Legit Fears revealed

We all have fears. Some people say they "fear spiders" but I dont think they truly do. I think a lot of people, mis/over-use the word fear just as they do hate and love. 


I have some legitimate fears. Yes I do not like bugs and I shy away from them but I'm not an arachnophobic.


I am a Claustrophobic though. I dont like propel getting too close to me. This has been since as long as I can remember. People thought I was strange in school. Example: I'd doodle in my book because i was bored. I was a good artist. Someone would point it out and before ya knew it, there was a group of kids standing around my desk looking at my doodle. A normal person would think that's cool but not me. I remember distinctly an incidence in high school English where kids stood around me as I was seated and  my heart pounded in my chest  like it never had before and I screamed. I just freaked out completely. I am not fond of elevators. I dont go to crowded places. Watching things on TV where they are scuba diving, or in a tunnel  or crawling around somewhere small, my heart pounds in my chest. I have been known to leave the room and go clean something when someone on a TV show we watch is doing something my brain can't comprehend. Cruises freak me out. There I'd be in the middle of the ocean stuck on a big boat. If I see land, I'm OK.. once it's too far to swim to get to land for survival, I'd lose it. Proof? My brother took a cruise in Hawaii years ago. He took video out his balcony and I ran to the bathroom and threw up. I got the Disney Cruise DVD in the mail watched it and had to leave the room at points. I know it's irrational but I cant help it. When you're blood pressure rises, you sweat, your heart pounds, you know it's not "fear" but FEAR.


That being said, there isn't much else I really fear. There are things that might frighten me or make me uncomfortable or that I just dislike but my only true FEAR is of small, enclosed spaces.

10 things I'd like to go back in time and tell the 16-year-old me

1. You may think Jason is the love of your life but he's not. You love him, that is true, but he's not the one you are meant to be with. Dont let him tell you how to dress or how to wear your hair. You ar ein control of yourself. Dont let go of you!
2. Stop trying to impress others. Years down the road they wont be there for you so stop trying to be who you're not just to "fit in". You are perfect the way you are - you are just as He made you. You are beautiful, you are made to fill a purpose, you are made for more than this.
3. Fight like heck for what you believe! Fight to go to culinary school. Fight for what feels right in your heart.
4. Go to Prom even if you have to go with someone else, just go!
5. Driving isnt as scary as you think so stop putting it off and get your license! If you stop spending all your money on others, you can buy yourself a car in no time!
6. Make your Popa go get his stomach checked out. His aortic aneurysm will burst if he doesnt get it caught & fixed. (I wish my Popa were around to see his grandkids get married, have kids, and just grow up to be the amazing people we are).
7. Forgive! Forgive those that teased you, tortured you, made feel less than you are, that hurt you in any way and for anyone who will hurt you. It's not for you to judge them. They have to atone for their own sins. You worry about you and know you are loved.
8. Quit thinking you look stupid in glasses. By wearing your contacts so much, you are actual scarring your eyes and making it so you'll have to wear your glasses more often (talk about irony)! Embrace your inner geek with those glasses - in a few years they will be a fashion statement and you'll be ahead of the curve!
9. Keep up the hard work in school, keep up not smoking, keep up not drinking, keep up caring about yourself and respecting who you are. Stand strong in your convictions. Dont doubt if you're doing the right thing just because others are doing something else. You're smart, heartstrong, and have a great sense of value. Trust it!
10. Go for it! Dont be scared to fail at something. Try out for the team. Ask for the raise. You can do it!

16 year-old me

MENU: Week 3/11-3/17

I make everything from scratch. I'm just one of those people who love to cook and take great prtide in the food I can provide for my family. We are blessed to be able to have food in our pantry & freezer. Here is this week's dinner menu. 

• Sunday: Chicken with Mushrooms  with Brown Rice
• Monday: Falafel with White Bean Yogurt Sauce & Israeli Couscous salad
• Tuesday: Eggplant Parmigiana Soup with Garlic Bread
• Wednesday: Double Crunch Honey Garlic Pork Chops
• Thursday: Penne with Corn, Scallions, & Spinach
• Friday: Freezer Day (leftovers and frozen snacks)
• Saturday: St. Patrick's Day! Guinness Corned Beef, Colcannon, Irish Soda Bread

Falafel in a pita with lettuce, shredded cucumber & white bean sauce

Eggplant Parmigiano (Parmesan) Soup with croutons & fried eggplant.

20 Random Things

1. I have been saved. I am born again and have full faith that when my time comes I am going to Heaven. Jesus Christ is my Lord & Savior and I love Him & what He has done for little ole me. 
2. I was a twirler - like highly competitive. I did team & solo and traveled with it. We were a pretty decent ranking team. I did twirling for more than 4 years. I quit when I had trouble doing 2 batons at once. I wasnt the best at it anymore, and I wanted to quit. which oddly leads to ....
3. I like to do things perfectly or else I dont like to do them. I do all things with a bang and with all my heart.
4. I've started a children's book like 5o times so far. I have 2 ideas I'd love to finish but just haven't. One about an odd group of friends (series potential) and the other an A-Z book.
5. I want a daughter. badly.
6. I love my husband. He still amazes me and who he is becoming is making me love him even more.
7. I am a natural at throwing parties. I a theme person and I love to go all out. Guess that goes along with doing something right or not doing it at all.
8. I've never left the United States.
9. I love to cook.
10. I have a hyper sensitively to smell & taste. This makes it hard to eat a lot of things past the first bite. A smoker 3 cars ahead of me, makes me gag.  I dont drink out of glass (if I have a choice) because they always have weird smells (like summer rain or wet dog).
11. I got huge boobs which are a blessing and a curse.
12. I wanted to go to a Culinary Academy but my parents thought it was a stupid profession and told me they wouldnt pay for cooking school. So I spent 4 years at a top-ranked business school, graduated with a high GPA in Business Computer Information Systems but couldn't get a job in my field. So my degree is just  a piece of paper because when I do go back to work, it's not in computer technology!
13. I love comics, horror, and Science fiction. I go to comic conventions and woudl love ot be able to go to more.
14. I unpack my shopping cart by grouping things together. I get annoyed when the cashier scans them in a different order and bags them weird.
15. I love cats. A lot. Like amazingly. I dont care for digs though.
16. I HATE (or more than hate) shoes.
17. My 1st car was the best. It was a 2009 Volkswagen Routan. I so loved it and miss it. her name was Roo.
18. As long as my kids aren't near, people never guess my age correctly. I still look young :)
19. I laugh at everything (so much it's a fault).
20. I've been married for over 10 years but I still dream of some fancy engagement proposal. Never had one, never will. :(

Food: Leftover Rice Recipe 1: Rice Pudding

Leftover rice? Dont know what to do with it? One recipe you can try is make rice pudding. It's so simple and quick!

(Leftover) RICE PUDDING

1-3/4 cups milk
1/4 cup flavored creamer (Vanilla or Sweet Cream works well)
1 cup leftover pre-cooked rice
2 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and rice, stirring frequently so the milk doesn't burn. Bring to a slow simmer.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and vanilla. 
4. Add egg mixture slowly to the milk and rice and allow to cook for just a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour into casserole or baking dish and bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Food Fun: Fairy Bread

Awhile ago, my friend Shanna, introduced me to Fairy bread. She told me how it was buttered bread covered with hundreds & thousands. For us not in Australia like Shanna, that's be nonpareils.

Cut bread into a fun shape.

Butter the bread(I use Land 'O'Lakes spreadable butter)

Sprinkle with nonpareils and enjoy!

Food Fun: Window Sandwiches

This is a simple solution to boring sandwiches. It brings a smile to their faces (but apparently isnt cool enough for my eldest son to bring to school - he apparently gets poked fun at for having them so I dont make them for him anymore). 

Cut the crusts off 2 slices of bread. 

Use a cookie cutter and cut out a shape from the center of only 1 of the slices.

Spread the uncut side of the sandwich with Nutella (or peanut better or whatever you like).

Place the cut out piece on top.

Sprinkle sprinkles in the hole to cover the stickiness.

Swirl around and dump off excess.

YUM!

Baking: Strawberry Muffins

So as most of my friends know, I love Aldi's. I love the prices on produce. I always snag strawberries when I'm there. Whoops, I forgot to use them so they became baking berries. This is a yummy recipe that had 18 muffins gone within 12 hours (keep in mind that includes sleeping at night). They are sooo good and simple!

Strawberry Muffins

makes 18 muffins


1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped strawberries (after chopping let sit for 1 hour)
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1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Oil muffin tin, or use paper liners.

3. In a small bowl, combine oil, milk, and egg. Beat lightly. 

4. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. 

5. Toss in chopped strawberries and stir to coat with flour. 

6. Pour in milk mixture and stir together.

7. Fill muffin cups. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the tops bounce back from the touch. 

8. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans.

Food: Individual Quiches

I like make ahead food that I can store and pull out when needed. Quiches are no exception.


These are crust-less and can be made with any veggies and cheese combos you wish.

Crustless Individual Quiches

makes 18 regular muffin-tin size quiches

1/3 cup cornstarch

1-3/4 cup milk (used 1%)

3 large eggs

3 large egg yolks

1-1/2 cup half-&-half (used fat-free)

1-1/4 teaspoon salt

Oil/spray, for the pan

1-1/2 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

16 ounces mushrooms (used 1/2 baby bella, 1/2 white button)
1 package frozen spinach, thawed & squeezed

8 ounces bacon, cut & chopped

1/4 cup grated cheese

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1. Heat oven to 450°F.

2. Put the cornstarch in a medium bowl. Whisking steadily, slowly pour in 1/2 cup of the milk, mixing until quite smooth. 

3. Whisk in the whole eggs and egg yolks, mixing again until smooth, then gradually whisk in the rest of the milk, the cream, and salt.

4. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, for up to one day. If using the next day, be sure to re-whisk.

5. In a nonstick pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. 

6. Add grated mushrooms, and stir until just softened, another 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat.

7. Oil mini muffin tins well. Put a large pinch of grated cheese into each muffin cup. For add about a tablespoon of the veggies/meat in any mix you want (we did spinach, mushroom, bacon, and a mixture of all of them).

8. Fill muffin tins with milk/egg mixture just about up to the top.

9. Bake until the quiches puff and start to turn golden, 22-25 minutes.

10. Let cool for 10 minutes and then carefully run a paring knife around the rim of each muffin cup. Carefully lift each quiche out of its cup.

Mini quiches freeze very well. Let cool, then freeze in a single layer in a covered container. Reheat on a cookie sheet in a 400 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes.

Original recipe from Fine Living Magazine.

Baked and frozen - ready to get vacuum sealed

Food: Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

I came across a recipe for oatmeal breakfast clafoutis. I had never heard of such a thing. I saw the ingredients and had to try it. I'm always game for make-ahead dishes.

So what on earth is a clafoutis? That was step #1. Wiki says it is is a baked French dessert of black cherries arranged in a buttered dish and covered with a thick flan-like batter. The clafoutis is dusted with powdered sugar and served lukewarm. The clafoutis comes from the Limousin region of France and while black cherries are traditional there are numerous variations using other fruits including red cherries, plums, prunes, apples, cranberries or blackberries. When other kinds of fruit are used instead of cherries, the dish is properly called a flaugnarde. The dish's name derives from from the verb clafir, meaning "to fill" (implied: "the batter with cherries"). 


Ah. Problem solved I know know what it is. Technically the recipe was NOT for a clafoutis (since it wasn't for cherries), it's a flaugnarde. So now we're at a Oatmeal Breakfast Flaugnarde. Now a flaugnarde is like a fluffy pancake. Recipes all call for flower.So what if we take out flower and put in oatmeal? Doesn't resemble a flaugnarde too much anymore. 


That's why I have renamed them simply Oatmeal Breakfast Bars or OB Bars for short: not to be confused with Obi Bars which I am sure are way different (sorry nerd slip there). I'll be making these again for sure. Also you can use other fruit besides bananas. In that case, simply add them on top of the mixture you pour into the pan. They will sink but float again once baked. 

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars or OB Bars

makes ~12 bars

2-1/2 C old fashioned oats, uncooked 

2/3 C brown sugar 

 3/4 C dried fruit (cherries, cranberries, blueberries, raisins)

1/3 C flaked coconut (optional)

1-2 bananas, roughly mashed

   1/3 C nuts, chopped (these are optional and any nut/nut combo will work)

1 tsp ground cinnamon 

1/2 tsp salt

3-1/3 C milk 

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly oil/spray an 9"x13" inch baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, sugar, dried fruit, chopped nuts, cinnamon and salt. Mix well. 

3. In a medium bowl, combine the milk, eggs and vanilla. Mix well. 

4. Add this to the dry ingredients, and mix until well blended.

5. Mix in banana until blended.

6. Pour the mixture into the baking dish making sure the solids are more or less evenly spread out. 

7. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until the center is firm to the touch. 

8. Once slightly cooled, you can serve or wait until completely cooled and prepare for freezing.

9. FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS: wrap each bar individually with as little air as possible. Servings can go from freezer to fridge at night and be thrown into the microwave for 30 seconds in the morning for a warm oatmeal breakfast bar!

Original recipe by Quaker Oats.

Pre-Baking

After baking. Fresh out of the oven.

ETA/UPDATE: I made another batch today. Made with 2 bananas, and diced dried apricots. Oh, yum! Greta by itself and amazing hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top :) Just sayin'.