Chicken Chili

Happy Fall!! What a gorgeous day in Dahlonega. I think so often how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful place!! The views of the mountains in the fall are to die for! Not to mention the delicious produce we can cook with :)!!

AND my absolute favorite.... the pumpkin patch!! Speaking of... any takers to go with me?! Nat managed to have a legit excuse to bail on me this year- I thought for sure the invitation to go to the pumpkin patch with yours truly would convince him to stay home from Iraq!! Rats :)

Today, my plan was to take on the job of finishing/sealing the table Nat and I bought, but with the chance of rain tonight, it looks like that project will have to wait! (Maybe a whole 'nother year until HE comes back to do it!!) Just kidding :)

So, since my table project got put on hold, I started the Sunday off right with a Chicken Chili recipe in the crock pot.

To start the recipe, I cut up 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1/2- 1 inch chunks and browned them in 1 T olive oil. I accidentally took the "browning" a little too seriously, and "blackened" a few of the pieces when I wasn't paying attention!! :) oops...







While the chicken was browning, I diced 6 oz of mushrooms (which I am in the process of trying to convince myself that I like), 1 celery heart, and 1 medium onion.


When the meat was done browning, I put it into the crock pot, along with the celery, mushrooms, and onions, and added 1 can of kidney beans, 1 and 1/2 cups of fresh salsa, and 3 tomatoes that I diced in the food processor. **Another option is to substitute chick peas for the kidney beans, but for some reason, the texture of chick peas just makes me shiver!!


I stirred it all up, turned the crock pot on LOW heat, and set the timer for 7 hours. Update to follow when it is ready!! :) However, let me tell you, it is smelling so good already, I am having an inner battle not to go over there and scald my tongue tasting it!! Happy Sunday!!

Paleo Spaghetti with Meat Sauce!!

I made this delicious "paleo" spaghetti tonight, and it was the perfect end to a beautiful Monday in Dahlonega. (However, if your Monday WASN'T quite so stress-free, this is the perfect remedy for a good ol' case of the Mondays.)


First, start with a fresh spaghetti squash. (Kroger usually has some good ones. I haven't had much luck finding them at Wal-Mart).


Next, you are going to have to cut the squash in half. This is a pretty daunting task, considering the size and width of the squash. So...
Step One: Gather your wits about you
Step Two: Let the squash know who is boss (possibly with a menacing stare-down)
Step Three: Repeat: "This squash ain't got nuthin' on me!"
Step Four: Brace yourself.
Step Five: OK, cut the darn thing already :) Watch your fingers!!


Bake your squash open side-down on a cookie sheet for 45 minutes at 375 degrees. When it comes out, it will be HOT!! Wear oven mitts, and ever-so-carefully claw out the squash with a fork. It should come out easily in noodle-like strands. However, it will probably burn you through your oven mitts, so be warned. If you want, you can wait until it cools to claw it out, but I like eating it warm right out of the oven.


While your squash is baking, cook your ground beef for the meat sauce. Add any italian spices you like. OR make your own meatballs if you like those better.


Serve your squash into a bowl, and top with diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, and other italian herbs or spices. Add as much tomato and meat as you like.


Stir and enjoy!!! (Preferably with your feet up and a good book to combat the Monday stress). Pretend you don't have to do the dishes in 10 minutes. Breathe a sigh of relief!!

Take A Break, Sister!!! :)

I have spent the past 5 days sick as a dog in bed!! NOT exactly the most romantic way to greet my hubby (home for his first visit since our wedding)!! Fortunately, he has taken the BEST care of me, serving soup in bed, grocery shopping for crackers and applesauce, and pouring endless glasses of ginger ale and gatorade. HOW did I get such a sweet boy?!

However, I probably DO have to take just a teeny bit of credit for getting myself sick. I consider myself a "chronic committer." Unlike those who can't commit to a college major, or even a short-term relationship, I am blessed with the ability to commit to ANYTHING!! Working multiple jobs at a time while going to school? Check. Volunteer for anything and everything? Check. Extra workouts? Check. My backside and my couch haven't met in months? Check!! :)

Wake up call? Necessary.

OK, I get the picture. Just because I sleep well at night doesn't make it OK to run myself ragged 24/7 for months (years?!) at a time. Sometimes saying 'no' is the right answer. Occasionally skipping class to watch a "Law and Order: SVU" marathon is therapeutic. And maybe once in awhile, re-introducing my best side to the couch can feel.... pretty darn good.

...... of course....... ask me next week and I'll be the first to commit to whatever you need!! Sanity is bound to be "just a phase." (Kidding, kidding!!!) :)

Fresh Bean Dip Recipe... and "I can TOTALLY do that!!"

How many times has this simple box been the most intimidating part of your day?! Maybe it was your first time trying to jump on top of it, or maybe it was the first attempt back after you had "eaten box." Read: smashed your (insert body part here) on the box while trying to jump on it. Maybe it wasn't a box at all- it was a weight you were SURE you couldn't lift. It was a 5k. It was a mile!! Maybe it was a life situation that intimidated the heck out of you!

Whatever it was, every once in awhile (or pretty often) something stands in between us and our goal. Through prayer, struggle, determination, (and occasionally, a good "I will be DARNED if I can't do this!!"), we are able to succeed. It is easy to forget the struggles that got us to where we are today, but in hindsight, pretty cool!! "Why did I think I couldn't do that?! I can totally do that!! Or at least I'm gonna try!"
See Crossfit Champion Kristan Clever's thoughts:
http://media.crossfit.com/cf-video/CrossFit_Klever_ICanTotallyDoThat.mov

Fresh Bean Dip Recipe:

So I slacked a little bit on the photo step-by-step. (Got in a rush to make this before I ran out the door).


Fresh Bean Dip:
1. Mix one can of pinto beans, and one can of black beans with enough light sour cream to cover them, and some homemade (or all-natural fresh store-bought) salsa.

2. Stir in chili pepper and cumin to taste.

3. Sprinkle on a layer of shredded cheese (Monterey Jack, or Fiesta Mix, or plain Mozzarella or Cheddar) Whichever kind you like!! :)

4. Add a layer of diced tomatoes and diced avocado.

5. Add black olives (whole or sliced) on top.

6. Refrigerate or enjoy!!

Crock Pot Beef Stew

This beef stew is to DIE for, and SO easy!! (And I'm all about easy when it comes to cooking- I mean, who has time to stress?!)


I started by putting a little over a pound of stew beef into my crock-pot. I rubbed the meat with garlic beforehand, and then just tossed it in!! (I got the lean-cut beef, because I can't stand when the gristle-y pieces get in there.)


I cut up some celery, carrots, and potatoes, and tossed those in too.


I added a few spices, and a little more garlic (I am a terrible date- I LOVE garlic). To my despair, I went to put my absolute favorite Emeril Lagasse "Bam!" spice into the crock-pot, only to find out it was EMPTY!! (It was bound to happen sometime. It was probably for the best anyway, because I am pretty sure it is not paleo).


I added a whole box of organic vegetable broth (Swanson), and left it in the crock-pot on high for between 4 and 5 hours while I went to Crossfit and work.


When I came home, the apartment smelled AMAZING, and I could already tell it was going to be wonderful. The first taste was delicious, and after a day of cool weather in Dahlonega, it warmed me RIGHT up!! :) Enjoy!!

Yogurt Sundaes in a Fruit Bowl!!

Today, my mom texted me the best idea!! She called it "Yogurt Sundaes." Her original recipe involved using waffle-cone bowls (which sounds de-lish!!).

However, since I am trying to post some recipes that our paleo friends can use, I just made a little change, and created a "fruit bowl" to put the sundaes in! If it is a cheat day, feel free to rock that waffle-cone bowl!! :)




It was a little tedious, but so fun and creative!! I loved her idea!!



To start off with, I took a LARGE apple (the biggest ones I could find at the store), because being a big eater like I am, those little apples just weren't a big enough bowl for me :) I chopped the top off of the apple and munched on it while I was making the rest of the treat.


Then, I hollowed out the apple using a grapefruit scooper (however, it might be easier if you had a melon baller with a serrated edge or one of those spoons that scoops the leaves off of strawberries. This explains my crude-looking apple. You have to be extra careful not to scoop too much off the bottom, or you will end up with a little hole in the bottom of your bowl like I did, therefore causing me to have to put a normal bowl around my apple to prevent leakage :) I once again defer to Julia Child- "Never apologize!!"


Then I filled my apple with plain yogurt (greek yogurt would also be delicious), and as you can see, due to my hole, some leaked out :)


This is the creative part!! Pile on/mix in any healthy treats of your own. Berries, carob pieces, dark chocolate pieces, sliced grapes, whatever!!


Drizzle with honey/agave/maple syrup and enjoy!! YUM :)

"Jesus, bring the RAIN..."

"Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise you,
Jesus, bring the RAIN."

I was listening to the radio today, and "Bring the Rain," by MercyMe came on, and I was thinking how appropriate those lyrics were for the crazy rainy weather we have been having the past few days!! The Lord has been showing his "love like a hurricane" for me!! (OK, I know that is a different song, but I am in a rainy day mood, and all the songs about weather and love are just coming into my head all at once!!) I have just been so blessed this past week!! Despite the rainy times in our lives, it is so important to still give the glory to God, and recognize the wonderful ways He shows us His love for us. We have gotten our bible study going at Crossfit Dahlonega, and I just know the Lord has been working in my life in so many ways. I can't wait to see His work in the gym too!

In other news, my mom has been sending me postcards every day, and I have just felt SO much love from her; she knows I have been needing a little extra "hug" everyday, and her cards make my day!! I love going to the mailbox every afternoon, and I am hanging all the postcards up on my fridge to remind me how lucky I am to have such a wonderful lady in my life!! :)

Today I tried a new paleo recipe using my friend Haley Hobson (from Crossfit Addiction)'s homemade pesto recipe!!

I started out cooking my chicken tenderloins on the stove in olive oil and I sprinkled some Italian seasonings on them while they cooked.

Then I made Haley's pesto in my food processor.

• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• optional: 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan or romano cheese

All I did was throw them all in the food processor, and press the button! So easy.... and SO yummy :)


I added some fresh veggies to my chicken, and drizzled the pesto on top!! YUM-O!! Can I just say it was to die for :) Yeah Haley!!

After Action Review: Zucchini Lasagna

My new name for this recipe is "Italian Zucchini Stew," due to the fact that the zucchini juices made it a little stew-y, rather than solid like a regular lasagna. However, it is TO DIE FOR!!! It is so yummy, I burned my tongue more than once trying to taste it right out of the boiling hot Crock Pot (will I never learn!?)

Lessons learned:
-It is not solid lasagna (I am not sure how to change this, unless you used dehydrated zucchini or something, which would not be nearly as fresh-tasting)
-4.5 hours is sufficient on low heat in the Crock Pot. I learned this by pure chance. When I got home 4.5 hours after I started cooking it, the zucchini was perfectly done! It still had texture and shape, but it wasn't too crunchy and raw.
-It is SO HOT when it is done- temperature wise. I almost died of starvation waiting for it to cool off. Do NOT make the same mistake of taste-testing right out of the pot!!! :) You have been warned!
-It looks a little strange and in some cases, not super appetizing, however, if you can get past this, it is AMAZING :) One taste, and I was sold.

Success!!

Zucchini Lasagna... A Work in Progress!!

New CROCK POT= New Crock Pot RECIPES!! (The things marriage does to a person.... getting excited about kitchen gadgets... sad, really).

So, while chatting with Alyssa and Sarah at CFD yesterday, Alyssa mentioned that her friend had found a recipe for delicious crock-pot lasagna. And being the paleo crazies we are, Sarah and I were pondering the possibility of substituting zucchini and yellow squash for the noodles. As such, today I am bravely attempting this!! It has been a comedy of errors so far, but it smells good, so maybe it will be delicious after all!! :) Cross your fingers....


Step One: Clean and chop up your squash of choice. I used zucchini and yellow squash (I assume it has a name too, but I don't know it, therefore, I have demoted it to the plain and boring name of "yellow squash.") This step was where I encountered my first problem. I had intended to cut the squash longways, to resemble lasagna noodles. Upon attempting that, I realized it was ludicrous. I am lucky to have all my digits still intact. So, to avoid any further injury, I just gave in and cut the yellow squash the easy way. :)

Step Two was to pour a layer of pasta sauce into the bottom of the Crock Pot. I took a picture of that, but it just looked too much like blood to post and remain hungry :) Step Three: Add a layer of squash.

Step Four: Alternate layers of squash, ricotta and shredded Italian cheeses (parmesan, provolone, asiago, romano, mozarella, etc), and meat. I used lean ground turkey, but lean ground beef would work equally well! This is where I encountered my second problem. Lasagna calls for ricotta cheese, along with the Italian shredded cheeses. Did I get any ricotta cheese at the store? No. Whoops. As Julia Child would say, "Never apologize!!" :)

Step Five: Continue your layering until you run out of room or ingredients, and cover the top with one final layer of cheese and sauce.

Step Six: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or whenever you arrive back home and hungry :)

Last step: Hope for the best!!! I will let y'all know how it goes!!

Paleo+Moo Taco Salad

I made delicious taco salad today that is totally do-able for people doing Paleo+moo :)
YUM!

Start with some lettuce in the bottom of your bowl. (Unless, of course, it is a cheat meal- in that case, pile on the chips!!)


Add your cooked ground turkey with whatever seasonings you want :) If you are wanting to limit additives and sodium, try ground cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and a dash of salt.


Add your toppin's!! I used black beans (you know my feelings on black beans- paleo or not, I love 'em!!), and tomatoes and cheese. If you are doing strict paleo, the cheese and black beans are out, but try adding some unique veggies, like snap peas.

A few black olives to garnish for fat!! :) Also an option: AVOCADO!! (which I love so much, I ate mine while I was cooking)

Enjoy!!

"It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year".... wait- you mean that song ISN'T about College Football Season??

I am sitting tensely watching the Spartans play ND in my living room, and despite the hectic week and early wakeup call this morning, I am doing everything in my power to keep my eyes open so I can continue to yell at the TV :) I am convinced... it is not just the South- EVERYONE loves college football!! It is so much fun to have a "family" team that the whole gang cheers for, and even in Dahlonega, I put on my green shirt every Saturday and smile... I just love this time of year :) The best phone calls are the ones from my dad, calling to make sure that I still have enough green clothes to wear... and I mean, I might be biased, but can ANYONE really have too many green clothes?!

I have just realized I am breaking the cardinal rule of football watching (it must be the second X chromosome in me) "No talking during the game!!"

GO GREEN :)

"A Successful Marriage Takes THREE"

"A successful marriage takes THREE."
Think about it... :)

Man, do I love this quote or what?!?! I came across it today while looking for books for our pending Crossfit Dahlonega bible study- by the way... who is game for getting into the Word together after a WOD possibly on Thursdays at the gym? I can't think of anything I would like to do more than share my love for the Lord with some of my best friends!! Let me know if you are interested :) We are thinking about getting a book on sports/athletics and how we can bring God into the gym more to help up achieve our goals!!

And, when you think about it, EVERYTHING is better with God. Not only a marriage, but any goal in life can ONLY be achieved through the Lord and his love. Anytime I am getting frustrated with something at the gym, or in life, I usually realize that I am trying to take too much into my own hands, instead of leaving it to God.

I love what our Minister, Eddie Morgan, said at our wedding. "If you begin to worship your passions, you will become cold and your life will be meaningless." Even in striving to be the best at what we do, we can't use that to replace God. EVERY part of our life needs the Lord in it!! Marriage, school, work, the gym, discipling to others; everything can be successful only through Him.

FCA Competitors Creed: (really cool!!!)

I am a Christian first and last.
I am created in the likeness of
God Almighty to bring Him glory.
I am a member of Team Jesus Christ.
I wear the colors of the cross.

I am a Competitor now and forever.
I am made to strive, to strain,
to stretch and to succeed
in the arena of competition.
I am a Christian Competitor
and as such, I face my challenger
with the face of Christ.

I do not trust in myself.
I do not boast in my abilities
or believe in my own strength.
I rely solely on the power of God.
I compete for the pleasure of
my Heavenly Father, the honor of Christ
and the reputation of the Holy Spirit.

My attitude on and off
the field is above reproach -
my conduct beyond criticism.
Whether I am preparing,
practicing or playing;
I submit to God's authority
and those He has put over me.
I respect my coaches, officials,
teammates and competitors
out of respect for the Lord.

My body is the temple of Jesus Christ.
I protect it from within and without.
Nothing enters my body that
does not honor the Living God.
My sweat is an offering to my Master.
My soreness is a sacrifice to my Savior.

I give my all - all of the time.
I do not give up. I do not give in.
I do not give out. I am the Lord’s warrior -
a competitor by conviction
and a disciple of determination.
I am confident beyond reason
because my confidence lies in Christ.
The results of my efforts
must result in His glory.

I am blessed!

1 month down, 1 liftetime to go!! :)

As of yesterday (Tuesday), Nat and I have been married for one month!! We have officially been married longer than some celebrities in Hollywood :)!!! hahaha.... OK, but all joking aside, while it hasn't been the first month most people expect to have as newlyweds, I have been no less blessed and in love than I could have ever imagined. I would never have thought that saying our vows would have had such an impact on how I live my life. I truly know, having said them, that I would do literally anything for Nat, starting with sacrificing our first year together for his commitment to the Army and our country.

I really believe that my sacrifice pales in comparison to his, and I couldn't be more proud of what he is doing for the next year. I can't wait to support him like I know he supports me no matter what I do. I have really learned how to love unconditionally from him, and I know the Lord put this challenge in our marriage for a reason. Being married has given me such a new outlook on things. I have never felt so blessed to have a "team partner" in everything I do, and I really think it's a blast having a husband to spoil and cherish.

Yeah, ok, so maybe I AM still in the cheesy in-love honeymoon stage, but cut me some slack! :) I know sooner or later we will have to face the fact that marriage is a challenge, but how can I be upset when I'm married to my best friend?! And he's just so darn cute...

I think I was meant to be on HGTV :)

Ahh.... the simple pleasures in life... like watching HGTV, re-arranging the furniture, and folding laundry.... (wait a minute- scratch that, I HATE folding laundry!) However, that was the single flaw in my afternoon! I just LOVE to re-arrange furniture!! And, since the living room/breakfast nook (yes, my apartment is a matchbox!) had remained the same since I moved in, today was the day!!

Living in a matchbox has its downfalls (for example, my couch will never inhabit a place other than where it is now, since it won't fit anywhere else!! As much as I adore having Nat home, when he is here, we feel a little like sardines!! (although with him gone so much lately, I would welcome the sardine feeling anytime!!!) In addition, if more than two dishes pile up in the sink, there is practically no room left to wash them!! And the final grievance; NO cabinet space!!! (A nightmare for organization freaks like me!!) You can see my "creative" (read: cheap and mismatched) storage solutions in the picture.

However, I think everyone has to have a living experience like this- after all, what makes a better story to tell our future kids about than our "little mouse house in Dahlonega?!" And I do LOVE the coziness of the apartment. After all, it IS just little ol' me in here!! And who can complain about less space to clean!? HOWEVER, I sleep well at night knowing that in just one year, Nat and I will be moving into our very own "first apartment" in Kansas as "newly"-weds!! And it BETTER have at LEAST five cabinets total :)

A little ice cream is good for the soul :)

Spent the evening with Andie and Ava White climbing, running, swinging, and dodging the rainstorm at Yahoola Park. On our way home, we made a pitstop at Dairy Queen for some DELICIOUS ice cream :) Andie, as usual, assumed the role of entertainment for everyone at Dahlonega DQ. Of course, I ended up wearing about half of Andie's ice cream, but there were smiles all around while we enjoyed our treats!! Paleo it was not, but a little ice cream never hurt anyone!! The run to the car in the rainstorm was a welcome surprise when it rinsed off all the ice cream on our hands, clothes, faces... what WASN'T covered in ice cream!?! It was a carefree way to spend a late summer evening.