Hey everyone!

It's been a long week of sightseeing and eating poorly and I can't wait to get back to cooking and sharing recipes with you guys. I will be moving into my place this week and I anticipate I'll be able to get back to regular blogging beginning next week. I'll have 2 new recipes and some Ireland updates for you guys coming up so stick with me!

Hurricane Ophelia is expected to hit today so I'll be taking it easy at the hostel until the storm passes. Take care everyone and I'll catch up with you all again soon!

HAPPY VEG

I've got an update on some of the things I've been up to since arriving in Dublin! Head to the WORKING HOLIDAY PAGE for the scoop!

HAPPY VEG

Thanks to Olivieri Pasta sheets, this lasagne looks like it took hours to make but it took a fraction of the time! Olivieri fresh pasta sheets are perfect for knocking off some prep / cook time to an otherwise lengthy recipe. They're ready to go right out of the package!

For this lasagne recipe, we've got a sheet pan of roasted veggies to stuff it with along with a quick and delicious roasted red pepper tomato sauce keeping with the roasted theme! Layers of roasted veggies, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, baked and finished off with a dusting of grated parm and fresh parsley. You'll be amazed at how easy things are with Olivieri! Head to the RECIPES page.
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HAPPY VEG

This week's shooting in Las Vegas was the worst mass shooting in U.S history and I want to start my article off by offering my sincere condolences to everyone affected by this awful tragedy. It's so sad when you think of such a tragedy occurring at a place that is supposed to bring people together. Again, very sorry to everyone affected by this awful tragedy. 

With that being said, I think it's also time to really look at these gun laws. If you look on any news site right now, you'll likely see articles for both sides of this debate. The perceived necessity of owning guns versus those who are calling for a reform of the current policies surrounding firearms. Depending on what side of the fence you sit on, this debate has long been a divide among the American people. 

The argument for guns has always been the same. Protection, protection, protection. Those who argue FOR firearms will always fall back on the protection argument. Having a gun in the house makes them feel protected, it gives them a sense of comfort knowing that in the event of a robbery or other disaster, their gun will be available to protect themselves and their families. It's their right as American people to bear firearms and statistics will show that more people use them for protection than those who use them for these sorts of tragedies. Now, that may very well be true but how can anyone honestly argue the fact that access to guns is the reason these shootings occur? The man responsible for the shootings in Las Vegas had several guns and automatic weapons in his room when he was discovered. Where's the necessity in owning 10 or 20 firearms? 

I have only ever been around a gun once in my lifetime and upon discovering it, I felt immediately uneasy. I wasn't worried about being shot or witnessing an accident, I was more uneasy just being in the presence of the gun. It did not provide me with any sense of security whatsoever, it simply made me uneasy about the type of people that were frequenting the house I was partying at. There's definitely a difference in the way we all perceive guns and honestly it's evident when you look at statistics. Canada has not endured half as many mass shootings as the United States has which I believe is directly related to our restrictions and the way Canadians perceive guns. Many of my friends I have discussed this with all agreed that guns wouldn't make them feel any safer in their homes. So why is there such a different view on guns in the States?

In my opinion, guns are designed for one thing and one thing only, killing. One can argue protection but ultimately you will be shooting and/or killing the person you are protecting yourself from. When you look at hunting, guns are not used a means of protection, rather a means to kill. Guns are designed to kill, that is their purpose. All of those who argue protection or safety, where does that come into play when children accidentally access their parents guns? I've read stories of children accidentally shooting themselves or their siblings, being in the middle of crossfire by street gangs, or in the most extreme cases, look at Sandy Hook. Children were targeted and slaughtered by a gun wielding psychopath. Who's protected here? Should we now be arming the children for their safety as well?

It's a vicious cycle of violence. Something has to be done about ease of access to weapons at the very least. It's evident that the American people want their guns, but who needs to own an assault weapon? Why in the hell does any person living in a single family home with their children need an assault rifle? It's utterly ridiculous to argue that the rifle is for protection. That is blatant overkill and totally unnecessary. I definitely think it's time to at least look at restricting the types of weapons that can be owned. Take assault weapons off the streets. Start somewhere! The people want guns, and that's a losing battle but scaling back and taking assault weapons off the streets is the first step to preventing these tragedies from occurring.

Mass shootings like this are almost always the result of some kind of extreme weapon with mass killing potential. Mass shootings don't happen with pistols, simple as that. Why can't the NRA see that these mass shootings are the direct result of access to these sorts of weapons? Yes there will always be availability through illegal means, but let's take away the legal means of obtaining these sorts of weapons. Scale back and allow only handguns. People can be as angry as they want about it but until they're involved with one of these awful mass shootings, can they truly understand? It's not something you should want to continue to happen. People are dying at the hands of guns that people shouldn't be allowed to have, simple as that.



What side do you all sit on with this issue? Are you for guns? Against guns? How do you feel about taking assault weapons off the streets? Leave your comments! Let's debate this one!

HAPPY VEG