Happy Birthday Mary Teresa

And hers could light up the world! Mother Teresa, Now Saint Teresa, is proof positive that true beauty comes from the soul.

Today is the earthly birthday of one of the most amazingly beautiful women to come along. Mother Teresa’s rare kind of beauty radiated from the inside out. She was a light in the darkness leading the way to a saintly existence. As Catholics we are called to be Christ-like in all that we do. I cannot think of a better example of mimicking Christ in our lives than Saint Teresa of Calcutta.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mary Teresa!

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Every year on this date Americans commemorate Women’s Equality when, in 1920, we won the right to vote. Hum, didn’t know voting is what makes men and women equal. The irony is that by this way of thinking it took men to give women the right to be equal. Pardon me while I laugh my butt off.

Don’t get me wrong, voting is an important part of citizenship. Just as running a business, owning property and a whole host of other claims to equality are important. But it has noting do to with equality. Equality is a state of mind, and that’s not something that can be granted nor taken away by anyone. I could go on a rant right about now claiming we were all created equal in the eyes of God. It is He who made us to stand side by side.

I’d much rather reflect on the examples of Mary Teresa while I prepare a delicious meal for my loving family.

One-Pot Spicy Taco-Rice Skillet Supper
1/2 Yellow Onion
2 Red or Yellow Bell Pepper
2 teaspoons Cumin
Cayenne Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon New Mexican Red Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
1 lb Ground Beef
1/2 lb Chorizo
1 cup Salsa, drained
1 (10 oz) can Rotel Tomatoes
1 cup Long Grain White Rice
2 cups Beef Stock
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
2 Green Onions, garnish
6 warm Flour Tortillas for serving

Cut onion in half from root to tip, reserve half for another use. Peel and dice remaining half. Stem, core and dice bell peppers. In a small bowl, combine cumin, cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder and paprika. Set aside.

In a large, deep skillet, brown the meats together. When the meat is lightly browned, add the spice mixture. Continue to brown until the meats are cooked through. Drain well, return to skillet. Add the onions and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes or so, until the vegetables begin to soften.

While the meats and vegetables cook, drain chunky salsa of excess liquids.

Once the vegetables have softened, add the Rotel Tomatoes, beef stock and drained salsa. Stir to blend. Add rice, bring to a boil. Stir, cover and reduce heat to a low simmer. Let simmer for 20 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated and the rice is tender.

Remove from heat, sprinkle with cheese. Cover and let the residual heat melt the cheese. Snip the green onions for a garnish, warm the tortillas.

When ready to serve, sprinkle with green onions. Serve warm tortillas on the side to use as a spoon (as I do by tearing off pieces too tortilla to use as a scoop) or create a burrito of the Taco-Rice Skillet Supper.

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Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.