Finding Your Strength After Losing a Child

I have debated all month whether or not to write this post. I am a food blogger, but I am also a mom and don't really talk about my children that much. That changes today, it is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Month and I am sharing my story for the Million Moms Challenge.

Today is a very bittersweet day for me; on one hand it is my brother's birthday and on the other it is the day I lost my son Dominic. While I no longer mourn his passing; I celebrate the life and time I had with him. He had such an impact on everyone he came in contact with. He suffered with really severe eczema; so bad to the point where he would scratch until he was bleeding. He was the sweetest little boy you would love to meet.

The day he passed was much any other day. He had been fighting a little stomach bug and was laying down to take a nap, and being I was up all night with him and 5 months pregnant I decided to take a nap as well. Little did I know that would be the last time I would see him alive. I ran through all the "what-ifs" and "if I only just" thoughts, and I realized that what happened was beyond my control. Then I had to make a choice, do I let grief take over my life and not take care if myself and my family. Or honor him through my actions and by helping others.

Many people have said to me and my husband that they don't know if they could have survived losing a child; and I tell them if you have faith in God and believe in his word you can get through anything. I wasn't going to let the devil use this situation to rob me of my relationship with God. If anything it pulled me closer to him; all my strength comes from Him. I chose to live my life as a testimony to God's love and help other mom's who have lost a child. I recently saw the movie Courageous and the Pastor said that surviving after losing a loved one is like living with an amputation. You will never feel complete again, but learn to adapt and keep going. I think about my little boy everyday, but I will continue to honor him by serving others. If my story helps just one person cope with a lose then it will all be worth it. Be blessed and remember to cherish your children.

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadilla with a Cheesy Marinara Dipping Sauce

So school is in full swing now, and there are lunches to be made. My son is the PB&J Prince; he could probably eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But I refuse to get stuck in that rut this year, plus a kid in his class has a severe allergy to nuts so they have asked us parents to not send any nut products to school. I know, the nerve of them, but rather than have my son be responsible for hurting a classmate I have been trying to get creative with his lunch ideas.

So I decided to take 2 of his other favorite meals and combine them; pizza and quesadillas. I was looking for different ways to make his lunch more fun, and this is an idea I thought he would enjoy. I was so happy that he enjoyed his quesadilla, and that makes it so worth it. The idea of quesadillas is such a flexible option for kids, you can put anything between 2 tortillas with some cheese and some meat, and you have an instant hit. Plus they are quick, in the time it takes to make a sandwich you can make this for your family.

Pizza Quesadilla with a Cheesy Marinara Dipping Sauce

2 Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (the amount depends on how cheesy you like it. I used about 1/4 – 1/2 cup.)

Turkey Pepperoni

Italian Seasoning

Cheesy Marinara Sauce

1/4 cup crushed tomato sauce

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

2 tbsp shredded mozzarella

Place a non stick skillet over medium to medium high heat and spray with cooking spray (I use olive oil spray).

Put one tortilla in skillet. Once warmed add cheese.

When cheese starts to melt add pepperoni and season with a little Italian seasoning.

Place second tortilla on top and flip. Once the other side of the tortilla is browned, remove from pan and cut into 4 wedges.

For the Marinara Sauce, in a sauce pan add crushed tomatoes (Note: you only need a ¼ cup of sauce. You can put the remainder of the sauce in a Ziploc bag and freeze until you need to use it.).

Then add your spices and cheese.

Once cheese starts to melt stir to incorporate, and put in storage container for the kids lunchbox.

This is a great easy recipe to change up your kid’s lunch and get them out of the PB&J rut. If you need any more lunch ideas head over to http://www.familyfreshcooking.com, and check out her Project Lunch Box.

Hope this show you that it is very easy to prepare a great healthy lunch for your kids. Be blessed and enjoy.