Last night a friend of ours posted his new music video to a song on his new album. His name is Vic and he lives here in Nashville. He one of the sweetest guys I know, such a caring spirit and genuine person. It's especially fitting for the New Year. Below is a link to his video, I suggest you check it out!
http://youtu.be/A4sINu0yz0s
What are your resolutions? I suppose I haven't quite made any definite resolutions yet, but I do have a few things on my wish list:
1) Start training to finish the Country Music Marathon, again
2) Hand in hand with the training goes weight-loss, but mainly for me I just want to eat better
3) Be a better wife and mother, but I think I do a pretty good job already!
4) Finish my EdS and start on my EdD
I hope whatever you choose to focus on this year, it includes being a light to others. I plan on studying my Bible more and living my life out loud to enhance His kingdom.
Happy 2012 to all of you and yours!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Freezer Cooking
This morning I had an epiphany...Let me back up and say that I found out yesterday that I will need surgery on my right shoulder to rectify some numbness in my arm. I'm most certain that this is probably an old volleyball injury that has finally decided to surface. Anyhow, as I was drinking my morning coffee and checking emails, I realized that I would be without a right arm for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery. I decided that I probably needed to make ahead several meals and freeze them to make life easier during that time. While Shannon is a good cook, I'm sure he will be busy keeping care of our soon to be 3 year old during that time. So, I did a little research online and found several recipes that looked appealing, made a grocery list, and headed out to shop. First stop was Sam's Club, then Aldi, then Kroger. Overall, I spent about $200.00 on food and supplies. Here's what I made today:
9 Mustard Herbed Pork Chops (3 meals)
9 Cheese and Cracker Crusted Chicken Breasts (3 meals)
40 Corn Flake Chicken Strips (4 meals)
Penne Pasta with Sausage, Ricotta, and Tomato Sauce (1 meal)
French Dip Sandwiches (1 meal)
4 Hamburgers (1 meal)
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf (1 meal)
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf (1 meal)
3 lbs Cooked Ground Beef (2 meals)
Sundried Tomato Chicken Pasta (1 meal)
Stuffed Shells (1 meal)
Asian Beef Stir-Fry (2 meals)
5 Chicken Breasts (2 meals)
12 Chicken Tenders (1 meal)
Chopped Onions
Chopped Bell Peppers
All in all I have 24 meals prepped and ready to go! I wouldn't suggest doing this without a helper. Shannon wasn't overly excited about being the sous chef today, but he did finally come to my rescue. My feet are pretty tired, I stood all day in the kitchen! I know that my hard work will be worth it in the long run. Even if we don't gobble up all the meals right away, life is about to get busy and the prepared meals will come in handy. I don't know about you, but I have the grab and go tendency; if I'm in a rush it's easy for me to settle for a greasy cheeseburger. Fast food meals are something I would like to rid from our family in 2012. I know this is a daunting task for a family of travelers, but I'm hoping we can at least cut back. This break from school has been beneficial for me, I feel like I've accomplished a ton!
Lastly, I'm sure you want to know where I got my recipes...I actually found a blog through www.pinterest.com to a blog where the author spills all the details of freezer cooking. So thankful I didn't have to purchase another cookbook! Here's the link:
http://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html
I want to forewarn you I have never made any of these recipes before, so cook at your own risk!
9 Mustard Herbed Pork Chops (3 meals)
9 Cheese and Cracker Crusted Chicken Breasts (3 meals)
40 Corn Flake Chicken Strips (4 meals)
Penne Pasta with Sausage, Ricotta, and Tomato Sauce (1 meal)
French Dip Sandwiches (1 meal)
4 Hamburgers (1 meal)
Chicken Parmesan Meatloaf (1 meal)
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf (1 meal)
3 lbs Cooked Ground Beef (2 meals)
Sundried Tomato Chicken Pasta (1 meal)
Stuffed Shells (1 meal)
Asian Beef Stir-Fry (2 meals)
5 Chicken Breasts (2 meals)
12 Chicken Tenders (1 meal)
Chopped Onions
Chopped Bell Peppers
All in all I have 24 meals prepped and ready to go! I wouldn't suggest doing this without a helper. Shannon wasn't overly excited about being the sous chef today, but he did finally come to my rescue. My feet are pretty tired, I stood all day in the kitchen! I know that my hard work will be worth it in the long run. Even if we don't gobble up all the meals right away, life is about to get busy and the prepared meals will come in handy. I don't know about you, but I have the grab and go tendency; if I'm in a rush it's easy for me to settle for a greasy cheeseburger. Fast food meals are something I would like to rid from our family in 2012. I know this is a daunting task for a family of travelers, but I'm hoping we can at least cut back. This break from school has been beneficial for me, I feel like I've accomplished a ton!
Lastly, I'm sure you want to know where I got my recipes...I actually found a blog through www.pinterest.com to a blog where the author spills all the details of freezer cooking. So thankful I didn't have to purchase another cookbook! Here's the link:
http://joelens.blogspot.com/2007/01/freezer-friendlymake-ahead.html
I want to forewarn you I have never made any of these recipes before, so cook at your own risk!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
#tenyearsago
This morning while I was reading through Twitter posts, I noticed the trending hash-tag was #tenyearsago. I started thinking back to my life ten years ago and I can't believe how much things have changed, but yet stayed the same!
Ten years ago, I had just graduated from college with my undergraduate degree. I was ready to take on the world and I did. In the last ten years, I've coached collegiate volleyball, taught in the public schools, earned my Master's degree, made a dent in my progress towards my Doctorate in Education, gotten married, had a child, bought 2 homes, moved 7 times, run a half-marathon, and so much more.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the now and what you don't have. I challenge you to look back at your past and count all the little blessings. It makes the now seem irrelevant.
I plan on blogging soon about our Christmas break and family time. I know my blog has been somewhat neglected, but I must say I'd rather be writing this blog than I would be writing papers for school!
Ten years ago, I had just graduated from college with my undergraduate degree. I was ready to take on the world and I did. In the last ten years, I've coached collegiate volleyball, taught in the public schools, earned my Master's degree, made a dent in my progress towards my Doctorate in Education, gotten married, had a child, bought 2 homes, moved 7 times, run a half-marathon, and so much more.
Sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the now and what you don't have. I challenge you to look back at your past and count all the little blessings. It makes the now seem irrelevant.
I plan on blogging soon about our Christmas break and family time. I know my blog has been somewhat neglected, but I must say I'd rather be writing this blog than I would be writing papers for school!
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