Life changes A LOT when your havin' fun!

Hello! The last time I wrote a post was on April 28th 2011. As I read back at that old post, I can't believe that it was less than a year ago. So much of my life has changed (i.e. improved/digressed). Everyone should read posts of theirs from a year ago. Highly therapeutic to see the changes that have been made since that time.

Things that have changed:
I... am now a senior in college (WHAT THE WHA???? Crazy how time flies by).
I.... am officially an unofficial aunt (friend that is basically a sister had a baby boy...i.e. cutest child to ever live).
I... received 3rd place in my first triathlon (I'm an addict now)!

Some dude I had to hug while getting my ribbon.

I...transferred from community college to big kid school (a 4 year school).
I...finished the Bible Study I was in and began to "Break Free".
Tim Tebow moved to my state so that he could be the Broncos QB and get married to me.

"Thank you for choosing me to play for the Broncos! Now I will get to meet and marry Deborah Rose!"- Tim Tebow (actual quote... or not.)

I... regained a friendship from childhood that I never thought would be rekindled.
I... went backpacking for the first time in my life and didn't get eaten by bears!

Probably one of the coolest things I've done.

I... really started to live my life with the goal of serving/honoring the Lord Jesus Christ.
I... started a new job that I LOVE with great people (including my big sis).
I... passed my Calculus class. PRAISE GOD!
I... bought these cowboy boots (a MAJOR life event :P):
I... started spending money on myself and giving more to charities/my church (God gave me my money.....its time to USE IT rather than lock it up like a money hog).
I... finally started skipping days working out. If I don't feel like working out....I skip it. So much happier.
I... stopped weighing myself. I have NO CLUE what I weigh. Really. Like no clue. And I don't care. Ha.
I...met/had dinner with/ talked for an hour with/ got a signed shirt/ listened to a concert with/by my favorite singer : Priscilla Ahn!

She was SO sweet....we are all practically BFF's with her now.

I... stopped going to my counselor. Don't know if this is a good thing or not yet.
I... have a lot more friends now. Church, work, school, etc. have all given me great friends and now I finally enjoy going out! Even people who I met through The Thorn (previous post) are some of my closest friends. Yay for new friends!
I... went on a week long trip to Oregon.

On the Oregon Coast. Twas gorgeous!

I...have conquered pretty much every fear food I have. I now drink milk every day. Eat oatmeal only a few times a week for breakfast. Eat bread/bagel/some grain every day. I eat eggs again without feeling guilty. Have cut back on stuffing my face with salads. Have cookies/cake/pie/ice cream whenever I get the chance.You get the idea.
I... hiked and then drove to the top of Pikes Peak for the first time.

I'm on top of the WORLD!!!

I... had my first manicure ever. WHY have I not done this before??!?!?! Heaven on earth.
I... have a tummy roll, love handles, cellulite, and skin under my chin. I'm learning to deal with it.
I... ran my first Dirty Girl Mud Run with wonderful sisters and friends.

We called ourselves the "Dirty Denver Divas" I.E. the "Triple D's"!

I... had a wonderful Christmas with LOTS of delicious food. Yeah I probably gained weight. Who cares.

Yeah. I don't kid around with little portions. That's a thing of the past. LOAD ME UP!

Well I could go on tooting my own horn and showing off all of the fun things I have done, but I'm bored so you probably are too. All the things that I have been able to conquer really have not been through my own strength. I have a lot of support. Most of it from my Savior. I have truly learned that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)

One more thing: On that plate of food is something that I made for the Christmas party I was at in that picture. It turned out great! I made some modifications that I think enhanced it:

Bacon and Brussels Sprout Hash

Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence, 2008

Prep Time:

20 min

Inactive Prep Time:

--

Cook Time:

25 min

Level:

Easy

Serves:

4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 pints Brussels sprouts, cut in 1/2 (I kept them whole)
• 1 pound fingerling potatoes, split down the middle (I used large potatoes that I just cut into cubes)
• 1/2 pound red pearl onions, peeled (I just sliced 1 red onion)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth (I omitted this)
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped (I don't like parsley so I omitted this)
• Additions:
• 2 TBS. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. ground sage
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp. chopped rosemary
• 
  
• Directions

Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add a 2 count of olive oil. Cut bacon into long strips and add to pan together with thyme. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes to render the fat then strain and set aside. Add Brussels sprouts

My Directions
Set a large saute pan over medium heat. Slice bacon into long strips and toss in pan until nice and crispy. Remove bacon and leave bacon drippings in pan. Fry up your chopped onions until they are translucent. Meanwhile, roast your sliced potatoes and whole Brussels sprouts in oven at 425 degrees until they are nice and crispy (toss them around ever 10 minutes). Add them into the onions with all of the seasonings and balsamic vinegar (no chicken stock). Fry up for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Serve in warm dish and sprinkle bacon on top as a garnish. Devour.


Well reading this post probably took up half of your day so I will stop! Thank you for reading and enjoy the rest of your day!

Fennel Orange Cranberry Sauce.....and musings on life.

Hello bloggies! Hope you all had a wonderful National Almonds Day! I had a kinda crappy one to be honest. I ate my oatmeal that morning that consisted of almonds, 1/2 banana, peanut butter, agave, oats of course, and butter. Whew. the butter about gave me a heart attack. I am terrified of butter. Probably one of my favorite biggest fear foods. My counselor/nutritionist told me that I am still not eating enough fats. She said either eat 4 tablespoons of peanut butter or put in a tsp. of butter. So I put the butter. It took me about 1/2 of an hour to eat it. So hard. But I got through it. Lunch was misery. I was feeling SO guilty about the butter in my oatmeal that eating lunch was like pulling teeth. I was on the brink of tears when a classmate came up and sat next to me. Can't start cryin' to a 50 year old woman from your statistics class about having to eat a salad, garlic bread, and spaghetti.

Anyways...it was a hard day. But the next day was better. Today I put on some old pants that for the last 6 months have been HUGE on me. Now they fit just right. I know I should be happy and rejoicing but I just don't feel like it. Gaining weight is hard people. Harder than most people think. I feel like being a couch potato and eating as much as I can is my job. I can't wait till I am at a healthy weight again and just stay their. It will come soon. I just wish it would come sooner. Enough of Debbie Downer.....lets move on to that recipe I promised a while ago:


Fennel Orange Cranberry Sauce by David Lieberman -6 to 8 servings
8 oz of frozen or fresh cranberries (whole)
1/2 naval orange, zested
1 whole naval orange, juiced
1/4 cup of agave nectar or 1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

Source

Directions: combine ingredients in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until cranberries begin to break down and water evaporates, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

I am telling you. EVERY person who has eaten this has hated it said it is the best cranberry sauce ever! It is so simple too! Put it on turkey, chicken, in rice, on your oatmeal, on a sandwich, on anything and it will make it delicious! You have to try it!

I read a really helpful short article from a magazine we get. It is called "Coming out and going in!" and it is taken from UCB's Word for Today. It goes like this:

"Before God's people could get out of Egypt, Pharaoh made them three different offers. To each Moses said, "no". If he had not they'd never have got out! First, Pharaoh said, "go, only leave your children here." Next, he said, "go only leave your business here." Finally, he said, "go, only don't go too far". Listen to what Moses told him, "there shall not an hoof be left behind", Exodus 10.26. That's what you've got to do too- look the enemy in the eye and say, "No! I'm taking my family, I'm taking my business, and I'm going all the way with God!" That's what it takes to get out of Egypt!

But then there is the question of getting into the Promised Land? That happens only...one city at a time... one habit at a time.... one attitude at a time and one step of faith at a time. 

Never speak words that make the enemy think he's still in control- he's not! The bible says you have the authority to drive him out - and He's got to go, Luke 10:17. If you allow him even an inch, he'll turn it into a stronghold, Ephesians 4:27.

Rise up in faith today and announce, "I'm coming out and I'm going in!"

A couple eats from the last couple weeks:

OIAJ! YUM!

                                              I don't like Jif PB but it was almost empty so I snatched it up and ate my oatmeal out of it!

Salad at school with garbanzo beans...one of my favorite toppings!

"Orange pinwheels" with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice with a side of almonds! YUM!

Hope that you all have a grand weekend!