An Update. Self Torture. Spanish Rice.

Well hello again! How are you? Me? Oh, I'm fine! I'm not even going to mention about how I haven't posted in..say..6 months. Nope - it's not even going to let it escape my lips. Or fingertips.  Just keep on keepin' on. No looking back. Forward ho!

An Update:
January was busy with lots and lots of Sterling activities (Terrence's financial/investment advising business). We also celebrated our 5th anniversary by going to a bounce house with Kiki and eating Mexican food. Oh yeah - life is good!

February was pretty uneventful I suppose since I can't remember anything that occured!

March up to TODAY has pretty much been craziness on crazy pills. Long story, short...My dad became progressively ill and I turned into the Food Nazi (a nickname which my family has lovingly called me for about a decade now). And thanks to the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven, my dad has dropped 65 pounds in 3 months! Don't worry, he's not on some psycho diet pill or oil or whatever pops into your head when you hear about that much weight being dropped in a short amount of time. We followed "The Biggest Loser 6 weeks to a Healthier You" - that I modified to fit their budget.

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Eating right is what has done it for him! He has lots more weight to lose but he looks great. And it has saved his life! (Well that and addressing his sleep apnea..) So that has pretty much has been my activity every breakfast, lunch, dinner. Cook, cook, cook. I shed some pounds too, but mostly because I was walking back and forth in the AZ heat to deliver his meals and encourage him.

Self Torture:

This looks like a fun way to torture myself in October.

Can I get an Amen?!

Finally, a recipe. Everybody loves recipes. Even those who don't love to cook will LOVE this recipe. And it's great to add to your food storage menu.

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Spanish Rice
1 to 2 tsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
1 onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2c brown rice
2c chicken broth (low sodium/fat)
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green  chilies, drained (Original flavor gives the dish a kick!)
a few shakes (or pinches) of salt
oregano

In a large skillet, heat EVOO and rice at medium/ medium-high heat until browned. Add onion and garlic. Cook mixture for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently. We are going for soft onions, people! Add chicken broth (which is pretty much the whole 14oz can), Rotel diced tomatoes - drained!-, salt and oregano to the rice/onion/garlic mixture and stir. Add pinches of salt and oregano to the top and cover. For oregano, I use several pinches - this is what gives it flavor!

Bring to boil, then lower heat and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the rice you buy. (I check at 15 minutes, and depending on how moist the rice is, I guage it from there). When moisture is gone (rice will be sticky!), remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.

I heart Mom

They weren't born Olympians. They were just raised that way.
The hardest job in the world, is the BEST job in the world.

Bunny Buns

 

 

 

 I saw these cute Bunny Buns on Pinterest and thought I would share the idea! The recipe was found in Friend magazine from last year. I know little Bicho will get a kick out of making these with me for Easter - or any time!

Here is the recipe. Click the source link for additional helpful hints (in the comments).

Buen Provecho!!

Faith Storage

As I contemplate more about starting an organized food storage - with complete meals and such - I realize what an extremely overwhelming task it is. Where do I start?! How much do I store? And how on earth am I going to rotate through it?!
Then the idea to this post came to me. It's not just about the food you buy, but about the faith and preparation you put into it. So here are some faithful steps any latter-day woman (or man) can take towards being self-reliant.

#1. Assume the starting position.

Now, get off your knees and get your rear in gear!

And lets see a little hustle in that bustle!!

Once you start moving, the Lord will start guiding your feet.

"But....but...first I have to get 90 days of food. Then a year's supply. How am I going to do it all?!"

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#2. No more  weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. Now is the time to adopt Nephi's attitude of "I will go and do"! The commandment to be self reliant comes directly from the Lord. And with His help, we can do anything!

#3. Start simple. See those empty juice /2 liter soda bottles/ Gatorade bottles? Wash them out and fill them with water. Put them out of the way on the floor of a closet, or under your kitchen counter. Or buy a case of water at the supermarket or Costco and put that in the closet. There, you've started your water storage. You are awesome!!

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#4. At the store, instead of buying enough cans to make one meal, buy double. Store the extra on a shelf set aside for food storage. Do this as often as your budget allows you to and your food storage will grow, grow, grow! Shopping the sales and using coupons will help your money stretch even further. Have you used Krazy Coupon Lady's online coupon database? Before shopping, I check to see if there is a coupon for what I have on my list. If so, I print it off (twice!) and I'm good to go!

#5. Start your shopping trip with a prayer. Pray that the Lord will bless you in your efforts. Pray that you will find the right deals and your mind will be open to other impressions on how to build your food storage. Pray, pray, pray! It truly does make a difference, I promise you!

#6. Find online resources that can help educate you in making the most of your food storage. Here are some of my suggestions below. If you have time, watch Wendy Dewitt's  Food Storage seminar (somebody taped it in a set of 9 on YouTube). She is super knowledgeable and willing to share the information for free! (Although she does have a set of dvds for sale at seagull book.) I went to one of her firesides and it was VERY informative and inspiring.

I will prepare

Preparing Wisely

Safely Gathered In

3DHealth

Wendy Dewitt 

#7. Be open to other ideas that don't involve food  but will still help you . I have heard the following: Set aside $5 cash every paycheck in your house (NOT in the bank);
Don't let your car gas tank go below 1/2 full (in case of emergency evacuation);
Make sure to have consecrate oil on hand and stored
monthly temple attendance, daily prayer and scripture study.

Hope some of these ideas have helped! What ideas do you use that help you on your journey to become self reliant? I'd love to hear them!!!

Next week I will be revealing my food storage menu (ooo la la!) and share some yummy, toddler approved (!) food storage recipes. Until then, keep living your life!

My Life in 30 days: January

Confession time. Pretty much up to this point I have had a non-committal relationship with, you guessed it, my blog. It all started with Pinterest, I tell you! Curse you Pinterest - with all your lovely DIY house projects, tantalizing recipes and fashion ideas!

 ::Sigh::

Anyhoo, with a new year I find myself with a deep down desire to do the impossible: maintain a blog.

Regularly.

That's right. You read it. I will blog more than once every 6 months! Not occasionally. Not semi-regularly. Every stinkin' day. Ok, well not every day - I mean let's be realistic.

Oh dear, am I being non-committal again??

So while I was eating popcorn for breakfast (!) with Bicho this morning, I came up with a great idea to keep me from neglecting my blog while helping me reach some personal goals. 

I shall call it "My Life in 30 days".

To be honest with you (yes YOU...that one person that still reads my blog - I LOVE YOU!)...my life is pretty darn boring. My husband works insane hours to build our business and I mostly stay home with Bicho to play doll house a million times in one day. We are kind of fuddy-duddies. But I have an adventurous spirit! And I love a challenge. Thus, "My Life in 30 days" was born. I'm not a very consistent person (hummmm..really, I never would have guessed it!) but I can stick to something for at least 30 days!!

So here's the "dealio". Each month of the year, I will commit to try something new. Something that I believe will help me become a better wife, mother and daughter. Some ideas may not work out so well. Others may work out so well that they become a life-long habits. I will invite you to join along for the ride - but only if you want to! A woman who is progressing, is a woman who can change the world - starting with her family!

So for "My Life In 30 Days: January" I am focusing on....food storage.

:::Gasp:::

So adventurous, I know! But its been on my mind A LOT and I need a kick start to get it going. And don't worry. I'm not an over-achiever. In fact, reading my blog will probably make you feel better about yourself! I'm not out for perfection - just progress! My goal is to set up a food storage system that works for our family's irregular income (read: livin' the commission life, baby!) and storage space. And if there are any ideas that work for your family too, I invite you to use them too!

Have you lived your life today???

Feliz Navidad!

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas Burner style. Clothing optional. Don't worry - we opted to be clothed. I cant say the same for Strawberry Shortcake and her friends, though.

Highlight of Christmas: Kenadee LOVED her Little People farm. Even better, I found it at D.I. for $2 and bought some animals/farmers for $5. With a little (ok, A LOT) of sanitizing and detergent it looks practically brand new.

Downside of Christmas: Once Kenadee saw the Little People farm, she wanted nothing to do with the rest of the toys. Except her Cabbage Patch doll. The rest of Christmas we spend coaxing her to open the rest of her gifts.

Upside of the Downside of Christmas: We are returning the gifts she doesn't want to play with. Money in our pocket - again! Woot woot!

Downside of the Upside of the..you get the drift: We bought waaaaaaaaay too many gifts for Bicho. Even I was overwhelmed. Even though we stuck to a budget, we set aside too much for her! A new parent mistake, I suppose. Lesson learned!!!!

Hope your Christmas was joyous!

:::: Live simply, live well!::::

"Memories are molecules that make up eternity"

I so needed this little kick in the rear on keeping the eternal perspective in life! Far too often I am running around cleaning messes, doing laundry, cooking, doing dishes, changing diapers, cooking AGAIN, doing dishes AGAIN, and all the other mundane tasks of a housewife that I forget the most important thing: to be there in the moment with my family.

Messes will always be there but little Bicho will not always be little. She will not always be tugging at my pants, asking me to take her around the condo to touch all of the light switches she can't reach. She will realize I am not so funny when I make a silly face or do a funny dance. And it wont be long until she grows out of letting me hold her hand and sing to her as she falls asleep in her crib. Instead of letting these moments frustrate me, I will embrace them and be in the moment with her. Instead of working on my "to-do" list, I will focus more on my "to-be" list. I will BE in the moment!

"Its not so much the major events as the small day-to-day decisions that map the course of our living"

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

 I love this talk from Oct 2010 conference. I loved it when I first heard it and I love it even more now!

Choo-Choo Your Food

After watching this, I promised myself I would never think (or possibly say - but I would never tell you!) dirty words while waiting in long lines at Costco, Frys, or (bleh) WalMart.

Ok, so maybe I lied about WalMart....

I am shunned (Mexican Lasagna recipe)

My Italian ancestors would shame me for making a faux lasagna that tastes like Mexican food.

:::moment of silence for my sin of omission :::

But truth be told - its freakin' yummy !

 So good that I may give up Italian lasagna forever.

Maybe.

Mexican  Lasagna

1 tsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 medium green bell pepper chopped (about 1-1/4 c)

1 or 2 garlic cloves, minced

1.5 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1 (15 oz) can of kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1c corn (fresh or frozen)

1c tomato sauce

Nonstick cooking spray

8 corn tortillas

1c low fat cottage cheese

1/2 to 1c reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic. Cook , stirring until tender - about 5 minutes.  Stir in chili powder and cumin. Cook 1 minute, mixing well.



Add beans, corn, and tomato sauce. Mix until combined and remove from heat.

Spread 4 tortillas in a sprayed 8x8 pan. Spoon 1/2 bean  mixture over the tortillas. Top with 1/2 c of cottage cheese. Sprinkle 1/2 c cheddar cheese over the cottage cheese.

Repeat layers.  Bake until casserole is heated and cheese is melted (approximately 20 minutes).

Served with Spanish rice and a green salad.

Buen Provecho!

The Priviledge of Motherhood

Happy Mothers Day! Let us not forget the sacred responsibility that comes with being a mother – in whatever capacity it may be!

Jake's birthday party and Bicho meets a mouse

Yesterday we went to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate Jake's birthday (Megan's stepson). Bicho had so much fun (as you can tell). She loved Chuck E. until he came near her.  Then she made a beeline straight for me and dug her head into my shoulder until he left. Yes, I guess in reality a human size mouse would be pretty scary.

(Or maybe it was the face I was making in this photo that scared her. It scares me!)

 

(Please disregard the complete and utter chaos on my kitchen counter. I would like to say it was because I spent all morning cooking, but that would be fibbing...)

I found a recipe for a rainbow cake and begged my sister to let me do it for Jake's birthday. I didn't get a picture of the inside of the cake, but it looked pretty much like this...

(Picture courtsey of : http://thefoodieandthefamily.blogspot.com/)

It was super yummy and most of all, fun to eat! Making the cake was SO easy, but very time consuming. Someone please have a birthday soon so I can make it again!

(If you want an awesomely yummy cake made for any occasion, check this girl out!)

Happy 6th Birthday, Jake!!!

Toddler Friendly Vegetarian Tacos

Bicho loves her morning oatmeal!

If I could do college all over again, I would have double majored. I loved my major -Child and Family Studies. But I REALLY love science and chemistry and figuring out how the body works. Yes indeed, I was a science nerd. In fact, when I graduated I was only a science class or two away from a minor in Biology. I wanted to go to dental school SOOO bad until I realized I could not be a super-rockin' orthodontist and a super-rockin' mom at the same time...so I chose the latter - and no regrets about it!!

What would I choose as my second major, you ask? Dietetics (aka become a Registered Dietician). I am seriously facinated at what wholesome foods can do to help heal your body, fight off diseases or even lose weight! But don't cry for me Argentina... with access to the library and world wide web, I can learn all I want about the subject and not have to pay a hefty tuition!

 After reading about how many servings of vegetables children should have daily, I came to the conclusion  we are seriously lacking in the veggie department at our house. So I ran down to my local library and found some clever recipes that incorporate vegetables into everyday, kid-friendly meals. Here's one that we enjoy!

(Confession: we never have hard taco shells at our house. I make our tortillas - if I remember in time... but honestly we have these on tostada flats most of the time.)

VEGETARIAN TACOS (makes 18 taco shells/ tostada flats)

1 (16 oz.) can refried beans (we used food storage refried beans from the cannery and it worked well)

1 (2 1/4 oz.) can sliced ripe olives, drained

1 onion, chopped

2 med. tomatoes

Shredded lettuce

1/2 pkg. taco seasoning

1/2 c. to 1 c grated Cheddar cheese

1 lg. zucchini, grated

Taco shells ( or flour tortillas - or Tostada flats)

If you do tacos:
In a saucepan, combine refried beans, onion, taco seasoning, and half of zucchini; blend well.
Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, 3 minutes. Fill each taco shell with 2-3 tablespoons of the bean mixture. Place filled shells on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. Top with olives, tomatoes, lettuce, remaining zucchini, and cheese. Serve with a mixture of salsa and diced avocado.

If you do tortillas or Tostada flats:
 
In a saucepan, combine refried beans, onion, taco seasoning, and all of zucchini; blend well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, 3 minutes or until throughly heated. Place bean mixture in a tortilla or on a tostada flat. Top with olives, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, salsa, diced avocado - or whatever pleases your tastebuds! (Sidenote: If you are feeding babies or toddlers tostada flats, be right by their side the whole time they eat!!! They are crunchy and a choking hazard if not chewed properly.)

Super easy, fast and fun! It was a hit with Bicho, who is not a big fan of veggies at this moment. Unfortunately, I did not get a photo of this delish dinner and happy baby.

:::hanging my head in shame:::

Buen Provecho!

 

(P.S. Babies and toddlers have a hard time digesting onions and can cause them to have some really bad gas. Feel free to leave them out!)

Belated Easter Thought

Christus Consolator

by Carl Heinrich Bloch

He was born in an obscure village

The child of a peasant woman

He grew up in another obscure village

Where he worked in a carpenter shop

Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book

He never held an office

He never went to college

He never visited a big city

He never travelled more than two hundred miles

From the place where he was born

He did none of the things

Usually associated with greatness

He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away

One of them denied him

He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves

While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing

The only property he had on earth

When he was dead

He was laid in a borrowed grave

Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race

And the leader of mankind's progress

All the armies that have ever marched

All the navies that have ever sailed

All the parliaments that have ever sat

All the kings that ever reigned put together

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth

As powerfully as that one solitary life

SPLASH!

Little Bicho LOVED the splash pad, despite the fact the water shooting from the ground was FREEZING cold!

(A little known fact: Bicho is our little daredevil.  Has been since the day she became mobile.)

Cousin Dy Dy,on the other hand, wasn't too sure what to think about it.

 Looks like I found a new thrill for those long summer days!

(P.S. Are you from Arizona? Because maybe you didnt know in the summer its 90 degrees by 8am....)

*-*-* Being Rich *-*-*

(We are working on smiling for photos while grocery shopping)

Last night Terbear and I were talking about what it means to be rich (monitary wise - we are rich so many other ways, but that is for another post). Because lets face it, we all want to be rich. Maybe not "wipe-your-bum-with-twenty-dollar-bills" rich, but maybe wealthy enough to own really, really nice stuff that has not been previously owned or worn by someone else.

 We are big dreamers - sky is the limit, no holds barred, give it your all, dream big or go home - you get the drift. So of course we were talking about fun cars, a decent size home with a huge backyard and a savings/investment account that would put Warren Buffet to shame.

But as we were talking, we talked about what being rich REALLY means and the responsibility that goes with it. With credit anybody can own REALLY nice things and have the REALLY not-so-nice payments to go with it. As we thought about it more, we came up with some ideas on what being rich is to the Burner family.

(You can be dirty, filthy rich and spend the money however you like....we will still love you and hope that you will give us some...)

Being Rich is:

1.Going to WalMart, picking the longest line and telling the cashier that you will be paying for everybody's groceries in that line.

2. Not only purchasing your own home with cash, but secretly paying your parents and in-laws home mortgage off as well. While we are at it, lets make sure good ole ma and pa can retire comfortably.

3. Buying your siblings a home and paying their bills for a year.

4. Writing out a fast offering check with four or five zeros behind your favorite number.

5. Purchasing a years worth of baby clothing/diapers for all the new mothers in the labor unit on any given day and wishing them luck on their new journey.

6. Making sure our "family" in South America are well taken care of - for the rest of their life.

7. Donating a large amount to a temple being built in the country you served your mission anonamously (Argentina, anyone?).

8. Purchasing a year supply of food for yourself, your family, your in-law family, your neighbors and pretty much anybody else that you would like.

(ok so I totally get that the blessing come from presonally preparing, but I'm dreaming BIG peeps)

9. Picking your favorite number (again), add five or six zeros at the end and donating that amount to the Missionary Fund and Perpetual Education fund.

10. Taking all the Christmas Angels off one tree at the mall, with the request they replace them with more needy children. Have fun shopping your heart out and wrapping tons-o-gifts. While you are at it, go to several malls and do the same thing.

11. Hearing a story on the news, feeling the need to help and having the money to "get'er done".

12. Retiring early, and serving missions with your schmoopy bum until the day you die.

13. Inviting all of your close family and friends to go on a cruise around the world and pay for their fare (and monthly income they would miss from not working for 3 or 4 months straight). Oh and of course YOU are invited - duh!

These are just some of the BIG dreams that us Burners dreamed last night from our 900 sqft rented condo. We also have lots of personal dreams for our family (that is saved for personal journal - sorry folks!). It doesnt cost you anything to dream, and it certainly doesnt cost you more to dream BIG, so why not?

So - if you were dirty-filthy-could-wipe-your-bum-with-twenty-dollar-bills-but-ewww-because-seriously-who-knows-where-it-has-been rich, what sort of things would you do with your money?

Laundry Day








The Zipper

So funny!!! So clean!!! I love it :)

Bicho Birthday Part 2

Bicho Birthday Party - Part 2

Four Generation Photo
Me, Bicho, GiGi Morris and Grandma Annes
(Oh - and Steffie and Meggers...)

Attacking her birthday cake!!

Signing "All done"

So I guess I didn't take as many pictures as I had thought of our family birthday celebration for Bicho. Since GiGi Morris has not been feeling well, we decided to bring the party to her! We had lots of fun, lots of food (including the one and only break-the-bank macaroni salad!) and lots of laughs. One thing missing. Lots of pictures. I will repent, I swear.

A September Birthday Party for Bicho

Happy First Birthday Bicho!

Yummy food!!

Auntie Tammy

Aunt Carla and little Travy
(one day they will be betroved because we LOVE the Moore family!)



Cousin Jay and Auntie El



Jay and Katie - newly engaged!!!

Aunt Megan, Grandma Annes, Auntie El and Uncle Jeff



Burner Bunch - drowning in sweat! Its still hot in September here in AZ!!



Aunt Steffers, Uncle Justin and Cousin Dy-Dy
(Sorry Teffers, its the only family picture I had of you guys that night!)

Singing  "Happy Birthday" to Bicho

Bicho signing for more birthday cupcakes. She loved it!
Great job Aunt Teffie!

Yum!

The finished product - one happy, messy Bicho!!

We love you all the way down to our toes and back up again Bicho! We couldn't be happier to have you in our family. You fit perfectly in our little home. So glad you are ours forever!!!
Three peas in a pod!

Que Pasa, Calabaza?

I know, I know - I have been horrible at blogging. But on the flip side, I have been great at stalking reading other people's blogs. I totally got an earfull when we recently took a trip to Utah about my lack of blogging ::cough cough - Ma Burner and Colton!). So without further adieu....

Minnie Bicho

Bicho gots hops

Ladybug Bicho

 Pretty in blue - sweeping the kitchen...

Peek - A - Boo  :)

The End... for now.