Sounding off on dairy abuse video

Late Tuesday, the radical animal activist group Mercy for Animals (MFA) released an undercover video concerning serious allegations of animal abuse on a family-owned dairy farm near Plain City, Ohio.

www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/26/national/main6519499.shtml

The investigation spanning a four-week period showed employees of Conklin Dairy savagely beating cows and heifers, stomping on newborn calves and prodding milk cows aggressively with pitchforks. To be honest, the video was extremely difficult to watch. I grew up on a small registered Jersey farm in central Ohio, and I absolutely cannot imagine treating any one of my cows (even the most rotten ones) with this type of violent action.

For me, what's even more disgusting about this video (and investigation) is that the employee taping these incidents allowed this behavior to go on for four weeks in order to gather "enough" information to turn in to the county prosceutor in Union County. What kind of employee or animal activist for that matter would allow even a small dose of this behavior to continue without notifying a manager right away. It makes me sick to think it went on for so long without being stopped! If I was witnessing this kind of behavior, I may have the inclination to take the pitchfork and prod the employee right out of the barn. That's what someone who truly cares about animals would do! For crying out loud!

I am huge proponent of animal welfare and proper care - why - because if we don't take care of our animals - they won't take care of us - by providing wholesome, nutritious products that we can market to support our livelihood. I will not support the behavior of animals rights groups such as these, however - that complete a four-week investigation - without saying one word to try and stop the abuse. I wish folks who support groups such as PETA, HSUS, Farm Sanctuary and Mercy for Animals could see thru this smokescreen. Their true agenda is to rid America of livestock production altogether and promote veganism. They don't truly care about animals- they only intend to support actions that propel their own agenda.

Also - I should make note that Conklins are taking action to clean up their act and take responsibility for their actions ...  "We have conducted an initial review of the video that the activist group has released," said Gary Conklin. "The video shows animal care that is clearly inconsistent with the high standards we set for our farm and its workers, and we find the specific mistreatment shown on the video to be reprehensible and unacceptable."

"We will not condone animal abuse on our farm. We have launched our own internal investigation into this matter and will be conducting interviews with everyone on our farm who works with our animals."

Butt Blasting Cardio & Skin Miracles!

I should preface this post and maybe even my entire blog by adding that I don't really consider myself a "babe" or "fabulous" ... but I can do my darnest to be and that's what this blog is all about.

As far as a celebrity who I think is fabulous (although she is far, far from being a farm gal like myself) my vote is Kim Kardashian.

That girl is just gorgeous, and with makeup or without - she looks fabulous! Before I became prego I was using her workout DVD series - Fit in Your Jeans By Friday about three times a week. Wow what a workout!!!  I wish I could say I was a big workout guru, but I'm not. However, I really did enjoy her "Butt Blasting Cardio," "Amazing Abs Body Sculpt," & "Ultimate Butt Body Sculpt." While Kim looked flawless thoroughout the entire series - I was sweating buckets and looked like I just swam the English Channel! I'm hopeful that I can blast some of this baby weight off this fall with Kim K., but I'm guessing I may be a little distracted with the new little princess in our lives!

So besides having a totally sculpted butt ... haha ... sporting perfeclty flawless, smooth skin is another fabulous trait of Kim K. And you know what on this one ... I don't think I'm too far off. It could have something to do with the fact that I've been selling America's #1 line of skincare and cosmetics for almost 3 years now ... Mary Kay! Seriously, I HEART Mary Kay, but I'm not blogging to sell you on it ... unless of course you'd like to try it - I can hook u up!!

But, really I do believe strongly that taking care of your skin is essential to younger looking skin for a lifetime ... and you know what you're worth it - you really are. This is an area I do feel a little fabulous about - I have to say - I have the smooth skin I've always dreamed about and playing with color is more fun than I've ever imagined. I wasn't really a glamour girl before this MK thing, BTW! 

Ok, so my recommendation is the MIRACLE SET, I mean how can you go wrong - the name alone grants it fabulous status!

 The TimeWise® Miracle Set (normal to dry OR combination to oily) provides incredible age-fighting results to help you maintain younger-looking skin. The set offers 11 age-defying benefits in one skin care regimen: cleanse, exfoliate, freshen, energize, hydrate, smooth, firm, soften, protect, rebuild and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The Miracle Set includes:

• TimeWise® 3-In-1 Cleanser
OMG - cleansing your skin is so important and do it twice a day just like you brush your teeth. Cleanser helps you feel clean, fresh and exfoliated in just one step. It's also begins the process to younger-smoother skin.

• TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer
You know the grape/raisin analogy. When your skin is moistuized it looks young and supple and when its not it feels dry and crackly and all your lines appear more dramatic - not ideal! Reduce the appearance of fine lines for younger-looking skin with an oil-free lotion. It's formulated with antioxidants that help guard against free radicals, which cause the skin to age.
• TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25*Just by walking out your door everyday you are exposing that precious skin on your face to harmful UVA/UVB rays and environmental damage! With an SPF of 25, the Day Solution is a veil of defense, it helps prevent sun damage such as lines and discoloration before they occur by blocking damaging rays from the sun. Also, calming peptides helps relax and diminish the look of expression lines.



• TimeWise® Night Solution
If you a busy working gal like myself or just like keeping life simple whenever possible - this is an excellent product because it works while you sleep. A unique delivery system of encapsulated vitamins and antioxidants combined with collagen-enhancing peptides help fade away deep lines and wrinkles while you sleep.
 
• Foundation (did you know that foundation is an important part of taking care of your skin - you can wear a product that benefits your skin or you can wear pollution! I recommend doing your homework.) The great thing about Mary Kay foundations is 1) you have a lot of great choices and 2) they work with the natural processes of your skin to keep you refreshed and looking smooth and ... FABULOUS!
 
In a future blog post, I will more than likely talk a little bit about color contouring and what eye colors go best with brown, blue, hazel or green eyes! Maybe even I could find a pic of Kim K. and tell you how to get her look!
 
Tata for now!

There's no turning back now!

Throughout life, a woman comes upon several realizations that her life is changing and that there is no turning back. Last night, another big one hit me .... 

Of course, you have your obvious "changes" when you come upon the pubesant years. Then you have the drama of high school, dating, getting your license, turning 18 and departing from high school into the world of college, thus opening the flood gates to adulthood ... although for me it still took a while to actually "grow up" per se.

Well here I sit now, almost 28 years old, got a great job at Farm World Newspaper, been married nearly 5 years to Big D, farming on our own for about 3 years and expecting our first bambino in July. Well - when we decided to start a family I knew alot of things would change in our lives, but I didn't really anticipate this one ... (are you digging the suspense ...?!)

You see last night I attended a fun monthly dinner club with a great group of farm gals in celebration of Cinco de Mayo! (many of these gals would make excellent future bloggers BTW - Lindsey and Betsy - I am referring to YOU! And Miss Hannah is already an outstanding blogger - check her out at Off the Cuff and Indypendent   http://offthecuffandindypendent.blogspot.com/)

As I sat across the dinner table enjoying some guac and chips and a glass of water (no margarita for me and talk of margaritas didn't really interest me, surprising - I know!), I found out quickly that I really was the odd (wo)man in the group. I am different now ... my priorities have changed while anticipating for the arrival of our Baby Girl and I'm OK with that. I'm finding I have more to talk about with mommys and mommys to be. The old days of partying and drinking are falling farther behind me. However, I know my friends will revel in the day when they can share some stories of my pre-baby days when my daughter is old enough and hopefully old enough to know better than I did!

So so so ... the new realization ... I'm becoming a mommy, I'm starting to think more like a mommy and enjoy more conversations with women who know what the heck I'm going through or about to go through. My days as a recent college grad are well behind me now, also as a newlywed and the idea of enjoying an occasional beverage at a party or cattle show honestly just isn't as important to me anymore. Am I becoming the odd (wo)man out? Well if I am ... I like how it feels, it feels just right! Which is really a very good thing, because the idea of mommyhood will be reality in less than 3 months now!

To my best girlfriends - I'm still the same gal, just with a growing set of new, very important priorities - so you'll have to forgive me as my conversations may lean toward the mommy side here and there, and a little of everywhere!

So even though I was a little bummed going into the dinner last night thinking I couldn't even have a sip of once-loved mucho margarita - I left with a new realization on my mind and a new set of priorities that are beginning to consume my life. And I couldn't be happier about it. So while I'm closing Chapter 100 to my HoosierFarmBabe life, the pages to Chapter 101 are slowing creeping open and I'm loving what I'm reading on these new pages!

Tata for now!