7QT: Why We Can't Let this Go!

 I have been trying to blog, but quite honestly, I have been reeling from the recent videos released about Planned Parenthood.  I've watched undercover videos of them before, but these are the most raw and troubling ever.  I had so much to say, yet no words to share it.  Last night, as I was getting my little guy to bed, this article came to me.  It is not a debate of the abortion issue but why we cannot let this drop, we cannot let it be forgotten, we cannot throw up our hands and accept perceived defeat.

1

There are many who say this is just more right wing extremist reactionary to nothing. Get over it and move on, it means nothing.  However, the most significant development for me, is that Congress convened to debate this issue and vote in late July.  That is prime time for summer recess.  They were not just hanging around working on more important issues and squeezed this incidental item in to appease the right wing.  In all likelihood, most if not all members were in their home states.  They came back specifically FOR this vote, not inspite of it.  If it didn't matter, if it weren't significant, it could have waited or been ignored.

In addition, while the motion didn't pass, it received a majority of votes.  When was the last time that a president was elected with even close to half the votes, let alone a clear majority?  Yet, they are considered landslides.  The motion did not pass, but this is not an absolute defeat. The majority of our legislators believe what PP is doing is wrong.  We are not in the minority, a strange fringe group. We have a significant voice and it is time we use it.

2

Planned Parenthood is not the only option.  The campaign goes that without PP, thousands will be without healthcare.  However, there is an entire network of free mammography clinics, community health clinics, and crisis pregnancy center.  In fact out of 8, 735 centers providing mammography, none of them are run by PP.  In addition, there are only 820 PP clinics nationwide, however, in New York alone, the most liberal abortion state, there are well over 110 crisis pregnancy centers.  Who is filling the greater need?

3

Planned Parenthood is not the only option. For better or worse, Obamacare has been ratified as the law of the land.  It requires every person to carry health insurance. As part of the program, all providers, save a very select few employers, must provide contraception and abortion coverage. In addition, annual well checkup/physicals are provided for free or a very minimal cost for any testing done.  Gone are the days of the poor uninsured having no choice but falling on the mercy of whatever clinic sets up shop in the neighborhood.  Either Obamacare fails to deliver it's promises, or Planned Parenthood is just pulling the wool further over our eyes.

4

Fetal stem cell research is big business, but not big innovation.  While the reasoning goes that the sale and or trade of fetal parts is critical for medical advances, the truth does not support it.  However, despite all the lauded promise of fetal stem cell cures, none have been reached. Conversely, hundreds, if not thousands of patients have been treated and cured with adult stem cells.  In addition, the harvesting of adult stem cells is painless and would actually save hospitals money on disposal. The greatest source of adult stem cells is cord blood, drained from an umbilical cord just after birth.  The options for cord blood banking have increased while outlets for donation have exponentially shrunk.  This rich resource is routinely disposed on a daily basis across the country.  Why not pursue research with a readily available, ethically obtained source, instead of literally tearing the unborn limb from limb for a hoped for cure that may never be despite millions of dollars and millions more lives being sacrificed for the cause.

5

Back office deals for profits create a conflict of interest.  Unlike crisis pregnancy centers that operate on shoestring budgets and through the generous support of volunteers, Planned Parenthood is a multi-million dollar organization.  On top of the flow of cash from government subsidies and corporate sponsors, PP is increasing its profits through selling fetal organs and body parts.  Signing contracts for large researching corporations creates a desire to obtain quotas of "line items."  When counseling a woman on their options, PP stands to lose everything or gain big depending upon the choice she makes.  A conflict of interests for sure.  Crisis pregnancy centers have no gain either way, in fact they give more when a woman chooses life, their preferred outcome.  This includes prenatal screening and check ups, vitamins and nutritional support, baby gear, diapers and wipes, clothing, formula, and more.

6

Once someone becomes a commodity they cease to have dignity.  Throughout history, the destruction of a class of people has been preceded by deeming them sub human or non human.  Slavery, genocide, the Holocaust, persecution...all stem from seeing another as unworthy of dignity, devoid of humanity.  Abortion is built on the same premise and the selling of "harvested" parts raises the dehumanization to a new level.  The abortion industry is a hungry giant thirsty for continual bloodshed.  The hunting of pregnant animals is considered reprehensible, yet we refuse to acknowledge the inherent value and sanctity of our own race. Unlike other forms of oppression aimed at a single group, abortion seeks to destroy the value of every life.

By basing a person's personhood upon their abilities, usefulness, and convenience, no person is sacred, we are all dispensible.  Worse still, by viewing the unborn as a source to harvest and sell commodities creates an "ends justifies the means" form of healthcare. We may anticipate and hope for the ends, but who would want to be sacrificed as the means.  Even if you would choose to give your body to science, would you want an outsider to arbitrarily decide for you, to remove your voice and all power of choice?

7

Lastly, is our failing of the women most in need of our care. As Ann write, every abortion is a failure of the woman receiving it and the human aborted.  We are failing our girls, failing our families, failing our nation, failing our future. In a more global approach, we are failing the most vulnerable of our planet.  Great riches come with great responsibility, however we are squandering our riches on the idols of progress and possessions, casting our pearls before the deities of greed and self centeredness.  We must give of ourselves and give until it hurts, with no strings attached, no justification, no "Tsk, tsk, why didn't you know better?" 

Pregnancy is not a product of failure nor stupidity, it is a success of intrinsic biology.  When we treat it as a choice, a sin, a disease we are projecting an anti-life philosophy.  To stop abortion we must love mothers deeper. We must see the dignity, sanctity, and value of every pregnant woman no matter her circumstances, before we can have every woman see that in their unborn.  In fighting for the protection of the unborn we must fight for better counseling, education, job preparedness, and emotional support for every woman. Those who choose abortion do so because they have been fed the lies that it is the only way, it is their only option, they are forgotten and unlovable.  Without human dignity for the mother, how do we save the child?

Deeper still, life saving international aide must cease to be tied to reproductive restrictions and abortion programs.  We can dig deeper, we can give more. Promising help only to those willing to embrace the culture of death starves those even more deeply than famine, drought, and disease.  They are all children of God, they are humans as worthy as you and I to live, love, and dream. They have been robbed of everything, often even their homeland, do we have rights to robbing their children, their future?  There are better ways, just look at my favorite charity, Mary's Meals. Food and education can be provided for so little while building up the hope, strength, and pride of a starving community.  

The only question left is how will you change the course of even one mother's path in the direction of love and life, no matter the cost to you?

Linking up with Kelly who is running a beautiful series on the joy and value of every child, no matter the ability or disability.

4 Mile Bike Ride with Buddy

Wordless Wednesday

{p, h, f, r} Choo Choo Look Who's Two!

I have to warn you, this is a bit of a photo dump, but my Little Man turned 2 so I had to share.

pretty

It was a beautiful but hot day for the party--hottest all summer!  I made a couple of simple decorations and then the big kids decided to help make a couple more. We had a very simple party but it was very cute!

The banner says "Choo Choo I'm Two" but it wouldn't come out in any of the pictures.

Buddy's decoration

Cowgirl's decoration

 

A train centerpiece with "snack" car.  I had planned on making three cars to hold the dry snacks (pretzels, corn chips, and popcorn) but was only able to hunt down one box.

happy

I really wanted a special outfit for Little Man.  They grow so quickly, I might as well get the cutsy thing in while I can.  I scoured Etsy for just the right thing, and came very close to finding it, but the cost was more than I could justify.  So, I took matters into my own hands.  I found a very nice romper on ebay for $18 with shipping.  Then, I created an applique out of felt to add some personalization.  It came out pretty good, but don't look too closely at my stitches.  It took until I was sewing the last wheel on to figure out that if I unsnapped the crotch, I could actually fit my hand inside comfortably to sew....sigh.

I was happy that I found an economical outfit because it gave me a little room to splurge on the cake.  I visited a local bakery.  (I should say the only local bakery for miles around, but if you are only going to have one, it helps when it's the best!) I had planned on purchasing 50 cupcakes with blue and green sprinkles, then making them into the shape of a number 2, adding licorice laces for track and placing the train I bought Little Man on the tracks.  The problem was, I couldn't find licorice laces anywhere.  The bakery was my last hope as they sell Dutch specialties, too.  I asked the cashier, after ordering my cupcakes, if they sold licorice laces because I planned on using them for track.  I told her about my vision for the cupcakes.  She told me they didn't, but she could have the baker make the cupcakes into a 2,  frost the whole thing, and pipe a track on it to boot.  I was sold.  It cost a little bit more, but with a heat index of 105 degrees, there was no way I was turning on my oven to make 50+ cupcakes, and the big kids were doing a Polar bear Swim Challenge each morning EARLY, then had afternoon swim lessons.  My time was short and I realized it.  The cake turned out even better than I could have imagined and I was so happy I left this job to the professionals, even though I normally bake all the birthday cakes myself.

funny

 

This little guy is funny, it is so hard to get a picture of him.  Nine times out of ten, i can only catch one if he is eating.  I sat him on the bench and asked him to smile so I could take his picture.  Of course, he made this crazy face that made him look half drunk.  I asked for a nice smile, and got the top picture--then I realized he wasn't wearing his birthday outfit yet.  I had wanted a nice picture to get made up for family...alas this is what I have!

real

I can't believe my little roley poley baby boy has grown so much!  Where did the time go?

 

I must learn to stop blinking, already!!!

How has your week been?  Hop over to Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Easy Slow Cooker Meal: Ham and Black Beans and more

Dwija is having a recipe link up.  I don't have any pictures, but wanted to jump on the bandwagon.  My slow cooker is my right arm, my favorite household tool.  It's like my own personal chef.  I dump it all in the in the morning and have dinner ready for me at night.  I have a collection of slow cookers, three to be exact....maybe I should photograph that!?!

Anyway, this is my favorite easy recipe and my family gobbles it up.  it just may be the easiest recipe I have.  I like the dump and walk away technique of slow cooking.  If a recipe has multiple steps, requires extensive prep or asks to precook portions of the ingredients, I usually walk away.  My one exception is the fact that I have a slow cooker plate that works with my Kitchen Kraft pots.  I can start something on the stove and then add the rest of the ingredients before placing on the plate.  My traditional round slow cooker with removable crock is what I use for side dishes like sweet potatoes or beets.  I also use it for desserts like pumpkin pudding. 

Without further adieu, here is my recipe:

• One hambone with some ham still attached (If you like a lot of ham, add some mre in, if not put in just the bone)
• 
  
• One pound dry black beans
• 
  
• One box beef stock
• 
  
• 2 cups of water

Optional add ins:
A shot or two of Worcheshire sauce
One chopped onion
A shot of soy sauce

Place ham bone in slow cooker, pour remaining ingredients over top.  Make sure that the beans are completely covered with liquid.  Turn it on and walk away.  It has to cook at least 6-8 hours but tastes even better when it goes a little longer.  We serve it over rice, baked potatoes, or just straight up in a bowl.  Makes great quesadilla filling when left over.  We often add hot sauce to left overs and mix it with some gluten free pasta and shredded cheese for an easy Chili Mac dinner.  We can seriously get at least 4-5 meals out of one pot of black beans and ham, and my children are all very big eaters.  We just keep reusing, re-purposing, and adding a little of this or that to stretch the beans.

This recipe makes a really generous portion and I usually have more than we can eat in a couple of meals.  I freeze a large Pyrex container for another night when I don't have time to cook, and I have my slow cooker do the work of getting it heated up as well.  I simply place the frozen portion in the crock and set on low, with in 5-6 hours it is piping hot and delicious!

So, as I write this, I am feeling inspired to share more....so, let's make this a Five Fave post and link up with Jenna, too.

2

Crockpot Chicken

This is the most versitle and easy recipe out there and again makes extras for left overs.

• One "family" package chicken leg quarters (if frozen start on high and then switch to low 2 hours in)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• One spring rosemary

Put chicken in the crock pot, drizzle over oil, top with rosemary.  Cook until you are ready for dinner (6+ hours) on low.   What's that you say? No fresh rosemary?  No problem.  Season the chicken anyway you like--salt and pepper; celery seed, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt; Seasoned salt and paprika; or onion powder and oregano.  Really anything you want.  We use the left over chicken in salads, soups, and pasta dishes.  I save the broth made by slow cooking and use it in place of water to make tasty rice or a delicious, hearty soup the next day.

3

Lemon Chicken

• One whole chicken with gizzard bag removed  
• One whole lemon
• salt and pepper

Place lemon inside chicken cavity, put chicken in crock pot, season with salt and pepper.  Cook on low 8-10 hours.  That's it. 

4

"Mole" Chili

My youngest son is allergic to tomatoes, that has changed our diet quiet a bit. One thing we missed the most was chili.  I develped this tomato free chili to fill that void.  Best of all, it is so easy!

• One bag of beans (We like to use pinto or black beans but you can use any bean you like)
• One onion chopped
• One small jar pickled jalepeno slices
• 1 Tbsp Chili powder
• 2 Tbsp Onion Powder
• 2 Tbsp Garlic Powder
• 2 Tbsp Cumin
• 2 Tbsp Paprika
• 3 Tbsp unprocessed cocoa powder (The kind for baking not hot chocolate.) 
• 2 Tbsp mini dark chocolate chips (optional--but adds some body)
• 2 baked sweet potatoes with skins removed, mashed (optional--again adds body to sauce.  I have been known to cheat and use sweet potato baby food)
• One pound ground meat, browned (optional--If you don't have time to brown the meat, just have a meatless chili, we eat it both ways.)

Add first 8 ingredients to slow cooker along with meat and sweet potatoes, if desired.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours on low until beans are tender.  Add cocoa and chocolate and cook on low an additional hour.  Serve with sour cream.

5

Spinach and Rice "Quiche"

This isn't a slow cooker meal, but it is a family favorite and so easy to make.

• 1 serving brown rice (I use minute rice or left over)
• 1 box frozen spinach at least partially defrosted
• 6-8 eggs beaten
• garlic salt
• grated cheese

In a rectangular baking dish (mine is about 6 x 10) spread rice on the bottom.  Top with spinach. Sprinkle on garlic salt and grated cheese to taste, I only use a very little Parmesan cheese.  Pour beaten eggs over top so that they fill the pan and cover the rice and spinach.  Bake at 350 until middle is set.  Cut into squares and serve.

     

Any great recipes that you have to share?  Post them in the comments, please.

Grand Opening Coupon and Giveaway!

Today is the day I picked to do a Grand Re-Opening of my Etsy shop.  Jessica and I must have been on the same wave length, because she posted a review and giveaway of my items.  Please hop over to her site and check it out.  For all my readers, I also have a special coupon code, GRANDOPENING15 for 10% off any order.  Thank you!

Let's Get Planning: Early American History

Two Seven Quick Takes in one week.  I'm on a role and have actually met my goal of four posts in one week. (My next Catholic 365 article will be published on August 4th).  Here are our history plans for the year.  We are mainly focusing on American history this year after doing a lot of world history the past three years.  We will be picking up at pre-revolutionary times and finishing up pre-Civil War.

1

 

 

After months of researching and a flurry of emails back and forth to Jessica, I decided to purchase the Land of Our Lady series as our history anchor text last spring.  We have really been enjoying it.  It is well written and highlights Catholic achievements that most books skip.  No textbook is completely comprehensive, so we still supplement.  However, I feel that this series is the most comprehensive of the history textbooks I have previewed.  Next year, we will be working in Leaders of Freedom.

 

 

2

 

 

 

We have been collecting the American Adventure series for a few years now.  We finally have enough in a row to use it as a continuous read in history.  These books could be a complete history study in themselves, I decided to continue to use Land of Our Lady so we get a Catholic perspectives as well.  Although I have not found anything anti-Catholic in the series, it is not a Catholic series so adding a Catholic touch make a more complete curricula.  We hope to read from volume #1 through volume #15. 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite genres is biographies.  The Famous Men series is well presented with full color illustrations.  We will be using the Famous Men of Modern Times to highlight some of the men that shaped our history.  I wish there were a Famous Women series that includes only women who worked for good.  I have been trying to find a companion to this but all of the famous women sources I have found include women that I would rather not celebrate--maybe I'll have to write my own.  We will be starting at Henry of Navarre and reading through the rest of the book.  This will bring us back aways before the revolution but I think it will help the children understand what was going on that fueled the creation of a new country.

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is by far one of my very favorite saint books.  My children enjoy it as well.  We have read through Holy Friends a few times already, but it has been awhile since we did it cover to cover.  This year we will highlight Blessed Laura Vicuna, Saint Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Saint Marie-Marguerite d'Youville, Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Blessed Junipero Serra, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Saint Theodore Guerin, and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. 

 

 

5

 

 

 

I think that Liberty's Kids is the best cartoon series ever!  I really wish they would decide to do another series on the Civil War or another historical time period.  My children were pretty much addicted to this series a few years ago when it was on Netflix.  When it was discontinued, there was near panic here.  However, I found the complete series on DVD through CBD for only $4.99.  Right now, it is priced at $7.49, which is still a deal. 

 

In addition, I also purchased  Adventures in Odyssey For God & Country.  Individual tracks of the series can be purchased as downloads for only $1.99 each here.

 

 

 

6

 

I am excited to dig into this book this year.  I do not know how far we will make it with all the other reading we are doing, but the fact that it shows Washington praying on the cover makes me think that whatever we read will be worth it.  My children really like history so they will gladly continue reading this over the summer. 

 

 

7

 

Lastly, I am hoping to create a timeline with the kids starting at the landing of the pilgrims and ending at the civil war.  I will need to figure out where to hand this, as wall space is very limited.  As we study famous people and saints we can add in their details as well.  A book timeline may be a better option.  When I decide and we begin working I will post pictures.

 

How are your plans coming along?  Any American history resources to recommend?





{p, h, f, r} It's been Quite a Week!

We've had a very full week.  Here are the highlights, linking up with Like Mother, Like Daughter.

 

Pretty

 

It was a beautiful day for our annual swim meet.  Hubby even got to come for the first time, ever.  A little icing on the cake...both kids won gold!

 

Mom, just take the picture so we can go play with our friends!

 

 

Happy

 

Cowgirl and I were happy to get out to the drive-in and see the movie Inside-Out.  It's so hard to find good movies and this one was really good!  We rolled back into the house at 11PM on a Wednesday night.  Lots of partying going on this week, but that's what summer vacation is all about!

 

 

Buddy is happy that he can now ride a two wheeler without training wheels! I tried getting a better picture but he was too busy zooming around and didn't want to slow down for the camera.

 

 

 

 

Funny

 

So the little guy deserves a little press time, too.  What is funnier than a toddler, right!  He has figured out that when they ring the bell at the beach it means ice cream is for sale.  He runs over and stands in line with all the big kids, so of course, ice cream is now called "ding, ding".  I only let him get it once a week, but it makes his day.  He looked like he was doing such a great job when I was snapping some pictures, then I walked to the other side of the table, where he was sitting and realized he had a stream of ice cream running down his front.  OOPS!  He's still cute!

 

 

Real

 

There are no pictures for this, although I might start taking them to show my son when he grows up why I have so many gray hairs.  This is Buddy's injury roster for the week:

 

Sunday: Ran into art cabinet, stubbed four toes at once.  Tripped over step stool and scrapped shin.

 

Monday: Cut ankle on a twig while working on his tree house.  Got into a hornet's nest and got stung over twenty times.  Received several deep scratches from thorns as he tried to escape the hornets.

 

Tuesday: Cut shin working on tree house. Tripped over a shopping bag and twisted ankle.

 

Wednesday: Stepped on an earring while playing in the sand, puncture wound treated by life guards.

 

Thursday: Rides directly into my aunt's car bumper trying out for the first time the Mongoose bike I won when I was pregnant for him, bruises his thigh, dents the bumper. Cuts other shin on a rock during tree house construction, then slices open palm with a hammer (?).

 

Friday:  The day is still young but he just asked for his saw...LORD have mercy!