Thursday, September 5, 2013

A Few Things You Should Know

I refuse to bore you with the mundane things of my life so I am going to keep this short and sweet BUT you MUST READ THIS  before you begin exploring the rest of my blog. (Trust me. IT will be WORTH it, especially when I start talking about random things in future recipe posts :))

1. All recipes are intended to be budget friendly -- after all I do have a $50 per week grocery budget for the two of us. 

2. You're not going to be a speedy gonzales cook over night. Just like anything else in life, if you are brand new to it, YOU MUST PRACTICE! This practice may take a week, weeks, months, or even years but, please DO NOT GIVE UP! I promise you can do it and it will be totally worth it when you master it. (Notice, I didn't say if. I said when.) I know we all live a busy lifestyle BUT practicing cooking is an important thing to do.  It will eliminate those fast food runs or frozen pizza dinners (not that there is anything wrong with them every now and then!) and allow you to make something wholesome and delicious for your family! 

3. All recipes will be wholesome -- not weird. Despite the fact that I am a Registered Dietitian I refuse to put something I don't like in my mouth just because it's suppose to be the "new super food".  So, if you're looking for something to make you vomit you will have to go else where. I do have a husband to feed, and although he is not picky, he might look at me real funny if I start putting tofu and brussel sprouts on the table for dinner. 

4. Recipes are subject to change. Yes, I experiment in my kitchen on a daily basis so even though I posted a recipe one way one time I might have found something else I liked better in it the next time. 

5. I want you to know, I will talk about Jesus in my blog. He is my Savior AND my God, Father, and King. When I'm in my kitchen I sometimes have what I like to call Jesus moments -- happy, sad, trying, convicting, joyful, or just simply praising -- some of those moments I will share with you, especially if it happened while making a posted recipe. 

Now, that you have read the important stuff have some fun. Go exploring. New posts will be updated on a regular (hopeful) basis. If you ever have any questions feel free to ask away! I desire to share my passion for nutrition and cooking with the world while sharing the love of Jesus! Have a blast on your new adventure in your kitchen! 

<3 Laurlee 

P.S. To read more about me check out the "Your Writer" section :) 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

A summer time thought

It has been a while to say the least -- over a year. It has been a little crazy in this gal's life but I think it's finally starting to become a little more manageable and maybe I will find time to post things but this is something that I wanted to get out there before it was way too late (I think it's already a little too late). 

Summer is quickly officially approaching (sometime in June right?) which means that bathing suit season is here. You may be thinking here it goes, another one of those don't wear a bikini blog posts. Well, you're right. But I want you to travel with me to the other side of the fence for just a minute (at least those of you who wear bikinis). Before I go one step further I want you to know that up until the end of last summer a bikini is all I owned. I wore one every time I was on the beach. 

Now for our journey. Close your eyes and imagine you are on the beach with the man of your dreams (if you're married you better be imagining you are with your hubby:)) You are confidently walking up and down the shoreline, running in and out of the water that isn't quite warm enough yet in a beautiful strapless bright colored bikini with cute little rings on the hips and with your tan, ooo girl you look good. You're the one thing your man is focusing on and all is well with the world and then it happens. Your worst nightmare (or maybe it's your man's worst nightmare): another guy walks by and gives you the scan and the "you look good" quick stare. What do you think he thought? It's kind of awkward to think that the guy just saw you in your bra and underwear. Think about it. How much clothing do you really have on? I felt my bikinis were pretty modest and yet my sports bra covers me better than my bathing suit did.  Shouldn't your husband (or future husband) be the only man to ever see you in your bra and underwear? Or what about if you're at the beach with your family (or family-in-love) and your with your brothers (or your brothers-in-love) what are they suppose to think? You're related! I do feel, in public, we have a job to do ladies -- and it's an important one. If we won't protect our men who will? And what's our excuse for not doing so? We want to flaunt our bodies that we worked hard for? (I get it. I'm there. I workout all the time and never as hard as I do right now that I'm married. But why should I share it with the rest of the world? I worked hard for that. Shouldn't it be a "trophy" for my husband?) We want our tummies to be tan so we don't look weird when we stand in the mirror (tan in your backyard!)? 

This isn't a I hate bikini blog because if we ever own a pool or I lay out in the privacy of our own backyard yes, I will probably still pull out that old bikini and put it on to get all those tummy rolls at least bronzed (they look better that way).  This is a think about it from your man's perspective. And, on the flip side do you really want him staring at other girls in their bra and underwear? Don't think so. 

Just a thought from this crazy girl who's married life is just a year old. Suddenly it's like a whole new modesty bubble pops over you and thoughts about modesty flood over you in a totally different way. Until next time, think about it: What are you wearing...even if you aren't married one day you will be. 
On His adventure <3
Laurlee