, or tangled in the stomachs of whales, sea turtles and birds, or buried in landfills where they enjoy free rent for 1,000 years."

Other cities like Melbourne and San Francisco have banned bags outright. San Francisco was the first city in North America to ban non-recyclable and non-biodegradable bags made from petroleum products. Africa has moved toward a continent-wide plastic bag ban, and just last week, China's cabinet issued a directive banning their production, prohibiting stores from handing out free plastic bags after June 1st and imposing fees on their usage. People in China use up to 3 billion plastic bags daily! Help keep the momentum going here in the United States and just say no to plastic bags!

Saunas...and sweating

2007-02-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Sweating something my body does little of...atleast it used to. Ever since I started to working out and going to the gym on a regular basis. Now my body is starting to sweat. I work in this great company that makes skincare products. Last year they came out with a product to help against cellulite. One of the products is amazing...

Here is a list of what it does and some of the ingredients:

Polish and smooth skin. Breakthrough scrub refines skin's texture and improves firmness and elasticity. Dissolve dulling, cell build up and encourage stimulation and detoxification.

Ingredients
• Sugar and Jojoba Beads smooth and exfoliate dull, dry skin
• Cayenne Pepper and Carnitine energize skin and stimulate circulation
• Gotu Kola and Horse Chestnut Tree Extract help restore firmness and elasticity

Ingredients
PEG-8 Beeswax, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cyclopentasiloxane, Sucrose, Cetyl Dimethicone, Polyethylene, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Dibehenate, Jojoba Esters, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance (Parfum), Tribehenin, Acrylamide/Ammonium Acrylate Copolymer, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Behenate, Lycium Barbarum Fruit Extract, Capsicum Frutescens Fruit Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Extract, Carnitine, Lecithin, Cysteic Acid, Pantetheine Sulfonate, Caffeine, Carbomer, Salicylic Acid, Atelocollagen, Centella Asiatica Extract, Esculin, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Retinol, Uncaria Tomentosa Extract, Maltodextrin, Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract, Polyisobutene, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Xanthan Gum, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben,

Well, let me tell you this stuff really works. I starting going to the gym and using the sauna and I have used this all over my body. First I did it thinking it would be a great way to exfoliate my skin.
I noticed that I started sweating instantly...and I came to the conclution that since it helps to detoxify. Well and what better way for your body to detoxify itself, other than to sweating. Sure enough I have been sweating more and feel great now that my body is getting back to normal.

I had to comment on this...hope is something useful for all of you.

What are you thinking now?

2007-01-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

Soon I was led to a room and told to strip, and I donned a smock. "I broke my penis!" I said to the doctor. The whole thing was starting to seem hilarious. He poked me with a toothpick to make sure I still had feeling. Ouch. I did. A female doctor walked in and let out an involuntary gasp, which did not inspire confidence. They both fetched a urologist while I lay with my eggplant penis propped up on a towel, hooked at a 15-degree angle. It was unreal, the kind of thing you might see at a seaside freak show or in a rare Victorian medical textbook.

Susan and I started giggling. "Take a picture," I said. "I do have my camera phone," she said and snapped a few photos for posterity.

The urologist's diagnosis put an end to the fun and games. He explained that three tubes run the length of the penis. When you get an erection, two tubes engorge with blood, which makes them stretch. And abnormal bending can cause them to tear. Pop.

Most often a penile fracture occurs when the woman is on top and the penis slips out during rigorous sex and slams into the perineum -- you know, the little no-man's-land between the vagina and anus. A recent study on penile fractures reports more than 1,300 cases. A startling number have involved sex on office desks. A few resulted when men rolled over onto their erection while asleep. One, involving a ranch hand, mysteriously occurred in a horse corral. And in 2001 a Massachusetts man unsuccessfully sued an ex-girlfriend, alleging negligence when he suffered a penile fracture after she repositioned herself "without prior specific discussion" during sex.

In the past a penile fracture was treated like a sprained ankle, with cold compresses and splinting. But that often led to some undesirable side effects, including what doctors call penile angulation. I did not want my cock looking like a boomerang for the next 40 years.

"We're going to have to keep you overnight for a procedure," the urologist said. My heart was in my mouth, and my eyes were watering. Until this point I'd been fooling myself, figuring Susan and I would get home before her mother was even back.

The doctor explained my two options: We could do nothing and the blood might drain, given enough time. Or he could drain the blood during surgery and repair the damage. Either way, the risks included nerve damage, reduced sensation and erectile dysfunction.

I looked at Susan. Now we both were crying. "Guys who forgo the procedure have more pain and more problems later on," the urologist said. He described the operation: They'd make an incision along my circumcision scar, then slide the skin down to the base of the penis. This would allow them to drain the blood and clean up any clots.

I admit it -- I'm fond of my penis. I always have been. I haven't given it a pet name or anything dumb like that, but it's one of the few things I've been able to rely on. It's a big part of me. And I was just now realizing it would never be the same.

I paused for a deep breath. "If you say this is the best thing to do, okay," I said. "When do we start?" Almost immediately they began to prep me for the first operation I'd ever had. I was extra nice to every nurse and orderly; these people were about to fillet my cock, and I wanted them to do the best possible job. A little extra karma couldn't hurt.

Six hours after I broke my cock I was in surgery. The anesthesiologist told me he was from Sydney, Australia, which reassured me. They like their cocks in Sydney, right? Okay, maybe the anesthesia was warping my mind. "You want this surgery because you want your cock back, right?" he asked. I was right! They do love their cocks in Sydney! With a flick of his thumb he started the IV drip

Searching for a new place to call HOME!

2007-01-25T16:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we decided to start our search for our new place. We had three places we were going to be checking out, but for some reason or another two of the places we couldn't get to. We got LOST and they could wait for us until 6:00pm. What is that? Do you see the bad of people come out after 6? Why is it that we couldn't go after 6 pm. No explaination. So, we only saw one place. This place was about 1,800 a two bedroom one bath. OH MY GOD... that was small! And I wasn't about to pay 1800 hundred for a place like that.

But according to Dragon it wasn't all that small...come on I couldn't be that off. That place didn't have anything inviting about it. We entered by the alley and the front door didn't even look like the front door. NO WAY! I am too picky to get stuck in a place like that. Oh god, I hope we have better luvk today!

Letter from a customer...

2007-01-17T16:03:00.000-08:00

This email was sent to us from one of our customers. To be answered by any random representative. Keep in mind this is a "skincare company". I thought it was interesting enough to share it with you guys. I had to answer this email today...And at the time of answering it all that went in my mind as I was reading it was...Oh my god! After that my mind just went blank...And no I didn't just ignore it, and no I wasn't mean. I had to answered it.

Hello m....d, I have normally dry skin and I use a moisture every morning and evening. I have been eating the diet that seems best for my age, skin and works well with hypoglicia. I eat red meat, mostly okra as my veggies and bake my own rye bread so that I don't get wheat as I am allergic to this grain and also most others except rye. I have been very healthy on this diet. Normally I do sit-ups, pushups, and squats every day to keep in shape.

Apparently I did a silly thing by eating some dark chocolate recently. The next day I had 4 pimples on my left check. I decided I better not eat any more chocolate. Then I got in a hurry one day and grabbed some nuts to tide me over after exercising, and that evening the left side of my face showed more pimples and I didn't know what was really wrong with me. The next day the whole left side of my face was swollen and red and red bumps were traveling across my left cheek, I was feeling very sick and tired as if something was wrong with me, as my energy is usually high and even though I expend a lot of energy when singing grand opera, I have found if I eat a handful of nuts I cope with the physical stress better. I eat olives or avocados and eat peaches, apple juice and other fruit juices.

This allergic reaction is not like any other I have ever had, except when I ate things that I had become allergic to,. The rash was the same but the red whets were so much larger and the itching was impossible to ignore. So I tried to use the chicken and figs diet that the Notional Healing book recommended and the rash seemed to die down and my blood sugar more stable. But the next day my face was swollen and the itching more intense. I decided to stay on the chicken and figs one more day but that evening I came to the realization that I was more allergic to chicken and figs as I seemed to find no way to end the rash and itching. so I stopped eating and just tried to wait the rash out. I am now beginning to get the rash to settle down but then I ran out of the Vit. K I take 2 times a day and discovered that I really needed this vit. And it would have helped me keep the rash going down. So now you have the whole picture. I really had to stay on my diet or this rash and gas accompanying it would not end. Whee!

Let me know what you would recommend.

Thanks

Open house

2007-01-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we had our first open house. I felt sad to see that selling the house is becoming something real. I feel like a failure...I know it's not our faults. But it makes me think, did I make a really stupid move? I guess the answer is yes. Now after we had our dream house, after all the remodeling, our beautiful nest is no longer going to "our" nest. We have to move. I love my house specially the detailed that went into making it ours.
For example the painting of the rooster. It was painted by a friend of ours, that alone is something special and unique.
Oh well, I guess things come and things go and we must let it our house go.

I can remember how excited I felt buying things, planting plants that I knew it would grow along with us.

Oh let me stop...Let's face it, we can no longer sacrifice ourselves in paying for a house that is leaving us penny less.

Stop complaining and move on already!

The journey of lesbian self discovery...Part 2

2007-01-10T16:16:00.000-08:00

Love the post Dragon! What I am about to say I know most lesbians out there are going to be against it. But this is what I think. I don't consider myself "gay", I don't consider myself "bi-sexual" either. For the most part of my life I had boyfriends and I loved them. I met Dragon when I was in between boyfriends. I was curious about being with a woman, I wondered what it would be like to be with a woman...But it was just a sexual curiosity. I wasn't thinking of starting a relationship with a woman. The thought of being sexual with a woman just took my curiosity to the next level, and I had to explore it! I met Dragon thinking it was going to be something fun and exciting, but it never crossed my mind to start anything serious. The reality is, I fell in love with her and everything seemed to fit perfectly. I enjoyed her company, I was attracted to her and I wanted more and more of those feelings as time went by. So, being with her just became natural. I never thought I would be giving up men. In fact I still feel an attraction for men. But it's never to the point where I would considers leaving Dragon for those feelings. I met her and instantly I had found my soul mate. And I know we will always be together. Because what she and I have is very rare, almost impossible to find. I would be crazy to leave her.

My question now is...Being "gay" is that really something in your DNA or is it influenced by the media etc. For instance Dragon never thought of herself as being gay until she started to explore the internet. Though she said she was never inclined to using make up or being with a man. But she had a boyfriend, and she was in love with him. If he wouldn't have been such a careless jerk, I think she would still be with him.

I don't like labeling myself because I don't consider myself a "lesbian". I am not attracted to every single woman that walks by. NO, that's not me. I am and have only been attracted to one and yes, that is Dragon. So, do you choose to be gay? Or does being in love matter if you are gay or not gay...But just finding that "special person" is the key?

I don't know the answer myself, though reading Dragon's post made me think of my own questions and made me think of my life as a person in love with a woman. But not a lesbian, but just a person who loves a woman.

Cravings...

2007-01-09T16:06:00.000-08:00

Today at work I had a craving to have a Tasty and Toasty Panini chicken sandwich from Corner Bakery. Corner Bakery is about 20 minutes. walking distance from my work. Neither my co-work or I wanted to drive. So, we decided to walk. I had boots on that have always been very comfortable. We headed out...half way I started feeling a slight pain on the soles of my feet, I chose to ignore it. We make it to the restaurant in 15 minutes. We got our Paninis and went back to work. 5 minutes into our walk back to work the soles of my feet started to hurt a lot. I could barely stand the pain, so painful that I was even limping. I barely made back to work!
I got to my desk and the first thing I did was take my boots off...Totally forgetting my Panini that I had been craving for. I take my boots of in PAIN and I look at my soles I have HUGE blisters on both of my feet. My friend and co-worker started laughing and said, all this time I didn't believe you. I wish I could take a picture! I sat and ate my Panini and didn't move from my desk until it was time for me to go home. I could barely make it to the car!
I got so mad at myself because I had a pair of walking shoes underneath my desk and didn't wear them. I just never thought my comfy boots would give my such blisters. Now I know next time I wear those boots I have to use socks not nylons.

Painful lesson learned...Was the Panini worth it? YES! :P

When we want something so bad...

2007-01-03T21:54:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we want things to happen in our lives and we do anything to make them come true. For instance I wanted to move out and buy my house. The time came we bought the house, not actually thinking about that the day when either one of us wasn't going to be able to be around. What if we ended up alone, what would happen then? How were either of us going to make the mortgage on our own? I know that it was mostly my influence on Dragon that pushed her to agree with me...Or just my enchantment? :)

Now, after the renter we had blew our guest house to pieces. We don't have that income coming in. We have fallen back in our mortgage payments. We are always very tight on cash. But hey we have the house...Is it worth it? No. I don't think that owning a house is worth our trouble and wondering if we are going to make the next months mortgage. Or even ruining our credit. No, is never worth it. We don't have any kids, we are just the two of us and two dogs. We don't need to have a big house that we hardly ever enjoy because we work hard to be able to pay. Now is that the American Dream?
I don't know, but I see that is not worth it for us. And unfortunately we invested a lot of money making it our "dream" house. Now we have to sell it, and we wont even make what we invested in the house making all the improvements. On top of all that California Taxes the hell out of you. Specially if you are "single" to everyone. Since same sex couples are not legal in California...Therefore we still appear as single people, guess what we will tax the hell out of you for being single!!

Such bull shit I tell you!

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T16:56:00.000-08:00

New years...And he continues to eat anything in his way. Last night for our New Years celebration I made a Strawberry Short Cake...And as you can see that was the pan I made it in. His contribution was to clean every piece of the cake off the pan or as much as he could. Ah the life of a dog...eh, nothing to worry about, but eat.

Talking about New Years, don't you find it annoying all this hype about New Years resolution. Come on if you haven't made any changes in your life till now, what makes you think you will do it this year. Just find yourself a motivation and do what you set yourself on doing. Don't wait for the new year to make a commitment to change.

We got a membership to the gym and we were going faithfully I had even lost 20 pounds! Then the holidays came I took a week of from work and we decided to stop going to the gym until all the holidays were over. As I type this today I feel those 20 pounds lots, are back on me again!!
Damm it, it was hard for me to lose the weight on top of that make myself go to the gym on days where I just wanted to come home and relax. Now I have to start all over again...

Good luck to those that believe on waiting for the New Year to come around to make a commitment to a better you.

Happy New Year by the way...

It must be a full moon...Am back, or am I?

2006-10-31T16:43:00.000-08:00

Well, it has been a very long time. We have been going through a lot of stressful situations in our lives, that the last thing I wanted to do was write about it.

And I won't... So, I will try to write something new here and there, and not just disappear. Did you guys even notice I was gone? Maybe not, but here I am... For how long I don't even know.

Our dog is in a funny not so funny way. He's decided not to be "our dog" anymore. He at one point consided himself our kid. Now, he has decided that he no longer wants to be faithful, loyal to us. His loyalty somehow is with whom ever feeds him JUNK food. Bastard... He is always in the guest house with that witch. When he decides to come to say hi to us, he smells like nasty ash tray. I mean NASTY! He comes wiggling his tail a little and then takes off again. WTF? Aren't you MY dog? Why does he like her more than us?

I am so happy I got a promotion at work... YAY! I start tomorrow. Today I had to train the person that's going to take over my duties. Everyone at work thought I was leaving the company. I had to send an email out telling everyone that I wasn't leaving the company. It feels good to move on. So, I wonder with our current situation with our house. Our struggles to make the mortgage, should we move on? Should we considers selling the house and just become one of the millions that rent?

I felt sad just thinking about that, because I love it here. We have designed our home just the way we like it. Everything is exactly how I want it and had dreamed off. But am I being realistic?
Does owning a house outweigh the struggles we have to go through every month to make the mortgage? Something to think about...

As for now, we are currently trying to refinance, and from there we have to make up our minds.
Either we stay and tough it out or we sell and go back to being tenants... aaaagg!

Why don't I listen to her?

2006-08-13T20:12:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, one of my co-worker came to work very excited. She had found a Pug walking around in her neighborhood. With no tags, no kind of id. She decided to take her. She put up signs and no one came to claim the dog. About a week ago she tells me that she needs to find the dog a home. Because she can not keep it. Her parents (she still lives at home with the parents) don't want anymore pets. I immedietly said, oh I want her! Without talking it over with Dragon or anything.

When I came home I told Dragon the news...we might get a Pug. She wasnt happy at all, she said another dog? We are doing just fine with two. She was devestated that I had agreed to taking her. But I eventually get my way...

Saturday morning my friend dropped off the dog and we took all three dogs to the park to introduce them in a neutral place.
They were fine with eachother and did the regular sniffing around ritual. We get them home and the started to play around the yard, chasing eachother they looked so cute.

Pugs are very willful and super hyper, I am not used to this! And to top it off she snors A LOT all the time. I am not used to having a hyper, hard headed dog. I was regreting my desicion. All I could do is tell Dragon I will listen to you more and do what you say. Not be so determine on what I say. I regret getting the dog!

So, I told Dragon let's try to sell her. Because there is no way I am keeping the dog. My sweetheart not one time did she say "I told you so". Just one more of the qualities I love about her.

Stop touching!

2006-08-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the car wash. It was a different car wash than we usually go to. It was a little filthy...I am so paranoid about being in place that are dirty or look dirty. Dragon came with me, and as we walked down the hall, stopping to see my car go by. I turned around to see Dragon, she was playing with this machine...Dirty machine. I turned around and screamed STOP TOUCHING! She looked surprised and said...You sound like my mom. I in returned told her why would you want to touch anything in this place? Everything in here looks and is dirty, just keep your hands to yourself. I bet you when we get home you wont even remember to wash your hands!

Oh boy, when did I become a mother figure instead of her lover?

Friends...

2006-07-22T12:31:00.000-07:00

I have a co-worker that has always felt threatened by me. When I got there she was the one that basically taught me how certain projects were done. And from there I took off... I am self taught and have my personal goals. In our department we all have our "sales" goals. I love closing sales and making my goal, but I am not satisfied with simply reaching that goal. I like to go over what is expected of me, in addition to having my other obligations taken care of. So, the call me the "Star Employee" because I love to be on the spot light. That's who I am and have always been that way.

I remember at school, I got A's but that wasn't enough I had to be involved in clubs and be the school Pricipal's assistant. I have always surpassed everyone's expectations and I love pushing myself harder.

Well, this co-worker all of a sudden invented this rumor about me. I have no clue what it was but she managed to get the attention of some people. She and I are from the same country and being from there I immediately felt drawn to her. So, we started out (so I thought) being buddies.

But then her envy took over and she couldn't handle that I was being innovative and doing extra things. I totally ignored what she had done, and people soon enough saw through her. She was moved from her cubicle to be in front of the managers office, so that she could control her better. They told me that they were happy that I didn't take anything she said personally. Why would I take lies personal? The truth sooner than later came out she is not liked by a lot of people.

Now, she wants to be my friend... I told her the following: I offered you my true friendship and you turned around and talked bad about me. I will continue to talk to you and act as if nothing has happened. My friend you will never be. I respect you because we work together. If I see you outside of work, I don't know you.

You see I offered her my true friendship and her envious heart made her blind. Now she tries and tries hard to make things better... But we only have ONE chance to make a first impression.

Bad mother, makes bad tenant?

2006-07-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

As you already know. We rent a back house to this couple, so we thought. When we first had the renter come see the apt. We asked if it was going to be by herself? And she assured us that it was her alone. Then all of a sudden she has this guy come to "help her move in". It has gotten to the point that she has 5 people living in the small guest house.
I have already raised the rent 200.00 more because she had her boyfriend staying over. Now she has her daughter, a friend and the daughters girl friend. Come on, we are not renting the apt to bring all you can.

I am trying to remain cool, and not get fustrasted or mad. Because if I were to get to that point I would ask them to empty the guest house. I am trying to be patient. Dragon on the other hand looks so at ease, relaxed and I am fustrated about the whole situation.

Last night her daughter and girlfriend seem to have become close to us as soon as they figured out we were a couple. So, they come over last night and I blurted something out that the girls mom had told me. And some how it escaped my mouth.

All of a sudden they went back to the apt. And 10 minutes later come back talking really bad about the girls mom. And how her mom was in an abusive relationship. Telling us really bad things about both of them...Why was she telling us all of this?
But all this time as they were talking, I looked at Dragon and told her you see I had a bad feeling about them. Hey, I do.

Well, it turns out that the girls had gone over to her mom and confronted her about what she had told us. And it looks like they were going trough some drama. Which I hated myself for being involved in. I really hated that they managed to pull me into their circle of confusions and arguments.
Well, it was like I meant t have started something between them by telling her what her mom had said. I thought it was nothing important that. But it wasn't like I had imagine. I need to learn to watch what I say, specially when it's in a joking none formality way.

Today Dragon and I were watching TV when the mom and the boyfriend come over wanting to talk to us about the situation. About last night...

We started talking and I confessed to them that I had told her daughter about what she had said, because I didn't think it was important or something secretive.
They started telling us thet the girls went over to their place and said that WE were talking bad about them. WTF??
Oh my god, I should have known this girls were doing something like that. Something so immature and childish. I should have known!!

We talked and for the most part it was a good conversation. I managed to tell them that I wasn't pleased about how they had 5 people living in the guest house and that I expected them to make the the changes in order to have a good living arraignment. So, over all it was a good chat and things were out on the table. Who is lying, who is telling the truth. I HAVE NO CLUE.

What would you guys have done if you were in my place?

Now today's lesson is don't make friends with tenants kids! :-}

Alone?...Let me introduce you to a friend

2006-07-07T16:15:00.000-07:00

My co-workers don't know I am a"lesbian," oh I still feel weird saying that. I personally don't like labels. So, they think I am ALONE. And I guess being alone is a bad thing. They keep telling me you should go on a date with a friend of mine, or my other single friends tell me let's enroll on match.com Hell, does it look like I am unhappy that I need a man to be "complete"? I have someone that loves me. The only thing is they don't know I do. I know it's probably my fault for not telling them. But I don't want to be out to them.

One of them I find out today. Took my phone and dialed this number. And she gave it to me, as I listen it was one of those freaking dating service. I could have killed her! Last week Dragon used my phone, and accidentally dialed the last number that had been dialed on my phone. And somehow this person had dialed the same dating service. And had told me call the number I left on your phone. I didn't pay attention or really understood what she meant.
When Dragon used my cell, she said why are you calling some dating service? I didn't know what she was talking about. I said I don't know how that number was dialed from my cell. Ofcourse it sounded like a BIG Lie, stupid and unbelievable. So, I asked her, what...You think I am cheating? I had no idea. And had totally forgotten what my co-worker had told me. Until I figured it out today. She had been the one to call and left the number so I could call.

My point is why do they find it so hard for to believe I am happy, if I was alone? I don't need a man to prove to them I am complete.

I know I will be in the closet just because my life is private. People at work do NOT need to know my personal life.

Though sometimes I think I am BI SEXUAL...! Damn it, I do miss having wild SEX with man. Not that I don't have it with Dragon.
But the truth is I have a very high sexual appetite, I can't believe I am saying this to you guys. Hey, if I don't say it here where else?

Dragon is going to KILL me!

Coffee Shop!

2006-07-06T20:35:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to open my own coffee shop. So, today I emailed Dragon and told her "I want a baby, and since I can not have babies. I asked Dragon to give me a baby. Her reply was; instead of a baby how about a coffee shop? She knew that by saying that my attention and my wanting to have a baby would automatically stop. Because opening a coffee shop has been my long time dream.

So, later on today I email her again and ask her so, where's my coffee shop? You promise to get me one...! We both started laughing so hard.

When she got home, she had done some research on some of the things I need to know about becoming an owner of a coffee shop. And it's not easy! But then again, what is? If you want something so bad that you can almost taste it. Why not do whatever it takes and go after your dreams? Easy right? Nothing comes easy, everything has it's struggles and sacrifices.
I know I have the passion and dedication to be an owner of my business. And I know I will do it sooner or later. Now all I have to do is do as much research as I can about becoming an owner of a coffee shop and the steps I need to take. Also, maybe find a part time job in a coffee house get myself in the smell, taste, get my hands dirty. In other words go and learn everything I can, see if that is what I really want to do.

When Dragon came home and was reading to me the research she had done. I told her come I am taking you out on a date. And we drove to a coffee shop called "Panera" bread. A coffee shop I had been interested in visiting, but never made time until today.
The atmosphere was great, liked that they not only served coffee but a variety of sandwiches. They bake their own variety of breads. An in house bakery. As soon as you walk in the smell of freshly baked bread wraps you.
We talked about a few changes I would do if I were to own a place like that...and kept dreaming.

Some day, some day...

Monday Night...

2006-07-04T11:59:00.000-07:00

We had such a lovely weekend...yes EXTREMELY HOT! Dragon as talented as she is, she installed the AC after asking her to do it every single weekend. I am a pest when I want something done. Monday night and she was finishing up the installation. Oh isn't she amazing. All I could do is give her moral support. Do you need help sweety, are you sure you don't need my help? All I did was lay on hammock and read a book while she did all the work.

Well, we went to bed. It was so hot that I asked her to sleep in the spare bedroom. I was asleep when all of a sudden she jumps into bed with me and scares the sleep away from me. I asked her what happened. And she says, "There's a mosquito after me!" You can read her blog, where she talks about it. I guess there is a mosquito that is attached to her all the time? In my sleep it didn't really register... so I turned around and fell immediately back to sleep. You see I don't have any trouble falling asleep.

I don't know how much time had passed when she is moving again waking me up again. I turn around and ask, "Now what?"
"That mosquito followed me in here, I am going back to the other room." All this time I hear nothing and see nothing... what in the world is she talking about?

Next morning I wake up at around 7am and went out to water my plants before it gets hot. Came back in to the house and peeked in the room and she is sleeping.
I started to recall what she had done the night before and started laughing. When she gets up, I ask what in the world happend to yout last night? She goes over the story again about a mosquito following her around. I don't know what face I made but she got upset. "You don't believe me, you think I am crazy?"
"Well no, but maybe you imagined it." Oh boy, she was pissed off.

So, I just turned around hugged her and asked; you want me to take you to the doctor? I was just joking around with her.

And that is the story about the pesty mosquito and my sleepless baby!

Hot...Hot 4th of July weekend, at Mission Bay

2006-07-04T11:17:00.001-07:00

Dragon and I got a 4 day 4th of July weekend. Friday Dragon didn't go to work so, she actually had 5 days off. On friday I only worked until 12. After that I got home we packed, and we were on our way. We drove to San Diego to my brothers house. He lives in a really nice place. There is a bay infront of his house and a POOL!! Take a look at a live webcam. Scenes from Mission Bay, San Diego

The weekend was starting on a good note...

I invited my nieces and nephews to come with us, they are a fun group. So, I did my rounds and picked up everyone. By the time we were on the freeway it was already 3pm. I knew traffic was going to be really bad. Everyone was starting their weekends and escaping LA. San Diego usually takes about 2hrs to get there. We on the other hand encounter traffic. So, finally got to S.D. about 6:30pm my brother was waiting for us calling me ever 30 minutes, asking are you guys here yet? We got to his store and he wasnt there. Why the heck would you be calling me and you are not here?
We waited for 30 mins and finally he shows up. By this time all of us were starving. We went straight to a restaurant.

We finally got to his house and we see a lot of people driving in with boats, bikes, jet skis...ready to have a great weekend. We got home and took a nice long walk along the bay. It was beautiful.

Next morning we jumped into the pool after watching a world cup game. We spend hours on that pool because it was so freaking hot. After we had our fun in the pool horsing around with my niece and nephews we were exausted and hungry. So, we had some home made hamburgers!!

After that we relaxed for a while and headed out again to the pool..we stayed there until about 9pm. And at 10:30 we were on our way back home.

Over all we had a wonderful time, and I can say it was the highlight of my weekend.

But it was HOT HOT HOT!!

Potluck and goodbye's

2006-06-29T16:48:00.000-07:00

The mail room guy is moving and leaving our company. He has decided to move to Texas...Why?
I guess the cost of living is less over there. He said he bought a house half the price he sold his house here. So, he was happy he was going to have some money left over. He is actually building it from ground up. He said what he paid for his house in Texas he could have found an old run down house in Los Angeles.

I know the cost of living is high in California and houses are in great demand. No one wants to sell...And the few homes available are extremely expensive. Is true is expensive and hard for people to become home owners, but who wants to live in Texas? No me! I love California...I am a true California girl. Everything you want is here for instance, you want to go to the beach we have them, you want to do some mountain claiming we have it too. You want to go river rafting we have it, and let's talk about the best weather. The weather is perfect year round, not too hot not too cold.

OH STOP IT!! We do not have earthquakes all the freaking time!!!!

Well, good luck friend in your new journey...

Tomorrow to say goodbye to him we have planned a surprise potluck party for him. He is going to be surprise. He is a very jolly, always has a smile on his face type of guy. He will be missed.

FUTBOL (soccer) Fever... GO ARGENTINA!!!

2006-06-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was very excited about the game Mexico vs Argentina...ofcourse my heart was for AREGENTINA all the way. My brother was visiting from San Diego. We had gone out dancing on Friday so, he was had spend the night over. I told him he had to stay for the game, we ended up not only watching the game the two of us but we invited my sister and her family...we ended the game with a celebration "carne asada". It was a great game that ended the day with a good family celebration. Not that we need much to celebrate or have an excuse for a party. Over all it was a good day!

MISS YOU BATISTUTA!!

5 things as if you care....

2006-06-17T11:27:00.000-07:00

5 things in my refrigerator:
1. A bottle of wine
2. A bottle of Feta cheese
3. Last nights dinner still in the same pot I cooked it in (some one thinks putting food away is making sure they get put away in the frige. That means in the same container it was cooked in)4. Organic milk
5. Pomogranate juice

5 things in my closet:
1. Many many pairs of shoes still in the same box they came in
2. Clothes with tags still on from last year
3. A box of “moms dresses” from when she passes away
4. A box of hats since I don't do well in the sun
5. A big shelf with lots of hair products and make up

5 things in my purse:
1. Advil
2. Medicine and Vitamine container
3. Sunblock lip gloss for my lips
4. A checkbook and wallet
5. Gum

5 things in my car:
1. Music CD's
2. A small Cross
3. A bag of items I need to return or exchange
5. Handicap sign from when my mom used to ride with me (that I hate to admitt sometimes comes in handy)

5 people that get tagged: Do I know 5 people?

1-Zoe
2-Mike
3-Dana
4-Joefish
5-Heather

By the way...the inspiration for my tattoo

2006-06-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

My first tattoo!!

2006-06-14T17:15:00.001-07:00

Well here it is...finally got my first tattoo. It does need more work the band is going to go all around my toe... It was painful, but not as painful as I had imagined. You guys like it?

Rules, rules, rules… What about sex?

2006-06-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

I have this book that someone gave to me awhile back. It’s about what to do and what not to do on dates.

Okay so, I know I am not supposed to talk about my exes, nor do should I compare my boyfriends to the new prospect. And don’t call him…hmm?

Well, there is also that question that has bothered me all the time, when is the right time to sleep together? Who determines when you are a slut because you slept with him on your first date, or who is to say that sleeping with him on my fourth, fifth date doesn’t make me a slut? When is the time to get involved and when is it a mistake?

I remember dating men and when there was physical attraction…I could hardly control myself. And couldn’t care less when was the appropriate time to jump his bones!! I just wanted to FUCK him…(excuse my boldness). But I managed to control myself.

But does that drive men away? Does that make it weird…you would think by now I would know the answers, but NO…I never figured it out. And to me it was all a mind game. A game I hated to be a part of.

How much sexual intimacy is good to share? And how much is TOO MUCH?

I know men pursue women as a sexual trophy, and if you sleep with them then all interest is gone. They have gained what they wanted; now there is nothing that’s interesting to hold them with this person. And they move on to the next prey.

I believe that if you find someone and you have a lot of things in common and become physically attracted to each other…stay with them and learn everything about that person, and with time you either realize she or he is what I need in my life. I will make a life with her or him.

We live in such difficult times, where a person that shares a lot of your interests is hard to find. When you find that they could have something to give, stick to them and learn what makes them interesting.

My brother is a typical MACHO guy, he dates easy women and gets them into bed. He gets what he wants from them, uses them and walks away. Yet he has this idea that he wants to marry a virgin…come on he is living a dream. It is so hard to find someone much less someone that is a virgin, especially when all you want is jump into their pants.

Well being that way got him into trouble, he got a lady pregnant. Someone he can barely stand to be with. She intentionally got pregnant! And since he has a baby with her he has to be around her to make his son happy. She calls him all the freaking time…it really gets on everyone’s nerves because she calls him even though he is only visiting us. She somehow imagines that we have many lady friends we are waiting to introduce to him…lady get a life!

Now if I was a man, that would totally drive me away. I know he is unhappy and he tries to find someone that can make him happy. But his search is long…will he find her? Maybe. But certainly not if the crazy lady is in his life…Meanwhile what happened to the ideal of the virgin he wanted to find?

What is your opinion? What is your experience… especially you guys out there, tell me what you think.

HOT stuff...

2006-06-07T20:04:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the warmest weekend of the year. But today was different; it was cloudy and raining in some parts. Since we live very close to the beach we get that wonderful ocean breeze. But on Sunday not even that breeze was enough. We had all our windows open. We wore close to nothing breathable clothing, but it wasn’t enough. I am really NOT looking forward to the summer at all!

When I am hot I get very temperamental and go off for every little thing. And suffer from monster migraine headaches. I felt so bad Dragon was there at the receiving end taking all my crap.

So, I suggested and pleaded to her to help me by giving me a back scrub (of course with some of our sugar body scrubs from work) and that immediately changed my grumpiness! I felt cooler and more myself. Plus I love the attention!

That got me thinking…I needed to schedule a full body massage. (This time not with Dragon’s boss) but with a professional. If you recall we have a spa in the lower level of our offices from where I work. Well, I am in for next Wednesday, a deep tissue full body massage!!

If anyone out there hasn’t received a massage or facial by a professional esthetician, or massage therapist I highly recommended. Believe me it’s worth every penny.

For those who get them on a regular basis, which one is your favorite?
And what are the positive feedbacks you have after getting one. Do you yourself recommend it to your friends and family?

Have you had a bad experience and would like to share it…?

I remember a few years back I got a massage in Palms Springs. The lady that gave me the massage had the hands of an angel. And the ambience she had created you actually felt you had gone to heaven. She remains to this day the BEST massage therapist I ever experience. And I am very picky…

What a fuck up...

2006-06-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Today I trade my shift at work with this co-worker that had something important to do. She works from 9am-6pm. I work from 6am-3pm (usually, when not doing OT) anyway, I thought oh goody will get sleep in!

I was so happy...well this morning my alarms wakes me up at 4:30 I get up jump into the shower, was about to pick what I was going to wear when I remember...shit, I dont have to be at work until 9am!!!!!! *&%$*#$@^&@%@$!!!

I was so pissed off, so standing there naked. I turned the lights off and jumped back into bed naked and fell instantly went back to sleep.

Where is my brain sometime!

Are you really that drunk?

2006-06-06T12:52:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to get so wasted that you don’t remember what you do? Especially when you have made a pass to someone… I don’t know. It was funny; we went out on Friday night to “happy hour” with the same people we usually go with. The only difference was that I invited my brother and after a few drinks he suggested we go dancing. I was glad to go, I actually miss not going out to dance. So, we said yes. My brother also invites Dragon's BOSS. Now at this time the guy is already pissed drunk, but he tells us that if we want to go he is willing to go as well. He also made it a point to tell Dragon that he feels awkward because he is her boss and he didn’t want to change the image Dragon had of him. She told him that whatever happens happens, that what ever we do outside the office stays out of work. So, he came.

Along the way he gives me a head and neck message while Dragon is driving. All is fine…I don’t think much of it. As he was massaging my neck he tries to go down to my BOOBS! What the FUCK!

Does he know what he is doing? Or is he playing drunk and knows perfectly well what he is doing? Now on the dance floor as Dragon danced with my brother and I danced with him…again, he tries to go for my boobs. So, I manage to slowly lower his hands so he doesn’t feel a big rejection. And I continue dancing like nothing has happened…

Now, I wonder do drunken men remember what an ass they have made of themselves, or is it just an act? He is a very nice guy, so I will not hold it against him. He has no clue either that I am Dragon’s partner. Nor do we want to tell them. Just something I was wondering.

I did ask my brother the same question. And according to him, when he gets really drunk he remembers bits and pieces, but not everything. One day my brother was so drunk he was driving his car and a cop pulls him over. The cop notices that he is too drunk to drive. Tells him to pull over and park his car. Then the cop offers him to drive him home. My brother is so lucky…why didn’t he get thrown in jail, I have no clue. But this cop takes him home, waits for him to get in the house and drives off.

The next day my brother can’t remember where he had parked his car. He had to report the car stolen and wait until he got a parking ticket to know where his car was. So, maybe it’s possible he didn’t know what he was doing. What is your opinion, have you guys had a similar experiences?

Tattoo Conflict...

2006-06-04T22:07:00.000-07:00

I have always wanted to get a tattoo...But have never had the guts to go agaisnt what my family thinks. I know they will go crazy if they were to find out I have gotten a tattoo. Magically and yes, I do mean magically. I managed to rent my back guest house to a couple, he is completely covered in tattoos. If I would have seen him when they came over to see the guest house. I wouldn't have rented it to them. So, in a way I do understand my family's point of
view. I immediately frowned when I saw him come in. I was devastated and thought I had made a big mistake.

it turns out they are really friendly and nice people...from what I can tell so far. He is a counselor for teens in trouble or in gans. And she is a manager for some company. Both have tattoos on their bodies.
He is also a tattoo artist...gee you don't say!

I printed some pictures of a tattoo I have been thinking of getting for years. He is now working on it on getting the design. But do I really want to go through this? Is this really who I am and want to do? Most important question, will I regret getting it later when it's too late?

Is my family's point of view stronger than my wanting to get a tattoo? Or do I have some reservations on the idea of getting a tattoo? Does it even go with my persona, most likely NO!
I am NOT afraid of needles so, its not being afraid that stops me from getting it.

Will my point of view about people with tattoo change after I become part of this group...

Or will I get one and hide it to my family just the same way I hide my sexuality...most likely yes. I guess you can say I am afraid of being judged, critized and not being accepted by the people that are most important to me. My family!

I still have some thinking to do, and some soul searching. Will getting one make me a stronger a little bit more careless person.
Or will I ever have the courage to tell them, either you accept me for who I am. If you don't well, bugger off. Most likely I will end up hiding it. And that is not the purpose.

Please help me welcme my renter

2006-06-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

Tricia's Musings

She has two mottos-

1. Live life to the fullest

2. Don't have any regrets. I'm married to a wonderful man, and I work as an ER nurse. I enjoy my garden, good music, photography, cooking great meals and having a good time with my friends, oh, and I really love reptiles.

I am Back

2006-06-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry, I have taken some days off. My niece's wedding messed me up, after finding out she has spend over $90.000 dollars on her wedding. And she had to make three loans to pay for it...my brain just decided to shut down on me. Take a look at the place where she had her wedding. http://www.trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles/index.asp It has the most amazing views.

Why must you feel the need to spend so much money on a wedding that last ONE day??? I really don't understand that. True it was the best wedding I have ever attended to, but over 90 thousand dollars? No, not for me. Just to tell you something about the place. The owner is no other than Donald Trump.

Besides the money issue she looked really pretty with her $10.000 dollar dress! What I most enjoyed was she had an OPEN BAR all day long!!!! Yeah...!
She also had a live band from Colombia that played latin music all night long...the food was great. Filet Mignon and Lobster in a delicious creamy sauce...yummy. I just found out that the dinner was $100.00 each plate!!

She also had a chocolate fountain with Strawberries, pineapple and so many other things you could dip...it was like I said a great wedding.

I had one of my co-workers that has become one of my best friends surprise my niece with two special songs my friend sang to her. That gave it a very special touch to the wedding. My friend has a wonderful voice. And the songs were a great touch!

Slowly my brain is starting to come around. We will post some pictures when we can.

Dragon was incharge of bringing our camera, we get there the wedding is about to start. Everyone gets their cameras out, I am ready to snaps some picture and Miss Dragon forgets to put the memory card back in my freaking camera. If looks could kill...I gave her the look of the year, she knew exactly how pissed off I was. Oh well, I am sure all my family will forward all their pictures.

Hair color...

2006-05-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

We had our first day off from work yesterday. One of the things on my to do list was color Dragon's hair. I wanted something dramatic, like a fiery red.
But she didn't go for it! So, we decided to go for a dark burgandy with some highlights. And I did it myself...I am so proud of it!
Take a look and tell me what you think, personally I wanted a little bit more highlights. But no, when she says no is no. Gah there is no trying to convence her. But it turned out nice!
Take a look...

This is the hair cut I wanted for her, but it turned out to be shorter. It still looks nice, here is a sample of the hair cut.

Last night

2006-05-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful night...It had been a while since we spent time together in bed doing nothing but talking. I know that I had been a little on the cold side and it's not because I have stopped loving her. Sometimes you just have so much going on that your personal life takes a back seat.

Well, last night it was wonderful. I came home early, and since she arrived home we went into the bedroom and watched a movie and just cuddled. It was amazing! At the end we ended up making love to seal things off. Everything we did was wonderful.

Today Dragon tells me she has noticed a change in me. That for some reason I wasn't completely present. But that the last two nights had been different. It had been great to share our thoughts, have time to talk, to open up. And be together...

I believe that whatever relationship you are in, if you wish to keep that fire burning you need to have good communication, sincerity, and most of all, respect for one another. And that is the secret to a good partnership a good balanced loved life.

Old and alone...

2006-05-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Today we went out to Souplantion for dinner. While we were waiting in line for them to seat us, I notice this old man by himself and I became sad for him. He didn't look sad, but he looked lonely. He was all alone eating his dinner by himself. And as I saw him all I could think was, I don't want to get to be his age and be alone.

Specially when you have grown surrounded by a big family with a very close bond. And I having chosen to live and be united to Dragon. She doesnt want any kids, in the begining I did. But only for the same reason, I don't want to grow old and find myself alone. Just like the man we saw at the restaurant.

In the other hand what guarantee do I have that if I have any kids, that they will be with me at my old age? No guarantee at all!
That has been one of the reasons why I have stopped trying to convenice Dragon to have a baby. I know for sure she is not having one. Because she doesn't like kids nor wants any.

Growing old is that becoming a burden on your loved ones? I took care of my mother and didn't leave her side until she passed away. I could not imagine leaving her to live by herself. I just had devoted my life to her and I was happy to be with her. But what happens to people like me, no kids, no family the only one to be with me is Dragon. What if one of us gets sick along the way and we find ourselves alone...and old. Not being able to restart another family. So you end up all alone.

Just like that old man we saw tonight, having dinner alone. Was he happy? He didn't look sad. He didn't have anyone to start a conversation with.

What if he doesn't have anyone by his side to bring him a glass of water at night...what if he gets sick, there's no one with him to know. How sad don't you think?

I don't know maybe I am just scared of growing old.

Sripper Show...

2006-05-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

The actual pictures of the last two strippers, what is your opinion??

So, we went to the bachlorette party last night. To get a better detail about each stripper go here, my sweetheart gives you detailed descriptions of the three guys. I have found the pictures of the two last strippers.

We showed up to the party as we walked up to the door they had a sign that covered the door saying, "What happens inside stays inside". I knew things were going to get out of hand.
Dragon and I both wore camoflage pants and we sexied them up with cute tanktops...we showed up and afer being there like 20 minutes this girl shows up. I thought at first she was a man, that it was part of the show. But no, she was a woman and she was introduced as my niece's personal trainer.

Sshe saw that we were dressed in camoflage and starts to make jokes and I made my own jokes about it all leading to sexual acts. She actually turned out to be the life of the party -- she was loud, crazy and HORNY as hell.

She starts drinking, and by the time those guys show up she is making a total fool of herself and making us laugh. Her antics made all of us have fun.

At one point the stripper asked her to take all the dollar bills he had on him using her mouth. She was happy to do it. At one point her boobs just pop out, those things were jiggling everywhere while she sucked on the stripper's SWEATY BALLS...gross.

At one point one of those guys found his way to the back of the room where we were. Imagine this this almost naked guy smelling like cheap cologne. Sweat is all you see...he starts climbing on my chair and all I can do is quickly turn my head to the side to keep from having some of this guy's sweat splash on my face. I am so grossed out, as I am turned away he manages to rub his stomach on my shoulders....NASTY! All I do is jump from that chair and quickly run to the kitchen sink and wash my arms with soap. I couldn't believe this idiot thought I wanted him to do that. I wasn't even close to the crowed to make him think it was okay for him to do that.

I cannot believe women get so wild about strange men feeling up on them. I cannot believe you would allow any jerk to walk up to you and start to feel up on you...well, its the same thing. These guys were all over these 'girls boobs...and did things that are not worth to talk about. A total stranger!

Why do the girls feel they need to do that? Why does it turn them on? Are they that willing all the time? And they just don't admit it to themselves until this oportunity persents itself and they let loose??

Over all we had fun watching them make a fool of themselves.

Wedding Bells...

2006-05-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Wait those Wedding Bells are NOT for us...my niece is getting married next Sunday. She is spending so much money. Everything has been planned perfectly and we can just hope that every aspect of her wedding is a dream come true. But we all know things happen and things tend to go wrong. But over all I wish her the best.

Wedding's to are over rated...you spend all this money and it's over in few hours. Why not just make a simple wedding for close family and friends. Save the money and use it as down payment for your house.

I personally never saw what the whole deal is about making such a big event. Specially if you are living together already.
I just don't see why we need to spend many many thousands of dollars and have everything gone in a matter of hours. Everythings over and the money Gone! What a waste, don't you think?

The good thing is tomorrow we are going to a bachelorette party...Drinks and naked men. Yay!!
One thing about those parties, I hate it when those guys get to close to me. Please dance and do what you have to do. But please don't come close to me, I get grossed out. I am so weird I know. I just feel like they are unclean, sweaty...yuck! Don't touch me...or come to close to me.

Tell you guys all about it tomorrow....

Please give a warm welcome to my renter...come over and visit.

2006-05-19T16:20:00.000-07:00

Hey are you guys bored, need a laugh? step over here and take a look at this weeks renter Odd Planet!

People do crazy and odd things all the time. Keep up with the latest happenings in the Odd Planet.

Sleeping Beauty...

2006-05-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sleeping beauty...I had to share with you a picture I took of Dragon. This picture was taken on one of our first sleepover, she was naked looking very sexy even while she slept. I woke up before she did and as I looked at her, she looked amazing! She looked so beautiful almost angelical and I felt myself falling in love with her. And knew I would be with her and it would be forever!

In this picture she had sneaked in to my house the night before. It was back when I used to live with my mother. I sneaked her in and it was one of our first nights we had sex...It was amazing. She looked amazing!

20 things about me...just in case you wanted to know

2006-05-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

I have come across some blogs that have done the following. I believe they are called "memes"

I am making my own-

1-What's the first thing I do when I get home from work-
Change out of my work clothes, specially take off my bra.

2-Favorite alcoholic beverage-
Midori sour or apple martini

3-Favorite movie-
The Godfather

4-Favorite class in High School-
History and Geography

5-Coke or Pepsi
Pepsi (when I used to drink them, I no longer drink carbonated drinks)

6-Top or bottom-
Bottom ( because I love the attention)

7-white or black-
Black

8- Favorite piece of furniture-
My recliner and my KING size memory foam, Beautyrest one sided HUGE pillowtop bed

9-One thing I can not be without-
Good cup of COFFEE

10-Favorite sex position with a man-
Doggie style

11- Favorite sex position with a woman-
Her lips on my______

12- Straight or Curly-
Curly ofcourse

13-Favorite food-
Persian and Italian food

14- Naughty or Nice-
Naughty

15-Cold or Hot (weather)-
Cold

16- Rain or sunshine-
Rain

17-Favorite topic in a group conversation-
Sex

18-First kiss-
Age 17 my first boyfriend

19-Childhood memory-
Making paper boats while it rained and putting them on the curb, watching as the water takes the boats until they dissapear.

20- Paper or plastic-
plastic

Stalker or Loneliness?

2006-05-13T19:58:00.000-07:00

As you all know I work at a major skincare company. I have a lot of people calling me all the time. Some are long term faithful customers, others are like the lady I will tell you guys about. She called asking for a Spanish speaking rep. So, her call was transfered to me. She began telling me about her skin problems and issues, and like always I ask what is the first thing and the one thing you want to focus on first. So, I make up a personal skin regimen. She buys it...like always, I include a gift to all my customers. And that usually gets them hooked.

Well in our conversation we started talking about other natural things she could take or eat. One of them was goji berries, and how good they are for you. One week later I get a box at work with four bags of goji berries from this lady. I was surprised and thought it was sweet of her. I called her to give her thanks...she had me on the phone for almost an hour and a half. My gosh lady...she talked about her family, how my voice reminded her about her sister in law, etc etc.

So, as gratitude for going through the trouble of sending me something, I turned around and send her another gift. This time thinking it was going to end at that point. But NO...three weeks later, I had forgotten about her. Then she calls me again. She wanted to say thanks, and so it went another hour of talking about things I really shouldn't need to know. Things that she shouldn't have shared with me. Now at this time, I think this lady is lonely. She probably doesn't have anyone to vent to. So, I'll be nice and be friendly which is something I am really good at.
I am hardly ever in a bad mood. As soon as I get to work, my baggage is left at the door. And a "work" me, a sales person me comes out.

Well, as I am talking to her she tells me; "I've told my husband that I want to go to San Diego for the summer". She lives in Texas. And I said that would be lovely. Then she asks is San Diego far from Los Angeles? And I say no, not really about 3hrs.
He tone of voice got very excited, and she said I will tell my husband to take me to see you. I really would love to meet you. All this time she was very excited telling me all this. All I could say was, yes that would be nice. She asked don't you guys have a Spa where you work and I said yes. Well then its set we will meet at the Spa and meet each other.
I am thinking okay, but some how I am feeling a little uncomfortable about the whole thing.

This week I get another box from her, filled with more Goji berries and other wonderful things. Things that I like...and I am very hard to please. How did this person know that I was going to like the things she sent me? And why does she feel the need to send me stuff...? Don't get me wrong I am not a mean person that doesn't appreciate little things like that. But from a stranger, someone that has only listened to my voice.

Do I inspire confidence to her? Because she talks to me about things you would only tell your best friend. Does she feel lonely and in need of someone to offer her an ear?
She doesn't give me the impression of being a bad person. Just a lonely person in need of a friend.

Visit my renter!

2006-05-11T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've heard my new renter has some intersting topics on her blog you might enjoy reading. Why don't you stop by and send her my love!

Family time...

2006-05-08T20:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday came around...we had a busy day ahead of us. First of all, most of the day was spend with my family. First we went to a Bridal Shower, and after that we went to my brothers house to see Oscar De la Hoya fight...I know Dragon doesn't really enjoy this time when I visit my family. But I had a blast, I needed to be around my family. I missed not being with them! Sometimes it feels like I have given up a lot of my family time. Because as much as Dragon says she enjoys their company. I know she rather not be around them. But what can I do? it's my family and we have a really strong connection.

I had a blast Saturday...and I was happy!

I think we need to come up with some neutral ground, either she stays behind while I visit my family and she does her own thing. But I think I have neglected my family long enough. I love them, and they are fun to be with. I know is hard for Dragon to understand the connection we have. Since she is not close to her family at all. So, she doesn't understand the bond we have. So, it's hard for her...even though she pretends to enjoy herself. I know she does it for me. But I don't think is fair for me to ask her to be in a crowd where she isn't really really enjoying herself.
As much as I want her with me, I think she needs time alone and do the things she wants to do by herself.

I can not expect her to sacrifice being with my family, because I am not willing to do the same for her. When she visits her mom, she goes by herself. I just can not seem to connect with her mom at all. Don't get me wrong, I have tried. But she is difficult and she knows it, that's the reason why she doesn't ask me to come along with her anymore.

So, to come to a conclution, I think we need to have our family time...and do it alone. With eachothers family. And not expect the other to have fun. Specially when the other family members talk in a foreign lenguage. Her mom talks to her in Mandarin, and my family most of them are bilingual but in meetings we tend to joke around in Spanish. Thus making the other person feel left out.

Sometimes is hard to manage both words and still remain friends!

Femme, Butch or what the hell are you?

2006-05-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

If there is something that I find irresistible is a woman's sexuality. I myself feel attracted to very sexy, feminine women. I don't understand why some lesbian women are attracted to hard core-butches? I really don't understand that. I know we all have our differences about everything. I think if I am going to be with a woman that dresses like a man, acts like a man, wants to be treated like a man. Then why not just be with a man?

I really don't understand that at all. I feel I am really attracted to women and that means everything about a woman. I don't want her acting like a man or dressing like a man. I want her to be as sexy as she can be. Dress up, use makeup, look and feel sexy. Her sexuality makes me desire her.

Isn't that the whole reason why you look for a woman in the first place? I love feeling a woman's soft body, her delicate way about her. Someone that knows she has it and knows exactly how to use it. And make me want her.

If you dress like a man, cut your hair short and start acting like a man... if I were to see you in a dark street I would totally think you are a man. Then what's the point? If I were attrated to a "butch" then I would be attracted to men. If that was the case than I would be with a man!

There are so many lables out there that make everything so confusing...why do we need lables? Why do you want to look like a man? If you are a woman then act like one too!

A personal Letter

2006-05-04T18:21:00.000-07:00

Some time ago, actress Julia Roberts was asked what object she valued most. “I have a letter from my daddy,” she replied, “the only letter that I managed not to lose as a child…if anybody ever took that away from me, I would just be destroyed. It doesn’t mean anything to anybody else, yet I can read that letter 10 times a day, and it moves me in a different way every time”

Do you have something that it’s insignificant to everybody, yet to you it means the world that you cherish so much in your life?

I do several…and all are from my mother. The one that stays with me at all times is a ring I had given her. She had it on when I drove her to the hospital (another thing I have to share with you guys) She had already stopped breathing. As they resuscitated her, afterward we walked in to see her and she had her eyes open and she had tubes in her mouth, she could no longer talk. I believe she was well aware of her surroundings, and it made her uneasy. As I reached for her hand trying to calm her down a little, as I kissed her hand I noticed she was wearing the ring I had given her. As I went to take it off, she reacted and kinda of pulled her finger away. But when I told her “mom it’s me” she let go. And that was the last day she wore that ring. Now I wear it all the time. And every time I look at it, it makes me think of her.

I miss her so much!

There when you need it

2006-05-02T20:08:00.000-07:00

There when you need it

When I donated blood some time ago, a nurse gave me a card to read while pint of vital red fluid was flowing out of my vein. The card showed the percentages of people who have different blood types. Here are some of them:

O-Positive 37.4%
A-Positive 35.7%
A-Negative 6.3 %
B-Negative 1.5%

The rarest, AB-Negative, is found in only 1 in 167 people, or 0.6% of the population. Then the card made this eye-catching statement: “The rarest blood type is the one that’s not there when you need it.”

Gas Prices

2006-05-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

This is pretty nifty. Just enter your zip code in the site below, and it tells you which gas stations have the cheapest prices (and the highest) on gas in your zip code area. It's updated every evening. Gas

Sundaes at work??

2006-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

Friday at work we had a baby shower...we had good food, cake, and a SUNDAE BAR! How awsome is that? We had like a mini Sundae bar with vanilla,strawberry,chocolate, rocky road, mint and chip ice cream. To top it all off we had everything you could ever imagine...bananas, whipped cream, nuts, pineapple, strawberries, chocolate syrup, caramel, cherries. It was amazing how they managed to get all of these ingredients in the office and not spill a thing. To top it all we had cake. I could feel I would be going into a sugar coma soon.

We had a blast, we usually have fun stuff like this happening in our office.

I came home and told Dragon about it she was very upset that her office will not do as much fun stuff as we do. So, that day she goes to the store and bring three boxes of ice cream, bananas and strawberries. And said, if I can't have it at work I will have it NOW!

The Power Of what you Speak

2006-04-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life.

What you speak about, you can bring about.

If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

Ifyou keep saying you're broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keepsaying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve. Watch your Thoughts, they become words. Watch your Words, they become actions Watch your Actions, they become habits. Watch your Habits, they become character.

Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny. The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.

In the search for me, I discovered truth.

Please welcome my renter

2006-04-29T13:56:00.001-07:00

She will give you some sugar, she will give you some spice

everyone loves her cause she is NAUGHTY BUT NICE

You're FIRED!

2006-04-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

At work we have a pretty nice group of people. We all get along with everyone, we joke around with each other and have fun. I can say most of us are young and I guess that makes it a cool place to work.

There was girl she was about 27 she acted like she just turned 21. She came from every weekend talking about how drunk she had gotten during the weekend and that she wasn't ready to come on a Monday morning and work. She was loud, very high strung...but was a nice girl. She had managed to become buddies with one of my supervisors. Man that girl slacked on her work so much. I guess she thought that being buddies with a supervisor was going to keep her there for a long time. I know she milked it as much as she could.

She would come in anytime she wanted, she wouldn't meet her sales quota, she hardly did anything. One thing she did very well was run her mouth...on top of that she had a really annoying laught. Damn and everything made her laugh...that would aggravate the hell out of me.

I can't believe how lenient my boss is, she will give you time to clean your act. But she had about enough today. I sit one cubicle away from "slacker girl."
This morning before we had our weekly meeting my manager came to her desk and told her "I want to talk to you, please follow me." Now, when my manager comes to you and asks you to follow her because she needs to talk to you. That means the end of your road.

My manager never comes to you unless it's really serious. She prefers to email or call you on the phone. So, when I saw that she had called her into her office, my stomach sank. I didn't hate "slacker girl" at all.
She was fun to go out with. And we had gone to many parties together, I had also invited her to some of my house parties. And she was liked...by people she met. So, when she went to the meeting with my manager I knew she was going to be fired.

All of us went into our weekly meeting and when we came back..."slacker girl" was gone. Slacker girl was FIRED!

I felt sad for her, but I don't think she felt happy there...she complained about every task. Now, she is one of those out there jobless...was that what she really wanted all along?

You're FIRED, have a nice weekend!

And my favorite band is...

2006-04-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

Need I say more?

What Band am I talking about?

2006-04-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

On today's post I will ask you to try to identify my favorite band...I will give you hits and phrases about the bands members, singer, recordings etc etc. Try to guess what band I am referring to before tomorrows post. On tomorrow's post I will reveal the name of the band

Wanna play? Here goes...

"He's able to perform open-heart surgery and zap people with a bit of brain surgery at the same time."

"I'm very secure with the fact that I'm not black. I'm white, pink and rosy. But I've got soul."

"When a politician meets me, it's really our audience that he's afraid of."

"It was a very odd time - I used to leave stage, immediately get on a plane home and get in to Dublin. I slept beside my father with the sound of the audience ringing in my ears during his dying days."

"Ghandi on percussion, Martin Luther King on Bass, Guitar would be Isaac Newton, Keyboards
Beethoven, Vocals Jesus Christ."

"I was jumping up and down. The president deserves a lot of credit for that. He really stuck his neck out. He was right, it's important the people know at this time what America is for as well as what America's against."

"I could never be a politician because I think I'm too selfish, and I think I like to have fun: the right to be irresponsible is a right I hold dear."

"We wanted every song on this album to be a single and went at it like that -- make it like a Beatles album, not try to be the heaviest or the funkiest, or the grooviest. Just to have the best tunes."

Names the group went by
1- Feedback 1976
2-The Hype
3-____ 1978

The band's big break came at a talent show in Limerick

In September, 1979, _____ released its first single

Their first international contract in March, 1980

The name of their first album had only "3 letters" songs included with subjects like faith, spirituality, and death

They release their third CD in 1983 and includes many of my favorite songs.

Okay I think those are enough clues...so, put your thinking caps on and lets guess.

Joke of the day

2006-04-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

Four Catholic ladies are having coffee together, discussing how important their children are. The first one tells her friends, "My son is a priest. When he walks into a room, everyone calls him "Father".

The second Catholic woman chirps,
"Well, my son is a bishop. Whenever he walks into a room, people say, "Your Grace"

The third Catholic woman says smugly, "Well, not to put you down, but my son is a cardinal. Whenever he walks into a room, people say, "Your Eminence."

The fourth Catholic woman sips her coffee in silence. The first three women give her this subtle "Well...?" She replies, "My son is a gorgeous, 6'2", hard bodied, well-hung, male stripper. Whenever he walks into a room women say, "My God..."

It's time for something personal

2006-04-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

I use to be engaged to be married. I dated this guy for seven years...I don't regret the time I spent with him, because I was in love and every day was a good day. So, we got engaged and we weren't yet ready to get married. We both were studying and he wanted to be out of the academy before we tied the knot.

Now keep in mind this guy was my first love. After we got engaged I gave myself totally to him. Lost my virginity to him, had wild sex...It was good I have to admit it! And I was totally in love with him, I trusted him and believed in him. My family loved him...He was just "perfect" so I thought.

Then he went off to the Highway Patrol Academy. He would come down every single weekend to see me. His father was a minister of this church and he used to be the lead guitar player for that church. So many girls were after him...Because he was good looking and I guess he magically sent them signals with his guitar notes.

While all this was going on I had a really good friend of mine that I met at his dad's church. I used to invite her to outings with us. All of a sudden he became friends with her brother. So, I found out he goes to spend a lot of time in her place. But I never imagined anything bad. I was so naive and trusting.

He began acting a little weird, and I couldn't understand what was wrong.

Until one day he confessed that he no longer had feelings for me, because he had fallen in "love" with my "best" friend. What the FUCK! I was so pissed off at both of them. Because they had secretly had been dating behind my back all this time! I was so hurt and so angry, I couldn't understand what was happening. So, the engagement was called off.

And he got married to her, now they have 3 kids...

I could never trust anyone ever again. He made me always think that every person I dated was a cheater.

Now I don't like labels, and that's why I don't feel like I have to call myself a lesbian. I think if love came in whatever form, shape or sex than I would welcome it.

I had dated a lot of men before I met Dragon and I could never fully give myself to them. I would actually do the breaking up and would never fall in love with any of them. And yes, I think it was because of the experience I had with my ex.

A lot of people have asked me. So, is that why you "became a LESBIAN"? I didn't become anything. I am comfortable being with Dragon, I think we make a good partnership, we understand eachother, and yes I love her.

But if she and I were ever to break up, if I were to meet a man that makes me happy I would go with him. Or if I find a woman that does the same then hey that's who I will be with.
My point is that I don't think of myself bisexual, lesbian...or whatever. I am a person like anyone else, and if love comes in whatever sex it comes in...I will be open to it.

But as for NOW, I am in love with a woman and a woman that respects me, understands me and would never cheat on me. And yes, I am sure of it. Because I know her.

So...don't feel sorry for me. I am happy now and I know I couldn't have been this happy with my ex. Everything happens for a reason.

New Secrets for Youthful Skin

2006-04-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

Since I work for a skincare company, I have to bring you information to help you prevent future damage. Those nasty "wrinkles." If you care read it, and if you don't just skip it!

Blame sun and smoking for early wrinkles. What will erase these marks of time?

April 24, 2006 - Every woman dreads the day when she glimpses the first wrinkle in her otherwise smooth skin. But for many, that day is arriving even earlier than they expected. Dermatologists say that the increasing popularity of tanning beds and smoking among young women over the last two decades has spawned a generation with premature wrinkles or worse. "We're seeing many more women with sun damage at earlier ages today," says Dr. Roy Geronemus, a New York dermatologist. And, he adds, "the number of young women with skin cancer is startling."

Sun and cigarettes in adolescence and early adulthood are also the culprits behind age spots, broken blood vessels and irregular pigmentation by the time you're in your 30s. Dodging those two is the best way to keep skin looking young as long as possible. But if the damage is done, don't lose hope. Going under the knife isn't the only option. Even though you can't completely erase the effects of aging and unhealthy habits, you can take advantage of a growing array of skin-care products that may help hide these flaws—from $20 drugstore wrinkle remedies to laser procedures that can cost hundreds of dollars.

Much of the billions spent annually to fight skin damage is going toward a category of products called cosmeceuticals—over-the-counter preparations that are neither cosmetics nor pharmaceuticals and thus are largely unregulated. In 2004, estimated U.S. sales of skin-care cosmeceuticals reached $6.4 billion; analysts say the figure is expected to grow with the market. What can you expect from these and other skin-care products? Here's a rundown of advice from the experts:

SUNBLOCK: It seems obvious, but dermatologists say many people still wrongly assume that sun protection is required only for a day at the pool or beach. In fact, you need it every day. "When you're walking your dog, or even sitting next to a window for a long time, you're getting incidental sun exposure—and over time, that adds up to sun damage," says Dr. Diane Berson, assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell University's medical school. Pay attention to the sun-protection factor (SPF). While lotion with an SPF of 15 blocks about 96 percent of the sun's rays, a 45 SPF sunblock cuts out about 99 percent. That can make a big difference to someone who's fair-skinned. Wonder what your skin would look like if you'd kept it protected from the sun? "Look at your butt," says Dr. Steven Cohen, chief of the dermatology department at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. "It's smooth, without wrinkles."

MOISTURIZERS: Besides causing wrinkles and other damage, aging and sun exposure can exacerbate dry skin. Experts recommend regular use of a moisturizer once a woman is in her late 20s or 30s to smooth and soften skin. Look for ingredients like petrolatum, glycerin, hyaluronic acid and cyclomethicone—all of which help prevent water loss from your skin. Cohen prefers Vaseline Petroleum Jelly Cream, a nongreasy formulation. He recommends avoiding hot or frequent showers (which can remove the body's natural oils) and disinfectant soaps, which can be abrasive.

WRINKLE ERASERS: Antioxidants like topical vitamin C or E neutralize free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells, damage DNA and exacerbate wrinkles) and can improve the skin's appearance and protect it from sun damage. Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) help remove dead cells for smoother skin, stimulate collagen production to ease wrinkles, and even out skin tone. Renova and Avage, available by prescription, are the only such products approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat wrinkles. But brands with similar but milder ingredients like retinol are available over the counter. These include Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, RoC Retinol Correxion creams and L'Oréal Line Eraser.

Alpha hydroxy acids work in a simi-lar fashion, removing the top layer of cells and stimulating collagen production to smooth skin. They're generally less irritating than topical antioxidants but don't penetrate the skin as deeply. "They may not have as dramatic an impact on how the skin behaves, but they're great for a Band-Aid refresher look," says Dr. Richard Glogau, a San Francisco dermatologist.

Peptide products may also minimize wrinkles by stimulating collagen production. Dermatologists cite brands like StriVectin, Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Serum and Estée Lauder Perfectionist. But they stress that, as with other cosmeceuticals, data on the effects of these products are limited, as clinical trials are not required.

ACNE TREATMENTS: Topical retinoids calm down breakouts of adult acne, which can be triggered by stress and hormonal fluctuations in those genetically prone to pimples. Topical antimicrobials, like benzoyl peroxide, and antibiotics are other options; a dermatologist can help you decide what would work best for you.

SPOT REMOVERS: To specifically target "sun spots" and even out skin color, dermatologists recommend products with hydroquinone, which gradually bleaches the skin. Side effects include redness and irritation. Avoid these products if you're pregnant because they can hurt a developing fetus.

DERMABRASION AND LASERS: For more-dramatic results, you'll need to see a dermatologist. One of the most popular procedures, microdermabrasion, essentially sands off the skin's surface to remove dead cells. The treatments, which start at about $200 per session, often need to be repeated several times for noticeable and lasting results.
Laser skin resurfacing can also minimize fine lines, especially around the mouth and eyes, and treat uneven pigmentation. It can cost hundreds of dollars per session, and usually require return visits. Long-term studies of safety and effectiveness aren't yet available.

One more point: you're never too old to protect your skin. You may feel like giving up when you see the consequences of teenage tans in your mirror, but that's no excuse for skipping daily sunblock, says Dr. Alysa Herman, a Miami dermatologist. Sun damage is cumulative—and that means every day's rays do a little more harm. If you're still craving that golden tan, try spray bronzers. You'll get the same glow, but without the guilt.

Wonders of POMEGRANATES

2006-04-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you guys the wonders of Pomegranate. I used to eat one (When in season) pomegranate a day. I ate everything including the seeds (well not everything...I never tried the peel.) And to this day I haven't had a cold, cough, and my good cholesterol increased! Please take time to read about the wonders of the POMEGRANATE fruit. And try it for yourself...it's a miracle fruit!

One of the oldest known edible fruits, pomegranates were brought to the New World by Spanish missionaries in 1521.

It is now known that pomegranates contain antioxidants called polyphenols, important in the daily diet. Such antioxidants help protect the body against "free radicals" molecules that cause damage to the body over time. Free radical ...

The pomegranate, an ancient fruit from the Middle East now grown worldwide, has a smooth red rind and a crown on top. When you cut it, you see pods of juicy red pulp and seeds.

Artists and poets have taken it as a symbol of fertility and abundance. In the "Song of Solomon," the poet compares his beloved's cheeks to "halves of pomegranate,"

And the Koran describes pomegranates growing in paradise.

Shakespeare speaks of a lark singing in a pomegranate tree.

Famous painters, such as Cezanne, have used cut pomegranates in still-lifes.

But many people don't know what to do with this odd-looking fruit.

While pomegranates may never replace oranges, they are actually just as good for you.

Pomegranate juice reduced the damage that LDL ("bad") cholesterol can wreak on artery walls in human.
Israeli researchers found that the equivalent of 8 ounces daily reduced blood pressure by 5 percent in people with hypertension, and that it had some of the same effects as certain anti-hypertensive drugs.

Like tea, pomegranate juice is rich in potent antioxidants known as polyphenols, and it has more of these polyphenols than green tea, red grape juice, or orange juice. In addition, a whole pomegranate provides a day's worth of vitamin C, as well as some iron and calcium.

Pomegranates have been cultivated since prehistoric times. These extraordinary fruits have also appeared throughout history as symbols of fertility, royalty, hope, and abundance. Celebrated in art, mythology, religious texts and literature for centuries, pomegranates appear in Greek mythology, Egyptian papyrus, and have been mentioned in the Old Testament several times under the name of rimmon. An ancient fruit, the pomegranate was brought to China a century and a half before the Christian era. The pomegranate is depicted on floor mosaics of Pompeii.

The pomegranate fermented juice and cold-pressed seed oil showed strong antioxidant activity close to that of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and green tea, and significantly greater than that of red wine. The pomegranate seed polyphenols possess potent antioxidant and most likely cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory effects as well. If consumed daily over a long period of time, the powerful antioxidants in pomegranates may help to combat cancer, and may also prevent hardening of the arteries.

Pomegranate seeds contain a number of flavonoids, including isoflavones with estrogenic capabilities. Flavonoids are part of a wide class of polyphenolic compounds that posses an impressive array of pharmacological activities.

Researchers in England are studying the possibility of developing a virucide from pomegranates as a protective anti-viral agent against HIV.

It is also used in skincare products, because it's rich in potent antioxidants. And increases sunscreen protection upto 55%.

The Million Dollar Question for God

2006-04-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

The Million Dollar Question for God

A poor man walking in the forest feels close enough to God to ask, "God, what is a million years to you?

"God replies, "My son, a million years to you is like a second to me."The man asks, "God, what is a million dollars to you?

"God replies, "My son, a million dollars to you is less than a penny to me. It means almost nothing to me."

The man asks, "So God, can I have a million dollars?

"And God replies, "In a second."

Pain the Price of Beauty!

2006-04-24T20:12:00.000-07:00

This is not me...just in case you were wondering. I am more sexy! :)

One of the perks to work where I work is that we get discounts on treatments and products. Yay, so happy for that! Now in our medical facility we have Laser Hair removal. I was so happy for that. I am so tired of having to wax my upper lip, eye brows etc. etc. etc. Today I had an appointment at lunch time to have my upper lip and chin lasered...yikes. I got a little scared when the nurse put a numbing cream on the areas she was going to be working on. Silly me I asked her, does it hurt? She looked at me like are you stupid or something. She said why do you think I am putting the numbing cream...? Oh yeah heh.

She said I will be back in 15 minutes. As I sat there I had all these thoughts come to my head. Women go through so much to look good! We go through so many painful experiences...for example plucking!
She comes back my upper lip felt like I had been to the dentist, or had been kissing for hours...hehehe. Those suckers were numb for sure.
She took me to another room and tells me to lay down on this operating looking bed with a big light over my face. Okay, I am worried now. What did I get myself into? Shit!
She pulls this hose that blows very cold almost freezing air. She said that aire is going to help you numb the area even more. FUCK how much numbing did I need? Oh hell this is going to be painful...!

She spread this jelly like thing over my upper lip and chin...and turns on the mechine. "okay get ready" here I go. And she starts, at first I didn't feel a thing so I get relaxed. Then she said put your tongue at the top of your upper lip as I go over it. Oh great as if I have control of my tongue (another subject, I have to share with you guys) Then all of a sudden FUCK like little needles were being pushed into my lip. Fuck it hurts! She said don't move (with her relaxed voice) yeah easy for you to say.
No fucking cold air, no fucking numbing cream worked...this hurts.
At the end even a few tears had escape my eyes and all my mascara and eye shadow was running as my tears were rolling. I wasn't crying per say. But it was the kind of tears that suddenly come out when you pluck your eye brows.

Well, the end results...it's smooth. I don't have a single hair. The down side is that I have to go to atleast 4-5 sessions. Great more pain!
But as painful as it was I am going to go to all the sessions...go figure.

The price we pay to look beautiful!

When girls drink to much...

2006-04-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

When girls drink to much...

1- We have absolutely no idea where our purse is.

2- We believe that dancing with our arms overhead and wiggling our butt while yelling
"woo-hoo"! Is truely the sexies dance moves around.

3- We've suddenly decided that we want to kick someone's ass and honestly believe we could do it too.

4- In our last trip to pee, we realized that we now look more like a homeless hooker than the goddess we were just four hours ago.

5- We start crying and telling everyone we saw that we love them sooo much.

6- We get extremely excited and jump up and down every time a new song play's, because "oh my god I love this song!"

7- We take our shoes off because we believe it's their fault that we're having a problem walking straight.

8- We fail to notice that the toilet lid's down when we sit on it.

9- We think everyone in the club is sooo cute.

10-We wake up, and can't remeber how we got there.

Word of the day...

2006-04-23T10:59:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of words in Spanish, that simply don't translate in English. I will give you guys a word and give you the definition. There are are no exact translations, keep that in mind.

Today's word is Flato sounds like FLAH-to

Meaning= a feeling of depression, overwhelming sadness, a feeling that something's wrong, sense of dread.

Today's word was brought to you be the letter F.

My Rooster Collection...gone wild!

2006-04-22T19:26:00.000-07:00

So, I have a big collection of Roosters...all different colors, shapes and sizes. I see a rooster at any store I have to get it. Dragon has gotten to the point where she doesn't let me buy anymore if she is with me at the time. But I always manage a way to get it if I really like them.

I can't even tell you how many I have, my kitchen has roosters everywhere. Everywhere you look in the kitchen, you see a different rooster. But it doesn't look bad, trust me. See for yourself:

Many of you know we just bought our home. I have done most of the decorating myself and have been in control of what construction gets done. Why? Because I am very picky and very detail oriented.

We visited one of those home design stores, and I found the most beautiful painting of a rooster! The only problem was, that it wasn't the size I wanted. I searched for it online and wasn't able to find a bigger version of that painting. I was very dissapointed...then I thought, hey maybe I can paint it myself. What a great idea!

The only thing was how do I paint it in a bigger scale. One of my sisters is very talented, so I thought I could ask her.

Then I remembered that Dragon had a friend that was very talented. So, we asked her. It took them a while to finally make it to our house. But they did, and it took her 2 1/2 days to paint it. The end results were fabulous...I love it. It looked just like the painting...yay! Here it is, tell me what you guys think. Now if you can imagine, it's a 5-foot rooster painted in the seating area in my kitchen. It has it's own spot lighting. It looks like it belongs in a museum. Perfect!

Dogs with sundresses?

2006-04-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

Now, we make our dogs wear sweaters, only when it's really cold. But we don't make them wear PINK like she does.

When to tell someone what you really think?

2006-04-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

I have a few co-workers that have become really good friends of mine. We work in different departments but I have manage to make friends with them. Every Friday I get invited out to lunch by them. Now they aren't friends with each other. But I am friends with all of them.

Today, one of them which is the Packaging Engineer, called me to go out and have lunch with her. She had just gotten back from her business/pleasure trip to Italy, and was very excited to tell me all about her trip. Last week I had already scheduled a lunch with my other friend who is Peruvian and works as an expeditor.

I wanted to hear all about the trip, so how do I tell the Peruvian I wont be going with her without hurting her feelings. I couldn't tell her I wasn't going anywhere, because she would have seen me on the elevators going with the Engineer. By the way to get to the Engineer's office I have to pass by the Peruvian's office. So, what do I do now?
As I just sat there thinking of something to tell her, she calls me and tells me she has to catch up on a lot of work. And that she had to cancel on me. I told her how dissapointed I was, and how I was looking forward to our lunch date. I basically made her feel bad.
All along I had a big smile...so, the Engineer and I went to lunch.

She started to tell me all about her trip, and how much fun she had had. She brought pictures and was very excited, I don't think I have ever seen her this excited. So, I just listened, she took over the whole conversation. All I could sneak in was Wow, really, how wonderful. I am very expressive with my gestures and big eyes. So, I do a lot of expression with my eyes. There were moments I had no need to say anything...she just looked at me and kept on going. She talked about the trip, about how she wants to become an actress, about her losing weight, etc. etc she bombarded me with so much information...and all I could say was, aha, wow....etc.

A few weeks before she left, she came over to my house to drop some things to me. And she introduced me to her boyfriend. (Have you ever met someone, barely had anything to say. But know that they are not the right person for them.) There were no reasons, I had barely met this guy. But my insticts told me he wasnt good for her. I usually get these feelings. Sometimes we meet people and I tell Dragon, I don't like them. She of course gets surprised but she knows about my extra senses...and she knows, I am right. (most of the time)

My friends tells me I am going to break up with my boyfriend today...I said oh really. I didn't like him for you anyway. I think he is totally wrong for you. When I met him I thought he wasnt right for you. And she looks at me and tells me; well, thanks for letting me know. (In my mind I thought oh no...why in the world did I just say those things?) There was a reason why I wasn't saying much.
At the time I met him, I didn't tell her anything. I just kept it to myself, and thought we will have a chance to talk and I will tell her what I thought about him. But how do I tell someone hey I think your boyfriend it totally wrong for you?

So, basically I have given her more of a motivation to leave this guy, and I don't really know him. He hasn't done anything to me so, why did I just tell her all of that?
She said I knew I had to do this, and with you telling me what you felt I know now I am doing the right thing. "Great" me and my big mouth. Oh well, it's probably for the best. I do trust my insticts, I haven't been let down by them. So, she probably is better off. I am waiting for her to call me and give me the details. Oh drama, oh me oh my!

We interrupt this blog to bring you this important message...

2006-04-20T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hi! Geeky Dragon Girl here. My honey was sweet enough to let me borrow a bit of space here for a public service announcement of sorts. I put a message onto my blog, but when the damn thing is down you can't read it anyway! So at least the regulars who come here will know what's going on.

In case y’all haven’t noticed, my blog has been going up and down, up and down like a freaking pogo stick. Apparently the server that it’s hosted on has “issues” and they plan on moving it tonight to a more stable server. It’s annoying to get over there and see a Page Not Found message. Not only that, whenever my domain stops working, most of the images on this blog break too.

So don't worry, I haven’t gone anywhere. I just have unhappy server issues that will hopefully be fixed by tomorrow. If not, then I’m moving my blog somewhere else!

Welcoming the stranger...

2006-04-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

"As you know, there were lots of huge marches around the country yesterday to protest the immigration laws. The marches had quite an impact on businesses. Restaurants had to close, construction sites had to shut down, the Yankees had to forfeit a game. ... Do you realize that Americans are now doing the jobs that immigrants won't do because they're out protesting?" --Jay Leno

I know many of you don't really care about what's going on with the immigrantion issues around our country. And so many things about that, I don't really care about as well. But I think I owe it to say something about this topic. Say something about many people out there that ask why? I have read so many blogs that talk about this topic in a very negative way. To those people I have some questions...and those are; why do you hate the things you don't understand? You don't understand how hard it is for these people to leave their countries and begin a new life. You don't understand how many people want to give their kids a dream of a better life. You don't understand how many people must leave their loved ones and come here alone, in order to provide them with a little peace of mind. Life is really hard in our countries, because they don't have much to offer. And that is why WE have moved here to live out everyone's dream...a dream of a better life.

We live in a country that's around 50 percent Latino, with the vast majority of that population being recent immigrants. So it's not surprising to me to see these massive protest marches, with thousands taking to the streets in cities around the country on a daily basis.

Some of the most prominent political groups have been completely silent on the subject. It's not an easy issue; we have to admit that the immigration debate is about real people "the usual array of arguments marshaled to support or hinder immigration tends toward the abstract. The arguments often obscure rather than clarify." Charity, hospitality, and human worth are important concepts to remember in this debate, but even Bible verses on "image of God," "welcoming the stranger," and caring for "the least of these" aren't entirely applicable in the legislative debate, and don't come with policy prescriptions.

The arguments often obscure rather than clarify. It's helpful to remember who we are talking about when we discuss "undocumented workers." It's people like my family. Thanks to God we came here and we were LEGAL. What about those people that can't afford or have no means to have all their documentation ready?

"This problem with illegal immigration is nothing new. In fact, the Indians had a special name for it. They called it 'white people.'" --Jay Leno

I know this is a very touchy subject and many of you won't agree with my views. But why are immigrants being treated so badly? They work so hard for their money, why do we want to make their lives harder than it already is? Just being a minority is hard enough believe me, I have experienced it. I am an American Citizen, but I know that many people look down on me because I am a Latina. Even though I was raised here since I was 7 yrs old. But I love my heritage, my background. And if I have my accent, even that identifies me and I am not ashamed of it.

I see that California has a vast of the populations from various countries. I love that! I love that we have embarrassed so many culters, and what they have to offer.
Why can't we learn to live with each other and enjoy what the other has to offer?
I mean is it so bad that immigrants come to this country to do the work WE don't want to do ourselves?

"Every time you allow somebody to mow your lawn and you don't ask for papers, you have invited them," Bermudez said. "Every time you allow somebody to bus your table, you have invited them."

I have read so many blogs out there stating that they are against immigrants and that is okay. Everyone has their own opinion, and so do I. And since this is my blog I will tell you what I think if you don't like it, please go to the next blog.
I am what I am and those people that you are accusing as invaders are my people. I wont just sit back and not say anything. But I will not bore you with going into details because I know everyone is aware of what is going on.

Something funny...

2006-04-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near death experience.Seeing God, she asked, "Is my time up?" God said, "No, you have another 43 years, two months and eight days to live." Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction and tummy tuck.Since she had so much more time to live, she figured she might as well look good. Following her final cosmetic operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was struck and killed by an ambulance.Arriving in front of God, she demanded, "I thought you said I had another 40 years? Why didn't you pull me out of the path of that ambulance?" God replied, "Girrrl, I didn't even recognize you!!!"

82yr. old woman gets ticket for slow crossing

2006-04-19T20:21:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES— An 82-year-old woman received a $114 ticket for taking too long to cross a street. Mayvis Coyle said she began shuffling with her cane across Foothill Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley when the light was green, but was unable to make it to the other side before it turned red.
She said the motorcycle officer who ticketed her on Feb. 15 told her she was obstructing traffic.

Now, tell me what in the world is this officer thinking about? I couldn't believe when I read this article. Didn't he see her shuffling down the street? Instead of giving her a ticket he should of stop traffic for her. Doesn't this officer have better things to do than sit on his ass waiting for elderly people to walk by to give them a ticket. That just pisses me off! I am pretty sure she could fight this ticket and sue the city and get this idiot of the streets.
Instead of giving her a ticket, why not do some sort of report and make the city change the length of time the light stays green. I'm pretty sure she didn't have time because the light is too quick to change. Try to figure out how to accommodate elderly people!

If I was that lady, I would of hit him with my cane....get the hell away from me, you Nazi bastard!

Los Angeles police Sgt. Mike Zaboski of the Valley Traffic Division said police are cracking down on people who improperly cross streets because pedestrian accidents are above normal. He said he could not comment on Coyle's ticket other than to say that it is her word against that of the citing officer, identified only as Officer Kelly

Please welcome my renter!

2006-04-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome...The T stop - If you want to read about a not Conceited Bitch, blondes and brunetts, girl crushes and people lounging around at Home Depot, visit her blog and find out more.

Lady, you got some NERVE...

2006-04-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I work for a skincare company. I work in the customer care department/sales. I like working there a lot! I am really good in Sales and have really good customer care etiquette. I am always making my goals and have loyal customers. (Some even like my accent, imagine that. Some have commented that they like the tone of my voice and some have even gone ahead and said that I have a SEXY VOICE.)
And the reason is that I have very good listening skills. Which is very important in my line of work.
I actually went to nursing school and after working in that field I realize I really didn't like it. After my mom passed away I didn't want to see the inside of another hospital.

So, I went in to working as a customer service representative. And realized I was very good...I made all my sales goals and I love closing each sale.
When you are a good sales person, you have to believe in the product you sell. And for me our products are the top of the line. I not only sell it, but I test everything I sell. And that gives me the edge.

On the other hand I receive calls from people that shouldn't be allow to have credit cards. How in the world did you get a credit card...?
At work we have a very good policy. 60 day money back guarantee...even if the bottles are EMPTY. And believe me they take advantage of that. I don't know how our company makes money when we offer that and go beyond that to extend that guarantee. It doesn't matter if its an order that took place last year we still issue a refund on EMPTY bottles. I guess customer loyalty is more important.
Some people have the nerve to call and say; why did YOU send me another package when I didn't authorize YOU to get money out of my bank account. Oh that pisses me off...I wish I could tell them off.
First of all lady, read the fucking letter that comes with the product. The letter explains to you all about that if you buy the informercial "____" 30 day supply you are going to be enrolled in an AUTOSHIP program. READ the freaking letter people! "Oh I threw all the letters that came with the product." NO DUH. And you have the nerve to call me and ask me why I went into your bank account and take money from you. Didn't you get more product, what do you think, we're running a charity here?

Second of all, I did not go into your account and take money from you. So, do me a favor and lose the YOU shit. Its not me!
Now I have to admit, those are the BAD customers. And over all I have more good than bad.

We are a nation of CHRONIC DIETERS...Why Most People Don't Diet

2006-04-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

I was trying to find some information about why is it so hard for us to stick to a diet or a plan to loose weight. I came across some interesting articles...I have combine some facts that I wanted to share with you. Maybe we can learn something, in hopes that we stop blaming ourselves for not being able to stick to a plan. Loosing extra pounds can be hard, and not having a plan to help you makes it impossible.

By now most people's New Years resolutions are as stale as any leftover Superbowl potato chips or Christmas fruitcake. The resolve to quit smoking, or lose weight and get fit, fades quickly. They are great ideas, but the self-improvement fever lasts only a few weeks, and by March gyms across the country are cashing in on unused memberships.

Why is this? America is often described as a nation of chronic dieters. In a Jan. 16, 2006, cover article in U.S. News & World Report, suggested that Americans should 'Stop dieting. Stop obsessing about every morsel you put in your mouth, stop weighing yourself twice a day, stop letting your quest to be thin control your life." Good advice—if it were true.
The idea that Americans are obsessed with weight loss is a myth.

Americans spend $33 billion each year on weight loss—everything from fad diets, to books to exercise equipment. As impressive as the number sounds, it is not a true measure of commitment to losing weight. Books, diet plans, and Stairmasters don't make people lose weight. People make people lose weight. Spending money is easy; the problem is the follow-through.
The surprising reality is that most Americans are not dieting, and are not really trying to lose weight. If Americans were truly committed to getting fit and losing weight, they would eat less and exercise more. Yet most people steadfastly refuse to do it.

In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control reported that Americans are eating more than ever, and women in particular are eating over 300 more calories a day than they did in 1971. Two-thirds of Americans are overnight, yet fewer than one-third get regular exercise.
The simple fact is that losing weight just isn't that important to people.

A 1993 a survey found that over half of Americans said they weren't at all concerned with watching their weight, and studies show that fewer than one-quarter of Americans are dieting.

In 2002 Glamour magazine asked more than 11,000 readers what they would give up to slim down permanently. Three-quarters would not give up eating dessert, and only 41 percent would pay $3,000 to be thin forever. Almost a quarter said they would not give up anything to lose weight.

Many of us would like to lose weight in the same way we'd like to get rich by winning the lottery: We'll do it if it doesn't take too much effort. Americans don't want to take the figurative and literal steps to achieve our goals. We want to eat more and weigh less. Diet and exercise—the only proven method for effective, sustained weight loss—sounds good but takes too much willpower for most of us.

The myth that most diets fail has it exactly backward: Instead, most people fail diets. Just about any sensible diet will help a person lose weight. Blaming the diet because the dieter quit is like blaming the unused treadmill for not doing its job. The real solution isn't in fad diets or workout DVDs; the solution is in the mirror.

Okay so, let me get off my ass and go for a walk...

Wild versus Farm- or Ocean-Raised Fish?

2006-04-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

I have been eating Salmon for the last 2 months, 4 times a week. My sister found out and told me that I should be careful not too eat too much, because it can also have serious side effects! I had not heard anything to back her story up...until today. I decided I needed to do some research. Here is what I found out, which by the way SUCKS!

This is a complex issue to understand, I think. Logically we'd think farm-raised (by the way, "ocean-raised" fish is the same as "farm-raised" just a new marketing name. Farm-raised fish are fish in pens in the ocean and when this got a bad wrap they changed the name, that's all) would be better for our environment and better for us. But we have learned that farm raised means that the fish don't get lots of swimming room, are prone to disease (and therefore fed antibiotics) and can get out and infect the fish in the wild. They are also high in mercury.
Let's look at Salmon, for example, since it's an incredibly healthful fish full of omega 3s. Since Farmed Salmon are fed pellets instead of what they eat in the wild three elements are affected.
First, the food that they normally eat in the wild converts into powerful omega 3s for us; the farm raised salmon doesn't have as high nutritional value.
Second, the food they eat naturally helps them turn that beautiful pink color to which we are accustomed; the farm raised are therefore fed colorings to make them more palatable to our eye.
Finally, the food they eat affects how they taste and there is truly no comparison in flavor or texture.

Therefore, farm-raised fish doesn't have the health benefits of Wild fish. Therefore, farm-raised salmon doesn't have the color of natural salmon and they are fed colorings to help make the salmon palatable for our plates.
"Wild salmon become pink by eating sea creatures like krill, which contain a carotenoid called astaxanthin. Farmed salmon are naturally grayish but turn pink when they are fed various sources of astaxanthin, including one that is chemically synthesized and others that originate from yeast or microalgae.

Easter has been cancelled...

2006-04-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Yeah I know it's Easter...But why do we need a specific day to give thanks to God for sending His Son to die for us? Shouldn't we have Easter in our hearts everyday?

What does a bunny have anything to do with Easter, can someone tell me that?

Another thing, why do you guys look for eggs, (Easter egg hunt) on Easter? It doesn't make sense, I don't see the connection?

Why do you color dye the eggs?

Why do people dress up on Easter in flower prints?

What about those "Easter gift baskets" they sell them everywhere, what is that all about?

It just doesn't make sense with all these traditions...Are they just traditions? Do people even care about the true meaning of Easter? How has it impacted your life or has it? Is it just another day in the calendar another celebration of something. Another commercialised day where people can spend money? Does it have any meaning for you...Did the son of God giving his life for all of us, has that any impact on you?

If not why do you take part in the celebration?

Inquiring minds want to know....

Lesbian love that's undercover...

2006-04-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

Dragon and I have been together for about 6 1/2 years. I don't think I have ever been as sure about something as it was when we decided to move in together. She is my best friend, my lover and my family. With her I am complete! She is an amazing person, and an amazing partner. We don't have secrets from eachother (atleast I don't). We have a wonderful open communication, we spend time and make time to talk. If there is something either of us has done that has hurt us or has crossed the line we always make a point in letting the other know. We are a team, and we both make eachother very happy.

She is my first "girlfriend" now partner. But not my first lesbian experience. Before her I had an experience with someone that was very close to me. We were both "curious" so, we experimented with eachother. Oh man, that was a good experience, after that I knew I no longer wanted to date men. I was attracted to women and NOW I knew I was a Lesbian. No doubts about it. I love everything about my sexuality and my attraction to women. I am not attracted to "butch" type women. I found myself attracted to very feminine women and their sexuality made me quiver. I found out I was attracted to the sexuality a women has. Her sexy way about holding things, her tone of voice when she speaks, moves, and the softness of her skin. I was like a kid...Experiencing a candy store for the first time! Oh those breast...am getting weak just thinking about them. If there is something I totally crave and desire is a woman's breast and her soft lips...Softness that takes control of every sense in my body.
Oh loving a woman is like a pandoras box, full of surprises. Amazing things you discover when you make love to a woman. Your touch her touching your skin making you melt as she explores your body. From that moment on I knew I WOULDN'T EVER DATE A MAN AGAIN. My life totally changed and I was welcoming that change. I was enjoying the new scents and the new taste I was experiencing. As I ran my tongue all over her body, each part of her body tasted and smelled different from the other. What an amazing NEW experience. And it was a wonderful new thing. If you are a lesbian you know what I am talking about...

I met Dragon, she wasn't what I was expecting. She is a little tomboyish for my taste. But after getting to know her, I wanted more.
And more I got. When we first kissed after our fourth date, I knew I wanted to know this person even more.
Time passed and we decided to go on an over night trip to the mountains. This may I mention was her plan...She wanted to get me in bed, and have her way with me. :)

The first time we ever made love it was magical...She showed me new things I had not experience before. And I was amazed that there would still be more things that I could experience. It was a very romantic getaway...But, I wont go into details. Because she might not approve of it. All I have to say is...That it has been 6 1/2 yrs. And we are still together and we keep making our love grow more and more each day.
Yes, women are more complicated and more fascinating than any men I have ever dated.
Dragon, has made my life complete and our love limitless vast of possibilities.

I would like to share with you guys something she made me for one of our anniversaries. I think you will enjoy it. She is very creative and wonderful. She always manages to amaze me. So, enjoy it. Please click here to view it.

If you haven't found that person that makes you change your life, I urge you to be on the look out. Loving someone is an amazing, a very important part of ones life. We need to feel love and be love as well to love. Cheers to LOVE!

Manolo Blanco...say what??

2006-04-14T16:38:00.000-07:00

When Carrie Bradshaw, the shoe-loving central character of the HBO TV series Sex And The City, took a wrong turn after lunch in SoHo she found herself on one of New York’s grungier side streets and face-to-face with a mugger. “Please sir,” she pleaded. “You can take my Fendi baguette, you can take my ring and my watch, but don’t take my Manolo Blahniks.”

Last night we went out for drinks with a couple of friends and Dragon's boss. We were drinking having a really good time. All of a sudden, Dragon's boss starts talking about some lady in stilettos. I looked at Dragon...and on our way home, I turn to Dragon and said "I think your boss is GAY". And she looks at me, and ask why do you say that? He was talking about stilettos!
What "straight guy talks about stilettos. If they would have seen a girl on stilettos they wouldn't have remeber the shoes. They would most likely say; "did you see that sexy girl". In their minds what kind of shoe she was wearing wouldn't have matter. Atleast that's what I think.
Dragon said I don't think his gay...and this is the funny part. She said, a gay man would not have just said stilettos. He would of actually mention the brand, for example "Manolo Blancos". What the hell? Are you trying to say, "Manolo Blahniks??" It was so funny...because she was actually very serious. Oh lord she is really GAY! If I ever had any doubts in my mind, this cleared it up for sure. We started laughing so hard...all the way home.

But the question is still there, is he GAY? What do you guys think?