Family – Page 7 – Birds of a Feather

The Whole Enchilada

September 21, 2017Dinner ideas, Family, Recipes, VegetarianLeave a Comment

Mexican food is undoubtedly my favorite type of cuisine to prepare. When cooking for a large group of family or friends, my go to Mexican dish traditionally is enchiladas, arroz (rice), and guacamole. Even in Indiana on two separate occasions, I’ve delivered the whole enchilada. And might I say finding all of the necessary ingredients there was no easy task!

The homemade sauce slowly simmered on the stovetop is what sets this recipe apart from your run of the mill enchilada sauce from a can. The marriage of flavors between the comino, chili powder, tomato paste, Mexican oregano, fresh garlic, and lime juice takes this recipe to new heights. Thug Kitchen has an excellent sauce recipe I’ve adapted. I love it so much that it is the only sauce recipe I’ve used in the last two years.

sauce ingredients

sauce

ENCHILADA SAUCE

2 1/4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/3 cup tomato paste
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
2 to 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Combine the broth, tomato paste, spices, garlic, and soy sauce in a medium size pot and simmer over medium low heat for about 15 minutes. Do not allow the sauce to come to a full boil. Remove from heat and allow to cool for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Squeeze fresh lime juice and stir.

The versatility of this dish makes it an easy dinner option for everyone from vegetarians to carnivores. Carnitas, ground beef, shredded chicken, sautéed mushrooms, spinach and onions, sweet potatoes and black beans… I could go on and on about the different kinds of fillings you could roll between each tortilla.

The most recent batch I made included carnitas and sautéed onions. I rolled them in corn tortillas and sandwiched them together in a 9 x 13 Pyrex dish.

Next pour the sauce across the top of the enchiladas until the tortillas are completely covered and about 1/4 of the bottom of the dish is full. Top with a healthy amount of grated cheddar or Mexican blend cheese.

cheesed

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Allow the enchiladas to bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and even slightly brown.

oven time

Top with guacamole, sour cream, salsa, and cojita and serve with arroz. When my house guests don’t devour all of the deliciousness, they make great leftovers too. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave them easily and enjoy them later in the week for lunch or dinner.

finished

I can’t say enough positive things about this dish and truthfully neither can my friends. It truly is the whole enchilada! Even my little sous chef agrees. From my kitchen to yours, buen provecho.

helper

Recharging my Batteries

September 19, 2017Family, Happiness, Special People1 Comment

This last week proved to be incredibly difficult as I found myself carrying the weight of an abundantly full plate. Between an infant with a double ear infection, the unexpected loss of a dear friend, and the stress of transitioning into a new job position, it left very little time to write purposeful blog pieces. Since embarking on this blog journey, I have faithfully posted almost every day without fail. However I quickly realized that stress can adversarially impede the writing process.

This weekend, however, proved to be exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries before starting my first day at my new job today. My mom and madrina (godmother) came into town and brought the love, hugs, and positive affirmations I desperately needed. Between margaritas at Gringo’s, some retail therapy, comfort food (fried green tomatoes, French fries, and an amazing burger topped with a fried egg) at Whiskey Cake, and some screen time at the movie theater (Home Again), it was a perfect weekend.

Living so far away from family proves to be a challenging endeavor. Trying to sync everyone’s schedule to make time to get together involves an extensive amount of calendar coordinating. When the stars align though and we can all be in the same place long enough to relish in the laughter and marathon conversations, familial homeostasis is restored.

Thank you Patti and Mom for making the drive up this weekend to visit. The boys loved seeing you just as much as I did. In fact, this afternoon as we were unpacking backpacks, lunch boxes, and the like, Liam said, “Mom, why isn’t Dolly still here? She usually stays a lot longer. I really wish she hadn’t left.” His sentiments definitely mirrored mine. Whether it’s a weekend or a week, it’s never enough time! Until next time, sending you both love, light, and gratitude.

Running is a Gift

September 14, 2017September 14, 2017Family, Running, Special People, Success, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

meg

I first met Meg, the summer before I started my junior year at The University of Texas. I was recruited by a former teacher to run as the anchor leg for The South Padre Island Beach Mamas at the Beach to Bay Relay in Corpus Christi. I was the only runner on the team who wasn’t a mother but perhaps because of my hometown roots, they made an exception. I remember immediately being in awe of her athletic abilities and her incredible abs. I hoped that one day, I too would exude a similar running prowess.

Fast forward five years, to my first year teaching. I spent the fall training solo for the Houston marathon, driving to the beach on the weekends to complete my long runs with Norma and Karen. After the marathon, as my mom and I waited to board the plane, Dayna approached me about running with her group. I was eager to train with others as running in the quiet, dark early morning hours had proved to be rather lonely, so I agreed to join them the following week for a run.

For the next two and half years, Meg, Dayna, Michael, Scott, David, Mark, and I met multiple times a week for training runs. We gutted it out around the Marine Military Academy track for morning speed work sessions, ran up and down the McElvy Trail hills over twenty times a run in hopes of preparing for hillier marathon courses outside the Valley, and ran so many loops around the Harlingen Country Club, it’s a wonder we didn’t get dizzy. We charted out long run through the streets of Harlingen and parts of San Benito, always finding our second wind on the last stretch sprinting towards the Heart Clinic.

Each of these runs was special in its own right. Meg and Michael, the oil and water of our group, were always at each others throats. We often joked they bickered like an old married couple even though we all knew Meg’s heart forever belonged to Bill. Their opinionated banter often had us roaring in laughter. Sometimes just Meg, Dayna, and I ran delving into more serious topics of conversation about our lives, families, hopes, and hardships. Meg was always such a source of strength and support. She had a way of making even the most difficult of times seem managable.

When I moved to Houston seven years ago, leaving those friendships behind was so difficult. Who would I train with in a new city? Who could match their personalities and the dynamic we all shared? It seemed like such a daunting thought thinking about starting all over again.

Every holiday or visit I made to the Valley up until pregnancy included a run with my Harlingen running crew. Each time, it was as though I had never left. We picked up where we left off, filled each other in on what we’d missed, and always talked about our next big race and the training it would require.

Yesterday we lost an incredible gift. Meg, you will be missed by so many. Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your inner circle while I lived in Harlingen. You inspired me, encouraged me, and supported me in so many ways. You taught me the importance of balancing a career, a family, and a passion for running. Your beautiful smile and strong opinions were truly my most favorite things about you.

Last night searching through email archives I found a note she sent me when I first moved to Houston. It truly encompasses the kind of friend she was.

Hey Sweetie,

My best wishes to you for the SF marathon. I bet you will do a great job & exceed your expectations. I hope so anyway! Please post your time on Facebook when it’s all over so we can see.

I am running again, trying to get back into shape during the season I hate most in South Texas! It doesn’t seem fair that someone can train for over 20 years of their life and be dedicated and committed to a sport, and get “out of VO2 Xchange shape in a matter of Weeks!! I am stubborn. I will get back into shape for Philadelphia my birthday weekend – Nov 20. Dayna is doing it with me!

Should be cold in Phili in Nov. I hope so anyway!

Hope you are doing well & happy at your new home. We get to Houston a few times a year. I will try to track you down. Wish you the best for the race & your new job/ studies.

All my love,

meg

Running is a gift not because of the physical and mental benefits it provides but because of the amazing training partners you share the road with. When you look past the miles, sweat, and body odor, there is a vulnerability that comes from laying it all on the line when you lace up your running shoes. There’s something that happens in a long run when you let your walls down and pour your heart out. A running friendship is truly an exceptional gift with exponential payouts.

Meg, you will forever have a special place in my heart. May you find eternal rest in Heaven. Godspeed!

The First of Many

September 13, 2017Family, Happiness, SuccessLeave a Comment

For parents, the first day of kindergarten is undoubtedly a monumental day; a day that signifies your little one really isn’t so little anymore. Monday marked Liam’s first day of kindergarten. Because of Hurricane Harvey, the start date was delayed by almost two weeks. When the big day finally came, he was absolutely ecstatic.

The night before his clothes were picked. He was eager to wear his new Star Wars tee and blue laceless sneakers. His lunchbox was prepped with Cheez Its, a ham and turkey sub, a yogurt pouch, and a Rice Krispie treat; all compliments of Lunchables. I don’t usually encourage Lunchables but was more than happy to appease his first day lunch request this time around. He set his alarm and went to bed full of excitement.

In the morning, the smiles and excitement continued. He posed for the obligatory first day pictures, even requesting the opportunity to take a photo with his little brother. We dropped Atticus off at daycare and headed to Shipley’s for a special first day breakfast of donuts and strawberry milk. On our drive to school, he chatted about the things he was looking forward to most- recess and riding the school bus back to daycare.

We arrived a little before 8:30 and stood alongside other families eager to walk their children in on their first day. At 8:30 several very excited teachers ran out of the building yelling, “It’s the first day of school!” This signaled the beginning of his first day. Together we walked hand-in-hand down the hall towards his classroom. It was a sea of backpacks, lunchboxes, and children. I could see a few nerves creeping in slowly across his face. I leaned down and whispered to him that it was ok to feel nervous. I always felt nervous on the first day too.

When we walked into the classroom, his teacher greeted him with a hug. He found his seat, gave us both incredible bear hugs, and looked longingly at us as we waved goodbye and walked out. Leaving him behind was bittersweet. I knew he was more than ready academically and socially for this new chapter, but leaving him behind was difficult, nonetheless.

At the end of the day, Sean and I picked up both boys together at daycare. This is a rarity but one of the cars was in the shop so we carpooled to work that day. Liam greeted us with a giant smile and raved about his first day. He proudly marched out of daycare with a hat made out of construction paper and sentence strips that said, “I rocked my first day of kindergarten.” His enthusiasm and praise were music to his parents’ ears, no doubt!

Now halfway through the first week, our kindergartner is still eager to get to school in the morning and comes home with positive things to say. I couldn’t be more grateful he’s off to a great start! Here’s to an incredible school year!

New Beginnings

September 12, 2017Family, Goal setting, Happiness, Opportunities, Success, WorkLeave a Comment

My career as a school counselor began three years ago at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, a small inner city Catholic school in the heart of the Fifth Ward in Houston. It was here that I developed a comprehensive guidance program and built a rapport with my students and their families. I could have never prepared myself for the joy that came from helping others academically, socially, and emotionally. It was a difficult school to walk away from; but when a new opportunity knocked, I answered.

Two years ago, prayerful intentions led me to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School where I continued to grow as a school counselor. With an open heart and an open mind, I found my work incredibly rewarding and very quickly grew to love the faculty, students, and families. My days were brighter because of elementary students’ bright smiles and hugs. My heart was happier because of the joy that came from coaching cheer and track; a position I took very seriously as I suited out for practice just like my athletes and led them in workouts around the track. I challenged myself in many ways professionally- leading accommodations meetings, advocating for students with learning difficulties, and meeting the social and emotional needs of many, including faculty and staff. Professionally, I was happy, fulfilled, and content.

Then on the Friday of my first week back at work, I received a phone call from the Director of Admissions at St. John XXIII College Prepatory High School. They had a school counseling vacancy and expressed interest in having me come by for an interview. I found myself immediately torn. I loved the work I was doing at St. Elizabeth but recognized the tremendous opportunities for growth the new position offered. Despite the conflict I felt, I knew I at least needed to interview for the position because I didn’t want to leave myself carrying around any “what ifs?”. My first interview went well, which led to a callback from the principal, and second interview with him. By midweek, I was offered the position, and knew I had a significant amount of soul searching to do.

After prayerful consideration and several heart-to-heart conversations with my closest family and friends, I decided that this opporunity was too good to pass up. The timing was far from ideal; leaving my current position less than a month into the new year and taking on a new role in a new school later in the game. Nevertheless, I’m eager to embark on this new journey and challenge myself professionally in new ways.

A few weeks ago, my post focused on the adage, “everything happens for a reason.” God put this new opporunity in my lap for a reason. This did not happend by accident. My principal notified the faculty and parents about my new position this afternoon. I’m incredibly grateful for his support and look forward to what the future holds. My last day at St. Elizabeth is this Friday. I will take the next few days to say my goodbyes and prepare for this next phase in my professional life.

So here’s to new beginnings, moving forward, and embracing the adventure that lies ahead. Thank you St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for the tremendous opportunities. You will forever have a place in my heart!

A Saturday with my Bears

September 10, 2017Dinner ideas, Family, Happiness, Low carb, Recipes, Special People, Summer fun, VegetarianLeave a Comment

Yesterday could not have been a more beautiful day. The sky was crystal blue with wisps of clouds painted here and there across its palette. The cooler temperatures were a welcome reprieve from the hot conditions that kept us indoors and out of the blazing sun for a good portion of the summer.

What better way to take in this gorgeous day than with a picnic at the playground! I loaded up our picnic basket with traditional fare including sandwiches, cookies, tomatoes, and grapes. With a basket full of goodies and two boys eager to enjoy the day, we set out to one of our favorite playgrounds in the neighborhood. The climbing structures are perfect for an adventurous five-year-old and the Astroturf and covered playground spaces are ideal for a crawling infant.

With cooler temperatures in the forecast for the next few days, it seemed like the right time to make a hearty pot of vegetable beef soup. It’s a great dinner fix but also pulls double duty by serving as leftovers for the week. I love anything that takes the stress out of midweek meal planning.

This soup offers a wide variety of options and provides an ideal mix of fresh and canned items so it’s easy to pull from your kitchen staples in a pinch. Without the ground beef, it’s also a delicious vegetarian choice. Adding brown rice or barley can stretch the soup even further too.

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups of broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable all suffice)
1 pound of lean ground beef
1 can of cut green beans, drained
1 can of whole kernel sweet corn, drained (frozen works great too)
1 can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans of fire roasted tomatoes
4 cups of fresh spinach
1 bunch of carrots, peeled and chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 sweet onion, chopped
4-6 small white potatoes, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
parmesan cheese to garnish

DIRECTIONS:

In a large soup pot over medium high heat, saute onions and garlic in some olive oil until fragrant. Next add the carrots, and saute for a few mintues. Then add the ground beef and saute until brown. Next it’s go time for the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, potatoes, and broth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cover, turn up the heat (high), and bring to a boil for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then add the green beans and corn and continue cooking until the potatoes are soft. Turn the heat off and stir in the fresh spinach. Serve with artisan rolls and a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese.

A hearty soup, delicious artisan rolls, and a glass of red wine made for a perfect dinner. Liam and Atticus had their fill of vegetables, and both smiled through the entire meal. All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better Saturday with my favorite bears.

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Baby Steps

September 4, 2017September 4, 2017Family, Goal setting, Success, UncategorizedLeave a Comment

It feels like it happened overnight, but this long weekend has proven to be a busy one when you have a 10 month old that is literally into everything. Like The Flash, he’s dashing across the floor on all fours zeroing in on the next chair, door, wall, or pair of legs to pull up on. As our baby bear is on the move, the rest of the den are hot on his tail making sure he’s not crawling into a dangerous situation.

Yesterday morning the amount of crawling and pulling up was at an all time high. Sean and I decided it was time to try containing him, at least for a while, so we could knock out some of our usual Sunday to do’s. Inevitably it was time for us to set up the playpen. Sean assembled it behind the couch and lowered Atticus in with a handful of toys. Curiosity kicked in and before we knew it, he was happy as a clam exploring his new space. Before long crawling turned into pulling up and then…

Almost immediately my anxious mom tendencies kicked into high gear as I envisioned my sweet baby boy face planting on our hardwood floor. Very quickly his playpen was moved into the living room and placed on softer ground- the carpet.

His strength, resilience, and inherent curiosity are qualities I deeply admire. I want him to feel empowered in his physical abilities as he takes risks, experiences failures, and ultimately conquers his next challenge- learning to walk. In life, we have to take it one step at a time, and sometimes those steps work best when they are calculated and slow. Here’s to the baby steps that propel all of us forward!

Hurricane Harvey Home Cookin’

September 3, 2017Dinner ideas, Family, Low carb, Recipes, Uncategorized, VegetarianLeave a Comment

The conditions of Hurricane Harvey made it nearly impossible for us to venture too far from the house from last Friday through Tuesday. Even before the storm hit, local grocery stores were out of the essentials including bread and milk. Thursday evening after work, I zipped through H-E-B snatching up food items that were still available, but it was anyone’s guess when I’d have the opportunity to return to the grocery store to restock.

With the kitchen staples I readily keep on hand, I was able to make a home-cooked meal for almost an entire week before restocking the pantry and refrigerator was necessary. Because I was using what I had on hand, most of last week’s recipes included some form of sausage. I capitalized on a sale recently so I had more on hand than usual. Many of them would be delicious with ground beef or even completely meatless. Most importantly though they provided comfort in a time of uncertainty for my family. We weathered the storm together and enjoyed the comforts of home cooking.

I’ve condensed the recipes into more of a brief synopsis of the dish. Feel free to request the entire recipe in the comments section. Buen provecho!

BASIC SPAGHETTI- I posted this recipe earlier in the week, but it was the first of the many home cooked meals that were plated and served to my bears this week.

SAUSAGE TACOS- A simple and easy dinner ready in no time. Saute sliced onion and sliced bell pepper until the onion is translucent and the peppers are soft. I happened to have orange on hand but red or yellow or a combination are great too. If I have mushrooms on hand, I’ll throw those in the mix too, but I used them all the day before when I made spaghetti. This recipe could easily be vegetarian by nixing the sausage. Add the sausage and saute until heated through. Serve in warm tortillas topped with salsa and a side of rice. I love using Tilda’s Mexican style rice. I saute it in a little olive oil along with frozen corn, peas, and half a can of garlic fire roasted tomatoes (drained). Delicioso!

RATATOUILLE- Ordinarily I would also include zucchini and onion and serve with fresh parmesan cheese over the top but I was out of these items by the time I cooked this dish in the week. Saute onions, garlic, garbanzo beans, and Italian sausage on medium high until brown. Then add the artichoke hearts (drained) and the fire roasted tomatoes. Let simmer until ready. Serve over brown rice.

BACON & EGG CUPS- For my Paleo friends, this is a savory, carb friendly dish that is super easy to assemble and is ready in 15 minutes. This doubles as a great breakfast option so you can make extra and have them ready to grab on your way out the door to work. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Grease a regular size muffin tin with cooking spray. Cut the bacon in half and form a cross in each tin. Crack an egg over each bacon cross, insert asparagus, and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. I typically use fresh asparagus but only had frozen on hand. It proved to be a great substitute and is easy to store in the freezer to use over and over again. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the bacon is crispy. Serve with fresh cherry tomatoes and sliced apples or a side salad.

GRILLED CHEESE- This one is a fan favorite of Liam’s. The secret to perfectly grilled bread is mayonnaise, but don’t tell Liam because he thinks he hates it. Spread mayo onto both side of two slices of multi-grain bread. Grill on medium high heat in a skillet. Brown both sides ensuring that one side is more golden than the other. Sandwich between the more golden sides of each slice of bread. Continue heating until both sides match their center counterpart and are browned to golden perfection. I had mild cheddar and provolone in the fridge so I used both. Serve with tomato soup and a dill pickle spear. My favorite is Pacifica’s Organic Tomato Soup. This is the easiest, throw together meal that your baby bears will love as much as you. It always takes me back to my own childhood!

grilled cheese

CANADIAN BACON CUPS- In essence this dish is a gluten-free, no-crust pizza option that packs the flavor without the carbs. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the muffin tin with cooking spray and layer three slices of Canadian bacon to form a flower. I used an extra-large muffin tin this time around. Depending on the size and thickness, you could also use a regular size muffin tin. I only made enough for each of us to have one, but you could make more and save them for an easy lunch option for work. Top with one tablespoon of tomato sauce and then add the toppings of your choice. I actually used my leftover ratatouille as a topping but picked out the garbanzo beans. The Italian sausage and artichoke hearts were perfect. Pineapple would be a great Hawaiian option or consider pepperoni and olives. Then top with mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cheese is brown. Remove with a spatula and drain the excess sauce at the bottom of the tin before serving. Even Liam thought these “wannabe pizzas” were yummy!

A Baby fills a Place in your Heart…

September 2, 2017Family, HappinessLeave a Comment

Today my sweet Atticus celebrates ten months of life. How this little cutie is closing in on a year absolutely blows my mind. This month proved to be the most difficult of photo shoots as the evidence proves. While there were a few diamonds in the rough, overall Atticus was not up for the paparrazi’s demands this morning.

Atticus is definitely at an age where he is into everything. Pulling up on the side of his crib, the coffee table, and just about anything he can get his hands on. The movement is nonstop. I definitely have my work cut out for me chasing after my little crawler, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Even a simple diaper change resembles a criminal trying to resist arrest. I place him on his back, and he’s immediately trying to roll over onto his stomach, bare bottom exposed for all the world to see. It’s made getting a fresh nappy on him a rather harrowing experience. Naturally to the outisde observer it’s the comedic relief they need in their day, but for me the struggle is real, Mama Bears!

I’m amazed how much he’s grown into his own little person and how he continues to surprise me with every developmental milestone he reaches. Some days he’s a camera hound, and he just can’t smile enough for me. The photo montage below illustrates some of his happier moments this week. But even the happiest of people are human and have their off days where it’s more like, “Umm. Yeah, No!” Either way, I find every little thing absolutely precious, even when I’m covered in spit up or waking up in the middle of the night by a teething tot. I won’t get these little moments back, so I hold on to them tightly because I know they’ll be gone in the blink of an eye.

When Liam found his way into my life he was a tenacious toddler; far more independent than an infant. Since Atticus’s birth in November, it’s been full blown immersion into all things baby. Every day I find something to marvel in. I regularly have to resist the urge to break into full blown mommy tears; sometimes for the most insignificant reasons (I’ll admit that writing today’s post came with it’s own waterworks show). It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

“A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty.” While the author who put it so eloquently into words is unknown, their sentiments couldn’t ring more true for this Mama Bear. Slow down, my sweet, baby boy. You’re already growing up way too fast!

A Helping Heart

August 31, 2017August 31, 2017Faith, Family, Inclement weather, Prayer, Uncategorized3 Comments

This morning the sky was a perfect blue and the sun was shining radiantly. After so many days of darkness and despair for so many in the Houston area, it was a welcome change.

As we sat together over breakfast, the local news stations continued to show footage of the devastation in our area. Liam and I sat in silence taking it all in. In that moment, teaching him about the importance of helping others in times of need struck a chord with me. I told him that we were so incredibly fortunate to have weathered the storm without losing anything. I explained to him that it was our time to help and give back to those who did not fare as well.

We spent the better part of the morning gathering linens, toys, diapers, water, children’s books, crayons, art supplies, coloring books, baby clothes, and toys for the rescue shelter at St. Maximillian Kolbe Catholic Church. A colleague and friend of mine was headed there after lunch with her son to volunteer and offered to deliver our donations.

Liam was a real sport parting with some of his prized possessions. He didn’t complain once and beamed with pride about being able to help others. For this Mama Bear, it made my heart absolutely melt with happiness and pride.

More than 46% of Texas’s population was affected by Hurricane Harvey. Rebuilding our coastal regions and the greater Houston area will require the volunteer and donation efforts of many. Although Liam is only five, you’re never too young to learn the value and importance of having a helping heart. Big or small every little bit helps. #Texasstrong