A New Blog

I have for a very long time been collecting recipes and now I am taking a moment to share the ones I find, the ones I try, and the success (or failure) of each one!  
Enjoy!

About Me

I have been know to utter the phrase "it's ALL about me" a time or two. Normally, I am kidding. No, really. I would like to think that I am not a selfish person. Sure, we all have selfish tendencies. It's human nature. If it means anything to you, I have a philanthropic heart. If I were rich I'd quit my job and spend my time volunteering and donating to worthy causes.

I was editing my blog when I came across the "About Me" section. I always have a hard time filling this in.  I have such a hard time pinning down just who I am. Today, I decided to just go with it. I came up with this:
I'm a daughter, a sister, a friend...and I'm a Princess. I was born with a crown on my head, a tutu around my waist, and sparkles on my shoes-- and I don't think I'll ever grow out of it. Love me or hate me, you probably want to know "Where's Waldie?"

There are a few reasons I wrote this. I have had several conversations lately with both friends and family members. My question to them was: "How do you raise a child like me?" When I asked my mom, she had no reply. By "child like me" I mean this: I am the epitome of girly girl. I am 25 years old, but if it has a ruffle, a bow, a flower, or a sparkle...I'll probably buy it and wear it. If it's pink, I probably already own it. The other day a childhood friend posted on a Facebook picture of me and she said this, "Lauren, This picture reminds me of when I knew you in elementary school... I remember you always had a pink dress with a matching head band... lol! Hope you had a good birthday!" You probably remember the post about my birthday dress.

Anyway, I love that I love pink. I love that I'm a girly girl. I love that my family thinks I'm a Princess.

Ready to Run

This year I am running in the Austin Susan G Komen Race for the Cure 5K on November 7th--less than a week away! As you probably know, I am not a runner. I've been training (a little) but I will still have to walk some of it I'm sure. I keep seeing opportunities for people to tell their breast cancer story. For some that's a story of loss. For others it's a triumphant story of victory. I keep thinking-- I don't have a story. And I hope I never have to. The point is, I will complete it. I'm running for those women who don't have a story. Hopefully, they'll never have to have one either.

There's still time for you to join our team. Or, if you'd rather sleep in and let me do the running for you, feel free to donate to a wonderful cause. If you've already donated, I am so grateful. Thank you.

Visit my personal page to sign up or donate today!

Calorie-counting Snack Time

I have recently started to keep track of how many calories I eat each day (thanks to Blake AND my Android phone's "Calorie Counter" App). It really puts things in to perspective...unfortunately.

On a rare food binge, Blake and I discovered that each yummy, flaky, delicious Red Lobster cheese biscuit contains 150 calories. (Our waitress tried to tell us it was 400, but the calorie counting app begs to differ.) Ugh--especially after eating one and a half of them... SO. Not. Worth. It.

Any way...the app takes all of the fun out of eating. Before I eat anything now I think to myself, "Am I going to feel ok about putting this in to the calorie counter?" If the answer is "no" I usually don't eat it.

To brighten up this Debbie Downer post, I thought I would share a snack I recently discovered-- Genisoy Sweet Crisps. According to the Genisoy website, "Most snacks are full of bad calories (unhealthy fats, cholesterol) or empty calories (no nutritional value). Its time to expect more from your snacks! Genisoy Sweet Crisps taste great and deliver protein, with no artificial ingredients or flavors. With 300% more protein than other crisps, Genisoy Sweet Crisps will give you the mental and physical energy boost other snacks cant." The Cinnamon Streusel Sweet Crisps are d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s! And at only 90 calories per 10 crisps, they make a great afternoon snack and take care of that pesky sweet tooth.

A sisterly void

On April 2, 2005, I made a lifelong commitment to be "womanly and true" to the Sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma. It was a defining moment for me. I served as Panhellenic Delegate and the Chapter President. Both were rewarding experiences. Each presented challenges, but taught me something nonetheless.

I am coming up on two years since I graduated from UNT, but only recently have I felt the ache for sorority life. I suppose initially I was just missing the college life, but now that I am in Grad School, the void is Kappa. I am a member of the Austin Alumnae Association, and I have attended several Night Owl events as well as the Founders' Day dinner last year, but I find myself pining for more. What a relief it was to receive my dues statement. Yes, you heard correctly, I was excited to see that I owe money. And you want to know why? Because along with the dues statement came an opportunity to volunteer for all sorts of lovely things. Committees, event planning, advising...it was all there. And you better believe I checked off almost every box. Am I crazy? Perhaps. But am I thrilled to see where I will get to serve in the upcoming year? Absolutely.

Yoga-lovin' Baptist, Part II

Apparently this debate has me SO wound up that I thought it deserved a second posting.

On his website, Albert Mohler talks about the emails he is getting from Christian yogis. One of his "points" is this: "These souls claim to be Christian, but offer no biblical argument nor do they even acknowledge the basic fact that yoga, as a spiritual practice, runs directly counter to the spiritual counsel of the Bible."

Alright Mr. Mohler-- here you go. At the end of each class, my yoga instructor has us sit with our legs crossed, palms pressed together at the center of our chest. She bows and says, "The light in me honors the light in you. Namaste." Take a quick second to "Wikipedia" the term "namaste." It says, "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me." It also can be translated as, "That which is of God in me greets that which is of God in you."

So, you want Biblical proof?

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.

1 John 1:5 This the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Shall I keep going? Cause there are plenty more...

Does my yoga instructor believe in God? I have no idea. But does she judge her students faith? Never.

Albert. Al. Mr. Mohler-- get a clue. Ancient yoga practices have evolved. Welcome to 2010. As I stated in my previous posts, there are so many different types of yoga. Do not judge those of us who practice both Christianity and yoga. Believe me, it is entirely possible. And, to be quite frank, you're giving Southern Baptists a bad name. Please stop.
Namaste.

Yoga-lovin' Baptist

Warning: This is a fairly religious post. I don't do them often, but this is something that has got me all wound up. Unfortunately, my yoga classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays...

I was irritated about a week ago when my Dad pointed out to me that by practicing yoga I am practicing Hinduism. (Side note: LOVE my Daddy.) I brushed it off, stating that he was wrong. I later found out that the sermon at my parents' church had been about just that the week before. I am sorry I missed it, because I would have gotten up and left in the middle of it. As many of you know I have been practicing yoga for almost a year now. I LOVE IT. I would go every day if I had time. I don't do chanting. I don't worship Buddha. What I do "do" is relax. Exercise. Take a moment out of my busy life to focus on myself. My breathing. Just being. I was even more horrified to see this headline on Yahoo today: Southern Baptist leader on yoga: Not Christianity. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Read the article here.

On his website, Mr. Mohler continues to defend his opinion, stating that he is getting hundreds of emails from Christians who are practicing yoga. He says, "The first lesson — count the cost when you talk about yoga. These people get bent out of shape fast." Ha ha. Isn't he funny? Not. The people contacting him are the prime example of how it is possible to practice yoga AND be a Christian. It's people like him that drive people away from church. He is passing judgement. I'm sorry, did your Son die on that cross? No? I didn't think so.

Let's recap. I was baptized and raised in the same church almost my entire life. My parents still attend the church (which will go unnamed for now) and I attend when visiting them. It is a Baptist church, with Southern undertones, for sure. I was disappointed to hear that such a sermon was preached there, but I know in my heart what yoga means to me.

So, if you haven't tried it, do not judge it. Every studio, every class, every teacher is different. keep going until you find one that makes you comfortable. I have, so let me know if you want to join. It works miracles for your mind, body, and spirit.