Tuesday, August 20, 2013

6 Steps to Building a Better Tomorrow



To everyone that actually cares:

I saw a video on a blog this morning that identified a liberal city councilwoman in Denver who was trying to change the behavior of the city’s citizens. That was the point of the video anyway. It was really a 15 second clip of a woman that said she wanted to put a small tax on plastic grocery bags so people will start using reusable ones instead.

The sad thing is that people actually responded to that message. People get caught up with the petty things in our politics and fail to see the things that actually matter. They let the media tell them what their feelings are because they are too lazy to figure it out for themselves. They think they are too far outside and do not have the wisdom to have an original opinion.

As most of you know, I am conservative. I am only mentioning this to express my lack of bias in this particular case. I am getting sick of the country that I love. I have been a public servant for almost as long as I have been of the age to do so and I think we need a change. This change isn’t going to come from politicians on any side, but from the people.

Change. The word reminds me of President Obama’s 2008 campaign for election. The reason it was successful is because all Americans have a deep desire for something different. He tapped into that beautifully, but the execution has been horrible.

Our forefathers created this “Great Experiment” in hopes that things would be different. They even wanted a change back then, and it was unforeseeably successful. They created a nation that could rule itself with structure.

The President is not supposed to be the most important governing position in our country. When President George Washington designed our nation’s capital, there is a reason that he put Congress on the hill and the White house off to the side. There is a reason that the capital building is the tallest in the district. There is a reason that the President is sworn in on the Capital steps. Our legislature is what was designed to set our country apart from the rest of the world. It has also had a hand in making things how they are today.

The biggest problem is with the political parties. I’ve said it before, and I will continue to say it. No one person can really cause that much trouble for our country. Even so, we are at the mercy of the two main parties for our choice. These days, we aren’t picking the best person possible for any political office. We are only picking out of the two that their respective parties think would be most likely to win. So many of our history’s great leaders wouldn’t even be options today. Instead, we get cookie-cutter candidates who are puppets to the polls and political parties.

The power to make a change has always been with the citizens, but we have either been too afraid or too ignorant to do so. I challenge all of you with this:

1. Demand that your respective political party give you better representatives for your needs.

2. Demand that your peers stop focusing on silly little jabs at the opposition.

3. Tell Fox News and MSNBC to start giving you unbiased news that actually matters to you.

4. If any of the above is unsuccessful, have the courage to look for alternatives.

5. Encourage the people you care about to do the same.

6. Encourage your children to become hard working, self-sustaining adults that are true to their word and their families.

We can make the changes that we have been looking to our political leaders to make. After all, we are the ones who put them there. The power is ours. We need to stop complaining and do something about our situation. They might be the board of directors, but we are certainly the shareholders in this organization.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Simple and Juicy Roast Chicken

Hey there guys!

Today I want to share with you a very simple and juicy roast chicken recipe that has become a staple in our house. If I can do this, anyone can!

What you will need:

- Whole Chicken (Innards Removed)
- Large Baking Dish
- 1/2 Stick of Unsalted Butter
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- 2 Carrots or Celery Stalks
- Medium-sized Onion

Preheat to 350 Degrees Fahrenheit
Cook for 80-90 minutes
Safe temperature is 170 Degrees Fahrenheit when fully cooked

Please let me know what you think in the comments below. I look forward to getting your feedback and suggestions!

How to Make the Absolute Best Popcorn on the Stove!

How to Make the Absolute Best Popcorn on the Stove!

Anyone who knows me personally is aware of my dedication to the dream of making the best possible popcorn. This recipe and method may not be the easiest, and certainly isn’t the healthiest, but if you follow these steps I can virtually guarantee that you and your guests will keep talking about this stovetop popcorn again and again. I do not claim to be a chef and I have never been formally educated in the culinary arts. My popcorn is the product of years of trial, error, and experience.

Without further adieu, I want to tell you all how to make Steve’s Famous Stove-top Popcorn!

First, we should probably go over the ingredients:
1 Tbsp Bacon Grease (I usually save mine in the fridge after I make bacon for breakfast)
½ Stick of Real Unsalted Butter
1 Large Pot with Lid
Popcorn Kernels (I usually keep them refrigerated, but I don’t know why)
Nutritional Yeast (Found in most health food stores)
Garlic Salt
Large Bowl (Big enough to fit the popcorn and shake without spilling too much)

Instructions:
1. Start off by putting the bacon grease in the pan and heat until it is fully melted. Then turn it off.
2. Add just enough popcorn kernels to cover the bottom of the pot without piling up.
3. Cut the butter into thin slices and scatter them on top of the kernels.
4. Add a few shakes of garlic salt.
5. Turn stove on to Medium heat and cover the pot.
6. As soon as the popcorn starts popping, start shaking the pot slightly every few seconds to keep it from burning.
7. Keep this up until you hear the popping slow to a rate of one or two seconds per pop.
8. Remove from stove and transfer to large bowl.
9. Add garlic salt and nutritional yeast to taste*, shake to mix, and serve!

*Most people are nervous about the yeast at first. It is completely inactive (not the kind used for baking) and is used by many people as a substitute for cheese. Don’t be scared! The yeast is probably the best part!

As long as you didn’t burn the house down, you should have a very tasty snack in your possession!
Please let me know what you guys think in the comments section below. I am constantly trying to improve on my recipe, so I am open to any suggestions you may have as well. Let me know how to make your favorite popcorn on the stove.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Secret to Life Success



Today I want to talk to you about the secret to success in life!

Work hard to create options, and then pick the best one. That’s it.

When I first think about options, buying a car comes to mind. You start off with the base model, and then add all the little dew-dads that make the minivan you are settling on seem more bearable. The options I am talking about however are like intersections or "forks" in the road. This may sound cliché, but it is the best way to explain the very simple concept.

Let's start off with a story on this one. Jon is very good at bagging groceries at the local store. He has a job and he is content. Ben is also a bagger at the same store. After he has mastered the art of avoiding smashed eggs or the accidental combination of meat and bug spray in the same bag, he asks if he can get trained at stocking the shelves during slow days.

Jon may be the best grocery bagger in the business, but when times get tough at the store, he will likely be without a job because he isn't worth as much. Not only that, but he might have a hard time finding new work because he only has experience doing one thing. Jon's road is a one-lane trail without any turnoffs, where any obstacle in his path will likely leave him stuck. He doesn’t have options because he didn’t take the time to create them.

Ben on the other hand has shown potential for versatility. His store will keep him because he has shown that he has the ability and desire to learn. Ben took advantage of his down time to make himself better and more marketable. For some reason, people today seem to have forgotten the entire concept that if you work hard early in life, you won’t have to work as hard later. When Ben eventually learns all the functions of the grocery store, he will likely become a supervisor. He has created an interstate highway system for himself so he can decide for himself where he wants to go.

The great secret to success and happiness in life is to work hard and create options. Ask anyone who is without and they will tell you that having to make a difficult decision between choices is a good problem to have. Many people want to know what rich parents teach their children. I never had the opportunity to get that particular lecture, but I can’t help but assume that it is this simple concept.

I experience this same thing all the time. People find out that I work full time, go to school full time, and still make time to read books to my four children before they go to bed at night and they actually feel sorry for me, which is surprising. They feel pity that I am actively trying to make my family’s life better.

Really?

Is that where our society is today? We used to be defined by two things in life – our occupation and our word. Now it seems like those two characteristics aren’t even important, much less viewed as defining qualities. Some would argue that not everyone has the same opportunities that I have had. They are absolutely correct. I went to public school and barely graduated. I went to work after that because I “decided” to start a family very early. Later, I put myself through college. Stop using opportunities as an excuse for being lazy. You create your own opportunities. Stop saying things aren’t fair because you have to work for them.

That is my challenge to all of you. Don’t sit still. Don’t get comfortable. Set goals and build options. Take pride in your work ethic. Instill this habit into your kids. I know my children will be fine simply because I teach them work ethic. That alone will put them ahead of most of their peers.

There you go. That is the big secret to being successful. Spread the word.