Broken Roads

If I were to have pictured what my life would look like two months ago I would have never guessed I'd be where I am. I am a mark it off the list, everything planned out kind of girl, and boy have I been put out of my comfort zone. My life, and my faith have been rocked to the very core. I feel like everything I have ever known or was comfortable with was uprooted. I've felt lost, angry, betrayed and so much more.

This has definitely been a learning experience. I have fallen to my knees to pleading for my father in heaven to take this all away. He however had more in store. There was something I was to learn from this, and I have grown so much more spiritually. I have been able to find myself, set goals and move forward. I have found peace when I wanted to be so angry.

I will never understand why things happen. I never thought I would ever say that I am grateful for trials. Today I can say that no matter how bad this has hurt that I am so grateful for what has come from it. I have gotten myself to the temple, learned to rely on my savior and to find the good in each day. I can say without a doubt in my mind that our Savior lives. He loves and knows each one of us. Though we have our lives mapped out he can see the bigger picture. He is there during each trial, every bump, and he is there to lift us up when we have crumbled. There is power in the temple, and a peace you cannot find anywhere else. Miracles truly do happen. The atonement is not just for sinners it is for those who are struggling, those who need strength and it truly can turn your world around. I am living proof.

Comfort Zones.

I feel like my mind is always running on warp speed. I rarely sit down just to listen. I have noticed a pattern that is forming. One that i'm not 100 % proud off. Instead of always reaching out, and or turning to my savior I just do it in a rush, at a time of need.

How much better what our weeks be if every morning started out with a plea to our father in heaven or even just a talk? Though, he isn't one to judge, he is one who will always be there. I often take that for granted. While sitting here at the end of this hard week I feel at a loss. I feel like i'm just at a stand still. I decided to take this time while my hubby is away to enjoy the silence, to take time to just listen.

While putting preparing my primary lesson I came across a quote that was much needed:
"Are we prepared to leave our comfort zone to reach a better place"- Elder Godoy.

How many things in our lives have become routine, merely because we don't want to get out of our comfort zone? How many of those things, though maybe good things are ruining even better things? With conference coming up I found this so fitting. The talks given aren't just for the fun of it, but are being shared because they are needed. Are we willing to heed the council and change things? Are we willing to step out of the comfort zone to allow something better to come along, to find a better place?

 I am not all knowing, but do truly believe this to be so important. I didn't realize how "comfortable" I was in my life until now, being newly married. There has to be so much give and take. As we have worked together, stepping out of our comfort zone its amazing the better things that have come. I know when we come to a point where options are given, satan isn't going to want us to change. He is going to tear us down. He wants us to stay comfortable. That's where he can get us. He wants us to believe we don't need to change for anyone. We become selfish. Completely engulfed in ourselves.

However, I do have a strong testimony when it comes to change. I know as we step out of our comfort zones our Father in Heaven's hand will be right there, leading us to something even greater. He literally takes us to a whole new place spiritually. I do believe change to be an amazing thing, because with it we grow. I challenge you all to look at your life and all the things you have become comfortable with. Are you willing to change them, to come to a better place? I am eternally grateful for Heavenly Parents who know so much more than I ever will. They know exactly what we need at any given time. Nothing just happens. There is a reason behind everything. When I left my comfort zone last year, I truly did reach a better place.

Start fresh this week. Take a step. I'm going too.

Love always,
K

Tofu Tostadas.

So the first time I had these was when I first moved to Florida. It was also the first time I had tofu. If you aren't a tofu lover do not run away from this recipe. My husband and I absolutely love these! They are super light, yummy and very filling. They are also even better the second day.

Tofu:

2 TBSP olive oil
1 container tofu ( I prefer the extra firm that is already cubed, I get mine at Walmart )
1 med. red bell pepper
Half a yellow onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tsp. chili powder
1 Tsp. ground cumin
Juice of 1 lime ( about 3 tbsp )

Add all the ingredient into the oil once hot. Cook until peppers and onions become tender and the tofu starts to brown.


Salsa:

1 can yellow corn (drained)
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can hotel & green chilis ( I liked to add fresh tomatoes and green chilis from my garden )
1 bunch of cilantro
1/2 red onion
1 red bell pepper
2-3 Tbsp Lime Juice
Avocado ( I leave mine to the side )
1/2 Tsp. Minced Garlic
dash of cumin

Mix and enjoy :)

Tortilla:
I just buy the small white corn tortillas.

Spray the pan with coconut oil ( or pam if you prefer )

Bake 5 min each side at 400 degrees ( or until crispy )

California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Pizza

so here is the original recipe. i ended up making it completely my own way in order to save tons of time :) 

ingredients

for the thin crust pizza
• (makes 2 14" pizzas)
• 1 teaspoon dry active yeast
• 1 1/4 cup warm water
• 1 cup cake flour (not self-rising)
• 2 1/2-3 cup all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon salt (i usually half this)
• olive oil

I made my own whole wheat crust that took about 1/2 the time. definitely recommend that if you are in a time crunch 

for the sauce
• bbq sauce (if you don't want to make your own i suggest using a good bbq sauce like sweet baby ray's)
• 24 oz ketchup
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 worcestershire sauce
• a teensy drop of liquid smoke (if you want)

i just bought my own jar of bbq sauce from the store. hickory smoked honey or something along those lines. it was still super yummy 

blackened chicken
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• a pinch of salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
• a pinch ground white pepper
• a pinch of onion powder
for the pizza
• 1/3 cup smoked gouda ( loved this it made the pizza 10x better ) 
• 1- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella
• 2 pieces turkey bacon (or regular), cooked and chopped
• 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded (see recipe above)
• 1/4 red onion sliced ridiculously thin
• 1/4 bunch of cilantro, chopped

instructions

for the crust
1. add yeast to warm water & allow to sit for 10 min. in a large bowl, combine flours and salt. add the yeast mixture & stir to form a soft dough. turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour as needed. coat a bowl with olive oil. place the dough in the bowl, turning it once to coat with oil. cover and let rise in a warm place. the dough should double in volume (1-1 1/2 hours). flatten the dough and divide in half. shape each piece into a ball & let raise for another hour. add toppings and bake at 425 for 15-20 min.
for the blackened chicken
2. mix together the paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin, thyme, white pepper, and onion powder. oil the chicken breast with cooking spray on both sides, then coat the chicken breast evenly with the spice mixture.
3. cook in a med-high skillet one minute on each side and finish in a 350 degree oven about 20-30 min.
for the pizza
4. after rolling out the crust place a layer of bbq sauce on the dough. sprinkle the chicken, onion and bacon and top with cheeses.
5. bake at 425 for 10-20 min depending on the size you made your pizza. just watch until the cheesy is bubbly and beginning to brown. remove from oven and sprinkle with cilantro.

from: oh, sweet basil. 

BBQ Wing Chicken Ring.

I have definitely been a slacker. Prepare for the recipe overload. It was my goal to blog a little about the day and add the recipe at the end.. Well with work and prepping for Brody's surgery that just hasn't happened. I also decided I would be better about adding pictures with each recipe. Forgive me, that hasn't really happened either. So here you go one of our all time favorites

INGREDIENTS

8 

ounces cream cheese, softened

1 

packet ranch dressing mix

1/2 

cup celery, finely diced (I omit this) 

1/2 

cup onions, finely diced (I omit this)

1/2 

cup Buffalo sauce

2 

packets (6 ounce) cooked chicken, very finely diced

2 

tubes crescent rolls

1/2 

cup ranch dressing (for dipping), optional 

1/4 

cup scallions, cilantro, or fresh herbs, finely chopped  ( I omit this) 

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, celery, onions, Buffalo sauce, and chicken. (Or, if you'd rather, mix it all together in a food processor.)
• Open the tubes of crescent rolls and separate each roll into four rectangles. Lay the rectangles on a parchment lined or nonstick baking sheet to form a large circle.
• Spoon chicken mixture into the center of the crescent dough ring. Fold the top of each crescent dough rectangle over the chicken filling, pressing into place to secure the dough all the way around the filling.
• Bake in preheated oven at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped scallions, cilantro, or other herbs, if desired.

Quinoa Chili

This is the first time i've tried this recipe. I almost prefer it over the meat chili! I did adjust the recipe a little bit. Enjoy :)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked quinoa ( I only did one cup ) 
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cup)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes ( I cut up two medium sized tomatoes from my garden ) 
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups water (or chicken broth if not making vegetarian) ( I used vegetable broth) 
• 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles
• 2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used one dark red, one light red)
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn ( I would use two cans of corn ) 
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a large enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add onion and saute until tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more later if desired), green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer 30 minutes. 
• Add in all beans, corn, cilantro and lime and cook until heated through. Serve warm with optional toppings and sides (cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados, saltine crackers or tortilla chips).

Recipe adjust from: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/07/quinoa-chili/

Love always,

K 

Our God loves broken things.

Though life seems to be full of uncertainty, heart break and disappointment I am so grateful for a savior that knows far more than we do. At our lowest moments we often don't know where to began but luckily we have someone who knows exactly where to start. We don't know what the outcome will be but are given the calming reassurance that it will be okay. Our hearts won't hurt forever. Eventually our eyes will be open to what he sees. We might still feel pain but we will begin to realize that it's all part of his plan, it all happens for a reason. I am eternally grateful for a place on earth that gives us the glimpse of heaven, a glimpse of the bigger picture. As I sit here and struggle and try to place the pieces of the puzzle together I feel reassured that it's in his hands. I absolutely love the temple and the peace it brought as I sat there tonight. It truly is a beacon of hope.

Love always,
K