Snack Time

I am really, REALLY trying to be healthier with my eating habits. I am attempting to eat WAY less processed foods and more whole foods that make me eat clean. My start is adding more fruits and veggies, then I will attempt to lower the meat consumption.

Wednesday night I turned into Martha Stuart (you know the cooking and baking side...no illegal actions done here), and made a couple snacks. My food processor was a busy little guy.

The first thing I made was kale pesto. I'm learning what a super-food kale is for you. Did you know that kale is one of the healthiest veggies on the planet? It can protect from cancer, lower cholesterol, it is high in antioxidants. It is a good source of Vitamins A, C, and K and contains a source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

 Kale Pesto:
Ingredients
1 bunch of kale (about 12 ounces) washed
2 cloves raw garlic
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. lemon juice
pinch of kosher salt
black pepper, a few grinds.

Instructions
1. place all ingredients in a food processor. Puree until pasty and well combined, 30-60 seconds.
2. scrape into a lidded container and store in refrigerator until use.

*Washing the kale
especially if you have picked it from your back yard, where aphids hang out, wash the kale under very hot water to dislodge critters. This will begin to soften it slightly, and it will turn bright-dark green.

I eat mine with multigrain chips and the above a delish...they are gluten free and all ingredients are easily pronounced!

I found this recipe on pinterest from Shockingly Delicious


My next snack of the evening was vanilla cinnamon almond butter, and it is yummy. It adds just the sweetness and flavor to my apples that I'm looking for. Plus it adds protein and good fat, I say that's a win- win.

Ingredients
2 cups roasted almonds
1/2 Tbs. vanilla
1 Tbs. cinnamon
1 Tbs. olive oil

Instructions
1. place almonds in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground.
2. add the rest of the ingredients and blend for a few minutes at a time, making sure to scrape the sides of the food processor bowl frequently (if mixture sticks).
3. process for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
4. store in a closed jar or container.

I found this sweet treat on pinterest as well from greatist{dot}com

I hope you enjoy these tasty super-food snacks!

Then and Now

I have decided to come back to the blogging world from my long and unannounced hiatus. In my decision to do so, I came up with a series of blogs that I will call then and now. They will range from changes in my life, my dogs, the house, and our world. In my inauguration then and now blog post I will show they amazing affects of using dry shampoo, a round brush, and a blow dryer. Be prepared to be amazed.

Ever wake up with crazy, bad hair? Maybe you fell asleep with wet hair, or you woke up late and didn't have time to tame the beast with a shower...If you wake up like this (a product of showering at night) have no fear!

Then...

With dry shampoo, a blow dryer, and a round brush, you can turn that into...

Now

 Thanks to my friend Amber who is a hair dresser, I learned this technique and I will no longer have ponytail days when I can now do this! It's so quick and easy!

2012 in Review

2012 has been a busy year,

We welcomed the new year out a lake hugo with family and friends

We went to a Mavs game...unfortunately their season was not as good as the last.

Drew got his dream truck

We took a trip to the Dallas Arboretum

I turned 26, Drew suprised me with all our friends at a rough riders game.

Drew and I went on our first mission trip together, we went to Jamaica

My mom and I took a girls weekend to Marble Falls...we tasted yummy wine and zip lined

Took our first trip to Top Gold (we are terrible, but hooked)

Drew built a pergola in the backyard

I was hooked watching the London Olympics as the Fab 5 took gold, and Michael Phelps made history once again.

I got my dream teaching job at the school in our neighborhood

Went for a girls night out at a painting place

We added a new pup to the family...Lily

We went to an Aggie game

My sister got married

Spent a short weekend in New Orleans

Spent Thanksgiving in Destin

Johnny Football won the Heisman, Whoop!

Hosted Christmas Eve at our house

Had a white Christmas

~Celebrated 6 years together

Six Years of Bliss

I have found the one whom my soul loves

Song of Solomon 3:4



It has been a wonderful, adventure-filled 6 years. I love getting to spend my life with my best friend, the love of my life. God has truly blessed me. 

I narrowed it down to what we have done in these last 6 years, here are the big 6:

1. Drew graduated and got his job

2. Jennifer graduated 

3. We bought a house

4. Paid off all our student loans

5. We took our big 5 year anniversary trip to Napa, San Fransisco, and Las Vegas

6. We adopted our sweet black lab, Lily

In these past 6 years, Drew and I have done some great things and accomplished big tasks, together with God, we can do anything!

Life Group Christmas Party

This year we hosted the first annual Steele/Jarke Life Group Christmas Party...and let me say we had a blast and quite a few laughs during the White Elephant exchange. I was able to get pictures of the families and their prized winnings.

ELizabeth and Bruno came away with a smores kit

Gref and Kim came away with some classical music and a lotion kit

Ryan and Mindy were both crafty and typical Steeler's and got the coveted snuggie and red neck wine glass

Drew and I got Christmas mugs with hot chocolate and a creepy christmas jack in a box with a starbucks gift card!

Mike and Kara came away with a lotion kit that ended up going home with David!

Kyrie and Ricky came away with a ceramic vase and frog glasses

Jason and Leslie came home with a stocking full of goodies (practical jokes and candy) as well as a Guiness clock

Amber and Cain went away with a rare vintage year of boxed wine and a donkey political popper.

David and Amber went home with the treasure chest of gifts full of pirate booty (gold coins) and of course a picture of Jarke!

We had such a wonderful time and we are so blessed by our life group family and the friends we have made!

A Month of Thankfulness

This year I decided to join the 30 days of thanks on Facebook, here is what I have been thankful for.

Give thanks, day 1: I am thankful for my sweet husband who is always willing to help.


Give thanks, day 2: I am thankful for my sweet brother and the ability to go celebrate his birth!

Give thanks, day 3- I'm thankful to be an Aggie and to be a part of such a wonderful community so full of tradition.

Give thanks, day 4- I am thankful for our wonderful church and the opportunity to worship with 4 year olds.

Give thanks, day 5- I am thankful for my awesome job and amazing team.   Give thanks, day 6- I am thankful for the right to vote, and that my opinion matters!

Give thanks, day 7- I am thankful that no matter what, My God is strong and mighty, My God is faithful, My hope is in the Lord, For He is able!   Give thanks, day 8- I am thankful for pedicures and relaxation with family and friends!

Give thanks, day 9- I am thankful to have the opportunity to have lunch with my sweet hubby and his family.

Give thanks, day 10- Thankful to get great family photos on this beautiful Saturday! Thank you Cassie.

Give thanks, day 11- thankful for my sister, she is going to make a beautiful bride today!

Give thanks, day 12- thankful for the safe delivery and healthy arrival of baby Layla

Give thanks, day 13- I am thankful for the men and women who proudly serve this country and fight for our freedom!

Give thanks, day 14- Thankful for my life group girls and the amazing women that they are. I am thankful for their friendship and that they encourage me to grow stronger in my faith.

Give thanks, day 15- I'm thankful for my sweet baby girl Buttercup, she has brought so much joy to my life over the last 7 years.



Give thanks, day 16- thankful to celebrate my aunt and uncle's 25th anniversary. They are such a blessing and a great example of God's love!

Give thanks, day 17- thankful to have a great dinner and fun time with my brotherS, sister, and husband!   Give thanks, day 18- I am thankful for a great start to a much needed relaxing week off.


Give thanks, day 19- I am thankful for my sweet Lily Girl, she is such a sweet little cuddle bug who is always ready to play.

Give thanks, day 20- I am thankful for the plentiful options for food. We are never in short supply!

Give thanks, day 21- I am thankful for my husband who keeps me grounded, he is the most stable force in my life and he loves me through thick and then. I am so blessed to have him in my life, to love me and do life with.

Give thanks, day 22- here is the list that Drew and I came up with this morning: each other, our puppies, our house, our jobs, our hard work ethic, our car, Aggie football, our wonderful parents, our siblings, our family, our friends, and our church. I would say we are pretty blessed!

Give thanks, day 23- I am thankful for completely relaxing, lazy days with my hubby and family.



Give thank, day 24- Thankful for an amazing Aggie season. Way to show them that you can compete in the SEC boyss!

Give thanks, day 25- I am thankful for safe travels from a wonderful vacation. It's good to be back home!

Give thanks, day 26- I am thankful for my nice warm house.   Give thanks, day 27- I am thankful for a car that is safe and reliable to get me from point A to point B.
Give thanks, day 28- I am thankful for laughter...it always has the ability to ease stressful situations.

Give thanks, day 29- I am thankful for our Life Group, for the wonderful couples we've met, and the great friendships we've made.



Give thanks, day 30- I am thankful for this Christmas season and the birth of our Lord and Savior. He is the reason for the season. Without Him I would have nothing to be thankful for.
Also, I am thankful for girls night with my mom and sister.

TV Fall Line Up

 The shows are back and here's what We've been watching.

Drew and I are loving Once Upon a Time, it is very suspenceful and keeps us in anticipation for next week. I love the twists that they put on the old Fairy Tales.

A couple Christmas' ago Drew and I stated watching Bones on Netflix during the break. We have been watching it ever since. The relationships between the characters is great, there is a little humor between them which add a little comic relief from the creepy suspense.

 I love Parenthood (I watch this by myself)... Leave it to Parenthood to bring on the water works. I think they do a great job incorperating different aspects of families.

 My mom got me into Smash...I love it for the talented singers and AWESOME music. I've heard that it may eventually go to Broadway (it's a show about creating a Broadway Musical about Marilyn Monroe)

The end of summer and beginning of fall brings 2 shows from USA that I love to watch. Necessary Roughness brings together humor and drama about a psychiatrist and a football player and his team.

 Royal Pains is witty and clever. I like the medical side plus the relationships between the characters.