They Call Me Mama
Here's the story of a lovely lady who was bringing up one very lovely girl. One of them had hair of red, twas the mother, the younger one hated curls. Here's the story of a man named O'Brien, who was living all on his own. He was handsome and owned a Saturn, but he was all alone. Till the one day when this lady met this fellow. And she knew it was more than just a hunch. When he chose this mama and her daughter, we began the O'Brien Bunch!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Heartburn in Pregnancy and What To Do About It
I have had plenty of time to experiment with various remedies. I thought I would list some of my findings here.
Some of the obvious, easy ones are drinking enough water and eating small meals at regular and more frequent intervals, preferably with plenty of protein. Another given - some regular exercise. Walking, swimming, etc. Some regular movement.
Also, the method of treating your heartburn depends on why you have it... are you not producing enough acids, or are you producing too many? I have not learned really how to tell the difference, so it has been by trial and error finding relief.
1) Chewing on some gum... I reccomend xylitol gum. There used to be a heartburn gum on the market when I was pregnant with Kynzie (over seven years ago) that I used with great success. Two years later when I was pregnant with Max, they didn't sell that gum anymore. So, I started to experiment with other chewing gums. I guess the premise is that it helps stimulate acids to help break down the food. Pregnancy often slows down digestion.
2) Paypaya or other enzyme tablets - these have been life savers for me at some points. I buy the chewable, but as with any chewable tablet, there is always a sweetner, so watch out for corn syrups as well as artificial sweetners.
3) I have used milk or yogurt successfully as well as...
4) Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg's). Two seemingly opposite ends of the specturm, milk and vinegar, but again maybe it is due to my heartburn being caused by different problems at different times?
5) Lastly, I have a theory. I believe that if you become constipated (which also seems to plague many pregnant women), you will have more hearburn. I have used psyllium husk for this with great success. Some have told me psyllium husks cause them to have stomach cramps. I am not sure, but possibly this is a sign it is doing what it is supposed to?? Not sure, though, as it doesn't give me cramps.
I have heard some use slippery elm bark instead of psyllium husks.
This last point is also helped by regular exercise and a healthy food plan (Bradley or better!) and plenty of water. Eliminate white sugar and flour, and add fiber where you can!
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Peanut Chicken Recipe and Menu Plan
I have since found copy-cat recipes for the Bang Bang Chicken, and I am anxious to give that a try. But we will likely keep this favorite on our menu rotation for now.
Oh, something else about my cooking... I don't measure most of the time. I also don't remember from one time to the next how I have tweaked a recipe and whether we liked it better or not. It drives my family mad. But it is all part of the creative process for me! I am trying to make notes here and there because I do want to pass the recipes on to my kids as well.
Someday, I hope to even add pictures! Ooohhh!
Peanut Chicken
1 can coconut milk
1/2 cup peanut butter, creamy seems to be best
1/2 cup vinegar, we typically use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce, tamari, or Bragg's Liquid Amino's
1/4 cup brown sugar or Sucanat
1/2 - 1 tsp ginger, ground
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, more if you like more heat
2-4 garlic cloves, minced
2.5 cups chicken, cooked and diced
1.5 cups rice, quinoa, etc. or a blend (you may want to use additional coconut milk and/or broth in place of the water to cook the rice for flavor)
2 T coconut oil
Carrots, julienned
Zucchini (or Cucumber), julienned
Shredded coconut
Chopped peanuts
Green onions, sliced
Put rice on to cook.
Heat first eight ingredients in heavy saucepan until mixed and bubbly; stirring frequently. Then add chicken.
While sauce heats, slice green onions, carrots and zucchini or cucumber. These are best ice cold.
To serve, scoop rice onto each plate and top with chicken and sauce. Top liberally with onions, cucumbers, carrots, coconut and peanuts.
Notes: for presentation, it works nicely to scoop rice into a small bowl, packed tightly. Place the plate on top of the bowl upside down. Flip bowl and plate together, then lift the bowl, leaving the rice in a nice rounded mound. Then spoon chicken and sauce over and around rice. Then top with the carrots, coconut, peanuts, etc.
Also, we double the sauce for our family.
We often serve this with a stir-fry veggie medley (broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas, maybe squash or peppers, and onions, chopped and 'wokked' in a little butter and lemon juice, please!). When we have dessert on Peanut Chicken night, I like the Mandarin Napoleons from Robin Miller. Yum! (We double this recipe as well. The sugared, baked won tons are so yummy all by themselves as well!)
Monday, May 09, 2011
I Love That Boy!
Max has requested candy cereal for his breakfast in bed tomorrow, pancakes for lunch, and Cheeseburger Casserole for dinner. He doesn't really care for sweets, so I couldn't really get him to pinpoint a dessert. He likes Popsicles, though. Maybe I'll surprise him with Popsicles. Hmmm, can't really stick a candle in one of those, can ya? Well, maybe his candles will go in his casserole!
He is such a loving little boy. He is always excited for the new baby (ies) when I am pregnant, and this time is no different. He hugs and kisses the baby (aka my belly) and talks to his sibling. It is precious. He wants to be brave and courageous. He has a heart to be a warrior and a protector. I love these things about him. I know God put these things in him to be used in marvelous ways as he grows older. I pray God teaches Scott and I how to nurture the good and weed out the bad in his life.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
God the Creator... of YOU!
There are so many little things in creation that point to an amazing creator. Just watch any of the "Wonders of God's Creation" DVD series. The intricate details of nature boast of the glory of God.
Interestingly enough, my devotional for today is entitled "God as Creator". Seeing God as the Creator means that there is purpose for your life. He created you. You didn't just happen. He planned your hair color, your eye color, height, bone structure, and so much more. Isn't that good news? I was created with a plan and a purpose!
Also, as a being created with a plan and purpose in mind by a Creator, I have inherited, if you will, the Father's creativity in some way. Now, I used to believe that I was the least creative person on Earth. I don't have a penchant for anything to do with art or scrapbooking or decorating or hairdos. But, I know that He imparted some sort of creativity in me because we are created in His likeness.
So, what floats my boat? What is it that energizes me? What activities allow me to feel God's pleasure? Eric Liddell, Olympic Gold Medalist, said he felt God's pleasure when he ran. He believed that to be a gift God gave him. What about me, then? Maybe unconventional creativity, but I love to plan, organize, be resourceful, give things to people who need them, and have social activities. When I have had time, I also have enjoyed writing, photography, cake decorating, and putting floral arrangements together.
When I think of these talents as God-created, I am more thankful for these natural bents. What are yours? What about your kids'?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
FINALLY! Another big announcement!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Finally! The Big Announcement...
WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER BABY!!! Yes, I am very excited. Kynzie had been praying for another baby for quite some time. We have yet to find out whether it will be the girl she's been reequesting. We are only about 9 weeks along. No, I am not as sick as I was with the twins. Probably means there is only one... or I am just better adjusted this time???
I love to be pregnant. I love it even more when I don't feel sick anymore. I am going back to all my favorite pregnancy books and websites, refreshing my memory for this season in my life. It seems like it will take forever at the beginning, but then 9 months goes quickly.
Thank you, Lord, for this new life you have blessed us with...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Branson Vacation, Day whatever (Friday)
After staying up a little later on Thursday evening, preparing the condo for our check out in the morning, we woke up Friday morning to tornado possibilities. We kept one eye on the weather stations while trying to make breakfast, eat it, feed it to children, clean it up, and finish packing.
There were a couple of fairly frigtening moments, but it seemed that all the worst went on by. Now, would the rain, rain go away long enough to allow us to enjoy some time at Silver Dollar City? We packed all our stuff, loaded the kids in the van, checked out, and decided to take our chances.
We rode the train, and the kids enjoyed that, but the babies didn't care much for the train robbing show they put on; they felt it was too long. But it was hilarious because all the actors were baffled when one of the audience participators didn't answer a question as they expected.
Kynzie rode her first roller coaster, adn she's hooked. I knew she would be - after her mother's own roller coaster-ridin' heart. Max wasn't quite as brave this time around, which we also expected. But he did enjoy some of the more mild rides.
It rained off and on most of the day, mostly a sprinkling rain. We had umbrellas and a waterproof blanket I threw over the strollers while we waited at rides and such. We had a good time all-in-all. Two of the grown-up roller coasters were closed, one due to an unfortunate vomitting situation and the other due to rain. Delainey was only able to ride a few of the other grown-up rides, but, as usual, she was a great sport.
Scott took both girls on Fire in the Hole... I think Kynzie was a little unsure about how she felt on that one... Here they are right after that one.
Here are the boys having a little snack in the strollers underneath the waterproof blanket.