Tromp, tromp, tromp, whoooosh - "Aaaahhhh!" Splat! "Ouch!" Tromp, tromp, tr-"Ahhhh!" Thwack! Thud! "Ohhhhh . . ."
If this were an old-time radio program, those would be the sound effects for early this morning (about 4:45 am) when I went out to dig out my car so that I could make it to Liberty for my first PT test. As you may have already guessed, I now have an excellent excuse for still being at home, and missing my test.
It started out innocently enough, just as these things always do. I got up at 4:15 (the test is/was at 5:30), showered, dressed, then decided that it would be very wise to get Flavia dug out from her snowy captivity before having breakfast. After all, like the good little cadet that I am, I did not want to be late, even though I was dreading the test.
My apartment complex, unfortunately, does not shovel the steps to the side of the building, where my apartment is (this is not a complaint against them, just an explanation - most complexes wouldn't shovel that area). So, I began my morning escapade with a short trip down the steps. That was fine, actually - there is enough snow there that I just twisted my knee a little. I laughed at myself, then headed for the main sidewalk and . . . the patch of ice that I never saw. That would be the "whoooooosh". I did a grand little slide on the unseen ice, landing directly on my knees, on the sidewalk (which, by the way, had been shoveled). No snow cushion there, so my knees got nicely skinned up. Still, I felt safe continuing on my mission . . .
That's where the second "Ahhhh!" and the thwack come in. My left food got caught in one of the huge piles of snow surrounding my car, as I was using my brush to try to break the heavy snow and ice off of the windshield. I did a grand little pirouette, neatly twisting my bad ankle, then finished my routine by smacking my left hand into the mirror, and then hitting the ground. Had this been a 1920's slapstick film, it would have been very funny. I can well imagine Harold Lloyd or Buster Keaton doing the exact same thing that I did. The big difference, of course, is the finish. Either of them would have walked jauntily away, and then probably conclude by getting nearly hit by a train. I, on the other hand, was in too much pain to walk, so I did sort of a crawl all the way back up to my apartment.
Now let's go over the list of injuries from today, keeping in mind that the day is yet young, with plenty of time still for me to get hit by a falling anvil, or some other such additional delight. Now, apparently the fall down the steps was not completely injury-less: I think that is where I attained the bump on my left elbow. From the ice, I have two skinned up knees and a bump on my shin. From the grand finale, I have a twisted, swollen ankle and a very patriotic left hand. The back of my entire left hand is swollen, as well as red and blue. The injury which hurts and looks the worst, so far, is definitely the hand. It's positively a work of art! I'll have to take a picture later to show just how gorgeous this hand is.
I think I have earned the right to spend the morning back in bed.
Monday, February 8, 2010
No Need for Bookmarks!
Do you think Jasper is trying to tell me to focus on someone furry rather than on the English middle class during 1780-1850?
The Best Way to Serve Asparagus
According to my dad, the answer to this would be "not at all," but I definitely disagree. Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables, and I have about a dozen ways that I like to fix it. This is probably my favorite:
First, make sure that you buy the best asparagus. Contrary to what some people may believe, you DO NOT want the fattest stalks. Go for the longest, skinniest stalks that you can find - these will have the best flavor and texture. Farmers' markets and roadside stands at farms are the best places to get good asparagus, of course, but you can still find some palatable stalks in your local grocery store.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spread some olive oil on a cookie sheet. After rinsing your asparagus stalks thoroughly and chopping off about one inch of the bottom (this section has little flavor), line up the stalks side by side on the cookie sheet. You'll want to place them as close together as possible without being on top of one another. Next, slice up a large white or yellow onion. Spread the rings so that they cover the asparagus. Sprinkle on some minced garlic (a staple in my kitchen), a generous amount of parsley, some sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. I like to sprinkle a bit of six pepper blend on next, but some people (such as my mother) may find this too spicy for them. Next, sprinkle on some crumbled feta (another staple for me) and some shredded parmesan (the powdery Kraft stuff is okay, but it will not taste nearly as delicious). Bake this delightful concoction in the oven for 18 minutes. Since I love baked onions, I go nuts over this dish!
I do not recommend serving this if you have plans to kiss anyone immediately after eating, as the garlic and onions will give you horrible breath. If you're worried about your breath, chew a fresh sprig of parsley after eating, then gargle with mouthwash with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in.
This is what it should look like before going into the oven. I forgot to photograph it again after it came out, as I was too eager to consume it!
First, make sure that you buy the best asparagus. Contrary to what some people may believe, you DO NOT want the fattest stalks. Go for the longest, skinniest stalks that you can find - these will have the best flavor and texture. Farmers' markets and roadside stands at farms are the best places to get good asparagus, of course, but you can still find some palatable stalks in your local grocery store.
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Lightly spread some olive oil on a cookie sheet. After rinsing your asparagus stalks thoroughly and chopping off about one inch of the bottom (this section has little flavor), line up the stalks side by side on the cookie sheet. You'll want to place them as close together as possible without being on top of one another. Next, slice up a large white or yellow onion. Spread the rings so that they cover the asparagus. Sprinkle on some minced garlic (a staple in my kitchen), a generous amount of parsley, some sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. I like to sprinkle a bit of six pepper blend on next, but some people (such as my mother) may find this too spicy for them. Next, sprinkle on some crumbled feta (another staple for me) and some shredded parmesan (the powdery Kraft stuff is okay, but it will not taste nearly as delicious). Bake this delightful concoction in the oven for 18 minutes. Since I love baked onions, I go nuts over this dish!
I do not recommend serving this if you have plans to kiss anyone immediately after eating, as the garlic and onions will give you horrible breath. If you're worried about your breath, chew a fresh sprig of parsley after eating, then gargle with mouthwash with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in.
This is what it should look like before going into the oven. I forgot to photograph it again after it came out, as I was too eager to consume it!
Graduate Textbooks: Facts and Advice for Future Grad Students
Many incoming graduate students worry about the amount of reading and other work that will be required of them. Obviously, I can only answer for the history graduate students. Below is a modest estimate of the amount of reading you can expect to do each semester:
The first stack are just the books required for the three classes that I am taking. The second (slighter shorter) stack is just the books that I am using for my two largest papers. As my two largest papers are on the same topic (this is perfectly acceptable as one is an argumentative paper, and the other is a bibliographical paper), I am using the same books for both papers. Otherwise, this second stack would be twice as tall as it is already. Actually, these are not even all of the books that I'll be using for those papers; another ten books have yet to arrive through interlibrary loan. Also, keep in mind that these are just the secondary sources; for the argumentative paper, I have a whole stack of primary sources which I will be using.
Graduate textbooks, as you may have already figured out, represent a significant financial investment in addition to the time investment. This semester alone, my books have totaled over $1,000 - and many of them are used. In order to progress in the field of history, one must compile a sizable personal library. This means that history grad students do not have the luxury of just borrowing our textbooks - we need to get good copies that we can keep to build up our libraries for the future. Not all of the books will used in our future careers, of course, but they are good to hold onto regardless. Since the books are such a large financial investment, I have found a few ideas for other uses of textbooks, in order to make them more cost-efficient:
For those with indoor pets, graduate textbooks can be used to build an attractive doghouse for your pet's enjoyment.
Did your graduate textbooks deplete your furniture budget? Not to worry; textbooks can be used in a myriad of attractive and functional furniture designs, such as the table and chair seen above.
Ever wonder what could possibly be more fun than building a house of cards? Building a house of textbooks, of course! Think of all the money you'll save on entertainment. No more dull Saturday nights!
The first stack are just the books required for the three classes that I am taking. The second (slighter shorter) stack is just the books that I am using for my two largest papers. As my two largest papers are on the same topic (this is perfectly acceptable as one is an argumentative paper, and the other is a bibliographical paper), I am using the same books for both papers. Otherwise, this second stack would be twice as tall as it is already. Actually, these are not even all of the books that I'll be using for those papers; another ten books have yet to arrive through interlibrary loan. Also, keep in mind that these are just the secondary sources; for the argumentative paper, I have a whole stack of primary sources which I will be using.Graduate textbooks, as you may have already figured out, represent a significant financial investment in addition to the time investment. This semester alone, my books have totaled over $1,000 - and many of them are used. In order to progress in the field of history, one must compile a sizable personal library. This means that history grad students do not have the luxury of just borrowing our textbooks - we need to get good copies that we can keep to build up our libraries for the future. Not all of the books will used in our future careers, of course, but they are good to hold onto regardless. Since the books are such a large financial investment, I have found a few ideas for other uses of textbooks, in order to make them more cost-efficient:
For those with indoor pets, graduate textbooks can be used to build an attractive doghouse for your pet's enjoyment.
Did your graduate textbooks deplete your furniture budget? Not to worry; textbooks can be used in a myriad of attractive and functional furniture designs, such as the table and chair seen above.
Ever wonder what could possibly be more fun than building a house of cards? Building a house of textbooks, of course! Think of all the money you'll save on entertainment. No more dull Saturday nights!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
A Piece of Childhood
The first book that I ever read, besides of course short and silly favorites like Dr.Seuss, was called The Christmas Dog. I remember that my mother read it to me once, and then I battled my way through it (I was only 5 or 6, and the book is 64 pages long) until I had read it all by myself. I was so proud that I didn't need help. It was like all the mysteries and spells of the English language were broken in the reading of that one book. Suddenly, I could read anything and everything (and believe me, I did). The Christmas Dog remained my favorite for a few years, and remains in my thoughts to this day. My enjoyment of the book even went beyond reading it; I reenacted it so many times as a child, that I still have the entire story-line memorized!
Somehow or other, my copy of this book was lost somewhere around my fourth or fifth grade years. I felt the loss of the book acutely - it was like losing the very dear friend who gave me the world. After all, it was this book that gave me that last necessary key to open the world of reading. I searched in vain, but I never found my book (partly owing to the fact that I could not remember the name of the author, and partly because other books exist with the same title). Over the many years that passed, I never forgot my book either.
Repeatedly, as an adult, I made efforts to find this book once again. I tried libraries, bookstores, online; no one had heard of this book. Last week, I found myself unable to get this book out of my mind. Various things kept reminding me: the snow, which features prominently in the book, hearing someone say the name of one of the characters, even just seeing my own dog. I knew that I just had to locate that very special book.
So, using some of the excellent research tools at my disposal, I began to hunt down my book. An hour later, I located a record of it: The Christmas Dog by Jan M. Robinson, written in 1969, now out of print. I searched and searched through used books online until finally, I found a copy of my book for sale. Yesterday, it arrived. I didn't have time to read it or look at it very much then, so I put it on the table to admire later. Today, as I sat down to breakfast, I pulled out my book and opened it to glance through at the still-familiar illustrations I have not seen in over fifteen years. The inside cover gave me a tremendous shock:
Written in black ink are my initials. I don't know for certain if this is the same copy I once owned, but it is possible. Even if it isn't, it's still a remarkable coincidence. This book and I were meant to be together.
Somehow or other, my copy of this book was lost somewhere around my fourth or fifth grade years. I felt the loss of the book acutely - it was like losing the very dear friend who gave me the world. After all, it was this book that gave me that last necessary key to open the world of reading. I searched in vain, but I never found my book (partly owing to the fact that I could not remember the name of the author, and partly because other books exist with the same title). Over the many years that passed, I never forgot my book either.
Repeatedly, as an adult, I made efforts to find this book once again. I tried libraries, bookstores, online; no one had heard of this book. Last week, I found myself unable to get this book out of my mind. Various things kept reminding me: the snow, which features prominently in the book, hearing someone say the name of one of the characters, even just seeing my own dog. I knew that I just had to locate that very special book.
So, using some of the excellent research tools at my disposal, I began to hunt down my book. An hour later, I located a record of it: The Christmas Dog by Jan M. Robinson, written in 1969, now out of print. I searched and searched through used books online until finally, I found a copy of my book for sale. Yesterday, it arrived. I didn't have time to read it or look at it very much then, so I put it on the table to admire later. Today, as I sat down to breakfast, I pulled out my book and opened it to glance through at the still-familiar illustrations I have not seen in over fifteen years. The inside cover gave me a tremendous shock:
Written in black ink are my initials. I don't know for certain if this is the same copy I once owned, but it is possible. Even if it isn't, it's still a remarkable coincidence. This book and I were meant to be together.
Comfort Food for the Snowed-in Student
Today I hit upon two ideas so delicious that I am at a loss to explain how they never before entered my mind. And, of course, both were healthy and nearly sugar-free.
The first was a delightful little mid-morning snack that hit the spot so well, I had to have it again for my lunch. It is such a simple idea, too! I mixed sugar-free tapioca pudding with sugar-free vanilla pudding, and then added sliced-up strawberries. Ambrosia in a bowl! Why did I never before think of this? Another treat that I'll be indulging in tomorrow is the Jello that I fixed. No, not your typical boring Jello. I like to mix one package of the sugar-free cranberry with a package of sugar-free raspberry, and then add real fruit. In this instance, I put in pre-pitted sweet cherries (all berries are low on the glycemic index, thus making them a dietary staple for me).
For dinner, I had teriyaki pork loin that I cooked in my crockpot for about five hours. It was so tender and moist that the meat practically disintegrated on the fork! Teriyaki sauce is usually sugary, but I learned today that it still comes out very well using agave nectar. My usual sweeteners are Sweet 'n Low for coffee and tea, and Splenda for everything else. Agave nectar is better, and has the wonderful attributes of not affecting blood sugar at all, as well as being 100% natural and good for you. Unfortunately, it is also expensive and difficult to find. I try to reserve it for special dishes. Today, as I am once again snowed-in, I felt it was a great day for using agave nectar.
Tomorrow, I'm planning to fix a sugar-free stir-fry for my lunch. The great thing about stir-frying is that you can use up any leftover meats, and nearly all vegetables do well when cooked this way. Now, sadly, I can no longer have carrots or baby corn in my stir-fries, but there are a whole host of other vegetables at my disposal. Carrots and baby corn (or any corn), obviously, are too high on the glycemic index - both are pure starch and not only affect blood sugar, but also entice the body into putting on more weight. Raw carrots are okay in moderation, but they lose all nutritive value when cooked. To play it safe, I just gave them up altogether. The benefits found in raw carrots can also be found in other vegetables which are lower on the glycemic index, as well as being more versatile (i.e. you can cook them without losing nutritive value).
Aside from eating comfort foods and indulging in a DVD, today was also a great day for getting some of my reading done. One of my professors, sadly, has an apparent desire to kill off students by means of the books he has chosen. The past two were so dull that they made me want to stick my head in the oven (which really would have done no good, since I have an electric oven, but I'm sure you catch my meaning). The most recent book, a work on consumer society during Fin-de-Siecle France, seems a bit more promising so far, for which I am duly grateful. My other professors, thankfully, have been far kinder in their reading choices, choosing books which are both informative as well as interesting.
Tomorrow, I will be focusing my reading efforts on some of the books I'm using for my largest paper of the semester. As the paper is over a topic that I find fascinating (the work of Britain's Special Operations Executive during WWII), I am looking forward to delving deep into research. I'll come up for air long enough for meals, but I intend to get 10-12 hours of research under my belt tomorrow, as opposed to my usual 6-8 hours. Yes, I really spend that much time reading each day, AND still find time to cook, clean, do DIY projects, get in shape for the Army, spend time with Jasper, and maintain my blog. What can I say, I'm Superwoman! Or, I don't have cable, have no social life, and have given up on the luxury of 8 hours of sleep per night.
Well, time to indulge in a little me-time. I have a Victorian novel and a hot bath waiting. Fin-de-Siecle France can get by without me for awhile - I'll pick it up again on Sunday.
UPDATE: I just learned that I spent the day reading the wrong book - the one I read won't be used for another week. Great; now I have another book to read: the correct one!
The first was a delightful little mid-morning snack that hit the spot so well, I had to have it again for my lunch. It is such a simple idea, too! I mixed sugar-free tapioca pudding with sugar-free vanilla pudding, and then added sliced-up strawberries. Ambrosia in a bowl! Why did I never before think of this? Another treat that I'll be indulging in tomorrow is the Jello that I fixed. No, not your typical boring Jello. I like to mix one package of the sugar-free cranberry with a package of sugar-free raspberry, and then add real fruit. In this instance, I put in pre-pitted sweet cherries (all berries are low on the glycemic index, thus making them a dietary staple for me).
For dinner, I had teriyaki pork loin that I cooked in my crockpot for about five hours. It was so tender and moist that the meat practically disintegrated on the fork! Teriyaki sauce is usually sugary, but I learned today that it still comes out very well using agave nectar. My usual sweeteners are Sweet 'n Low for coffee and tea, and Splenda for everything else. Agave nectar is better, and has the wonderful attributes of not affecting blood sugar at all, as well as being 100% natural and good for you. Unfortunately, it is also expensive and difficult to find. I try to reserve it for special dishes. Today, as I am once again snowed-in, I felt it was a great day for using agave nectar.
Tomorrow, I'm planning to fix a sugar-free stir-fry for my lunch. The great thing about stir-frying is that you can use up any leftover meats, and nearly all vegetables do well when cooked this way. Now, sadly, I can no longer have carrots or baby corn in my stir-fries, but there are a whole host of other vegetables at my disposal. Carrots and baby corn (or any corn), obviously, are too high on the glycemic index - both are pure starch and not only affect blood sugar, but also entice the body into putting on more weight. Raw carrots are okay in moderation, but they lose all nutritive value when cooked. To play it safe, I just gave them up altogether. The benefits found in raw carrots can also be found in other vegetables which are lower on the glycemic index, as well as being more versatile (i.e. you can cook them without losing nutritive value).
Aside from eating comfort foods and indulging in a DVD, today was also a great day for getting some of my reading done. One of my professors, sadly, has an apparent desire to kill off students by means of the books he has chosen. The past two were so dull that they made me want to stick my head in the oven (which really would have done no good, since I have an electric oven, but I'm sure you catch my meaning). The most recent book, a work on consumer society during Fin-de-Siecle France, seems a bit more promising so far, for which I am duly grateful. My other professors, thankfully, have been far kinder in their reading choices, choosing books which are both informative as well as interesting.
Tomorrow, I will be focusing my reading efforts on some of the books I'm using for my largest paper of the semester. As the paper is over a topic that I find fascinating (the work of Britain's Special Operations Executive during WWII), I am looking forward to delving deep into research. I'll come up for air long enough for meals, but I intend to get 10-12 hours of research under my belt tomorrow, as opposed to my usual 6-8 hours. Yes, I really spend that much time reading each day, AND still find time to cook, clean, do DIY projects, get in shape for the Army, spend time with Jasper, and maintain my blog. What can I say, I'm Superwoman! Or, I don't have cable, have no social life, and have given up on the luxury of 8 hours of sleep per night.
Well, time to indulge in a little me-time. I have a Victorian novel and a hot bath waiting. Fin-de-Siecle France can get by without me for awhile - I'll pick it up again on Sunday.
UPDATE: I just learned that I spent the day reading the wrong book - the one I read won't be used for another week. Great; now I have another book to read: the correct one!
Mob Mentality, Experienced from the Middle
I've often read about mob mentality and the breakdown of social order. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to experience it firsthand, from somewhere inside the middle of the mob. I saw horrible things that will likely haunt my dreams for several nights to come, and barely emerged from the experience with my life. Yes, that's right, I bravely went grocery shopping at Walmart in preparation for a weekend that will likely be spent snowed-in.
No grocery shopping experience can compare to the adventure one has down south when there is about to be snow. People go absolutely stark raving mad, and forget all about such things as etiquette. Not since the last time I endured a fair have I witnessed so much rudeness and shoving. You'd think that the safety and security of the free world depended on attaining the last loaf of bread!
Walmart, which normally carries just about everything, was marked by a notable absence of food and an over-abundance of people. I was pushed one way and then another as I tried to steer my cart through the insanity without crushing any of the many unattended children. I walked in shock past the empty center displays, which usually hold liter after liter of soda, and large quantities of sugary snacks. The large bin which ordinarily overflows with eggs now only held about six remaining cartons, two of which were missing eggs. I was able to grab one full carton before being shoved away by yet another offensively ill-mannered patron.
From there, I went in search of my favorite low-sugar yogurt, with no luck. The yogurt section was COMPLETELY empty, save for a Michael Jackson calender that someone had apparently changed his or her mind about, and had lazily stuffed into the refrigerated section. Two lone cartons of orange juice huddled together further down, apparently hoping to find safety in numbers. The cheese section looked as if it had been attacked by an angry horde of machete-wielding guerrillas - loose cheese was everywhere, and a non-abused package was hard to locate. Fortunately, I am evidently the only person in the area who uses fat-free cheddar in her cooking, as that row of packages had managed to survive the Great Cheese Slaughter of 2010.
The cereal aisle had fared little better than the cheese section. The afore-mentioned hostile machete-wielding guerrillas had been there, too. Loose cereal littered the aisle, as did what I first assumed to be blood, but then discovered was red juice. Once again, my healthy taste in food was lucky for me - all of the bran flakes had survived unscathed. I bypassed the tribal warfare taking place in the cookie aisle (a few people were having a heated argument over ownership of the last box of a particular brand of cookie), and proceeded to the canned vegetables, which I then wisely decided to also bypass, after witnessing further "war crimes" taking place. I hastily grabbed as many undamaged fruits and vegetables as I could locate in the rapidly diminishing produce section, rescued some whole-wheat double fiber english muffins, and then planned my exit strategy.
Of the forty checkout lanes, naturally, less than half were open (why Walmart has so many checkout lanes just to keep most of them closed is beyond me). The lines were stretched all the way into the clothing section. My cart and I huddled between two racks of blouses and waited exhaustedly for the line to move forward. Finally, I absconded from Walmart, shuddering as I saw the further mass of people heading into the building. As I sank into the comforting embrace of my car, I felt not unlike a POW escaping from Stalag 17.
Overall, my experience at Walmart was eerily similar to witnessing firsthand the German treatment of Poland during the Second World War (the customers were the Germans, and the hapless groceries were the Poles). I'm sure to my northern readers this account may seem fictitious, but believe me, things get crazy down here in Virginia whenever snow lurks on the horizon. I'm glad that I braved the mob, however, as I now am sufficiently stocked to last through the anticipated two feet of snow that we're supposed to get this weekend.
No grocery shopping experience can compare to the adventure one has down south when there is about to be snow. People go absolutely stark raving mad, and forget all about such things as etiquette. Not since the last time I endured a fair have I witnessed so much rudeness and shoving. You'd think that the safety and security of the free world depended on attaining the last loaf of bread!
Walmart, which normally carries just about everything, was marked by a notable absence of food and an over-abundance of people. I was pushed one way and then another as I tried to steer my cart through the insanity without crushing any of the many unattended children. I walked in shock past the empty center displays, which usually hold liter after liter of soda, and large quantities of sugary snacks. The large bin which ordinarily overflows with eggs now only held about six remaining cartons, two of which were missing eggs. I was able to grab one full carton before being shoved away by yet another offensively ill-mannered patron.
From there, I went in search of my favorite low-sugar yogurt, with no luck. The yogurt section was COMPLETELY empty, save for a Michael Jackson calender that someone had apparently changed his or her mind about, and had lazily stuffed into the refrigerated section. Two lone cartons of orange juice huddled together further down, apparently hoping to find safety in numbers. The cheese section looked as if it had been attacked by an angry horde of machete-wielding guerrillas - loose cheese was everywhere, and a non-abused package was hard to locate. Fortunately, I am evidently the only person in the area who uses fat-free cheddar in her cooking, as that row of packages had managed to survive the Great Cheese Slaughter of 2010.
The cereal aisle had fared little better than the cheese section. The afore-mentioned hostile machete-wielding guerrillas had been there, too. Loose cereal littered the aisle, as did what I first assumed to be blood, but then discovered was red juice. Once again, my healthy taste in food was lucky for me - all of the bran flakes had survived unscathed. I bypassed the tribal warfare taking place in the cookie aisle (a few people were having a heated argument over ownership of the last box of a particular brand of cookie), and proceeded to the canned vegetables, which I then wisely decided to also bypass, after witnessing further "war crimes" taking place. I hastily grabbed as many undamaged fruits and vegetables as I could locate in the rapidly diminishing produce section, rescued some whole-wheat double fiber english muffins, and then planned my exit strategy.
Of the forty checkout lanes, naturally, less than half were open (why Walmart has so many checkout lanes just to keep most of them closed is beyond me). The lines were stretched all the way into the clothing section. My cart and I huddled between two racks of blouses and waited exhaustedly for the line to move forward. Finally, I absconded from Walmart, shuddering as I saw the further mass of people heading into the building. As I sank into the comforting embrace of my car, I felt not unlike a POW escaping from Stalag 17.
Overall, my experience at Walmart was eerily similar to witnessing firsthand the German treatment of Poland during the Second World War (the customers were the Germans, and the hapless groceries were the Poles). I'm sure to my northern readers this account may seem fictitious, but believe me, things get crazy down here in Virginia whenever snow lurks on the horizon. I'm glad that I braved the mob, however, as I now am sufficiently stocked to last through the anticipated two feet of snow that we're supposed to get this weekend.
Friday, February 5, 2010
More Weather Woes Ahead!
We have a winter storm expected to hit us late tonight, which they say will lay a layer of ice upon us (again). Then, we have two more FEET of snow predicted for Monday. Which means, I may not be having very many classes next week. Good grief! I never would have imagined that grad school could involve so few classes!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Fun with Essential Oils
First of all, I'd like to give some necessary accolades to a business that has earned them. I always believe in supporting ethical businesses (there are so few of them left), and when a business goes above and beyond, I believe in thanking them by a little free word-of-mouth advertising. So here's one big shout out to Mountain Rose Herbs for being a very good, ethical business who can expect more business from me in the future.
If you're wondering what Mountain Rose Herbs is, it's a company based out of Oregon that sells herbs, essential oils, and pretty much everything a DIY-er needs for creating their own products. The first reason to buy from them is their prices - herbs, essential oils, and, particularly, coconut oil are usually quite expensive, but I was able to find everything I needed for good prices. In particular, they sell coconut oil cheaper than any place I have looked. They also carry the apothecary bottles that you need for storing your DIY creations (certain oils need to be kept in dark bottles, for instance), for unbelievably cheap prices. I had a problem with my order of essential oils, in that one of my bottles of lavender had broken during shipping. I immediately emailed SMountain Rose Herbs a picture of the broken bottle and let them know what happened. Within 24 hours, they emailed back an apology and confirmation that they had shipped me a new bottle of lavender. Fast, honest resolving of problems (and quick shipping to begin with) = Stephanie will shop there again. Well done, Mountain Rose Herbs!
Now on to the DIY portion of this post . . .
Having had no prior experience with coconut oil, I was taken aback when I opened the container and found a solid white mass under the lid (I was expecting, well, something that resembled oil). I did a quick search on the internet, where I learned, to my relief, that there was nothing wrong with my oil; coconut oil solidifies in temperatures under 76 degrees fahrenheit. Fortunately, it's very easy to melt coconut oil.
My first creation last night was an all-natural conditioner and hair styling product (2 in 1). For that, I simply mixed coconut oil (melted first) with a few drops of lemongrass essential oil. So simple! This is an excellent conditioner, which left my hair luxuriously soft. I used it immediately following my normal baking soda wash and vinegar conditioning (I thoroughly rinse out the baking soda with water before doing the vinegar rinse - otherwise I would have a science project on my head). Coconut oil is quite possibly the most versatile, healthy oil available. People have been scared off by the high fat content merely because they misunderstand it - not all fats are bad, and there are actually thyroid-stimulating properties in coconut oil which help in weight loss. My coconut oil is the cosmetic quality, meaning that it is great for DIY products, but is not meant to be eaten (it's cheaper than other coconut oil). In the future, after I have a better income, I plan to switch to coconut oil for most of my cooking. Coconut oil is also great for cosmetics and the like; it is gentle and thoroughly moisturizing, not to mention all-natural and healthy for both you and the environment (I'm not a tree-hugger, but I do believe in living responsibly). My coconut oil conditioner can also be used for hair-styling, instead of styling gels or mousse. I used a little bit to help get my hair to stay in a bun for today (I have ROTC lab later today and have to be in full uniform, including my hair).
My other creation was another hair product. I absolutely love it when my hair is smooth, soft, and pleasantly fragrant. So, I made a very simple and effective hair treatment. I just mixed together one ounce of lavender essential oil with half an ounce of rosemary essential oil into an amber-colored apothecary bottle (this is one of those mixtures that requires a darker bottle). When I brush my hair, I use the eye dropper on top of the bottle to drop three or four drops of the oil mixture into the palm of my hand. Then, I rub it onto my hairbrush, and give my hair 100 strokes. The result is another winner. My hair stays smoother, feels softer, and smells heavenly. I did it last night before bed, and the wonderful light smell from the oil mixture was relaxing and calming.
So, there's two more successful DIY experiments! In a few weeks, I'll be trying out the homemade deodorant recipe. By switching to all homemade/natural products for my hair and my deodorant, I estimate that I will be saving about $120 in the next six months. It's not huge, but it's definitely a nice amount for a destitute grad student! Plus, by going this route, I am getting BETTER results than I was when I used all the products I am eliminating: shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, mousse, styling gel, and (eventually) deodorant. Another benefit of going the DIY route on my personal products is that I can customize them: normally, I'm at the mercy of whichever store I'm at or which brand I'm using when it comes to scent. Now I can create my own blends of scents, and pay far less to do it.
A few other products that I plan to start making for myself after I run out of the store-bought stuff:
- All cleaning supplies
- Laundry soap
- Fabric softener
- Lotion
- Facial products
I'm pretty psyched about my emerging DIY lifestyle. Not only does all of this save money, it also cuts down on waste, since I'll be reusing my own containers, and all of the products are proven to be more effective than what one can buy in stores. I can customize the scents of all these products. All of them are safe for pets to be around. Saving money here compensates for the extra money I have to spend on groceries, now that I can no longer buy the cheaper, unhealthier brands. And, personally, I'm finding it a lot of fun making my own stuff!
If you're wondering what Mountain Rose Herbs is, it's a company based out of Oregon that sells herbs, essential oils, and pretty much everything a DIY-er needs for creating their own products. The first reason to buy from them is their prices - herbs, essential oils, and, particularly, coconut oil are usually quite expensive, but I was able to find everything I needed for good prices. In particular, they sell coconut oil cheaper than any place I have looked. They also carry the apothecary bottles that you need for storing your DIY creations (certain oils need to be kept in dark bottles, for instance), for unbelievably cheap prices. I had a problem with my order of essential oils, in that one of my bottles of lavender had broken during shipping. I immediately emailed SMountain Rose Herbs a picture of the broken bottle and let them know what happened. Within 24 hours, they emailed back an apology and confirmation that they had shipped me a new bottle of lavender. Fast, honest resolving of problems (and quick shipping to begin with) = Stephanie will shop there again. Well done, Mountain Rose Herbs!
Now on to the DIY portion of this post . . .
Having had no prior experience with coconut oil, I was taken aback when I opened the container and found a solid white mass under the lid (I was expecting, well, something that resembled oil). I did a quick search on the internet, where I learned, to my relief, that there was nothing wrong with my oil; coconut oil solidifies in temperatures under 76 degrees fahrenheit. Fortunately, it's very easy to melt coconut oil.
My first creation last night was an all-natural conditioner and hair styling product (2 in 1). For that, I simply mixed coconut oil (melted first) with a few drops of lemongrass essential oil. So simple! This is an excellent conditioner, which left my hair luxuriously soft. I used it immediately following my normal baking soda wash and vinegar conditioning (I thoroughly rinse out the baking soda with water before doing the vinegar rinse - otherwise I would have a science project on my head). Coconut oil is quite possibly the most versatile, healthy oil available. People have been scared off by the high fat content merely because they misunderstand it - not all fats are bad, and there are actually thyroid-stimulating properties in coconut oil which help in weight loss. My coconut oil is the cosmetic quality, meaning that it is great for DIY products, but is not meant to be eaten (it's cheaper than other coconut oil). In the future, after I have a better income, I plan to switch to coconut oil for most of my cooking. Coconut oil is also great for cosmetics and the like; it is gentle and thoroughly moisturizing, not to mention all-natural and healthy for both you and the environment (I'm not a tree-hugger, but I do believe in living responsibly). My coconut oil conditioner can also be used for hair-styling, instead of styling gels or mousse. I used a little bit to help get my hair to stay in a bun for today (I have ROTC lab later today and have to be in full uniform, including my hair).
My other creation was another hair product. I absolutely love it when my hair is smooth, soft, and pleasantly fragrant. So, I made a very simple and effective hair treatment. I just mixed together one ounce of lavender essential oil with half an ounce of rosemary essential oil into an amber-colored apothecary bottle (this is one of those mixtures that requires a darker bottle). When I brush my hair, I use the eye dropper on top of the bottle to drop three or four drops of the oil mixture into the palm of my hand. Then, I rub it onto my hairbrush, and give my hair 100 strokes. The result is another winner. My hair stays smoother, feels softer, and smells heavenly. I did it last night before bed, and the wonderful light smell from the oil mixture was relaxing and calming.
So, there's two more successful DIY experiments! In a few weeks, I'll be trying out the homemade deodorant recipe. By switching to all homemade/natural products for my hair and my deodorant, I estimate that I will be saving about $120 in the next six months. It's not huge, but it's definitely a nice amount for a destitute grad student! Plus, by going this route, I am getting BETTER results than I was when I used all the products I am eliminating: shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner, mousse, styling gel, and (eventually) deodorant. Another benefit of going the DIY route on my personal products is that I can customize them: normally, I'm at the mercy of whichever store I'm at or which brand I'm using when it comes to scent. Now I can create my own blends of scents, and pay far less to do it.
A few other products that I plan to start making for myself after I run out of the store-bought stuff:
- All cleaning supplies
- Laundry soap
- Fabric softener
- Lotion
- Facial products
I'm pretty psyched about my emerging DIY lifestyle. Not only does all of this save money, it also cuts down on waste, since I'll be reusing my own containers, and all of the products are proven to be more effective than what one can buy in stores. I can customize the scents of all these products. All of them are safe for pets to be around. Saving money here compensates for the extra money I have to spend on groceries, now that I can no longer buy the cheaper, unhealthier brands. And, personally, I'm finding it a lot of fun making my own stuff!
Chili de Estephaniá
Today marked my first attempt at making chili. I've been wanting to try making it for ages, but just never seemed to find the time before. Since there was no class for me today, it was the perfect opportunity. Three factors made this attempt particularly unique:
1. I have never eaten chili before. That's right, not even once in my entire life. It's hard to believe if you know me now, but I was an exceedingly persnickety and picky child who would eat very little in the way of variety, so I refused to ever try chili. As an adult, I've never really had the opportunity. Of course, I could have had cheap chili from a fast food restaurant, but I knew that if I ever tried it, I would certainly want to try good chili, not a nasty cheap imitation.
2. I decided not to use someone else's recipe. You see, I have an aversion to using other people's recipes for anything. I glance at recipes for guidelines or inspiration, then I always deviate in some way. I like all of my recipes to be my own - sort of like the way a (reputable) writer refuses to copy someone else's work. Now I don't feel that there's anything wrong or lazy in using someone else's recipe (for those who do), I just feel like it takes the fun and the creativity out of cooking (for me). So, for my first chili attempt, I glanced over a friend's recipe to get an idea of what usually goes in the stuff, then I wrote out my own recipe with several changes, additions, and substitutions. I have a pretty good grasp of different foods and spices interact and complement one another, so my method of cooking generally has a high success rate. Once in a while an attempt of mine flops, but even then I benefit, since I always learn from my flops. I like the freedom of being able to throw things together by instinct, rather than being shackled to recipe books.
3. This chili is both beanless and beefless. I do not care for the flavor or the effect of beans, so I opted against using any. And beef, while delicious, is quite high in saturated fat, so I usually reserve it for special occasions. Instead of beef, I chose to use ground turkey. It has a little less flavor than ground beef, but is much healthier, and still tastes quite good. It does cost a little more than ground beef, but sometimes healthiness means paying a little more (not overpaying; there is a difference).
I know that the best chili is supposed to be cooked for a long time, but I didn't really have the patience, so I opted to only cook mine for about an hour. While my chili was cooking, it made my entire apartment smell so enticing that my mouth kept watering! I had a very hard time waiting for it to cool a bit before digging in for that first bite! I even noticed Jasper appreciatively sniffing the air. No, he didn't get to try any chili; I was too concerned that the spiciness might hurt him.
And the result of the chili-making experiment was:
Delicious! I think I could have gone a little further in terms of spiciness, but overall, it was tasty enough to justifying having seconds. I'll have to play around with my recipe some more (maybe this weekend?), but it has definite potential, and is certainly already very enjoyable for the taste-buds. If you'd like to try this chili yourself, here is my recipe:
Chili de Estephaniá
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 finely minced medium yellow onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
freshly ground black pepper
sea salt
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomato with green chilies (drained)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed sweet basil leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Pour the olive oil into a wok and add the ground turkey, red and green bell peppers, onion and garlic; cook over medium heat. Salt and pepper (use a pepper grinder) the meat, and stir periodically until the meat is light brown, then drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about an hour, stirring periodically.
I'll be sure to post later if I find satisfactory changes to this recipe.
1. I have never eaten chili before. That's right, not even once in my entire life. It's hard to believe if you know me now, but I was an exceedingly persnickety and picky child who would eat very little in the way of variety, so I refused to ever try chili. As an adult, I've never really had the opportunity. Of course, I could have had cheap chili from a fast food restaurant, but I knew that if I ever tried it, I would certainly want to try good chili, not a nasty cheap imitation.
2. I decided not to use someone else's recipe. You see, I have an aversion to using other people's recipes for anything. I glance at recipes for guidelines or inspiration, then I always deviate in some way. I like all of my recipes to be my own - sort of like the way a (reputable) writer refuses to copy someone else's work. Now I don't feel that there's anything wrong or lazy in using someone else's recipe (for those who do), I just feel like it takes the fun and the creativity out of cooking (for me). So, for my first chili attempt, I glanced over a friend's recipe to get an idea of what usually goes in the stuff, then I wrote out my own recipe with several changes, additions, and substitutions. I have a pretty good grasp of different foods and spices interact and complement one another, so my method of cooking generally has a high success rate. Once in a while an attempt of mine flops, but even then I benefit, since I always learn from my flops. I like the freedom of being able to throw things together by instinct, rather than being shackled to recipe books.
3. This chili is both beanless and beefless. I do not care for the flavor or the effect of beans, so I opted against using any. And beef, while delicious, is quite high in saturated fat, so I usually reserve it for special occasions. Instead of beef, I chose to use ground turkey. It has a little less flavor than ground beef, but is much healthier, and still tastes quite good. It does cost a little more than ground beef, but sometimes healthiness means paying a little more (not overpaying; there is a difference).
I know that the best chili is supposed to be cooked for a long time, but I didn't really have the patience, so I opted to only cook mine for about an hour. While my chili was cooking, it made my entire apartment smell so enticing that my mouth kept watering! I had a very hard time waiting for it to cool a bit before digging in for that first bite! I even noticed Jasper appreciatively sniffing the air. No, he didn't get to try any chili; I was too concerned that the spiciness might hurt him.
And the result of the chili-making experiment was:
Delicious! I think I could have gone a little further in terms of spiciness, but overall, it was tasty enough to justifying having seconds. I'll have to play around with my recipe some more (maybe this weekend?), but it has definite potential, and is certainly already very enjoyable for the taste-buds. If you'd like to try this chili yourself, here is my recipe:
Chili de Estephaniá
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground turkey
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 finely minced medium yellow onion
2 tablespoons minced garlic
freshly ground black pepper
sea salt
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomato with green chilies (drained)
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon crushed sweet basil leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
Pour the olive oil into a wok and add the ground turkey, red and green bell peppers, onion and garlic; cook over medium heat. Salt and pepper (use a pepper grinder) the meat, and stir periodically until the meat is light brown, then drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about an hour, stirring periodically.
I'll be sure to post later if I find satisfactory changes to this recipe.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Will I Ever Have Class Again?
It very seldom snows in this part of Virginia. Apparently, when it does snow, however, the state likes it so much that it keeps doing it. Over, and over, and over . . . Honestly, the snow is acting like the Energizer bunny!
So far this week, I have had two classes let out early owing to the weather, two classes have been canceled, and PT tomorrow morning is canceled. No word yet on whether or not I'll have my Thursday ROTC lab, but I certainly hope that we still have it. We're going to be doing land navigation, and as it's my first time, I'm a little excited about it.
As I type, I can still hear the sleet outside. It's been doing it for over an hour, plus we got more snow today. We're also supposed to get more snow tomorrow and on Friday. I'm beginning to wonder when, if ever, I'll have class again! Poor Jasper is very distressed by this weather: he has a favorite "spot" on the grass for his "moments" and though he searches in vain each time he goes out, he just can't seem to locate his "spot" under all that snow. It's actually rather sad watching him grow more and more frantic to find his "spot," and then sadly resign himself to a different "spot." Poor little dog!
With no PT tomorrow, that means that I get the entire day off! Which, in grad school terms, means that I get to read all day and do my part of the group project that was assigned on Monday. I'll still get a little enjoyment out of it though; I've decided that tomorrow is the perfect day to make chili for the first time. I'll let you faithful readers know how my first attempt turns out (and if it's good, I'll even share the recipe).
So far this week, I have had two classes let out early owing to the weather, two classes have been canceled, and PT tomorrow morning is canceled. No word yet on whether or not I'll have my Thursday ROTC lab, but I certainly hope that we still have it. We're going to be doing land navigation, and as it's my first time, I'm a little excited about it.
As I type, I can still hear the sleet outside. It's been doing it for over an hour, plus we got more snow today. We're also supposed to get more snow tomorrow and on Friday. I'm beginning to wonder when, if ever, I'll have class again! Poor Jasper is very distressed by this weather: he has a favorite "spot" on the grass for his "moments" and though he searches in vain each time he goes out, he just can't seem to locate his "spot" under all that snow. It's actually rather sad watching him grow more and more frantic to find his "spot," and then sadly resign himself to a different "spot." Poor little dog!
With no PT tomorrow, that means that I get the entire day off! Which, in grad school terms, means that I get to read all day and do my part of the group project that was assigned on Monday. I'll still get a little enjoyment out of it though; I've decided that tomorrow is the perfect day to make chili for the first time. I'll let you faithful readers know how my first attempt turns out (and if it's good, I'll even share the recipe).
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Today, the Weather is My Friend
Last night, my second evening class was canceled because the professor was still snowed in (he lives in a more rural area). In light of having been up with food poisoning until 5:00 that morning, I greatly appreciated being able to come home early and then go to bed early. I was a little disappointed at the the same time, however, as I greatly enjoy that class. Plus, I was prepared to give a presentation last night, and now I'll have to do a longer one next week, since I'll be presenting on two weeks of research rather than just on one. On the whole, though, getting home early was a blessing.
Today, the weather is once again on my side. I have been really struggling to get through a particularly dull, dry book that one of my professors assigned, and kept wistfully thinking how nice it would be to have another week to get through this monotonous reading. Mercy smiled upon me! That particular class is cancelled tonight, as we are dealing with icy roads, and are expecting more snow today. What a blessed relief to have an extra week! Of course, that means that I still have to read the next book (the one for this week), but it really doesn't look too bad.
Today, the weather is once again on my side. I have been really struggling to get through a particularly dull, dry book that one of my professors assigned, and kept wistfully thinking how nice it would be to have another week to get through this monotonous reading. Mercy smiled upon me! That particular class is cancelled tonight, as we are dealing with icy roads, and are expecting more snow today. What a blessed relief to have an extra week! Of course, that means that I still have to read the next book (the one for this week), but it really doesn't look too bad.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Okay, Maybe I'm Not Better . . .
I thought that I was completely well again, as the symptoms of my sinus infection have finally departed. I spoke too soon! The severe stomachache and abdominal pain hit shortly after lunch, and the intense nausea and vomiting followed a few hours later. Judging by the timing of symptoms as well as the symptoms themselves, I think I have food poisoning. I had just purchased fruits and vegetables from Walmart today, which I ate in a salad for my lunch. I rinsed the strawberries, but not the spinach. My guess is that there were pesticides on one of them that are the cause of my getting sick. I can't imagine that the avocado I had in my salad would have caused this, since it was at the prime stage of ripeness and was, of course, peeled by me.
Well, nothing to do now but continue to dose with Pepto-Bismol, attempt to stay hydrated, and hope that the pain and nausea subside eventually. I may get that day off tomorrow after all (just not in a pleasant way)!
Well, nothing to do now but continue to dose with Pepto-Bismol, attempt to stay hydrated, and hope that the pain and nausea subside eventually. I may get that day off tomorrow after all (just not in a pleasant way)!
The Burden of Enlightenment
I recall seeing a film once which had a scene in which a drunkard complained, "That's the trouble with you do-gooders - you want to spoil everyone else's fun!" I thought of that today when I went grocery shopping at the store I love to hate, Walmart (cheap prices and wide selections just barely make up for the maddening crowds, cranky and inept employees, and store layouts strategically designed to make you spend twenty minutes looking for just one item). In fact, I think of that film scene often, ever since I switched to my sugar-free and healthy lifestyle.
You see, I have dedicated large amounts of my time to researching and studying good nutrition. I can accurately estimate nutrition information on most products without even having to turn the box to the side with the nutrition facts. I carefully scrutinize my menus each week, checking to make sure that I'm eating all the right things. And because of my hard work, I feel great. My migraines have not plagued me in over a month. I sleep better. I'm losing weight. My skin doesn't break out as often. My hair is healthier. Even when I do get sick, like last week, I apparently recover quickly now. And, being a person with a strong sense of civic duty, I now feel like I should be spreading the "good news" of healthy eating to others. Except, I know most people would take offense, so I force myself not to speak (except in my blog, since this is MY podium, mwa ha ha!).
Today was especially hard. I wound up stuck behind a group of giggly college students in one of the aisles. From their sweatshirts, I discerned that they were Liberty students. I wasn't trying to be nosy, just to get past them, when my eyes caught sight of the horrors that filled their shopping cart: frozen pizzas, high-sugar cereal (about 40 grams per serving), cookie dough, Valentine candy, macaroni and cheese, regular soda, etc. There was enough sugar in that cart to kill a carload of diabetics. I shudder at the memory of that cart of horrors.
As I observed the girls loading their cart with more and more carcinogenic, artery-clogging, sugar-laden items, I felt a strong desire to scream at them, "Don't you see what you are doing?! You are killing your healthy young bodies! Yes, those tiny bodies that you proudly display in your skinny jeans and too-tight shirts. Don't you want to keep those bodies? Don't you want to continue to be able to walk into class each day without self-consciously sucking in your stomachs and feeling inadequate around the much-shapelier girls? Don't you want to reach your late thirties without being insulin-dependent diabetics? Listen to me, girls, and PUT DOWN THE SUGAR-LADEN DEATH-FOOD!!! White flour, white sugar, starch, starch, starch . . . Stop this madness!!"
Of course, I said nothing. I walked past the giggly girls, slightly ashamed of myself for letting them continue to kill their bodies with horrific food choices. I tossed a container of baby spinach into my cart, where it rested among the other low-sugar, heart-healthy foods, and headed for the check-out lane. Sometimes being enlightened can be a grave burden.
You see, I have dedicated large amounts of my time to researching and studying good nutrition. I can accurately estimate nutrition information on most products without even having to turn the box to the side with the nutrition facts. I carefully scrutinize my menus each week, checking to make sure that I'm eating all the right things. And because of my hard work, I feel great. My migraines have not plagued me in over a month. I sleep better. I'm losing weight. My skin doesn't break out as often. My hair is healthier. Even when I do get sick, like last week, I apparently recover quickly now. And, being a person with a strong sense of civic duty, I now feel like I should be spreading the "good news" of healthy eating to others. Except, I know most people would take offense, so I force myself not to speak (except in my blog, since this is MY podium, mwa ha ha!).
Today was especially hard. I wound up stuck behind a group of giggly college students in one of the aisles. From their sweatshirts, I discerned that they were Liberty students. I wasn't trying to be nosy, just to get past them, when my eyes caught sight of the horrors that filled their shopping cart: frozen pizzas, high-sugar cereal (about 40 grams per serving), cookie dough, Valentine candy, macaroni and cheese, regular soda, etc. There was enough sugar in that cart to kill a carload of diabetics. I shudder at the memory of that cart of horrors.
As I observed the girls loading their cart with more and more carcinogenic, artery-clogging, sugar-laden items, I felt a strong desire to scream at them, "Don't you see what you are doing?! You are killing your healthy young bodies! Yes, those tiny bodies that you proudly display in your skinny jeans and too-tight shirts. Don't you want to keep those bodies? Don't you want to continue to be able to walk into class each day without self-consciously sucking in your stomachs and feeling inadequate around the much-shapelier girls? Don't you want to reach your late thirties without being insulin-dependent diabetics? Listen to me, girls, and PUT DOWN THE SUGAR-LADEN DEATH-FOOD!!! White flour, white sugar, starch, starch, starch . . . Stop this madness!!"
Of course, I said nothing. I walked past the giggly girls, slightly ashamed of myself for letting them continue to kill their bodies with horrific food choices. I tossed a container of baby spinach into my cart, where it rested among the other low-sugar, heart-healthy foods, and headed for the check-out lane. Sometimes being enlightened can be a grave burden.
Angels in Winter Coats
Today, I was melancholy and lonely. Sometimes living alone gets to me in that way; I suddenly become aware of just how solitary I am, and even a bit jealous of the people who post dozens of pictures on Facebook of their fun weekends with friends. I got so down contemplating my aloneness that I couldn't focus on my reading or my paper, so I decided a change of scenery would perk me up. I wrote out my list, and headed out to do some grocery shopping for the week.
After relieving my little car of the foot of snow that covered it, I tried to back out of my parking space. The car didn't budge. Poor Flavia was completely trapped by the snow that filled my parking space. Feeling disappointed, I decided to give up and head back in. Just then, two complete strangers walked up with a snow shovel.
"We'll help you out," they cheerfully promised. Then, for the next twenty minutes or so, they dug and dug until at last my car was completely free. I thanked them profusely and headed out to do my shopping.
Those two men obviously had plans of their own today. They could have just left. There would have been absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all, they didn't know me, and it's not as if they caused the snow that buried my little car. But instead of fulfilling their own plans, they stopped to help a stranger. They thought that they just dug out my car. What those two men don't know is that they were used by God to remind a lonely person that she isn't really alone. They don't even know my name, and yet they blessed me. And thanks to them, I'm not melancholy anymore.
After relieving my little car of the foot of snow that covered it, I tried to back out of my parking space. The car didn't budge. Poor Flavia was completely trapped by the snow that filled my parking space. Feeling disappointed, I decided to give up and head back in. Just then, two complete strangers walked up with a snow shovel.
"We'll help you out," they cheerfully promised. Then, for the next twenty minutes or so, they dug and dug until at last my car was completely free. I thanked them profusely and headed out to do my shopping.
Those two men obviously had plans of their own today. They could have just left. There would have been absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all, they didn't know me, and it's not as if they caused the snow that buried my little car. But instead of fulfilling their own plans, they stopped to help a stranger. They thought that they just dug out my car. What those two men don't know is that they were used by God to remind a lonely person that she isn't really alone. They don't even know my name, and yet they blessed me. And thanks to them, I'm not melancholy anymore.
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