One Word 2018

When deciding my ‘one word’ for the year, I went back and forth between a few but kept coming back to the concept of wanting a word that had to do with being present, engaged, and submersed in all facets of my life - moments with friends and family, continued focus on positivity, work and my professional world, and, most importantly, in my spiritual growth and relationship with Christ.

The word I chose is: Dwell.

To dwell in the present moments, and stress less about the future - not let it take up too much mental space.

To dwell in current friendships and to continue to prioritize being friendly and welcoming.

To dwell in positive/good, yet grow through and find blessing in the negatives/bad.

To dwell in my strengths and passions and worry less about what I lack or my weaknesses.

To dwell in professional opportunities to grow, instead of worrying about my lack of (fill in the blank).

To dwell in Christ and His word more. Meditate on it vs just reading the words on a page. Live it out and share it with others.

To help me with my one word, I found the following to serve in guiding me through this year and dwelling in what 2018 has to offer.

Dwell defined:

1: to remain for a time

2: to live as a resident : exist, lie

3: to keep the attention directed : to speak or write insistently

Helpful article:

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/dwell/


Scripture:

Psalm 91:1; 9-11

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”


Acts 2:25-28

“For David says concerning him, "'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'”

Job 11:13-14

“"If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.”


Col 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

I love when fate makes an appearance

Fate has struck again! (and in a weird way, but one that started my day in such a way that I know today is gonna be a good day).

Grabbing a Diet Coke from the bookstore before work is a common occurrence for me (not everyday common, but common) but today something uncommon happened. I happened to find a 'Jackson' #ShareACoke and obviously had to grab it. Back up a hot second - I originally grabbed 'Angela' and 'Jackson' slid down behind it..couldn't miss the opportunity to have 'Jackson' Diet Coke! So, I put 'Angela' back (sorry girl) and grabbed 'Jackson'. 

I definitely was not prepared for what was about to happen.

When I grabbed the 'Jackson' Diet Coke, a 'Joe' slid into it's place. I was taken aback for a hot second and a wave of mixed emotions hit me - happy, sad, tears, smiles, etc. The reason this is significant is that Joe Jackson was the name of my dad's dad. I never had the opportunity to meet Grandpa Joe (he passed away before I was born) but will randomly think about him and what he was like. There are still things I would like to know about him - his personality, things he enjoyed, his childhood, etc.

I'm a big believer in things happening for a reason and this small, may seem insignificant to others, event made my day and makes me feel like Grandpa Joe was stopping by to say 'Hi'. I will probably never know why it happened but I'm very glad it did. 

 

A Young Grandpa Joe from the 1940s. He served the US during WWII.

Happy Wednesday, 

<3 Kelsey

Good Food & Great Recipes

I feel like I am constantly trying to find new recipes to try and mix up what I cook for dinner (and then have as leftovers for lunch the next day). Many times I get on Pinterest to find inspiration and recipes - this tends to end with 1 of these 4 common outcomes:

1. "OMGoodness, this recipe looks amazing, I have all the ingredients already, and WOW it tastes amazing too!" <- Desired Outcome.
2. "Wow this recipe looks so tasty and amazing...WAT it has 50+ ingredients (some of which are so specific I would only use them once)...No thanks"
3. "Wow this looks great" *clicks image for recipe & 50 million pop ups and ads occur or the link is broken**random video begins playing*
4. No Luck - guess it's pasta again

Have any of you experienced something like this?

I was inspired to start documenting recipes I had tried after finding a recipe spreadsheet that was shared on Reddit. Using this spreadsheet as a base, I have begun to add recipes that I want to try, add additional notes or variations to try, and rate ones that are classified as 'Success!! Will make again!'. 

You can view the spreadsheet with my edits and additions if you'd like!

*Note: the italicized comments are from the original girl I got the spreadsheet from* 

Now for the good part of/the main reason I started writing this post - I wanted to share with you the recipes I have tried recently that are SO GOOD & def new favorites. (esp. if you like soups)

Baked Eggs & Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

I made this dish on Saturday for lunch and served it with sweet potato fries & my goodness, it was heaven!! This recipe comes from Cookie + Kate.

 Lentil & Vegetable Soup

I don't have a picture of this one because it's a recipe that comes from a British YouTuber I watch, but this soup is really good and a great base to add your own flair or eat how it is. The sky is the limit with this one! It also freezes really well.

Recipe: 

2 onions

2 carrots

2 leeks (or 1 big one)

1 potato (I typically use a red or yellow potato)

1 tbs of Olive Oil

1 tbs of flour

3 cups of vegetable broth

1/4 c Red Lentils

Peel and chop vegetables

Pan fry the vegetables (EXCEPT the potatoes) in the oil for 10 min

Stir in flour to thicken and cook for an additional 2 minutes

In a soup pan/stock pot, add the pan fried veggies, vegetable broth, potatoes, and red lentils

Cover and boil for 10 min and lower heat to simmer for 20-25 min

Classic Black Bean Soup & Rice

I love this recipe so much and and its so easy to make. Great throw down & you most likely have the ingredients already! Find the recipe at Landeelu's Blog.

Roasted Cauliflower

Roasted Cauliflower is amazing and you can basically flavor and use it any way you want! Here is Food Network's Recipe to use as a base recipe, but then take it any direction you'd like (different flavors, sauces, make tacos, whatever you'd like!)

Food Network Recipe Here! 

Pictured: Spicy Sriracha Baked Cauliflower w/Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Enjoy & I will share more as I come across new & yummy foods! <3 Kelsey!

i made dis no. 3

In 11 days I will be attending a New Professionals Conference in Madison, Wisconsin! I'm so excited to be at the university that has my most favorite mascot - a Badger!!! Just look at this guy! His name is Buckingham U. "Bucky" Badger..love. (you can bet I will be purchasing a stuffed Buckingham.)

  

Anyways...one of the tasks we were assigned was to create a short film showcase something new or innovating being done in your student union. & the short film below is what I came up with to showcase the SUB at Texas Tech!! I am so proud of myself for filming and editing this video #HumbleBrag 

In addition to my love for the mascot, I can't wait to be surrounded by fellow new professionals and get all develop-y for a week! #ProfessionalDevelopment #CountdownToIPDS #11days

Enjoy! <3 Kelsey

40 books in 2017

Yep. That's the goal. 40 books by the end of this year... I can't tell you the last time I read 10 books in a year that were not school related.

Backstory: A co-worker and I have challenged ourselves to read 40 books by the end of this year back in March. Seemed like a pretty achievable goal at the time, but it is now May 11th and I have read 1.5 books. With summer approaching and a more routine schedule for the next few months in sight, I have a good feeling a can check off a good chunk of that 40 this summer. While I have all the intentions in the world, I lack the motivation because #TheHandmaidsTale. (have any of y'all started that show?!? it's soooo good & 10/10 recommend).

Nevertheless, I will complete this challenge and will keep you updated as a complete each book, following the same layout below for each one.

Side note: if you have any book recommendations, let me know!

The journey of 40 books starts with page 1


Book 1/40 

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
by Brené Brown
Amazon Review: 4.6/5 stars
Amazon Description: In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living—a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, "What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?"

In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, "No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough," and to go to bed at night thinking, "Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging."

My Thoughts: WOW WOW WOW! I absolutely loved this book and its life changing words of wisdom. The Gifts of Imperfection has been a source of inspiration for the Wholehearted living thing that I have begun to adapt as a lifestyle. I checked this book out at the Lubbock Public Library and found myself desperately wanting to underline everything that was amazing and good, but instead now have 50+ pictures of chunks of text that I literally finger snapped and said 'preach' to as I read. As soon as I finished the book, I immediately purchased it off Amazon. I have a feeling this book will come in handy in the future - whether as a refresher for myself or something I can lend to a friend. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who is struggling to truly let go of who they think they are supposed to be & want to embrace who they truly are.

Them Cookies Dough aka My Side Hustle

If you didn't know...I also have a cookie business on the side!

I started taking cookie orders back in February and have been going ever since. While I have only had time for small orders, I have enjoyed every minute of it! The most recent orders  I have filled include Harry Potter and Goosebumps Cookies.



Below are some of the other designs I have done so far:

I love that my middle school dreams of becoming a pastry chef are somewhat becoming fulfilled through Them Cookies Dough. Keep up with all things cookies by liking the Them Cookies Dough Facebook Page.

LYSM Kelsey

$40 Grocery Haul

New Month, New Me... at least that's the goal!

I am trying very hard this month to create a lifestyle plan that will work best for me...basically, I need to do a better job of eating at home and saving money!

I wanted to share one way I plan on doing both!

Last Saturday, I went to the grocery store with a game plan. I planned out all my meals for the week and was determined to only spend $40 && That's exactly what I did! Below is a picture of everything I bought.

Shopping list:

• 2 Green Bell Peppers
• 4 Sweet Potatoes
• 2 Yukon Gold Potatoes
• 2 Red Potatoes
• 1 Roma Tomato
• 1 Apple
• Sm. Broccoli Crown
• Fresh Green Beans
• Chicken Fajita Strips
• Polish Sausage
• 2 Carrot Cake & 2 Coconut Cream Pie Larabars
• Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Panko Bread Crumbs
• Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray
• Reduced Fat Shredded Cheese
• Minced Garlic
• 1 Vanilla & 1 Coconut Chobani Greek Yogurt
• Squash & Zucchini
• 2 Carrots
• Baby Spinach Bunch
• Head of Cauliflower

So far, I have made Orange Chicken Nuggets & Egg Muffins! The egg muffins have been comin' in clutch this week for breakfast everyday.. I highly recommend making them!


I will confess, no one is perfect. I did purchase lunch twice this week - one is justified in that Friday was my friend's last day of work and we went out to lunch...and went to happy hour on Thursday...

But other than that, I have done extremely well not spending money this week and still have food left over from the haul to start this next week!! (mainly because we had pizza in the office three days this week..shhh. don't tell my trainer)

What are some of your favorite easy, mainly meat free recipes?

LYSM Kelsey