Midwifery

We need midwifery to be covered by our health system in this land of plenty province.
I could get on a total soap box, rant here but will hold back. So just check this out and sign the petition if you will.
Happy birthing!

Midwifery

We need midwifery to be covered by our health system in this land of plenty province.
I could get on a total soap box, rant here but will hold back. So just check this out and sign the petition if you will.
Happy birthing!

Relationship SOS

Do you ever get the feeling that you and your husband/significant other/life partner are a little disconboobulated? (Technical term) That children, and household stuff and sickies and work and stuff is kind of getting in the way? What do you do about it? Besides slapping him/her on the back with a "Hi Roommate! How are you enjoying our business partnership, houskeeping etc relationship?". There are a few books on my shelf that I could read, such as Men are from Mars...., Love Languages, Covenant Marriage and Children Change a Marriage, but the SECRET is to not buy the book, stroke it's lovely, sleek, jacket and then place it lovingly back on the closet shelf out of sight. Trust me that is not the secret to making the Secret work (another book on the shelf).Now, I realize this is such a normal part of marriage and parenting, but I don't want it to become "the norm". So, please do tell (even if it's an Anonymous comment, what do you do to stay afloat and not feel like two colleagues or roommates passing in the hall while on to the next meeting/class?

Relationship SOS

Do you ever get the feeling that you and your husband/significant other/life partner are a little disconboobulated? (Technical term) That children, and household stuff and sickies and work and stuff is kind of getting in the way? What do you do about it? Besides slapping him/her on the back with a "Hi Roommate! How are you enjoying our business partnership, houskeeping etc relationship?". There are a few books on my shelf that I could read, such as Men are from Mars...., Love Languages, Covenant Marriage and Children Change a Marriage, but the SECRET is to not buy the book, stroke it's lovely, sleek, jacket and then place it lovingly back on the closet shelf out of sight. Trust me that is not the secret to making the Secret work (another book on the shelf).Now, I realize this is such a normal part of marriage and parenting, but I don't want it to become "the norm". So, please do tell (even if it's an Anonymous comment, what do you do to stay afloat and not feel like two colleagues or roommates passing in the hall while on to the next meeting/class?

Health Please

Our W is sick....AGAIN. Seriously, no exaggeration, this boy has been sick at least every two weeks since September when it all started as he had a cold for 6 weeks before I took him to the doctor in an attempt to NOT be one of those mom's who rushes to the doctor with every cough only to find out that he had a major ear infection, etc....SO, sick again, still. Recently I have been able to stop the colds from becoming full blown by using Hylands Vitamin C Plus (marshmallow vitamins as W calls them) and child dosage Echinacea. *HUGE SIGH* This time my little cocktail hasn't worked. As I write this W is sitting on the couch watching the "Chickmonks" (Alvin & the Chipmunks movie) for the upteenth time today, with bright scorching red cheeks, glassy half opened eyes, an incessant dry cough and a wet, runny nose. My poor little man. He's really not feeling well as most of the morning was spent sitting on my knee either reading books or watching TV, and he's been pretty loving and kind to his baby brother today...really not well!:) The hunger strike is on again. Even juice isn't too appetizing. The throat coolers we thought would be a treat and help his throat aren't being ingested, even when the Cepicol throat spray is offered as an alternative, it's a blatant no.
So, late this afternoon we are off to the doctor and tomorrow we are seeing a naturopath for the first time. Something has got to work. This child needs his immunity boosted. Yes, they're not fully functional until age 7 or thereabouts, and children are supposed to get more colds than adults but this is ridiculous, let alone worrisome.

Health Please

Our W is sick....AGAIN. Seriously, no exaggeration, this boy has been sick at least every two weeks since September when it all started as he had a cold for 6 weeks before I took him to the doctor in an attempt to NOT be one of those mom's who rushes to the doctor with every cough only to find out that he had a major ear infection, etc....SO, sick again, still. Recently I have been able to stop the colds from becoming full blown by using Hylands Vitamin C Plus (marshmallow vitamins as W calls them) and child dosage Echinacea. *HUGE SIGH* This time my little cocktail hasn't worked. As I write this W is sitting on the couch watching the "Chickmonks" (Alvin & the Chipmunks movie) for the upteenth time today, with bright scorching red cheeks, glassy half opened eyes, an incessant dry cough and a wet, runny nose. My poor little man. He's really not feeling well as most of the morning was spent sitting on my knee either reading books or watching TV, and he's been pretty loving and kind to his baby brother today...really not well!:) The hunger strike is on again. Even juice isn't too appetizing. The throat coolers we thought would be a treat and help his throat aren't being ingested, even when the Cepicol throat spray is offered as an alternative, it's a blatant no.
So, late this afternoon we are off to the doctor and tomorrow we are seeing a naturopath for the first time. Something has got to work. This child needs his immunity boosted. Yes, they're not fully functional until age 7 or thereabouts, and children are supposed to get more colds than adults but this is ridiculous, let alone worrisome.

Contradictory Recipes

Hachacha!
Thai Style Iced Coffe & Fruit and Nut Chili. These were my new recipes of the week. As I sit down to enjoy my "nacho toast" [salsa & cheese on bread, microwaved with a side of sour cream & a diet coke (I'm in NEED of caffeine these days...mind altering drug that it is, I know)...such an epicurian lunch, isn't it?], the Chili is brewing in the crockpot and I'm almost drooling over the Thai Style Iced Coffee.
What site I found the coffe on eludes me at the moment, so here's the recipe. One could definately use decaf coffee & skip the cayenne pepper. It's kicky! Unfortunately, for me caffeine has become the suburban mom's drug of choice these days...as my heart speeds up and palpitates....the habit will be kicked as soon as the babes are back to good sleeps again. Anyway, give the coffee a go. It's lovely on a hot May day.
Thai Style Iced Coffee
4 cups water or brewed coffee
5 tsp instant coffee (if not using brewed)
1/3 - 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (I'll add the recipe for that too!)or 1 can Carnation milk + sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1/4 tsp cayenne

Pour 4 cups water into a pot on high heat.
Add instant coffee, bring to a gentle boil. IF USING COFFEE, pour into pot, boil.
Add spices. Stir well.
Lower heat to a minimum, add sweetened condensed milk.
Pour coffee into a pitcher, refrigerate.
Stir well before serving. Add ice if you wish.

Sweetened Condensed Milk
There are a few different recipes, I tried this one and it turned out well.
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup nonfat dry milk
2/3 cup sugar
3 TB melted butter
Few drops of vanilla
Blend at high speed for 30 secs or until smooth. Use immediately or store ina covered container in fridge. Equivalent to a 14oz can.

Now onto the chili. I hope it's as tasty as it looks, which is rich & flavorful.
This recipe I have adapted for the crockpot by not adding the two cups of water.

You may NOT want to try the official Nacho Toast idea. It's not all that fancy or official. Just easy & gooey.