As my 24th birthday draws near...I wanted to write a post about my upbringing and how it has made me who I am today. This is a picture of my gorgeous mother. Her face says it all...she looks so happy, but slightly stressed that she now has two at once to take care of! She is a woman of grace, I tell you. Somehow her and my dad figured it out...
We grew up with so much joy and laughter...I've been truly blessed. I always say, "My cup runneth over." I have the best older sis-EVER by the way!!
I couldn't get this picture flipped the right direction...oh, well. I admit...people may view my upbringing as sheltered and that I don't have a very broad understanding of the world. My response would be...that is what your 20's (and beyond) are for!! Stay in that protected world as long as possible. I was taught manners, values and discipline on Miller Farm. Cue the Mellencamp lyrics: Well I was born in a small town And I live in a small town Prob'ly die in a small town Oh, those small - communities
All my friends are so small town My parents live in a same small town My job is so small town Provides little opportunity, hey!
Educated in a small town Taught to fear Jesus in a small town Used to daydream in that small town Another born romantic that's me
But I've seen it all in a small town Had myself a ball in a small town Married an L.A. doll and brought her to this small town Now she's small town just like me
No I cannot forget where it is that I come from I cannot forget the people who love me Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town And people let me be just what I want to be
Got nothing against a big town Still hayseed enough to say Look who's in the big town But my bed is in a small town Oh, that's good enough for me
Well I was born in a small town And I can breathe in a small town Gonna die in a small town Ah, that's prob'ly where they'll bury me I also was taught fun and shenanigans as well :) I love my childhood...and I love that I get to pass these lessons and values on to my children. Thanks for strolling down memory lane with me. Thanks to my family, who've supported me with enthusiasm my whole life. I'm a lucky, lucky girl :)
Something you may not know about me, is the fact that I love movies! I will watch dramas, comedies, thrillers, war movies--you name it. One genre I've been straying away from lately is romantic comedies. I'm not more cynical than I once was...just more realistic. These types of movies aggravate me, in that they are so predictable and you almost ALWAYS know who is going to end up with whom. I guess you just have to be in the right mood to watch them. A movie that breaks the mold of romantic comedies is, Jerry Maguire. Dude-tested, woman-approved--it is in fact a romcom, but it also incorporates real-life emotions. Also, the main two characters take you on a roller coaster--you can't really predict how their romance will end! Okay...maybe you can see it coming...but they make you (the viewer) root for them to work it out. What I'm trying to get at, is this movie is raw and it has something for everyone in it, not to mention the numerous "quotables" I like to call them: Jerry=Tom Cruise Dorothy=Renee Zellweger Rod Tidwell=Cuba Gooding Jr. Jerry Maguire: I am out here for you. You don't know what it's like to be ME out here for YOU. It is an up-at-dawn, pride-swallowing siege that I will never fully tell you about, ok?
Dorothy: Look at me Laurel, I'm the oldest 26 year old in the world. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rod Tidwell: Anyone else would have left you by now, but I'm sticking with you. And if I have to ride your ass like Zorro, you're gonna show me the money. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rod Tidwell: You are hanging on by a very thin thread and I dig that about you! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry Maguire: Have you ever gotten the feeling that you aren't completely embarassed yet, but you glimpse tomorrow's embarrassment? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy: I love him! I love him for the man he wants to be. And I love him for the man he almost is. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy: I just want to be inspired. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dorothy: Maybe love shouldn't be such hard work. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry Maguire: We live in a cynical world. A cynical world. And we work in a business of tough competitors. I love you. You...complete me.And I just... Dorothy: Shut up, just shut up. You had me at "hello".
Jerry Maguire: That's more than a dress. That's an Audrey Hepburn movie. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry Maguire: Help me... help you. Help me, help you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign in Locker Room: A positive anything is better than a negative nothing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rod Tidwell: You bet on me like I bet on you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign in Locker Room: Success consists of simply getting up one more time than you fall.
Cutest kid in a movie--EVER! Humor me...this is a GREAT scene. I invite you all to watch it. Guaranteed laugh :) I apologize for the profanity...
This clip has Spanish subtitles, however it's not delayed. We should all laugh like this child--dorky smile and wild abandon :)
Thanks for listening...maybe I inspired y'all to watch this movie! Tom Cruise is in his finest, I do believe.
This picture makes me smile. It's important to remember the great days in the mist of our busy lives. That is why documenting your life in pictures is so IMPORTANT! I need to do more of it. I don't know how many times I look at pictures of friends and family to liven my spirits. Facebook can be used for good, too I suppose :)
On with it then...remembering to SMILE when life wants to make you frown. This is so important...& the answer lies in those around you. It's okay to laugh at yourself...& at others...& at the old man in aisle 4 who wore a Hawaiian shirt in the middle of winter :) Just laugh...these happenings are placed in our lives for a reason.
Co-workers are a God-send. I will stand by this statement because I rely so much on them to allow me to vent/laugh/joke around so we can shrug off uncertainties or arduous tasks the day has to offer. Thank you to those friends who might be reading this post!! I am thankful for them...AND the work that I'm having the opportunity to do.
This quote sums up what true friendship is...I hope to be there for people in my life like they are for me. Another quote that hits close to home comes from a certain pirate movie:
We all have attitude problems from time to time...my goal is to not let these instances wreck my ability to learn. That is what we are placed on this earth for. The "take-home message" is far more important than shutting yourself off to confrontation. It's going to happen...no one can escape it.
Remember this:
Ecclesiastes 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
...there is a time for everything--as we learned from Kevin Bacon in Footloose--thanks Kevin :)
I'm not trying to be preachy...just using this blog for selfish reasons as well as sharing kick ass recipes!
We started our Holiday season with a Straight No Chaser concert!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've all got to see these guys sing together live!
I am in the spirit of Christmas now! My Straight No Chaser Christmas CDs play in my car every morning on the way to work, I've already had TWO Starbuck's Peppermint Mochas & the tree is hung up at home (parent's house).
That Spirit of Christmas, is the one played in the background as Clark Griswold reminisces about Christmases past. He gets stuck in the attic (movie-National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation) and ends up making the movie more sentimental than you would imagine. As weird as it sounds, the song is one of my favorites of the season--originally recorded by Ray Charles. It forces you to REMEMBER & REFLECT on memories & how we preserve them in our minds as a heightened, wonderful emotional experiences--one we re-visit every holiday season eagerly. Each year we all try hard to keep the momentum going with our traditions.
NOW...for my segway/transition to my next random thought: STAYING CREATIVE. Every December we try to cram in as much as possible, & I say...switch it up this year! Make NEW traditions...but keep the old, of course ;) Here is a recent find that was posted in one of my favorite blogs, Fitnessista:
As you can tell, this has very little to do with the Christmas season SPECIFICALLY, but it may give you a few ideas to switch up your way of thinking at the moment :)
#1: It's okay to make lists--brainstorm about what you wish to give your loved ones this year! That way it is easily documented, & YOU don't feel like a CRAZY person.
#4: Get away from the computer--this is a big one for me!! You lose so much of the ambiance, as well as the atmosphere, that is created by physically going outside of your home to shop. Shop Main Street...shop the mall...shop local. All of these places provide you with so much joy on their own...I'm a sucker for lights & decorations strewn everywhere. You don't get the same effect of the hustle and bustle on the couch!! There is also less urgency...which is fun to experience. Impulse buys are always great to make fun of later :)
#6: Don't beat yourself up if you don't get to all of your Christmas traditions this year...it will make them all the more special when you get to them NEXT year!
#7 AND #9--Take coffee breaks...with a loved one!! Go ahead and include some Christmas cookies in there to nibble on.
#8--PLEASE sing Christmas tunes...in the shower--I DO!! Great acoustics...just ask Will Ferrell (ELF reference-hehe).
#21-COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS- can be referenced to White Christmas: "Count your blessings...instead of sheep...& you'll fall asleep counting your blessings!" So true.
#30: Skipping right along--it is important to write ideas down...namely new recipes to try! Peppermint flavored EVERYTHING. Confession: I still haven't given pumpkin up for the year.
#33--Whatever your priorities are this season...make sure and do them wholeheartedly. It is better to COMPLETE a few SELECT activities--WELL--than to try and run yourself ragged and doing them half way.
I hope you take time to realize the "reason for the season" as well. That little baby was born in Bethlehem...our savior...Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Have fun celebrating and hug someone who means a whole bunch to you!
This is how I feel about pumpkin bread! Super excited & wanting to share my love with the whole world. I grew up enjoying my mom's recipe, which I'm going to share with you now :) She does something that is somewhat unorthodox--she adds chocolate chips to her loaves!! When I was younger I just didn't understand WHY she would do such a thing. After I had it a few times I began to crave this sensational flavor combination. Sure enough, years later, I began noticing several other recipes pairing the two--my conclusion=my mother is a genius!
One Fall evening, I decided to embrace my creative culinary side--which I inherited from my mother--& create three different variations of pumpkin bread. Pumpkin bread three ways!!
This is what happens when I bake--it gets MESSY!
LOAF 1: PUMPKIN WITH PECANS & TURBINADO SUGAR/CINNAMON MIXTURE
LOAF 2: PUMPKIN WITH BUTTERSCOTCH CHIPS
LOAF 3: PUMPKIN WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS
PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE (Use this as your base & go to town with any mix-ins you want) Wolfcreek Cookbook
Makes 3 Loaves
3 1/2 cups flour (unsifted) 3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda 1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon 2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon nutmeg 4 eggs
Directions:
1.) Grease and flour 3 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.) In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add sugar and stir well again.
3.) In a medium mixing bowl, gently beat together the pumpkin, corn oil, and water; add eggs--beating well after each addition.
4.) Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add pumpkin mixture and stir until the flour is just moistened.
5.) Fill the loaf pans evenly with batter, smoothing it out; bake for 1 hour.
The consensus: PUMPKIN-CHOCOLATE CHIP ALL THE WAY!!!! I knew that would be my favorite but I HAD to let my curiosity take over. The butterscotch chips kind of dissolved and formed what appeared to be pot holes. The flavor was great...but the butterscotch took over the pumpkin flavor instead of complimenting it. The pumpkin-pecan was fine. The pumpkin-chocolate chip was simply the best!
If all else--MAKE THE PUMPKIN BREAD RECIPE. It is the moistest we've ever come across! Probably because of the combination of 4 eggs and pumpkin that accomplishes this amazing quick bread ;)
I give you the Holstee Manifesto. Please read further about these two brothers who were starting a business at the start of a recession (2009). This is the inspiration for my blog title as the summation of the poster is clear: "This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often."
The belief is that radical change is possible...if you let it happen. Over analyzing is only human nature--everyone does this to a certain extent. So the point of this "chunk" of statements is=RELAX.
What these brothers didn't mention is we have a God who is a 'creator NOT a duplicator.' (Crazy Love, Francis Chan). I do tend to compare myself to others' lives...which is my source of over analyzing. The book also states: 'allow God to be as creative with you as He is with each of us.' In other words, CASSIE, LET GO! :) I find comfort by repeating this mantra: I WAS MADE FOR THIS MOMENT.
As hard as it is, we all need to submit our hopes and dreams to the desirability of God. The timeline is unneeded. Throw away your roadmap as well, kids! You don't need one ;) Garmins won't help either!
Now the next clump of words states: LIFE IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE YOU MEET, AND THE THINGS YOU CREATE WITH THEM. SO GO OUT AND START CREATING. This is the season I've realized I'm in at the moment. This part I have no doubt. I was blessed with an abundance of WONDERFUL people at work in my life. Yes, some may be acquaintances and have meandered in and out of my life, but have made an impact FOREVER. Most of them unlikely...but God uses different settings and locations/points in time in mysterious ways. I've had "AHA!" moments at very random times with some random people.
I do know that every day I am thankful for what unfolds and what I'm exposed to. It is happening for a reason...and the time frame has a purpose as well. Each day a part of the puzzle is getting revealed and our vision focuses (Pastor Kerry).
So...the last bit hurts a little because I do not realize this nearly enough: LIFE IS SHORT. In other words: CASSIE, STOP WORRYING! Agendas are not needed in this life, because REAL life unfolds soon enough. Enjoy where you're at NOW because that moment is a short memory in the grand scheme of things.
WHEW! This blog thing is therapy, I tell you what. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. This has been on my heart. In the mist of life---I always remember where my passion stems from AND it is from these people here:
ENJOY the people you love...as OFTEN as you can.
I love them to the ends of the Earth and back. They are the peanut butter to my jelly...the gravy to my mashed potatoes (ha! I just thought of that one).
Hold tightly to your inspirations...your passions...your dreams...they are all important to help us thrive. They are there to keep us motivated...keep us going in the right direction.
LIVE YOUR DREAM AND SHARE YOUR PASSION. This is my way of sharing :)
I have this thing for Tupperware...I like to put foods in their own perspective containers--I know this makes me sound super cool--but I don't care!! I get to save money (hopefully) and take yummy food for lunch on a daily basis. Also, it's a conversation starter in the break room...they want to know what I'm eating most days. I get made fun of for it ALWAYS!! Needless to say my pink container gets the most bashings--they're just jealous :) It is fitting that my Pumpkin Coconut Curry is in the PINK tupperware! I made some toasted sesame coleslaw to accompany it, I'm not my father's daughter for no reason--he appreciates a good coleslaw.
Back to the curry-in-a-hurry folks. Truthfully it reaches its FULL potential by the third day, at LEAST! Curry is super the first time it's served, fabulous the second, and FANTASTICALLY LIFE-CHANGING the third. After the third day, you should be finishing it up...haha. I did take a lot of food science classes to know that leftovers need to be eaten up sooner rather than later ;)
Miss Lauren from Drunk on CHEW introduced me to the most amazing curry recipe ever. She served it over rice and the whole-nine-yards to my sis and I one brisk fall day. I do enjoy sharing recipes and cooking with friends--foodie friends are the BEST friends :) This recipe also fulfills my obsession with pumpkin...everything consumed in the fall-time should be pumpkin flavored in my opinion. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are my favorite as well from STARBUCKS. Then there's pumpkin chili--pumpkin bread--pumpkin muffins--pumpkin casserole--and now pumpkin curry!! I began to sound like Bubba there for a minute!
The source from this recipe was found on Pinterest, The Wicked Noodle, so I can't take credit for it. That's a shame...but we've been creating a lot of variations that we'll be enjoying soon! I told my sister we'd be making this every week until we get it perfect (this recipe could use a little more spiciness--heat spice--in my opinion).
Make this. BOOM.
Pumpkin Coconut Curry
To roast butternut squash, place on a sheet pan, toss lightly with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast at 450F until caramelized and fork-tender (about 15 minutes, depending on size).
Ingredients:
3 Tolive oil, divided
1 poundboneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2onion, sliced
1 Tminced ginger
2large garlic cloves, minced
2plum tomatoes, diced
1 15 ounce canpumpkin puree
2 cupschicken or vegetable broth (low-sodium)
1 cupcoconut milk (unsweetened)
2 tcurry powder
1 large pinchcayenne powder
2 cupsbutternut squash, chopped into bite-sized pieces and roasted
1/2 limejuiced
1/2 cupchopped cilantro, plus extra for garnishing
Basmati Rice, cooked, for serving
Cooking Directions
Heat 2 T olive oil in a large dutch oven over high heat. Add chicken and cook on high heat until browned on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium-high and dd remaining 1 T olive oil to dutch oven. Add onion and ginger. Cook for a few minutes until onion is soft. Add garlic and cook for about one minute more.
Add tomatoes and pumpkin puree to pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, until puree is lightly browned.
Add broth, coconut milk, curry & cayenne powders; bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add chicken and butternut squash and simmer for 10 minutes longer.
Stir in lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve over rice and serve.
I love eggs! From my head down to my legs...does everyone remember this jingle about the incredible edible egg?! I'm a nerd, BUT I am THAT passionate about eggs. They're the best thing to start the morning off in my opinion. Although, a good stack of French toast or a pastry of some sort would fit the bill as well :)
Eggs are the most substantial in my book. I love incorporating a bunch of different food groups into my egg creations in the AM. This is my favorite combo...one I revisit often.
All of my omelets in the morning consist of some constants: spinach, sundried tomatoes, spinach, avocado and Flatouts. A lot of pepper as well---and accompanied by COFFEE!!!!!!!!! I like it black with a splash of 1/2 & 1/2. This was Hemisphere Coffee Roaster's coffee--Papua New Guinea roast. I purchased mine in Kalona, Iowa at the Kalona Coffee House. I think it's the tops :)
Back to the eggs, I create the omelet in a sauté pan, plop the finished result (all rolled up) in a Flatout wrap with avocado slices on top. Pepper that avocado as well (I'm CRAZY about avocados--maybe I will have shiny hair and a stunning complexion one day--haha, yeah right!).
Here's the recipe, feel free to sub in your own cheese preference...also I do a spinach and artichoke version with Swiss cheese. That is worth trying as well!!
1.) Heat a sauté pan over medium heat; spray with cooking spray.
2.) Beat those eggs with milk and pepper. Pour into the heated sauté pan to begin cooking.
3.) Build your omelet: spinach, tomatoes and then cheese.
Fold up those sides!
4.) Plop the eggs on the Flatout, assemble the cut avocado slices on top of the eggs, sprinkle with pepper...and wrap it up!!
I may or may not have an appreciation for whey protein powder...it's weird because I don't lift weights, or even have time to work out anymore (who are we kidding, a "big girl job" can count as a workout any day of the week!). My sister from another mister, Elise, introduced me to the world of protein powders and shakes. Since then I have experimented putting it in oatmeal, yogurt, muffins--you name it!! If you haven't tried any form of whey--YOU SHOULD! Somehow it makes me feel balanced with just the right amount of protein and carbs...making even ME feel full--at least for a couple of hours :)
This is my plea: try my protein bars! They will save you oodles of dollars making your own instead of purchasing Cliff bars or LUNA bars.
The next part is finding your fave protein powder (some of them DO have an off taste). There are so many different flavors--I appreciate straight up vanilla BECAUSE it's the most versatile. Next, the brand. Jillian Michael's protein powder has great flavor & is a reasonable price. A good "starter whey." For this recipe I used Jay Robb's protein...delish!
Here it goes--trust me, people this is the protein bar that keeps on giving...as you freeze them and pull them out when needed.
Everything-BUT-the-Kitchen-Sink PROTEIN bars
1 banana, mashed (on the ripe side, please!)
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
2 tablespoons flax seed meal (ground flax seeds)
2-4 scoops protein powder (Jay Robb's)
1/4 cup peanut butter (substitute your nut butter of choice)
1/4 cup shredded coconut (I used raw--or unsweetened)
1/4 cup butter, melted (this is the confusing part for health conscious folks--but it needs it!!)
1/4 cup raisins (craisins or any dried fruit=delish)
1/4 cup water (to hydrate the protein powder)
1 large chocolate bar (the fun part & how you can showcase your individuality--I used Chocolove's chocolate-hazelnut milk chocolate bar) OR 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients but chocolate together well. Line an 8 X 8" pan with foil and spread the mixture evenly in the pan.
Melt chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over the oat mixture in the pan.
Place the pan in the freezer for at least 2 hours. Cut into 9 bars and wrap individually with plastic wrap. Store in the freezer for 9 different snack times!!
Thaw slightly before serving.
Each bar contains roughly 275 calories and 11 grams of protein (depending on the chocolate you use and the amount of protein powder added). PERFECT for a post workout snack or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up at work :)
