follow up... on several random topics.

I was going to reply back to a few comments on previous posts, but decided it would be easier to do a whole new post with answers to questions and recent updates..

Smoothies.
The recipe I posted is not a meal replacement. It's more like a dessert for me-- more healthy than eating a piece of chocolate cake. I do make a different shake that is equally delicious and drink it for breakfast every so often. It's skim milk, a banana, ice and a scoop of soy protein powder-- (I buy my powder from Walmart.. AdvantEdge brand in vanilla or choc flavor. I think it's about $9 and lasts about two weeks.) This has a ton of protein... 20 grams in each scoop-- add another 8 grams from the milk and you have yourself one hearty breakfast. It's quick, keeps me satisfied and is very yummy.

My smoothie maker is Back to Basics brand and although the spout is very cool, I don't think it's much better than a regular blender. In fact, I still have to double check if the ice is properly mixed before I drink it.. One thing I recommend is using pebble ice. It makes smoothies that much better. You can buy in it a bag at Macey's or Sonic and it's so worth the $1.50/bag. But, you must also consider that I am a little obsessed with this ice and believe we should all convert.

I have used flaxseed in the past, but don't have any on hand. Is there anyone out there that wants to convince me to go and buy more? I do, however, take Omega 3 fish oil (in the capsule) everyday with my breakfast along with a vitamin and believe it's made me feel much better..

My Starburst Video
Holy cow. I had no idea this would cause such commotion! Not so much from my friends, who already knew I was super talented in this area, but I am getting people from everywhere (who actually do an Internet search on "unwrapping starbursts in your mouth") and the response has been overwhelming!! I am seriously laughing about it. After doing the search myself, I found many individuals who have videotaped themselves and my conclusion is that I am a world champ. Seriously, people think they are cool because they can do it under 45 seconds. I mean, I am running laps around these amateurs. But the truth is, I am still very embarrassed to be found by some random person doing a search on this subject... don't people have lives out there? Do we honestly have time to be taping ourselves, let alone watching other people do this dumb trick? Youtube has seriously changed our world and made us all a little lamer-- and yet more popular at the same time.

Which brings me to Shannon. She was too ashamed (or not able) to comment on my blog about the Starburst challenge. But I will inform you that her husband was proud of her 54 second record. She was ecstatic about doing it under a MINUTE and actually thought she had me. As if. Shan, if you want a challenge, there are a few people out there on youtube you should contact. I am just out of your league in this area. I mean, what else can I say? Heavenly Father has blessed me with a talent, and I am doing my best to share it with the world. In other words, I am the one in the scriptures who multiplies my gifts rather than buries them.

Moving on...

Underground Animals
Who would have guessed that I would find myself FASCINATED with Meerkats? Not only did we have a 20 minute lesson on their lifestyle, but I read about them after the kids went to bed because our lesson was so intriguing. Here is a little report on what I found.

►Meerkats can dig as much dirt as their own body weight in a couple of seconds! They have binocular vision and can see better (and farther) than we can.

►Meerkats are the first non-human mammals seen actively teaching their young. For example, adult meerkats teach the pups to eat a venomous scorpion by first removing the stinger-- the adult coaches the young on how to handle the venomous creature until they are able to do it on their own. (and apparently, their black circles around their eyes protect them from the poisonous venom of scorpions and snakes.. ?)

►They are very social animals, living in small communities of about 30. They also have a social status network.. the dominate female does most of the breeding and the other females are assigned to babysit. If a female in the group happens to get pregnant, she evicted and usually starts another colony elsewhere.

►They have sentry, or a watch dog, assigned to lookout over the group and warn them in case of danger. When a predator is spotted, the sentry gives a warning bark for the rest to go underground. It has been recently found that meerkats have specific calls for different dangers.. one for the approach of snakes, another for birds of prey, etc.

►Meerkats have been reported to have several social gatherings, such as wresting matches, singing ceremonies and foot races. They regularly groom each other to strengthen social bonds. This practice is reported when group members are reunited after a short period apart.

►Despite this altruistic behavior, meerkats sometimes kill members of their own group. Subordinate meerkats have been seen killing the offspring of more senior members in order to advance their own offsprings' position. Isn't that so interesting? I wonder if they have some kind of justice system that condemns these murderers... Do they send them packing or give them a death penalty.. you know, use them for bait next time a predator comes around. I will have to research a little more.

Maybe this report was boring or over the top for some of you, but I am totally fascinated by these peculiar animals. I mean, I have seen Timon on the Lion King but had no idea he was such an interesting creature! Can't wait for next Monday's lesson!!