i only want to eat happy animals, is that wrong?

in the past, i have grappled with vegetarianism and have pondered, recently thanks to my newly converted vegetarian daughter, the idea of 'eating dead animals'. i grew up eating meat, in fact, it was not a 'meal' according to my father if there was no meat. now as an adult, and with the responsibility of feeding my children, we have chosen to go the natural, organic, no pesticides/hormones and no antibotics route. partly this is for health reasons - our son had several 'super bugs' in the NICU and we were advised that we should avoid any thing that would further jeopardize his immune system. while i do not feel 'guilty' for eating meat, i do want the animals to be treated well and slaughtered humanely. this is very important to me. i want the cows and chickens to be able to enjoy the fields and range free and i want the end of their life to be as pain free as possible. is this too much to ask?

census? what a load of CRAP!!

census? i thought it was about numbers- NOT

..okay, so i got a call from my brother [we are 6th generation tejanos] about the census, and he says 'hey sis, what are you doing about question 8 and 9?' and i'm like, i haven't even opened my yet! anyway, there are some very RANDOM questions that i feel don't have anything at all to do with 'counting' people - they want to CATEGORIZE everyone, okay, not everyone just anyone who might speak Spanish or have Spanish sounding surname! The 'yellow' brothers and sisters are pretty much covered with japanese, chinese, korean, vietnam, all have their own check boxes as well as our 'red' brothers and sisters - you know the ORIGINAL AMERICANS. anyway, where's the box for candandian, german, irish, turkish, sudanese, nigerian, etc. nope, this census is about finding out where the 'brown' people are coming from - i guess the government finally wised up that many of those crossing the rio grande only traveled through mexico and are not really mexican? well, i will probably get someone at my door as i REFUSE TO BE A PART OF THIS SH*T!. i am putting down that we have 3 of the HUMAN RACE living in our apartment. really now, how can i choose one over the other? according to the census, my children cannot be 'white' and 'hispanic' but their parents are 'white' and 'hispanic'.....actually, it all depends how far back you want to go.......as a Tejana [a person born in Texas of Mexican descendant] it means that i have both 'old world' and 'new world' blood in my veins. mexico is not a homogenous country - the mexican people are a combination of spanish, indian [native american if you wish], and african peoples with germans and italians mixing in large numbers during the 1900's. their father is 'american' with german, french, and who knows what else in mix! really, we are just one HUMAN RACE.

don't like the weather? wait a minute, it will change

i do believe that phrase was made about our beloved texas - rain this morning, and now windy and in the 40's when just on thursday it was sunny and in the upper 70's - swimming weather for us in san marcos! today, you don't want to be outside, the wind is biting, it feels like winter but the sun is shining. a friend of mine told me they have had 250 inches of snow where he's at - i can't even imagine.

'taco' meat & meatless tacos!

when my daughter went 'total' vegetarian [she stop eating mammals first], one thing she missed was tacos. to try to minimize making 3 separate meals to satisfy everyone in the family, i made taco meat & meatless taco filling at the same time [different pans of course]. it was fairly easy as i just had to reverse the order of cooking. for example i used to brown the meat first then add the veggies and spices, now i put in the veggies and spices first, divide some for the meatless tacos, and then add the meat to the pan. using 'grillers' instead of the 'crumbles' makes for a better taste but more importantly, better texture for the meatless tacos. my daughter loved them and it was great to have the whole family sit down for the same meal...now if i could only get my son to eat pasta and more veggies, it would be perfect!

neglecting my pooch :(

poor max! with the packing and my reoccurring neck/shoulder/back pain, i have not taken max out twice a day for about 2 weeks now. he has gotten walked by other family members but its not the same if i don't go..... i should have been walking him everyday to the river since after this weekend, it will no longer be in walking distance. the robins are here and make me wish spring would never leave.

the robin, sign of spring?

let's just say that the weather is NOT one of the predictable things in texas; not only does one season run into the next [some springs lasting 2 whole days before the summer heat creeps in!] one winter is NEVER like the one before nor will the next one be similar. last winter was mild with a very cold snaps and very little rain and the robins stayed all through december; dozens of them seen in the yard from day to day. this year, it was cold and wet; miserable for me and i guess the robins didn't like it either as they were not be be seen.....until this past weekend when i spotted one while max and i were on our walk. robin, the sign of spring for others perhaps is our sign this year. the other 'popular' bird this week has been the cardinal with its bright red coat and unique song, accompanied by several pale brown females.

here's a few words about the cardinal according to http://www.sayahda.com/cyc1.html
- i need to watch my diet and should expect a change in 12 days....so true!

read on for the full details:
The cardinal is a power packed bird that transforms and awakens us. Its color and its voice are its two strongest characteristics. It is a member of the finch family and is often recognized by its brilliant red color.

The eggs laid by the female hatch in about twelve days. This, along with the cardinal being a year round resident, reflects the rhythm of the number twelve. The number twelve often has important significance for those with this totem. It can indicate a turn of events or a life changing situation. When the cardinal flies into your life expect a change to occur within 12 days, 12 weeks, 12 months or at the hour of 12. Because this bird is a year round resident its medicine is available at all times and should be used by those with this totem whenever a need arises.

Cardinals have a loud whistle, Whistles penetrate the air with sharp distinct tones. They demand our attention urging us to hear what is carried through the air. Both male and female cardinals join in the whistling. This reflects the need to integrate our male and female characteristics into our day to day life. Feminine energy is linked to intuition. Male energy is linked to perseverance. If both are operating within our life our intuitive knowledge has the perseverance and strength necessary to manifest our goals and dreams.

Cardinals eat many decaying weeds and injurious insects. When a cardinal appears in your life it is telling you to pay attention to your eating habits. Are you eating things that might be injurious to your health? IS your diet nutritionally balanced? Extra care should be given to the blood and circulatory system. Past life ties to overindulgence or the consumption of poisonous substances is often linked to cardinal medicine people.

The bright red color of the cardinal is very symbolic. Red represents the blood or life force of the Mystic Christ. In yoga circles this vital force is known as the kundalini. The kundalini lies dormant within us until activated by a disciplined spiritual practice. Once activated spiritual power can be attained. The cardinal offers safe passage into the world of personal power for those who ask for its help.

When a person with cardinal medicine steps onto a spiritual path there will be no turning back. Everything else in their life will seem insignificant. Extra care must be taken here to insure personal happiness, particularly in the area of one to one relationships. Balancing spiritual ideals and physical pleasure will need to be instated in ones life so harmony on all levels is known.

Cardinals are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church with their bright red robes. A great love or a strong dislike for religion and churches is common amongst cardinal medicine people and can indicate a past life connection with one or both.

The cardinals voice is strong and clear and reflects an air of importance. This power packed bird can teach you how to express your truth, develop confidence and walk you talk. If you respect its teachings it will lead you home.