ALL American

"And if we go down,"

Currently
Reading: "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World" by Joanna Weaver
I got a non fiction book in this month! YES!!! I am on track to finish by the thirtieth! And have May's books picked out!
Watching: "Hitch"
I am laughing that half of this trailer didn't even make it into the movie! It's entertaining me through me pain.

Listening: "Star Spangled Banner" by Frances Scott Key

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

 "we go down"

Last week was one for the history books. Two Russian men set up bombs at the Boston Marathon. They killed three people that day, one of whom was an eight year old little boy named Martin. They also injured countless others, as well as an MIT officer a few days later. And for days it ruled the airways. In fact new information is hitting the air every morning. It all came to a conclusion that Friday, after a day long quarrantine, when seemingly every law enforcement officer in the state descended on little Watertown, Massechusetts. It was bone chilling...

If you've ever lived near an iconic city such as Boston, New York, Chicago, or LA, you know what it means to eat, breath, and bleed the city. If you go out of town, you are proud to tell 'em where you are from. Your city has THE BEST food. You are a die-hard fan of every team in the city... even if they suck. You take pride in any major event that takes place there. And when the country looks upon your city you beam. You are you city and your city lives in you. Your strength, pride and joy are symbiotic to its'. There is nothing better than living in a major hub that is an iconic city.

 

Photo Credit: Chicago Tribune

Even more chilling was the people running into the pack TOWARDS the bombs. Or the Chicago Tribune Sports Page posting all the Boston teams "We Are Chicago". Or the Bruins game in which the honor guard came out to stand for all the law enforcement fighting the terrorism. Or the man who was brave enough to speak up when he noticed something off near his boat. Or the fact that his boat got destroyed and he denied the offerings of money for a new boat and asked that the money go to the fund for those injured. Or when the people were finally able to leave their homes. Or the cheers that erupted when the police finally left the scene with their man. Or as you heard a chorus of voices building as they sang "The Star Spangled Banner". Our Anthem. The All-American Anthem. #BostonSTRONG

"Fighting." ~Brad Marchand, Boston Bruin

Articulate

"Your playing small does not serve the world."

Currently
Reading: "Sisterhood Everlasting" by Ann Brashares

Watching: "Numb3rs" 
Listening: "High School" by Superchick

High school is like the state of the nation
Some people never change after graduation,
Believing any light you shine makes theirs lesser,
They have to prove to everyone that theirs is better
These are the rules, the ways of high school
If someone puts you down, that's so high school,
Believing they're too cool for you, that's so high school
If you believe it too, that's also high school,
I know I'll be graduating early

"There is nothing enlightened about shrinking," 

I am an encourager. I love words of affirmation. I marvel at how eloquently words can be spoken. How they can be made into beautiful art and yet be used to shred people apart.
Over the past few days, I have been blown away by the power of words. I have been complimented, encouraged, cut down, and diminished. And it is amazing how those simple things effected my day.

com·pli·ment

[n. kom-pluh-muhnt; v. kom-pluh-ment] Show IPA

noun

1.an expression of praise, commendation, or admiration: A sincere compliment boosts one's morale.

2.a formal act or expression of civility, respect, or regard: The mayor paid him the compliment of escorting him.

3.compliments, a courteous greeting; good wishes; regards: He sends you his compliments.

4.Archaic. a gift; present.

verb (used with object)

5.to pay a compliment to: She complimented the child on his good behavior.

6.to show kindness or regard for by a gift or other favor: He complimented us by giving a party in our honor.

7.to congratulate; felicitate: to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.

A man complimented me. It was astonishing. It caught me off guard. It made me smile. It was an off the cuff comment that probably meant nothing to him. Do I think he was trying to hit on me or take advantage of the opportunity? No. But it was nice. It was kind. It was genuine. And I chose to receive instead of fight it like I normally would.

en·cour·age

[en-kur-ij, -kuhr-] Show IPA

verb (used with object), en·cour·aged, en·cour·ag·ing.

1. to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence: His coach encouraged him throughout the marathon race to keep on running.

2. to stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.: One of the chief duties of a teacher is to encourage students.

3. to promote, advance, or foster: Poverty often encourages crime.

Encouragement is like a hug from a friend. It comforts you and pushes you forward. My dear friend pushed me forward yesterday. She made me face what I wanted to run from. She told me stories that lightened the way. And virtually held my hand.

"so that other people won't feel insecure around you."

I was cut down and diminished by an old coworker. She was rude and condescending. But she was that way when I worked there.  She was one of those people that believe any one else shining takes away from them. I didn't let her get me in that moment. However, it definitely carried into my day.

I have been thinking a lot about my mouth since my surgery. How often do I say things that cut others down? How often do I speak when it's unnecessary? Or have to have the last word?
When was the last time I genuinely complimented someone? When was the last time I held someones hand with my words? What about you?

"We are are all meant to shine, as children do." ~Marianne Willamson

Appetite

My goal when starting this blog was to bring together all of the things I loved. Writing, counseling, health and fitness, vegetarian food, and photography. Unfortunately over the past two years I faced a lot of trials that found me writing and pouring out my wisdom from what I learned in school for counseling. But I am finding myself in a place where I want to at least try and move past all the junk and gunk. And I want to share the rest of my passions. Like vegetarian cooking...

When I came home I was determined to take better care of myself and continue on with a healthy vegetarian lifestyle. But I didn't want anymore of the boring and bland vegetarian food I had come to know. I needed everything to have a kick to it. I found myself wanting very specific food. Hispanic food to be exact. Thanks to the dawning of the Pinterest era I was able to find some new and exciting recipes, along with the other vegetarian lifestyle blog.

So without further ado I bring you, "Huevos Rancheros Casserole":


It started with this lovely recipe for  Huevos Rancheros,  but I have never been a big fan of corn tortillas and mine were just not coming out right. So I asked myself what could I do to make it easier to eat and enjoy. And then it hit me... Quiche Cornbread! I found it on one of my favorite lifestyle blogs Healthy Tipping Point or HTP as Caitlin (the author) tends to call it. So I set my brain to work and put them together to fit the following recipe.

You will need:

Cooking Spray
1 box of cornbread mix
1c milk split(of any kind)
1/2 can black beans, drained
6 eggs
Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
Cayenne Pepper
Cumin
Salt
Salsa
Sour Cream
Cilantro

You will also need the following kitchen utensils:

1 mixing bowl
Mixing Spoon
Approx. 3" Deep Baking Dish
Measuring Cup

1. Preheat your oven to 350*. Always the key step!!! It might be hard to do with a cold oven!
2. Combine ingredients on your cornbread box. This is where that first half cup of milk probably comes in.
3. Pour cornbread mix in greased baking dish and bake for 15 minutes.
4. While cornbread is in the oven, combine the 6 eggs, 1/2 c milk, Cayenne, Salt, and Pepper to taste.
5. Remove cornbread from oven and pour the black beans directly on the cornbread and spread out evenly.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the black beans and cornbread and sprinkle the cheese blend over the eggs.
7. Place the baking dish back in the oven for 20 minutes. Then turn the oven up to 400 for an additional 5 minutes. Cook until eggs are completely set.
8. Allow it to cool and you are able to handle. Cut it in slices and top with salsa, sour cream, and cilantro.
9. ENJOY the yummy warm goodness!!!!

Awakening

 "On reflection, "

Currently
Reading: "The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants" by Ann Brashares
Watching: "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants"

Source: YouTube
Listening: "22" by Taylor Swift


Source: Vevo.com

I don't know about you but I'm feeling 22
Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you
You don't know about me but I bet you want to
Everything will be alright if we just keep dancing like we're 22, 22

"one of the things I needed to learn was"

When you are child you believe in everything and think that nothing will ever change; when you grow up you realize that you can't believe in everything and that nothing stays the SAME.

 I love "The Sisterhood" for bringing me closer to my childhood friends when we were younger, but at the same time I think it gave us false hope hat we would be together forever. I realized within this past month how UNTRUE that was. I will always love my dear friend, growing up she was more my sister than my own. But our lives have taken separate paths. And for some reason she's chosen to walk away from me.

Growing up is hard on a friendship. There’s no revelation in that.

I remember my mom once told me that a good family is built for

leaving, because that is what children must do. And I’ve wondered

many times, is that also what a good friendship is supposed to be

built for? Because ours isn’t. We have no idea how to cope with the

leaving. And I’m probably the worst of all. If you need a picture,

picture this: me putting my hands over my eyes, pretending the leav-

ing isn’t happening, waiting for us all to be together again.
"Sisterhood Everlasting: Prologue" by Ann Brashares

But that's not what this is about. It's about growing up, growing older, CHANGING. 

I yearn for a day where I will feel settled again. Where I can finally feel safe. Where I can belong. Where I can share a heart with someone else. Because that is what the sisterhood is about. Being together even when you a million miles apart. Learning to shine on your own while you are basking in the glory of your friends.


I am learning how love people again... and maybe even letting other people love me. I'm growing, I'm hurting, I am healing.

Teach me O God to walk in your truth.

"to allow myself to be loved." ~Isha McKenzie-Mavinga