Gluten Free Cooking

In September of 2010, after years of dealing with intestinal issues, I went "gluten free."

Well, let me correct that. After years of dealing with a husband who was dealing with intestinal issues, my wife researched her little hind-end off and suggested to me that a gluten-free diet might solve my problems. And she was right.

After one week of living gluten free, the difference was noticeable, and things have consistently become better.


Kitchen Window: Baking Without Flour Brings Sweet Results : NPR

I really like the above article, mainly because of the creativity the author shares. I have found ways around gluten ... choosing corn-based products or using gluten-free flour. But I really like the idea of using nuts, egg whites, or simply using no flour at all. My favorite part was when she mentioned using "cornmeal, lots of eggs, chocolate, an assortment of nuts and a food processor" instead of a prepared gluten-free flour. That's creative. That sounds good and fun.

Here's to some good and creative gluten-free fun in the kitchen.

Favorite New App

This past week, I attended TCEA in Austin.  One workshop that I went to showcased several apps available for the iPhone and iPad.  Some had benefits for me as a teacher, and some were just fun!

My favorite new App is "TuneIn Radio."  It's FREE and it allows you listen live to various radio stations around the country.  You can choose stations that the App recommends, go straight to Local Radio, or choose from genres like Music, News, Talk, or Sports. 

For me, this means that I can listen to ESPN Radio no matter where I am!  No more searching for stations as I travel.  Or, if I'm in the mood for a certain style of music or simply listening to some Talk radio, all I have to do is TuneIn! 

I'm very happy with this App.

Getting it Right: Part Two

So many times in my life, I've been given an opportunity for a 'Second Chance.'  Like I said last week, there are many times I NEED a second chance so that I can actually get something right.

Today, I want to focus on the person who gives the second chance.  The person who gives someone else a second chance (and maybe even a third) is a great person.  We need more people like this!  I want to be a person like this!

What's inside this person?  What makes them tick?  And how do I become the person who gives others a second chance?

I think that kind of person knows how to forgive.  To forgive someone doesn't mean that you don't feel any hurt any longer.  To forgive someone means that you will not hurt them back even though they hurt you. 

I think the person who gives second chances knows something about grace.  To extend someone grace is to give them something that they don't deserve ... something that they haven't earned.  It's a gift, pure and simple.

That's what a second chance is - it's a gift.  Something you don't earn.  Something you don't deserve.  Given to you by someone who has made a commitment not to hurt you, but to help you.

Yeah, that's the kind of person I want to be.  I want to be the kind of person who gives second chances ... the kind of person who forgives and extends grace. 

Getting it Right: Part One

Do you believe in Second Chances?

I rely on them.  Not because I don't try hard, but because I simply don't get it right the first time around.  I'm thankful when I do get a second chance.  And, when I do, I try to make the most of it.

I have five children.  Lots of second chances given.  It's rewarding, as a parent, to see children take advantage of those second-chance opportunities.  I'm also a High School teacher.  Trust me, High School students need second chances.  Sometimes third ones.

There have been times throughout my career in which I've needed a second chance.  I did something wrong the first time around, or I just didn't understand the gravity of the situation.  I needed a re-do. There's nothing like getting a second chance to get something right, and then actually getting it right.

And, there have been similar times in my marriage.  Sometimes, I miss the gravity of the moment.  Other times, I'm too caught up in my own life that I miss what my wife is needing.  This week, I tried to do something special, but I missed the mark.  I needed an opportunity for a re-do.  And I got one!

My wife works hard at our marriage, and she has spent a lot of time and energy helping me through some personal issues.  I wanted to make her feel special.  I wanted her to know how incredibly thankful I am for what she's doing for me.  So, I decided to have some flowers delivered to her.

One morning, during my conference period, I called the local Flower Shop and ordered a nice, fresh arrangement.  She asked what I wanted on the card.  These are the moments I screw up.  "What do you want on the card?"  Honestly, I hadn't thought through that part.  So, hurriedly, I said, "just write 'You're the best.'  She'll know they're from me."

Uhmm ... she had no idea they were from me.  Truth is, she has several friends who send her things every now and then.  She's even had friends send her flowers ... from our local flower shop!  She had NO IDEA they were from me.  The generic, anonymous card backfired.  Which means, she didn't get to truly enjoy them as a gift from me, her husband.  In fact, she sat around secretly wishing they were from me, but thinking they weren't.  Which resulted in the opposite of what I originally intended!

Ugh!  I needed a second chance.

And that evening, my wife said something that caught my attention.  "I wish [the local flower shop] could just deliver them again!"

And there was my second chance.

I leave for school each morning before anyone else is awake.  On my way out the door, I grabbed the arrangement of flowers.  During my conference period, I walked into the flower shop.  "I have a weird request.  I need you to re-deliver some flowers."  I wish I had my camera ready.  The look I received was ... indescribable.  I grabbed a card.  I wrote how I felt about my wife.  I wrote her nickname on the envelope.  I wrote my pet-name for her on the card.  I paid the delivery fee.  AGAIN.  (I was a dollar short and had to go out to my car and get some change out of the console!)

And I got it right.  Second chance realized.

Use any second chance that you get.  If you get a third one, use it too!  If you messed something up, or you tried to do something good but missed the mark, then do it again and get it right.  Do it a third time or more, if necessary.  The point is: keep working until you get it right.

My Little Ones Are Growing Up

My oldest daughter turned 14 this week.  Before the end of August, I'll have a 16 yr-old, the aforementioned 14 yr-old, two 13 yr-olds, and a 9 yr-old.

When my wife and I had one toddler and one infant, people would tell us, "you'll blink and they'll be all grown up."  And we said, "Whatever!  Right now they wake up during the night, cry constantly, and need us to do everything!  Every day feels like a marathon!"

Thirteen or so years later, I'm beginning to understand what they were talking about.  Not to take anything away from those early days: many of them were hell.  Those days were hard, and they seemed really long.  But now, when I look at my children, those days seem far away.  I've probably forgotten much more about them than I remember.  My children are truly growing up.  Tall.  Smart.  Funny.  Independent.  Creative.  They think about things other teenagers think about.  (Scary, yet great.)  They think about the future ... about what they want to do.  They think about boyfriends/girlfriends. 

So different from when they were infants and toddlers.  A friend once told me, "Enjoy the days when you can heal all their hurts with a kiss."  Wise advice.  Those days are truly gone.  But the days I'm experiencing now are good.  Surreal, but good.  And I have some days when it seems like I blinked, and they've all grown up.

My Baylor Bears

**Disclaimer:  Yes, this is going to be a Sports Post.  And, yes, I realize that Sports is not the important thing in the world.  It's not even the most important thing in MY world.  But it's fun!  So, sit back, and enjoy my brief sports rant.

I need to brag on my Baylor Bears. 

First off, the Football Team finished 2011 going 6-0, beating OU and UT along the way.  Oh, and we won a record-setting Alamo Bowl against Washington.  Oh, and our QB won a little thing known as the Heisman Trophy.  We won 10 games for only the 2nd time in our history.  What a year for our football team!

Second, our Women's Basketball team started the year ranked #1, and is currently 16-0.  That includes a win over then-2nd-ranked UConn.  Yeah, THAT UConn.  The Baylor women have taken care of business in every game, leaving no doubt who the best team in Women's College Basketball is. 

And, third, the Men's Basketball Team is 17-0, currently ranked #4 in the nation!  This week, we had a big road win over Kansas State, then came home and hung 106 on Oklahoma State.  In years past, we would've done well to split those games, and we've never done well against Kansas State.

Three players: RG3, Brittany Griner, and Perry Jones III.  Three players that could ALL win National Player of the Year in their respective sport.  One already has (RG3).  One likely will (Griner).  And another has a shot, if things go right.  And, all three represent the University in ways that make me proud.

Which leads me to this: I'm having a lot of FUN rooting for my Baylor Bears.  There are no sanctions or allegations against the players, coaches, or other parts of the Athletic program.  This year has helped me feel good about not only the results on the field, but how Baylor handles it's business in the locker room, in the classroom, and on the recruiting trail.

And I'll end with this: The three coaches in the above-mentioned sports may be the best trio of coaches in the Nation.  Kim Mulkey's accomplishments are already incredible.  What Scott Drew has done with the Men's Team since 2003 has never been seen before.  And Art Briles has worked virtual miracles with the Football Team.  The best thing is, all three seem to be committed to staying, and BU seems to be committed to keeping them around!  Thank goodness.

Sic 'Em Bears.
(And I mean that.)

Homemade Salsa

When I finally decided to move forward with writing a blog, I wanted to name it "Chips and Salsa," but the name was already taken.  Chips and Salsa are a staple for me.  It's one of the reasons I love going to Mexican Food restaurants.  I don't understand why every restaurant doesn't put out chips and salsa!

A few years ago, my wife gave me a recipe to make salsa.  Store-bought salsa is hit and miss.  And the jars are small.  Again, I like salsa.  Like, I could snack on it all day long.  Like, I can be full and still find room for a few more chips and some salsa.  In addition, store-bought salsa cannot compare to freshly-made salsa.  It just can't.

So, this recipe for homemade salsa ... it used all fresh ingredients plus a couple of cans of crushed tomatoes.  I would spend several minutes dicing tomatoes, a bell pepper, green chili peppers, an onion, and some cilantro.  Add some salt, stir it up, get some chips, and let the dipping begin!

Not long after making this recipe, we discovered two 'secret ingredients' that can really take homemade salsa to another level: Cumin and Cilantro.  Oh my. 

Do you not have time or the will to dice everything?  Well let me give you my short-cut recipe: Buy your favorite jar of salsa at the store, add 1-2 cans of rotel, chopped cilantro, and cumin.  Throw it all in a food processor if you don't like things chunky (the rotel is too chunky for salsa in my opinion), and you're good to go - in less than 10 minutes! 

Enjoy.  And happy salsa-ing!