Mother Warrior

Here it is, the finished product! The video of our Mother Warrior Photoshoot!

I hate the R word

I must say I cringe every time I hear this word! People use is sooooooooo much...rarely I've made a comment condoning someone for using it...I hope this campaign takes off and people think twice before using this word anymore! I hope one day it's as unacceptable as the N word...I saw a really great clip I wanted to share on the concept of this campaign

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Mini Meatloaves, mashed potatoes and acorn squash...(recipe from $5 dinner.com)
Tue-Kreative Kielbasa
Wed- BBQ Riblets in the crock pot
Thur- Orange apricot pork chops in the crock pot, that I never got to make last week because the kiddos ate all the madarin oranges!!!
Fri-Pizza


Mini Meatloaves and Mashed Potatoes


Ingredients
1 lb ground chicken
1 cup bread crumbs I ground up some GFCF cereal instead
1 egg
2 Tbsp ketchup (
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 onion, finely chopped
Salt/Pepper
BBQ sauce
8 small potatoes
1/2 - 1 cup milk sub
1 -2 Tbsp olive oil (or butter)
Salt/Pepper
1 acorn squash

Directions
1. In large bowl, combine ground chicken, bread crumbs/chip crumbs, egg, ketchup and spices. (Or use your favorite meatloaf recipe!!!). Mix well. Scoop meat into muffin tins (I used mini loaf pan tin.) Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
2. Peel and quarter the potatoes. Boil for about 10 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in bowl. Mash with potato masher. Add milk and butter/olive oil. Mix in seasonings. Stir well.
3. Prepare squash as follows. This is my favorite way to make it. "Steaming it in the oven" makes the flesh really soft. I would love to hear your favorite way to prepare acorn squash!



Cut acorn squash in half.


(Microwaving the squash for 3-4 minutes will make it easier to cut.) Place upside down in baking dish with about 1/4 inch of water.


Cover with foil.


Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes. Remove and let cool 10 minutes before handling. Scoop out seeds and then scoop out the flesh. Drizzle with honey, agave syrup or maple syrup.

4. Serve chicken mini meatloaves with BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and squash.


Kreative Kielbasa

1 1/2 cups rice (uncooked)
6 eggs, scrambled
1 pkg kielbasea, warmed
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce

Cook the rice and then dump everything else in. That's it.

Wednesday's Window Into My World

I'm a few hours shy of it actually being Wed...unfortunately I didn't have time to post before I went to work! But for this Wed, random window into my world I wanted to share the new addition to our family! We have newborn kittens! Our beautiful white cat Gabriella gave birth to a liter of 4 kittens March 16th. We have one orange and white kitten who I have nick named Jack Jr. since he looks like our orange cat (who is fixed and not the daddy)...two dark grey and white ones who I call the twins, since I can't tell them apart yet, and the runt who is Calico. The runt unfortunately didn't survive long, so we only have 3 now. I found out last night that she had passed away. I obviously didn't want to tell Isaiah today BEFORE school, because I knew he wouldn't have been able to go to school if I did, but I did tell him I thought one was sick...so tonight when he got home, Rob broke it to him. He took it worse than I thought, he was devastated. Rob said Tierra held him while he cried for about 20 minutes. He is sooooooo in love with these kittens! I don't know HOW we're going to be able to give any away with as attached as he is! I've never had a pet that had a liter before (well since I was very little anyway) so this is new for me, and it's pretty remarkable! It's amazing to watch Gabby taking care of them! A mother's instincts are amazing! For instance, she hasn't minded if we come in and look at the kittens or even touch them, but when the neighbor boy came in, a person she didn't know, she covered them up w/ her paws. When they nurse she purrs, it's neat...I wonder if she lays there looking at them admiring how adorable they are, like I did when my babies were born....I remember I felt like I couldn't look at them enough, I wonder if she feels like that.

Autism Walk-a-Thon

April 25th I will be doing a walk-a-thon to raise money to send autistic kids in North Central Indiana to camp. The camp is called... Camp Circle of Friends. My friend's little boy went last year and she has raved about it. It is absolutely free for autistic kids. I'm really excited to participate in this. I've never been interested in doing a walk-a-thon for autism speaks or any other big name organization, not that there's anything wrong w/ them...they have their place in this battle and have done their part for autism awareness...I just feel dollar for dollar, the impact isn't as great as organizations like this. If anyone is able to donate...any amount...it would be greatly appreciated. I will have a paypal link on my blog, myspace, etc...or you can donate in person. Here's some pics from last year...how amazing is this??? You can read more about Camp Circle Of Friends on www.asnci.org

Thanks so much for your support!

The Photo Shoot

We did the Warrior Mom's photo shoot...it was SUCH a wonderful experience. A salon/spa donated hair cuts/styles, manicures and make-up for us...OMG that was an experience I've never been pampered like that it was amazing! And the staff treated us soooo great! Being they were donating the services and there was such a big group of us, it wouldn't have been unexpected for someone to act rushed or frustrated...but everyone treated us like royalty, it was such a wonderful experience...I can't wait to see the pics from the photographer! Here's a pic of me after my makeover, that was taken w/ my camera

Menu Plan Monday

I'm a little late, Zae's been sick and I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to figure out what to make!

Monday was a free for all...I worked Rob made something out of whatever we had around the house...going shopping tonight after work
Tuesday...crock pot ribs
wed- spegetti
thur-Orange/Apricot crock pot Pork chops
Fri Gluten Free Mama's tater tot casserole


Orange-Apricot Pork Chops in the CrockPot

The Ingredients.

6 pork chops
1 cup apricot jam
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges (and juice!)

The Directions.

Use a 4-6 quart crockpot.

Put pork chops into your crockpot. In a small bowl, combine jam, brown sugar, and spices. Spoon over pork chops. Add the entire can of mandarin oranges evenly over the top. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or on high for about 4.

Serve with rice to soak up the yummy juice.

Gluten Free Mama's Tater Tot Casserole

Ingredients:

One 16oz bag of frozen mixed veggies, partially thawed or fresh garden veggies
1.25 lbs hamburger
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups prepared Mama's Instant Cream Soup (1/2 cup of the dry mix and 1 and 1/2 cups water)
1 pkg. Gluten Free Tater Tots *
1/2-1 cup shredded cheese, optional

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown hamburger, drain grease and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Mix together 1/2 cup Mama's Instant Cream Soup with 1 and 1/2 cups water. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. About 3-4 minutes.

Pour cream soup over browned hamburger.

Lightly spray a 12 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread veggies evenly into pan. Top with hamburger mixtures. Top with tater tots. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Bake covered for 45 minutes removing cover the last 15 minutes to melt cheese.


**** Be sure that you read the labels on the tater tots from the store. Tater Tot Crowns are not gluten free. Some tater tots are not. I used Western Family. I did not see any ingredients that appeared to have gluten.

**** Be sure to at least partially thaw veggies or cook 10-15 minutes longer to cook the veggies all the way through.

Mama's Instant Cream Soup

Ingredients:

Mama’s Instant Cream Soup

2 cups nonfat milk powder or
Better than Milk Rice Milk Powder
1/2 cup Mama’s Almond Blend Flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup instant potato flakes
1/4 cup GF instant bouillon powder*
1 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. parsley

Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container.

For Soup: Mix 1/3 cup mix with 1 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil over medium heat stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes.

For Condensed Soup: Mix 1/2 cup mix with 1 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil over medium heat stirring constantly for 3-4 minutes or until thickened. (Equivalent to 1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup)

Cream of Mushroom: Add 1/2 cup diced mushrooms

Cream of Chicken: Add 1/2 cup diced chicken

Cream of Celery: Add 1/8 tsp. celery salt and 1/2 cup chopped celery

Cream of Broccoli: Add 1/2 cup chopped broccoli

Kids View

Isaiah wouldn't play...so I just got Tierra and Xander's answers

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Xan: I love you
Tierra: Love you

2. What makes mom happy?
Xan:kiss
T:a clean house

3. What makes mom sad?

Xan:Don’t love you
T:A messy house

4 How does your mom make you laugh?

Xan: Gotta tickle
T:By saying something dumb


5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
Xan:Play toys
T:Play with dolls

6. How old is your mom?

Xan:5
T:31

7. How tall is your mom?
Xan:Raises arms way up
T: 5'5

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
Xan:Bad movie
T:Desperate housewives, ER



9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Xan:Get scared
T: Work and Clean

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Xan:I don’t know
T:acting

11. What is your mom really good at?
Xan:climbing
T:cooking

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Xan: spanking
T:picking out a cute outfit

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Xan:Take care of people
T: Nursing


14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Xan:Hot dog
T:Colorful Kielbasa


15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Xan:A kiss
T:Anything really, when you feel acomplished


16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Xan: superhero
T:MiniMouse

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Xan: kiss
T: Watch TV



18. How are you and your mom the same?
Xan:Use to be little
T: We're both dumb blonds


19. How are you and your mom different?
Xan:You this (arms way up) I this (thumb and pointer almost together)
T: I like fashion

20. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Xan: kiss
T: His personality

21. . Where is your mom's favorite place to go
Xan: in your room
T: Old Time Pottery Store

Autism Awareness Month

I'm really excited to be invited to participate in this locally...I hope this April's Autism Awareness month is a huge success!







The Autism File Campaign. Get involved!

Due to the huge impact the front cover of the forthcoming April issue
is receiving, mothers have contacted us to say they want to get
involved.

Mothers are already getting together in groups of 6 and emulating our
campaign shot and You Tube clip in their own style. Mothers around
the world of all different shapes, colour and size are demonstrating
how autism mothers are strong and 'Delivering where governments have
failed'

Striking the same pose with the same headlines makes mothers of
autism a powerful force as we unite around the world. This is not
about expensive cameras, photographers and make up artists, it's
about us, the mothers showing our strength. So, grab a camera and 5
other mums and have some fun!

'The campaign is about strength, not weakness, it's about demanding
support not hoping for it and it's about how we, the parents are
having to deliver where our governments have failed'

Please You Tube any clips and send us your photograph. We will
feature these images on the website and in the July issue of The
Autism File and at the Autism One Conference in May.

Above all, have fun and some time with friends!

Tackle it Tuesday

I hate making lunches! I miss when I use to give Isaiah $10 on mondays, and not have to worry about it again until next monday! But sense we are GF/CF I have to make lunches now. There's a few reasons I hate making them, for one, the time...call me lazy but I hate taking the time to make them every morning. The other reason is frustration...while I'm at work the little people in my house tend to get in to the food and we run out, and I don't know it till the morning and I'm scrambling to try to make a full lunch improve style. The 3rd reason I hate it, is BECAUSE the little monsters eat up the food, I end up having to go back to walmart 1/2 way threw the week to get more food! So the time money and energy I put into these lunches really isn't my favorite. So this week I decided to make all the lunches on Sunday. I wrapped everything up in walmart bags and stuck it in the fridge (out of sight out of mind hopefully)...So in the morning I grab a walmart bag, and transfer everything into his lunch bag. So far it's working great, and nobody is getting in to the food, so hopefully I won't have to do any mid-week lunch shopping! I didn't get a picture this week, I had everything set out, went to grab my camera, and somebody took the batteries out @@, I'm assuming for the WII remote lol.

Zip It

Xander is sooooo loud sometimes tonight, as he was driving me crazy and not listening to my requests to lower his voice, I finally said "ZIP IT"...he looked at me quite puzzeled and said "You can't zip a tongue" LMAO...I can just imagine the image that went threw his mind!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Meetloaf
Tuesday: Vegtable Beef Stew
Wednesday: Tacos
Thursday: Sweet and Sour Chicken
Friday: Pizza night

Dating...how old????

OMG, what is WRONG w/ parents??????? I try to find a nice balance between allowing my kids their freedom, but yet still being the parent, and still setting limits and boundaries. But some of the things that parents allow just dumbfound me. I don't want to be the over protective parent where my kid is the only one not aloud to do something....but seriously I don't feel THAT over protective...sometimes Rob and I feel like we're living in the twilight zone, it's amazing what parents allow their children to do!

Case in point our 12 year old, is in middle school, 6th grade to be exact...we JUST started letting her go to the movies w/ her friends w/out an adult. We drop her off and she calls us to pick her up when the movies over. This was a leap for us...but we feel it's the appropriate amount of freedom for a 12 year old girl. A couple hours in a confinded public area w/ a group of friends.

Sooooo today, she is going to the movies w/ 3 of her girl friends. Well the girls decide they are going to go out to eat after the movie...they get in their head they are going to walk over to a restaurant and go out to eat after the movies...um NO I don't THINK SO...first of all, I don't think it's safe for 12 year olds to be walking across a parking lot at night, much less to go out to eat at a restaurant at night w/out any adult supervision. Well 2 of the girls were aloud to go (my evil next door neighbors kid being one of them)...and apparently 2 boys are meeting the 2girls there...so basically these girls are going on a double date at 10 o clock at night at 12 years old...am I the only one that see's something wrong w/ this picture????

stupid

When I called the house tonight from work to say hi to the kids, Zae was really upset...I guess he got a note sent home, that this last time he was sick (w/ strep) put him at 5 missed days for the school year...the kids are only aloud 4 sick days a year...so now he has to stay after school twice next week. He said his feeling are hurt (I think he just means he's sad but doesn't know how to express that)...I feel so guilty though, one day he missed because I was soooo horribly sick I just couldn't get him ready and off to school, it was the one and only time I've used a sick day at work in a year. But as the mom I should have pushed harder and MADE myself get him ready, I feel so bad that he has to suffer because of me now. But honestly I think the 4 sick day rule is a little over the top, hell I get more than that for work and I'm adult!!!...I understand we're an exemplary school district and it's important for kids to be in school blah blah blah...but I am NOT sending my kids to school w/ strep! And the more they force parents to send their kids in sick the more the kids are going to GET sick @@@@@@@@@@.

Thank goodness last year they were aloud 10 missed days, last year Isaiah was phobic of thunderstorms...he has bad anxiety issues, as well as sensory issues...and thunderstorms were too much for him, if it was storming i couldn't get him to school he was in full meltdown mode. I mean it was fright or flight, pure terror...so he missed probably 5 days to being sick and probably 5 due to storms.

I don't know I'm just annoyed and feeling guilty...so thought I'd vent and tell on myself lol.

Wednesdays Window Into My World

I hate my hair...I want beautiful hair w/out the work!!! Ok so I know THAT'S too much to ask...but seriously...I can never find a hair style I like...I try and try and I don't ever really like any of them...I grow my hair out to be a blank canvas...then pick a hair style...chop my hair, dislike it then grow it back out...I wish I could find a style I loved...I hate that I"m one of those moms that throws her hair up in a pony tail and goes...how do you find a great hairstyle???

Tackle it Tuesday

This weeks tackle was the boys closet...it has started getting out of hand...I like the closets (theirs especially) very organized...Xander's clothes are on the right, Isaiah's are on the left...Play clothes are on the bottom where they can reach them and dress themselves on non school days, and the nicer stuff is at the top...and then anal me likes them separated by long sleeves, short sleeves, pants and outfits....When Rob and Tierra help w/ laundry they don't abide by my little system...usually I go in after them and fix it right away, but I hadn't been doing that...thus the closet was getting out of control...so I finally tackled it and got it back in order...

Changes at work

So we always knew this was coming, it was just WHEN instead of if...the demise of the resource department I work in. So now we will, in a since be auctioned off to the various floors...we don't know if we'll get any say or input at all on the situation...it would be NICE if we somewhat got to PICK our floors...

If I could pick it would be (in this order)
PEDS
OB
ICU
Cancer floor

My LEAST favorite are

IMCU
Ortho
Detox
Med/surg
Tele

I don't WANT to work ONE floor, it's really going to SUCK, I like the variety, I like things changing, I like avoiding the drama of one floor...but that's not an option any more

I'm certain that the floors that are in my LEAST favorite are the ones that will be getting the majority of us...I know I'm not going to ICU, they wanted me, and approached me, but said they neecded someone who can also work days not just 3-11's so that SUCKS, cuz I won't go there, I have heard that IMCU wants me as well as Med/surg...I don't think ortho or detox will pick me, cuz I don't float there much so they don't really know me...soooooo I will probably get IMCU or Med/surg. So that's that...I'll update when I know more.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Chicken, Brocoli, Cheese and Rice Casserole (made w/ Gallaxy Vegan Rice Cheese)
Tuesday- Teriyaki Chicken and fried rice (recipes below)
Wed- Lasagna
Thur-Tacos
Fri-Pizza


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.

Fried Rice

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
2 cups enriched white rice
4 cups water
2/3 cup chopped baby carrots
1/2 cup frozen green peas
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
soy sauce to taste
sesame oil, to taste (optional)




DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, combine rice and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
In a small saucepan, boil carrots in water about 3 to 5 minutes. Drop peas into boiling water, and drain.
Heat wok over high heat. Pour in oil, then stir in carrots and peas; cook about 30 seconds. Crack in eggs, stirring quickly to scramble eggs with vegetables. Stir in cooked rice. Shake in soy sauce, and toss rice to coat. Drizzle with sesame oil, and toss again.

just venting

Today wasn't my most favorite day in the world...it started out kinda crappy waiting w/ Isaiah at the bus stop...for those who don't know, my middle child (who is autistic) has been the brunt of bullying by the neighborhood children. I wait w/ him at the bus stop to make sure they aren't evil to him. The little boy across the street is still nice to Isaiah, but the rest of them are mean little spawns of satan...so this morning the little boy from across the street starts coming over by Isaiah and one of the kids tells him DONT GO BY ISAIAH HE"S MEAN...I wanted to strangle the kid, but I resisted the urge. WTF, my son is standing there minding his own business but yeah HES mean @@@@@@@@@@@@@@...so needless to say I was all upset, and couldn't go back to sleep after he got on the bus. Which I NEEDED to get some sleep cuz I worked tonight...

Which leads me in to work....

I was having a PRETTY good night (for those who don't really know me, I am a CNA at a hospital, I float around to different floors), Tonight, I was on the med/surg floor which is a hard floor, but tonight wasn't bad, I only had 9 patients which isn't horrible, there were 3 CNA's plus a light duty aide (she hurt herself) who was suppossed to help out by doing our vitals, water, garbages, and other light duty tasks...plus there were student nurses there, who were helping take care of one of my really hard patients, so all in all the night was going smoothly...

UNTIL (ok obviously I wasn't going to brag about what an easy night I had right??? lol)...

little Miss Light Duty, comes over to me and this other girl and tells us she's not pulling our garbages and that our rooms aren't stocked and their a mess...now this girl has the same job title that we do, and has NO business to be telling ANY of us what to do, so that kind of irked me...but I let it slide, I went and pulled my garbages, since she said she wasn't going to...I did rounds on my rooms, everything was fine, great no big deal. So about a 1/2 hour later she comes BACK over to me and this other CNA and tells us AGAIN that we need to do our rooms. We're like THEY"VE BEEN DONE...she's like, well they are a mess...and starts going off...now, I don't do drama, and if you yell at me, I won't yell back, I will laugh at you...it's just my nature...and no matter how hard you try you CAN"T get me riled up enough to yell at you, I just don't do it...I guess this was frustrating her, I could tell how bad she was trying to get a rise out of me...I simply said...look I did my job to my satisfaction, if it's not up to your standards than by all means, you go do it...OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH she was MAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDD...she's like FINE I'LL LET YOUR SUPERVISOR KNOW THAT...I said please do, and started laughing......so on my last rounds I made sure I took out my handy dandy camera phone and took pictures of all my rooms, including my EMPTY garbage cans, and my fully stocked linens...to PROVE that my work, HAD in fact been done, and she was just on some ego trip and was angry she couldn't get a rise out of me...she's lucky I don't turn her in for code of conduct, because they don't allow that kind of drama at my place of employment!!!

Now even though you can't get a rise out of me on the outside, I am a very sensitive person on the inside...so of course I'm pretty upset about it...I'm not one of them people who can just blow it off on the inside...so I guess I'll be up all night long.

:::::::::sigh::::::::::: Hopefully this little vent will help!

Menu Plan Monday and My quest for GF/CF Mac and Cheese

Monday- Mac and Cheese
Tuesday- Chili
Wed-Tacos
Thur-Meatloaf
Fri- Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and maybe more Mac and Cheese!


Since going GF/CF w/ Isaiah in October, my quest has been to keep his diet the same as it was, but w/ GF/CF subs...this isn't a very easy task...one of my challenges has been Mac and Cheese...

Mac and cheese was a pre diet lunch time fav at our house, I also like it as a side dish w/ meat loaf and several chicken dishes I make, so needless to say we've missed it...I've tried a few different recipes, and even some expensive boxed items, w/ no luck...but today that changed, I finally made a GF/CF mac and cheese he would eat!!!! We both get so excited when trial and error finally pays off. I made him a huge bowl of it, which he scarfed down and promptly asked for more!

Here is what I used to make it...

De Boles Wheat Free Corn Elbow Style Pasta
2 slices of Galaxy Vegan Cheese
Dari Free Milk Sub
Milk Free Butter


I wasn't sure the cheese would melt well enough to make it, but it did...I boiled and drained the noodles, added probably a tablespoon of milk, 2 slices of cheese and 1/4 stick of butter, cooked until the cheese melted all the way. Let cool slightly and serve. I'm really happy to finally be able to serve mac and cheese again!