Vegan Pot Pie March 18, 2013

Since becoming vegan, I had yet to have or make a pot pie. My family has liked pot pies but we usually bought the frozen variety (I was too lazy to make one homemade). I know that there is a frozen vegan pot pie you can buy, but for the price I would be the only one to get one and I would need to make something for the rest of the family. So, I googled recipes and found a pretty simple process. I do not remember which site I found this recipe so, I just want to verify that it is not my recipe. Here goes.

Ingredients
1 1/2 packages of firm tofu, drained, patted dry and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 small sweet potatoes, diced
1 cup chopped carrots
3 cloves garlic, minced (I used my nifty garlic press)
1 1/2 cup chopped chard
1/2 onion, diced
2 9-inch pie crusts (I found a whole wheat frozen at Whole Foods that had no dairy or eggs in it)
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
1 1/3 cup water
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (plus some extra)
1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Heat in a large pot of water. Boil carrots and sweet potatoes for about 10-12 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, warm olive oil in a large saute pan. Toss cubed tofu with a little nutritional yeast (the extra I
mentioned earlier), just enough to coat-this will help it fry up with some flavor (oddly enough, it smells like chicken). Saute onions and garlic for a few minutes; add tofu to pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 7-10 minutes or so.
4. When potatoes and carrots are done boiling, drain and add to saute pan with tofu. Add chard and stir, cooking for another few minutes until chard has cooked down. Remove from heat.
5. Mix gravy ingredients (last 7 ingredients, from water to pepper) in a sauce pan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens (about 7-9 minutes).
6. Taste gravy and tofu mix. Add more seasoning if desired. Add half the gravy to tofu mix and stir. Spoon tofu mix into 1st pie crust. Add rest of the gravy to the top and cover with 2nd pie crust.
7. Bake for 1 hour. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

*Note, if you bought frozen pie crusts…, thaw before you begin this process. If you are like me and didn’t…., place one crust at a time in microwave and speed thaw for 40 seconds. Repeat with second crust.

I was really happy that all my boys enjoyed this. My husband detests sweet potatoes. Even though he knew they were in there, he said they didn’t taste like sweet potatoes and it all just tasted good. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. If you end up making this yourself…, come back and leave a comment to let me know how you like it! Have a great day!!!

Typing March 6, 2013

So, I started using a typing program to learn how to “properly” type. I did not take typing in school and then I was homeschooled and the typing was fairly new and it was not easy to come by a program. Also, computers were just starting to become a common item in the home. I am now trying to practice whenever I am on the computer. Do you realize how difficult it is to change how I have been getting by for years? I do now! Not cool.

With the above experience, I have decided that my kids are going to start this typing program so they do not have the same difficulty I have.

This post is short and sweet but with my typing abilities where they currently stand…., it would take me far too long to type out more. I also don’t know what else I could really say on typing.

Nothing New, the Normal Chaos

So, I have been MIA. Not because I wanted to this time. I have wanted to get on and make a few posts on some things I have been thinking on and that has been weighing heavily on my heart. Then, one of my little boys became sick. Not just a cold. It involved a trip to the ER, then a doctor appointment the next day which only gave us the answer of a respiratory virus (Personally, I am thinking the flu, but I’m not a doctor) which put him down for 5 days. The third day of his illness me and the littlest boy came down with it. Thankfully, there was no puking (I can’t handle the puke!!), but it laid me out for 4 days. I am juts able to sit up and keep my eyes open long enough to be on the computer and watch some tv. I am still coughing, have a slight fever, sneezing, and sore throat. My little guy is running around even though his eyes look so bad. Now it seems that my oldest boy has caught it, but we will see. My husband has been a trooper! He has made me pancakes so I will eat something, cuddled me when I was miserable and needed it, fed the kids, cleaned the house, ran around doing temperature checks, giving Motrin and Tylenol when needed, and even slept miserably to keep a watch on me and the little one.

Speaking of my wonderful husband, he also surprised me and bought him and myself new laptops!!! I love it, it is very nice! Two laptops do seem a bit much but with taxes, we were talking about him upgrading his desktop computer. While researching we found this awesome laptop with a great video card and getting 2 would be cheaper than upgrading his desktop. Also, it solves the problem of my broken laptop. Do you know how hard it is to go without a laptop after having one for a long time? Also sharing 1 desktop between me, the husband, and the kids?!! Needless to say, the hubby and I can be on at the same time and the desktop is free for the boys to use in turn and for school work. It all worked out nicely!!!

I also got the job I have been wanting and waiting for. I signed my paperwork, did the background check, and was only waiting for my employee id to come in when I got hit with this horrible virus. And who should call last night to say it’s in? That’s right, my new job! I am so upset but since I am working with kids, I have to make sure I am over this and not contagious. So, here is to a fast recovery!!!!

I hope all is well with you. I hope to be back more often and soon!

Hobbies: Things of Interest February 14, 2013

Hobbies. Most everyone has at least one, some have more.

I’d like to think I have a hobby or several. In all my years I can tell you all the things that interest me, the things I have attempted, the things I want to learn more about. And yet, I cannot tell you for certainty what hobby/hobbies I have.

Aren’t hobbies suppose to be something (or things) you enjoy and are naturally good at?

Everytime I begin to pursue an interest that I feel I have a small natural ability (knack) for, I come across so many other people and friends that have the same interest or an even better knack for it and I become discouraged. Now, you might say it is wonderful to share an activity or interest with friends or so many people and yes, it is nice. I find that I do not get jealous (maybe a tad) but honestly I am proud to know my friends who can create and do these things with the talent they have. My main frustration is these friends get “known” for the talent and what they can do and I find myself wondering: “What am I ‘known‘ for?”.

It may seem selfish, petty, or superficial; but it really does stay with me and it does bother me. It affects me as well because I notice piles of things, from what feels like failed attempts, around the house. They seem to taunt me, saying that “You were not good enough in this”, ” Look at so-and-so, they were far better in this then you’ll ever be” , and “Why do you even bother?”. I understand that there will always be someone better at all whatever the hobby. I just seem to find them immediately when I begin to pursue and really into/excited about it. Do you know how frustrating that is?! Even after this happens over and over, I still have a longing for most of those failed attempts. I just do not know how to cope with it or what to do. It seems really stupid to want to be “known” for something and doing really well at it, but I would like that. I would like to find my niche.

I feel sometimes that I try to take on too much, but I cannot pick what is most important. To me, they are all equally important. Oh, and I should let you into a little secret…….., I absolutely suck at time management and organizational skills in my home. I can organize other places, my work, school, anywhere else with the exception of my house. I do not understand it at all. I am coming to the conclusion that it has to do with me not being able to differentiate between what things are important to keep and whats ok to let go. What if I get rid of a paper that would be a great keepsake for my kids? So, things pile up. When I get really overwhelmed by this, I treat myself to an episode or two of ‘Hoarders’ and I can be on top of things again for at least a week. Though my house is nowhere near as bad as those on that show, it feels like it to me. I just wish someone would some in, while I’m not home, and go through my stuff for me. I have found that if I go through it, I remember whats there. However, if someone were to do it, I know I wouldn’t miss the stuff tucked away; out of sight, out of mind.

Have you ever felt like this? If so, how did you deal with it? What helped you overcome and still pursue your interests?

Things Change

There has been quite a few changes that happened in the last two weeks. I have withdrawn from my school program, gotten a job (finally and response from all those applications I put in), new financial goals, and my husband is going today to get PRK corrective eye surgery.

I was looking forward to some downtime to readjust after everything that happened at the school and to detox from it but two days before I was finished, I got a call for a position. I am really happy that I finally got a job. It was a surprise that it immediately followed me getting out of school. I have decided, because of the circumstance, that I will pursue the certifications to become a personal trainer on my own and save myself the wasted time at the school.

I am enjoying having a job. It is an easy job and can be redundant however, its money and experience. It also allows us to get in a better place financially faster. Shortly after the New Year, David and I decided to do Dave Ramsey’s Money Makeover. We have already taken steps and are still excited about it. I know it will be hard, nothing worth it is easy, but we will be so happy and debt-free finally. As part of our debt-free journey we sold our 2011 Nissan Rogue this past weekend. I really liked the car and will miss the convience of having 2 vehicles that will hold the whole family but will not miss the monthly payments.

Today David goes to get PRK. He is really excited and really nervous. Having this surgery he would no longer need glasses or contacts, something he is really happy about.., but it is a surgery and with any surgery there are risks and those make him nervous. I can understand his excitement and reservations. I was in his place last April and he was there to reassure me. I just wish I can do the same for him.

It has been a few days since I wrote the above. David has been doing well after his surgery though it seems that last night and today, the worst has finally hit. The excruciating pain that was mentioned came upon him last night. He told me that he didn’t sleep last night because he was up with the pain. I cannot imagine that. He is currently sleeping and I hope that he can get enough rest in today. I am a little worried to leave him and the kids tonight as I have to work.

I don’t know what else to write. I ahve a few things going through my mind and I think they would do better as separate posts than a mesh in one. Until next time!

-Sabrina

Family Fun at Ice Castles January 20, 2013

Two Winter’s ago I bought a groupon to the Ice Castles. Normally groupon’s do not last that long but, it so happened that they closed early that year and extended the groupon for those who have not used it yet. We had until February 1, 2013 to use it. We spontaneously decided we need to would go this weekend in hopes that the unusual warm weather would not prevent us to go. So off we headed on a 4 hour car ride. The scenery was beautiful! Here are a couple of pics I took on the way up:

I’m telling you the scenery alone makes Colorado a state worth living in!!

Anyhoo, back to our day. The kids weren’t very excited about the ride and they had no idea where we were going because we wanted it to be a surprise. Thankfully, they really enjoyed the surprise when they found out what it was. We arrived at about 3:00pm and the wonderful people there gave us a voucher to come back that night to see it lit up! And we did! It was a wonderful fun family day. I am so glad we went. I am going to leave you with a few pics from the Ice Castles…

What was your favorite spontaneous family fun day?

I’m Busy…… January 12, 2013

 

 

 

I feel know I start most posts with: “I know it’s been a while” or some lame thing like that. So, I am going to try not to do that. So, this is what I have been doing/going through:

 

I feel as though I haven’t been able to catch my breath in months.

I haven’t read more than one book in 2-3 months.

 

I have started school in pursuit of becoming a personal fitness trainer.

I have struggled with new knowledge of tracking your health by clothing size and the number the scale says is not the best. ( I will have to devote a post solely on that topic)

I have had many moments of panic, thanks to my hubby’s work, on trying to find last-minute child care for my kids. 

I have started putting out resumes and looking for a job in a gym so 1) I can gain work experience and 2) we really need some extra income.

I did a couple of weeks interning at a boot camp place. It was really nice.

I switched from day classes to night classes. Which, on its own, is a hard adjustment.

My class this term (kinesiology) is really kicking my butt and we are only a week in.

I don’t get to see my kids and husband at all some days.

Oh, and we barely made it through the holidays. Mainly because I have been so busy with school that I have not been ready for it. They all sneaked up on me this last year.

 

I have felt so overwhelmed and stressed with all of this. I cannot prevent getting in distress because I cannot tell what my signs are of it coming on. The base offers a free stress management workshop that I have signed up for in hopes it can help me. Being stressed does no good for me or my family. I have spent random days/times just crying for an hour or more. Not good! I do not like it.

I have tendency to let myself freak out over stuff that hasn’t happened or that I feel I cannot accomplish. Most recently, I have been offered a job as  personal fitness trainer, I am freaking out because I am already thinking of all the reasons I cannot do it. I know I have lots of learning, I am continually asking questions and learning what I can, I have everyone else telling me I can do this, and I am the only one telling myself why I cannot succeed before I even try. I am setting myself up defeat before I have really made an effort. I am constantly battling this with the job and school. I do not know why I do this. Sometimes I fall for it and give up or quit….., other times I get determined and make myself do it. I never know which one is going to happen. I am trying to fight it now.

I fully intended to start post everyday or at least several times a week, then an avalanche fell. I want to reach out to people, even if it is through my journey and struggles. But, how can I if I cannot find time to post it out there? Or have the courage to just write my struggles without fear of being judged, laughed at, made fun of, or criticized. I know some people will not understand or they will judge, I cannot help that, but I do not want it to stop me if I can reach those who need to hear that I have been there or I am going through it, too. 

I do not want my fears and “what ifs” to hold me back. If we all did that, we wouldn’t have some of the most wonderful ideas, books, stories, movies, and many other things that we do if those people let their fears hold them back. Right?

 

Now that it is the New Year, I know that there are resolutions that have been made and are being made. Mine is just simply going to be:

 

 

What are your resolutions or changes you are striving to make this year?