Every day, each of makes hundreds of choices. Some are small, as in ‘Am I going to eat an apple or an orange?’ while some are a tad bit bigger.
How often do you weigh both sides of a decision? What are the unintended consequences of your choices and actions?
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) both claim to be animal welfare groups. Despite how they present information, they would like to end production agriculture.
What would be the unintended consequences if we quit producing cattle for food?
First off, cattle would overpopulate the land very quickly and then begin to go hungry (which is a complete contradiction to the animal rights groups). Cow/calf operators manage their herd based on the amount of land and grass that is available.
What about all the byproducts that cattle provide?
“I ♥ beef cattle because they provide all of us (even vegans) with the essentials to a good life: nutrition, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, deodorant, crayons, stearic acid in my tires, printing ink, asphalt, candles, soaps, shaving cream, detergents, plastics, pet food, toothpaste, fabric softeners…and the list could go on. Beef by-products enable us to use 99% of every beef animal, everything except the moo!” says Amanda Nolz, editor of the Beef Daily Blog.
According to the Agriculture Awareness Coalition in Nebraska, from one cow hide 12 basketballs or 144 baseballs or 20 footballs or 18 volleyballs or 18 soccer balls or 12 baseball gloves can be made.
Let’s take away cattle and see where we are with alternatives to all of these items that would be ridiculously priced.
The Bible amazes me because it addresses every question that could arise.
In Genesis 3, Eve was temped by the serpent to eat from the tree that God has specifically told them not to eat from.
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
I’m sure Eve didn’t intend to cause the downfall of man, but it was a consequence of her decision. Think about the decisions you make. Examine them from different angles. Make good choices.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Where’s the “Angus” Beef??
Today, the word ‘Angus’ is everywhere. From fine dinning restaurants in New York City to McDonalds across the country, Angus has been paired with the words ‘premium’, ‘certified’ and ‘black’. So is Angus beef really better?
According the Certified Angus Beef® “All Angus are not equal.”
“The Certified Angus Beef® brand selects for higher quality beef than other Angus brands. Its 10 science-based specifications are so strict that only 8% of all beef qualifies.”
Angus is a breed of cattle, not a quality of beef. That is why only one in five Angus cattle actually earns the CAB® brand.
In order for cattle to be worthy of the CAB® brand, they must meet the following specifications for flavor and quality:
1. Modest or higher marbling – for the taste that ensures customer satisfaction
2. Medium or fine marbling texture – the white “flecks of flavor” in the beef ensure consistent flavor and juiciness in every bite
3. Only the youngest classification of product qualifies as “A” maturity – for superior color, texture and tenderness
4. 10 to 16-square-inch ribeye area
5. Less than 1,000-pound hot carcass weight
6. Less tan 1-inch fat thickness
7. Superior muscling (restricts influence of dairy cattle)
8. Practically free of capillary ruptures (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
9. No dark cutters (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
10. No neck hump exceeding 2 inches (safeguards against cattle with more variability in tenderness)
The specifications are to ensure that each eating experience is consistent and of the highest quality.
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Classic Steak Butter
(4 servings, 209 calories per serving)
• 1 (10 oz.) CAB® ribeye steaks
• ½ pound unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp roasted garlic
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1. Thoroughly combine softened butter with garlic, salt, pepper, shallots, parsley, sage and rosemary. Roll with plastic wrap into a log shape 1” in diamater; refrigerate 2 hours or until butter is solid (Note: Recipe will yield 16 butter servings; reserve 12 for later use.)
2. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness. Cut butter into ¼” slices and serve over steaks.
For more information about Certified Angus Beef, grocery stores and restaurants that carry the product, or more recipes, visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com
According the Certified Angus Beef® “All Angus are not equal.”
“The Certified Angus Beef® brand selects for higher quality beef than other Angus brands. Its 10 science-based specifications are so strict that only 8% of all beef qualifies.”
Angus is a breed of cattle, not a quality of beef. That is why only one in five Angus cattle actually earns the CAB® brand.
In order for cattle to be worthy of the CAB® brand, they must meet the following specifications for flavor and quality:
1. Modest or higher marbling – for the taste that ensures customer satisfaction
2. Medium or fine marbling texture – the white “flecks of flavor” in the beef ensure consistent flavor and juiciness in every bite
3. Only the youngest classification of product qualifies as “A” maturity – for superior color, texture and tenderness
4. 10 to 16-square-inch ribeye area
5. Less than 1,000-pound hot carcass weight
6. Less tan 1-inch fat thickness
7. Superior muscling (restricts influence of dairy cattle)
8. Practically free of capillary ruptures (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
9. No dark cutters (ensures the most visually appealing steak)
10. No neck hump exceeding 2 inches (safeguards against cattle with more variability in tenderness)
The specifications are to ensure that each eating experience is consistent and of the highest quality.
Grilled Ribeye Steak with Classic Steak Butter
(4 servings, 209 calories per serving)
• 1 (10 oz.) CAB® ribeye steaks
• ½ pound unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tbsp roasted garlic
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp finely chopped shallots
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage
• 1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1. Thoroughly combine softened butter with garlic, salt, pepper, shallots, parsley, sage and rosemary. Roll with plastic wrap into a log shape 1” in diamater; refrigerate 2 hours or until butter is solid (Note: Recipe will yield 16 butter servings; reserve 12 for later use.)
2. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Grill to desired doneness. Cut butter into ¼” slices and serve over steaks.
For more information about Certified Angus Beef, grocery stores and restaurants that carry the product, or more recipes, visit www.certifiedangusbeef.com.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Falling at 120 mph
Skydiving is truly an amazing experience! I recently made my second tandem jump at Skydive Dallas.
God’s creation is beautiful, and it’s a neat experience to see it at 13,500 feet freefalling through the air.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of god was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)
And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the night and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the starts. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning. (Genesis 1: 14-19)
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)
This is the perfect time of year to sit in awe of God’s intricate creation. Watching flowers bloom, baby animals grow and grass turn green remind me of how great our God is.
I encourage you to take some time to sit outside or take a walk and enjoy the blessings that God has given us.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at Kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Love People, Use Things
In Public Relations, we recently had a guest speaker. His main point was about how PR fits into the government; however, he said that it’s all about building relationships and made a point that I believe is so true.
“In today’s world, we use people and love things instead of loving people and using things.”
I know I’m guilty of that. So my question is how did I get to that point?
Through Lent, God was working in my heart about denying the world and seeking him and his will for everything.
I’m amazed at how easy it is to get caught up in worldly things – how easy it is to be selfish with my time and abilities that God has blessed me with, how easy it is to over-indulge in good food and how easy it is to get caught up in trivial matters.
Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
Spring is time of birth and new growth. Easter was just celebrated. God loved us so much that he sent His Son to die in the most horrible way in order for us to appear pure and blameless. What better time to really seek God and the amazing plans He has for your life?
A big questions I have for you this week (and this requires some action) – How is your heart?
Take some time to visit with a close friend or send me a letter/email. How is your heart? Where are you with God? What is good in life? What is bad? Let’s pull together and help each other overcome this world and truly love people.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
“In today’s world, we use people and love things instead of loving people and using things.”
I know I’m guilty of that. So my question is how did I get to that point?
Through Lent, God was working in my heart about denying the world and seeking him and his will for everything.
I’m amazed at how easy it is to get caught up in worldly things – how easy it is to be selfish with my time and abilities that God has blessed me with, how easy it is to over-indulge in good food and how easy it is to get caught up in trivial matters.
Paul writes to the Christians in Ephesus, As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:1-5)
Spring is time of birth and new growth. Easter was just celebrated. God loved us so much that he sent His Son to die in the most horrible way in order for us to appear pure and blameless. What better time to really seek God and the amazing plans He has for your life?
A big questions I have for you this week (and this requires some action) – How is your heart?
Take some time to visit with a close friend or send me a letter/email. How is your heart? Where are you with God? What is good in life? What is bad? Let’s pull together and help each other overcome this world and truly love people.
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Fellowship
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:3-6
Fellowship is a word I have heard a lot about lately at the different Bible studies I go to. We have talked about how important it is to be plugged in and have a solid Christian family.
I don’t remember where I heard this story, but it paints the perfect picture of a Christian who isn’t part of a church family.
It goes like this- “A preacher noticed one of his members hadn’t been to church in a while. He decided to make a visit to the man’s house.
It was a cold snowy day when the man heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he motioned for the preacher to come in without speaking a word.
The preacher sat down across from the man, near the fire burning in the fireplace.
While sitting there in the silence, the preacher poked the coals around. He pulled a burning red one a little ways from the fire.
As the silence continued, the coal went from a bright red, to a dim, cool grey. The preacher stood up, showed himself to the door and was on his way without a word being spoken.
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. He walked up to the preacher, shook his hand and said that the sermon from the other night was the best one he had ever heard.”
God created us to be in fellowship with one another. Without a church family, it is hard to keep the fire burning within us.
I encourage you this week to make an effort to get to church and get involved. Not only do you need your church, they need you!
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Fellowship is a word I have heard a lot about lately at the different Bible studies I go to. We have talked about how important it is to be plugged in and have a solid Christian family.
I don’t remember where I heard this story, but it paints the perfect picture of a Christian who isn’t part of a church family.
It goes like this- “A preacher noticed one of his members hadn’t been to church in a while. He decided to make a visit to the man’s house.
It was a cold snowy day when the man heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he motioned for the preacher to come in without speaking a word.
The preacher sat down across from the man, near the fire burning in the fireplace.
While sitting there in the silence, the preacher poked the coals around. He pulled a burning red one a little ways from the fire.
As the silence continued, the coal went from a bright red, to a dim, cool grey. The preacher stood up, showed himself to the door and was on his way without a word being spoken.
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. He walked up to the preacher, shook his hand and said that the sermon from the other night was the best one he had ever heard.”
God created us to be in fellowship with one another. Without a church family, it is hard to keep the fire burning within us.
I encourage you this week to make an effort to get to church and get involved. Not only do you need your church, they need you!
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Fellowship
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ~ Ephesians 4:3-6
Fellowship is a word I have heard a lot about lately at the different Bible studies I go to. We have talked about how important it is to be plugged in and have a solid Christian family.
I don’t remember where I heard this story, but it paints the perfect picture of a Christian who isn’t part of a church family.
It goes like this- “A preacher noticed one of his members hadn’t been to church in a while. He decided to make a visit to the man’s house.
It was a cold snowy day when the man heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he motioned for the preacher to come in without speaking a word.
The preacher sat down across from the man, near the fire burning in the fireplace.
While sitting there in the silence, the preacher poked the coals around. He pulled a burning red one a little ways from the fire.
As the silence continued, the coal went from a bright red, to a dim, cool grey. The preacher stood up, showed himself to the door and was on his way without a word being spoken.
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. He walked up to the preacher, shook his hand and said that the sermon from the other night was the best one he had ever heard.”
God created us to be in fellowship with one another. Without a church family, it is hard to keep the fire burning within us.
I encourage you this week to make an effort to get to church and get involved. Not only do you need your church, they need you!
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Fellowship is a word I have heard a lot about lately at the different Bible studies I go to. We have talked about how important it is to be plugged in and have a solid Christian family.
I don’t remember where I heard this story, but it paints the perfect picture of a Christian who isn’t part of a church family.
It goes like this- “A preacher noticed one of his members hadn’t been to church in a while. He decided to make a visit to the man’s house.
It was a cold snowy day when the man heard a knock at the door. When he opened the door, he motioned for the preacher to come in without speaking a word.
The preacher sat down across from the man, near the fire burning in the fireplace.
While sitting there in the silence, the preacher poked the coals around. He pulled a burning red one a little ways from the fire.
As the silence continued, the coal went from a bright red, to a dim, cool grey. The preacher stood up, showed himself to the door and was on his way without a word being spoken.
The next Sunday, the man was back in church. He walked up to the preacher, shook his hand and said that the sermon from the other night was the best one he had ever heard.”
God created us to be in fellowship with one another. Without a church family, it is hard to keep the fire burning within us.
I encourage you this week to make an effort to get to church and get involved. Not only do you need your church, they need you!
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
Happy Trails & God Bless! To contact Kristen with questions or comments, email her at kristen_odom@hotmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)