Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Recipes used from The Martha Stewart Cookbook

Beef Stock

3 pounds shank bones, cut into 2 inch pieces  (I used stew beef cut into small pieces)
4 lean short ribs of beef  ( omitted)
3/4 pound oxtail, cut into chunks (omitted)
4 leeks, well washed and split lengthwise (omitted)
4 celery stalks  (2 cut into small pieces)
2 whole carrots cut into small pieces
1 yellow onion chopped
3 fresh bay leaves (omitted)
1 large sprig of thyme
2 white spring onions (replaced with onion powder)
Large bunch of fresh parsley (omitted)
1 whole head (clove lol) of garlic (replaced with garlic granules)
1/2 tsp whole black peppercorns (replaced with fine ground black pepper)
Stellina optional 1/2 cup


Place all ingredients in a large 8 quart Dutch oven. Add 2 cups of water and roast in the oven for 30 minutes
(instead I sauteed the onion and celery in 2 tbsp of oil in a large kettle, then floured the stew beef pieces and placed them in the kettle and browned on both sides and then added 2 cups of water and simmered 1 hour.)

Remove the pot from the oven and add water to cover. Simmer on top of the stove for 3 to 4 hours.
(I added 2 cups of water and all of the remaining ingredients and simmered  for 2 hours)
Very delicious and loved by all! Serves 6 bowls

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Bullying at School


The school bullying statistics and cyber bullying statistics showed that students say their schools are not safe.

Due to the change in the way America communicates parents really need to convey to their children the different laws that pertain today. You can get arrested for throwing an object at a house, or a person. You can get arrested for sending an inappropriate text to someone, just as much as if you were hitting them.



  • Thirty percent (30%) of U.S. students in grades six through ten are involved in moderate or frequent bullying — as bullies, as victims, or as both — according to the results of the first national school bullying statistics and cyber bullying statistics survey on this subject.





  • School bullying statistics and cyber bullying statistics are increasingly viewed as an important contributor to youth violence, including homicide and suicide. Case studies of the shooting at Colombine High School and other U.S. schools have suggested that bullying was a factor in many of the incidents





  • 1 out of 4 kids is Bullied. An American Justice Department school bullying statistics and cyber bullying statistics studies shows that this month 1 out of every 4 kids will be abused by another youth.





  • Take charge of your life. You can't control other people's actions, but you can stay true to yourself. Think about ways to feel your best — and your strongest — so that other kids may give up the teasing. Exercise is one way to feel strong and powerful. (It's a great mood lifter, too!)  Another way to gain confidence is to hone your skills in something like chess, art, music, computers, or writing. Joining a class, club, or gym. The confidence you gain will help you ignore the mean kids. Never accept being a victim of bullying.




  • Talk about it. It may help to talk to a guidance counselor, teacher, or friend — anyone who can give you the support you need. Talking can be a good outlet for the fears and frustrations that can build when you're being bullied.




  • Find your (true) friends. If you've been bullied with rumors or gossip, all of the above tips (especially ignoring and not reacting) can apply. But take it one step further to help ease feelings of hurt and isolation. Find one or two true friends and confide how the gossip has hurt your feelings. Set the record straight by telling your friends quietly and confidently what's true and not true about you. Hearing a friend say, "I know the rumor's not true. I didn't pay attention to it," can help you realize that most of the time people see gossip for what it is — petty, rude, and immature.



  •