RAK #14: Jean Carlos Mendez Perez

This is the fourteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

This RAK is near and dear to my heart – I support several horse rescue organizations (one via Amazon Smile, which donates a portion of every order to my charity). HiCaliber Horse Rescue is one I learned about from my friend Erin. They are located in San Diego and do some amazing work – every week they attend auctions in which horses that are not purchased are shipped for slaughter. Many of these horses are terrified, abused, and in horrifying condition. Some are what they call “compassion pulls” – horses so sick or injured that they must be euthanized – HiCaliber takes these horses and shows them love in their last days. Others are rehabilitated and adopted out. It’s a truly amazing program and I encourage you to read up and donate if you are moved!

This RAK is in honro of Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, who died with his boyfriend inside Pulse nightclub. He was a popular salesman at a local perfume outlet store and was described as a warm, funny man. Rest in peace, Jean.

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Enchilada Soup

This last week Mike and I tried another InstantPot recipe that I found here. I’ll confess, thus far we’ve mostly used it to make rice, but decided to give the slow cooker a go with Enchilada Soup. It was absolutely delicious!

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Ingredients

For the enchilada sauce:
Neutral cooking oil, such as canola or safflower
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
3 garlic cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Mexican-style chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon sugar
2 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups chicken stock, plus more for thinning if needed

For the soup:
1 (15-ounce) can yellow corn, drained
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained
2 to 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Heavy cream, to taste, optional
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, optional

To serve:
Grated cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Tortilla chips
Cilantro

Directions

Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and jalapeño and cook until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, and sugar and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, and stock. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker.

Add the corn, beans, and chicken thighs to a 5-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Cover and set on low for 6 to 7 hours (or high for 4 hours).

Shred the cooked chicken using two forks. Stir in a splash of heavy cream if desired. Give the soup a taste and season the soup with additional salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, if needed.

Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, and cilantro for garnish.

 

RAK #13: Anthony Luis Laureano Disla

This is the thirteenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

RAK #13 is in honor of Anthony Luis Laureano Disla, who had loved to dance since he was a young boy. He was pursuing a career as a dancer and choreographer. Rest in peace, Anthony.

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RAK #12: Alejandro Barrios Martinez

This is the twelfth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

RAK #12 is in honor of Alejandro Barrios Martinez. Alejandro was from Cuba and was one of the youngest victims of the attack at just 21 years old. He was known as happy and fun loving. Rest in peace, Alejandro.

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RAK #11: Deonka Deidra Drayton

This is the eleventh of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

Deonka had suffered tragedy before – she was ejected from her family vehicle in an accident and had a traumatic brain injury when she was a child. She was working at the club the night of the shooting. Rest in peace, Deonka.

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RAK #10: Darryl Roman Burt II

This is the tenth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

This RAK is in honor of Darryl Roman Burt II. He was a member of the Jacksonville Jaycees, a non-profit group of young professionals who help in community projects and events. He was in school, getting his masters degree and was very passionate about his volunteer work. Rest in peace, Darryl.

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RAK #9: Eddie Jamoldroy Justice

This is the ninth of 49 random acts of kindness (RAKs) that I’m doing to honor the victims of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Hopefully each small act puts a little bit of happiness back out in the world!

I know it’s been a while, but I’m back on the RAK bandwagon. The RAKs 9-13 are all the same thing, but to five different people. I de-stashed some of my planner stickers and posted to a Facebook group that I belong to that I would be giving them away – the one catch was that people had to comment on my post and share a random act of kindness they had done. The response was amazing – there really are great people out there doing great things!

This RAK is in honor of Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, who was texting his mother while the shooting was taking place. He was described by his friends and family as a very friendly person who would give you the shirt off his back. Rest in peace, Eddie.

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