Fredericton New Brunswick August 31 2008

autism

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Daring Baker Challenge and many more challenges for me!!!

First off are my challenges...my computer crashed on me. Yesiree folks my hard drive took the final spin an said good bye. I am devastated. I had backed up all of my documents so I think I am okay there but it is just such a pain and one of the worst times in my life to have had this happen. I know it is not the end of the world. I can still get emails via my iPhone and we still have T.'s laptop but it's just not the same. I also have most of my favorite blogs bookmarked on my computer so while I will be trying to keep up with you all I may fail miserably. My computer should be back up and running towards the middle of next week! I have the hard drive replaced but with it being the long weekend and all I am having some trouble getting the help I need! So see ya soon!

Anyway all of the pictures of this month's Daring Baker Challenge are in my computer. I do have one really crappy pic in my phone and one eclair that I shaped into a cream puff type shape in the fridge. so sadly these will have to do!

Onto my Daring Baker Challenge for this month. We got to make eclairs...Chocolate Eclairs to be exact. The challenge this month was hosted by Tony Tahhan and MeetaK.

This was such a fun challenge. I was even looking forward to doing it. I started it and finished it in one day. It really took only a couple of hours (that was even with me running to the grocery store for more eggs halfway through!!!). I think the reason that I really like this is because it was something that we all liked! Usually the challenges are a huge amount of food that takes days to make and no one in my house will have anything to do with it!!! I even had it done earlier in the month then normal.

I did have one major catastrophe. My eclairs came out of the oven looking wonderful. They were all high and puffy and I thought "well do I ever rock"!!! Two minutes after they were out of the oven they crashed and burned. They became flat as a pancake. I could barely even get a knife in between to cut them open. I think this may have something to do with the amount of humidity in South Florida in the summer time. Or is it something to do with baking at sea level? I seem to always have problems with things that need to puff or rise really fluffy. Even the bread that I bake in the summer is different from the bread that I am able to bake in the winter. Anyone know anything about baking in low altitude or high humidity?

Regardless I got them filled with some of the richest chocolate cream puff filling in the world and topped with some really incredible chocolate sauce. I decided not to do the glaze because I really thought there was quite enough chocolate in this already!

Thanks for a great challenge once again!!! Here is the recipe if anyone wants to try their hand at this incredible dessert!


Pierre Hermé’s Chocolate Éclairs Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 20-24 Éclairs)•
Cream Puff Dough (see below for recipe), fresh and still warm
1) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide the oven into thirds by positioning the racks in the upper and lower half of the oven. Line two baking sheets with waxed or parchment paper.2) Fill a large pastry bag fitted with a 2/3 (2cm) plain tip nozzle with the warm cream puff dough.Pipe the dough onto the baking sheets in long, 4 to 41/2 inches (about 11 cm) chubby fingers.Leave about 2 inches (5 cm) space in between each dough strip to allow them room to puff.The dough should give you enough to pipe 20-24 éclairs.3) Slide both the baking sheets into the oven and bake for 7 minutes. After the 7 minutes, slip the handle of a wooden spoon into the door to keep in ajar. When the éclairs have been in the oven for a total of 12 minutes, rotate the sheets top to bottom and front to back. Continue baking for a further 8 minutes or until the éclairs are puffed, golden and firm. The total baking time should be approximately 20 minutes.


Notes:1) The éclairs can be kept in a cool, dry place for several hours before filling.Assembling the éclairs:•


Chocolate glaze (see below for recipe)


• Chocolate pastry cream (see below for recipe)


1) Slice the éclairs horizontally, using a serrated knife and a gently sawing motion. Set aside the bottoms and place the tops on a rack over a piece of parchment paper.2) The glaze should be barely warm to the touch (between 95 – 104 degrees F or 35 – 40degrees C, as measured on an instant read thermometer). Spread the glaze over the tops of the éclairs using a metal icing spatula. Allow the tops to set and in the meantime fill the bottoms with the pastry cream.3) Pipe or spoon the pastry cream into the bottoms of the éclairs. Make sure you fill the bottoms with enough cream to mound above the pastry. Place the glazed tops onto the pastry cream and wriggle gently to settle them.
Notes:
1) If you have chilled your chocolate glaze, reheat by placing it in a bowl over simmering water,stirring it gently with a wooden spoon. Do not stir too vigorously as you do not want to create bubbles.2) The éclairs should be served as soon as they have been filled.
Pierre Hermé’s Cream Puff Dough Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 20-24 Éclairs)
• ½ cup (125g) whole milk• ½ cup (125g) water• 1 stick (4 ounces; 115g) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces• ¼ teaspoon sugar• ¼ teaspoon salt• 1 cup (140g) all-purpose flour• 5 large eggs, at room temperature1) In a heavy bottomed medium saucepan, bring the milk, water, butter, sugar and salt to the boil.2) Once the mixture is at a rolling boil, add all of the flour at once, reduce the heat to medium and start to stir the mixture vigorously with a wooden spoon. The dough comes together very quickly. Do not worry if a slight crust forms at the bottom of the pan, it’s supposed to. You need to carry on stirring for a further 2-3 minutes to dry the dough. After this time the dough will be very soft and smooth.3) Transfer the dough into a bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using your handmixer or if you still have the energy, continue by hand. Add the eggs one at a time,beating after each egg has been added to incorporate it into the dough.You will notice that after you have added the first egg, the dough will separate, once again do not worry. As you keep working the dough, it will come back all together again by the time you have added the third egg. In the end the dough should be thick and shiny and when lifted it should fall back into the bowl in a ribbon.4) The dough should be still warm. It is now ready to be used for the éclairs as directed above.Notes:1) Once the dough is made you need to shape it immediately.2) You can pipe the dough and the freeze it. Simply pipe the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets and slide the sheets into the freezer. Once the dough is completely frozen, transfer the piped shapes into freezer bags. They can be kept in the freezer for up to a month.
Chocolate Pastry Cream Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé
• 2 cups (500g) whole milk• 4 large egg yolks• 6 tbsp (75g) sugar• 3 tablespoons cornstarch, sifted• 7 oz (200g) bittersweet chocolate, preferably Velrhona Guanaja, melted• 2½ tbsp (1¼ oz: 40g) unsalted butter, at room temperature1) In a small saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. In the meantime, combine the yolks, sugar and cornstarch together and whisk in a heavy‐bottomed saucepan.2) Once the milk has reached a boil, temper the yolks by whisking a couple spoonfuls of the hot milk into the yolk mixture.Continue whisking and slowly pour the rest of the milk into the tempered yolk mixture.3) Strain the mixture back into the saucepan to remove any egg that may have scrambled. Place the pan over medium heat and whisk vigorously (without stop) until the mixture returns to a boil. Keep whisking vigorously for 1 to 2 more minutes (still over medium heat).Stir in the melted chocolate and then remove the pan from the heat.4) Scrape the pastry cream into a small bowl and set it in an ice‐water bath to stop the cooking process. Make sure to continue stirring the mixture at this point so that it remains smooth.5) Once the cream has reached a temperature of 140 F remove from the ice‐water bath and stir in the butter in three or four installments. Return the cream to the ice‐water bath to continue cooling, stirring occasionally, until it has completely cooled. The cream is now ready to use or store in the fridge.
Notes:
1) The pastry cream can be made 2‐3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.2) In order to avoid a skin forming on the pastry cream, cover with plastic wrap pressed onto the cream.3) Tempering the eggs raises the temperature of the eggs slowly so that they do not scramble.
Chocolate Glaze Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé(makes 1 cup or 300g)
• 1/3 cup (80g) heavy cream • 3½ oz (100g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped• 4 tsp (20 g) unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces, at room temperature• 7 tbsp (110 g) Chocolate Sauce (recipe below), warm or at room temperature 1)In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil. Remove from the heat and slowly begin to add the chocolate, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula.2) Stirring gently, stir in the butter, piece by piece followed by the chocolate sauce. Notes: 1) If the chocolate glaze is too cool (i.e. not liquid enough) you may heat it briefly
 in the microwave or over a double boiler. A double boiler is basically a bowl sitting over (not touching) simmering water.2) It is best to glaze the eclairs after the glaze is made, but if you are pressed for time, you can make the glaze a couple days ahead of time, store it in the fridge and bring it up to the proper temperature (95 to 104 F) when ready to glaze.
Chocolate Sauce Recipe from Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé (makes 1½ cups or 525 g)
• 4½ oz (130 g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped • 1 cup (250 g) water• ½ cup (125 g) crème fraîche, or heavy cream • 1/3 cup (70 g) sugar 1) Place all the ingredients into a heavy‐bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil, making sure to stir constantly. Then reduce the heat to low and continue stirring with a wooden spoon until the sauce thickens.2) It may take 10‐15 minutes for the sauce to thicken, but you will know when it is done when it coats the back of your spoon.
Notes:
1) You can make this sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for two weeks. Reheat the sauce in a microwave oven or a double boiler before using.2) This sauce is also great for cakes, ice-cream and tarts.

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Fredericton New Brunswick August 30 2008

autism

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CUPE Local 2745 President Puts Adults Before Autistic Children

New Brunswick has made great progress in helping autistic preschoolers and students. In both age groups children receive ABA instruction by autism support workers (preschool) and teacher assistants in the schools. Premier Graham has partially completed a pledge to the Autism Society New Brunswick by training two of four classes of teacher assistants at the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training Program. And yet there is determined opposition from some within the school system.

One of the most hostile opponents of the UNB-CEL AIT training of teacher assistants is Sandy Harding, President of CUPE Local 2745. Local 2745 represents a number of different groups in the school system, including teacher assistants. Ms Harding has expressed her opposition to the UNB-CEL provided autism training in conversation with me in the past. She has also stated it publicly:

" Unjustified layoffs in School District 2

June 25, 2008 11:21 AM

MONCTON – The Union representing the teacher assistants throughout the schools in New Brunswick is asking the government to put an end to the practice of laying them off each spring.

“This practice shows a complete lack of respect for some dedicated women who have been working in the schools for many years. This is appalling,” said Sandy Harding, President of CUPE 2745 which represents more than 3300 members across the province.

“School District 2 in the Moncton area just laid off 37 teacher assistants. Contrary to the schools in the northern part of the province where families are moving because of the economic situation, this region has seen an increase in school enrolment. There is no justification for such a large number of teacher assistants receiving their pink slip in School District 2. This represents 12% of the TA in that school district”.

“Across the district, close to 115 teacher assistants will be affected simply because of the bumping process that will take place”.

“Parents of autistic children and other special needs children have been asking for more stability in the schools. Instead of creating stability amongst the staff, the school district is creating a chaotic situation. The movement of teacher assistants is bad for the kids, the teachers and the parents.

“This type of practice is not what Inclusive Education is all about. It creates disruption in many classrooms and there is no stability and consistency for children that badly need it,” explained Harding.

“It is also unacceptable that some women are losing their job because they have been unable to take the additional training required to work with autistic children, called “Applied Behavior Analysis”. If the government is asking teacher assistants to have this certification in order to work with autistic kids then it should make sure that the training is available for them”, added Harding.

“The school district should rescind these layoffs and stop these ridiculous processes that disturb the livelihood of mostly low-wage women", concluded Sandy Harding."

In the first highlighted section above Ms Harding purports to speak for parents of autistic children. She has no authority or legitimate basis to speak for parents of autistic children. The autism society has sought stability but it is the bumping process that takes place, for union seniority reasons, at the start of each school year that creates the instability that parents are concerned about. For many autistic children change is very problematic. Some are getting used to a teacher assistant only to have them changed early in the school year. I know because my son went through that experience a few years ago.

Ms Harding goes on to refer to Applied Behavior Analysis and says "IF the government is asking teacher assistants to have this certification in order to work with autistic kids then it should make sure that the training is available for them". In the first place it is parents of autistic children and the Autism Society New Brunswick who fought to have ABA in our schools because of the solid evidence basis for the effectiveness of ABA as an autism intervention.

Further, the government has provided the training required. And many teacher assistants represented by CUPE Local 2745 have received that training. What Ms Harding objects to is the fact that UNB-CEL has entrance requirements for the training program and not all who apply are accepted. Some are unable to successfully complete the program.

The quality and integrity of the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program are keys to the success of the program and its acceptance by parents who want their autistic children to receive a quality education. The excellent instructional staff and course curriculum contribute to that success. So too do the entrance and graduation requirements for the program which are within the control of UNB-CEL and not the Department of Education or CUPE Local 2745 and they should stay that way for the good of our autistic children.

CUPE Local 2745 has taken the position that the seniority rights of teacher assistants lacking the autism training should prevail over the needs of autistic children in New Brunswick schools. The union has filed grievances when schools have tried to assign an autism trained TA to work with an autistic child instead of assigning the position to an untrained TA with more seniority. Their grievances and public pressure seem to be succeeding in some school districts such as district 2 in Moncton where untrained TA's are being assigned to work with autistic children instead of assigning UNB-CEL Autism Trained TA's with less seniority. In some cases the school has waived the exceptional circumstances provision that entitles the school to assign based on the child's best interest instead of seniority.

One of the highest principles in our legal system is that, in matters involving children, it is the best interests of the children that should prevail over competing interests. Parents appreciate the work done by TA's and respect their need for employment security. But not at the expense of our children. The professional literature is clear on the importance of ABA for autistic children. And proper training is critically important. In insisting on seniority over proper training for working with autistic children they are not acting in the best interests of our autistic children. Quite the opposite.

autism

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Πουρκουά το φονιά δεν τον λένε Παλαιοκώστα;;....

ΦΟΝΟΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΞΟΡΙΑ, ΠΟΥΡΚΟΥΑ;;;

Παρατηρείται τα τελευταία χρόνια στις τραγωδίες και τις κωμωδίες που ανεβαίνουν επί σκηνής ότι οι αναφορές, μοντερνικές και μεταμοντερνικές, στα παρακμιακά χαρακτηριστικά της εποχής, συνήθως ανάγονται στα σκυλάδικα, την επικοινωνιακή ελαφρότητα, την κακογουστιά, τη λαϊκή ψυχανάλυση κι άλλα παθογενή της καθημερινότητας, αλλά σπανίως στον Λευκό Οίκο, ας πούμε, ή τις Τράπεζες ή τις Εταιρείες (έστω όταν δεν είναι... χορηγοί αυτών των παραστάσεων) και τα λοιπά άδυτα της Λαίδης Μάκβεθ... Θα μου πείτε ότι τέτοιες παρομοιώσεις και οι συνακόλουθοι συνειρμοί θα μπορούσαν να θεωρηθούν στρατευμένη τέχνη, μπανάλ ακαδημαϊσμοί, σοσιαλιστικός ρεαλισμός κι άλλα ξεπερασμένα τέτοια κουραστικάΣωστόν! Οι ακατάληπτες συσχετίσεις και οι άνευ αιτίας, λόγου και σκοπού εξυπνακισμοί είναι πιο ορθολογικές προσεγγίσεις, πιο σύγχρονες θεάσεις, πιο ενδιαφέρουσες προτάσεις για τα ανθρώπινα και πιο χρήσιμη σπατάλη ψυχής...
Η παράσταση των νεκρών.Δεν φθάνει που σκοτώθηκαν οι δέκα Γάλλοι στρατιωτικοί στο Αφγανιστάν - στου διάολου τη Μάνα, αν δεχθούμε ότι οι Ταλιμπάν είναι η σπορά των δαιμόνων.

Δεν φθάνει που σκοτώθηκαν σαν τα σκυλιά στο αμπέλι, καθ' ότι τους πήραν οι Αμερικανοί για κουνάβια και τους δολοφόνησαν - όχι, δεν έφθασαν όλα αυτά, αλλά πακετάρισαν τους σκοτωμένους, τους σκέπασαν με ωραίες τρικολόρε και τους παρέταξαν σε σχηματισμό σφήνας μπροστά απ' την πρόσοψη του Μεγάρου των Απομάχων στο Παρίσι για ένα τελευταίο σόου.Αποδίδοντας βεβαίως «τιμές»-χαιρετούρες οι αξιωματικοί, δακρυσμένος ο Πρόεδρος και η Κάρλα, αριστερά η μπάντα της αεροπορίας ταρατατζούμ τη Μασσαλιώτιδα, δεξιά η μπάντα της Λεγεώνας ταρατατζούμ πάλι τη Μασσαλιώτιδα, στο πιο αργό και πένθιμο αυτή, μπαμπαμπούμ οι συνήθεις βολές στον αέρα, ένας επίσκοπος, τέσσερις παπάδες κι οχτώ παπαδάκια να ψέλνουν τιρερέμ λατινιστί, αγήματα όλων των Σωμάτων με τον ουρανό της πόλης να συμμετέχει στο πένθος.

Μια παράσταση για τις μάζες, για την τηλεόραση, χυδαία και άτιμη. Που σκυλεύει τους σκοτωμένους στρατιωτικούς προσφέροντας «τιμές» όχι στους πεσόντες, αλλά στον ναρκισσισμό στην ιδιοτέλεια στην ακόρεστη βουλιμία για λεφτά εκείνων που τους έστειλαν στην άκρη του κόσμου να σκοτωθούν υπέρ Δημοκρατίας (εδώ οι νεκροί γελούν), υπέρ Ελευθερίας (εδώ οι νεκροί τρίζουν τα δόντια τους), υπέρ Ηρωίνης (εδώ οι νεκροί βρίσκουν κάποια λογική εξήγηση για την τύχη τους) και γεωπολιτικών συμφερόντων, έτσι όπως τα εννοούν αυτοί που έσφαξαν τους παππούδες των νεκρών στο Βερντέν, τους πατεράδες τους στο Αουσβιτς, οι ίδιοι που θα σφάξουν και τα παιδιά των νεκρών στο επόμενο θέατρο επιχειρήσεων που θα αποφασίσει ο Μπους, ο Σαρκοζί ή η κάθε άλλη σοβαροφανής πολεμοκάπηλη ύαινα.

Τα τύμπανα της μπάντας είναι τα τύμπανα του πολέμου, του κάθε άδικου πολέμου, κι άδικος είναι κάθε πόλεμος που δεν είναι αμυντικός. Η Δύση δεν αμύνεται κατά της «τρομοκρατίας» στο Αφγανιστάν, τουλάχιστον όχι όσον οι πετρελαιάδες των ΗΠΑ αλληλοσυνευρίσκονται με τους πετρελαιάδες των Αράβων - είτε της Οικογένειας Μπιν Λάντεν, είτε της Οικογένειας Μοσάντ. Αυτά τα τύμπανα ξυπνάνε τα φαντάσματα των νεκρών. Όλων των πολέμων, δίκαιων και άδικων. Διότι ο πόλεμος δεν κάνει διακρίσεις - όλοι οι πόλεμοι από κτίσεως κόσμου πρώτα τους αμάχους αφανίζουν. Και οι «αμερικανιές» για παράπλευρες απώλειες ή οι κορκοδείλιοι λυγμοί για τα «αθώα θύματα» είναι το ίδιο υποκριτικά με όλα αυτά τα μιλιταριστικά καραγκιοζιλίκια για τους πεσόντες - στην πραγματικότητα, θυσιασμένους.

Ποια «οδύνη της Γαλλίας»; Οταν τελειώσει η τελετή και παραχώσουν τα φέρετρα, η Γαλλία θα έχει ένα ακόμα προηγούμενο στη σημειολογία του πολέμου. Καθ' ότι αυτό είναι η τελετή: καθ-ιερώνει το ζητούμενο: τη νομιμοποίηση της σφαγής.

Καμία Γαλλία δεν έστειλε τα παιδιά της να πάνε να σκοτωθούν στα παπαρουνοχώραφα του Πακιστανοαφγανιστάν για τα πετροδολάρια των Εταιρειών.

Η άρχουσα τάξη της χώρας τούς έστειλε. Η πλουτοκρατία της και οι πολιτικοί της εκπρόσωποι, ο κάθε Σαρκοζί μετά Κάρλας ή άνευ, η κάθε Σεγκολέν, ο κάθε Μπλαιρ ή οποιοδήποτε άλλο εκλεγμένο τηβεννοφόρο παλιόσκυλο.

Για την τιμή του πετρελαίου κι όχι την τιμή της πατρίδας σκοτώθηκαν οι δέκα Γάλλοι (και χιλιάδες άλλοι) φουκαράδες· και στην τιμή των επιτοκίων αποδίδουν τιμές οι μπάντεςκι όχι στους μισθοφόρους ή παιδιά του λαού ή εκπαιδευμένους δολοφόνους ή λεγεωνάριους ή αλεξιπτωτιστές ή ό,τι άλλο σκοτώθηκε εκεί, στου διάολου τη Μάνα...

Δολοφόνοι κι Εγκληματίες Πολέμου είναι όσοι επιτίθενται οπουδήποτε και για οποιονδήποτε λόγο - κι όλοι οι ηγέτες της Δύσης ενέχονται σε επιθέσεις. Αμεσες είτε έμμεσες μέσω των ανδρεικέλων τους. Όλο και πιο πολλές, όλο και πιο συχνές...

ΣΤΑΘΗΣ Σ. 23.VIII.2008 stathis@enet.gr
ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΟΤΥΠΙΑ - 23/08/2008

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Pasta with Shrimp and Tomatoes, a surprise attack and a meme

My oldest daughter getting her Blue Belt!!!

First off the "surprise attack". My oldest daughter takes Karate and attends classes 2 nights a week. Last night was the first night in months and months that I have not taken her. T. took her. Well they must have only just gotten there and my phone was ringing. She was testing for her Blue Belt tonight and did I want to be there? Well hell yah!!! My youngest daughter and I got into the car and took off. We made it in plenty of time. How special is that! I was so incredibly proud of her. She is now more then halfway to her black belt!!! She has a few more colors and degrees of those colors to go through so it will be a few years yet but we are on the right track!!! Not bad for an 8 year old girl!

Now for the recipe:

With the "surprise attack" I needed to have a quick and easy dinner to prepare. I had some shrimp and basil so I decide to throw it together with some tomatoes and pasta and call it done!


Pasta with Shrimp and Tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 pkg of you favorite pasta
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
5 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 lb of peeled and deveined shrimp
1-1/2 Cup of tomato, seeded and chopped
1/2 Cup white wine
1/4 Cup parsley, chopped
1/4 Cup fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp fish or shrimp stock
2 Tbsp butter
salt and pepper
Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Place pasta in a colander.
2. Heat olive oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring constantly, until the garlic is tender, about 1 minute. Do not let the garlic burn. Add shrimp, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from the skillet, and set aside.
3. Stir wine, parsley, and basil into the skillet. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, 8 to 12 minutes. Add the butter and stir until melted . This adds a nice creaminess to the sauce. Add tomatoes and shrimp, and continue cooking until the shrimp are heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the shrimp mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Loved this dish and was able to pull out some of the shrimp and sauce before I added the tomatoes for my tomato hater! I will definitely be making this one again!!!

I was also tagged for a meme by superfinefeline at Gastronomic Ruminations. Due to lack of time I used the answers to a meme I did a while ago and changed some around and added a new one!

6 Random things about me...
1. I once ran away from home when I was 16...spent the night trying to hide out in a park, slept in an apartment stairwell and realized that the life I ran away from was not nearly as bad as it seemed the day before!!! LOL

2. Used to suffer from Hyperhidrosis but found a product called drysol which has cured me!

3. Was diagnosed with ADD as a child but my Mom stuck it out and never medicated me (thanks Mom!). Funny thing is what goes around comes around. I am fighting the same battle with my youngest daughter...any advice out there??

4. This is my second marriage. First one lasted for a very, very, very short time (felt like forever).

5. I have been married for 12 years (together for 4 before that) to my very best friend! It even sucks when we fight because I can't go bitching to my BF because it is him!

6. I have an incredible and irrational fear of pond and lake water. I can swim in pools and the ocean but a lake or ponds with weeds and stuff in it will do me in!!!

I am not going to tag any one blogger on this but consider yourselves all tagged and take a few minutes and let us get to know you better! If you decide to do this let me know so I can come and read it!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Autism In New Brunswick Schools - The Globe & Mail Gets It Wrong

In Ontario parents continue battle for accessible autism therapies the Globe & Mail reports on documents submitted to the Supreme Court of Canada by families involved in a class action lawsuit who are arguing for access to ABA and IBI therapies for their children in public-school classrooms. In comparing the situation in Ontario to British Columbia and New Brunswick schools the Globe & Mail stated, incorrectly with regard to New Brunswick, that:

In British Columbia and New Brunswick, funding is available for children with autism to bring support workers specially trained in IBI and ABA therapy into public-school classrooms. In Ontario, the government will only pay for teacher's aides, and IBI and ABA therapists are not allowed in the classroom.

In New Brunswick we do have ABA instruction, for autistic children, in our schools but it is not provided by therapists brought in to the school. What we have done in New Brunswick is provide autism intervention training to teacher aides/assistants. The training is provided at the UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training Program. The TA's receive essentially the same training as provided by UNB-CEL to pre school Autism Support Workers. The TA's must meet UNB's entrance criteria to enter the program and must pass both academic and practicum components of the course - which not all of them do. Resource teachers have also been trained as Clinical Supervisors.

Apart from the TA training, New Brunswick has accommodated the needs of those autistic children like my son who require a quieter setting outside the regular classroom to learn. My son receives his ABA based instruction in a small room with his TA. He goes to the school gym and pool and outdoors for physical activity, to the school library, and to a kitchen to learn some kitchen skills. Conor also helps with tasks at the school such as lowering the flag. Other children see him in the common areas mentioned and in the hallways and some say hello to him by name as I walk with him in the halls to take him home at the end of the day. Some autistic children do well in the regular classroom and their aides are permitted in the classroom.

The Autism Society New Brunswick lobbied hard for autism specific training for aides working with autistic children. ASNB also fought hard to move away from a philosophy based total classroom inclusion for all approach to an evidence based approach which focuses on teaching autistic children where, and how, they learn best, an approach that looks at the needs and abilities of the individual child.

This is how ABA is used to teach autistic children in New Brunswick schools.

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Health Minister Clement Hides In Denver But Autism Follows

Alleged federal Health Minister Tony Clement is not known for facing tough issues head on. Although he is the federal Health Minister he refuses to use the federal spending power to send dollars to the provinces to ensure that ALL autistic children receive effective evidence based treatment for their autism disorders regardless of where their parents live. Mr Clement hides behind provincial authority but does not credibly explain why federal money can't be sent to the provinces to be used for autism treatment. There is no dispute that treatment is needed and I find it hard to believe the provinces would refuse federal money to treat autistic children.

Now "Health" Minister Clement is at the Democratic Convention in Denver and avoiding difficult questions over the tragic listeriosis outbreak as reported in the Globe and Mail:

Clement's arrival in Denver on Monday drew fire from the Liberals.

"While Mr. Clement is enjoying himself at cocktail receptions at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, people back home are dying," said Liberal health critic Carolyn Bennett.

Clement fired back, saying that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz was the lead minister on the massive food recall that followed the listeriosis outbreak.

"Health" Minister Clement may be able to void questions about Canadians dying from listeriosis while wining and dining at the Democratic Convention in Denver but he has been unable while there to hide from autism which he routinely ignores in Canada. Both Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and former President Bill Clinton mentioned autism in their prime time speeches Tuesday and Wednesday.

Senator Hillary Clinton, as reported on ABC news, stated:

I will always remember the single mom who had adopted two kids with autism, didn't have health insurance and discovered she had cancer. But she greeted me with her bald head painted with my name on it and asked me to fight for health care.

Former President Bill Clinton, as reported on the Wall Street Journal, stated:

I will never forget the parents of children with autism and other severe conditions who told me on the campaign trail that they couldn’t afford health care and couldn’t qualify their kids for Medicaid unless they quit work or got a divorce.

Although "Health" Minister Tony Clement is oblivious to the challenges confronting families with autistic children in Canada the same can not be said of the Senator and President Clinton. They get it. It is probably too much to hope that some of their autism awareness might rub off on our Minister Clement. But hopefully when he is not enjoying cocktails he can reflect on their words and start taking autism seriously in Canada where he is, in name anyway, our federal Health Minister.

autism

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The Royal Foodie Joust for September!

Yummm...Ginger/Orange Quick Bread with an Oatmeal Crumb Topping

After missing out on doing the Royal Foodie Joust for last month I was suffering a huge amount of guilt and no matter what happened I was going to get it done this month. Well life happens and tends to get in the way of things and I didn't get it done as early in the month as I would have liked but I did get it done!!!

The Royal Foodie Joust is a monthly challenge that is hosted by my friend Jenn-The Left-over Queen. Every month the winner from the previous month is allowed to choose the 3 ingredients that must be used in the up coming challenge. Sounds like fun huh?

Last month's winner was Kittie from Kittens in the Kitchen.

Kittie's Picks:

Whole Grains (or at least they have to be whole at the start of the recipe!)
Ginger (in any form)
Citrus (any, in any form!)

As usual for me my days are too short and I have not nearly enough time in them to get everything that I wanted to get done done. My entry this month is a quick bread. And was it ever quick and simple to make!


Ginger/Orange Quick Bread with an Oatmeal Crumb Topping

GINGER/ORANGE BREAD:

1 1/2 Cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp zested orange rind
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1 Cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 Cup milk
3 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease and flour a loaf pan. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, ginger and orange rind. Set aside. In a medium bowl and with a mixer, cream butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time beating after each. Add flour mixture alternately with milk, stirring until blended. Stir in the orange juice.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

CRUMB TOPPING:

2 Cups uncooked oatmeal
1/2 Cups brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 stick of butter, softened

Grind oatmeal in your food processor until finely ground. Add and all other ingredients and pulse until the mixture is a coarse meal.

Sprinkle the crumb topping on the batter and bake at 325 degrees for about 55 to 60 minutes.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack and remove from pan and allow to cool completely before serving.

This turned out delicious and I would love to make it again using fresh ginger and more crumb topping!!! Thanks again Kittie for great ingredient choices!!!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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A Fredericton Autism Reply To Alberta Conservative MP Brian Storseth

Brian Storseth MP
Westlock-St. Paul

4401 50th Street

St. Paul, Alberta

Telephone: (780) 614-6440

Fax: (780) 645-6817

Storseth.B@parl.gc.ca

Dear Mr Storseth:

Re: Your Flyer


I was surprised to receive from you, an Alberta MP, a House of Commons mail out. As a resident of Fredericton, New Brunswick, I am used to receiving such flyers from our MP Andy Scott. "Andy" as he is known by Frederictonians has been an outstanding representative for our riding and for a cause which is very close to my heart - the cause of autistic children and adults. Your pamphlet did not address autism or any other major health issue confronting Canadians.

Instead you used your Parliamentary mailing privileges to reach across Canada in an attempt to stoke fear of crime in Canada; sending a pamphlet featuring a picture of a young man, unshaven, wearing a sleeveless undershirt slouched on a couch with a beer. I am not impressed.

Since you did reach across this great country to communicate with me Mr. Storseth I will let you know what does concern me as the father of a 12 year old boy with Autistic Disorder. I ask that you encourage Mr. Harper to stop ignoring the plight of autistic children in need of treatment across Canada. Stop pretending that the federal government can not use its tremendous financial resources to ensure that autistic children, wherever their parents reside in Canada, receive the evidence based treatment they need to live as full a life as possible. The Canada Health Act exists despite jurisdictional concerns.

Mr. Storseth since you have adopted me as a constituent I ask that you encourage your party leader Stephen Harper to adopt a real National Autism Strategy. Send federal dollars to the provinces to ensure that every autistic child receives evidence based treatment regardless of their parents' postal address. You have reached across the country once; you can do it again - for autistic children.

Thank you.

Respectfully,


Harold L Doherty
63 Alder Avenue
Fredericton NB E3A 1T1
AutismRealityNB@gmail.com

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Have you ever seen one of these?

When I went to the farmer's market Saturday morning I only needed a couple of things. Tomatoes, onions, and some garlic. I paid for my things and then went over to the bakery and got some sweet treats for the girls and I. On my way back the biggest banana type thing I had ever seen caught my eye. Have you ever seen this before?


Apparently it is a Hawaiian Plantain. I took a picture of it in my hand so that there was some perspective on the size of this.

Guess what? It was delicious! It was so sweet and mild tasting and the flesh was a slight peachy color. I bought 2 of them and they were gone that day.

They can be treated the same as regular plantains as in cooked. But when these ones are nice and ripe like the one in my hand they are perfect for eating just out of the peel! I was also thinking that they would make a nice quick bread. I think they would give some banana bread some nice chunks in it!

I will definitely be keeping an eye out for these!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred

I have seen this showing up on quite a few blogs lately, so I thought I would post my version. Andrew, who co-runs Very Good Taste, has made a list of 100 things he thinks every omnivore should eat at least once.

It certainly looks as though I need to expand my horizons here and start eating more Asian food!!!

Here's what to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

This was really fun to do!

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile-Alligator?
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam Chowder
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar - Cognac and a cigar but not together? Count or not?
37. Clotted Cream Tea
38. Vodka Jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole Insects (chocolate covered ants!)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu (why risk it?)
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost or brunost
75. Roadkill (depends how fresh?)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie (these were my favorite when I was young)
78. Snail
79. Lapsang Souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. 3 Michelin Star Tasting Menu
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

This was really fun to do. It gives you some perspective towards the fact that what we think is normal to eat others think is crazy and vice versa!

Where do your foodie boundaries lie???

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy

www.nofearentertaining.com

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Autistic Adults Relationships and Sexuality Study

Do You Have High-Functioning

Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, or PDD-NOS?

Are you between the ages of 21-75?

Are your cognitive abilities within the low average to above average range?

Would you be interested in learning more about yourself and how you

feel about relationships and sexuality?

If you answered yes to the above questions, you are eligible to participate in a

research study being conducted by researchers at the

North-Shore-LIJ Center for Autism (New York, USA)

and the

University of New Brunswick (Fredericton, Canada).

The purpose of this study is to better understand sexuality and relationships of adults with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The information collected from the study may increase knowledge of how best to help teens and adults with ASDs experience healthy sexual development.

Participation in this study involves completion of a set of online questionnaires at www.unbstudy.com that will take between 45 minutes and 1¼ hours to complete.

For more information about this project, please contact

Shana Nichols, Ph.D., Psychologist at 516-802-8600

or

Sandra Byers, Ph.D., Psychologist at 506-458-7697

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Autism and Stealth-Adapted Viruses - Science or Non-Sense?

A New Brunswick acquaintance of mine, BJ McKelvie, is a fervent promoter of the work of Dr. W John Martin. BJ devotes all, or some, of the profits generated by the Autism song "I'm In Here" to fund an "investigational study", described on the ACE Pathway Investigational Study site as:


A double blind research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of methods aimed at activating an alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway in the therapy of autism and related childhood disorders.

The study involves the scientific discovery that autism and other unexplained disorders are caused by viruses that escape immune recognition. These viruses are called stealth-adapted viruses. The major advance is that the existence of stealth adapted viruses has helped bring into focus the discovery of an auxiliary virus defence mechanism that involves an alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway. Fortunately, the body has an anti-virus defence system other than the immune system. This pathway can be activated using enerceuticals. Activation can lead to symptom improvements and, importantly, can also potentially prevent autism from occurring.

Someone posting under the pseudonym s3support left an article by Dr. Martin on this site earlier in response to my blog post President Bush Signs Combating Autism Act into Law:

s3support said...

Autism: The Mounting Toll of Denying the Existence of Stealth-Adapted Viruses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will receive additional funding for autism research through the Combating Autism Act signed into law today by President Bush. Let’s hope it will use a modicum of this funding to confirm and extend findings that indicate active virus infection in the majority of autistic children. The viruses found in these children do not activate an effective anti-virus immune response and have, accordingly, been grouped under the term stealth-adapted. In spite of repeated requests, no formal effort has been made within CDC to perform stealth-adapted virus testing on children with autism. Contributing to this indifference is a lack of real expertise in atypical viral infections and a political concern that some stealth-adapted viruses arose from the simian cytomegalovirus of African green monkeys (SCMV). As confirmed by studies within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), earlier batches of live polio vaccines were not uncommonly contaminated by SCMV.

Autism is a descriptive term for symptoms attributed to brain damage. By many measures, an increasing number of children are showing this affliction. Indeed, the phase “autism epidemic” is widely being used in the media. Yet, why hasn’t serious consideration been given to a potential underlying infectious cause? Again, this is partly because most of the professional dealing with this disorder are not microbiologists and sadly, also because a lot of money is being made from parents of an ever expanding pool of patients.

An infectious cause for autism is not only suggested by its increasing prevalence but also by chronic fatiguing illnesses that are commonly present in other family members. Parents of autistic children will sometimes deny any symptoms hoping to keep the focus on their son or daughter. Closer questioning, however, will often reveal less than stellar health with fatigue, impaired sleep, poor memory and other symptoms consistent with ongoing brain damage. Indeed, it is reasonable to have predicted that such parents were at an increased risk for having a child slip into autistic behavior as he or she faced the emotional challenge of socialization. It can also be argued that a stealth-adapted virus infected infant may be especially susceptible to additional damage caused by vaccinations that can potential over activate the immune response.

A useful course of action is for a small grouping of parents of autistic children to insist that the CDC or corresponding State Health Department, obtain a blood sample from their child and culture the blood in a manner suitable to demonstrate the presence of stealth-adapted viruses. Undoubtedly, some if not most cases will yield a positive culture. Such findings will help offset the politically motivated denial of the existence of stealth-adapted viruses and once more draw attention to the issue of SCMV contaminated polio vaccines. For additional information please refer to www.s3support.com or e-mail to s3support@mail.com
W. John Martin, M.D., Ph.D.
Institute of Progressive Medicine

I do not pretend to have the expertise, with a few exceptions, to determine the merits of any purportedly scientific theory about the causes or treatment of autism. [I refuse to take "swimming with Dolphins", Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Treatment" and some other interventions seriously]

For the most part I rely on responsible expert professionals to make those determinations. To that end I frequently cite reputable reviews of autism interventions such as the US Surgeon General, the MADSEC (Maine) Autism Task Force, the New York State Department of Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. I have found no mention of Dr. Martin's "stealth-adapted viruses"theory or his "activation of alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway" treatment mentioned by any credible review of autism and autism treatments.

A simple Google Scholar search using the words "stealth adapted virus" produced 9 articles - ALL written by Dr. W. John Martin:

Stealth Adaptation of an African Green Monkey Simian Cytomegalovirus
WJ Martin - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 1999 - Elsevier
... individuals. recognize and respond to virus infections [1]. A successful Sequence
studies on a prototype stealth-adapted virus have immune ...
Cited by 7 - Related articles - Web Search - BL Direct - All 5 versions

Alternative cellular energy pigments mistaken for parasitic skin infestations
W John Martin - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 2005 - Elsevier
... Complex intracellular structures have also been observed within cells seen on brain
biopsies of stealth-adapted virus infected individuals (Martin, 2003b). ...
Cited by 2 - Related articles - Web Search - All 3 versions

Symptomatic relief of herpetic skin lesions utilizing an energy-based approach to healing
WJ Martin, J Stoneburner - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 2005 - Elsevier
... cultured cells, have been shown to affect, both positively and negatively depending
on intensity, cell viability in stealth-adapted virus cultures (unpublished ...
Cited by 1 - Related articles - Web Search - All 3 versions

Etheric biology
WJ Martin - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 2005 - Elsevier
... coalescence of pigmented material that was initially diffusely distributed within
the cluster of MRC-5 cells that developed in a stealth-adapted virus culture. ...
Cited by 1 - Related articles - Web Search - All 3 versions

Alternative cellular energy pigments from bacteria of stealth virus infected individuals
WJ Martin - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 2005 - Elsevier
... solid and thread-like structures similar to the alternative cellular energy pigments
(ACE pigments) seen in cultures of stealth-adapted virus infected patients ...
Web Search - All 3 versions

[PDF] ►ARTICLE IN PRESS
WJ MartinT - s3support.com
... solid and thread-like structures similar to the alternative cellular energy pigments
(ACE pigments) seen in cultures of stealth-adapted virus infected patients ...
Related articles - View as HTML - Web Search

Progressive medicine
WJ Martin - Experimental and Molecular Pathology, 2005 - Elsevier
... cellular energy (ACE) pathway as an auxiliary defense mechanism against various
diseases, including both conventional and stealth-adapted virus infections. ...
Web Search - All 4 versions

Therapy of stealth virus associated cancers and other conditions using light
WJ Martin - US Patent App. 10/044,683, 2002 - Google Patents
Page 1. US 20030129583A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication
(io> Pub. NO.: US 2003/0129583 Al Martin (43) Pub. Date: Jul. ...
Web Search

ISOLATED STEALTH VIRUSES AND RELATED VACCINES
W MARTIN - 1999 - freepatentsonline.com
Isolated stealth viruses whose presence is positively correlated with the induction
of a vacuolating cytopathic effect in tissue cultures and which are associated ...
Related articles - Web Search - All 5 versions

The earliest of these 9 articles was written in 1999. The ACE Pathway Investigational Study site has a section called "the Scientific Research". All articles in the section are authored by Dr. W. John Martin:

The Scientific Research

* Brain cells with cellular images of the diseased mitochondria
* Explaination how the viral pigments may be a source of energy for cells
* Ace Pigments
* Viteria: Bacterial Sequences in Animal and Human Viruses
* 4 Physicians all develop stealth virus illnesses
* ACE Pigments mistaken for Parasitic Skin Infestations

The "stealth-adapted" virus concept does not appear to have been picked up by Dr. Martin's professional colleagues. It does not appear to have been take seriously by medical professionals.

Now we have an "investigational study" being conducted. Some of those who are encouraging parents to have their children participate in this studies are "true believers" in Dr. W. John Martin and his work. I recently engaged in a Facebook "discussion" with some of Dr. Martin's advocates. I had a few weeks ago posted a response to a comment by BJ McKelvie who cited a 1999 article about ABA and other scientific autism treatments. Then recently someone named Cherie Pettie commented on the same thread and accused me of being "ignorant" and "uneducated". When I pointed out that I had read some of what Dr. Martin has had to say I was told by Ms Pettie that I should call Dr. Martin and speak to him personally if I wanted to understand the man and his work. Expressions of faith in Dr. Martin are encouraged, serious questions are discouraged.

Ms Pettie and Mr McKelvie are strong proponents of Dr Martins' treatment theories. Their belief is disturbing to me. Mr. McKelvie at least partially finances the current "investigational study" with proceeds from "I'm in here". Both he and Ms Pettie are already convinced that the treatment works and that is the message they are delivering with great fervor, to parents when asking them to participate. Their strong belief in Dr. Martin is interesting but faith and belief do not necessarily make for good science.

The parents who are indoctrinated with Mr. McKelvie's and Ms. Pettie's belief in Dr. Martin's theories, with their biases, will then become "clinical investigators":

This investigation is done at home in the childs least restrictive environment. It's administered and documented by the parents who become “clinical investigators” under the direction of “The Institute of Progressive Medicine” Burbank, California. It is understood that bringing children who battle autism into clinics or hospitals enduces “meltdowns and the related stress can trigger epileptic seizures in those who battle autism related epilepsy. The treatment can be done while the child sleeps at night in bed or is awake. This decision is best left to the parents. For this study a "clinical investigator" is simply someone who administers the treatment and takes notes under strict guidelines. There are several protocols to follow during the study. A baseline is first taken on the child’s current condition, then the treatment is administered then the parents are required to complete online weekly clinical data journal of the child’s progress.

I see nothing wrong with parental input in professional studies. I do see a problem when those parents are recruited with emphatic personal testimony that the treatment being studied works. I see a problem when any questioning of Dr. Martin's theories is met with outright hostility. With such a biased foundation I find it doubtful that the ACE Pathway "Investigational Study" will be anything more than an exercise in affirming the work of Dr. W. John Martin; a study with little or no scientific value.

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Homemade Tacos

This is an older picture of a taco with pico de gallo and tomatillo salsa

It was a crazy, crazy weekend.

My youngest daughter has decided that she really likes competitive ice skating and wants to do another competition. Seeing as she is only 6 I have decided to let her only do ones that are at our home rink. Saves me travel and more chaos! With this though it means more time is spent at the rink. We had lessons on Friday night and Saturday.

T. was away for the weekend so I had decided that my youngest one could finally have her sleepover that I promised her for her birthday. So while T. was away I had a couple more 6 year olds running around the house screaming. I have to say though that I love this age. Their isn't the drama that comes with the 8 year olds...yet!

T got home late Saturday night and was able to help with all of the girls in the morning. At least running herd on them while we got breakfast was easier then because they were tired!

Once all the kids were gone we decided to spend some nice family time together and go and have a picnic. One of the great things about having a tropical storm or a hurricane pass through is that it really dries out the air. Today was just beautiful. 88 degrees with low humidity is beautiful in our books. We went to the Caloosahatchee Regional Park and had some lunch and then took a short walk to the river and hung out there for a bit. After this we came home and I tried to figure out meals for during the week. With the new skating schedule and school about to get reved up I needed a plan.

I decided that we would have pizza on Tuesday which would be the late night. Wouldn't get home from the rink until 7:30 but I could make the dough before hand and then T. (pretty please) could throw the sauce and toppings on it and throw it in the oven.

Another night we could have tacos. I have a really simple combination of spices that is so versatile I can use it on anything that I can find...chicken, pork, beef or even seafood. When I make a batch of it I make enough to last for 2 meals. No more as I think the mix loses it flavor after too long in a bag. I can make this whole meal and have it in the fridge ready to be heated up in time for dinner. Can't beat that!

Love the colors of all of the spices mixed together!

Tacos

Ingredients:

1-1/2 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

¼ tsp cayenne

¼ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp paprika

1-1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 lb of your choice of meat (buffalo (very lean), beef, venison (very lean), chicken, or pork)

1 cup of water

Directions:

• In a small bowl combine all of the ingredients but the meat. Set aside.
• Brown you meat of choice (we have recently used buffalo, beef, and venison.)
• Once the meat is browned add as much or as little of the seasoning as you would like. We find that this seasoning mix usually makes us 2 meals.
• Add 1 cup water
• Allow to simmer until the spice is absorbed and there is no liquid left.
• Place as much meat as you would like in your lettuce cup.
• Top with your choice of taco toppings (cheese, Pico de Gallo, hot sauce etc.)

This can be used with just about any meat or seafood. It can also be used to make nachos!

As Always...

Happy Entertaining!!!

Judy
www.nofearentertaining.com

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Jon Sterry Rocks For The UK Autism Foundation

Outstanding UK guitarist Jon Sterry is supporting the UK Autism Foundation which aims to create an autism center in London. Ivan Corea of UK Autism Awareness forwarded this Youtube video of Sterry playing guitar.

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Makin' Maki Sushi Round Up!

I am a big sushi lover... I'm talking BIG! I could eat sushi every.single.day if it weren't for how my body has a love/hate relationship with carbs. However, today I indulged in sushi and had friends come over to learn how to make maki rolls. For my sushi event, I prepped all the ingredients for our maki rolls. Some ingredients I offered included:

carrots, yellow pickled radish, cucumber, red & green bell pepper, mushrooms...

orange fish roe, egg omelet, broiled eel (unagi), avocado, crab sticks, cream cheese...

sashimi platter of white & red tuna, salmon, mackerel, yellow tail, & whitefish... After we made a couple rolls, we had ourselves a full Japanese meal where I served iced honey green tea, edamame, miso soup and Adzuki (sweet red bean) ice cream for dessert...

To join in the fun, my fellow bloggers have submitted their Japanese/Sushi recipes! As I do with each blogging event I host, a lucky blogger receives a giveaway related to the food theme. This event's winner is Kristin of Tiny Kitchen Cooking! Kristin will be receiving a bamboo mat and fancy chopsticks for her entry. Congratulations Kristin and thanks to all that participated in the blogging event! Read on to check out the recipes submitted by my fellow bloggers...

Kristin of Tiny Kitchen Cooking
from Massachusetts
California Rolls
Kristin joins us to share her spring rolls and california rolls for her first every blogging event! Kristin recently learned how to make maki sushi from a friend, Masako. Check out Kristin's blog for the recipes Masako shared!
Lalaine of The CookMobile
from Norwalk, CA
Sculpin Fish in Miso Broth
Lalaine joins us to share a beautiful dish of Sculpin Fish. Not familiar with this kind of fish? Check out Lalaine's blog for more info and the recipe of this tasty dish!

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