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Thursday, December 9, 2010

David's Vegetable & Beef Soup

Fletcher's mom gave me this recipe.
It is SO easy to make, has a lot of flavor, and is not unhealthy.

1 lb. Lean Ground Beef (Or try ground chicken or turkey!)
1 clove Garlic
1 Onion, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 (16 oz.) can Diced Tomatoes
1 (16 oz.) can Corn
1 (16 oz.) can Vegall (found on the same isle as canned vegetables)
1 (10 oz.) can Rotel
1 (10 oz.) can Tomato Soup
2 C Beef Broth (I used Bouion cubes)

Brown meat, drain.
Add onion, pepper, and garlic. Saute onion is tender.
Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil.
Simmer on Low for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Duvall Wedding


A small country wedding in Laconia, Indiana.

It is a wonderful thing.

"You can't make proper use of a thing unless you know what it was made for, whether it is a safety pin or a sailboat. To me, it is a wonderful thing to be a woman under God-- to know, first of all, that we were made ('So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.') and then that were were made for something ('The rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.') This was the original idea. This is what woman was made for. The New Testament refers back clearly and strongly to this purpose: 'For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.' Some texts are susceptible of differing interpretations, but for the life of me I can't see any ambiguities in this one." -Elisabeth Elliot


This is from one of my favorite books, Let Me Be a Woman.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

We're Engaged!

Saturday, July 10. Fletcher asked me to marry him.
On a rooftop in downtown Louisville.
I said yes.
There were balloons that flew into the skyline.
And about 40 of our friends waiting downstairs.
I was surprised, and a little overwhelmed.
It was beautiful.

After a week of being engaged, I have learned several good lessons.


1. The world does not revolve around me. Even though I am getting married.
This must happen to every women, right? Every little girl has her dream wedding. Whether she knows it or not. She has expectations.

When this little girl finally had a ring on her finger, she discovered that the world did not stop in light of it.

This was a hard lesson for me to learn.
The 930 Arts Center was booked. I cried. I refused to look anywhere else.
When I finally began looking at other venues, I learned that other couples are getting married too.
I'm engaged! But life goes on. That is something profound.


2. I am selfish.
Have I not already learned this? I am forced to examine my own heart-- I want what I want, when I want it. I could talk a lot about this. Wedding planning. Kissing my fiance. The 930 Arts Center. Registry. Dress. Blah, Blah, Blah. It's disgusting.


3. It isn't so much about the wedding as it is about the marriage.
I was struck by this when Fletcher attempted to slow me down amidst my wedding buzz. "Are you going to love me well...?" When I am running around in circles, stretching myself thin between work and wedding planning, am I really able to love my fiance (my future husband) well? Am I creating good habits for my marriage? NO. This is when I really need to stop. I need to remember what this is all about. NOT the wedding. Here, I begin a new life with the man I love, the man the Lord has blessed me with to love and care for. Am I loving him well? Am I caring for him well? Am I putting our wedding before him?


I am again reminded that I can not do life on my own. I can not control everything. I can not make everything go my way. I need Jesus. I need him to sustain me. I need him to save me from myself. I need him to fill me with his love so that I can love others well.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Honey Mustard Chicken



This is the one recipe I have down and feel comfortable making any time. It is simple and delicious.

Honey Mustard Chicken
2 tsp olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 C apple juice
2 cups baby carrots
2 Tbls sweet honey mustard
2 Tbls peanuts

In a skillet, cook chicken for 5 to 8 minutes in olive oil, turning over until browned on both sides.

Add apple juice. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 5 minutes. Add carrots; cover and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut and carrots are crisp-tender.

Remove chicken and carrots from skillet; place on serving platter and cover to keep warm. Stir mustard into liquid in skillet. Spoon mustard sauce over chicken and carrots; sprinkle with peanuts.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

BBQ Chicken Pizza


I got this (along with almost everything else I post) from Cooking Light. It's super easy (duh, pizza) and can be made with common ingredients. Good for a night when you don't want to make a big trip to the grocery.

BBQ Chicken Pizza
Chicken Breast
Spicy Barbecue Sauce
Italian-cheese flavored pizza crust
1/3 C slivered red onion
2 Tbls chopped fresh cilantro
1 C shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Place chicken on an ungreased baking sheet; spoon 1/3 C barbecue sauce over chicken. Bake at 350 until chicken is done (about 40 minutes). Cool; chop and set aside.

Spread about 1/3 C barbecue sauce evenly over pizza crust, leaving a 1-inch border. Top crust evenly with Chicken and remaining ingredients.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. Boom.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Yoga?



There are some debates surrounding this topic.
How are Christians to respond? Should take part in the "pagan" activity?

I am in Bible College. I have gotten into numerous arguments.

I think yoga is wonderful thing. I will state that up front-- to be clear.

First, I will explain my background. I have been following Christ for about a year and a half now. Before becoming a Christian, I had some health issues. I did not take care of my body-- struggling with an eating disorder that was combined with obsession with physical fitness. My struggle with this is a daily one of sorts that continues today.

It is a long story about how the Lord saved me from myself and slavery to sin. Perhaps another day.

Though it is still a daily struggle against my flesh, I do believe God healed me from my sickness. This healing began with recognizing that my security and identity is found in Jesus Christ alone. In a fleshly sense, I began to overcome by developing healthy eating and exercising habits. This is when I began doing yoga.

Yoga is a healing practice. It rounds out our bodies so that they can work the way they are supposed to. It did, in fact, originate in the Hindu religion. That controversy brings me to my second point.

1 Corinthians 8
Back in the day, most of the meat sold in the market place was the leftovers from the animal sacrifices to pagan gods and goddesses. Some believers bought it, others did not. Today, some believers' consciences free them to do yoga, other's do not because of its hindu origins. Here is what Paul has to say concerning the pagan origins of both the meat years ago and yoga today:

"'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth-- as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things through whom we exist." (v 4-6)

Yes, yoga has hindu origins. There is no getting around that. But by involving yourself in a yoga routine, you do not sell your soul to the devil. This is why: God created yoga. Yoga did not originate in ancient hindu culture and cause the Lord to gasp and fall into a state of panic.


"However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do." (v 7-8)

It comes down to this: conscience. If my conscience allows me to do yoga, I am free in Christ to do that. But if I know that my sister in Christ does not feel right about doing yoga, I wouldn't invite her to accompany me to my yoga class.

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." (v 9)


In summary, yoga is a matter of conscience. That is my basic belief. I do have many, many more things to say about the subject. Yoga can be destructive if not done in a God-glorifying manner. I will write more on that idea later.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

G. Love (Turkey Burgers) and Special Sauce.


This is a great summer recipe that is simple to make and healthy to eat.


Turkey Burgers
1/4 C chopped green onions
2 Tbs orange juice
1 Tbs light soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound ground turkey breast

Combine ingredients in a large bowl. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each into 3/4-inch-thick patty. Grill.


Special Sauce
3/4 C reduced-fat mayonnaise
1 1/2 Tbs finely chopped green onions
2 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 Tbs honey
1 tsp orange juice
1 tsp light soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Combine ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Enchiladas? Yes, Please.

Okay, I am not at all a master chef. I am learning little by little.
But sharing recipes is always cool.

I made this the other night and loved it:


Chicken Enchiladas
2 large chicken breasts
1 C chopped onion
1 clove garlic
2 Tbs. butter (I use olive oil, which is a bit more healthy)
1 (16 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 C chopped green chilies
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. oregano, crushed
1/2 tsp. basil, crushed
12 flour tortillas
2 1/5 C shedded Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 C dairy sour cream

In saucepan, simmer chicken in water to cover, 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Cut into 12 strips; set aside.
In a saucepan, cook onion and garlic in butter (olive oil) until tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chilies, sugar, cumin, salt, oregano, and basil. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Dip each tortilla in tomato mixture to soften. Place 1 piece chicken and about 2 tablespoons shredded cheese on each tortilla; roll up and place seam-sinde down in a 13x8x2 inch baking dish. Blend sour cream into remaining sauce mix; pour over tortillas. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes, or till heated through. Makes 6 servings.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Marshmallows




About a year later, I found these on my computer and fell in love.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Radical.

RADICAL
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26

Elijah & Rachel


Dusting the camera off.