I moved!!!

My blog has moved to www.christinjoyful.com

Stop by and say hello!

Cheers,

Christin

7 Things...

Hi All! I got tagged by Lindsay to post my 7 things, so here goes!!

7 Things…

1. I love makeup!

 I used to “practice” on my friends when I was little, by playing beauty shop. They put up with my rainbow of colorful eye shadow palettes and let me do my thing. I am definitely not afraid of color. I embrace it wholeheartedly! I worked as a makeup counter manager at a department store for about 2 years, and then worked for Aveda for awhile, and even did freelance makeup artistry for them. I like to hook friends and friends of friends up with either a great deal or gift for weddings and special events. I am a makeup hoarder, so I have everything I need. Faces are the canvas on which I paint. (Just don’t ever ask me to do hair!) lol

2. Dark Chocolate is my greatest weakness

Well…at least it’s one of my greatest weaknesses! It’s hereditary. I totally blame my Mom . I’m not such a huge fan of milk or white chocolate, but there’s just something about the richness and velvety smooth and delectable texture of dark chocolate that makes me swoon. It’s absolute bliss. I like to try different varieties of bars, and I like to try different things mixed in. Vosges makes absolutely wonderful dark chocolate concoctions…some of the varieties sound insane, but they are amazing. Their dark chocolate bar with cinnamon and cayenne pepper...called the Red Fire…to die for!



3. I loathe onions.

The green ones are good, and the flavor doesn’t bother me so much, but I hate the look and texture of the other varieties. They make me gag. They look like worms and they have a weird crunchiness. Bleh  I am so acting like a five year old about them, but I don’t care. I don’t really like mushrooms either. Ever since like, 3rd grade when I found out that mushroom are fungus I thought they were disgusting. Now and then I will eat them though, they just aren’t my favorite. The taint of fungus stuck with me into adulthood I guess. Good times!



4. I was homeschooled all the way through 9th grade.

I never set foot in an actual classroom until 10th grade. It was definitely a bit of a culture shock, but I survived. It’s true, you are a little socially deprived, but you are a little bit more book smart when you are homeschooled. I guess that’s the tradeoff, but then again, life is just a bunch of tradeoffs based on the decisions we make, right? Anyway, I am a weirdo in that I like school, and I will probably keep going back for various different things throughout my life. Especially with internet classes available, I see no reason not to keep up my nerdy ways, right? 



5. I didn’t get my driver’s license until I was 24.

Yeah I know…pretty sad. But the thing is, I lived close to work and downtown, and was fairly close to school, so I walked a lot, or took the bus, or got rides. I love to walk, it’s very soothing and it’s a way to escape and hear myself think for a little while. I also figure I did my part for the environment. Ha! I love driving now though, and it certainly comes in handy on the regular. And I try to offer rides when I can so that I’m paying all those rides I got forward. 



6. I find it hard to choose a “favorite.”

The big exception to this is my Fluffy, (because he will always be my one and only favorite!) But in general, I can’t choose a favorite color, or flower, or song, etc because I love variety! When I was little and they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told them a “Jill of all trades” and it wasn’t because I was indecisive, it’s just because I didn’t want to miss out on things by limiting myself so quickly. Why not embrace variety? It’s the spice of life, right? Life’s a full spectrum of color, and I don’t intend on diminishing that by having a favorite color, so to speak.



7. I survived Melanoma.

I actually feel weird saying that, because I was one of the blessed ones that caught it early, while it was fully treatable. All I have to show for it is a 2 inch scar on my left thigh, which is a constant reminder to wear sunscreen, and get checked regularly. If I hadn’t noticed that the freckle had grown quickly, and started to turn bluish black on only half of it, I could be dead or close to it by now. Knowing that so many people out there, some even very close to me suffered or are suffering through cancer makes it hard for me to admit that I had Melanoma. It’s just not fair, and I feel like they were cheated and I wasn’t. So maybe I shouldn’t mention it at all. Like it doesn’t count as much. I look at my friend who lost her leg to cancer. My friend’s brother who is at stage 4 bone cancer and is no longer taking treatments…he is just waiting. I look at Susan’s blog and see her daily struggles with the effects of chemo. How strong they all seem compared to me. I mention it only to let you know how blessed I feel, and how much I appreciate the fact that I did catch it in time. And how brave those struggling with cancer seem to me. I feel like I was the car that got clipped slightly while the cars around me got smashed to pieces. But what can I do besides appreciate the gift of life I have been given? My thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered because of cancer…you will forever be close to my heart.

Tuesday Trainer

Okay, so I know I am working on moving my blog, but I wanted to at least post the link to the Tuesday Trainer Lindsay has been doing...it's awesome!

Each week, readers can submit videos of themselves doing specific workout moves based on the theme for that week. The theme this week was legs. You'll see me demonstrating the front/back lunge ;)

sooooo...get to work and have fun!!! :)

My Blog Is Moving!

Hello all, in the process of moving my blog to a new domain...will update soon! thanks for reading!
Christin

Reflections On Waiting Tables

I found out last week that the BBQ restaurant I have been working at one night a week is closing. I have mixed feelings about this…I am a little sad because it was my first waitressing job ever and I learned a lot of valuable skills, as well as developed a great respect for people in the service industry. On the other hand, however, it was a very disorganized restaurant, and was a little bit stressful at times.

The one night a week I worked was called Country Night. It was a fun night to work, because we had a DJ, and a dance floor set up for country line dancing. It was always really neat to watch the line dancers do their thang, and every once in awhile I would get pulled out onto the dance floor to dance, and they would twirl me around a bit before I went back to getting drinks and dinner plates for my tables. The customers loved it when the staff joined them! (even though we had basically no clue what we were doing, haha!) It was a unique atmosphere for Country Night, and it certainly had its charms. I also learned a few steps here and there which was an added bonus!


Speaking of learning, I think a great way to reflect on my experience as a waitress and to close that chapter up (at least for now) is to recap the things I have learned about the service industry.

So here goes! (I’ll do a top 5 again) ;)

1) Serving is very humbling. I can think of few things that are more humbling that cleaning up a table (and under it) after a complete stranger is done with their meal. You find the craziest things! ABC gum, wrappers from people’s pockets and purses, half chewed bits of food, ranch dressing puddles, used napkins containing things I dare not even say, and the list goes on. It is weird knowing such intimate details about strangers like that, and also pretty disgusting cleaning up!

Serving is also very humbling in that you have to be willing to do things like go back to the kitchen 3 separate times for 3 separate people at the same table that all decided at separate times that they wanted ranch or bbq sauce, but waited to tell you even though you asked them before you went back the first time. All this in the name of trying to get a decent tip so you aren’t only being paid minimum wage. Yeah, humbling, right?

2) There is a difference between being a server and a servant. A server is someone who takes your order, brings you your food and any condiments or sides you may needs, checks on you as you enjoy your meal, brings you refills, and brings you your check at the end. A server is there to assist you through the process of enjoying your meal at a given restaurant establishment. He or she is the ambassador, if you will, of the restaurant, making sure you have a pleasant experience.

A Servant, on the other hand, is subjected to much more. He or she must bend to every whim of the person being served. A servant is a subject, and is often treated with disrespect and indifference. A servant must often oblige to being harassed and abused for the sake of a paycheck because their employer wants to feel superior, or feels inadequate in some way. Waiters and waitresses are not servants. They are servers. They are there to perform a job, not become a slave. Treat them with respect, and they will treat you with respect in return.

3) Many customers have no clue how to tip appropriately. There should seriously be a class in school that teaches people how and when to tip appropriately for the services received. Some people will walk in to a restaurant and expect first class service, and then act like they walked into a fast food chain when it comes time to tip. Never mind that the restaurant is packed to the hilt. Never mind that they asked for a zillion sides, extra napkins, extra plates, extra silverware because they dropped it on the floor, extra drinks because their kid spilled it all over the table…nope, you deserve minimum wage for all your extra effort because they never planned on tipping in the first place.

Things I wish people would keep in mind: It is not the server’s fault that the restaurant is crowded. The server didn’t cook the food themselves. The server has multiple tables. Beyond that, I say start at 15% tip, and then consider the following:

     1. Was the server polite and friendly
     2. Did the server remember to bring refills, and extras like napkins, bbq sauce,  etc.
     3. Did the server check on you to make sure your food was to your liking
     4. Did the server address any concerns you had and take care of them in a professional manner

If you answered yes to the above, they deserve at least 15%. If they went above and beyond the above criteria, then you should tip at least 20%. Never walk into a restaurant expecting to leave less than 15%. If you can’t afford it, or do not wish to leave it, consider fast food or cooking at home.

4) Side work and bussing tables are thankless but necessary. Picking up dirty dishes, wiping down tables and resetting them, and cleaning food gunk from seats and under tables is gross. You get food gunk all over you if you’re not careful, and it’s a little demeaning to crawl under a table after a dirty fork and a greasy napkin. However, if you don’t clean up and reset quickly, it affects the overall appearance of the restaurant, and tips go down.

Side work, such as rolling silverware, cutting salad veggies, wiping down the server station, and refilling condiment containers is important for the same reason…better appearance equates to better tips! Being prepared for a shift by having salad and butter pats ready saves you time when the rush comes in. It is thankless work, because you are only making minimum wage at the time, but it pays off in the end.

5) Waiting tables teaches you valuable life skills. I did a lot of bitching venting above, but I do have to say that the skills used when waiting tables can have a positive effect on you and can translate to other areas of your life. For instance:

     1. It improves your communication skills. You learn very quickly the best way  to ask questions and make conversation so that the guests are happy.


     2. It improves your memory. You have to remember multiple requests from multiple tables at the same time, while staying aware of new guests coming in, or other guests leaving.


     3. It improves your ability to plan ahead. The rule is, never be anywhere without something in your hands. It saves time to grab a finished plate on your way to the kitchen to get a drink refill, etc.


     4. It improves your ability to anticipate needs. You develop a sense of timing, and attention to detail when looking at your guests and what they do. it’s common sense that people need extra napkins when eating a plate of ribs, and common sense that when a drink is low they need a refill. The more you anticipate, the less they have to ask, and the better the tip!


So that’s my top 5 list of things I learned waiting tables!! I can now say farewell with a sense of peace and accomplishment, and move on to (hopefully) greener pastures, knowing that I gave it my all, and picked up some new skills along the way.

If you want to hear some hilarious rants and raves about waiting tables, visit The Bitchy Waiter’s blog. Trust me, it’s seriously funny even if you’ve never waited tables before. He’s a little crass and over the top, but that’s just his charm.

Question: Have you ever waited tables? What did you learn from the experience?

Thanks for listening!

Christin

Falling In Love With Songs

Do you fall in love with certain songs? I know I do. Some songs are just so in sync with where I am in my life and in my heart that it plays over and over again in my head, and it’s the first song I want to listen to when I turn on my iTunes or iPod, and then the last one I want to listen to before I turn it off. I like songs that have soul. I like a song that stirs something inside me and makes me want to express it as if it was my own.


I think that’s what got me dancing and singing in the first place. I needed to be able to outwardly express the emotional responses I had towards songs. I remember when I was really little, I would play a tape and just dance and sing until it drove my parents and sister nuts. I just couldn’t help it. I needed to let out that emotional response because it almost hurt to keep it in. I needed to react…does that make sense?

Sometimes it works the opposite way too…I might sing a song, or start dancing to a piece of music, and I start to embody it, and then I fall in love with it. Sometimes it’s just in the moment, and sometimes it is more long term. Sometimes it’s the lyrics that grab me, but sometimes it’s just the music itself and the way the melody and harmonies and rhythm interlace in a perfect and unexpected way. I don’t know if musicians and dancers feel this feeling more than other people, or if we just have a specific outlet to express our appreciation…what do you think?

Anyway, I digress…I totally have a point, I promise.

Right now I am not part of any type of vocal group or band, and not part of any type of dance team or even taking classes. And that’s really sad. Depressing even, ya know? I have too much bottled up emotion (both good and bad) and my only outlet is singing in the shower or dancing in the living room. That’s terrible, but that’s what I have right now. I know my Fluffy is having the same issue. He is a singer/songwriter/guitar player, and he has no band. So there is this big emotional rollercoaster happening, and we are riding it together, arms tied behind our backs and tape over our mouths, wishing we could wave our hands in the air and scream with joy at the pure thrill of flying through the air.

Yeah, I’m kind of dramatic by the way…did you ever see or read Anne of Green Gables? I’m Anne. I am so totally Anne, and if you are reading this you deserve this explanation of my eccentric and ever-changing style. I’m not apologizing though because you can stop reading or continue. God bless the digital age, huh?

Digressing again, sorry. Anyway…

Songs that I am in love with right now. I am on a bit of a strong female emotional vocalist kick at the moment. It doesn’t really matter what style, it’s the inexplicable emotional response I get because I can relate to the music and I want to express it. It sucks being poor and not being able to take dance classes and sing in a group of some kind. These songs deserve more than my shower singing or living room twirling as a reaction. Sigh. Oh wait, at least I can blog about them right? Yay!! :)

Okay, so Song #1: Alicia Keys Like The Sea

Why I love it so much:


1) I have always loved Alicia’s soothing voice and soulful style. I liked listening to Songs in A Minor before it was even popular. Fallin’ has been my go-to karaoke song for years.


2) The melody of the song just flows and flows! It’s repetitive and rolling like the sea she is singing about, so it matches what she is trying to say so perfectly that it elevates the listener’s senses in a way that allows them to feel the words and not just hear them.


3) The lyrics are so simple and poetic, and the metaphor of the love like the sea, though granted is overused, works because it makes it relatable. Everyone has heard of that metaphor, so the feeling created is that she is joining a group of people that have understood what she was going through and she is joining that special group of people who understand what it is like to love. The lyrics rock. I relate to them a lot. (Read them here).

Song #2: Taylor Swift Back to December

Why I love it so much:


1) Taylor Swift is adorable. She is so wholesome, and it’s refreshing to see that in a time where so much of the music out right now is so raunchy. She’s the glass of milk to Lady Gaga’s shot of Yager, if that makes sense.


2) The melody is pretty basic, but it lends to the sense of personal reflection and regret the song talks about. I can actually see the snowflakes falling outside Tay’s window while she sings. And it’s got a little country twang, but not too much for me. And there’s a lot of violin. My Sistar plays violin, so I appreciate hearing it in songs. 


3) The lyrics remind me of my younger self. Growing up and realizing it when I’ve made a mistake and hurt someone’s feelings. In my case, not necessarily a boy, but just people in my life that I could have appreciated more and didn’t. People that cared enough about me to help me out when I needed it, and I took it for granted. The lyrics remind me to appreciate the people in my life because they won’t be around forever. (Read the lyrics here).

Song #3: Christina Aguilera You lost Me

Why I love it:


1) Ah Christina…never has such an extremely talented vocalist been so badly misguided and blinded by her own need to please and be popular. But I love her still. Anyone who can perform vocal acrobatics like she can gets my unwavering respect. Anyone who can make Beyonce shake her head in bewildered amazement at her talent at an awards show is without a doubt someone to appreciate. Have you listen to her sing At Last? I mean, dammmmmmm gurl! I cried and then sat in awe at what I was hearing. Dude. Dude. She’s the Mariah of my generation. I didn’t particularly care for Bionic as a whole, nor was I very impressed by Back to Basics, but I loved her first two records.


2) The music to this song is so cool. It’s so unique! Not the background music, mind you, but the intricacy, timing, and unexpected note changes Christina sings! Singers understand the difficulty of this song. It’s super difficult to sing and she handles it like it’s Mary Had a Little Lamb. And the raw emotion is so vivid that it pulls you into her whole world! Wow. Just wow.


3) Now anyone who has been cheated on understands the emotion and bitterness in the lyrics to this song. Being cheated on SUCKS. It chews you up inside. I would never cheat on my Fluffy and he would never cheat on me, because we have both been hurt in the past. The lyrics of this song are a reminder of what it feels like, and are also a reminder of why you should never cheat on someone. (Read the lyrics here).

Song #4: Lykke Li Little Bit

Why I love it:


1) Lykke Li has her own style and she owns it. She’s an Indie artist, and she doesn’t rely on vocal talent so much as uniqueness of style, timing, lyrics, and intimacy. She lets you into her world, imperfect, and unedited. Her music is not digitally mastered or digitally enhanced, so just like in the old days when you could hear imperfections on LP records, you can hear that in her songs. It’s refreshingly beautiful to hear.


2) Lykke uses a very unique set of instruments and turn table mixes to create her music. Again, it’s the uniqueness and quirkiness that draws you in. Little Bit has a pop-ish feel to it, and it is very easygoing so you can just ride the wave of the song, so to speak. It almost has an island feel to it. Very cool.


3) The lyrics to this song are cute and full of honesty. She says it how she feels it, without giving too much away. It makes me remember the song and dance I went through with my Fluffy when we first got together…I wanted him to know I was interested, but didn’t want him to know just how much because I didn’t want to rush into it and mess up the good thing we had. Now I know he was doing the same with me. The lyrics are an ode to new love beginning. (Read them here).

Song #5: Adele Turning Tables

Why I love this song:



1) I am embarrassed to admit I started listening to Adele after listening to a clip of her on perezhilton.com. I was thoroughly impressed by her powerful vocals and soulful style. I got 21 immediately. Then, after listening to Chasing Pavement from her first record, I kicked my own ass for not appreciating her sooner. Oh well.



2) I love the piano (and violin) music. Adele makes me want to just belt out her songs right alongside her, gathered around a piano in simple candlelight. It is reminiscent of my choir days when we would gather around a piano late at night and just sing and sing. The intimacy of it all is just beautiful. I love it, and I miss it, and I can’t wait for an opportunity to it again sometime.



3) I love the lyrics to this song. It reminds me of the frustration I feel when I am in an argument with my Fluffy, or anyone really, and blame is being tossed back and forth. It’s a battle nobody will win, and you just want to tell them to cut the $hit. But you can’t. There’s nothing you can say to get the upper hand. So you just close yourself off and keep a distance. This song is Adele’s way of saying “cut the $hit” and I love it. I needed this song a long time ago. I so feel her on this! (Read the lyrics here).



So that’s my top 5 songs I am in love with at the moment…I guarantee it will change very soon, because it always does. I honestly could keep going, but I think my top 5 list is more than enough to give you an idea of where I am at right now with music. The emotions these songs evoke, and the desire in me to get up and sing and dance are what I am truly passionate about…well, that and reading/writing…but that’s another post entirely…dah dah DAH!!

So on that note…

Question for you: What songs are you listening to right now that evoke a deep emotional response??

Thanks for listening!

Christin

I Put The “Labor” In Labor Day Weekend

In honor of Labor Day, I decided to take a que from Lindsay, and make a to-do list! I had 12 items on the list which included the following:


1) De-clutter and organize closet
2) De-clutter and organize shoes
3) De-clutter and organize dresser drawers
4) Update Netflix que
5) De-clutter bathroom
6) Clean bathroom
7) Go disc golfing
8) Kettlebell workout
9) Research real estate articles for interview
10) De-clutter and organize bookshelf
11) Finish clipping BHG magazine recipes
12) Update coupon binder and grocery shop


I was able to accomplish MOST of this list! The only ones I didn’t do were the bathroom ones, the real estate articles, and the kettlebell workout. I ended up going disc golfing twice though, and will finish the other 3 today instead. It does give me a great sense of accomplishment to cross things off the to-do list, and my bedroom at least is organized now, I can find clothes and shoes, and I have food to eat (yay!).

I am inspired to make more lists…upcoming for this weekend will be some de-cluttering and deep cleaning in the kitchen area ;)

BANANA LOVE

http://www.nataliedee.com/


(Picture from: http://www.nataliedee.com/)

 Have I mentioned yet that I love bananas? They are so awesome for so many things! Yes true, they can be calorie dense, but when you consider alternatives, and the many ways in which bananas can help you, it is hard to say that they are not awesome in their own right. They have a place in my heart. :)

Did you know there is an entire website devoted specifically to bananas? It’s called bananasweb.com. Let’s take a look at some benefits/uses for bananas that the site lists:

Reducing Depression
Anemia
Constipation and Diarrhea
Healthy Bones
Healthy Kidney
Blood Pressure
Heartburn
Morning Sickness
Smoking
Ulcers
Nerves
Mosquito Bites
Stress Relief
Stroke Risk

For the specifics, you can visit the site using this link (there was just too much info to copy all of it to my post) :

Health Benefits of Bananas

Now let’s look at the nutrition facts (from http://www.chiquitabananas.com/):

Basically speaking, you can see that bananas are a good source of fiber, and contain no fat or cholesterol per serving. You can also see however, that there is a high sugar content (19g per serving) so you do want to keep portions under control.

Now let’s take a look at a historical timeline for bananas (also from bananasweb.com):

2000 B.C.
Bananas have apparently originated in Malaysia
600 B.C.
Bananas are cited in Buddhist texts
327 B.C.
Alexander the Great’s army recorded for the first time in history the existence of
banana crops in the indian valleys. Alexander is also credited for bringing the banana from India to the western nations.
63 B.C.
Antonius Musa – the personal doctor of the then Roman emperor Octavius Augustus – was credited for promoting cultivation of the exotic African fruit from 63 to 14 B.C.
200 A.D.
Organized banana plantations have been recorded in China
650 A.D.
Islamic conquerors helped bananas make their way to Madagascar, and then spread to the African mainland by vegetative propagation. Here in Africa many genetic mutations occurred, that produced different species of bananas. Portuguese traders then spread the fruit from Africa to the Canary Islands
1502 A.D.
The Portuguese and the Spanish are credited for bringing bananas to the Carribean and to America. According to Spanish history, Friar Tomas de Berlanga brought the first banana root stocks to the Western Hemisphere. A Chinese variety was sent to England, where it was named “Cavendish” after the Duke of Devonshire’s family. This variety and its sub-groups account for much of the commercial banana cultivation. Even though several other varieties are now cultivated for commercial purpose, they only account for about 20 of 300 different species.
17th century
Its Guinean native name – “banema” – which became “banana” in English, was first found in print
1836 A.D.
The yellow sweet banana is a mutant strain of the green and red cooking bananas,
discovered in 1836 by Jamaican Jean Francois Poujot. He found that in his plantations, one plant was bearing yellow fruits rather than red or green. Upon tasting the new discovery, he found it to be sweet in its raw state, without the need for cooking. He quickly began cultivating this sweet variety.
1876 A.D.
Bananas are introduced to American families as an exotic dessert. From here it will grow and become a staple fruit. They were officially introduced to the American public at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition. Each banana was wrapped in foil and sold for10 cents.
1900 A.D.
Bananas are now considered a commodity and are traded by large companies. The UnitedFruit Company is credited for being of the first to commercialize bananas Thanks to new transport technologies such as refrigeration, bananas have becomewidespread in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, bananas grow in most tropical andsubtropical regions with the main commercial producers including Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil and Ecuador.

Finally, let’s take a look at some great banana recipes!!

Obviously, you can add bananas to fruit salads, combine with peanut butter, etc and make a sandwich, OR add fresh or frozen to a smoothie!

A couple smoothie ideas!! (from http://www.chiquitabananas.com/)

Best Creamy Peanut Butter Chiquita Banana Smoothie Recipe

 Ingredients:

 2 whole Chiquita Bananas, frozen*, peeled and sliced

 1 (6-oz.) carton non-fat Vanilla yogurt

 1/3 cup creamy Peanut butter

 1/2 cup non-fat Milk

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve immediately.

*Note: this smoothie may also be made using Chiquita bananas that are not frozen. The result will not be quite as thick or cold, but equally as delicious!

Quick Chiquita Banana Berry Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients:

 2 whole Chiquita Bananas (best with brown flecks on peel)
 2 cups Ice
 1 cup Milk OR Vanilla Yogurt
 1/2 cup Blackberries
 1/2 cup Blueberries
 1/2 cup Raspberries
 2 whole Strawberries

Instructions:

Pour all ingredients in blender pouring ice in last. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until smoothie thickens.

Some other great banana recipes:

Moist Chiquita Banana Red Velvet Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients:

 4 oz. 70% or 62% cacao Chocolate baking bar
 1 1/4 cup Cake flour
 2 tsp. Baking powder
 1/2 tsp. Baking soda
 1/2 tsp. Salt
 2 whole very ripe Chiquita Bananas (peel should have brown flecks), roughly mashed
 1 cup Granulated sugar
 2 large Eggs
 1/2 cup Canola oil
 2 Tbsp. Red food coloring
 3/4 cup low-fat Buttermilk
 8 oz. Cream cheese, at room temperature
 2 Tbsp. Milk
 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
 3 cups Powdered sugar, sifted, or less to taste
 1 whole ripe Chiquita Banana, diced

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin tins with paper or foil cups.

For the Muffins:

In a small, microwave-safe bowl, break chocolate into small pieces and melt in the microwave on high power for 45 seconds. Stir. If un-melted pieces remain, continue microwaving and stirring the chocolate in ten-second intervals until it is all melted and smooth; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, combine 2 whole bananas, granulated sugar, eggs and canola oil. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Carefully beat in melted chocolate and red food coloring. Gradually blend in flour mixture alternating with buttermilk. Divide batter among the prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes. Cupcakes are done when a toothpick inserted into one of the center muffins comes out clean. Cool cupcakes to room temperature.

For the Frosting:

Beat cream cheese in a medium mixer bowl until light and creamy. Add milk and vanilla. Gradually blend in powdered sugar to desired level of sweetness and beat until light and fluffy. Frost cooled cupcakes and top each with diced whole banana. Serve immediately. (If you do not plan to serve the cupcakes immediately, refrigerate after frosting. When ready to serve top with the diced banana, pressing lightly into the frosting.)

Tip: Use an ice cream scooper for an easy way to fill muffin cups.


Almost No Fat Banana Bread (from http://www.allrecipes.com/)

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 55 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 5 Minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup banana, mashed
• 1/4 cup applesauce

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan.

2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Add egg whites, bananas and applesauce; stir just until combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean. Turn out onto wire rack and allow to cool before slicing.



Last but not least…Banana ice cream!!

Here is a great recipe from a blog I follow, http://www.plainchicken.com/:

Frozen Banana Ice Cream

4 large very ripe bananas

Optional add-ins:

2 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp Nutella
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp cocoa powder
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp chocolate chips
2-3 crushed Oreos or Nutter Butters or any other cookie

Instructions:

Peel bananas and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Freeze for 1-2 hours. Place the banana slices in a food processor. Puree banana slices, scraping down the bowl as needed, until the mixture is creamy and smooth. Mix in any of the optional add-ins desired and puree. Serve immediately for soft-serve ice cream or place in the freezer for a few hours for a harder ice cream.

Well that concludes my ode to bananas for the day...hope I helped to convince you of how awesome bananas really are!!!

Cerebral Thursday

I watched the movie Inception last night. Very heady, and one of those movies that gets your brain going on and on about things. When that happens to me, I start to analyze my life, write poems, and examine my beliefs. The post and poem below are the result of that, so bear with me! :)

Faith

Molded and shaped I sit and wait
An empty vessel
A jar made of clay
I am not finished
This I know
For the Bible told me so.
Malleable, vulnerable
Covered in dust
Looking left, looking right
Not knowing who to trust
Keeping fingers crossed
My heart beating fast
I take a step forward
And then two steps back.
Not knowing where I’ll go
Or how long it will take
It’s quite a perfect gamble
When my soul is at stake.
Choosing light over dark
Staying right
Knowing wrong
So much more to learn
I have to stay strong.


What is faith? It’s more than just belief in something that cannot be seen. In one of my English classes, I had to write a paper on faith. The topic wasn’t faith, mind you, but the book we read, The House Of Mirth, called for the topic to be brought up and discussed. I have this habit of bringing Biblical principles into the classroom and applying them to what I learned. It is the filter through which I see the world, so I can’t help myself. I was raised that way, and so the principles I stand on therefore have Biblical roots. I don’t think there is anything wrong with this. My views are my views…I can put them out there and people can choose to agree or disagree as far as I am concerned. If they disagree, I am happy to hear them out.

When I was younger, I was homeschooled. I never stepped into a public school until tenth grade. Growing up and moving out was a bit of a shock for me. I had been sheltered. REALLY sheltered. I didn’t just see the world through Bible-colored glasses, I was plain blinded. I became friends in college with many people with different beliefs, and the blinders came off. I was confused. I wanted to be accepting. It took me awhile to realize that I could have my own beliefs and share them and still have respect for others and their own beliefs. If someone took the time to hear what I had to say, it was only fair that I hear them out as well. I learned a lot more about my own principles by comparing and contrasting, because I had the opportunity to question my beliefs, and bring those doubts to the surface.

I felt a lot like a had been in a dream, and then suddenly woke up to find that nothing was as I thought it was. My values and beliefs were the same, but the application to the world around me was completely different. My faith was what I held onto. The book of Hebrews explains, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV). The key words are ‘substance’ and ‘evidence’. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. I hope I will fit in, I hope I will know what to do next in my life, and I hope that everything will work out. Faith is the basis, or the substance of that belief. It substantiates that belief. Without faith, there is no proof for those hopes and dreams. Faith is the evidence of things unseen. I can’t see what will happen next in my life, but I have evidence that everything will be alright. I have faith that I will be pointed and guided in the right direction. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. Faith is the proof that everything will work out right in the end.

Do-Gooder Day

Last Saturday, I did Beach Cleanup! I set up a group of volunteers from work, made arrangements with the Park Ranger, and headed out into the sunshine and salt-fresh air for a day of do-gooding! :)

I found everything from broken (and partially full) beer and rum bottles, to cigarrette butts, to wrappers and bags, and even items of clothing!

There were 8 of us cleaning, so we were able to collect 8 bags of trash (go us!)

We got lots of nice comments and thank you's from people there enjoying the beach (and 75-80 degree weather) so it was nice to get feedback and confirmation for working on a Saturday.

It was totally worth it to spend a few hours making the beach a cleaner and healthier place for both visitors and animals...what a fun project!

I definitely plan on doing something similar again soon...

Cheers!

Namaste

Photo from: http://www.yogapaws.com/Portals/13108/images/Bow%20Pose.jpg

Yesterday I got to go to a yoga class on my lunch break, and it was awesome! I hadn’t been to a yoga class in probably close to a year, and since I also haven’t been stretching as much or dancing, man was I tightly strung! It was really nice to stretch out my hips and legs and arms and back…ahhhhh! I was able to still do the front splits on my left leg, but didn’t dare try my right because it would have been embarrassing. I need to apply myself and work myself back into a flexible place!

We did LOTS of planks…both regular and side planks, as well as warrior pose variations, crescent variations, etc…my arms, legs and core feel pleasantly sore today! You know, the “good” sore, not the “Ohmigosh I can’t move today” sore. ;)

At the end of yoga classes, they always say Namaste, and give a little bow with hands together in a prayer formation in front of your third eye. My Fluffy has his own version of this, in which he says “Namaste Bitches” which is hilarious probably mostly to me only. I decided to google the definition of ‘Namaste’ because I am an etymology nerd like that, and here is what I found, taken from http://www.livingwordsofwisdom.com/definition-of-namaste.html:

There a many other interpretations of the meaning of Namaste here are a few:

The God/Goddess within me acknowledges the God/Goddess within you.
The Divine in me recognizes and honors, the Divine in you.
The spirit within me bows to the spirit within you.
I greet that place where you and I are one.
I honor the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and of peace.

No matter which interpretation you choose you should think of it as a divine blessing that honors sacredness and equality in everyone.

As a Christian, I have to take that with a grain of salt, because I don’t believe that I am my own god or goddess, but if I interpret it as God living in me and fellow believers, guiding us together, then it sort of works? I don’t know. I try to stick to the yoga movements and not concentrate on the spiritual side of it, unless I am using the meditation time to focus on the Lord…I try to apply what I have learned into more Biblical terms. As a Believer, my body is a temple of God, but to say Namaste to a non-believer in my interpretation would not make sense. Hmmmhhmmm…quite the quandary, if I do say so myself. Guess I’ll have to meditate on that some more.

Until then,
Namaste (Bitches). :)

SLO Much Fun...

Ah, family birthdays. For my brother in law’s birthday this weekend, we met up in San Luis Obispo (SLO), and visited a local apple farm. It was really cute, and had all kinds of neat family oriented things to do!

There was a store that sold all kinds of interesting flavors of local honey, from pomegranate to apple to lemon...all unusual and delicious sounding!

Also in the store was everything you could ever ask for and more in a better homes and gardens magazine, with themed kitchen and picnic items, grilling tools, cookbooks, measuring sets, teacups and teapots, unusual candies, grilling sauces, flavored olives in jars, jams, jellies, pancake mixes with various fruits, and on and on. I could have bought the whole friggin store if I had the money...everything was so darn cute!

There was also a deli/ice cream store...I got a salad, old fashioned root beer, and a piece of cake batter fudge for dessert! My Fluffy helped me eat the salad, but the fudge was mine all mine...hehehe.

There was also apple picking...you could go out and pick your own apples for $1 a pound, but we didn't end up making it out there this time around...would love to go back sometime for that purpose though!

And then there was all kinds of barn animals to visit...various goats mostly, and chickens and sheep.

What's up, chicken butt! haha!

My father in law fed the goats corn on the cob...they ate the whole friggin cob...good times.

After that, it was present time! My Fluffy got my father in law and brother in law shirts to coordinate with his...typical Fluffy move to stir up some laughs and drama and general dissent in the ranks...good times! lol!

After that, we decided to head home for some weekend r&r...overall, a great day!

Common Knowledge

Have you noticed how knowledge is no longer common?

When I was studying communications, I took a class called International Communications. It was very interesting, because we discussed cultural differences, orientations to time and to other people, and communications styles within different cultures. They vary so drastically that what might be a common practice in California can be completely unrecognizable and even offensive to a person in Japan, or Iraq for instance.

I could go on about different examples, but I know that everyone has experienced miscommunications with people from other cultures, so it is evident in daily life. In this day and age, with technology advancing before our eyes, the world has become a smaller place than even when I was a kid. Lines of communication and the technological advances have opened doors for countries like India and China to catch up with the US and Japan, making it more of a level playing field as time goes on.

Thomas L Friedman, (2002 Pulizter Prize winner and Foreign Affairs columnist for the New York Times) wrote a book about this phenomenon called The World Is Flat. I haven't read the entire book, but he gave a lecture on his book at MIT, and I was able to watch it online. It is absolutely mind bloggling how far we have come, and really helped me understand what our generation is going through as the world continues to develope and evolve around us and technology surges forward.

The US is on a level playing field now...we don't have the same advantages that we did. The rest of the world is catching up! his isn't necessarily a bad thing, just a new thing, and to survive, we really need to understand what this means for us as a country, and as individuals.

If you would like to hear the lecture, I encourage you to do so...it is a little long, but worth the time. Here is the link:

http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/266

Moving on...

Common Knowledge. It's just not common anymore. We have been flooded with more new ideas and possible directions than we can manage, and everyone has a different way of managing...thus, knowledge is no longer common.

I wrote a poem a couple years ago about common knowledge, which I have here:

Kommon Cnowledge

There is Something to be said
For What goes without saying.
When Knowledge ceases to be Common
The death is in the mind.
To put in Kommon words,
A roving tongue will
Emulate truth, corroding the untold.
And in that subliminal destruction,
A flood of acid-sharp Cnowledge
Decays the mind
Lacerates the heart
Until Something What’s left unsaid is
Lost,
Replaced by a memory
Of what used to be Knowledge in Common.

I was heavily influenced by E.E. Cummings' works at the time, and tried to play around with swapping letters, and capitalizing words mid sentence to create more metaphoric value within the poem. I tried to create a sence of irony within the structure and word choices as well.

I wrote this before I took the International Communications class, but I find that it still rings true, and maybe even has more meaning now than it did before...

I challenge you to pay attention tothe chnages around you, and recognize and aprpeciate the differences and similarities. Seek clarification and never rush to anger. The world is changing, and knowledge is no longer common. It is up to us to learn to understand each other. Pray for each other. Encourage each other. Share our knowledge, gifts, and blessings with each other. Focus on the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Book VS Movie: The Help

(image from IMDB.com)

I went and saw The Help last night with my husband and sister…it is always interesting to see a movie after you read the book, because it gives you a chance to:

1) Look at the storyline from someone else’s perspective

2) Have visual images available to sculpt the story details in your mind

3) See how accurately (or inaccurately) Hollywood portrayed the book

4) Catch details you didn’t notice in the book

5) Remember details from the book that stand out now because they weren’t in the movie

**Spoiler Alert!** Some details from the movie and book are discussed below, so if you are planning on seeing the movie or reading the book, you may want to hold off on reading this…

For The Help, I definitely think the book was better, which is usually the case, because it offers so much more detail! It was helpful that my husband hadn’t read the book, because he kept asking questions about details that were unexplained in the movie, such as how Skeeter got her nickname, and why Stuart broke up with her, and why it was such a big deal that Constantine’s daughter came to visit her. All of these things were explained in detail in the book, so I was able to reference these details and note that they were missing from the movie. (Thanks Fluffy!)

There were also lots of details missing about each of the characters in the story in general. There was lots of character background in the book, as well as individual struggles of each character that lent to the overall message of the story. Since the book was written by going back and forth amongst the “voices” of Skeeter, Aibeleen, and Minnie, these characters and the people closest to them had the most background in the book.

Skeeter’s brother (whom we never even see in the movie), mother, father, and friends were all given fairly detailed character sketches, which helped tell Skeeter’s story, and her struggles growing up in pre-civil rights era Mississippi. In the book this helped draw the connection between her character and “the help.” In the movie, Skeeter is a voice for “the help” but is not nearly as connected to them by her past.

Aibeleen and Minnie both have such rich characters in the book. They both have so many more events happening to them throughout the book, that their true characters are full of life, and you really feel like you are getting to know them, and connecting with their struggle. In the movie, you are much more of an outsider looking in through a window at their lives as maids.

I feel like the movie was a good overview of the book, but it lacked too much character detail to really fully tell the story with enough accuracy. The spirit of the story was there, but as an audience, you are much more of an observer than a participant. In the book, you are much more of a participant, and there is so much more symbolism to pick up on based on the intrinsic nature of the details being presented.

Overall, I say read the book first to get all of the character detail in full, and then watch the movie as a backup plan. If you are only choosing one or the other, then definitely go with the book over the movie…it is a worthwhile read that keeps you hooked until the end.

Kettlebell Koolness

I have new exercise equipment…a kettlebell!! I picked it up at a used sports equipment store over the weekend…it’s a 9lb kettlebell for which I paid just under $16. I decided to break in my kettlebell by trying out a workout I got from one of my exercise magazines. I started off with a nice 1 mile jog to get warmed up, and then I did the following routine, for which I have provided the video link to see the instructional at self.com:

1. Overhead Press (10 reps each arm)

2. Tactical Lunges (10 reps each leg)

3. Deck Squats (10 reps)

4. The Halo (10 reps each direction)

5. One Arm Swing (10 reps each arm)

6. Swing Catch-Squat (10 reps)

I then repeated the 6 steps for a second round, and then stretched afterwards. Dang my legs hurt today!!

Try out the workout using the video link below:

http://www.self.com/video?videoID=709485701001

Have fun!! You'll be sore the next day, I promise! ;)

Anniversary Extravaganza Weekend!

Happy Anniversary to my Fluffy!!! We have been married 9 years as of August 12th...

We kicked off the weekend with a lovely filet mignon dinner at Holdrens, followed by Paradise Pie at Chili's. if you've never had Paradise Pie, you need to. (You also need to bring friends because the calorie count is through the roof). I wore my cute 5 inch sassy heels, and bright red Bobby Brown lipstick. I was a total rockstar if I do say so myself. lol

I relied on Trader Joes selections for most of the weekend...I made an asian tofu salad:

• TJ's green salad mix



• crumbled Gorgonzola



• TJ's Omega 3 Trail mix



• TJ's Savory baked tofu (sauteed with sesame seeds)



• light Asian dressing
  
  
  

I also made whole weat linguini with TJ's turkey meatballs and TJ's marinara...my Fluffy loved it! (and so did I)

Smoothies were another highlight:

• TJ's frozen mixed berries



• TJ's frozen pinapple



• TJ's frozen mango



• Greek yogurt (duh)



• TJ's fresh baby spinach



• TJ's mango orange pineapple juice

I also used leftover linguini to make another pasta dish: Diced tomato and chicken sausage reduction over linguini ;)

• I can diced tomatoes



• 2 pieces TJ's garlic chicken sausage, sliced into medallions



• 1/3 cup red wine



• garlic, salt, pepper, basil



• leftover whole wheat linguini

sautee the sausage in olive oil, add diced tomatoes with juices, spices, and red wine...reduce by 2/3 and add linguni...serve with shaved parm ;).

We also played a little disc golf...



We also did other things that I can't mention in a blog but you would expect to do in celebration of an anniversary ;)

Going Greek (Yogurt)

For the last year or so, I have been sticking to Greek yogurt. I am a huge fan of the stuff for breakfast, in smoothies, and in dips. Why? because it is just generally better than regular yogurt in my opinion. Entertain if you will, the following comparison:

1. Greek yogurt has more protein than regular yogurt.

2. Greek yogurt has fewer carbohydrates than regular yogurt.

3. Greek yogurt is a lot creamier and thicker than regular yogurt.

4. Greek yogurt undergoes a triple straining process, whereas regular yogurt only undergoes double straining.

5. Greek yogurt has less sodium than regular yogurt

The downside:

1. Generally, Greek yogurt has less calcium than regular yogurt.

So as long as you get your calcium from other sources, Greek is a great way to go!

Info from: http://www.differencebetween.net/object/comparisons-of-food-items/difference-between-greek-yogurt-and-regular-yogurt/