It's the Good Life!

The week was a success, although after Wednesday it was questionable if I was going to make it out alive.  Oh, it was filled with changing of schedules, 8^th grade attitudes, and trying to control every single uncontrollable event in my life, present and future.  Now do you see where the problems came?  After attending the usual Wednesday church service it was brought to my attention that God is Good, It’s all Good, and We are Conquerors.  It was all going to be ok.  Took a deep breath and plunged into Thursday.  It was much better after the little pep talk with God!

After Thursday’s success it was onto Friday which was staff development.  However, the school took advantage of this day and had students assigned to come in for homework help.  This lit up my heart, when I got a break from my meeting I went to the media center to see my struggling student ‘s nose in books, look up smile and immediately call my over to help them.  Learning can occur!!!  The day got much better when I walked outside to 34 degree weather, washed my poor, poor car that had been a filthy mess since Christmas, and finished it off with a nice, wonderful, lungs still burning run outside.  Ah I loved Friday!!!!  And it got better.  Remember how I was so excited for the weekend because of my busy plans to stay home and do nothing.  Success!!! 

Yes, a date night!  With who, you ask??? Ha ME, frozen pizza, two redbox movies, a mikes and some popcorn!  Oh it was so good!  The movie selection, no chick flicks, no lovey dovey, no sappy mess, = The Social Network; very interesting and Grown-ups; very humorous.   The popcorn I must confess was neglected until right now.  I was too lazy to get up and make it and too full to truly enjoy how delicious Kettle Korn is. 

No new recipes for this week.  Cleaning out the fridge, saving grocery day for Saturday, to prepare for Super Bowl Sunday food!!! Oh, it’s going to be soooo good, stay tuned for some great recipes.   And remember...

 “It’s all good!”

Back to reality, back to normalcy.

I know I promised to give you my expert opinion on the Greek Yogurt status, which is better?  It turns out both are pretty good but if I had to choose just one to take on a deserted island with me, I would have to choose the Chobani.  I also learned that if you buy plain Greek Yogurt it can conveniently be substituted for sour cream, as a topping I wouldn’t dare put it in a dish to cook…. not yet anyways.  This week’s menu is Jambalya and Green Monster Smoothies, all a new experiences.  Jambalya I am pretty excited for, Green Monster Smoothie= spinach, protein powder, almond milk, almond butter…I am prepared to possibly gag and turn to the always trusted cereal, but I will try it none-the-less.  Also the thought of having protein powder will maybe push me back into the gym.  Yes, there has been a long, terribly long absence from the gym.  Nearly embarrassing to actually tell you how long it has been.  So I won’t. J  Me, the big guy upstairs, and the gym owner are the only three that really need to know that information anyways. 

I realized I need to teach myself when I feel the least like going to the gym aka. bad day, super stressful day, busy day, is the time when I need it the most.  Emotional eater…that would be me. (first step to overcoming is admitting…right?!?!)  Emotional and a bit more stressed than usual that would also be me.  So, emotional= food, stressed= lack of gym time, so let’s review, emotional + stressed= HORRIBLE!!!  This weekend should put me back on my normal schedule which will gear me right up to start the month of February, aka…ITBS.  This will be my task for the first three weeks of February.  Every morning will be devoted to ITBS for me; luckily I have it set up that my students will only need to endure the pain for about an hour or so every day for those three weeks.  With that being said I know I will need to push myself every day to go to the gym.  It exhausted me when I was a student, now to administer it for more hours than I ever had to take them.  Be in ITBS mode for three weeks straight with the pressure to be sure all students do their best so WCMS can get off the watch list for next year.  Yeah, it’s going to be a big month.  However, I did state that this year there would be no “Fat February” like last year, I’m stepping it up. 

"Kicking butt and taking initials, I’m not stopping long enough to take names."- Radio Station Slogan

Nothing too spectacular for this week or weekend.  We had two water main breaks in town this morning, luckily after we left the house, so now if you want to consume water it is advised to boil it.  Thursday, we have parent teacher conferences.  Friday, professional development meetings.  Saturday, wake up at my own house, make pancakes, clean, go to the gym, and watch movies.  After being gone for the past two weekends visiting friends I could really use the time for me, to catch up and get back to my schedule. I am so excited for Saturday!

Go Greek!

My schedule has been a bit off.  Tonight I finally got my weekly groceries, yes, it is Tuesday!  However, it felt great I could have walked out the door with under $20 this week.  However, seeing some yogurt on sale put me over.  Dang!  But I am so excited to report that I will be comparing some very interesting yogurt this week.  After reading some more from Iowa Girl Eats I have been inspired to try some Greek Yogurt, Atheno or Chobani, which is better, worth the extra money.  Nobody knows, until Friday when I will of course report back.  J  Along with grocery shopping today I realized that the hardest food to find is…raisins.  Yes, I swear that in every store they have them in a different spot.  After searching for nearly 10 min. going in circles I broke down and asked a nice Hy-Vee man, near the produce, by all the dried fruit.  Who would have guessed?  Although now it makes complete sense to me I must admit. 

Now that I have my kitchen stocked I can cook.  I made my breakfast for the week which is…Ham and Cheese Frittata.  It was a bit interesting to make but tons of fun. 

Ham and Cheese Frittata

·         3 whole eggs

·         3 egg whites

·         ½ c. cooked small pasta

·         Cubed Ham-maybe a ½ - ¾ cup

·         1 small head of broccoli- steamed

·         1 small tomato

·         Dash Salt and Pepper

·         Dashes of hot sauce

Combine eggs, S & P , hot sauce in a bowl.  Next cut up and add Steamed broccoli, tomato, ham, and cooked small pasta.  Add all together in a greased skillet.  Stir a bit and cook on a medium low heat.  **be sure to be patient do not stir it as if you are making scrambled eggs, simply allow the low heat to cook through the eggs.  When it is cooked add some Colby Jack cheese to the top and enjoy!

Now all of this seems very easy however a bit time consuming considering the small pasta that has become a favorite of mine to cook with, Acini Di Pepe, takes a very long time to come to a boil and cook,  but still fun and interesting. 

Next despite my mother’s best efforts to teach me all her cooking skills I do not believe she has ever taught me how to steam vegetables.  So I had to make due.  Check out this amazing skill.  I took advantage of the steam that would be coming from the noodles, and put the broccoli in another metal pan with a small amount of water and a lid.  Thus time to steam away. 

 Add to it a pan of steamed broccoli on top...

= homemade steamer!

When this crazy idea actually worked I did my happy dance in the kitchen and sang a little happy song.  This caused my roommate to become curious.  I informed her that I was a genius and pretty amazing.  She proceeded to go to the pots and pans cupboard and pull out this…

A Steamer!  Yup we had one all along.  Oh well it was entertaining to make the contraption and I am now a better, skilled cook for it.  J

I also learned that you should put a lid on the skillet to help cook the top of the eggs a bit more.  Also when the eggs are nearly cooked turn off the heat and let it set on the hot coil with the lid on.  The eggs will continue to cook themselves and have a perfect finish.  I was a bit worried about this dish, I’m not going to lie, but I just tasted it and… not bad.  I should have more hot sauce or add some chili powder, but I like it spicy, always do.  Well, until Friday when the votes will be in.  Chobani or Atheno…who knows!

Pictures

I have been waiting for something to stick out from my week to write about.  Some moment, quote, smell, taste, and laugh, anything and alas…nothing.  So I decided to procrastinate a bit more, reading random blogs while listening to the music on a friend’s blogs.  Then a very unusual thing occurred.  Honestly, this could only happen probably 1 in a million times.  I was the one!  The music that was playing sounded like I had two of the exact same songs playing; however, they were just a few seconds off so it sort of sounded like the songs were playing in a-round.   The songs that were playing I had never heard until the friend’s blog introduced it to me and I really like it, one to add to my favorites list.  This random occurrence is what brings me to the meat and purpose of this blog.

“I’m taking a mental picture of you now”

Those were the lyrics that were playing when the mix up stated above unfolded.  They come from the song “Good Life” by One Republic.  (Also playing on my player right now)  After this week and its rushing all over I feel like all I could do was take mental pictures of it all and hope to never forget any of it.  It wasn’t anything too eventful.  Just everyday life and I kind of have become a huge fan of my plain old, ordinary, nothing special life. 

Tuesday- The week started off with weather and my first snow day as an employed teacher!  My roommate also had a snow day so after clearing the driveway we went back to bed.  I woke up and cooked! ( are you surprised??)  Snickerdoodles were on the menu for my students, kids love Snickerdoodle cookies maybe more than chocolate chip, who knew!  But the mental pictures I am going to choose to remember from that snow filled, wrapped in blankets day are: eating specially made chocolate chip cookie dough (no eggs, completely safe) on the futon with the roommate;  two spoons, one bowl, devoured in 15 min.  As well as watching my roommate run the snow blower, first time, she did great.  

Wednesday- I had meetings in the morning, nothing special and the regular Encounter church service at night.  Mental picture for the day: seeing the youth section filled at the service and kids flowing to the front of the church during praise and worship as if we they were at a concert.  Hands held high singing praises with their peers.  That’s a great picture.

Thursday- Road Trip!  Well, sort of, I had a class to take which I started this summer and had follow-up classes throughout the school year.  Mental picture:  The transition from complete darkness to a gorgeous sunrise.

Friday- Unfortunately we had a death in the community this week.  Being new to the area I did not know the woman who passed away, but from what I learned about her.  I want to be like her.  She was a teacher at a neighboring school (k-6), the kids come to our school from 7^th grade on.  She was a 6^th grade teacher, which means that many of my students had her as a teacher.  Nobody knows why she passed away, but it was a very sad day.  To honor her we all were encouraged to wear Iowa Cyclone colors.  It was said she was their biggest fan.  That day the mood was sad, but happy with her memory.  Mental picture: The Sea of Red down every hallway when the morning bell rang.  That woman made an impact.  

“A teacher affects eternity; no one can ever tell where the influence stops.”

Saturday- I spent the weekend back in Pella.  Saturday was filled with working at Bridal Dreams for the Prom Open House.  Followed by an evening with old college friends   Mental picture:  Seeing friends faces light up from long absences. 

None of these mental pictures were extravagant I did not look at Niagara Falls, or experience a baby’s first breath.  Just the everyday simple, plain Jane moments that keeps my world spinning. 

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!”  Psalm 118:24

How many of you thought a blog titled “Pictures” would be filled with photos.  Sorry too busy for the camera, maybe next time.  J

Ohh, It's So Good!

Two blogs in a row, not usually how I do things, however; the recipe for this week is far too good to keep to myself,  Sweet Potato Sausage.  It can be summed up in one word….AMAZING!!!  I have never eaten a sweet potato before; however, I’m going to be doing that more often, yummy!  I have also become very happy with my ability to sauté onions to get a fantastic taste and make the house smell delicious.  Here it is what you have all been waiting for, the goods, the juicy, yummy goodness…the recipe. 

Sweet Potato Sausage

1 Sweet Potato per person

1 sausage link per person

1 Granny smith apple

¼ onion

1 clove of garlic

1 tbsp. Olive Oil (EVOO)

Dash of Salt and Pepper

1.       Prick the Sweet potato several times and heat in the microwave fro 2.5 min. on each side.

2.       Peel and cut granny smith apple, onion and garlic and add to a skillet with 1 Tbsp. of EVOO.   Sauté this for 5 min. 

3.       Cut sausage into pieces and add to skillet.  Sauté for an additional 5 min.  Cover the pan with a lid and sauté for an additional 5 min or until apples are soft and sausage is cooked through.

4.       Mash up the baked sweet potato and cover with the sauté mixture. 

5.       ENJOY! 

The day started off great as well with finally indulging myself in a delicious Oatmeal Bake that I made Sunday night to eat for breakfast this week.  The bake is… Banana Bread Oatmeal.  After it was made it looked too good to resist so it cooled a bit and then we all tried it.  Yummy!

Banana Bread Oatmeal

½ c. of each, old fashion oats, water, and skim milk

1 banana (½  mashed and ½ cut to top the dish)

Dash of cinnamon- the more the better

Dash of vanilla flavoring

Bake at 375 for 15 min. 

To spice up this breakfast for those of you with a constant sweet tooth. 

Remove from oven.  Add Milk Chocolate Chips and smear or drop some peanut butter, or almond butter on the top.  Place back in oven for 5 min.

To eat the morning after heat in microwave for 1.5 min. 

Enjoy!

You would think that after waking up to use a snow blower that runs (Yay!) and then eating that wonderful breakfast the day couldn’t get any better.  WRONG…it could have been better if only Webster would have gotten an early out like every other school in the state of Iowa.  I was bitter for a while, made it home safe, and decided to be happy that my students are now smarter because they had an entire day of uninterrupted learning.  Uninterrupted maybe not so much, Ms. R are we getting out, every five min. is not uninterrupted but anyways.  Another day to mark off on the 180 day journey we call a school year.

  

 “When life gives you lemons, suck out all of the Vitamin C and yell “EAT THAT, Life!”

The Joy Of...

12 Week Challenge.  Those words are going through my head nearly every second of every day.  What is a 12 week challenge you ask?  Well, it is a little competition that some friends and strangers have gotten together to compete in.  It all started with a facebook status asking if people wanted to do a 12 week challenge.  Only about a half a week later and all the logistics were in place.  We have 19 people doing the challenge from January 1 to April 1.  We sent in our measurements, weight, starting photo and money.  We all continue to send in our weight every Sunday or Monday.  Two ladies have a spread sheet going with each competitor’s information and compute the body weight percentage lost each week.  The participant who loses the most body weight percentage at the end of the 12 weeks is the winner AND they get the cash prize.  I mentioned we all sent in our money, $5 to participate.  If you win you get the cash pot totaling $90.  If you get second place you get your own $5 back.   Either way it is fun and it keeps me motivated.  I know that there is very little chance that I will actually win this thing since my journey is towards the end, most of these people are at the beginning when the weight literally falls off.  Also some men are involved who, as the biggest loser has taught me, can always lose more and faster than any woman can ever hope or even dream.  Grr…for men who don’t count calories and just lose and lose and lose.

In addition to the 12 week challenge I am still on my own challenges.  #1 Cook and work out through Iowa Girl Eats, #2 Train for a half marathon.  #3 Attain my goal weight.  Good thing this challenge can be directly related to each of these other goals.  Yay!!!!

Last week I managed to make Italian Wedding Soup.  The Italians certainly do know something about living.  This first dish on the January menu, yes I have the whole months menu planned out J I love being organized, was amazing!  Step aside American men, I’m getting me an Italian!  Ok, a little bit exaggerated but, the flavors in the soup are so delicious.  Not to mention the aroma that was lingering in my kitchen all night.  If I could I would have bottled it up and saved it for every time I reheated it this week.  



Don't be fooled by how it looks.  Never judge a dish by the presentation.  Its really yummy!



I am most definitely enjoying entertaining the thought of expanding my cooking abilities and visiting far away worlds…from my kitchen.  Also on the list in 2011 is how to fully emerge myself in the “sweetness of doing nothing”.  That little quote comes from one of my favorite movies, Eat, Pray, Love.  I feel like I shouldn’t need to rush off to work, hurry home, work until my eyelids just won’t allow it anymore and crash without even realizing, did I blink at all, what did I do today that was worthwhile?  The fact that life is so fast is a little troublesome.  Pastor Korver from Third Reformed Church in Pella has always said, “If you think this is fast, just wait.”  Thank you pastor, that is so reassuring, my butt will continue to drag for the rest of my life.  News flash! I am only 22, how will I ever survive!  Maybe the solution is to stop and smell the roses, or the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, basil and spinach sautéing in my Dutch oven.  Either way, stop! And enjoy what you are doing.  If you can’t enjoy it, then why are you doing it. 

This is not the common lifestyle that most 22 year olds would admit to.  But someone once told me, "live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later.”  I might be found in my kitchen or on my sofa playing Scrabble on my computer (which just ran out of its free trial plays, SAD DAY!) instead of out with a crowd on the weekends.  However, when the world is spinning out of control I might be around to give a few tips on how to stop the spins.   Until then I’m going to practice this new life, balance.  Wake up, praise him.  Go to work, serve them.  Breathe, just breathe.  Also add a smile in there, it helps too.

  

"Every New Begining Comes From Some Other Beginings End"



Mom's masterpiece, minus the amazing meal, for Christmas Eve Supper.



The Holidays are over!  The New Year is here.  So, without further delay, the goals have been set, the calendars are marked and this year, 2011, is the year for lasts.   Most of you may say, “What?! Last?”  Yes, lasts.  Never again will I worry about weight, long distance runs kicking my butt, or simply the waste of breath that utters the words,” I can’t” 

Allow me to explain.  Nearly five years ago I started a journey.  This journey was simply due to the fear of the freshman 15.  I was not going to let my already horribly unhealthy body be shattered even more by the weight gain usually associated with moving out and starting the college life, aka. late night snacks, buffet style meals, and specifically Central College Dutch Treats section of the cafeteria.  With that fear I also found that I needed to get out of my 12’ x 14’ room for some “ME time”.  I can’t even tell you how far I ran those first few times, a block at a time I do believe.  Then I started to challenge myself, counting blocks and running a mile, which I thought would kill me, hitting the salad bar and allowing Dutch Treats at one meal per day and then only on select days of the week. ( Fresh cookie Tuesday anyone?)  Cutting out Soda (pop) little by little, to now never drinking the stuff.  The first year wasn’t a huge success, but I left my freshman year without gaining a single pound.  Accomplishment #1.

 That summer I realized I was no longer going to be living in a dorm but in a house, with 24 other girls that would be sharing clothing and loving life.  While I would be the one who could never fit into their clothes and really was not happy with myself.  That inspired a goal and a tough summer might I add.  Two a day workouts!  A bit extreme but amazing.  I owe my initial success to Turbo Jam, a Beach Body workout that works.  Some amazing smoothies and a great morning video workout with an afternoon jog helped me to dive into sophomore year feeling a bit better about myself.  Accomplishment #2 

The belief of “Oh my, this might work!” set in and I continued to head to the gym which, I moved closer to every year I attended Central.  (always a good idea for those of you heading off to college)  That year I once again maintained the weight loss.  Woohoo Accomplishment #3.

 Prior to junior year I moved to Pella for the summer.  This worked in two ways for me.  #1 trying to save money means not buying snacky foods, #2 Working at a facility that gave me free 24hr. access to a gym.  However, while trying to save money I must confess I consumed far too much prepackaged, sodium filled, little nutrition, quick foods.  However, by staying active and counting calories I managed to keep the weight off. Accomplishment #4  

Junior year…ah that was a tough year.  Luckily, I had taught myself a new way to live the past two years and I had great friends that were well informed on nutrition so it was easier.  Junior year was also the year of a first.  Yes, the first time I ran a 5K.  That was the year I decided I would never turn back.  Running more, eating the same and burning a ton of calories. Accomplishment #5 

This was becoming very easy and has been continued for the past few years.  Then I hit a wall!  More goals and more pushing set in and the battle is still on.  With the timeline laid out it brings us up-to-date to 2011.  The year for lasts. 

For some reason, as this history lesson shows, accomplishment #5 has come along and seeing accomplishment #6 is looking farther and farther away.  That is where this wonderful blog comes in.  First of all by stating your goals to someone else you are more likely to accomplish them.  Well, world, let it be known…I will accomplish this, with your accountably.  J

  Also this year’s goal will also be aided by a blog that has changed my life.  http://iowagirleats.com .  It is filled with recipes, not only veggies, but good hearty meals, workouts, and great stories.  Check her out!  No, I do not have any personal connection except that she is an Iowa Girl who eats, and so am I!!!  She is from Des Moines and a friend introduced it to me.  I added it to my favorites and now…I am working my way through each recipe and each workout.  They will be mastered as I master my goal! 

Prepare yourself, the next picture was me, unhappy, unhealthy, and unmotivated.  Thank God for change!!



High School Senior Picture



Be prepared for that quote box to be wiped away and an after picture in its place.

What are your New Year resolutions?  Or since some people don't like New Year Resolutions...what did you do last year that you would like to change for the better for next year??