Whatever Wednesday

I have rewritten that 1990's Winger song to "She's My Tamale Pie" because oooooh, laudy, dinner was good tonite.

A bit time intensive - but this was so easy. Stink had four helpings.

No joke. People with toddlers, you know this isn't easy.

Recipe below. Thank you, K!

Random notes:

Did any of you catch the rabbi from "Shalom in the Home" on Oprah today?

* http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/shalom/shalom.html

He was talking about how America's families are falling apart because we give our kids things instead of our time. We value success over the whole person. We value looks over integrity. He spoke of the dangerous consequences of filling our kids' lives with "everything" rather than setting limits: love and boundaries.

I couldn't agree with this more. And while I'm soooooo far from a perfect parent, when I see my own children randomly tell me they love me, or offer up an empathetic opinion, or save the last piece of their cookie for their father in "a safe place" (which unfortunately is the window sill during ant season) I inwardly smile.

And I've said it before, and I'll say it again... perhaps the one thing I do the most right is during the times that feel the most wrong, I'm not afraid to ask for help. Often times this is just a phone call. Or a "can you meet for coffee?"

I don't know why more people don't do this. Life isn't about perfection. It's about doing the best we can with what we got. We're not islands. We all have strengths and weaknesses, so why not lean on someone else sometimes and give back when you're feeling better? Why are we women so afraid of looking bad to others? What's wrong with having a shitty hair day once in a while?

I really do believe that, like the rabbi said, happiness is a choice. It does not come from a partner. It comes from us being our best partner. It comes from a postive attitude - striving for the best but accepting the reality.

It comes from being flexible - and getting what you want despite your financial position.

I say trade off your kids with another mom if you're tired. As long as she's safe, who gives a hoot whether your child watches 2 hours more of tv that day. They'll thank you for dislodging your head out of their ass for a short time and live.

Let the laundry go one day. Forgive your husband for not being Prince Charming but instead a Star Trek Warrior who can fix any computer, never run out of batteries and give the best "toe hangings" in the galaxy to the two cutest aliens on the planet. Teach your daughter that wearing a princess costume is great, but she'd better wear some combat boots under the fluff and have a brain under her crown, because Prince Charming probably is only thinking with one magic wand. (And then, if she does end up with Prince Charming, if she's had a confident mommy, she can learn to forgive him for not being perfect. She'll let the castle get messy sometimes so she can put on the combat boots to go splashing in mud puddles and... you get the idea.)

I love all for putting up with me. Rant done.

Shalom everyone! Or should I say, Adios. Here's the tamale pie recipe. May you eat happily ever after....

Tamale Pie

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups cornmeal
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
Filling:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups (16 oz.) ORTEGA Enchilada Sauce
1 cup whole kernel corn
1 can (2.25 oz.) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 teaspoon salt
Crust:
2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (4 oz.) ORTEGA Diced Green Chiles
1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream for the top
salsa for the top(or tomoatoes)

DirectionsFOR FILLING:COOK beef, onion and garlic in a large skillet until beef is browned; drain. Stir in enchilada sauce, corn, olives and salt. FOR CRUST:PREHEAT oven to 425° F. Grease a 12 x 8-inch baking dish. COMBINE corn meal, water, evaporated milk and salt in medium saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened. Stir in chiles. Reserve 2 cups corn meal mixture; cover with plastic wrap. Spread remaining corn meal mixture on bottom and up sides of prepared baking dish.BAKE for 10 minutes. Cool in dish on wire rack. Spoon beef filling into corn meal crust. Spread reserved corn meal mixture over beef filling.BAKE for 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for additional 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with jalapeños, if desired.