Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Wednesday's Window Into My World




Well, I think we are finally done w/ the H1N1 "pandemic" in this household! The boys are back in school...Tierra tried to go to school today, but ended up coming home because her ear still hurts so bad. I took her to the Dr. who said she was one NASTY infection, both internal and external portions of her ear are infected. He put an ear wick in her ear, so hopefully they'll help keep the drops in, instead of rolling back out as soon as she gets up. Her whole side of her head is swollen, he said her muscles are spasming from the infection which is causing most of her pain, and why she can't open her mouth at all. She's so miserable, I hope she feels better by this weekend!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tackle it Tuesday


I have so much to tackle this week...I'm behind on laundry, what else is new???...I need to get caught up on that. I need to clean the fridge it's looking like a science experiment gone wrong...I need to go threw Xander's closet and pull out all the 4T clothes since he finally had a growth spurt (horrible timing but whatiya gonna do??) The laundry room is starting to get out of control, I need to reorganize that before it gets too bad! Not to mention just regular cleaning, and disinfecting the house to get rid of all the H1N1 buggies in here!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

Menu Plan Monday Pictures, Images and Photos

I'm breaking out my easy recipes for the first half of the week...in light of the fact that I am too busy w/ sick kids to worry about cooking. Friday I have to work a double, so I'm going to try another new crock pot meal. Thursday's meal is a recipe I got from a friend of mine who said it was a must try, sounded like a great fall meal. I'm also going to buy a couple pizza's and some extra hot dogs just in case I fall ill and can't cook one or two days this week. So far I'm not sick, but I'm extremely tired, and dizzy for some reason...not sure if I'm trying to come down w/ the flu or if I'm just exhausted from "sleeping" w/ one eye on the kids all night long.

Monday~ Kielbasa with rice
Tuesday~Meat Loaf and corn bread
Wednesday~Beenie Weenie's and french fries
Thursday~Caramel Apple Pork Chop
Friday~Hungarian Goulash and egg noodles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caramel Apple Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
6 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops
4 teaspoon vegetable oil
8 tablespoons brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
12 tablespoons pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done. Transfer to the warm dish, and keep warm in the preheated oven.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet, and stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
Continue cooking sauce uncovered in skillet, until thickened slightly. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hungarian Goulash
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cubed
1 large onion, diced
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/4 cups water, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose GF flour

Throw in crock pot for 8 hours on low, serve over GF/CF egg noodles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Xander's got H1N1 now...


Tierra seems to be on the mend...she still has a headache, and not feeling great, but she I think she'll live. If this was all there is to it, it was the mildest flu she's ever had...fingers crossed that she's done! Xander has now started his turn. He started running the fever last night, it's up today, and he's miserable. Besides the high temp, all other vitals are good...but he does look miserable! Rob's a nervous wreck, he's gonna make me crazy! I guess I'll be calling off work Monday to keep him home from school. After Monday I'm off work until Friday, so I'm hoping I take my turn in there and get it over w/!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Ugh oh invasion of the piggies!!!



Monday I got a text from Tierra, who was at school, saying she wasn't feeling well. I told her to go to the nurse and I would come get her. The nurse calls me, tells me her throat is slightly red, and she has no fever, and that it was up to me if I wanted to come get her. I said I would, being she never does the fake sick thing (like I use to, just to stay home and watch tv all day!). Tuesday Rob stayed home from work w/ her, and I went in and did a double. By that afternoon she started running a fever. Her throat and head hurt, and she was nauseous. I figured I better take her in and make sure she didn't have a sinus infection w/ as bad as her head hurt. To my surprise the Dr. informed me she has the swine flu. GREAT! Tierra's the one that always gets hit so hard w/ everything, so I worry about her! She's been in the hospital more times than both the boys combined. Right now she's on the mend, but shortly after that, is when the swine flu gets bad, so we're not out of the woods yet. Hopefully she will be like the other 99% of the population and just have a nice mild case of it, and then we won't have to worry about it the rest of the season! I'll update later, but keep her in your prayers!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wednesday's Window Into My World


Monday was pajama day. This is one of their favorite days of the year. I must admidt it feels funny to take them out of their pajama's to put them INTO pajama's. Yes, I am way too anal to just let them sleep in them sorry. Xander was so excited he even got up without a struggle which is very unlike him! Here's a pic of the boys before school.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Dr. Eisenstein's Daily Vitamin D Recommendations for this season’s


Dr. Eisenstein's Daily Vitamin D Recommendations for this season’s

Flu starting in October



There is scientific evidence that links low levels of Vitamin D and low levels of Probiotics to an increased risk of many medical conditions.

Probiotics are living microorganisms (bacterial or yeast) which, upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition.

If you want to lower your blood pressure, Vitamin D and probiotics may be just what the doctor ordered. If you are trying to reduce your risk of diabetes, or lower your chances of heart attacks, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, colds, seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and many more conditions, then Vitamin D and Probiotics should be at the front of the line in your daily multi-vitamin supplement regimen.

As Pathogenic bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, scientists are looking to other means to combat infections. We are seeing just the infancy in the use of Probiotics and Vitamin D, both for health maintenance and for treating different medical condition

Vitamin D, Probiotics and Chicken soup have been effective in the past in combating viral infections like Flu .



1. Get a Vitamin D blood test 25(OH)D



2. Make sure your whole family has adequate blood levels of Vitamin D this flu season (>50-80ng/ml). Most children and adults vitamin D blood level is <30ng/ml.



3. Adult (and children >100lbs) maintenance ............ 10,000 IU daily.



4. Children's maintenance: <100lbs........................... 5,000 IU daily.



5. At the first symptoms of a cold or flu 1,000IU/ lb. daily for 7 days.

Examples:

50 lb ................................................................................... 50,000IU daily.

100 lb daily ....................................................................... 100,000IU daily.

150 lb daily........................................................................ 150,000IU daily.

200 lb daily....................................................................... 200,000 IU daily.



6. And of course Chicken Soup



7. PEDIATRICS (doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0051) August 3, 2009

8. Archives of Internal Medicine April 2009

Tackle It Tuesday



It was time again to tackle the food cabinets...They've gotten out of control, and to the point where I can't find anything...it's always suprising what you find you have in there...for instance I had no idea I had 3 boxes of minute rice, 4 bags of slow cooked rice,3 boxes of instant potatoes, and 6 boxes of cake mix lol...I need to find a clever solution to the spice rack...I've got the carosel, and I like it...but that only holds a few spices, and it really takes up a lot of room I think...but it's done for now.

Monday, October 19, 2009

CDC States H1N1 Vaccine May Maim and Kill 30,000 Americans, FDA Requires Minimal Efficacy

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=14950

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially stated that there will be as many as 30,000 serious, potentially lethal adverse reactions to the novel H1N1 vaccine, while the FDA guidelines for the novel H1N1 vaccine only require that it work in 3 out of every 10 recipients.

Last Saturday, I attended one of 10 “public engagement” meetings the CDC is holding across the country, utilizing a new model of public engagement designed to provide a public viewpoint or societal perspective on the topic at hand (mass vaccination) to the sponsor (in this case, the CDC).

Part of the process entails the sponsor (CDC) providing the following: “Information on the many sides of an issue is provided to the participants in a fair and balanced manner so that all participants become well-informed, and the overall group process is convened and managed in a neutral, respectful fashion.”

This requirement is met by providing an oral presentation in easy to understand language, a booklet summarizing the key facts needed and a discussion guide summarizing the choices faced.

The assembled group of 80 participants was shown a video, given a brief oral presentation and a printed discussion guide. We were asked to accept several assumptions in considering the topic. We were asked to assume that the severity would be similar to what had already been observed in the spring of 2009; we were told to assume that the vaccination program would be voluntary, not mandatory; we were told to assume that initial vaccine supplies will be available in October but supply would be limited through February 2010.

The most disturbing assumption we were asked to accept dealt with the safety of the novel H1N1 vaccine. In the video, the CDC spokesperson explained that during the 1976 mass vaccination campaign, 1 in every 100,000 recipients of the vaccine developed Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS), a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system often leading to paralysis and death. There is no known cure for GBS.

In 1976 roughly 40 million Americans received the vaccine and some 4,000 developed GBS.

The printed material that was distributed reiterated these horrific statistics and we were asked to accept the assumption that, “the estimated risk for more serious reactions (e.g. Guillain Barré syndrome) is between 1-10 per million persons vaccinated”.

This is a less direct way of stating that the risk is about the same as existed during the 1976 mass vaccination attempt and that as many as 1 in every 100,000 recipients will develop GBS or some other serious adverse reaction. The CDC is setting up a new intensive surveillance system with which to monitor and track GBS cases that result from the novel H1N1 vaccine.

Merriam-Webster defines assumption as a fact or statement taken for granted and assumed to be true. If we accept the documented assumption presented by the CDC, we are to consider it a fact that 1 in every 100,000 vaccine recipients will suffer a serious adverse effect such as GBS.

This means that if the entire U.S. population is vaccinated (a stated goal of the CDC), we are to assume as a fact that 30,000 Americans will suffer debilitating or lethal side effects. Apparently the CDC considers this an acceptable level of collateral damage.

As unthinkable as this is (destroying or ending the lives of as many as 30,000 Americans), that is only part of the story.

The novel H1N1 vaccine being developed must adhere to guidelines set forth by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has announced that a vaccine will be accepted if it creates antibodies in 4 out of 10 recipients (40%), with at least 70 percent of those 4 achieving an antibody level believed to provide benefit. This means that an acceptable vaccine candidate would provide “protection” for 28% of vaccine recipients (70% of the 40%), or less than 3 in 10 recipients. The requirement drops to 18% efficacy for those over 65 years of age (60% of 30%).

So here are the facts, as documented by the CDC and the FDA:

As many as 30,000 Americans will be harmed by the novel H1N1 vaccine.

The vaccine may be ineffective in more than 7 out of 10 recipients.

And in case you think I am alone in my concerns, here is what several vaccine experts associated with the CDC and the U.S. government say on the subject.

"I am very skeptical of finishing vaccine before we know the appropriate dose to be included in each inoculation, before immunogenicity studies are complete, or before safety assessments have been finished," William Schaffner, MD, Chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University and a member of the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), wrote in an recent e-mail.

"We have assured both the profession and the public that the H1N1 vaccine will be evaluated with the same rigor that is applied to seasonal vaccine. We should NOT make vaccine available before the trials are complete and the results carefully assessed."

Others are worried about a repeat of the last swine flu "pandemic," now regarded as a public health and public relations debacle.

"I fear that a rush towards vaccinating the population without completing trials risks leading to the harmful outcome that we witnessed during the 1976 swine flu scare, where the government advocated rapid production and vaccination of the population without adequate safeguards, which led to an unexplained increase in cases of Guillain Barré syndrome (GBS), amongst other complications, and massive liability for the government," wrote Amir Afkhami, MD, PhD, of George Washington University, an international expert on the 1918 Influenza pandemic and an advisor to the U.S. State Department, the U.S. military, and the World Bank on issues pertaining to infectious diseases, public health and, mental health.

"I think in this regard, we must learn from lessons of the past and be mindful of not jumping from the proverbial frying pan into the fire by putting people's health at risk without adequate production and safety monitoring of the vaccines."


Global Research Articles by Herb Newborg

Side effects of H1N1 Vaccine

http://thebirdflupandemic.com/archives/h1n1-swine-flu-vaccine-insert-admits-it-causes-guillain-barre-syndrome-vasculitis-paralysis-anaphylactic-shock-and-death


H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Insert Admits It Causes Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Vasculitis, Paralysis, Anaphylactic Shock And Death
The package insert for the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine manufactured by Novartis has been leaked on the Internet. According to that package insert, the vaccine (based on an earlier vaccine product known as Fluvirin) is known to cause a whole host of very nasty side effects such as guillain-barre syndrome, vasculitis, anaphylactic shock and even death.

Of course anyone who has been studying vaccine side effects already knows that it causes all of these things, but the story here is that the insert for the swine flu vaccine itself is admitting all of these things. The insert says that it was updated during September 2009, so it reflects the very latest information.

You can read the package insert for this vaccine for yourself right here.....

http://www.fluscam.com/Vaccine_Package_Inserts_files/Novartis_A-H1N1_2009_Monvalent_VaccinePackageInsert_BasedOn1980Approvalfor%20Fluvirin_UCM182242.pdf

The following is a list of some of the very nasty side effects that the vaccine package insert admits to.....

*Local injection site reactions (including pain, pain limiting limb movement, redness, swelling, warmth, ecchymosis, induration)
*Hot flashes/flushes
*Chills
*Fever
*Malaise
*Shivering
*Fatigue
*Asthenia
*Facial edema.
*Immune system disorders
*Hypersensitivity reactions (including throat and/or mouth edema)
*In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions have lead to anaphylactic shock and death
*Cardiovascular disorders
*Vasculitis (in rare cases with transient renal involvement)
*Syncope shortly after vaccination
*Digestive disorders
*Diarrhea
*Nausea
*Vomiting
*Abdominal pain.
*Blood and lymphatic disorders
*Local lymphadenopathy
*Transient thrombocytopenia.
*Metabolic and nutritional disorders
*Loss of appetite.
*Arthralgia
*Myalgia
*Myasthenia
*Nervous system disorders
*Headache
*Dizziness
*Neuralgia
*Paraesthesia
*Febrile convulsions
*Guillain-Barré Syndrome
*Myelitis (including encephalomyelitis and transverse myelitis)
*Neuropathy (including neuritis)
*Paralysis (including Bell’s Palsy)
*Respiratory disorders
*Dyspnea
*Chest pain
*Cough
*Pharyngitis
*Rhinitis
*Stevens-Johnson syndrome
*Pruritus
*Urticaria
*Rash (including non-specific, maculopapular, and vesiculobulbous).

Doesn't all that sound wonderful?

Doesn't that make you want to run out and sign up to get vaccinated?

Now keep in mind that this is just what the H1N1 swine flu vaccine insert admits to.

What else will this vaccine do to you if you take it?

That is something to think about my friends.

So is there anything that you can do to protect yourself if you are forced to take the swine flu vaccine?

Yes, there most certainly is.

Dr. Russell Blaylock is an expert on vaccines and their side effects, and he has distributed a list of things that you can do to reduce the nasty side effects of the swine flu vaccine.....

-----

http://www.resistnet.com/forum/topics/how-to-reduce-the-toxic

Dr Blaylock’s List of suggestions on How to Reduce the Toxic Effects of the A/H1N1 Vaccine, is as follows:

1. Number one on the list says Dr Blaylock, is to bring a cold pack with you and place it on the site of the injection as soon as you can, as this will block the immune reaction. Once you get home, continue using a cold pack throughout the day. If you continue to have immune reactions the following day, have cold showers and continue with the cold press.

2. Take fish oil. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements, is a potent immune suppressant. If you take high dose EPA you will be more susceptible to infections, because it is a powerful immune suppressant. However, in the case of an immune adjuvant reaction, you want to reduce it. Studies show that if you take EPA oil one hour before injecting a very powerful adjuvant called lipopolysaccharide (LPS), it would completely block the ability of the LPS to cause brain inflammation. Take a moderate dose everyday and more if needed to tame a cytokine storm.

3. Flavonoids are third on the list, namely curcumin, quercetin, ferulic acid and ellagic acid, particularly in a mixture. The curcumin and quercetin in particular have been found to block the ability of the adjuvants to trigger a long-term immune reaction. If you take it an hour before the vaccination, it should help dampen the immune reactions says Dr Blaylock.

4. Vitamin E, the natural form that is high in gamma-E will help dampen the immune reactions and reduces several of the inflammatory cytokines.

5. An important ingredient on the list is Vitamin C at a dose of 1000 mg, taken four times a day between meals. It is a very potent anti-inflammatory and should be taken in a buffered form, not as absorbic acid, says Dr Blaylock.

6. Also use astaxanthin as it’s an anti-inflammatory. According to Dr Blaylock, fatal reactions to vaccines in aboriginal and African children occurred in those who were deficient in carotinoids, like astaxanthin. It is a good protection against the toxic effects of the vaccine.

7. Likewise, it was found that children who were deficient in zinc had a high mortality rate. Zinc is very protective against vaccine toxicity. (Do not use zinc mixed with copper however, as copper is a major trigger of free-radical generation according to Dr Blaylock).

8. Ensure you avoid all immune-stimulating supplements, such as mushroom extracts, whey protein and beta-glucan.

9. Take a multivitamin-mineral daily one that does not contain iron. This multivitamin-mineral is to make sure your body has plenty of B vitamins and selenium. Selenium, said Dr Blaylock, is very important for fighting viral infections and it reduces the inflammatory response to vaccines.

10. Magnesium citrate/malate 500 mg of elemental magnesium two capsules, three times a day. (This was not mentioned during the show, but was posted at Dr Deagle’s website, ClayandIron.com).

11. What is very important is vitamin D3, which is the only ‘vitamin’ the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB). It is a neural hormone, not really a vitamin says Dr Blaylock and helps if you are over-reacting immunologically by cooling down the reaction. Similarly, if you are under-reacting, it helps to boost your immune response. In addition it also protects against microorganism invasion.

Black people and those in colder climates are particularly deficient, so they will almost certainly require supplementation.

Dr Blaylock recommends that following vaccination it will help to keep the immune reaction under control if:

i) All children get 5,000 units a day for two weeks after the vaccine and then 2,000 a units a day thereafter;

ii) Adults get 20,000 units a day after the vaccine for two weeks, then 10,000 units a day thereafter;

iii) And with that adults should take 500-1000 mg of calcium a day and children under the age of 12 years should take 250 mg a day, as vitamin D works more efficiently in the presence of calcium.

12. Ensure you avoid all mercury-containing seafood or any other sources of mercury, as the heavy metal is a very powerful inducer of autoimmunity, is known to make people more susceptible to viral infections and will be in H1N1 vaccines.

13. Avoid the oils that significantly suppress immunity and increase inflammation - such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soybean, canola and peanut oils.

14. Drink very concentrated white tea at least four times a day. It helps to prevent abnormal immune reactions.

15. Pop parsley and celery in a blender and drink 8 ounces of this mixture twice a day. Dr Blaylock says the parsley is very high in a flavonoid called apigenin and that celery is high in luteolin. Both are very potent in inhibiting autoimmune diseases, particularly the apigenin, so go and plant some parsley in your garden now.

-----

So what can we learn from all of this?

First of all, if you blindly trust that the swine flu vaccine or even the regular seasonal flu vaccine is perfectly safe, then you are being completely and totally reckless.

The reality is that no vaccine is 100% safe.

Before you ever let someone stick a needle in your arm, do some serious research and find out about these things for yourself.

After you get vaccinated, you are responsible if something goes wrong. If you develop some really nasty side effects, nobody is going to pay for it.

Thanks to the government, you will not be able to sue anyone for harm you receive from the swine flu vaccine. If it destroys your health you are out of luck.

Secondly, if you have taken a flu vaccine, there are some things you can do. Take Dr. Blaylock's suggestions seriously. The human body is an incredible healing machine if you give it the materials that it needs.

If you have any other information about the swine flu vaccine, mandatory vaccinations or flu pandemic planning please leave a comment and let us know. This is shaping up to be a very interesting winter, and hopefully we can all get through this as healthy as possible.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

menu plan monday

Monday~ Kielbasa with rice
Tuesday~Meat Loaf and corn bread
Wednesday~Beenie Weenie's and french fries
Thursday~Caramel Apple Pork Chop
Friday~Hungarian Goulash and egg noodles



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caramel Apple Pork Chops

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
6 (3/4 inch) thick pork chops
4 teaspoon vegetable oil
8 tablespoons brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 tart apples - peeled, cored and sliced
12 tablespoons pecans (optional)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Place a medium dish in the oven to warm.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush chops lightly with oil and place in hot pan. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, or until done. Transfer to the warm dish, and keep warm in the preheated oven.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, salt and pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add butter to skillet, and stir in brown sugar mixture and apples. Cover and cook until apples are just tender. Remove apples with a slotted spoon and arrange on top of chops. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
Continue cooking sauce uncovered in skillet, until thickened slightly. Spoon sauce over apples and chops. Sprinkle with pecans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hungarian Goulash
2 pounds beef chuck roast, cubed
1 large onion, diced
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 1/4 cups water, divided
1/4 cup all-purpose GF flour

Throw in crock pot for 8 hours on low, serve over GF/CF egg noodles
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Menu Plan Monday


Monday ~ Coconut Shrimp
Tuesday ~Crock Pot Beef & Broccoli
Wed ~ Chicken Tenders
Thur ~John McCains Ribs
Fri ~ Sweet and sour chicken

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coconut shrimp
Serves 4-6



2 pounds medium to large shrimp
1 cup gf flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 cup soy milk
2 large eggs
3 cups sweetened coconut
3 cups canola oil
Directions
Remove the shells from the shrimp without removing the tails. De vein the shrimp and cut to butterfly the shrimp. Do not cut all the way through.
Mix together, flour, salt, baking powder and cayenne pepper. Stir in orange juice, soy milk and eggs until blended. Add the shrimp and let stand for 30 minutes. You may want to add a little water if batter becomes too thick.
Place the coconut in a shallow dish and press the shrimp into the coconut, coating completely.
Heat a large deep skillet or pot and add oil. When oil is very hot, add shrimp one at a time and fry until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.


Pina Colada sauce

1 C. Pina Colada Mix
1/4 C. Water
2 Tbs. Crush Pineapple (drained)
1 Tbs. + 1 tsp. Sweetened Coconut Flakes
3 Tbs. + 1 tsp. Powder Sugar
1+1/2 tsp. Corn Starch
3 tsp. Cold Water

Mix Pina Colada, water, crush pineapple, coconut, and powder sugar in a sauce pan. Heat on medium low temperature until sauce begins to simmer, stirring frequently. Let mixture simmer slowly 10 - 12 minutes. Mix corn starch and water together, add to sauce and blend well. Let mixture simmer for 3 - 5 minutes longer while stirring during and after adding cornstarch. Remove from heat and bring to room temperature.

Sauce is served at room temperature with Parrot Bay Coconut Shrimp and Parrot Bay Rum Shrimp

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crock Pot Beef & Broccoli

--1 lb thin beef rib eye
--1/4 cup soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat-free are gluten free)
--2 T white wine
--2 T apple cider vinegar
--1 T brown sugar
--2 t sesame oil
--2 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
--1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes
--1 bag thawed broccoli florets (to add later)




The Directions.


--add the liquid to the crockpot
--chop up your garlic, add to mixture
--stir in spices


--slice meat into thin strips
--toss ( I used my hands. it wasn't gross! )in the liquid and spice mixture to coat thoroughly


--cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on the cut of meat. Thicker pieces will take longer to tenderize.
--an hour before serving, add entire bag of broccoli, cover and cook on high for another hour or so.


--stir gingerly to coat broccoli
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John McCains Ribs

--4 lbs of ribs )
--2 T garlic powder
--2 T kosher salt
--2 T black pepper
--3 lemons, juiced

Children Who Get Flu Vaccine Have Three Times Risk Of Hospitalization For Flu

Makes you wonder why we are still pushing this so hard???

Children Who Get Flu Vaccine Have Three Times Risk Of Hospitalization For Flu, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (May 20, 2009) — The inactivated flu vaccine does not appear to be effective in preventing influenza-related hospitalizations in children, especially the ones with asthma. In fact, children who get the flu vaccine are more at risk for hospitalization than their peers who do not get the vaccine, according to new research that will be presented on May 19, at the 105th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society in San Diego.


"The concerns that vaccination maybe associated with asthma exacerbations have been disproved with multiple studies in the past, but the vaccine's effectiveness has not been well-established," said Avni Joshi, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. "This study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the TIV in children overall, as well as the children with asthma, to prevent influenza-related hospitalization."

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend annual influenza vaccination for all children aged six months to 18 years. The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (3rd revision) also recommends annual flu vaccination of asthmatic children older than six months.

In order to determine whether the vaccine was effective in reducing the number of hospitalizations that all children, and especially the ones with asthma, faced over eight consecutive flu seasons, the researchers conducted a cohort study of 263 children who were evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota from six months to 18 years of age, each of whom had had laboratory-confirmed influenza between 1996 to 2006. The investigators determined who had and had not received the flu vaccine, their asthma status and who did and did not require hospitalization. Records were reviewed for each subject with influenza-related illness for flu vaccination preceding the illness and hospitalization during that illness.

They found that children who had received the flu vaccine had three times the risk of hospitalization, as compared to children who had not received the vaccine. In asthmatic children, there was a significantly higher risk of hospitalization in subjects who received the TIV, as compared to those who did not (p= 0.006). But no other measured factors—such as insurance plans or severity of asthma—appeared to affect risk of hospitalization.

"While these findings do raise questions about the efficacy of the vaccine, they do not in fact implicate it as a cause of hospitalizations," said Dr. Joshi. "More studies are needed to assess not only the immunogenicity, but also the efficacy of different influenza vaccines in asthmatic subjects."

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Kloee Update...Graduating Step One!!!


Miss Kloee had her final test today for beginner's training class, and she passed top of her class!!! I'm VERY VERY proud of her, and have the utmost confidence that she will have what it takes to be a service dog. In order to pass the class she had to do the basics such as sit and stay for one minute, lay down and stay for one minute, stay while I walk away and then come when called (this has been the hardest for her she wants to come w/ me) We have to put a treat in front of her and tell her to leave it and she can't take it...we have to drop a treat on the floor and tell her to leave it and she can't take it. She had to be able to walk on a leash by my side w/out pulling. She had to sit politely when someone knocks on the door and greet them calmly...I think that was it, I may have forgotten something. On Halloween she starts her next set of classes...I'm excited to see what she will learn and how well she'll do. She is still a puppy, she still chews up stuff in the yard when we're not watching and jumps on the kids and thinks they're her liter mates lol, but all in all she is a great dog!

Ten questions about flu vaccines that doctors and health authorities refuse to answer


NaturalNews) Vaccine mythology remains rampant in both western medicine and the mainstream media. To hear the vaccination zealots say it, vaccines are backed by "good science," they've been "proven effective" and they're "perfectly safe."

Oh really? Where's all that good science? As it turns out, there's isn't any. Flu vaccines (including swine flu vaccines) are based entirely on a vaccine mythology that assumes all vaccines work and no vaccines can be scientifically questioned. Anyone who dares question the safety or effectiveness of vaccines is immediately branded a danger to public health and marginalized in the scientific community.

Here are ten questions vaccine-pushing doctors and health authorities absolutely refuse to answer:

#1) Where are the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies proving flu vaccines are both safe and effective?

Answer: There aren't any. (http://www.naturalnews.com/027239_v...)


#2) Where, then, is the so-called "science" backing the idea that flu vaccines work at all?

Answer: Other than "cohort studies," there isn't any. And the cohort studies have been thoroughly debunked. Scientifically speaking, there isn't a scrap of honest evidence showing flu vaccines work at all.


#3) How can methyl mercury (Thimerosal, a preservative used in flu vaccines) be safe for injecting into the human body when mercury is an extremely toxic heavy metal?

Answer: It isn't safe at all. Methyl mercury is a poison. Along with vaccine adjuvants, it explains why so many people suffer autism or other debilitating neurological side effects after being vaccinated.


#4) Why do reports keep surfacing of children and teens suffering debilitating neurological disorders, brain swelling, seizures and even death following flu vaccines or HPV vaccines?

Answer: Because vaccines are dangerous. The vaccine industry routinely dismisses all such accounts -- no matter how many are reported -- as "coincidence."


#5) Why don't doctors recommend vitamin D for flu protection, especially when vitamin D activates the immune response far better than a vaccine? (http://www.naturalnews.com/027231_V...)

Answer: Because vitamin D can't be patented and sold as "medicine." You can make it yourself. If you want more vitamin D, you don't even need a doctor, and doctors tend not to recommend things that put them out of business.


#6) If human beings need flu vaccines to survive, then how did humans survive through all of Earth's history?

Answer: Human genetic code is already wired to automatically defend you against invading microorganisms (as long as you have vitamin D). (http://www.naturalnews.com/027231_V...)


#7) If the flu vaccine offers protection against the flu, then why are the people who often catch the flu the very same people who were vaccinated against it?

Answer: Because those most vulnerable to influenza infections are the very same people who have a poor adaptive response to the vaccines and don't build antibodies. In other words flu vaccines only "work" on people who don't need them. (And even building antibodies doesn't equate to real-world protection from the flu, by the way.)


#8) If the flu vaccine really works, then why was there no huge increase in flu death rates in 2004, the year when flu vaccines were in short supply and vaccination rates dropped by 40%? (http://www.naturalnews.com/027239_v...)
Answer: There was no change in the death rate. You could drop vaccination rates to zero percent and you'd still see no change in the number of people dying from the flu. That's because flu vaccines simply don't work.


#9) How can flu vaccines reduce mortality by 50% (as is claimed) when only about 10% of winter deaths are related to the flu in the first place?

They can't. The 50% statistic is an example of quack medical marketing. If I have a room full of 100 people, then I take the 50 healthiest people and hand them a candy bar, I can't then scientifically claim that "candy bars make people healthy." That's essentially the same logic behind the "50% reduction in mortality" claim of flu vaccines. (http://www.naturalnews.com/027239_v...).


#10) If flu vaccines work so well, then why are drug makers and health authorities so reluctant to subject them to scientific scrutiny with randomized, placebo-controlled studies?

Answer: Although they claim such studies would be "unethical," what's far more unethical is to keep injecting hundreds of millions of people every year with useless, harmful vaccines that aren't backed by a shred of honest evidence.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Affordable Communication Device for Autistic Children

I saw this product today and want to make sure everyone I know, also knows about it! It LOOKS amazing (although I haven't heard any reviews yet) It's an affordable ($100) communication device that works on the nintendo ds ...check it out! http://www.taptotalk.com/index.aspx

Monday, October 12, 2009

New Look New Name




Many of you have noticed I've been tweaking my blog lately...It was time for an update...life has changed, I have changed, the old soccer mom imagine no longer fits who I am. (Face it when you have to choose between soccer and buying your son his meds, the meds win) Along w/ the look of the blog I have changed the URL, I hope everyone finds me over at the new URL w/out any problems, although I've noticed very little activity since the change...so I'm thinking no! I'm sorry for the inconvenience!!! Hope to see everyone back here real soon!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

menu plan monday


Mon ~ Shrimp Scampi
Tue ~ Chicken Taquitos and taco rice
Wed ~ Tomato Soup and grilled cheese
Thur ~ Crock Pot Garlic Chicken
Fri ~ Sweet and sour Chicken

Also one day going to try out this recipe for Banana Nut Muffins, I've had a craving!
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Garlic Crock pot chicken
SERVES 6 (change servings and units)

Change to: Servings US Metric
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Ingredients
6 chicken legs (more or less as needed)
20 garlic cloves (skins left on)
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/3 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons oil
Directions
1Place garlic cloves in crock pot.
2Mix spices together in med bowl.
3Pour oil into separate med bowl.
4Dip chicken legs in oil, then roll around in spice bowl, until chicken is nicely coated in spices.
5Place chicken legs in crock pot with garlic cloves surrounding it.
6Pour chicken broth over all ingredients.
7Cook on Low for 8 hours
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Banana Nut Muffins

1 1/2 c. gluten free flour mix
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2/3 c. brown sugar
4 Tbsp. ground flax seed*

4 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 very ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Combine all of the wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. If you’re short on dishes as I was, melt the butter in the bowl first, then add the bananas and mash them, then add the eggs, and stir all of it really well so that eggs end up being lightly beaten.

3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

4. Spoon the batter into a lined muffin tin and bake at 350 until golden brown, depending on your oven it will be 15 – 20 minutes. (If you take one out and realize it’s not done, don’t freak. Just pop it back into the oven for a few minutes.)

* If you don’t have flax seed, increase the butter by 1 1/2 Tbsp.
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Tomato Soup Recipe


I first drained most of the juice from two 14.5 oz. cans of diced tomatoes and tossed them in the blender. After liquifying them, I blended in 1 cup of chicken broth.

I then minced about 5 cloves of garlic and sauted them in a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-low heat for about a minute. I added one tablespoon of rice flour and whisked to create a roux. I cooked the roux for a minute, and then mixed in the tomato/chicken broth puree.

As I simmered the soup over low, I added oregano, thyme, coriander, garlic powder, and some hot sauce
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Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients
1 lb. spaghetti noodles
3-4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp butter or margarine
4 garlic cloves, crushed
3-4 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese ( I'm omitting this, but would be good if you do milk products)
About 20 frozen shrimp
1 lemon

Directions
1. In medium saucepan, cook pasta as directed on package. Drain.
2. In skillet over medium high heat, add olive oil, butter or margarine, crushed garlic cloves and parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until starts bubbly. Then reduce heat and add “de-tailed and deveined” shrimp. Let simmer for 6-7
minutes.
3. Once pasta is cooked and drained, add shrimp sauce to the pasta noodles and mix well.
4. Serve w/ sliced lemons
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Chicken Taquitos

Cook shredded chicken breast w/ taco seasoning...

Heat oil in skillet add corn tortilla for less than a minute, just to soften up corn, remove add a couple tablespoons of chicken, roll the tortilla up and put back in the oil until crispy
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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Getting in the Halloween Spirt

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Friday, October 9, 2009

I've got a hot date w/ the man of my dreams!!!


My mom called out of the blue, and OFFERED to baby-sit my children Sat. night!!! I almost fell on the floor. My mom is young, and has a life and just doesn't spend it baby-sitting her grandchildren. It doesn't bother me, it's just the way it is. But she called and said my step father is working 3-11's and wanted to know if I wanted to bring the kids by to spend the night. Of course I said HECK YEAH!!! Rob and I are both off, so we are going on a HOT DATE!!! I don't know what we're going to do, my friend Krista went on a hot date w/ her husband and saw Couple's Retreat, she said it was good, and it looks really cute, so I think we'll go see that, then maybe stop somewhere for a drink...It's been over a year, maybe 2 or 3 I don't even know, since Rob and I have had a date, so I'm beyond excited!!!

Food Review Friday (GF/CF)


Haven't done a review in a while...I guess I haven't tried anything new lately...but this week, I finally tried this 365 brownie mix I got from whole foods. OMG it was SOOO good, does NOT taste GF/CF at ALL, and I honestly hate most GF/CF foods! All 3 kids LOVE it, I loved it...a very great find, highly recommend!

Lawsuit: Indianapolis teacher tried to sicken autistic boy


Wow, it doesn't get much sicker than this! Don't wanna deal w/ the kid poison him w/ peanuts!

Lawsuit: Indianapolis teacher tried to sicken autistic boy

By Associated Press

The mother of an 8-year-old autistic boy with severe peanut allergies says his Indiana teacher gave him a peanut-filled candy bar in hopes of making him too sick to go on a zoo field trip.

Anita Young’s lawsuit says special education teacher Trinda Barocas told a classroom aide that they wouldn’t have to deal with the boy misbehaving if he became sick.

Young says her son didn’t eat the candy bar, probably because he doesn’t eat unfamiliar foods.

Barocas has resigned from Mary Bryan Elementary School in Indianapolis. The school contacted Young in March after aides reported Barocas’ behavior.

Barocas doesn’t have a listed phone number. Her lawyer didn’t return a call Friday. Barocas has told state officials that the allegations are false.

Please share this news with friends, family and also with your contact list on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Faces Of Autism

Stop on over at Faces of Autism, and see a familiar face :)

http://casdok-facesofautism.blogspot.com/2009/10/isaiah.html?spref=fb

Wednesday's Window Into My World




Well, I've been doing these doubles for a few weeks, and their ok...I like being home w/ my family more, it's great, but I think I need to play w/ my days. Right now I'm doing 8 on Sunday's off Monday, 16 on Tuesday, off Wed, 16 on Thur, off Fri and Sat...the problem is, I'm so exhausted on Wed, that I take a nap while the kids are in school and then I can't fall asleep until 3/4 am, and then have to turn around and get up at 5:30am and work for 16 hours, it's just not working...so I'm going to play around w/ it the two I'm going to try this scheduale are

Sun 8
Mon 16
Tue off
Wed Off
Thur Off
Fri 16
Sat off


and


Sun 8
Mon off
Tue 16
Wed off
Thur off
Fri 16
Sat off


Rob thinks the first one will be too much working 3-11 then coming straight back at 7am for a double, and he might be right but I like the idea of having 3 days in a row off...we'll see how it goes

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Tackle it Tuesday




Now that Xander is in school full time, the plan has been for me to finish my schooling for my RN. I've been back and forth with it, I have so much on my plate right now do I really want to add one more thing??? I already am making decent $, it will only be about a $5 an hour raise...which don't get me wrong that's better money and will add up, but I'm not 100% sure if it's worth it at this time in my life. None the less, my tackle this week is to call 2 colleges, one I prefer and the one I went to before, and see what my options are and which would be a better fit...and then decide if now is the time, or if I should just wait.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Spaghetti Taco's ICarly Style







Well, I finally made the Icaly famous spaghetti taco's Isaiah's been begging for. The boys thought they were the best thing ever...Rob and I just ate spaghetti for dinner, but I did try a bite, they were edible...if I was hungry enough I could eat it, but wouldn't make it for myself that's for sure! The kids loved it, so it made me happy to see them eating something they enjoyed so much.


Advocacy Groups Ask President Obama to Order Suspension of Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose
Washington, DC – National Vaccine Information Center and Talk About Curing Autism are calling on President Obama to order the immediate suspension of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation of the birth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine after two recent studies linking the Hepatitis B vaccine to functional brain damage in U.S. male newborns and infant primates. In a related development today, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, including the Health Resources and Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced that 1 in every 91 children are now diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder as reported in the November 2009 issue of Pediatrics. Previous data released by the CDC indicated a prevalence of 1 in every 150 children affected by the disorder. (Managing Editor's Note: Pediatrics does not appear to have the study on their site as of this time, click HERE to check their home page. We'll add it the link as soon as it's available.)

Considering a demonstrated 50% increase in autism prevalence, combined with two recent studies indicating a potential role of the Hepatitis B vaccine as a factor in the development of autism, the following advocacy groups urge President Obama to order the immediate suspension of the recommendation and administration of the birth dose of Hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns – with the exception of rare cases where the mother tests positive for Hepatitis B.

Researchers from Stony Brook University published a research abstract (HERE) for an epidemiological study in the September 2009 issue of Annals of Epidemiology which revealed findings suggesting that U.S. male neonates vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine had a three-fold greater risk of autism spectrum disorders. Additionally, a collaboration of several institutes including the University of Pittsburgh - School of Medicine, the University of Kentucky and Thoughtful House Center for Children in Austin, Texas published research findings in the October 2009 issue of Neurotoxicology revealing evidence of substantial functional brain damage in infant primates who received the birth dose of Hepatitis B Vaccine. (HERE)

“We take the unusual step of appealing directly to the President of the United States because he is the only elected official who can take action to allow a newborn more time to develop before being exposed to the potentially damaging Hepatitis B vaccine,” stated Barbara Loe Fisher, President and Co-founder of the National Vaccine Information Center. “The President has a unique position of authority as the head of the Executive Branch to order HHS and the CDC appointed officials to utilize the precautionary principle.”

“Rates of autism diagnosis have exploded, rising from 1 in every 10,000 children twenty years ago to the rates revealed today,” stated Rebecca Estepp, National Manager of Talk About Curing Autism (TACA). “What other "genetic" disorder has ever increased at such an exponential rate and what other "genetic" disorder has a forty percent recovery rate as reflected in the Pediatrics report? If such an association between early Hepatitis B vaccine and autism exists, delaying the birth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine would be a good first step in protecting children from autism as well as from infectious diseases. We must err on the side of caution and consider that exposure to Hepatitis B Vaccine at early critical developmental stages may be one of the potential environmental triggers which lead to autism.”

The following organizations have also stated that they are in support of this measure – Unlocking Autism , Autism Action Network, SafeMinds, Autism One.

National Children's Health Survey Report Finds Autism Prevalence Now 1 in 91


Monday, October 5, 2009
By: Carin Yavorcik

Autism Society Calls for Answers to Crisis Now

A national report released today in the journal Pediatrics reveals that 1 percent of U.S. children ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder, an estimated prevalence of one in every 91 children. This is a dramatic increase from the one in 150 prevalence rates currently reported.

“This national study charts a dramatic rise in the prevalence of autism in the United States and we applaud this administration’s recognition that autism is an urgent public health priority,” said Autism Society President and CEO Lee Grossman. “But families today are asking: how high must these prevalence rates rise before the nation responds? Significant resources must be directed toward screening and diagnosis, affordable interventions that treat the whole person and comprehensive education plans to foster lifelong skill development so that people with autism will have the ability to work and live independently.”

The report, entitled “Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the US,” published in today’s issue of Pediatrics, was conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services National Survey of Children’s Health, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report was conducted via a telephone survey of over 78,000 parents, and determined a point prevalence of 110 per 10,000 respondents, roughly 1 percent of the population of children in the United States.

On a constituent call to discuss the report, the CDC reported that its initial analysis of the Autism and Developmental Delay Monitoring project data, due out later this fall, confirm the 1 percent figure. This report will also contain more data on age of diagnosis, groups affected, and access to interventions.

The increasing numbers have long-term economic costs to the country, as autism is a chronic medical condition affecting people across the lifespan. “Lifespan services, particularly for adults, are typically inadequate and inappropriate,” Grossman stated. “This new data should be a call to action to the government to improve and increase services and supports first.”

The Autism Society has been working with Congress on several key bills, which have stalled. “The information in this new report highlights the pressing need for additional services, support and treatments for families affected by autism spectrum disorders,” said Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “My bill, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act, will help children and adults with autism gain better access to coordinated services, improve training for professionals treating these disorders, and will relieve the financial burden on the millions of families struggling with this disability.”

This bill, if funded, would provide funding for applied research into effective interventions, the first ever demonstration grants on adult services, create an adult prevalence study, and fund family support and information networks.

“Autism affects millions of American families, and the cost of diagnosis, early intervention, and treatment imposes a heavy burden on most of them,” said Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus. “This legislation, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009, would improve the dissemination of information between autism researchers and service providers, improve training for professionals treating autism spectrum disorders, and mandate that health insurers cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Enactment of this legislation would do a lot to help millions of American families.”

“The increase in the reported prevalence of autism across the nation testifies to the urgency of executing a comprehensive strategy in response to this public health emergency,” said Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chair of the Congressional Autism Caucus. “For its part, Congress must ensure robust funding to support aggressive programs of research, education, and services. Furthermore, Congress needs to enact additional legislation, such as the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009, that will establish the infrastructure and mechanisms for delivering appropriate services across the lifespan to individuals with autism and their families. We must look to maximize the reach and impact of our investments and activities by closely coordinating government efforts with those of national advocacy organizations, such as the Autism Society.”

http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=15065&news_iv_ctrl=1882#

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Menu Plan Monday


Monday ~ Spaghetti Tacos...Isaiah keeps asking for spaghetti taco's you know like from ICarly, so I'm making them for him, spaghetti for the rest of us! LOL
Tuesday ~ Beef Bourguignon (new recipe for me)
Wed ~ Teriyaki Chicken
Thursday ~ Crock Pot chicken Pot pie (new recipe for me)
Friday~ Green Bean and beef tater tot casserole

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Julia Child's famous Beef Bourguignon (sort of)


3 pounds beef roast, or beef stew meat
6 slices bacon--no need to cook
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, sliced in rings
1 cup carrots (chopped or baby, your choice)
4 garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
and a dash or 2 of:
•dried thyme
•ground rosemary
•dried basil
•dried oregano
2 cups red wine (you can use non-alcoholic if you wish)

The Directions.

Use a 6 quart slow cooker. In the bottom of your stoneware, smear around the olive oil. Then lay down 3 slices of bacon. Add sliced onion and garlic. Put the meat into the pot on top of the onion and garlic, and sprinkle on dried spices and herbs. Toss the meat to distribute the spices to all sides. Add tomato paste. Lay the other 3 slices of bacon on top of the meat, and throw in the carrots. Pour wine over the whole thing.

Cover and let cook on low for 8-9 hours, high for 4-5, or until meat has reached desired tenderness. If you are using a roast, you may want to flip the meat about an hour before serving so more liquid is absorbed into the meat. You can also cut the meat into chunks and return to the pot, if you would like more moisture to absorb.

Serve with whipped mashed potatoes, and a ladle full of crock juices.



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Teriyaki Chicken

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs




DIRECTIONS
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.

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Filling:
--2 chopped up skinless chicken thighs or breast halves (raw, but chopped up)
--1/2 cup chopped carrots (these were fresh, but frozen would work)
--1/2 cup frozen corn
--1/2 cup frozen peas
--1/2 t marjoram
--1/2 t thyme
--1/2 t celery seed
--1 t onion powder
--canned cream-of-something soup (or see homemade alternative down below)
--2 T low fat milk

Homemade Soup Alternative:
make a roux on the stove top with the butter and flour, then whisk in the other ingredients.

--1 T butter
--3 T flour (Pamela's or other GF baking flour)
--1/2 cup low fat milk (I used soy)
--1/2 cup chicken broth
--1/4 t salt
--1/4 t black pepper

Biscuit Topping:

--2 cups biscuit mix (I used Bob's Red Mill biscuit mix. I much prefer Pamela's but my favorite store has been out of it for a few weeks)
--1/2 T white sugar
--1/2 cup melted butter (that's a whole stick)
--3/4 cup low fat milk (stick with 2% or lower; I used soy)

The Directions.

I'm already tired of typing. This is a long one. Sorry.

I used a 4 quart crockpot for this recipe. There really wasn't too awful much filling---I used what I had on hand, but if you have a large family or would like leftovers, I'd double the filling.

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Chop up the chicken and put it into the crockpot. Dump in the vegetables. Add all of the spices. Stir in the cream-of-something soup and add 2T of milk to the can, squish it around to get all the good stuff out of the can, and pour in the rest. Stir well.

In a mixing bowl, make up the biscuit topping. The dough will be pretty playdoughy, and I pretty much mixed it with my hands. Spread the dough on top of the chicken and veggie mixture.

Cover and cook on high for 3-5 hours, or on low for 6-7. This is done when the biscuit topping is golden brown, and is hard to the touch in the middle. I cooked ours on high for 4 1/2 hours, and it got a bit too crunchy on the very edges.

If you find that your crockpot seals really well and you have a bunch of condensation building up, you can prop open the lid with a wooden spoon or chopstick. I tried the paper towel trick with this dish, and wasn't impressed. I laid a double-layer of paper towels over the top of the crock, then put the lid back on. The condensation made the paper towels really wet, and they drooped into the food. Also, when I took off the lid and then removed the towels (they were very wet and very hot) I got a blast of steam on my hand that hurt. I'm going to stick with venting with a chopstick.