Singing Over Me

You know those songs that touch you and make you cry uncontrollably and you can only account such an emotional outburst to God.  Well today was one of those days and this is the song that took me there.

 I can only hope it was God calling something of me and I wanted to share this beautiful song in the hope that it might bring just one person closer to the feeling it gave me.  A feeling of extreme helplessness and extreme hope at the same time knowing that I (each of us) are here for a reason and it is through these small moments that God leads and calls us to be greater people!

Singing Over Me by: Kari Jobe

Iced coffee goodness!

So my latest craving involves ice, coffee, cream, and honey!  How could that be bad?

After watching The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network Channel last Saturday I decided to try her iced coffee recipe at home.  I'm sure the traditional recipe is to die for, that being said, I am not a girl who eats lots of refined sugar - especially now since I have given up all refined sugar completely to see A) if it is possible B) what my body thinks - hopefully it likes it and C) to force myself to be creative with alternative and more natural sweeteners!

This iced coffee recipe is taken directly from The Pioneer Woman blog, but improvised:

Creative Iced Coffee
Ingredients:
1/2 pound of coffee (any flavor/type you like - I sport the ground Donut Store version from Aldi's)
half/half or cream
honey
ice

Being in an apartment, I don't have the resources to make a vat of coffee, so I use nearly a 1/4 - 1/2 pound of coffee and steep with about a pitcher of water.  I place the coffee grounds in a large casserole dish and then gently poor the water into the grounds - stir until all grounds are in the water and not sitting on top.  Let steep over night or for at least 8 hours.  Poor into a large bowl with a lip (for easy pour later).  I then use a large strainer and place a napkin in it to sift out the grounds and keep the liquid.  An easier way would be to use a cheesecloth from your local store, but I seem to keep forgetting to purchase one.
Once you have strained the coffee, place in containers you can seal (I reuse old pasta sauce jars and mason jars we have around the house) and refrigerate.

Now for the creative part:  poor a couple tablespoons of honey into a small dish and then pour your cream or half/half over the honey and let sit for a few minutes - go fold laundry and come back.  Now take a fork and stir up the honey into the cream until it has dissolved completely.  Taste to make sure it is your desired sweetness - add more honey if you desire it to be sweeter.

Time to enjoy:  Grab your favorite glass, fill it full of ice cubes, pour the coffee over the ice, then add your cream/honey mixture until desired taste!  Now sip and smile!

Hope you enjoyed this no-sugar added iced coffee recipe!  Check back for more fun recipes to come!

Sometimes He makes me laugh out loud!

Some might not think of God as a humorous creature, but I know this to be false.  Why you ask......well I'll tell you:

After a few horrible nights sleep that felt much more purposeful and much less of a mistake on my end, I find myself searching before bed for answers.  I grab the book I've been reading "Having a Mary Spirit" by Joanna Weaver and think I'll dive in and get some answers.  Well, much to my surprise the answers were not found on the pages of the book, but between the pages (on my bookmark that reads "Where to look when.....").  The ending that caught my eye was "when you feel too busy" - which directly linked me to Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.

 Please look this verse up if you do not know it - it speaks that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven - much like the famous tune "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds. "To everything turn, turn, turn, there is a season turn, turn, turn, and a time to every purpose under heaven."  These lyrics were directly adapted from this verse! Beautifully written if I do say so myself.

As I began to read I literally began to chuckle out loud that a bookmark would lead me to exactly what I needed to hear and exactly what I thought God wanted me to hear.

Verse 12 and 13 state: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God." 

  

This struck me as so simple and yet so powerful that even with a full plate it is not what this world wants us to get done that is important, it might not even be what we do that is important, but HOW we do it that is the key to this life.  

I, of course, began to correlate these words into my current questioning of the meaning of life and came to this conclusion:  God designed me exactly the way I am and He intends me to use all of me.  I  was not designed to find a previous life to fit into like a cookie cutter, I was designed to create a new shape and to use all the characteristics and talents I've been given to do just that.  Sometimes I feel God telling me "don't you see, there isn't any perfect job, there isn't a specific place I want you to be.  I simply want you to use all that I created to do something you enjoy."  Wow....when that actually comes out on paper I understand how powerful that is.

This meansYOU too ------ this is a statement that is true for all of us.  I believe God is reminding us that we will serve the best when we are enjoying what we do.  God will spark ideas and lead when we begin to acknowledge this.

It is my hope for you today that you look at your life and enjoy what you do!
Have a happy Friday!

You know He's a calling when.....

Last night was undoubtable the worst night sleep I have had in probably years.  I couldn't sleep ---- for some reason I just couldn't sleep.  I've been getting up more in the middle of the night the past week than I can ever remember.........and last night was the worst.......but why?

The first things that come to mind are:  coffee, sick, napping during the day, stressed, and the list goes on, but not any of those are the reason.  The most likely one would be stress, but I am getting lots of exercise so that is releasing a lot of my stress......hmmmmmm

As I tossed and turned last night I remember praying........God this is You and I know it.  What are you calling of me at this hour?  What are you speaking to me that I'm not hearing during my waking hours?  I can't answer these questions, but I know God had me right where He wanted me.........praying for answers, praying for guidance, praying for His input!

If you have been following the past few blogs, you know I'm coming up against some career altering decisions with lots of questions.   Questions I know God is leading me to ask.  At this point, I'm awake at night, praying for guidance and praying for answers.

That being said, I'm in no rush - for the first time in my life I don't want the perfect ending to be here right now, I think I need the journey and I'm looking forward to it!  So God, thank You for the sleepless night and for this unsettling feeling inside that encourages me to look up!

Unexpected days!

That's right....we've all had them and they come at the most inopportune times when all else is falling apart and they usually culminate with crying, yelling, prayers, and feelings of hopelessness.  Other characteristics of these days are the reaction we have looking back at them and how too often we remember overreacting and laughing at how the day worked itself out.  Often we hear ourselves saying "if only I had known, I wouldn't have said _______ (whatever that was that we undoubtable regret).  Yep....we've all had them.......our recent episode was not one day but 2!

Day 1:
We wake up early say 7am to go on a run at a trail near our apartment complex.  This is something we do quite often when the days are nice.  It started like every other morning with birds singing and the sun beaming in with a brisk, but delightful breeze.  We get in the car (which has been acting a bit funny the last week) and as it grumbles at the start we turn and say once again to each other "we really do need to get this looked at."  CLUE #1

The run began....brisk....but like most others ---- both of us getting in the runners groove.  Adam began to push the pace.....it is normally me that does that....but today he thought he would be bold.  I must preface this by saying that I (Kristin) run all year round so by the spring my endurance is good and Adam doesn't like to run all year, really only from mid-spring to mid-fall and not a moment later!  That being said, the fact that he was pushing the pace was unusual CLUE #2.  We continued and then his lack of endurance hit him....the pace slowed and by the time we hit our turn-around point we were both feeling a bit uneasy......that's when it happened!

There is a chain at our turn-around point that we always jump over....yep....you guessed it......we didn't make it over the chain.....not even a little!  With one unison jump we caught our feet and both of us plowed the gravel.  As we lay there wondering what the heck just happened I felt the undeniable urge to laugh as I replay the event in my mind with the coupling urge to weep as I felt my left leg begin to swell and throb! Not a feeling you want to feel half-way through a long run!
So we dusted ourselves off and began to head back.........about half-way back Adam gives a big exhale and frantically grabs at his shorts pocket....yep....the car key....where is it?  Yep....that's right...likely at the turn-around point of the major blow-out!

So back we go, exhausted already and knowing we needed to have a fast run because Adam had to get to work! So after a VERY long run back to the blow-out point we head back for the now last 1/2 of the run......o boy!  After about 2 minutes our bodies, exhausted, bruised, and frustrated stop!  The rest of the run was now a walk and one full of admittance that our high hopes for a good run have now been shot down and ended in a very bad feeling run.

So after deciding that God intended us to walk in his creation instead of run we finally made it back to the car to find that she won't run.  She won't even start.  A lot of good the car key did....she won't even run!
After many attempts, a look under the hood (like we know what we are looking for), a few tears, a few angry words at the car and the day...we head up the HUGE hill, across the highway, through the neighborhood and finally arrive back at the house where we had YES.....left our phones!
So...we call AAA and Adam calls work to let them know he will be....a little late!  We call a local autoshop and Adam takes a VERY fast shower, gets dressed for work, heads back through the neighborhood....forgets the car keys again and has to come back and get them.....heads back through the neighborhood (Take 2), across the highways, down the huge hill, and back through the park to get to the car.

Turns out the battery was dead along with quite a few other things......$600+ later and she runs like a dream!

Day 2:
This is the day we look back and.....while still being in pain and bruised from the blow-out, we recall the day before with that...."how did we ever make it through that day with our minds still intact?"  The answer is.....we have no idea.....truly it must have been a God thing that we didn't pull our own hair out in the process of the day.
Today ended this 2 day saga perfectly.  Pappa Veteto was able to come to Columbia for the evening and we spent the night fellowshipping, walking downtown Columbia, and enjoyed a wonderful meal at a local joint called Addisons!  It was the perfect ending to a very long, sore, roller coaster of emotions 2 day journey!

In the end...it all works out just as most unexpected days do!

To blog or not to blog.....

That is the question I have for you!

Through a series of heart-to-hearts with myself over the past few weeks I have found that I am desiring more from my life and I feel God is calling me to do more.  For the past few years, since beginning the work on my professional website and blog, I have found that I not only LOVE website design, I am a blog-aholic! I can't even begin to count the number of blogs that I read and are familiar with.  I came across an iPad app called Feedler Pro that allows me to read all my blogs that I subscribe through Google Reader all in one place! I can't get enough of this form of social media and social sharing.

I find myself getting excited with the mere thought of doing something new to my website and find myself spending hours a day dreaming of what I could do with it.  This overwhelming feeling of happiness with this form of communication seems to be more to me than I had first thought.

I've been struggling with what I call - living 2 lives - music therapist by day and wanna-be expert blogger by night.

After finding the Julie/Julia project movie in the bargin bin and waiting all week to see the 1 (30 minute) episode of The Pioneer Woman (blogger turned Food Network Star) -------- my heart is asking me to stop making this a hidden desire and come right out with the statement!

I LOVE BLOGGING!!!! I love everything there has to do with blogging! I get lost for hours and sometimes days editing and thinking of things to blog.

So! I decided....what if I really did put the effort into making this blogging fetish less of a secret desire and  more of a product.  There are millions of ways to professionally blog and I've been doing my reading!

Pros:
- possibility of making a little extra cash or a lot of extra cash
- getting to add all the things I love (homemaking, music, cooking, baking, exercising, crafts,
   photography, etc.....believe me the list goes on and on) together in 1 place!
- inexpensive to start-up
- share all the things I love with family, friends, and other bloggers around the world
- business that can be done anywhere I have a computer, phone, or iPad
- possibility of this actually becoming a way of life and part of our income
- working on my bucket list (becoming a proficient web designer and blogger)
- encourage me to think out of the box and reach a different audience with my passions
- *The possibility that this might actually be a place God wants me to share His word!*

The last pro is where I find myself smiling the most!  I have felt for years that God is calling me to use all the things I do and do something unique with them.  My character pulls me in so many directions, so many things I want to do and maybe...just maybe this is where He has been calling me the whole time.  I'm not one to witness out loud and upfront - unless it is behind my guitar that is ----> I think we are all called to witness to His love in different ways and I'm coming to an understanding that this just might be where He desires me to witness!

Cons:
- lots of work to develop the website (especially if you know me and my perfectionism in design)
- the possibility that I am a horrible blogger and have nothing to say
- it might be lots of time and little product
- takes time away from my thesis - that being said it might also help keep myself accountable if I have
  to blog about it.
- no one wants to read what I have to say

So the question I have been praying about in my heart for months, maybe years is: "What is God calling me to do?"  ------This is where that prayer has led me!

My question for you is:  "Do I take on this challenge of creating a blog to 1) witness 2) share resources 3) fulfill my secret passions for blogging and 4) be financially productive?"

To blog or not to blog......that is the question!

Good Foods to Eat!

According to the April 2012 issue of Reader's Digest here is a list of foods that will not only help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, boost energy, but all claims to speed weight loss!  Who can say no to that right?
The interesting thing about this list is that it doesn't contain many CRAZY foods that are only found at health food stores.  Most of these food can be found at your local Walmart!  Go figure!

The list!
Calcium:
- Greens
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Brazil nuts
- Parmesan Cheese
- Swiss Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese

They also suggest that the resveratrol (found in red wine) is also a fat releaser too! - in moderation of course!


Protein:
- Beans
- Nuts
- Steak
- Eggs
- Lentils
- Poultry
- fish such as Salmon and Lobster

Vitamin C:
- Broccoli
- rabe
- escarole
- citrus fruits
- red pepper
- cantaloupe
- kiwi
- strawberries

Fiber:
- Lettuce greens (dark green are preferable like Romaine and Spinach)
- Carrots
- Tomatoes

Others mentioned in the article:
- Coconut Oil
- Olives
- Olive oil
- Seeds
- Dark Chocolate
- Avacado
- Quinoa
- Honey (especially as a substitute for sugar)
- Cocoa
- Vinegar (red wine vinegar, cider vinegar, etc.) - also help you feel full
- Garlic
- Rosemary
- Ricotta Cheese
- Black Pepper
- Almonds

Now! If you can't find some combination of these foods - then check back to our recipes where we use many of them for ideas!

Daily Meal Plan Idea:


Breakfast:  1 serving of Greek Yogurt with cantaloupe, kiwi/strawberries with a drizzle of honey and a
                   hard-boiled egg
Snack:  10 almonds
Lunch:  1/2 of an avocado on a corn tortilla with chopped tomatoes, feta cheese, sea salt & black pepper
Snack:  Fruit (such as an orange) with seeds/nuts and a few carrots
Dinner:  Grilled/baked Salmon or comparable fish seasoned with sea salt, black pepper, garlic, and    
               rosemary - with Quinoa with olive oil and a side of steamed broccoli
After Dinner Delight:  Dark Chocolate Chips

*This is just one example of how you can add in these suggested foods to highlight your meals and speed up weight loss and maintain a healthy lifestyle!  I realize it is hard to stay away from refined sugars and carbohydrates - I love good moist cake, skittles, and apple pie as much as the next person, but research shows these should be used in moderation.  Let yourself enjoy these weekly but in small portions.  I guarantee if you add some of these food choices above into your meals you will feel healthier and happier!

Have a happy and healthy Monday!

LIKE us to WIN!!!!

Hello Family and Friends,

We were entered into a contest by our wedding photographer (Catie Neuber Photography) where the winner (equalling the most LIKES on their photo) wins a free photo shoot and a print of their choice! It would truly be an honor to win and we hope that you will help us win by LIKING us on Facebook!
Click on the link below and LIKE this photo to Help! Every Like counts! Thank you all sooooo much!

LIKE US HERE!!!!!

Weekend in Texas!

A few weekends ago we had the privilege to travel to San Antonio to visit family because a few dear friends of ours got married in La Grange, Texas.  We left at 7am from Columbia on Wednesday (March 7th) and arrived at the Texas Whitemans' in Spring Branch around 10pm.  What a long trip but Adam, myself, and Bibbie made the trip with no major setback aside from traffic in Fort Worth.  Bibbie is quite the traveling chinchilla - she has now been in 6 different states!  

It also happened to be Emily Whiteman's birthday (March 7th) so we got to have dinner with the family to celebrate Emily's b-day that week.  

We spent many hours of great fellowship with family and friends and enjoyed every second with them eating at Taco Cabana, Bill Millers, and of course Alamo Cafe's wonderful tortillas and queso!  

On Saturday (March 10th) we spent the day at the Manck-White wedding at a lovely church camp chapel in La Grange, Texas where we helped celebrate their union.  It was a lovely wedding - perfect size, wonderful BBQ, and amazing cupcakes (that we ofcourse couldn't actually try because we gave up sweets for Lent) - definitely the bummer of the trip!  Aside from a lack of sugar we had a GREAT time and felt special being involved in their special day!  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. White!  

Monday (March 12th) morning we left the Texas Whitemans' around 4:30 and arrived in Columbia around 6pm that night!  What a long but wonderful trip full of talking, laughing, and lots of miles and smiles!   

Weekend with a friend!

This weekend our friend Joel came to visit.  We are currently sitting in our living room after a lovely meal and wonderful fellowship.  We often feel isolated in this place from past friends and Joel always takes the time to come and visit and it is ALWAYS a wonderful visit.  On tonight's menu was: homebaked chips (corn and whole wheat flour) with homemade Pico de gallo and hummus.  Our main menu was Cilantro Lime Chicken on the grill with my famous greek-inspired salad and of course a wonderful glass of red wine.  Adam is getting quite good on the grill and grilled the chicken perfectly.  We finished off the evening with roasted peaches and a no sugar mascarpone and whipped cream topping.  It was a lovely evening had by all and you can check out the roasted peaches recipe below and the other recipes a previous blog here!

Roasted Peaches and Whipped/Mascarpone Topping - no sugar added

3 peaches (1 peach for each person)
1/2 cup of whipping cream
1/4 cup of mascarpone (optional)
honey

Cut the peaches and remove the pit.  Wash peaches and keep roughly 3-4 tablespoons of water for roasting.  Drizzle with honey to help roast and flavor the natural peach flavor.  Place in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Take out and put in a skillet/stove-top pan and place over medium heat until the peaches become tender and darken.

Topping:  use a hand mixer to whip the cream until soft peaks.  Add in the mascarpone (optional) and fold in to the whipped cream until mixed fully.  Place peaches and top with a spoonful of topping over the hot and roasted peaches! Enjoy this no-sugar added after dinner treat!

We are having such a wonderful weekend with our friend and even though we are on a budget, we have been able, once again, to use our fresh resources from the Natural Grocers here in Columbia to make a great meal!---------> more on this wonderful store soon!

Have a lovely Saturday!