Reflections

I couldn’t let this date pass without at least pausing to acknowledge that my life changed drastically one year ago today. If you think I’m talking about the day I married my best friend, you are wrong. On September 26, 2010 I received a phone call in the early morning that my parents were in a very bad accident. Over the next 10 days I practically lived in the ICU at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. I went into “crisis mode” making sure that our friends and family were updated, organizing meal delivery, comforting my mom, delegating tasks, fielding questions. By December 2010 I thought the worst was behind us and I helped my parents through a celebratory Christmas Party. I honestly thought I would go on with life, and get back to where I was on September 25th before all this nonsense happened.

Life kept throwing curve ball after curve ball. My mother’s injuries from the accident, although minor, were not treated properly and by January she was in constant debilitating pain that kept her from walking, talking, and living. She was shut down and my dad had a hard time coping, as he was still healing himself. I again popped myself back into crisis mode and gave everything I had to assisting my dad through this very difficult time. In March 2011 my mom was taken by ambulance for emergency surgery after doctors discovered a large infection pressing on her spinal cord. One wrong move and she would be paralyzed. A very risky surgery took place, and she woke up in ICU with a halo brace screwed into her head.

At this one year mark, I can exhale and report that my parents have done a tremendous amount of healing, and have overcome steep odds. None of us are the people we were one year ago. This long and painful year has revealed a great deal to me – most of which I appreciate but there are some heartbreaking realities that I wish I never learned. In the midst of a catastrophe, true character is exposed. I saw the good and bad in my family and friends. Friends who I considered close suddenly stopped calling. It didn’t take long before I was unable to keep up the facade that everything was okay. I gave up on small talk and reserved make up for special occasions with Jim. In order for me to keep from completely crumbling I had to refocus my energy at work and within my marriage. Jim has been an unwavering rock for me, amidst dealing with a frustrating job search. His positive attitude and encouraging words have helped me put one foot in front of the other. I realized that without putting my faith in God, I would be a pile of nothing. I feel very loved and blessed. Jeremiah 29:11 says that the Lord has a plan for me and that plan is not to harm me but to give me hope. Psalm 23 is a beautiful verse about how the Lord leads us. Here is the New Life Version of the scripture:

1 The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.

I definitely felt God’s presence through the “valley” and I want to experience Him just as prominently tomorrow as I did yesterday. I pray for continued healing for my family – both physically and emotionally. I pray for those who stepped up to the plate to extend a kind hand – that their good deeds would be repaid to them. Likewise, I pray for my enemies. I pray also that I would become a better example of what it means to walk with Christ. I pray that I will be slow to anger, quick to forgive, and love unconditionally again.

Five for Friday

For Jim, I love you so much:

1. You surprised me at the office by sending a bouquet of flowers to cheer me up.
2. You call me sweet cheeks.
3. You put in a vacation request for next week.
4. You understand how important my reunion is to me.
5. You sent me pictures of your California road trip and of my favorite nephew in the world.

Beef and Pepper Stir Fry

This was the last meal that I made Jim before he left for his California business trip. It was quick to pull together, giving me more time to snuggle with him on the couch. Even though it's Beef with PEPPERS, it was not at all spicy. Besides it being easy and quick to make, the second best part was that the leftovers tasted even better than it did fresh out of the wok.

Not pictured are the peppers, onion, flank steak and rice noodles. This photo are the ingredients I used in the marinade:
Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Corn Starch
Ginger
Fish Sauce
Dry Sherry
Garlic
Chili Garlic Sauce
Brown Sugar

I'm not saying you have to have ALL these ingredients, but this is what I used on this particular day...and it was so so so yummy! Here is how it all went down:

In a large mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Be sure to pack the brown sugar into your measuring spoon.

Next, add 2 tablespoons of corn starch - this will help to thicken the sauce and cling to the meat.

Using a whisk, blend that together until the cornstarch is dissolved.

Now for mucho flavor! Chop 2 cloves of garlic, mince 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger and add that in the marinade along with 3 tablespoons of dry sherry and as much chili garlic sauce as you can handle. I used a teaspoon of the chili garlic sauce but wish I had used more. We like things spicy down here in Austin and this turned out pretty mild.

Fish sauce. I wouldn't recommend smelling this...or tasting it for that matter. Trust me! When just a splash of fish sauce is added to savory cooking, it creates that mysterious fifth taste that makes people say, "Mmm, this is good, and I can't quiet put my finger on what it is." At that point you just grin and keep quiet about the secret ingredient. Believe it or not, you can find fish sauce in most grocery stores now. I had to go to the Asian market for this bottle - and it will last forever, you only need a squirt. I added about a teaspoon to the marinade.

Now that the marinade is made, lets chop all the meat and veggies. Once you start the stir fry, it goes quickly. I've mentioned that we love the heat in this house so I left the seeds in this jalapeno and sliced it up.

Slice an onion.

Flank Steak is perfect for a stir fry and my secret for slicing it paper thin is to stick it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes.

When it is partially frozen you can take your very sharp chef knife and slice against the grain into thin strips. Once the flank steak is sliced, add it to the bowl of marinade.

Slice two bell peppers - whatever color you have is fine! Lop the tops off and throw away the seeds, then slice into strips or rings.

It's time to Wok and Roll! I know I'm cheesy. I like to use a combination of oil in my stir frys. You need an oil that has a high smoking point like Canola. I like to also add peanut oil for the flavor. Add 1 tablespoon of each or two tablespoons of canola oil in your wok.

When the wok is very hot, toss in your onions and sliced jalapeno. Spread these out and let them char quickly and then toss and let them char a little bit more. We want to give them quick color without them wilting too terribly much.

Remove the onions to a plate and then do the same thing with the peppers and remove those to a plate.

If you need more oil in the wok, add a splash and let it heat up again. Add about a third of the meat slices to the wok and spread them out in one layer. After about 30 seconds, flip the meat. This goes fast because the very thinly sliced meat will cook fast. Remove each batch of the cooked meat to the plate with the onions and peppers.

When all the meat has been seared, add all the ingredients back into the wok and pour the remainder of the marinade over everything.

Toss this around and let it cook for a few minutes.

Have a pot of water already boiling on the back burner. I like these vermicelli rice sticks because they are so thin and seem to absorb flavors really well.

I only cooked about 1/3 of the package and used my sharp kitchen shears to cut just what I needed off this large nest of hard noodles.

When the pot of water is boiling, add the rice noodles and they will cook in less than 3 minutes. I lifted them right out of the pot and transferred them over to my wok.

Stir this all together and watch the flavorful sauce coat the noodles. It's ready!

If you have chopsticks, use em!

These bowls? Why they are two of my favorite noodle bowls EVER and we received them as wedding gifts from thoughtful friends. The holes on each side are perfect for threading your chopsticks through when you are not using them. They are from Crate & Barrel. Love.

Every bite is incredibly flavorful, the meat practically melts in your mouth. You could throw literally ANY vegetable into your wok and make this stir fry your own. My version was loosly based on a PW recipe which I of course changed as I went. Try carrots, broccoli, snap peas, mini corn, mushrooms (if you like that sort of thing). Instead of noodles, try serving the meat and veggies over brown or white rice. However you make yours, be sure to save some for the next day - I swear this gets better overnight in the fridge.

Five for Friday

For Jim:

1. The love note you left for me to find under my pillow.
2. The love note you left for me to find under my pillow.
3. The love note you left for me to find under my pillow.
4. The love note you left for me to find under my pillow.
5. The love note you left for me to find under my pillow.

P.S. - I read it before going to bed, and also first thing in the morning. I love you.

Splenda Winner Announced

Contest is closed. The prize pack includes:

• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener with B Vitamins
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener, 1 gram of Fiber packets
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener, 1 gram of Fiber granulated
• One SPLENDA ESSENTIALS No Calorie Sweetener to-go mug
• One Splenda-yellow blender
• Two Splenda-yellow bowls
• One Splenda-yellow fruit juicer

 I used an online Random Number Generator and the very first comment was selected!

Congratulations to Meari! Send me your mailing address Meari so I can have these items sent to you. Thanks to Splenda for sponsoring this giveaway and big thanks to everyone for posting their healthy living tips!

Cocinaware Winner

Congratulations to Susan Benegas for being the winner of the H-E-B Cocinaware prize package that includes the Ceramic Chips and Dip Plate, Tortilla Warmer, Potholder and matching Kitchen Towel,  Margarita Glass, Ceramic Coffee Mug, 4-Piece Measuring Spoons, Ceramic Salsa Crock with Spoon, Large Malamine Serving Bowl, 2 Acrylic Serving Bowls and a Cocinaware Apron.

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway. The new line of Cocinaware should now be available in your H-E-B, check out the great promotions they are running:

9/11 – 9/27
Buy Cocinaware 10" Enamel Cast Iron Fry Pan, get 1 lb ground beef, H-E-B Ranchera Salsa, H-E-B Flour Tortillas and H-E-B Mexican blend cheese free with in-store coupons!

9/18 – 10/11
Buy Cocinaware 5.2 qt Enamel Cast Iron Casserole, get Boneless Shoulder Chuck Roast, H-E-B Chipotle and Garlic Salsa Picante, and H-E-B White Corn Tortillas free with in-store coupons!

10/2 – 10/18
Buy Cocinaware Grande Family Pan, get H-E-B Seasoned Beef, Chicken, or Pork Fajitas, Vermicelli, and Chunky Salsa Picante free with in-store coupons!

These yellow coupons are available at a select 150 H-E-B locations. Check to see if they’re available at your H-E-B store by viewing your weekly ad.

 
 

Chocolate Brownies and a Giveaway

Chocolate for miles! These fudgy brownies with walnuts were tall, dense and delicious. They were only made better by a clever swap that reduced the calories from sugar and added a boost of fiber! 

I think you would agree that living a healthier lifestyle starts with making small, good-for-you choices every day. My biggest healthy living tip is to try and eat breakfast at home instead of buying something on your way to work. I like to keep hard boiled eggs, fresh cut up fruit and greek yogurt in my fridge. Prepping these items at the beginning of the week makes it super easy for me to grab something healthy during a busy morning.

A University of Massachusetts study discovered that people who eat out instead of at home are more than twice as likely to be obese. The reason? Restaurant portions tend to be larger than those you cook at home, and you're more likely to make an unhealthy decision at a drive-thru or convenience store.

On those days when you must have something to satisfy your sweet tooth, here is a decadent brownie recipe to try. Everything in moderation, right?

Here is what you need:
1 pound unsalted butter
1 pound plus 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
6 extra-large eggs
3 tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener
1 cup Sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups chopped walnuts

Click to read more!