A Side Of Truth

Do you know where your meat comes from? And do you even care?





I am not trying to convert anyone to vegetarianism. But no one can deny that letting go of at least some meat would do the body good. My daughters best friend tried to go meatless a while back just for one day and she couldn't do it...what does that say about us.

First off, we are led to believe that we 'need' animal protein in order to get stronger. 'NOT'
Secondly, we are told that if we do not consume dairy products that we will develop osteoporosis.'NOT'

It is nothing short of brainwashing to get you to buy their products. You notice I did not call it food. Trust me when I tell you anything that comes in a Styrofoam box and you can get delivered through your car window is not food. It is edible food like substance. And if you don't have thee ingredients on the container in your cupboard, then why are you eating them?

It's big business to sell you 'stuff' that resembles food, or things that you have called food your entire life. But this is not food. Or at least the the food your great grand mother knew as food. What would she say and do if she came back and saw us eating this way. She would kick our backsides all the way to the fresh market and not leave until we purchased fresh fruit and vegetables and if you chose to eat meat, you went to the butcher and got it from him, not the local drive-thru.

Think long and hard if this is the stuff you want floating around and 'staying' in your gut. I know I don't. I care what goes into my body, so should you.

The Story of Stuff

For those of you who have been around a little longer than others, your first thought when you hear the word 'stuff' is George Carlin. And truth be told, you are not too far off base. I got to see George Carlin in concert over 20 years ago when he had cleaned up his act. And I was glad we saw him then. Yes there was swearing, but it was kept to a minimum. And guess what, his 'stuff' was still funny.

Take a look at George Carlin's take on Stuff. There is some mild profanity. So if you still want to take a gander, tell the kiddies to go elsewhere.

Carlin's Stuff

Yes, he makes it seem oh so funny. But there is a down side to stuff. And I for one am ready to rid my life of my 'stuff' that I am not using. I have blogged about Free Cycle before and love it. Do I use it all the time? No. But it is there for me to use if necessary. One of the main objectives to Free cycle is to keep things out of our landfills. And I for one on that bandwagon. I love this new word I am discovering and how it can apply to my life. When I am dead and gone, what will people say about me? To me, at least, it is very important. I want people to say, even if they think I am whack about it, that I did everything I could to help Mother Earth be a bit healthier. Even though those greedy capitalists think I should have a new computer every six months.

I want to make life simpler, not have to sit and look at 'stuff' I have and that doesn't get used. Save for seasonal holiday 'stuff' I want to rid my life of 'stuff' that is sitting here, in my home taking up space. And it's not that I want to get rid of it to bring in new 'stuff', it's just that I don't want it around any longer.

I look at my parent's for example and their 'stuff' has 'stuff'. That can't be good. And I remember a long time ago that someone once told me that if you have not used something in a years time, then you obviously don't need it. And I will give that person that, but there are some exceptions to that rule. Emergency items, like a generator, especially if you live in Hurricane Central, and items that would lend assistance in an emergency. For each region of our country it would be something different. But we all know what our emergency necessities are and I will leave it at that.

The kind of stuff I am referring to is the stuff (and I sat in my TV room as I bring up this point) is the stuff me purchase and then let fall by the wayside, in a manner of speaking. I have a pretty set number of CD's I listen to. Let's use the number 25 as an example. I have a CD carrying case in my vehicle and I rotate those same tried and true CD's. I cannot remember the last time I purchased a new CD and I am all right with that. For why should I by more stuff, just to say I have more stuff? Do you think the person I am conversing with is really, truly impressed that I got the latest CD. DVD , computer, kitchen gadget...? No, they are not. They are most more than likely annoyed at the fact that I feel thee undesirable need to shove it in their face every chance I get, so why bother.

So, in looking at my entertainment set (And reading my borrowed Ishmael book) I knew right then, that I wanted to make it a top priority to rid my home, and moreso, my life of 'stuff', also known as clutter.

To see the dynamics of what stuff is doing to us and our planet, please take a look at this short video. It is about 20 minutes or so, but well worth the watch. I've only had in my bookmarks for about a year. And whilst deleting websites I knew I did not or would not visit, I thought it appropriate to finally take a see what this woman, Annie Leonard had to say about stuff. She makes the viewing worth your while. It is semi-animated, but she does not talk to you like you are a child. And for the most part, these were things I knew about but needed a gentle reminder and a less gentle nudging to get off my backside and make a difference.

I am not looking to change, the world. All right, yes I am, but I can only do so much and I am fine with that. But there is a saying that keeps coming back in many references I speak about lately and it goes like this, "How does and ant eat an elephant?...One bite at a time."

The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard

Is It Just Me?

...or is there too much sexuality in advertising? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with sex, but there is a time and a place for it, and I think most of my readers would agree. What has started this tirade was a new M&M's commercial. If you have not seen it then check it out. It is the little Green Lady M&M. And she is doing a photo shoot, for her company, but it is laden with sexuality...trust me on this.

What are we telling our children. I can see it now, out on the school playground. A little 6 year old, licking her lips and pouting for little Johnny and his friends, because she saw it on a candy commercial.

I have seen it with other things as well. Rosetta Stone, great product, and yet, they have a new commercial with a woman in a red satin blouse, with have of her girls showing to the camera. I don't want to buy her bosoms, I want information on Rosetta Stone, just the facts ma'am. Now, I am guessing that the few male readers I do have will read this and go..."So, what's the problem?" Men...pffft. But would they want their daughter to be the one out on the playground showing Johnny and his friends how she has learned to pout her lips and lick all at the same time? I don't think so. Everything is hunky dory until it is your daughter. You can ogle all you want until someone is doing it to your teenage daughter who looks nothing like a teenager, because Mother Nature has blessed her. And whoever came up with the notion that being well endowed was a blessing. I tell you it is not. Who wants dirty old men drooling over you when you walk down the mall. Ick! I just want to take a shower when I see men looking at my daughter. You have to remember. She dresses super modestly and wears just a scant of lip gloss, so you tell me what are they looking at. She is by no means looking for attention like some of these Daisy-Duke wearing shorts girls are doing(hope they waxed).

I feel very strongly that our society and moreso our children are being exposed to way too much, way too early. It is my job to inform her of these things, not an episode of CSI. And yet, that is what is out there for our children to watch, read and ingest. Sex is everywhere. But could someone tell me why? Why is it a necessity in TV, and advertising, two of the largest venues that our children are exposed to. Movies, are a bit different. You have to pay for them, but TV is nearly in every room. Magazines grace practically every home in America. did you know that for the past 20 years, nearly every movie that has won an Oscar has been R rated!! I kid you not. And why is that necessary. Cannot we not make a good film, unless it has blatant sex and plenty of "F" words in it. Sex and violence does not a movie make. Did we not make some great films in our recent past did not need the in your face sex? I mean we all knew what happened when Rhett carried Scarlett up the stairs, but we did not need to see it.

I don't know, maybe I am just getting older and don't feel the need for so much sexuality. I know it's out there and I have 2 children, so I know it exists, but come on. Let's leave something to the imagination. And this is not only for the sexuality angle. That goes for violence and language as well. I know it is out there, but why do have to see it all the time. Move on guys.

And to think I tiny little M&M commercial got me this heated.