Encourage and They Will Excel

I don’t push my children. I encourage them.

My husband and I give them opportunities to learn, create and excel and they, in turn, do just that in their own time. Nothing irks me more than ballpark parents screaming at their children from the sidelines.

Our son wanted to become a volunteer member of the firefighter team and Parkour free-runner and our daughter loves ballet, theatre, music and tennis. Those are their choices and we support them and are proud of them.

 Check out that swing at 3-years-old!

Our daughter’s principal just read the Kindergarten parents a children’s book at the Parents’ Orientation called Ruby in Her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett. It’s about a little duckling whose egg hatched later than her siblings’, she swam when she wanted to, quacked when she wanted to, left home when she wanted to and came back on her own time (the college reference, says the principal).

The principal wanted to point out to the parents that some Kindergartners are learning their alphabet while others already read but all the children will eventually read. In their own time.

Some kids walk earlier, some later. The point is – they walk.

I believe in that philosophy. With great love and encouragement, I hug and kiss my kids and tell them how proud I am. Ultimately, in the end, they will find what they love to do and I will be there to help them pursue it.

This leads me to this fantastic video (link below) I saw earlier this evening on YouTube with my husband, Phillip. If more parents looked at who their children are rather than what they want them to be, the world might be a happier, more content place.

This video is so beautiful and so inspirational, I hope you take the few minutes to enjoy it and then share it with your friends. It’s about a “bird-chasing” dog who was trained to do one thing since birth but ended up doing something else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BGODurRfVv4 

The Bright Spot   – if your “dream-chasing” child wants to pursue something, encourage them, help them, give them the opportunities to reach those dreams. And tell those screaming ballpark parents to get a grip; childhood is so short, let your children revel in it. Chase the birds…and your dreams, too!

 

“We Have Found Your Mother”

                           

                                 Mother – Ceil in 1983                          Daughter – Linda in 2010

“We have found your mother.”

Those were the words Linda heard after searching months for her birth mother.

Ceil had never held her baby, had never even seen her baby – EVER!

As she walked the halls of the maternity ward and saw the window to the nursery, she knew if she looked through the glass, she would not be able to go through with it – but in the 60s, it was difficult for a woman with a child to find a job, she said women didn’t have credit cards and they could not take out a loan on their own. Ceil wanted her baby to have a mom, a dad and a home.

She turned around in the hallway and went back to her room and sobbed her heart out.

Ceil never had any other children.

44 years later, her daughter found her!

Phillip and I documented the reunion that happened just 6 days ago – you’re invited to share this beautiful moment in the short video below in the next post, just scroll down – but to acutally hear their story, click on the Radio Show flower tab above in the navigation bar above to listen to their heart-wrenching story.

The Bright Spot  is clearly family – old and new -  love, hope and celebration!

Meeting Mom 44 Years Later

Thursday’s upcoming radio show will be an exclusive interview with a mother and daughter who just met for the first time this week after 44 years. The daughter was given up at birth and the mother had never even seen her once!

Phillip and I documented this amazing event which you can see below (video runs 3 mins. If video pauses, let it buffer then reload the page to enjoy – it’s worth it!)

Thessalonians

I read a Precious Moments book to Little Petal two or three times and then came to the page that said, “…but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.” Then I turned the page because it was late and I was moving right along.

Little Petal turned the page back and quietly said as she pointed, “Mommy, you missed that part – Thessalonians Chapter 2:Verse 7.”

I was stunned! I didn’t even know she could read or pronounce the word Thessalonian, let alone fill in the words “chapter” and “verse,” both of which weren’t there as it was printed 2:7.

She had just turned 5.

 

The Bright Spot  is our joy as parents watching our children learn and blossom and grow from our teachings. It is certainly an example of how much these little ones absorb whether we realize it or not. They look to us as role models and pick up things we least expect…

Enjoy whatever your faith is and celebrate your beliefs; your children will thrive with a strong foundation. If you read Mission: Bright Spot  above, you’ll know I come from a large multicultural, multi-religious family – my beliefs have gotten me through many heartaches and challenges.

A Beacon of Love

It may seem so obvious. Turn the lights on when your teen is out.

But to me it’s more than just a safety issue.

It’s a beacon from home when he rounds the corner on his way back from the firehouse or walking with his buddies. It’s a glow from the porch lights that says “Welcome, you’re back!” It’s a light that shines from our home that embraces him upon return.

 

To him, it’s probably just a light thing and he switches it off without thinking when he enters the house.

But ages from now, I hope it will be a warm memory of the early years in his life when coming home was a comforting feeling; I hope it gives him a content sentiment in his heart…

…that when he turns on the lights for his teens many years from now, may he remember his Mom and Dad waiting for his safe return to our cozy home so many years before.

I love you, Honey. You are one of my most Brightest Spots  in my life. 

I’m going now to turn the light on. Love, Mom

It Was A Bittersweet Day Today

Today was a bittersweet day for me. Our Baby Button ~ Little Petal ~ got on the school bus heading to Kindergarten.

 

 

Of course, she was beaming and waving. But I didn’t know I would burst into tears when I watched the tail end of the bus drive down the road.

Phillip gave me a great big squeeze even though we both knew they were tears of joy and the bittersweet reality that our youngest was growing up.

Dad and I put her on the bus. Superhero Big Brother and I greeted her upon return.

If you’ve ever had to do this, you know exactly what I mean.

The Bright Spot?  Having a network of incredible friends who lift you up in good times, bad times, sorrowful times, joyous times and the transitional times. 

 I’m attaching some lovely e-mails that I received from Moms and Dads today:

Oh, how I remember the first days of many new beginnings for my daughter. They are so precious. Of course, you know she will be fine. How great it will be when she returns from her day to share her stories about new friends and experiences. My little one turned 30 on July 17th, and can I just tell you there is still never a dull moment. I love it! Rosemarie

I just shared this with Cheryl and she was crying…Robert starts 1st grade on Tuesday…
Miss you!  Enjoy the last days of Summer! Robert

B – I remember those days as if they were yesterday. Your tears are tears of joy, you’re raising a bright child who will always make you proud. Victoria started her 3rd year in college, I still take the first school day picture. Enjoy these little pleasures of life! Karen

I know exactly how you felt. When I dropped my kids off at school, they ran inside all excited, leaving me crying at the door. You’ll be fine, my friend. Janet

Mazel Tov!  Your little girl is becoming quite a young lady. I know that these are tears of joy!  I am so happy for her and for you. Smile…these are the happy milestones we can enjoy and treasure. Nancy

Oh B… she was so adorable on the bus (and in the class, I just know it)! Enjoy every minute…. and tears are ok  Shelli

What a wonderful essay for a wonderful life – you & Phillip have given her the strength to excel in her exciting life ahead. Be proud and enjoy the ride. Love, Jim and Linda 

Hey girl….I understand you, it was definitely bittersweet with my daughter, too, because now she needs me even less. In a way, I’ve been caring for her the longest…but now the needs are new and different…hang in there…these were some of my best memories.  ;-)   hugs to you all! c and lz

No tears….the best is yet to come! A new chapter in both your lives. It is going to be amazing, I promise. Love u all, Lilly

For me the hardest thing was when I dropped Katrina, my baby to Kindergarten. I cried so much. It is normal. It is so hard to start losing control and let our kids start getting pushed around from the world!!!! Very hard. Anitta

Ahhhh… Where did the time go!! She seemed very excited for the first day of school. She was ready MOM…. It is always harder for us moms. L

Life is full of precious moments. You just have to know that they can’t pass you by.

“Kisses in a Box”

There is a story that circulated on the Internet years ago – it was so poignant and touched my heart so deeply, that I printed it out and sent a copy in the mail to everyone I love.

Material things don’t matter to me, my children do. Our home is cozy, our place is warm and inviting, our things are respected and taken care of, but in a nutshell, my children’s happiness and contentment far outweighs any value in material possessions whatsoever.

 If you have a hard time getting your head around this notion, please read the story. I hope it changes your perspective.

 “Some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you, Daddy.” He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty.  

He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside it?” 

 

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, “Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy.”

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.

It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was disheartened and discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

In a very real sense, each of us as humans has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family and God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.”

The Bright Spot  – that we are affected by stories like this, can learn from them and not make the same mistakes in our lives.

Hello & Welcome!

In a world of curdling sippy cups, crushed gold fish crackers under the car seats, and perhaps even your white-knuckled grip on your last ounce of sanity after a day with the kids, the boss or both, this is an exciting day!!

I personally invite you to journey with me together ~ through this blog, its stories, tips, videos, photo galleries & the upcoming radio show ~ as we discuss life, love, parenting, relationships, and empowerment by finding your Bright Spot.

What is the Bright Spot?

When the world deals you a rough hand, it’s looking for the good in any situation. You know, the silver lining, the lesson learned, the insight, the blessing, the take-away value…ultimately, the hope!

But how can I help empower you?” Oh, believe me, I’ve been there -click on Mission “Bright Spot”  in the navigation bar above to get the whole story, but here’s just a glimpse of finding that brilliant spot of hope in my life to empower myself over and over again.

Oh, the extremes!!

I’ve dined at Parliament, and have grabbed dollar burgers at Mickey D’s.

I’ve been chauffeured around England in a Rolls Royce, and I’ve had my finely-coiffed hair sucked out of a tornado-ravaged-blown-out back window of a pick-up truck driven by a wannabe cowboy on a first date. Dear Lord, help me empower myself!

I’ve been served decadent dinners on Caribbean beaches by full moon; and served up my own mac&cheese at home on the fly.

I’ve been interrogated by the FBI (nerve-wracking!) and I’ve been hit by lightening (more nerve-wracking!!); when store registers freeze, my husband smiles at the cashiers, “Oh, that’s just my wife; she’s electric!”

I’ve kissed fools and I’ve kissed princes (yep, the kind with crowns and egos) and sometimes the fool was the prince.

I’ve enjoyed scrumptious escargot within Ascot’s Royal Enclosure, and sputtered up chunks of meat when I found out it was black snake soup in China.

I’ve traveled in private planes, & have been scrunched in the back row of economy class next to the toilets.

And I’ve certainly dated my share of losers and learned the hard way what the lesson – the Bright Spot  – in each sour relationship was – finding out exactly what I didn’t want in a man or a relationship!

So when my husband came along, I knew instantly. We were only in each other’s company 46 days when we married.

Look, I love flowers but I’m no gardener. I love to eat but I’m no cook.

So who am I? Ultimately, I’m a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, a woman seizing every minute with gratitude. Enjoy these moments with those you love.

Look at the lesson, the gift, the blessing in every situation – good or bad – find your Bright Spot  and start empowering yourself today!

Recipes

MEALS

 

Shepherd’s Pie

 

• 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef
• Bag of red or gold potatoes
• 1/2 cup of milk or so and 2 tablespoons of butter to mash the potatoes when done
• Can of peas
• Bisto brown gravy mix (or your choice of brown gravy)
• Bit ‘o oil

 Brown the ground beef in a bit ‘o oil in a pan. Meanwhile, boil potatoes (I leave the skin on for nutrients) in a pot, then mash with milk and butter. In a measuring cup, mix Bisto (or any brown gravy mix) with water – you’ll need about 1/2 cup. Boil peas in a small pot & drain water. In a large cassorole dish, spread your browned ground beef as the first layer, drizzle the 1/2 cup of gravy over the meat, then pour your hot peas in the middle and your mashe potatoes over that. Make a pretty design with a fork across the top of your potatoes – like waves zig-zagging across the top from end to end of the dish. Place the cassorole dish in the oven and BROIL on low for a few minutes until the top is golden brown – zig-zags and all (I leave the oven door open for this step because it goes FAST – like 2 or 4 minutes – and I don’t want to burn the top…and it makes the house smell great. When it’s brown on top, you’re done. Make another 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup of gravy for pouring over your plate when you’ve dished up. Yummy for winter!

Margaret

Hertfordshire, England

Chicken Polynesian

• 1 package boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size cubes or larger depending on how you like it
• Two 20-ounce cans pineapple chunks, drained
• One 12-ounce jar of apricot preserves (I use Smuckers)
• One 16-ounce jar of Russian dressing (Ken’s steakhouse dressing is best)
• 1 packet Lipton onion soup mix
• 1-2 sliced green pepper (I like long thin slices)
• White rice
• 2 Tbsp corn starch mixed with cold water until runny

Mix everything (but the rice & water/corn starch mixture) in a large glass baking pan (I just dump everything in and mix it all up with my bare hands – or a big spoon if I’m not feeling adventurous). Bake covered in tin foil at 350-375 for about 1 hour, depends on how big the chicken chunks are and if you’re in a rush or not (if rushing, bake at higher temp – chick will be drier but it’s faster), cook the white rice separately. After about 15 minutes to a half hour, add water and corn starch mixture and mix well, put back in oven immediately. Serve over white rice and salt to taste (I’m liberal with the salt in this dish).

Calico

Stamford, CT

 West Coast Meatloaf

• 1 ½  lb. Ground beef
• 8 -10 Saltine crackers crushed
• 2 gloves garlic crushed
• 1 raw egg
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 can of tomato sauce 

Mix all together. Place in loaf pan. Top it with catchup (just a spread) or BBQ sauce whichever you prefer. Bake at 350 approx. 1-1:15 minutes

Mehrnoush

San Diego, CA

 

Mushrooms À La Grecque

 

• Water 1/4 pt (150 ml)
• 2 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 Lemons, juice of lemons
• 2 Tbsp. Olive oil (30 ml)
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 Sprig of parsley
• 12 oz. Button mushrooms (350 g)
• 1 Large tomato
• Chopped parsley to garnish

Put the first 7 ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and simmer, covered, for a further 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomato, then refrigerate until really cold. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. This can also be served as a salad. Serves 4-6

Parisa

Madrid, Spain

 

Key West Chicken Bake

 

• 2 Tbsp. Melted butter
• 1 lb. Boneless chicken breast
• 1 Tbsp. Key West Style Spice Blend – jar by McCormack

 Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pour butter into baking pan, add chicken, turn chicken around in pan to coat. Sprinkle Spice Blend on each side of chicken breast. Bake 20 – 25 minutes or until done. Serve with mashed potatoes and snap peas.

Hope

Key West, FL

 Key West Shrimp

 

• 1 lb. Shrimp peeled
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 Tbsp. Key West Style Spice Blend – jar by McCormack
• 1 Tbsp. Oil

Cook shrimp, broccoli and Spice Blend in hot oil for 6 minutes, stirring often. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Serve with rice and tossed salad. Instead of shrimp, you could use cooked chicken strips.

Hope

Key West, FL

 

Pork Tenderloin on the Grill

 

Get a pork tenderloin, remove from package and lightly rinse and pat dry.  Rub just a bit of good olive oil all over. Roughly chop fresh rosemary. Roll the tenderloin in the rosemary and some black pepper and grated garlic. Put the tenderloin in a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least 4 to 6 hours, even better overnight. Grill on a medium hot grill about 8 minutes, turn once-leave for another 8 minutes.  Remove from grill cover with foil and let it rest about 8 to 9 minutes. Cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on how you like your pork. I will sometimes make a marsala sauce to go with this pork.

Louise

Middlebury, CT

Beef Katlet

• ½ lb. Ground beef
• 1 medium potatoe boiled 
• 1 egg
• Salt
• Pepper
• Onions

Put onion and ground beef and potato (boiled and peeled) and the egg and spices in the food processer. When all mixed, make a spoon full and flatten the mix in any shape you want – you can use cookie cutters. Put oil in pan and fry. Remove once cooked and add any spices you like to it.

Lilly

San Diego, CA

 

 Barbecue Chicken/Caeser Salad wraps

• 4 chicken breasts
• Favorite barbecue sauce
• Caesar salad mix or 2 heads romaine
• Caesar dressing and shredded Parmesan cheese
• 6 large tortillas

Grill chicken.  Brush with desired amount of barbecue sauce.  Prepare salad.  Warm the tortillas in the microwave or on stove.  Cut chicken into strips.  Load your tortilla, roll up and cut in half. 

Becky

Greenwich, CT

Spinach and Meat Cakes

 

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey (lean is healthier)
• 2 bunches of spinach (washed and cut up into pieces) or 1 lb of frozen spinach thawed and drained well
• 1/2 finely chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• black pepper to taste
• 3 c cooked brown rice

1.  preheat pan (no oil). 2.  combine all ingredients except brown rice in a lg. mixing bowl… mix well. 3.  form mixture into 12 small balls. Place in a frying pan and flatten into patties using a spatula. 4. cook over med heat until cooked on both sides. 5.  serve over cooked brown rice.

Lauren

Dallas, Texas

  Gorgonzola Chicken Wraps

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 can of corn or frozen corn
• Half of a red onion, sliced
• 1/2 red and 1/2 green peppers sliced
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Crumbled gorgonzola (to taste)
• Cilantro
• 6 tortillas

Bake chicken with desired seasonings.  Saute onion, peppers and garlic in olive oil.  Add corn and chicken.  Sprinkle gorgonzola and cilantro on top and heat through. Serve on warm tortillas with lettuce, salsa and sour cream.  The mix of hot and cold is delightful! My kids will eat anything wrapped in a tortilla, so we frequently do sliced turkey and cheese wrapped in a tortilla for lunches.  For crunch, you can add cucumbers.  A little ranch makes it even more yummy. For breakfast, my kids like Chobani yogurt with Go Lean Crunch (or any granola), bananas and a small amount of honey.

Becky

Greenwich, CT

Escarole and Beans pronounced “Sgotall and Beans”

(My Gern’s Recipe)

 

Ok, the first thing to do is Thank the Lord for the nourishment and healing of the food. Put on some good music then….Cover the bottom of a large pot with enough olive oil to sauté at least one whole bulb of sliced garlic or more if you really like garlic. In a separate large pot par boil at least 3 heads of escarole. Stop boiling when you see the leaves wilt and get a little clear, don’t boil all the way. When the garlic is light golden and the escarole is par boiled empty the water from the escarole and combine the escarole in the same pot with the garlic. Cover the contents with water about an inch above all contents. Salt and pepper to taste. Boil until escarole is tender. Add 2 or 3 cans of canolini beans (white kidney beans) after everything else has already cooked. The beans are already cooked so they just heat up when added to the hot soup.

Lisa

Trumbull, CT

Yummy Paninis

• Fresh basil chopped
• Tomato thinly sliced
• Zucchini shredded
• Fresh mozzarella cheese thinly sliced
• Fontina cheese thinly sliced
• Provolone cheese thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup olive oil
• Country Italian bread thinly sliced

Mix olive oil, salt and pepper. Brush both sides of bread with oil. Add cheeses of choice. Add tomato, zucchini, basil. Place sandwich in press for about 5 minutes.

Sandra

New Canaan, CT

Easiest Tuna Casserole

• 1 package egg noodles
• 2 Tbsp butter
• Milk 
• 2 cans Tuna fish
• 2 cans peas, drained
• 1 container sour cream
• 3/4 cup grated Romano
• 1 tsp. ground marjoram
• 1tsp. ground sage
• 1tsp. ground thyme
• Black pepper & garlic powder to taste
• Optional: chopped onion, chopped celery

Cook & drain egg noodles, toss in butter. Add tuna, peas, sour cream, Romano, and herbs. Stir in enough milk so the mixture is wet and slippery when stirred. Cook 350 degrees covered with tin foil for 30 – 45 minutes. Sprinkle with salt, lots of Romano, and Red Hot hot sauce if you like. Enjoy! 

Calico

Stamford, CT

 

Baked Catfish & Sauted Spinach

 

I love love love catfish. I bake it in the toaster over – given that I’m the only one that eats it I don’t have to use the big oven. I drizzle some olive oil over the catfish fillet just enough to cover the top portion but I don’t drown it in oil. Then I sprinkle some sea salt, black pepper and ground rosemary to taste. I bake it covered in aluminum foil for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I wash and dry fresh spinach and then saute it in olive oil and a clove of crushed garlic. I mix the end product with white bean salad (it’s just canned white beans that have been drained and dressed with olive oil and Italian vinegar) as you can see I also love love love olive oil. Really simple and done in under 30 minutes.

Melissa

Byram, CT

Fantastic French Toast

 

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 c fat free milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 sl of whole wheat bread
• light syrup or fruit toppings

1.  prehead griddle or pan to 375 degrees. 2.  put eggs, milk and vanilla in a shallow bowl and beat with a fork til mixed. 3.  grease pan/griddle with non stick spray or light layer of oil. 4.  dip both sides into mixture adn cook on hot griddle/pan. 5.  cook one side til golden brown then flip.  It will take about 4 mins each side. 6.  Top off with light syrup or fruit toppings.

Lauren

Dallas, Texas

 

Crazy French Fries 

• 1 or 2 sweet potatoes
• oil

1.  cut sweet potatoes into wedges or slices for fries(wedges will take less time). 2.  lighly coat with oil and sprinkle w/ salt, pepper or favor you like. 3.  bake at 425 degrees for 30 min.

Lauren

Dallas, Texas

Lone Star Chili

•  1 15oz can of beans (your choice pinto, chili, black or another)
• 1 15 oz can of corn
• 1 15 oz can of tomatoes (diced or small pieces work best)
• use chili powder, salt and pepper to taste

1. pour all cans into a pot or pan. (don’t drain). 2. sprinkle in spices to taste. 3. stir to mix. 4. Heat thoroughly.

Christina

Texas

SOUPS

 Welsh Split Peas

• 1 large ham bone or smoked pork hocks
• 2 cups green split peas
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 3 quarts chicken stock or water
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Wash and drain peas. Place in a stockpot with ham or pork hocks and veg. Add stock and boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour or so until peas are soft and soup is thick. Remove soup from het. Trim the lean meat from bone. Add salt and pepper with lemon juice.

Catherine

Isle of Anglesey, Wales

Energy Soup

Saute:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup sliced onion
• 2 cloves chopped garlic

Add the following and cook for about 5 minutes:

• 2 cups Kale – chopped
• 2 cups Swiss Chard – chopped
• 1 Leek – chopped

Add the following and bring to boil.  Simmer for about 10 minutes.

• 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 potato cut into bite size pieces
• Sea salt, pepper, and parsley to taste

Put soup in blender and liquefy.

Roni

Monroe, CT

LaLa’s Hearty Chicken Soup

• ½ Chicken breast on the bone
• 1 carrot
• 1 celery root
• 2 chopped cloves of garlic
• 3 scallions
• 2 potatoes
• Bunch of broccoli
• 1 can Chickpeas
• 1 Tbsp. Salt (or bullion cube or 1 cup of chicken stock)
• 2 or 3 Bay leaves
• Fresh Cilantro or parsely if you like
• Mrs. Dash and other spices of your choice

Noodles can be added later

Get a large pot and fill more than a ½ and less than ¾ full of cold water, put the chicken in the pot with the scallions and 2 full celery sticks cut small. Heat on medium and boil with the cover on. Cut carrots into small pieces. Add 1 tablespoon of salt (or bullion cube if you wish or 1 cup of chicken stock). Add 2 chopped cloves of garlic and a few strands of Cilantro, add 2 or 3 bay leaves and potatoes. When the chicken is cooked, take it out and cut it up on a board and discard the bones. Put the chicken back in the pot. When the potatoes are done, add the noodles. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli. Take out the Cilantro strands and bay leaves.

Gloria

New York City, NY

Emily’s Minestrone Soup

 

Cooker: Medium round or oval. Settings & Cook Times: LOW for 7 – 8 hours (Swiss chard and wine added at 5 hours), then HIGH for 30 minutes; the pasta is added during the last 30 minutes.

• 3 Tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped
• 2 small carrots, diced
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 2 small zucchini, ends trimmed and cubed
• One 15-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed, drained and half the beans mashed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 bay leaf
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
• One 28-ounce can whole tomatoes, mashed, with their juice
• One 10-opunce package frozen baby lima beans
• 2 ½ cups chicken broth
• 5 leaves Swiss chard, chopped or ½ small head Napa cabbage, cored and chopped
• ½ cup dry red wine, such as Chianti, Merlot or Pinot Noir
• 1/3 cup elbow macaroni or little shells
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese for serving

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and zucchini and cook, stirring often, until just softened, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the Slow Cooker and add the kidney beans, salt, bay leaf, pepper, parsley, tomatoes and their juice, limas and broth. Add water to come about 1 inch above the vegetables. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours. Add the Swiss chard and wine, cover and continue to cook on LOW for another 2 – 3 hours. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the pasta, cover and cook on HIGH until the pasta is just tender, about 30 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls and serve hot with lots of Parmesan.

Emily

Greenwich, CT

SNACKS AND SMOOTHIES

 

Sunny Smoothie

 

• 1 cup chopped strawberries
• 1 cup chopped peaches
• 1 cup chopped seeded watermelon
• 1 cup raspberry sorbet
• ¼ cup orange juice

 Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Add more juice for thinner consistency.

Sandra

New Canaan, CT

 

Fresh fruit and Kefir

 

Fresh sliced fruit (sweeter ones do better with this dish) and mix with Nonfat Plain Kefir (yogurt drink) or fruit flavored low fat Kefir. 

Michelle

Huntersville, North Carolina

 

Toast and non-fat cottage cheese

 

Sliced toast with light healthy butter/margarine (optional) and nonfat cottage cheese spread on it.

Michelle

Huntersville, North Carolina

Fun Fruit Smoothie

 

• 1c fresh or frozen fruit
• 1/2 c low fat yogurt
• 1Tbsp apple juice(undiluted concentrate)
• nutty or fun cereal

 1. place fruit,yogurt and apple juice in blender and blend til smooth. 2. pour in glass and sprinkle cereal on top!

Christina

Texas

APPETIZERS AND DIPS 

 

Mediterranean Living

 

• 2 large tomatoes
• Basil
• Olives
• Olive oil and Balsamic vinegar
• Pita or French bread
• Mozzarella cheese fresh

 

Slice the tomatoes evenly place them on the plate. Put basil leaf on each piece of tomato. Pour the oil and vinegar on top. Place as many olives as you want on top. Slice cheese what ever size and put on top. Cut the pita bread in a triangular shape and put on the side.

Lilly

San Diego, CA

 

Celebration on a Stick

 

• Pineapple cut in small squares
• Cheddar cheese in small squares
• Ham thick in small squares

Stick them in a row on a tooth pick with a decoration on the toothpick for what ever occasion you’re celebrating.

Lilly

San Diego, CA

 

Mediterranean De-Lite

Grate cucumbers and pour in a bowl of fat free yogurt. Add little bit of mint or lot if you wish. Eat with crackers or pita (you can also cut the pita into triangles and crisp the pieces in the oven by placing on a cookie tray and baking for 5 minutes).

Lilly

San Diego, CA

 

DESSERTS  

 

Marcy’s Favorite Cheese Cake

(Serves 12 people)

 Crust:

• 1 ¾ cups Graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
• ½ tsp. Cinnamon
• ½ cup butter melted

Thoroughly mix ingredients for crust. Press on sides and bottom of a 9” spring form pan. Sides should be about 1 ¾” high.

Filling:

• 3 well-beaten eggs
• 2 8-ounce cream cheese bars, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. Vanilla
• ½ tsp. Almond extract
• 3 cups sour cream (to be added last)

Beat all ingredients, then add 3 cups of sour cream. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour on the middle rack. Chill for 24 hours.

Marcy

Seattle, WA

 

Apple Custards

 

• 4 Granny apples cored (leave skin on)
• Sugar
• Make custard from ready-made powder packet by just adding milk or water according to instructions
• Cinnamon

Put whole apples in an oven dish and pierce with a fork to put some holes into the apples. Bake at 350 degrees until done – about 20 minutes or when the skin is a little wrinkly. Take out of the oven and add sugar on top. Stick back into the oven and let the sugar brown. When done, place the 4 apples on a pretty dish and pour the custard on top. Add cinnamon if you wish. The best dessert!

Lilly

San Diego, CA

 

Dirt Cake

• Chocolate pudding, cold
• Oreo cookies, crushed
• Gummy worms

In a tall glass, put Oreos on the bottom layer, then pudding, then Oreos, then pudding, then Oreos on the very top with Gummy worms squirming out of the edge of the glass. You can add some green candy bits, too, for the ick factor. Kids LOVE it!

Trish

Fort Meyers, FL

  

Ocean Friends

• Blue jello
• Swedish fishies or any Gummy fishies
• Whipped cream

In a tall glass, put blue jello, then Swedish fish, blue jello, whipped cream, more blue jello, more Gummy fish, blue jello and more whipped cream like waves. Yum!

Trish

Fort Meyers, FL

 

No-Bake Oatmeal Drops

 

• 2 cups sugar
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 stick butter or margarine
• ½ cup milk
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats

In a large saucepan over medium-to-high heat, combine sugar, cocoa, salt, butter and milk; stir until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in oatmeal. Drop by teaspoonful onto waxed paper. Cookies will set as they cool.

Maggie

New Canaan, CT

 

Apple Crumble with Vanilla Ice Cream

• 4 Granny Smith apples, cut in half
  1/4 cup oil
  1 stick butter, melted
  8 tablespoons light brown sugar
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  1/2 cup granola
  1 pint vanilla ice cream
  1/2 cup prepared caramel sauce, heated

Heat your grill to medium. Place apples in a medium bowl and toss with the oil. Place the apples on the grill, cut-side down and grill until nicely browned. Flip the apples over and continue to grill until nicely browned on skin side. Remove from the grill and allow to cool briefly.  Once they are cool enough to handle, core and cut the apples into wedges. Place the apple wedges into a bowl and toss with 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 4 tablespoons light brown sugar and 1/2 stick melted butter. In another bowl, toss together the remaining melted butter, cinnamon, light brown sugar and the granola.  Place 1 large scoop of ice cream into 4 bowls and top with the apple mixture. Sprinkle the granola mixture over the top of the apple and drizzle with the caramel sauce.

Pam

Omaha, Nebraska

Frozen Fruit Cups

•  3 bananas
• 24 oz fat free strawberry yogurt
• 10 oz frozen strawberries (thawed w. the juice)
• 8 oz canned crushed pineapple (w the juice)

 1.  line an 18 muffin tin cup with paper baking cups. 2.  Dice or mash bananas and place in a large mixing bowl. 3.  stir in the remaining items. 4. spoon  into muffin tins and freeze at least 2 hours or until firm.  5. Remove frozen cups and store in a plastic bag in freezer. 6.  Before serving, remove the paper cups and let stand for 10 minutes.

Lauren

Dallas, Texas

HEALTHY IDEAS

 

Suggestions from Mahnoush, San Diego, CA:

Almond peanut better with celery or slice of apple

Wheat cracker with cream cheese or feta cheese

All berries

Slice of turkey breast for lunch with wheat bread.

Salmon with vegetables

Sweet potato or baked potato or black beans

Tuna fish (in water) with chopped celery and pickle

Oatmeal with apples, blueberries and walnuts

Egg white omelet with vegetables and a tablespoon of salsa

Whole wheat toast with peanut butter

Raw veggies with hummus (I like the individual packs of hummus for my kids’ lunchboxes)

Celery sticks loaded with peanut butter and topped with a few raisins

Any baked or grilled chicken or fish with asparagus and brown rice

All vegetable soups

When You Thought I Was Not Looking…

A message every adult should read because children are watching you & doing as you do, not as you say.

Each of us – parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend  – influences the life of a child.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN’T LOOKING…

By Mary Rita Schilke Sill

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. 

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.  

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

Just a Mom?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk ‘s  office, 
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. 

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.   

‘What I mean is, ‘ explained the recorder,   
‘do you have a job or are you just a …?’ 

‘Of course I have a job,’ snapped the woman. 

‘I’m a Mom.’ 

‘We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation,

‘housewife’ covers it,’ 
Said the recorder emphatically. 

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, 
Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 
‘Official Interrogator’ or ‘Town Registrar.’ 

‘What is your occupation?’ she probed. 

What made me say it?  I do not know.   
The words simply popped out.   
‘I’m a Research Associate in the field of 
Child Development and Human Relations.’ 

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and 
Looked up as though she had not heard right.   

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.. 
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, 
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 

‘Might I ask,’ said the clerk with new interest,
‘just what you do in your field?’ 

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, 
I heard myself reply, 
‘I have a continuing program of research, 
(what mother doesn’t) 
In the laboratory and in the field, 
(normally I would have said indoors and out).   
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) 
And already have four credits (all daughters).  
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, 
(any mother care to disagree?) 
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.’ 

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she 
Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. 

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, 
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.  
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, 
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, 
Testing out a new vocal pattern.   
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than ‘just another Mom.’  

   Motherhood!   

What a glorious career!  

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