Sandra

10 Goals for the Week

October 27, 2013 by Sandra 6 Comments

Last week, after David hit his head on the stair banister while his platelets were low, we went through our 6th hospital admission in under 3 months.

Crazy.

But we’re home now, and Lord willing, other than an appointment for David to get a blood transfusion on Monday, we should be home most of the week. Therefore, I’m going to set some goals! Will they possibly fall by the wayside if we end up with another surprise hospital stay? Yes. But if not, I can make a little progress in life. 😉

Here are my goals for this week:

Family/Mothering Goals:

1. Go on a family outing to the Chicago Field Museum. We’ve been waiting to visit until David gets a much needed blood transfusion. He’ll get a transfusion on Monday. Then while we’re at the museum, he’ll wear a mask to protect himself from germs.

2. Read to the little ones 5 times this week

Personal Goals:

3. Juice 1x this week

4. Walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes

5. Create a new Bible reading plan for myself

Home Management Goals:

6. Go through Elisabeth’s clothes and take out the ones that no longer fit

7. Wipe down door handles with disinfectant wipes

Business Goals:

8. Get caught up on work – (almost there!)

9. Return emails

10. Write 4 blog posts

What are your goals for this week?

Recipe Video: Chicken Stuffed Peppers

October 26, 2013 by Sandra 2 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and their client.

I recently created a recipe video for chicken stuffed peppers using Kraft Recipe Makers Chicken Cacciatore. The stuffed peppers turned out wonderfully, and it was nice to have two whole pans of prepared food by the time I was finished taping. 🙂

That allowed for quick and easy meals this particular week.

Here’s the video:

P.S. Please excuse the clutter in the background. With all that’s going on with David and having to spend so much time away from home…well, I’ve wished for a cleaning lady more than once. 😉

The Chicago Bears, Breast Cancer Awareness, and Early Detection

October 25, 2013 by Sandra 2 Comments

This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and P&G. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

Cancer is ugly.

It’s a horrible disease that wreaks havoc on families every single day. Unfortunately, cancer is a disease I’m getting up close and personal with because whenever my four-year-old son, David, is admitted to the hospital or has an appointment with his doctor, he goes to the same floors where, tragically, kids who have been diagnosed with cancer go. The same follows for David’s treatment, it’s very similar to the way certain cancers are treated.

Breast Cancer Awareness
While I won’t be talking about childhood cancer in detail today, I will be talking about breast cancer, which affects us, ladies.

I had the opportunity to visit The Chicago Bears’ Halas Hall this past week and find out things I never knew about breast cancer — in addition to ways that women can detect it early. I had the chance to sit in on a roundtable that included Corey Wootton, a Chicago Bears football player who has personally been affected by breast cancer, and Janelle Hail, a breast cancer survivor and founder of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Here are a few key pieces of information I learned about breast cancer and early detection during the roundtable:

1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in her lifetime.

Breast cancer death rates are higher among latina women.

When breast cancer is detected during the early (localized) stage, the five year survival rate is 98%.

We can help save lives by spreading the message about early detection to those around us.

Creating your own early detection plan for breast cancer is easy. There’s even an app for it! Just search “NBCF” in the app store. 🙂

I also learned that there are free screening locations available across the country for women to get mammograms and other diagnostic services. If there isn’t a hospital on the list in your area, you can check with your local hospital.

The Bottom Line
We need to be informed about how early detection saves lives and helps beat breast cancer. I’ve already installed the app on my phone, and my reminder plan is in place. I’ll get an email 3 days before I should log a self-exam.

I love how technology makes life easier and even helps save lives.

Do you have an early detection plan in place? Do you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer?

Connecting with Family (and a Recipe for Pumpkin Scones with Pumpkin Spice Glaze)

October 22, 2013 by Sandra 9 Comments

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and their client. #LoveYourCup

My heart is busted.

For the past 3 months, I’ve watched one of my children goes through unimaginable pain and suffering I wish I could stop. I’ve been in desperate situations that I never thought I’d be in as a mother.

In tears, I’ve experienced many “I can’t do this!” moments.

But one thing that keeps me focused on moving forward and helps me to process this life is the fact that no matter what happens or whatever scary situation I find myself in, I can always talk to someone about it.

That means everything.

Moments of Connection
When I’m connecting with my family and friends and sharing the latest update on David (my four year old son with aplastic anemia), coffee and comfort foods are never too far away. Coffee, in particular, is a part of my everyday life, but even more so now. I start every morning with a cup of coffee as I talk about plans for the day with my husband and kids, and when I can’t be at home because I’m in the hospital with David…coffee keeps me going and helps me to stay alert and attentive to David’s needs.

Actually, when we’re in the hospital during yet another admission and Ruben and the kids come to visit, they almost always arrive with a hot cup of coffee.

They know…coffee is my love language. 😉

Then as I sip on coffee, we talk.

Pumpkin Scones
Lately, I’ve been drinking my fair share of pumpkin spice flavored coffee. But since my kids can’t really enjoy that with me, I decided to use Coffee-mate Pumpkin Spice liquid creamer to whip up a fun Fall treat — Pumpkin Scones.

These scones are truly delicious! They’re best served hot, shortly after you take them out of the oven.

I hope you enjoy the recipe:

Pumpkin Scones

Ingredients

2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 tablespoons butter, chilled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup pumpkin spice Coffee-mate liquid creamer
1 egg, lightly beaten

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, then grease a baking sheet and set aside. (I used coconut oil to grease the baking sheet, but you could also spray it with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.)
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Scatter the butter over the flour mixture and using either two butter knives or your hands, incorporate the butter. Once the butter is incorporated, set mixture aside.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, liquid creamer, and egg.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir together using a spatula or spoon until the mixture becomes a soft dough. (May need to use your hands for this step as well.)
On a floured surface, roll the dough out so that it becomes a large, 3/4-inch thick circle.
Place the dough onto the greased baking sheet and using a pizza cutter, slice into eight pieces so that it resembles a sliced pizza.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until the scones are golden brown.
Once the scones are removed from the oven, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes, then drizzle with Pumpkin Spice Glaze (see recipe below) and enjoy!

https://thesensiblemom.com/2013/10/recipe-pumpkin-scones-pumpkin-spice-glaze/

Pumpkin Spice Glaze
What truly brings out the deliciousness in the scones is definitely the glaze. It’s easy to make and can be whipped up while the scones bake.

Here’s the recipe:

Pumpkin Spice Glaze

Ingredients

1 cup powdered sugar
2-1/2 tablespoons pumpkin spice Coffee-mate liquid creamer

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix ingredients together until smooth.

https://thesensiblemom.com/2013/10/recipe-pumpkin-scones-pumpkin-spice-glaze/

Family & Friends Make Traveling Down Bumpy Roads Easier
As the roller coaster ride continues with my little guy’s health, I know I can keep going and move forward because of the awesome friends and family I have to lean on. They always provide a listening ear, a hot cup of coffee, and many offers of something good to eat.

Do you have any favorite Fall recipes or traditions? Do you connect with family and friends over coffee?

Sandra

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