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Monday, August 1, 2016

Tanya

My Organizationally Challenged Genius - Life with an ADHD/ODD Child

Tracker Jacker - From the book series and movies, Hunger Games - Tracker jackers are genetically engineered waspsTracker jacker venom can also be used to "hijack" a person's mind. 

This is how my 12-year old son feels. 

In the beginning....

When C was in Kindergarten - we noticed impulsivity. He's 5, that's how 5-year old boys act, right? Not according to his Principal and teacher. After many meetings they were shoving "medicate" him down my throat. We're the parents - that is our choice not theirs. And we were not ready, nor were we sure his mind had been Hijacked. 



Mid-way through the year, after several long conversations with the Principal at Narrows View Primary in University Place, we pulled C from the Tacoma Public School District and put him in Mrs. Smith's all-day Kindergarten class. Oh Mrs. Smith, was she in for a long 5 months! But she was trooper. Not once did I ever hear it's time to "medicate" your child. We still had our meetings with the Principal and the teacher. And we began to notice a pattern. My child is very literal. Once he was punished on the bud ride home. He was out of his seat and the bus driver told him to sit down and so he did, in the middle of the row. He was punished for sitting on the floor. The drivers stopped immediately and I received a phone call about my student's behavior. When I asked how he was asked to sit down I was told "He was asked to sit down" ....aaahh.... and he did exactly what he was asked. See you did not ask him "Please sit in your seat." This was the beginning of his hijacked mind. 
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Monday, April 11, 2016

Tanya

Spaghetti, Meatballs and Marinara - Electric Pressure Cooker

So in the past couple months I have purchased and come to depend on my electric press cooker! I love love love it and use it several times a week. I have an Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, 6Qt/1000W .

Tonight I made Spaghetti, Meatballs and Marinara and my family LOVED it!

Here is the recipe:
For the Meatballs:
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef

For the Sauce:
2 Tablespoons Avocado Oil (or cooking oil of your choice)
1 onion, minced
Salt and Pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 cloves minced garlic
2 (28-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes


For The Sauce:
Heat oil in pressure cooker on Saute. Add onion and cook until softened for about 5 minutes.
Stir in oregano and garlic, cook until fragrant - about 30-45 seconds.

Stir in cruces tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Then transfer to a blender and bland until smooth. This step is not necessary if you like chunky sauce but I puree it because my kids are super picky and I don't want them to see what's in it - LOL

In a bowl mic bread crumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, ground pork and ground beef. Use your hands an squish it all together. Shape minute into 12-14 golf ball sized balls.

Gently put the meatballs in the sauce and put the lid on your pressure cooker. Set the pressure cooker to MANUAL and then set the time to 5 minutes. Make sure you seal the top too. Now cook your noodles.

Once your pressure cooker is done you can use the quick release method.

Sprinkle extra Parmesan Cheese on top and serve warm.

DANG! I forgot the Texas Toast in the freezer! I guess I will have to make it again!

Bon Apetite!
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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Tanya

I'm back!!!

Well it's been a little over 4 years since I have blogged but I'm back....
More to come - how has everyone been?
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