St. Teresa of the Andes was wise beyond her years! I really like her belief that God alone suffices. She felt that only God could meet all her needs.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
St. Teresa of the Andes
St. Teresa of the Andes was wise beyond her years! I really like her belief that God alone suffices. She felt that only God could meet all her needs.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sarah Palin
Here's an article stating that Sarah Palin was baptized a Catholic but her family attended Protestant churches during her childhood. I think we need to pray for Sarah and her family as they are now in such an intense spotlight.
http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/781115.html
http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/781115.html
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Vegetarian Cooking
Forty years ago, vegetarianism was out of the mainstream of society. Now in 2008, vegetarianism has gained wide acceptance although some people have some misconceptions about the subject. Contrary to popular belief, it is acceptable to eliminate meat and fish from your diet and still remain healthy. Another myth that I have encountered is that vegetarians eat chicken and fish but not beef. Although many people vary in their approach to vegetarianism, the majority of vegetarians do not eat chicken or fish because they don’t eat anything that has to be killed. The reasons many people give for becoming vegetarian vary from health concerns, religious or ethical reasons, or animal rights. I became a vegetarian because vegetarian cooking is a hobby of mine and has health benefits too. I was raised as a carnivore and my maternal grandfather was a commercial fisherman. I switched to a vegetarian diet in my mid-twenties. One of the questions I come across in making the switch is how do you incorporate changes to your diet. My general advice is to make changes to your diet gradually and not go vegetarian all at once. Take time to read about the subject and purchase some cookbooks or get vegetarian recipes off of the internet. Experiment and see which recipes you like and don’t like. Vegetarian cooking is an art form that you have to master slowly but surely.
A popular question that is asked of vegetarians is, do you ever miss eating meat? For me, I do not ever get a craving for meat or fish now that I’m a vegetarian because there have been times where I’ve went back and ate fish or chicken and now those foods have a horrible taste and therefore I have no appetite for them. I believe that after you’ve eaten meat or fish for a while you grow accustomed to the taste and I feel that TVP (texturized vegetable protein) tastes better. For those who are non-vegetarians, TVP is vegetable protein that is texturized to have the consistency and look of beef, turkey or chicken. Tofu is another product that vegetarians use to replace meat or fish. Tofu by itself has a bland taste and it takes skill to learn how to cook successfully with it. Last fall I made Tofu Pumpkin Pie and I know many people will think it sounds unappealing. Believe it or not Tofu Pumpkin Pie tastes the same as traditional pumpkin pie recipes! In addition, I have made a tofu quiche that tastes identical to quiches made with eggs. My motive for experimenting with tofu is that I wanted to make comfort foods and using tofu instead of eggs reduces cholesterol.
The trick with vegetarian cooking is that you can make a vegetarian counterfeit of almost every meat recipe although steak eaters will be disappointed to know they have not invented a vegetarian alternative for T-bone steak. One of the best vegetarian substitutions for steak is Portobello mushrooms. You can still have cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and veggie brats. The cookbooks that I recommend are all of Linda McCartney’s cookbooks and Christina Pirello’s cookbooks. McCartney’s cookbook has lacto-ovo-vegetarian recipes while Pirello’s features vegan recipes. Veganism takes a stricter approach to removing animal products through eliminating dairy products from the diet. Furthermore, lacto-ovo vegetarian’s diets include dairy products. Finally, one recipe that I will share is an adaptation of a favorite food from my childhood. My maternal grandmother used to make and sell pasties. Pasties are a meat pie and the ingredients include ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions wrapped in a pie crust. Here’s my vegetarian version of this dish. You can vary the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Vegetarian Pasties
1 package of Morningstar Farms ® Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles or 4 veggie burgers grounded
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
3 or 4 carrots, peeled and diced
1 small onion, diced
½ stalk of celery diced
2 9 inch pastry crusts rolled into a circle to fit a 9 inch pie pan
First use any pie pastry recipe of your preference to make the 2 nine inch pastry crusts or use any ready made pastry crusts. Do not use pastry recipes containing graham crackers or oat meal. To make the filling: combine the chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and grounded veggie burgers in a large bowl. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, or garlic to your preference. Then place one nine inch pie pastry into the pie pan then add the filling. Afterwards, place the other nine inch pastry crust on top and seal. Cut two or three small holes in the top crust to vent. Place pie into a 350ยบ oven and bake for about 45-60 min. Another thing you can try is to take one of the nine inch pastry crusts and place it on a large cookie sheet and place some filling on half of the crust and fold the remaining crust over the top and seal to make individual pasties. To make smaller portions cut 1, 9 inch pie crust into four pieces place filling and then seal.
After vegetarian pasties are done, enjoy! One suggestion that I make when eating these pasties is to pour a little ketchup on top of the pie. Yum!
A popular question that is asked of vegetarians is, do you ever miss eating meat? For me, I do not ever get a craving for meat or fish now that I’m a vegetarian because there have been times where I’ve went back and ate fish or chicken and now those foods have a horrible taste and therefore I have no appetite for them. I believe that after you’ve eaten meat or fish for a while you grow accustomed to the taste and I feel that TVP (texturized vegetable protein) tastes better. For those who are non-vegetarians, TVP is vegetable protein that is texturized to have the consistency and look of beef, turkey or chicken. Tofu is another product that vegetarians use to replace meat or fish. Tofu by itself has a bland taste and it takes skill to learn how to cook successfully with it. Last fall I made Tofu Pumpkin Pie and I know many people will think it sounds unappealing. Believe it or not Tofu Pumpkin Pie tastes the same as traditional pumpkin pie recipes! In addition, I have made a tofu quiche that tastes identical to quiches made with eggs. My motive for experimenting with tofu is that I wanted to make comfort foods and using tofu instead of eggs reduces cholesterol.
The trick with vegetarian cooking is that you can make a vegetarian counterfeit of almost every meat recipe although steak eaters will be disappointed to know they have not invented a vegetarian alternative for T-bone steak. One of the best vegetarian substitutions for steak is Portobello mushrooms. You can still have cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and veggie brats. The cookbooks that I recommend are all of Linda McCartney’s cookbooks and Christina Pirello’s cookbooks. McCartney’s cookbook has lacto-ovo-vegetarian recipes while Pirello’s features vegan recipes. Veganism takes a stricter approach to removing animal products through eliminating dairy products from the diet. Furthermore, lacto-ovo vegetarian’s diets include dairy products. Finally, one recipe that I will share is an adaptation of a favorite food from my childhood. My maternal grandmother used to make and sell pasties. Pasties are a meat pie and the ingredients include ground beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions wrapped in a pie crust. Here’s my vegetarian version of this dish. You can vary the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Vegetarian Pasties
1 package of Morningstar Farms ® Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles or 4 veggie burgers grounded
3 large potatoes, peeled and diced
3 or 4 carrots, peeled and diced
1 small onion, diced
½ stalk of celery diced
2 9 inch pastry crusts rolled into a circle to fit a 9 inch pie pan
First use any pie pastry recipe of your preference to make the 2 nine inch pastry crusts or use any ready made pastry crusts. Do not use pastry recipes containing graham crackers or oat meal. To make the filling: combine the chopped potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and grounded veggie burgers in a large bowl. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, or garlic to your preference. Then place one nine inch pie pastry into the pie pan then add the filling. Afterwards, place the other nine inch pastry crust on top and seal. Cut two or three small holes in the top crust to vent. Place pie into a 350ยบ oven and bake for about 45-60 min. Another thing you can try is to take one of the nine inch pastry crusts and place it on a large cookie sheet and place some filling on half of the crust and fold the remaining crust over the top and seal to make individual pasties. To make smaller portions cut 1, 9 inch pie crust into four pieces place filling and then seal.
After vegetarian pasties are done, enjoy! One suggestion that I make when eating these pasties is to pour a little ketchup on top of the pie. Yum!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Compelling Reasons Not to Microchip
Imagine the capability of tracking a lost child or pet, keeping your personal information private and locating escaped prisoners. The possibilities sound very exciting but there are some negative consequences of the technology that makes this happen. The technology that I am referring to is the microchip and the procedure that is known as implantation. Jack S. Kilby invented the microchip in 1959 while working at Texas Instruments Inc.[1] Over the years improvements in design have made the microchip smaller and more efficient. Today’s microchip is a small as a grain of rice and can be implanted in a variety of things including objects, animals and people. The implantation procedure takes fifteen minutes and can be performed anywhere. In humans, the arm is generally the location for implantation. First, the person’s arm is cleansed with alcohol and a local anesthetic applied numbs the skin, second, the microchip becomes implanted into tissue under the skin via a hypodermic needle.[2] In animals, the procedure is usually the same except the area of implantation is between the shoulder blades and the neck[3]. In spite of the benefits of microchip implantation, the negative factors outweigh the advantages of implantation.
Microchip implantation causes cancer in both humans and animals. In September 2007 a report published in the Washington Post states that a series of studies going back to the mid 1990’s shows that implants spawned the growth of cancerous tumors in lab rodents.[4] Documentation shows that malignant tumors have attached to the implant or grew surrounding the implant. The microchip that is used in humans is very similar to the microchip that caused cancer in animals only the human chip can hold more information than the animal chip.[5]. Scientists state that there are several theories as to why microchips cause cancer: 1)Presence of a foreign body 2)Inflammation associated with the implantation procedure 3)Carcinogenic properties of the microchip or microchips produce cancer causing agents in the body 4)Radio frequencies from the microchip cause cancer growth.[6] Katherine Albrecht’s web site Antichips.com includes this compelling statement from Dr. Robert Benezra, director Cancer Biology Genetics Program Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: “There’s no way in the world, having read this information, that I would have one of those chips implanted in my skin, or in one of my family members. Given the preliminary data, it looks to me that there’s definitely cause for concern.” [7]
In addition to cancer, the microchip poses other health risks. Katherine Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions states that for those with microchip implants there is also a risk of internal burns as the result of electrical currents in the chip whenever undergoing a MRI. [8] Moreover, microchips are extremely difficult to remove and the procedure is often expensive, invasive, and requires anesthesia. Experts who have performed microchip removal say that the chip can migrate to other parts of the body. Once the physician has located the chip through using high- tech equipment, he or she must cut the tissue that the chip has attached itself to in order to remove it from the body. [9] Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions also cites an instance where an anonymous U. S. patient experienced pain and bruising after the removal procedure. [10] A number of people who have undergone alien abduction experiences report that they have noticed objects in their bodies afterwards. Dr. Roger Leir, author of “Aliens and the Scalpel,” has performed microchip removal surgeries on those who had alien abduction experiences. In an article written by Jack Carlson posted on AlienScalpel.com, in one surgery the chip was attached to a nerve and the patient suffered pain when Dr. Leir cut the connective tissue in order to remove the chip.[11] A few months ago, on the popular radio talk show Coast to Coast AM, Whitley Strieber and Dr, John Lerma gave an account on how Dr. Lerma performed surgery on Strieber in an effort to remove a microchip implant in Strieber’s ear but unfortunately Dr. Lerma was unable to remove all of the object because the chip moved every time the surgeon tried to grab it with the surgical instrument. [12] .Besides the health risk to humans, microchips poses a health hazard to animals as well. Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions tells of an incident where a cat died after an implantation procedure because the microchip was accidentally implanted in the cat’s brain stem and another cat had a chip accidentally implanted in its’ spinal column. The microchip can also migrate in animals' bodies and cause infection. [13]
Privacy rights and tracking lost children and criminals are commonly mentioned as the most attractive reasons to microchip. Many people do not realize that chipped people cannot be found unless a person with a scanning device is nearby and less than twelve inches away according to Albrecht’s Microchip Implants Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.[14] This reality debunks the popular idea that chipped people or things can be tracked via satellite.[15] The argument that it is a good idea to chip your beloved pet or child so that we can find them if they get lost becomes a moot point. Even though we do not possess the technology to track via satellite, microchip implantation carries a risk because some people theorize that technological advances could someday give a tyrannical government the ability to track anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. Protecting personal information and having greater access to it remains another popular argument. Information stored on a microchip can be just as easily hacked although someone who still have to be close by in order to scan the radio waves and hack into the database according to Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.[16] This technology does not protect against identity theft. Albrecht’s publication reveals that a criminal can still duplicate someone’s signal and assume their identity. Thus this technology does not keep buildings secure.[17] Medical personnel cannot scan one’s medical information stored on the chip in an emergency because the ambulance’s radio frequencies render the chip unreadable.[18] Corporations plan to convince the public that microchipping products will make their lives more convenient because consumers will not have to stand in line at stores and consumers will be able to leave the store with an item and the purchase will be automatically credited to the consumer’s credit card. However, corporations intend to track products and monitor how consumers use them once the products are in the home thus raising privacy issues[19]
In conclusion, there are more disadvantages concerning microchipping than advantages. Not only does microchipping jeopardize a person’s health, it also does not provide greater security. Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre’s web site www.spychips.com has valuable information for those who want to get involved in resisting microchip implantation. You can join their organization CASPIAN anonymously and there is no membership fee.
References
[1] Jack St. Clair Kirby. Inventor of the Week.
[2] Katherine Albrecht Ed D, Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. (August 30, 2008). p 1.
[3] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. (August 30, 2008). p 3.
[4] Todd Lewan, “Chip Implants Linked to Animal Tumors,” Washington Post .September 8.
2007. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800997_pf.html> (August 30, 2008).
[5] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com> (August 30, 2008). pp 7-9.
[6] Katherine Albrecht. Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com> (August 30, 2008). pp 8-9.
[7] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. AntiChips.com. 2008. <http://www.antichips.com > (August 30,
2008).
[8] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. (August 30, 2008). pp 23.
[9] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 23-25.
[10] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. (August 30, 2008). p 25.
[11] Jack Carlson. August 19, 1995 Surgical Procedures. 1995.
<http://www.alienscalpel.com/article1.htm> (August 30, 2008).
[12] Dr. John Lerma and Whitely Stieber. Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. March 2,
2008.
[13] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 31-33.
[14] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.<www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 36.
[15] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 36.
[16] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008).pp 35-36.
[17] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 35-36.
[18] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.<www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 27.
[19] Katherine Albrecht RFID: Tracking everything, everywhere.
<http://www.spychips.com/rfid_overview.html > 2002.
Microchip implantation causes cancer in both humans and animals. In September 2007 a report published in the Washington Post states that a series of studies going back to the mid 1990’s shows that implants spawned the growth of cancerous tumors in lab rodents.[4] Documentation shows that malignant tumors have attached to the implant or grew surrounding the implant. The microchip that is used in humans is very similar to the microchip that caused cancer in animals only the human chip can hold more information than the animal chip.[5]. Scientists state that there are several theories as to why microchips cause cancer: 1)Presence of a foreign body 2)Inflammation associated with the implantation procedure 3)Carcinogenic properties of the microchip or microchips produce cancer causing agents in the body 4)Radio frequencies from the microchip cause cancer growth.[6] Katherine Albrecht’s web site Antichips.com includes this compelling statement from Dr. Robert Benezra, director Cancer Biology Genetics Program Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: “There’s no way in the world, having read this information, that I would have one of those chips implanted in my skin, or in one of my family members. Given the preliminary data, it looks to me that there’s definitely cause for concern.” [7]
In addition to cancer, the microchip poses other health risks. Katherine Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions states that for those with microchip implants there is also a risk of internal burns as the result of electrical currents in the chip whenever undergoing a MRI. [8] Moreover, microchips are extremely difficult to remove and the procedure is often expensive, invasive, and requires anesthesia. Experts who have performed microchip removal say that the chip can migrate to other parts of the body. Once the physician has located the chip through using high- tech equipment, he or she must cut the tissue that the chip has attached itself to in order to remove it from the body. [9] Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions also cites an instance where an anonymous U. S. patient experienced pain and bruising after the removal procedure. [10] A number of people who have undergone alien abduction experiences report that they have noticed objects in their bodies afterwards. Dr. Roger Leir, author of “Aliens and the Scalpel,” has performed microchip removal surgeries on those who had alien abduction experiences. In an article written by Jack Carlson posted on AlienScalpel.com, in one surgery the chip was attached to a nerve and the patient suffered pain when Dr. Leir cut the connective tissue in order to remove the chip.[11] A few months ago, on the popular radio talk show Coast to Coast AM, Whitley Strieber and Dr, John Lerma gave an account on how Dr. Lerma performed surgery on Strieber in an effort to remove a microchip implant in Strieber’s ear but unfortunately Dr. Lerma was unable to remove all of the object because the chip moved every time the surgeon tried to grab it with the surgical instrument. [12] .Besides the health risk to humans, microchips poses a health hazard to animals as well. Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions tells of an incident where a cat died after an implantation procedure because the microchip was accidentally implanted in the cat’s brain stem and another cat had a chip accidentally implanted in its’ spinal column. The microchip can also migrate in animals' bodies and cause infection. [13]
Privacy rights and tracking lost children and criminals are commonly mentioned as the most attractive reasons to microchip. Many people do not realize that chipped people cannot be found unless a person with a scanning device is nearby and less than twelve inches away according to Albrecht’s Microchip Implants Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.[14] This reality debunks the popular idea that chipped people or things can be tracked via satellite.[15] The argument that it is a good idea to chip your beloved pet or child so that we can find them if they get lost becomes a moot point. Even though we do not possess the technology to track via satellite, microchip implantation carries a risk because some people theorize that technological advances could someday give a tyrannical government the ability to track anyone, anywhere, and at anytime. Protecting personal information and having greater access to it remains another popular argument. Information stored on a microchip can be just as easily hacked although someone who still have to be close by in order to scan the radio waves and hack into the database according to Albrecht’s Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.[16] This technology does not protect against identity theft. Albrecht’s publication reveals that a criminal can still duplicate someone’s signal and assume their identity. Thus this technology does not keep buildings secure.[17] Medical personnel cannot scan one’s medical information stored on the chip in an emergency because the ambulance’s radio frequencies render the chip unreadable.[18] Corporations plan to convince the public that microchipping products will make their lives more convenient because consumers will not have to stand in line at stores and consumers will be able to leave the store with an item and the purchase will be automatically credited to the consumer’s credit card. However, corporations intend to track products and monitor how consumers use them once the products are in the home thus raising privacy issues[19]
In conclusion, there are more disadvantages concerning microchipping than advantages. Not only does microchipping jeopardize a person’s health, it also does not provide greater security. Katherine Albrecht and Liz McIntyre’s web site www.spychips.com has valuable information for those who want to get involved in resisting microchip implantation. You can join their organization CASPIAN anonymously and there is no membership fee.
References
[1] Jack St. Clair Kirby. Inventor of the Week.
[2] Katherine Albrecht Ed D, Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.
[3] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.
[4] Todd Lewan, “Chip Implants Linked to Animal Tumors,” Washington Post .September 8.
2007. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2007/09/08/AR2007090800997_pf.html> (August 30, 2008).
[5] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com> (August 30, 2008). pp 7-9.
[6] Katherine Albrecht. Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com> (August 30, 2008). pp 8-9.
[7] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. AntiChips.com. 2008. <http://www.antichips.com > (August 30,
2008).
[8] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.
[9] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 23-25.
[10] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.
[11] Jack Carlson. August 19, 1995 Surgical Procedures. 1995.
<http://www.alienscalpel.com/article1.htm> (August 30, 2008).
[12] Dr. John Lerma and Whitely Stieber. Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. March 2,
2008.
[13] Katherine Albrecht Ed.D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 31-33.
[14] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.<www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 36.
[15] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 36.
[16] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008).pp 35-36.
[17] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008. <www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). pp 35-36.
[18] Katherine Albrecht Ed. D. Microchip Implants: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
2008.<www.AntiChips.com > (August 30, 2008). p 27.
[19] Katherine Albrecht RFID: Tracking everything, everywhere.
<http://www.spychips.com/rfid_overview.html > 2002.
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