Ask a Blind Mom 5/15/2012

I decided it would be fun to answer some of the questions that my blog followers have. I think some times people want to ask me questions about being a blind wife and  mother but are afraid to ask. Trust me I am not offended when people ask me about being blind. It is just part of who I am and what I deal with on a daily basis. So here we go!

Sarah Coombs Robinson asked:  "What is the biggest difference going from two to three kids?"

Trying to keep up on daily chores like cooking, cleaning, and laundry has been a challenge. I think it has been trying to balance being a housewife and trying to give each child the individual attention that they all need. I also need to fit in time with my husband. I am not sure if it is having a third child or just the fact that a newborn just takes up a whole lot of time. Little Carter just likes to be held and I love holding him so that has made this a real challenge for me.

Martha Haddock asked:  "How on earth do you cook? I can barely do it and I can see!"

Before I lost my eye sight I loved to cook and try new recipes. It is something I have always enjoyed, now it is also a challenge. I am the type of person that loves a good challenge. It can be frustrating at times when I am missing one ingredient and just cant seem to find it, but I have found ways to adapt. If I know that I will be cooking something I will have my husband gather all the ingredients for me before he leaves for work. I will feel the containers and make sure I can tell the diference. I have also got really got at feeling a measuring cup or spoon and knowing exactly what it is.

The past year I have also started to use Facetime video to help me when I am in a pinch. I got a iPod touch a little over a year ago that I used, and just recently got an iPhone. Facetime is amazing for me. I can video call my husband or other family members and use the camera to have them help me find things. It is one of the best tools for me when I am alone in the kitchen.

One funny story for you. I made dinner one night and had it all ready for when Brandon came home from work. It was all ready and really smelt amazing. It was a new recipe that had chicken, potatoes, and onion soup mix. When we were dishing up we discovered that I had mistakenly used fish instead of chicken. Brandon assured me it would be fine, he thought it looked good and dished up a big serving. As soon as he tasted it he said, "Well Nicole where do you want to go out to eat. I will take you anywhere you want to go." We still laugh about it. I have also mistakenly used beef broth in chicken noodle soup before as well. That was actually a mistake that was edible luckily.

Shelly Reese Barlow asked:  "How do you know when a diaper is dirty (newborn) and then how do you know when the bum is clean?"

Well with my boys, they are loud poppers. So they have been so kind as to grunt and let every one around them know that they are filling their pants. I also have a really good sense of smell. So not much gets by me. I also have got really good at feeling a diaper and knowing if it is wet or dry.

As for wiping I usually have a 4 year old looking over my shoulder like a state road worker telling me where I missed. I will say I probably go through more wipes that a sited mom. I wipe in a pattern and wipe even when it may not need a wipe. So my kids more than likely have a cleaner bottom than most. Practice makes perfect and with little ones they always make sure you get plenty of practice.

Heidi Daniels Ence asked:  "What is a basic day like for you? How do you complete regular day activities without eyesight? What kinds of things do you need help with? Are you loving your new little cute baby? =)"

It is basically the same as most stay at home moms. I get up and get the kids ready for the day first. Make sure Peyton gets feed and then I do her hair. I take a lot of pride in doing new hair styles for her. I like to have fun with it but most days it is a fight to get her to cooperate and get off to the bus on time. After Peyton is off to school I make all the beds. Then I start on what ever chores I have planed out for the day. It may be cleaning, laundry or  whatever the day brings. I then get ready for the day. I do my own hair and makeup. That is one question I get a lot. If you watched when I was on the TV show the Doctors they spent some time showing how I do that. I am also feeding the baby and keeping Kai busy the whole time I am  doing all of that. So mornings are very busy for me.

Brandon almost always comes home for lunch. This is a nice little break. He will brig home lunch or make something and take the baby and Kai off my hands for about an hour. BEST HOUR OF THE DAY! I also try to get as much done around the house as I can when he is home. This is also when he will help me set out the ingredients I need to make dinner.

Afternoons are filled with naps for Kai, more chores, Peyton's piano practice, Peyton's homework, and a lot of playing with kids. I usually am doing this with baby Carter in my Arms. I think any stay at home mom can relate. The only difference for me is I do it blindfolded.  :)

There are some things I just cant do. Brandon is a full time limo service. He is always running me and the kids places. If there is a doctor appointment, dentist, practice, shopping trip, school function, ect. he is on call to take us. I know it is a lot for him to juggle but he never complains much about it. Think of all the times you run to the store to pick up something. I cant just run by myself to do those things. So Brandon is always the one to take me. That is the main thing I cant do on my own. I would love to be able to just go shopping on my own and have all the errands done so when Brandon gets off work we would have the whole night to ourselves. That is just not a possibility.

Trace Workman asked:  "How is it being married to such an awesome guy? I have always liked that guy!"

My favorit question of the night! Brandon is awesome! I am so glad he is my Eternal Companion. He treats me like a princess. I really couldn't do it with out him. He is so supportive and just loves me through it all. I cant tell you how much I  love him.

That is all the answers I have in me tonight... I know my little Carter will be up for a feeding soon. I will answer more tomorrow I promise! Keep the questions coming and I will do my best to get them all answered.

Polynesian Chicken

  You are going to absolutely love this recipe. My only declaimer with this one is that there are quite a few ingredients in this one, but it is an easy one as always. If I can make it with my eyes closed I am sure anyone can master this Pacific island favorite.

This is what you will need....

3/4 Cup Flour

2 Teaspoons Paparika

2 Teaspoons Salt divided

6 Chicken Breasts

1/4 Cup Butter

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch

1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1 Can of Pineapple Chunks (Don't Drain)

1/4 Cup Vinigar

2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

1 Green Bell Pepper (Julienned)

You will also need a cute little helper like I had tonight. Carter rarely will let me put him down to get anything done, so I try to keep him as close to the action as possable.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine flour, paprika, and 1 teaspoon salt.

I had to show you this really nice shaker that Brandon found me that helps you evenly bread or flour meat. It is so nice! You just mix the breading in the bottom put you meat on the top and put on the lid and shake away. We found this contraption at Walmart and it is a life saver. We have used it with all kinds of meat and different types of breading. It gets it coated evenly and perfectly every time. If you dont have one just put the ingredients in a ziplock, add the chicken, and shake away.

After your chicken is coated and ready. Heat your butter in an overproof skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken to the skillet. Cook until lightly browned on both sides. I cooked the chicken 5min on both sides turning it only once.

When you turn the chicken some of the breading may come off. I had Brandon coat the sections that came off with the extra breading. When it is golden brown you are ready to make the topping.

Now mix the brown sugar,cornstarch, ginger, and remaining salt in a medium saucepan. Now stir in the can of pineapple (with the juice), vinegar, and soy sauce. Then add the bell pepper.

Now spoon the sauce over chicken. Now you're ready to pop the skillet in the oven. We use a cast iron skillet because it is large enough to hold everything and that way you dont even need to move the chicken to a different pan. One less pan to clean is always a bonus to me. Now place the chicken in the oven uncovered for 30 min @ 400.

Every 10 min or so open up the oven and spoon the sauce over the chicken. This will keep the chicken moist and juicy. By the way this will make your house smell amazing. It smells so good that you wont be able to keep your family out of the kitchen while it cooks.

When your 30 min wait is up serve over white rice. If you can use sticky rice it is so much better. I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. It tastes so amazing you will crave it. As always please let me know how it turns out in the comments section below. Good luck!

Chicken Parmesan

I have been wanting to make this for a long time. I love Chicken Parmesan at Applebee's and I found this recipe and just had to try it. It takes about 15 min to prepare and another 30 min to cook. So it is a quick and easy recipe to remind you family you are SuperMom.

You will need...

1/2 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs

3 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese

4 to  6 Chicken Brests

1 Egg Braten

2 Tablespoon Margarine

1 Can Tomato Sauce

1/4 Teaspoon Dried Basil

1/8 Teaspoon Garlic

1/2 Cup Mozzarella Cheese

Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Mix crumbs with 1 Tablespoon Parmesan in a shallow dish. Dip the chicken into beaten egg. Roll in crumbs mixture to coat.

Melt margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken. Cook chicken turning only once to keep the breadcrumbs from coming off of the chicken. Cook approximately 5 min. When the chicken is golden brown place it in a lightly greased baking sheet.

Add tomato sauce, basil, and garlic powder to the skillet that you just cooked the chicken in. Simmer for about 5 min or until the sauce slightly thickens.

Now spoon the sauce over the chicken.

Sprinkle with Mozzarella and remaining Parmesan.

Bake for 30 min.

The Chicken smells great when it comes out of the oven and your family wont need much coaxing to come to the dinner table.

I served this dish with spagetti noodles and Garlic Bread. Use the leftover sauce with the noodles. My kids and husband loved it. It will be a recipe that we will make again for sure. I hope your family loves it as much as mine did. As always if you try it please let me know if you like it in the comments below.