FOOD INC.

I just rented Food Inc.

My family isn't exactly enjoying all these crazy ideas I'm having (especially when it involves me forcing them to watch and read everything I'm filling my brain with). They think I'm weird enough with food and preventing excess trash etc. (but on the other hand, I have had to endure far too many hours this afternoon of stupid football games....ugh)

I already know how bad most of the food in our supermarket is, I can only imagine the truths this movie will bring to light on the subject! Review on the movie will follow-

~Angela M.

I want change. I need change. I crave change in my heart and to spill out to my life.

After my most recent reads and taking the time to listen to the Lords stirring, I feel a change coming on, and I can tell it is one that will effect my daily life. Not just a fancy thing way far off in the distance. I'm still praying through some things but I know there are things I can do today to really and truly care for the poor and oppressed around the world. One of those things is making changes at work

I work at starbucks. We waste so much paper plastic electricity and dairy it is disgusting. But I'm not looking to get out of here. That woud be the easy thing to do and would not change anything. So today I went berserk. (who knew that was an actual word?) I created a list of all the things we waste, how we waste it, and created a list of ways to end our excess waste that only adds to the vicious cycle the American lifestyle is in. Some co workers love the idea. I'm sure others will not be too happy.

But today I felt like I made real change.~Angela M.

My dad brought me back from his trip to Florida a few books to ruin my life. The aforementioned interrupted by Jen hatmaker and serve god save the planet by Matthew sleeth. I finished jens book in just over a day and am a quarter through the next. God has been moving and shaking some life changing ideas in my head for a while now and these books are just continuing to rip up my heart and brain to shreds.

I love it.

Angela M.

How to be a Christian in America

For the last several years there has been a stirring inside of me--something that made it obviously clear to me that serving Christ and chasing the American dream did not go hand in hand. I know many other followers of Jesus who are caught up in that very same dicotomy. I don't want to live the same as the rest of the world who are pursuing personal gain, status, happiness, and more and more things. If the only difference between myself and someone who doesn't know the Lord is that I read my Bible and go to church, but nothing else in my life tells otherwise, then it's not really living the way Christ did.

So here I sit in the familiar place I've been in for a few years now...thinking, reading and praying about how life needs to change. Several new books I am reading, including "Interrupted" by Jen Hatmaker are helping my process through the turmoil in my head. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has had similar thoughts to mine.

It's time for a change.

~Angela M.

Running Year:

One list I have made for the year is a list of runs...no not the kind in your stockings, or the kind after you've eaten too much Taco Bell...the kind where you train and beat your body until you stand at the starting line with your heart pounding, legs shaking, and you feel like you're going to have a case of either the runs or like everything you ate in the last 48 hours will come bursting out of your mouth...alas, I digress.

So here are my running goals for the year:
March-St. Patricks 5k run
May-Bloomsday 12k
June-Missoula Half Marathon 13.1 miles
Sept/Oct.-Full Marathon 26.2 miles

So there it is. Quite the challenge to myself. I'm sure trips to the Chiropractor will be more frequent, and I should have many stories to share somewhere between here and the finish line. I am starting to run with a new gals running group tomorrow and did a 3 mile run 3 times this week already. And in the meantime, I'm doing a bunch of reading and research to help prepare myself. Anyone care to join the list?

~Angela M.

Baby It's Cold Outside:

Winter time is always a challenge for myself and probably many others in terms of exercising. I'm a runner--but I HATE running when it's freezing cold out, and hours are limited by sunlight. Also, since Jared and I are saving up every penny so we can pay of his Master's work debt free, we do not have a gym membership.




Problem: No running, biking, swimming, or gym.

Solution: Jillian Michaels

About a year ago I first found Jillian's workouts on comcast ondemand. I have since become an addict-
Here is my review on the one I do most often: Banish Fat Boost Metabolism (which is great because you don't need anything but a little space)

The workout begins with a little 5 min. warm up: (sidenote, one of the great things about this workout is that she gives explanations behind things like why you should not raise your hands above your heart while running etc.)

She then goes into 7 different circuits each with about 5-6 repeating moves.
The first circuit is kickboxing: kicking and punching, which I think is fantastic--it really gets your heart rate up there in a hurry.
2nd Circuit is balistic craziness: burpees, 180 jumps, 1 legged hops. By the end of this one I am usually way out of breath.
3rd circuit is callistetics, butt kicks, high knees, leg raises. Nice rest time during the leg raises.
4th Circuit is abs and butt all on the floor. Anything from supermans, to oblique crunches.
5th circuit It think is back to kick boxing stuff-more kicks and punches
6th circuit This is the toughest one and I just want to stop throughout the whole things, but I don't. Jump squats and a bunch of other mean stuff (like standing mountain climbers...ugh)
7th circuit is some punching, knee crunches, and jump rope.

Then there is a cool down and that is it! Beware, this workout is not for the beginner! It is extremely high intensity and if you are pretty fit, I have found you can always modify to make things more difficult. Part of what makes this so difficult is the fact that there is no resting at all. I highly recommend this workout to anyone who likes to workout at home or just needs a change of pace and needs something challenging!

The 2 girls doing the workout with her are disgustingly in-shape, and of course so is Jillian so it is a great motivation too:)

My favorite quote from Jillian in this workout is: "I want you to feel like you're going to die!"


~Angela M.

Recipes for a New Year

Several friends have been asking for some of my healthy recipes, so rather then just send a bunch of e-mails, here they are for all to share:)

Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs with Edamame

1 ½ C. Brown Rice
1 ¼ Lbs. Ground chicken or turkey
¼ sweet onion
2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
2 Tbsp oil
1/2 lb snowpeas
1 C. frozen shelled Edamame
½ C. low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

Cook Rice according to pkg. Meanwhile in a large bowl combine meat, onions and ginger and shape into balls. Heat oil in pan-cook meatballs 10-12 min. Empty and wipe out pan, add meatballs and veggies, soy sauce and brown sugar-cook 2-3 more min.


Grilled Halibut Soft Tacos with Orange Salsa

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp. lime juice
¼ tsp salt and pepper
Halibut fillets (I use tilapia too)
8 6 inch corn tortillas

In a large Ziploc bag, combine oil and spices—add thawed fish and shake till covered. Place on grill and cook through. When cooled, use a fork to chop fish into small pices.

For salsa
2 Large Oranges
2 Medium limes
1 tsp cilantro
½ garlic clove
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 medium Serrano chile
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Peel oranges and limes—remove all membranes—finely chop fruit. Mix with all other ingredients---pour over tacos!

Black Bean Soup

1 Tbsp Olive oil
½ yellow bell pepper (chopped)
1 Green Pepper
1 minced garlic cloves
1 lb. dry rinsed black beans
5 C. Water
3 C. broth
2 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt
2 dried bay leaves
1 ½ C. salsa
1 can corn
½ Red Pepper
¼ chopped cilantro

In a crock pot add oil-turn on high-stir in onion-cook for 5 min. Add green papper, garlic, beans, water, broth, chilies, cumin, thyme, salt and pepper, and bay leaves. Cover and cook 7 and a half hrs on high. Remove bay leaves, add corn and salsa-cook another 30 min. Mash soup and top with peppers and cilantro.

Red Lentil Stew

3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Medium sweet onion (chopped)
3 celery stalks
3 carrots
2 garlic cloves
1 Bay leaf
1 tsp Cumin
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 Can diced tomatoes
7 C. water/broth
1 ½ C dried lentils
3 potatoes
2 Tbsp vinegar

Heat oil in pan. Add onions, carrots, and celery-cook 5 min. Add garlic-heat 1 more min. Add bay leaf and all seasonings, tomatoes, potatoes, water, and lentils. Boil and then reduce heat to a simmer for 45 min. Add vinegar just before serving.

Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
5 C. broth
1 C. dried lentils
½ onion
3 sweet potatoes
3-5 minced garlic cloves
2 tsp cumin
½ tsp. tumeric
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ c. cilantro
1 lemon

Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Combine all ingredients except lemon into a large pot. Bring to a boil. Bring down to a simmer for 20-30 min. Puree with food processor or hand blender. Add lemon juice and serve

Lentil Salad
1 ¼ C. Brown Lentils dried and rinsed
¼ C. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 Large cucumber (chopped)
½ C. chopped parsley
½ C. Chopped red onion

In a small saucepan, cover lentils with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 min. Drain well. Wisk oil and vinegar together in separate bowl—add lentils and all ingredients to oil and vinegar mixture.

Lentil Taco Meat

¾ C. Dry lentils
¾ C. Brown rice
¼ chopped onion
2 minced garlic cloves
4 C. Water
2 boullion cubes
4 Tsp chili powder
1 tsp. cumin

Bring water to a boil, add all ingredients. Turn down to a simmer and cook till done (20-30 min). Stir well.

3 Bean Salad

¾ C. Red Wine/Pomegranate/Balsamic Vinegar
3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Tbsp. parsley
½ tsp salt
1 can kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can black beans
1 yellow bell pepper
½ onion chopped

Rinse and drain all beans. Combine in a medium sized bowl vinegar, oil and spices. Add beans, pepper and onion. Chill for 2 hrs before serving for best flavor.

Oatmeal pancakes

2 ½ C. oats
6 egg whites
1 C. soymilk
1 Tbsp. flaxseed
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbsp. Applesauce

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Cook over griddle. Serve with honey or natural peanut butter.

Vegetarian Chili

2 Green Peppers
1 Red Pepper
3 Celery Stalks
½ Onion
¾ Cup Corn
1 Can diced tomatoes (or fresh)
½ Can tomato paste
½-1 Cup of Water
1 Can Black Bean
1 Can Kidney beans
1 Can White Bean
1 tsp Chili Powder
Salt and Pepper

Chop up vegetables, combine all ingredients into Crock pot-Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours!


~Angela M.

Operation 6 months No Sugar Underway:

January 2, I started my second annual fast from sugar. No I am not going extreme, I know there is sugar in just about everything from bread and pasta to yogurt, but I have cut out all sweets-ice cream, cookies, sweet breads, candy, juice with added sugar etc. I do use honey and agave as a replacement in oatmeal, and some recipes. (side note, I NEVER use artificial sweetners---they are worse for your overall health and are proven to have negative side effects such as CANCER!)

Last year, I went from January 2 until April 22 on my birthday. This year I want to push myself to do 6 months (for those of you who may have trouble with the math that is until June 2). The first few days as always difficult-especially since I work at starbucks, but I always notice great benefits from having more energy, sleeping better, and losing weight. It's pretty awesome to say "this double chocolate brownie with ice cream and fudge is not worth my health" (well sometimes it is;)

Taking out sugar from my diet also makes the transition to the Daniel Fast we will do for the lent season easier.

Anyone who wants to join me in this venture please let me know! I know sometimes it seems impossible, but I love being in control of my own body---you can be too:)!!!


~Angela M.

New Year New Post

It has been a loooong time since my last blog. Life has been busy-much has changed, especially through our Whirlwind Christmas Season.

Grandma and Grandpa Teal passed away last week. We actually got the call 8:00 am on Christmas morning that Grandpa went to be with Jesus. My poor dad spent almost all day on the phone with airlines trying to work things out for all of us to get to Niagara Falls for the funeral---the most touching moment of the day for me was when a family friend gave a generous gift to me by purchasing my plane ticket for me----an unbelievable gift.

We all left Sunday morning and arrived in Detroit to stay with my brother and his family. Drove to Niagara Falls on Monday. Alex and I walked up to see Grandma in her room at Bella Sr. Care---Jared and Becky stayed with the kids downstairs...Grandma was hardly conscious. We talked to her for a bit and then sang How Great Thou Art to her. I could hardly sing most of it. I just had a feeling that would be the last time I saw her. We kissed her on the forehead, said I love You, and left the room. It wasn't more then a few hours later at Grandpa's viewing that my Grandmother slipped from this earthly world into the heavenly realms.
2 days later, we held a double funeral for both of them---it could not have been more fitting. Sad of course, but somehow very comforting to know my grandparents have new heavenly bodies and are in a place of no more tears, sorrows, or pain.

We arrived back home New Years Eve--a Whirlwind of a week.

So now here we are back in Spokane--resting and recovering. Mourning and Celebrating. Enjoying a new year and waiting with anticipation for what the Lord has in store.




~Angela M.