inspiration for the weekend

Some positive thoughts and pretty words to start the weekend...

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eight years..

Eight years ago, on the most perfect fall evening, Derek took me to the movies and asked me to be his girlfriend. 

It seems like just yesterday that I was picking out the perfect outfit and spending hours in front of the mirror getting ready for that night. I was full of butterflies, but I felt like I had already known Derek for my whole life. 

If you had asked me then if I thought that one day I would walk into our living room and see Derek on one knee, asking me to be his wife, I probably would have just giggled.

Well here we are, eight years later, and a few months ago I turned the corner in our apartment, truly, completely, absolutely unsuspecting, and there he was..on one knee! He was smiling from ear to ear, with the most incredibly beautiful ring in his hand, and I’m sure he said some very sweet words but I don’t think I was listening to them very well. All I remember were the four words that I had dreamed of hearing for so long... “Will you marry me?"

Eight years later and I love him more than I ever thought possible. 

Eight years later I still wake up and pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming and that this is real.

homecoming -- October 2005

Christmas 2006

Cologne, Germany -- Summer 2008

Summer 2009

Negril, Jamaica -- August 2012

I am so happy that I met Derek when I did, and I am grateful for all the years of memories that I got to make with my best friend.

This year, we got engaged! We celebrated our engagement in Jamaica. We moved into a beautiful and spacious new apartment and Derek was admitted to graduate school.

Our eighth year together was pretty amazing and I can't wait to see what the next year brings!

turkey and quinoa stuffed peppers

This recipe feels like fall! It is warm and hearty, but it is also super healthy! These stuffed peppers prove that comfort food doesn't have to derail your healthy habits.

Ground turkey is a low fat alternative to ground beef. We use 95/05 ground turkey that is freshly ground. Quinoa is very high in protein (14% by mass) and calcium, it decreases appetite, and is rich in amino acids and vitamin E. It is a great alternative to rice.Tomatoes have the antioxidants lycopene, vitamin C and vitamin A, and they also reduce inflammation. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C, and because they are baked in the oven, the nutrients do not escape as they would if they were cooked in another way.

Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients
          3 cups quinoa, cooked
          1 lb lean ground turkey
          1 large onion
          2 cans diced tomatoes with no salt added
          1 tbsp cumin
          2 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder
          salt to taste
          shredded 2% milk cheese
          5 or 6 sweet red bell peppers

Directions
          Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
       
          Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.

          Spray some olive oil spray in a large saute pan and heat on a medium flame. Add onion, garlic and cilantro to the pan. Saute about 2 minutes and add ground turkey. Season with salt and garlic powder, and cumin and brown meat for several minutes until meat is completely cooked through. Add the tomatoes and let simmer for a few more minutes.

          Combine the quinoa and the meat mixture in the large saute pan.

          Prepare the peppers by removing the stem and all seeds by cutting off the top, or cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove all seeds. Place the peppers in a baking dish and spoon the meat mixture into each, filling them up as much as possible. Top the peppers with shredded cheese.

          Place the peppers into the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until peppers are soft.