Blog of the Week: Let Us Prepare

From an email my sister sent me, I found "Let Us Prepare", which is a blog focusing on many different aspects of emergency preparedness. this blog to this handout, "Let There Be Light". which is very nicely done. Debbie Kent has done a fantastic job cataloging and evaluating various heat/power source options for when electricity is lost. This has obviously been compiled for a colder climate and would require a bit of re-prioritizing (less firewood, more propane/gasoline for generators, etc), but it's a fantastic reference. For future reference, should the above link cease to be available, I have uploaded this handout onto our download site, and you can find it here.

The blog itself offers information and videos on a smattering of various subjects, but her best features are her "challenges", such as, "this week, prepare to be stranded in your car overnight in a snowstorm." She then gives a list of the articles a family would need to store in their vehicle to survive such an eventuality. Again, climate differences have to be factored in, but for folks with preparedness priority paralysis, this blog provides a much needed nudge into your baby steps.

Blog fo the Week: T F Stern's Rantings: DNA Evidence Supports Book of Mormon

T F Stern's Rantings: DNA Evidence Supports Book of Mormon

Hey, Sisters,

For those of you who were in Fast and Testimony today (and everyone else, for that matter), you might find this blog entry from Brother Stern interesting. I haven't had a chance to see the DVD myself, but it's definitely something that sounds exciting.

Enjoy!

Blog of the Week: Dr. Laura’s Blog » Blessings in Disguise

Dr. Laura’s Blog » Blessings in Disguise

I don't listen to Dr. Laura, but my sister sent me this article posted on the radio host's blog, and I thought it was very cool and you'd enjoy the read. It's good to hear people talk well of Mormons, but it's even better to see that some actually 'get' us as a people, if not our religion. Dr. Laura seems to be one. In speaking of the Welfare system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after touring the main facility, she explains the concepts of those in need donating whatever service they can in exchange for the help they receive:

The basic concept is to preserve a sense of dignity and pride in those who have temporary need by giving them an opportunity to use their skills in the service of others. Walking around the premises, I felt the uplifted attitude of all who were there: smiles, waves, and straight backs.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints provides for people all over the world – not only with goods and goodwill, but with the opportunity to not lose a sense of self when “things” are lost.

I probably sound like an advertisement for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am not a member of their religion, but I am impressed with their charitable philosophy, because I believe it teaches our children their real value, while motivating and uplifting them at the same time.

This article also brings to mind an article in the February 2008 Ensign by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. In 'A Band of Brothers', he states:

If someone were to ask you who we are as a people, what would you say? Who are we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

The answer, I believe, is a simple one given to us by the Savior Himself. We are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds. And we are a people who love our neighbor as ourselves. (See Matthew 22:37–39.)

This answer satisfies many of the questions asked about why we do what we do. Why does the Church ask so much of its members? Because we love the Lord, and we love our neighbor. Why do we do temple work? Missionary work? Welfare work? Because we love the Lord, and we love our neighbor.

These are the roots of all that we do. We do not send our missionaries out into the world to collect statistics. We send them into the world because we love our Heavenly Father, and we love our fellowmen.

That is who we are as a people. That is why we do what we do.

Especially at this Christmas season, when so many of us 'do what we do' in expressing our love for one another with gifts, caroling, parties, and help for the needy, let us remember why we do it. Let us make our love for our neighbors our gift to the Savior in celebration of His birth.

Blog of the Week: Hungry? A Place to Gather for Food

Hungry?

Here is another great recipe blog lots of great recipes and lots of other information useful in the kitchen. My niece, Kami Allen, is one of a number of participants, so the spectrum of recipes is broad and comprehensive, with an emphasis on eating healthy.

Here is a sample of one of the recipes she has posted:

Grilled Vegetable Salad

Posted by Kamie

Grilled Vegetable Salad

A basic balsamic vinegar and olive oil combination does triple duty here, seasoning grilled vegetables, wilting baby spinach leaves and dressing this colorful warm-weather salad. Feel free to replace the asparagus with zucchini or yellow squash (just slice them in half before grilling) or to add a bell pepper or two to the mix. On the off chance that you have leftovers, they taste great in a veggie sandwich or tofu scramble the next day.

Ingredient List
Serves 4
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
6 Tbs. olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbs.)
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed
2 medium-size portobello mushrooms, stems removed
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch rings (about 2 cups)
6 cups baby spinach leaves, rinsed and dried

Directions
1. Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, parsley, basil and garlic in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with asparagus, mushrooms and onion in shallow baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.
2. Coat grill or grill pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray. Preheat to medium-high heat.
3. Place spinach in large serving bowl; set aside.
4. Drain asparagus mixture, reserving marinade. Grill vegetables 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, or until tender and lightly charred. Transfer to cutting board. Cool 2 minutes, and cut into bite-size pieces.
5. Add grilled vegetables to spinach. Transfer reserved marinade to small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat. Pour over salad mixture. Toss salad with hot marinade, using tongs. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Per SERVING: Calories: 285, Protein: 5g, Total fat: 15g, Carbs: 21g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 203mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugars: 8g

Source: Vegetarian Times

Blog of the Week: Prepare Today Newsletter

Another Perspective:

This is a collection of information to assist others in their preparedness efforts and to help them be ready for the challenges which are coming.

The Prepare Today Newsletter is a blog authored by a ward preparedness specialist from California. It provides a slightly different view of emergency preparedness, particularly since Californians face an entirely different set of hazards from their environment. They have fires and earthquakes, we have hurricanes and ice storms, etc. Added to the other resources available to us, this blog adds its bit of harmony to the same tune we know so well.

Here is a snippet of one article, a bit of commentary entitled "Musings of a Ward Preparedness Chairman":

Why is it so many saints are unenthusiastic about getting their food storage and emergency supplies?

For some it's a matter of money – both too little money and, curiously enough, too much money. The challenge for those with limited funds is more understandable than those who have what can only be termed "abundance". We live in an area with large numbers of prosperous members who don't have their food storage – why?

This is something I've wondered about a lot and recently gained additional insight from reading the observations of an online forum moderator named NeatBrian.

Read the complete article.

Things to know:

URL: http://preparetodaynewsletter.blogspot.com/
Author: A Californian ward preparedness specialist; otherwise anonymous
Emphasis: Emergency Preparedness
Rating: 4/5

Blog of the Week: Lucy's Frugal Living

"Free Advice 5 cents"

If you don't know our own dear Lucy Stern very well, her blog is a great place to start. Lucy never wearies in well-doing, and extends her exertions onto the Internet . Her recipe for blog success:

• Mix together equal parts:
• Homemaking skills
• Emergency preparedness
• Food storage
• Frugal living
• Season with:
• A dash of politics
• A pinch of homily
• A healthy dollop of hard-won wisdom
• Mix well, then top with
  
• A generous layer of wide-ranging recipes.
• Enjoy!
  

Things to know:

URl: http://lucysfrugalliving.blogspot.com
Author: Lucy Stern
Emphasis: homemaking skills, emergency preparedness, food storage & frugal living
Rating: 5/5
Comment: With a two o'clock Sunday meeting time, her crockpot collection is a must!

Blog of the Week: Between Loads of Laundry

Between Loads of Laundry

• This is a blog written by a Christian stay-at-home mom with two small sons, whose three passions seem to be her family, her faith in God, and her cooking. I bookmarked this blog in passing as a source of quick and convenient yet interesting recipes. However, her thoughts and stories, of equal content, are worth reading in and of themselves.
  
• Here is a sampling of the broad spectrum of recipes she shares: black bean salad, avocado delight, spicy peanut chicken, graham wafer quickies, and blueberry muffins.
• She also includes some interesting related links which you may find worth investigating.
  

Things to Know:
URL: http://betweenloadsoflaundry.blogspot.com
Author: Mikki Roo
Emphasis: Home and Family
Rating: 3/5, but it's really too soon to tell

Blog of the Week: I Love Pretty Paper

I Love Pretty Paper

• In the interest of full disclosure, I should state here that the author of this blog, Tomi Ann Hill, is my niece -- one of my favorite, in point of fact. However, the dipping into my gene pool hasn't prevented her from becoming a fabulously talented and creative person. I have very carefully avoided catching pretty paper preoccupation, but I know some of you have it bad, so here it is.
• If you are into scrap-booking or card-making, this is truly a great site. Not only does Tomi share tons of photos of her charming ideas, but she also gives step-by-step instructions on how to make them. She reviews her wide assortment of tools, introduces new papers and other materials, and shares tips and secrets on how she works her magic.
• Finally, her list of links to other paper-craft sites and blogs is extensive, many of which are absolutely fabulous. If you are inclined to venture into the wonderland which is the world of paper craft, Tomi's site is the perfect rabbit hole in which to fall. http://tomiannie.blogspot.com.