Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Emmy's Garlic and Methi (Fenugreek) Parathas

Ingredients (Makes 5 small parathas):
-1.5 cups of atta Indian flour (or any wheat flour)
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-1 tablespoon dried methi (fenugreek) leaves 
-water
-salt
-oil

Directions:
-Combine methi and garlic with a small amount of water, as pictured. Stir.

-Add the flour and enough water to make dough the consistency of pie crust or pizza dough. Knead until all the ingredients are reasonably mixed, as pictured.

-Place a small amount of dough on a flat clean surface, as pictured.

-Flatten with a rolling pin. Then add a sprinkle of oil, as pictured.

-Add a pinch of salt, as pictured, and rub over the surface.

-Fold the dough into a pocket, as shown. This doesn't have to be perfect or done in any particular way. This just allows the paratha to have different layers once cooked.

-Roll the dough into a circle (doesn't have to be perfect), as shown. It should end up being the thickness of a tortilla.

-Preheat a frying pan on medium heat. Place paratha on pan. Press for a few second with a spatula. Turn once bottom side is cooked/golden brown.

-Repeat last step. This is where you may see the paratha puff up, as shown, although this depends more on the type of flour used. It will still taste the same even if it doesn't puff up.

That's it. Bon Appétit!

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Greetings! And thank you for taking the time to learn about me and who I am as a person and as a nanny.

My name is Emily Rinke. I am 29 years old and I live in Mayer, Minnesota.



As you can see, Mayer is in the Western suburbs, about 22 miles West of Minnetonka. Mayer is in Carver County. I grew up mostly in Minnetonka, where my parents still live. I have a younger sister who is currently working on the business side of the music industry.


I have been married to my husband, Marcus, for 9 years. Marcus works for HD Supply, a sewer and water pipe distributor, as a shipping and warehouse supervisor. He is also a pipe fusion expert and travels and trains vast amount of people on how to use machines to permanently fuse pipe together. He is very talented mechanically and I am lucky to have a husband who can fix anything, including our 4 vehicles. He even installed a professional car lift in our garage!


We currently do not have any children of our own, but we have started the process to adopt a an infant domestically. Unfortunately, it is a very expensive endeavour so it has been slow going for us. In the meantime, we have devoted ourselves to "raising" our SIX (yes six!) rescued companion animals. We have three dogs, two cats, and one rabbit. Most are special needs and two of our dogs are diapered. The abuse and neglect they experienced in their early life has made them unable to properly potty train. One of our dogs is even missing an eye!. We love them all dearly and are truly devoted to them.








There are a lot of things I enjoy doing. Top on my list is definitely spending time with my animals. In addition, I enjoy crocheting, sewing, and card making. I also like music and I especially love to watch Marcus play the guitar. My extended family is also very important in my life and I am blessed to live near many of them. There is nothing I love more than having a get together with my grandpa, parents, sister, and various aunts, uncles, and cousins.


Marcus and I also enjoy camping in our travel trailer camper. We bring all six of our pets with us and while it is certainly a full house, it makes it just that more enjoyable.


Life is good and I am very lucky to have so many wonderful people and animals in my life.




My ideal nanny position would revolve around caring for infant(s) or toddler(s) within a caring, loving family environment. I am looking for an outgoing, open, honest, and fun family to add my expertise to. The parents should be open to suggestions and willing to let me take the reins on their children's care when I am on duty.

I am looking for a position where I would be allowed to take their kids on outings, to the park, or for a walk. I also love having playdates and am willing to take that on as part of my responsibilities.

My new family should know that while I will do what I can to keep the house clean, my first duty is a nanny. I want my focus to be on the children. That being said, I do not believe in sitting around and doing nothing during every nap time. I am open to helping out, especially with tasks relating to the child.

Ideally, my new family would talk with me on a daily basis on how the day has gone, progress the child has made, and things we could work on. Good communication is a must for me. I use a nanny app and I log milestones, potty times, and food intake everyday.

My new family should be considerate of my time. I understand that sometimes life throws us a curve ball and therefore being prompt and on time is not always possible. I will do my best to work around those situations. I just ask that I get as much notice of a timing change as possible. I will do the same for you too.

I also appreciate being paid on time. As my employer, you are responsible for taking taxes out of my paycheck and supplying me with the appropriate tax documentation. In addition, if I am to do any driving for you, I expect to be reimbursed according to the federal rate. Also, if there is a holiday that you are paid for, I expect to have that time off too, as well as be paid for it. I prefer to be paid bi-weekly. I may also be open to being paid twice a month. This is something we can discuss.

As for my actual pay rate, I will be asking between $14 and $16 an hour, depending on the amount of hours and the drive time it will take me to get to work. The more hours and the less of a drive, the lower the rate. Everything is negotiable, though, so feel free to discuss this with me.

My new family will be open to me bringing my baby to work with me once we adopt. This is very important to me.

Most of all, I want a family who is open and willing for me to become part of their household. I want to be respected and appreciated. If you treat me with respect, I will prove to be a wonderful addition to your home!

Other:

Here are a few other things I'd like for you to know about me......

1) I have several tattoos. They are not related to violence, sex, or anything scary. Nor are they terribly outlandish. But they are part of who I am. If you are totally against tattoos, then I am not the nanny for you. I also have a nose and eyebrow piercing.


2) Within the next year or two, my husband and I will be adopting an infant. If I am still a nanny for you at this point, I'd like to be able to bring my child to work with me.


3) I am a vegan (a person who eats no animal products, including dairy and eggs). I only ask that my new family be open to at least some of the meals I make to be meatless. I understand that this is a personal choice and I will not force my beliefs on anyone. The meatless meals I do make will be healthy, balanced, and containing enough protein for healthy growth.


4) As a childcare provider, I am legally required to report any obvious signs of abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.


5) I currently have some vacation already paid for and scheduled and some adoption training that I must attend. The days I will not be available are:
August 8-9, 2013 and August 30-September 2


6) Last of all, I am looking for a family that has similar ethical beliefs to mine., specifically a family that believes in equal rights for folks who are LGBT. I would have a very difficult time nannying for a family who feels otherwise.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

I have been a nanny for 6 WONDERFUL years and I have gained a great deal of experience in the field.

In 2008, while working for a nanny agency, I became certified in infant and adult CPR, First Aid and SIDS/Shaken Baby Syndrome prevention, as well as defensive driving.

I am currently a nanny for a family of three girls: a 12-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 1-year-old. I work 42 hours a week for them and I have become an important part of their family. I am especially bonded with their infant and have been there for many important milestones. Unfortunately, for financial reasons, my current family must put their infant in day care. It is heartbreaking for us all because we have become very close. But it is a regrettable reality that we must all face. I'm looking for the same kind of relationship with my new family.

My present duties included:
-meal prep and feeding of infant
-bathing when needed
-occasional overnight care at my home
-diapering (the infant is in cloth diapers)
-enriched play
-preparing and putting down for nap
-laundry
-transporting to play dates, doctors appointments, and sports
-craft planning and implementation
-proper car seat installation and use
-dressing the infant
-caring for the resident cats when asked
-giving medication
-dishes
-mending/sewing
-discipline
-homework help
-emotional support and love, including hugs and cuddles
-"wearing" of the infant in Moby, ring sling, and Ergo
-errands and shopping
-supervising playdates

Prior to this family, I nannied for two other families until the children transitioned to full-time school. I still maintain a close relationship with them.


Some additional duties/activities I am comfortable and experienced with include:
-cooking family meals
-swimming/beach
-vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free cooking
-intact care
-LGBT/alternative lifestyles
-homeopathy
-natural and organic foods
-special needs care


I have been taking care of children from the time that I was 11 years old. I was a volunteer with an organization that helped disabled children ride horses. It is called "We Can Ride." In addition, when I was living at home, my family and I became a certified Emergency Foster Family for the St. Paul Crisis Nursery. I also volunteered at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery. In more recent times, in addition to being a nanny, I have watched some of my friends' children. At one period of time, I watched eight children all at the same time. I am not a stranger to the trials and also the joys of being with children.

As a former natural foods co-op employee, I am very knowledgeable of organic and natural foods, gluten free diets and vegetarian diets. I am also familiar with homeopathy, Waldorf and Montessori education and cloth diapering. I very much agree with the values and teachings of Attachment Parenting and I strive to nanny according to AP guidelines. I am GLBT friendly and "Intact" educated.

I have a perfect criminal and driving record. I do not speed and I have never been pulled over or ticketed. I haven't even had a parking ticket. I never let anyone ride in my car without seat belts. Even my dogs wear seat belts. My husband is a real "grease monkey" (car buff) and he has taught me how dangerous cars are. Most people forget that. I never will.

I am very rarely late and believe in being on time, if not slightly early.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Contact:

If you are interested in having me interview for you, please contact me. You can also contact me for references. I can be reached at:

Pics of Me

Here are a few photos of me as well as some of the people/things I hold dear. I have included a few of the little girls I nanny for, but their faces have been blocked for their privacy.

My Family and I


Me and Jeeves, my former "co-worker"


Playing broomball


My girls woke up to this last April Fools Day!


Marcus and I at a Twins game. It was SOOOO hot!


My fridge is covered with "love" from my girls!


My adorable grandparents. My grandma passed away in October. I really miss her.


Jean-Luc, our one-eyed wonder!


My sweet Dobby and Layla


Layla


Marcus


Nephi and Dobby




My former clients
 



 My Current Clients
 


Benjamin and Layla



Me!





Sunday, January 27, 2013

Emmy's Nummy Banana Muffins

Prep:
Freeze and then thaw three bananas. This makes the bananas the perfect consistency for banana muffins.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place paper muffin cups into muffin tin or grease muffin tin with vegetable shortening (the latter is my preferred method).


Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 cup sugar
3 bananas, frozen then thawed
1/2 cup applesauce
4 T. margarine, melted
1/4 t. vanilla extract
1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips (optional)


Directions:
Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer. Once well combined, slowly add the bananas, margarine, vanilla extract, and applesauce. Mix well. Fold in the optional chocolate chips. Spoon mixture into the muffin moulds until each one is about halfway full. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

Let cool for five minutes and then remove the muffins from the pan.