ABUSED

There may be nothing on this earth that stirs up a myriad of emotions inside me than the sexual abuse of a child.  In light of the Jerry Sandusky trial which I had followed from beginning to end, the enormity of this man’s demonic acts toward a large number of pre-pubescent boys is to me more heinous than if he just took someone’s life.  For those of you who are not familiar with this monster, he was the renowned and ex-respected assistant football coach for Pennsylvania State University. 

In 1976, Jerry Sandusky started a program called the Second Mile.  Its purpose is to help children who are in trouble to get them to go on the straight and narrow.  I often wonder as most of you who know about this case, if Jerry’s intentions were truly to help these boys or create a comfortable smokescreened lair for his devious desires to molest young boys.  There were only 10 boys who testified with the same brand of stories of molestation by this sick sick man.  Later during jury deliberations, one of his 5 adopted boys, Matthew, approached the prosecutors to inform them that he too was molested by his adoptive father.  Questions remain for me the role that Dotty, Jerry’s wife, played in it.  I’m sorry but if my husband was spending hours with a boy downstairs in my basement, I would certainly check on him to see what they are doing.  One boy testified that he was screaming for Dotty to help him but only fell on deaf ears.  He concluded that the basement must have been sound proof. 

In 1998, Mike McQuery actually caught Jerry sexually molesting a 10 year old boy in the shower of Penn State and told Coach Paterno but nothing was done.  Then again in 2001, another boy was being penetrated in the same showers witnessed by a janitor.  Nothing was done.

I am appalled!  I feel like no punishment in this world is enough for this monster to even begin to pay for his inhumane and demonic acts.  Not even death.  A promise of eternal damnation may sound good but as I sit here, even that seems short.

So how can we protect our children from these true to life monsters?  Interesting that one of In Session’s guest, her name escapes me, said that one of her suggestions is to talk with your child, set aside a stuffed toy for this purpose only.  Not to play with, or cuddle with at night, but to place on your pillow if he or she feels the need to talk about something serious, such as this.  Often children don’t process these types of confusing situations let alone figure out a way to open up to their parents about it.  I thought this was genius!

Another way is to teach the child that there are places in their bodies that are off limits, and when ANYONE touches such places, they are allowed to fight back, scream, tell an adult.  Also, children should be advised that if an adult tells them that if they tell anyone he/she will kill their family, that this is an indication that they SHOULD tell and that tactics like these threats pedophiles will use but will never carry out.

Parents should also be aware of their child’s behavior.  If the child all of a sudden refuses to go with a certain adult, they should listen to them.

Another bittersweet story I heard on the news last week.  A family in Texas was having a barbeque and one of their friends brought along someone who they didn’t know.  The grandfather happened to enter their barn and found this man sexually molesting his 5 year old granddaughter.  Grandpa beat the crap out of this man then called 911 to get help for the dying bastard.  It was too late.  He died before help got there.  Grandpa did not get arrested and charges will not be filed.  That, my friends, is what I call a happy ending!

‘Till my next rant… LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN!

MAPLE MUSTARD CHICKEN BAKE

Here we go!  Another yummy low calorie meal, guaranteed to satisfy!  Total calories is less than 350.  So, I found this recipe on Pinterest but when I tried it out the first time, I didn't like that it didn't have that crunch and although it was yummy, it seemed to lack a little spice.  So, me being me, I had to tweak the recipe again.  This time, not only did it have some punch to it, it also was great with a little crunch to it!  This is delicious!  Definitely will be a go-to meal.

Ingredients:

Skinless Chicken breasts (I used 3 large ones and cut each in thirds)
1/2 c. dijon mustard
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar
black pepper according to taste
Lawry's garlic salt
flour

In a small bowl, combine dijon mustard, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar and pepper.  Stir until completely mixed.

In a plastic bag, add 4 tbsp. flour, season with Lawry's garlic salt according to taste and pepper.  Shake the bag a little to mix the ingredients.  Throw in the chicken and shake to coat.

In a frying pan, add olive oil and brown the chicken on all sides.  Drain in paper towels.  Line a 9x12in baking dish with aluminum foil. You will want to do this for easy cleanup as the sugars in the maple syrup will burn and will be hard to scrape up.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Arrange the chicken and spoon some of the prepared sauce on top of each piece.  Reserve some of the sauce as you will need to repeat this step when you turn the pieces over after the other side has browned.  Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes.  When browned, turn over and spoon the rest of the sauce on top.  Bake for another 20 minutes.  Viola!!!! Yummy yummy yummy!!!  Perfect when served with corn (my fave veggie) and asparagus.

INDULGE

I remember a commercial Cher had made a while back where the punch line was, “we take better care of our car than our own body” and resonated with me since.  We put ourselves through so much living in this rat race and often forget to reward ourselves with a little R&R.  We become so tightly wound that it is a small wonder we find ourselves snapping at every little thing.

The human body is not wired to get run down and be put through the daily maximization and overload.  A balanced body however, moves at a pace that is comfortable but fully functional and productive.  But who are we kidding?  In this fast paced technological world, everything is up to the minute, and instant.  Although I am a huge fan of technology, a geek at heart, like most people, regrouping is essential.

Disease is a direct result of a body that is in constant motion, the body is at the state of “dis” “ease”.  Shifting the body back to its normal comfortable state is crucial and very necessary.

I am not a big advocate of planning.  To me planning an outing is sort of stressful.  Knowing that there is an activity ahead makes my mind wander in all different directions. There are a lot of “what-ifs” involved.

So Scott and I decided last weekend to head down to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to enjoy one of these summer days.  My daughter, Tara, told me they were headed that way as well but to Monterey.  I thought, hmmm, it would be more fun to have more people to spend the day with so we drove the extra 20 minutes down to Monterey.  We did have a fun day of music, food, and yes… icecream!  Although there was some planning the night before, the later part of the day was very spontaneous!  Serendipity…. Happy accident.  Guess what?  I had the best week following the daycation.

I would like to share the day with you and the art created from that day.  I hope this will inspire you to let loose, be spontaneous and soak up the beauty that is around you because God created that painting for you to enjoy.  You even get to see how San Francisco’s famous Ghirardelli Chocolates makes their waffle bowls, hmmm….. I wish I could write about how it smells… wait! You know the scent of homemade waffles?  Well multiply that 100 times!

Check out the process of this artwork and how Ghirardelli makes handmade waffle cones and bowls!
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=Ibund83-j2s

Have a great day!!  Until my next rant…. LOVE ONE ANOTHER… ALWAYS!

GLUTEN-FREE TROPICAL MONKEY CHOCOLATE CHIP FACE CUPCAKES

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
2 pureed very ripe bananas
2 (Filipino -smaller yellow) mangos pureed or 1/2 c. apple sauce
1/4 c. Splenda sugar blend
1 egg
3 tbsp. mini-chocolate chips
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp vanilla (I use Madagascar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda in a bowl.  Whisk to incorporate.

In a separate bowl, mix the bananas, sugar, and vanilla.   Mix on low until incorporated.  Alternate adding the dry mixture with the mango(or applesauce).  Do not overmix.

Fill 12 cupcake pan 2/3 full then sprinkle chocolate chips on top.  Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 20-25 minutes.  Check for doneness with a toothpick.

97 Calories each OMG!!!

LOVE WHO YOU ARE

  

First thing’s first… you are unique!  There is no one else in this world like you.  If we are sincere about whom we are, not trying to be someone else, people notice.  Being comfortable in your own skin emanates to the outside world as the “stuff that makes you tick” which others marvel about. 

People who try to be someone else are often overlooked.  There could not be anything special about them because the original they are mimicking already exists.  These types of people are the ones who are lost if they are suddenly faced with a unique situation and if there is no situation to pattern with the original person the carbon copier feels lost.  Instead of looking within and digging deep to find the true and unique person that God has created them to be, efforts are not made because it’s too difficult or they are not in touch with their own person.   

God gave us all unique qualities to share with each other.  We are made in His image.  We are perfect in God’s eyes because He loves us and is merciful of our imperfections.  We may not be perfect in each other’s eyes, but each of us is God’s individual masterpiece.  It is up to us to make the most of what we got.  If we are sincere within ourselves, people feel compelled to admire us.  Real people are “cool” people.  They are honest.  They are not afraid to admit when they make a mistake.  They would rather tell the truth, than compromise their integrity.  They do not make obvious and phony excuses for such shortcomings.  Instead, when they admit their error, people tend to soften up much more to them, and they will be justified or at least be given a merciful response.

We were so appalled to hear Clinton say he did not inhale or did not have sexual relations with that woman, right?   He felt trapped so he had no choice but to pretend he was perfect.  But obviously, we didn’t buy it.  Regardless of his reasoning, people saw right through the lame excuse and he was criticized for it.  He could’ve used that situation to admit that he did smoke pot but warned young kids against smoking pot by citing himself as the example.  Most likely, he would have come across as not only honest, humble and brilliant but at the very least; his integrity would have stayed intact.

I believe that admitting we are wrong when we ARE wrong lends a better result than trying to fight and argue that we are right, with the latter being the most waste of time and energy.  Embrace your imperfections because it is what makes you human. 

Till my next rant… LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND KEEP YOUR INTEGRITY INTACT. 

DRAWINGS FROM DRAWSOME GAME

I love this facebook game and thought I'd share some good ones for you.  Trust me, majority of the other drawings are stick figures, lol!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

See all of the exclamation points?   Every single one represents every male influence in my life I have valued over the years.  Let’s start with Henry DeVries.  He is the one on the left.  Henry was a father figure given to me in my life from God.  He is my wonderful step father.  He passed away in 1999.  It was the closest objective encounter to death I’ve ever experienced.  I was by his death bed on his last day.  In the midst of his dementia, he at one moment opened his eyes and called me by my name and really recognized me.  He slipped back away and started calling the names of his late mother and father saying he needed to open the door to go into the light.  In retrospect, I felt silly when I told him whatever you do, do not go to the light.  Who was I to negate God? *blush* embarrassed.  I remember and still miss the hours of talk we had, in his Dutch accent he would give me fatherly advise about life, money and sometimes dance around the room in his goofy ways to make me laugh.  He made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my Mom every morning and had coffee ready for her when she got up.  He loved his dog, Weirdo, a little peanut Pappillon who I must admit felt very safe with his retired Dutch police officer owner.  One time a pit bull tried to devour Weirdo and he punched the pit so hard it ran off with his tail between his legs!  LOL!! He loved my kids so much, played peek a boo with Tara and Jordan and bought groceries for me because he knew how hard it was for me as a single parent taking care of two kids.  He was protective and very generous.  He loaned me money to buy a car in cash but added a little interest on top of it to teach me to value credit.  He was an amazing man, someone I looked up to and still do to this day.  I love you Papa Henry and miss you terribly!

Next on the list is Earl Oscar Walker.  He is the one on the right.  He was my father-in-law, grandfather to my daughter, Tara.  He was a fantastic man, full of wisdom and love for all things alive.  He was the most organic person I know, taking every vitamin in the alphabet and a diet heavy on beans, fruit and veggies.  He lived in Piedmont, the nicer part of Oakland and the man walked everywhere.  Didn’t own a car, always took mass trans.  Everytime he sees me he flashes that awesome smile and says, “Hey Dovie!” That’s his nickname for me.  I get mail from him almost everyday with an article he clipped from a newspaper that almost always gave me something to mull about.  In times of need, which is often, he was always there to lend a helping hand, without so much as an unkind word as to why we struggled, you will never hear a cross word from him.  Everything that comes out of his mouth is positive.  We talked for hours and hours on end, no matter what part of the U.S. he was at as an Amtrak train employee.  My daughter Tara was the love of his life.  She was his gift from God.  He loved my little girl so much that I often sacrificed my time with her so that he could spend as much time with her and she with him.  Somehow I felt it necessary, and I wasn’t mistaken.  She turned out to be an awesome human being and took on most of her grandfather’s disposition.

Money doesn’t make us happy.  I was not fortunate enough to have a good relationship with my biological father for reasons he is aware, but God blessed me with male influences in my life who were from strong moral stock, whose influences in turn compelled me to nail my feet firmly to the ground.  Sadly though, my two earthly dads both passed away within 6 months of each other.  I was deeply devastated and teeter-tottered through life after that.  It’s as if God took them away to say, yes, it is my turn now.  Knowing how kind those fathers were to you, I am all you have now to do the same.  And He did.  As he guides me through life today, it makes me appreciate my two other fathers all the more.

I hope you have special fathers too.  Please share your story.  I would love to read about them.

SERENDIPITY CARDS

Serendipity cards are 3- 1/2 x 2-1/2 sized ATC cards, the smallest artwork to enjoy.  I made these cards with a message in the back such as my messages here on my blog to get another venue for spreading art and inspiration to all.  The video features the pan pastel media to make the card, the trip to Barnes and Noble and other cards randomly placed at public places.

COME WITH ME!

http://youtu.be/ow5hdKad3EE

APPRECIATION

Thank you, danke, domo arigato, salamat, grazie etc. etc.  Simple but universal.  As human beings, we enjoy simple pleasures of giving and receiving.  Appreciation is one of the moral values taught to us by our parents… well, at least my parents, in days of ole.

Somewhere along the way, the human race has slowly but surely became so self-sufficient and developed a sense of entitlement that appreciation is slowly becoming a thing of the past.

There’s nothing wrong with thanking someone who has given you something special.  It could be in the form of a favor, an advise, or something as little as opening the door for you.  Showing appreciation is letting that person know that however small or large the gift, they are giving much more, they are giving some of themselves as well.  That’s not an easy task in our present time.

We should go outside of ourselves and sow that seed of love that God graced us with as well.   Always thank God for every miracle, great or small.  Oftentimes when we ask God to grant us our prayer, after it is given to us, we forget to thank Him.  Let us not forget to extend the same to others, this is how seeds are planted.

When you are disappointed, it’s not easy, because life isn’t always fair.  When you go through a disappointment, instead of waiting for others to cheer you up, you need to dig deep and say, No! God did not take me this far to leave me, I’m not going to live my life depressed.  I’m will go out and be good to somebody else.  God is saying, when you meet other people’s needs, I will always meet your own needs.

In your time of need, instead of focusing on your own hurt, decide to go out and help other people who were hurting.  If you are hurt due to a loss of a loved one, comfort other people who have gone through the same, and be a friend to them, using your own hurt as a tool to encourage them by letting them know that like you, they will be able to get through it.  God wants to use your experience to help others, out of your pain can come your purpose.  This is the highest level of appreciation in my book.

Your new beginning is connected to your helping others.  Our attitude should be, I may have been through a disappointment but I’m not staying here.  As you refresh others, God will refresh you.  We need to be “seed” minded instead of “need” minded.  If a disappointment hits, instead of looking for something that will fill your need, you turn it around and give the encouragement you are seeking and give to someone else and plant that seed.  The way to get what you want is by giving away what you need.  When you give happiness, you receive happiness, what you give favor, you receive favor.

Always be appreciative, as that seed of appreciation will breed the same to others, and maybe someday it will make this world a better place to live in.

To you all, I say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

Until my next rant… LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

RECIPE FOR SANCOCHOS - PUERTO RICAN BEEF STEW

Ingredients:

Olive oil for sauteeing
5 cloves of garlic
1 1/2 lbs top round beef, cubed
1/3 c chopped yellow onions
1/3 c. chopped green pepper
1/3 c. chopped celery
1 red bell pepper
5 sprigs cilantro, chopped
salt
black pepper
4 medium tomatoes, cored and cubed
4 quarts beef stock
2 green saba bananas, peeled and cut into 1 in slices
1 yellow plaintain (I didn't add this but it doesn't mean you can't)
1 medium sweet potato cubed
1/2 lb butternut squash, cubed
3 medium new potato (red) cubed
1 large chayote squash peeled, cored and diced into 1 in. pieces
2 ears of white corn cut in 4 parts each

Directions:

In a preheated kettle, low to medium heat, sautee garlic, onions and beef.  Brown beef an all sides. When onion is caramelized, add peppers, celery, cilantro, salt, black pepper, and tomatoes.  Stir to mix and then add one quart beef stock.  Cook down until stock is reduced in half.

Stir beef, add remaining veggies, bananas and remaining beef stock.  Continue to cook until meat is tender and veggies are soft.

Being Filipina, I added 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 2 bay leaves in the first mix.  :)

Enjoy!  You can either serve with rice or toasted french bread.  Hmmmm!

GREEK YOGURT MAPLE VANILLA PANCAKE

So I've been on a diet going on my third week.  This is a serious diet.  After my surgery in September of 2011, the weight did not want to come off.  Apparently, per my doctor, the fibroid in my uterus acted like I was pregnant.  Plus I was watching most of what I ate but didn't really record it and limit myself to the number of calorie intake per day.  Until May 15th.  I've lost 9 lbs. since and it took about a day or two to get used to my caloric limit.  I was also motivated by the change in my scale each day to continue to work out at least 40 minutes to an hour everyday.

However, I am simply getting tired of salads and fruit.  Every once in a while I'd like to have some carbs, ha!  So I made this yummy greek yogurt pancake but tweaked the recipe a little so as not to sacrifice flavor.

Really easy with only a few ingredients.  It looks brown because of the Canadian maple oil and vanilla I added.  Also, I used all purpose gluten free flour by Red Mill. Of course, if you add butter (which I'm not really fond of) and depending on how much syrup you use, the calories will pile on.  I'm not a big fan of sugar free syrup but that's why I tweaked the recipe so I can have the regular syrup.  Enjoy!

1/2 cup Red Mill All purpose gluten free flour
1 container of Oikos Greek Yogurt Plain
1 egg
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp Canadian Maple oil (I ordered mine online.  You can use anything you want though, or just skip it.)
1/8 c. of water (or less if you want a thicker result)


Combine flour and baking soda and mix together.  Crack the egg in the yogurt container and mix to incorporate.  Add this mixture into the flour mixture with a whisk.  Add the vanilla and the flavoring you wish.  Add some water according to the consistency desired.  Fry with olive oil in medium heat.

Yields 8 medium sized pancakes about 6 in. in diameter.

TITHING WITH AN OBEDIENT AND JOYFUL HEART

Tithing is a really touchy subject.  It is something that most people shut their minds out to especially in our slow economic times.  Tithing is simply this.  Give 10% of your monthly earnings, not to charity, but to whatever organization feeds your spirit with the teachings about God.  Once you get to that place where you understand that funds are needed to spread the word of God to others who may not know Him, you will reap the benefits that come along with tithing.  I’ve heard people say that it is enough that they know God, that they have a good heart, that they help charities etc.  All those may be true, I am not here to judge anyone, my goal is simply to give information about tithing as an obedient child of God.

So let’s start from the basics.  Everything on this earth was created by God.  Everything that is readily available for you and is from God’s hands.  God doesn’t need your money, dollars and euros don’t work in heaven, but He didn’t stutter when he said 10% of all your proceeds go back to spread His word, and if you are obedient about it, He will pour out His grace to you that is beyond your expectations or what you can even imagine.  That doesn’t only apply here on earth, but also in heaven. 

Ok, it is not true that just because you don’t tithe, you don’t go to heaven.  The bible is clear when it stated that Jesus said as long as you know me as your Lord and Savior, you have a place in my home with me.  God wants you to be a cheerful giver.  Even though you know that 10% will break you every month, if you cheerfully give back your tithe, you will find that the blessings will pour out to you from God because you were an obedient and joyful giver.  Not one person in THIS WORLD knows what He has prepared for us in heaven, He just says it will be more than what you expected or imagine.  Eye has NOT seen, EAR has not heard what those things are (I’m sorry, I can’t tell you the verse in the bible, I’m just not one of those people that memorize them.  I just soak the word up, so I apologize in advance.  Maybe a reader can quote it for us.  But it is in there.)  So with that truth in mind, you make your decision.

Well, I’m not going out without telling you my testimony, just so you know.  Like most people I thought as long as I don’t kill, steal and destroy other people, I should be good.  As long as I share my money to those in need, like charities, God will bless me.  Maybe He will, after all, I am generous, right?  But then I analyzed it, as I am very analytical.  I thought ok, pretend you were down and out on your luck, and I gave you $10 so you can eat today.  If you don’t really know who God is and what He is all about, while you’re eating that meal that is lining your tummy, who are you thanking? Me or God?

I was very reluctant to give to my church because I thought, well look at this church.  The seats are fancy, the building is huge, there’s a nice cafeteria, the bathrooms are really clean and nice.  Maybe the pastor is driving a Mercedes.  So I decided to check.  I see him get into an old Corolla.  But then I analyzed it, this time, I didn’t put my logic into it but my heart.  In reality, my tithe is between me and God.  I thought, God doesn’t want me to nit pick where my money would be going.  If the organization decides to do something evil with it, that’s between that culprit and God, not between me and God.  Oh and the amenities at my church?  They were all to benefit me, my comfort, the little things that make you feel at home while you’re there.

Seven years ago, God impressed it in my heart that it’s time for me to tithe.  So I did, obediently, and joyfully.  I was a single empty nester mother, who didn’t have help with the bills anymore.  No more child support and at the height of the housing boom, my salary only covered most of my mortgage for a little tiny townhouse in a bad part of the city.  I had to spend at least 20% of that for my 1.25 hour commute one way everyday to get to work.  So minus that 10%, I would’ve been so strapped.  You know what’s funny?  I wasn’t strapped at all.  For some odd and MIRACULOUS reason, my bank account was always on the black.  I’m not going to bog you down with the details, but within 2 years, I became self employed.  I’m not a millionaire by any stretch of the imagination, but I am happy with less stress.  God gave me a good man who stands by me.  I learn patience from him everyday.  Now at the time of doubt, I never even imagined I would ever be self-employed because all my life I’ve always thought I was not good at selling.  This business didn’t have anything to do with selling and I got to do it at home. 

Believe if you must… or not.  All I know is I am here now, with a blog, directed by my DAD to share my testimonies.  You can argue your position about tithing as well, and share it here.  However, this is my truth.

Until the next rant… Love one another!