Friday, June 13, 2008

THE ONE THAT DIDN’T GET AWAY

Whenever we go home to Nova Scotia, we ALWAYS have to eat lobsters! When we went to buy them from a local lobster fisherman, he had this one for sale. My husband HAD to have his picture taken with his all time FAVOURITE treat. This one weighed about 16 pounds.
Lobster Facts: The largest lobster ever caught was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada in 1977. It measured a tasty 41 inches from nose to tail and weighed in at a mouth watering 20.14 kilograms or 44.4 pounds. (WOW)

Lobster Nutritional Information: Are lobsters good for you? You Bet! Lobsters aren't just good - they're good for you. East Coast Lobster has less cholesterol, calories, and saturated fats than both chicken and turkey. (I was surprised by these numbers!)

East Coast Lobster:
cholesterol = 72 mg; calories = 98; saturated fats = 0.1 g
Skinless Chicken:
cholesterol = 85 mg; calories = 173; saturated fats = 1.3 g
Skinless Turkey:
cholesterol = 86 mg; calories = 140; saturated fats = 0.4 g
Source: The National Institute of Health based on a 3.5 oz. Serving

When in Nova Scotia I found these hilarious Lobster Postcards.
I also discovered a huge controversy about the method of preparing lobsters. They must be purchased and boiled alive. NEVER cook a dead lobster. This is seen as cruel. (article)

Most amazing fact is that someone has invented a machine called "Crustastun" that will electrocute them instead. Unfortunately it cost £2,000!

For me, it’s how lobsters have always been prepared since I was a child – a very natural process. Maybe it seems strange because for most of us, especially in cities, we never see our “meals” before we purchase them in the grocery store. They are neatly packaged – ready for us to cook. It is never a traumatic experience. But the reality is that all meat comes from an animal that once was alive. We don’t often see the whole process involved in providing our food. We are a very “sanitized” society. We don’t have to go out and choose which hen will become our roast chicken dinner. It is done “quietly” for us. Even when fishing, you have to kill the fish to eat it. Perhaps this is where many vegetarians are converted.

We satisfied our lobster craving with a half a dozen 3 pound lobsters. We even introduced my 2 year old grandson to his first taste of this family tradition. He loved it!! And he wasn’t traumatized by the process. It is food. Enjoy it!! We did. :o)

Perspective is a wonderful and necessary thing. When things are out of their proper perspective, they quickly become distorted. The definition of distorted: not truly or completely representing the facts or reality; misrepresented; false. The definition of perspective was equally interesting: the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship; the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship; a mental view or prospect. How often do we get caught up in a current controversy without considering the whole picture? Way too easily. Enjoy all of God’s creation, but remember – He created it for us - to take care of and to use wisely. Sometimes, our “good ideas” are not very practical.

Selah Y

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Nanny!

We had a wonderful vacation in Nova Scotia. We celebrated an important family milestone - Nanny’s 80th birthday.

It was great for scattered family members to gather together. It’s always so hard to find a time when everyone can attend. In this case, the date was not negotiable. We celebrated on her birthday – June 7. In our hectic schedules, we must endeavor to take the time to recognize and honour special occasions. We love you Nanny!