QUINOA AND ROASTED VEGGIE SALAD

Ever tried quinoa? (pronounced: KEEN-waaaah)

If not, you’re missing out. This highly nutritious side dish provides a complete source of protein, and is loaded with

magnesium as well as all 9 essential amino acids.

***Salad recipe***

• Prepare 1⁄4 cup of quinoa according to package directions. (This is about 1 cup of cooked quinoa).

• Roast whatever vegetables you have on hand. Typical choices are broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, onions, carrots, and asparagus. Just chop them into similar-sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil and a little salt, spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and roast in a 400-degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring once or twice.

• Chop a handful of flat-leaf parsley (about 1⁄4 cup).

• Drizzle with dressing: Whisk 2 tablespoons of olive oil with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.

***Clean Eating Roasted Shrimp and Green Beans***

YIELD: 4 SERVINGS PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 20 MINUTES

***Ingredients***

For the beans:

1 lb. green beans trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper

For the shrimp:

1 lb. medium-large raw shrimp (thawed if frozen), peeled

1 tbsp olive oil (plus a little extra to brush on roasting pan)

zest from one lemon (save the lemon and cut into fourths)

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

***Directions***

Preheat oven to 425.

Once the shrimp has been peeled and cleaned, rinse it under cold water. Be sure to pat the shrimp really dry (if the shrimp is not dry it will steam rather than roast!).

Place the trimmed and cut beans in a bowl and toss with extra virgin olive oil, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Cayenne pepper.

Place shrimp in another bowl with the extra virgin olive oil, lemon zest, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.

Brush roasting pan with olive oil or use a non-stick spray, then arrange beans on pan in a single layer (as much as possible). Roast beans 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, toss the beans and arrange shrimp on top and roast 8-10 minutes more or until shrimp are just done.

Squeeze the four lemon quarters over the shrimp and beans and serve immediately.

Makes 2-4 servings.

MY OWN LITTLE WORLD

In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I've never gone hungry or always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population me
by: Mathew West

Have you ever stopped to think that your own little world is not about you? How do you want to contribute to this world? You cant end world hunger but you can feed the hungry little girl down the street. You cant make world peace but you can end a family feud by a kind word.  God opens doors that you think your not strong enough to go through but he does this to show you what you are capable of doing for Him. When my dad died in May I just knew I was going to die of a broken heart ( I know your thinking that's extreme) but the truth of the matter is my heart still isn't healed. Truthfully I don't think it ever will be but the fact of the matter is that God used this as a way to be more sensitive to others needs. Now my heart aches for everyone no matter how big or small their hurt is. God showed me that their was a place for people like me, its to be the shoulder to lean on for people who are in need of grace.

We all arrive here in this place,
Imperfect people in need of grace.
But that's why god sent his only son to die,
So that every broken heart could have a life inside.
So, just open up your broken heart

by :Matthew West

JUST FOOD FOR THOUGHT

That's me on the left... just a "typical" crazy 27yr. old... yea right!  Try Mother of 2, wife of 8yrs., and my husband is a workaholic that owns his own concrete finishing business (can anyone say "OCD"?).   Our lifestyle is not for everyone but it fits us just fine.  Anyways just as an intro I wanted to fill you in on the reason I'm starting to blog.  I have an "out of the box" view on some of life's most controversial topics because of my raising so I thought I would share it with y'all!  I'm open to any and all suggestions to making this blog better so please feel free to share any tips you may have.  Thank you all <3