RAVES!!

First off, I would like to congratulate myself on finding a new coupon code site. http://www.oohey.com, I just got 20% off my BOGO sale shoes at Payless! WHAT WHAT!! *raise the roof* LoL

Second off, more raving on myself, I just decided to start back into Mary Kay Cosmetics. I love Mary Kay products and have been using them for years, I just decided that, in order to get some extra cash flow, I need to start selling it again! I am STOKED! Please, call me for a facial! ;o) Just message me and I'll get you my number.

Thirdsies, I have got a new recipe for YUMMY Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup.

What you need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
4-5 chicken breasts (I buy the package of frozen breasts from H-E-B)

1 can of Rotel mild **
1 can black beans**
1 cup of rice (I use brown rice because white rice is too starchy and feeds my candida)
about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning (I use Fiesta brand, made in San Antonio, TX)
about a teaspoon of comino (also Fiesta brand)
salt to taste (I use sea salt)
water (or chicken broth if you can have the yeast and sugar in it)
CROCK POT
**I have since discovered that I am not allowed to eat things from cans, but jarred foods are ok, so I precook my own beans and use a mild salsa that does NOT contain distilled or white vinegar as this is not allowed on candida diet either.)

Directions
 pour the olive oil in the pot and coat the bottom, add the chicken, rotel, beans, and rice. fill the pot about 3 quarters full of the water and add the seasonings. You could add bell peppers and onions if you want that extra splash of flavor. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, you'll know it's done when the rice is fully cooked and the chicken shreds easily. NOTE: You may need to periodically add water so it doesn't get stew-y instead of soup-y, but I usually don't need to, I leave it at lunch time and go back to work.

I serve it with Black Bean chips (Beanitos brand, here's a link for a coupon: http://www.couponfactory.com/share/b286c342b0e7a8478d12cddd1dd35fe1ab904223/) fresh cilantro, avocado, and a dash of Tony Chacheres Cajun seasoning for a wee bit of heat. Sometimes I strain a little bit and put the solid stuff on top of a fresh salad with salsa and the cilantro and avocado. I like to use Green Mountain Gringo Salsa since it's organic, there's no sugar, and they use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.
**I have also found Mark's Good Stuff Salsa which is made with apple cider vinegar instead of white and no added sugars. It IS Good Stuff! :)

Rant: Kindergarten "Graduations"

I'm sorry, but I think this whole graduation ceremony for kindergartners is ridiculous. We didn't have kindergarten graduation when I was a kid. We just knew we were moving on up to 1st grade which meant a whole day at school and no nap time. LAME!

I think its just another way for schools to make you waste your hard earned cash on caps and gowns (those can cost like $25!!) and photos, not to mention a waste of time that you could be spending with your family, not with a hundred other families. Sure, their little signing is cute, but shoots, have a choir concert, not a wasteful graduation. They are 5, they are not going to care about a graduation and are probably getting bored waiting for you to call their name so they can get their little certificate that isn't going to be looked at by any college, university, or future job. "Oh, you don't have your kindergarten graduation certificate??!? I'm sorry, we only accept kindergarten graduates at this establishment."  PSSHH!


Ok, that is all. KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION!!! *Shaking my head. NOW that is all.

Gluten-free/Sugar-free BROWNIES!!!

My mom gave me a recipe and I tweaked it. HAHA

While her recipe is absolutely divine for people who have had zero sugar in MONTHS, it's a bit dry for my taste. I like gooey brownies. So, I added 1/4 cup of almond milk to it. Here is the original, with my notes added in ():

Mom's Gluten/Sugar-free Brownies

2 sticks of organic butter (hormone free, I get Central Market brand)
3/4C Stevia powder (Truvia is the best I've tried so far, no after taste, but it is expensive so I do 2/4 Truvia, 1/4 Stevia in the Raw, as it is cheaper.)
4 eggs
3/4C cocoa powder (we use Hershey's special dark because we like the dark chocolate!! YUM!)
2 1/4 Namaste Perfect Flour Blend (HEB doesn't carry this, I found it at my local natural foods store, but it can be purchased online at Vitacost.com, it's pricey, too, but hey, when you want your sweet tooth satisfied, and you're on a strict diet, it's worth the cost!!)
dash of salt
1Tbs Vanilla (I use organics made with bourbon)
1C chopped nuts (pecans and/or walnuts for this girl!)
Unsweetened Coconut flakes (I usually use about 1/4-1/2C)

Soften butter then combine all but the last two ingredients (including the almond milk if you want a more moist brownie) in mixing bowl and blend, then add nuts and coconut flakes. Put batter in 8x8 glass baking dish, bake at 350 for exactly 20 minutes. DO NOT GREASE YOUR DISH! There is enough butter in the batter that you do not need any additional grease. In fact, when you pull them out of the oven you will see butter on the brownies, this will soak back into the brownies lending moisture so do not drain it off.

Yes, I know, this is probably very fattening, in fact these suckers are probably the reason for my weight-loss plateau. I HAVE A HUGE SWEET TOOTH!

Since it's just me eating these, to keep them from going bad before I can eat them all, I store them in the refrigerator. If you have a few kiddos running around, this may not be an issue for you, my mom keeps them out on the counter throughout the week, but it's both of us eating them while I'm there so they tend to go a little faster.

I also think that the Stevia in the raw may be the culprit that makes them go bad faster. Mom only uses Truvia, but as it is more expensive, I feel it is more economical to use the both of them.

Another delicious use of my Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder, Quinoa flakes for breakfast.

I make the suggested serving size of 1/3C Quinoa Flakes with a wee bit less than a cup of water, microwaved for two mins. Then I add about 3-4 TBS of cocoa, 1-2 TBS of Stevia/Truvia, a tiny bit of vanilla, and enough almond milk to make it soupy and stir it all up. If I'm feeling something special, I add unsweetened coconut flakes and a heaping spoonful of almond butter. (I think it's a great alternative to an almond joy.)

Happy Gluten/Sugar-free, candida friendly eating!

A new lease on life?

I was complimented tonight, at least I think it was a compliment. I was told that I look more relaxed, more chill. I said, "I'm a different person aren't I?" She said she didn't want to quite put it that way, but that yes, I am. It is such an amazing feeling being done with school, having accomplished something, that for me and mine, is a big deal. I am a college graduate, with a BACHELORS degree! I may not have a grand career to show it yet and I may never have a "grand career" at all, but I have accomplished something that neither of my parents or any of my siblings or cousins have and it feels so wonderful to be done with it! I admit, I was a stressed out, frustrated, and scared woman, especially there at the end and REALLY during the holiday (as you may be able to tell from my Valentine's post). Working and doing school is not easy, especially in a flower shop during the Valentine holiday. I don't know how single mothers do it, so kudos to those ladies! You're my heroes! So, what is next? Admittedly, I am enjoying this relaxation state, but I am also updating my resume and searching for job opportunities that will further my skill set and improve my financial independence. I call it a "big girl job". I am ready to get out on my own, yeah, I know I am technically out on my own, but I want to try for my own apartment, no roommate. I am a woman now, not a 20 something college student. I want a little space of my own that I can't complain about someone else messing up or not doing their part to keep it clean. At least for a little while, you know, before I get married. Again. This time for good, I hope. And I may have a prospect or two. (Thank you LDS internet dating site, haha.) So, look out world, Selina is ready to take you on and conquer your next challenge. At least I think I am. No, I am. Really! (It is time for some real world confidence, that's what gets the job done!)

Spring Break

Well, it's officially Spring Break and I was expecting sunshine and flowers. Instead I get RAIN. Lots and LOTS of rain. The small break I get to come visit friends and family and I'm stuck inside doing homework (which I am just about done with which means I am just about done with school. YEE HAW!) and listening to the rain pour down. I guess, I'll just finish up my homework and settle in with a book. That will be nice and relaxing, now won't it.

Anyway, I hope you all have a sunnier and drier Spring Break week than I do and have a SAFE and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Creating a Blog-For Class

I actually already have a blog. I am not a frequent blogger, as I have school, work, church activities, and something resembling a social life, but I am sure that with assignments for class, I will become a more frequent blogger.

 I remember when I was creating it though, I did not know what to write about, but decided that it is my blog and I can write about what I want. And so that is what my blog description entails.  “Just a place to see how a true single LDS young woman feels about life, frugality, and anything else I deem to be interesting.” I approach religious topics, political topics, recipes, and who knows what else will come along.

When it came to aesthetics, blogger was very helpful. It has all kinds of layouts and wallpapers from which to choose. I like to change it up a little sometimes, so having choices is always nice and I believe there is an option where you can upload your own images for you background.

 The great thing about creating a blog is that it is easy! Google’s blogger makes it a very simple, systematic process, and guides you through it. So, my advice to anyone wanting to set up a blog, at least a first time blog is to use Google’s blogger. I have friends though, who have been blogging for a while and have moved their blogs to Wordpress, as it is a more professional blog site.  

my blog url: http://rantingsandravingsofasingleldswoman.blogspot.com/

Careers in Communications-For Class

The first career I came across in the field of communications that I was surprised about was real estate agent. I never thought of a real estate agent as being a communications degree career.  Real estate agents can sell, rent, or buy properties for their clients, they study property listings, show properties to clients, interview prospective clients to see what they want and need, inform their clients of the contract and sale conditions, and draw up real estate contracts. (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes419022.htm)

According to bls.gov, the salary ranges from an annual wage of $20,460 in the 10^th percentile to $95,220 in the 90^th percentile. “Employment of real estate brokers and agents is expected to grow faster than average. Beginning agents and brokers, however, will face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts.” There are no long-term education requirements, only licensure is required by state.

          According to bls.gov, another career in the field of communications is that of editor. Editors proofread and edit other people’s writing. Industries include newspapers, magazines, publishing companies, and more. “Because writing skills are essential in this occupation, many employers like to hire people with degrees in communications, journalism, or English…” (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos320.htm#training)  The salary ranges from an annual wage of $28,880 in the lower 10^th percentile to $96,800 in the 90^th percentile.

Writers and authors are next on my list of communications careers with an annual wage of $28,610 in the lower 10^th percentile to $109,440 in the top 90^th percentile. As far as education, degrees in English, journalism, or communications are needed, but writers and authors “must be able to express ideas clearly and logically and should enjoy writing. Creativity, curiosity, a broad range of knowledge, self-motivation, and perseverance are also valuable. Authors, writers, and editors must demonstrate good judgment and a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. In addition, the ability to concentrate and to work under pressure is essential.”

Another career field for a communications degree is in public relations. PR specialists annual salary range from $30,560 in the lower 10^th percentile to $95,200 in the 90^th percentile. While a communications degree can be used to obtain a job in PR, other degrees include public relations, journalism, or marketing. Industry specific knowledge is also helpful in obtaining a job at a firm.

The final career path in communications I chose is broadcasters. Broadcasters can have a degree in communications, broadcasting, or journalism. Broadcaster annual salary ranges from $16,590 in the lower 10^th percentile to $72,500 in the 90^th percentile for television and radio broadcasters and from $16,940 in the lower 10^th percentile to $70,120 in the 90^th percentile for public address system announcers and other announcers. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos087.htm)