I have started a new fundraising page for Lucas, who was diagnosed last June (2009) with PLGA - Pediatric Low-grade astrocytoma. His particular tumor is location on his brainstem and they believe it falls under the class of fibrillary astrocytoma. There is NO cure... The only option is surgery, chemo and radiation to make the tumor subside, and then all over again when it comes back... NOT if....
PLGA foundation donates 100% of the proceeds raised to PLGA research!!!!!! Here is Lucas' site...
http://firstgiving.org/lucasdirks
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Church...
I was raised to follow my heart and choose what I feel is right vs. my parents choosing what religion I will be... I was raised my a Muslim, I have been to catholic masses, Lutheran, baptist, Unitarian, evangelical and even went to catholic high school, one that excepted/taught all religions....
For the last year or so, I have sporadically attended a church in Oak Park and even attended some of the seminars...But last weekend, I realized it also just wasn't me. Yesterday, I attended a new church that I found about from a friend, and came to realize that I know MANY people attending.
I have been seeking some sort of religion for some time, just felt the need and I am not quite sure why, a need I cant really put into words, but I know its what I need and something that I want for my children.
Yesterday, there was NO discomfort, no "weirdness" for lack of better terminology which I had been experiencing at the other. It was....FANTASTIC! It is a contemporary service but still with ALOT of teaching. A VERY young minister who is also FANTASTIC!!!!
Yesterdays teaching could not have been more perfect to be my first either! It was about recapturing joy. One example for instance really hit home! HE was reading a story about a father and his young daughter that routinely before bed would do a dance and sing a song and flail around the living room. One night the dad asked his daughter to "hurry up" and she asked the profound question of WHY? He didn't have an answer, and at that moment he realized that he was taking joy away from her. That he should be happy that his daughter is happy!!!! My daughter NEVER stops singing...she NEVER stops dancing around, or talking for that matter. I always find myself irritated with it, and asking her to stop. Now I have been forced to look back as what I was taking away from her!
There were 3 steps to recapturing joy
1.STOP FORGETTING -
2.STOP COMPARING
3.STOP WAITING!!!!!!
It was truly amazing. Since I didn't have the kids with me yesterday, I had the entire rest of the day to reflect on what had been said to me that morning. I spent the rest of the day re-reading the teachings that the pastor had shared with us, and then began to follow the guidelines at the beginning of the bible to read it! (the right way) :) In three hours I reached where you are supposed to be on day 15, but I couldn't stop.
It feels pretty nice.... I have to admit for someone that has never really been "religious" just lived it in my daily life to put context to it all!
For the last year or so, I have sporadically attended a church in Oak Park and even attended some of the seminars...But last weekend, I realized it also just wasn't me. Yesterday, I attended a new church that I found about from a friend, and came to realize that I know MANY people attending.
I have been seeking some sort of religion for some time, just felt the need and I am not quite sure why, a need I cant really put into words, but I know its what I need and something that I want for my children.
Yesterday, there was NO discomfort, no "weirdness" for lack of better terminology which I had been experiencing at the other. It was....FANTASTIC! It is a contemporary service but still with ALOT of teaching. A VERY young minister who is also FANTASTIC!!!!
Yesterdays teaching could not have been more perfect to be my first either! It was about recapturing joy. One example for instance really hit home! HE was reading a story about a father and his young daughter that routinely before bed would do a dance and sing a song and flail around the living room. One night the dad asked his daughter to "hurry up" and she asked the profound question of WHY? He didn't have an answer, and at that moment he realized that he was taking joy away from her. That he should be happy that his daughter is happy!!!! My daughter NEVER stops singing...she NEVER stops dancing around, or talking for that matter. I always find myself irritated with it, and asking her to stop. Now I have been forced to look back as what I was taking away from her!
There were 3 steps to recapturing joy
1.STOP FORGETTING -
2.STOP COMPARING
3.STOP WAITING!!!!!!
It was truly amazing. Since I didn't have the kids with me yesterday, I had the entire rest of the day to reflect on what had been said to me that morning. I spent the rest of the day re-reading the teachings that the pastor had shared with us, and then began to follow the guidelines at the beginning of the bible to read it! (the right way) :) In three hours I reached where you are supposed to be on day 15, but I couldn't stop.
It feels pretty nice.... I have to admit for someone that has never really been "religious" just lived it in my daily life to put context to it all!
On Saving Money with dinner - From Leanne Ely
Here is the paraphrased copy of an email I received from Leanne Ely today on how to save money on weekly dinners... very useful I must admit!
1. Eat vegetarian one night a week. Kids Love Rice and Beans!
2. Eat breakfast one night a week for dinner. Light candles and serve juice in wine glasses for fun
3.Eats greens and beans one night a week
4.Eat homemade soup one night a week
5.Cook with your crock pot one night a week which allows you to use a more inexpensive cut of meat
6.Only buy meat/produce on sale and/or marked down
7. Eat from your freezer one night a week. You would be surprised how many meals you can make.
8.Buy dried beans and make your own instead of buying canned. The directions are right on the bag
9.Make your own broth from left overs. Chicken for instance, throw the body, onion carrots and celery into a pot and simmer for an hour
10.Pack up a quick dinner PB&Js with carrots stick etc for nights that you wont be home for dinner because you are out running around instead of wasting money on a drive-thru
This is all Leanne, I take no credit just thought they were great ideas. If you want to subscribe to her food for thought emails sign up on big tent. Leanne Ely Saving Dinner - Dinner Diva
www.savingdinner.com
1. Eat vegetarian one night a week. Kids Love Rice and Beans!
2. Eat breakfast one night a week for dinner. Light candles and serve juice in wine glasses for fun
3.Eats greens and beans one night a week
4.Eat homemade soup one night a week
5.Cook with your crock pot one night a week which allows you to use a more inexpensive cut of meat
6.Only buy meat/produce on sale and/or marked down
7. Eat from your freezer one night a week. You would be surprised how many meals you can make.
8.Buy dried beans and make your own instead of buying canned. The directions are right on the bag
9.Make your own broth from left overs. Chicken for instance, throw the body, onion carrots and celery into a pot and simmer for an hour
10.Pack up a quick dinner PB&Js with carrots stick etc for nights that you wont be home for dinner because you are out running around instead of wasting money on a drive-thru
This is all Leanne, I take no credit just thought they were great ideas. If you want to subscribe to her food for thought emails sign up on big tent. Leanne Ely Saving Dinner - Dinner Diva
www.savingdinner.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Dog Treats - "Garlic Nibbles"
I originally was searching the internet for dog cookies I could make with the kids, and after looking over some of the recipes, I realized that I could make them a whole lot easier...and with ingredients already in the house... FANTASTIC. Thats what i was looking for.... not something I would have to go shopping for the ingredients. I will do that for my family, but it seemed a little silly to do with the dog....
So here it is... this is what I came up with and Jordan loved them...
PS- They smell super fantastic while cooking and dont include any ingredients that would be gross for humans so feel free to taste a bite... :)
Ingredients:
3 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 egg beaten
1/2 of chicken broth
1/2 of dry milk (or soy milk if you have that instead)
6 Tbl. Margarine
1 tsp of honey
1/2 c oats
3-4 tbl parmesean
and a little bit of parsley for their breathe....
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine butter, milk and garlic
Cut in flour and honey
mix in egg
Add in chicken broth (should be very thick dough, hard enough to form a ball, it will also be very sticky)
Roll Dough into 1/2 in thick layer and cut cookies (yields approx 90 1inch cookies)
Bake at 350 for approx. 25-30 mins.
So here it is... this is what I came up with and Jordan loved them...
PS- They smell super fantastic while cooking and dont include any ingredients that would be gross for humans so feel free to taste a bite... :)
Ingredients:
3 Cups of Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 tsp of garlic powder
1 egg beaten
1/2 of chicken broth
1/2 of dry milk (or soy milk if you have that instead)
6 Tbl. Margarine
1 tsp of honey
1/2 c oats
3-4 tbl parmesean
and a little bit of parsley for their breathe....
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine butter, milk and garlic
Cut in flour and honey
mix in egg
Add in chicken broth (should be very thick dough, hard enough to form a ball, it will also be very sticky)
Roll Dough into 1/2 in thick layer and cut cookies (yields approx 90 1inch cookies)
Bake at 350 for approx. 25-30 mins.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Addition to Broccoli Soup recipe
I made this tonight with dinner....
I added sliced mushroom at the same time as the broccoli etc... also used about a cup of the frozen spinach.
It was fantastic and everyone had seconds!!!!!! :)
I added sliced mushroom at the same time as the broccoli etc... also used about a cup of the frozen spinach.
It was fantastic and everyone had seconds!!!!!! :)
Garlic Lime Chicken
Another super easy one....
Garlic Lime Chicken (and alternatives to the base)
Mix these seasonings together on a plate to use as a coating for chicken breasts...
garlic powder
onion powder
paprika
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
thyme
Coat both sides of chicken and cook well. Nice and brown on both sides and remove to plate.
alot of the seasoning and chicken juice will be left in teh bottom of the pan do not discard.
add 1/2 chicken broth
2tbl of lime juice
2tbl of butter to pan and drippings and whisk.
Simmer and serve over the top of the chicken
Serve with rice and fresh veggies
Alternate: (tex-mex version)
Cook chicken the same
Cook sauce the same
place avocado and cilatro on top of chicken and then sauce
serve with quesdilla and black beans
Alternate: (Italian Version)
Cook chicken and sauce the same
place cappers and italian parsley before sauce on top of chicken
serve with rice and veggies
Garlic Lime Chicken (and alternatives to the base)
Mix these seasonings together on a plate to use as a coating for chicken breasts...
garlic powder
onion powder
paprika
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
thyme
Coat both sides of chicken and cook well. Nice and brown on both sides and remove to plate.
alot of the seasoning and chicken juice will be left in teh bottom of the pan do not discard.
add 1/2 chicken broth
2tbl of lime juice
2tbl of butter to pan and drippings and whisk.
Simmer and serve over the top of the chicken
Serve with rice and fresh veggies
Alternate: (tex-mex version)
Cook chicken the same
Cook sauce the same
place avocado and cilatro on top of chicken and then sauce
serve with quesdilla and black beans
Alternate: (Italian Version)
Cook chicken and sauce the same
place cappers and italian parsley before sauce on top of chicken
serve with rice and veggies
Broccoli Soup Receipe
SUPER EASY!!!
One onion, chopped and sauteed with olive oil
Then add to pan:
Frozen organic broccoli
Frozen spinach
Garlic
A small amount of thyme
Salt and pepper
and a quart of chicken broth
Simmer on stove for 10-15 minutes and serve
This can also be done in a crock pot with fresh veggies if you would like. Super healthy Super easy!!!!
One onion, chopped and sauteed with olive oil
Then add to pan:
Frozen organic broccoli
Frozen spinach
Garlic
A small amount of thyme
Salt and pepper
and a quart of chicken broth
Simmer on stove for 10-15 minutes and serve
This can also be done in a crock pot with fresh veggies if you would like. Super healthy Super easy!!!!
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