Carolyn M. Oliver

Easy as 1-2-3 in the Kitchen!

2010-12-11T10:56:00.000-05:00

Melissa D'arabian is my hero. She landed big when she won the title of "The Next Food Network Star" in August 2009. Her idea: quick and affordable, yet delicious dinners for the family. With her debut show, Ten Dollar Dinners, cooking delicious meals at a low cost was a hit.

Now I was never really one to watch the food channel, but when I came across Melissa working her magic in the kitchen, I was hooked. As food-loving stay at home mom, she devoted herself to learning the ways of cooking for her family for less. I was inspired by her story and her ideas. Since then I have made several of her tasty dishes and I have saved a lot of money in the process!

Check out Melissa's wonderful recipes (guaranteed to be under $10) as well as her excellent food shopping tips at:
Melissa D'arabian on the Food Network

C's Enchiritos Supreme!

2010-12-02T20:45:00.002-05:00

I honestly never intended this to be a food blog, but perhaps I should start one separate from this one. I felt the intense impulse to post one of our family favorites for "mexican night, unplugged" (in other words, an americanized yet delicious spin on a traditional mexican dish).

So delight if you will and enjoy something we certainly do at least once a month.

C's Enchirito's Supreme made with

C's BEST Homemade Enchilada Sauce

(i used to buy the Old El Paso Enchilada sauce but now, nah-ah... homemade is way better!)
-what you need-
1 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/3 teaspoon dried oregano

3 Chicken breasts, skinless/boneless

1-pack flour tortillas (10 count)

1 8oz block of sharp sheddar cheese

-how you do it-

1. Cook chicken breasts for about 5-6 mins per side on a griddle or pan fried, seasoned with salt and pepper only.

2. Combine all tomato sauce ingredients and place in a blender. Puree ingredients. Then place in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add about 1/4 to 1-2 cup water to sauce to desired consisency. Heat another 2 mins or so until bubbly, set aside.

3. mix 1/2 to 3/4 cups worth of the enchilada sauce and 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked chicken breast

4. lay out ten flour shells and scoop even amounts of chicken filling into each (add a little more cheese to each if you are an absolute cheese freak)

(i love la banderita brand tortilla shells, they taste and work best)

5. roll the tortillas up firmly and back into a greased casserole dish.

6. evenly spread the rest of the enchilada sauce over the filled and rolled tortillas

7. generously top with sharp cheddar cheese

8. bake uncovered for approx 20 minutes on 350'

9. serve with salsa and sour cream on side (and freshly chopped green onion if you want to get fancy)

..hey that was fun! ^^

...this had been a recipe from a bored woman who loves to cook...

Filmmaker David Nixon Speaks the Gospel Truth

2009-12-06T23:18:00.005-05:00

The following article is my fourth and final article, in a series of journalism projects required for a journalism course I took in Fall 2009 at Valencia Community College under the wonderful Professor Kenneth Carpenter.

Filmmaker David Nixon Speaks the Gospel Truth
By: Carolyn Oliver

ORLANDO, Fla. – Director and producer David Nixon visited Valencia Community College’s west campus on Thursday, Dec. 3 to discuss his new movie: “Letters to God.”

Clad in a neatly pressed olive green shirt and khaki slacks, Nixon looked ready to talk about the power of God. Originally from Australia, Nixon said that he knew early on he wanted make a difference in the world while spreading God’s word.

“Faith-based movies make a difference,” said Nixon. “They touch people’s hearts.”

“Letters to God” was filmed during the summer in Orlando, Fla. and is scheduled to release in April 2010, following Easter.

Unlike his first two films: “Fireproof” and “Facing the Giants,” which were staffed with church volunteers, Nixon raised the money to produce “Letters to God” and bring on a professional cast and crew.

The movie is based on a true story about a little boy named Tyler who is dying of brain cancer. The real little boy’s father was on set with Nixon during the filming process.

“It was very cool,” Nixon said, regarding what it was like to have the real father there. “We wanted to make sure the story remained authentic.”

Nixon expressed the importance of reaching others, even if through the harrowing story of a little boy with cancer. “We have all been touched by cancer in some way,” said Nixon. “We wanted to create something that would bring hope.”

Since the release of Mel Gibson’s popular drama “Passion of the Christ,” Christian films have gotten much more attention. With this change in recent years, Nixon is optimistic. “Now that the doors are opened, we are now making more and more of these movies.”

Little Tyler’s legacy was especially important to Nixon and he felt the movie appropriately served as a memorial to the young boy.

“We plan on taking all the money we receive and pouring that back into Christian ministries and cancer foundations,” Nixon said.

“God has always put me in the right places all throughout my career.” Nixon couldn’t help but chuckle when he spoke about God’s power and influence during the making of his films. He had no doubt God was guiding them every step of the way.

Space Talk With Russell Romanella

2009-11-19T00:03:00.006-05:00

The following article is my third article, in a series of journalism projects required for a journalism course I took in Fall 2009 at Valencia Community College under the wonderful Professor Kenneth Carpenter.

Space Talk With Russell Romanella
By: Carolyn Oliver

LEESBURG, Fla. — Russell R. Romanella, director of the International Space Station at the John F. Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. came to the Leesburg Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 20 to talk about his career with NASA.

“My main job is to make sure the shuttle parts at the space station are ready for launch,” said Romanella.

A member of National Aeronautics Space Association since 1981, Romanella spoke proudly of his role as director. As the lights dimmed and colorful pictures of space appeared on the big screen, sounds of excitement could be heard from the audience.

An extremely realistic computer-generated video of the Mars Odyssey project depicted how the robotic rovers named Spirit and Opportunity were propelled onto Mars to explore and research the unknown land.

Romanella said he believes there is a strong possibility that life exists deep beneath the surface of Mars. A new and improved line of robotic vehicles known as the Ares-1 and Ares-2 rockets are next in line to be sent to Mars to observe the red planet more efficiently.

The big screen lit up again with a collage of stars in a distant galaxy, ranging in color from yellow to red to blue. Amid the stars, Romanella revealed an asteroid named Apophis that is currently a concern. Based on the asteroid’s course, it will not collide with Earth, but will come exceedingly close as it passes in 2029.

Vivid close up pictures of the asteroid were shown along with its projected path for the 2029 pass, as well as the potentially deadly path it could take just seven years later. Romanella spoke of a gravitational keyhole that could possibly propel the asteroid back towards earth in 2036.

“I am glad he’s speaking about the asteroid,” said Jordan Winthrop. “I was concerned to find out more on that."

The hubble space telescope hovers 400 miles above Earth and is currently observing other galaxies beyond Earth’s solar system. Recent findings reveal there is the possibility of life existing on Europa, a moon orbiting Jupiter.

“Our galaxy isn't anything special when you compare it to the other galaxies out there,” said Romanella. He also reported that the majority of discovered galaxies have consisted of two or three suns, while Earth’s solar system only has one sun.

“There is so much out there, we’ve hardly began to scratch the surface,” said Paul Black, an attendee of the event. “That’s what makes Mr. Romanella’s work so fascinating.”

Fit to Fight Gives Cancer Patients Hope

2009-10-28T09:46:00.013-04:00

The following article is my second article, in a series of journalism projects required for a journalism course I took in Fall 2009 at Valencia Community College under the wonderful Professor Kenneth Carpenter.

Fit to Fight Gives Cancer Patients Hope
By: Carolyn Oliver

CLERMONT, Fla. — Medical professionals and patients gathered on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 for the cancer fitness seminar promoting a new program known as “Fit to Fight”. Cancer fitness specialist, Kyndall Truett, presented the seminar at the National Training Center.

Truett was diagnosed with stage three Ovarian Cancer in 2006. She suffered from excessive fatigue and was severely weakened from the chemotherapy treatments. Truett explained that as she progressed with her strenuous treatments, she began to exercise.

In time, Truett learned the exercises helped to improve her endurance and lessen her fatigue. She also realized that cardiovascular exercise and aquatic therapy in the pool particularly proved to be very beneficial in restoring her strength between chemotherapy treatments. This became the basis of her Fit to Fight Program.

“My aunt battled a rare form of cancer for several years and I asked myself how I could help her with my newfound idea.” Truett said. Shortly after her aunt began the exercises, Truett noticed a significant improvement.

The book “Cancer Fitness” by Anna L. Swartz, inspired Truett to finally make the fitness program a reality for other cancer patients. “I believe that exercise between treatments can help to reverse and possibly cure serious ailments caused by cancer,” Truett said.

Truett’s Fit to Fight program focuses on three main goals: to manage fatigue, maintain strength, and uplift the patient’s spirits. Truett’s belief is that the program not only improves the body but also the mind via positive feelings that come from steady exercise.

“I’m glad there’s a program out there that focuses on this,” said Lauren Hoffman, a cancer patient. “There is hope yet.”

The program is divided into three progressive phases. The first step is recovery, focusing on light exercise routines. The second step is maintenance, focusing on repetition. The third step is endurance, focusing on combination circuit training exercises. It is designed to help the patient progress gradually as they heal after each treatment.

“This program has been running since March of this year and is going strong,” said Truett.

Bill London, a current physical therapy patient at the National Training Center said, “I’m a skeptic by nature but this program might just work for me.”

“I’m living proof that exercise does help improve the chances of cancer patients,” said Truett. “I’m a survivor.”

Up With America Brings Awareness

2009-10-08T10:58:00.006-04:00

The following article is my first article, in a series of journalism projects required for a journalism course I took in Fall 2009 at Valencia Community College under the wonderful Professor Kenneth Carpenter.

By: Carolyn Oliver

LEESBURG, Fla— Public awareness was the main focus at the Up With America Educational Event on Saturday. Members of the Lake County Democratic Club and Non-profit organizations gathered together at the Leesburg Community Center to spread the word on helping the community.

Bill Smithson, the chief coordinator and chairperson for the Up With America Event said, "I'm a member of the Executive Committee of Lake County and this is the first time we have promoted community awareness at this level."

Democratic Party members rallied together to encourage strong political awareness and involvement. Petitions to stop gerrymandering of electoral districts were signed and new members were recruited to various Lake County Democratic Clubs.

Florida Committeeman Alan Garcia was present to endorse the Black and Hispanic Democratic Caucus for Lake County. Garcia led the Florida Obama Campaign during the 2008 Elections.

"Getting the public to become more aware of current issues is a slow and ongoing process," said Jet Netwal, constituent representative for Congressman Alan Greyson.

The Christian Health Center was also there to provide free annual flu shots, glucose and blood pressure tests. The Leesburg Food Bank, Inc. was successful in collecting a large amount of food donations from many who attended the event.

Catherine Parman of the Christian Care Center was excited to make a difference in the community. In reference to helping others, Parman stated, "This is where my heart is." Parman, a previous corporate executive from DC, now devotes her efforts to benevolence.

Several other non-profit organizations such as The Sierra Club, United Community Outreach, Inc., Air Flight Southeast, Emmanuel Christian Health Center, and the Boys & Girls Club were also at the event to network and reach out to the community.

Smithson, who is also an active member of the Lake County Democratic Club said, "This event was really about showcasing what the Lake County Democratic Party can do for its community." He felt the busy occasion was a success in getting the message out to the local people.