Healthier Version of a Classic Fave

SO, the year is 2011 and I'm 24 years old. Say what?!?!?! Anywho, I've come to the realization that since I'm not an 8 year old schoolgirl, my baby fat is just not cute anymore. Further past the "cute" factor that chubbiness is seriously missing out on, it's hitting me that my health no longer just effects me...it can potentially effect my future family. To begin this new chapter of life, I am making some life changes. I use this phrase rather than "diet"; I am not merely restricting myself from fatty, greasy, carb-loaded, coma-inducing foods. Rather, I am changing the way I do this life thing- eating healthier (and reducing insulin intake) exercising (correctly for the first time in my life, thanks to Emily the trainer), and etc. All I can say is... I feel GREAT! And you all better be ready for the hott photos that will ensue as time goes on.

Blah, blah, blah... Now to the good stuff...

Homemade lasagna is a recipe I've been dying to try in my own kitchen! And with the overload of snow days Metro has been given (let's not get on THAT subject), I made it a "snowday goal". Since initiating this life change, however, I was on a mission to tackle 2 goals: 1) make homemade lasagna for the first time, and not have it rolling off the plate. 2) Creating a low cal, low fat lasagna recipe that would still be full of flavor.

Ladies and Gentlemen...I did it!

After combining a few online recipes, here is my own rendition of:

Low Cal, Low Fat Lasagna Recipe

1 lb. whole-grain lasagna noodles

Meat Sauce:

1 lb. ground turkey

1 lg. onion, chopped

2 (14 oz.) cans stewed tomatoes

2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste

1 c. water

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

Dash of garlic powder, garlic salt, salt & pepper

Filling:

2 2/3 cup low fat cottage cheese

4 oz. Parmesan cheese

6 oz. low fat Mozzarella cheese

1 tbsp. parsley

1 tsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

So delish! Enjoy!

You Hold My World

This past trip to sunny Bradenton, Florida, I experienced the impact of this well-known phrase: "There's no place like home."

(Adopted from Dorothy in my all-time favorite movie, "The Wizard of Oz"

I lead a fabulous life here in Nashville. Not that I do anything worthy of mentioning or require recognition for some amazing task. When I say I lead a fabulous life, I simply mean, I live a blessed life! God has poured blessings into my life, He is continually teaching me new things everyday, I do not know the meaning of a "bad day" (well, most of the time anyway), I never want for anything, He provides for all my needs, I am surrounded by amazing friends and supported by a loving church family. BUT...

There truly is no place like home.

In college, visiting home was always great! Especially because my family lived in Florida...if nothing else, at least I knew the weather would be beautiful. :) However, by the end of my stay, I was always more than ready to return to Nashville; to see my friends, live in all-girl quarters again, and yes, even start classes. Since graduating, though, each visit home makes it a little bit harder to leave.

This past Christmas was GREAT!!! I arrived a day earlier than my family expected, providing the ultimate Christmas surprise. And boy, did I get 'em good! (Jaws hanging literally happened.) Because I am a teacher and receive 2 weeks paid vacation (thank you, Jesus!), I was able to truly get in some quality family time. After crashing from the Nashville buzz, here are some highlights of the trip:

Hiding in the back of the church van and surprising Parker & Jordan when they opened the doors...priceless

Jumping out of the kitchen when my parents returned home that night; jaws dropped, mom squealed, dad cried

Listening to my brothers jam in the den on piano, guitar, cahone... Oh, how I miss hearing them sing

Playing Yahtzee versus my Granny...the ultimate gamer

Teaching the fam how to make Oreo Balls (then delivering goodies to the Grandparents and family friends)

Savoring the wide array of Christmas goodies my Granny makes every year

Watching movies til all hours of the night with the fam

Naps

MPJ Only day out- shopping/laughing/picking on Jordan...you know, the usual

Sitting on the beach for hours, just listening to the waves and reading

Getting reacquainted with an old, but dear friend

Watching the bros lead worship at a new-start church

Candlelight service at church Christmas Eve; seeing old church family members and meeting new ones (and hearing the rents sing...it's been a while!)

Spending Christmas Eve with my Granny & Paw-Paw

Cooking an Italian feast for my entire family on Christmas Day (Never felt so pressured about cooking a meal before, but it actually turned out pretty delicious!)

Hearing my grandparents rave about my Italian feast (meant a lot)

Opening presents (I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a favorite event!)

Dad setting up my new vinyl turntable; rummaging through his old records & seeing his face light up with each discovery

Mom crying AND laughing when she opened her new camera (compliments of codeine)

Taking my little cousins to see "Despicable Me"

Cooking dinner for high school/teen group friends

Special lunch at a surprisingly-posh-for-Bradenton cafe with the rents for my birthday

Running into friends from high school and sharing about life (My, how it's different)

Special birthday dinner

At the last minute, deciding to stay an additional day before heading back to the cold weather

Some of the things that were difficult about being home:

1. Observing & realizing how much older my grandparents are becoming. I feel like they've aged quite a bit since I last saw them. But, I was incredibly thankful they're both doing better health-wise, and even more thankful for the time we got to spend together.

2. Leaving.

That's right, folks. This time, leaving was really hard.

As I pulled out of the driveway at 4:30am, my parents' tears began flowing even before I closed the driver-side door. I kept it together, trying to be comical for "their sake". As soon as I pulled out of the driveway though, I lost it. Tears. Fell.

This isn't college anymore. I'm not leaving to attend class, knowing that I'll return someday soon. This distance is because of a life-change I decided to make, and the time of my next return is unknown. Now, I am not regretting my life here in Nash AT ALL! I am simply stating that real-life seemed to rush at me as soon as I left the security of Bradenton. For a moment I felt as if I were tumbling through the ocean, in a current that is so strong I am forced to just flip and turn and ride it out.

Then suddenly, it hit me. As the sun began to rise, and morning light overpowered the dark of night, I was surrounded by a real Presence, right there on I-75, in my tiny yellow bug. God's presence surrounded me, calmed me, provided promises to never leave me nor forsake me. ''

I am a HUGE fan of Israel Houghton. For those of you that know me well, you are aware of my love for Black Gospel music. At that moment, one of Israel's songs, "You Hold My World in Your Hands", played through my ipod. As His Presence guided me and the lyrics of the song became true to my soul, to say that I was blaring the song would be an understatement.

I treasure the time I'm blessed with at home with my family. I love my family tremendously, and hate parting from them. But at the same time, I cannot hold on to them so tightly that God is not able to move among us. I cannot cling to who/what I know as familiar and comfortable for God won't be able to mold me and change me.

That early, early morning, I as reminded of this. And since that morning, I have begun my mornings spending time with Him- the One who holds me world in His hands. It never ceases to amaze me how much different my day unfolds when I begin the day with Him, and release my world to His Spirit.

Christmas Remix

So many amazing events have taken place since I last blogged. I blame my absence from Bloggerland on two things: 1) Time. The holiday season seems like such a whirlwind. November and December were FILLED with good times all around, but I never sat down to write about the memories. 2) Blogger-Anxiety. Yes, I made this disease up and yes, I'm diagnosing myself with it. Numerous times have I found a cozy place, sipped a cup of hot tea, opened my laptop with the intention of blogging, but just couldn't transpose the thoughts in my head to words on my screen. Word. phobia.

Today is a snowday; a very unexpected, but entirely gracious, one at that! So... I am taking a break from grading papers (let's not get on that diversion), pushing away my word phobia, and writing...

The Christmas season seemed to peek its head around the corner and then throw itself into full action without a chance to ask questions. The weeks leading up to Christmas Day were filled to the max (literally, not one free evening) with festivities such as:

Welcoming the season by decorating my house as a whimsical Christmas Wonderland

Decorating other friends' homes & apartments in Christmas attire

Visiting Nashville's Christmas Village, but only to realize, "I can make that!" Then returning home to see if my craftiness was up to the task

Nashville Christmas parade

Christmas cookie decorating (but not eating...long story)

Faculty Christmas party

Practices and rehearsals to play Mrs. Claus in our school's winter chorus concert AND narrator for our school's band winter concert

Small group Ugly Christmas Sweater party

Wrapping gifts for families in need

PA's Reality Tour (BCN teens dancing on a party bus, checking out Opryland Hotel's lights, guided by Pastor Allen himself)

Special visit from my mama

My Grandmother's surprise 85th birthday party (with all the fam in town!!)

Faux Christmas Morning party at mi casa (complete with breakfast foods of all kinds and games providing ridiculous laughter)

Being infected with a 48 hour flu...gross.

Missing holiday festivities with my students because I was sick! :(

DG's Christmas in July get-together

Preparing for the long 12-hour drive to B-town

Departing Nash early, providing the ultimate surprise for my family in Florida!

Whew! It was a hectic season, fo sho. But also a season to be thankful for times such as those; for friends and family, and this season in our lives where we are all able to be together.

Christmas has always been my FAVORITE time of year! A time full of fun, love, and almost a sense of magic. However, this year, in spite of all the festivities, I was challenged with a burning question: What is the meaning of all of this? What is it all for?

Truthfully, this question began sneaking up on me in high school, but every year I push the question down, afraid to face reality in answering it. This past year, I asked God to help me answer this question.

All I can say is, the "feeling" or "emotions" that we embrace more naturally during the Christmas season should not be limited to revealing themselves only during this time of year. Everyday we should show our love for our friends and family. Everyday we should look for ways to extend grace and help those in need. Everyday we should spend time lavishing "thanks" upon our God, for sending His son to earth because His love for us is so immense.

At the end of a crazy busy, but entirely wonderful, Christmas season, these are the thoughts inscribed on my heart.

Spread His love. Everyday.