After mentioning we enjoyed a lovely braised kale recipe on Facebook, a fellow facebooker asked for the recepie so here it is:
Ingredients:
1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1/2 of a red onion
4-6 garlic cloves
4-6 cups of kale
3-4 tablespoons of white wine
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Dash of nutmeg
Italian seasoning (optional)
Place EVOO in a medium sauté pan - enough to cover the bottom of the pan over medium heat. Chop onion and garlic and place onion into the heated EVOO until softened- then add the chopped garlic at the end so it doesn't burn. Now add the kale and begin to stir around with the onion, garlic, and EVOO mixture. Add nutmeg, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning- if you desire. Place white wine into pan to deglaze the pan and add moisture to steam the kale. Continue to stir every minute or so. Let cook, covered until kale is soft and to your desired tenderness. Enjoy!
We Are Waiting......
A beautiful song that I have the pleasure of singing at worship services and one I have come to love very much. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
It is a song I can get lost in and that is the true test!
God is so great and so mighty and I feel truly blessed to share music everyday.
This is one that I hope you will continue to share!
Go Greek in the Morning
Good Morning!
Today is my day off of work and I always like to start the day off with a great breakfast. On my days off I like to be a bit fancy with my morning meal so today it was.........Greek Scramble!
Greek Scramble Recipe: 1 serving
Ingredients:
handful of chopped red onions
handful of chopped green bell peppers
handful of chopped spinach
1 small roma tomato (chopped)
olive oil
1 egg
1 egg white
splash of milk
sprinkle of feta cheese
dash of salt
dash of pepper
dash of greek seasoning (optional)
Sauté onions with a spray of olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat until softened. In a separate bowl mix the egg and egg whites with milk and whisk together, set aside. Add green peppers and spinach to the sauté pan and let cook until softened (about 1-2 minutes). Add the copped tomato last and sauté for only about 30 seconds. Add seasonings (salt, pepper, and greek seasoning) to sauté pan. Add egg mixture to pan and let cook until golden brown or until desired doneness.
Sprinkle a little feta cheese over the top and serve with a side of whole wheat toast and fruit (kiwi, banana, berries, grapefruit, etc.) and you have the makings of a great and healthy morning breakfast!
ENJOY!
I'm an advocate for a VERY balanced meal in the morning (fruit, veggies, protein, carbs, and dairy). So this recipe fits me like a glove and if you know me I am a HUGE fan of greek food so this is the perfect breakfast for me!
Have a happy Monday!
Raspberry Mousse!
What better way to spend a lovely Sunday afternoon than with a light and fluffy raspberry mousse!
I saw this recipe on the Giada's Food Network episode and had to try it!
Success!
Here is a link to Giada's recipe!
When I watched this episode she actually used Mascarpone Cheese instead of Ricotta. Today I used half Mascarpone and half cream cheese (mainly because I had only half of the requested amount...and Mascarpone is really expensive). So for those of you that are wanting to keep things simple and cheap it was VERY tasting with half cream cheese!
I also thought that the cream cheese/mascarpone mixture with raspberry preserves (mixed in the food processor) would make a great spread for bagels.....so 2 great recipes out of 1! I call that a success!
Hope you all enjoyed your lovely weekend!
The Polar Bear Plunge
What did our afternoon consist of here in the Veteto household.....well the pictures tell it all!
Adam came home a few months ago and mentioned that he thought he was going to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge and as the weeks went by here we are!
Team: Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy
Theme: Super Heroes!
Adam's choice of super hero? Not Superman.....not Batman.....but Wonder Woman!
With a little creativity and a lot of duct tape........I give you
This was a great fundraiser for the Missouri Special Olympics and I am so proud of Adam for taking the plunge! All in all it was a VERY nice day compared to what it could have been! Temperature in the high 30s, a slight wind, and COLD water!
Adam came home a few months ago and mentioned that he thought he was going to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge and as the weeks went by here we are!
Team: Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy
Theme: Super Heroes!
Adam's choice of super hero? Not Superman.....not Batman.....but Wonder Woman!
With a little creativity and a lot of duct tape........I give you
"Wonder Woman"
This was a great fundraiser for the Missouri Special Olympics and I am so proud of Adam for taking the plunge! All in all it was a VERY nice day compared to what it could have been! Temperature in the high 30s, a slight wind, and COLD water!
Kilgore's Super Heroes
Adam was a hit and was interviewed by many........
READY
SET
PLUNGE!
Get out QUICK!
In the midst of the rush, Adam decided he didn't need anything between him and the duct tape on his legs.....so --------->
YEP! That is what you think....Adam's leg hair pulled out by the roots!
Adam was VERY glad to be out of the costume and back in his flannel!
Hope you all had a happy Saturday and thanks for stopping in!
Our Valentine's Day
Adam went off to work and will pick Kristin up for a date at Macaroni Grill and then a late night movie The Vow! It is shaping up to be a lovely Valentine's Day ------> we also received a lovely package from Dad and Mom Whiteman which reminded us that this is our 2nd Valentine's Day as a married couple :) Thanks Mom and Dad for the reminder and for the lovely sweets :)
We have been getting ready for this day for the past week. Kristin has been glued to the Valentine's Day Food Network specials and had a bit of a craving to bake lots of goodies.....so! Last night we baked Giada's Double Chocolate Mint Cookies (which are to die for), homemade brownies with chocolate cream cheese frosting and heart sprinkles, and chocolate covered heart marshmallows!
It was a chocolate filled night to say the least! We packaged the sweets up and sent some off with Adam to share with his work pals and Kristin will take the rest to school tomorrow to share with the teachers.
Adam remarked last night "Hey, maybe we can actually keep some for us at the house this time"......so needless to say we are keeping some to enjoy!
We hope you all are enjoying this lovely day! Happy Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day Everyday!
I'm going to take a moment to say Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you!
This is a day to show those close to you how much they mean to you. I'm going to take this post to tell you about my Grandma Harden.
The picture you see in this post is of the card she sent our family. Inside that card was another letter, a letter very similar to the ones she sends all nine grandchildren almost every month. She never forgets a birthday, a special day, or any other memorable moment to share the love she and Grandpa have for us. I was reminded when we received this card how much those letters mean to me and all of us grandchildren. She also sends them to our significant others and friends at times. She is known all over the world for these letters.
If you know me well, you know I love cards......to make them, give them, and receive them. I have many memories of times when family and friends have shared kind words and thoughts in a card or letter that have truly made my day. A card to wish me luck on an exam, luck for a big project, memories of a good event, reminder to take in the special moments like "unpacking boxes for the first time in our new home", to say how much we are missed, and of course to say how much we are loved! All of these cards/letters hold a special place in my heart and I want to encourage you this Valentine's Day to spread love and kind words everyday of the year, not just today.
You never know what a few kind words will mean to someone!
Happy Valentine's Day <3
This is a day to show those close to you how much they mean to you. I'm going to take this post to tell you about my Grandma Harden.
The picture you see in this post is of the card she sent our family. Inside that card was another letter, a letter very similar to the ones she sends all nine grandchildren almost every month. She never forgets a birthday, a special day, or any other memorable moment to share the love she and Grandpa have for us. I was reminded when we received this card how much those letters mean to me and all of us grandchildren. She also sends them to our significant others and friends at times. She is known all over the world for these letters.
If you know me well, you know I love cards......to make them, give them, and receive them. I have many memories of times when family and friends have shared kind words and thoughts in a card or letter that have truly made my day. A card to wish me luck on an exam, luck for a big project, memories of a good event, reminder to take in the special moments like "unpacking boxes for the first time in our new home", to say how much we are missed, and of course to say how much we are loved! All of these cards/letters hold a special place in my heart and I want to encourage you this Valentine's Day to spread love and kind words everyday of the year, not just today.
You never know what a few kind words will mean to someone!
Happy Valentine's Day <3
Flesh Woman
Ever have the feeling you have no control over your body? Example: when you know your husband isnt't really doing anything wrong but you are making his life miserable and it is as if you can't stop. You think to yourself "why am I acting this way" "why do I not have any control over my words and emotions?" That ladies is the earthly part of you Joanna Weaver refers to as "Flesh Woman."
Joanna Weaver describes this feeling by sayaing "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate." This is the part of you that you hide from the world and that many times your immediate family is the only one to see.......the part you are hoping isn't the real you. The truth----> it is the real you, but it is ONLY part of you. Thankfully we have an inner spirit that God controls....not Flesh Woman.
The way I understand it is that there are many different areas of our heart and it is a constant fight for who controls each part.....it is possible to have God control one area and Flesh Woman another. For example: you could be doing great with setting aside quiet time with God but you are still battling the way you treat others when you feel less than appreciated or you aren't getting enough attention from your family. This is an example where parts of your inner self are stable and others are not.......ring a bell? Feel like just when you conquer one area another area slips? I know I do and the truth is that feeling won't likely go away and that it will probably take a lifetime to allow God to control your whole heart. It is that sinful part of us that is battling for control.
This is not to say that these actions from the Flesh Woman in you are ok and justified, it is just a way of wrapping your mind around it.......instead of accepting Flesh Woman's presence it is a time to call in for reinforcement......you know who that is.....God! I've found one of the most helpful things to do is to identify out loud either in a journal or in prayer the behavior I wish to change and ask God for help.
It is this awareness of my inner Flesh Woman that is the first step in letting God change me piece by piece.
I again invite you to let God change you.....you won't regret it! Peace
Joanna Weaver describes this feeling by sayaing "I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do the very thing I hate." This is the part of you that you hide from the world and that many times your immediate family is the only one to see.......the part you are hoping isn't the real you. The truth----> it is the real you, but it is ONLY part of you. Thankfully we have an inner spirit that God controls....not Flesh Woman.
The way I understand it is that there are many different areas of our heart and it is a constant fight for who controls each part.....it is possible to have God control one area and Flesh Woman another. For example: you could be doing great with setting aside quiet time with God but you are still battling the way you treat others when you feel less than appreciated or you aren't getting enough attention from your family. This is an example where parts of your inner self are stable and others are not.......ring a bell? Feel like just when you conquer one area another area slips? I know I do and the truth is that feeling won't likely go away and that it will probably take a lifetime to allow God to control your whole heart. It is that sinful part of us that is battling for control.
This is not to say that these actions from the Flesh Woman in you are ok and justified, it is just a way of wrapping your mind around it.......instead of accepting Flesh Woman's presence it is a time to call in for reinforcement......you know who that is.....God! I've found one of the most helpful things to do is to identify out loud either in a journal or in prayer the behavior I wish to change and ask God for help.
It is this awareness of my inner Flesh Woman that is the first step in letting God change me piece by piece.
I again invite you to let God change you.....you won't regret it! Peace
Change my heart, O God!
Change my heart, O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart, O God
May I be like You
You are the potter, I am the clay
Mold me and make me, this is what I pray
Change my heart, O God
Make it ever true
Change my heart, O God
May I be like You.....
God has called a change in me, as I imagine you have felt also at some time in your life. A time when you feel a push from above, an unsettling feeling, a need for deeper intimacy with God and with the true self God created. I have felt that and have learned to recognize it quickly, but that doesn't mean the journey to change is any easier.
I am coupling with Joanna Weaver, the author of Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit on this journey to transformation. A challenging series of books that help to challenge a woman's faith and strengthen her relationship with her God. I felt the pull to pick Having a Mary Spirit last week and immediately felt at home....not a comfortable home, but rather a realization that this is where I am in my life....trying to be the Martha when I should be falling at Christ's feet as a Mary Spirit would.
I have studied through these two books in the past and have grown in many ways.....and it's time to do it again. This time, however, is not the same. This change will be different.........I don't know how different or what that means, but I know I will go through this book and gain something much different than the first time.
How many of us women find ourselves trying to be perfect, thinking that is what God is calling us to be. Because, of course a Godly woman would look a certain way on the outside right? Involved in ministry, giving of her time to all charity and community service, while also keeping a clean and organized household, making great changes at work, and somehow also finding time to have a strong and intimate relationship with God......we all want to hear...."How does she do it?" Wrong! There is no perfect picture of a Godly woman. A Godly woman is one that above all follows God and his calling.
But I see these women all over the place with perfect lives and perfect jobs, in the media all the time, changing lives with charity and social work......we dislike these women don't we. In our efforts to become "perfect woman" we find ourselves falling farther and farther from our true self....feeling guilty because we failed and traveling farther and farther from the woman God is truly calling us to be. We have a case of the "whitewashed-tomb syndrome" as Joanna Weaver calls it. "The dangerous belief that we can somehow make ourselves presentable to God through our own human effort." She goes on to correlate this with the Pharisees and their attempts at self-induced holiness. Jesus also had something to say not he matter: " Ignore the outside, no matter how brightly it shines. It's what is inside that counts."
I by no means that the answer of how to be the "perfect woman" or a "Godly woman," but I hope by the end of this transformation process to have some answers.
I'm reminded by Joanna that change is NOT easy. Praying "change my heart, O God" is not like giving up my earthly soul to God and when He has changed it to His liking will return it in the mail. No...change is not passive, but active. As an avid runner, I correlate it to the feeling of getting out of bed knowing the run is going to be hard, but knowing that after a few weeks there will be a change and my body will build it's endurance and the benefits are long-lasting.
I will leave you with a quote from Joanna Weaver in her book Having a Mary Spirit- one that haunts me to my very core. We can change "because we have a SAvior who understands that we are caught in a human body of contradictions. Wanting God one minute and chasing the world the next. Desiring holiness, yet settling for compromise. Hungering for the divine, yet willing to trade it for a bowl of stale porridge and a nap in the shade."
Be ready, a change is coming and if you feel God is calling a change in you -> pick up this book and let God change you also!
Beautiful Art!
This past Sunday, Adam and I went to the Starving Artist Sale here in Columbia and purchased our 1st (2) pieces of artwork for our apartment.
The Story
The room was full of oil paintings on canvas, a truly beautiful sight to behold. We went thinking it would be a lovely art show and not expecting to purchase. As we walked around our eyes gazed upon beautiful Parisian themed pieces of Venice, Paris, Italy, and Greece and all made us long to travel. We thought many would do their best to capture the beauty of the Ozarks, however, they were few and far between. As we walked and critiqued we stumbled upon a beautiful Ozark painting that looked strangely similar to the trails we hike near our home.....we of course just remarked how beautiful and turned to continue when next we looked back and it was GONE!!!! NOOOOO!!!!! We immediately searched the room for the soul who took our beloved painting....we had settled that it was not meant to be when what did we see across the room ........ the beautiful picture and thought....ok well we have to get this one!
I was also struck by a lovely scenery with 3 swans on a pond that just "caught my eye" from the moment I laid eyes on it so......needless to say, we came home with 2 paintings and 2 frames!
These lovely paintings are worth more than a mere $150 total with all the furnishings that go along with them. The Ozark trail now hangs in our living room for all to enjoy, while the swans reside above Kristin's desk in the office!
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