One of our assistant pastors gave a very moving sermon this morning about the sacrifice the mothers made when the Holy Innocents were slaughtered in essence to insure Jesus lived. Father said that the death of these babies was, in a way, an offering to the beginning of our Christian faith. Father said the families lost their future and happiness because of this. Even though we can assume that God took these innocent babies into his Heavenly arms, the earthly arms of the bereaved parents ached and future generations were changed for these families.
During the election, this same pastor was a supporter of the re-elected president. I had to wonder how he could deliver such a remarkable sermon and not see the contradiction in his heart? After Mass, I complimented him on his sermon and remarked that 'holy innocents' were still being murdered today. He looked very startled and I added, 'through abortion'. He quickly agreed but said things were getting better.
Yes, there have been some changes in the mind set of people over abortion. Some clinics have closed. Even some abortion doctors and advocates have changed their mind on the procedure. These are great changes in the babies that will not die through these hands but the large picture is still too huge for the safety of the unborn. We had a chance, with a change of admininistrtion to initiate some changes but 50% of the Catholic vote decided to overlook this possibility.
Father isn't the only one of the 50% in our parish, unfortunately. One young man offered to debate anyone on the issue of re-electing the incumbant and voting in a more kindly administration when it came to the unborn. Well, we know how that turned out.
History repeats itself . . . Moses survived to take his place in Biblical history. Jesus survived to bring us Salvation. Who among the millions of unborn murdered each year had the potential from change for us? Have we already and will be be throwing away that person, too?
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Wheat problems? Would never have thought this . . .
I was browsing the books at our local Costco Store and one in particular caught my attention - The Wheat Belly Diet! Naturally, I had to pick it up and see what in the world it was all about. Seems that over the years, the wheat crop has gone through a lot of evolution with crossbreeding and such and the wheat we have today isn't anything like the wheat that was grown even fifty years ago. Many people attribute a lot of the health problems to the consumption of wheat.
Now, most diets tell us to incorporate more grains into our diet for reasons of health but I read in this book that wheat products actually increase the surge of insulin in our systems and cause us to experience hunger sooner than later. This is why the book refers to the 'wheat belly' because even with what is considered a healthy diet, today, wheat will still put on weight where we want it the least . . . in the stomach area.
Although I am not totally sold on the concept, it did make some sense to, perhaps, cut back on wheat products. Just a check of the products at the grocery store revealed that wheat byproducts show up in foods you wouldn't consider in need of wheat.
The book had a lot of interesting recipes and they weren't weird or odd, they just left out wheat. In fact, many of them incorporated a lot more good stuff which makes sense in any diet. Many times, I've checked into 'healthy eating' recipes and books and it usually starts with spending money on a lot of speciality items or appliances to make it all 'work'. These recipes were pretty common sense. My only hurdle is the family but I'm thinking that if I add one, new item to our usual diets, it may become a regular part of our diets. I was also amazed in that it didn't substitute this, that, and the other with soy products. In fact, I didn't note any use of soy in the recipes.
So, there is a very minor New Year's Resolution for my kitchen . . . trying to incorporate better, healthier food into our meals without scaring the family off and into the arms of the nearest fast food establishment.
Now, most diets tell us to incorporate more grains into our diet for reasons of health but I read in this book that wheat products actually increase the surge of insulin in our systems and cause us to experience hunger sooner than later. This is why the book refers to the 'wheat belly' because even with what is considered a healthy diet, today, wheat will still put on weight where we want it the least . . . in the stomach area.
Although I am not totally sold on the concept, it did make some sense to, perhaps, cut back on wheat products. Just a check of the products at the grocery store revealed that wheat byproducts show up in foods you wouldn't consider in need of wheat.
The book had a lot of interesting recipes and they weren't weird or odd, they just left out wheat. In fact, many of them incorporated a lot more good stuff which makes sense in any diet. Many times, I've checked into 'healthy eating' recipes and books and it usually starts with spending money on a lot of speciality items or appliances to make it all 'work'. These recipes were pretty common sense. My only hurdle is the family but I'm thinking that if I add one, new item to our usual diets, it may become a regular part of our diets. I was also amazed in that it didn't substitute this, that, and the other with soy products. In fact, I didn't note any use of soy in the recipes.
So, there is a very minor New Year's Resolution for my kitchen . . . trying to incorporate better, healthier food into our meals without scaring the family off and into the arms of the nearest fast food establishment.
1984 and more?
The book, 1984, was scary as it presented a world dominated by a few with little other than gray despair and serious problems for anyone who tried to step outside said despair. Faced with all that 2013 might hold for us, it sounds like the powers that be would like us to be a soulless society under the thumb of a few.
While the government plays games with the financial cliff, I looked into what 2013 might mean for our ordinary family. With the end of the Bush Tax Cuts, we could face up to $4,000 more in taxes. We live in California and we already know the State Government will take as much as it can from our paychecks. Obamacare could cost up to $15,000 a year and if our employer doesn't offer it, we end up on the government exchange for mediocre medical assistance for the most part. We won't even think about the long lines or the fact that a panel could be the ones deciding if we are worth the medical effort. And they already have hired more IRS agents to help insure that we are all 'blessed' with government health care. The logical refrain should be 'if this new legislation is so wonderful for the American people, why are the government officials exempt from it. If government health care is the better option, why won't we end up with an actual choice? Why is it that one will not be able to pay for better care if they have the money and inclination to do so?
Not to let a tragedy go unused, the recent shootings have expedited cries, mostly from the White House, about gun control. Now, you have to muse over this . . . It supposedly takes intelligent people to become political players in the way this country is ruled. Do any of them research their agendas to see if it is an historically valid measure? Over and over it has been shown that the stricter the gun control the more crimes happen using guns. Gun control merely disarms the private citizen and give the criminals the upper hand. Why are the American politicians so arrogant as to think that they can make this work when it has yet to work?
Between the increased taxes and elevated costs for less medical attention in the long run, we still have unemployment. The president claims we all need a college education to get ahead in the world. Besides my own college graduates, I know of others who have yet to work in the fields they trained for and, consequently, earn a lot less than they need.
I have found that many people don't totally understand the process of borrowing for student loans. Yes, the government will gladly loan whatever a student wants/needs with just a signature on the line. It comes as a surprise to many that interest starts accruing the minute ink hits the paper. We knew this and were still shocked to see a hefty $4,000 plus added to the principal balance when the first post-graduation payments came due. We had carefully planned out the financing of our children's college education about four years ago. We didn't factor in the problems that have hit the financial market over the last four years. One of our children no longer lives in the United States as he was only able to find work overseas. The other two have yet to find jobs so we have taken on the loans to stop the six percent-plus interest rates from further ballooning the balance.
We are blessed to still have work and an income coming into the home. We are heading into what we would like to eventually be our retirement years yet my husband is planning on working past age seventy . . . because we have to!
We are facing a new year but with apprehension to what it will ultimately bring. We pray for our Christian Faiths which are being forced to support abortion and contraception which is against the precepts of many faiths. We worry about getting sick and who will determine whether we have a right to get well. Some even have started storing extra food in case a time comes when it isn't readily available. This is the stuff of fiction or nightmares yet the very politicians we voted to represent us, are only grandstanding for themselves. So, is our New Year actually 2013 or a come-to-life version of the book, 1984?
While the government plays games with the financial cliff, I looked into what 2013 might mean for our ordinary family. With the end of the Bush Tax Cuts, we could face up to $4,000 more in taxes. We live in California and we already know the State Government will take as much as it can from our paychecks. Obamacare could cost up to $15,000 a year and if our employer doesn't offer it, we end up on the government exchange for mediocre medical assistance for the most part. We won't even think about the long lines or the fact that a panel could be the ones deciding if we are worth the medical effort. And they already have hired more IRS agents to help insure that we are all 'blessed' with government health care. The logical refrain should be 'if this new legislation is so wonderful for the American people, why are the government officials exempt from it. If government health care is the better option, why won't we end up with an actual choice? Why is it that one will not be able to pay for better care if they have the money and inclination to do so?
Not to let a tragedy go unused, the recent shootings have expedited cries, mostly from the White House, about gun control. Now, you have to muse over this . . . It supposedly takes intelligent people to become political players in the way this country is ruled. Do any of them research their agendas to see if it is an historically valid measure? Over and over it has been shown that the stricter the gun control the more crimes happen using guns. Gun control merely disarms the private citizen and give the criminals the upper hand. Why are the American politicians so arrogant as to think that they can make this work when it has yet to work?
Between the increased taxes and elevated costs for less medical attention in the long run, we still have unemployment. The president claims we all need a college education to get ahead in the world. Besides my own college graduates, I know of others who have yet to work in the fields they trained for and, consequently, earn a lot less than they need.
I have found that many people don't totally understand the process of borrowing for student loans. Yes, the government will gladly loan whatever a student wants/needs with just a signature on the line. It comes as a surprise to many that interest starts accruing the minute ink hits the paper. We knew this and were still shocked to see a hefty $4,000 plus added to the principal balance when the first post-graduation payments came due. We had carefully planned out the financing of our children's college education about four years ago. We didn't factor in the problems that have hit the financial market over the last four years. One of our children no longer lives in the United States as he was only able to find work overseas. The other two have yet to find jobs so we have taken on the loans to stop the six percent-plus interest rates from further ballooning the balance.
We are blessed to still have work and an income coming into the home. We are heading into what we would like to eventually be our retirement years yet my husband is planning on working past age seventy . . . because we have to!
We are facing a new year but with apprehension to what it will ultimately bring. We pray for our Christian Faiths which are being forced to support abortion and contraception which is against the precepts of many faiths. We worry about getting sick and who will determine whether we have a right to get well. Some even have started storing extra food in case a time comes when it isn't readily available. This is the stuff of fiction or nightmares yet the very politicians we voted to represent us, are only grandstanding for themselves. So, is our New Year actually 2013 or a come-to-life version of the book, 1984?
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Say it like you mean it . . .
A great point for a New Year's Resolution. Can you live it as well as say it when it comes to your belief in God?
Crossing the WaterBy Sri Ramakrishna.
A farmer's daughter duty was to carry fresh milk to customers in various villages had, one of whom was a priest. To reach his house, the milkmaid had to cross a good-sized stream. People crossed it by a sort of ferry raft, for a small fee.
One day the priest, who performed worship daily with the offering to God of fresh milk, finding it arrived very late, scolded the poor woman. "What can I do?" she said, "I start out early from my house, but I have to wait a long time for the boatman to come."
Then the priest said (pretending to be serious), "What! People have even walked across the ocean by repeating the name of God, and you can't cross this little river?" This milkmaid took him very seriously. From then on she brought the priest's milk punctually every morning. He became curious about it and asked her how it was that she was never late anymore.
"I cross the river repeating the name of the Lord," she replied, "just as you told me to do, without waiting for the ferry." The priest didn't believe her, and asked, "Can you show me this, how you cross the river on foot?" So they went together to the water and the milkmaid began to walk over it. Looking back, the woman saw that the priest had started to follow her and was floundering in the water.
"Sir!" she cried, "You are uttering the name of God, yet all the while you are holding up your clothes from getting wet. That is not trusting in God!"
Crossing the WaterBy Sri Ramakrishna.
A farmer's daughter duty was to carry fresh milk to customers in various villages had, one of whom was a priest. To reach his house, the milkmaid had to cross a good-sized stream. People crossed it by a sort of ferry raft, for a small fee.
One day the priest, who performed worship daily with the offering to God of fresh milk, finding it arrived very late, scolded the poor woman. "What can I do?" she said, "I start out early from my house, but I have to wait a long time for the boatman to come."
Then the priest said (pretending to be serious), "What! People have even walked across the ocean by repeating the name of God, and you can't cross this little river?" This milkmaid took him very seriously. From then on she brought the priest's milk punctually every morning. He became curious about it and asked her how it was that she was never late anymore.
"I cross the river repeating the name of the Lord," she replied, "just as you told me to do, without waiting for the ferry." The priest didn't believe her, and asked, "Can you show me this, how you cross the river on foot?" So they went together to the water and the milkmaid began to walk over it. Looking back, the woman saw that the priest had started to follow her and was floundering in the water.
"Sir!" she cried, "You are uttering the name of God, yet all the while you are holding up your clothes from getting wet. That is not trusting in God!"
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
“Of the Father's
love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
Oh, that birth
forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
O ye heights of
heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
This is He whom
Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
Christ, to Thee,
with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.”
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.”
~Aurelius C.
Prudentius
Monday, December 24, 2012
Banana Layer Cake - Best Use of Bananas Yet!
Against all the rules of entertaining, I decided to try a new recipe for a recent Christmas party. I was blessed as it turned out to be the best dessert of the evening so thought I would share in case anyone needs a tried and true cake recipe for their own Christmas or New Year.
Banana Sheet Cake
6 tablespoons solid shortening
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup pureed bananas - about two, large bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray or grease an 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 pan or whatever will accomodate the batter.
Combine the milk and sour cream and set aside for now.
Beat together the shortening and sugar until well-mixed and crumbly. Beat in the eggs until smooth. Add the rest of the rest of the ingredients including the milk/sour cream mixture, and beat until just mixed and smooth. Pour into the prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees until top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack before icing the cake.
Browned Butter Frosting
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter (margarine won't work!)
Approximately 3-4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a small pot, slowely melt the butter and simmer it (watching carefully!) until it JUST starts to brown and remove it immediately from the flame and pour into a mixing bowl. Beat in small amounts of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract until you get a spreadable icing. Ice the cake and refrigerate to set.
Banana Sheet Cake
6 tablespoons solid shortening
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 cup pureed bananas - about two, large bananas
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Vegetable oil spray or grease an 11 1/2 x 8 1/2 pan or whatever will accomodate the batter.
Combine the milk and sour cream and set aside for now.
Beat together the shortening and sugar until well-mixed and crumbly. Beat in the eggs until smooth. Add the rest of the rest of the ingredients including the milk/sour cream mixture, and beat until just mixed and smooth. Pour into the prepared pans and bake at 350 degrees until top is golden and springs back when lightly touched. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack before icing the cake.
Browned Butter Frosting
1 stick or 1/2 cup butter (margarine won't work!)
Approximately 3-4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a small pot, slowely melt the butter and simmer it (watching carefully!) until it JUST starts to brown and remove it immediately from the flame and pour into a mixing bowl. Beat in small amounts of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract until you get a spreadable icing. Ice the cake and refrigerate to set.
A Blessed Christmas!
The frantic weeks before Christmas should now calm down as we prepare ourselves for Christmas 2012 - the first, last, and only 2012 Christmas that will ever happen! As we wait in the Vigil of Christmas for the celebration of the Birth of Christ, tomorrow, it makes one rethink how this past year has been spent.
As we celebrate with our families, remember to give the gift of prayer to all the people whose Christmas has been changed for them over this past year, friends that have lost loved ones, people involved in tragedies and, especially, the recent event in Connecticut. Cherish the Christmas you have as the next one could entail unexpected changes.
As we celebrate with our families, remember to give the gift of prayer to all the people whose Christmas has been changed for them over this past year, friends that have lost loved ones, people involved in tragedies and, especially, the recent event in Connecticut. Cherish the Christmas you have as the next one could entail unexpected changes.
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