Good book!

I recently read this book. It was heart-wrenching, but worth reading. Just thought I would share it with you guys!

Against Medical Advice: A True Story-A non fiction book by
Hal Friedman and James Patterson


Cory Friedman woke up one morning when he was five years old with the uncontrollable urge to twitch his neck. From that day forward his life became a hell of irrepressible tics and involuntary utterances, and Cory embarked on an excruciating journey from specialist to specialist to discover the cause of his disease. Soon it became unclear what tics were symptoms of his disease and what were side effects of the countless combinations of drugs. The only certainty is that it kept getting worse. Simply put: Cory Friedman's life was a living hell. AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE is the true story of Cory and his family's decades-long battle for survival in the face of extraordinary difficulties and a maddening medical establishment. It is a heart-rending story of struggle and triumph with a climax as dramatic as any James Patterson thriller.

Boy or Girl? Fact or Fiction?

As most of you know. We have decided to not to find out what the baby is until its born. I know I am making some people crazy (especially my Mother) , but we decided that there aren't many good surprises in the world that we can control. This is one we can! (Thanks to my friend Becky for giving me this excuse! She used it too!) I came across this article and thought it was funny! (I added the red)

Boy or Girl? Fact or Fiction?

Whether you believe it or not, every woman will hear some magical way to determine the sex of her child. Scientifically, the only ways to find out whether your baby will be a girl or a boy is to have an ultrasound performed sometime after the 20th week of pregnancy or, if you're having an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling done, you can ask about your baby's sex. We had our 20 week ultrasound, but told em we didn't want to know! If you are thinking of getting pregnant and want to learn more about the latest scientific methods on this subject, take a peek at How to Choose the Sex of Your Baby.
Alternatively, you can wait until your baby is born and see for yourself. However, if you want something a bit more fun (although not necessarily very reliable), here are some old wives tales that claim to be able to determine the sex of your baby. You can try some for yourself and see if everyone is predicting the same sex of your baby.

Carrying High, Carrying Low
The way you are carrying during your pregnancy is one of the most oft cited ways of determining the sex of your baby. The general story goes that, if you're carrying low, you're having a boy. If you are carrying high, then you must be having a girl. Science says "NO, NO, NO!" to this: the way you carry is determined by muscle and uterine tone as well as the position of your baby. But who's to say that boys don't like being lower in their mom's stomach while girls prefer a view from the top? I think I am carrying high....maybe thats why everyone on here thinks its a girl. Or maybe people are just evil and want to see me go thru hell when the baby becomes a teen!

What Your Urine Says
This next test to determine a baby's sex may not be for everyone, although it is very simple. Just take a sample of your urine and mix it with Drano. Depending on the color change of your urine, you will have a boy or a girl. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on what color equals which sex. So, if you do decided to try this and your urine turns bluish yellow, brownish, brown, black or blue you will be having a boy. If your urine looks more greenish brown, green, blue or doesn't change at all, then you're having a girl. But be warned: if you decide to do this test, there could be some pretty harsh fumes produced - not to mention the possibility of an explosion!. Now this just sounds weird! I will not be trying this one! LOL Plus we don't have any Drano...I don't think.

Heartbeats
One belief that has been around for some time, and even had some acceptance in the medical community at one point, is that the fetal heartbeat differs for boys and girls. If you're having a girl, then the fetal heart rate will be above 140. A boy will have a heart rate below 140. However, that pesky science has reared its little head again to say that this is complete fiction. A baby's heart rate is not affected by its sex until it is born, when a girl's heart rate will increase considerably compared with boys during labor. Usually the heartbeat is higher than 140 and my Dr. has said from the beginning...."I think its a girl!" When I told him I didn't want to know...he said "I am usually wrong!" LOL

Craving Something…Sweet?
Many people believe that your cravings are caused by the sex of your baby. So, if you can't get enough chocolate, you could be having a girl. Well if you have been reading my blog....you know I have been having some chocolate. Actually I have eaten more chocolate this pregnancy, than in my entire life! Does the idea of drinking straight lemon juice sound delicious to you? NO Then those sour cravings are a result of the little boy inside of you. However, if you go by the scientists, then some of them will claim that you're not even having cravings because cravings just don't exist. WHATEVER!!! Must be Male scientists that lived in a cave that made these claims. Cuz most men know about cravings! I haven't had mine get up in the middle of the night.....YET!

Weight Gain
Thankfully, this one doesn't refer to your weight gain. The belief is that, if your husband puts on weight during your pregnancy, then you will be having a girl. If he doesn't put on a pound, then you're carrying a boy. My DH says he has put on some weight since I have gotten pregnant. I want to know where!

Is Her Face Round and Full?
Some say that the shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex. Every woman gains weight differently during pregnancy, and every woman experiences different skin changes. If people tell you that because your face is round and rosy you are having a girl, they might be right - but it's just as likely that they are wrong! If someone says my face is round and rosy....they may have have "summer teeth" Some will be in their pocket...some will be in their mouth. Good tip to know, huh?

At-Home Tests
Here's a test that you can do next time you change or get out of the bath. Look in the mirror at your breasts. If the right one is larger, you're having a boy! A larger left breast indicates a girl (if they're the same size, does that mean you're having one of each?). Bill says they are the same! LOL
H old a pendant over your hand. If the necklace swings back and forth, you're having a boy. If it is more of a circular motion, then it's a girl. This can also be done by suspending a ring on a string above your belly. Ok...when I did this.....it went in a circle. When Bill tried.....it stood still. What the frick! We are having an ALIEN!
Do you have acne? Some believe that getting acne during your pregnancy indicates you're carrying a girl. Maybe the acne is caused by twice the amount of female hormones? I haven't had much acne at all.
Pick up a key. If you've picked it up by the thinner end, you're having a girl. Picking it up by the bottom, rounder part means a boy is on the way. Did you pick it up by the middle? Then congratulations! You're having twins! Another weird one! I pick my keys by the key chain! LOL
Ask yourself what you think you're having. In a study that asked women with no previous knowledge about their baby's sex, the moms-to-be correctly guessed the sex of their baby 71% of the time. I have no clue yet, but if I get a feeling...I will let you know!

Recipe #8 Homemade egg noodles

I made these noodles and then put them into homemade chicken soup. It was sooooo yummy! Don't just love comfort food! I guess I do. Glad I am prego during the winter :P

Homemade Egg Pasta

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

5 tbls water

2 tsp oil

2 eggs, beaten

Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. In small bowl, combine flour and salt; blend well. Make a well in center; add water, oil and eggs. Gradually work flour into liquid to form dough. On floured surface, knead until dough is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Wrap dough in plastic bag; let rest at room temperature for 1 hour.

On floured surface, roll half of dough out as thin as possible into rectangle (about 18x15 inches). Sprinkle lightly with flour. Starting at shortest side, loosely fold dough over into thirds. Cut corsswise into 1/4 inch slices for fettuccine or 1/8 in slices for linguine. Unfold slices; if desired, cut into shorter lengths. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

Bring 12 cups water and 1 tbls salt to boil. Drop pasta into boiling water. After water returns to a boil, cook uncovered 5 to 10 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionaly; drain.

New picture of baby belly!

Here is the updated picture of my baby belly. I even dyed my hair! People told me that people you don't know will touch your belly. It is a little weird....I am just glad they don't know that my boobs have gotten bigger too! That really would be weird! LOL

Update

I decided I better do an update on my pregnancy. Sorry, No recipe on this entry! LOL (that doesn't mean I won't talk about food!) Well the baby is moving like crazy! It is hard for others to feel it, but I sure do! At first I thought it was just gas, but it wasn't....lol The baby even wakes me up in the middle of the night doing acrobatic movements! I thought the second trimester you weren't supposed to throw up as much....wrong! I need to take some new baby belly pictures....I will in the next few days! Also Cornflakes rock! I have been craving them like crazy. Yesterday the family all had icecream for dessert and I had CORNFLAKES! Yummmmmmmy!

Recipe #7 Power cooking!

I have been doing some power cooking! Some of you may know what that is....others will be confused. Power Cooking- is cooking multiple meals at once...it saves time, money and energy. Even those who hate to cook, love this because you get it done in one day! You’ll make fewer trips to the grocery store, with fewer impulse purchases. Even a "quick trip" for an extra ingredient or two is time-consuming, especially with children in tow. Power Cooking combines the time-consuming tasks of planning your meals, buying groceries, and slicing and dicing. After Power Cooking, you will save money by reaching into your freezer for your family’s meal rather than reaching for the telephone for take-out. Eating out is expensive; it costs a family of four at a full-service restaurant at least $50 for one meal!
Eating at home with your family is priceless!

If you have any questions about power cooking, let me know!

Make Ahead Ground Beef
{Yields enough beef for 3 meals}
3 medium onions
3 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1. Chop onions using Food Chopper.
2. Place onions, beef and garlic pressed with Garlic Press into (12-in.) Skillet. Cook over medium-high heat 15-18 minutes or until beef is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles using Mix ‘N Chop.
3. Divide beef mixture into three portions.

Beef Stroganoff
Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
8 oz sliced mushrooms
1 can (10¾ oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup water
1 tsp ground paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.
2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)
3. Finish and serve!
• Stir 8 oz sour cream into beef mixture.
• Cook 1 lb egg noodles; drain. Toss with ¼ cup snipped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp melted butter.
• Spoon stroganoff over noodles and sprinkle with additional paprika and parsley, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings
Nutrients per serving (excluding optional ingredients):
Calories 400, Total Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 11 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 22 g, Sodium 660 mg, Fiber 2 g

Saucy Beef Chili
1. Prepare and freeze
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 can (16 oz) chili beans in sauce, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1½ cups water
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1 pkt (1.48 oz) chili seasoning mix
Combine in large resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to three months.
2. Defrost
Microwave packet on DEFROST (30% power) 8-10 minutes or until softened. Pour into (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
(If cooking immediately, combine ingredients in (10-in.) Skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat.)
3. Finish and serve!
• Spoon chili into bowls.
• Top with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions or sour cream, if desired.
Yield: 6 servings
Nutrients per serving (excluding optional ingredients):
Calories 260, Total Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 50 mg, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 21 g, Sodium 980 mg, Fiber 6 g
Serving Suggestions: This chili can be served on top of baked potatoes or with purchased cornbread, if desired.

Taco Soup
To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add:
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies
2 cans corn
4 cans stewed tomatoes
1 can pinto beans
1 can kidney beans
taco seasoning packet
Ranch dressing/dip packet
optional: chopped cilantro
Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
Coarsely chop onion using Chef’s Knife. Open cans using Smooth-Edge Can Opener and do not drain. Open packets using Kitchen Shears. To one portion of Make-Ahead Ground Beef, add: all ingredients except cheese and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Cool completely and pour into freezer bag, squeeze air out of bag and freeze. Reheat and serve in Coffee & More Cups. If desired, grate cheese on top of soup using Deluxe Cheese Grater.

recipe #6 One Dish Chicken Supper

This is super easy and pretty yummy! Perfect time to pull out the crockpot!

One Dish Chicken Supper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
10 3/4 oz can of cream of chicken or mushroom soup
1/3 c milk
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing mix and seasoning packet
1 2/3 c water

Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soup and milk. Pour over chicken. Combine stuffing mix, seasoning mix and water; spoon over chicken. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours.