Weird News Wednesday

I know y'all have been craving one o' these. Here ya go.

Even though most of our country only eats a few different types of fruit and veg, (think apples, bananas, oranges, corn, peas, etc) there are actually people out there with enough time to create new veggies. Now, I'm all for new blends. The world wouldn't be the same without the broccoflower, right?. But seriously, why? WHY? would you think there's a huge consumer niche just waiting for you to cross kale and brussel sprouts?

just gross...

I'm so glad scientists have time and grant money on their hands. Austria has decided to scrap their latest endeavor, however. I don't really understand why they thought burying pigs in avalanches WASN'T a good idea. What's up with that?

Of course, you don't have to have tons of money or the government behind you to have an innovative/psychotic idea though. Anyone with a lot of time on their hands, like say 10-20 yrs, can come up with something new. Like tattooing the whites of your eyes, for example.

What? You don't think that's a good idea? Yeah, me neither. But if you want people to pull their children away from you quickly as you walk past, or look unique, whatever, there are some sweet new contact lenses out there. I think the teeth one is my favorite.

Go, look, read, marvel.

The feeder mice chapter has ended. Much more humanely than you may have imagined. Although, if you WERE imagining a gruesome death for 2 poor, defenseless, charitable, well-educated rodents, I don't want to know.

I did post them on craigslist. My posting was flagged. Some bleeding heart apparently didn't like it that some people have snakes for pets and gasp! actually feed them. But before it was flagged, I got a bite. I also had someone interested in the mice...

Anyway, a chick with pink hair and piercings (yes, I was thrilled!) came and got them. We were both happy with our own end of the deal and the book has been closed on the mice saga.

Pink Hair did leave me her number though, so if I call her to buy baby mice, you'll be the first to know.

In other pet news, just in case you're still reading this post, my dog is psycho. Apparently the rabbit is too. What's with my pets being psychotic? Wait! Don't answer that...

So the dog chases shadows. I researched it and found that he's just being neurotic. He spends too much time alone or something. We took him to a doggie therapist and she diagnosed him with OCD. He's constantly washing his hands in the toilet and checking to make the sure his crate is locked.

Starting with we took him to... lies, all lies...

So, I can't think of a way to segue into anything else interesting, so bye now!

Hey y'all.

I've lost 40 pounds now. My pants are getting loose again. Hopefully I can drop another size soon.

How Michelle? Well, I'll tell ya.

1. I stopped drinking cokes in July. I'm southern. Wha-huh? Oh stop. You knew that already. When you're raised southern, Coca Cola is an essential part of your life. It's mixed with your baby rice cereal. And if you're truly southern, there are times when the milk is gone, but the coke isn't. So you try it on your Lucky Charms. I'm not saying it's GOOD, I'm just sayin'.

P.S. My mother did NOT EVER put coke in my baby cereal. She would want you to know that.

2. I substituted coffee for cokes. While I don't recommend this, I grew up being around and drinking coffee and it works for me for now. I will wean myself off eventually, but for now it works. I sweeten it with vanilla soy milk.

3. I stopped eating desserts. You are what you eat and I was tired of being a cookie. Or a donut. I don't mind being sweet and jelly filled, however, I do not want to look like it.

4. I take more walks/runs. It's harder when it's cold and snowy, but I do it anyway. Just layer up. It also feels amazing to be able to take those layers off when you get home. It's sort of like being able to peel off layers of body weight if you visual it just right. If you don't, then it just ends up feeling like some creepy B-movie removing your skin kind of thing. So do it right.

5. I eat smaller portions. This was difficult at first. But actually, I just realized that if I wanted to stop being twice normal size, I should eat half as much. So I would make a "normal" plate for myself and then put half of it back. Now my normal actually is normal. I also trade a little more veggies and a little less unhealthy choices.

6. I take herbs. I've always been interested in holistic choices. I use cayenne and ginger to kick start my metabolism in the morning. I take DHA, or omega 3, pills. Not all the time, just when I feel like it.

I've changed. I feel better. I look better. I have more energy. I don't feel like I need a nap all the time. I don't go to food as a stress release. I meditate instead. Just a few minutes at a time. Or I go do something else to make myself feel prettier. I go fix my hair, or put on some glittery lipgloss. It sounds simple, but it's really a psychological and philosophical change. It's good. Life is good.

2010 should be good.

It started with the kids trying to make breakfast in bed for us, however, when your oldest child is ten, and you smell the stove, you get up quickly. So James and I enjoyed our eggs, hashbrowns, and homemade (by me, buttered by Bud) bread in the kitchen. The house is clean. The laundry is all done. James and I are content with the simplicity of the season.

We had our traditional southern New Years meal. Black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. I added roast chicken.

Do you know why we eat such a spare meal (for southerners anyway) on this day? It's not because we're trying to lose the 10 pounds we put on from Thanksgiving to Christmas. No, no. It's because when the Union soldiers took the South, they pillaged whatever there was to eat. What? The War Between the States (don't call it the Civil War, honey, cause war shore ain't civil) is alive and well in the South.

Anyway...
Those left behind had nothing to eat but what the soldiers didn't want. Namely, the greens in the garden and fatback. Now, if you're southern, you know you can make an entire meal out of those two ingredients. So we eat a scant meal to remember the plight of our forefathers. We also eat the peas and greens for luck and wealth. Even when you're eating for the sake of a superstition, it should still taste goooooood!

I'm not making any resolutions. The way to live happily and healthily is already laid out in the scriptures. I plan on making myself a better person this year. One day at a time.