The Lost & Found

// Magical Cauliflower//

Hi, Hello!

I’m a little behind on posting recipes we’ve tried this week so I’m going to post a couple of them. So with that said, let’s do this thing!

Tilapia. Within many minds, this fishy character is bland, dull, and virtually tasteless. Matt (in all of his positivity/glass half full glory), thinks of these kinds of foods as blank canvases and a challenge to bring about life to floppy fishes across the globe. What do you do with a flavorless fish? Eat it….but not before giving that bad boy some fire and sass! It’s a bariatric beauty’s best bud (yeah, that was definitely some intense alliteration). I cooked this on Wednesday evening for myself, Matt, and my parents. My Dad is usually not a fan of tilapia or cauliflower. BUT he loved it! My Mom (formally known as LaDonDon) enjoyed it as well. (And if you don’t know Ladonna, you need to. You are missing out on the sassiest and most sparkly mother on the planet).

Let me introduce you to: Ginger Cilantro Tilapia and his friend, Cauliflower Poppers.

(This dagum blog isn’t cooperating with me. Please find the recipe at this link: http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-ginger-a-24737)

(*The picture is of the fish in the marinade before going in the oven)

Cauliflower Poppers (easy snack or side dish)

(This dagum blog isn’t cooperating with me. Please find the recipe at this link: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeId=99541)

**********************************Moving on to Friday************************************

Frazier Fridays used to consist of Fiore’s Pizza (the MOST delicious pizza on the planet that I won’t be able to partake in for a long long time haha). In our new world of substitutions, we have found some pretty cool ways to duplicate our favorite recipes into a healthier version. With that said, we ventured into the world of cauliflower this week and were pleasantly surprised at how versatile this little veggie gift is. We were literally blown away at how well the cauliflower (mixed with egg and low fat mozzarella) acted as the “dough”. This will definitely be a new staple. It will be really fun to try out new toppings and ways to serve this sweet dish!

Let me introduce you to: Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Ingredients & Directions: (It’s more in depth, dont’t get frustrated, hang with it!)

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (part of the dough)
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp dried oregano (we used Italian Seasoning & Basil)
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp garlic salt
olive oil (optional)

Toppings: Pizza sauce (we used a can of diced tomatoes and a can of sauce but will substitute with our own homemade next time), shredded cheese, and your choice of more toppings (we chose Turkey Pepperoni, spinach, and mushrooms)

To “Rice” the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don’t have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

To Make the Pizza Crust: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9” round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes). (Note that toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.)

(*dough before oven)

*(sauce)

(*Completion)

23 / 03

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// Chips & Salsa, healthy cooking. //

Chips and Salsa is one of my favorite snacks of all time. I have been searching for a healthy alternative to enjoy during these diet phases and came across a great recipe as well as made up one on my own. It’s fun to experiment! So, above is the fruit of my kitchen fun this afternoon.

Yes, I took pics while cooking, and made Matt hold the trays up. don’t laugh. :)

Salsa

* Recipe found at http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2012/01/quick-and-easy-salsa/

* Throw ingredients into bowl and use a hand-mixer to blend to restaurant style texture. (You could use a blender or food processor as well)

* You could also let the salsa marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 days before eating. This will allow time for the spices and ingredients to marry.

Healthy Homemade Tortillas

*I kind of made this recipe up and it turned out to be a great substitute for regular tortilla chips. Since I am not allowed to have white carbs or any bread for that matter, my nutritionist suggested using La Tortilla Factory’s Low Carb Wheat Tortilla.

*Cut 4 Large Tortillas into chip sized triangles

*Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Brush or drizzle olive oil on the tortilla wedges.

*Sprinkle a pinch of Kosher Salt across & bake at 335 for approx. 10 min (or until golden brown).

*Note that the texture will not be the exact same as a restaurant chip or regular tortilla chip but it is pretty close. Wheat doesn’t break down as easy as processed white starch so you may get a more “chewy piece”, here and there. I will probably experiment with several different whole wheat tortillas. Overall it turned out pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

Finished Product!

19 / 03

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Say hello to my little friend for the next few months. I met him for breakfast this morning. Premier Protein Shakes (Vanilla & Chocolate flavors / Costco).

19 / 03

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// Rain & Recipes. //

Hi, Hello!

Today was a picture-perfect day of worship and rain. On today’s agenda: Church, Lunch, Costco, Writing, and working on Music. Rain cleanses, nourishes the ground, cools the Earth, and causes growth; it’s one of God’s masterpieces. God pours out water over the earth in the same way He nourishes, cleanses, and grows our souls. The sunshine is beautiful, but there’s something about the rain that is incomparable in beauty.

Productive days are the bomb. Yesterday, Matt & I cleaned like maniacs, did laundry, cleaned the cars, went grocery shopping for the next phase of my pre-op diet, got crafty, and spent some quality time together! Good stuff.

Ok so I did a Pinterest “craft” yesterday. If you know me, you know I don’t have much patience for crafts. Period. I’m musical, not artsy. HOWEVER, I found that I really enjoyed doing something simple for a bigger purpose. I made a picture frame menu board. Got some cute scrapbook paper, a frame, and went to town. EASY, for reals. I realized it would be extremely helpful to preplan meals for the week, buy the groceries, and stick to the board. New recipes will abound, money will be saved, more pounds will be shed. With that said, here is the board I made (excuse the chicken scratch for the menu). I like crafts now.

** Also, on a semi sidenote, if you want to journal your food/keep up with calories and nutrition facts, I ENDORSE and plead with you to download the “MyFitnessPal” app. I have been using this daily on my iPhone to keep records for my nutritionist. All of the info you log into your app will be uploaded to your account on their website and you can print everything off (if you want) to keep records. I’m no fitness guru (yet.) but it’s stinking awesome and was beyond helpful. haha :)

Every Saturday/Sunday evening I will post a few recipes/snacks that we will be trying out each week. (Click on the link for the recipe and substitute ingredients as needed!) Let’s do it.

Monday: Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps / Homemade Salsa

Tuesday: Lime Chicken Fajitas

Wednesday: Ginger Cilantro Tilapia / Cauliflower Poppers

Thursday: Seared Chicken / Balsamic Green Beans & Mushrooms

Friday: Cauliflower Pizza (Turkey Pepperoni, Spinach, Fat Free Mozzarella / Side Salad with homemade Lime Cilantro Dressing.

Farewell, friends! <3

18 / 03

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// Whether she eats, Whether she drinks.//

Hi, Hello!

I’ll go ahead and say I’m not on Cloud 9 but I’m on Cloud 999. I know most people wouldn’t be amped for any kind of major surgery…however…I am. My life will be eternally impacted, and I am in awe of how visible God’s hand has been from Day 1. So with that said *insert drumroll/symphony/trumpets/and throw in a tambourine *…

Surgery has been scheduled for May 1st. :) Woop Woop!

And on a sidenote, I’m kind of…ok, REALLY…excited to say that I’ve lost 8 lbs thus far on my “pre” pre operative diet. (Kind of like the diet before the diet lol) I’ve been consistent in keeping a food journal and completed 2.5 weeks worth.

I can’t express the joy and freedom I have been experiencing. I am learning how to be a woman surrendered to Jesus in more ways than spiritually/mentally. He is teaching me about being physically surrendered to His will.

Perfection is far from my vocabulary and I’m grateful because in my weakness, He is strong. In saying that, I understand that I will never glorify the Lord as much as He deserves but He requires us all to reflect Christ in even our most commonplace tasks. To point unbelieving and believing eyes to the One who deserves every ounce of glory. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 Paul writes, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”. The Lord challenges and calls us to be, a people who glorify and magnify His name whether we are eating some chicken (grilled preferably), eating some bread (wheat and gluten free), eating salads (with fat free dressings), or drinking 8+ glasses of water a day. Even in the smallest and most mundane of tasks, I want people to recognize Christ living in me. My heart’s desire is for people not to see me or focus on me, but for people to look past me and see Jesus. For people to say “I see Jesus whether she eats, or whether she drinks…I don’t need to know her name, I just need to know the One who saved her life”

*** DATES*** (for those interested in the nitty and the gritty)

Prayers would be much appreciated until all of my pre-operative appointments and work with the nutritionist have been sent off to insurance for the last approval. I’ve completed all of my requirements so we are just waiting to hear good news. :) I should know a final word within the week.

April 18: Pre-Operative Appointment

April 19: Endoscopy

May 1: SURGERY :)

For an idea of the type of pre-op appointments and nutritionist work I have completed, I will blog about that next time.

Big love to everyone!

16 / 03

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// Quiet please, Recording. //

Hi, Hello!

Let me start my saying that I’m pretty sure I have sneezed over 200 times the past few days. I originally thought I had the beginnings of a cold/sinus infection. But I’m pretty sure it’s been horrific allergies. Miserable, congested, snotty, runny, nappy, allergies. I’m feeling a bit better today and can finally breathe. From a sickling child to a sickling adult, I could buy stock into Kleenex. Who knew a nose could produce and contain so much. You’re welcome :)

What’s new?… Matt & I joined our new friends Lisa, Paul, & Erin in the studio last Friday. In an awesome chain of events, we actually recorded at ARP Studio (w/ Bruce Roberts whom I have known for 10+ years and where I recorded some previous demos).

The Story: Lisa contacted me a couple of months ago and asked if I would be willing to be a part of a huge vision that the Lord had given her. She told me that the Spirit had pushed her to pen and paper to begin writing a song. All Lisa knew was that God was telling her to get this song out in the open, people need to hear my Words. Within ten minutes she had written lyrics and had a tune to a song that could only have come from God. THIS is how incomparable God is: She is not a singer/songwriter at all and she told me that she was in no way/shape/form a musician. The Lord’s ways are often such a mystery and His ways are so much higher that to question Him would be pointless, so she was obedient to this call. She so appropriately said that “The Lord uses the most unexpected people to fulfill His purposes.” She contacted her friend, Erin (violinist/pianist), and was able to articulate the tune as best possible (hiding behind a piece of paper :) :). After several conversations, prayer, and the Spirit filling my ears with His voice, I committed to being a part of the vision He gave. During the recording session, Lisa told me that the Lord was leading her to share this song with as many people as possible and also for a very specific cause.

The Cause: (This story deserves much more detail but for the time being I will share the meat of the story) 2 of Lisa’s friends, a married couple from Charleston…sold all of their possessions to be medical missionaries in Kenya. During the course of their mission, a set of twins from a small Kenyan village were brought in for medical care. They were 6 months old and 5 pounds. Yep, I said FIVE pounds at 6 MONTHS old. To give you a better visual, their arms were the width of a thumb. After nurturing and caring for these sweet children, they were informed by the villagers that the twins were orphans. The couple felt the burden to adopt the twins but knew that the adoption process in Kenya is MUCH different than many places. Before the process officially begins, the children live with the potential adoptive parents for 3 years before they are considered fit for an official adoption. After the 3 year mark, there is the potential for a decision to remove the children and deny the adoption process. This is costly (not only financially) endeavor but nonetheless, God continues to reveal Himself and His call for them to follow through to the end. All of this to say, any support raised through the vision of this song will be given to bringing these children back to America. The song is entitled “Chosen”. Lisa had no idea that the words that flowed through her hand to paper would be so divinely appropriate.

We will be finishing the track asap and it will be available soon. I can’t wait to share more about the cause laid before us and the abundance of glory that will be given back to God.

Adieu, my friends!

14 / 03

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This man.

This man puts himself last so others can be first. This man’s hands are daily calloused and worn to provide for our family. This man loves God with his entire being and lives for Him with all of his might. His love, faith, and leadership pushes me to be a woman and a wife who finds vitality and life in Christ alone. In this whole world, I honestly can say I’ve never met a more kind and humble human being. Not one word can encompass how unworthy and grateful I am for this man. The Lord’s blessings far exceed my feeble mind, and I will live my life in unending thanksgiving for this life He died for.

07 / 03

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// Lamps & Bushels //

So let me start by saying that the Bariatric physician/surgeon that has been following me (and his team) at Roper St. Francis are incredible. I’m talking the best experience I have ever had at a hospital/doctor’s office. What impressed me most during all of my sessions and appointments is that these people genuinely care about my well being and the long term success of ALL of their patients. Their passion for what they do is evident and it is contagious. I am really considering pursuing or volunteering to help others who have considered bariatric surgery. It’s something I am in prayer about for sure. The clinical manager/RN (who has actually had weight loss surgery) sat with me after one of my informational courses. She is a believer and took time to sit one on one and encourage me as I was having doubts…(Mind you, I’m not bragging by any means whatsoever, I was actually super embarrassed when she said this):She told me that before I mentioned that I was a Christian that she could tell by the way that “I shined” and through my words/smile that I loved the Lord tremendously. She challenged me by saying, “You shine so incredibly bright already but imagine the light and illumination after all is said and done. This ‘extra bushel’ that your lamp is dimmed by will be removed.” With tears in my eyes, I knew that God had ordained that moment and those very words were straight from Him. Part of me has been hiding under a bushel that I never fully acknowledged or accepted. Confidence, self worth, self esteem and health have truly affected my daily endeavors with the Lord. In that moment of divine clarity,the scales had been removed from my eyes.

This journey has reminded me of a verse in Jeremiah where the Lord says, “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things which you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3). From the beginning of this journey to the present, He has revealed hidden treasures that I would never have imagined. This past year has proved itself to be a season of refinement. Pointblank, a season of allowing God to be the consuming fire that He is and trusting in His steadfast truth. I’ve learned and am still learning that it’s human to be imperfect. To not dwell on the opinions of man and of this world but to set my eyes on the Father, who is the ONLY one who knows my heart inside and out. On countless occasions His Spirit has pressed on my heart that the harvest is ripe, golden, hungering, and desperate to be tended. We have to put aside our selfish ambition, ideas, and motives and serve Him. Serve Him as if our last breath was seconds from exhalation. Serve Him as if our lives are depending on it..and they are.

So in order to work the fields, we are required to be in the best possible condition our human bodies can be. I know that in my current physical state, I can’t work to my fullest of potentials. Sure I can put 100% effort in all things, and I do…but I am challenged to prepare my physical body for the work he has called us to. I may never reach an ideal level of physical preparedness but I will push and persevere for His glory. My prayer is that for anyone reading this, that you would be challenged to put aside your pride and toss aside timidity. Call to Him and know that He will answer you. Ask Him to search your heart and bring to visibility the things that are hindering your service to Him. I pray that the scales would fall from all of our eyes on a daily basis so that we can see His cause more vividly.

03 / 03

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// “Magic Mondays”: A Eulogy //

January 5, 2012: I chose life.

It was a Thursday. Hallelujah, it was a Thursday. How many countless Magic Diet Mondays/D-Days/Points of no return/Broken Promise Days have we experienced? I used to see a Monday as a “fresh start”, but I’ve come to realize that Mondays are the worst possible day to change your attitude, heck, to change your life. In fact, 24 hours is a craptastic amount of time to give oneself to change, period.

I attended an informational course on Weight Loss Surgery at St. Francis Hospital. I have no appropriate words to explain God’s sovereignty over my life. Nor do I have appropriate words to explain what I experienced on that Thursday. I will go into detail in my next blog, but I will say that my life was forever changed. I chose to walk in the land of the living instead of opting for an early death. His Kingdom, His purpose, His cause is more valuable and important than my selfish ambitions will ever be. The words that were on repeat in my head during this session were: “All things.” I knew what He meant, and why He was whispering them to my heart. These words are from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Sometimes, as Christians, we can unfortunately become calloused and unchanged by familiar Bible verses. As humans we think “we’ve heard it all, and know it all” therefore we search for something to give us an emotional high from the Lord. That’s not how He works, not at all. All of this to say, His Word is living and active and our ears should never be calloused to hearing His truths. I am so grateful that He whispers to my soul whether my ears are open or not.

I’ve trashed this temple for 26 years (with minor renovations here and there). I don’t want to clean it up in 24 hours, in 24 months, in 24 years…I want the Spirit to dwell in a temple that is renovated on a moment by moment basis for the rest of my days on this earth. An immaculate and utopian temple is impossible for me, I get that. The Lord designed the blueprint and crafted every crevice. I am called to put this earthly body/spirit in His hands for daily rebuild & construction.

Rest in Peace, Magic Monday, my old faithful friend. So long and farewell. :)

Please join me on this journey, I appreciate good company. :). I will fill you in on my experiences up to this point and until my official surgery. (I am almost finished with my pre-op requirements…Glory, Glory!) My surgery date will be set for sometime in mid April and I will be updating this blog on a regular basis.

29 / 02

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