Political Soap Box

Ok, I've never gotten political on here... until this post. And really, this post isn't so much about getting political as it is getting educated.

Healthcare. Big topic in the news this week (Fox news doesn't count). Lots of people are happy about the bill, and others well.... not so much. But, no matter what side of the fence you're on, or if you're sitting on the fence, here's a little advice (not from one political party member to another, but simply from one American and Facebooker to another):

EDUCATE YOURSELVES!!!

Please, if you're going to argue a side (and you are), and plaster your opinion all over Facebook, do so with some tact, class, and good ole facts. As my mother would say "Use your words." And by that I mean, don't go copying some article you found on some web site bashing this or supporting that. Copying what one person wrote on a blog or web site does not count as a legitimate effort to persuade someone. THINK FOR YOURSELF! Form your own opinions.

I'm not going to have an educated "conversation" with you about your take on healthcare when all you can do is quote me the political rhetoric you're reading on some blog or other web site. If you really want to sit down and talk about healthcare, READ THE BILL and not a blog telling you what the bill says and why it's bad or good. Read the actual bill, and then think for yourself. It's not rocket science.

*WARNING, I said I wasn't going to get political but I do have one comment to make so if you're not interested in a political debate, stop reading...*

You never know what to expect in politics. It's an ever growing and ever changing beast. Politics will shock you every day if you take the time to find out what exactly is going on. And here's the reality of it all: nobody is ever going to be satisfied no matter what happens. But that doesn't mean we quit trying as a nation; it just means we cut some slack to those who are doing the best they know how.

So to all you Republicans out there who are bitching and moaning over the latest and greatest regarding health care... you'll get over it and there'll be something new to bitch about next week.Why am I so sure you'll get over it? Because the Democrats got over the fact that Bush got re-elected and they survived all eight years of his two (unfortunate) terms.

To take it one step further, Democrats can relate to your anger. As enraged as you are over this health care business and as much as you are crying "not fair", the Democrats were equally enraged and felt betrayed by the system when Bush took office the first time (after Gore actually won the election).

They survived and you will too (might I add WITH healthcare coverage this time, despite your pre-existing conditions). :)

Enjoy Life, Literally!

My inner geek is shining through this weekend because I'm totally stoked to watch the Discovery Channel's premier presentation of LIFE tomorrow night. If you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, you can check out all the fantastic details here.

I was stoked last year at this time to see EARTH which was pretty dang fantastic so I'm thinking tomorrow is going ot be excellent.

That's right, I'm a geek. But c'mon! Why shouldn't we all be geeks when it comes to learning about the planet upon which we live and the neighbors we are sharing it with? How fantastic is it that we have the opportunity to sit in our comfy homes and watch something so educational on TV about the world around us. Some of us may never get the opportunity to travel to Africa to watch a pack of cheetas hunt, but through amazing programs such as these, it's possible.

I know where I'll be tomorrow evening. It might not be Africa, but it's gonna be as close to it (and other wonderful places) as possible.

Enjoy LIFE! Literally :)

Deliciously Simple

I subscribe to Real Simple magazine and I love it! I found myself purchasing it every month at the grocery store. As I would wait for my turn at the register, I'd always get sucked in by the artistic cover, the texture of the paper, the cover page headlines, and I found myself purchasing this so often that I finally did myself a favor and just subscribed to it. It's my monthly treat to myself and I always look forward to it.

This month's issue arrived on Friday and as I read through each page, I found myself eager to try a new recipe found within the pages of this delicious read: Philadelphia Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake (pictured here).

The recipe seemed easy and manageable (even for those who have frequent kitchen mishaps). I decided to give it a go and was very pleased with how simplistic this was, not to mention quick and easy. I had the cake in the oven about 15 minutes after I started which isn't bad considering you're making the crust and the filling from scratch.

The recipe is as follows (courtesy of Real Simple):

• 40 Nilla Wafers, crushed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 3 TBSP butter or margarine, melted
• 4 Pks (8 oz each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 TBSP plus 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs
• 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip thawed

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix crushed wafer crumbs and melted butter; press to bottom of 9" Spring Form Baking Pan.
2. Beat 3 pkgs of cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar and 1 TBSP vanilla extract in mixer. Add eggs one at a time mixing at low speed after each just until blended. Pour mixture into pan over crust.
3. Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until center is almost set. Run knife around rim of pan to loosen cake. Let cool completely.
4. Beat remaining cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Wisk in Cool Whip and add frosting to the top of the cake.
5. Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.

* I made the frosting and refrigerated it while the cheesecake was baking and cooling so that I could frost and serve immediately. This worked just fine.

Michael and I had some kiwi and blueberries in the fridge so we garnished the top with some fruit. Here's how mine turned out:

YUMMY!!! This frosting is so light and fluffy (not to mention mouth-watering) that I think I'll be making it for other cake recipes, topping cupcakes, and even using it as a fruit dip. I just love when I find a recipe that is as easy as it is delicious. Thanks Real Simple! If you choose to make this decadent delight, enjoy and happy baking!