Finals Week and WAL-MART Club Coffee

It is finals week for the hubby and I but the good thing is that we aren't too stressed out. I am currently working on a take home final for my synthetic organic class and  feeling good about my progress. :) Come Friday at 5:00 pm I will be done with the class and heading back into my "home" called research lab. The hubby has his finals starting tomorrow and all next week.....of which I know he will be great in every one!

Well, due to finals week I have been evermore glad to have leftovers and of course endless amounts of coffee.
Yesterday I attempted to make "Cheesy Gordita Crunches" for Jonathan. You know the ones from Taco Bell that are loaded with very unhealthy ingredients!?
Well, that is his favorite and I was determined to make a healthier version because I am not a fan of fast food chains.( I know I'm a little weird! )
I used my favorite whole wheat tortillas from our favorite store COSTCO, Ortega Whole grain Taco shells, and cheddar cheese with of course my spicy lean taco meat.
I thought they were good! though Jonathan says I should try another way of preparing the shells next time.  Well, today I used the leftover taco meat and made quesadillas on the stove top with my grill pan:
Whole wheat tortillas filled with spicy taco meat and cheddar cheese......SO MUCH Better!

Dinner was ready in 15 minutes! Yes, I wish I could do that every night especially being a wife in graduate school.

Now to the important part where the coffee critic in me comes out:
As my blog indicates I am in love with coffee and I like to try everything once. This past weekend, I ran out of coffee and we happened to be at Wal-Mart picking up ingredients for the deserts. I usually get Eight O'clock Coffee (it's cheap and I like it) but I came across this:
Club Coffee’s Grounds For Health...... http://www.groundsforhealth.org/

It looked interesting and worth trying so I tried the Inca Trail because it is a medium-dark roast. In my opinion, it is a good well-rounded coffee: not too acidic, or bold but smooth. It also had a decent smell when opening the bag....Oh I how I love the smell of freshly ground coffee beans!
On the other hand, I wish there was more depth to the flavor. If I end up drinking down a cup in 10 minutes (of which I did) that means it wasn't a fabulous flavor, but it was alright. I would definitely rank it higher than Folger's, Millstone and Maxwell House.
All in all, for it to be at Wal-Mart and selling for a good cause it was worth the try but it won't be a regular for me when stuck in a bind at Wal-Mart. I'll stick to the Eight O'clock coffee.... French Roast for me please!

Do you have a favorite coffee? Or have a suggestion for me to try?

What is your quickest dinner? I love suggestions!

Easter Desserts

It's Easter Weekend! Time to celebrate the Death and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ who is the picture of the glorious gospel;
"His Life is a message of hope, a message of mercy and a message of life in a dark world. On the Cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins and in His resurrection he removed the reason for doubt. 
Christ's Resurrection is an exploding flare announcing to all sincere seekers that is is safe to believe."
               -excerpt from Max Lucado


In my families house, Easter weekend always consists of a huge meal and everyone coming over after Sunday morning church. This year, I wanted to contribute by making a dessert.....or two! Thus my baking started yesterday and still going on today.....with a Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake.
Let me tell you about it....
Good Friday we didn't have school so it was nice to sleep in :) But then I was in the kitchen all day baking up a storm. Jonathan helped by cleaning the dishes so that I didn't have a big mess in my way. Such a sweet hubby! I started with making Peanut Butter Bars (tastes like a Reese's Cup) and my famous Lemon Bars.
My dad in particular is obsessed with Lemon bars and wants them almost every week when we come over for dinner.
He always tells me....."They have to be super tart but with the perfect sweetness, Lori." "I LOOOOVVEEE Lemon bars!"
I took what he said, found a basic recipe and made it my own. He absolutely loves them! It usually is a special father's day tradition but this time I am making them early for him. Since they have to set up overnight to be at the perfect consistency, I then went onto making Peanut Butter bars. I was in the mood to try out a new recipe and I had more peanut butter then I thought I did so I made these. We went over to our friend's (J & A) house for dinner and I supplied the Peanut Butter bars for dessert. Everyone loved them and they were a huge hit! Especially with their two little boys. 
So I must share the recipe: Peanut Butter Bars

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup peanut butter (I used natural peanut butter)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions: 

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9 x 13" pan. 

- Cream butter, sugar and peanut butter until smooth. 

-Beat in eggs one at a time. Then Stir in the vanilla. 

- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. Then stir into the wet mixture. 

- Fold in the rolled oats. 

- Press mixture evenly into the pan and bake for 14 minutes (it will start to get golden on the sides). 

- Remove from the oven and add the chocolate chips evenly across the top. Place back into the oven and bak for another 2-4 minutes. (Choc. chips should look "shiny"). 

-Take out of oven, spread the chocolate chips out smooth. 

Let cool before cutting and serving! 

Now I'm off to bake the Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake! I hope you are enjoying your Easter weekend! :)

Vibram FiveFingers : My favorite of the week

Vibram FiveFingers : Barefoot Sports Shoes : Toe Shoes & Minimalist Shoes

These are my new favorite thing of the week! Thus I have to share with everyone that I absolutely love these shoes.

Jonathan was the first to tell me about these shoes because he wants a pair for himself. Although I obviously got them first! hahaha

Anyways, he informed me that there was a lot of scientific research done on these shoes, especially on marathon runners. It talks about how when wearing these shoes it helped them run faster because it retrains the muscles in the foot and legs that we use when we walk barefoot. I also helps with posture and spinal alignment.

I originally thought that I wouldn't wear them because they look....ummm funny. I mean come on it has individual toe pockets and rubber around the top of the toes!? Weird!

Although, I read up myself on the benefits of these shoes. Personal stories of both men and women who wear them and I was convinced that I wanted them....even more when I found a pair that was brown leather aka. the KSO Trek!

As for my personal story, I have back pain due to a pinched nerve in my right hip thus standing for a long period of time and other things such as walking and hiking aggravates it. When that happens, which is almost everyday, the right side of my back starts hurting and eventually leads to not being able to feel the entire right side of my body. It is like lifting a ton of bricks when I am walking.

My PT told me to build up my core muscles (legs, abs, lower back, hips) to reduce the risk of aggravating it as often. It will eventually heal on it's own.

Well, that was two years ago and I'm still continuing my weights to build up my muscles. Though I am still experiencing pain in my back and so I though it must be in the shoes I wear. I was right! Wearing these five fingers have greatly reduced my back pain everyday. I am so happy that I can be in the lab working all day and not be in pain. :)

I recommend that everyone go check these out! (Click on the link at the top of the post)
Especially people who are athletes, runners, hikers, or have some spinal issues. You will love them!

Words of Encouragement

Recently, the Lord has been laying some things on my heart. Things that I needed to get right, I felt convicted about. Although I won't go into details because those are between me and the Lord but I do want to share some words of encouragement that I have collected over the years.
I have a blank book where I have random quotes from people, from books I have read written by John MacArthur an Beth Moore (etc) but 3/4 of the book is scripture verses. All these I have collected are words that are encouraging to me no matter what is happening.....

Read these carefully, I hope they are encouraging to you as well :)


"You and I obviously do not seek out adversity just so we can develop a deeper relationship with God. Rather God, through adversity, seeks us out. It is God who draws us more and more into a deeper relationship with Him.....
Sometimes we will be able to see how we are profiting, at other times we will wonder what God is doing. One thing may be sure of however: For the believer all pain has meaning; all adversity is profitable. There is no question that adversity is difficult. It usually takes us by surprise and seems to strike us when we were most vulnerable. To us it often appears completely senseless and irrational but to God none if it is either irrational or senseless. He has a purpose in every pain He brings or allows in our lives."
(From Trusting God: Even when Life hurts- Bridges)


When we abide in Christ the fullness of His joy invades our humanity (John 15:1-11)

"You have told us, Lord, that your beloved rests securely on you, that you shield Him all day long and he rests on your shoulders (Deuteronomy 33:12)- that though the mountains may move and the hills shake, your love may not be removed from us, your covenant of peace will not be shaken (Isaiah 54:10). Oh, satisfy us in the morning-every morning- with your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad in all our days (Psalms 90:14)"
(From: 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple-Beth Moore)

Do you have any words that are encouraging to you?

Saturday plans & random facts

IT IS SATURDAY!
I love the weekends because sometimes we have plans while other Saturdays we don't and it is nice just to relax.

Although this weekend there are plans set, Jonathan is taking a "man-day" and taking a 20-mile hike with a friend and my brother, John while I am going shopping with my mom and my sister!
This hike that they are doing is from Hanging Rock to Pilot Mountain, NC and is a section of the massive Appalachian trail.
I would love to do the 20 mile hike if I didn't have a pinched nerve in my hip that gets aggravated easily. The most I have done is a 7-mile "strenuous" hike (as the Smoky Mountains considered it) when we were on our honeymoon. I love hiking very much and we did it a lot while we were dating but my hip can only take so much before my entire right side goes numb :(
My PT says I need to strengthen my core and leg muscles so that it doesn't get aggrevated as easily. Rest assured, I am working on it and is my main focus in the gym. It is just taking a REALLY LONG time.

Anyways, like I said I get to go shopping. It should be fun and a nice break for me since I am still writing my research proposal that is due Monday.
I'm excited though! Cathy and I are determined to take mom to Red Mango for fro-yo because we are obsessed with it.

Also, since I have some new readers (other than my family) I thought I should share some random facts about myself.....don't worry it won't be an incredibly long list...
1. I have epilepsy: have been diagnosed since I was 7 yrs

2. I have two tattoos- one is a lily (symbolizes my testimony as a believer & follower of Christ) and the other is two doves (symbolizes the marriage covenant I made with my husband and God)

3. I am obsessed with fruit and peanut butter: it is a staple in my diet. I don't go a day without either :)

4. Lilies are my favorite flower

5. I am in love with movies and collect DVD's- my collection is over 250 movie copies but I also subscribe to Netflix. Ask me anything about a movie and I will have an answer for you :) My favorite actor is Humphrey Bogart

6. I can't go to bed without everything in it's place and the dishes cleaned. Seriously, I can be falling over asleep but I will still clean the dishes- OCD just a little?!

7. If in a restaurant or shopping, I sing and dance along with the music EVERY TIME. I don't care if people see me....I like the music :)

What are your saturday plans?

Share a random fact about yourself!

Big Brother's Ordination, haircut, & another busy week

So this week has been a really busy one and it is only Thursday!
Haha, well last week was busy too only this time I was able to get some more sleep.
More beauty sleep that is for my presentation I had yesterday. To update, I did a great job and my research advisor was proud of me! I was super nervous because this is one of the two presentations I have to do for my Master's degree....the last one will be for my thesis. I will cross that road block in a year....


Anyways, other things big, happy things happened over the weekend at which I must share with you.


First off, I got a haircut last weekend! 
I chopped off my long "Rapunzel brown hair" for a shorter, lighter look for the summer.
Now let me tell you, this is a new look for me....
I usually cut it off right at my collar bone and then add layers. Nothing special. Although this time I did the Shoulder length bob (where it is shorter in back and is longer in the front) and also parting it on the side rather than the middle. 
"OH GOSH THAT is different TOO!!" lol 

I love it, so does Jonathan which is a big deal because he loved my long hair! 

Now you have to tell me what you think!!

Here is a picture of the before and after the new hairdo for your viewing pleasure :)

I'm the one in the back right....look at all that hair! With my awesome siblings and niece Ryland. Check out her face, it makes me laugh every time.....we taught her everything she knows. 

The new hairdo!

Also, this weekend my oldest brother, John, got ordained into the Baptist Church! I'm so proud of him! This a huge step in his life and I know that the Lord will continue to open up more doors for him. 

It was great being able to be there for him on Sunday with the rest of my family and friends. 

So I want to share a little about my brother because I love to brag about all of my siblings :)

John has surrendered the Lord's calling on his life to be a pastor since he was in high school. It has been a long journey to get there but what I saw in him was that he never gave up. He always knew that it was all in the Lord's hands and so he waited patiently. John is very humble man, kind, funny, genuine and is love for his family and friends is one that emanates from him through his actions and words.  Most importantly, he has a passion for studying God's word,  a passion for growing in his daily walk with Christ and sharing the gospel with others. It is in witnessing that he has no fear, no shame, no doubt in what he believes and he will share everything he believes and knows. His roots are grounded deep in scripture- his roots are planted where the truth is. I greatly admire that in him! Growing up, he was a great example for me and he still is as I too continue to grow in my walk with the Lord. 

I love him so very much! Here are a few pictures that I snapped during the service.....

laying of hands....pastor's wife

laying of hands....pastor

Presenting the Study bible that reads"Rev. John C. Malek"

Look at all that FOOD! (there is more, I just couldn't get to it all!) So good too! that is what Baptists do every time - bring lots of Food

I hope everyone is having a good week! :) 

Mexican Cheesecake

As you know, I love to bake. I will try pretty much anything, at least once. Although my specialties are cookies and cheesecake. Anyone who has eaten them always comes back begging for more. I have studied and experimented on all different types of cookies (& the ingredients in them) as well as cheesecakes to ultimately perfect my technique.
Side note: if you want a perfect, no-crack, creamy cheesecake it is all in the mixing part and the cooling stage. If you want more details, send me a comment.

Anyways, the point of this post is that I found a new cheesecake recipe! It is SO GOOD :)
I am not the type to share my special deserts but I am going to share this one......
It is really easy, quick and delicious to make but first let me tell you a story behind this finding.....
Last week, hubby and I went to our friend's house (J & A) to watch a movie, eat dinner, entertain their cute boys and just spend some time with them. It is always fun going over there and fixing dinner because A and I split up the meal....and when that happens the meal is spectacular and our husband's love the food! In other words, it usually contains a food item or two that neither of the men get on a weekly basis. :)

Someone usually has a plan for dessert but this time we didn't! It was a tragedy considering that A and I have the biggest sweet tooths! Luckily, we found this recipe in no time, went to get the ingredients and it was done in an hour for our eating pleasure :)

Here is the recipe: I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Crust Ingredients:
2 cans (8 oz) crescent roll dough (split)
1/2 c butter, melted
1/2 c white sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 c sliced almonds (optional)


Filling Ingredients: 
3 pkgs cream cheese (8 oz), softened
1 1/2 c white sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract


Directions:
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix/ blend filling ingredients together until smooth
3. roll out 1 can of present rolls onto a 9 x 13 baking dish, shaping the triangles into rectangular squares. 
4. Spread the filling evenly onto the crescent roll crust. Top the filling with the other can of crescent rolls, again shaping the triangles into rectangular squares. 
5. Melt the butter and drizzle over the crescent roll top
6. Mix together the remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of the melted butter. 


Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes then serve!