CatholicMom.com » Lisa Hendey

Counting Life’s Blessings

Lisa Hendey — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:09:36 +0000

This morning, I woke up to the playful running sounds of two dogs and the brisk feel of slightly wet beach air from an open window nearby. There was no alarm clock involved and my mind immediately went to my home if Fresno, four hours away, to my husband and sons.

Mom and I woke up in Long Beach this morning. Our trek to this year’s Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Religious Education Congress began yesterday with a quick jaunt to Seal Beach. God was working overtime. With temps in the 80s, my favorite beach town had laid out the red carpet for revelers looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Main Street’s many Irish spots.

Tomorrow, I will stand in room that holds 900 souls and speak on the topic of “Faith Formation for the Facebook Generation”. The thought of it fills me with both fear and great excitement. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak here twice on the great strides happening in Catholic New Media. I represent so many of you who are out there using technology to share your love of our faith.

Durig the next few days, I will be doing my best to post a few thoughts and photos from Congress here on the site and at my Facebook page. Stay tuned for more blessings!!

Tweet and Win The Handbook for Catholic Moms

Lisa Hendey — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:33:52 +0000

Hi Friends! In an effort to help spread the news about The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul we are offering you the chance to Tweet (post on Twitter.com) about the book and win your own copy or one to share with a friend. The first twenty five people to do the following items correctly will win one free copy of The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul.

1. You must have at least 25 followers on Twitter.
2. Follow Ave Maria Press at http://twitter.com/avemariapress
3. From your Twitter account, tweet about The Handbook for Catholic Moms and share the link http://bit.ly/9LyS3s
4. Email your Twitter account link, full name and mailing address to kthrn45@gmail.com
5. The first 25 people to complete these steps will win a copy of The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul.

“Celebrate” Children’s Book Series Contest

Lisa Hendey — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:26 +0000

This month, to celebrate the fact that noted author Heidi Bratton has joined us as a columnist, we are giving away a set of Heidi’s tremendous Celebrate series of four board books. The series contains the following titles:

Celebrate Animals – A Story about Family Life on Noah’s Ark – Through captivating photographs of children interacting with animals, life on Noah’s Ark becomes a beautiful word picture for contemporary families learning to gently take care of one another and all God’s creatures.

Celebrate Family – A Story about Your Own Special Family – Captivating photography and simple text create a beautiful canvas of love and care lived out in today’s families.

Celebrate Feelings - A Story about God’s Love for Me – Happy. Silly. Sad. God is with me, no matter how I feel!

Celebrate Me & You – A Story about Your Special Part in God’s Family – God made me special, and he made you special too!

To enter to win this contest, you must leave a comment on this post with a valid email address (which won’t be published or shared) before Midnight PST on March 27, 2010. I’ll draw three random winners and announce the winners when the contest has ended.

A Catholic Musician’s St Patrick’s Day Ceileigh

Lisa Hendey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:00:59 +0000

A big thanks to friend and fellow podcaster Sean “The Duct Tape Guy” McGauhey for the following tip about a great upcoming St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Sean shares:

With a name like Sean McGaughey and being a musician, it is no surprise that I was asked to play a few tunes at my parish’s St. Patrick’s Day social next week. As I was rehearsing my set of favorite traditional Irish songs, I had an idea. (Hey where did we go? Days when the rains came. Down in a holler…”) For fun, why not have a Catholic Musician’s Ceili (ceidleigh? coeli?) using both live streaming performances and spinning videos by Catholic musicians. The music will not exactly be limited to celtic music because on St. Patrick’s Day, everybody is Irish.

From around 3-5 pm EST on March 17, head on over to catholicroundup.com . I’ll have a link there to my live stream. I’m planning to play my St. Patrick’s day set live, and then put on my VJ hat, showing videos from some wonderful Cathoic artists. There may also be live ustream performances by other Catholic musicians to be announced. Join us live on March 17 at catholicroundup.com . If you are a Catholic musician who would like to participate in the festivities by streaming a performance, or sending along some videos, drop me a line at catholicroundup@gmail.com.

Meatless Lenten Recipe – Nordstrom’s Bistro Cafe Tomato Basil Soup

Lisa Hendey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:14:10 +0000

Today’s recipe is shared by Pat Padley, co-host of the terrific In Between Sunday’s podcast.

Nordstrom’s Bistro Cafe Tomato Basil Soup
Serves 12 to 14

Fr. Leo of Grace Before Meals suggests the following alteration to this recipe to make it meatless for Lent: “May I suggest replacing the chicken stock with vegetable stock. Using a splash or two of soy sauce will give a similar depth as chicken broth.”

1/3 cup olive oil

5 carrots, peeled and chopped

1 large yellow onion, chopped

1 T fresh basil sliced

2 -28 oz cans diced Italian style tomatoes in puree

3 -32 oz boxes chicken broth (12.25 cups)

1 cup half and half

1 cup heavy cream

Kosher salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a 6 to 8 quart saucepan over medium heat, warm the oil and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the carrots, onion and dried basil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomatoes, including the puree and the broth, and bring to just a boil. Reduce the hear to low and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove from the heat. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender or food processor fitted with a metal blade. Return the pureed soup to the saucepan, add the cream and place over medium heat. Warm until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle the soup into a warmed soup tureen or individual bowls, garnish with the basil leaves and serve immediately.

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

Meatless Lenten Recipe – Paul’s Banana Bread

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:00:08 +0000

Today’s recipe is shared by Jeff Young, The Catholic Foodie, who says, “Excellent and simple recipe for banana bread. Just smelling this in the oven will cause you to reach for the butter! YUM!”

Paul’s Banana Bread

Ingredients

1. 3 ripe mashed bananas
2. 1 cup sugar
3. 1 egg
4. 1 1/2 cup flour
5. 1/4 cup melted butter
6. 1 tsp. baking soda
7. 1 tsp. salt

Directions

1. Mash bananas
2. Stir in other ingredients.
3. Pour into a greased regular-sized bread pan. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour.

(You could also use 3 smaller bread pans and bake in a 325 degree oven for 45 minutes.)

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

“Real Mothers”

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00:10 +0000

Thanks to the beloved Deacon Tom Fox for sharing the following bit of inspiration for Moms everywhere:

REAL MOTHERS

Real Mothers don’t eat quiche;
They don’t have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn’t come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don’t want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up…….

Real Mothers sometimes ask ‘Why me?’
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, ‘Because I love you best.’

Real Mothers know that a child’s growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade…
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother…..

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE – My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE – My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE – My Mother doesn’t know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE – My Mother? She wouldn’t’ have a clue.

16 YEARS OF AGE – Mother? She’s so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE – That old woman? She’s way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE – Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE – Before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE – Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE – Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a Mother is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she
carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a Mother must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a Mother is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a Mother with years only grows!

Another Reminder: Don’t Text and Drive

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:00:19 +0000

I have fallen in love with texting, especially as a great way to keep in touch with my beloved teenage sons, but this article is a great reminder that we need to continually fight the urge to multitask while driving. For more information on the AT&T “It Can Wait” campaign, visit their website here. Also, here’s a helpful Parent’s Guide to connecting with your kids via Text.

I don’t text while driving, but am guilty of checking my iPhone at red lights – this campaign reminds me that I am setting a bad example for my kids that could lead to life and death circumstances. Email and phone calls can wait too!

Can’t Help Myself – iWant It!

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:41 +0000

My two favorite moments during last night’s Academy Awards show – Sandra Bullock’s speech thanking moms, and this commercial for the new iPad. I know it’s Lent and we’re not ever supposed to be coveting things, but this commercial has me even more anxious for the release of Apple’s latest toy:

Bullock’s Speech – Thank You Moms!

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:00:17 +0000

I was very touched last night by Sandra Bullock’s remarks during her Academy Awards acceptance speech. Her taking time to thank “the moms who take care of the babies and the children no matter where they come from” immediately made me think of the many adoptive and foster moms I know, including a personal hero of mine, Heidi Hess Saxton of the Extraordinary Moms Network.

Have you taken time lately to thank your mom, your friends who are moms, and the many out there caring for children “no matter where they come from”?

Moms: Are We Raising Future Saints?

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:50:55 +0000

This article from the Catholic News Agency entitled Vatican paper looks at faith connection between saints and their mothers caught my attention today. I would love to get my hands on the book profiled in the article, Mothers of Saints by Albina Henrion.

The article quotes Paul VI as having said, “We, they tell us, all live more or less from that which a woman has taught us in the sublime dimension. And boys feel it more than girls, because of nature… priest-sons even more strongly, because they are consecrated to solitude.”

During this Year for Priests, I find myself as a mom of two sons continually praying for them in their future vocations. Whatever life God calls them to, they will need constant prayerful support and encouragement. Being a mom is a lifetime job, and this article underscores once again the crucial role we play in transmitting our love of the faith to our children. God only knows how many of us are raising the future priests, lay leaders and saints of our Church!

Fresh Basil Creamy Pesto Recipe

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:39:19 +0000

Today’s recipe is shared by Paul Camarata, host of The Saint Cast.

Fresh Basil Creamy Pesto Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed (~ 60 or so leaves)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan-Reggiano

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts

2 medium sized garlic cloves, minced

butter, 4 tbsp

half and half – 3 cups

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Special equipment needed: A food processor

METHOD

1 Combine the basil in with the pine nuts, minced garlic, and olive oil and pulse a few times in a food processor. May need to divide the ingredients into 2 batches for even chopping in food processor.

2 Stop to scrape down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula. Add ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and pulse again until blended. Add a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

3 Melt butter in saucepan, gently heat up pesto mixture, adding in half and half slowly and whisking while heating up. Heat gently until thickening.

Poor over 1 pound cooked spaghetti or linguine. Toss ½ cup grated parmesan over pasta and sauce.

N.B. If you have an abundance of Basil in the spring/summer months, you can pick the leaves and make up the pesto mixture (minus the cheese) and freeze in packets. It keeps well.

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

Meatless Lenten Recipe – Fetuccine Alfredo

Lisa Hendey — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 22:00:04 +0000

Today’s recipe is shared by Patrick Denny of the wonderful Verbum Domini podcast. Patrick shares, “This is my FAVORITE low calorie (and meatless) recipe. Believe it or not, it tastes fantastic. Just don’t cook it down too “dry”. I like to leave it a bit wet as the moisture will disappear much faster than a standard alfredo sauce. Perhaps add a bit more milk?”

Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
(From Cooking Light)

1 Tablespoon Margarine
2 small cloves garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
1-1/3 cups skim milk
2 Tablespoons light cream cheese
1-1/4 cups (2-1/2 ounces) grated
Parmesan cheese, divided
4 cups hot cooked fettuccine,
cooked without salt or fat
2 teaspoons chopped parsley
Fresh ground pepper

Melt margarine in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Stir in flour. Gradually add milk, stirring with a wire wisk until blended; cook 8 minutes or until thickened and bubbly (but not too thick), stirring constantly. Stir in cream cheese, cook 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until it melts. Pour over hot cooked fettuccine; toss well to coat. Top with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley and pepper.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

How Anger Crosses the Line

Lisa Hendey — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:00:38 +0000

If you’re single, or have a family member or friend who may be leading a single lifestyle, please share this article with them and refer them to CatholicMatch.com for additional resources.

It’s Lent. Forty days of penance, prayer, and mortification with the hope that we can begin to let go of our earthly attachments, and thereby become more attached to Christ. I’d give up coffee, except our pastor told us we shouldn’t give up something if by doing so we only make everyone around us miserable. I have taken his words to heart.

Moses and the Israelites were 40 years in the desert. (And I think 40 days is bad!) Now Moses was not a patient man. In fact, he was punished severely for his impatience and anger (Numbers 20:7-13). When the Israelites were without water in the desert of Zin, they complained to Moses and Aaron, “Why did you lead us out of Egypt, only to bring us to this wretched place without even water to drink?” God appears to Moses, and tells him to command the rock to bring forth water.

Moses is so angered by the Israelites that he says, “Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?” In his anger, he strikes the rock twice. For this, he is not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Whoa, harsh!

Did God punish Moses because he disobeyed? Or because Moses had been angry? A beautiful interpretation was offered today at Mass. The waters of Meribah are the healing waters of God’s mercy and forgiveness, a foreshadowing of the blood and water of divine mercy that flowed from Christ’s side at the Crucifixion. Moses did not want the water of Meribah to flow from the rock, because he did not have forgiveness in his heart. He was too angry with the Israelites. “Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?”

How often do we stand in the way of God showing forth His mercy? Are our hearts so hardened that the healing waters of forgiveness cannot flow through? Are we hardened in resentment, bitterness, or anger? These forty days of Lent are the perfect time to reflect on our own attachments—especially to those hidden attachments of the heart, such as pride, unforgiveness, and self-love, and to pray that our hearts will be transformed.

It’s also a good time to examine our hearts: is there any anger or resentment that is hurting my relationships? Angry feelings, of themselves, are not sinful. In fact, anger is sometimes appropriate and even praiseworthy. When Christ became angry at the Pharisees and called them “whitewashed tombs” or when he used a whip on the money changers in the temple, he was responding with righteous anger. Anger can impel us to take action against injustice or evil, fight through obstacles to achieve a difficult goal, and express ourselves more passionately and convincingly. Father Bernard Maturin writes, “Anger is the sword which God puts into man’s hand to fight the great moral battles of life.”(1)

But sometimes, anger is inappropriate. Anger may reveal a bad habit or a character (I am angry because I didn’t get my way). Excessive anger (screaming at a small child for spilling his milk) or inappropriate anger (kicking the dog because I am angry with my boss at work) is wrong. Sometimes anger masks a deep-seated emotional wound (I become enraged when my boss criticizes me, because it triggers feelings of being unloved as a child). Instead of being the sword that fights great moral battles for God, anger can be turned selfishly inward. It can become the weapon that drives loved ones apart and kills the very life of grace in our souls.

And there is another type of anger that is important to consider, and it is the type of anger implied in the gospel of Matthew. “But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22). Scripture scholars have speculated that what Christ is condemning here is the habit of being angry, rather than a one-time emotion. Being in a chronic state of anger is poisonous to the soul.

Being perpetually angry or resentful (or being vengeful) is different from an outburst of anger. Feelings of ongoing resentment and anger are often the result of past emotional wounds. If I have low self-esteem or an unresolved hurt from the past and someone makes a critical comment, I might respond in anger to mask my feelings of unworthiness. Responding angrily gives me a temporary feeling of being in control, and temporarily relieves my anxiety or sense of shame.(2)

Dr. John Gottman, renowned marriage researcher, discovered that all couples (even happily married ones) will sometimes fight and utter angry words they later regret. It is not so much the occasional fight or expression of anger that can cause trouble in a marriage. Gottman’s research shows that it is, rather, a pattern of constant criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling (the “four horsemen of the apocalypse”) that leads to unhappiness in marriage.(3)

Contempt, however, is poison. When spouses were treated with contempt, they felt that their marital problems were so severe they could not be resolved, and they often became ill over the next few years (4). Simple anger did not have the same reaction. Contempt views the other person as inferior, asserts power over them, and shows no empathy. Contempt makes loving, respectful, and affectionate communication nearly impossible. Christ wants us to reduce and to eliminate these states of anger before they poison our hearts and hurt those we love. Otherwise we may find ourselves condemned to the spiritual desert of bitterness and resentment.

So, let’s use this time of Lent to detach from our unforgiveness, resentment, or habitual anger to allow the mercy of God to flow forth—even from the rock of our hardened hearts. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Laraine Bennett co-authored with her husband, Art, The Temperament God Gave You and The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse (both from Sophia Institute Press ). Laraine has a BA in Philosophy from Santa Clara University and an MA in Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Laraine and her husband have been married for 32 years and have four children — one of each temperament.

1) Bernard Maturin, Self-Knowledge and Self-Discipline . Harrison, New York: Roman Catholic Books, 1915. P 184.

2)Maureen Canning Lust, Anger Love: Understanding Sexual Addiction and the Road to Healthy Intimacy. Sourcebooks. Naperville: IL. 2008. pp. 100ff.

3)John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ten Lessons to Transform Your Marriage . New York: Crown Publishers, 2006. P. 4 ff.

4)Paul Ekman, Emotions Revealed , second edition. New York: Holt, 2003. P. 181.

If you’re single, or have a family member or friend who may be leading a single lifestyle, please share this article with them and refer them to CatholicMatch.com for additional resources.

Like a Tree Planted beside the Waters

Lisa Hendey — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:37:53 +0000

What a gift we have in today’s first reading from Jeremiah. The imagery he uses is so beautifully aligned to our Lenten journey, from the desolation for the spiritual desert to the fullness of joy we experience at Easter.

This morning, as we were seated around the table for our morning prayer before my boys left for school, I glanced over at Adam who was seated facing our kitchen windows. His eyes squinted against the morning sunshine streaming in from the backyard reminded me that we are slipping into Spring – a few weeks ago, we huddled at that same table in darkness and now the lengthening days fill our lives with more light.

Today, Jeremiah says:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.

Lord, as I continue my Lenten journey this week, help me to be like that tree planted near Your waters – help me to reach for you in times of stress, distrust, and exhaustion. Let my soul be replenished by your love, and let me in turn bear great fruit for You.

Dancing Moms and Paying Moms

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:29:30 +0000

Moms have been in the news this week. Today I want to share too examples – one’s a great idea, and the other…well, I’m not so sure about that one!

So let’s start with the good news. As reported by Zenit yesterday, Cardinal Ennio Antonelli, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, is calling for financial and professional perks for families stressing that “domestic work deserves economic recognition.”

I loved this section of the Zenit article:

The Vatican official noted that raising a family and seeking a career outside the home are compatible for women, but he urged support services: day care centers in businesses and neighborhoods, and for the elderly and handicapped, other social services.

He also pointed out the importance of offering women a “variety of opportunities in professional work: part-time work, telework, flexibility of hours and vacations.”

I don’t expect anyone to be sending me a paycheck soon for my laundry duties, but it is wonderful that our church leaders are setting a high bar in recognition of the service moms provide both to our families and to the world around us. We’ll watch as this one unfolds…

And now to the mom news that made me do a double-take – Kate Gosselin on Dancing with The Stars. Seriously??!! I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept of a single mom of eight finding time in her day to watch that show, let alone to dance on it. In this video of her from last night’s Jimmy Kimmel show, she explains her game plan for practicing. But I still have my doubts. I think it’s great that Kate is not dragging the kids in front of the camera for this project (although I’ll bet we see them on the show), but I just wonder how all of this is going to work out. I guess we’ll see… If you think this is a good idea for Kate and her kids, I’d love to hear from you!

Video Link

Meatless Lenten Recipe – Zucchini & Cheese Bake

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:00:50 +0000

Today’s meatless recipe was shared by Pat Gohn of the wonderful Among Women Podcast. Pat shares, “This makes a great simple lunch, or side dish with soup, etc.”

3 cups of diced zucchini, skin included
1 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt, pepper,
(Italian options: add ½ tsp oregano plus 2 tbsp. parsley)
1/2 c. oil
1cup of shredded sharp or mild cheddar cheese
4 eggs

Mix all ingredients and place in a grease cassarole dish, about 8×8 or 9×9.

Bake at 350 degrees, about 40-45 minutes. Test with knife inserted at center. Center should be firm and dry.

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

Catholic iPhone App Updates

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:28:10 +0000

Over at Faith & Family Live today, I have an update on new developments in the world of iPhone apps. I hope you’ll check out some of my new favorites, inlcuding Saint A Day from Pauline and Stations of the Cross from Ave Maria Press. Read my entire update here and enjoy this brief video profiling the Saint app:

Video Link

Meatless Lenten Recipe – Mary’s Vegitarian Pasta

Lisa Hendey — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:30:02 +0000

Today’s meatless recipe was shared by Mary DeTurris Poust, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism, over on her wonderful blog last week. Enjoy!

1 bunch broccoli rabe (rapini), rinsed
6 sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated in boiling water, drained and chopped in slices
1 8-ounce container of baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinse and drained
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup pignolis (pine nuts), toasted (optional)
1 pound rotelle pasta (or ziti, rigatoni, whatever you like)

Bring pasta water to boil. Rinse broccoli rabe and blanch in boiling pasta water for four minutes. Lift broccoli rabe from water with handheld strainer, reserving pasta water in pot. Drain broccoli rabe and cut into bite-size pieces. Reserve. Keep pasta water boiling, and throw in pasta.

Meanwhile, in a saute pan, heat olive oil and saute garlic until it begins to sizzle. Add mushrooms and sundried tomatoes and saute for two or three minutes. Add cannellini beans and saute for two minutes. Add broccoli rabe and heat for a few minutes so the flavors can marry. If it begins to dry out, ladle in some pasta water to keep it moist. Add salt and pepper to taste.

When pasta is al dente, drain and place in serving bowl. Pour broccoli rabe-tomato-bean mixture over the top. If needed, ladle in more pasta water so the pasta is not too dry.

Serve with grated parmesan cheese (if you’re not eating vegan), crushed red pepper and toasted pine nuts (if using). Note: To toast pine nuts, shake them in a dry skillet for a few minutes until fragrant but not brown.

We served our dinner with Italian bread and a side salad heavy on the arugula and “fixed” with olive oil and vinegar.

Mary says, “Delish! This dish is definitely a keeper. Remember, if you don’t have the exact ingredients, don’t be afraid to improvise. Use broccoli instead of broccoli rabe, or even kale. The best thing about this kind of pasta dinner is that you can change it up or use up whatever you have in the fridge and come up with something that looks and takes like it came from an elegant restaurant. Mangia!”

Do you have a meatless recipe to share? Comment below or email Lisa@CatholicMom.com

April Mom’s Night Out in Chicago!

Lisa Hendey — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:33:22 +0000

One of the exciting things about launching The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul has been all of the opportunities to get out and meet wonderful moms! I just learned that I’m going to have the opportunity to do this in Chicago on April 14th at a great event being hosted by the Daughters of St. Paul and the Pauline Books & Media Center. Honestly, whenever I’m in Chicago I always make a visit to their store, so it will be a real treat to spend time with the Sisters and all of you. Also, for my non-mom friends out there, please know that you are welcome to attend this event – in fact, I hope you do! If you live any where near Chicago, I hope you’ll join me for what promises to be a very fun evening. Also, can you help me spread the word? If you have a website or blog, please feel free to grab the following press release with all of the details and spread it for others to see. Thanks and I look forward to meeting you!

Lisa M. Hendey, creator of CatholicMom.com

visits Pauline Books & Media

April 1, 2010, Chicago, IL – Lisa M. Hendey, in her compelling first book, The Handbook for Catholic Moms: Nurturing Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul, collects the wisdom of her ten-year-old website, CatholicMom.com. Hendey will be promoting her new book in Chicago on Wednesday, April 14 from 6:30—8:30pm at Pauline Books & Media located at 172 N Michigan Avenue. This Mom’s Night Out event will allow Catholic “moms” to receive the encouragement they need in their most important vocation. After the event she will be available for a Meet and Greet.

Drawing from the deep tradition of the Catholic faith, Lisa Hendey coaches Catholic moms in how to care for themselves—heart, mind, body, and soul—so that they can better love and care for their families, their neighbors, and their Church. With warmth and wisdom, Hendey creates an environment where Catholic moms can reflect peacefully upon often-competitive topics like parenting style, types of schooling, and working outside the home. By sharing her own story, Hendey inspires readers to better balance their own needs with the demands of family life and faith commitment.

Lisa Hendey is a wife, mother, web designer, freelance writer, and the creator of CatholicMom.com, a website focusing on the Catholic faith, Catholic parenting and family life, and Catholic cultural topics. Hendey did her undergraduate work at the University of Notre Dame and later earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development from Vanderbilt University. Today, she heads a home-based web design business and is also a regular contributor to Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, Catholic.net, and countless other internet publications. Her recent projects include her Catholic Moments podcast (www.catholicmoments.com), a weekly interview program. Hendey resides in Fresno, California with her husband Greg and their two sons, Eric and Adam. In addition to her work with CatholicMom.com, she is also the webmaster for St. Anthony of Padua’s school and parish websites. Hendey and her family are also active members of the parish. She has done pro bono web design for Samaritan Women, a prison ministry agency and is involved in numerous community service initiatives.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle host of EWTN’s Everyday Blessings For Catholic Moms, writes that “Lisa Hendey is the sister friend of Catholic motherhood! We know her so well through her work for families, her website, and her engaging podcasts. Lisa now brings us her book in which she openly discusses the essential elements of a Catholic mom’s life in an exceptionally delightful, engaging, dynamic, and practical manner. You’ll be turning pages and feeling as if Lisa is there by your side lovingly offering her insight and warm encouragement. You’re going to love this book!”

To schedule interviews around the event or receive a review copy prior to the event, please contact Amanda Williams at 800.282.1865 xt 206 or e-mail awilli21@nd.edu.

For more information regarding the event, please contact 312-346-4228.