(Merry) Moment of Joy

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I guess you can tell that I haven't been around the blog-o-sphere lately, but I'm back with this adorable holiday greeting from friends with fins. Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season...

Small, Fuzzy Buddha

I'm not entirely sure what it is, but I admire it's zen. It's like a little monk, or a furry Buddha. I think he'd be a great family pet, or maybe more like a spiritual adviser. He just exudes inner peace...

Incidentally, the featured camelid at the end of this video is lovely. I'd love to knit a sweater from that fiber, but I feel like they'd object. Now if I made a sweater for them...



*UPDATE* Speaking of camelids... see that little guy at the end? The one who awkwardly face-plants into the ground? Yeah... that pretty much describes my first day back at grad school...

Moment of Joy

For some reason this picture just tickled my fancy. It makes me smile for so many reasons!

My mom still will catch my bare feet and play piggies with me. And the picture itself... that little piggy nose! That impossibly tiny puppy! It's sweet with a touch of sarcasm.

I hardly know what I want more: a BLT or my own micro-piglet.

Fresh, fast and fantastic!

Here's a great summer recipe for those hot nights when you don't want to spent a lot of time in the kitchen but want something fresh and seasonal. With the abundance of tomatoes and basil from Papa's garden, and my new incredible immersion blender with food processing attachment (Thanks, Aunt Squeak!), I have made this impromptu recipe several times this summer. From start to finish, I can have dinner on the table in under half an hour.

Simple Summer Sauce
14 oz Diced tomatoes, or about 5 or 6 tomatoes from the garden
1/2 Large carrot
3 cloves of garlic
2 small onion
Handful of fresh basil leaves
Olive oil

1 lb pasta
Salted water for boiling

First set a pot of cold, salted water to boil.When at a rolling boil, cook pasta according to directions.

 Meanwhile, using a food processor, chop the onion, garlic and carrots until very fine. Heat some olive oil in a pan and quickly saute mixed vegetables.  Chiffonade the basil and toss it into the pan. When the onions are a little translucent (5 minutes, tops) add the tomatoes, stir and cover. Allow to simmer until the pasta is ready. Once the pasta is drained, add to the sauce pan and toss until evenly covered.

Serve it up and enjoy!

Crockpot Beef Stew

Rabbit Rabbit!

My maternal grandfather, Papa, has always been an inspiration to me; my earliest memories of him are in the kitchen, tasting whatever he was cooking. There is no meal in the world more delectable than Papa's broccoli-rabe, beef stew and his own invention, potato pie. My offhanded, handful of  this, handful of that cooking style is a direct result of watching him throw whatever is on hand into a pot and creating something spectacular.

My quest into graduate school is also inspired by him. When I was little I was slightly awed by him and how he can talk about any subject with authority. He tells the most incredible stories about his childhood, time in the Navy, career as a police officer and everything in between. When I was in college and studying the court system he'd lend be books on Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes and landmark Supreme Court decisions. His passion for learning and desire for me to get the best education possible is one of the main reasons I went to grad school.

Consider this improvised beef stew recipe as an ode to Papa and a learning experience!

Crockpot Beef Stew
1 pound of cubed beef stew meat (or more if desired)
4 large potatoes
4 cloves garlic, chopped or pressed
1 tbs paprika (I don't have it on hand and usually substitute with taco seasoning)
2 tbs soy sauce (or Worcestershire)
1 onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth (or whatever, bullion and water works, too)
1 cup wine (red or white, you pick)
2 carrots, cut into sticks (or chopped in a food processor to save you time)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup homemade tomato sauce (or 4 chopped fresh tomatoes)
Grind to a Salt (have you noticed I love this stuff?)
Freshly ground black pepper
Some flour

Combine broth, wine, soy sauce, tomatoes, brown sugar, paprika, some seasoned salt and pepper in the slow cooker and set to high (4-6 hours cook time) or low (8-10 hours cook time) depending on when you want to eat.

Wash, peel and chop potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic. Throw them into the broth.

Take your stew meat and put it into a zip-lock bag. Sprinkle some flour over it and salt and pepper it a bit. Close the bag and give it a good shake to coat the meat (or, in the words of Weasel, "Shake it like a Polaroid picture!"). Throw this in the fridge for a few minutes while you drag out a frying pan and add just enough olive oil to coat the bottom on the pan and let the flame heat it up on high. Toss in the now coated meat and saute until nice and brown. It doesn't have to be cooked all the way, because  you will now throw it into the slow cooker with all the rest to continue cooked. Make sure the pot is covered, and walk away (cocktails, anyone?).

Enjoy!

Note: The measurements in this recipe are arbitrary. I usually just pour, sprinkle, toss and add according to my whim, what I have in the fridge, and what kind of flavor I am looking for. The beauty of this method? I have a base recipe I can work with, and I also have the freedom to experiment!

Go, Grandpa, Go!

The human spirit is an incredible thing. It survives and thrives through unimaginable horror, and yet in life you often see glimpses of triumph in tragedy. If you think  I am getting a little melodramatic, take a look at this video.

That sweet old man dancing to Gloria Gaynor with his grown grand-kids survived the Holocaust, and not only did he survive, he had a family who, many years later, joined him in a trip across Europe to visit camps and memorials.

And they danced.

Some critics have called this video offensive and disrespectful to the memory of these places. I disagree. In fact, I think this is a heartfelt, beautiful tribute to the joy of life, the power of faith and love, and the unconquerable human spirit...

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed 

my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..."   

Psalms, 30:11

Don't mess with my magic...

It's hard to believe but it's already been one month since Super Boy and I hopped on a plane and went to Disney. Everyone one who went, from (the now slightly more likable) Gavone to my sisters Lady Diva and Weasel, from my mom and dad to my cousin, Opossum, and Aunt Squeak, everyone still raves about how much fun it was, how incredible the adventures, and how soon we must return.

In fact, it was a frequent topic of discussion this weekend when we were all reassembled at my parents home for a family weekend celebrating Weasel's graduation. And in between looking at pictures (again and again) and reliving our glory days in the sun, we also had some rather philosophical discussions on propriety, manners, and what is appropriate when in public.

The conversation centered on the final day we spent in Disney, spent mostly in the Magic Kingdom. It was the appointed "Gay Day" at the park; LGBTQ individuals, family and groups  had spent the week in the surrounding area outside the park and help events in Disney and elsewhere, a sort of meet and greet vacation. That day it was a trip to the Magic Kingdom they planned, and thousands of people in red shirts (the color of the day, I assume, there's no other explanation) poured off the monorail and into the park.

Other than the increased crowd, it usually wouldn't have bothered my family in the least. When you live in a family like mine, you tend to have a very relaxed "live and let live" mentality about these kinds of things. It would even be worth mentioning if it hadn't been for the shirts.

Those red shirts. Some of them have really cute saying on them, like "I believe in fairies!" But others were, if not offensive, then at least incredibly inappropriate in a children and family friendly environment. Some said things like "Fag" and "Hag," which would be difficult to explain to a child, but others were outright and blatantly sexual, like "Single: form line in rear" and "Big Bear Boy" (not explaining that one, look it up yourself).

 Here's the issue: Your business is your business, but when you are out in public, especially at a place like Disney, which is specifically designed for children and families, you need to keep in mind what's appropriate for the situation. Night club? Wear the leather chaps. Disney? Stick to the glittery fairy wings and magic wands.

My biggest hang up about all this? I wish I had wings like that...

What you need to know about your physician assistant student...

I'm fairly certain I've mentioned the Super Boy is studying to become a physician assistant but I never told you that he's a blogger, too. In fact, his blog on pre-physician assistant students has become quite popular in some circles!

While offering unique insights into the student experience, however, he has neglected to discuss what the experience is like for those around them, especially family and significant others. This, I feel, warrants some information,explanation and advice on my part, as I am very well aware how grueling this program can be...

You'll be alone even if you are sitting in the same room as your student. This might be the hardest part. A student can be so focused on their work for hours at a time, every night for weeks, until you might as well be in a room by yourself. You might also get more conversation by talking to yourself, too. I haven't found a good way to combat this feeling yet, but I think it's worth knowing about. The best advice I can offer on this point is to make sure our student sets aside some time for activities that you both enjoy and can participate in without thinking about your workloads. Quality time is scare, so use it wisely!

You'll be taken for granted, even if they don't mean to. I have seen Super Boy take a plate of dinner I'd spent hours making and start to tuck in without ever taking his eyes off of his computer screen and his radiology scans. He'll drop dirty scrubs and clothes and books all over the apartment I'd spent all day cleaning. And yeah, it makes me mad, but I know he doesn't mean to do it. His head is so full of pharmacology, H&P's,  and anatomy that he's drained at the end of the day and blind to a lot of the little things that are happening in the background. Try not to take it too personally, but gently point these things out if they are really bothering you.

Be patient and supportive with your student, but don't hesitate to give them a swift and loving kick in the pants if they start to get snippy with you or too critical of themselves. It takes a lot of faith to wade through all the dysfunction, and you need to be there to act as a guinea pig for their physical exams, quiz-masters for flashcards and general cheerleader when their spirits get down. But it's just as important they you do not let them take their frustration and anxiety out on you, and it's counter productive to let them beat up on themselves. Be firm, positive, honest and assure them that everything will be okay.

The good times will be really good. I know I might sound like this is a miserable, heartbreaking program, and some days it can be, but when things are good they are really good. For instance, when Super Boy and I were in Disney World, we were so deliriously happy and spent every moment together. The fact that the week was sandwiched between very busy weeks made it all the more special. You can expect every day to be a fairy tale, but the fairy tales you do have are extra sweet!

I hope this gives some comfort and insight to those who love physician assistant students, and who knows? Maybe I'll get Super Boy to be a guest blogger and offer his side of the story...

Moment of Joy

The day is near! It might seem silly or juvenile, but for my family Disney World truly is the happiest place on earth. And this Saturday we are on our way...

Super Boy and I are particularly  excited to go; it's not just a vacation to us. It's not just pop culture and cartoon characters. It's more than just hanging by a pool or going on rides. To us, it's symbolic in a way, as ridiculous as it may seem. It's about our families, and happiness, and laughing. It's about silliness, pure joy, and leaving stress and worries behind, if only for a few days.

For us, Disney brings together all of the best things of life...

So while we pack, beg our friends for rides to and from the airport, and checking and double checking our flight status, we keep one things in mind: we're going to the happiest place on earth, and for a few days, all the world is right!

Not many days left...

An Esty Review!

Spring is always a busy time of year in my family, with Mother's Day, my sister Weasel's birthday, my birthday and Father's day all falling within weeks of each other. And, of course, I end up buying many presents, mostly online as I am a graduate student short on time and money.

This does not mean, however, that I cut corners of gift giving! I have found Esty, the handmade and vintage community offering all kinds of fantastic goods and supplies imaginable. With a wide range of prices and an unlimited selection of beautiful things, picking out gifts has become a dangerous task: I often buy more for myself and others than I originally intend.

My first Esty purchase was from Little Bird Design UK, a fantastic Edinburgh based Esty shop that specializes in beautiful paper goods. These pictures are just a small glimpse of journal I gave my mother on Mother's Day and the photos hardly do it justice.

The variety of journals at Little Bird Design UK is astonishing. In all kinds of patterns and prints, from sedate to extravagant, and in all kinds of textures and styles. The attention to detail, from paper selection of the fine hand stitching on the binding, is the mark of a true artist.

There is even, I kid you not, a journal shaped like a cupcake. Heavenly!

 For anyone searching for a unique and truly personal gift, I highly recommend the products of Little Bird Design UK.

In fact, forget about gifts... once you see these works of art you'll want one for yourself!

See for yourself here, the Esty home of these delights!

Moment of Joy

Bonus post of the day!

I know I've already offered a critique of the jury selection process for today, but I'm a nice person and wanted to share this video, too. In a belated tribute to Mother's Day and moms everywhere, I give you the Adventures of Baby Cats and Mom Cat.

This video actually reminds me of my mom. Whenever I end up sliding and and need help getting back on my own paws, my mom is always there to lift me by the scruff of the neck and lovingly carry me back to safety.

Or something to that effect...

So here's to you mom, with much love and many meows.

The Shoe Review!

So in preparation for Disney I have gone a little crazy with my shopping habit. First I needed a new top... the I realized I don't have any shorts... then I saw this cute sundress... and then, one morning at 4 a.m., I decided to buy these shoes.

For my family, shoes for Disney are as important as the boarding passes for our flights. We live by a tried and true Disney motto: this is an investment in fun. We are nonstop, all out, early mornings, late nights, all over the place kind of vacationers. And when you are on the go all the time, you better have comfy shoes. When you go to Disney you can walk miles a day without realizing it, but if your shoes aren't comfy you will be miserable every step of the way. So as far as I'm concerned, it's worth the money to buy a good pair of shoes that can handle loads of walking, standing, and manhandling through airport security and still look good on the other side.

After some deliberation and lots of research, I choose this pair of Crocs Malindi in oyster. Unlike the Crocs you usually see, these are not hideously ugly but actually pretty cute; they look like a ballet flat with a thicker sole, and once you wear them for a while you forget about them. Your body heat molds the shoe material to your foot, making it a custom fit as your feet swell over the course of the day. And while your feet may sweat in these (my only complaint) the material is anti-microbial, so no smell at all. In fact, they are so easy to pull on and off you can rinse them in cold water, throw them back on and keep going in seconds. And if they get dirty? Soap an water and they'll look like you just pulled them out of the box.

And I also love Zappos.  Free shipping both ways, great customer service, great prices, and quick deliveries? Sign me up for all of my online shoe shopping needs!

Considering how your feet can swell on airplanes, in the heat, or with extended standing, the flexibility and cushioning of these shoes is a great plus. In fact, I am so in love with these shoes I recommended them to my cousin Opossum who will be joining us, yes, in Disney!

I highly recommend these flats for $30. They are cute, comfy, and perfect for traveling and lots of walking. You can see a Zappos review video here.

I LIKE:

Malindi by
Crocs

It's a small world...

It's official... I'm going to Disney World! My family's group of twelve members of my family, including Super Boy, will be going for a week of fun, relaxation, good food and adventure. It's an absolute dream come true for me I've loved Disney World ever since I first went as a two-year old, and nothing has changed in the 21 years since then. For the first installment of get-ready-for-vacation videos, our hotel... the Polynesian!

BBQ Time!

Gorgeous weather like we've been having in my neck of the woods always makes me think about sunny days at the beach, the small of sunscreen and sand, and, of course, Okie's. I have spent at least part of every summer on Long Beach Island in New Jersey, home of great surf, great memories, and a great deli.

Okie's Butcher Shop not only has the best burgers and hot dogs on the island (or anywhere, as far as I'm concerned) but they also have the best potato salad. I introduced Super Boy to Okie's a few years ago and he's just as hooked as I am. And let's face it, it's just about impossible not to love red skinned potato salad that amazing. So In honor of springtime and the beginning of beach season, I present my very own potato salad recipe, created through trial and error in hopes of capturing Okie's flavor. It may not be Okie's, but I think it's pretty darn good!

If you try the recipe, please leave me a message in the comment's section. I'd love to get some feed back. 

Oh, and yes, that is a giant wooden cow on their roof.

Surf City Potato Salad
3 lbs red skinned potatoes
Kosher salt (to salt boiling water)
1 cup Miracle Whip Free
2 tablespoons of spicy brown mustard
Freshly ground black pepper (give it a good 5 or 6 turns)
Simply Organic's "grind to a salt" seasoning blend* (another 5 or 6 turns)
1 stick celery chopped fine
1 small yellow onion chopped fine

Scrub your potatoes and place them in a pot. Cover with water, add Kosher salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower to a simmer and let sit for 15 minutes. Drain them into a colander, place colander over the pot and cover with a dishtowel. Let them steam like this for another 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine Miracle Whip, mustard, pepper and salt seasoning blend t a large bowl and mix until well combined. Toss in your chopped celery and onion at this point, and stir until everything is nice and covered.

When your potatoes are done steaming and are cool enough for you to handle, cut them into halves or quarters, depending on size, and toss them into your big bowl of dressing. Leave the skins on! Stir everything together until it's all combined and covered. Now place in the fridge and allow it to sit for a few hours until completely cold. This will allow the flavors to fully combine.

Enjoy!

Notes: I use Miracle Whip Free just to cut down on the calories, but feel free to use your favorite mayo or mayo substitute.  You can also vary your potatoes depending on what you have available or your preference.

* available at food stores like Whole Foods, etc. I use it in everything!

Love is in the Air

This week Super Boy and I will be together three years. And in a little more than two, we'll be getting married. I've done a bit more wedding research this weekend and I've come to the conclusion that weddings, like any family function, are political drama fests disguised as parties. Who gets to be a bridesmaid? Do I have to have Lady Diva (middle sister)? Do I have to invite Gavone (Diva's obnoxious boyfriend)? Can my cousins be his groomsmen? Can I put all the people I don't like at a table in the back?I know I'm going to have to give in a lot to keep the peace, and sometimes I'll have to grin and bear it when I'd really rather be screaming.

On the bright side, my mom and Weasel (youngest sister) are both very involved in the planning. So much so that I sometimes get phone calls from them telling me what they have decided my wedding will be like. So far velour tracksuits are the worst suggestion (I hope they were kidding) and a two week honeymoon to Disney World the best (although it looks my entire family will be joining Super Boy and I...).

What have I learned in the end? It's going to be a busy two years, and patience will be a virtue I must nurture. I'm sure I'll laugh about this in years to come...

PS- I designed the image above as a potential "wedding logo" for Super Boy and I. It was the first time I've used photoshop in years and I really am just proud on myself! Consider it this week's Moment of Joy!

What is Criminological Theory and Why Does it Matter?

So the semester has started up again, and so has all the nonsense. Toad is being Toad, bragging about a "grant" that isn't all that much to brag about, because I doubt the existence any such thing. And, of course, professors are being professors, adding "last minute" books that we need for yesterday ( and are hundreds of dollars to boot) and handing out syllabi that make no sense (there are only 14 weeks in a semester). So the typically stress has started up again, and the petty annoyances are just that: petty and annoying. In the end, I'll laugh, I'll cry, I'll freak out and I'll work my butt off. And I'll be fine after all.

Obviously, grad school is very different from college, and a PhD program is going to be different from a master's program. But in the end, the subject matter is the same: criminal justice is the study of crime and practitioners in the field, and criminology is the study of the causes of crime. This is an oversimplification; the real definition is amorphous and intricate and there is no one right answer, making it a bit difficult to explain to the layman (or just wrap your head around in general). I have this problem with my family and friends quite often, particularly my grandmother. She is thrilled to have a grandduaghter working towards a PhD, thrilled beyond belief. But she has no real understanding of the material, just a general sense of what I might be working on at any given time. And that is perfectly normal.

So why does theory matter? If it's so hard to pin point and there are so many conflicting views, then why bother? Well, in order to try and change crime, you need to know what causes it. For instance, let's say there is a burning building. You could just throw water on it and be done. But that might be a temporary fix; what caused the building to light on fire in the first place? What is the root cause? By identifying the cause of the fire, you know whether you have to shut of the gas lines, find an arsonist, or take that pack of matches from the toddler. You see? In order to fix a problem, you need to identify what's causing the problem.

If you think crime is caused by biological factors, then identifying a "crime gene" or medicating offenders will fix crime. If you think it is a matter of social inequalities an upheaval, then social programs and community involvement will stop crime. And if you think that crime is a function of the ruling class's oppression of the under class, then the redistribution of wealth and power within society is the answer. These are by no means the only theories out there, but I think it illustrates the point. If you want to change something, you need to know what needs to be fixed first.

If you are looking for books on criminological theory, I have two to recommend. The first is Cullen and Agnew's Criminological Theory: past to present. Unlike other tests that just summaries theories, this work offers the original articles that have become landmarks in the study of criminology. There is also a very handy grid in the first few The second is my personal favorite, Lilly, Cullen and Ball's Criminological Theory: Context and Consequence. Again, unlike other textbooks this work offers not just the theories, but the social, economic, political and cultural climate and changes that prompted new theories to develop. There are also discussions on whether these theories worked, and the long lasting effects of programs implemented on these recommendations. I personally felt that the chronological structure of this book, complete with the historical subtexts, gave me a greater understanding of where the theories came from and what they were a reaction to.

Theory may not be my favorite facet of my studies, but it's an important one. In order to understand where you are going, yo need to know what came before you. Happy theorizing!

Moment of Joy

To follow up with yesterday's video, here is another classic from the Muppets. I love Beaker. He actually reminds me a little of my dad, who happens to be a chemical engineer (but  he has better luck than Beaker and Professor Honeydew).

I think I'll be walking down the aisle to this...

It can only get better from here...

So the year is off to a really rough start. There have been tensions between family members already, and we have already faced very sad events. For my part, I feel like hiding under my bed most days and pretending the world doesn't exist. The rest of the time I am pretty useless, dazedly walking around the apartment at a loss of what to do.

Much of my black mood springs from fear. Fear for the health and safety of my family. Fear for my own ability to cope with reality. Fear of future. And, probably most pressing at this particular moment, the fear or returning to grad school and criminology. I am not ready to return to the sniping and self-praise of some of my classmates, nor do I feel able to compete with the rest and succeed in my classes. The thought of returning there fills me with dread, and no amount of traveling back and forth between school and my home will make it any better. 

To make matters worse the holidays are over, which at once astounds me and depressed me. I love the Christmas season; it's my favorite time of year, and for it to be ending makes the rest of the years stretch out before as one desolate and bleak expanse.

My rock through all of this has been, of course, Super Boy. He is currently slogging through his first day back at school, and his absence is palpable. This entire break he has been at my side, encouraging me, comforting me, caring for me. I cannot function without him. He has been my strength for a long time; when he asked me to marry him, he began by acknowledging that there would be tough times in our future, be they grad school or other obstacles. But not matter what we'd face, we'd face it together and be there for each other through the good, bad or indifferent. He promised me his strength and his support, his care and his constancy. And that, I think, is the foundation of love.

I am very blessed to have him in my life. As for the rest, I have to have faith and hope in brighter things to come.

Moment of Joy

Now this is an oldie! Taken during a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens a few years ago, this miniature orange tree really caught my eye. Not only do those dew-kissed fruit look scrumptious (and boy, do they) there was something refreshing about them. Just the sight of them makes me feel clean and newly washed in sunshine and sweetness.

But I wax poetic. This picture reminds me of a my mom, dad and Super Boy, the freshness of all things green and growing, and God's promise to make all things new.

An uplifting and comforting thought, no?

Soothe the heart through the stomach...

So I recently experienced the loss of a very, very beloved pet and I can't handle it. I am in denial, I'm angry, and I'm absolutely shattered.

That said, I am trying very hard to keep myself busy and not dwell on sad things. One way I've tried to do keep myself going is cooking. I have always found cooking to be extremely enjoyable; I love the freedom and creativity of the process, especially when the results are good. So yesterday I endeavored to invent my own stir fry recipe from the things I had on hand and whatever I could pick up at the grocery store with minimal expense and ease.

The result is below, my very own Ginger Beef and Peanut Stir Fry. While the vegetables and meats can be varied at will, the sauce if what really brings the whole dish together. Super Boy and I really enjoyed making it together and, of course, devouring nearly the entire pan.

It may not make everything better, but I'd like to think that, in a small way, the heart can be soothed through the stomach. Prayer and faith can help, but love (in any form) is truly the strongest bond of all. 

Ginger Beef and Peanut Stir Fry
¾ lb. lean beef, thinly cut (leftovers work well)
1 tbs grated ginger 
2 tbs peanut butter
2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs brown sugar, not packed
2 tbs olive oil (For sautéing)
2 carrots, chopped into sticks
1 zucchini, chopped into sticks
1 small onion, cut into large pieces
1 bell pepper, sliced into ribbons
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (small) beef/chicken/ vegetable broth
Dash pepper (go a little heavier if you like it) 
8 oz. angel hair, cooked
Chopped peanuts, for garnish
Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, ginger, sugar and pepper until smooth; set aside
   
2.  In a large skillet or wok, stir-fry the beef, onion, carrots, zucchini, peppers, and garlic in oil for about 8 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. If using leftovers, add the already cooked beef to the pan halfway through the vegetable cooking time.
   
3. Stir the broth mixture and add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.
   
4. Add cooked noodles and toss until well mixed.
   

Notes: All of the ingredients in this recipe can be increased or omitted at will; it is very adaptable and can be altered to suit individual tastes. Vegetables can be improvised and changed at will. Just make sure everything gets cooked through.  Meats can also be substituted, just make sure they are well cooked accordingly.