"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.

Remembering Sept. 11th, 2010

"These are a few of my favorite things:"

*Making breakfast on a Saturday morning
*WODs with my best friends at CFD
*Good morning calls from Nat
*Weekend hikes
*Prayertime driving in the car
*The smell of fall
*Cheat meals
*Movie night with lots of popcorn
*Being married to my best friend
*Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows on the bonfire
*A hug from a friend
*Class getting canceled on the day of a test
*Teaching my fitness class and watching them kill some workouts
*Country music in the morning
*Falling asleep with the windows open
*Girls night
*Football Saturdays


I know that the only reason I am blessed to be able to do all these things is because of our brave troops defending our freedom. I am so proud of Nat and ALL of our friends who serve our country selflessly every day. Today I will be saying a prayer of thanks for our firefighters, police officers, soldiers, and everyone who protects us and our freedom. Their sacrifices definitely do not go unnoticed. I am blessed!!

What day is today?!

Was it just me, or did having that extra day off this weekend really throw your whole schedule off? This morning I woke up, packed my bag for my Monday classes, got ready to walk out the door, and realized it was Tuesday! Thank the Lord for long weekends :)

Today was extra busy, and wonderful. Started my day with a yummy paleo breakfast- scrambled eggs, carrots and cherry tomatoes, and a big glass of orange juice. I DID also eat some almonds, but those were gone LONG before I was done cooking. (I have to have something to scavenge on while I cook)

After class, I got some errands done, and then did something I have vowed never to do... got my hair cut at Fantastic Sams!! I am always petrified to even step foot in that place lest my hair immediately transform into a terrible haircut, however, today was just one of those days. I had intended to call and make an appointment with my hairdresser for sometime this week, but, again, realizing it was indeed NOT Monday, it became clear that if I waited for an appointment, it would be early next year (haha). I took the plunge. I would be danged if my hair was ratty and unhealthy for one more second!! On to Fantastic Sams. $14.75 later, my hair looks fine- an anticlimactic ending if I've ever heard one :)

After getting back on the horse at Crossfit for Ryan Harris' birthday WOD, I taught FITcamp at the Rec Center at NGCSU. I just LOVE my FITcampers. They always give 100%- in fact they motivate me to work harder myself!! I love seeing them get stronger and surprise themselves with what they can do. I also love that they let me squeal over their accomplishments without slapping me upside the head :)

I had a delicious dinner with Robbie, although as she pointed out, we did so much talking, I was having a hard time actually eating anything!! (Maybe I need to learn to hush!) It was great to spend time with a friend that I admire in so many ways, and I can't wait to do it again soon!! I was SO proud of us- we actually made it in AND out of Pueblos without eating a single chip! (I mean, is that a crime or what?!)

I am finishing the night with some studying for my test on Thursday- it is hard to believe this is my last semester at school- it will be glorious to never study for a test again, that's for sure!! I think I will make it a goal to never learn a single thing for the rest of my life. :) (KIDDING!!!)

I am blessed!!

Small blessings :)

I was reminded tonight at Crossfit how quickly emotions can affect us in every way!! This weekend in my bummed-out Army loathing slump, I ate like someone who is training for a junk-food eating contest :) I also proceeded to take my sleep schedule and figuratively throw it in the trash. I spent the day today quite tearily feeling sorry for myself, and moping. I am embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes we all have to admit to our craziness!

THEN I got to Crossfit today, and started the workout. About three minutes in, I was feeling dizzy, terrible, and like I wanted to start crying. I was so discouraged!! For the first time in my whole Crossfit lifetime, I stopped in the middle of the WOD (in reality, I didn't even make it to the middle, it was closer to the beginning, haha). My first DNF!! I was somewhat crushed.

As I tried to figure out what on earth was going on with me, Blake (our head trainer and one of my best friends) asked me how my weekend had gone, and if I had eaten enough, or gotten enough sleep. Well, I sure knew the answer to THAT question!! I started to explain that the stress of Nat being gone had momentarily driven me to throw everything I know about healthy lifestyles out the window, when all of a sudden.... cue the tears!!! There I was, crying in the middle of the gym!!

Embarrassing as it may have been, I realized that sometimes you just need a good cry with friends. Even though it is hard to admit that we are struggling, being able to open up and accept love from others when we need it the most is so healing. I felt so much love from everyone tonight at the gym, and I was reminded again of how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends.

After a trip to WalMart on my way home, and a house-cleansing of the leftovers of my weekend, my diet is back on track, I am back to my "infant sleep schedule" as Charlotte calls it, and my heart is healed :)

I am blessed!

Ok, hubby, come home ANY DAY now :)

I am awfully blessed, and I LOVE this life. Just the other day at Crossfit we were marveling at the beautiful weather the Lord had blessed us with, and thinking how lucky we are to live in such a gorgeous area. I have an awesome doting husband, and great friends and family.

However, there are just some days when you have to VENT! I have a bone to pick today with the Army. Nat has almost been gone one whole MONTH since our wedding, and I am crying over spilled milk, because this is NOTHING compared to the YEAR he will be gone starting sometime in October, when he heads to Iraq! But this is somewhat harder than I thought it would be! Time is starting to drag, because it just seems the "away" time is all there is!!!

-4 months at the beginning of the year to Virginia for BOLC
-1 month home
-1 month in Kansas before the wedding
-3 days home
-1 month (almost) after the wedding in Louisiana for pre-deployment training
-Supposed to be 3-4 days home
-1 year in Iraq Oct-Oct

.... so maybe I am feeling a little overwhelmed. I am just feeling a little jipped on getting to do all that "newlywed stuff" that we are supposed to be doing. I am sort of jealous of all those couples who get to grocery shop together- I mean how SILLY is that?!?! ESPECIALLY because it's my all-time favorite time of the year, and I think fall is SO romantic. I am dying to go to the pumpkin patch, and the hayrides, and Gold Rush with my hubby!!

Looks like it will have to wait until next year! I am counting the days already :)