"better than Chipotle" burrito bowl

This is the perfect meal if you are cooking for one.  It also has all the nutrition you can ask for: protein, fiber, veggies, healthy fats, and carbs.  Nothing could be better!  Another plus:  it is so simple.
Here is everything you need:

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1 can beans of your choice (I like black or pinto)
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1/2 green bell pepper
• 1/2 yellow or red bell pepper
• 1/8 vidalia or red onion
• 1/2 tomato
• 2-3 button mushrooms
• dollop of guacamole (store bought or homemade*)
• salsa 

What to do:

1.  Cook your quinoa according to the directions on the box.  It usually takes 15 minutes, so do this first.

2.  Heat up your beans, microwave or stovetop.

3.  Dice up all of your veggies and set aside.  Since you are only using half of each veggie, store them in plastic bags in the fridge.

3.  Sautee all of your vegetables together in a pan on medium heat.  I cook them in olive oil.

4.  Once your quinoa, beans and vegetables are ready, put them in a bowl in that order.  

5.  Add your toppings.  I only use guacamole and salsa, but cheese and sour cream would be a great addition for you dairy lovers out there!

6.  Grab a bag of tortilla chips and enjoy!

This meal is vegan, gluten free, dairy free (if you don't add cheese), and an excellent healthy choice if you are craving a Chipotle burrito bowl but don't want to leave the house.  I usually keep all of these ingredients on hand at my house, so it is always a quick delicious meal that I enjoy every time!

trips to the fabric store

I have been sewing like crazy lately! My mom and I had to team up and work on stuff for my room (in my new house! - pictures later..).  It took us all last week of late nights and early mornings and we are still not finished with everything I need.
The All About Fabrics sale is the best thing going on once a month.  It is fun looking at all the remnants and buttons and all the fun things.  And the prices are way better than normal fabric stores! I recommend it if you have some big sewing projects to look at.  Just go to their website and check out when the next sale is:
www.allaboutfabrics.com

you've done it again, YoungLife.

I am back from Oregon and have never wanted to return to a place more than I do Creekside right this minute.  The friends, the food, the Jesus time...it all added up to being more than incredible.
Going in, I had no idea what to expect.  God had a clean slate to work with.
Well he decided to rock my world with it.

I think I've talked my tongue off telling stories this week about it, so I'm at a loss for words at the moment.  This is just a taste of what the Lord did for me and through me in Oregon in these past three weeks...I will definitely have more to add in the future because this will be a part of my life forever. 

OREGON

you guys!
Oregon is about to sweep me away for the next three weeks.
I am going to serve on Summer Staff at Washington Family Ranch (Creekside edition).
I will not have access to any internet so that means no emails, twitter, instagram, Facebook, or blog posts.
I want to keep you updated on my trip, so you better believe there will be pictures when I get back at the end of the month.
I am praying for an awesome trip full of new experiences, friendships, growing with the Lord and just serving kids and their leaders.
It'll be my first time on an airplane if you can believe it.
It's going to be a blast and I can't wait to share my experience when I get back!

stay sweet my wonderful blog followers...

you can't always get what you want...without a little patience

I think I'm the type of person who always wants what I can't have.
I don't do it on purpose though (I don't think)
Always, I manage to subconsciously but noticeably wish I had things out of my control, reach, and hands.
I have learned that this is not a good quality to have.
When I'm single, I want a boyfriend.
When someone is interested in me, I don't want to date.
When I live in Charleston, I want to be home.
When I'm living at home, I want to be back at school.
I've been stuck in the south my whole life, I want to get out and explore the world.
I'm sure something will not be up to my expectations once I get to travel.
When I'm bored, I wish I was hanging out with all my friends.
After a while of being around everyone, I just want alone time.
The list goes on and on.
It leaves me frustrated, empty and disappointed inside.
I think the Lord has been working on me lately, concerning this characteristic in particular.
He is (lovingly) grabbing my shoulders, looking at me in the eye and seriously saying "be content! trust me! I have you right where I want you! be patient! just wait until you learn what I'm trying to teach you in this season of your life!"
So I'm trying not to complain.  Out loud.
My friends have heard enough about my wish list in life.
I'm trying my best to stay silent, think about it, and realize where the Lord has me is for my benefit.
He has my whole life planned out for me, I do not need to worry.
As for the things I don't have yet that I would love in the future, God puts desires in our heart for a reason.
If it would show him glory and not cause me to sin to give me the things that I want in my heart, he is going to do that.
He is a provider.  THE Provider.
He's got me in mind and would never forget even the smallest detail.
I love the God I serve.

i belong in the kitchen

I feel like I always have a hobby that I like to think I'm slightly good at. And the weird thing is, I become known for the said hobby, and people think I do them all well. The thing is, each hobby I've tried has been focused on one at a time. They all stick to me anyway, which I secretly love. I've had so many:
Kayaking
Fashion
Crafting
Sewing
Drawing
Reading
Writing
Roughly in that order.
Well, right now it's all things domestic; mainly, cooking.
And not just cooking in general but trying to make up my own recipes or finding the healthier version of the classics.
My family is at the beach right now cooking for 15 every night, so it's been kind of a challenge to be able to put my own little spin on what we've made. Well tonight, I got to.
On the menu: shrimp Alfredo
My version:spaghetti squash (guilt free noodles!) and cauliflower "Alfredo" sauce with shrimp
The recipe is admittedly inspired by Pinterest findings, but I am quite proud of how it turned out!

Ingredients: (for the sauce only)
4-6 cups cauliflower
1 tbs garlic (minced)
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbs butter
1 tbs parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp paprika
salt & pepper

Instructions: 
Honestly, I just put together ideas from a lot of recipes I found.  Just throw it all in the blender and taste test to see what it needs fit to your preference.
Oh! steam the cauliflower first. It makes the sauce warm and cauliflower easy to blend.

My mom and I shared my version of the meal. I don't think everyone in the house is quite on board with my (mostly) healthy eating habits.
Mostly was in parentheses for a reason.
This little spoonful of heaven was on my plate after dinner.

(that would be blueberry, blackberry, and peach cobbler)
I may or may not have cleaned the leftovers with my spoon also...
BUT, it's kind of a healthy(er) version of cobbler, if that exists.

Here is the recipe
Ingredients:
fruit of choice (enough to fill the dish about half or 3/4 way full)
1 cup splenda
1 box of jiffy cake mix
1 tbs butter

Instructions:
1. Place fruit in a baking dish
2. Mix the splenda with the fruit
3. Pour jiffy mix on top of mixture
4. Slice up the butter and place a few pieces on top

I would say it can be slightly hard to resist.
Vanilla ice cream is also a nice compliment :)

Bagel Shop bible study

Having friends who love Jesus is probably the greatest blessing in the world.
I love my friends.
I love sharing our love of the Lord together.
This summer we started a bible study together and read Romans.
We shared stories, prayer requests, struggles, praises, and whatever Jesus had on our heart that week.
These girls are my best friends,
and although they are my "high school friends," I don't intend to leave them at that.
We share a bond that will last a lifetime.
Jesus literally knits hearts together.  Christ-centered friendships are to be treasured through eternity.
I can't wait to see what the lives of these dear-to-me people turn into, but I know it will be extraordinary for each of them.
My heart is so full every time I experience our simple, weekly, Bagel Shop bible study


....to be continued