Black Bean, Corn, Avocado & Hominy Salad

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I LOVE avocados!  I seriously do!  I have been buying at least 2 each week, but lately I have found myself grabbing a bag of them because I have found so many great uses for them.  I use them to create a super creamy and healthy smoothie, and I also love to use them simply sliced on toast, then topped with sliced tomatoes and a couple leaves of basil.
At our most recent family get-together, my sister-in-law brought a great recipe of Black Beans, Hominy, & Corn.  I loved it so much and could have stood there and eaten the whole bowl.  I thought about the recipe and the only way it could possibly be made better was to add some avocado to it.  That is what I did, and it turned out SO GOOD.

Black Bean, Corn, Avocado & Hominy Salad
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cans corn, drained and rinsed
1 can hominy, drained and rinsed
1 avocado, chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or to taste)
1 red pepper, chopped
1/4 of a large red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons cumin
1/4-1/2 cup red wine vinegar, to taste
Juice of 1 lime
salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all together.  Tastes best if you let the flavors mingle in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.  Serve as a salad or with tortilla chips.

Avocados from Mexico

I recently added a recipe to the "Guac-Off" Contest that is happening at the "I love avocados on Facebook" page.  I am waiting to hear the results, but I sure wish I had the above recipe at the time of the contest.  I think it just might have won it.  Yes, it is THAT good.

 I have had fun exploring the Avocados From Mexico facebook page, it has free avocado screensavers, wallpaper, virtual gifts for friends and even ringtones.  I downloaded the instrumental ringtone and my girls think is is so funny to see me break out in my Mexican Avocado dance when it goes off!

You can connect with Avocados from Mexico on Twitter, at Twitter@guacgrl.  Avocado lovers are using the hashtag #iloveavocados, and you can too, if you decide to tweet your love of avocados!

 What is your favorite way to use an avocado?

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #84, A Giveaway, & Sponsors!

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Pinterest!!

Goals:

Complete at least 3 pins, share on blog

Time:

15 minutes a day or

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day or

35 minutes twice in the week

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I'm so excited to be hosting a giveaway for Kashoan at KraftyKash.   She makes BEAUTIFUL vintage dictionary, atlas and Bible pendants. In honor of upcoming Valentines Day, KraftyKash is offering one of three beautiful love-themed pendents.

Love Sheet Music Pendent Necklace

Love Bracelet Pendent

John 3:16 Necklace Pendent

To Enter Giveaway:

~Visit KraftyKash Shop & browse a bit

~"Like" KraftyKash On Facebook

~come back here and tell me in the comments that you did, and your choice of the three if you win.

I will choose a winner and announce their names at next week's Anti-Procrastination Tuesday Link Party, February 7th. Also, anyone who places an order during the giveaway and mentions New Nostalgia, will get a FREE pair of earrings, a $10.00 value, with any purchase!  How cool is that? 

 Good Luck!!

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Did you hear that New Nostalgia is now accepting sponsors?  

I am so grateful for the support you all give and your choice to read my words here at New Nostalgia.  I have thought long about having sponsors and really feel like it is the best decision for this blog and for our family.  Adding sponsors will enable me to pay someone to do much of the adminstrative type work a growing blog demands, and will free me up to do what I love, which is share life with all of you through my writing.  It is an amazing way to help support our little family, and I THANK YOU all, for without you visiting and reading, that would not be possible!

February is kick off month, and it is not too late to get in!  To kick off sponsorship, I am offering the price of $50.00 for a 250x125 ad. I hear this is quite the deal due to my current statistics:

Current Statistics (as of January 2012):
600,000 pageviews per month
3,287 subscribers via RSS, Google Feed Reader, and Bloglovin’
1436 followers via Google Friend Connect
1197 Facebook Friends
5404 followers on Pinterest

I would love to have you tucked into my sidebar, so if you are interested in sponsoring New Nostalgia,  e-mail Robyn at sponsornewnostalgia{at}gmail{dot}com.

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Contact Paper Privacy Windows @ Making It Feel Like Home

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Not As I Pictured

"Not As I Pictured" trailer from Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar on Vimeo.

NATIONWIDE MONDAY NIGHT January 30: The award winning documentary "Not As I Pictured" on PBS WORLD stations will be reaching 50% of the nation’s television markets Monday in prime time. Check listings for your town here


Not as I Pictured is a 54 minute documentary film.  It allows us to go on a cancer journey along with Pulitzer-Prize winner John Kaplan.  He fights lymphoma with an amazing attitude, all the while being so very real.  I have the privilege of knowing the editor and assistant director, Jordan Pool, who did an awesome job.


Last spring, I was able to see this film as they gave away over 10,000 copies to cancer patients.  I fit the bill.


I was glued to the T.V. as I watched.  I could not believe how familiar it all was.  Right when it ended, I grabbed my journal and had to write, for I felt the moments and needed to express some of them.  I thought it was fitting to share with you all how it made me feel, on this night when his documentary is being shown nationwide.


Not As I Pictured 


His camera captured cancer,
and all that it entails.


His lens bring to life, a year and 1/2 of mine.


Our stories different,
yet same.


I marvel at his captured tidbits of my familiar.
So much familiar.


~the sound of the machine as it slowly drips poison that heals.


~he stands in front of mirror & holds his hair back to picture what bald will look like.  I, too, did this.


~his hands & pillow covered with hair.  I know.  Mine, too.  His expressed disbelief.  I feel his words.  I know.


~he is getting labs done, & strains his neck to the opposite side of where he will be poked.  We get labs done once a week, you would think we would get used to the sting.  We don't.


~he used a tissue to open doors in public, due to a compromised immune system.  I did this, too.


~he puts numbing cream on his port, the same exact tube I used.  He speaks about how he does not care for touching the port area, for it gives him the "ebbee jeebies"  I  understand.  Me, too.


~he talks about how he must deal with the idea of recurrence.  It is a reality one has to come to grips with.  Yes.


~he talks about his port area, how it hurt like heck at first, and made it hard to lift his children.  Yes.  I know.


~his face winces in pain as they hook him up to a still healing port.  I remember, mine was still raw and oozing at my first chemo treatment.  


~his children draw pictures of him bald.  So did mine.


His life is not as he pictured, and neither is mine, yet, through his pictures I find life, hope, and I'm less alone.  Thank you, John Kaplan.

One Thousand Gifts #37

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

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#806-#815

~ moments of Romans 12:15 with a friend "Mourn with those who mourn." 

~an inmate whose family I love, his love and waves through a barbed wire fence.  Moments that make a heart feel broken. Again, an opportunity to mourn with those who mourn.

~texts from my mother-in-law.  Perfect words.  Perfect timing.  

~my middle child, home from her "Birthday Sleepover" with in- laws.  Her cup of love filled and overflowing.

~birds chirping.  The promise of spring.

~a lunch with other bloggers/writers.  So much fun!

~a daughter who sends kind words through facebook.  

~"Words with Friends" & the exercise  it gives my "chemo brain"

~frozen blueberries thawed "just enough" for breakfast along with my oats

~Robyn.  Her help dropped in my lap. How rare it is to find a heart so big. What a gift!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix & Taco Pizza

You will never have to buy over-priced, way-too-much-salt, sometimes 'msg added' taco seasoning packets again!  This taco seasoning mix is so easy to make and tastes really great!  I feel it gives a much richer, "homemade" flavor to every recipe I use it in.  I have used to season ground beef for tacos, nachos, & taco pizza.  I have used it to season refried beans, and to season lentils for vegetarian tacos. You can even use it to season chicken.

Taco Seasoning Mix

Recipe source-Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.

_________________________________

Here is the recipe quadrupled, to make a large batch.  Store in a mason jar. :)

• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon black pepper

____________________________


Hints:

~Use 3 tablespoons per pound of meat.  Add 2/3 cup water and simmer down until water is absorbed.

~If you prefer, you could sprinkle 1/2 tablespoon of flour to help thicken sauce.  I find this is not necessary.

~Adjust salt and red pepper flakes to your taste.  I usually use a bit less of both.

~You could make a large batch and give away in small mason jars as a thoughtful gift.

~Buying seasonings in bulk is the way to go!  Amazon has some great deals, like McCormick Gourmet Collection Chili Powder.

Use the above link and I will receive a small percentage of what you spend.  Thanks!!

Taco Pizza No Recipe, Recipe

Premade pizza crust (we use premade dough from Trader Joes)
Pizza Sauce (we also get from Trader Joes)
Cheese
Ground Beef Seasoned with Taco Seasoning Mix (or beans or lentils)
Lettuce (we use spinach)
Tomato
Corn
Taco Sauce or Salsa
Corn Chips, crumbled

Top pizza crust with sauce, add cheese and meat (or beans).  Bake according to pizza crust directions.  Cool slightly.  Add toppings you prefer and serve with taco sauce or salsa!

Health & Heart Update

I've been wanting to update you all on my health for awhile now, but have had a hard time coming up with the words to express
 JUST HOW VERY THANKFUL I AM.

How do I communicate such joy and gratefulness?

My most recent blood tests show perfect hormone levels.  Perfect iron levels. Perfect calcium levels.  A vitamin D level to brag about (I have been working on getting this up, SO important for cancer, and immunity in general).  My liver and kidneys are working as they should. My blood cell counts are all great.  My digestive system is amazing.  My energy level is great.  No naps needed.  I only have 2 prescriptions that I take, which is a MAJOR change from the last year.

Who am I that You are mindful of me? Psalm 8:4

Perfect hormone levels are a HUGE gift.  A few months ago my estrogen was so high we were trying to decide whether to take out my ovaries or use drugs to shut them down.  Either option would bring on instant menopause.  I got a glimpse of what this feels like when I was adjusting to the drug, Tamoxifen, that I will take for 5 years.  Not fun.  I honestly think it has been many years since my hormones were where they should be. I think this contributed to getting cancer.  I have begged God at times to straighten me out.  It has been its own battle, and I can't believe I sit here stable, with no emotional highs and lows.
God has answered a prayer that I have put before him since 2001, and He did it through cancer.  Without cancer, I would not have changed my eating habits to a plant based diet.  Without cancer I would not have had to switch from one anti-anxiety medication to another, since the first was not compatible with my cancer meds.  I dreaded the switch, it turned out to be exactly what my body needed.

His ways are mysterious.  Isaiah 45:15

Am I thankful for cancer?  No.

Am I thankful for what God has done in my life through cancer?  Yes.  A million times, Yes.

There are many things I have to thank Him for, but the one that makes my heart feel so full, is the perspective of eternity that it brings.  I see life in light of eternity now.  I tangibly get how this life is temporary.  I have felt glimpses of my body shutting down, the first week of my last chemo treatment was a scary feeling, to feel my body being overwhelmed, weaker than prior treatments  and staying weak longer.  It scared me.  I was so grateful it was the last treatment.

This perspective is one that I rebelled against at first.  I HATED that I had to come to grips with my mortality and live with the statistics that I do.

I had to learn how to come to grips with 50/50.

My Stage 3, 6 centimeter, lymph node involvement, 1ml. away from chest wall margin cancer gives me a 50/50 chance of being alive in 10 years.  Many survivors don't like to know their statistics.  I had to know, so I could learn to live with them.

For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, to be content. Philippians 4:12

Easy to say that verse when I am in remission, have my energy, and things are looking good.  But I can honestly say that in the midst of battle, this verse became very real to me and I definitely came a long way in my lessons in contentment.  I believe the key to contentment is thankfulness. I may only have 10 years, but I know some that only have 10 months, so I give thanks even for scary statistics.  Perspective.  As I practice thankfulness, counting the many gifts, I literally feel like my heart will burst with thankfulness.

This in itself is a gift, recognizing that EACH DAY is a gift.

I have learned this by watching those I love, die. Cancer has brought the sick into my life.  Each one of them are a precious gift.  I will not allow their deaths to bring fear, they would not want that. I will learn from their courage.  I especially learned from my L girls words on her deathbed, "I am just so thankful for this day."

I am learning from her words.  I am learning to look at the future and laugh, despite having a future that is unknown.

"She is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25

Don't get me wrong, I want to grow old, I long to know my grandchildren, and see my children age.  I beg God for this, yet I am learning to say,

 "Not my will, but Yours be done." Luke 22:42

I am learning how to say this because I have learned who He is.  He is trustworthy no matter what the future.

He holds the future in His hands.

Because of this, I lean into Him and rest, even in a future that could bring pain, loss, and death.

Many of you know that I read the book, "Jesus Calling"almost everyday.  It brings such truth to my mind, and I depended on it when I was sick.  There were very few days where I didn't read it before lifting my head from my pillow, just so I could face the fears and struggles of the day that cancer brings.  Today's entry was awesome.

I must share:

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

January 26, p. 63

(this book writes from the perspective of Jesus talking to us)

Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life.  Part of you is still hungering for the resolution of all difficulties.  This is a false hope!
As I told My disciples, in the world you will have trouble.  Link your hope not to problem solving in this life but to the promise of an eternity of problem-free life in heaven.  Instead of seeking perfection in this fallen world, pour your energy into seeking Me: the Perfect One.

It is possible to enjoy Me and glorify Me in the midst of adverse circumstances.  In fact, My Light shines most brightly through believers who trust Me in the dark.  That kind of trust is supernatural: a production of My indwelling Spirit.  When things seem all wrong, trust Me anyway.  I am much less interested in right circumstances than in right responses to whatever comes your way.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

"Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man...
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Psalm 112:4,7

Sponsor New Nostalgia In February!

Hooray, Hooray! Amy has decided that starting February 1 she will be offering folks the chance to sponsor New Nostalgia!

Amy began New Nostalgia in the fall of 2009 as a way to keep track of all those little things she loves. From Mason Jars to simple recipes, Amy shows up almost every day to share the little bits of life that bring her joy, to get real about her journey with cancer, and to help everyone who stops by bring a bit more beauty, simplicity and love to their lives.

This month New Nostalgia has already received almost 600,000 pageviews, making it one of the top lifestyle blogs on the internet - hooray!

To kick off sponsorship, Amy is offering the super affordable price of just $50 per month for a 250x125 ad - I promise you won’t get a deal like that on a blog this big anywhere else!

Current Statistics (as of January 2012):
600,000 pageviews per month
3,287 subscribers via RSS, Google Feed Reader, and Bloglovin’
1389 followers via Google Friend Connect
1124 Facebook Friends
4902 followers on Pinterest

To sponsor New Nostalgia, e-mail Robyn at sponsornewnostalgia{at}gmail{dot}com

SuperBowl Recipes & Ideas At Pinterest

Warning!  These are not your typical New Nostalgia recipes.  These are full of grease, cheese, salt, meat and all kinds of artificialness, but that is how its is gonna be here at our house come SuperBowl Sunday!

My husband mentors a bunch of teen boys, and they are all coming here to watch the game, which means I get to make a bunch of food for them to munch on.  Even though I  know I could find great healthy recipes that they would love (they DEVOUR my Kale Chips) healthy and organic can get pricey when having to feed a crowd.  So junk food it is, at least for them.  My stomach can't handle much junk anymore, my kids say it is because it is too used to "grass food."

I consulted Pinterest, pinned a few things they might like, and thought I would share it with you!

To follow me at Pinterest and see more of my pins,  click here.

Source: blogchef.net via Amy on Pinterest

Baked Hot Dogs--perfect Superbowl Fare.

Source: passion-for-parties.com via Amy on Pinterest

Love the green table cloth and festive plates.  Look! Veggies!!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Amy on Pinterest

Fritoes, chili & cheese. No Dishes To Clean...this is tempting.

Source: tulsadetails.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

My daughter saw this and is BEGGING me to make it.  Super cool.  Worth the work?

Source: bettycrocker.com via Amy on Pinterest

Gotta have chocolate!  Brownies cut into football shapes.  Easy!

Source: twopeasandtheirpod.com via Amy on Pinterest

Soft Pretzel Bites.  Yes, please.

Source: myrecipes.com via Amy on Pinterest

Football Deviled Eggs.  Cute!

Source: tastykitchen.com via Amy on Pinterest

Crockpot Queso.

Source: Uploaded by user via Amy on Pinterest

Another food stadium.  This looks easier!

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl BBQ Beef

Source: thekitchn.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl Chili

Source: bigflavors.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl Party Puppy Chow

Source: plainchicken.com via Amy on Pinterest

Hmm..not sure what that even is.  Bread, cheese and bacon.  I think the guys would go for this.

Source: thebestpartydecorideas.onsugar.com via Amy on Pinterest

Superbowl No Bake Cookies

Source: 20goingon80.com via Amy on Pinterest

Here's a whole buncha ideas!  Look at #10!  Mason jars..so cute!
___________________________

What are your plans for Superbowl Sunday?  Do you have a special recipe you are making?

___________________________
Do you have a Pinterest account?  If so, I'd love to know.  
To follow me at Pinterest and see more of my pins,  click here.

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #83

Here are my goals this week:

Zone:

Still Paperwork/Office work

Goals:

Continue organizing gmail

File cabinet

Work on my Priorities list

Time:

15 minutes a day or

1 hour & 15 minutes in one day or

35 minutes twice in the week

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LAST WEEKS MOST CLICKED ON POSTS:

Secret Keurig Fix @ Mommy x 3 = Insantity

50 Tips for Saving On Groceries @ Frugally Sustainable

Treat Your Homemaking Like A Real Job @Home Made

Kid Tips From An ER Nurse @ Shorties Funny Farm

Blueberry Swirls @ Adventures and Asides

Cleaning Up Your Email and Desktop @ AskAnna


 
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Be Inspired, Be Encouraged, and Get Something Done!