Optic Neuritis is a bummer!

Sorry it has been awhile since I posted.  My MS flared up for the first time in over five years.  My left eye was blurry and had a horrible pain behind it.  I mistakenly thought it was just allergies giving me a headache and lived with it for over a week.  A call to my local doctor , led to a call to my neurologist, which led to driving to Houston that day.  A round of IV steroids and I am finally feeling better, not sleeping well, but feeling better.  When I am on steroids they mess with my sleep and I tend to eat more.  I also get to take a taper dose of steroids for the next ten days.

I have missed the first part of the month so here is a list what I am thankful for in a November so far.  I am thankful for a loving husband of twenty years, two beautiful girls that I am extremely proud of, a wonderful family, friends that are always by my side, my doctors that keep me going, the Maxine Mesinger Multiple Sclerosis Clinic for the awesome care, a job that has always been understanding, a happy home to call my own, my husband's stable job that provides excellent health care, my furry babies that provide unconditional love and finally today, Veterans Day, everyone who has fought for our freedom!

Sunday Funday!

I love Chicken and Dumplings, it is one of my favorite comfort foods.  Sunday is the only day my hubby doesn't work.  He is working 12 hour days right now, so the last thing I want to do is stay in the kitchen all day!  Here is another recipe I found on Pinterest and I give it a thumbs up!

Crock Pot Chick and Dumplings

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons butter
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 onion diced (I used half of one)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
2 Grands Homestyle refrigerator biscuits

Put the chicken, butter, cream of chicken, chicken broth, parsley and onions in the crock pot and cook on high for four to six hours. Mine only needed five, and probably didn't even need that much.

As the chicken cooks and gets tender, break it up with a spoon or fork, whatever.

Get your biscuits and cut them into nine pieces. I kind of rolled them into balls to ensure they stayed whole but it’s not necessary. Stir into chicken mixture and cook for another hour.

(The recipe says to cook for 30 minutes and my biscuits were not done at that point. One hour did the trick.)

If it is a little too think for your tastes,the recipe said to add chicken broth if necessary. 

To die for Apple Pie Jam!

This jam is in no way low calorie, but it is to die for!  This is my treat to myself on Saturday mornings! : )

Apple Pie Jam

Ingredients: 

6 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith Apples

(about 6-7 medium size apples)

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon  butter

3 cups white sugar

2 cups packed brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1   1.75 oz. box fruit pectin

Directions:
Cook apples, water and butter over low heat, stirring until apples are soft but not mushy.

Stir in pectin and bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly.

Add sugars and cinnamon and bring back to a boil (220 degrees use a candy thermometer), stirring constantly.

After the mixture comes to a full boil and reaches 220 degrees boil for one full minute. Remove from heat and skim off foam (if there is any).

Pour into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Process jars in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Recipe yields: 7 - half pint jars

 Properly processed jam will keep in the pantry for up to twelve months.



I so want to go back.....

Disney blues

www.mythirtyone.com/janskin

As everyone knows, I sell Thirty One and we have bags for all occasions.  These are a couple of CUTE examples for a trip to Disney.  Two of my loves together, Disney and Thirty One!  I am a little bummed I am not going to be at the World until February when my youngest daughter runs The Princess Half Marathon with my best friend.  They are crazy and I will be there to cheer them on.

I have also booked a couple of rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge for the girls to go this summer with some friends.  Hey, I have points right, might as well you them!

I must admit these are not my own pictures and I found them on the internet.

The best and easiest Cinnamon Rolls!!!

             Can't Miss Cinnamon Rolls

 This is the best and easiest Cinnamon Roll recipe to make.  I made these for my sister's family at Thanksgiving last year and they were a huge hit.  I purchase Rhodes frozen Cinnamon Rolls in a bag of 12 or two tins of 6 and a box (or two) of COOK and serve vanilla pudding.  In my area I have only been able to find the bag of rolls at Walmart but HEB has the tin of six; if that is the case just buy two tins of six.  Also buy a small box of vanilla COOK and serve pudding.   

The night before, spray your 13"x9" baking dish with cooking spray. Separate the cinnamon rolls and lay them in a single layer in the dish and reserve the icing package that comes with rolls .

 Sprinkle the UNPREPARED vanilla pudding over the frozen rolls. Melt one stick of butter in the microwave and pour it over the rolls. Spray a sheet of plastic wrap lightly with cooking spray and then cover the rolls tightly and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, remove the thawed rolls and let set on counter for 30-45 minutes until doubled in volume.

 Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes until light golden.

Spread icing and serve.

 

  

I found this recipe on Pinterest, I wish I could call it my own but I can't.

 

 

Mama Vox Box

I was lucky enough to receive a Mama Vox  Box from Influenster!  Influenster is a free to join program where you are invited to try out products and give your opinions on them. I forgot to mention you do need an invitation to join.  I love to try out new products!  I received an email survey and then later on email saying I qualified for the Mama Vox.  Included in my box were Belvita Soft Baked Breakfast Cookies,  Dr. Scholl's for Her Comfort Insoles,  Annie's Microwavable Macaroni and Cheese Cups, and 2 Pond's Luminous BB+ Cream in Light and Medium.
First, I tried the Belvita Breakfast Cookie but at almost $4 a box I am not sure if this will be a weekly purchase .  My Oats and Chocolate cookie was tasty and it did satisfy my until lunch but. I am not sure my husband would feel the same way.  This would make a good mid morning or mid afternoon snack for him though.
My Dr. Scholl's Insoles are a Godsend!  I LOVE, LOVE them!!!  I was able to work 9 hours and then go shopping for two hours and my feet felt like they could keep going, even if my pocketbook couldn't!  I can see these becoming a permanent purchase in the Janskin household.
Next, my cup of Annie's Organic Macaroni and Cheese was inhaled.  I am not a fan of Microwavable anything, except steamed veggies.  I admit I was slightly pessimistic going into this taste test.  The Mac and cheese was creamy and cheesy and would make a nice pick me a snack or lunch.  I would actually prefer this one to Velveeta or Kraft Cups.  I was pleasantly surprised!
My final item was the Ponds Luminous BB+ Cream.  I tried the light cream and will give my daughter the medium when she comes home from college.  I am really not sure where that child got her pigmentation but let's just say it's not fair that she is tan all year round without artificial help.  My BB cream was light and had nice coverage without the heavy made up look.  My skin looked fresh and radiant in my opinion , no dullness here.  I really can't comment on the dark spots yet.  I hate one spot on my forehead but I have only been trying this for one week, I need more time for clarification that it lightens dark spots.
I am thankful that I was able to try out these products from www.influenster.com.