QOTD

A dear, dear friend posted this on Facebook earlier in the week. It is so true, and I thought it was too great not to share.

There comes a time in in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE. Getting back up is LIVING !!!"
~ Author unknown

News/New Project

As most of you know, the past 3 years & almost 2 months has been pretty tough. I've had 11 surgeries since May 2, 2007, 5 of which were for HS (Hidradenitis Suppurativa), a disease I've been dealing with & managing fairly well since I was 21 & in college. But for whatever reason, 3 years ago it decided to progress to Stage III, and it's only gotten worse since. Of course, in true Lambert style, I've also hit a few other speed bumps along the way, like appendicitis 6 weeks after the 1st surgery (Go Me!!!) & then gallbladder removal in January 09 that's given me nothing but more problems than I had before I had it removed, hence the other 4 surgeries.

Since I have lost 3 jobs due to these illnesses, unable to continue working, lost my COBRA medical coverage August 31, 2009 and have been forced to rely on Carelink, our county's "welfare" medical coverage, I decided I would document my experience, both as someone going through the "public option" as some might call it & as someone who is fighting a disease with no cure, that no one really cares about, is quite embarrassing & needs funds for research.

I'm not a professional writer, and English was never my favorite or best subject. I am anal about a few things grammatical like there, their & they're, your & you're, valeDictorian NOT valeVictorian, and NEVER end a sentence with a preposition, but please don't expect perfection, because you won't find it here. :)

So, please, if you have time, take a look at my new blog, HS & Me!!! http://hsandme.blogspot.com


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Mediterranean Chickpea Wrap

The following recipe is for the most amazing vegan food I've ever made, much less eaten. It's from Tal Ronnen's book, The Conscious Cook, and it's delicious & VERY easy to make.


Mediterranean Chickpea Wrap


Ingredients:

sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and finely diced
1 onion, diced
1 bananna pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas with liquid
1 white potato
5 whole sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, coarsley chopped
4 tortillas, toasted

Directions:

1. Place a large asute pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the bottom with a pinch of salt and heat for 1 minute. Add the oil and heat for 1 minute.

2. Add the carrot, onion, bananna pepper, and garlic to the pan and saute, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables are just beginning to soften. Add the cumin, red pepper, cayenne and black pepper to taste.

3. Saute for 1 minute.

4. Add the chick peas and their liquid and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Add the potato and sun dried tomatoes. Simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Serve wrappen in the naan bread or tortillas.

Alexander Martin Rowland Charitable Foundation

As I stated almost two months ago, a childhood friend experienced a tragedy no family should ever have to experience; she lost her 3 year old son, Alex. But, in true Becky fashion, she has done exactly what another of my friends did when she lost her daughter in a car accident 10 years ago. She wanted to make sure something was done to prevent what happened to them, so no other family had to go through the pain & suffering they went through by starting a foundation in his name, The Alexander Martin Rowland Chartitable Foundation, that is committed to bringing awareness about the deadly effects of Carbon Monoxide.

It is still in the beginning phase, but they are are 501(c)3 non-profit foundation, and ask that while they are still getting everything together you please visit the website Carbon Monoxide Kills for more information, and I am asking that everyone, PLEASE, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, but make sure you install the properly, in the correct place, NOT integrated with your smoke alarms. Smoke rises & CO falls to the floor. Having the two in one unit is not helpful for both. The small cost of these two devices is well worth the cost of a life. I know, because a smoke alarm saved my life, and now I have a friend who's lost her baby from carbon monoxide when she had detectors in a duel unit with her smoke detector!!!

You Can Make This

I just found a really neat site, and if you're looking to make some money and have strong writing skills with the ability to give good directions, this may be a great site for you. It's called "You Can Make This". It's similar to eHow, but the logo alone makes it look much more interesting. :)

New Layout

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted anything, but it's been a little crazy around here, and I've been having my ups and downs. Right now I have my mother's laptop, so I can post from bed, so I decided to druge this old thing up. I hope everyone's doing well.

QOTD

Today I learned that an old friend I've known since I was 11 suffered a terrible tragedy early in the week. Her family's home was consumed with carbon monoxide, and her youngest son perished. I'm not exactly sure of his age, but he was either 3 or 4. Her other two children were affected, but seem to be okay. She, however, is still in intensive care. She and her family are in need of prayers & positive thoughts. And please, everyone, make sure you tell the people you love how important they are, because you never know when you might not have the chance again!!!

"Before someone's tomorrow has been taken away, cherish those you love, appreciate them today."
~ Michelle C. Ustaszeski

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