Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and hope."

How many of us try to plan our own lives? Oh, probably just about all of us I would bet. And I'm just as guilty as anyone... But should we be? Of course we should take initiative and do something with out lives, but maybe we should just take a step back and wait to feel God's hand pushing us towards the path He has.

I always thought I had it figured out - what I was going to do with my life, where, when, how, etc. But I have realized these are not my decisions to be made. They are the Lord's.

While that frightened me at first, I now know that it is better this way. For who is smarter than the Lord? Stronger than the Lord? Loves me more than the Lord? no one.
Our dreams can still exist! Tell God your dreams, allow them a place in your prayers to Him; He will mold and shape them and make them aline with His amazing plan. God-given dreams will blossom into the life He is preparing for you.
How lucky are we all to have the most loving, brilliant, Creator of the Universe writing the humble story of our lives for us!

So today I will let go of all my fears and anxieties and them them to God - for He will take care of everything if I only let Him. How amazing the journey of my life will be if Jesus is the Pilot. I look forward to the ride and even more so the Ultimate Destination He is taking me to.

Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will work out His plans for my life-for Your faithful love O'Lord endures forever."

May God's love guide you through the special plans He has for your life today and everyday!

Running Addiction!

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people that get a little obsessed sometimes all the time!
When I find something I like, I just get hooked and go through a phase where I'm completely obsessed with it, but usually this obsession only lasts a week or two (because I am obsessive, but with a small attention span!) and then I get sick of it and move on to my newest obsession.

But there are exceptions to this:
1. Peanut Butter
2. Running

I know I'm not the only person in the world that loves running, and I am far from the most 'obsessive' runner, but I have realized that lately my love grown to a new height.
I always like working out, but right now I don't even want to change this up and vary my workouts (like you are suppose to) because I'd rather just spend all my time running.
I also used to see a freezing cold day or extremely busy day as a good opportunity for a rest day for my muscles (which is also a good idea) - but not anymore! I just wanna run, everyday, no matter the temp. or the time!

Just for a reference (because I was looking for one before I went out for my run)
This is what I wore out on a 3.5 mile run, in 28* weather and 15 mph winds ~

Under armour tights

Thick socks

Compression running pants

Insulated long sleeve top

North Face jacket

Hat

*not pictured - gloves 

And I was definitely warm enough! 

So what about you guys? Do you ever go through obsessions? If so-with what?

UPDATE!

So guess what?!
You probably won't guess... so I'll just tell you-I've updated my All Recipes and Product Reviews pages!

So go! Check 'em out! Find a new product to check out or recipe to try!

Grilled PPB&J - Pear, Peanut Butter & Jelly

How did I pump up the power on a grilled pb&j? 

Well thanks for asking! 

...I added a pear! That's how :)

Two slices bread...

Cover with peanut butter and homemade strawberry jelly

Cover with a thinly sliced pear

Put bread together, spray both sides with nonstick cooking spray and grill

Slice and Enjoy!

Two Moms in the Raw

I love my mom, my friends' moms, my mom and dad's mom (aka grandma!), moms just ROCK!
I honestly don't know how moms do all they do (and dads too!), they have so many job titles... cook, psychiatrist, maid, chauffeur, you get the point!
So what do they do in their free time?
Oh just make amazing raw food.

Yeah, that's right - another product review (two in one week, how lucky am I!?)

Two Moms in the Raw is a company that all started with Shari (the founder).
She started making raw food to help her MS, and her yummy treats became a quick favorite among family and friends. So Shari (being the giving person she obviously is) decided to start selling her delectables and it took of like a rolling stone!

They make products with simple and organic ingredients - no gluten, no preservatives, non-GMO - truly good inside and out. All her products are Kosher and Vegan as well as being free of wheat, refined sugars, soy and dairy. They handmake all their products which include:
Granola Bars
Nut Bars
Sea Crackers
Truffles
Cereals

I'll fill you in on my personal experience with these products.
I had the opportunity to sample...

The almond butter and cocao truffles

These little bite-size beauties are made of almond butter, cacao, salt and agave.... that's it! They are sweet, crunchy (the half-chopped nuts in the center) and chewy! Definitely satisfy any sweet tooth - but with the added bonus of some protein (4g), fiber (2g), calcium and iron, along with healthy omega 6 fats, antioxidants, vitamin C and iron. All for 140 calories for one truffle.

The tomato basil sea crackers - the savory crackers are a perfect match with a sweet Honeycrisp apple (which, btw-if anyone is wondering, is in my opinion the best apple variety-just a side note :)

Out of this world flavor! The texture was a little odd to me at first, but not in a bad way! Just different from your traditional cracker... full of flax seeds, garlic and kombu - you know they're oh-so good for your body! Two Moms in the Raw recommend crumbling them on salad which I think is an AMAZING idea! And the ingredient list: flaxseeds, sundried tomatos, kombu and herbs. awesome.

I also received their blueberry granola bars - which I haven't tried just yet... (I was too consumed with the sweet truffles and savory crackers!) 

But... if I can assume (which I can, because - well... this is my blog :P ) I know they will be just as amazing (both taste wise and nutritionally as the previous snacks have been!

Their granola is full of antioxidants and vitamins, but then again-when you make all your products out of good, whole foods-how could the end result not be chalk-full of nutrition?!

Oh, and each bar also has 4g of fiber, 6g of protein, 4% calcium and 10% iron... awesome-opossum if I say so myself!

"Good for you, Good for the planet, and kids (AND KRISTEN!) love it"

That's Two Moms in the Raw's motto and I couldn't agree more! I definitely will have to try the rest of the flavors of everything! Especially the nut bars and cereal - thanks for allowing me to review your products Two Moms!

*All opinions were my own, Two Moms in the Raw gave me only the samples and no other compensation.

Impact Foods

Alright, so usually I wait until I've tried all the samples a company has given me before I write up a review. But this CANNOT WAIT! I have got to tell you guys about this company-it is quickly become one of my favs and for GOOD reason!

We know that I have a little problem with granola, love-hate relationship really. I love how it tastes, but sometimes hate its nutrition. More like a candy bar in the sugar and fat realms if you're smelling what I'm steppin' in! Which irks me to say the least.

I also hate how much I love some of the 'big name' companies granola... like Special K, or Quaker - I just feel like they are so disconnected with the consumer, and I don't like that!

So what is all this ranting for? Well... I've found a granola company that cares. Cares about you, about me, about nutrition, about taste, about using whole foods, but most importantly - about hungry children around the world.

Enter: Impact Foods

Yes, these are the founders - and they created this amazing company that not only feeds hungry-granola-loving gals like me, but also helps fight the war against hunger worldwide, especially for children.

They're promis is simple. Buy one bag of granola-feed one child. 

Amazing, no? I can see how God is working through them, their creativity, talent and drive to make a difference in this world! I am so impressed!

I got my box of samples and literally screamed with joy!

They have 3 flavors:

Maple Oat, Vanilla Almond and Blueberry Honey

AHHHH!

Dug right on in!

This isn't the type of granola that is full of chunks, it has a smooth, even consistency but with add-ins like seeds and nuts, coconut and freeze dried berries! 

I first tried the Maple Oat and immediately fell in love!

So delicious in a big bowl with milk... I may or may not have had more than one serving...

:/

Oops! :)

But, then again, I'm not sorry At. All. It was delicious! 

And the nutritional facts are pretty good overall. 

1/3 cup has between 130 - 150 calories, 2g fiber and about 3g protein. 

It was sweet, hearty, and had a texture that I don't even know how to describe! It was crunchy but literally fell apart in my mouth, so good. 

Impact Foods - thank you for being such good people. Honestly, it is great to find a company that I can feel good about supporting, both in my heart and my mouth! 

Luke 3:11, And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”

I pray God continues to work through you and through all of us, to fulfill His plans. 

Now go get some Impact Granola people!!!

Sunday Happenings...

So, I've never really done the whole, just blog about what is going on in life right now thing - but what the heck - today's the day to start it! 

(Sorry for anyone who was expecting a recipe or review... being away at college doesn't provide many opportunities to whip up new creations :/ Please forgive me!)

So here goes!

First off, I got new running shoes! WOOT! They don't glow in the dark like my last ones :( But they're so bright it almost counts. 

Ya like?

Secondly, I finally figured out how to solve my "no time to eat because I have class over the noon hour and the dining hall is 2 miles (give or take) away!" dilema. Our cafeteria will pack me a lunch! Nifty right? I feel like I'm in Kindergarten again going on a field trip... only no letters from my mom :(

Oh well, can't have it all!

A turkey, roast beef, spinach, tomato and hummus sandwich on marble rye - not to shabby! And with the piece of fruit, water bottle and cold veggies, it was delicious, nutritious and quick & easy!

Soooo what's a girl to do when you have way too many samples left over that you have already reviewed and they will soon go bad, but you just can not eat that much? 

Put them on your ironing board in the middle of your dorm's hallway! 

DUH!

They were gone in like 2 hours... no joke. People LOVED it! And best of all, the companies got even more publicity! 

Hey, they sent me free samples, I feel like I should do as much as possible to help them out!

Well, that's all for today! I hope you all had fabulous weekends and a great week!

....I have my first physiology test coming up... :/ 

St. Thomas Aquinas (patron saint of learning) please pray for me!