CLARIFICATION of: A Knuckleball is a Curveball that Doesn't Give A Damn - Bob Ueker

CAUTION(!):  Unhinged RANT!!
This is more a "just venting" thing and will be poorly written and choppy in thought..at best.
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I have had a sibling who has battled two forms of cancer for the past four years. One has required surgery, multiple radiation therapy, and two "full powered" chemotherapy treatments...only to see it coming back. The other is slow moving, weakens the bone mass to "peanut brittle", and is...incurable. Yet this bone cancer has brought all of the above treatments with it as well (Separate treatments for each form of cancer).

While the afflicted endure multiple types of treatments and high levels of pain, not to mention suffering.... Cancer also exerts high levels of stress, mental anguish, and, in some instances, pain to those "near and dear" to the patient. In addition, cancer treatments rack up financial bills that rival congressional spending...These bills are even higher if the patient does not have insurance.

So, you ask, what am I ranting about(?) Well...three separate myths that have persisted in our cultural thought throughout the past several decades.

MYTH 1: "Shucks, what a shame. He/she has cancer...unavoidable, I suppose."

WRONG! For at least the last 15 years, we have been inundated with science that tells us the many various ways/things we can do to lessen the risk or even avoid getting cancer. Yet, we collectively gorge on sodas, fast food, and highly processed foodstuffs all while addicted to tobacco products. It is all about choices. The choice between fresh produce, fruit, meats, etc, versus pre-packed, micro wave ready processed dinners. The choice between getting up and moving around and not just sitting in a recliner watching TV. The choice to choose a quality older age...to not be a burden to others OR YOURSELF.

Yes, I feel empathy and heartbreak for my sibling and the others that I see, but, 9 out of 10 could have either lessened the impact or avoided this illness altogether with some simple choices. ("There, I said it!")

MYTH 2: "Aren't we something? Thanks to the strides in modern technology and nutrition, we are living a lot longer than even a single generation ago!"

NO, not really. If it wasn't for the daily breakthroughs in modern medicine to COUNTERACT modern nutrition we would be dying sooner than our great grandfathers/mothers. (Just my opinion, no factual basis for this one)

MYTH 3: "We need Health Insurance for Everyone."

 Oh give me a freaking break(!). I have witnessed, first hand, what it means to not have health insurance. The dirty little secret "they" forgot about when Lawmakers passed "Obama Care" was a little publicized rule (Law?) that ALL hospitals follow in this country: A patient cannot be turned away from medical care because of inability to pay.  Let me repeat that...A patient cannot be turned away from medical care because of inability to pay....My aforementioned sibling, despite having been a medical professional for more than 25 years, had no health insurance (that is a sore subject for another rant). Despite the lack of insurance, they received quality care from competent doctors, got the latest drugs and therapy, and in a timely manner. All they had to do was sign a document that they would make a a small monthly payment to the hospital (the hospital eventually sells the debt to a collection service, who will make obnoxious attempts to collect, eventually collecting a profit by attaching to the patients estate upon their death)....Oh, and after racking up a SEVEN FIGURE bill, Medicaid swooped in and provided some relief on future treatment costs...because the "sib" qualified for disability...(heavy sigh)

Huh? Tell me again why I pay exorbitant premiums, as a self employed individual, to the health insurers (with exclusions, I might add)?? AND explain to me why "we" mortgaged the future on "Health Reform"??

Finally, I'll end with a true absurdity that any of you can witness at almost any super market, on almost any day....The grossly over weight man/woman, in the electric shopping cart, cruising the aisles while breathing pure oxygen through a nose tube (oxy tank between their feet), ......and, wait for it.......smoking a cigarette! (And if you look close enough, they probaly have a permanent medical port in their arm)...Ever wonder how a person can be breathing pure oxygen, while smoking a lit cigarette...without blowing up?

SHUT UP and EAT!

Time to Quit Complaining about Our Food and Do Some Healthy, Delicious Eating... Grab a Fork!


Grass Fed Burger Recipe
(From Cindy and Bob in Fort Worth)

Grass Fed burgers with red onions and mushrooms:
For two burgers:
 2 TBSP olive oil
 1/2 sweet red onion, sliced super thin
 1 portobello mushroom 1/4 inch slices
 1/2 cup good red wine ( pinot noir, merlot…you choose)
 ground pepper (lightly)
 Pinch of sea salt ( add after wine or mushrooms)
 
  Heat saute pan, add cool oil, when heated, saute
  onions 2-3 minutes. 

  Add mushrooms, cook additional 2 minutes. Add wine,
  pepper and salt to taste.
  Cook until wine is reduced.

  Ladle over Beef patty, on split grilled Kaiser roll.

 Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili. 
(Takes about 2 hours to prepare)

Ingredients:
2 pounds Grass-Fed ground beef
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups chopped onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 medium yellow bell peppers, chopped
1 large jalapeño pepper, seeded, finely chopped
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chili-seasoned or zesty-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14 ounces) ready-to-serve beef broth
12 ounces dark beer
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon honey
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed, drained
Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions:
1. Brown ground beef in stockpot over medium heat 8 to10 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking up into 3/4-inch crumbles. Remove from stockpot with slotted spoon. Set aside. Pour off drippings.
2. Heat oil in same stockpot over medium heat until hot. Add onions and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until onions are tender. Add bell peppers and jalapeño; cook and stir 4 to 5 minutes or until peppers are tender.
3. Return beef crumbles to stockpot. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, thyme and red pepper; cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, beer, tomato paste and honey; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 45 minutes. Uncover stockpot; continue simmering 30 minutes or until thickened to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in beans; cook 5 to 10 minutes or until beans are heated through. Season with salt and black pepper, as desired. Garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Makes 8 servings.

TEXAS SALSA MEATLOAF
Ingredients
2 lbs. Grass-fed ground beef
¾ c. Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 egg
1 tsp. kosher salt
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. ground cumin
¾ c. salsa (your preference)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients by hand, mixing very thoroughly. If mixture seems too dry or crumbly, add more salsa to increase moisture.
Shape mixture into a loaf and place in glass baking pan. There should be no need for a loaf pan here, although you can use one if you’re a strict traditionalist.
Bake for approximately 90 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees. Allow to rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Glaze (optional)
½ c. catsup
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp. Tabasco (or other hot sauce)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 ½ tbsp. Honey
Mix all ingredients together and baste loaf every 15 minutes after the first 10 minutes of cooking. Serve with extra glaze on the side for dipping and drizzling.

HOPE Y'all Enjoy!
 

MORE RANTING-Coming Soon

Well, here it is, half through June...Will begin posting again within a few days.

These were taken on my phone, so quality is "iffy", but, I think they still get the message across that our world is still full of bright and beautiful moments.

Our newest Calf: "Dokey" ... His first day in this World ... He was a real bright spot for us!

SUNRISE on the Ranch ... Heart Lifting.