Ugh.
The Trump Administration is a fiasco.
Former Congresswoman: U.S. Discussing Using NUCLEAR WEAPONS upon Iran
Former U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green has revealed that here in the USA, discussions are being held about using NUCLEAR WEAPONS against Iran.
Today I am thinking about food. And i found this great little write up that I want to share with you all…
It’s the closest guide to Tex-Mex that i could find.
21 Homemade Mexican Food Recipes – Perfect for Meal Prep!
These homemade Mexican food recipes are not only delicious, they’re designed for meal prep for easy weeknight dinners. GF, Paleo & low carb options!
Living outside of Austin, I have SO much amazing inspiration for Mexican & Tex Mex food. I love recreating these dishes in my own kitchen and creating meal prep friendly versions.
In the roundup below, you’ll find Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb and even Whole30 compliant Mexican & Tex Mex recipes. You’ll notice these are not all “authentic” or traditional Mexican recipes. I love coming up with fun variations that are healthy, delicious and EASY to make at home.
Each of these recipes fits the bill.
Tips for Making Homemade Mexican Food Work for You
Before we get to the recipes, I wanted to share a few of my tips for making homemade Mexican food work for any diet. There are a few strategies you can use to adapt pretty much any Mexican favorite to your dietary needs.
- Make Your Own Dips & Sauces: This applies not only to homemade Mexican food of course but to anything you make. It is pretty much always healthier (and often more delicious) to make your own sauce. You’ll find recipes for homemade enchilada sauce, guacamole and salsa below. Sure, you could buy each of these things, but they’d likely have some pretty weird ingredients in addition to a ton of salt, and often sugar. The homemade versions are easy and quite healthy!
- Reconsider the Cheese: At Prep Dish, dairy is always optional on our Gluten Free, Paleo & Super Fast meal plans. If you enjoy dairy and feel good eating it, you do you! But if dairy doesn’t agree with you, there’s no need to miss out on the wonderful flavors of Mexican & Tex Mex cuisine. Most Mexican favorites are just as delicious with a lot less cheese than you usually see on them at restaurants.
- Adapt the Wrap! If you’re Paleo or Low Carb, don’t despair! You don’t have to lose out on Mexican food. Lettuce wraps work so well for tacos and Mexican-inspired wraps. There are of course also many low carb and paleo-friendly tortillas out there now if you enjoy those.
21 Healthy Mexican Food Recipes
Each of these healthy Mexican food recipes was featured on our meal prep meal plans. They’re nutritious, flavorful and specifically designed for meal prep! That means you can enjoy these amazing flavors any night of the week. If you’d like to try the meal plans for yourself, sign up for a free trial to see what they’re all about!
Turkey Taco Soup
This easy and flavorful soup frequently makes our subscribers’ favorites list! It has all of the beloved flavor of a taco, but in a healthy soup. Let everyone add their own toppings and this is sure to be a family favorite!
Slow Cooker Green Chili Beef Burritos
Serve the slow cooker green chili beef in tortillas or serve in lettuce wraps or over cauli rice for a fun paleo Mexican recipe. This is a perfect make ahead meal for those super busy nights when you want to eat ASAP when you get home.
Guacamole Stuffed Mini Peppers
If you haven’t tried pairing guacamole with fresh veggies, you’re in for a treat! I love how pretty the easy guac is when stuffed into mini bell peppers but if you’re in a hurry, it’s just as tasty as a healthy dip for your favorite raw veggies.
Paleo Fish Taco Bowls w/ Cilantro Lime Slaw
Dairy free cilantro lime slaw is the star of this dish. This dairy free Mexican food recipe is perfect for when you want the bold flavors associated with Mexican cuisine, but with a lighter take. It would also be delicious with chicken or shrimp!
The Best Beef Burrito Recipe
This one came straight from our super fast meal plans, which allow you to prep 5 healthy dinners in just one hour. That means, in addition to being delicious, it’s super quick and easy!
Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowls
You could of course serve these as tacos if you wish but I’m a big fan of “bowl meals”. They work so well for families and large groups as everyone can build their own.
Low Carb Chile Relleno Casserole
If you’re keto or low carb, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on those bold Mexican flavors! This Tex Mex chicken recipe is cheesy, delicious and keto-friendly.
Potato Nachos
Potato nachos are just plain fun. They’ve been a favorite with kiddos and adults alike here at Prep Dish. This is as much a concept as it is a recipe so have fun experimenting with your favorite toppings!
Gluten Free Enchiladas
With the homemade enchilada sauce here, there’s no need to smother these in cheese (although, of course, you can!) They are incredibly tasty and satisfying without it. If you’ve never made enchilada sauce before, you’ll likely be surprised at just how easy it is! There’s no going back.
Beef Fajitas w/ Easy Guacamole
Homemade guacamole stars again in this easy weeknight dish. Simple and tasty, this one comes together quickly. Make it with beef as in the recipe or mix it up with chicken and shrimp – all are delicious!
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Slow cooker dishes like this are perfect for the busy fall season. Orange zest and juice as well as fresh cilantro make this dish as bright as it is hearty.
Chorizo Bowls w/ Veggies
Using chorizo, which is already so flavorful, helps this dish come together quickly while still packing in a ton of flavor.
Shredded Beef Barbacoa Lettuce Wraps
Shredded beef barbacoa is super versatile. Serve it in lettuce wraps, tortillas, over quinoa or in a cauli rice bowl. It’s perfect for groups with mixed dietary needs.
Slow Cooker Chicken Verde
This Tex Mex chicken recipe makes good use of the slow cooker. Cilantro, fresh lime juice, green onions and cherry tomatoes balance out the earthy flavors from cumin and garlic powder for a flavorful, satisfying dinner.
Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Salad
Pork shoulder cooks in chicken broth in the slow cooker (or Instant Pot) for tender, falling apart meat that takes this prep-ahead salad over the top. It’s perfect for a packed lunch or family dinner.
Mexican Jicama Shrimp Saute
I’m a huge fan of jicama and think it’s seriously underrated. It gives a fantastic crunch and it’s subtle sweetness plays well with Mexican spices. This is one of those paleo Mexican recipes you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
While jarred salsa is fine in a pinch, it has none of the fresh, brightness that homemade salsa brings to a dish. You can adjust the spice level by how many jalapeño seeds you leave in. Remove them all for a milder salsa or leave some in for a serious kick!
Chicken Enchilada Bowls
The secret to any good bowl is an incredible sauce that brings it all together. In this case, it’s my homemade enchilada sauce which comes together in just a few minutes but really makes this dish shine.
Shrimp Taco Bowls w/ Cilantro Lime Sauce
A simple creamy, cilantro lime sauce brings all of these delicious ingredients together. For meals like this, I love laying out all of the toppings and letting everyone build their own. Always a crowdpleaser!
Grilled Veggie & Refried Bean Tacos
These vegetarian tacos get so much flavor from grilled corn and poblano flavors. Refried beans make a tasty and filling base.
Tex Mex Casserole
While not a traditional Mexican food recipe, this family-friendly casserole incorporates so many of the flavors we all know and love from Tex Mex cuisine.
Want more?
Huevos a la Mexicana
Yield: 50 servings
Ingredients
- 40 eggs, beaten
- 1 quart oil
- 1 cup nacho cheese sauce
Instructions
- Cook eggs in heated oil. Place scrambled eggs in stainless steel bowl. Add warm nacho cheese sauce to eggs and mix well. Place in steam table pan.
- Serve or hold on steam table.
DOLLY AND THE DAY THAT NEVER WAS
Written in response to: “Center your story around a character who can’t tell the difference between their dreams and reality.“
Victoria Crenshaw
Fantasy Mystery Science Fiction
“What in the world—?” she gasped, sitting up so fast she nearly toppled off the bed.
The alarm’s little red light blinked mockingly. Dead batteries. Of course.
“Oh no, ZoZo! We are late!” she cried, throwing the blanket aside.
ZoZo stretched, yawned, and then—deliberately, almost cruelly—began walking very slowly down the stairs. His plump paws took each step as though he had all the time in the world.
“Move your tail, you lazy creature!” Dolly shouted, hopping on one foot as she struggled to pull on her skirt. “You’ll make me miss the bus!”
ZoZo simply blinked at her. His slow descent continued, one paw… at… a… time.
By the time Dolly finally got past him and rushed out the door, the bus stop was empty except for puddles and the smell of diesel. She sighed, rain already soaking her hair scarf.
That was only the beginning.
The Day That Refused to Be Kind
Determined not to surrender to bad luck, Dolly ran back inside, grabbed her umbrella, and—without realizing it—left her lunch sitting right on the stove, the burner still on low.
As she stepped into the storm, the sky seemed to mock her.
A car zoomed by. SPLASH.
Cold, brown water drenched her skirt.
She groaned and wiped her face, muttering, “Lord, take me now.”
Then another car passed. SPLASH.
And another. And another. And another.
Five times. Five separate vehicles found her.
By the fifth splash, Dolly stood in the street like a drenched statue, glaring at the traffic. “You all planned this, didn’t you?!” she yelled into the wind. “You evil motorists!”
An old man under an umbrella stopped and stared. “Are you all right, madam?”
She turned sharply. “Do I look all right?”
He nodded solemnly. “You look baptized.”
The Hot Mess in Heels
By the time she arrived at the office, Dolly’s shoes squelched with each step, and her mascara looked like a crime scene. She ran to her desk, hoping no one would notice, but her supervisor, Mr. Banda, was waiting.
“Ah, Dolly,” he said, his smile too wide. “You’re finally here! The shareholders are waiting in the conference room. You are presenting first.”
Dolly froze. “Presenting… what?”
“The quarterly performance report. You did the slides yourself!”
Her stomach dropped. “That’s today?!”
Mr. Banda’s smile faltered. “Yes, Dolly. It’s been on the calendar for three weeks.”
She bolted for the restroom.
The mirror did her no favors. Her hair was a soggy bird’s nest. Her blouse clung in weird places. She looked like someone who’d wrestled an umbrella and lost.
“Oh, sweet Jesus,” she whispered. “This cannot be my life.”
She leaned forward, breathing hard. Her reflection blinked back at her—only, it wasn’t perfectly synced.
Dolly blinked again. Her reflection didn’t move.
“What in the—?” she whispered.
Then, suddenly, the reflection smiled—a slow, eerie smile that she hadn’t made.
Wake Up Call
Her heart pounded. She shut her eyes.
And when she opened them again—
She was in bed.
The alarm clock was ringing cheerfully at 6:15 a.m.
“Wait,” she muttered. “What?”
ZoZo sat at the foot of her bed, licking his paw.
She touched the clock. It was fine. The light was steady. The rain had stopped.
“Did I just… dream all that?” she asked aloud.
ZoZo meowed, a deep, throaty sound that almost sounded like a laugh.
Déjà Vu, or Madness
Trying to shake it off, she got out of bed and went through her normal morning motions. Tea, scarf, shoes.
As she descended the stairs, she noticed ZoZo again.
He was watching her, tail swishing. Only this time—his mouth moved.
“Don’t miss your bus, Dolly,” he said in a calm, gravelly tone.
She froze mid-step.
Her cup of tea slipped from her hand and shattered on the floor.
“ZoZo?” she whispered.
The cat yawned. “Hurry. You’ll be late again.”
She stumbled backward, grabbing the railing. “Oh no, no, no. I’m still dreaming. I have to be.”
ZoZo tilted his head. “Do you want to test it?”
The Second Storm
Dolly pinched her arm. Hard. “Ow!” she yelled.
“Did that hurt?” asked ZoZo.
“Yes!”
“Then maybe it’s real.”
“Or maybe pain exists in dreams!”
ZoZo shrugged—if cats could shrug. “Either way, you should go. The bus will be gone in one minute.”
Panicking, she dashed out the door.
The rain started again. Exactly the same. Same dark sky, same cold drizzle.
The five cars passed, one after another, splashing her in perfect rhythm.
By the fifth splash, she screamed, “I refuse this nonsense!”
The old man appeared again, same umbrella, same look. “You again?”
“What do you mean again?”
He frowned. “You shouted the same thing yesterday, madam.”
The Mirror’s Game
At work, she ran straight to the restroom this time. She looked at her reflection and waited.
“Come on,” she whispered.
Her reflection blinked out of sync again. Then it spoke.
“You’re late, Dolly.”
She gasped. “Who are you?”
“I’m you,” said the mirror. “Or maybe you’re me. It’s hard to tell these days.”
“This is madness,” Dolly said.
“Is it? Or is the madness outside the mirror?”
The fluorescent lights flickered. Dolly backed away.
“I just want to wake up,” she whispered.
The reflection leaned closer, lips curling. “Then close your eyes.”
Loop Two
She did.
And woke up—again—in bed.
6:15 a.m.
Alarm ringing.
ZoZo sitting at the foot of the bed.
Only this time, the alarm display flickered between 6:15 and 7:02.
ZoZo purred. “Which one do you believe, Dolly?”
She grabbed the alarm clock and shook it. “I’m not playing these games!”
The numbers scrambled. 8:45. 3:10. 11:59. Then blank.
Her hands trembled. “God help me, I’m losing it.”
ZoZo hopped down and began walking—slowly—down the stairs.
Each step echoed louder than it should have. Dolly followed, her heart racing. The air felt thick, like she was underwater.
When she reached the kitchen, the stove light was on. Her lunch pot was simmering.
The smell of burnt rice filled the room.
“I left that yesterday…” she murmured. “Didn’t I?”
Time Folds
She checked her phone. The date read Wednesday, June 12.
She frowned. “It was Tuesday a moment ago.”
ZoZo leaped onto the counter. “Time is flexible when you don’t believe in it,” he said.
“Cats do not talk!” Dolly shouted.
“Neither do clocks that lie,” said ZoZo.
“Stop!”
“Make me.”
Her hands gripped the counter until her knuckles whitened. “This is just stress. That’s all. I’ve been working too much. Maybe I fainted. Maybe I’m in the hospital.”
ZoZo licked his paw. “And maybe the hospital is dreaming of you.”
The Presentation
Her phone buzzed. It was Mr. Banda.
“Dolly! Where are you? The shareholders are waiting!”
She looked down at herself—still in pajamas.
“But… I thought I did that presentation.”
“Dolly, please. Don’t embarrass me today. Hurry!”
She stared at the phone. “If this is another dream…”
“Then make it a good one,” ZoZo said, hopping off the counter.
The Third Awakening
When she blinked again, she was standing in front of the conference room projector.
Her slides were on the screen. Everyone was watching her.
Her boss smiled expectantly.
Her heart thumped.
She tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Her throat felt heavy, like cotton.
The shareholders started murmuring.
Suddenly, all of them turned their heads in perfect unison—toward the window.
Rain poured outside.
A bus splashed past the glass, spraying water across it.
The room went silent.
Then ZoZo’s voice echoed faintly: “You missed the bus again, Dolly.”
The Hospital
She screamed—and everything went black.
When she opened her eyes, she was in a hospital bed. Tubes. Machines. A nurse adjusting her blanket.
“Oh thank God,” she said weakly. “I’m awake.”
The nurse smiled. “You’ve been asleep for two days, Mrs. Jameson. You fainted at work.”
Relief flooded her. “So it was all a dream.”
The nurse checked her chart. “You must have been very tired.”
Dolly sighed. “You have no idea.”
Then she noticed something—the nurse’s name tag: Zozo.
Her eyes widened. “Excuse me… your name is Zozo?”
The nurse smiled. “Yes, after my mother’s cat. Why?”
Dolly’s hand gripped the blanket. “No reason,” she whispered.
Outside the window, rain began to fall.
Return to Normal?
Two weeks later, Dolly was back home, trying to rebuild her routine.
Her doctor had recommended rest and light activity. So she brewed tea, brushed ZoZo’s fur, and told herself over and over: That was all just a dream.
Yet, every now and then, she’d catch ZoZo staring at her, eyes gleaming too intelligently.
One night, unable to sleep, she heard him whisper something. Just one word.
“Again.”
She sat up in bed. “What did you say?”
ZoZo was curled in his basket, snoring softly.
“Nothing,” she told herself. “I’m imagining things.”
Tomorrow That Never Comes
The next morning, her alarm blared at exactly 6:15 a.m. She smiled. Normalcy. Finally.
She turned to look for ZoZo. He wasn’t on the bed.
“ZoZo?”
A faint sound came from the stairs.
She stepped out of bed and saw him—walking slowly, deliberately, one paw at a time.
Her smile faded.
“No,” she whispered. “Not again.”
She looked at the clock.
7:02 a.m.
Her breath caught in her throat.
“No!” She grabbed the clock and shook it. “Wake up, wake up, wake up!”
The clock beeped. The rain began.
A horn honked outside.
Then—SPLASH.
Water sprayed across her face.
But she was inside her bedroom.
She looked up. The ceiling was leaking—rain pouring directly into her room.
ZoZo spoke again. “You’re late, Dolly.”
The Final Scene
Dolly laughed. Hysterically. “Fine! I’m late! Who cares anymore?”
She walked downstairs, soaking wet, her slippers squishing.
The house was full of mirrors—every wall, every surface reflecting infinite versions of herself. Each reflection moved differently.
One Dolly was crying. Another was brushing her hair. Another was giving the presentation confidently.
“Which one is real?” she asked.
ZoZo jumped onto the kitchen counter. “All of them. None of them. You decide.”
“I want to wake up.”
“Then sleep.”
She stared at him. “And if I’m asleep?”
“Then dream better,” he said.
Epilogue: A Dream That Never Ends
The next day—if there was such a thing as “next” anymore—her neighbor knocked on her door. No answer.
She tried again. Still nothing.
When the landlord finally opened the door, the house was spotless. Tea cup on the table. Lunch neatly packed on the stove. Alarm clock blinking 6:15 a.m.
And ZoZo, sitting calmly on the stairs, eyes bright.
He looked at the landlord, tail swishing slowly, and said in a soft, almost amused voice:
“She finally caught the bus.”
The End
Dancing in the Moonlight (King Harvest Through the Years)
Damn!
Who was the most disturbed adult you have ever seen?
He was sentenced to 1853 years in prison for the heinous crimes he committed all across Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. He confessed to killing around 190 children, with investigators confirming 138 of these through forensic evidence, making him one of the most prolific serial killers in history.
His name was Luis Garavito. He was born in 1957 in Colombia.
Luis was born into a broken family. From a young age suffered abuse from his alcoholic father, who beat him often. At the age of 16 he left his home and started doing odd jobs. It was during this time that he himself became a heavy alcoholic.
In 1992, at the age of 35, he committed his first murder. For the next 7 years till 1999 he kept murdering one boy after the other, until authorities finally caught him.
His targets were mainly poor, underprivileged boys. He would lure them by offering money, food or small work, then lead them to a quiet secluded spot where he would do unimaginable things and finally kill them.
Although, he was sentenced to 1853 years, Colombian law capped the maximum prison time at 40 years and since he helped locate the victim’s bodies, he was technically eligible for release in 2021, after just serving 22 years.
He had even expressed a desire to help and work with young abused children once he got free from prison. This resulted in a massive outrage all across Colombia and the law got changed just in time to deny his release.
He died in prison in 2023, at the age of 66 of cancer.
His story is proof that some monsters walk among us in human form.
Col 27 -Book 443 – Sir Whiskerton and the Case of the Missing Moonlight Groove
A Tale of Bell-Bottoms, Basslines, and the Boogie That Saved the Barnyard
Ah, dear reader—prepare your platform shoes, steady your sunglasses, and feel the beat in your bones. Today’s story does not begin with a quack, a snort, or even a kazoo blast.
It begins with a thump.
A thump-thump-THUMP-ta-ta!—rolling down the dirt road like a promise long overdue.
So crank the volume, smooth your polyester, and step—glide—into Sir Whiskerton and the Case of the Missing Moonlight Groove.
Act I: The Arrival of the Boogie
It began, as all great transformations do, on a Tuesday—golden, still, humming with the lazy buzz of bees and the distant snore-squeak of Porkchop mid-nap.
Then—thump-thump-THUMP-ta-ta!—a bassline pulsed on the breeze.
From the rise, a vintage VW van emerged—painted in swirls of gold, magenta, and chrome, side panels reading:
“IF YOU CAN DOO-WOP, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.”
The door slid open.
Out stepped Disco Dazzle.
Not walked.
Glided.
Step. Slide. Spin.
Drop into a split (platforms squeaked).
Rise—one paw raised mid-point—and snap.
“A-yo! Peace, love, and serious footwork!”
His voice was velvet and vinyl, smooth as a Sunday drive, warm as a sunset solo.
“Name’s Dazzle—Disco Dazzle. I was en route to the Big Apple’s All-Breed Boogie-Down… but my ride said, ‘Nah, fam—the real vibe’s rural.’ So… here I am. Y’all ready to get down—safely and with proper hydration?”
He didn’t wait for an answer.
He just began.
A spin. A strut. A disco point at Bessie—mid-moo-ditation.
“Whoa, man… you’re like the moonbeam’s cooler cousin.”
She blinked. Her mood ring pulsed violet-gold.
“Groovy… just groovy.”
Ditto, cartwheeling nearby, froze mid-air.
“Down! Down!”
He tried to moonwalk. Tripped. Still kept the rhythm.
Even Sir Whiskerton, sunbathing on the roof, paused mid-nap.
“Hmph. Either he’s a threat… or the most coordinated chaos we’ve ever seen.”
“Chaos! Chaos!” echoed Ditto—now wearing tiny platform socks he didn’t have five seconds ago.
Act II: The Groove Gap
But something was… off.
Fader Fuzz, tuning his deck by the old oak, frowned.
The farm’s usual rhythm—Porkchop’s heartbeat, Rufus’s pant, the creak of the scarecrow’s sway—was flat. Dull.
Even the crickets were off-beat.
“The moonlight’s lost its groove,” he murmured, adjusting his headphones.
Dazzle noticed.
He crouched beside Fader Fuzz, not looming—leveling.
“You feel that, sugar? The farm’s got a groove gap. Like a record skip in the soul.”
He pulled a tiny gold chain from his jumpsuit:
“My mantra: ‘Stay shinin’, baby.’ But you gotta start shinin’ first.”
Fader Fuzz’s tail twitched.
“I sample the truth. But tonight… the truth’s gone quiet.”
Dazzle nodded.
“Then we don’t wait for the beat—we be the beat.”
He offered a hand.
“Wanna jam, vibe-master? No rules. Just rhythm.”
Act III: The Moonlight Boogie-Down
What followed wasn’t a battle.
It was a conversation.
Fader Fuzz fired up his deck—thump-thump-THUMP—laying down his signature “Barnyard Baseline”:
- Porkchop’s snores (pitched down, filtered smooth)
- The creak of the farmer’s porch swing (reverb-drenched)
- A single, distant cluck from Doris (looped, ethereal)
Dazzle didn’t dance over it.
He danced into it.
- The Soul Strut: Shoulders loose, hips swaying, one paw always up—“like you’re holding the future”
- The Hay-Bale Hustle: A spin, a dip, a kick—platforms squeaking in perfect syncopation
- The Chicken Cha-Cha: Quick steps, feather-light, tail flicking like a metronome set to “joy”
Then—Fader Fuzz dropped the needle.
A new track bloomed:
“Funky Farmyard Stroll (Moonlight Mix)”
Built not from samples—but from presence:
- Dazzle’s footwork—squeak-SLIDE-thump—as live percussion
- Rufus’s wag—whoosh-whoosh—as wind chime
- Bessie’s hum—moooo-oooh—as bassline
- Ditto’s echo—“Groove! Groove!”—as high-hat
The barnyard woke up.
- Doris stopped mid-gossip. Began tapping her wing.
- The scarecrow swayed—not creaking, but swinging.
- Even Genghis, perched in the hayloft, removed his gold chain… and began to disco point.
Sir Whiskerton watched—not with skepticism, but wonder.
“Hmph. He’s not filling the silence… he’s replacing it with something better.”
The Moral of the Story
That night, as the moon rose full and silver, the farm gathered—not in rows, but in a circle.
Dazzle stood at the center, one paw raised, breath steady.
Fader Fuzz’s deck hummed softly: thump… thump… thump…
“The moral of the story, dear reader,” Sir Whiskerton said, voice softer than usual, “is this:
You don’t wait for the world to find its rhythm—you help it remember how to move.
Disco Dazzle didn’t bring music to the farm. He reminded us it was already here—in the sway of a cow, the wag of a dog, the echo of a kitten learning to belong.
So go ahead. Strut. Spin. Drop into a split.
And if your platforms squeak?
That’s not noise.
That’s the sound of joy finding its voice.”
Doris dabbed her eyes.
“A rhythmic metaphor! I can’t bear it!”
“Bear it! Bear it!”
And Dazzle?
He stepped beside Fader Fuzz, draped an arm over his shoulders (careful of the headphones), and murmured:
“Next time, sugar—we add cowbell.”
“Cowbell,” Fader Fuzz purred. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”
Post-Credit Scene
Later, in the hayloft, Sir Whiskerton added a footnote to his journal:
“Note: The greatest revolutions aren’t shouted.
They’re danced.
In bell-bottoms.
To a beat that says:
You’re welcome here.”
Below it, Ditto had scribbled:
“Groove… never… stop…”
“Stop… stop…”
(in glitter ink)
And from the pasture—faint, but clear—the sound of two paws, tapping in perfect time.
Thump. Thump.
Thump-thump-THUMP-ta-ta!
Jingle on. 🕺🎧✨
(Or, as the farm now hums: Stay shinin’, baby.)
LEGENDARY! KC and The Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight | REACTION
How much corruption can a system tolerate?
You’d be surprised by how long a corrupt system can survive.
The final half century of the Qing dynasty in China was the Empress Dowager Cixi. And she was fabulously corrupt. Ruling from 1861 to 1908, she was also fabulously wasteful. But her corrupt officials found creative ways to work around this…
For instance, each meal, Cixi wanted a thousand different dishes prepared. A massive banquet, which she would then largely ignore, choosing only among a few select dishes. Most pots would remain closed. So her palace eunuchs began preparing only those dishes afresh each meal, and leaving the others rotting in their pots for a week before throwing them out. Still hugely wasteful, but somehow less so… which allowed them to pocket more of the state budget for themselves.
People forget just how enormous China is — though the Qing dynasty was fabulously corrupt, enough revenue kept coming in for even the most corrupt and lecherous palace servant to have a hard time spending it all. In such a symbiotic system, run by corrupt officials and ruled over by morally bankrupt half-deities, you’d be surprised by how long corruption can fester uninterrupted like an infected wound…
Pictures
FIRST TIME HEARING Earth Wind & Fire – September
Pleased as a Peach
Written in response to: “Write a story that includes someone swimming in water or diving into the unknown.“
Daniel Rogers
“No!” Bob’s eyes widened like he had just seen a ghost. “You’ll be excommunicated.”
“And that’s bad?” It sounded good to me—anything to get out of this ridiculous tournament.
“Yes. Very bad. I’ll have to throw you out.”
Talk about a rock and a hard place. If I do, the Elite Guard will arrest me. If I don’t, the Elite Guard will arrest me. “So, tell me, Bob, what scenario ends with me not getting arrested?”
“I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”
He told me, and now my eyes widened like I had just seen a ghost.
The remaining forty-four hopefuls lined up for the celebrated March of Faith, a round so difficult that only two will go on to the final.
Near the end of the line, Alora and Bob gently tried to coax me into an oversized saddlebag. I didn’t really mind the bag so much, but the beast carrying it bothered me very much. I’ve met one before, and the encounter left me with a small traumatic experience.
The tiger-like body with a mane like a lion would make any sane human pause, and the claws and sharp teeth would make any sane race from any planet throughout the entire galaxy pause–except for this planet. They think it’s cute and cuddly.
“Lemmox wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Alora said. “Stop being a baby and hop in.”
“Just because you two are besties, doesn’t mean he won’t eat me when no one is looking.”
Alora rolled her eyes. “Dignits don’t eat meat. They’re kind and gentle, and the locals use them like horses.”
“This is no horse.”
“Either get in or face the Elite Guard.”
Alora has such an annoying way of being right. I obviously have no choice. The beast looked at me like I had lost my mind as I reached out with both hands in a gesture of peace. Alora helped me get inside the saddlebag and tie it shut.
The only thing I remember about the march is the smell of leather, the feel of leather, and the sight of leather. After what felt like an eternity, Alora untied my saddlebag and helped me out. Her saddlebag ride didn’t have the same effect on her as it did on me. My back ached. My arms and legs were stiff. And I was grumpy.
The march ended on top of a mountain. Not the peak, but definitely high up. Cold winds and thin air welcome us with annoying arms.
Bob stood there looking as pleased as a peach. “Good morning. You all have probably noticed by now that you have a companion with you.”
Now that I think about it, why is Alora with me?
“They are your sherpas. They will guide you through the challenges ahead. You must do what they say to succeed. The first two who complete the course will be our finalists. May the Ladder God give you favor.”
“You knew about this?” I asked Alora.
“Bob approached me yesterday. He thought you’d want your sister to be your sherpa.”
“My sister?” I said with indignation.
“Well, it was either that or your wife.”
“Sister is good.”
“I took advantage of my navigation pod to map out the quickest route.” Alora pulled it out and double checked.
“Wait. Let’s just hang back and let these idiots try to win. You know I don’t want to go through with this.”
“I do, but you want off this planet, don’t you? You need to make up your mind. If you want to stay, then fine. I won’t stop you. But if you want to go home, then stop whining and let’s get started.”
Why is she always right? “Fine! Lead the way.”
Alora whistled, and Lemmox raced to her. “We ride.”
“Oh, no! You’re not getting me on that thing.”
“It’s the only way.”
“You know I hate these things.” It was more of a plea than a statement of fact.
“Hop on.” Alora held out her hand for me to take.
I hopped on.
Lemmox walked slowly. Picking his steps carefully. I looked behind and saw several hopefuls waist-deep in the snow. Apparently, the field we started in contains snow pits. Now I understand why we had to ride. Lemmox sensed where the pits were and avoided them. Unfortunately, we weren’t the only ones on dignits. I noticed several others nearby.
We arrived at a massive cave entrance. I like caves about as much as I like dignits, so, knowing my luck, we have to go in there.
“We have to go in there,” Alora said.
Of course we do.
We dismounted Lemmox and went on foot since dignits hate caves as much as I do.
“We’re looking for a tunnel that looks like it goes straight down,” Alora said.
“So if it doesn’t go straight down, where does it go?”
“To the finish line. Well, after we swim for a bit, but my navigation pod shows it’s the fastest way.”
She must have seen the panic on my face.
“Don’t worry. I’m an excellent swimmer.”
It didn’t take long to find the dreaded hole. The other hopefuls had already taken one look and moved on, which, now that I think about it, is a brilliant idea.
“You know navigation pods can be wrong,” I said.
“We jump.” Alora walked to the edge. A blast of cold air came from the abyss.
“Let’s throw a stone in and see if we can hear it hit the bottom before casting ourselves into certain death.”
“On the count of three.” Alora ignored me.
“Now listen to me. I’m the captain, and the captain gets to decide when…”
Alora grabbed my hand and yanked me into the darkness. We didn’t fall long before hitting water. The icy cold took my breath away. It’s a good thing Alora can swim, because I was in shock, unable to move. She grabbed me and swam faster than humanly possible, which makes sense, since she’s an android. We made it outside the cave and saw Bob and several priests cheering and bowing at our arrival. We were the first to finish. Yay me.
We made it back to the temple the same way we left. The Elite Guard never knew we were gone.
Alora and I had a moment on that mountain. I might be the captain, but she’s the one in charge. I’m sure I only got the promotion because the company doesn’t allow androids to advance the corporate ladder. I’m not fit to lead. Alora has been trying to get me to see that we must win this tournament to get the dylanium, but I’m afraid of the unknown. I want certainty, not risk. In short, I’m no leader.
The truth hit me like a ton of bricks. And just like being hit with a ton of bricks, it hurt. I really thought I was in charge. But it was only an illusion. Well, I might know the truth, but there’s no way in the world I’m going to let Alora know that I know.
Jambalaya for a Crowd
Yield: about 24 main dish portions
Ingredients
- 3 large onions, chopped
- 15 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 celery ribs, chopped
- Vegetable oil
- 9 cups chicken or beef broth
- 3 pounds smoked Polish sausage
- 6 cups uncooked long grain rice
- 2 cups chopped tomatoes
- 3 cups mild/medium salsa
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoons Tabasco sauce
- 3 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- Sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet sauté onion, celery and garlic in oil until soft. Put into a large bowl and combine with the remaining ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat oven 375 degrees.
- Transfer mixture into 3 buttered 3 quart casserole dishes.
- Cover and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until rice is tender.
Notes
This can all be made up to a day ahead of time – just cover and refrigerate.
Recipe Goldmine is now a legacy site. Please visit our sister site, Simply Great Recipes, for new recipes.
The BEST Beef Burrito Recipe – Just 7 Ingredients!
Simple, delicious and totally customizable, this is the best beef burrito recipe! It’s kid-friendly & comes together quickly for weeknights.
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Sometimes simple is best!
These easy beef burritos are the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again. Not only are they super easy and satisfying, but they’re also a major crowd-pleaser. One of those recipes you can reach for when you don’t feel like hearing a single complaint at the dinner table 🙂
It’s also easy to mix up the filling to make it your own. Make sure to check out my tips for variations below the recipe!
I hope this becomes a new family favorite!
Pssst! Want more kid-friendly recipes? Check out these kid favorites!
The Best Beef Burrito Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 # grassfed ground beef
- ~2 cups shredded cheddar
- 8 oz sour cream
- 1 package flour tortillas (or sub corn tortillas)
- 1 jar red salsa
- 15 oz black beans
- 2 T taco seasoning*
Instructions
-
Heat a large sauté pan over med-high heat.
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Add 1# ground beef and 2 T taco seasoning and cook, breaking up meat, until meat is cooked through.
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Add 15 oz rinsed & drained black beans and 1/4 cup salsa. Stir until most of the liquid is absorbed, ~10 mins.
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Heat tortillas on a griddle or carefully on a gas flame.
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Assemble burritos: tortilla + beef/bean mixture + shredded cheese. Roll into burritos.
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Serve w/ extra salsa and sour cream.
Notes
Tips on How to Make Beef Burritos
This recipe really is quite simple but these tips on how to make beef burritos will make it even easier!
- Warm the Tortillas: Don’t skip this step! Warming the tortillas makes them pliable. If you don’t warm the tortillas, they will tear when you roll them.
- Don’t Overfill: I know it’s tempting, the filling is just so tasty! But limiting the filling in each tortilla will enable you to properly fold them without the filling spilling out the sides. Large tortillas work best.
- Fold Properly: Scoop the filling in a line down the center of the tortilla. Fold in both sides before folding over the bottom. Roll the tortilla tightly. Need a visual? This is a good one from the Food Network.
What’s the nutrition like for this beef and bean burrito recipe?
This beef and bean burrito recipe has only 7 ingredients but several of them offer quite the nutritional boost! Find details on that below.
This recipe is from our Super Fast meal plans and thus includes a few packaged ingredients like tortillas, salsa and taco seasoning. For all of these, make sure to check the ingredients to check for excess salt, sugar, etc. If you want to make it easy on yourself, buy these items from Thrive Market (<< affiliate link). They offer excellent products with clean ingredients and I rely on them heavily at my house! They also have plenty of grain-free tortillas options if you want to enjoy this recipe but don’t eat gluten or grains.
Beef (Iron, Zinc, Protein, CLA)
Particularly high in iron and zinc, beef also contains vitamin B6, vitamin B12, selenium, niacin, phosphorus and, of course, lots of high quality protein. Grass-fed beef is up to 500% higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than grain-fed. CLA may help reduce the risk for some types of cancer and type 2 diabetes. Grass-fed beef also contains up to 5 times as many Omega-3s as conventional beef.
Black Beans (Folate, Manganese, Iron, Protein, Fiber)
Black beans are super filling and nutritious. If beans don’t agree with your stomach, try soaking and cooking them yourself rather than buying canned, as soaking can aid in digestion.
Tomatoes (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium)
Packed with antioxidants, tomatoes may help reduce the risk of several kinds of cancer. Bonus tip? Combining tomatoes with healthy fats boosts absorption of tomatoes’ phytochemicals! The tomatoes in this recipe come from salsa – make sure to choose one without added sugar to maximize nutrition.
Chili Powder (Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Copper)
Made from dried chili peppers, chili powder is one of the key ingredients in taco seasoning. (For a taco seasoning with clean ingredients, check out this one at Thrive Market <<affiliate link!) Chili peppers are very high in Vitamin C and are also a good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Potassium and Copper. Of course, since you won’t generally consume large quantities of chili peppers, their contribution to your overall nutrition is limited.
Cumin (Iron, Antioxidants)
Another common ingredient in taco seasoning, cumin is known for a variety of health benefits including aiding in indigestion. Cumin is also an excellent source of iron and antioxidants.
Can I meal prep these burritos?
Yes! These burritos really don’t require much meal prep to be honest. If you like though, you can cook the beef ahead of time so all you have to do on dish day is reheat and fill the tortillas.
Alternatively, these work great as freezer burritos! Make the burritos and flash freeze on a baking sheet for a few hours. Transfer to a freezer containers and enjoy over the next couple of months.
Variations – What are some other burrito mix-ins?
There are so many delicious ways to mix this up! Feel free to get creative with your burrito mix-ins. Change up the meat, add extra veggies, go crazy! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Use a Different Protein: Ground turkey, chicken or bison all work well here. Or, make it vegetarian by omitting the beef and adding an extra can of beans. If you go vegetarian, you may want to add some rice to the filling as well.
- Add Veggies: Cook up some diced onions and peppers and add them to the mix. Or dice some fresh tomatoes to add in. Zucchini and corn are also natural additions.
- Switch Up the Dip: If you don’t love sour cream, whip up a batch of my quick guacamole to serve with the burritos.
You can also substantially change the flavor of these easy beef burritos just by changing the salsa you choose.