Peace

2012 was a very challenging year for me personally. I began the year as I always do, with a Daniel Fast. The following months were filled with nothing but struggle and I couldn't understand why- was it because I shorted my fast by 2 days? Was I not praying enough? By July I hit the bottom...I hate to say rock bottom because it's so cliche....but really that's about where I was dwelling.

Luckily for me I got to do a redo. I'm surrounded by a great support group of people who allowed me time to completely fall apart. After a month of this, my mom asked me to take a class to become a reiki practitioner. I have always been interested in learning, but when she mentioned it, in my funk, I didn't think it was the right time. Still, she encouraged me to go and thought it would really help me...so I went.

I can't really describe what the class did for me, how it changed me on a profound level, I can only say simply that it helped me clear my head and reconnect with myself. I began to learn what was important to me, and what I had to let go. I learned to slow down and meditate. You have to understand...these were things I've wanted for years and never knew how, it amazes me still to think how it just happened when I needed it most. I am ending the year in the most incredible place, knowing more about who I am and what I want. I feel peace. And to think that I needed my life to explode before finding it...but as I reflect back on 2012 I am extremely grateful for the gifts it has brought me.

Here is a little information to learn what Reiki is..

Reiki… What is it?

Reiki is an ancient Japanese relaxation technique that offers you physical well being and has a positive effect on your emotional and spiritual equilibrium. There is a gentle laying on of hands while a client (fully clothed) rests on a padded table or chair. Energy flows through the hands of the practitioner to the client using seven basic hand positions. Reiki stimulates the bodys natural ability to self-correct and restore balance.

It is energy work.

All cells in the body have one common task: They produce energy. The foods we eat, the environment we live in, the chemicals we ingest (medications, caffeine, nicotine, etc.), and emotions we carry have a direct effect on the balance of the body’s energy flow. When this cellular energy becomes unbalanced our body does not work at its full capacity. Illness and disease are results of this imbalance.

The use of Reiki can help bring the body’s energies back into proper function to help the body work in a more natural and efficient manner. Reiki influences the physical part of the body to create a more harmonious and balanced state, through a ripple effect, but is not a direct physical influence. Resistance in the physical body can influence the effectiveness of the benefits of Reiki. Non-resistance in the emotional body can connect to the physical body creating open communication for improvement.
Source

I wish you all Peace in 2013! 

Hiatuses

Guess who's back.

 

Back again.

 

MEEEEEEEEE!!!

 

It's been a minute but I am looking forward to cooking and baking and blogging and baking again!!

Coca Cola Cupcakes

Writing the title of this post just now made me wonder - do people still say "Coca Cola" ?  I always call it Coke...but I thought if I called these Coke Cupcakes you maaaaaay get the wrong idea.  So~ Coca Cola Cupcakes they will be! 

I finished my 21 day fast!  And what better way to celebrate than with cupcakes.  I didn't have ingredients handy for many of the cupcakes on my to-bake list, so I had to improvise with what I had.  The result- yummo!  I enjoyed this cupcake, it's very very light, which is important in a January cupcake isn't it though?

Please do follow the link to the recipe I adapted from - Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper cupcakes.  It looks absolutely wonderful!

Coca Cola Cupcakes

adapted from this recipe

1 box chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 stick melted butter
2 eggs
1 cup Coca Cola
1 tsp cherry extract

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients together well.  Pour into prepared, lined, muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes.  Tops will spring back when lightly touched.  Place on cooling rack until completely cool and frost with your favorite frosting.  I used a fat free meringue, recipe to follow soon!

Resolution 2012

2012 - No more excuses.



Guacamole

As mentioned in my previous post, I am fasting.  I'm doing the Daniel fast, the same one I did last year, and it went so well that I know not another year will ever pass without me starting every January the same way.  I am in my final week now, the fast is 21 days, and let me say- it can be extremely tough!  On the 23rd, my first day off the fast, I will be drinking coffee, which I had to give up, and eating PIZZA! 

But that's all I can write about that now or else I'll just be torturing myself.  For now, I'm doing my best to have variety and keep it interesting with the fruit, veggies, and whole grains that I am allowed to eat.  This guacamole really hits the spot, especially on days where I struggle the most.

Guacamole

recipe from allrecipes.com

3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed

1 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Blend everything together either in a food processor or stir together if you prefer it chunkier.  I made this batch too smooth, so the next day I took the leftovers and added in a cut up avocado and tomato.  This is the best guacamole recipe!

Game Day Pizza Dip

Yesterday I was quite content with spending the day in my PJ's.  In the morning I found myself lounging on the couch, checking facebook on my phone, when I saw a post from the Pioneer Woman that her show on the Food Network was about to start.  I was watching Modern Family on my dvr so I missed the first half of her show.  Then I went and let my pup out and missed the ending too!  When I came back Ms. Paula Deen was on, making this pizza dip.  I decided at once we needed it for game day, and by we I mean hubs because I'm fasting.  So I threw on some clothes, ran to the Publix, and got all the ingredients.

This smelled soooo good when I was making it, I don't know why I tested my willpower like that.  But rest assured, I WILL be making this for the Superbowl!  I just watched Paula make it and did what I remembered, changed it to hubs tastes too.  Here is the original recipe.

I started out sauteeing turkey sausage crumbles, turkey pepperoni, red and green peppers, and onions.  You can use your favorite pizza toppings, Paula had mushroom and bacon as well to hers.

Then add in 2 blocks of cream cheese.  You should probably soften first so you don't end up with this like me:

Add in a generous sprinkling of Italian seasoning with the cream cheese.

Then throw it in a pam sprayed casserole dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  That's it!  So easy.

Paula also made breadsticks from pizza dough which I'm sure would set this over the top, I just toasted some garlic bread and cut it into strips. 

Halloweenie

I swear, I've posted nearly every day in my head.  Imagine my alarm when I sign on and there are hardly any posts!  Where'd they all go?  Oh yeah, never left my head.  I have been cooking and taking pictures so one of these days I'm going to get around to putting up some more fabulous recipes!

In the meantime, some Fall/Halloween favorites I found on Pinterest:

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Creative idea- 2 bundt cakes=1 pumpkin!

Happy Halloween!!!

57 days until Christmas!!  :o)