Books

I never used to like reading. I was the student who always used spark notes or cliffs notes. I hated sitting down and taking the time to read...anything, really. I think I was always more of a hands on person (playing sports, playing outside with the neighbors, playing flute and piano). I was never the kid who got lost for hours in a good book.

But, somewhere in the last 2 years, something has changed. I think with my new found pursuit of being more calm, patient, and relaxed, I realized that I do have time for books. That I even like books. I used to tell myself that if I had time to read, I should be practicing the flute. Now, I can schedule time to read in to my day. Maybe I do have more time now, which definitely helps!

After I realized I have the time, I started reading all non-fiction. This still has to do with a part of my personality that needs to be productive. That non-fiction books have something to offer that improve my life in some way. I really like statistics and true stories. In this way, I am still not the kid who gets "lost" in books, but I do get "hooked" on books now, and can't put them down.

Some titles I have finished in the last 2 years that I have loved include:
"Crazy Love" and "Forgotten God " by Francis Chan, "Master your Metabolism" by Jillian Michaels, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller, "The Great Divorce", and "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis.

Books I have started and quit because they were too tough to get through:
"Pride and Prejudice", Seeing Through New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition", and "The Shack."

Titles I am currently reading:
"Counterfeit Gods" by Tim Keller, and "A Grief Observed" by C.S. Lewis.

Let me know what you are reading!

And P.S.:
I am even thinking of starting a book club with my friend Katie! I have come so far!

LaPhil + this weekend

This past Saturday Jared and I got to go tot he LaPhil for free! I entered a contest and won two tickets to the concert as well as champagne/wine at intermission, and a tour of the hall after the concert. The best part was the tour after the concert. We got to walk around backstage, and the best part was getting to walk on stage after everyone had left. A quiet concert hall with us on the stage. Very cool. The Disney Hall is so intimate. On stage the audience surrounds you. Our tickets were on the side one level up from the stage...right on top of the second violins! Anyway, if you haven't checked out the hall yet, you should! I have been 4 times since I moved here, and am dying to back soon!

Tomorrow night I get to go to a reading of a few chapters of my friends' unpublished book. She is an actress and it is all about her time in the industry as a Christian. I am really excited to hear it! Also, I get to go to a really cool art show/concert Saturday with another friend! There is never a lack of fun things going on here! That's why I love it so much!

<3

So many documentaries

I have been home sick for the past few days, and I have watched a few really great documentary films in which I highly recommend to you. This is my reaction to being home and not being able to do anything. I might as well watch something educational, right? This is a tragic curse to my personality. I always try to fight it, but somehow I always seem to find a way to make productive use out of my time.

The first film I watched was The Business of Being Born. It follows women who are giving birth at home as well as in the hospital, and how some hospitals have a system for getting patients in and out, regardless of whether they want to take their time through labor. Very eye opening!

I also watched Maxed Out, a documentary about credit card companies in America. This one was a lot more frustrating than the first one I watched because this has effected so many people in a negative way. Just watch it and see what I mean.

Third, I watched Ballerina, a documentary following three Russian ballerinas. This was interesting in its' own light. I saw a lot of parallels in my own flute journey in these young ballerinas. They are always striving for more perfection. Even the one who was traveling to perform with all of the major ballet companies in Europe and America. I highly recomend this one, too!

Lastly, I watched Food, Inc. This one was very disturbing! I guess I am glad I switched to eating all natural foods before I watched this movie, or else I would have been freaking out more than I was! Anyway, watch it and let me know what you think! All of these films, to a certain extent, left me disturbed by the corruptness/selfishness of people in the world. No matter how much we try to reform all of these broken/corrupt systems, the fact remains that Jesus' return will be the only thing that truly redeems everything on this earth.

I found all of these on Netflix Instant/Streaming, so most of you should be able to watch them and let me know what you think!

-R

Delicious Dessert!

Hope you all are still enjoying your new year!

2010 has brought a lot of changes...mostly in our eating habits. We are not going on a diet, but rather changing certain things we buy to try and eat more organic, and eat all natural foods. First of all I was inspired by a book a friend loaned me (Mastering your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels). She talks about a lot more than food, but her food information is priceless! I highly recommend this book! I was also inspired by my friend Kristin who has to eat grain-free gluten-free now bc of food allergies. She is a wealth of information and has a ton of suggestions for home cooking that is healthy, organic, and delicious! We are not going grain-free or gluten-free, but she has a ton of great suggestions! I am probably going to be posting more recipes on here bc I am getting excited about the possibilities of all natural, delicious cooking! I have found a lot of great recipes on wholefoods.com. The following is a dessert that I modified that is low in calories and fat and super delicious!

Blackberry and Raspberry Buttermilk Cobbler

Ingredients:

1/4 c maple syrup (I use Trader Joe's 100% pure maple syrup...this is where you get the sweetness in this dessert)
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 c. organic butter
1 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. buttermilk (I actually used 1/2 c. when I made it and pressed the batter over the butter instead of pouring it)
1 6 oz. carton organic blackberries
1 6 oz. carton organic raspberries

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a medium bowl mix together maple syrup and cornstarch
Add raspberries and blackberries and toss to coat; set aside.

Put butter into an 8-inch square glass pan. Heat in oven just until butter is melted, 4 minutes, then remove and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt then stir in buttermilk and mix until just combined to make a thick batter. Pour into pan over melted butter without stirring. Sprinkle fruit mixture evenly over top of batter and bake until golden and bubbly, 45 minutes.

Only 200 calories per servings, and only 9g of sugar per serving! YUM!

Enjoy! :)

Time Flies

Is anyone else realizing how time goes so much faster once you finish school? Now, I feel like I blink and it is a new season. I graduated 8 months ago and we moved almost 3 months ago! My masters recital was a year ago this April! I wonder if I will ever refer to school as "the good ol' days." Do you?

Well, here are some pic's from Christmas and New Year's to change the subject completely!

My Dad, My brother's dog Dante (best dog in the entire world!), and my 2nd cousins Cooper and Emma!
Patrick and Mindy...Cheers!

Corey and Kimberly! So cute!

Kevin and someone who doesn't want her picture taken ;)


Happy New Year! And Hook 'em tonight! You all better be watching! :)