Super Cute Bunny Napkin Folder

This is a super cute idea I found on another blog Hoosier Homemade. These are so super cute and I think perfect for the upcoming Easter celebration

Chicken Riggies

Chicken Riggies

4 to 6 tablespoons butter
4 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
Fresh mushrooms (if you must), sliced
1 green pepper, cut into bite sized pieces
1 red pepper, cut into bite sized pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pound rigatoni, cooked and drained (I like the mini rigatoni)

Melt butter in pan. Add chicken pieces and cook until chicken is almost done. Add mushrooms, peppers and onion and cook until vegetables start to soften. Add the chicken stock and stir. Stir together tomato sauce and heavy cream, then add to chicken & vegetable mixture. Add parsley, paprika and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Whisk cornstarch with some water until smooth. Gradually add to sauce, until the sauce reaches desired thickness. Pour over cooked pasta and mix together.

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Lemon Chiffon Dessert

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1-1/4 cups cold water,
1-1/3 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2-1/2 teaspoons Crystal Light lemonade drink mix
3 to 4 drops yellow food coloring, optional
1/8 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup
1% cottage cheese
1 cup reduced-fat whipped topping
1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs

In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir over low heat until gelatin is completely dissolved; set aside. In a bowl, combine the milk, drink mix, food coloring if desired, and salt; beat on high speed until blended. Place the cottage cheese and remaining water in a blender or food processor; cover and process until smooth. Add milk mixture and gelatin; cover and process until thickened. Spoon into six 6-oz. custard cups. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Spread with whipped topping; sprinkle with cracker crumbs. Yield: 6 servings.

recipe source Taste of Home

Shop at The Mom and Pop Shop

Today is the day to shop all those little shops owned locally by those mom and pops. In my younger days I remember many mom and pop stores, In fact there seemed to be a grocery store every few blocks, a dime store up town and clothing stores down the street. The only large grocery store in the town was Kroger's. The town was built on the corner stone of mom and pop shops. So today get out there and check out one of those mom and pop shops where you will find a variety of things. Perhaps you will visit a mom and pop grocery shop, a deli, restraint or even one of my beloved resale shops no matter what you do get out there and yes I am giving you permission to go shop within your budget

Something On A Stick Day

Today is the day to celebrate all and any food on a stick. Everyone loves food on a stick. It is simply so much fun to dine on foods such as corndogs, popsicles, fudgecicles, and cheese on a stick.

Chocolate Toffee Waffles On-A-Stick
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening
5 frozen Belgian waffles
1/4 cup toffee bits (such as Heath Bits ‘O Brickle)
Melt chocolate chips and shortening over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Toast waffles according to package directions.  Cut waffles in half and insert a wooden skewer into each piece.  Dip waffles in chocolate to coat, allowing excess to drip back into pan.  Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet.   Sprinkle with toffee bits.  Refrigerate until chocolate is set.

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Table Setting Inspiration

In just a few days the month of March will be over and we will enter the month of April. The weather will change and we will also celebrate with Easter Sunday. I took a quick browse around the great www. and found a few super cute table settings to help inspire me as I start to decorate for the month ahead. All of them a bit different each with lots of color.

 

 

 

shared at

 Tablescape Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday

Black Forest Pie

I love creamy and yummy desserts. If you are like me then you will find the recipe I found here



Black Forrest Pie

1 Oreo pie crust
1 can cherries
1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding mix
1-3/4 cup milk
1 pkg. Cool Whip
(the sprinkle of mini chocolate chips shown above, totally optional)

Make pudding according to directions for pie. Spread half of chocolate pudding on bottom of pie crust. 

Mix remaining pudding with 1-1/2 cups Cool Whip, folding in gently to make a light chocolate. Spread on top of dark chocolate layer. (You may need to let set in fridge to chill awhile for firmness.) 

Top with layer of whipped topping making slight indention in center. Spoon cherries into center and chill at least 4 hours before serving. Serves 6-8.








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Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

   

1 cup evaporated milk
3 oz cream cheese
1-1/2 tsp chicken bouillon or soup base
2 cups cooked ham, cubed
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup swiss cheese, shredded
1 cup cheese (either swiss or mozzarella), shredded
Cooked Rice

In a medium to large bowl, combine the evaporated milk to the cream cheese a bit at a time, mixing until fully incorporated (it can have small chunks.) Stir in the chicken bouillon or soup base, mix well. Add chicken, ham and first 2 cups of cheese to the milk mixture.
Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the remaining cup of cheese and bake at 350 Degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Let cool for at least 5 minutes. Serve over rice

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a creative princess
the pin junkie

Treat for the Doggies

Dog Bark

5 slices bacon
2 slices Cheddar cheese (3/4 oz each)
2 cups carob chips
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

 Line cookie sheet with foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray.  In 12-inch skillet, cook bacon over low heat 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Coarsely chop bacon; set aside.  Using 1 1/4-inch small dog bone cookie cutter, cut 15 dog bone shapes out of cheese slices. Set aside.  In medium bowl, microwave carob chips uncovered on High 30 seconds; stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer. Stir in peanut butter.  Spread carob mixture on foil to 1/4-inch thickness, about a 9-inch square. Immediately sprinkle with bacon and cheese; press lightly into carob mixture. Chill until set, about 15 minutes in freezer, or 30 minutes in refrigerator.  Remove from foil; break into 18 pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for 5 days

betty crocker recipe shared at

National Spinach Day

March 26 is National Spinach Day so pop open a can of spinach and let your inner Popeye shine. Spinach often gets a bad rip but the truth is there are many ways to make up a delicious treat. By the way spinach is excellent for  the body just take a look at how buff popeye is. Spinach was first cultivated in ancient Persia and made its way to Italy in 827 and later Europe by the  1300s. Because spinach is available early spring it is a welcome sight when other vegetables began to run short. Often the Lent season was current and that made spinach a welcome sight and was often prepared and shared in early cookbooks.

In 1522 when Catherine de'Medici became the queen of France she insisted that spinach be served at every meal because she loved it so. Spinach "Florentine" is named after her as Catherine was from Florence.

You can find a variety of spinach types ranging from savoy which is  a dark green color with curly leaves often sold in bunches, flat leaf which is often placed in canned, frozen , soups and baby foods, and semi savoy which is found fresh and processed.

Easy Vegan Spinach Alfredo Pasta
vegan, makes 4 servings

1 "large pot of pasta" (I used organic spiral semolina)
*use any variety of pasta you'd like - the dry amount will vary - but it should cook up to be around 6 cups of fluffy cooked pasta
1/2 bag frozen spinach (about 3 cups frozen/packed or 5 fresh baby spinach, chopped)

"Vegan Alfredo" Sauce:
1/3 cup reserved pasta water (from drained pasta)
3-4 Tbsp Vegenaise (vegan mayo-like condiment)
3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast
2 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp cumin powder
1 tsp salt/pepper to taste
*add in some EVOO for a richer Alfredo texture

optional:
-red pepper flakes (garnish)
-EVOO for tossing cooked pasta
-vegan Parmesan cheese on top
-spritz of fresh lemon juice mixed in - adds a bright zesty accent



1. Cook your pasta. Drain. (Reserve 1/3 cup of the starchy hot pasta water). Toss pasta with a drizzle of EVOO (opt'l).

2. Pour drained pasta back into the warm pot you cooked it in. Fold in all the "Alfredo Sauce" ingredients. Since the pasta is still warm, they should all melt together quite nicely.

3. Next, fold in your spinach. You should thaw frozen spinach slightly before folding in. Fresh baby spinach will wilt nicely into the warm pasta.

4. Serve warm or store in fridge overnight! Garnish with red pepper flakes on top.

recipe source here

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Its TIme To Clean

 

 

This week is a great week to get started on spring cleaning as you will also be participating in national cleaning week which is the 4th week of March. Now don't worry as this day is not the only cleaning day of the week. As there are other upcoming days that will help you start cleaning. April 7th is the day to Let Someone Else clean if you simply don't have the time to do it yourself. But today is the day to start cleaning up after the long hard winter and prepare for spring. Not only will your environment look good but you will feel good about yourself and your home.

 

It is also a great time to start spiffing up the outside as well. Pull out the grill, prepare to plant your flowers in those treasured pots, and get those tools ready for spring planting. Finish up the chores that you did not get done last fall before the weather got cold.

 

 

 

 

Make your own cleaners

WARNING: Never mix cleaning products containing bleach and ammonia as dangerous fumes will result.

OVEN CLEANER

2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid

2 teaspoons borax

1/4 cup ammonia

1-1/2 cups warm water

Mix the ingredients together, apply to oven spills, and let sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed sponge and rinse well.

Scrubbing hand GENERAL-PURPOSE CLEANER

1 teaspoon borax

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

2 teaspoons vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

2 cups hot water

Combine all the ingredients. If you don't have washing soda (generally found in the laundry section of supermarkets), use 1 teaspoon baking soda instead. For a more pleasant smell, use lemon juice instead of vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle accordingly.

EASY SCRUB

3/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup borax

dishwashing liquid

Combine the baking soda and borax. Mix in enough dishwashing liquid to make a smooth paste. If you prefer a pleasant smell, add 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice to the paste.

HEAVY-DUTY DISINFECTANT CLEANER

1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent

1 tablespoon borax

3/4 cup hot water

1/4 cup pine oil, or pine-based cleaner

Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to dissolve. Add the pine oil (available at hardware stores and supermarkets) and mix well. For bathroom cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen, dilute it with water.

WOOD FLOOR POLISH

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable oil Mix the ingredients well, rub on the floor, and buff with a clean, dry cloth.

RUG CLEANER

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

1 cup lukewarm water

Combine the ingredients. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over a large area, or use the solution to spot-clean nongreasy stains. (Don't use laundry detergent or dishwasher detergent in place of dishwashing liquid, as they may contain additives that can affect the rug's color.)

TOILET CLEANER

1 cup borax

1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice

Combine the ingredients to make a paste. Apply it to the inside of the toilet bowl, let sit for 1 to 2 hours, and scrub.

MILDEW REMOVER

1 tablespoon powdered laundry detergent

1 quart chlorine bleach

2 quarts water

Combine all the ingredients in a pail. Wearing rubber gloves, wash off the mildew.

FLOOR WAX REMOVER

1 cup laundry detergent

3/4 cup ammonia

1 gallon warm water

Mix all the ingredients together and apply to a small area of the floor. Let the solution sit long enough for it to loosen the old wax, at least 5 to 10 minutes. Mop up the old wax (or scrape it up, if there's a lot of it, using a squeegee and a dustpan). Rinse thoroughly with 1 cup vinegar in 1 gallon water and let dry before applying a new finish.

FURNITURE POLISH

1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice

1 tablespoon boiled linseed oil

1 tablespoon turpentine

Combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake until blended. Dampen a cloth with cold water and wring it out until it's as dry as you can get it. Saturate the cloth with the mixture and apply sparingly to a small area at a time. Let dry for about 30 minutes, then polish with a soft cloth. Note that this mixture gets gummy as it sits, so make just enough for one day's work.

GLASS CLEANER

2 tablespoons ammonia

1/2 cup alcohol

1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid

a few drops blue food coloring

water

Combine the ammonia, alcohol, dishwashing liquid, and food coloring, then add enough water to make 1 quart. If you prefer a nonammoniated cleaner, substitute 3 tablespoons vinegar or lemon juice for the ammonia.

CARPET FRESHENER

1 cup crushed dried herbs (such as rosemary, southernwood, or lavender)

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

Combine all the ingredients in a large jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well to blend. Sprinkle some of the mixture on your carpet, let it sit for an hour or so, and then vacuum it up. It will give the room a pleasant smell and neutralize carpet odors.

______________________________________________________________

shared at
Weekend Retreat

Purple Day

Today is purple day so wear it with pride. While it is my princess favorite color it also the national color to help bring awareness to epilepsy. Purple day is an international grassroots effort to bring awareness and educate about epilepsy worldwide.

 

Epilepsy is a condition of the brain that is characterized by recurrent seizures. It is estimated that one out of every ten people will experience at least one seizure during a lifetime. I personally have known several people with this disorder. Having one seizure will definitely not be considered epilepsy as when an individual has epilepsy they will experience reoccurring seizures. 

 

While a seizure disorder it is not a psychological disorder nor a disease and it is not contagious. The seizures are caused  by nerve cells not communicating properly within the body. Seizures are often different within individuals and may cause change and function in behavior. The location of the abnormally discharging nerve cell in the brain will determine if the seizure is a simple blank stare, muscle spasms, uncontrolled movements, altered awareness, odd sensations or a convulsion. Medication can help one be seizure  free. 

 

Epilepsy most often starts in childhood but can become present at any age. It is possible to outgrow seizures

Celebrate purple day but putting on some purple, decking the office out in purple or possibly even making up some purple cupcakes.

 

shared at

 

Rusty Gold

 

Here is an idea to put to use some of those old rusty things that you may find in garages, barns or even junk piles. By the way I feel that rust is like gold, it is the stories that go with the rust that is even better. To create this treasure piece a few old funnels and an old rusty wrench is tied together in a length of rope brings them to the shape of a wind chime.
shared at
Knick of Time

Detention Was The Place To Be

It was my sisters senior  year in high school and I all but awaited for my eight grade graduation and the  chance to strut my stuff in high schoo. It was a very exciting time and one made even better by the group of students who arrived for detention that March 24th , 1984. They seemed so real to us but the five fictional characters were actually walking through the doors of Shermer High for detention and would never be forgotten. The Breakfast Club, would have girls drooling over the character of the bad boy played by Judd Nelson. Many of us would crave some morning detention time to get to know the other person beside us.

The place the movie was shot has a story of its own. The movie was filmed in a suburban area school in Des Plaines. The former Maine North High School where the teen movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

 It was a movie that I will never forget and those that are or around my age will instantly join the conversation when the subject is The Breakfast Club.

resource
here

Strawberries and Cream Dessert Squares Recipe

Strawberries and Cream Dessert Squares Recipe

           

Crust

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg

Filling

1 cup white vanilla baking chips (6 oz)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

Topping

4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/3 cup water
10 to 12 drops red food color, if desired

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 15x10x1- or 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press evenly in bottom of pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

2. In small microwavable bowl, microwave baking chips uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds or until chips are melted and can be stirred smooth. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Stir in melted chips until blended. Spread mixture over crust. Refrigerate while making topping.

3. In small bowl, crush 1 cup of the strawberries. In 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch. Stir in crushed strawberries and 1/3 cup water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in food color. Cool 10 minutes. Gently stir in remaining 3 cups strawberries. Spoon topping over filling. Refrigerate 1 hour or until set; serve within 4 hours. Store covered in refrigerator.

www.bettycrocker.com/cookies

 

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Easter Bunny Racers

Check out these Easter Bunny racers. They are super cute and would delight anyone at any age. Find out how to make these here

shared at
 two cup Tuesday
titus 2 tuesday

Pasta Bean Soup

Pasta Bean Soup
Makes 6-8 servings

 2 strips of bacon, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
3-4 carrots, peeled and chopped
3-4 stalks of celery, chopped
3-4 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
1 small can of tomato paste
1 tsp dried rosemary
2 cans of navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup of short tubular pasta
2 32fl oz cartons of chicken stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Parmesan or pecorino romano cheese to garnish


Brown the bacon until crispy. Then add the olive oil, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Sweat them until they are soft. Sweating means to cook something, often with a covered lid to create steam, until it softens and without browning it. Add the tomato paste to the pot and cook for a minute, stirring constantly so the tomato paste does not burn.

Next, add the beans and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. After about ten minutes, if you like your soup thicker, mash up some of the beans. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust as necessary.

Finally, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Serve piping hot with a bit of cheese sprinkled on top.

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What'd You Do This Weekend? Tumbleweed Contessa, Pioneer Mama

World TB Day

I often joke that I entered the wrong field of work, that of the medical field. Every year we are tested for TB. The truth is that TB is still a very dangerous disease that is prominent in the world today. Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The bacteria normally attacks the lungs but may damage other parts as well. The disease is spread through the air when a person with TB of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, or talks.




Symptoms of TB in the lungs may include:

• A bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Weakness or fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats

Skin tests, blood tests, x-rays, and other tests can tell if you have TB. If not treated properly, TB can be deadly. You can usually cure active TB by taking several medicines for a long period of time

 

References and Links:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tuberculosis.html 

http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Tuberculosis.aspx 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tuberculosis/DS00372 

http://www.webmd.com/lung/understanding-tuberculosis-basics 

When The Cypress Whispers book review

As spring nears the thought of traveling for spring break, family vacations or maybe a romantic get away looms on the mind of many. In the meantime perhaps you should find a good read while you wait for the time to escape. A book that will be making its appearance on April 2014 soon is "When the Cypress Whispers" Harper Collins author Yvette Manessis Corporon has been blessed with praise from other New York Times best selling authors even before its premiere.

 Book Report:

The Cypress Whispers shares the story of a young girl named Daphne and the awesome bond that she shares with her Greek grandmother.
Greek legends are filled with myths, magic and characters like no other. The Cypress Whispers ties together a story of past and present. The fate of the family portrayed in the story play out their dreams and love. The American girl living in present day falls even more in love with the past that her grandmother holds so strongly. Daphne struggles to find her place living in the modern world but caught up in old world traditions as well.
Daphnes grandmother who lives on a magical island off the coast of Greece is the individual who will help her grand-daughter find her place in life. I love that the memories of spending time in the kitchen is what helps the grand-daughter and grand-mother bond. With all the cooking and learning going on with myths of the past being shared a love will be created. It will be this love that will help Daphne through a dark time of her husbands unexpected death.

Daphne will live through struggles and happiness and one day her goals will be reached. It will be at this time that Daphne's grandmother will start to call her to the isle to share the stories of the past. Stories of war, loyalty, and bravery 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Yvette Manessis Corporon is an emmy award winning writer, producer and author. Senior producer of the syndicated entertainment news show EXTRA Yvette also has degrees in classical civilizations and journalism from NYU. The daughter of a greek immigrant who shares her love for her heritage and her writing and brings them together in her debut novel, WHEN THE CYPRESS  WHISPERS

Yvette has also received the Silurian Award for Excellence in Journalism as well as The New York City Comptroller and City Councils Award for Greek Heritage and Culture.

 Yvette and her husband the award winning photojournalist David Corporon live in New York with their two children. Yvette loves getting in the kitchen and teaching her children the occasional naughty Greek word to bring interest  to the Greek language.


 BOOK TOUR: Below is a list of public events and singing to promote Yvette's debut novel,  "When The Cypress Whispers".

Tuesday, April 01, 2014 at 7:00 PM
BARNES & NOBLE
2289 Broadway New York, NY 10024

Thursday, April 03, 2014 at 7:00 PM
RJ JULIA BOOKSELLERS
768 Boston Post Rd Madison, CT 06443

Sunday, April 06, 2014 at 2:00 PM
KEHILA KEDOSHA JANINA SYNAGOGUE AND MUSEUM
280 Broome ST New York, NY 10002

Friday, May 02, 2014 at 7:00 PM
MOHEGAN SUN
1 Mohegan Sun BLVD Uncasville, CT 06382

Butterfinger Chocolate Chip Cookies

Butterfinger Chocolate Chip CookieAdapted from Cook's Illustrated Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 C flour
1 1/2 stick (12 Tbsp) butter, melted and cooled
1/4 C creamy peanut butter
1 C packed brown sugar
1 T vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 C bittersweet or semi sweet chocolate chips
Roughly 2/3 to 3/4 C chopped Butterfingers (5 or 6 fun size bars)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Chop the butterfingers into roughly 1/2 inch pieces.

In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together. In a separate bowl, whisk the melted and cooled butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mix until almost combined, stir in the chips and chopped butterfingers.

Form 1/4 C balls of dough. The recipe will make about 16 cookies. Space the balls of dough about 3 inches about and gently flatten them a bit to aid their spread.

Bake at 325 degrees F for about 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges have set but the center still looks underdone. Rotate the sheet halfway through baking. Start checking the cookies at 13 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet.

shared at one or more of these parties
Bewitch Me and Titi (6a)- Titi Crafty
Inspiration Monday (Sun1p)- Your Home Based Mom, Domestically Speaking, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Mom on Timeout, Redhead Can Decorate, Today's Creative Blog, Will Cook For Smiles, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Live Laugh Rowe, Five Heart Home, TwelveOeight
Lump it or Link It- SohoSonnet Creative Living, Delineate Your Dwelling, Dream a Little Bigger, Two it Yourself
Marvelous Mondays starts this afternoon at 5:00 p.m. (see Monday)
Nifty Thrifty Sunday (Sat5p)- Nifty Thrifty Things
Our Sunday Best (Sun8a)- A Pretty Life in the Suburbs, Momnivore's Dilema 
Random Recipe Roundup*- My Mixing Spoon
Required Ingredient Recipe (1p)- Future Expat
See Ya in the Gumbo- Ms. enPlace
Share It Sunday (Sat8p)- Denise Designed
Share It One More Time (Sat7p?)- One More Time Events
Share the Love Sunday (Sat 2p)- Buttercream Bake House
Snickerdoodle Sunday (Sat7p)- 2 Crochet Hooks
Submarine Sunday- USS Crafty
Sunday Best Link Party (Sun7p)-The Girl Creative
Sunday Dinner (Sun a.m.)- The Magical Slow Cooker
Sunlit Sunday (Sat7p)- My Little Home and Garden
Sweet and Savory Sunday (Sun noon)- The Velvet Moon Baker, Cookin for the Seven Dwarves
Sweet Tea Social (blog)- Texas Women Bloggers

National Endometriousis Awareness

March is a month set aside for National Endometriosis Awareness. If you have never heard of this perhaps you should feel blessed. I personally wish I could say the same thing as while I do not have it I watch 2 of my 3 daughters suffer through the pain of Endometriosis. In the beginning it would simply put a halt to the life for one week out of the month. Since that time we have discovered tricks to help them cope with the terrible pain but the pain is still very present as I am sure they would tell you.

Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems getting pregnant.  The cause is unknown, however it does run in families. Other factors contributing to endometriosis include:

• started your period at a young age
• Never had children
• Have frequent periods or they last 7 or more days
• Closed hymen, which blocks the flow of menstrual blood during the period

 

Symptoms include:

• Painful periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen before and during menstruation
• Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe)
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements
• Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle

Below are some questions to ask yourself to see if you may have endometriosis:

YES NO

_____ _____ Do you experience so much pain during or around your period that you find yourself unable to work, attend school or social functions, or go about your normal routine?

_____ _____ Do you have any relatives that have been diagnosed with Endometriosis?

_____ _____ Do you find yourself with painful abdominal bloating, swelling or tenderness at any time in your cycle?

_____ _____ Do you have a history of painful ovarian endometriomas (“chocolate cysts”)?

_____ _____ Do you have a history of miscarriage, infertility or ectopic pregnancy?

_____ _____ Do you experience gastrointestinal symptoms during your cycle, such as nausea or vomiting and/or painful abdominal cramping accompanied by diarrhea and/or constipation?

_____ _____ Do you have a history of fatigue and/or a lowered immunity (i.e., “sick and tired” all the time)?

_____ _____ Do you have a history of allergies, which tend to worsen around your periods?

_____ _____ If you are sexually active, do you experience pain during sexual activity?

_____ _____ Do you suffer from any other autoimmune diseases (i.e., thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, or multiple sclerosis)?

_____ _____ Have you ever undergone pelvic surgery like a laparoscopy, in which Endometriosis was suspected but not definitively diagnosed?

 

Aimed with the knowledge of these questions and symptoms if you are suffering or think you are you should visit your doctor who can help you further.

shared at
Inspiration Monday