the dinosours are...

obviously in the museum and fossils. I have the smartest nephews. I was thinking they would fabricated something but they actually figured out logical answers. amazing!

FAV QUOTES

So driving to work I saw one of my favorite bumber stickers. I thought I'd make a reoccurring post like my odes to food. I'm not going to say why I'm just going to post them. Here's the first one:

Well behaved women seldom make history!
-Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Okay so I just said I wasn't going to say anything about them but I thought i would Google this quote real fast to see if there was an author linked. There is- Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. What I didn't know was that she self-identifies as an active feminist and Mormon, and has written with great insight about her experiences. She has a won many awards and has recently wrote a book Well behaved Women on some women socitey would call not well behaved women for their time. Interesting....would love to learn from her.

Republican-Democratic or Bust?

I’ve claimed myself as Independent since I was 18 years old even though I would say I favored the Republican Party because it was all around me. One reason I did so was because I didn’t really understand what the difference was. I didn't see myself here or there and honestly I didn’t really care. After moving out on my own I’ve had the many moments, as we all do, that start to truly define who you are and what you believe and value. Things shifted for me in a big way after I moved away from home. Everything I knew and those all around me seem to be Democratic. Elections have come and go and yet I’ve never sat down to find out am I a GOP or a DNC. This year is different. We have already seen a shift and new grounds developed. Both guys have a likeable charm so I need to see where I stand. One of the smartest ladies I work with and know said to me "my parents where republican, I’m republican, and I’ll always vote republican." I’ve gotten to know this lady pretty well. She trained me for over a year. She’s not a republican. And if she was I’d care less. What I refuse to be is what ever my parents where for the sake that’s what my parents where or what is all around me. After researching the fundamentals of both parties I see myself in both. With Republicans I like their economic ideals yet I dislike their environmental stance- one thing I like with democrats. I like the social liberalism of democrats but I’d rather see it more social progression. I like the Fiscal conservatism of republicans yet the Bush admin will be leaving with a trillion dollar debt and I simply don’t like the democrat’s stance on gun control- not the problem solver. Both parties’ beginnings are very interesting and I like they way they both start; Breaking from the norm for a more progressive nation. I like the word progressive. That’s what we need a new party or no party at all. Its seems like the generations are changing and I feel more people fit in this category of lets get rid of the party and look at the candidates. I guess that makes me still an independent. I think I’ll stay that way and judge each person on what and where they stand and what feels right in my heart. Go team USA!!!!

pre-reunion

Hey Everybody!

SHARKS

Sharks are awesome animals!

When you've been perfected over millions of years you become in a class of your own.----oh i should copyrite that tag.

:)

Ode to the Almond

A high-fat food that's good for your health? That's not an oxymoron, its almonds.

I honestly believe that almonds are the best snack food. They are easy to store, versatile to eat, and taste yummy just plain. Also they are something you can sit down and eat like a bowl of chips, crackers, or candy. (Sometimes I mix mine with M&Ms-but not to much chocolate) I buy them from the bulk containers at the store so they are much cheaper and just keep a bag at work and a bowl out at home.

Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, the same type of health-promoting fats as are found in olive oil, which have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease.
In addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects, almonds' ability to reduce heart disease risk may also be partly due to the antioxidant action of the vitamin E found in the almonds, as well as to the LDL-lowering effect of almonds' monounsaturated fats.

Magnesium is Nature's own calcium channel blocker. When there is enough magnesium around, veins and arteries breathe a sigh of relief and relax, which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body.

Almonds are also a concentrated in protein. A quarter-cup contains 7.62 grams-more protein than is provided by the typical egg, which contains 5.54 grams.

History of the Almond

The almond that we think of as a nut is technically the seed of the fruit of the almond tree, a glorious medium-size tree that bears fragrant pink and white flowers. Like its cousins, the peach, cherry and apricot trees, the almond tree bears fruits with stone-like seeds (or pits) within. The seed of the almond fruit is what we refer to as the almond nut.
Almonds are an ancient food that have been written about in historical texts, including the Bible. Almonds were thought to have originated in regions in western Asia and North Africa. The Romans referred to almonds as the "Greek nut" in reference to the civilization suggested to have first cultivated them.
Almonds are now grown in many of the countries that border the Mediterranean Sea including Spain, Italy, Portugal and Morocco, as well as in California. The cultivation of almonds in California, the only state that produces them, has an interesting history. Almond trees were originally brought to California centuries ago when missions were created by the Spanish, but cultivation of the trees was abandoned when the missions were closed. Almond trees found their way back to California in the 19th century via the eastern United States. In 1840, almond trees were brought over from Europe and were first planted in New England. Because the climate on the Eastern seaboard did not support their cultivation, the trees were brought to California where they thrived and continue to do so.

Luke wheres the dinos?

Here is a response to Luke's video. I love seeing all my nephews and nieces. Awesome shorts btw Luke. You know it reminded me of when we use to pick out our own special material and my mom would make us shorts out of them. :) In the video it says you can NOT ask your parents. I just want to here their idea with out any influences. Have a GREAT day!

"to cry or not to cry over death"

The comment Bridget made over a post (I remember crying uncontrollably. I barely knew her. It was one of the strangest encounters I've had with death.) made me think. I have cried in my life over people dieing, but as I look back it was all people I didn't know really well. I especially remember crying over the death of one of my primary teachers husband. I'm not sure if was because it was my first encounter or was it more? The few people I have known well I haven't lost but a few drops of "true tears" Is it because I knew them and understood them more? Do I cry more over people who I don't know because I missed the chance in this life to connect with them? Did I connect with them pre-life? Its hard to know for sure. When I worked in the hospitals and would have people die-mostly the young people- why I was struggling to get there test results out I just felt such a sorrow. Like I said I have never had a person very close to me pass away. Is this odd and a characteristic of Joel or do others share this same experience?

Ode to the Banana

Bananas are one of my favorite fruits. So I will be doing odes to all my favorite foods. Read and eat them please :)

Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure.

Bananas have long been recognized for their antacid effects that protect against stomach ulcers and ulcer damage. Bananas work their protective magic in two ways: First, substances in bananas help activate the cells that compose the stomach lining, so they produce a thicker protective mucus barrier against stomach acids. Second, other compounds in bananas called protease inhibitors help eliminate bacteria in the stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of stomach ulcers.

Bananas contain pectin, a soluble fiber (called a hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through the digestive tract and ease constipation. Bananas also contain resistant starch, but this amount varies depending on their degree of ripeness.

Bananas are an exceptionally rich source of fructooligosaccharide, a compound called a prebiotic because it nourishes probiotic (friendly) bacteria in the colon. These beneficial bacteria produce vitamins and digestive enzymes that improve our ability to absorb nutrients, plus compounds that protect us against unfriendly microorganisms. When fructooligosaccharides are fermented by these friendly bacteria, not only do numbers of probiotic bacteria increase, but so does the body's ability to absorb calcium. In addition, gastrointestinal transit time is lessened, decreasing the risk of colon cancer.

HISTORY of the BANANA

Bananas are thought to have originated in Malaysia around 4,000 years ago. From there, they spread throughout the Philippines and India, where in 327 B.C. Alexander the Great's army recorded them being grown.
Bananas were introduced to Africa by Arabian traders and discovered there in 1482 A.D. by Portuguese explorers who took them to the Americas, the place where the majority of bananas are now produced.
Bananas were not brought to the United States for sale in markets until the latter part of the 19th century and were initially only enjoyed by people in the seacoast towns where the banana schooners docked; because of the fruit's fragility, they were unable to be transported far.
Since the development of refrigeration and rapid transport in the 20th century, bananas have become widely available. Today, bananas grow in most tropical and subtropical regions with the main commercial producers including Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador and Brazil.

For the most antioxidants, eat fully ripened fruit!

The DJ, the Black Bird, and the Fly

Even though I wasn’t going to post anything from the past and just start fresh I recently had a weird day last week. One of my friends from Salt Lake City recently died. He was a best friend to a person that was like an older brother for me when I lived in SLC when I was trying to grasp the world on my own. He was a DJ and he had a great smile. He always would forward me his cds that I could listen to at the gym and ended up sharing with most of my friends. Just as he was getting well known I found out he committed suicide. I don’t know why or the exacts but I was shocked. It seems like sometimes those who seem the happiest are hurting the most inside. Even though I knew him I didn’t burst out into tears. I was however affected by his death. That morning I heard Lucas yell from the bathroom “there’s a dead bird in the pool.” I was still in bed and I didn’t have my contacts in so it just looked like a piece of wood. (I have this thing that I can’t put my contacts in until I shower) After I showered and put my contacts in I went to the pool. Not only was it a dead bird it was a large black bird. Like a crow or raven. Well when I was little I heard somewhere the superstition of the black bird being a soul not being able to cross over. I scooped the bird out which looked and seemed stuffed. I then shocked the pool with chemicals. The rest of the day felt and seemed odd. I thought about death. Then that night I was going to take my contacts out and there in one of the eye cases was a dead fly. In all my years of wearing contacts I never found anything in the case. All these things of black and death. It all just sort of felt blah and so weird. I can say I started to get nervous. I went to bed thinking of why I didn’t cry. I never had anyone really close to me die. Or maybe it was being raised that death is just a doorway to the next life. Or that it was something uncontrollable. I’m just thankful for the people still in my life and the ones that make me smile.

My thoughts, flexing muscle, and naming my blog

These all kind of correlate. I don't have any Children. I don't even have a pet (unless you count plants). What I do have is thoughts- ideas- questions. This is what my blog will consist of along with the events of my life. As commented about the picture of me flexing my arm "why is Joel flexing his muscles?" This allows me to flex the muscle of opening up and of using my brain muscle. You know when building muscle it is flexing to a point of fatigue that causes us to react. That way next time you are stronger, faster, and better. As it is with anything in life. Me being just me is a muscle that is pretty weak. I'm going to make it as strong as my arm. :)

My first thought has to do with naming my blog. This blog being initiated though family and all my siblings being married with children I struggled on how I should name it. Do I name it Joel and Lucas blog? Or do I name it something random like snaps? I decided with Joel. Because it is about me. As with all the other blogs they are really about one person. Even though they incorporate much of their family it’s still about them. Family becomes a big part of you, especially when it’s your own. But should you keep a small distance from allowing it to becoming all you are? I’m not saying family isn’t the most important thing and to most people it is. I just wonder how often people get lost in their family or in their family traditions and beliefs that they lose themselves. That they inhibit their progression or a more rapid progression. Are the being selfless or less of one self?

Now I think that family (in its many levels) is important or say I say so. But do I show it. I think I don’t and that is one change I’m making. I also think that it’s important to tell your family- no, it’s my time to develop this talent or this aspect and you need to respect that. Now I can’t imagine doing that with a 2 or 3 or a 2 and 3 year old. I am grateful those parents you take time to focus on those you can’t tell no too. I do love my family and all their unconditional love for me. Make sure that you don’t mistake being selfless for loosing you identity.

I know this is a long blog. But in the end I want to say that I understand that not everyone with think the way I do or see things the way I see it. I respect that and I will respect the ideas or thoughts you have.

MY Life MY Blog

So I'm starting this "blogging" mainly because my family and I are far apart and its hard to stay in constant contact. Since we have the technology- why not use it. I will have to say this is mostly catilized by Valerie and our recent conversation. Also HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I didn't forget I have been thinking about it for days. Its like you always remember when you cant say it and then forget when you can. Story of my life. So I hope you enjoy :)