Pineapple Chops

Ingredients:

4 pork chops
½ C. flour
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
4 pineapple slices

Directions:

Trim fat from chops. In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Coat chops with flour mixture. Place chops in a baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Lay a slice of pineapple on each pork chop. Lower heat to 350 degrees F. Return chops to oven for about 15 minutes. Serve with rice and a side salad.

 

Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Your Husband

Some women have the worst time trying to figure out what gift to give their husband for Father’s Day each [ad]year.  Begin now to think about Father’s Day gift ideas for your husband, and you’ll be better prepared when the day arrives.

Before you head out to the store, take some time to listen to what your husband is saying.  He may be leaving you subtle (or maybe not so subtle) hints about what he’d like to get as a gift.  Has he been mentioning a particular piece of sports equipment?  Maybe that would be the perfect gift for him.

Of course, not all men are sports enthusiasts.  They may like watching a game every now and then, but they would perhaps rather be actually doing something.  Pay attention to his hobbies.  If he loves to work with wood, a new woodworking tool might be just the ticket.  Don’t worry if you don’t know which tool to get him.  Purchase a gift card to his favorite home improvement store.  You can allow him to pick out the item that he’d like to have most.

Is your husband a hunter or a fisherman?  Take him to the closest sporting goods store.  He may be searching for the perfect lure or tackle.  Allow him to pick out what he needs to fill his tackle box.  By doing so, you may make his Father’s Day.

Does your husband enjoy reading?  Check to see if he’s purchased a particular series of books or books about a certain topic.  If there is a series he’s been reading, do some investigating and see if there’s a new book in the series that has recently been published.  Take this opportunity to get that book so he doesn’t have to go looking for it.

Another possibility, if you have a gaming console, would be to purchase him the newest game that he’s been drooling over.  To make the gift even better, take some time to play the game with him, even if it’s not something you’re interested in.  He’ll love the fact that you would choose to spend that time doing something he enjoys.

Finally, you could take the initiative to get a babysitter for the children so you and he can go out on the town.  Take him to his favorite restaurant and perhaps that new action movie he’s wanted to see.  Sure, it may not be the movie you would choose, but you’ll have a good excuse to hold on tight during the scary parts.

After dinner and movie, remember that the most important thing is that you’ve taken the time to think about him, what he likes, and chosen to spend the time with him.  That’s really what you need to think about when deciding upon Father’s Day gift ideas for your husband.  What would he really like?  Then take the time to fulfill that desire.

Talking to Teens about Abstinence

Talking to a teenager about anything can be a Herculean task under the best of circumstances.  Talking to YOUR teen about SEX in any shape, form or fashion can be an impossible chasm to cross.  However, instead of fretting over the reaction your teen will have, make some time to take the plunge and discuss sex and abstinence with him (or her).  Remember that you won’t lose anything by trying.

To talk about abstinence, you have to understand the importance of abstinence in the life and health of everyone who participates in it.  Not only is it the only method of birth control that is 100% effective, it is also the only thing that will guarantee your teen will not be exposed to STDs. 

Think of it in these terms: if you never open a container, then no germs will ever get in.  That container will always remain sterile and safe.  The same is true about abstinence.  By choosing to refrain from sexual activity, your teen will ensure her (or his) physical wellbeing when it comes to sexual situations.

A teen that chooses abstinence will also guarantee that no life-altering situations (like an unexpected pregnancy) will come up.  Despite what most teens believe, if they are having sex then they should be prepared to deal with a pregnancy.  There is no full-proof method of birth control besides abstinence.  Some teens that are using birth control pills, condoms, or other methods will still become pregnant and have to deal with the repercussions.

Abstinence, at its very basic, is not having sex.  But at the heart of the issue there is much more.  Choosing to abstain from sexual activities (including “fooling around”) can be a difficult road for you teen to walk alone.  Be sure that you both understand what will be faced and build a support network (other trusted adults and peers) that will help make the choice an easier one.

Don’t wait until your child is a teen to start talking to him (or her) about his body.  The more comfortable you both are about discussing issues, the easier it will be (for both of you) to talk about abstinence. 

If your child is already a teen, then it’s still not too late.  Make a date with her (or him) to be some place alone and quiet (where prying eyes and ears cannot get involved).  Be open and honest with your teen and allow them to be open and honest with you.

Abstinence is more than a form of birth control.  It is a life choice that could affect the health, future and physical well being of your teen from now until the end of her life.

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