January 12, 2010 | Posted by Tanya
After getting sick of seeing my ice cream machine sit in my closet for two years, I decided to try it out.
Original Recipe Ingredients for Chocolate Fudgesicle Ice Cream:
2 packages instant chocolate pudding, 3 cups reduced fat or low fat milk, chilled
I cut the recipe in half and used 1 sugar-free vanilla pudding mix with 1 1/2 cups of skim milk. I also added 1 1/2 T of instant coffee grounds and topped it with caramel syrup. Since I was using skim milk and a sugar-free pudding mix (which has less weight), I would expect the texture to be less creamy and thick. After putting the mixture (except the syrup) into my ice cream machine for about 25 minutes, it was still not as thick as I would like it so I put it into a container, topped it with the caramel syrup, and put it into the freezer.
The next day, I let the pudding ice cream sit out a bit to thaw enough to scoop it. It had more of an Italian ice texture and it tasted like french vanilla coffee. The flavor was rich and delicious, and it made me think of Starbucks.
-Tanya
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January 9, 2010 | Posted by Tanya
I am a really big yogurt fan and since my husband got me the La Leche League International Cookbook Set (http://store.llli.org/public/profile/317), I have been intrigued by whole foods . After reading the directions on how to make your own yogurt in their book, the thought of a way to keep the yogurt warm for a period of time made me think of my crock pot. I googled homemade yogurt in a crock pot, and sure enough there is a way. I will keep you updated on my research into this subject.
Some of the sites that have touched on this subject are http://www.nourishingdays.com/?p=912 and http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/2009/10/28/homemade-yogurt-in-a-crock-pot-and-yogurt-cheese/.
-Tanya
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January 5, 2010 | Posted by Tanya
I often feel as though I have lost myself since deciding to stay home. Not only did I become a mother, but my career life and dreams no longer existed. It now feels like my life is lived through Linus. He comes first and I come last, and sometimes not at all. My place feels unsteady and changing. I used to throw myself into work, but now that work smiles, laughs, and cries. Being a mother is harder and more rewarding than I ever thought possible, yet I feel unaccomplished as an individual.
Sometimes I think about going back to work, but I couldn’t live with someone else seeing all his firsts, comforting every cry, and enjoying every smile. I want to have my own life and make a difference, not only through raising my child but directly from me.
-Tanya
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December 14, 2009 | Posted by lifeonfire
Hi All,
Chris is on his own for the first episode in the longest time. Tanya is under the weather and is out getting some fresh air after dealing with a sick baby and herself for 2 weeks.
In this episode Chris plays audio from a local Christmas parade that the family went to. He discusses the giving campaigns for SQPN and Rosary Army.
Chris also discusses his possible plans for school in the future. There is a review of an inspirational movie called The 13th Day about the visions of Fatima.
Thanks to Suzan for the feedback on our feedback line!
Podcast Promos Played:
Among Women
Paul’s Men
Other Links:
Catholic New Media Advent Calendar
That’s all for now. Have A blessed Advent and Merry Christmas!
God Bless,
Chris, Tanya and Linus
Play this episode
Categories: Podcast | Tags: Advent, Catholic, Christmas, Family, giving, Illness, parade, Rosary Army, SQPN | No Comments »
December 11, 2009 | Posted by Chris
So, we are now in the season of Advent. Advent is a time of reflection on preparation. It is the Liturgical Season in which we ready our souls for the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
As part of this time, we should be reflecting on our own spiritual lives. We should be asking ourselves, “What can I do for God with my time, talents and resources?”.
I myself have been thinking and praying about where I should be going in the future. Am I to stay in my tech support job forever? How can I use the love that I have of computers and new media to spread the Gospel? How can I do this and still support Tanya and Linus?
Should I attempt to go back to school? If so, what should I study? Where should I go? Even if I go to school, will I be able to find a job with medical and that pays the bills?
What can I do in my current state of life to better serve God?
All of these questions have been running through my head. All of them big decisions, and decisions that will affect not only my life, but the lives of those I love and care for.
If you listen to the Life on Fire Podcast, you already know that I am currently assisting my parish in the development of a new website and managing their technology. Tanya has been helping to purchase snacks for the CCD students to help out. She also collects education box tops, Cambell’s labels, soda can tabs and canceled stamps for various organizations, including the school at our parish.
However, there always feels like something more needs to be done, but we never seem to have the time or energy to put in to anything else. Getting to the podcast is hard enough as it is!
However, something simple and easy that we CAN do is to assist others whose ministries are helping to spread the Gospel to the world.
In our case, we are supporting Rosary Army and SQPN. Without these organizations Tanya and I’s lives would be very different. Both apostolates are on fire for our Lord and both spread the Gospel message in different ways.
Rosary Army shows people how to make, pray and give away all twine knotted Rosaries. They have distributed MILLIONS of Rosaries to almost every continent in the world. They also have a great community of Rosary Army Soldiers who are Rosary-making machines and prayer warriors as well. This organization is well worth supporting if you have the funds to do so.
SQPN – The Star Quest Production Network is the leading source of Catholic new media outreach programs. From programs about the saints to a brand new show geared for kids called Squipin, SQPN has something for everyone. As CEO Father Roderick Vonhogen might say, “We unite gamers and golfers, technology and theology and even priests and iPods”.
Not only that but SQPN hosts a yearly “Catholic New Media Celebration”, a weekend of community, fun and education involving new media outreach for Church initiatives. The SQPN community is worldwide and covers social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Again, this is a group that the Church needs more than ever in this internet age. I would greatly suggest supporting them if you can.
While we are NOT part of SQPN (but we want to be), we always support their initiatives and you will be hearing more about their giving campaign on our next podcast.
Both of the above organizations are 501c3 non-profit organizations. They rely SOLEY on the contributions of people to run their ministries. If you have the time to make a Rosary for Rosary Army, that is great! If you can leave feedback or comments to SQPN podcasters to encourage them, do that as well! However, what these organizations really need from us at this time is our monetary support so that they can continue to do what they are doing. Even if you only have $5 for a one-time donation, it is greatly appreciated and will go a long way. As always, these organizations also ask for your prayers to constantly keep them before the Lord in what they are doing.
IF you want to give more back to God but, don’t have the time or energy to do more in your parish, if you have some spare funds, it would be great to support these organizations, as well as your own parish and diocesan initiatives. By doing this we are supporting those who spread God’s love to the world. There is no better investment, no 401k or stock that will give you the kind of return that a gift like this will. Saving souls and spreading the message of God’s love is worth more than anything else in the world. It is our job as Christians to help spread that message, and by supporting SQPN and Rosary Army, you are doing just that.
May God bless you and your families during this Advent and Christmas season. May he shower the gift of Grace upon us, that we might go forth and spread the Good News to the masses.
Categories: Faith, Media, Money, Technology | Tags: Advent, Catholic, Chrismas, Christian, Discernment, Donate, Faith, Family, Giving Back, Rosary Army, SQPN, Time | 1 Comment »