Sunday, October 9, 2011

Low Carb Pizza Crust!


I am so excited. I had pizza again! For over a year I've been scraping the tops off and suddenly I could eat it. Even better, it was SO EASY to make. It passed my kids' test and my 15 yr old son who is so picky.. he took the toppings off and ate the crust! This is a keeper. Trevor and I are excited to have legal low carb pizza back in our life! It is filling as well.
Here's the recipe from Lowcarbfriends.com :
Mix 2 cups of mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese
3 eggs
Combine all together. I used parchment paper, otherwise use non stick spray on your pan. spread it thinly across your pan. I used a cookie sheet, it wasn't enough to cover it all but by the time it cooked up, it almost all reached the edges.
Cook at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Watch for it to be melty gooey and a little crisp on the edges. Let cool. I put mine in the fridge for 5 minutes and then it peeled right off the parchment paper and I carried it around, so proud that it worked! Then I put it back on the parchment paper (mistake), added my sauce and toppings and put in broiler for about 5 minutes. (I pre-cooked my toppings).Note: Parchment paper says not to exceed 425 degrees for a reason.. Luckily mine didn't catch on fire but it was "toasted". Take out and cool for a second. I cut mine into 2" squares and served. Everyone, kids included, loved it! A definite keeper and it was so fast and easy!

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Broccoli cheese soup


2 tablespoons butter
3 Tbsp thicknthin/not starch
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
**2 1/2 cups water
3 cans chicken broth -- about 4 cups (I use one box of Swanson Organic Chicken Broth)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 ounces frozen chopped broccoli -- thawed and drained
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped -- finely chopped
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese -- sharp or extra sharp
2 tablespoons chopped chives -- or green onion tops

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add
flour; cook and stir 30 seconds or until bubbly. Add cream,
water, broth, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper; bring to a
simmer over high heat, stirring frequently. Add broccoli
and red pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer
uncovered 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add cheese; stir over low heat just until cheese melts
(do not boil). Top with chives if desired.

**For a thicker soup, cut back the water by one cup -
From Your lighter side.
Omit olives, bell pepper, chives

Taco Soup

Doing this one from memory:
Scrambled hamburger
Ranch seasoning
Taco seasoning
2 cans of beans
2 cans of red beans
2 cans or corn or frozen
1 can of rotel-not spicy!
maybe a can of tomatoes.
Simmer and stir
Kids love it, even Jordan loves it.

Crockpot cream cheese chicken

--1 can cream-of-something soup
--1/2 cup chicken broth
--frozen chicken pieces
--packet of Italian salad dressing mix
--2 cloves minced garlic
--block of cream cheese (to add later)


Sounds good, will try. Serve with wh. wheat noodles

Chicken cacciatore

Slow Cooker Recipe
1 1/2 c. marinara sauce (lo-sugar)
1/2 c. thinly sliced onions
1/4 c tomato paste
1/4 c red or white wine (alcohol cooks out)
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary and sea salt
8 small chicken thighs (skin removed)
8 oz mushrooms cut in half or quartered

Mix marinara sauce, sliced onions, tomato past, wine, rosemary & salt in 4 qt. or larger slow cooker.

Add chicken and mushrooms, toss to mix and coat

Cover and cook 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 to 8 hours on low til chicken and onions are tender.

Remove to a serving platter.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

To Help in Joplin, Missouri

American Red Cross: Greater Ozarks Chapter
If you are not a Red Cross Volunteer but wish to help call 2-1-1 in Missouri to be connected to organizations needing volunteers

Instead of waiting for your family and friends to text you back (poor cell reception) check http://www.redcross.org/safeandwell. #joplin


Official updates coming from Responders on Facebook:
Page from those in/around Joplin
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joplin-Tornado-Info/

Joplin Tornado hit 5/22/2011

Joplin ...it's beyond words  on Twitpic



http://twitpic.com/51be03- Joplin High school after tornado

Joplin High School.  Too close from comfort. on Twitpic


Joplin Hospital
St. John's Hospital in Joplin. Photo by Jaime Green/The ... on Twitpic

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Low carb broccoli salad

I'm going to give this a try- found it at http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/01/my-favorite-broccoli-salad-a-low-carb-recipe.html


ORGANIC BROCCOLI SALAD (I use mostly organic ingredients)
  • 3 bunches fresh broccoli, chopped (UPDATE:  I’ve recently learned that broccoli should be cooked before eating, otherwise it will block absorption of certain nutrients.  SO from now on I will lightly steam it before tossing it in this salad.  I’m going to try to leave a bit of a crunch, hope I can pull it off…)
  • 2/3 c. raisins (I substitute with dried cherries or dried cranberries)
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped small
  • 10 slices of bacon (crisp-fried, crumbled) – from your local farmer if possible
Mix these ingredients together for the dressing and stir into salad ingredients:
  • 2 T. raw apple cider vinegar
  • 1 c. mayo
  • 1/4 c. sugar (Original recipe said 1/2 c.!  I use palm sugar)
  • Optional:  1 T. fermented soy sauce
I also add crispy almonds on top – they add a very nice crunch!  Chill well before serving, if you can wait for it.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Local news station video of ESOAL

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13194089

Emotionally Stretching Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Honor Academy, Acquire The Fire Questions??

Until very recently I hadn't heard of the Honor Academy. My sister is graduating this year and has decided this is where she wants to go. She, like I, had never heard of ESOAL. I've watched the videos and I find them very disturbing. I'm doing more research on this so she can see the facts.
She's called up there and they tell her the videos are made up, and that you can read anything on the internet.
True-but if you dig deeper you start to see a pattern. In this day and age you can connect in real time.

What I have learned is that the college is not accredited. She has to be insured to attend. She'll need money for "every day expenses" and while she's working as an intern she won't get paid. She's going to pay $10,000+ for ???  This is what I'm trying to figure out.

Vacation is the Bomb, We wish our mothers could come

True stories from those that have been there

http://www.recoveringalumni.com/search/label/True%20Stories

Is the Honor Academy Accredited?

From their website-no.
http://www.honoracademy.com/index.cfm/pageID/2281/

Frequently Asked Questions


Is the Honor Academy accredited?

No. Teen Mania is a ministry and cannot be accredited. Sterling offers credits for courses taken at the Honor Academy. Your transcripts will show that you took classes through Sterling.



How can I get my credits transferred from Sterling to another college?

See STEPS TO APPLY FOR STERLING COLLEGE ADMISSION

HA How To



How much does it cost to transfer my credit from the Honor Academy to Sterling?

There is no charge for Honor Academy interns to transfer to Sterling College.



How much does it cost to transfer credit from another college to Sterling?

It costs nothing unless the college you are transferring from charges a transfer fee.



Will I need to send Sterling my high school transcript?

Yes.



Will I need to send Sterling a copy of my ACT/SAT scores?

Yes.



What can I do if I have not taken the ACT/SAT?

You will need to take either test as soon as possible.



What is the minimum score that I will need on the ACT/SAT?

SAT - 1290, ACT - 18



Can I use scholarships from my high school to pay for the transfer of credits from Sterling to another college?

That is determined by the awarder of the scholarship.



Does this partnership affect scholarship opportunities?

This is determined by the awarder of the scholarship.



Will FASFA cover the cost of transferring my credits?

No. You cannot use FASFA for credits already taken.



Does Sterling offer online classes?

Sterling does offer online degree completion programs in education, business and ministries. Check with an Academic Advisor at Sterling for more details, or go to their website at www.sterling.edu.



If I apply for credit through Sterling College, does that mean I'll be designated a "college student" during my time at Teen Mania?

No. Your academic credit will not be "official" until you complete your time at Teen Mania.



Will applying for the Sterling credit allow me to show that I am a college student for insurance purposes?

No. You are not an official college student while you are at Teen Mania. Upon graduation from the Honor Academy, your academic credit can be used at Sterling or another college.



Can I show that I am "in college" to help my sibling get additional financial aid at the college he's attending? Will applying for Sterling credit allow this?

No. You are not "in college" while you are at Teen Mania. Upon graduation from the Honor Academy, you may obtain your academic credit to be used at Sterling or another college.



Once I am at the Honor Academy, may I choose which classes I would like to be transcripted for me after I graduate from the Honor Academy?

Yes. As you exercise the college credit option, you may choose which classes the Honor Academy will transcript for you. You will need to do this by the deadline that is communicated to you upon arrival at the Honor Academy.



After I finish my time at Teen Mania and my transcript is sent to Sterling, may I pick and choose which courses I want to transfer?

No. All of the courses reflected on your Honor Academy transcript will be transcripted from the Honor Academy and sent to Sterling.



Will all of my credits transfer to the college I want to attend?

Yes. Sterling is a fully-accredited college, so other colleges and universities will accept academic credit from Sterling. If a particular course you have on your Sterling transcript does not count for a requirement for your major/minor, it should still count as an "elective" course to go towards your total credits required to graduate.



Should I take advantage of this Teen Mania/Sterling partnership?

Absolutely. If you feel that college is in your future or if you eventually want a college degree-from Sterling or any other college or university-this is a great opportunity. By getting academic credit for your Teen Mania experience you will not "lose time" in obtaining your college degree.

Teen Mania training scripts-eye opener

http://teenmaniawatch.blogspot.com/2011/03/teen-mania-publishes-training-documents.html

Yelp reviews for the Honor Academy

Taken from: http://www.yelp.com/filtered_reviews/nVr4UaUnyFJ5TUsts4y2lw?fsid=1Z6eNcvnphzQhIIW-rliaA

1friend

6reviews

Abigail S.



Phoenix, AZ

Updated - 3/17/2011 I noticed that many of the 5 star review are from people who list Lindale TX as the home town. I think the cult members are trying to make it look like all that happens there is Sunshine and Daisey's, which couldn't be farther from the truth.



For a bit of an eye opener look here (http://www.recoveringa...) IF you are thinking about attending the HA do your homework - I wish I had.



1 Previous Review: Show all »

1/19/2011

Can I give less then 1 star? Like -2. Spending time at the HA was by far the worst choice I've ever… Read more »





0friends

1review

Jay R.



Placerville, CA

3/16/2011 The HA is awesome! The worship is awesome. Speakers amazing. Opportunities countless. And overall excellent. It is also a very challenging year, which I think is why there are some fragile individuals that give it bad reviews. But I was an intern for two years and made lifelong friends and had God work in my life in character defining ways! I don't know of a better program for a kid right out of high school.





0friends

1review

Christina R.



Tucson, AZ

1/25/2011 The Honor Academy, referred to as "The Bubble", by past and current interns provides a very skewed world view to those in attendance. It is not just a place where self-discipline is taught, it is a place where outside opinions are censored and immediately warranted as sin.



Unhealthy long work hours and very little sleep is deemed to be good discipline. "You'll sleep when you're dead" is a phrase often repeated in the HA to motivate. Labor laws don't apply to interns as they have paid roughly $10,000 to volunteer.

In addition to strenuous work hours, there are a series of other time consuming requirements such as corporate workouts, classes (not credited mind you), and peer "team building" activities wherein you're assigned a "family" of fellow interns. These core groups are above and beyond the five men/women you already share a small room with. Didn't see a picture of that in the brochure did you?

You will be required to find a church and also be active in outside ministry. Other than the occasional trip to wal-mart, this is the only time most interns get off campus. Doesn't exactly sound like navigating the world as an adult for the first time after leaving home.



Any genuine concern you express to someone who could actually do anything about your job, health, or peers is a rebellious spirit. They'll give you chores to correct that if you won't accept that as a possibility.

Interns are highly encouraged however to keep each other in line by confronting others non stop about the sin in their lives. Everyone is so afraid to step out of line it keeps the dissention to a minimum.



Sleep deprived, fear motivated, young adults aren't likely to speak up about what is happening until the fog of manipulation clears, sometimes years later.





0friends

5reviews

C D.



Houston, TX

1/24/2011 I gave a year of my life to Teen Mania in exchange for what I thought would be a great spiritual experience. I worked 60+ hrs per week, shared a room with 5 girls, shared a bathroom with 36-40 other girls, and was told I could not leave work until I had everything finished. (I am currently an executive assistant, and one week's worth of work at TM is about three weeks's worth in my current job, and I am VERY busy during the day.) Add to this a constant message from leadership that we are never enough, God doesn't approve of us unless we look like X, and the complete lack of Love and Grace extended or taught by leadership. It is a recipe for a cult, and at the very least, great spiritual harm.



What was supposed to be a year of growth really turned into a year of pay-to-work slave labor with excessive restrictions, zero privacy, near-constant illness due to the living conditions, and spiritual/emotional abuse. Sadly, I know that I am not the exception but the norm. Save yourself the heartache and the therapy bills. If you are looking for a deeper connection with God, join YWAM. If you are looking to build discipline and character, join the armed forces. But whatever you do, RUN AWAY from the Honor Academy.





1friend

9reviews

Shannon K.



Huntsville, AL

1/21/2011 The year I spent at the Honor Academy led to more heartache, trouble, depression, anxiety than I had already experienced.



I would NOT recommend this internship to anyone.





0friends

1review

Tom B.



Lakeland, FL

1/19/2011 If you're looking to be free labor, working absurdly long hours for this organization than five stars!



If your expectation is, as mine was, To grow in the Lord and be discipled to, to be part of a ministry that would become a lifelong fellowship, well...1 star is as low as I can rate the Honor Academy here.



To any current interns. There is no such thing as "the line." Once they've gotten all the work out of you they can, you become obsolete. Ask yourself why so few alumni come to alumni weekend considering the thousands who have given a year or more of their eager youth to Teen Mania. Just think about it.





0friends

18reviews

Lisa F.



Bloomington, IN

1/19/2011 As both an intern in 00-01 and a mentor to past interns over the past ten years I would very much not suggest this place to anyone wanting to really grow in the lord (or have your teen grow in the lord).

A few points of interest:



Malnourished interns- While they do feed you they don't feed you a balanced diet and even worse if you can't get to the cafeteria because of work or other issues during the assigned times there are no other options for you to get food outside of leaving campus and spending money.



Money- You are spending roughly $10,000 to be there for a year with little to no college credit. If you leave early there are no refunds and further you will likely be required to pay for the rest of your time at the internship If you leave of your own accord instead of being sent home by them.



Suspect eyes- When I say that someone is watching you 24/7 it's because they are. Even the other interns have been taught that anything you do should be something for confrontation. If you are female and do not have interest in looking girly they tend to tell you that you are out of the will of God.



If you have specific skill sets they are not likely to use them. I had many friends who knew how to cook or were lifeguards already and had years of experience in these fields They knew how to do their jobs and do them well and expected to go into the HA to learn while serving. Once there they put them in the telemarketing area of the ministry and then gave them strict scripts to adhere to. If they wanted to be honest with those they were talking with they couldn't be for fear of being forced to do extra working out.



In the last several years from my friend's experiences and from the kids I have mentored this place has gotten so much worse. Interns have been told to wash their clothes in the sink but then get in trouble for doing so. If someone has an illness at the HA they are ignored unless the signs make them too sick to physically get out of bed and even then they are going to be told by the leadership that they are too lazy.



If you want to grow (or your teen to grow) please please do NOT go here. Take the 10K and use it toward a good blble college or a good University with a good college ministry near by for your kids to plug into.





0friends

1review

Josh K.



Pasadena, MD

1/19/2011 I attended the HA from 2000 to 2001. I was dismissed/left the program in June of 2001.



Since leaving, they have shared personal information, without consent, to other churches, and while I was there, believed whatever it was that they wanted when situations were presented to them as well as worked upwards of 80+ hours a WEEK (I was 18 at the time) in my "Ministry Placement"



If someone is wanting to attend the Honor Academy, PLEASE be sure to do thorough research on them before going.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Toshiba Laptop Battery Issues

My laptop was 17 days old when it suddenly said it wasn't charging even though the charger was plugged in. We switched chargers, same problem. Did a google search and visited the Toshiba support forum. I was surprised to find that tech support know of this issue and how to fix it. We tried it last night and so far so good. Here's the link to the fix: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=SB&os=&category=&moid=2871367&rpn=PSK3JU&modelFilter=L675D-S7105&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

Other than this I love my Toshiba and especially the keyboard. I havent' had any issues with the keyboard as others have reported.