The RAnts of RA

I was feeling ambitious yesterday, so I made some Apple Butter, then some Garlic Jelly and what the heck, I still had some time… I decided to make some Apple Sauce.  I should have stopped while I was ahead.

When I was done I turned the burner off, or rather I thought I turned it off, and actually turned it to high, where it cooked all night long. 7 hours it boiled on my stove.  I was afraid to open the pressure cooker. It was bone dry. Boil might not be the right word, since it wasn’t really liquid anymore.

These jars were actually full when I started out.  I used only the best spices and it tasted so good, the texture was perfect.  Tomorrow, I get to start all over again. The entire batch ruined.

So, if you ever wondered what would happen if you boiled something all night long, wonder no more. Actually, the apple sauce doesn’t taste too bad as long as you don’t scrape the bottom of the jar.

I can’t wait to try my Garlic Jelly.  Not only did I leave the garlic in the jar (instead of straining most of it out) but I used Ultra Gel to thicken the Garlic Jelly.  I had made some last week that was incredible but I made it with liquid Pectin.  My bad, it’s full of GMO’s!    It didn’t even occur to me to check.  I mean it’s for canning, it must be all natural, right?  Wrong.

This might just be the answer to prayer…  I’m going to try it out.  By the time I get to the bottom of the package, I’ll either order more or find something else.  What’s important to me is it’s GMO free.

Ultra Gel is a gluten-free, non-GMO cornstarch that can be added directed to any liquid, hot or cold, for instant thickening. The Ultra Gel Starter Kit includes one 16-oz pouch of Ultra Gel and one Ultra Gel Answer Book with 150 pages of easily prepared, delicious recipes.  From dips and dressings to dessert, the recipes are friendly for chefs of all skill levels and include nutrition information and tips and tricks for special diets and make-ahead preparations.

Of special interest are the sections on Canning and Jams and Jellies. Since Ultra Gel can be refrigerated, canned or frozen without losing quality, there are plenty of recipes for bottled pie fillings and sauces. [Get Ultra Gel]

Did you know you can make your own Pectin?  In fact, there are several methods.  I’m going to try this method soon:    Harvest: Making Your Own Pectin!  Be sure to check out other recipes, too.

Apple Pectin: How to Make It, How to Use It, and Why I Don’t

Homemade apple pectin seemed like such a frugal and healthy idea –  an all natural, chemical free alternative to store-bought pectin that I could make from apple scraps I would normally throw away.Brilliant, right?

Imagine my dismay when my experiment was a complete and total flop.  Oh, my jam “set” just fine.After I had almost completely boiled it away, that is.  And added way more sugar than I usually do.

She recommends using  Pomona’s Pectin, but what about those nasty GMO’s?  I won’t feed them to my family.  We are using Ultra Gel. My jelly setup just fine.  So, we shall see.

Related articles

• Making applesauce in the breadmaker
• An Apple a day… for a whole month.
• Cleansing Apple Sauce
• This Week’s Harvest: Apples
• Homemade Apple Sauce

Everybody knows social media works for businesses – but Matt McKee wants to put it to work for a better cause, not just during the holidays but all year long. Founder and owner of the digital development group ROAR, McKee is giving away free apps for one thousand churches and non-profits now through December 31.

iPhone App

Each one will be developed individually, offering users the chance to download sermons from their favorite church, donate money, make prayer requests and more. Using social media for churches is the topic of McKee’s new e-book, Be Social: Social Media Handbook for Churches.

McKee points out that some church administrators may feel intimidated by the prospect of working with a mobile app to help keep members connected. But, he says, “You don’t need any development experience to run it. ROAR takes care of all the heavy lifting for you. All you have to do is input the content into our content management system and sit back. We take care of the rest.” The apps can be designed for use on IPads, IPhones or Android devices.

The actual application design usually costs up to $2000, so this is a significant savings for churches and non-profits who are probably feeling the pinch of tight budgets right now, says McKee. Even small churches can benefit from a mobile app.

A mobile app can be used to help a church or other non-profit connect with its followers in a number of different ways. ROAR develops programs that allow access to audio and/or video podcasts of services, workshops or classes. Live video feeds are also available, allowing members to be a part of church life even when they’re out of town. Photos from events or mission trips can be a part of a mobile app as well.

Churches or other organizations can also provide relationship-building tools like an events calendar, links to related content, a locations listing or mailing lists. A prayer wall feature lets church members connect with each other, not just the church office, and a giving function supports the all-important mission of funding the organization. Even advanced options like push notifications, an RSS reader and a QR scanner can be part of the package.

“I love making a difference,” McKee says. “I am an entrepreneur and I believe creativity is a gift God means us to share with others.” McKee has served as a pastor for students and children in Cincinnati, Ohio, and currently lives in Atlanta with his family.

Please visit the ROAR website at: http://roarapp.com/freeapp

Pro-Life marchers heading to the Supreme Court

After the many years I spent picketing, rallying and rescuing Ohio infants at the Center for Choice II, in Toledo, Ohio, I never dreamed I would live to see the day that the children might some day be saved  from certain death. If you haven’t heard the news, let me be the first to share a much cherished moment.

The headline reads: “Ohio House approves abortion ban after heartbeat,” when Reuters announced that the Ohio House of Representatives had voted to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which can be as early as six weeks.

Reuters — Columbus, Ohio reported…

COLUMBUS (Reuters) – The Ohio House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detectable, which can be as early as six weeks.

The House voted 54 to 43 for the ban, along party lines, with most Republicans voting in favor.

If enacted, the law would be a challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which upheld a woman’s right to an abortion until the fetus is viable outside the womb, usually at 22-24 weeks.

Republican Ohio House Speaker William Batchelder said he knows this bill will face a court challenge.

“We’re writing bills for courts,” he said.

The bill now goes to the Republican-dominated Ohio Senate.

The Ohio House also passed two other abortion restrictions Tuesday, one that would ban late-term abortions after 20 weeks if a doctor determines that the fetus is viable outside the womb. Another bill excludes abortion coverage from the state insurance exchange created by the federal health care law.

The late-term ban already was passed by the Ohio Senate.

Neither bill was as contentious as the heartbeat legislation, which does not contain exceptions for rape, incest or the life or health of the mother. [continue reading…]

Here I am living on the “Left Coast,” with these screwy laws and values, while the victory is being won in – of all places – The State of Ohio. We used to own a small family farm back in Curtice, Ohio. My daughter and I cared for over 300 French Angora Rabbits, they started out as a 4-H project but turned into much more. We used to raise our own pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys and so many more, we had a goat once that was simply a riot.

We had those old metal rocking chairs sitting outside by the back door. It was common for us to go out and butcher 10 or  20-chickens and  invite friends over for a BBQ. We’d sit outside, the guys might play some touch football, the kids would play on the swing. As I sat in the chair the goat would come over and nuzzled  my hand trying to get me to pet him. He was a little Nubian goat and smart as  a whip. He would jump up in the chair next to mine and circle round and round, just as if he were trying to cop a squat (sit in the chair, with his legs over the edge)   to copy me. He was so cute.

Many members of our church, New Life Assembly of God, in Oregon, Ohio would picket, sidewalk councel and rescue (with Operation Rescue) unborn children  with peaceful demonstrations. Once we used kryptonite  bicycle locks and locks and chains to close the place down, until the police came. The leaders arranged  a truce, we unlocked our chains and went peacefully to jail. We were allowed to return to the rally after being booked, so long as we promised not to chain up again. We help up our end of the bargain.

A few weeks later the Center for Choice II sued the group collectively for $14 million in a RICO  suit, which the protestors won after a lengthy two-year battle. What a sweet victory it was. The people of Ohio are hardworking, honest folks who understand just how precious life is. God doesn’t make mistakes.

Last night I watched as a deer, who had been hit by a car near our house, suffered and died in agony for 2-hours waiting for the Sheriff to come and shoot it. Just two-days prior I had watch this magnificent young buck as he grazed  in our yard. I took pictures, which I will share in my next article. He struggled for hours trying to stand as he was pinned under some dead bushes in our yard. His front shoulder was fractured, he was frightened and bleeding from his mouth. I cried as I waited, unable to come to terms with his inevitable death. My heart is still broken.

Our business is here in California, we have friends here and have met some terrific people but this state has broken my heart. The laws here in California  are cruel and unfair. From where I am sitting, all I see are liberals who can’t seem to see past today. People who don’t understand business and the way economics work, should not be allowed to effect change that will be detrimental to ones own future well-being.

Tonight, I am celebrating along with the unborn children of Ohio. Bless their souls. I can’t count how many nights I’ve spent in prayer for the infants of this country. This is an answer to many prayers. Who knows, at the rate California children are slaughtered (believe me it is slaughter) Ohio may grow to become the most populated state in the country. Think about it.

I miss you Ohio! I may live in California but my heart remains with you.

According to a July 2, 2011 NPR article…

Statistics compiled by NARAL Pro-Choice America show that 29 governors – including Kansan Sam Brownback – now oppose abortion, up from 21 before the 2010 elections.

And 19 states have House and Senate memberships that are “solidly” opposed to abortion, up from 16 last year. Eight states have what NARAL characterizes as “solidly pro-choice” legislatures, down from 10. [continue reading…]

Related Articles:

• Ohio House Bans Abortion… in a heartbeat!
• Abortion Wars: Taking It To The States