Pantry Black Bean Salad

Hey Journeyers!

My hubby and I decided at the last minute to have a Labor Day cookout! So I'm doing some prepwork tonight before a few friends arrive tomorrow.

Normally, I'm the type of person who needs to thoroughly plan everything before hosting a get-together (perfectionist). But luckily, we already have everything we need on hand for an impromptu dinner. I wanted to share my Pantry Black Bean salad recipe with you in case you too are ever in a bind for a quick and HEALTHY meal. I call it the Pantry salad because on any given day you can usually find these ingredients in my pantry and fridge :)

One can black beans, one can sweet corn, half an onion, half a red pepper and one can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Seriously. That's all you need. Sidenote: If I had more time to run to the store I would have used a red onion instead of yellow and fresh corn straight from the cob. You could also add an avocado, fresh garlic and cilantro. Use what you have!

I chopped the pepper and onion, drained the beans, corn and tomatoes and mixed it all up. Voila. I'll wrap it up tight and put it in the fridge over night so all the flavors can commingle in their delicious glory. I'll probably serve with lightly fried corn tortillas.

While I was making this quick side dish, I also had time to brew some sweet tea.

I put 10 tea bags in about 8 cups of water; brought the water to a boil; turned off the stove and let the tea bags steep for a few minutes. I'll let the tea cool and stir in a cup of sugar before putting it in the fridge for tomorrow. yum!

We're also planning to have grilled chicken and beef kabobs. Who's bringing the fruit salad? :)

In love and HEALTH,

Ashley

Stir It Up Again!

Hey All,

I received some great feedback on my last post with the chicken stir-fry recipe so I wanted to give you a similarly quick and yummy recipe to try. This is a family favorite (my hubby usually eats two servings!) I call it Stir-Fry Pasta. Enjoy!

The Essentials
1.25 lbs chicken breast or chicken tenders - cut into bit sized pieces and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder
Pre cooked and frozen shrimp - I usually use small or medium sized
Olive Oil
Stir-Fry Veggies
Onion
Bell Pepper
Pasta
Italian seasoning

First things first, I cooked the seasoned chicken in my wok with a little olive oil and a handful of chopped onion and bell pepper until the chicken was nearly done.

While the chicken cooked, I boiled water to simultaneously cook my pasta. I chose whole wheat angel hair pasta - but you can use whatever type you prefer. I've used spagehetti, penne and rigatone with this dish.

After the chicken was nearly done, I threw the veggies in the wok. I used a prepackaged combo of deliciousness (microwaved just enough so they weren't frozen but not completely steamed). I also added a little extra olive oil.

After a few minutes of all the wonderful flavors meshing together, I added the shrimp (after thawing and taking off the tail) and stir-fried for about 5 minutes more.

Last, I added spoonfuls of the pasta to the wok, mixed everything up and seasoned to taste using: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning (my secret ingredient) and a little ginger. Voila! Stir-Fry Pasta.

What's another healthy stir-fry or pasta recipe I should try? I'm on a roll :)

In Love & HEALTH,

Ashley

Stir It Up!

Hey Journeyers!

The other day I whipped up a quick, easy and healthy stir-fry that even my four year old, son LOVED. So I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy and let me know what variations you try to make it your own!

Ingredient Quick-List
Chicken Breast
Stir-Fry Veggies (pre-packaged or select your own)
Various seasonings: salt, pepper, ground ginger, garlic powder
Soy sauce
Rice

First, I chopped up three healthy-sized chicken breasts into bite sized pieces and seasoned them with salt, black pepper and garlic powder. I pan-fried them after lightly spraying the pan with vegetable oil. I turned the pieces often to make sure they cooked thoroughly.

When the chicken was nearly done, I added a little olive oil to my hot work and stir-fried my vegetables for about 5 minutes. I used frozen veggies (I LOVE Kroger's meal ready sides).

 

After the veggies were done - cooked through yet still a little crisp, I added the now cooked chicken to the wok and mixed everything together. I seasoned the mixture to taste with ground ginger, black pepper and soy sauce (just enough to flavor the mixture, not drown it).

 

And voila! A quick and easy stir-fry, served over steaming white rice. It took less than 30 minutes.

It was so good, flavorful and plentiful, I ate it the next day cold, over a bed of salad. Delicious!

What are some of your favorite stir-fry recipes?

In Love & HEALTH,

Ashley

Namaste

Breathe in...breathe out. I find beauty in the fluid movements of yoga; in breathing into each stretch; in taking time to listen to your body. It's self-love at its finest.

I currently don't have the resources to join a gym or a crossfit box but I still try to get some exercise in every week. Sometimes, I do practical things around the house to burn calories like gardening, mowing the lawn and scrubbing the floors. A few times a week however, I take out my yoga mat and get my savasana on.

Yoga is incredibly good for your body. It releases stress and toxins, builds and strengethens your muscles and helps you focus in on your breathing. What I love most, is that my yoga practice prepares me for everyday life.

Yoga teaches balance, focus and grace even in the most difficult poses. If I can learn to focus my energy and breathe during a challenging yoga pose - I can learn to focus and breathe during any challenge life throws my way.

As I tone my body, I also tone my mind - integrating some meditation and relaxation techniques when I can.

Are you a yogi? What are your favorite yoga poses and do they translate into your everyday life?

In Love,

Ashley

Taco (not really) Night!

I had a lot of veggies that I was afraid I wasn't going to get to before they went bad, so I decided to make boiled chicken ceviche! It was AMAZING. It was my first time boiling chicken but was super easy, quick, and did not dry out my chicken like grilling sometimes does. I'm definitely going to continue to boil chicken, especially chicken breast as I continue on my clean eating journey.

Peppers, tomatoes, and onions!

For the ceviche-style chicken, I boiled the chicken with salt water and once cooked shredded it with forks.














I then added green, yellow, and red peppers, onions, tomatoes, and all kinds of spices and seasonings (ceviche I've had often is cooked with cilantro, but I really don't like cilantro!).

 I let it all sit in lemon juice for about thirty minutes (chicken is already cooked so no need to keep it in there for a long time) and I put it over corn tortillas!

It was great, easy, and a good way for me to use up my vegetables before the new week.

On the side/for dessert I had a Pina Colada green smoothie!  The recipe is a part of the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge! The pair made for a perfect Mexican-style dinner night!

What other recipes are out there for tasty boiled chicken?

Peace and blessings!
Jessica

Rice Cakes & Green Smoothie Challenge!

I love the fruits and vegetables that come with summer- especially strawberries! My favorite snack is rice cakes with peanut butter on them and I recently begun having strawberries on the side. One day, "babe" suggested I put the strawberries on the rice cakes... and I've been addicted ever since! It's my favorite snack and/or breakfast and I now use Jif Natural Peanut Butter to make my snack cleaner.

"Babe" and I started The 30-day Green Smoothie Challenge on July 1 and have been drinking green smoothies as snacks or meal replacements. I'm drinking the rest the Avocado Kiwi smoothie we made last night along with my rice cake. Transitioning from any fats, to good fats! 

For this and more green smoothie recipes and to join the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge visit www.simplegreensmoothies.com!

I'm so excited for the 30-Day Green Smoothie Challenge to help me kick-start my transition into clean eating. And I can't wait to experiment with recipes to make clean eating tasty, affordable, and manageable for me. 

I currently use Quaker Oats Caramel Corn Rice Cakes (not clean).

Any suggestions for clean brown rice cakes?






Peace and blessings!
Jessica

I'm with B.O.

Posted By: Ashley

In 2008, I voted for hope and change. In 2012, I vote to guard that change.

Here are a few reasons why I will cast my vote for President Barack Obama this Tuesday:

• The Affordable Care Act may be one of the most influential pieces of legislation to pass in our lifetime. In my profession, I have seen firsthand how the ACA is changing lives. There are no more lifetime limits, people won’t be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, women have greater access to care, there is a stronger emphasis on prevention and wellness rather than sick care, children can stay on their parents insurance until the age of 26...I can go on and on. It is an extraordinary piece of legislation. Does it cost a lot of money? Sure, for now. But in the long run it will save much much more. Even more important - it will save lives.

• As an advocate for people with disabilities I have appreciated how much the Obama Administration cares. I’ve interacted with his disability advisors who work hard and take time to listen to constituent concerns. Under Obama, the United States is close to ratifying the international treaty - the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

• Obama implemented student loan reform and doubled the Pell grant. President Obama understands that college is not always accessible to students who want to further their education...but it should be. He also supports the DREAM Act.

• I’m terrified about what’s happening with the nation’s budget. We CANNOT continue to cut critical safety-net programs in an attempt to balance the budget on the backs of the low-income. We need to increase revenues. In a big way. I believe that Obama’s plan is stronger than Romney’s who intends to cut his way out of a hole....impossible.

Is Obama perfect on immigration? no. Is he perfect on every aspect of foreign policy? no. He certainly hasn’t been able to accomplish everything he set out to do in his first term. But we must remember that the United States government is designed exactly so that the President does not hold all the power...checks and balances...remember 11th grade U.S. history? It’s not meant to be an efficient and speedy process. And Obama cannot accomplish much without his partners in Congress. Yet despite the constant pushback from the House - look at all he’s done so far. Imagine what more he can do with our help.

I’ll close my political rant by emphasizing the importance of your local elections. It absolutely matters who is elected to your local school board and city council, mayor, Governor, state legislators, congressional representatives, etc.. You can’t expect Obama to come fix the potholes in your streets or clean up your schools and neighborhoods...but you SHOULD expect that from your local legislators and hold them accountable.
I cannot emphasize enough how important this election is. vote vote VOTE. Our future depends on it.

Wait, what? #TwitterStalkingProblems

Posted by: Jessica

OK, we need to talk.

I recently came across a blog that caters to an urban, adult audience, and although there was ebonics and extreme cursing I felt like this particular post was extremely well written and had sooo many awesome points. You might want to check it out before reading this post any further….

Let me tell you, that post completely validated so many new thoughts and feelings that were arising within me as I explore feminist theology during my second year of Divinity School and I want to look at those ideas from more of a Christian viewpoint. Ok, fast-forwarding to NOW: I was perusing my twitter timeline (or perhaps twitter stalking) and came across a beautiful young Christian lady who was wearing a shirt that read: “Rib in Waiting.”

WAIT. WHAT?

A few points.

1. I’m assuming that the rib she is referring to is the rib of the adam described in Genesis 2:21-22. Genesis 2 has a beautiful creation story of human kind coming into fruition, flourishing throughout the earth and being an intrinsic part of God’s creation. But, there are two creation stories in Genesis. The first is seen in Genesis 1, where “God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27 NRSV).  There is no mention of a rib in the first creation story and it seems that both male and female were created simultaneously, equally. So it seems…

2. If we were to disregard the first creation story in Genesis 1 for a moment and focus on Genesis 2, we would have to focus on the rib. For that is the turning point for the adam, for all of humanity. God physically and intimately interacts with God’s own creation and voila! A woman is formed. A being. A complete, competent, divinely fashioned whole person is created by God. She is no longer a rib, but a human being, a woman made in the image of God with a divine purpose within this world. The shirt effected me most pertaining to this point. As women, lets give ourselves complete and total credit for the whole person that God created us to be, and not limit ourselves and our bodies to one piece of another human being. We are our own selves, we are no longer just a member of another person’s whole. We too can stand independently.

3. Lastly, the “in waiting” portion of the shirt makes me nervous. I believe that this in reference to not going out and “seeking love” but to allow a man to come in and sweep you off of your feet. I was there. I had my own agenda but relationship wise I thought I would have to sit pretty with my legs crossed, hands folded, and a pretty smile on my face… waiting. Aiming at being attractive to all of the “good” guys out there. I was there. But ladies, TAKE RISKS! Do not sit and wait for a man to sweep you off your feet. In any good relationship, both partners must be fully involved, sweeping at each other (funny image). Live your life, focus on your personal ministry but don’t keep your nose up in the air. Love love! Just my opinion. I’m in a relationship with an amazing Christian man who did make all the first advances but I was not batting my eyelashes waiting for him to approach me. Pshh. Not at all actually (story for another day), and actually, I wasn’t waiting for a man either. I was living. Focusing on my ministry.

Reading the blog fired me up. Seeing that shirt fired me up. I really think that women need to recognize that we too are beautifully created in the image of God and as whole and complete human beings, independent of men.

Just my ramblings and completely my opinion. Just wanted to share. Thoughts?

Weekend Update

Posted By: Ashley

I have been so busy it's cray. But I couldn't let another night go by without writing something on the blog...I miss it and YOU, our readers. I had an amazingly productive weekend and unexpectedly learned a few life lessons along the way. On Saturday I intended to go to an-all day young professionals conference organized by Senator Warner. The schedule looked amazing -  lots of fun workshops, networking opportunities and superstar keynote speakers. But on Friday night I realized that I was...well, exhausted. I've been traveling a lot for work, I have a few big projects to tackle, plus I'm doing a lot (A LOT) of volunteer work in the community which I looooove but it's time consuming. So even though I knew I should go to this conference, something was telling me to just skip it and actually take a day to catch up with myself. So I did. Best.decision.ever. I slept in, watched 3yr olds play soccer, bought myself some gorgeous yellow mums (yay fall) and I accomplished a lot around the house. #Perfect


nothing says fall like mums on a doorstep <3

On Sunday, I went to an all day training at my church to learn how to start the small-group ministry that's been on my heart (details soon). There were only four of us in the room but there were places set for at least 20 people. It was then that I learned about my Pastor's "open seat policy." The facilitator said to always plan for more people than you know are coming - in expectation that God will work and the seats will be filled. That statement gave me a major aha moment. To boldy and unashamedly plan with the expectation that God will provide is such a beautiful concept of faith. It inspired me to not only live in faithful expectation but PLAN for fulfillment.

So that's my weekend update. How are you doing?? How have you welcomed in the fall season?

The best school year ever!

Post by: Jessica

It's that time again! I begin my second year of divinity school on Thursday!

I will have so much exciting and new things on my plate this year that I was initially worried I was not going to have the energy to give every single thing 100% of my attention, time and effort. So, this summer I spent time planning and organizing my schedule, classes, extracurriculars, volunteering and internship.

A way I have managed organizing things is Pinterest, with great motivational quotes and even helpful things such as "Wake Up Early Tips." I am now 100% convinced that this year is going to be my best year ever (well at least that is what I keep telling myself)!

Why do I think so? Because not only will I be meeting new people such as classmates and other interns, but because I'm adequately preparing myself to successfully and wholeheartedly handle everything that comes my way.

How do you prepare or get organized for a new or busy schedule?

I'm definitely trying this this semester!

Our Summer Journey

Posted By: Ashley

I had a fantastic summer. For the first time in years, I actually had a REAL vacation full of adventure. I spent time with people I love, and truly focused on just relaxing, reflecting and going with the flow.

Talk about "sisters on a journey" - Jessica and I recently DROVE from North Carolina to Kansas! Our destination was a family reunion but the long...long...long drive was just as fun. We visited a lot of places we had never seen before like Charleston, West Virginia.

And St. Louis, Missouri.

We drove through breathtaking countryside where the sky just seemed to go on forever and ever.

We reflected on history and had deep conversations.

We got on each other's nerves.

But most of all we just...LIVED. There was something so refreshing about just living in the moment and not stressing (too much) about time. I think I found another piece of myself somewhere out there.

How did you spend your summer?

Olympic Revelations

Posted By: Ashley

Nothing like the Olympic Opening Ceremonies to make you realize how little you know about the world. Seriously, I didn't know some of these countries even existed. I'm so excited for the next two weeks. I love the summer Olympics with all my heart....if I didn't have to sleep (or work) I'd probably watch every single event. It's not just the events themselves that I love though...I love learning about all the athletes - their life stories, their journey to this global event and what it means to them to be an Olympian. I love seeing the determination, the confidence, the relief and the joy on their faces as they compete and win the coveted medals.

It reminds me about a journal entry I wrote recently about putting my all into everything I do. More importantly, putting God into everything I do. As a Christian, I live knowing that God is always watching and that people are always watching and therefore I need to be a walking testimony of His goodness. But recently I've realized that everything I do should actually be an act of worship. That means, the way I speak to people, how I work, how I dress, how I love - every moment is a new opportunity to show God how much I love, appreciate and honor Him. How awesome is that? That's what life is all about. We were created to praise and worship God.

Another revelation while watching the Olympic Opening Ceremonies - there are some good looking people in the world. The human race is absolutely beautiful and I think the games are a testament to our strength as a population and the amazingness of the human body.

Will you be watching the Olympics over the next few weeks? What are your favorite events?

Style Searching

One of my favorite days has become Brideday Friday on TLC. I love their new show “Randy to the Rescue” where Randy Fenoli visits different cities across the country and makes over brides from “head to hem.” But of course my absolute favorite is a classic, “Say Yes to the Dress.” I don’t know why I love that show so much, but I can sit and watch it for hours. And that’s exactly what I did last Friday.

Before the consultants can ask the ultimate question of “ARE YOU SAYING YES TO THIS DRESS?” they first have to start by asking a question with a bit less extravagance: “how would you describe your style?” Brides usually answer with exciting adjectives. SEXY; FIERCE; BOLD; BOHO-CHIC; SHOW-STOPPER. But last Friday, they did an episode where the brides being featured only had blank stares to answer that question. And of course, that got me thinking… how would I answer that question? What’s my style? If I ever were blessed with the opportunity to become a bride, what would I want my dress to look like?

I honestly have gone through a few phases in my life, trying to capture a distinct style for myself. For a while I wanted to be a cowgirl, a prep, and yes, I went through the “boughetto” phase (I even had the BabyPhat shoes!). So I prayed on this, and meditated on this question. And you know what I think was revealed to me? I’M ME! I think it took me 21 years to come to that simple conclusion. I’m not a fashionista, and don’t have the desire (or bank account) to be. I don’t think I can ever be known as bold, or fierce, or even sexy, and that’s perfectly okay. I’m a classy girl from the suburbs with modest values. I like neutrals and I only wear pearl earrings but that’s my style and it makes me feel happy and comfortable.

Do you have a style?