Turkey Meatballs

Some people wrinkle their nose at the thought of using ground turkey instead of ground beef. If you cook it right, it is delicious! Have you tried my turkey burger recipe? Even my best friend's husband like them!

I am still trying to lose weight but more importantly I am simply trying to eat better. I have a weakness for all types of junk food and if I am not careful, I will end up on The Biggest Loser. I'd rather make changes now and avoid crying, screaming and sweating on national television!

Tonight I wanted spaghetti and meatballs. That's a rare thing for me but tonight it was my dinner of choice. Here's what I threw together: (amounts are approximate because I didn't measure as I went, sorry)

20oz Lean or Extra Lean Ground Turkey
1 1/2 C bread crumbs
2 Eggs (or you can use just egg whites)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp Ground Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
Salt - Just a dash or two
2 tbsp italian Seasoning (or a mixture of dry basil and oregano)

1) Preheat oven to 375
2) Line a baking pan with foil and lightly spray with non stick spray
3) In a medium size mixing bowl, mix eggs and ground turkey until well comined
4) Add the bread crumbs to the mixture until well combined
5) Add in all of the seasonings and mix well
6) Scoop up about 1/4c of the mixture and form it into a ball. Add more for larger meat balls or less for smaller
7) Place meatballs on baking sheet, evenly spaced apart
8) Bake 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle.

Next time I might add a little bit of onion, shredded zucchini and  shredded carrots to bump up the nutrition value.

I ate mine with whole wheat pasta and tomato basil pasta sauce. Happy Tummy!

Running Truths, As I Know It

Have I mentioned that I am a "runner" now? I don't even know if I can be put in that category quite yet. I am working on it though. You know what I have learned so far?

1) It's hard. Really hard.
2) I sweat a lot and its gross
3) Sometimes I have to mentally push myself
4) Sometimes I have to push myself physically
5) I'm a heavy breather. Atleast for now. Hopefully that will change
6) I don't know if I can do this, most days
7) I feel good when I am done with a run
8) I am going to stick to this and not give up
9) The shoes are the most expensive shoes I've ever owned and ever will
10) It requires a whole new wardrobe
11) My recovery after a run is WAY better than it was when I first started running. I am thankful for that.
12) When I finish the 15K, Half Marathons and multiple 5K runs, I will have accomplished many things that I never EVER thought I could do.
13) A support system of friends and fellow runners is absolutely essential
14) Properly hydrating and fueling my body is necessity
15) It's hard. but I am doing it!

I'm learning and pushing myself and growing. It is a conscious decision to get out and pound the pavement every day.

More Change

Yes, I changed the design (again). I wasn't sold on the last design. The green was a little much for me. It was cute but didn't seem quite right. So here I am, playing around with things. I am a simple girl. So... what do you thing about THIS design comapred to the bright greenw/ polka dots and a bow?

The Farmer's Market

I've been wanting to find a good Farmers Market for some time now. Produce in the grocery stores can be expensive and it just doesn't last very long. When Jared and I went to the Strawberry Fields last year, we were amazed at how long they lasted. The ones I get from the grocery store last only a couple of days.

I also like the thought of more organic produce. I am not going to go crazy and buy organic everything but it definitely can't hurt to buy more than less.

My friend, Heather, and I went to the Rancho Bernardo Farmers Market a couple weeks ago. I was on the hunt for some white flowers for Michelle's Baby Shower.

I first heard about the Rancho Bernardo Farmers market from my friend, Morgan. She goes frequently and always raves about it on Facebook. So I asked her if they sell flowers at that one. She said they do and told me exactly where to go.

I was in flower heaven!!

They smelled amazing and I found exactly what I was looking for!

Heather even found some gorgeous gerber Daisies for her mom.

We explored the produces and it all looked so incredible. I didn't have enough cash on me so I didn't buy any but I definitely plan on going back! I mean, look at this... how can you resist?

Pardon me... I must go. I'm drooling...

The Longhorns

Jared's nephew, Tyler, plays Pee Wee football. This year he is on the prestigious Lakeside Longhorns. He isn't very buff but they put him on the offensive line. He's a tackle or something. Don't ask me, I am not up on my football terminology. Regardless, the boys that usually play that position are usually bigger than Tyler is.

Jared and I have had the opportunity to go to some of the games this season. So far they've had a great season. I think they have only lost one or two games. Ty is #50 so we are constantly scanning the sidelines for a glimpse of our favorite player.

His little sister, Kailyn, is a cheerleader for the younger division but she has a great time cheering on her big brother.

I love being part of Jared's family. They remind me so much of my own amazing family. I have prayed for years for the family I would marry into and God has certainly blessed me in that area. I love having more nieces and nephews to spoil and dote on! The only hard part is having two nephews named Tyler.

Have You Seen My Marbles?

I think I may have lost them! I have been toying with the idea of running another 5K race. It was a goal I set for myself this year and I've done two!

My friend, Crystal, let me know about a 15K race coming up at the end of March. A 15K is 9.3 miles for all of you non-runners. It is hosted by Ghiradelli Chocolate and the after party has chocolate fondue etc. How could you go wrong?

A couple of my runner friends told me that if I can run a 15K, I might as well go big and run a half marathon. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAhA !

ME?!

13.1 miles. Dear God help me.

I have been given a 16 week training plan to follow. Thankfully I have about 6 months until the 15K and 8 months until the Half Marathon.

So here's my race schedule for the next 9 months or so:

Wed December 28th, Bumble Bee 5K (a Holiday Bowl Event)
Sat March 3, Finish Chelsea's Run 5K
Sat March 25, The Hot Chocolate 15K
Sun June 3, Rock N Roll half Marathon

Yep... I've lost my marbles. Please, someone, help me find them.

A New Name, A New Look

Well the votes have been tallied and the winner has been decided.

New Blog Title: " Faith, Love and Frosting"
Winner: My sweet friend, Krys De Scribner

I really loved this title when she suggested it. So much so that I almost called off the whole voting thing. Then there were a few other suggestions like "Sweetest Days" that I also really liked. There's no way I could have decided for myself. So Thank You, dear readers, for your votes and many suggestions. I had a lot of fun with this.

I have been editing and changing and tweaking the new design for the blog. What you're looking at it what I have come up with so far. What do you think?  I am not 100% sold on it so next time you visit, it may look different. We shall see.

10 Years Ago...



9.11.01 Never Forget.



Ten years ago I was a Resident Assistant and  Sophomore at Vanguard University. I was up early getting ready for class. It was a normal morning. Until the knock on my dorm room door. Pounding is more like it. Pounding and yelling. A lot of yelling. "Shannon we are under attack! The United States is under attack". The girls from my floor gathered around a tiny television set and watched the footage. Shortly after my mom called to check on me. We only talked for a few minutes and I remember regretting that later in the day. Everything was so uncertain and I had only spent maybe 5 minutes on the phone with my mom.

I proceeded to class where everyone sat in silence. Tears flowing , eyes big with fear and uncertainty. Our professor could barely speak. We joined in prayer as a class then proceeded to Chapel where the entire school gathered and prayed. And prayed. And prayed some more.

Ten years later the emotions are just as raw. The memories just as alive.

This morning I stood in my shower and cried. Grieving, like it just happened today, for the thousands of lives lost. Civilians, Fire Fighters, Port Authority, Police Officers, and Military. Not only on that day but since.

What was meant to cause chaos, fear and uncertainty drew a Nation together. We've stood strong, fought back and overcome.

I will never forget 9.11.01. I will remember every day for the rest of my life. To those that gave their lives that day and who continue to fight for our freedom and serve our cities/states/country... Thank You.

Project Pay It Forward

I am starting something today. I loaded a starbucks card and I am going to mail it to a friend. Along with the card will be a note with instructions. This is what it will say:

"Dear Friend,

   You came into mymind today and I thought how nice it would be to sit down, have a cup of coffee and catch up on life. Although we live far apart, you are never far from my mind. I have chosen you to be part of "Project Pay It Forward". Here's how it works:

1) Take this Starbucks card and buy yourself (or someone else) a cup of coffee, on me
2) Add $5 (more if you want) to the card
3) Write your name, city and state on the back of this letter, in one of the slots
4) Mail the card and letter to a friend that lives in a different city than you

The idea is to bless as many people as possible and reach all the way across the United States with one card.. In the end, the card and letter will return to the person that started it. "

This may or may not work but I thought it might be fun to try. When the card gets back to me, I will post all of the cities and states that the card traveled to.

Michelle's Baby Shower

Some lovely ladies and I had the distinct honor of throwing our friend, Michelle, a baby shower. Michelle is pregnant with her second little boy and we are all so so excited. Michelle is probably one of the funniest people I know. Every time we get together, her stories leave me in stitches. She is also one of the sweetest people I know. If anything is going on in your life, she is the first one to step up and help with food, prayers, encouragement, support etc. She's also the one that encouraged me to run my first 5K race. She was my running buddy and encouraged me the whole way through the race. We are hoping to do the same race together in March, depending how she is feeling after the baby is born.

It was a small affrair with close friends and family but I love how everything turned out. I had been dying to make these tissue pom poms and the moment I finished the first one, I was 100 % sold on them. I love them. They are pretty and so easy to make. I wish I has gotten a better picture of them.

I've been on the sugar cookie kick (clearly) so of course I made cookies as the party favors

We had a dessert table instead of just a cake.

I tried to capture as many details as possible. We made it boy themed but put girlie touches like flowers and candles to make sure Michelle knew the day was about her. I hope you enjoy all of the little details like I did.