CrispyQ

Tom's here, too. Mine has CoQ10, which is supposed to be good for your gums. However, about 2 years ago I started flossing everyday & what a difference. I never get The Lecture from my hygenist anymore! As for whitening toothpastes, I read that they don't work well because the stuff has to stay on your teeth for a period of time. Check out the Crest white stips. My husband used them successfully, although they are kind of pricey.

I can barely address this issue it outrages me so badly! I agree - how can they do this when they all have mothers, sisters, wives & daughters of their own.

I hate that people think human beings are the pinnacle of creation. Further, I hate when people rationalize their heinous treatment of animals with the Biblical verse about G-d giving humans dominion over the animals. If I believed in G-d, I am certain that Being really meant stewardship. Humans stomp around this planet with our ‘might makes right’ attitude leaving a wake of destruction in our path. Certainly the pinnacle of creation would behave better than this!

Rockin' screen name!! Welcome!

I agree! I love "The Elegant Universe" & other specials & books that are similar. I have difficulty wrapping my mind around some of the concepts, but it's fun to try. Like all times existing simultaneously -- ???? Is it even possible, given our linear perspective, to really grasp that? I wish I was more fluent in the language of math. --sigh BTW, I read a sci fi book where there were buildings that were going backward in time. I don't recall all the details, but I found the whole idea fascinating.

Interesting term. I have not heard that before. Good website, by the way. Some humor & interesting perspectives. Thanks!

The only good thing I got from church was I learned how to sing harmony. You can sing loudly & if you hit a note wrong, no one knows who it was!

You were adorable at 3! But at 24, oh la la! Very hot!! You'll get those legs back!

"If you live to be a hundred then I want to live to be a hundred minus one day because I never want to live without you." --Winnie the Pooh This sums up my feelings for my husband. My love, devotion & passion for him provide me endless joy. I cannot imagine my life without him. Our individual traits, quirks & personalities are perfectly compatible or complementary. We will be married 19 years in January.

I believe that the existence or non-existence of G-d is irrelevant for the following reasons: 1. I don't need my ethics spelled out for me by a 'supreme' being, a priest, or any other being for that matter. I know what is right & what is wrong. Even if a person chooses a 'pre-defined' ethical code, if you believe in free will, it comes down to each moment & will you follow the code you have chosen or not? 2. I don't need the motivation of reward or the fear of punishment to do what's right. I choose to do what's right because it's the right thing to do. If I choose not to do what's right it's because I sold out my ethics; I lowered my standards. Only I can deal with that. 3. The question of life after death is irrelevant as well. The only moment that matters is THIS ONE! === A turning moment for me was when I was about 9 in a Sunday school class. The teacher was telling us that you could reconcile the big bang theory with G-d because where did that inrush of hydrogen come from? "G-d!" she explained. I casually asked "Where did G-d come from?" & was promptly taken upstairs to the minister’s office where he gave me a lecture on faith. It seemed to me that if you could accept that G-d has always been, then why is it such a leap to think that the hydrogen just came into being? As I got older I had serious issues with "G-d the Father, G-d the Son, ..." Where the heck are the women in this religion? Relegated to being a reproductive vessel & mother, I suppose. The feminist in me rebelled. I was taught that G-d has no gender. Well if religious leaders truly believe that then they should come up with a respectful, genderless pronoun as a way to refer to G-d & G-d should be referred to as a Parent, not a Father. I hope my post does not offend anyone. On a lighter note, I like this saying: Life is a sexually-transmitted, terminal condition.

My husband & I both enjoyed viewing these. The difference between 2000 & 2001 is incredible! And of course, every following year just gets better. Great work!!

Cardio - Tues, Thurs & Sat -- my old knees need a day break between! Strength - Mon, Wed & Fri Weather permitting, a 3 mile walk every evening.

Thanks for that link, Megan. I've read other reviews of Miller's book that state similar findings -- that in spite of his claim to prove the election was stolen, his 'evidence' falls short. What really bothers me is that stolen or not, there are clearly serious issues with electronic voting. There have been way too many irregularities in too many precincts involving all the various systems used to trust our democracy to these machines/systems. We need to go back to paper & pen ballots or punch cards & work out the kinks in the electronic systems before depending on them, the first kink being that these companies are owned by republican supporting corporations & their source code is not open. Americans also need to get over the idea that we will know the outcome of any election the evening of election day. Personally, I think we should have Election Week & plan for another week or 2 to count & verify ALL votes.

I'm 150... unfortunately it's not primarily muscle. A 75 pound bench press sounds pretty muscular to me!

Thanks. I will try both suggestions!

It's taken me 2 years to kick my Coke habit. And on a hot summer day, I still crave an ice cold Coke over ice. But if I allow myself one, I fall back into it. I use to drink 4-6 Cokes a day.

Ohhh, I would top this with a little dallop of almond creme & it would quickly disappear!

When I do lat pull downs, I can feel the muscles in my back working. But as I let up, it feels more like my arms working. Am I doing something wrong? Do I just need to concentrate more on using my back or is the nature of this exercise? And, second, I'm curious how much wieght some of the women here are bench pressing.

My husband used to LOVE spinach enchiladas, so I came up with this recipe & made them yesterday. They rock! BTW, I decided to make my own enchilada sauce cuz they were $3 per 15 ounce can!! Gasp! Lupita’s Cheezy Spinach/Onion Enchiladas – makes approx 20 enchiladas 1 batch of Cheeze Sauce 1 tub regular tofu, drained, pressed & cut into small chunks ½ pound fresh spinach, chopped (food processor works well) 1 small onion, diced 4 -5 cups red enchilada sauce Corn tortillas – not the kind that are already fried. These are soft & pliable. Cheddar & mozzarella vegan cheese, grated In a blender, make the cheeze sauce. Add the tofu a few chunks at a time, blending till smooth & repeat as necessary. The mixture should be the consistency of frosting. Scrape into a bowl & add the chopped spinach & diced onion to the mixture, stirring well. Spoon some enchilada sauce in the bottom of your baking dish, enough to cover. Take a tortilla & spread the filling on 2/3 of the tortilla. Starting at the edge with the filling, roll the tortilla into a pinwheel & place it on the pan, edge down. Repeat till your pan is filled. Pour more enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes. Turn on broiler & broil till cheese melts. The tofu filling freezes very well, as does the cheeze sauce. =============== Enchilada Sauce – approx 5 cups ½ cup Earth Balance or oil ½ cup whole wheat flour (or any flour) 4 Tablespoons chili powder 4 teaspoons cumin 2 teaspoons salt 5 cups water 2 six ounce cans of tomato paste ¼ cup ketchup Melt the Earth Balance in a pan. When bubbly, add flour, small amounts at a time, whisking each addition into the oil. When all the flour has been integrated into the oil, start adding the water, ½ cup at a time, mixing the roux thoroughly with the additional water. Repeat until all the water is added. Bring mixture to a boil & add the tomato paste, mixing well with the water/chili powder sauce. Add spices, salt & ketchup, stir well & simmer for about 5 minutes. =============== Cheeze Sauce 7 oz. jar roasted red pepper, drained 1 1/2 cups raw cashews 3/4 cup water 2/3 cup nutritional yeast flakes (or savory yeast) 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce or Braggs amino's 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini Put all ingredients in a blender & blend till smooth. This makes more than I usually need at one time, so I freeze half of it & it defrosts just fine. A friend on another forum made it with no water & used it as a spread to make grilled cheese sandwiches. === In honor of Vegan Madre & little Sofia, here's a photo of the finished product. Lupita's Rockin' Enchiladas http://pic4.picturetrail.com/VOL728/2745263/8695785/118614080.jpg I was called Lupita in Spanish class.

What's a craisin? ?????

I think a chocolate cake thread is in order. You can never have too many choco cake recipes!! Bastille Day is my bd. Gotta know your French history to figure it out. .. .. .. .. .. .. July 14 for those to lazy to Google!

Thanks CG. The situation in NOLA is critical for the animals. It appears that we humans, who have based our species name on the word humane, have decided to abandon the animals in NOLA. These stories bring out the worst of my misanthropic tendencies. I will be penning my thoughts today & making calls tomorrow. http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=56547 snip.. Meanwhile, the pets who survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath are dying on the streets -- sometimes right next to food and water bowls that the handful of remaining rescuers couldn't fill in time.

Vegan Madre is right that many dishes can be veganized with no noticeable difference in taste. You may also want to make a vegan "main dish" to go with the sides. Something like a lentil loaf, maybe? You could also make a kick-butt dessert. Cruise on over to www.vegweb.com & check out their recipe section. You will find lots & lots of good ideas there. This is a great time to show your family that vegans eat lots of delish foods. As far as your feeling that you are infringing on their day, I think you should let that thinking go. You have made a choice to live a more compassionate life & it sounds like your mom is very understanding & respectful of that. This is a great opportunity for your mom to add new dishes to her signature menu -- dishes with compassion. Good luck west2100.

I agree -- they are soooooo cool! Such majestic, fantastic creatures. It's tragic how our species treats them. Welcome to the site. Sound like you have lots to contribute.

Good to have you here. Glad you're getting back into your routine. I'm new here, too, & have found this site very motivating!