A pasta diet platter!

By whatever name they go by, the various forms of pasta are a popular mealtime treat here in America and elsewhere. Numbering at about 350 types, I personally like to prepare and eat just a few; Spaghetti, Penne Rigate and shell are three of my favorites!

When combined with a good red sauce, (like the ones that come in a can from Hunt's), I cannot think of many other meals that I enjoy more! The only downside being the carbs. The recommended serving of regular spaghetti on the package is 56 grams of noodles which is also about 56 noodles. A bundle measures about ½ inch across which is about the same diameter as a penny (see below), so it might not look like a lot. But whoa, if you look at the nutritional panel here, you can see that you'll be

consuming 41 fat causing carbs. [Note: While the dry amount does look kinda small(ish), those noodles actually do increase quite a bit in size after cooking!] However, I've found that by

eating just half a serving at meal time, that I could make a serious dent in the number of carbohydrates! Then continuing on that culinary theme, I often like to cook up a hamburger patty and then eat only half of that... Throw in a simple
oil & vinegar salad and you're all set!

I've found this to be a filling meal that comes in at only 320 calories, and when combined with the low carbs (30g), this 'pasta-styled' meal can be very diet friendly!

Notes: The picture at left shows a bundle of 56 grams worth of spaghetti noodles aka one serving. The better way to measure would be by using a scale and by getting used to the gram weight measurements rather than going by ounces. OK for those who don't like that idea, there are 29.3 grams in an ounce, so this would be about 2 ounces of pasta....

One added bonus to eating this way is you only have to cook stuff up one times for two meals. That's assuming your single, of course.

The 2020 election. My early predictions!

While the 2020 Presidential Election was still quite some time off into the future, I thought I'd make a prediction or two as to who the winner will be...

As June 2019 drew to a close, there were 24 candidates who had just finished the first of many such debates to be held on national TV. That process was designed to winnow down the field to one finalist that would be picked by the DNC as the party's candidate of choice to run against the incumbent Donald J. Trump. After watching the first two, I'd have to say that their combined efforts were just a tad short of mediocre. This was more of a meet and greet affair which showcased each candidates personal agenda rather than getting into the nuts and bolts of just how their plans could actually work. That said, there were a few standouts, in my opinion;

Warren, Harris and Castro did very well and picked up a ton of followers on Twitter. (They had definitely inched upwards and would likely do well in the coming debate battles). The rest of the field did not fare as well, with front runner Joe Biden losing quite a bit of ground even as he had a double digit lead over the rest of the field. The next two debates will occur on July 30 and 31 and promise to add perhaps a little more detail into how each candidates grandiose plans might be realized. By the time that the third debate swings around in September, it's hoped that some of the lower rung individuals (DeBlaseo comes to mind) will have dropped out. Then, as the field gets smaller and smaller via dropouts, there will be more time for each candidate to speak (or to hang themselves) during the two hour allotted amount of time. While some have argued that the size of the Democratic field somehow makes it harder to win the general election, there is no historic correlation between the number of contenders for a nomination and whether the eventual nominee won the general election. The far more important dynamic of such a large field is how difficult it is for any of those in the bottom half or even two-thirds of the field to have any chance of punching through.

Meanwhile the Republican contender, Donald Trump, will just sit back and watch the whole boring process grind on through the balance of the year as the Democrats will have six debates by December 2019. Then, at some point in time in 2020, the DNC will announce their pick at their convention and the real fun will start! Right now the safe bet would be Joe Biden, as he is by far the most moderate of that group of March Hares. That said, I would bet the farm that some of those running will make incredible sharp turns to the Right in order to stay afloat. That also will make for some great viewing....

When it rains it pours! Luke Combs.

A rough storyboard idea for this popular number by Luke Combs. Storyboards are always the precursor process to a finished video, don't you know?

Forsythkid: Come 2020. we all need to pull together!

Forsythkid: Come 2020. we all need to pull together!: As good or bad as everyone's life experience might have been, these last many years. Things can get worse. Is Donald Trump the savior...

Come 2020. we all need to pull together!

As good or bad as everyone's life experience might have been, these last many years. Things can get worse. Is Donald Trump the savior of a Nation? I'm not sure. A Representative Republic is very difficult to endure, over time. The Founding Fathers knew that all too well. Still, all things considered, I've had a pretty good ride. But, all good things will end... Me? I'm more than happy to fight to the death for the generations that follow me....  https://youtu.be/zLqqHGy0pc8

A rainy day at the Frosted Mug!

Honda Clarity noise on battery power!

Not a bad car! I always did like the Honda brand! This excerpted video was from a short rest drive.

Lines lines lines, everywhere lines!

My thoughts on our society and our moral obligation to maintain those liberties gained from the Constitution and enforced by our men and women in blue.

Too many individuals currently suffer from a form insidious moral turpitude, (a legal concept in the United States and some other countries that refers to "an act or behavior that gravely violates the sentiment or accepted standards of our communities"). Many toe the line, but only just barely, and then lose all sense of decently once the sun goes down...

US poised to turn to Socialism?

'Vote for me, I am totally serial'

According to recent pole, well know socialist Bernie Sanders would defeat Trump if an election were held today!

Wow! That's got to be a big shot in the arm for the millions of recent college grads who are desperate to unload crushing student loan debt. Bernie would do away with those, he says. Who would get the bill? Why Corporate America of course! OK, so what about other advantages of a Democratic Socialist Nation? Well, let's see...

One, an estimated 20 million illegal aliens would be granted citizenship along with preferred status for housing, food, education and healthcare as they would be instantly dropped below the former group of poor US citizens! And, who would pay for that... those filthy rich corporations! No entiendo ingles? No problem, Congress could make Spanish the other American language.

Two, as a Socialist country, the US would be granted instant acceptance from countries like China, Russia and Iran. Think of the advantages, as we partner on up with these fine commie folks to plumber the rest of the world with crappy trade deals. Sweet!

Three, work will be optional! This is one of my personal favs as Bernie promises a fair wage to everyone no matter what their skill set might be. And, if you prefer not to work, YOU STILL GET A PAYCHECK! What's not to like.

Finally, other than a very small controlling central government authority, EVERYONE WOULD BE EQUAL! Yes, the millions of citizens here would all become the same shade of grey. You know, like you see in Venezuela....

So, to summarize. Once Bernie gets elected, things would change pretty damn fast here in the United States. Each citizen would be treated exactly the same by the new government, would get pretty much the same access to food and healthcare and would have a wide choice of government offered work. Yes, a life of leisure with no real need to own guns or go to church, as the government will be there for you, (like almost instantly it problems crop up in an otherwise ideal life).
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One very small caveat (noun: a warning or proviso of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations). Under socialism, it really pays if you are a close member of the POWER ELITEaka the CGA! Yep, that 1% of power mongers who will live the life of Riley with no limits! And, I can make that happen for you, if you act fast!

A happy sort of breakfast!

As I was currently beginning the 16th day of a semi Adkins diet (semi, as I was still eating what I wanted, but applied the name Adkins to it anyway), I thought to throw together a low carb breakfast that could at least smile up to me!

German ban on burkini lifted. Is America next?

BERLIN – A German court has lifted a city's ban on the burkini, an all-encompassing swimsuit used by some Muslim women.

Wearing the garments in municipal pools in the western city of Koblenz was forbidden at the beginning of this year after the local council narrowly approved a ban. Officials argued that the suite makes it impossible to check whether wearers have open wounds or diseases.

The rules were challenged by a Syrian asylum-seeker, a pious Muslim who said doctors had recommended that she use a swimming pool to tackle pain caused by a back problem.

Rhineland-Palatinate state's top administrative court said Friday it has issued an injunction lifting the burkini ban pending fuller consideration of the case. It found the rules violated the German constitution's call for people to be treated equally. [Source: Fox News]

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Me: Just in time for the start of summer! I'm so glad that this city in Germany has finally seen the Islamic light! Proper attire will likely be a topic for us as here in America, as it's no secret that the Muslim population is exploding! And, proper Islamic swim attire, such as this will come into the domestic Media spotlight in the near future. (Seriously, I'm concerned that MSNBC has not yet covered this developing story). I'm totally serial!

Unlike the American bikini (which lets it all hang out), the burkini covers up 98% of the female body from prying male eyes. And that's a no-no, as under Sharia law, as a man's property is a man's property.

A related topic that needs some consideration is just how the Islamic LGBT community here in the US will react? Should there be a 'Manburkini' developed for the devout transvestites female partner? What about either sex that may identify as the other sex on a moments notice? Perhaps a kind of window blind version could be sold that would allow the user a peak-no peak option. It's all very confusing to me, and as a result, I'm planning on staying away from all beaches this summer...

Gordon Lightfoot. If you could read my mind!

Times now gone by. Songs remembered and people I do miss! SIU campus circa 1970. A chaotic time, where as a young SDS member, an activist I sought with others to bring down a societal construct of which I had no real knowledge. This day, I look back on a fucking good country that will never happen again. 'The living soul is truly immortal. It's only the clay that is weak...'

A great Adkins styled breakfast!

A simple omelet stuffed with a cut up slice of Cotto salami, a cup of milk and two bacon strips is about as Akinish a breakfast as you can get!

Note the super low carbs and high protein levels. I like to start out with a meal like this and then switch over to a combo of meat and fruit for my lunch. Dinners are generally on the meager side with a focus on nuts and a little fruit!

Forsyth and local area lawn care service!

Forsyth MO - Need your grass cut? Perhaps RLC Services could help you out at affordable pricing!