MMM MMM Gluten free goodness!

As some of you may know, I have started the candida diet which is a gluten free, sugar free, and other stuff "free" diet. So, I decided to buy a few new ingredients to fit into my new gluten free diet. Today, I experimented! I baked cookies!!! and they turned out pretty good! Very light and airy, but good. I started with a cup of brown rice flour, 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum, about 1/4 cup quinoa flakes, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup cocoa, about one cup stevia, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, a splash of almond milk, 1 stick of organic, hormone free butter,  about 1/4 cup of coconut oil, one egg, and a splash of vanilla, I also added about 1/4 cup of almond butter. I mixed everything and then baked them at 350 for 8 minutes the first batch, then I put the rest of the dough in the freezer to cool. The next batch I baked for 10 minutes. They are pretty good, even my roommate tried one and said it was good. I am just so excited to have COOKIES!!! and good ones! I'll have to experiment more but for my first try, I am well pleased!

Bon Appetit!

Candida Diet

My Diet "Bible"

For the past month I have been on this diet called the Candida Diet. This is a starvation diet, but not in the common sense. It starves off a yeast overgrowth in the intestines by eliminating certain foods that feed it. So, that means no gluten, no yeast, no fungus (mushrooms!! I LOVE MUSHROOMS!!), no potatoes, no macadamias, cashews, peanuts, or pistachios, and no SUGAR!!! I have been doing this for a month and STILL crave sugar! There are other foods on the restrictions list as well. I can't have corn, any form of sweetener except stevia since it has no glycemic index what-so-ever so it isn't feeding the yeast.

Basically, I eat chicken, turkey (since I didn't eat beef or pork before), veggies, brown and wild rices, beans, and products that contain those items. I continue to discover specially made foods online and at the organic grocery store. I am surprised at the lack of foods available at H-E-B since they own Central Market and carry Central Market products, which are organic and generally geared towards people who are on special diets. Luckily, Bryan has Village Foods which is like a smaller Central Market that carries both organic types and regular grocery store items.

Tonight, I had my daily craving for SWEETNESS and decided to try something. Did I mention I'm also a chocoholic? Yeah, so. . . I had made brown rice for dinner so I got about half a cup of the cooked rice, about 3-4 tablespoons of quinoa flakes, about 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, about half a teaspoon of coconut oil, and a tablespoon of stevia mixed them all together and poured on some almond milk and had pure chocolatey goodness! Sweet tooth satisfied! YAY!!!

I will try to post up more information in case anyone else would like some gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, corn free, etc. recipes. I am learning as I go. Who knows how long I'll be on this diet, but as long as I am craving sugar like I have been, I will need to stay on it because that tells me its working but that there is still an issue.

Thank God for the internet and all the other people who have done this diet! I would be severely depressed if I didn't have advice and the ability to find new ideas!

Off to bed, folks. This girl has got to work in the mornin'! Night y'all!

Long time, no post...yet again.

Howdy!

It's been a few months since my last post and boy howdy have I been busy!

If you aren't in Texas, you may not know that we are in a serious drought. So, if you have any extra water, send it our way! We have had so many wild fires! And with the economy being what it is, so many people are suffering great loss. So, please keep these fire victims in your prayers!

I just have so much to do, so this post is short, hopefully I'll have more to say soon! MAYBE I'll catch a break sometime soon and have more time!

Hope that you're all doing well and enjoying God's blessings in your lives! I try my best to do so.

Peace, Love, and Aggies! Gig 'Em!

New Recipes!

I made some YUMMY Parmesan Ranch Potatoes and Italian Ranch Turkey Burgers!

What ya need:

1 package of ranch dressing mix, I just used Kroger's brand.
1 package of Italian mixed shredded cheese
Hamburger buns, I used the Kroger brand "Sandwich Slims" multi-grain
1 vedalia onion, I sliced off about three rounds and diced them
5-7 small-medium potatoes, cubed
Salt and pepper
Olive Oil
1 lb ground turkey, thawed
1 egg
4-6 crushed saltines (this helps keep your burgers together)
1 more slice of onion, diced

Preheat oven to 400
In 9x13 glass casserole dish, mix potatoes, onion, 3/4 of the package of ranch dressing mix, and wet with just enough oil to give it all a good coating. Cover with foil and bake 30-45 minutes or until potatoes are tender, take out after about 15-20 minutes to stir.

While your potatoes are in the oven, mix your turkey, remaining ranch mix, onion, egg, and crushed crackers. Form into patties and cook in skillet over medium heat, browning both sides. Make sure you cook thoroughly since this is yard bird. ;o)

When potatoes are done, sprinkle  with desired amount of Parmesan cheese and stir.

Put your burger on your bun and sprinkle with your shredded cheese. I didn't use any kind of condiments beyond salt and pepper on my bun, but you can jazz it up with fresh lettuce leaves and tomato or anything your little heart desires!

Enjoy!!!

The Rapture

Well folks, it looks like we weren't "raptured" or part of the 144,000. We must be BADDDDD!

Really, I do not mean to poke fun of those people, but sometimes it's hard not to! I can understand that some may not have a full understanding of the scripture and that they've been told things by people who have interpreted the scriptures incorrectly and I can understand believing someone when they present things with such a passion and power of belief that some do.

But now let's take a look at what has happened. People have been preaching about the "Rapture" for years! And now the proclaimed "judgement day" has come and gone and no one has disappeared, thousands upon thousands of car wrecks have not occurred, There were not earthquakes and fires and tornadoes EVERYWHERE. Granted there was a bad tornado in Missouri and my heart, as always, goes out to the victims. BUT, we're all, for the most part, still here. And while there may be a possibility that 144,000 deaths occurred across the world on Saturday, they were just that, deaths, not translations.

So, what do YOU think of all of this??

rant on illegals recieving in-state tuition

So, I'm having to write a "position paper" in my current composition class. Here's my rough draft. Make some comments, give me some ideas. But READ the WHOLE thing before you get upset for it or against it.

Hey Mexico! We are opening our borders, come on in! While you’re at it, bring your kids in for a free education! This is what we might as well say since we are currently rewarding undocumented, illegal immigrants benefits of residency. That is correct folks; currently in ten states, we are giving undocumented students in-state tuition. This is not right, nor is it fair to those who are legal citizens and who do not get a tuition break.

Pursuant to federal law, illegal aliens or immigrants should not receive in-state tuition. However, several states have passed their own laws allowing exactly that. These laws allow people who have broken our laws from their first step on American soil the same educational benefits as law-abiding citizens.
Imagine growing up in a family where your father barely makes $40,000 a year. Your parents “own” your home (they have to pay a $650 a month mortgage payment plus insurance); feed four children (three of those are boys); make car payments, car insurance; clothe themselves and those four children; not to mention pay health insurance premiums; and miscellaneous expenses. Do you think those parents can afford to pay college tuition? Let us break this down a little, do a bit of math…$40,000 a year divided by 12 months, that is roughly $3,333 a month, with all of those expenses, if they are lucky, they will have about $1,500 left over. But two of those children and the mother are on medication that they buy every month and there are constant doctor’s visits.

Unfortunately, a pell grant for an “expected family contribution” of 0 is only $5,500. That barely covers tuition alone. Then you have lab fees, books, supplies, and room and board. “Public four-year colleges charge, on average, $7,605 per year in tuition and fees for in-state students. The average surcharge for full-time out-of-state students at these institutions is $11,990” according to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/4494.html . So, if you come from a situation like the one above, you parents cannot afford to pay for your tuition and you definitely cannot. This was my situation.
I received a small scholarship when I graduated from high school because I participated in a tutoring program throughout high school. This scholarship was only enough to pay for one year of college. I went to beauty school because I saw no other way to pay for subsequent schooling.
So, when I hear that (12 years later when I have to get student loans to pay for an education) illegal immigrants are getting in-state tuition, I am more than a little perturbed. According to the Huffington Post, I am not alone. “Since 2001, illegal immigrants in Texas have qualified for in-state tuition by law. But a bill in the Texas A&M University student senate seeks to change that with, at the very least, a symbolic stance… Justin Pulliam, one of the bill's co-sponsors, told the group that the issue wasn't a financial one. ‘This is about what's right and what's fair," he said. ‘It isn't fair to out-of-state citizens who are here legally.’” Of course, for me it is both a financial issue and about what’s fair.

Most students have to work to pay for schooling and/or take out student loans. One year at Texas A&M University, which is where I wanted to go but cannot afford, costs about $4,200, in state, out of state it is about $8, 845. These are undergraduate costs for unspecified schools of concentration, full time classification. This is also without course related Educational Enhancement, Equipment Access, Lab and/or Field Trip Fees; Optional Fees (housing, meal plans, parking, etc.); a Property Deposit $100 fee for new, transfer, re-admitted students or ones without one on file. And of course, an International Student Admin Fee of $200-$500 charged to third party sponsored students; or an International Student Services Fee, which will be $46/semester for the semester. Find these facts at: http://finance.tamu.edu/sbs/tuition/cost_attendance.asp.
In Atlanta, Ga., one student, receiving in-state tuition as an illegal immigrant, spent 37 days in a detention center. The amazing thing is this girl has been here illegally since a child, been educated in our public schools and has been attending a state university for three years! All of this without legal documentation and even more disturbing, the authorities released her and “said they would give her a year to finish her studies at Kennesaw State University.” (Brumback, Kate, 2011)

Someone who went about getting an education from the U.S. the correct way gave one comment made on the above posting.
Dear Jessica, you should understand that there are laws that you should respect and follow them like the majority of us do. You should have been deported immediately because you of your status and because you lied and tried to exploit the system.
I came to this country as an international student 9 years ago, completed my studies and then found a job with a work visa. I have been paying taxes and working legally for 5 years and I don't even have the green card yet, but it might take another 5-6 years for me to get it legally. What makes you think that you are special? Are you better than me or all those other legal immigrants who work here legally and pay taxes and don't drive around without a driving license? NO ONE IS PREVENTING YOU FROM GETTING A STUDENT VISA AND STUDYING LEGALLY, BUT I GUESS IT IS EASIER TO PLAY THE ROLE OF THE VICTIM SO WE CAN FEEL BAD FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU, WHO HAVE NOT RESPECT FOR THE LAWS OF A COUNTRY (Nova, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110511/ap_on_re_us/us_immigration_college_student).

Apparently, not only U.S. citizens are angry or affected by this. People who have worked hard at going about immigration in the correct manner agree that this is wrong. Like “Nova” said, illegals taking advantage of the system have no respect for the laws of the country and apparently, the authorities who let Colotl out have no respect for the laws either. Those people need to be fired and fined, if not taken to court, for breaking the law!


D.A. King commented in the above story saying, "I think it's grossly unfair to the real immigrants who have followed the rules to come here legally." King founded the Dustin Inman Society in Georgia. “With a focus on Georgia, The Dustin Inman Society is dedicated to educating the public and our elected officials on the consequences of illegal immigration, our unsecured borders and the breakdown of the rule of law in our Republic” (http://www.thedustininmansociety.org/).


Texas and Georgia are not alone in this struggle. “At a time when Marylanders continue to struggle to pay their bills, their food bills, their gasoline bills…this state and this General Assembly is offering our taxpayer-provided benefits to people who are not even here legally,” said House Minority Leader Anthony O’Donnell (http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/04/26/in-state-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants-sparks-debate/). Lawmakers are asking Maryland voters to go online to sign a petition to have a bill placed on next year’s ballot. This will give Marylanders the right to vote on whether or not they want to allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition. The need for this action is great in every state.


According to http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/11/undocumented-students.html, in 2010, the California Supreme Court came to a unanimous decision to continue allowing illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition. As of May 15, 2011, Oregon is also considering such actions. In an article on the website for 9news in Denver, Colorodo (http://www.9news.com/news/article/193672/339/Senate-OKs-in-state-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants), Senator Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) states that she has undocumented relatives. She is a sponsor of the bill asking for the allowance of illegals to recieve in-state tuition. Senator Scott Renfroe (R-Greeley) said, “This bill is trying to give an in-state tuition [cut] to a class of people that are breaking the law.” This is the exact reason this is, and should be, an argument. These people are breaking the laws of immigration.


At least 30 states have considered legislation to allow undocumented immigrants to receive in-state tuition, and 10 states have passed such legislation (Russell, A.). Ten states have legislative officers who do not care that they are aiding criminals. That is what these illegal immigrants are, lawbreakers.


For undocumented students to be eligible for in-state tuition, they must reside in or attend school in the state for a specified number of years (two to four), graduate from a high school in the state or complete a GED, and submit an affidavit stating intent to file for legal residency. Of the 10 states that have enacted this legislation, six redefine residency for purposes of tuition by focusing on high-school attendance rather than residence in the state. The other four states exempt certain categories of students from paying out-of-state tuition, including undocumented students who meet the above requirements.


The key phrase here is “intent to file”. This means that they do not actually have to file for legal residency; they only have submit an affidavit saying they will. This only gives them more opportunity to avoid their legal responsibility. Why would they take the initiative to go through with filing when they have no one who will follow up on documentation of filing? There is no reason for them to. These laws are just opening another door for illegal immigrants to receive rewards for their lawlessness.


While some would argue it is an issue of allowing a good education, it is an issue of giving a reward to lawbreakers. "This is not a partisan issue. This is good education policy and good fiscal policy. It brings in good money for colleges and tax revenue, helps kids that want to get ahead in college go," said be Sen. Michael Johnston (D-Denver) in the above article. Senator Bill Cadman (R-Colorado Springs) argues aptly, “I don't think we should incentivize illegal activity, and that's exactly what this does. You cannot grant somebody an entitlement, or make them eligible for a benefit, and reward illegal activity.”


Granted, for these students to get in-state tuition, they must have graduated or obtained a GED from a high school in the state of question, but the given education is on the US taxpayer’s dime. “In Plyler v. Doe (1982), the Supreme Court ruled that all children, regardless of immigration status, are guaranteed access to public education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Court held that denying such an education would punish children for the acts of their parents and would perpetuate the formation of an underclass of citizens” (Russell, A.). If a student has been here long enough to have attended four years of high school or been here longer than that, why is it that they have not taken the steps necessary to obtain at least a student visa or a green card? Why not take it a step further and apply for legal alien status or residency, if not citizenship? Perhaps these people are too lazy to take simple steps to legalize their residency in the country that they obviously love and want to be in; otherwise why would they continue to reside here? And why would the Supreme Court deem it fair that there is a denial of benefits to American children by their own government when said government is giving said benefits to children whose parents brought them here illegally? There may be circumstances, of course, that may prevent their becoming legal residents, but that does not change the fact that they are here illegally. If something is preventing some form of legality, they should return to where they came from because usual reasoning for the prevention is due to a subject being a criminal.


I understand that it is not fair to the children that their parents brought them here in an illegal manner, but after the age of eighteen, they are no longer children, they are responsible adults. At that age, these young adults should take matters into their own hands and apply for citizenship or if they do not want to become legal in any form, they should make their way back to their native country.


I am against illegals receiving in-state tuition, but I am not against LEGAL immigrants receiving it. Immigrants who come here legally and have resided in a state for over a year should receive in-state tuition.


Many would argue that I am being racist. This is simply not the case. I have enjoyed the company of friends from many different racial backgrounds. My family has housed foreign exchange students.


These students have gone about obtaining a U.S. education via legal venues. Many international students are here on student visas. These students came here to get an education but they pay out-of-state and sometimes international student fees to get an education in the United States. How is it fair that the students who have gone about coming into this country legally should have to pay more for an education than those who have come here by breaking the law?


According to Sen. Ted Harvey (R-Highlands Ranch), "We are incentivizing more illegal behavior by future generations" (http://www.9news.com/news/article/193672/339/Senate-OKs-in-state-tuition-for-illegal-immigrants). Indeed, with this course of action, we are encouraging future generations to come here and take what is not theirs. We are encouraging them to break the law by allowing them in-state tuition.









References




Brumback, K. (May, 11, 2011). Ga. College Student a Reluctant Immigration Symbol. Associated Press. Retrieved from http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110511/ap_on_re_us/us_immigration_college_student.


No Author. (May 05, 2010). Texas A&M Student Bill Opposes In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/05/texas-am-student-bill-opp_n_564165.html


Russell, A. (August 2007). In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrants: States’ Rights and Educational Opportunity. American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from http://www.aascu.org/media/pm/pdf/in-state_tuition07.pdf.

Sunday

Its been a while! I'm just so super busy with school, work, and church. Of course those of you with kids probably think "Man, I'd kill to just have those things!" haha

Anyhoo, I wanted to give an update. I am currently in school for communications and I, who barely made b's and c's in high school, am proud to say that I currently have a 3.70 GPA! Not to toot my own  horn! LoL

I am still delivering flowers, wishing I had better pay with less hours to work on school, but what can ya do? This economy SUCKS! Especially in this town! College Station is the MOST expensive town I have EVER lived in! BUT it's Aggieland and I'm an Aggie lover, so what can ya do? I guess I COULD love them from afar...BUT my church family here is AMAZING!

Speaking of church, today was an interesting day a church. We had a girl stand up in our testimony meeting and denounce the church. It was a shocking experience to be sure. She was so confused and had been swayed, by who knows what, to think that we are not Christians. We, the members of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints, not Christian? We study the King James version of the BIBLE, intently, thoroughly, and devoutly. We love the Lord Jesus Christ and STRIVE to be like Him. We follow the Savior's teachings fervently and love Him so much that we want to share His message with all of the world!

So, I leave you with this admonision, no matter what religion you associate yourself with, please, PLEASE, do not spread malicious gossip about another religion. There is so much anti-mormon literature out there that have so many FALSE accusations and wrong information about our church. It's hurtful. We don't come to you and say "You're going to hell unless you repent and get baptised in our church" like I have had SO many do to me. I had to end a really great relationship with a very good man because he ended up telling me I was brainwashed and stupid for believing what he was told that "Mormons" believe. I "believe in God, the eternal father, and in His son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."  For more basic beliefs of the LDS faith, click on this link: http://lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.1-13?lang=eng#1 .  I just know that I am so grateful for what I have and for the blessings that I have seen in my life. I know that Christ Lives and atoned for our sins so that we can return to our father in heaven and live with  them again. 

And those, my friends, are my rantings and ravings for the day!

Love ya! May God bless you with all that you can recieve!

As requested: Mom's Tortellini Soup Recipe

Here you go Spencer! HA HA

Mom's Tortellini Soup (SOUP-ER easy!)

1 box of chicken broth
Tomato Juice
1 can of stewed tomatoes (I got just a regular sized can of Italian Recipe Stewed tomatoes)
1 package of tortellini (I use the Buitoni fresh tortellini in the refrigerated section by the cheeses, you can use frozen as well)
Italian Seasonings
Garlic (fresh is best but powder is good too!)
CHEESE! (I get the Italian blend of cheeses, but fresh Parmesan works as well)
For a fresh zest you can add fresh spinach right before serving.

Get out your big stew pot! Pour in the chicken broth, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the tomato juice, and the stewed tomatoes. Add Italian seasonings, garlic, and salt if you want, then bring to a boil. Add in your tortellini, reduce to a simmer, and cook for about 7 minutes for unfrozen, and about 10-15 for frozen. When serving add cheese to your bowl so it doesn't stick to you pot and add fresh spinach on top if desired. Enjoy!

My Vegitarian Chili Recipe

1 can kidney beans
1 can chili beans
1 can black beans
1 BIG can of crushed tomato
2 bell peppers
1 can of green chili's size depending on how spicy you want, I used a small can
half a yellow onion
3 cloves of garlic
olive oil
chili pepper
salt
pepper
cumin
2 Boca Burger patties thawed and chopped

Chop fresh vegetables as small or large as you prefer. Put about 1-2 tables spoons of olive oil in bottom of your pot and put on low-medium heat add fresh cut veggies.
Stir in can of tomatoes and season with chili powder. Add in chili peppers and beans and then season with rest of seasonings. Bring heat up to medium and bring to a boil, then return to low heat and let simmer, stirring occasionally for 35 minutes. Add in chopped up Boca burger and cook 10 more minutes on low heat. Remove from heat and voila!

Valentine's week = Insanity!

Can I just say that next year, I do NOT want to be working in the floral industry on Valentine's day or the week following. It is crazy busy and SOOO stressful! I have been so emotionally fried this week because Auntie Flo has come for her monthly visit and my emotions are always a disaster, add stress to that and it makes for a bad week. Plus, I get flack from the boss for things I have no control over and I get hurt over it! ugh, no fun. So, this weekend, I'm headin up Tx Hwy 6, I-35, and TX 171 back home for a visit! I can't wait! But, homework first, so, this post is a shorty!

I hope everyone else had a great V-day and has a wonderful, stress free, weekend!

Back to school again!

HOWDY! Welcome back to school everyone! Well, if you're going to school that is!

So, it's been a while since I've posted. Here's what I have been up to: WORK and SCHOOL.

I recently enrolled in an online university, I hadn't ever heard of it, but after doing research, God bless the internet, I decided to enroll at Ashford University's Online Program. There is an actual, physical campus in Iowa. The great thing about this school is, while I'm considered a full time student, I only do one course at a time! That means for 5 weeks I only have to worry about homework and quizzes for ONE subject! AWWWWESOME!

So, since I OBVIOUSLY can't do vocal studies online, I'm taking the communications section of my major online. I may end up just changing it completely. WHO KNOWS?? The more I think on it, the more I remember what I wanted to be when I was in high school, besides the veterinarian I am NOT going to be, and that was an ambassador. Would that not be the coolest job ever? I'd get to live in different countries and learn about different cultures, eat new foods, learn new languages, and be a peace maker! Now, this is all based on the chance that I may not remarry in this lifetime and will need to support myself. Another thing I could do with this major is radio. Another cool job! I think that I'd do well as a radio personality. I'm pretty sure I'm sarcastic enough for the job. ha ha, ha ha.

I don't know exactly where the Lord plans on me being in the next four years, but I do know with out a doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be now.  I am growing so much spiritually and shrinking physically (YAY). I am experiencing life at a totally different level and am thoroughly enjoying myself! I go to church on a regular basis, I pray daily, I read my scriptures as often as I remember (still need improvement there), and just received a new calling at church. I am the new FHE mom for the new 26 and older group in our singles ward.

For those of you who aren't LDS, FHE stands for Family Home Evening. Our church leaders encourage us to set aside one day a week, usually Mondays, to have family time. It's time for us to study the gospel as a family in our homes, or as single adults where ever we decide to meet as a group that week, and to also plan an uplifting activity.

I also start institute choir and am taking an institute class this week. So, Sundays-church, Mon-Sat-work, Monday night-FHE, Tuesday night-choir, and Wednesday night-Institute class. I will also be looking into SCA activities to fill in my other evenings. Oh, lets not forget I have to log into class and do all my assignments throughout the week in between all these other activities. Yep, this week until the end of the semester, I will be one BUSY woman! I  CAN DO THIS!


Any advice??