Gluten Free in NashVegas

M.I.A.

2009-06-22T07:21:00.002-05:00

Howdy! I know I have been Missing In Action lately and I apologize. To say that I have been busy is a gross understatement. I have had a co-worker go on leave which means instead of having 24 facilities/prisons to oversee I have double that!!! I've also had to travel for business which has deducted even more free time. I keep telling myself to be grateful for the job security. But sheesh, I am T.I.R.E.D. !!!

I have surgery coming up on Thursday and have frankly been too busy to think about it much if at all. I guess that could be a good thing. If I don't get back to leave a post prior to surgery please say a prayer for me and the surgeons.

I'll see ya on the flipside...

Photo Friday

2009-06-05T16:39:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to Laurie and Rex Flynn!

Married May 23, 2009 in San Angelo, Texas

The picture below is of Rex and Laurie and her picture perfect kiddos.

Braden, Zachary and Emily

Best Wishes for a joy-filled life together. You all deserve the 'happily ever after.'

What nickel allergy??

2009-06-04T13:33:00.003-05:00

Well, after going to the allergist, count them, 3 times this week, I can officially declare that I do NOT have a nickel allergy! Woo Hoo! It stinks I had to go through weeks of waiting to get to this point but such is life.

Now, I can have the least invasive surgeries (is there such a thing?) on June 25 and recover in a week to 10 days.

Onward and upward...

G-Free Becomes a Little More Mainstream

2009-06-03T12:39:00.001-05:00

For years, Elisabeth Hasselbeck couldn't figure out what was making her sick. She asked doctors and consulted nutritionists, but no one seemed to have any answers. It wasn't until spending time in the Australian Outback, living off the land on the grueling Survivor TV show, that, ironically, her symptoms vanished. Returning home, she pinpointed the food that made her sick -- gluten, the binding element in wheat. By simply eliminating it from her diet, she was able to enjoy a completely normal, healthy life. But that wasn't all. Hasselbeck discovered the myriad benefits that anyone can enjoy from a gluten-free diet: from weight loss and increased energy to even the alleviation of the conditions of autism.

In this all-inclusive book, Hasselbeck shares her hard-earned wisdom on living life without gluten and loving it. She gives you everything you need to know to start living a gluten-free life, from defining gluten - where to find it, how to read food labels - to targeting gluten-free products, creating G-Free shopping lists, sharing recipes, and managing G-Free living with family and friends.

Photo Friday

2009-05-29T09:04:00.004-05:00

John took Liam about 2 weeks ago to get his haircut. John has always managed to avoid this task but he had no choice that Saturday! When John returned with Liam all I could do was stare at my child's haircut. My first thought, and I know this makes me a terrible mother, is that Liam looked like Lloyd (Jim Carrey's character) from "Dumb and Dumber." Needless to say, John is banned from taking Liam to the salon in the future.

P.S. Keep in mind these pictures are 10 days AFTER the haircut. Poor baby!

Let the Weddings Begin!

2009-05-27T13:27:00.012-05:00

Last weekend was the start of the summer wedding season. The pics in this blog are of John's cousin, Jonathan's wedding. He and his girlfriend, Corrie were married in Poughkeepsie, NY this past weekend.

Jonathan is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in NY. (The same school that Cat Cora graduated from!) He is the executive chef of the Decoy Bar and Grill in Bend, Oregon. Corrie is an aesthetician in the area and is gorgeous as you can see. They are a precious couple and we wish them many blessings in their future together.

I promise I would've married John if only for his family. I love them--truly. They are the sweetest and most kind-hearted and generous folks around. They put the 'yankee' stereotypes to shame. However, trust me, they do have some of the yankee traits; they love to eat good food (esp. Italian and seafood), drink good wine, have 'loud discussions' and family always comes first. What do you expect from people of deep Irish and German roots?

This is John's 95 year old grandmother, Isabel. She is a pistol, adorable and STILL living on her own.

The picture below is of my father-in-law John, aka Jersey John and his sister, Eileen. Jersey John is a blessing. How many ladies can say they get a Mother's Day card in the mail every year from their father-in-law?? Eileen is an angel. She has become just as much an aunt to me as she is to my husband. She is wonderful!!

The last picture is of Grandma Isabel and my sister-in-law, Liz. She is terrific. I just wish Liz and my two nephews (James & Collin) didn't live so far away in BOSTON! Ugh.

Jonathan + 24 soccer games = TIRED

2009-05-26T16:33:00.004-05:00

My oldest son, Jonathan, was a starter on the Hillsboro HS soccer team this season. This was quite an achievement because he was a sophomore and sat out his freshman year. He ended up working his tail off for several months even before the first soccer game with conditioning and indoor soccer. Scrimmages and workouts begin again in less than a week. Wow. I'm very proud of his efforts and the entire team's. They are in a very tough district where two of the top ten teams in state play. I thought you would all enjoy seeing some pretty fantastic shots of Jonathan at work.

Photo Friday

2009-05-22T09:19:00.002-05:00

Isn't this the most quaint cottage you've ever seen? When I was in Cape Cod last August for vacation, we drove by this cottage at least once a day. I could not get enough of it. It was built in 1715. Cape Cod is where I wish I was spending this Memorial Day weekend.

Hope everyone has a safe and joyful 3 day weekend!

Chocolate + Cream Cheese = Fabulous!!!!

2009-05-20T08:42:00.006-05:00

I found this recipe off the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)website. I thought the cupcakes were amazing. However, they are very rich. I didn't add any icing because the cupcakes had filling already. You have to give this recipe a shot whether you are gluten free or not!

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcake Batter

4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened) in bar or chip form
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
¾ cup sugar
3 large eggs
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Cream Cheese Filling

8 ounces. cream cheese
1 unbeaten egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon of salt
¾ of a cup of chocolate chips

Prepare batter by chopping chocolate into small pieces. In a double boiler set over a saucepan of barely simmering water melt chocolate with butter, stirring, until smooth.

Remove top of double boiler or bowl from heat and whisk sugar into chocolate mixture. Add eggs and whisk well.

Sift ½ cup cocoa powder over chocolate mixture and whisk until just combined.

To prepare cream cheese filling, cream together cream cheese, egg, sugar and salt.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Put paper in muffin tins. Fill 1/3 full with flourless chocolate batter.

Top with cream cheese filling.

Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2009-05-19T09:29:00.006-05:00

I am SO TIRED of all the rain. Oh, and did I mention it is still fairly cool here in NashVegas?? It was 40 degrees when we woke up this morning. Liam has needed to take a jacket to school with him the past 2 days. I am from Texas and this cooler weather in mid-May should be welcome to me. It's not. Can we just get in the mid 70's or low 80's and just stay there????

The picture below is of our backyard. It looks like the Northwest with all the shades of green. You cannot even make out our creek behind the trees or the other part of our land for all the trees. Yes, it is pretty but I am ready for some warmth that lasts longer than 24 hours before the next cold front hits!

Nashville averages 48 inches of rain a year. As of May 15, we were already at 26 inches. Ugh...The price you pay for living in a "green" state.

Grilled Chicken Kebabs

2009-05-18T13:32:00.002-05:00

With the weather warming and days lengthening, it’s time to fire up the grill. Liam LOVES this recipe. He will eat more chicken then I will off of these kebabs. Choose any veggies you like. The original recipe calls for mushrooms but since no one in my household jumps for joy at the prospect of eating 'shrooms, I use zucchini instead. Make it your own...

Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Serves 6

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 small shallot, finely chopped
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon dried or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
2 medium zucchini, quartered
2 large red, yellow or green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
10 wooden or metal skewers. (To prevent scorching, soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before using on the grill.)

In a large glass bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, thyme, salt and pepper until blended.
Toss chicken cubes into marinade, cover and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, turning occasionally. I marinate them overnight.
Preheat the grill.
To assemble kabobs, thread a chicken cube onto skewer, followed by a vegetable. Alternate zucchini, onions and bell peppers with chicken pieces until each skewer is full.
Grill 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently. Serve hot.

Photo Friday

2009-05-15T08:04:00.002-05:00

It's better if you don't ask questions... :-)

Precious Pics

2009-05-14T10:46:00.003-05:00

Check out these beautiful family pictures of my dear friend Jennifer and her husband Jeremy and son Landon. She is expecting Keaton in late summer. I just love these pictures. Landon is adorable and has the greatest smile. (He got that from his momma.) And Jennifer looks amazing pregnant. Some women just look terrific while carrying a child and she is one of them!

I am hoping to see Jenn and her family in Houston this summer. Did I mention Jenn is a former student? AND she is pushing 30?!? OK, she will hate me for that last statement. I think it is more telling of my age! Her graduating class was the first class I ever taught. Anyway, I'm so proud of the momma she is and more importantly who she has become in the Lord. Love ya, Jenn!

A New Date!

2009-05-13T10:24:00.003-05:00

Well, it looks like my surgery has been officially rescheduled for June 25. It is not as soon as I would like but considering they had to block out 6 hours ( just in case) for surgery for two different doctors at a hospital where only one operates on regular basis, I guess it will do. I am still having two different procedures done but one is up in the air until we have the nickel test completed and the results back. If I don't have a nickel allergy I should be back at work in a week or so. If I do have a nickel allergy it will be 4-6 weeks out of the office. Yikes!!! NOT what we want because that means a much more invasive surgery. The next step in this saga is the nickel allergy test scheduled for June 1.

On a positive note between now and the surgery, I have a few things to look forward to: 1. Elvis Costello in concert 2. Fleetwood Mac in concert and 3. My good friend Elaine (from TX) is coming to visit for a week.

Celiac Vaccine?!?!?!!?!!?!!

2009-05-12T09:55:00.002-05:00

It looks like help is on the horizon for those with Celiac disease. I cannot even begin to tell you how wonderful it would be to eat normally again. It may take a few years, but it will be worth the wait!

===========================================================================

Celiac Vaccine Trial is Underway in Australia

This month in Melbourne, Australia, clinician scientist at the Walter And Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), Dr. Bob Anderson, will begin the Phase 1 clinical trial of an experimental vaccine for the treatment of celiac disease. If this scientific team is successful, it could mean that a strict gluten-free diet for celiacs is a thing of the past.

The early trial will test the drugs safety on 40 volunteers that have celiac disease. If the Phase 1 trial is successful this year, Phase 2 will determine the clinical effectiveness of this vaccine. A company, Nexpep, has been created to lead in the development of the vaccine.

"The vaccine itself is intended to gradually desensitize the coeliac sufferer, so that gluten is tolerated. Consequently, the villi in the small intestine should revive and absorb nutrients in the normal way. Ideally, that would mean the end of gluten-free diets for people with coeliac disease." says Anderson.

Click here to read more about this groundbreaking treatment and clinical trial led by Dr. Anderson.

Dr. Anderson joined the NFCA in 2008 as a member of its prestigious Scientific/Medical Advisory Board, and will be stateside to join NFCA as a distinguished guest and event honoree at the 2009 Washington DC Area Gluten-Free Cooking Spree on May 1st.

Dr. Bob Anderson is a recognized international leader in the immunology and clinical management of celiac disease. Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate and specialist physician qualifications in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

Published in 2000 (Nature Medicine 6, 337-342), his work at Oxford University revealed that the toxic components of gluten could be simply studied in patients with celiac disease using their blood shortly after they consumed gluten. After returning to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, where he is now a Laboratory Head in the Autoimmunity and Transplantation Division, Dr. Anderson established high throughput screening to map out the entire T-cell response to gluten in patients with celiac disease.

Dr. Anderson is the inventor of four patents that describe the toxic components of gluten and their therapeutic, diagnostic and functional food applications. Dr. Anderson is a founder of Nexpep Ltd (est. 2005).

Dr Anderson is a frequently invited speaker at local, national, and international clinical and scientific meetings. He has chaired and spoken on the science of celiac disease at the "Advances in celiac disease" session each year since 2005 at the annual scientific meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association. Dr Anderson has established "celiac clinics" at two of Melbourne’s leading teaching hospitals, where he continues to see patients as a consultant gastroenterologist.

Dr Anderson founded and is currently Chairman of the Board of the Coeliac Research Fund, a charity established to raise awareness, lead health professional education and support research in coeliac disease. In this capacity, Dr Anderson has initiated educational campaigns for family doctors and specialists in Australia and New Zealand. Dr Anderson is a consultant to several diagnostics companies in the United States, and is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Maryland.

Photo Friday

2009-05-08T10:45:00.002-05:00

Nickel Allergy?!?!?!?

2009-05-06T12:00:00.003-05:00

I'm trying really hard to remain upbeat about all that is going on with my health. I really, really am. However, at some point the level of exhaustion just takes its toll and it is all I can do to function on a daily basis. I've now had three doctors tell me I should be in a wheelchair and at home unable to complete the basic chores required of a mother and employee. Yeah...o...k....like that is an option.

I went in for my 2nd iv iron infusion yesterday and it did not go well. It is truly too long of a story and one that I will not bore you with. However, the short version is that I did not get any pain medication and it hurt. H.U.R.T. The whole process was a drag and yes, I know it could've been worse.

During the infusion I received a call from my doctor that my surgery scheduled for May 13 had to be postponed because they believe I have a nickel allergy. Why does this matter? Apparently, one of the surgeries uses a 'device' with nickel properties. If I have a nickel allergy (unknowingly) I could go into cardiac arrest. Lovely, eh? So, when I went to my pre-op this week they asked if I had a nickel allergy. Not that I am aware of I replied. Do you have any reactions to rings, bracelets etc.? Um, does my platinum wedding set count? Um, yes, it does.

For those of you around me a lot, you have seen how awful my ring finger can get if I wear my platinum set for more than 3 days in a roll. That is why I alternate between my gold and platinum wedding ring sets. I always thought of it as an inconvenience but it turns out it may be more than that!

Believe it or not, there are only 2 doctors in all of Nashville who conduct nickel allergy testing. So, I have an appt on June 1 to get tested. IF the result is positive we will have to develop a Plan B for surgery which will be much more invasive with a much longer recovery time. I am praying the result is negative and we can move forward with Plan A which is a much faster recovery.

It really upset me yesterday because I am really, really wanting this surgery so that I can move forward in feeling better. I cannot explain how poorly I feel and I often feel like a failure or a weak person for having no energy. I'm not a "fun" mom, wife or friend at the moment. I'm probably not a very fun co-worker right now either. I don't like to draw attention to myself so even putting into words all of these emotions is tough for me.

I know that my health could be a lot worse right now. I do realize that, honestly I do. I don't want to complain; I just want to feel normal again. The doctors told me this health issue has been hovering and impacting my life for probably 2-3 years now. I believe it.

I'll keep everyone posted as to the results of the nickel allergy and new surgery dates. Thanks for the continued emails, cards and phone calls of support.

Tuscan Chicken and Pasta

2009-05-05T09:56:00.001-05:00

It's time for another recipe. I have been craving comfort foods lately. It could be because of the stress in my life at the moment or it could be the fact that we have been getting an abnormal amount of rain here the past few weeks. I do not know how the people in Seattle cope!!! Thankfully, my family really does like gluten free pasta so it makes it easy to prepare one dish meals like the one below. I found this recipe from my good ole magazine, "Living Without." It is very versatile and you can play around with it to suit your tastes. Of course, if you do not have celiac disease you can use any pasta you wish!

Tuscan Chicken with Gluten-Free Pasta
Serves 4 to 5

This simple one-dish meal can be ready in less than 30 minutes. For extra veggies, add roughly chopped and sautéed greens (kale or spinach).

¼ cup olive oil
3-4 garlic cloves, sliced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
1/3 cup Madeira wine, sherry or dry white wine (I use whatever I have on hand-no preference.)
1 cup gluten-free marinara sauce (Paul Newman's marinara is outstanding!)
½ pound gluten-free penne pasta*
½ cup dairy-free Parmesan cheese, optional

In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta al dente following package directions.
Sauté ¼ cup olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes in a large skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes.

Cut chicken breasts into 1x2-inch pieces and sauté for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and place in a warming oven.

Add wine to the skillet and bring to a boil. Add marinara sauce and simmer for one minute. Add chicken, thoroughly drained pasta and cheese (if using) to skillet and stir to combine. Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

Home of the Blues

2009-05-01T10:50:00.003-05:00

I have been out of town since Sunday afternoon for business. I was originally supposed to visit one of my facilities (prisons) in the Southwest but the plan was changed at the last minute. Instead I went to my 'home away from home' in rural Mississippi. I have a facility there that I have been to 7 or 8 times which is A LOT considering how many facilities I have to work with on a regular basis. I met 4 government officials from Mexico in MS (can you say culture shock??) so that we could all work with the staff and inmates for a Mexican Education Program we have implemented.

As you can imagine, the staff from Mexico arrived just in time to be screened at the airport for the Swine Flu. Germ X is illegal (due to alcohol content) in the facilities so we washed our hands a TON. I think I washed my hands 13-14 times a day while in the facility. We worked for about 10 hours a day together in two classrooms. They were great but EVERYONE was a bit apprehensive about catching the swine flu. Personally, I am not into the hype the media is trying so hard to suck us all into. Just use common sense!!!

Anyway, these are some photos from the area I was in this past week. The area is home of the Blues and also Morgan Freeman! You all know I love history and though I would never want to live in MS, this area has a certain charm to it.

I love these boys...plain and simple.

2009-04-23T15:52:00.008-05:00

Apple Clafoutis

2009-04-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

It's spring in Nashville--finally. I love the fresh fruit that starts coming into season. One of the new dishes I have learned to bake is Clafoutis. In France, this amazing custard-like dessert is traditionally prepared during cherry season but it can be enjoyed any time of year using fresh apples or any seasonal fruit. Serve warm with a sprinkling of powdered sugar or topped with ice cream.

I have only tried it with Granny Smith apples but as soon as it is cherry season, I will be all over a cherry clafoutis. There are several gluten free clafoutis recipes out there but the one below is the easiest in my opinion. It comes from the magazine, "Living Without." Enjoy!

Apple Clafoutis
Serves 8

3 cups sliced apples, tossed with 2
tablespoons sugar
3 eggs
1½ cups milk
½ cup sugar
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¾ cup rice flour
¼ cup sweet rice flour
½ teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan and line it with sugar-tossed apple slices.
3. Beat remaining ingredients together until smooth, about one minute.
4. Pour ⅓ batter over apples and bake for 15 minutes, just until fruit is set.
5. Add remaining batter and bake another 45 minutes or until done.

More Iron AND surgery?!!?!!?

2009-04-21T15:35:00.006-05:00

Woo Hoo! I get to go in for Round 2 for iv iron infusion on May 5th. Cinco de Mayo!! (And my good friend Cathy's birthday!!) I am not as tense as I was going in for my 1st iv iron infusion. I know what to expect and I should be more relaxed. No worries! Dr. Patton is trying to get my iron level up as quickly as possible before I have surgery.

I am scheduled for surgery on May 13. I will have two different doctors performing two different procedures. One doctor will operate first and then bow out and then the second doctor will be up to bat so to speak. I am beyond grateful to both of them for working out their schedules so that I would only have one time under general anesthesia.

It looks like if there are no complications I will be under general anesthesia for about 4 hours and this does not excite me but I will be having two different procedures so I guess 4 hours of surgery is not a lot. I will be having the surgery done at Centennial which is a little out of my comfort zone since I am always at Baptist for medical issues including Liam's birth-but one of my doctors is contracted with Centennial and the 2nd has rights there as well, so there I will be!

Except for the fact that I will be under general anesthesia,the pain and recovery, I am really thrilled about the surgery. I see a light at the end of the tunnel now. If all goes according to plan, I will be feeling much, much better in about 8-12 weeks after the surgery. I can hardly remember what it is like to feel normal. I am looking forward to a return to normalcy and so is my family. Ha!

I'll keep you all posted.

Bittersweet

2009-04-20T11:43:00.003-05:00

Ok, so this probably won't be a very happy go lucky post. It will though be an honest posting that I imagine one or two of you out there will be able to relate to as well.

I found myself reflecting all last week on some pretty deep issues. I have searched my heart and thought processes and at times faced some sharp shortcomings within myself. I asked myself over and over, "Why do you continue to allow yourself to be disappointed by people?" People are not perfect and they never will be. Still, I am currently very disappointed with a couple of people in my life. The ironic thing is that this is not the first or even second time I have been deeply hurt by either of them. I persist in caring for and loving them. One of my better traits is loyalty but man, sometimes it just hurts.

I need to forgive these individuals and I know that is what I am called to do as a follower of Christ. I am working on it and have been for a long time. Every time I think I have moved forward in the forgiving process something happens that pulls me the opposite direction. What is truly ironic, is that these individuals probably have NO idea the hurt they have inflicted or may not care.

One of my favorite artists is Plumb. Wow, her songwriting and voice are incredible. She has a song titled, "Bittersweet" that I have loved for a long time. I identify with the song and find myself listening to it more and more and more. I hold onto these lyrics and the hope that I will find myself released from my disappointment so that a healing within me can take place.

Bittersweet

I've been carrying this old luggage
And It's been really bugging me
So when you called to see me
I couldn't believe it
Could it really be?

You need to feel forgiveness
I need to feel resentment
Running down the drain
This bruising chain I've carried
Is the pain that I am burying today

(Chorus)
Now I can breathe
And I feel grace rush over me
It pours through my skin
And lets you in
And we are free
Now I can breath
And I feel grace brush over me
It runs through my veins
And what I taste is bitter sweet

The clock is always ticking
Bitterness grows by the minute
Why can't we realize
The wounds that we're inflicting
On our flesh it isn't healing
By keeping love inside (Yeah)

(Chorus)

Now I can breathe
And I feel grace rush over me
It pours through my skin
And lets you in
And we are free
Now I can breath
And I feel grace brush over me
It runs through my veins
And what I taste is bitter sweet
Bitter sweet

I Need a Little Sympathy (STAND BACK!!)

2009-04-13T11:46:00.007-05:00

For those of you who do not like or know of Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks, the blog post will likely confuse the heck out of you!

I have been listening to so much Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac lately that I'm amazed I'm not running around in gypsy wear and platform boots.

(STAND BACK!)

I should probably say that I WOULD be running around in gypsy wear and platform boots but (1) I don't have any gypsy wear; (2) I don't have any platform boots; and (3) it's a good thing I don't have any platform boots because I would have broken many body parts in an attempt to wear them. Graceful, I am not! Particularly in heels that are taller than the length of my foot. How in the world Stevie bops around stage in those things I will never know.

(I NEED A LITTLE SYMPATHY--STAND BACK!)

OK, I will turn off Stevie Nicks and stop boring you with song lyrics and my musings that have nothing to do with this post.

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. What a fabulous time in the Christian calendar. I love Easter Sunday and everything that leads up to the special day. Ash Wednesday, Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Stations of the Cross etc. I just love the entire journey. We have watched "The Passion" on the Saturday evening before Easter for the past few years. I adore that movie though I sob every single time I watch it.

I spent Good Friday in the hospital getting an iron infusion treatment. I will spare all the details but suffice to say, I have iron in my system now. I will have to go for a minimum of two more treatments and then we will see where I am at to determine if I continue beyond 3 infusions. The process was lengthy and even a bit painful. They give you pain medicine in advance of the treatment as well as medication to make you drowsy. I was all about the medicine!

I was just about asleep when they had to move me and the other patients into the hallway due to the tornadoes that were hitting the Nashville area. It was a bizarre experience to be drugged and in the hall with other patients in hospital beds. I was trying to stay awake and hold a conversation with Chatty Patty next to me who must not have had a visitor for a very long time. She wanted to talk and talk and talk. I was in the hall for more than 90 minutes. But I can tell you all about this lady next to me and her life history and medical issues since she was 30. Whew!

The doctors have determined my low iron is a mixture of my celiac disease flaring up and female issues. Again, I will spare details mostly because there are men that read this blog. The short of it is that I will have two "female" surgeries that will hopefully get the vast majority of my problems under control. The celiac disease will be a little trickier to deal with but we'll cope.

I have been asked a lot if I feel better after the iron infusion. No, I don't. If you were to look at the bruises on my arms from the treatment you would think I had gotten beat up. I don't feel that poorly, but I do not have any more energy--yet.

I wish I could share a bunch of photos from Easter. Alas, Liam and Jonathan would not cooperate. I did take a quick photo of Liam with my mom at church, but it is not that great. Ugh. I will share a photo of Jonathan from his most recent soccer game. He is a starter (as a sophomore!!) for Hillsboro HS and he is the one in green and yellow.

I hope everyone is off to a great week!!!

Decisions

2009-04-09T15:23:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it stinks being an adult. What was I thinking when I was younger and could not wait until I was an "adult" and could do whatever I wanted? Hmmph!

I had a long conversation with one of my doctors last night and now I have some decisions to make. There about 3 options and none of the three are desirable to me but that does not change the fact that a decision has to be made.

Please pray that I will have wisdom even though my heart is breaking with any of the options.

I have to make a decision by Friday afternoon so that we can begin pre-op visits etc.

Alas, tomorrow is also Round 1 of my IV Iron Infusion therapy. Joy!

Thanks again for the kind words I have been receiving. The reflection of Christ's love in you is wonderful to witness.

Prayers for Friday

2009-04-07T10:19:00.004-05:00

Well folks, it looks like I am headed for my first round of IV Iron Infusion on Friday. My iron levels are dangerously low and immediate action is called for by the doctors. Tests are not yielding many answers. It looks like I will also have to undergo a biopsy on my small intestines soon. In the meantime, I need some help in the iron department.

I looked up the procedure on the web and came across many, many sources. Below is a simple explanation that those of us not in the medical field can understand. Please say a prayer for me Friday as I am little apprehensive.

Also, I posted a blog about what Celiac Disease is as well as a list of 20+ reasons to get tested. I would encourage EACH of you to read through the list. Especially if you are of Scottish or Irish ancestry.

Thanks!!

IV iron infusion

Q. What should I expect from an IV iron infusion? What side effects might there be during infusion and after infusion? How long is it before the iron is absorbed into my blood? How long before I feel better? Will I feel like working the next day? I have heard so many different stories about this procedure, and I need to know correct information.

A. Iron infusions are given for severe iron deficiency and increase blood iron levels immediately.

The most serious side effect from iron infusion is anaphylaxis, a severe immediate allergic reaction that can result in death. Other side effects that can occur during or following iron injection include extremely low blood pressure, flushing, headache, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, nausea, rashes, pain and inflammation at the injection site, fever and chills.

Generally iron given by infusion will take 4-5 hours and will result in improvement of iron deficiency anemia in 2-3 weeks. Depending on the severity of the anemia, it can take several months for body iron stores to return to normal.

If you don't have side effects from the injection, you should be fine to go to work the next day. Since iron injections can have serious side effects, they should only be given when necessary and by a physician in the hospital or office setting where anaphylaxis can be treated if it occurs.

What is Celiac Disease?

2009-04-06T15:42:00.007-05:00

So many of you have asked about my disease. The information below was taken from glutenfreeliving.com.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body mistakenly reacts to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, as if it were a poison.

It affects one in 133 people, although most have not been diagnosed. 97% of people who have Celiac Disease do not even know they are ill with the disease. Scary!!

When someone with celiac disease consumes gluten their immune system reacts by destroying the part of the small intestine that absorbs vital nutrients. This malabsorption can lead to serious illness.

Symptoms of celiac disease can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, weight loss or gain, constant fatigue or weakness, headaches, infertility, depression that does not respond to medication, abdominal pain, bone pain and anemia. For children, symptoms include failure to thrive, short stature, distended abdomen, dental enamel defects, and unusual behavior changes.

Celiac disease is tricky, however, and sometimes has no outward symptoms. Since it is a genetic disease, relatives of those who have been diagnosed have an increased risk.

Diagnosis is made through a series of blood tests, followed by a biopsy of the small bowel to see if the absorbing lining is damaged.

The only treatment for celiac disease is to follow the gluten-free diet. When gluten is taken out of the diet, the small intestine heals and a return to full health can be expected. Long-term complications of undiagnosed celiac disease include malnutrition, lymphoma, colon cancer, stomach cancer,osteoporosis, neurological complications and miscarriage.

There is also a skin form of celiac disease called dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) which appears as an itchy, blistering rash. It is diagnosed through a special skin biopsy and is also treated with the gluten-free diet.

This material is not intended to provide medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a physician.

20 REASONS

20+ REASONS TO GET TESTED FOR GLUTEN ISSUES*

1. A family member has been diagnosed with celiac/gluten intolerance or a disease(s) that are associated with celiac/gluten intolerance
2. Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, or alternating; IBS; abdominal pain; nausea; vomiting; stools that are smelly, large volume, and/or float; acid reflux (GERD); bloating; gas; belching/burping; etc.
3. Skin issues: rashes (including blisters as in dermatitis herpetiformis), eczema, psoriasis, vitiligo, “allergies” to products that touch skin
4. Diagnosis of other disease/conditions that can be related to gluten or “run in your family,” such as any form of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, thyroid issues, or adrenal issues
5. Anemia
6. For women, gynecological/obstetric issues, such as premenstrual disorders, difficult menstrual periods, endometriosis, infertility, difficult pregnancies, miscarriages, stillbirths, hormone issues, and early menopause
7. Neurological and psychological issues, such as depression, seizures/epilepsy, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, tingling/numbness (neuropathy), bipolar disorder, irritability/”moodiness,” schizophrenia, “brain fog,” trance-like episodes, anxiety/panic attacks, OCD, dementia/Alzheimer’s, ataxia, restless leg syndrome
8. Osteoporosis or osteopenia
9. Insomnia and/or other sleep issues
10. Frequent headaches (e.g., tension/sinus/migraine)
11.Other organ issues: such as appendicitis; gall bladder, kidney, liver problems
12. Other food allergies/issues, such as lactose intolerance
13. Weight issues (underweight and can’t gain weight easily or average/overweight and can’t lose weight easily)
14. Frequent infections/illnesses: sinus, strep throat/tonsillitis, bronchitis, ear infections, “virus”/”bug”/”flu”
15. Down syndrome
16. Cancer—particularly stomach, pancreatic, lymphoma
17. Frequent or constant fatigue
18. Canker sores/mouth ulcers
19. In children: failure to thrive, developmental delays (e.g., speech, puberty), short stature, distended belly, leg aches/pain (e.g., “growing pains”), irritability
20. Asthma
21. Hair issues (e.g., hair falling out/thinning, bald spots/alopecia)
22. Blood pressure issues (low or high)
23. Dental issues (e.g., discolored teeth/enamel defects)
24. Sjogren’s syndrome

*You may have one or more; however, you do not have to have multiple symptoms. Remember, 40% of those with celiac have no symptoms.

Compiled from various sources by Shirley Braden of the King George Celiac and Gluten Intolerance Group (KGCGIG)

Update on My Health

2009-04-01T14:42:00.001-05:00

This will be a quick update as most of you know I have government officials from Mexico in town for business today. I had two doctor appointments yesterday and more blood work done. The news is not positive. My iron level has dropped two more points. I don't have much further to drop. I have two doctors consulting on my situation and they are also going to call in another specialist as well. I have a test that will be conducted Friday morning that will HOPEFULLY target where and why I am bleeding internally. I pray that this test will yield results as I just continue to feel poorer each day.

As always, please keep me in your prayers. I do need them. Thanks!

P.S. Thank you to everyone who called, sent emails, or left comments based on my original "health post." Your support is touching and uplifting.

No Pain No Gain (whatever)

2009-03-30T16:12:00.001-05:00

My body is in shock and is revolting against me. Why? I have decided to get healthy and fit. No, seriously I have. I joined a gym and have had the opportunity to have a personal trainer work with me the past week or so. In the past 9 days I have worked out 6 days. Today was the hardest yet. My body seems to be mocking me and my attempt to get healthy. Hmmph! The cartoon below sort of sums up my feelings these days.

I keep waiting for that burst of energy and the endorphin high that accompanies working out. Yep, neither have shown up--yet. However, I am not giving up. I know if I keep at it and exercise 5 days a week consistently, I will feel and look better. I just have to hang in there...

Trader Joe's GF Granola

2009-03-26T16:45:00.001-05:00

Do you have a Trader Joe's anywhere close to where you live? I certainly hope you do! We are blessed to have both a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in Nashville. I absolutely LOVE both stores. I do not eat organic 100% of the time but I do eat gluten free 100% of the time and the typical grocery stores just don't have a lot to choose from when it comes to gluten free items. Thankfully, stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's are geared toward the healthy alternatives in foods and therefore have a pretty nice selection of gluten free items.

One of my favorite items I have purchased recently is Trader Joe's Gluten Free Granola. My favorite is the cranberry maple nut. Yummy! I keep a bag at my desk all the time and grab a handful two or three times a day. Can I tell you the taste reminds me of Cracker Jacks? Yes, I'm serious.

Here is a list of the ingredients: Rice Bran, Raisin Juice, Honey, Dried Cranberries, Sunflower Seeds, Flax Seeds, Almonds, Pecans, Maple and Vanilla. Now tell me that doesn't sound wonderful??? It is...

Again, even if you do not have to eat gluten free, try this granola as a snack, on yogurt or in milk. It really, really is good!

Not good...

2009-03-20T09:13:00.002-05:00

After I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease I went into a period of mourning. I know that sounds bizarre to some of you. However, I knew intimately what that diagnosis would mean for me immediately because my mother also has Celiac Disease. I watched her for years not be able to eat like everyone else. She rarely, rarely complained about her limited diet. I always felt extremely sorry for her and still do! I would feel bad and then grab a bite of chicken fettuccini and move on thankful I did not have celiac. Ha!

When you are diagnosed with Celiac Disease you are suddenly thrust into a world where eating "on the fly" and convenience is thrown out the window. Celiacs simply can't order 'take out' like everyone else. Pizza? Seriously?? Chinese Food? No, not really because traditional soy sauce has wheat. Sonic? No burgers, hot dogs, onion rings etc. They are loaded with gluten. Birthday cakes? Oatmeal Cookies? No way! Breakfast? Pancakes? Waffles? NOT a good way to start the day if you are a celiac. Chips?? Doritos? Nope, they have gluten. Vitamins? Believe it or not, they often have gluten. The list can go on and on...

Gluten hates me and it tries to kill me. Truly. It is not an exaggeration. When I was diagnosed a couple of years ago I was ANGRY. So very angry. I felt betrayed by my own body. I had always been so proud of my Irish and Scottish ancestry. Now, it was because of my intense line of Irish and Scottish blood that I was now sick. Don't worry, I no longer blame William Wallace or Rob Roy for my disease! ;- )

All the above was written because I think my Celiac Disease is attacking my body. I don't know for sure but I do know that I am more susceptible to many illnesses because of my disease.

I have not been feeling well at all this past year. Not at all. NO ONE knew the extent. Not my husband, family or close friends. I just kept charging on through my daily routine and would often end my evenings crying in the shower when I knew no one could hear or see me. Finally, after a rash of several people suddenly becoming ill at church and then proceeding to die rather quickly with cancer etc., I made the decision to see my doctor. What do you say to your doctor when you don't feel well and don't know what to pin point to help the doctor?

I simply said, "Something is not right. I can't tell you exactly what is going on but I don't feel good." Thankfully, I have an AMAZING doctor. Her name is Leah Patton and she works with the Nashville Medical Group at Baptist Hospital. She immediately sent me down for tests and we have been in constant communication since that day three weeks ago. We actually email. Can you believe it? My doctor gave me her email address and we communicate several times a week! It's like she actually cares! And I think she does...

I don't know what all is happening with my body. We have ongoing tests and I am scheduled to see a specialist in about a week. I don't want to share every detail but I will share with everyone that I have very low iron. Extremely low. Scary low. The lowest, absolute lowest iron level a woman should have is 12 and the average is 60-175. My iron level is at a 4. Dr. Patton said that was the lowest level she had ever seen in her practice. She said it was lower than cancer patients etc. In her "to the point" manner she said, "How are you getting out of bed every morning? You should not be able to walk let alone go to work and take care of your children." I just stared at her. I wanted to cry. I was getting some answers; my fatigue was not in my head. An iron level of 4, according to my research is life threatening and critical. Nice.

I am on a regimen to build up my iron. I go back March 31 and if my iron is not up, I will have to have IV Iron treatments. This will occur once a week (several hours at a time) for several weeks. I hope I don't have to go through that process because it is not pleasant but if I have to, I will.

I am not sharing any of this for sympathy. Those of you who know me well know that I am very private. I am sharing this personal information because I need your prayers. I need for my iron to come back up and I need to feel better. I do have other tests to be run in my very near future and those will hopefully yield results and then positive outcomes.

I do covet your prayers and I also know the Lord is in control. Thanks!

St. Patrick's Day is coming!!

2009-03-12T13:45:00.003-05:00

We are Irish through and through in our family. Of course you probably figured that out by Liam's name. Anyway, St. Patrick's Day is coming up and we tend to actually celebrate the day. I don't like corned beef, cabbage or Guinness but John does. I do, however, LOVE Irish soda bread. BUT, I am not a fan of raisins in cooked food so I never use them in the traditional soda bread recipe.

Since going gluten free giving up bread of any kind has been the most difficult challenge for me. I long for an Olive Garden breadstick or a basket of hot rolls from Logan's. : ( Granted, there are gluten free bread recipes and some are actually quite good. The recipe below is in my top 3 gluten free bread recipes. I don't make it very often but when I do, I always make 2-3 at a time.

Last night, thanks to the cold, rainy weather drifting back to middle Tennessee, I was in the mood for warm bread. I pulled this recipe out and made two loaves. Only half a loaf remains in our house. I should also admit that I make a brown sugar butter to go with the bread. Oh my goodness...so yummy.

Even if you are not gluten free, try the bread. The flour mix I used is full of protein rich flours. Since I find myself eating less and less meat, I need to find protein in other places and make the most of it.

Gluten-Free Old-Fashioned Irish Soda Bread
Makes One 8-Inch Round Loaf

This gluten-free version of traditional Irish soda bread has a crispy, crunchy crust and a soft, light texture inside. It may be the easiest bread you’ll ever make.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups high-protein, gluten-free flour blend (recipe below)
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup gluten-free oats
1 egg

1 cup buttermilk or milk of choice (rice, hemp, soy, almond)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly dust a cookie sheet with gluten-free flour.
Mix flour blend, baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum, salt and oats in a bowl.
Add egg and buttermilk and mix to form a soft, sticky dough.
Place dough on a lightly floured surface and knead three times.
Shape dough into a 6-inch flat round. Place it on prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle it with gluten-free flour and score a large X on the top.
Bake in preheated oven until top is golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes.

Gluten-Free High-Protein Flour Blend

1¼ cups bean flour, chickpea flour or soy flour
1 cup arrowroot starch, cornstarch or potato starch
1 cup tapioca starch/flour
1 cup white or brown rice flour

Blend ingredients together. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until used.

Nice...Real Nice

2009-03-10T16:01:00.001-05:00

And to think I was in this city for 5 days four weeks ago. Yikes...

Mexican drug gangs dump human heads in ice coolers
Tue Mar 10, 2009 3:04pm EDT

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Suspected drug gang hitmen dumped five severed human heads in ice coolers on a road in western Mexico on Tuesday with a message threatening rivals, a state attorney general's office said.

Police patrolling a highway on the edge of the Mexican colonial city of Guadalajara found the heads inside five coolers left on the roadside, the Jalisco state attorney general's office said.

"They were recently severed heads, cut off about four hours before they were found," a spokesman said, adding police found a message left by apparent drug hitmen threatening rival gangs. The victims' identities were not disclosed.

Torturing and beheading rivals is common in Mexico's increasingly vicious drug war, which killed more than 6,000 people last year and shows no sign of abating this year despite the deployment of 45,000 troops across the country.

President Felipe Calderon has centered his presidency on curtailing drug war violence and reforming corrupt police forces working in league with traffickers, but the bloodshed is frightening investors and tourists from northern Mexico.

Jalisco state is close to the Pacific state of Sinaloa, home to major traffickers including Mexico's most-wanted man, Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, and a key transit point for drugs smuggled through Mexico into the United States.

The discovery of the heads of five men between the ages of 30 and 50 follows the killing of seven people by drug hitmen in February in a restaurant in Jalisco, which had been relatively quiet in the drug war over the past year.

Drug violence has spiked dramatically since Calderon took office in December 2006 and launched his army crackdown, but the government says the surge in killings shows cartels are being weakened by the offensive.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)

We Won! We Won!

2009-03-09T14:56:00.007-05:00

Just a real quick update about this past weekend. Jonathan and I were able to attend the Davis Cup match between the USA and Switzerland. We had amazing seats as they were center court and the second row up from the floor. Sometimes it got a little "dizzying" watching the ball go back and forth, but it was FUN!

I am sorry the pics are so poor. They were taken with my blackberry. I had taken some amazing photos but I had another incident with my new camera and this time it was my fault. : ( Needless to say, digital cameras just aren't my friends at the moment. Ugh.

Jonathan and I stayed about a mile from the complex in downtown Birmingham. I had accumulated enough Hilton Honors points (through business travel) that we stayed for free at the Doubletree. Awesome. The downtown of Birmingham is actually quite lovely with a mix of historical and modern architecture.

The first pic is of Andy Roddick who won both of his singles matches. In Andy's matches he played nearly flawlessly. It is something else to see one of his 140 mph serves go blistering past up close like we were able to witness. Andy is from Austin, TX so we really like Andy a lot! He seemed to have a great personality and sense of humor. Being two rows up we were able to closely watch him interact with his teammates all weekend. He seems very personable and a bit cocky but then again he has a right to be!

The second photo is of the entire Davis Cup Team after clinching victory on Sunday and securing a quarter final match with a tough Croatia team this summer. Andy Roddick, James Blake, Captain PATRICK McEnroe and the Bryan Brothers complete the picture. The Bryan Brothers smoked the competition on Saturday and are the #1 ranked team in the world. They played like they are-WOW!

The last photo is of Marco Chiudenilli of Switzerland. He is currently in the midst of a comeback due to knee surgery. He did not win his match against Roddick or Blake but he is a professional tennis player for good reason. He had forehands that were breathtaking. Very impressive and he was pretty easy on the eyes! Ha!!

It was a fantastic experience and not one I'm sure I will ever be able to duplicate. The US team were professionals on and off the court who were very personable with each other and the fans. Sooo nice to see! Jonathan and I had a great weekend together. Really. I know if you have a 16 year old you may be questioning the validity of that statement; but it is true. Jonathan is getting ready to fly the coop in a couple of years so I am trying to treasure my one on one time with him all the more.

Yummy Polenta!!!

2009-03-02T11:57:00.002-06:00

One of my favorite foods since going gluten free is polenta. Have you tried it yet?? If you haven't you must sign off and run to the store and buy some-NOW!! It is yummy!!! And thankfully, blissfully gluten free. Polenta happens to be Italy's other comfort food. There are many ways to try polenta. It comes in a mix form as well as a tube that you can cut open and cook up instantly. I like both instant and the mix. However, when I have little time to cook my favorite brand is by Food Merchants and you can pick it up at grocery stores such as Kroger. My favorite place to buy any type of polenta is Trader Joe's.

I eat less and less meat these days. Typically I eat a meat of some sort at lunch and eat lighter at dinner. One of my favorite meals in the evening is "fried polenta" with marinara sauce. And no, I do not make my marinara from scratch. I love Paul Newman's!!

I melt butter and olive oil in a pan and get it nice and hot. In the meantime I cut out pieces from the tube and lightly dust them with gluten free all-purpose flour. Fry them up in medium heat and get them nice and crusty.
When they are drained on a paper towel sprinkle them with a bit of freshly grated Parmesan. Serve them with marinara sauce on the side or drizzle the sauce directly onto the polenta. I usually eat mine with a huge salad with Ken's Northern Italian salad dressing. FANTASTIC dinner.

Someday soon I will post a blog about the different ways to cook polenta. I'll make you all a fan!

Crock Pot Meatloaf

2009-02-24T15:11:00.004-06:00

As a working mom, I face the challenges of putting a good meal on the table every night that is not too time consuming. I really like using the crock pot and typically drag it out once a week. One of the best dinners I produce is the recipe below. I usually add a salad and mixed fruit as side dishes to the meatloaf and voila-dinner is served.

¼ cup ketchup
1½ teaspoons vinegar (I used balsamic vinegar)
¼ cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup fresh gluten-free bread crumbs
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, finely chopped (good way to get in veggies w/out too much hassle from the kids!!)
2 medium zucchini, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon crushed garlic (feel free to leave out if you are not a garlic fan!)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2½ pounds ground beef (or you can substitute dark ground turkey)
2 feet parchment paper, folded in half length-wise.

In a large bowl, combine ketchup, vinegar, parsley, eggs and bread crumbs. Let stand for 5 minutes. Add chopped onion, carrots, zucchini, seasonings and ground meat. Mix well with your hands. Mixture will be moist.

Line the bottom and sides of your crockpot with parchment paper. Shape the meatloaf and set onto the parchment. (Form the meatloaf so that it sits on the parchment paper only.) Have the parchment paper extend beyond the meatloaf for ease in removing the cooked meat. Fold excess paper over the top of the loaf before placing the lid on the crockpot.

Cover and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Remove meatloaf from pot using parchment paper.
Let meatloaf rest for 15 minutes before slicing. For thin slices to use in a meatloaf sandwich, refrigerate meatloaf overnight.

Wow...BIG news from D.C.

2009-02-24T10:59:00.004-06:00

Congress Votes to Outsource The Presidency, Washington, DC (AP)

Congress today announced that the office of President of the United States of America will be outsourced to India as of July 1, 2009. The move is being made in order to save the President's $500,000 yearly salary, and also a record $2 trillion in deficit pork expenditures and related overhead the office has incurred during the first month in office.

"We believe this is a wise financial move. The cost savings are huge,"
stated Congressman Thomas Reynolds (R-WA).

"We cannot remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Reynolds noted.

Mr. Obama was informed by e-mail this morning of his termination.
Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time.

Gurvinder Singh of Indus Teleservices (Mumbai ,India) will assume the office of President as of July 1, 2009. Mr. Singh was born in the United States while his Indian parents were vacationing at Niagara Falls, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of $320
(USD) a month but with no health coverage or other benefits.

It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff. Due to the time difference between the US and India, he will be working primarily at night, when few offices of the US Government will be open. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the Dell Computer call center," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview. "I am excited about this position.
I always hoped I would be President."

A Congressional spokesperson noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the office of President, this should not be a problem, as President Obama was not familiar with the issues either.

It is not yet clear if plans are being considered for outsourcing the Senate and the House of Representatives. This could seriously affect staffing efficiency at the Dell call center. Special interests and lobbyists here are expected to seriously push back on any such efforts.
It is thought that saving the hundreds of millions of dollars now spent annually on campaign financing could positively affect the U.S. economy.

Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses, he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issue at all. "We know these scripting tools work," stated the spokesperson. "President Obama has used them successfully for weeks."

Obama will receive health coverage, expenses, and salary until his final day of employment. Following a two-week waiting period, he will be eligible for $140 a week unemployment for 13 weeks.

He will not also be eligible for Medicaid, as his unemployment benefits will exceed the allowed limit. Mr. Obama has been provided the outplacement services of Manpower, Inc., to help him write a resume and prepare for his upcoming job transition.

According to Manpower, Mr. Obama may have difficulties in securing a new position due to limited practical or successful work experience. A greeter position at Wal-Mart was suggested due to Obama's extensive experience shaking hands, as well as his special smile.

If approved, most of the affected Congressional positions would probably revert to entry level Internet bloggers or on-call street activists. If nothing else, they may be offered jobs as reporters or TV commentators.

===================================================================================

OK, OK...I know it is just a joke. However, I do think it is hilarious!!!!!

Hola and Adios Mexico

2009-02-18T11:57:00.004-06:00

Sorry it has taken me a while to give an update on my trip to Guadalajara. I was exhausted when I returned and then came down with a nasty virus and cold that had me down for the count more or less for a week. It is safe to say I was very, very happy to return to the United States. In fact, when I was going through U.S. Customs and the agent gruffly said, "Welcome Home", I felt like hugging him and had tears form in my eyes! I have been to Europe several times as well as Canada, Haiti, and Morocco. NEVER have I been so glad to be back in the states like I was returning from Mexico.

Don't get me wrong. Mexico was not a terrible experience. I truly enjoyed several aspects of my trip. The people of Mexico were extremely kind and bent over backwards to accommodate any need I had during my stay. The food was incredible. I never had a problem staying on my gluten free diet. In fact, I found myself eating the most fabulous homemade blue corn tortillas every morning. This is going to sound like a cliché, but every meal came with an amazing homemade salsa. The first time we all set down to eat I reached for the salsa that looked the hottest in my opinion. Immediately I had these high level Mexican government officials literally trying to stop me by grabbing my arm and telling me it was 'muy caliente' and not to eat it. Hmmm. Those of you who know me well, know I ate it anyway and with pleasure. Yummy!

The historical aspects of Guadalajara were beautiful. I visited cathedrals dating to the 1400's and each had its own distinct architectural style. Gorgeous. The city is known as the "Silicon Valley" of Latin America and indeed the city was very modern in a lot of respects.

I was there to meet with some education officials regarding my job. It was a very successful visit in that regard. I left the meetings totally pleased and ready to move forward. I did not take Spanish in school so during several meetings I was provided an interpreter who would translate. She did an amazing job with a couple of hilarious exceptions. One time she translated a sentence in this fashion; "You can dream of pregnant birds." I am pretty sure something was lost in translation. Another time, the highest level official, (equivalent to our Sect. of Education) was giving a speech about what we needed to focus on in order to move forward in our relationship. He said the word "focus" no less than a dozen times. The funny thing is that the interpreter would say "F*$k Us" each time in translation. Here I was in a very important meeting giggling like a 10 year old each time she would translate "focus."

One night the Mexican government provided a very, very nice dinner complete with dancers and a mariachi band. They also provided samples of tequila. Hence the picture. I sipped a tiny drink in order to not be rude, but YUK! Check out the picture and yes, it really was considered a SAMPLE!

Unfortunately, my trip was not without incident. My nice digital camera was stolen along with memory cards. It happened as I stood outside the airport waiting for my cab. I was able to hang onto my purse and thus my money and passport, but they were successful at grabbing my camera bag. I cried and cried and cried. Not because they took the camera, but because they took my pictures. Liam's 4th birthday party was on the card and I had not yet uploaded the pictures. UGH

Also, during one meeting a government official commented on the fact I had blood dripping down my right ear. Now granted, my ear had been bothering me, but I figured it was due to the airplane ride. Come to find out, my ear drum had ruptured. Cool. Oh well.

Overall, the trip was fine. I just prefer the United States. Even during our rough economic period, we have it sooo good.

Triple Chocolate Brownies

2009-02-17T11:45:00.002-06:00

I know, I know. The recipes I have been posting lately are nothing but desserts! So sorry about that! I am actually going to try two new vegetable dishes this week and will take pictures and post them if they turn out well. (Broccoli and Kale!! Yummy!!) In the meantime, below is a very, very decadent recipe. It is a little time consuming to make, but such is the life of a gluten free cook!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies
Makes 16 Brownies

These gluten-free treats pack a triple dose of chocolate.

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
5 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 large eggs
1¼ cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup Multi-Blend Gluten-Free Flour Mix (recipe below)
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
¾ cup semisweet chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and grease the parchment.
Melt butter and chocolates in the top of a double boiler, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove from heat. Whisk in cocoa powder and let cool slightly.
In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt until thoroughly blended. Whisk in warm chocolate mixture. Then stir in multi-blend mix and xanthan gum until just combined.
Pour half the batter into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top.
Pour last half of batter over the chips, covering completely.
Bake 35 to 40 minutes in preheated oven or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few crumbs clinging to it.
Set pan on a wire rack until cool enough to handle. Run a knife between walls of the pan and baked brownie and invert onto a flat surface to release. Peel off parchment and place brownies on a rack to cool completely. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Multi-Blend Gluten-Free Flour Mix

The sweet rice flour and cornstarch in this mix allow for smoother gluten-free baked goods without a gritty-mouth feel.

1 cup brown rice flour
1¼ cups white rice flour
¼ cup potato starch
⅔ cup tapioca starch/flour
¾ cup sweet rice flour
⅓ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons xanthan or guar gum

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate flour mix in a tightly sealed container until used.

A Turning Point

2009-02-13T10:26:00.008-06:00

One of the greatest blessings in my adolescent years was to have Rick Brown as my youth minister in San Angelo, Texas. He was my mentor, minister, and friend from 7th-11th grade. He left me (well, technically the entire youth group) for a new ministry in CO. shortly before my senior year. No, I have never forgiven him for this wrong. Actually, I have, but it is fun to hang this 'abandonment' over his head every now and then.

Recently we have gotten back in touch and I feel immensely blessed because of our communication. I plan to see him and his wonderful wife, Karen, this summer. By the way, Karen is the sister of my oldest/dearest friend, Theresa. We actually set Rick and Karen up on a date and the rest is history! Did I get a kid named after me for this love match??? NOPE! (Of course, their children were boys so all is forgiven!)

I digress. Bunny Trails tend to be my friend! (Or enemy!!)

Rick is the Preaching Minister at a church in Tomball, Texas. www.christbridgefellowship.com. I highly recommend you visit the church website and listen to a sermon. I came across Rick's blog on the lessons he prepares and was hooked. Rick has a way with words (and life) that are both humorous and inspiring. Rick makes you want to be a better person and witness.

Below is one post from Rick's blog. Please read and then check out his other posts. It is well worth your time. One Life2Love

Turning Points Lead You to New Directions in Life

Alfred’s life had been a series of blow-ups. One explosive encounter after another. Until he found a definite turning point.

You see, Alfred’s father owned a torpedo works factory. To help the family business Alfred devoted himself to the study of explosives. His experiments were earth shattering. He invented dynamite when he mixed nitroglycerin with silica into a paste. He made a fortune as construction and mining companies and the military ordered large quantities of this new product.

You might think his discovery of dynamite was his turning point. But it wasn’t. His turning point came while reading a French newspaper. He came across, of all things, his own obituary. One of his brothers had died and a careless reporter had used a statement prepared not for his brother but for Alfred.

What he read disturbed him. “The merchant of death is dead.” This was not the way he wanted to be remembered. So he made a U-turn in his life.

Need to make any U-turns yourself? The biblical word for this is “repentance.” Literally it means “to change one’s mind” or “change direction.” It’s the first word Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). You can go your own way. Or you can turn and follow the way of Jesus.

Maybe you need to repent of the big picture things like thinking your way is right, you have all the truth, your life is yours to do with as you please. Then turn. Turn to Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life.

Maybe you need to repent of the daily things of life like:
• Insisting on being right in your marriage? Have you considered you may be wrong? Turn to Jesus.

• Always playing the victim? Then stop making excuses. Turn to Jesus.
• Being a negative person? Then become more positive. Turn to Jesus.
• Gossiping? Turn to Jesus. Then learn the art of silence.
• Causing destructive results around you? Turn to Jesus. Then begin to pursue peace.

Which is what Alfred did. He rewrote his will and left his vast fortune so that those who pursued peace could be rewarded. The first awards were given in 1901, just five years after Alfred . . . Alfred Nobel . . . died.

Jesus is your turning point in life. Repent. Go his way.

It could prove to be a dynamite decision.

Gone Too Soon

2009-02-11T08:55:00.010-06:00

A friend of mine connected personally to Laura Lee Meyers asked me to pray for her stating, “A miracle is needed.” I immediately started to pray for her only to find out a few hours later, Laura Lee was gone.

Laura Lee Meyers was a wife and mother of two young daughters, Gracie 8, and Gabbie, 4. She was also a high school teacher as well as a Sunday school teacher at the local Baptist church in Teague, Texas. I’m sure she would also want to be remembered as an Aggie since Laura Lee earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Texas A & M. She had been married to Brett for 14 years and was only 37 years old.

What happened? Well, what happened is frightening and a reminder of how precious life truly is. She went to the doctor on Friday and was diagnosed with the flu and ordered to get rest. My friend said that by early Sunday morning she was in severe pain and barely lucid when her husband took her to the ER. The doctors put Laura Lee into an induced coma and into ICU. Her organs started shutting down and she died Monday from a lethal bacterial infection. My friend said Laura Lee never knew how serious it was and never woke up to say goodbye to her husband or daughters.

Please pray for her husband and her two daughters. I cannot imagine what they must be going through. It is comforting to know Laura Lee was a Christian so she and her family possess the ultimate hope. Still, my heart is broken for this young mother. In a way it is a blessing she was placed in a coma and never knew her body was shutting down or had to watch her husband’s anguish as she struggled at the end. Laura Lee did not realize she would no longer be there for her daughters. In an instant, she was gone. Yes, they will be reunited one day, but the pain must be excruciating.

Again, I ask you to remember Laura Lee's family in your prayers.

It's That Time of Year Again

2009-02-10T08:42:00.002-06:00

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Funny, I have never been a huge fan of this day even when I was in the midst of "young, new love." Since having children I have made a point to always get them a little something that perhaps they have been wanting. (Usually a dvd or cd etc.) John and I usually go out to dinner and that is about it if we do anything. Especially if Valentine's Day fall during the week.

However this year Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday which kind of ruins the excuse of not doing anything because Valentine's falls on a work day. So, I have decided to cook for all of my boys. They all love my herb crusted pork tenderloin so I will make it for their dinner along with their favorite sides;garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds and brown sugar, creamed corn and homemade rolls. I am going to make them a new dessert as well and it happens to be gluten free. I found the recipe from the magazine, "Living Without." The recipe is below if you would like to try it this weekend as well.

Gluten-Free Warm Chocolate Cake
MAKES 6 SMALL CAKES

Serve it immediately after unmolding so that the soft chocolate center is still warm from the oven.

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 stick unsalted butter
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon coconut flour or nut flour of choice (*I am going to use almond flour.)
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Whipped topping of choice, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
2. Lightly grease 6 individual muffin tins, brioche tins or soufflé cups. (Fill unused muffin cups halfway with water.)
3. Melt the two chocolates and butter together in over low heat. Cool until just warm to touch.
4. In a separate bowl, thoroughly beat whole eggs, yolks and sugar together until pale yellow and thick. Add chocolate mixture and beat to incorporate. Quickly fold in flour.
5. Spoon batter into prepared tins or soufflé cups. (At this point, the cakes can be refrigerated for several hours. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before ready to bake.)
6. Place filled tins on a cookie sheet in preheated oven and bake for 6 to 7 minutes. Cakes should be slightly gooey in the center. Over-cooking will result in a brownie.
7. Invert cakes onto individual dessert plates. Let sit for a minute before unmolding. Unmold and serve with a dollop of whipped nondairy topping and fresh raspberries.

Let me know how it turns out if you make this dessert. Good luck!

2 Thumbs Up

2009-02-02T07:34:00.003-06:00

Ok, rarely, RARELY do I make it to the theater to see a movie. I barely have time to watch those I rent from NetFlix. However, there are two movies that I was bound and determined to see in the theaters. One is "Taken" starring Liam Neeson (my favorite actor) and the other is "Slumdog Millionaire" which has more buzz than any recent movie I can remember.

This weekend Jonathan and I went to see "Slumdog Millionaire". WOW. W O W. Amazing. A M A Z I N G. Terrific. T E R R I F I C. Get the idea?

It was so creative and so moving. It was heartbreaking and inspiring. I think everyone should see it. I really, really do.

Viva la Mexico!

2009-01-30T15:39:00.004-06:00

Next week I am traveling to Mexico for business. After a brief stop in Mexico City I will travel on to Guadalajara. I will be deep in the heart of Mexico for 4 days! I suppose I will now be able to practice all the Spanish I took in high school and college. Oh wait! I took French because that made sooo much sense to do in West TEXAS!! Ugh...

I have never been to the state of Jalisco so it will be an experience. I will absolutely HATE being away from my precious boys but business calls. I did a little research on Guadalajara since I had never visited. It looks like a fantastic city to travel to and visit. Lots of history, great shopping and good food!

So now, I will indulge in my former history teacher mode and "learn ya" a little about the place I am going.

Guadalajara is known as the Pearl of the West or the City of Roses. For many years, it was considered a stopover on the way to other places. Over the last few decades, however, it has become a popular tourist destination in its own right in western Mexico.Guadalajara is the second-largest city in Mexico (with 3.5 million people, it's a very distant second to Mexico City), but because it's the homeland of mariachi music, the jarabe tapatÃo (the Mexican hat dance), and tequila, many consider it the most Mexican of cities.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

2009-01-29T09:48:00.005-06:00

To be honest I am not a huge fan of lemons. I love lemons in my unsweet tea but that is about it! However, the boys in my life LOVE all things lemon. So, I decided to try out a gluten free recipe for lemon bars withtout any great expectations. I gave the recipe below a shot and much to my delight (or dismay-darn, the calories!!) I LOVED them.

Gluten-Free Lemon Bars
MAKES 16 TO 20 BARS

CRUST

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (results with a non-dairy alternative may not be as “buttery”)
2 cups gluten-free flour blend of choice (see my mix below)
½ cup powdered sugar

FILLING
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1½ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest from two small lemons or finely grated lemon peel
¼ cup gluten-free flour blend of choice (see my mix below)
1-2 teaspoons powdered sugar, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. To make the crust, melt butter in the microwave in a medium glass bowl. Add the flour blend and powdered sugar. Blend with a fork. Press mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven.
3. Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.
4. To make the filling, combine eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, zest and flour blend.
5. Pour this mixture over hot crust and bake at 325 degrees for 18 minutes. The lemon layer should not brown.
6. Remove bars from the oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cool completely.
7. To remove bars, hold on to the parchment paper and lift bars from the pan as one whole piece. Cut into individual bars with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts. Store bars in the refrigerator until eaten.
Note: For best results in this recipe, your gluten-free flour blend should contain xanthan gum. If it does not, add ½ teaspoon xanthan gum per cup of flour blend.

Gluten-Free Flour Blend
MAKES ABOUT 4¼ CUPS
This recipe can be doubled or tripled to make as much as you need.
1 cup brown rice flour
1¼ cup white rice flour
¼ cup potato starch
2/3 cup tapioca starch/flour
¾ cup sweet rice flour
1/3 cup cornstarch
3 teaspoons xanthan gum
Mix all ingredients together. Store unused flour mix in the refrigerator.

Thoughts on Obama and the Future

2009-01-28T14:13:00.003-06:00

Woo Hoo!! Another peaceful inauguration came and went in the United States. While Barack Obama scored big in the electoral vote over John McCain by about 2 to 1, the popular vote was 52% to 48%. That may be significant in election results but maybe not as a voter mandate. Both percentages are close enough to 50% to say that about half the country supported each candidate. Those who supported Barack Obama for President are understandably exuberant or euphoric. Those who opposed him are not so happy. Some of Obama’s opposition suggest we should hope he is successful as it would be in all our best interests. It may be insufficient to express that sentiment without knowing the definition of ’successful’ in this case. If he succeeds in accomplishing his own objectives that may not meet with approval even from the entire 52% who voted for him. Most Americans may hold a similar opinion as those in other countries on hopes for a new President. If his agenda is good for them personally they will approve, otherwise not. It is after all a somewhat selfish world.

The current situation in the Middle East may indicate how a new American President may influence world events before officially becoming President. In all the back and forth violence in the Middle East do you remember any time in the past when Arab countries were at odds with each other over how to proceed or what stance to take in view of the international press? In December 2008, ‘Anti-Israel protests erupted throughout the Middle East again on Monday, as Israeli forces continued air strikes against Hamas targets on the Gaza Strip. More than 300 people, including many civilians, have been killed in the assault, which Israel launched in response to a series of rocket attacks launched from Gaza.’ As this quote indicates Israel launched an offensive in response to attacks from Gaza. The United States and other Western nations have blamed Hamas for triggering the outbreak of violence. That was the beginning with expected protest from supporters of Hamas and the US and other Western nations holding Hamas responsible for the ‘outbreak’. ‘In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman, Thomas Steg, said the chancellor believes Hamas is exclusively and clearly responsible for the violence.

That is where typical ended. An Egyptian peace plan, crafted to put an end to the Gaza conflict, appears to be at the center of the diplomatic row between pro-Western Arab states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and more hardline states, including Syria, Sudan and Iran. It is no surprise that Syria, Sudan and Iran are listed here as hardline states. Similarly referring to Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan as pro-Western is not far off the mark although sometimes it is hard to tell why they are referred to this way. Two rival Arab gatherings have been taking place in Kuwait and Qatar, reflecting the deep divide among Arab leaders over how to react to the three-week-old conflict in Gaza. The bitter division is taking Arab leaders into uncharted territory. The unchartered territory is the part hinted at earlier suggesting this has never happened before or at least was not this noticeable. Could it be that the first crowning of a new king in the US is responsible for these events?

A look at other opinions expressed around the world may help. But it may require reading between the lines as is often the case in public affairs, politics or other endeavors featuring public statements. World financial markets operated with the US markets on holiday in honor of MLKjr. The other world markets posted modest gains and have a different take than the public at large over Obama’s election. Will a huge stimulus and more bailouts be forthcoming? Britain appears to be following lock step with handouts to banks and other businesses like their US counterparts. The markets appear to be hesitant in much the same way as foreign governments seem to be.

India’s impression and expectations for the new American President may differ widely from other countries simply because of their form of government in addition to selfish interests which for them include Pakistan and US sentiment toward them. The incoming Obama White House is going to be watched closely from the world’s largest democracy. India has enjoyed a warming relationship with the United States under the past two presidential administrations following decades when American policy in the region clearly tilted in favor of Pakistan - India’s primary rival. Other selfish motives are nuclear weapons treaties and test bans not to mention outsourcing of American jobs.

In contrast, Syria claims to be ready to cooperate with the US. On the one hand they say they want to work with the US on the Iran nukes problem and on the other hand they want to be friendly to Iran. Yeah, that’ll work. But who knows after Pelosi and friends assumed the role of President and went to Syria and other countries to show off. As mentioned earlier Arab countries seem to be having difficulty crafting a coherent strategy on foreign affairs.

North Korea may have figured the Bush efforts would not be successful with other world leaders providing ineffective leadership as well in the matter of nukes there. One expert says NK has weaponized plutonium and no one seems to be making much of it. With nothing concluded on this topic during the Bush years North Korea may be right in expecting more of the same with Obama.

While economic concerns top the agenda, people here will be watching closely to see how the incoming president deals with the Middle East, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and climate change. A hefty workload for America’s next leader, but a leader who will have a lot of supporters in Europe who will be wishing him every success. One never knows with the EU. That could go for the rest of the world when it comes to opinion on the US. While the US takes a lot of heat from many sources around the world it is interesting how they all await the next move as if their own existence depends on it. Maybe it does. Could it be that in the EU they may oppose the US at times for the same reason those in our own country do? (selfish reasons masquerading as genuine concern)

Beijing says it is ready to work with the Obama administration, but it is also waiting to see how China is treated. The Chinese government has already indicated it considers the Taiwan issue a priority. See, it is no different anywhere. Everyone appraises the US with the same standard…..what have you done for me lately?

Many ordinary Russians have been impressed by Mr. Obama. A journalism student in Moscow named Nastia told VOA that Mr. Obama strikes her as a great speaker. She says his inauguration holds promise for improved U.S.-Russian relations following what she says was a period of neglect under President George Bush. Same problems with the bear as with everyone else when it comes to analyzing the US and forming opinions. What have you done for me lately? There was a period of (Russian) neglect under President George Bush? It is not like Putin and company were cozying up to anyone at the time. One must remember it was not that long ago these two nations ran the planet. And it may have been in Putin’s interest to appear tough on America for his own political purposes at home.

Dear former President Bush:
Thanks for keeping us safe. (proof is we haven’t been attacked since 9/11) Like all Presidents some of your work was successful and some was not. Take a well deserved vacation and solace in the fact that as some say once you’ve been away for a while and things calm down, your ‘legacy’ will be more favorably reviewed down the road. There will be no review here and now. Well except for that shamnesty thing. D$%*!, what were you thinking?!?!?!

Christmons

2008-12-22T11:54:00.004-06:00

My Grandmother Cunningham has a beautiful singing voice. I would especially love to hear her sing "O Holy Night" at the Christmas Eve service every year. When I hear that song played during the holidays I always think of my sweet grandmother. She attends St. Luke Methodist Church in San Angelo, Texas. Every year St. Luke's has a beautiful candlelight Christmas Eve service. Besides my grandmother singing, my favorite part of attending Christmas Eve at St. Luke's is their beautiful Christmas tree decorated only in Christmons.

I have begged my grandmother for several years to please make me Christmons for my tree at home. She would always laugh and say it was impossible because of her arthritis and her old age. I quit asking for them the past couple of years realizing it wasn't meant to be.

A week or so ago a box arrived from Texas from my grandmother. Inside were tenderly created Christmons for my tree. Every single one was made from my grandmother. I just cried. Her Christmons are my favorite part of this year's Christmas. I could be given 2 carat earrings from John and my grandmother's lovingly made ornaments would still rank first.

Some of you might be wondering what Christmons are. Let me explain and thank you for letting me indulge in my History Teacher mode!

Chrismons are handmade Christmas tree ornaments with various symbols of Christianity. The name Chrismon comes from a combination of CHRISt and MONogram.

These monograms and other symbols, such as the sign of the fish, were in use early in the church as secret symbols of Christianity. However, they became popular in the fourth century AD when the Roman emperor Constantine, after his conversion to Christianity, adapted the Chi-Rho monogram as his military ensign.

The chrismons are often white and gold--white to represent Jesus' purity, gold to represent his sovereignty.

Examples:

Anchor Cross - Jesus Christ, our anchor. A symbol of hope "sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:19)

Circle - Represents eternal life with no discernable beginning nor ending.

Triangle - A figure constructed of three equal sides; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three equal parts of God's nature.

Crown - Jesus as Lord and King, his victory over sin and death, and his place of honor at the right hand of God the Father.

Chi Rho - The oldest monogram for Christ, they are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. Constantine the Great put this on the banners of his army. (Constantine was the first royal convert to Christianity)

Jerusalem Cross - also know as the five-fold cross and the crusaders cross. Originally used to represent the five wounds of Christ; later used by the crusaders.

Three Entwined Circles - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with no apparent beginning or end.

Butterfly - Our Lord's resurrection: Resurrection of those who die in Christ. (I Cor, 15:20-23)

There are others such a the Crown and Manger. They are all unqique symbols of Christ.

My grandmother has always been a blessing since I was born. Now she has given me handmade Christmons that will continue to symbolize our shared faith long after she is gone.

Ahhh...Christmas Cookies

2008-12-18T09:43:00.003-06:00

One of my favorite things to eat during the holidays growing up were the homemade Christmas cookies. NOT the sugar cookies from Pillsbury cut out to 'resemble' real Christmas cookies. I loved them! Yes, past tense. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I can no longer eat my beloved homemade Christmas cookies. Well, I can, but boy would I pay for it in spades!

Thankfully there are ways to still bake when you have Celiac by using various gluten free flours. The recipe I have for Christmas cookies comes from my favorite allergy free magazine, "Living Without". Just look at the cookies. They look 'normal' and they taste pretty darn good! Just ask Liam....

RECIPE
¼ cup butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons honey
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
¾ cup brown rice flour
½ cup white rice flour
3 tablespoons potato starch
2 tablespoons tapioca flour/starch
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons water or more

In a food processor, combine the butter, honey, sugar, vanilla and lemon peel and process for one minute.

Add the flours, potato starch, tapioca flour/starch, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder and baking soda, blending until mixture forms large clumps. Scrape down sides of the bowl with a spatula and blend until the mixture forms into a ball. (If needed, add more water, a tablespoon at a time.)

Remove dough and shape it into a ball. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. (I left my dough in overnight.)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with baking spray or line it with parchment paper or non-stick baking liners.

Using half the dough at a time, roll dough out to ¼-inch thickness between sheets of floured waxed paper or plastic wrap. Keep remaining dough chilled until ready to use. (VERY important to follow this step!)

Cut rolled dough into desired shapes and place cookies on prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.

Bake cookies in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Switch pan position half-way through baking for even heat distribution. Remove cookies from oven and wait two minutes before transferring to rack to cool.

When cool, decorate cookies with your favorite gluten-free icing and colored sprinkles.

Variation
For Spice Cookies, add ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves. Bake as directed.

Tennis Anyone?

2008-12-15T10:38:00.005-06:00

UPDATE: YIPPEE!!! Davis Cup is headed to Birmingham!

Most of you that know me are aware that I love tennis. I used to play it competitively in school. I love to go to professional tennis matches and even play with my boys. If you follow tennis or even are a sports fan in general, then you know about the Davis Cup. It is like the Ryder Cup in golf (more or less) or the World Cup in soccer. It is a competition between tennis teams representing their home countries. It is a VERY big deal.

There is a strong possibility the USA vs. Switzerland match in March of '09 will be played in Birmingham, AL. A mere 2 hour drive from Nashville. Woo Hoo!

My favorite radio program, "Rick and Bubba" is doing its best to bring it to Birmingham since Bubba is a huge tennis fan and they are based in Birmingham as well. If you go to this website: Bubba's Christmas Wish you will be able to show your support for the Davis Cup to be in AL. by supplying your email address. I would greatly appreciate your support. Even if you don't care for tennis or live far away from Birmingham, please sign up with the link provided. I would love to be able to take Jonathan and see Roger Federer and Andy Roddick play. GO USA!

Chickens, Pigs and Goats OH MY!

2008-12-10T12:37:00.005-06:00

It is that time of year again. It is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As Americans we have been blessed to live in a land of abundance and wealth. You may not feel wealthy especially in today's economy, but compared to the rest of the world, we are living the 'high life' in the USA. As Christians we also take for granted the ability to worship as we believe and without fear of persecution. Again, not every other citizen of the world is so lucky.

Believe it or not, there are still people in the world who have never heard of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission is still an urgent and real call. Not all of us can go on mission trips and perhaps that is not what we are all supposed to do. We all have different gifts but we are all called to spread the word and love of Jesus Christ.

Christmas 2008 is going to be a bit different for Jonathan and Liam. Certainly the recession has impacted our ability to give them gifts as abundantly as we have in the past. John and I decided that we will start new traditions for the boys and even though the economy prompted us to act-we still feel the boys will be blessed by the changes.

First-we wanted the boys to think outside of themselves and their comfortable upper middle class world in Nashville, TN. Sure, we have the Nashville Rescue Mission and shelters that we all give our time and money to. But what about outside of the USA? John heard about an organization on the radio program , "Focus on the Family." The organization is called Gospel for Asia. They work with missionaries and the low-caste or Dalit (“Untouchable”) families. http://www.gfa.org/

On their website there is a page called "Gifts from the Stable". You are given the option to purchase livestock (goats, water buffalo, chickens, lambs etc.) for a Dalit family. For example, you can purchase a lamb: Lambs are an eternal symbol of God's love for us in the gift of His Son. What better way to share the message of this redemptive love with a poor family than through a lamb that can grow to provide wool for income and milk to drink? A pair of sheep can produce lambs that can be sold at market, and they are also a source of meat. You can share these living symbols of God's love for $65 each or $130 for a pair.

You can donate the livestock in the name of a loved one. Jonathan had 2 pigs purchased in his name that will be given to a needy family. Liam picked out a pair of Chickens and a goat that will be given to a Dalit family in his name. The kids were excited about this and it made them think beyond themselves-which for a teenager and toddler is often difficult to do!

The second big change this year is based on an idea that my sister, Melanie shared with me. The boys will only receive three presents from us this year. THAT in itself will be a shock to their ole systems Christmas morning. However, one of my memories from Christmas 2007 is Liam crying because he was TIRED of opening presents and didn't want to open anymore. Liam literally had about 7 or 8 presents left to open when he had a meltdown from exhaustion. John and I looked at each other and thought, "My gosh. This is not good. We have gone overboard. Never again."

The three gifts will be Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Not literally of course. The Gold gift will represent a gift that they really, really wanted for Christmas. The Frankincense gift will be something that they need. Finally, the Myrrh gift will be something that will benefit them spiritually. Don't feel too badly for them-they will still receive gifts from other family members!

We felt that by focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, limiting their gifts, giving gifts with a purpose and also giving to others in need, the boys will appreciate Christmas even more.

OK, I will wrap up this long blog by asking a question. Has the economy forced you to change up Christmas this year? OR what traditions does your family have that put the focus of the season where it should be-Jesus Christ? Please email or leave comments...

Nothing But The Facts

2008-12-09T12:01:00.004-06:00

Some of these numbers are pretty shocking regarding Celiac Disease.

Celiac Disease by the Numbers

1 out of every 133 Americans (about 3 million people) has CD.

97% of Americans estimated to have CD are not diagnosed.

CD has over 300 known symptoms although some people experience none.

Age of diagnosis is key: If you are diagnosed between age 2-4, your chance of getting an additional autoimmune disorder is 10.5%. Over the age of 20, that rockets up to 34%.

30% of the US population is estimated to have the genes necessary for CD.

2.5 babies are born every minute in the USA with the genetic makeup to have CD.

There are 15 states in the US with populations less than the total number of Celiacs in the US.

CD affects more people in the US than Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined.

People with CD dine out 80% less than they used to before diagnosis and believe less than 10% of eating establishments have a 'very good' or 'good' understanding of GF diets.

It takes an average of 11 years for patients to be properly diagnosed with CD even though a simple blood test exists.

The US Department of Agriculture projects that the GF industries revenues will reach $1.7 Billion by 2010.

GF foods are, on average, 242% more expensive then their non-GF counterparts.

The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act became law in 2006 allowing for easier reading of food labels for those with CD. What took so long?

12% of people in the US who have Down Syndrome also have CD.

6% of people in the US who have Type 1 Diabetes also have CD.

Among people who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with Celiac, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.

There are currently 0 drugs available to treat CD.

Hummus=Comfort Food

2008-12-02T16:41:00.003-06:00

One of the first dishes my husband ever cooked for me when we were dating was hummus. I had heard of the dish before but due to the way it sounded-I wanted no part of it. However, when you are in the early stages of dating and on your best behavior, you eat whatever your boyfriend/girlfriend makes for you and you eat it with a smile on your face! So, with a smile plastered on my face and my hand in a fist (literally) I took a bite.

Hmmm...this isn't so bad I thought. Another bite. Hmmm...this is actually pretty good. Another bite...my hands were no longer clenched and the smile was genuine. I was hooked on hummus from that moment on. John likes to eat hummus with pita bread and since I am now gluten free I eat mine with either gluten free crackers or simply with a spoon.

The recipe I included is from the magazine "Living Without" which caters to us with food allergies. There are different ways to prepare hummus but the key ingredients remain the same; garbanzo beans and olive oil. Give it a shot-you will probably fall in love with it as I have!

RECIPE

16 ounce can of garbanzo beans, undrained (Or cook your own!)
1 garlic clove, minced
3 TBs olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried dill weed or 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill weed (I actually use rosemary because I prefer the taste over dill weed.)
2 TBs fresh parsley
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (Leave it out if you are not into spicy.)

1. Place all ingredients in food processor
2. Puree until smooth.
3. Scrape down sides of bowl often.
4. If mixture is too thick, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

My List

2008-11-26T15:59:00.005-06:00

I have had a very, very rough few days. I was blind-sided by a turn of events both personal and work related and I have been in a serious, disbelieving funk because of the situation. Normally, I am laid back and keep on rolling when bad things happen. Not this time. Not this time...I contacted a sweet, fellow believer LATE last night and I believe her words of support and her prayer have helped pull me through enough to realize I am stronger than this situation (with God's help) and that I needed to let it go for now and enjoy my days off of work and time with my family.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have always LOVED Thanksgiving. I love the food of course, but I also love the relaxed atmosphere. I love eating comfort food with family surrounding me and then moving to the living room to watch the Dallas Cowboys! Of course making it through the entire game without falling asleep can be extremely challenging!

I wanted to create a list to demonstrate what I was thankful for this year that included both serious and whimsical things. My list is by no means exhaustive or complete. However, these are a few things in which I am grateful for this year.

1. My boys...they both drive me crazy at times since they are 3 and 15, but I sure do love 'em!
2. Indoor Plumbing (Yes, I'm serious. Think about it!)
3. When "In Your Eyes" comes up on my Ipod.
4. My job!!
5. My vacation to Cape Cod!
6. Philosophy Body Products (Try Amazing Grace or Smores!)
7. The extremely comfortable bed and bedding when I stay at Hampton Inn for business.
8. Landon receiving a new eye just in time for Thanksgiving. (It looks gorgeous!!!)
9. My loyal and truly caring friends. (K.R.S.-a surprise blessing in 2008! Elaine-THX for the visit!!!!)
10. Cathy staying in my life despite leaving my company. I've never met anyone like her!
11. The burn that happens in your throat from chugging a BOTTLED Coke on a hot day!
12. Catching up with former students on Facebook. LOVE IT!
13. Every time I type a message on my blackberry which has all the words, correct spelling, and reasonable grammar.
14. My house--it is in a great part of Nashville and it feels like home.
15. "Life on Mars" Jason O'Mara anyone???
16. Being a Native Texan!
17. A successful season for Texas Tech football.
18. Reconnecting with my former youth minister, Rick Brown. ( I didn't know how much I truly missed him.)
19. Moments when I have the clarity of thought to acknowledge that I can’t control what happens - only how I react.
20. Jill-my saving grace at work. What a trooper she has been with those blueprints, contracts, graphs, excel...etc.
21. John loving to make music again...the passion is back. Yeah!
22. My family...what would I do without them? (Don't ever want to find out!)
23. Everyday I have the opportunity to learn something new.
24. FAB (oh my gosh, how I love to catch their shows in Nashville!!)
25. The freedom to practice my faith as I see fit.
26. The movie "Cars" and "Scooby Doo"-toddler crack, let me tell ya!
27. OJ Simpson finally receiving justice.
28. That I am a female born in the United States of America.
29. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (It's just a flesh wound I tell you!)
30. Liam becoming potty trained this year. Whew...
31. The Cotter side of the family...for a bunch of Yankees...you all ROCK!
32. French Onion Soup at Bistro 215 and the 'people watching' that you get for free!
33. Gracepointe Church and the teachings of Stan Mitchell...wow
34. The entire frozen foods section at Trader Joe's.
35. Sarah Palin. She made SNL funny again.
36. Bridget-is there a better human being? Her parenting skills and devout faith are beyond admirable.
37. The "Rick and Bubba Show" every morning on WLAC.
38. That Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt Eloped! I am SO kidding!!! Are they real people???
39. The men and women in the military who give us the ability to go to bed at night and not worry. (Thanks, Keith!)
40. Gluten Free Bloggers...nice to know I am not alone on this journey.
41. That on Thanksgiving I am not a turkey.

Food for My Irish Hubby

2008-11-20T15:09:00.007-06:00

My husband is an Irish Catholic boy from Brooklyn. I am a protestant girl from Texas. I am Scottish and Irish but did not grow up eating the traditional foods of my ancestry. What is ironic is that it IS my ancestry that contributed the most to me having my disease--celiac. Anyway, John loves Irish food and was raised eating it on a very regular basis. I am learning to cook the Irish foods he enjoys such as soda bread, corned beef, and Irish Stew. The Irish put a great emphasis on potatoes and butter-yummy! One of the dishes John especially likes is colcannon.

I have never been a fan of cabbage. Basically all colcannon is, is mashed potatoes with cabbage and lots of butter, lots of milk, lots of salt and pepper. Easy. And, if you have leftovers, you can make what's called bubble and squeak in England, apparently. Just fry the mixture until brown on one side, then flip, and eat. My husband would probably add a fried egg on top for himself.

Directions to make Colcannon:

If you're making corned beef by boiling the meat(which John prefers over the baked way), then add 1 head of cabbage, roughly chopped, and a few potatoes, roughly 4, peeled and cut into about 6 pieces in the last twenty minutes of cooking. Remove the meat when it's done, separate out the potatoes and mash them with a lot of butter (I used about a half a stick) and about a half cup of milk or half and half, and a good big pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in the cabbage, but first chop it up finer if you want. I wanted to because I wanted to pretend I wasn't eating cabbage. It should be good and fluffy.

If you're not making corned beef, boil a pot of salted water and add your potatoes and cabbage. I threw in half a rough chopped onion too. Cover and boil until everything is tender, about 15 minutes. Follow instructions above.

My Knight in Shining Armor

2008-11-11T10:27:00.009-06:00

A little beyond Halloween, but who is counting?? My little man was so pumped about dressing up for Halloween. Liam initially wanted to be either (1) A Skunk or (2) a car that plays music! Considering I do NOT sew the skunk outfit was not a possibility. Liam decided the night before Halloween he wanted to be a car that plays music. We might have been able to semi pull off that outfit if we had been given more than a day's notice from His Majesty! Therefore I was able to talk Liam into visiting a store just to "browse" the costumes. He was doubtful that he would find an outfit and was not very enthused about this whole process. (Remember this child is 3!!!!!) After going through what seemed like 50 outfits and wading through the other 100 parents and kids who also waited till the last minute, Liam found his perfect costume.

Liam became a Knight in Shining Armor! He was thrilled with his choice!!!! Liam came home and immediately transformed into King Arthur and got busy "knighting" all the animals. On Halloween we went to the church "Trunk or Treat" and he had a ball. The cars were to decorate as a theme so it was really entertaining to me as well to see all of the effort the folks made to provide the kiddos a safe and fun alternative to knocking on doors!

Yes, for those of you who are wondering, Jonathan also dressed up for Halloween. He went as a Monk and the outfit rocked! However, Jonathan is NOT into pictures these days (in case you haven't noticed by the lack of pics of my 15 year old) and refused to let me snap photos of he and his friends before they went to terrorize Green Hills!!

The Facebook Experiment

2008-11-01T09:06:00.005-05:00

I am terrible at maintaining anything on the Internet. I stink at it. Case in point-my last blog attempt had only a dozen or so entries and it was 11 months between posts. I started a MySpace with the help of my sister but it lasted maybe a week. I am on the computer sooo much for work that when I come home I shy away from the Mac. However, last weekend I was convinced to join Facebook. I was persuaded by the fact that it is more private then MySpace and more fun. Hmm...I'd have to think about that. Reluctantly,I put together a profile and uploaded some pics. I decided to look up a couple of former students and the rest is history as the saying goes.

Facebook has been a lot of fun. I am a bit overwhelmed at the moment due to the sheer number of former students I have added as friends. I intend to make contact with each one. It has been terrific to see where former students are in their lives. Some of my former students are now 30!!! Can you believe it??? Others are married with children and some are still trying to find their way in this world.

It has been a true blessing to catch up with former students. When I was teaching I would become so emotionally invested in some of their lives. Especially the Class of 2000 from Santa Fe High School. I taught some of those students 3 of their 4 years in high school. I saw them enter as 9th graders and cried with happiness for them when they graduated. When that Class of 2000 walked away from Santa Fe High School, I did as well. Going back to SFHS in the fall without them was not an option. I remain especially close to one-Jenn- who is my surrogate 3rd sibling my sister and I always wanted!

I no longer teach, but I am still an educator and I still care about my former students. I am glad they are letting me catch up with them and pleased that so many want to catch up with me! I have a blackberry and that enables me to write on their walls or send a quick message. Thankfully, because of the blackberry I don't have to be in front of the Mac every night to keep up with Facebook. Without the blackberry, I would imagine my Facebook experiment would not be working out so well. : )

My former students are grown up or growing up-just as it should be!

Autumn=Casseroles

2008-10-27T16:23:00.009-05:00

Autumn in Nashville, TN. The temperature is cooling off and the leaves are turning brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange. Visual eye candy for those of us who love fall. When I think of autumn I start to think about warm comfort food. Considering I am from Texas, this specifically means a spicy bowl of chili and buttery cornbread. Of course, this also means chicken and dumplings, beef stew, and various casseroles. Autumn makes me want to get into the kitchen and create a bowl of warmth.

As I have gotten older and had a family of my own, I have tried to venture out and prepare dishes that add a health benefit. My favorite vegetable (and there are not many I admit!) is the zucchini. I love zucchini in ANY form or fashion. Thankfully, so does the rest of the family. Well, maybe not my 3 year old. One of my favorite dishes to make is a recipe from an old "Cooking Light" magazine. I have adapted it to fit my family's taste buds a bit, but it is listed below.

Ingredients
8 cups sliced zucchini (about 2 1/2 pounds)

1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

2 cups cooked rice

1 cup fat-free sour cream

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded asaigo and romano cheese

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs (Gluten Free)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Drain; partially mash with a potato masher. Combine zucchini mixture, rice, sour cream,cheese mix, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and eggs in a bowl; stir gently. Spoon zucchini mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Preheat broiler.

Broil 1 minute or until lightly browned.

Let me tell you-it is DELICIOUS! The casserole alone is enough for a hearty meal. But not for my husband who thinks there should be some sort of meat with every meal. So if you need to take care of the carnivores in your family (or yourself) the casserole is great paired with pork chops or baked chicken.

Enjoy.

Blogging Take Two

2008-10-24T16:35:00.007-05:00

I'm baaaack! It has been a very long time since I last posted a blog and even then it was under a different name! I have decided that because so many of my family and friends are literally spread out over the world, it was time to communicate in a way that reached more people. Also, since my last blog almost a year ago, I have become addicted to reading blogs. Not blogs at random, but specifically those that address the disease I have-Celiac. I will dedicate a post soon to clear up exactly what is Celiac Disease. Suffice to stay-gluten is my enemy. Gluten is in many items you eat every day. Be thankful if you do not become violently ill after eating one slice of pizza, a piece of toast, a bite of cake, or even after drizzling soy sauce on your fried rice. Those of us with celiac DO get sick from those items and many more. We have to live our lives gluten free. But I digress-more on celiac and gluten soon!

My point, before I went off on a bunny trail (Rhonda H.!!!) was that blogs have become a fun and informational hobby of mine in the past few months since I decided to embrace the gluten free lifestyle. Of course, some friends and family also maintain blogs in which I really, really enjoy.

The purpose of this blog will be to share events in my personal life that deal with both gluten free living as well as regular ordinary events that might be of interest to family and friends. I will post pictures and gluten free recipes as well pictures of my family and life here in NashVegas.

Considering how busy I actually am-don't expect daily blogs. However, feel free to leave comments or suggestions.

It's good to be back!