A fellow mom took this and editited it from the meet yesterday, it shows why I need a great camera and then learn some skills! I love it!

Spicy Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Ok I know I put this on facebook but it really was so yummy! My kids weren't into it, but who says that should matter??

Photo by: Photo: Sang An; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite

• YIELD: Serves 4 (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)
• HANDS-ON:25 Minutes
• TOTAL:32 Minutes
• COURSE: Main Dishes, Soups/Stews

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 4 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (3-inch) stalk lemongrass, halved lengthwise
• 2 teaspoons sambal oelek (ground fresh chile paste)
• 3 cups Chicken Stock or fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/4 cups light coconut milk
• 4 teaspoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (about 8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup green onion strips
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation

1. Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add mushrooms and the next 4 ingredients (through lemongrass); cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chile paste; cook 1 minute. Add Chicken Stock, coconut milk, fish sauce, and sugar; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken to pan; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Discard lemongrass. Top with onions, cilantro, and juice.

Therapy

I've discovered a really great new therapy. You take a hard core kick boxing class with your child, then you are his partner and when he holds the bag for you, you get to punch the bag he's holding as many times and as hard as you can and vent all your frustrations without actually hitting anyone. Now this feels really nice, until this child leans around the bag and asks "is that the hardest you can punch?"

High school update, no musicals involved

Guess I haven't been updating very well! After a year and half of stress from bullies, drug dealers and what we thought was laziness but is currently labeled ADHD we've pulled Matt out of regular high school and we are doing a online hs offered through our county. Here is the upside, it's still run by teachers so I don't have to do any curriculm. He can get a full day of school done in half the time. No more phone calls from the school is a big plus! If he stays with this program longer than this semester he can graduate early. Now the down sides, he's home with me ALL DAY LONG. This means I've quit the job I really liked so he isn't at home alone all day. It also kinda puts me in the position of vice principal, I have to squash the urge to ask him how it's going every 10 minutes. This is teaching him responsibility, but it works well with his attention span, if he needs to walk and get a snack and come back then he can. We are told colleges don't look down on this program which I can only hope was true but after the last 3 semesters of grades, it can only get better. We are considering letting him find a part time job to keep him busy and we are letting him join a gym where he can take a boxing class and a Muay Thai class once he is ready for it. The fun part of him being here is we went to a kick boxing class at noon today together and it kicked my butt which he loved. Cross your fingers and I'll let you know!