Marching on the Beat of My Own Drummer

I have always marched to the beat of my own drummer politically.  Since I was 15, it became clear to my family and me that I was liberal and a Democrat.  My ideas formed on my own through things I learned in school (and no, my teachers were not teaching political ideology, but my education made me more aware of the world around me), people I interacted with, and the experiences I had.  I figured others that I was around must think as I do because they were exposed to many of the same things. It quickly became apparent that my assumption was quite wrong. Many of my high school friends were quite conservative. However, that did not alter my ideas and position.

I remember the 1988 election and staying up for the election results. At that time, I was a senior in high school, but I was unable to vote because I had only just turned 17.  I hoped and prayed for a Dukakis win.  After he lost, I found myself a bit depressed for a couple of weeks, worrying about how things would turn out.  I finally resigned myself to have George H. W. Bush as our president.  Since things wouldn't change for at least four years, I would give him a chance and hope for the best.  That isn't to say that I liked him and what he did as president, but I also did not hate him from day one of his presidency and start counting down to the next election.

When I got to college, the University of Kansas, I finally found a place I felt at "home." I was around a diverse group of people from all walks of life and ideologies.  I didn't agree with everyone, but at the same time I finally found people who liked my thoughts and agreed with what I had to say on politics. It was heaven in that sense.

One thing that always stands out to me are the people who would tell me, when I was younger, that being liberal was a phase. That, I would, at some point, "see the light" and become more conservative and a Democrat.  Those people were wrong.  I'm still a liberal and a Democrat. The main thing that did change is that I converted to Catholicism 12 years ago.  My views have altered a bit as well. The wonderful thing about being an adult is realizing that issues are not a matter of black and white. There are lots of greys and subtle nuances than need to be considered.

In recent years, I have tried to avoid most political discussions. It usually brings up my blood pressure. I will admit to taking many issues quite personally.  The reason? Well, there are some issues I don't consider political. I consider them a matter of basic human dignity and rights.  Additionally, there are other issues that I don't see as easily solved by legal/political means, but rather need other steps to solve the problems and curtail them.

Unfortunately, I still deal with people today who only see black and white to an issue. I guess that is okay because that is how they think. When I do get into discussions, I try to be respectful with others without resorting to personal attacks, although at times it is tempting to do so.

Recently, I got into a bit of a debate around the issue of childhood vaccination. I won't get into the actual argument on here; I don't think that is important.  What I do feel is important is how the argument upset me a great deal, to the point that I have left the group for a "break." Whether or not I come back is something I will consider, most likely, after the Presidential election (I'm trying to avoid stress and the room is full of very conservative women).  The argument was a back and forth discussion on whether vaccinations should be given to our children or not.  I brought up a couple of points that did not sit well with a few women. It got to be about an attack against me rather than about the points I made. So, instead of losing my cool, I decided to step away and leave the group. I don't mind others disagreeing with me, but personal attacks do not sit well with me.  After I left the group, I have found out that these women accused me of being something I wasn't. Because I disagreed with them on a detail by seeing the grey areas, I was suddenly tagged as being someone I'm not.

I am hurt by this and angered.

It becomes tempting to go back in and defend myself, but I don't see the point. What I wonder is why do people feel it necessary to get personal when the discussion has no need to go there? Is this what is happening in our country more and more? If you disagree with them, you start to bully them? I must admit, being liberal and a Dem, I'm used to this line of attack from others. I have faced it most of my life now. It won't change my mind though. Luckily, I married a man (a conservative Republican) who accepts me as I am whether he agrees or not.  I wish others could treat me with the same respect he does and some other close friends of mine.

Despite all of this, though, I'm proud of the woman and person that I am today. I'm glad that I walk to the beat of my own drummer.

Chicken Parmigiana with Pasta

One of the things I like to do is cook.  I would love it, but unfortunately I hate cleaning up. Since cooking means I will make a mess, it also means I'll have a mess to clean up.  So, I merely like it. :)  I've decided to start adding some of the things that I like cooking to my blog.  This blog is not becoming a cooking blog, but rather an addition to what I normally blog about.  I figure it fits in with the blog since I am a stay-at-home mom and this is one of the things I do.

My chicken parmigiana

The types of recipes I like most are simple, quick, and tasty.  One of the things that fits this bill perfectly is my Chicken Parmigiana.  It is super easy to make and delicious!  You can also personalize it with your own preferences.  I learned the recipe from my parents, but have since changed it, a bit, to suit myself.

 First off, you may want to gather the ingredients you will need for this: spaghetti sauce, Italian bread crumbs, egg, boneless, skinless chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and your choice of pasta.

Once you have all of that together, it is easy to begin.  The recipe is easy to adapt for the number of chicken breasts you will be cooking.  The original recipe was made for 4 chicken breasts, but I have made it for as few as 1 to as many as 6 in recent years.

The next thing I do is pull out some wax paper, and lay my chicken breasts on one half of the paper (parchment would work as well).  I then put the other half of the paper on top of the chicken breasts and get ready to vent my frustrations out for the day with the meat pounder.  I personally think that pounding the breasts thin makes a difference in flavor.  With the size chicken breasts they sell in the store, having a thinner breasts gets the flavors going through the chicken that much more.

Before I pound them. They are ready to go.

Freshly pounded chicken! See how flat
and thin they are in comparison.

The next step is to get them breaded and ready to brown in a large frying pan.  First, you will want to beat one egg, slightly, and prep about 1/2 a cup of Italian bread crumbs to dredge the chicken in.  Once that is prepped,. put about 2 Tbsp. of olive oil in the pan and let the pan and oil start heating up.  Then, take each chicken breast, coat it in the egg (on both sides) and roll the breast in the bread crumbs so it is nicely covered.  After doing that, place it in your hot pan and let it start browning.

Egg and bread crumb coating.

Chicken browning in the hot olive oil.

Once the chicken is browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side, then add your spaghetti sauce.  How much you add depends on how much sauce you like to have and how much chicken you are using.  I personally love a lot of sauce on my pasta.  For the 3 chicken breasts here, I used about a jar and a half of sauce.  After you put the sauce on the chicken, cover the pan and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

Note:  This is where you can really personalize the recipe.  I love Arriabiata for this recipe! It has a lot of kick!  However, I'm pregnant right now and can't tolerate spicy foods so I use a much milder sauce.  I've also been known to add a few herbs or even a pinch of cayenne pepper.  

Sauced and ready to simmer for 15 minutes.

While your chicken is cooking, you should start boiling your water for your pasta.  I will use either spaghetti or penne.  I tend to choose penne right now because I have a 15-month-old, and I find it easier for her to grab hold of penne than spaghetti.  Either option works great!  (I also highly recommend whole wheat pasta. It has a lot more flavor than your regular stuff.)

The water is getting ready to boil so I can add the penne.

When the 15 minutes have passed, you will add mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken.  I adore cheese so I add quite a bit (about a cup or so).  Put the lid back on the chicken and let the cheese melt.  It only takes about 3-5 minutes to get just right. While it is melting, it should be about time for you to drain your pasta. Then, you can serve your food!  Yummy!

Doesn't that cheese on there make it look extra delicious?

I hope you enjoy this! I know I do!  One additional note I will make, my sister, when rushed with her two kids, will cook this with pre-breaded and cooked frozen chicken patties (or even veal).  It saves a couple of steps and goes faster.

The finished dish!

Chicken Parmigiana

1 egg, slightly beaten

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 Tbsp Olive Oil (butter or other oil works too)

1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs

1-2 jars spaghetti sauce

1 cup shredded mozzarella

Using a meat pounder, flatten the chicken breasts between sheets of wax paper.  Heat up 2 Tbsp of oil in frying pan.  Dip each chicken breast in the slightly beaten egg then roll in bread crumbs.  Brown chicken in oil, about 2-3 minutes per side.  Pour spaghetti sauce over the breasts, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Once that is done, sprinkle the mozzarella over the top of the chicken. Cover breasts and simmer until cheese is melted.

Losing My Mind for a Cause

I am NOT a short-haired gal. I have tried it before, and never been too fond of it. For years I have worn my hair long because I think it is not only more becoming on me, but also controls my natural curls more.  That is why today is likely a surprise for many who know me.

Today, I lost my mind a bit when I got my hair cut short.  However, I did it intentionally and for a good cause, Locks of Love.  It has crossed my mind many times to do this over the years. What motivated me this time was a family member, 6-year-old Rebekah, who is fighting a version of leukemia. Some of her uncles shaved their hair in unity with her as she under went chemo and lost her own hair. One aunt cut her hair quite short as a means of support.  After much thought, I decided to grow my hair out even more than usual and donate it so other children may get a nice wig out of it.  While I was nervous about my hair cut today, I feel it was worth losing my mind to help a child in need.

I didn't think I would be nervous, but a couple hours before I went in for my appointment, I began getting the butterflies.  What the heck was I doing?? Was I insane?  Granted, I had reached a point where I was sick of my hair and ready to get rid of it, but I still got nervous.

My hair right before I went for my cut! (I had straightened it the night before.)

I looked at several magazines before going to the appointment and had even pinned a few hairstyles on Pinterest.  My hair stylist looked at my ideas and told me it was possible to get a cut like I was looking for.  She slowly cut my hair off and handed it back to me. I was amazed at how long my hair really was! Wow!

My cut off hair

Then she proceeded to style my hair. I saw more and more hair falling. It was a bit shocking, but I left myself in her hands. I will admit to enjoying not having as much weight pulling on my neck. What a relief.  Then she finished it off by styling it.

The end result

Luckily, when I got home, my dear husband said he liked it.  I do like the cut, but figure I'll like it even more in 1-2 months after it grows a bit. For now, I will enjoy feeling as though my hair is all sassy and knowing that my donation will help some kids out.