Fat-Burning Stew

1 1/2 bags (1 lb. each) dried lentils
2 Tbs. oil, preferably olive
2 cups chopped onions
2 Tbs. prepared chopped garlic (or 6 cloves)
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
10 cups fat-free chicken or vegetable broth
1 can (28 oz.) tomatoes in thick puree
1 Tbs. salt
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 bags (1 lb. each) assorted frozen vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower & red pepper
3 Tbs. vinegar, preferably balsamic or red wine

Sort and rinse lentils. In large pot heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; cook until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add lentils and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add broth, tomatoes, salt, paprika and cayenne. Break up tomatoes into pieces with back of spoon. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are very soft, about 1 hour. About 10 minutes before serving, add frozen vegetables and vinegar; heat through. Makes 10 (2 cup) servings.

Cheap Baby

• Cloth rags for cleaning up
• Cloth diapers, washed with detergent, bleach, then vinegar in the rinse cycle
• Dilute juice 1:3; boil to pasturize
• Smash, blender food rather than jars
• Mineral oil rather than "baby oil" (same thing with fragrance added)
• Corn starch rather than "baby powder"
• Olive oil rather than "baby lotion"

Costco Roomba 2.1 Discovery Scheduler Vacuuming Robot

I want a Roomba. Seriously. How cool is that? People with shedding dogs (like ours) should definitely have one of these. Too bad I have no birthdays coming up!

The Upward Look, p. 102

"It is the duty of everyone who professes to be a Christian to keep his thoughts under the control of reason and oblige himself to be cheerful and happy. However bitter may be the cause of his grief, he should cultivate a spirit of rest and quietude in God. The restfulness which is in Christ Jesus, the peace of Christ, how precious, how healing its influence, how soothing to the oppressed soul!"

~Ellen G. White, The Upward Look, p. 102

Budget Cleansers

Glass cleaner, mix 2 tbsp alcohol to 16 oz of water.
Hardwood floors, mix 1 cup vinegar per gallon of water.
Furniture polish, mix 2 tbsp olive oil, 16oz water and 1 tsp of lemon oil.

Excellence

Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but rather we have those because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.

—Aristotle—

Noodle Planet

Another blog described something really good there... Thai shaved ice. Must try. Noodle Planet in Alhambra.