I looked up zone diet recipes that are quick and delicious, and found this amazing chicken- rice soup:

Props to AllRecipes.com, but here is my improved adaptation:

• Two quarts chicken broth
• 1/2 c chopped carrots
• 2/3 c chopped green onions
• 1/2 c green bell pepper
• 1 tsp dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/4 c butter
• 1/4 c all- purpose flour
• 10.75 oz can of cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 c white wine
• 3 cups of cooked white rice (1 c dry white rice with 2 c water)
• 2 c cooked chicken (bite-sized or smaller)

In a medium-sized saucepan, mix the first 6 ingredients, and bring to a boil.

In a larger saucepan, melt the butter and mix in flour until creamy and smooth. Pour in the broth mix and heat for a couple minutes.

Lastly, pour in cream of chicken soup, white wine, cooked rice, and chicken. Be sure to mix well, as the cream of chicken can quickly lump together. This delicious soup has a nice combination of flavors, and stays warm and servable for a while. After serving with homemade pineapple-chicken pizza on the side, there will be enough soup to add as a side to lunches and dinners for the rest of the week.

Here are some helpful websites if you are looking for easy zone diet meals:

• http://www.faddiet.com/lazyzonediet.html
• http://diet.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Menu_for_the_Zone_Diet
• http://www.ihealthdirectory.com/zone-diet-recipes/

The family I cook for is working on balancing out their carbs and proteins. The dad actually has ADHD, and he also gets extraordinarily tired when he has too many carbs. According to the Zone diet that they want to follow, they are having me make food that has about 9 carbs for every 7 proteins. Woops, I am pretty sure I personally have a carb fetish and would prefer to dominate the carbs at all times. The pizza and enchiladas both overpower the carbs and minimize the proteins…

Here’s the good news, for all sandwich-loving zone-dieters: this French dip sandwich has about 39 carbs and 31 protein!

I got these sandwich rolls from the bakery section of Albertsons. They were light and delicious!

• Use three slices of meat (roast beef, turkey, or lamb)
• 1 slice of provologne cheese, cut in half
• 1 can of  beef consomme
• Mustard of choice (optional)

Slice the bread rolls in half, and place them in the broiler with the cheese on top. Be careful about the rolls- they could be done toasting in all o f 30 seconds.

In a medium sauce pan, heat the beef consomme over the stove, and add one can full of water. Once the consomme is hot, place the meat slices in the mixture. Place the meat on the cheesey bread, add mustard if you like. We kept a little bowl of dip on the side to dip the sandwich in as we ate.

With a bowl of fruit salad on the side, this is the most ideal 10-minute meal for a Friday evening. 39 carbs, 31 proteins and all the week’s stress just melts away with the provologne.

Lesson of the week:

The dad asked me what I have learned so far as their cook. The biggest thing I have been learning, aside from all the theological and ecclesiological discussions with him, is timing. This is my third part-time job, and I need to be done cooking within an hour to get to my second one on time. Also, after preparing for class and searching for full-time accounting jobs, I don’t have the energy for anything more. Being in a new house with new rules and interests has been a adaptation challenge, and definitely slowed me down. I need to balance grocery-shopping, recipe-hunting, and diet-following every evening, or else fall down a slippery slope of time loss. Now that it is the weekend, I will just add a few minutes of recipe research, and the week should be golden.

On Monday, I did all the grocery shopping, and cooked about 10 chicken breasts to prepare for the week. This would be enough chicken for for 4 salads with chicken, 2 pineapple chicken pizzas, and 8 chicken enchiladas.

Yesterday, while baking a pre-made chicken pot pie, I put together the enchiladas for today:

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, and pour half a can of tomato (or enchilada) sauce over the bottom of the baking pan.

Then mix all the inside ingredients together:

• 2 cans of 14 oz cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup cheese of choice
• 14 oz sour cream
• 1/4 c green onions
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups of chopped or shredded chicken
• 6 jalapeno pepper slices, chopped

Heat up 10 corn tortillas. Fill each tortilla with some of the mixture, and roll. Place the tortillas open-end-down side-by-side in the disch. spread about 1 cup of tomato (enchilada) sauce over the top of the enchiladas, along with green salsa or other sauce of choice. sprinkle cheese over the top.

Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture looks bubbly and the cheese is melted. Now, these are titled “enchilada” in the official recipe, but they are more like a Taco Bell, saucy version of enchiladas. I will update once I get the full Mexican delicious flare.

On another note, I have been making these new headbands over the past week. They have no name, and one day I will write out the pattern:

To practice on my own, I made a meal for my apartment. I found a curry season packet at Raph’s, so I made curry chicken and rice with potatoes and bell peppers:

First of all, I always boil chicken in water to defrost and tenderize it. The recipe was very simply explained on the curry seasoning packet, but I used coconut milk instead of water and added some potatoes for texture. With brown rice, this made a filling, delicious meal for my roommates and me!

Then, crepes for dessert:

I got the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Vanilla-Crepes/Detail.aspx.

All you need is milk, egg yolks, vanilla, flour, sugar, salt, adn butter. We spread nutella inside, and sprinkled powdered sugar on top. Very simple and delicious!

Day 1 of cooking on the job for the family, I made a simple chicken Parmesan recipe, to make a  Parmesan chicken salad:

• 10 chicken breasts
• 2 cups parmesan cheese
• 2 packets dry Italian salad dressing mix
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 cup oil

Preheat oven to 400, and just mix together the garlic, Italian mix, and cheese in a medium-sized bowl. Dip each defrosted chicken breast in oil, and press into the cheese mix. Bake the chicken on a greased pan for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Day 2, made pineapple pizza and used some of the leftover chicken from the night before.

The crust was very quick and easy to make: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quick-and-Easy-Pizza-Crust/Detail.aspx

I added a lot of spices to the crust, and after laying out the crust on the pizza stone, i brushed oil with garlic powder over the surface. I also sprinkled some extra salt over the crust to keep the flavors interesting. The pineapple contrasted the parmesan chicken flavor perfectly! Add salad to the meal, and it’s pretty decent!

More to come. I plan to make some of these desserts for the family as well:

I have not changed much, from the person I was in springtime. Although, I have become more passionate about adoption, and I have a car. Also, I have beaten the highest records for two different tetris games.

Why was Christmas this year so ungratifying? Those horror stories about families at Christmastime seemed to have foretold this year’s Christmas for my family. The kind of drama that makes a total straightedge pull out the bottle!

Goals for the rest of this winter break:

• Biking and swimming nonstop
• Job-searching like hell is chasing my bank account
• Create and give: music, arts, and time
• Sell crocheted goods
• Spend time with Jesus
• Continue to forget what is behind, and press on toward the goal of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus, in every task and opportunity

I now end with a MeWithoutYou lyrical experience:

Why burn poor and lonely under a bowl or under a lampshade

Or on the shelf beside the bed

Where at night you lay turning like a door on its hinges?

First on your left side, then on your right side.. then your left side again.

Why burn poor and lonely?

Tell all the stones we’re gonna make a building…

We’ll be cut into shape and set into place

Or if you’d rather be a window, I’ll gladly be the frame,

Reflecting any kind words, we’ll let in all their blame…

And ruin our reputation all the same.

Se never mind our plan making, we’ll start living…

Anyway, aren’t you unbearably sad?

Then why burn so poor and lonely?

We’ll be like torches!

We’ll be like torches!

We’ll be like torches… OH!!

We’ll be torchest together… TORCHES TOGETHER

We’ll be like torches… with whatever respect our tattered dignity demands,

Torches together, hand in hand

Why pluck one string… what good is just one note?

Oh, one string sounds fine, I guess… but we were once ‘one notes’,

We were lonely wheat quietly ground into grain…

What light and momentary pain!

So why the safe distance, this curious look?

Why tear out the single pages when you can throw away the book?

Why pluck one string when you can strum the guitar?

Strum the guitar!

Strum the guitar… with no beginning, with no end.

Take down the guitar and strum the guitar!

Strum the guitar if you’re afraid.

And I’m afraid and everyone’s afraid and everyone knows it,

But we don’t have to be afraid anymore.

You played the flute, but no one was dancing,

You sang a sad song.. but none of us cried.

you played the flute, but no one was dancing,

And you sang a sad song… you sang such a sad song.

What a glorious feeling

Tomorrow, after nine days without talking to my boyfriend, and 14 days without heavy caffeine, I will wake up early to continue working out a lot of struggles that have come up in my 3-month relationship. May I know love more than ever before, and show it as much as possible in a Skype conversation.

This week, I have been to San Diego to see friends and family for a crazy day and a half, I have worked many hours and slept many hours, in order to try to shake off this sickness that has haunted me for over 3 weeks now. I have spent a day with a very sick, very on-fire Christian lady. I have prepared for new missions teams to embark this winter. I have encountered much awkwardness, and simultaneous improvement with my coworkers and supervisors. I have rescued a dog. I have intruded in the home of the lost dog, since no one was answering the phone or the door, and the door was unlocked. I have been shopping and driving for hours for a staff retreat. I have had a staff retreat, had some heart-to-hearts with coworkers, and had an escort to scare off the loonies on Skid row. I have been yelled at and cussed out for strolling along Skid row. I found out my sister is having a baby girl in February, her first daughter, and my second niece. I have walked out of  a mission on Skid row and watched a couple of African American drag queens having a shallow conversation as they walk down San Pedro Street. I have showed up for a dinner a whole day early. And I have determined that my week was full of plenty of things besides homework, so it is now time to sit and enjoy my education before I sleep and have more dialog tomorrow. Hopefully it will be just a good, honest conversation.

Jesus said once that His disciples would be known by the love that they show. He said that the two greatest things to understand would be to love God first, and then to love others more than we love ourselves. That is the economy of God’s law for our era. No matter if God seems distant and ambiguous in this culture. Love is something to pursue. Right?

He then said that there is no greater love than his who would lay down his life for his friend. Sacrifice. How much vulnerability does this kind of love require? Do you have to be transparent about your love for God if you were to love others? And how hard is it to start being more vulnerable with people enough to admit mistakes, and to pray with them?

Coming from the mind of a lifelong, committed Christian, this is easy for me to spill out. By God’s grace, I have convictions about what love should look like as it progresses in a positive way for any connection between people or groups. But for someone who has much more intense experience with darkness and grossness and doubt, how does that conviction begin? What does vulnerability look like when it first begins to take place? What is my role in this?

I am a coffee addict. I am a huge fan of a good cup to start the day, of the scents and the sounds of the brew. However, some good things should be put on hold for the sake of honoring what is better. I want to train myself to wake early to be excited about new life in Scripture, not in another cup of coffee.

Doing homework at Starbucks yesterday, I assumed that my normal intake of coffee would help me in doing my homework. Unfortunately, I only experienced increased anxiety, and could not help but heighten all internal concerns about everything uncertain in my life.

After severe distraction from my book-reading, I was hit by the beauty and truth of hymns sung in communion with my peers and fellow believers. It was there that I realized I need to take a handle on myself, and start my semester with more consistency and motivation to fee my soul, rather than my appetite.

After morning #1 of coffee-free Bible reading, I remember that as a Christ-follower, it is necessary to turn away from idols in order to turn to Christ and wait on His presence (1Thess. 1:9-10). May this be a good step toward recognizing idolatry in my life, and moving toward true love. Capturing beauty doesn’t require idolizing beautiful things.

I had spent two weeks with Jon and his buddies and their wives/girlfriends. It was amazing. And I observed a whole new community of relationships in a way I never knew I could- from the military perspective. The para-rescue squadron was full of many silly men, and good men. They serve our country, and the most sincere men serve God. I loved each of these relationships that were formed, and I loved rocking out with Jon in the car, drinking ChuHai (a slightly alcoholic soda) and singing Journey songs. I loved waking up and watching It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia together, and then having all kinds of adventures all day. I loved all the good food (esp. the Garlic House- the new beat of my heart). And I loved being able to invest in my relationship with Jon. We had great times and a couple miscommunications, and learned that we have a lot more to learn about each other. We went to Zumami Island… And basically did tons of things I have never done before. For example, playing “I have Never” with a couple bottles of wine and two other military couples.

I hated that I didn’t get to talk with Stacy.

It was an amazing trip, and I hope that the relationship continues to blossom. There are several levels that are waiting to be reached, but so far so good.

Then two days later, Royal Family Kids Camp. On my way to the church I listened to Jars of Clay.  The other counselors in my cabin had much to say about relationships, and I was very grateful for that. One had no support from her family, even though she and her boyfriend are amazingly legit. The other was happily married until her husband pulled out the divorce papers. Another was happily married for 40 years until her husband left her. The last has been happily married for 30 years or so, and had amazing stories to share about diamonds and husbands.

The kids at the camp challenged my heart to stand against the winds of tragedy. So much of what happened will not even blossom or show fruit for years, since these girls are still learning how to even take in life’s processes. A week with precious children hurt by the world showed me that not everything can be explained by God or by love. How can an orphaned 9-year old really understand that it’s okay if her dad died and she doesn’t know her mom… God is her father and loves her.

God doesn’t take children to baseball games or fishing or skipping rocks on a lake. God isn’t a mommy with arms to wrap around her.

She called me Mommy all week. We cried together almost every day.

I wished I had not ever thought about going to this camp, but then again, I can’t imagine who I would be without having this week in my life.

On my way home in my own car, I listened to Jars of Clay again. Suddenly lyrics held a whole new kind of life:

I never minded calling you a king
If that meant that i could count on you
To give me everything
I never thought to ask you
I always thought you knew
It was never my intention to question you

You never minded calling me a child
Well, i guess that’s how i acted all the while
But you live through every tantrum
You see through every lie
Though they seem to be more common
I just wanted to know why oh why

Unforgetful you, unforgetful
Unforgetful you, so unforgetful

You never minded giving us the stars
Then showing us how blind
And unaware of you we are
You painted me a picture
And showed me how to see
Though I just won’t behold it
Unless it pertains to me

Sometimes there is an opportunity to take, regardless of the daunting speed and pressure.

Sometimes the pressure turns into a diamond, or the discomfort turns into a pearl.

Sometimes I want to cry because I can’t seem to communicate my deepest, purest desires.

Sometimes I wonder if the pure desires are actually the ones at the forefront after all.

Sometimes my relationship with God seems the most real and significant thing in my existence.

Sometimes my guard is down, and I have to beg mercy, that God would help me remember what that guard looks like again.

Sometimes I regret, with a strong desire to do better, to be legitimate.

Sometimes I regret, wishing that life would just be done already.

Always, God is good. Forever, His Word is true and powerful. Never will He stop loving His children. And every moment has been providentially permitted.

Investigate my life, O God

find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

get a clear picture of what I am about;

See for yourself whether I have done anything wrong-

then guide me on the road to eternal life.

(Psalm 139:23-24. The Message.)

My regrettable moments are over and have been forgiven. Internally, I have processed them and moved on after months of prayer and quiet.

New and beautiful opportunities are afoot.