Reality Changers

Love this duo!

Do you like a little bit of spicy? Creole? Comfort food? Even better... Make it in the slow cooker!

This is very yum! A little spicy, but not too much that someone cannot handle it. It cooks 6 hours in a slow cooker & freezes well.

Creole Black Beans and Sausage Served Over Steamed White Rice

Ingredients:

2 pounds smoked sausage, (2 packages) cut into 1 inch slices
3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chopped celery
1 1/2 cups chopped green pepper
1 cup chicken stock or broth
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves

Directions:

Place a large skillet over medium heat, and add sausage. Cook, stirring, until sausage is browned, about 5 minutes. Drain fat, and transfer sausage to slow cooker.

Stir the black beans, onion, celery, green pepper, chicken stock/broth, tomato sauce, garlic, thyme, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and bay leaves into the sausage in the slow cooker. Cover, and cook on Low until vegetables are tender, about 6 hours. Remove bay leaves before serving.

For perfect Steamed White Rice
Ingredients:

2 cups long-grain rice
3 cups water

Directions:

Put the rice in a 3 quart pot or saucepan with a tight fitting lid (don't put the lid on yet!) and pour in the water. Bring to a boil, and cook until the surface looks "cratery" (like the surface of hot lava or something).
Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about ten minutes, till the water is gone.
Let rice stand for a minute or two, then remove the lid, fluff the rice, and serve!

OurThreds: Another box of big boy threds for thredUP.com

So today I stumbled upon a site called ThredUp.

I have been looking for something like this for a while as my son has many clothes, and he has been growing fast & growing out of clothes fast.

You filter out clothes you want based on gender & size. Then you select each available box to read or see what type of clothing is in it.

You purchase a box of clothes for $5 plus shipping. Pretty neat, right?

As I was browsing through I found this for my son.

OurThreds: Another box of big boy threds for thredUP.com: "No Pet/No Smoking Home. All clean and washed. No rips, stains or tears. Basic Editions Gray/Yellow/blk stripe short sleeve t-shi..."

If you are interested in this neat little program, go to 

ThredUp

 Enjoy!

So yummy!

Do you like Mexican food? Then you have to try this recipe!

Chicken Flautas with Avocado Cream Sauce

Ingredients

For the Flautas:

Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 small red onion, diced

1 jalapeno, diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat finely shredded

1 cup salsa

1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves

1 cup shredded Cheddar/Monterey jack blend

1 lime, juiced

Salt

16 (5 to 6-inch) flour tortillas

2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce, for serving

For the Avocado Cream:

1 very ripe avocado, halved, pitted and flesh removed (I used 2, 1 didn't seem enough)

1 (4-ounce) container sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Salt
Directions
Special equipment: toothpicks


Fill a large pot with enough oil to reach 2 inches up the side of the pan. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reads 375 degrees F. To make the flautas: In a pan over medium heat melt butter and saute onions and jalapenos until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, and cayenne pepper and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Add chicken and salsa; stir to combine. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro, cheese and lime juice. Let cool slightly.


Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.


Working with 4 tortillas at a time, spread a heaping spoonful along the middle of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick. Using tongs, hold each flauta in hot oil until firm, then release to continue cooking. Cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes, then remove to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately season with salt. Keep flautas warm in the oven on a sheet tray while assembling and cooking the remaining tortillas.


To make the Avocado Cream: In a serving bowl, mash avocado, sour cream and lime juice until smooth. Season with salt, to taste.


To serve, arrange flautas on a platter of shredded lettuce and serve with Avocado Cream on the side.

This is too funny! If you need a laugh... here you go!

I hate cancer!

Because of cancer I never knew my grandfathers.
My dad's dad passed away when my dad was only 8 years old.
My mom's dad passed away when I was 3. The only memory of my mom's dad is seeing him ill & being at his funeral.

However there are cancer survivors.
My mom's mom was a breast cancer survivor.
My brother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 40. He too is a survivor!

Now my sister has colon cancer.
She just had surgery last week.
My hope is that she too will be a cancer survivor.

I will pray every day that she beats this cancer.
I will pray every day that I can do all that I can to help my family, my friends & all that I can to live healthier lives.

If I can make a difference in someone's health, in someone's life, if I can make a person stronger, if I can make a family healthier... I will try.

I will try to do what I can to help those seeking help & seeking answers.

To all my moms out there that have children with autism. I wish you all the success and the strength to keep presevering. I wish that you will find answers and solutions. I will pray for the progress of your child. I will pray for the happiness of your family. Keep trying! Don't give up. There is hope!

For those that want answers, for those needing solutions... I am here! I will help you!

There is not a greater gift than helping those in need. There is not a greater gift than improving lives.

If there is anything I can do, I will do what I can.

Ready (Unit 10)

I am sad to see this term at an end. This has been my favorite term at Kaplan. Both of my professors were exceptional,this is the term where I have learned the most, and I feel matured the most as a student.

I can't believe I'll have my degree by the end of the year! However, I am tied as to how to use my degree. I don't know if I should search for a job at a hospital, practice or clinic using my office management degree. I don't know if I should try medical transcription or medical billing and coding at home. I feel I can be disciplined enough to work at home, as online classes have taught me that.

I guess I will have to weigh out the pros and cons when the time comes. I am hoping to find some flexibility using my degree. I just know that now that I do have the flexiblity, I dont want to lose it. I see how it has helpled my son by being able to take him to doctor appointments, therapy, karate, and swimming. My son is steadily progressing, and I'm not going to hinder his progress.

I just hope I will have a few options in the future that will allow me to use my degree and be there for my son. My son is what is most important.