What is wealth?

 
It could be easily looked on as an abundance of valuable possessions. In a worldly sense that could certainly include money, titles, awards, degrees, etc. What is then my worth? What have I obtained or accumulated? There could be different types of wealth as well (financial, physical, spiritual, economic, etc. What then is the purpose of wealth? One could say to provide for oneself/family and/or others and to build up the kingdom of God. 

Life is God's gift to man, and what we do with it is our gift back to God. We brought literally nothing into this world and it is certain that we cannot carry anything out. Religion is worth everything to us and for it we should be willing to employ our time, our talents, our means, our energies, and is some cases literally even our lives. So how are we spending our free time? Are we giving back to others? Who are we helping? What is it that we are watering in our lives to improve upon what we have?

We have been instructed to seek first the kingdom of God and all the things has will be added or give unto you. What an incredibly wonderful blessing. If there is a specific blessing that we desire ultimately then we should seek out everything that governs that blessing an work on becoming obedient to whatever those laws are. 

Eating Healthier On A Budget

 
Eating healthier on a budget is much easier than you would think. With a little planning you can nourish the system without breaking the bank. Before shopping take a initial pantry inventory. Check to see if there is anything that can be cut back on starting with those sugary snacks or soft drinks. Try swapping them out with a healthier home made alternative. Now on to the tips.

One of the best ways to begin is make a plan. Figure out your meals in advance. It may take a little bit of more time but will be well worth it. Next start making that old fashioned grocery list by hand with a pen and paper.

Keep an eye out for sales and store promotions. Often it is a great way to save a lot of hard earned money. It is also a great way to figure out the weekly meal plan. Look as well to the local farmers market. Support local when possible. It's a wonderful way to make friends and possible connections to access often the freshest source of fruits, vegetables including often better deals than a retail grocery store chain can offer. When possible find out the farmers market hours. Typically, towards the end of a day vendors may also mark down items that may only last another day or two. 

Learn to read price labels from the shelf and on the items. Even if two similar products may look the same there may be more or less on the inside. Search the label for price per pound and or what it contains. One item may not be the best value. While another may contain harmful ingredients to your health system. If you don't know what some of the items it may contain look it up. Do the research. 

Buy certain foods in bulk when possible. Yes, it may cost a little more now but in the long run may average out to much less saving more coin to stay in your pockets. Items such as rice, oats, condiments, spices, etc especially if it might be something you may use often. 

A time for everything. Look to the seasons. Yes, items in season can be great for even later when previously frozen. Just because strawberries might not be in season now they can still be great with some prior planning. Frozen produce can be a great way to make nutritious smoothies later.

Look for do it yourself. It can be a great to make a better tasting salad dressing, dips and spreads that can reduce/eliminate unwanted ingredients from a retail store source that is much more affordable. Eating healthier can be easy and on a budget is certainly possible with some planning and well worth it in the long run. One simply cannot put a price tag on personal health. It's priceless.

Who has the best root beer?

 

Pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires was the first to successfully market a commercial brand of root beer. Much has certainly changed since 1875. Who has the best root beer today? It's time to settle the great debate. 

Barqs

This brand debuted in 1898 as the creation of Edward Barq with his brother Gaston. Barqs is still owned by the Barqs family but currently manufactured/distributed by the Coca Cola Company. The bar has been set incredibly high and is noted for being one of the few caffeine based root beers in the world. It certainly has one of the best defining slogans around as well (Barqs Bites). Often it simply comes down to flat out expectations. Straight forward with a strong flavor. There's no messing around. When you reach for a Barqs you know exactly what you are getting.

IBC

The IBC brand created in St Louis in 1919 wants your experience one to be remembered. It is one of the most available brands on the market. IBC is a fine root beer that's not overly sweet with solid flavor punch to it. The flavor is deep, satisfying and certainly has a classic feel to it. 

A&W

Roy Allen bought the original recipe and began marketing his beverage in Lodi, California and soon partnered with Frank Wright. However, in 1924 Allen bought his partner out and obtained the trademark for now one of the top selling root beers found in the world. Solid root beer but I believe among the tops when making floats. 

Dads

Founded back in 1937 Dad's certainly has a shelf life that has lasted through the times. Although, the brand could be much more popular nationally with better distribution channels. Sometimes you just need a little taste. A little splash here. A little splash there. Thank me later. 

Mug

Mug Root Beer was initially marketed as "Belfast Root Beer" during the 1940s by the Belfast Beverage Company. The product name was later changed to Mug Old Fashioned Root Beer then shortened to simply Mug Root Beer. Currently manufactured/distributed by PepsiCo with the brand bulldog mascot "Dog". Mug is a common canned grocery store soda popular also with company BBQs. It has a syrupy sweet candy like root beer flavor designed to satisfy the masses, not impress the aficionado. Mug has a creamy texture and the flavors lingers on the tongue.

Hires

The granddaddy of root beers now owned by the Dr Pepper conglomerate. It is the oldest marketed root beer brand. How much of the original recipe remains is absolutely anyone's guess. The time tested taste is certainly pleasing, well balanced, and with a crisp assertive lasting flavor. 

Shasta

With a surprising high ranking for canned soda, Shasta has a distinct favor for its satisfying and refreshing crispiness. Yes, the can design may be awful but don't let this deter you from popping one open. It has a very strong root beer aroma when opened and that's always a good sign.

Stewarts

The bottling by Cable Car Beverage in Denver Colorado has somewhat of an upscale appearance. Stewarts has a high level of carbonation and doesn't exactly stand out because it nails it. It has a very popular and dependable taste. 

Weinhard's

Bottled by Blitz Weinhard Brewery in Portland Oregon. It is brew flavorful and complex. Weinhard's has a nice appearance, great full vanilla touch to flavor, no initial burst of carbonation but this one rolls over the tongue so easily to quench the thirst. 

Take a chance and try one of the delicious unique root beers from above, or one of your favorites. Not all root beers are created equal. It's all a matter of personal taste.

Human Choice and Free Agency

The strongest principle of growth lies in the human choice. Agency is the ability and freedom to choose between different options, typically good or evil. It is an eternal principle which has existed from all eternity. It is the philosophy of opposites. Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms to choose even our own attitudes in a given set of circumstances.

Four great principles must be in effect if there is to be agency. First, laws must exist. Second, opposites must be evident. Third, a knowledge of the good and evil or options must be had by those who are to enjoy the agency. Lastly, an unfettered power of choice must prevail. 

Agency is so fundament to the great plan of creation and redemption that if it should cease all other things would vanish away. All truth is independent in that sphere in which our creator has placed it to act for itself as all intelligence, otherwise there is no existence. It must needs be there there is an opposition in all things. If not, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, etc.

Decisions that we make can determine our destiny one even at a time and/or can even impact the lives of others. When there is a choice to be made and don't make it, that is in itself also a choice. For where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act.

There are so many options in life that we can face at one time or another. We can choose a career, what type of clothes/styles we like to wear, who to marry, what schools to attend, what music we enjoy, where we like to eat, who to vote for, etc. When it comes to voting as an example if we choose unrighteous individuals to lead when compounded with other unrighteous figureheads that can lead from freedom to our personal slavery.

Thus, it is of the highest degree when faced with important decisions to take time in gathering all the facts possible from both sides of an issue and when possible to always go to our creator asking for direction. What choices are we making today? Remember to choose wisely. Often, freedom once lost is not easily taken back. 

Cougars Top 10 All Time Wins

1- 1990 BYU 28 Miami 21, Ty-Heisman

    Is there even any question which game belongs at the top of the list? BYU in the 80s fielded some great teams but the 80s was owned by the Hurricanes who sat on top of the hill at #1 coming into Provo. BYU was ranked 16 led by Ty Detmer who was brilliant in front of the home crowd throwing for 406 yards and 3 TDs holding the lead and winning the big one in front of a national audience. 

2- 1980 BYU 46 SMU 45, the Miracle Bowl

    Heading into this matchup BYU had never won a post season bowl game. The matchup wasn't going to be an easy one either led by the dynamic backfield duo of Eric Dickerson and Craig James. Midway through the 3rd quarter the Mustangs led 45-25 then came the miracle. Score after score from BYU led by Jim Mcmahon who wouldn't let BYU quit pulling off an absolute miracle from behind to win placing BYU on the map.

3- 1984 BYU 24 Mich 17, National Championship

    Yes, this may be a win over an unranked team. However, this game included Robbie Bosco who comes back from what looked to be an game ending ugly looking knee injury leading BYU to a 24-17 victory and undefeated season securing the National Championship.

4- 1996 BYU 19 KS State 15, Cotton Bowl

    Many diehard Cougar fans may say that this 1996 squad was the best that they have ever assembled together. Coming into this matchup BYU was ranked #5 squaring off in the Cotton Bowl and possibly the highest ever profile bowl game they may have played in. Late in the game BYU was leading 19-15 but the Wildcats were driving and in scoring territory on the 13 yard line. In the ultimate clutch time Omarr Morgan picked off Kansas State QB Matt Cavanaugh to seal the victory. 

5- 2006 BYU 33 Utah 31, Beck to Harline (Harline is still open)

    This game had neither historical significance nor did it contain any ranked teams. On the other hand, it did feature one of the more memorable plays in the Holy War history. This single play seemed to last a lifetime. John Beck is able to find Jonny Harline wide open in the end zone snapping team North's 4 game Holy War win streak in Salt Lake City and capping off a 10-2 regular season. 

6- 2009 BYU 14 Oklahoma 14, Cowboys Stadium (Jerrys World)

    No one in this game opener gave much thought to BYU as the Sooners were overwhelming favorites which included Heisman winner QB Sam Bradford behind center. Oklahoma clung to a 10-7 lead at half but had lost Bradford for the game to injury. Max Hall was able to find McKay Jacobson for the TD with just over three minutes remaining giving the Cougars the lead and the victory. 

7- 2006 BYU 31 TCU 17, Upset on the road

    Coming into this game BYU faced a huge road test versus TCU who was riding a 13 game win streak and also heavily favored. John Beck was remarkable throwing for 321 yard and 3 TDs for the 31-17 win. The win avenged the previous year controversial 51-50 double overtime loss and was Bronco Mendenhall's first win over a ranked opponent. 

8- 1994 BYU 21 Notre Dame 14, No luck for the Irish

    BYU was hungry coming into this game. John Walsh led the nation in passing yards and TDs. Jamal Willis had his 2nd 1000 yard rushing season. The defense had some great playmakers in Shay Muirbrook and the Raass brothers. Neither team played great on offense. The key difference was on defense BYUs 4 sacks to 1 and those sacks came at key moments. 

9- 2014 BYU 41 Texas 7, Taysom's Leap

    Many Cougar fans will remember this game as Taysom's leap. Taysom Hill ran for three touchdowns in the third quarter which included a memorable leap hurdling a defender near the goal line for a 30 yard score. Hill and the Cougars were just too much for the Longhorns winning 41-7. 

10- 2018 BYU 24 Wisc 21, Madison Mayhem

    The badgers coming into this game were ranked 6th with a 12-0 regular season record from the previous year. BYU flat outplayed Wisconsin in all phases stunning a crowd of 80,000 fans and a national television audience pulling a 24-21 upset victory for the ages. 

Van Halen's Albums Ranked

 Van Halen pretty much always mentioned when discussing the rock bands of all time. However, it seems there has never been a consensus on the Van Halen catalog. Many fans debate over who was the better singer in Hagar or Roth. For me, each brings different talents to the table that both are beneficial. With likely no new Van Halen on the horizon anytime soon there is still plenty of time to listen to the complete catalog and decide for yourself what albums are the best. 

I    At the top of my ranked list is the debut album. Not a single moment of the 11 tracks are wasted and in less than two minutes the instrumental "Eruption" took Eddie straight to the top of the rock guitar icons list. This album remains clearly as one of the strongest debuts of any major band in rock history. The first half alone reads like a greatest hits album. Overall, the whole thing is just simply explosive. If this was the only album they ever created they'd still be listed as legends but they were only getting started.

Fair Warning    Although this album may be the least commercially successful, when the martian's land this one may be the one you play to demand that there is something truly special about this band. This may be the darkest, most "brown sounding" in the catalog. However, Van Halen diehards may see this as one of their best works. 

II    Typically sequel's are rarely as good as the original but Van Halen "II" comes pretty darn close. Recording this album in just over three weeks Van Halen crafted an absolutely killer album with more confidence and swagger.

1984    This album turned Van Halen from rock superstars to a household name. This one sold by the millions. The songs "Panama", "Jump" and "Hot For Teacher" were all over the radio and MTV (while they still actually played music). It encased Edward's keyboard playing ability to new heights. It is staggering to think as well looking back at the height of notoriety at that time things would come to a screeching halt with Roth exiting stage left. 

5150    Not many bands survive the loss of its lead singer especially as one as charismatic as DLR. This album named after Edward's recording studio was one of the most seamless transitions in rock history (outside of AC DC) giving the band life for another 10 years.

OU812    This album title was in response to Roth's solo Eat Em & Smile. OU812 ultimately went platinum four times over producing such hits as "Finish What You Started", "When It's Love", "Feels So Good", etc. Certainly, this album is diverse when including even the epic Led Zeppelin-esque song "Cabo Wabo.

Balance    Balance was the last album to be made before a nasty split with Sammy Hagar. It was the end of an era for Van Halen. It was the last time that Van Halen would have a record producing actual radio hits. Despite things already sour within the camp, it still spawned a massive tour and sold millions. 

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge     Despite the 90s being the height of the grunge era Van Halen still was a bestseller with the release of this album. "Right Now" was a massive tv and radio hit and the album included other great hits as "Top of the World", "Poundcake", and "Runaround".

Women & Children First    "And the Cradle Will Rock" was the first encounter with the band not wanting Edward to play keyboards. If they only knew what was coming. Rolling Stone listed this album at #36 of all time for the greatest 100 metal albums of all time. Definitely, the perfect way to kick off the 80s.

Diver Down    Diver Down may be one of the most criticized album being loaded with so many cover songs. However, it did spend 65 weeks on the album charts. It initially wasn't meant to be an album which would explain why so heavy on the cover songs. Many of these are still top notch and spot on.

III    The band's solo effort with Gary Cherone on lead vocals doesn't tend be remembered that fondly. It did contain a few hits "Without You, "Fire In the Hole" and "One I Want". This is the longest studio album to date at just over 65 minutes. 

A Different Kind of Truth    After nearly 30 years apart the band welcomed Diamond Dave back into the fold. For this one I didn't rank it higher since 7 or the 13 tracks are remade in one way or another from some demo or another. So to some diehard Van Halen fans much may not be new. Although, some of the re worked tracks actually do sound better to some than the original demos. This album isn't really the worst nor is it bad from my perspective. It is just something for the most part not necessarily new material.

Each may have their own favorite albums, songs, etc and have their own taste in rankings. However, we can all agree on that Van Halen is certainly an iconic hard rock band that has made its impact on history even for generations to come.

Who Has the Best Fries

What is your favorite style of fries? Fries are often regarded as the ho-hum side of fast food. This is tough to hear from a guy who grew up in Idaho. Fries are the ultimate pairing with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders and just about every other drive though item you can think of. Most are the classic fry, salt and maybe some sort of seasoning. Everyone has their own personal preference. Having a variety of options isn't necessarily a bad thing. Here are mine (in no particular order) that stand out.

Arbys/Curly Fries -Tasty treat with a fun shape and an unbeatable flavor

KFC/Potato Wedges -Tried and true wedges, most either love or hate. 

Smashburger/Smashfries -Tossed in rosemary, garlic & olive oil

Chick-Fil-A/Wafflefries - Age old classic that's thicker and most ordered item on the menu

In&Out/Golden natural, animal style - Fresh handcut golden natural, ask for animal style

Carls Jr/Crisscut Fries - Cost more but deliver more than standard, tasty & thick

Taco Time/Stuffed Mexi-Fries - Seasoning can be just a bit strong at times

American Burger/Golden Natural - Fresh golden natural cut

Burger King/Golden Naturals - Thick seasoned well and hold their texture

Taco Bell/Seasoned Natural Fries - Texture holds up well against the toppings

Apollo Burger/Golden Natural - Always fresh and hot

Five Guys/Cajun Fries - Bags loaded more than they should and typically use Idaho potatoes

Popeyes/Cajun Fries - Special seasoning 100% cajun loaded

McDonalds/Golden Naturals - Industry standard for golden naturals, hot & crispy

Wendys/Golden Natural Cut - Using 100% russet potatoes with sea salt