http://www.andthesethygifts.com Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:50:27 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I've been on a 40-day fast from Facebook, until July 29. Now I'm considering extending the fast to other online activities. I'm starting to get depressed seeing all the hatred and vitriol on the 'net directed against Christ and His Church. Heartbreaking stuff. Sniff. I ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/23/extending-the-fast/ from Catholics Asked to Tell Their Bishops to End Ban on Contraception The danger was significant when unintended pregnancy and maternal mortality were the predominant risks, but with the advent of HIV and AIDS, it is essential that individual Catholics speak out. Catholics for Choice will be campaigning ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/22/newsflash-to-catholics-for-choice/ Well, it's official. The Summer Cold has invaded our family. Three of us are down. Tonight we allowed our 12-year-old to skip the family Rosary so he can sleep early -- we were praying quite late because Dad and I got home around 9:30 from our dinner ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/15/the-attack-of-the-colds-and-the-sleepies/ for Paco, but Aisa may also use it after graduation -- I dropped the ball on formal Logic and Philosophy studies a couple of years back. After doing Angelicum Academy's Harry Stottlemeier, we used several books from The Critical Thinking Company. I wasn't confident enough in my own ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/15/new-additions-to-this-years-curriculum-so-far/ My hubby does the taxes in our household -- bless his heart -- since our move to Ohio our taxes have been less complicated and we haven't needed H&R Block like we did in the past, but still, I wouldn't want to do it myself. Fortunately, I'm one of ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/14/can-you-believe-this-defund-planned-parenthood/ 1 16-oz pkg extra-firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes and patted dry with paper towels 1/3 cup sesame seeds 2 tablespoons cornstarch 3 tablespoons flour 1/2 teaspoon sugar vegetable oil for deep-frying, I used safflower Your choice of sauce for dipping: Thai chili sauce is good, as is plum sauce or peanut sauce or a mix ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/09/sesame-seed-crusted-tofu-bites/ My uncle’s wife who’s from Pangasinan, Philippines, makes a similar dish, except that hers is more a veggie dish, with the emphasis on the snow peas. She also adds shelled peas and cashews to hers, a nice variation to this dish. Shrimp and Snow Pea Stir-Fry (Cha How Lang Tao Nung ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/09/cambodian-shrimp-and-snow-pea-stir-fry-cha-how-lang-tao-nung-b%e2%80%99kong/ 1/4 cup coconut cream 2 tablespoons red curry paste (I'll have a recipe up sometime) 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 tablespoon palm sugar 1 cup coconut milk 1 1/2 cups pineapple wedges (fresh preferred, but canned is acceptable) lobster tail meat from a 1 1/2-2 lb. lobster, sliced into 1/2 inch medallions (you may used precooked) 3 ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/09/thai-spicy-lobster-and-pineapple-curry-kaeng-kung-mangkawn/ Two of my favorite writers -- Rod Dreher and Michael Pollan -- talk food. Must read! Some helpful resources: Slow Food USA Local Harvest Eat Wild And information: a YouTube Playlist: Torn From the Land: The story of the take over of American farmers' land by financial manipulation of world grain, interest, prices. ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/08/rod-dreher-and-michael-pollan-table-talk/ This Japanese tofu dish is a modern rendition that I found in “Japanese Cooking” by Kazuko and Fukuoka (published by Barnes and Noble) — the combination, surprisingly (to me), works, especially the the use of butter and garlic chips. Two thumbs up from my kids. I’ve adapted it to suit ... http://www.andthesethygifts.com/2008/07/07/pan-fried-tofu-with-caramelized-sauce/