Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna

The slight heat wave we've had the past couple days finally shifted and we welcomed the cooler temperatures. It got cool enough that we started to crave some comfort food. One such comfort food is lasagna. This Sausage and Mushroom Lasagna was worth the time to make and is even better when made ahead of time...This lasagna recipe had quite a bit of rave results from the AllRecipes website. After making it, I definitely concur - it's an amazing recipe and can be adapted easily to incorporate other ingredients. I used the base recipe and added some portobello mushrooms. If you're not a mushroom fan, simply omit it - it's still a solid recipe nonetheless

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'Whopper-licious' Malted Milk Ice Cream

I never have been big on candies. In fact, I only go out of my way to buy candy if I'm using it in another recipe. When I came across a recipe for malted milk ice cream, I knew I had to pick up some malted milk balls. The down side? Getting my husband to save enough so I can use some in the recipe! Thankfully, the Whopper-licious Malted Milk Ice Cream I made is studded with just enough candy!...Aside from using malted milk balls in this recipe, I also had to pick up malt powder. It's not a usual pantry ingredient in our house so I'm on the search for other recipes calling for it. If you have some to share, please let me know! This ice cream recipe is

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Autism Rising? Dr. James Coplan Says It Ain't So But Is He Right?

Dr. James Coplan,  a developmental pediatrician with four decades of experience with special needs children,  argues in Psychology Today that there is no increase in incidence of autism.  Dr. Coplan distinguishes between autism prevalence which he describes as rates of autism diagnosis and rates of autism incidence which he describes as rates of autism occurrence .  The essence of the Coplan autism epidemic denial has been heard before and is obviously partially correct. The  changes in diagnostic definitions of autism from the DSM-III to the DSM-IV have expanded dramatically the numbers of persons described as autistic. I agr

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Italian Stuffed Mushroom Caps

While friends enjoy hitting the mall, I enjoy wandering at a grocery store. I especially enjoy the produce section when I score on sales! There was a super sale on portobello mushroom caps recently and those found its way in my grocery cart. I've been searching for recipes to use them in and on a whim, made these Italian Stuffed Mushroom Caps as a great side dish...Portobello mushrooms are wonderful to stuff because they are a nice size and the shape allows for lots of stuffing. This recipe involves chopped tomatoes, a bit of homemade pesto, shredded parmesan cheese and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Everything is tossed together, stuffed into the mush

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Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream

Chocolate and mint are one of my favorite chocolate combos, so you can imagine how I didn't hesitate picking up a package of Mint Oreos. As much as I could easily devour a package of Mint Oreos, I thought it would be even better to swirl them into rich, creamy chocolate ice cream. This Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream gives the traditional cookies and cream ice cream a run for it's money!...This is chocolate mint heaven in a bowl. Oreos filled with minty cream finds it's way in decadent chocolate ice cream that's been kissed with more mint. I used a chocolate ice cream recipe from Ben & Jerry's and substituted peppermint extract in place of vanilla e

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Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

I'm giving my ice cream maker a workout these days since it's been so muggy and hot lately. To use up some strawberries I picked at a local strawberry field recently, I made this Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. Hello, yumminess! Now this is an ice cream that any cheesecake lover can appreciate!There have been a few cheesecake ice cream recipes I've come across but I went with David Lebovitz's recipe since he's the king of ice cream recipes in my book! His recipe is decadent and rich, just as ice cream should be. Unlike many of his ice cream recipes, this one doesn't require any cooking, so it's a quick and easy recipe to make. Cream cheese, sour crea

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Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake

You never know when a good recipe idea will hit you. I get excited when there are cooking magazines available to browse in waiting rooms. While I was at my doctor's appointment recently, I picked up a recent issue of Everday Foods magazine and came across a recipe for Blackberry Swirl Pound Cake. Since I had an abundance of strawberries to use up, I made this Strawberry Swirl Pound Cake instead...When it comes to pound cake, I like enjoying it with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. It's simple, sweet and so easy to make in a flash! But when I saw the recipe for Blackberry Swirl Pound Cake in the magazine, I knew I could easily substitute th

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New Brunswick Autism Education: Everyone in the Mainstream Classroom Inclusion Model Continues to Hold Back Progress

I have been a frequent promoter of the progress made in New Brunswick in the education of autistic students. Recent developments though show the extent to which that progress has been uneven with ultimate implementation of changes being left to the School District level. A bilingual and bifurcated Education department in New Brunswick has resulted in some francophone districts preferring to go it alone or to follow models from outside New Brunswick.Two developments have spurred the  progress that has been made. One is  the training of 4-500 teacher assistants at the excellent UNB-CEL Autism Intervention Training program. The program has rece

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Ανδρών επιφανών έλλειμμα

Ανδρών επιφανών έλλειμμαΖούμε σε μια υπέροχη χώρα με έναν λαό εντελώς ετερόφωτο και χειραγωγούμενο. Άγεται και φέρεται από ηγετίσκους του δικομματικού κοινοβουλευτισμού, κατ επίφασιν δημοκρατικού καθεστώτος, που προάγει την αυτοαναίρεση, την μη συμμετοχή και τελικά την απογοητευτική και αντίθετη από τα συμφέροντά του αποχή από τα κοινά. Γιατί όταν τους θεωρείς όλους ίδιους και απέχεις σίγουρα σε διοικούν χειρότεροι και από σένα.Ατύχησε αυτός ο τόπος από εποχής Μητσοτάκη και εντεύθεν να χειμάζεται από πρωθυπουργούς και λοιπούς ηγέτες, πνευματικούς, θρησκευτικούς, ινδάλματα και αθλητές της ζωής κάτω του μετρίου και της βάσεως., μηδέ των σημερινών εξαιρο

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Ice Cream Week!

It's officially summer and to me, that means it's ice cream season! I've been doing some churning lately and it's been quite a tasty adventure. If you haven't dusted off your ice cream maker (I have the Cuisinart ICE-20) or have yet to get one, hopefully these ice cream recipes will get you moving! It's Ice Cream Week at my house so stay tuned every day this week for the following recipes...* Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream ** Chocolate Mint Oreo Ice Cream ** 'Whopper-licious' Malted Milk Ice Cream ** Chocolate Peanut Butter 'Pieces Ice Cream ** Blackberry Studded White Chocolate Ice Cream *(photo coming soon!)

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Chicken Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing

My favorite salad would definitely have to be a Cobb Salad. I love the combination of the ingredients, especially when tossed with a homemade ranch dressing recipe. If you're looking for a heartier salad that's big enough as a meal, this Chicken Cobb Salad with Ranch Dressing just may fit the bill!...I'm not sure what I like most about this salad... the creamy diced avocadoes, the tang of the crumbled blue cheese, the crunch of the crumbled bacon, the subtle sweetness of ripe tomatoes or the homemade ranch dressing. Regardless, together they are outstanding as a cobb salad. I've had difficulty finding a ranch dressing recipe that's spot on, but t

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Conor's Toy Story 3 Movie Place Adventure

Almost a month ago we took Conor to see SHReK in the local Empire theater. It was Conor's first visit to a theater in a few years and it went very well.  We weren't sure  though if it was a fluke or not so today we went again; this time to see Toy Story 3. Woody and Buzz  are a couple of Conor's old favorites. It went very, very well. Conor was not in the least bit agitated.  He laughed out loud during the movie and had lots of fun. In the combined picture above Conor smiles and points out some familiar faces Woody and Mr. Potato Head.Conor was happy, very happy,  and Mom and Dad loved every minute of Conor's Toy Story 3 movie

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PISTACHIO PAVLOVA

With Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse and Vanilla SauceROOT ROOT ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM"Rugby is a game for barbarians played by gentlemen. Football is a game for gentlemen played by barbarians."- attributed to Oscar WildeEurope is all a-flutter with the World Cup. Day in and day out, television sets, radios and computer screens everywhere are tuned in, news hours are devoted solely and completely to this grandest, loudest of all sports events. From the first coin toss and that first kick heard round the world, every European sits, watches, listens with bated breath, hands clasped, heart pounding. Prayers are interspersed with groans, grunts and choice exp

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Conor's Last Day at Nashwaaksis Middle School

Conor and Mom wore their finest Shrek Green T shirts as Conor headed off for his last day at Nashwaaksis Middle School.  Middle school has been a great time for Conor.  He loves going to school and he was a bit anxious yesterday knowing it was his last day. In the final picture Conor poses with Brad Daniels,  the Education Assistant who has worked with Conor for most of the past three years.  Brad has been absolutely outstanding working with Conor. I really can't put enough emphasis on what a great contribution he has made to Conor's life as  Conor began his journey through the physical and emotional challenges of adolesc

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Μην φοβάσαι απόλυσε τους!

Μην φοβάσαι!ΕΥΓΕΝΙΑ ΗΛΙΟΠΟΥΛΟΥNever turn your back on fear. It should always be in front of you, like a thing that might have to be killed Hunter S. ThompsonΑκούγοντας τις δηλώσεις του κυρίου Παπακωνσταντίνου τρόμαξα. Δάκρυσα όταν άκουσα τον κύριο Λοβέρδου. Ένιωσα μία αφόρητη ένοχη. Ότι μεγάλωσα και τόλμησα να πλησιάσω την στιγμή που πρέπει να εισπράξω αυτά που χρόνια τώρα μου κρατούσαν ,από το μισθό μου , χωρίς να με ρωτήσουν αν συμφωνώ. Χωρίς να έχω το δικαίωμα να αρνηθώ ότι σε ότι αφορά το σύνολο των κρατήσεων και ούτε σε ότι αφορά στο πώς θα τα χρησιμοποιήσει το ασφαλιστικού μου ταμείο. Κυρίως δεν ερωτήθηκαν αν συμφωνώ με τις επιλογές της κάθε κ

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Jerk Chicken with Mango Cilantro Relish

Rain, rain and more rain. We've been pounded with so much rain lately. Ironically, all this rain makes me think of the tropics... well, tropical storms really. With my mind on the tropics, I figured a tropical inspired dinner seemed pretty fitting. I made this Jerk Chicken with a Mango Cilantro Relish and now I wish I was on a sunny island...Jamaican jerk seasoning is a blend of spices are used to marinate meats such as chicken and pork. The spices commonly used in jerk include hot chile peppers (like scotch bonnets or habaneros), thyme, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, garlic, salt and pepper. When making this recipe, the chicken really absorbed t

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Autism Rising. Time to Face the Truth

The prevalence of ASD is rising in this country without a definitive understanding of why this is occurring. According to a December 2009 report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 110 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including 1 in 70 boys. That rate represents a 57 percent increase from the CDC’s report in 2007, which last reported that 1 in 150 children with a diagnosis of ASD.4 The CDC has not been able to attribute this increase to better, earlier and broader diagnosis of the disorder, concluding that it cannot “rule out” a true increase in the prevalence of ASD.The economic implications of ASD

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