If You Like Vegetables

So I've been getting some delicious fresh veggies from people at my church like zucchini, tomatoes and the likes. I made this awesome salad that I get so excited to eat. I decided to share that recipe with others so that they can enjoy the goodness. So if you love veggies you will love this!

You can use whatever proportions you want or sub in other veggies for different tastes. This salad is alway different each time I make but here is the basic of what I put in it:

1 large zucchini cut in small quarter or half slices

2 medium tomatoes diced

1/2 cup broccoli cut into very small pieces

handful of cilantro (this gives it a really nice flavor!) finely chopped

1/2 cup black beans

1-2 ounces of cheese chopped into small pieces (you can also use feta cheese too)

handful of chopped walnuts (optional) 

dressing: equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar (I usually mix 1 TBSP of each)

Put all the chopped veggies in a bowl and mix together with the salad dressing. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the beans, cheese, and walnuts. This tastes the best if you let it marinate in the dressing for a few hours.

I also want to try adding in chopped red onion and chopped grilled chicken too. I think that would be awesome.

Love is Here

This is my new favorite music video. Even in its simplicity it somehow still speaks volumes to me. Enjoy!



The lead singer, Mike, is awesome by the way! I saw him at an artist talk-back at Creation Fest. He's all about ministry in terms of quality, not quantity. I liked what he had to say because let's face it, it's really hard to not count the sheep because sometimes that's all people see. But that's not what true ministry should be about. He also said that if you are deeply in love with God and living your life for Him, people will not be able to help but wonder what gives you so much joy. What do you have that they don't? Truly devoting your own heart to God will bring people closer to Christ more than anything else. In my experience, when someone was on fire for God, their enthusiasm would rub off on me. In ministry, if you don't believe it and live it yourself, how do you expect those you minister to, to believe what you preach?

The List

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I'd like to do with my life.  I don't have it all figured out but there's always the little (sometimes silly) things I want to do. You know those stupid things you might never do but think it would be fun to imagine anyway...like opening up a cupcake shop (random, I know). This is my list of whimsical dreams...that might just come true someday so you better watch out.

1. be a writer - you know...like take my macbook to a cool Portland coffee shop and write articles about things I enjoy such as concerts, bands, faith, family, etc.

2. be a speaker - this one is a bit more on the realistic side. I think I would enjoy speaking at events like youth rallys, retreats, and other special events. I could even use my guitar skills in combination with this. I could be the next Matt Maher! Or I could marry Matt Maher (haha I'm totally joking...sorta).

3. be a guitar player singer songwriter (say that 10 times fast) - I have never felt comfortable playing for people before, but lately I have been wanting to start performing at coffee shops. So far I've performed twice now at Soul Espresso which is a young adult "coffee shop style" faith gathering.

4. start a band with my sisters...now if they'd only learn their instruments lol

5. backpack through Europe - nuff said

6. create fun videos - I do this sometimes with my job when I make memory videos or slideshows for my youth group, but I want to do my own stuff too. 

7. learn to surf - as obsessed as I am with all things that include beaches, tropical places, ocean, sunshine, and surfing, people are surprised that no, I really don't know how to surf. But one of these days I really will accomplish my lifelong goal of surfing in Hawaii.

8. have a vegetable garden - I'm serious! I love vegetables! As soon as I get a house I'm growing a garden.

9. start my own magazine. Just kidding! I think I just watch too much Ugly Betty.

10. Go to the next World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain in 2011 - This one's for sure! I am so excited!!!

I'm only just getting warmed up but I guess I'll stop at 10 things...for now. That was pretty fun actually. With the exception of a few (like starting a band with my sisters...because THAT will ever happen) I think most of these are do-able to some degree. And the moral of the day (that I just taught myself two seconds ago) is that you should go for your dreams even if they do seem whimsical because anything can happen. Ciao!