So, I thought it would be fun to start posting some of the recipes I have been trying. I won't overload you guys with recipes, so I'll start with the one we are having for dinner tonight. I have yet to taste it, but it looks and smells so good that there is no way it can't be good! It is currently in the oven and smells awesome! So, if you are looking for a (somewhat) healthy recipe, here might be a good place to start. The nice thing, for me, about vegetarian cooking is you can add more cheese and butter since you are not using calories with meat! I will trade meat for cheese and butter any day! :o)
Ok, here goes. Let me know if you try it and what you think. I am by no way claiming this recipe as my own, but I always tweak my recipes from what is originally written. Still, does not make it my own, so I am not taking credit for it! It's just always fun to share and try new recipes.
12 uncooked lasagna noodles
3 cups frozen broccoli florets, thawed, well drained. (I bought the broccoli pieces, since it later asks you to cut them into bite sized pieces)
3 large carrots, coarsely shredded (2 cups). (I did not do this... I used baby carrots and just sliced a bunch of them up into bite sized pieces. Unless you just buy shredded carrots, which would work well too!)
1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, well drained (I bought the garlic, oregano, and basil seasoned tomatoes, because you can never have too much garlic, oregano, and basil in ANYTHING!)
2 medium bell peppers, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 containers (10 oz. each) refrigerated Alfredo sauce. (I made my own... I'll include this recipe at the end, but it is MUCH easier to just buy it already made. Making your own you can cut a lot of fat and calories out and still get a good sauce, though!)
1 bag (16 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese (4 cups) (You can cut down on the cheese if you want to save on some fat and calories as well!)
1) Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.
2) Meanwhile, cut broccoli florets into bite-size pieces if necessary. In large bowl, mix broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, and bell peppers. In small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg.
3) Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In 13 x 9-inch (3 quart) glass baking dish, spoon 2/3 cup of the Alfredo sauce. Place 4 noodles over sauce. Spread with half of cheese mixture and 2 1/2 cups of vegetable mixture; randomly spoon 2/3 cup remaining sauce in dollops over noodles. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 4 noodles. Spread with remaining cheese mixture and 2 1/2 cups vegetable mixture; randomly spoon 2/3 cup sauce in dollops over vegetables. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining 4 noodles and vegetable mixture; randomly spoon remaining sauce in dollops over top. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese.
4) Bake uncovered 45 to 60 minutes or until bubbly and hot in center. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Makes 8 servings
Ok, here is the Alfredo Sauce recipe. Very easy, and very versatile, even if you want to pair it with other pasta dishes! If you are using it for the lasagna recipe, you have to TRIPLE the recipe!
2 tbsp. butter, margarine, or vegetable oil
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 cup milk or soy milk (skim milk works great if you want to eliminate some fat and calories... I have yet to try this with soy milk, personally!)
salt and pepper to taste
Dried (or fresh) Garlic, basil, and parsley to taste
1/2 cup shredded cheese (any kind you like) I have used both Monterey Jack cheese and Mozzarella, depending on what I have on hand!
Melt the butter (or margarine or oil) in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the flour, and cook, stirring or just a minute or two. Now slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to eliminate any lumps. Add seasonings as desired. (I never measure, so I can't tell you how much of each I add... sorry!) Cook, continuing to stir, until the sauce thickens and begins to simmer. Keep cooking the sauce after it reaches a simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly so that it doesn't scorch and stick to the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in shredded cheese until smooth and melted.
Makes 1 cup
Enjoy, my friends! :o)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Vegetarian and the Steakhouse!
Ok, I passed a major vegetarian test this week. On Saturday we got together with Jason's family and went out to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for dinner. I want to start off by saying that Jason's family was very gracious and did call me to see if we wanted to choose another restaurant in light of my decision to give up meat for lent. I told them I would be fine going to Ruth's Chris, and it sounded like a really fun experience. I had checked out the menu and knew that there were plenty of options for me. So, it is not as if I was tortured and dragged to a steakhouse! :o)
Anyway, I must say, one of the best meals I have ever eaten at a restaurant. And I did not even desire the steak. (This proves to me that I should just go ahead and declare myself a vegetarian from here on out...) I ordered a buffalo mozzarella and vine ripened tomato salad, and the "potato and veggie plate" in which I got to choose any three side items on the menu. I chose a baked potato, creamed spinach, and broccoli au gratin. And I was not bummed by any of those choices.
It is ironic, because I had written in the past that the thing I am loving most about being a vegetarian is the lack of options that I have; therefore, making it easier to choose and ultimately not dealing with the "buyers remorse" of wishing I had ordered something different. The thing that is ironic about my experience at Ruth's Chris, is I think I took just as long choosing as everyone else did... And I did walk away kind of wishing I had ordered the salmon after all. (I had a bite of Jason's, and it was by far the best piece of fish I have ever put in my mouth!) So, even a vegetarian has options at a steakhouse! :o)
So far on my journey, my body has never felt better with this new diet. I am never bloated and gassy. (Ok, tmi...) I am never uncomfortably stuffed, even if I eat a little too much. And I feel like I have a lot more energy. I am also proud to say that at 19 weeks pregnant I have only gained 3 pounds!!! I feel amazing, and I can't imagine going back to meat right now. It doesn't even sound good to me. So, with a little less than three weeks to go of my vegetarian challenge, I am glad that I have taken it, and may continue!
Anyway, I must say, one of the best meals I have ever eaten at a restaurant. And I did not even desire the steak. (This proves to me that I should just go ahead and declare myself a vegetarian from here on out...) I ordered a buffalo mozzarella and vine ripened tomato salad, and the "potato and veggie plate" in which I got to choose any three side items on the menu. I chose a baked potato, creamed spinach, and broccoli au gratin. And I was not bummed by any of those choices.
It is ironic, because I had written in the past that the thing I am loving most about being a vegetarian is the lack of options that I have; therefore, making it easier to choose and ultimately not dealing with the "buyers remorse" of wishing I had ordered something different. The thing that is ironic about my experience at Ruth's Chris, is I think I took just as long choosing as everyone else did... And I did walk away kind of wishing I had ordered the salmon after all. (I had a bite of Jason's, and it was by far the best piece of fish I have ever put in my mouth!) So, even a vegetarian has options at a steakhouse! :o)
So far on my journey, my body has never felt better with this new diet. I am never bloated and gassy. (Ok, tmi...) I am never uncomfortably stuffed, even if I eat a little too much. And I feel like I have a lot more energy. I am also proud to say that at 19 weeks pregnant I have only gained 3 pounds!!! I feel amazing, and I can't imagine going back to meat right now. It doesn't even sound good to me. So, with a little less than three weeks to go of my vegetarian challenge, I am glad that I have taken it, and may continue!
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Dream...
I knew it would happen sooner or later, and it happened last night. I had a dream that I was eating meat, then all the sudden realized that I was a vegetarian. Sounds silly, but this happens to me every time I cut something out of my diet. For example, I have had it where I was going for a glucose test in the morning and I dreamt I ate a great big piece of cake only to realize (when the cake was half gone) that I had messed up all my hard work. Why does my brain do this to me? And why do I still feel so guilty when I wake up as if I really had eaten the "forbidden food"?
I have been really sick all week. Being sick has been tough, but it hasn't hurt my vegetarian diet at all. In fact, I haven't been eating much, and couldn't taste much food, so I wasn't missing out on much! The only bummer that I have discovered is almost all canned soups are off limits, as most of them are made with some form of chicken broth. It is rare to find one that isn't. I even found a Campbell's one that had tons of veggies and tomato soup, but there down at the end of the ingredient list... chicken broth. WHY!?!?!? Canned soups used to be a staple for me when I got sick, now I need to find the ones without chicken broth and stock up, I suppose!
Last night I actually had a lot of fun preparing dinner! Since being sick all week, dinners have consisted of things that can be heated up in the microwave, Boca Burgers, and Subway! So, last night was my first night to get back in the kitchen and prepare a dinner all week. I have found (and maybe this is still the newness of it all) that cooking vegetarian is a lot more fun! Last night I started with what I thought was going to be basic cheese ravioli. I had the pasta, and the Prego Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Sauce (no chicken broth, which again, hard to find!!!), and I was just going to throw it together with some warm bread and voila... dinner. (Not my usual style, but again, I've been sick!) Anyway, as I went to the kitchen I thought, "Hm... I have all the stuff to make a basic white sauce." So, I threw the things in the pot for the white sauce. Then I started adding... I added basil, garlic, and Monterey Jack Cheese... Then, I started cutting up spinach, steamed that, and added that as well! Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! I have found that I can be more creative in the kitchen than I used to give myself credit for, and now being vegetarian I am having a lot of fun creating more new and exciting dishes!
Tonight as a family we get to go out to Souplantation! So excited! This is our usual Friday night hangout. Gives me a night off of preparing meals, the kids love it, and it is a healthy meal. I am so glad that the vegetarian diet has not forced me to change our usual night of going out. I just, again, have to stay away from those soups with the dreaded chicken broth. But, Souplantation is really good at labeling which soups have chicken broth and which ones do not! And the only difference to my meal is I now add beans to my salad!
I have been really sick all week. Being sick has been tough, but it hasn't hurt my vegetarian diet at all. In fact, I haven't been eating much, and couldn't taste much food, so I wasn't missing out on much! The only bummer that I have discovered is almost all canned soups are off limits, as most of them are made with some form of chicken broth. It is rare to find one that isn't. I even found a Campbell's one that had tons of veggies and tomato soup, but there down at the end of the ingredient list... chicken broth. WHY!?!?!? Canned soups used to be a staple for me when I got sick, now I need to find the ones without chicken broth and stock up, I suppose!
Last night I actually had a lot of fun preparing dinner! Since being sick all week, dinners have consisted of things that can be heated up in the microwave, Boca Burgers, and Subway! So, last night was my first night to get back in the kitchen and prepare a dinner all week. I have found (and maybe this is still the newness of it all) that cooking vegetarian is a lot more fun! Last night I started with what I thought was going to be basic cheese ravioli. I had the pasta, and the Prego Roasted Garlic and Mushroom Sauce (no chicken broth, which again, hard to find!!!), and I was just going to throw it together with some warm bread and voila... dinner. (Not my usual style, but again, I've been sick!) Anyway, as I went to the kitchen I thought, "Hm... I have all the stuff to make a basic white sauce." So, I threw the things in the pot for the white sauce. Then I started adding... I added basil, garlic, and Monterey Jack Cheese... Then, I started cutting up spinach, steamed that, and added that as well! Turned out pretty good if I do say so myself! I have found that I can be more creative in the kitchen than I used to give myself credit for, and now being vegetarian I am having a lot of fun creating more new and exciting dishes!
Tonight as a family we get to go out to Souplantation! So excited! This is our usual Friday night hangout. Gives me a night off of preparing meals, the kids love it, and it is a healthy meal. I am so glad that the vegetarian diet has not forced me to change our usual night of going out. I just, again, have to stay away from those soups with the dreaded chicken broth. But, Souplantation is really good at labeling which soups have chicken broth and which ones do not! And the only difference to my meal is I now add beans to my salad!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
I'll Take a Big Mac; Hold the Mac Please!
Ok, almost two weeks into this vegetarian thing, and I really think I am going to make it a permanent lifestyle. I still have yet to miss eating meat. I don't have any cravings for meat; in fact, the other day I had a craving for beans! Whoo hoo! So, my body has shifted, and I think I'm going to leave it this way! I still have another month of lent, so I am not making an official decision yet, but as of now, my thoughts are that I am going to be a permanent vegetarian!
Jason and I had a date night on Saturday night, and once again, I very much enjoyed going out to eat as a vegetarian. We went to BJ's. We split an appetizer of avocado eggrolls (my FAVORITE appetizer, even before going veggie!), a small vegetable pizza, and a pizzookie! And I wasn't as STUFFED as I normally am after leaving a restaurant. I felt very satisfied, and remained satisfied all night! Granted, I am eating for two! ;o)
So, today Kaelyn went to the doctor for her annual check-up, and is custom in our house whenever shots get administered the family gets to go to McDonald's for lunch, which in our house is a big treat, seeing as how we go maybe once every other month! So, my order... no joke... Big Mac value meal with no patties. I have been sick lately and just needed comfort food. Not sure I will order this again the next time I go to McDonald's. It wasn't bad, but I forgot that a Big Mac becomes cold when there is no meat in it!
So, the journey continues...
Jason and I had a date night on Saturday night, and once again, I very much enjoyed going out to eat as a vegetarian. We went to BJ's. We split an appetizer of avocado eggrolls (my FAVORITE appetizer, even before going veggie!), a small vegetable pizza, and a pizzookie! And I wasn't as STUFFED as I normally am after leaving a restaurant. I felt very satisfied, and remained satisfied all night! Granted, I am eating for two! ;o)
So, today Kaelyn went to the doctor for her annual check-up, and is custom in our house whenever shots get administered the family gets to go to McDonald's for lunch, which in our house is a big treat, seeing as how we go maybe once every other month! So, my order... no joke... Big Mac value meal with no patties. I have been sick lately and just needed comfort food. Not sure I will order this again the next time I go to McDonald's. It wasn't bad, but I forgot that a Big Mac becomes cold when there is no meat in it!
So, the journey continues...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Still Lovin' It!
So, it has been over a week since I have officially switched to being a vegetarian, and I still love this new lifestyle!!! At first I had been nervous because we had a house guest last week, so I wasn't going to officially start until after she left, but that wasn't an issue for me at all, especially since I am not making the kids go vegetarian. So, I had ham in the house for her to have ham sandwiches for lunch. Otherwise she was pretty flexible with our new way of eating. I was even surprised that when I had taken her to subway she ordered a Veggie Delight, so I knew she wasn't totally sick of not eating meat! :o)
So far things are still going great. My body is feeling great, and I am loving the new foods I get to prepare. Tonight I am going to start experimenting with beans. Our grocery store has a bulk section where you can buy tons of different beans, rices, and grains, in as small or as large of quantities as you would like, so that has made it really fun and easy as well! On the menu tonight is Hawaiian Salmon burgers (I AM still eating fish!), with coconut rice and red beans. We'll see how it goes! :o)
Other things I have become addicted to include: tomato, basil, and mozzarella sandwiches on Ciabatta bread with balsamic vinagrette, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and cottage cheese mixed with crushed pineapple. Yum, yum, yum!!! This whole vegetarian thing really is easier than I thought! :o)
Thanks for following me on this journey!!!
So far things are still going great. My body is feeling great, and I am loving the new foods I get to prepare. Tonight I am going to start experimenting with beans. Our grocery store has a bulk section where you can buy tons of different beans, rices, and grains, in as small or as large of quantities as you would like, so that has made it really fun and easy as well! On the menu tonight is Hawaiian Salmon burgers (I AM still eating fish!), with coconut rice and red beans. We'll see how it goes! :o)
Other things I have become addicted to include: tomato, basil, and mozzarella sandwiches on Ciabatta bread with balsamic vinagrette, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and cottage cheese mixed with crushed pineapple. Yum, yum, yum!!! This whole vegetarian thing really is easier than I thought! :o)
Thanks for following me on this journey!!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I passed my first "test"!
Tonight we decided to take a drive down to Seal Beach and eat at Ruby's out on the pier. For those of you not in Southern California, Ruby's is a 50's style diner that mainly serves hamburgers of all different varieties. And I have to say, a hamburger did not even look tempting to me! I ordered the Vegwich, and was actually very happy with how much I enjoyed it!
This may sound strange, but one of the things I have been looking forward to about going vegetarian is that I don't have sooooo many options staring me in the face. Jason had read a book that had concluded that more choices actually make us more dissatisfied with what we end up choosing in the end. More choices lead to more buyers remorse, or fear that we have not chosen the best option. I am really excited that my options are now very limited for eating when I go out to eat. And tonight I was very satisfied by my limited options.
I left feeling satisfied, but not overly full as I know a burger and fries would have made me. And I don't have the regret that I used to have after eating a burger when I would feel so stuffed afterward.
So far I am surprised at how satisfying this vegetarian lifestyle is for me. I had a friend that told me it wasn't so hard, and I am starting to believe him! I am still feeling more energy, although there has been some major processing of life that has been weighing on me the last few days. But, overall I am really happy with how my body feels. And dare I say my pants are fitting better, which I shouldn't be able to say in pregnancy. Don't worry, I'm still getting the necessary calories, but I really think my metabolism is kicking it up a notch. No, I am not TRYING to lose weight while being pregnant, but so far I'm really happy with the results!
This may sound strange, but one of the things I have been looking forward to about going vegetarian is that I don't have sooooo many options staring me in the face. Jason had read a book that had concluded that more choices actually make us more dissatisfied with what we end up choosing in the end. More choices lead to more buyers remorse, or fear that we have not chosen the best option. I am really excited that my options are now very limited for eating when I go out to eat. And tonight I was very satisfied by my limited options.
I left feeling satisfied, but not overly full as I know a burger and fries would have made me. And I don't have the regret that I used to have after eating a burger when I would feel so stuffed afterward.
So far I am surprised at how satisfying this vegetarian lifestyle is for me. I had a friend that told me it wasn't so hard, and I am starting to believe him! I am still feeling more energy, although there has been some major processing of life that has been weighing on me the last few days. But, overall I am really happy with how my body feels. And dare I say my pants are fitting better, which I shouldn't be able to say in pregnancy. Don't worry, I'm still getting the necessary calories, but I really think my metabolism is kicking it up a notch. No, I am not TRYING to lose weight while being pregnant, but so far I'm really happy with the results!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
So Far Really Good!!!
So, it is 5:45 AM, and here I am at the computer. This happened yesterday morning as well. And both mornings I woke up completely on my own. This is just short of a miracle! My entire pregnancy I have been sleeping in until 7:45ish, waking up right about the time Jason is leaving for work. And I've been taking a few naps a week. But, remarkably, since becoming vegetarian (this kind of unofficially started on Saturday...) and finding protein in other sources I am not as tired anymore! I know, it has only just begun. We'll see if I am still up at 5:45 in a month!
I am really amazed at all the foods that are high in protein. Yesterday I was pretty sure I had all my daily recommended protein in by lunch time. And I wasn't as hungry or wanting to snack either.
Thanks for staying with me on this journey! I will continue to update as time goes on!
I am really amazed at all the foods that are high in protein. Yesterday I was pretty sure I had all my daily recommended protein in by lunch time. And I wasn't as hungry or wanting to snack either.
Thanks for staying with me on this journey! I will continue to update as time goes on!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
My Attempt at Vegetarianism!
Hello again trusty blog. It has been a while since I have blogged! Honestly, it feels as if life has been stagnant and I have not been having any new revelations to blog about. But, I now have one, and it is a good reason to resurrect the dusty ole' blog! For lent I have decided to give vegetarianism a try; from there we will see if this becomes a permanent life choice.
This was not a decision that I made overnight. This was something that I had always wanted to do but never thought I could. As I have slowly cut meat out of my regular diet I finally feel like I am at a place to do this. I had never prepared much pork, as Jason doesn't like pork, so that was pretty much out of my diet. Over the last year I had given up red meat (except for the rare occasion when it sounded good to me, which didn't happen often). So, all that is left is chicken. I am by no means trying to make anyone feel guilty about eating meat, nor am I trying to persuade anyone to become a vegetarian with me. This blog is simply my journey of giving a new diet a try. (One that I am VERY excited about!)
The decision to do this became final when I had my last doctor's appointment this past Friday. I had been concerned about switching to a vegetarian diet in the middle of my pregnancy. My doctor assured me that as long as I get the recommended protein in a day there is nothing wrong with this. (Which made me realize I hadn't been getting the recommended amount of protein on a normal basis, so already this has caused me to reevaluate what I am eating.)
I plan on posting my progress on my blog, so stay tuned and see if I can successfully become a vegetarian!!!
This was not a decision that I made overnight. This was something that I had always wanted to do but never thought I could. As I have slowly cut meat out of my regular diet I finally feel like I am at a place to do this. I had never prepared much pork, as Jason doesn't like pork, so that was pretty much out of my diet. Over the last year I had given up red meat (except for the rare occasion when it sounded good to me, which didn't happen often). So, all that is left is chicken. I am by no means trying to make anyone feel guilty about eating meat, nor am I trying to persuade anyone to become a vegetarian with me. This blog is simply my journey of giving a new diet a try. (One that I am VERY excited about!)
The decision to do this became final when I had my last doctor's appointment this past Friday. I had been concerned about switching to a vegetarian diet in the middle of my pregnancy. My doctor assured me that as long as I get the recommended protein in a day there is nothing wrong with this. (Which made me realize I hadn't been getting the recommended amount of protein on a normal basis, so already this has caused me to reevaluate what I am eating.)
I plan on posting my progress on my blog, so stay tuned and see if I can successfully become a vegetarian!!!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Why So Bitter?
I want to begin by noting the historic event that took place last night. America voted into office our first African Americna president, and I can not be more proud to say that I was able to take part in that event. I am proud of the accomplishments that Barack Obama has, both for himself and for the African American population!
However, I could not help but notice a sense of bitterness from the Republican party last night. (I am not grouping every Republican into this "bitter" category, just talking about a feeling I got as a whole!) I truly am baffled by this, and am looking for some understanding about it. I am not playing sides saying Democrats have it altogether, because we don't. (That's right... I just called myself a Democrat, and I htink I am getting more comfortable with that label every day!) Just trying to get some understanding on something that has really made me sad over the last few months.
I truly do respect John McCain as a war hero, and as someone who had the potential to be our next president. Had John McCain won last night, I would have been bummed, but would have moved on and accepted that he would be our next president. I feel that we can not truly, and humbly, debate with the other side until we respect the other side, and I admit I tried to debate the other side before respecting it, but in the last few months really began to respect John McCain.
Throughout this campaign, I have noted that I didn't feel like the Republican party was for anything; rather, they were against Barack Obama, and that confused me. Every time I heard John McCain speak, it was what Obama wants to do, usually in some distorted fashion. And, I heard of many McCain supporters at varying rallies being downright hostile about the opponent. Why? I never heard any of this hostility at Obama rallies.
Then there were all the smear ads that came out about Obama. Many McCain fans that I know began sending us "Anti-Obama" literature. Some laden with some of these smears, which are preposterous. I never even thought about posting a negative McCain ad, nor sending it to any of my friends, McCain supporters or not. I was Pro Obama, not Anti McCain, and I think you can be for one and not against the other. So, why are a lot of McCain supporters so Anti-Obama?
Then last night, I was saddened when watching the final results come in. While watching McCain's concession speach, I really did respect the guy. Amidst the "boos" in the audience every time McCain mentioned Obama, I thought McCain gave a powerful speech. After a time, they showed Grant Park in Chicago and Obama's speech, which I thought was very humble and amazing. He truly does want to unite this country, and even acknowledged McCain supporters, saying he wants to be a voice for them, and he needs them in this journey. Later, we found out that the McCain rally had turned off the signal right as Obama started speaking. Really??? Really? You turned off the signal right as our next president took the stage? Really? This baffles me. Sure, they are bummed that it wasn't McCain giving an acceptance speech, but you are that bitter that you can't even concede that this man is our next president, and give him the respect to hear what he has to say?
I truly believe that Obama would have lost to McCain, I would have been sad, but picked up from there and went on with life, trusting our next Commander in Chief. Just as I am bummed that some of the propositions that I have been so passionate about didn't go the way I voted, but I will pick up from there and live my life as Christ called us to live. That is something we get to make a decision to do every day, no matter who is president. I truly believe that Barack Obama is trying to live out his life the way he feels Christ called him to live, and as our president, let's stand behind him as he leads our country in this manner!
I'm just confused. So, I am looking for understanding from either side, McCain or Obama, since today we are once again on the same side of the line. For the first time in 21 months there are no defining lines by candidates, we do stand as America. So, I would welcome a civil discussion about this issue, and look forward to hearing a vast number of opinions about the issue.
However, I could not help but notice a sense of bitterness from the Republican party last night. (I am not grouping every Republican into this "bitter" category, just talking about a feeling I got as a whole!) I truly am baffled by this, and am looking for some understanding about it. I am not playing sides saying Democrats have it altogether, because we don't. (That's right... I just called myself a Democrat, and I htink I am getting more comfortable with that label every day!) Just trying to get some understanding on something that has really made me sad over the last few months.
I truly do respect John McCain as a war hero, and as someone who had the potential to be our next president. Had John McCain won last night, I would have been bummed, but would have moved on and accepted that he would be our next president. I feel that we can not truly, and humbly, debate with the other side until we respect the other side, and I admit I tried to debate the other side before respecting it, but in the last few months really began to respect John McCain.
Throughout this campaign, I have noted that I didn't feel like the Republican party was for anything; rather, they were against Barack Obama, and that confused me. Every time I heard John McCain speak, it was what Obama wants to do, usually in some distorted fashion. And, I heard of many McCain supporters at varying rallies being downright hostile about the opponent. Why? I never heard any of this hostility at Obama rallies.
Then there were all the smear ads that came out about Obama. Many McCain fans that I know began sending us "Anti-Obama" literature. Some laden with some of these smears, which are preposterous. I never even thought about posting a negative McCain ad, nor sending it to any of my friends, McCain supporters or not. I was Pro Obama, not Anti McCain, and I think you can be for one and not against the other. So, why are a lot of McCain supporters so Anti-Obama?
Then last night, I was saddened when watching the final results come in. While watching McCain's concession speach, I really did respect the guy. Amidst the "boos" in the audience every time McCain mentioned Obama, I thought McCain gave a powerful speech. After a time, they showed Grant Park in Chicago and Obama's speech, which I thought was very humble and amazing. He truly does want to unite this country, and even acknowledged McCain supporters, saying he wants to be a voice for them, and he needs them in this journey. Later, we found out that the McCain rally had turned off the signal right as Obama started speaking. Really??? Really? You turned off the signal right as our next president took the stage? Really? This baffles me. Sure, they are bummed that it wasn't McCain giving an acceptance speech, but you are that bitter that you can't even concede that this man is our next president, and give him the respect to hear what he has to say?
I truly believe that Obama would have lost to McCain, I would have been sad, but picked up from there and went on with life, trusting our next Commander in Chief. Just as I am bummed that some of the propositions that I have been so passionate about didn't go the way I voted, but I will pick up from there and live my life as Christ called us to live. That is something we get to make a decision to do every day, no matter who is president. I truly believe that Barack Obama is trying to live out his life the way he feels Christ called him to live, and as our president, let's stand behind him as he leads our country in this manner!
I'm just confused. So, I am looking for understanding from either side, McCain or Obama, since today we are once again on the same side of the line. For the first time in 21 months there are no defining lines by candidates, we do stand as America. So, I would welcome a civil discussion about this issue, and look forward to hearing a vast number of opinions about the issue.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it Then I Went to Hell!
One thing I have been really passionate about lately is Proposition 8 here in California, which is the proposition on the ballot to overthrow the decision to allow gays to marry. A yes vote would take away the right for homosexual couples to get married. As a Christian, I am supposed to vote yes, right? Well, I am not!
The title of this blog was taken from a sign outside a church in Ohio. And when I saw it on the news, I literally cried! I'm not sure if the tears were of anger or of hurt. Maybe it was a little of both!
My first point, is in the passage in the Bible that is most commonly referred to as pointing out homosexuality as a sin also deals with gossip, slander, and lust as being sins. I don't seen anyone picketing gossip, and I certainly haven't seen any signs outside churches that read, "I gossiped and I liked it, then I went to hell..." Because there is sure a lot of gossip going around in our Christian communities, isn't there?
Secondly, I feel that the gay community has been greatly discriminated against, especially by the church! I feel like the church has dealt with the issue of homosexuality in a terrible way. Instead of loving a homosexual and seeing them as a human being, most Christians have cast them aside and told them to go deal with their sin. I'm not sure that people who have not dealt with homosexuality can truly understand what a homosexual is going through, and I think for us to tell them to just, "get over it" is wrong!
So, I want to find a way to love homosexuals, and not to cast them aside from society. And I feel that one way to love them is to make them equals with rights for marriage! I can honestly say I don't understand what it is that you are going through as a homosexual, but let me try to understand, instead of banning something that you hold so near and dear to your heart!
As a Christian, let's stop excluding people from our "club", and make Christianity an open door for ALL to feel welcomed! Let's learn how to love people, even those who look different from us, and stop this form of racism that homosexuality has become! Let's stop condemning people to Hell, and start loving them in order to make this world a more civil place!
The title of this blog was taken from a sign outside a church in Ohio. And when I saw it on the news, I literally cried! I'm not sure if the tears were of anger or of hurt. Maybe it was a little of both!
My first point, is in the passage in the Bible that is most commonly referred to as pointing out homosexuality as a sin also deals with gossip, slander, and lust as being sins. I don't seen anyone picketing gossip, and I certainly haven't seen any signs outside churches that read, "I gossiped and I liked it, then I went to hell..." Because there is sure a lot of gossip going around in our Christian communities, isn't there?
Secondly, I feel that the gay community has been greatly discriminated against, especially by the church! I feel like the church has dealt with the issue of homosexuality in a terrible way. Instead of loving a homosexual and seeing them as a human being, most Christians have cast them aside and told them to go deal with their sin. I'm not sure that people who have not dealt with homosexuality can truly understand what a homosexual is going through, and I think for us to tell them to just, "get over it" is wrong!
So, I want to find a way to love homosexuals, and not to cast them aside from society. And I feel that one way to love them is to make them equals with rights for marriage! I can honestly say I don't understand what it is that you are going through as a homosexual, but let me try to understand, instead of banning something that you hold so near and dear to your heart!
As a Christian, let's stop excluding people from our "club", and make Christianity an open door for ALL to feel welcomed! Let's learn how to love people, even those who look different from us, and stop this form of racism that homosexuality has become! Let's stop condemning people to Hell, and start loving them in order to make this world a more civil place!
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