Expired: By Date or by Smoke?

I always like going to our local Grocery Outlet. It's always an adventure as one never knows just what they'll find. I've found a variety of items there (i.e. Coleman blowup camping couches, $4.99 DVDs, $1.99 Dreyers ice cream, etc.). I always make that my first stop when food shopping as they may or may not have some of the items I've been needing. The prices are awesome! They have a great frozen foods section as well as a good size produce section. Sometimes some of the produce looks a little sick, but you take the good with the bad, right? This brings me to the issue at hand (allegedly). One does need to check out the expiration date of the foods purchased. I've noticed some items are set to expire anywhere from a month to several months away from the present. Honestly, if I need mayo for a salad for camping during the upcoming summer months, who really cares if it expires just after the summer's end. This is not to say that everything sold there is at the brink of its expiration. Today I purchased cans of Rotel tomatoes, $.69 each!!! That's a STEAL! The expiration is May 2010! HELLO! Works for me.

Anywho, during the past year, I've had to walk through picketers standing in front of the store, trying to shove their fliers in my face. The "activists" claim Grocery Outlet sells some items close to the expiration date. Okay. So. What of it? Today, as I marched through the picket line, I had to pass three people handing out fliers...with cigarettes in their mouths. So let me get this straight - you're concerned that I'm buying nearly expired items because of your concern for my health? You, with the cancer stick hanging from your mouth, are advocating against nearly expired food?

Personally, I'm an advocate of an intelligent consumer. Almost everyone has internet access. Do your own research on your products before going to purchase something. Shoppers of the Grocery Outlet are probably able to make their own judgments as to whether or not they'll buy that jar of mayo that is about to expire in the near future. I just thought it was ironic/contradictory the cause these people are fighting for.

There's my rant for the day. I shall continue to shop at the Grocery Outlet! It's clean, the employees are friendly, and the prices rock!

Storm clouds approaching...How's your ark coming?

Alyssa sent this out a few days ago and I thought it was really well done. Take a few minutes to view it. You will probably end up feeling more inspired to prepare you and your families afterwards. (Note: be sure to pause my blog's music before playing the video)

Here is the blog from where it came. You might find some other little helpful tidbits. http://letusprepare.blogspot.com/

Happy Fourth of July!!!

Two hundred thirty three years ago (July 1776) America declared Independence from Great Britain. The Committee of Five, which consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman, signed their names to the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. ”

Please note he did say "second day of July". If you wantt the details, go and Wikipedia it.

I believe the painting below is one of the most powerful having to do with our country. We believe these men were inspired, by God, to sign this document which declared our independence, thereby creating the United States of America.

May we all continue to take pride in our country...despite our current political leaders...and be thankful for the country we live in today. I can't help but get teary eyed each time I hear our national anthem. "...the land of the free and the home of the brave." Indeed we are.

My two favorite patriotic songs are "God Bless the USA" (which also brings on the tears, I know, I'm a baby!) and "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles.

What are yours? Feel free to leave them in the comments below.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July! I know I did!!