Penelope in the Bluebonnets...

Other assorted catching-up pictures...

Last Sunday Clint and I took our CHL (concealed handgun license) class which consisted of a class with a written test and a field test. Lots of fun and we both passed! Another tick off of the bucket list.

Then, we just purchased Clint a new to him truck!!! Say hello to King Tritan (my name for the truck, not Clint's). A very nice 2005 F-150 in a very sexy charcoal gray color.

I don't think the next picture requires a comment... Ok, maybe it does... And now, in the center of the ring, Clintoni Hoovoni!

Uh-Oh! Time for Catch-up!!! Penelope's Second Birthday!

For Squirt and Penelope's second birthday, we took them to Krystal's Hamburgers for a yummy kid's meal of a hamburger and french fries and then went to Fort Woof for some fun play-time. Enjoy the pictures!

Yes, that is an entire hamburger bun in her mouth. Don't worry - she has it all under control!

Look at her licking her chops!

Christ Chapel Bible Church

Last night at church we learned about the amazing process and procedure of the Passover, the symbolism of the Seder meal, and the relevance to us as the body of Christ. Also last night we were challenged to fast and pray for our church as we embark on a new building project. This time of fasting can be as short or as long as God leads us, but I feel challenged to fast, pray, meditate, and reflect during my work day. So, for the entire time I am at work, I will be fasting, reading the Bible (during lunch and my conference time), seeking God's plan for our family's financial contribution to CCBC, and refocusing my attention on God.

I decided to do this during work, since this time seems to be the time when I get most caught up in other things. I get most stressed, over-worked, immersed in tasks, and exposed to worldly behaviors during the 7:30-4:30 time block. So, instead of eating breakfast this morning, I read in Dueteronomy about God's provisions and deliverance. Instead of eating lunch, I will meditate on God's word and reflect on His amazing love for me. Instead of snacks, I will dedicate my actions to God's will.

Clint has also committed to fasting and praying with me (albeit, at different times and in different places) during the lunch hour.

Please pray for us today.

March, March, March...

Yeah, so, I haven't exactly posted in the last week, but I didn't want to bore anyone. I still don't really have anything to add today, but I was feeling guilty about not posting...

Our diet is going really well. We are maintaining quite a bit of our vegetarian experience - eating meatless meat, veggie rich dishes, and enjoying our local vegan restaurant. I did break down and succumb to a horribly strong BBQ temptation last night - but I got a pulled pork sandwich with very little sauce... Not too bad I don't figure. But, our diet must be working because Clint is hovering at the 20ish pounds lost mark and I hit the 17 1/2 pound mark this morning. After so long seeing the scale increase each time I dared stand on it (and I do mean "dare" since the thought of getting weighed scared me to death!), I love seeing the numbers decrease! I'm not that good about using thedailyplate.com, but I am doing a lot better about portions and healthier choices.

You know you are restricting your diet when:

* your favorite chocolate ice cream makes you think about running on the treadmill for 3 hours
* you care more about calories than prices when you are at a restaurant
* your iphone has become a portable dietician and personal trainer
* thedailyplate.com is book-marked on any internet-ready device within 3 miles of you at any moment
* you snack on whole grain sandwich thins and light cheese instead of a candy bar
* water is your best friend
* you know the gym class schedule by heart (and have the app!)
* your lunch conversations at work are dominated by weight watcher, 24-hour fitness, and how many points/calories is your lunch
* and the number one indicator that you are on a diet:
~~~~~you dream about All-You-Can-Eat Buffets~~~~~ (unfortunately, very true - just ask Clint about 3 nights ago...)

More delightful Recipes to Tickle your Tastebuds!

DELICIOUS Black Bean Burgers (a la vegetarian)

Ingredients:

1/3 pound fresh mushroom, chopped
1/4 bar cream cheese
1/4 cup sour cream (or half sour cream half ricotta cheese)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 T lemon juice
1 T olive oil
1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 cups canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (seeds optional)
1 tsp salt
black pepper
cilantro
1 T flour
3 T chives

Directions

In a small skillet, saute mushrooms for 7-10 minutes until cooked. Transfer to a medium bowl and mix with cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of the breadcrumbs. Set aside.

In another small skillet, heat olive oil and saute the onions until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon and saute for 2 more minutes.

Pour beans into a food processor and pulse until almost pasty. Add onion and seasoning mixture and mushroom mixture. Pulse repeatedly until mixture is chopped and combined but not pureed.

Transfer to a large bowl and add remaining ingredients, mixing well. Taste and adjust seasonings. Shape into patties and pat in extra bread crumbs.

Fry in olive or vegetable oil over medium heat until crust forms. Serve as a hamburger!

AND NOW...

Potato Kale Enchiladas with Roasted Chili Sauce

Ingredients
Chili Sauce:
2 T olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
3 large green chiles, roasted, seeded, peeled, and chopped coarsely
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp marjoram or oregano
1 can diced tomatoes with juice
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt

Filling:
1 pound waxy potatoes (yukon gold preferred)
1/2 pound kale, washed, trimmed, and chopped finely
3 T olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 cup stock
3 T lime juice
1/8 cup pine nuts
salt

Corn tortillas

Directions:

Sauce: In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute the onions in oil for 4-7 minutes until soft. Add the remaining sauce ingredients, bring to a simmer, and then remove from heat. When the mixture has cooled enough, taste and adjust seasonings. Puree in a blender until smooth.

Filling: Peel and dice the potatoes, then boil until tender. Drain and set aside. Cook the garlic in olive oil until sizzling and slightly browned. Add the kale, sprinkle with salt, and raise the heat to medium, stirring constantly to cover the kale with oil and garlic. Partially cover the pot to steam the kale until it has wilted, 4-6 minutes. Add in potatoes, stock, lime juice, and salt. Use the back of a wooden spoon to mash some of the potatoes. Cook another 4-5 minutes until stock is absorbed. Add more salt and lime juice to taste. 1 minute before it is finished, add in the pine nuts, reserving a few for garnish.

Ladle some sauce into the bottom of a greased casserole dish and spread around. Take a warmed corn tortilla and spoon some filling into the center. Roll tightly and place seam side down in the dish. Repeat for all the tortillas and filling. Spoon remaining sauce over the top, sprinkle with paprika and pine nuts. Bake for 25 minutes at 375 until sauce is bubbling. Serve.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ha-lle-lu-jah!!!

The benchmark at school today was a success! My kids whomped (is that a real word???) the 2009 released TAKS test and made such amazing progress that I shared some delicious cake truffles with them after a huge YAY! pep talk. I am so proud of their progress! We went from 2/3 of the class not passing (January BMK) to 3 not passing!!! This is why I teach in this district and Dual Language program - my kids start off so far behind and then woosh to catch-up and then surpass their peers. GO TEAM!!! (Why do I suddenly feel an urge to high-kick and wave spirit fingers? - hmmm.... that's strange... I'm sure it will pass eventually...)

On another train of thought, our Vegetarian week was a great success. No, we did not stick to our menu exactly (although by now we have eaten most of the recipes - just not in that order). Stay away from the avocado soup (although Clinton loved it) and the Mushroom Strudel - WAY too mushroomy for my taste. But the veggie burgers (made from scratch, no less!) were beyond amazing and definitely gave us food for thought (get it? huh? no, well, you know, FOOD, for thought... food for thought? never mind... pressing on).

The recipe will be posted in a bit pending me actually getting home to the recipe (we changed and modified and added and subtracted from the original recipe so much that I don't think it even counts as the original black bean burgers). Until then...

We have learned that better eating habits (i.e. less calorie ridden meat and more yummy relatively calorie "free" vegetables) make us feel a million-bazillion times better inside and out. We also lose weight easier and Clint doesn't have to worry about the cholesterol, fat, and other evils in most other foods. As a side benefit, we also tended to not eat out nearly as much because so few restaurants serve meat-free menu options - which in turn saved us moolah! I do HIGHLY recommend a restaurant in Fort Worth called Spiral Bakery and Diner. The menu is all-vegan, mostly organic, and delightfully delicious! We plan to go again whether we continue the vegetarian thing or not.

Which leads to the "lesson learned" portion of this story. We have decided that we will be halfy vegetarians. Meaning that we won't be the typical southern, meat and potatoes for dinner only kind of family. Fast food does NOT count as a well-balanced meal and shouldn't be used as such (if you are of the opinion that the occassional fast-food family meal won't hurt, check out this website - it is enough to make you schedule an appointment for a triple-bypass! http://www.acaloriecounter.com/fast-food.php)

Stay tuned for the recipes and check out the status of... THE LIST!