Trader Joe's...

Go. Enough Said.

I think of it as an Aldi's for natural food, or more healthy food choices. A store full of store brand stuff that you will actually like, and gives Whole Foods ("Whole Paycheck") a run for its money. Another way I compare it to Aldi is that the assortment is more limited than a traditional grocery store.

Things I like: many of their frozen food options, almond butter that isn't priced out of the galaxy, pizza crust, nuts, dried fruits, pasta, yellow and red Thai sauces, cereal, kefir, goat milk yogurt, harvest grain pilaf, soy chorizo, soy corn dogs, little French chocolate cakes, pizzas, skillet meals, burritos, dried fruit bars, marcona almonds, shelf stable meals, organic pickle relish, organic ketchup, broccoflower, rainbow pears, microwave popcorn, soy milk, chicken burgers...and there are so many other things to try...

Things I didn't like: Masala burgers (they're potatoes, not that they aren't tasty, but when I think of a burger, I think of PROTEIN not CARBS), and their sushi. UGH!!!

It's a sign of God's grace that we are still standing. The waves roll, the winds blow. We cowering in the hold of the boat as it is tossed about. Yet my help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalm 127) A cuddly cat, some time with hubs, a simple yet tasty meal, a grand vista of valley and trees and stars and radiant sun. Sometimes I feel hopelessly ill qualified for the assignments God has given me. The rage, weariness, anger, and a Gordian knot of trouble is outdone by our great God. This isn't some sugar coated thing. Frankly, in some ways I am royally pissed about what He's allowed, and some ways I get equally upset about how others watched and did little or nothing. But there is meaning in my life, in the calling, and that carries me through.

Lemon Pasta

1 lb egg noodles, cooked, of course
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest of one lemon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (I might try dill here too)
1/4 cup grated romano (or parmesan)
sea salt; cracked pepper

As you might have guessed, precise measuring is overrated on this one. ;-) Enjoy.

Foaming Soap Pump Bottles

Do you like the convenience of this kind of soap? Well, if you do, there is NO reason to buy these bottles over and over unless you are also a fan of spending too much money. The only ingredients needed are liquid soap (a little) and water (a lot). Open the empty bottle, put a healthy squirt of soap in the bottom, and then fill the bottle with warm water in a slow stream. Trust me, they LOVE to sell this stuff because the profit margin is through the roof. Use whatever soap you like, or if you're like me and want to control the ingredients get a soap like Dr. Bronner's (in the lovely bizarre bottle, LOL) which is a great consistency for this kind of thing. Voila! You've saved money wit no loss of usefulness.

Seen in a tourist trap not far from Teleios (but far enough so we don't have to see it): "How most men define marriage: a very expensive way to get your laundry done free."

Another use for Kale, that wonderful healthy veggie...

If you think I measure any of this, you don't know me very well.

2 cups kale
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup Romano cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic
Blend all together in food processor.

From "Man's Search for Meaning"

"Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth...(it is) the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast." -Viktor Frankl

When it looks like this outside your window, you'd have to work really hard at being stressed at Teleios

Normal Abnormality

I think it was Lessing who once said, "There are things which must cause you to lose your reason or you have none to lose." An abnormal reaction to an abnormal situation is normal behavior.

--Victor Frankl

I was thinking about I Corinthians 6:19-20 last night; you know, the "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" stuff. I have heard plenty of talk about how we need to take care of our physical health as an aspect of these verses. It dawned on me last night, though, that it also refers to all aspects of my body; brain included. We don't emphasize our spiritual and emotional health too; we surely cannot function well with significant lack in either of those areas. Recently I made a list of some things I can do to refresh and restore my mental state of being and I would encourage all three of my readers ;-) to do the same. :-)

Spring Hill's GM plant (just down the road from our fair city) is being idled. Union workers will get 70 to 75 percent of their pay for up to 52 weeks and then up to 50 percent for an additional 26 weeks. No wonder GM is broke.

A friend of mine is headed to Asia soon for a few weeks. As an experienced professional who works with children, her skills will be put to good use training orphanage workers who work with disabled kids. Most will never be adopted. If you want to help with supplies for the kids or in other substantive ways, leave me a message. Thanks!