Our Obsession to Clean is Making Us Trashy

Cleaner is not always cleaner or green.

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cold, snow & photos

Seems our little part of northeast Ohio got hit with a lot more snow than the weather folk called for. We ended up with about 7" on wed., as it pretty much snowed nonstop. The forcaster said "maybe an inch" accumulation. Ha! Needless to say with temps dipping to 0 at night and highs in the teens during the day, we have hunkered down here for the duration, not willing go out and do battle with the wind and extreme cold. Well, with the exception of taking care of the critters and putting more seed out for the birds. It's gotten cold enough that the ducks heated water bowl has been frozen over with a thin layer of ice the past two mornings.

Shadow is loving it, though. Being a husky breed of some sort, he was made for this weather and wants to play every time one of us steps out the door. I have to laugh when I see him sprawled out in the snow taking a nap or wandering towards the woods covered in snow himself. He's certainly become a happy dog and I have no regrets in taking him in. We love the guy.

I finally uploaded some of the photos from the holidays. Here's a photo of granddaughter Destiny modeling her new poncho and hat. (Yeah, I'm showing off my handiwork, too :)


These are my precious grandsons Luke and Mike decorating the cookies Mom made . I might add, licking the icing, too. :)


Mike is very focused. I was quite impressed with the nice job they did for only being 4 and 6 year olds.


And here we have Luke showcasing his efforts.


And, I found this picture interesting for two reasons. First of all I noticed the perfect orb above the table. That isn't the first time one has shown up in a family photo. I like to think it's a relative from the other side joining in. The other novelty is I just happened to catch my youngest grandson Nick winking and didn't realize it until I looked at the photo. Too cute!

new year thoughts

Today is a new day, the first day of a new month that begins a new year. The year ahead is pure, full only of intent and unrealized potential. I lit a white candle as my small way of bringing my attention more fully to this moment in time…a time of new beginnings. White is appropriately representative of newness and purity, of wiping the slate clean. This is a time for letting go of the old year, forgiving any misunderstandings or disagreements and moving forward into the new. The candle rests in the center of a round plate, the twelve signs of the zodiac encircling the candle. It just seemed perfect and the thing to do to bring some sacredness into form…an act of appreciation for the continuing cosmic cycle of life, death and rebirth.

I am reminded by this small act that each day is a precious gift, a new beginning ripe with potential. And it is we, as individuals who can make of it what we will simply by our awareness of having that choice. I can ask myself each day, “What can I do to make the world a better place?” I may not always have a concrete answer, but the question alone will encourage an awareness that my thoughts, intentions and actions and their affects truly matter. In this way I may become more whole minded and considerate of the world around me. And that is my intention as I step into the new year.

Immersed in Chocolate

On Solstice we received the gift of water and chocolate from our niece. She did a superb job of putting together a gift package to embrace the health benefits of both from a physical and metaphysical standpoint. Very nice indeedy! The chocolate selection included not only dark, rich candies made from high percentages of cacao, but also raw cacao nibs. Then lo and behold, more rich chocolate came our way via our son's gift to Coop. So, being curious as to how I might put the nibs as well a some of the chocolate to use, I searched recipes. I found a few fairly easy recipes, even a couple that integrated the Aztec tradition of combining cacao with chili powder and/or peppers. The Aztec bark uses semi sweet chocolate as opposed to raw nibs. I can't wait to try the nib rub!



cacao nib drop cookies

chococlate shortbred with cacao nibs

Aztec Chocolate Bark

NIB RUB ON TRI TIP ROAST

Chipotle Mexican Grill is Nation's First Chain to go Entirely rBGH-Free

Survey Shows That 81 Percent of Consumers Would Prefer to Purchase
Dairy Products Produced without Added Hormones

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2007--Before the end 2007, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG and CMG.B) will no longer serve any cheese made with milk from cows treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone). That will make Chipotle the first national restaurant chain to eliminate rBGH entirely from items on its menu.

Chipotle began serving 100% rBGH-free sour cream last year, and has begun shifting to rBGH-free cheese over the last several months, a move it will complete by year-end, making 100% of its cheese rBGH-free. It also serves rBGH-free, organic milk at some of its locations.

rBGH, also called recombinant bovine somatotropin or rBST, is a synthetic hormone that stimulates milk production in dairy cattle. Use of rBGH has been banned in a number of countries, including 25 European nations, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1993, the use of the hormone in this country has been controversial for many reasons, including potential health concerns for humans and the animals treated with the hormone.

"We want to change the way the world thinks about and eats fast food," said Chipotle Founder, Chairman and CEO, Steve Ells. "Serving our customers cheese and sour cream without rBGH is the responsible thing to do. It's better for our customers, better for the animals, and better for the food system."

Today's announcement represents the latest development in Chipotle's Food With Integrity mission - a commitment to making socially responsible, gourmet food available and affordable so everyone can eat better. To that end, Chipotle now serves more naturally raised meat than any restaurant in the world - meat raised humanely without antibiotics or added growth hormones, and fed a pure vegetarian diet. Beyond naturally raised meat and rBGH-free dairy, 25 percent of the black and pinto beans Chipotle serves are organically grown.

"We care about the quality of the ingredients we are serving," said Ells. "Everyone should have access to great-quality, great-tasting food. So, we look for ingredients that are grown and raised with care and respect."

According to the results of a recent survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, 81 percent of respondents would prefer to buy dairy products derived from cows that do not receive synthetic hormones, assuming little or no pricing difference. Other findings from the Opinion Research Corporation survey include:

• Of those who said they would not prefer to buy rBGH-free dairy products, 64 percent said that they would buy rBGH-free dairy products if the synthetic hormone was linked to health issues with humans, and 42 percent said they would if the use of rBGH was linked to health issues with dairy cattle.
• Fifty-eight percent of respondents were aware that many dairy cows in this country are treated with rBGH.
• Nearly half of those who had no preference said they would prefer to buy rBGH-free dairy products if they knew the hormone was banned in a number of other countries.

"Chipotle has been making positive changes to the food supply system for a number of years, and we're extremely pleased that they've chosen to make being rBGH-free part of that commitment," said Rick North, director of the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility's Campaign for Safe Food, a non-profit group that's been collaborating on a nationwide education campaign opposing rBGH. "As consumers become more aware of the issues associated with rBGH use and the alternatives companies like Chipotle are providing, they are clearly stating their preference for rBGH-free dairy products."

About Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG and CMG.B) offers a focused menu of burritos, tacos, burrito bowls (a burrito without the tortilla) and salads made from fresh, high-quality raw ingredients, prepared using classic cooking methods and served in a distinctive atmosphere. Through our vision of Food with Integrity, Chipotle is seeking better food not only from a variety of fresh ingredients, but ingredients that are sustainably grown and naturally raised with respect for animals, the land, and the farmers who produce the food. Chipotle opened its first restaurant in 1993 and operates more than 670 restaurants today. For more information, visit www.chipotle.com.

CONTACT: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chris Arnold, 303-222-5912 carnold@chipotle.com

SOURCE: Chipotle Mexican Grill

Flying Spaghetti Monster Cookies

fsmcookies8
Originally uploaded by fsmcookies

For the Pastafarians out there...wish I had seen this prior to the holidays! But would make a tasty treat for any Friday. Arrrr! :)))

Can New Kind of Chocolate Make People Happier?

This company is seeking people who want to test a new kind of chocolate (all natural) derived from the way the ancient Mexicans made their legendary cacao drinks. It's free but you have to give them feedback.

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