Reason 143: Quinoa

Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

If you haven't tried quinoa (keen-wa) please do so.  Today.  It is a million times better than rice and could be compared to a mini massage in your mouth.  And the best part?  It is super healthy!  Here is a description I got from WebMD...

"Quinoa is now readily available in many supermarkets and is one of the best whole grains you can eat, according to Zied. "It is an ancient grain, easy to make, interesting, high in protein (8 grams in 1 cup cooked), fiber (5 grams per cup) and a naturally good source of iron," she says. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) also has plenty of zinc, vitamin E, and selenium to help control your weight and lower your risk for heart disease and diabetes, she says. Quinoa is as easy to prepare as rice and can be eaten alone or mixed with vegetables, nuts, or lean protein for a whole-grain medley. Try to make at least half your daily grain servings whole grains. In addition to quinoa, try barley, oats, buckwheat, whole wheat, wild rice, and millet."


And to start off (or continue) your quinoa adventures, here is an uber delicious recipe from Our Best Bites (my new favorite website).

Mango Quinoa Salad

(And if you don't like mango, leave it out.  Some readers suggested peaches, avacadoes, or roasted red peppers instead!)

Mango Quinoa Salad

Recipe adapted from Ali Vincent

2 cups cooked quinoa* at room temperature, or chilled

1 14 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 medium mango, peeled and diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1 handful chopped cilantro (about 1/2 cup)

4 tablespoon red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

kosher salt

freshly cracked black pepper

*Quinoa can be cooked in water or broth.  I suggest using vegetable or chicken broth for enhanced flavor, but plain water works great too.

Place cooked quinoa in a large bowl.  Add mango, red pepper, green onion, black beans, and cilantro.  In a small bowl combine vinegar, olive oil, and lime juice.  Whisk until smooth and pour on top of salad.  Toss to combine and add salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for at least one hour before serving.

And in other news, only two weeks left of spring term!  Jake and I are planning a spectacular St. George Adventure with two of our friends, Mary and Marc, after Spring ends.  Oh yeah and the BOC is coming. On that note, I am off to study.  

Reason 142: Nursery

Sunday, May 29, 2011.

We got our calling in our new ward and we are officially in the nursery!  This will definately be a new experience- especially since I've been in single student wards from August 2008 until April 2011.

This picture hangs on the door.  Funny, huh?  Today actually was really fun!  Not many callings include puzzles, snacks, playtime, singing time, and coloring.  And I LOVE being in there with Jason.  I think there are about nine kids if they all come.  Today we only had five- so it was a good introduction.  I realized how long it has been since Hannah was that little- I don't remember much about the 18- 36 months age group.  They are SMART kids!  

We are super excited to be in this new ward and feel really welcome.  I also played the piano in sacrament today- accompanying a vocal solo.  We just jumped right in, I guess!  And tomorrow morning we are off to the cemetery to decorate the graves.  We were supposed to go today, but lo and behold, it is raining.  Surprise, surprise!

 

Reason 141: Andrew Graduate's!

Saturday, May 28, 2011.

On Wednesday we were in FABULOUS and WARM St. George for Andrew's Graduation!  I can't believe he is old enough to graduate from high school!

My parents gave him a MacBook Pro for graduation.  This is is excited face...

And this is his adorable "about-to-graduate"face

And if you were wondering what he was wearing under his tent- er, gown- it was this lovely sign (just in case the teachers did gown checks)

It says, "Don't I look Beautiful?"

Grandma and Poppa

This kids and our amazing momma

So yep- he did it!  WOOT!

On Thursday, my family left for Mesa so we spent the day with the Burton's.

Mountain Biking.

Running.
Swimming.

Football.
Basketball.
Fish Tacos.

So sad it had to come to an end.

Congrats to Justin, Ali, and Andrew on high school graduation!

Reason 140: Homeade Calzones

Sunday, May 22, 2011.

I have been posting about food a lot lately.  Oh well.  Today, Jason surprised me with potentially the best meal he has ever made.  He made a calzone from scratch!  He made the pizza dough, added stuff to make it more calzone-crust like, and filled it with all of our fresh veggies from the Bountiful Basket.

Wow.  It was SO GOOD.  He didn't follow a recipe- he just kind of made it up.  Somedays I try and talk him into going to culinary school.  Maybe after med school as- a hobby?  Then he made homemade alfredo sauce to dip it in.  We also used tomato sauce and a little barbeque sauce (all in separate bowls).

Yep.  Love this kid.

Reason 139: How to Conquer the Week

Saturday, May 21, 2011.

One more week of this crazy Spring Term down.  Weeks FLY by.  And because of this, I've found myself becoming obsessed with studying.  Weird, huh?  Every single moment I think about studying. I just really want to do well in my anatomy class and I REALLY want to pass the BOC the first time.

Accomplishments of the week:
-I tried a Papusa at the El Salvador Restaurant with our almost- El Salvadorian friend, Sister Springer.
-Sammy's cupcake shake with Jake, Linz, Danni, and Courtney
-Red Robin for Mary's birthday for Jake, Aly, and Chelts
-Survived the Nervous System lab test AND lecture test
-Running, biking, weight lifting
-Watched the amazing BYU Rugby play Cal for the National Championship.  What a battle.

-Bountiful Basket.  Mmm mmm.
-Sang a solo (twice) in my vocal skills class.  Did you know that engaging your abs makes the breathiness disappear?
-Hair cut.  Well, trimmed. Growing my bangs out, still growing my hair out.

P.S. It finally stopped raining.  It rained Sunday- Friday.  Blah.  It's hard to have any energy when it is all doom and gloom outside.  

Reason 138: "And you're still mine..."

Thursday, May 19, 2011.

Eleven month anniversary.  Crazy, much?  I was just sitting here, making flashcards for anatomy, and listening to Pandora.  The song "Do You Remember?" By Jack Johnson  came on and it made my day.  I love being in love.  I love Jake.  My commentaries are in blue :)

Do you remember when we first met? I sure do.
It was some time in early September (Actually it was. September 2006)

(Sometime in 2007)

You were lazy about it, you made me wait around
I was so crazy about you I didn't mind

(Junior Prom-April 2007)

I was late for class, I locked my bike to yours
It wasn't hard to find ‒ you painted flowers on it
I guess that I was afraid that if you rolled away
You might not roll back my direction real soon.

I was crazy about you then and now
The craziest thing of all,
Over ten years have gone by (Only about five years for us. Still crazy.)
And you're still mine,
We're locked in time (And eternity!)
Let's rewind

Do you remember When we first moved in together?
The piano took up the living room (My new favorite line of the song)

You'd play me boogie woogie (Our new favorite past time is playing Billy Joel on the piano while Jason sings along), 

I played you love songs (What can I say? I'm a girl.  I play love songs.)
You'd say we're playing house, now you still say we are. (Yes.  It feels like this.)

We built our get away up in a tree we found.
We felt so far away but we were still in town.
Now I remember watching that old tree burn down
I took a picture that I don't like to look at.
(So many memories in St. George.  Sometimes it is hard to look back.)

Well, all these times they come and go
And alone don't seem so long
Over ten years have gone by
We can't rewind,
We're locked in time
But you're still mine

Do you remember? 

Florida State- September 2010

Cool song.  I can't believe we've been married a year already. Blissful doesn't even describe it.  It's BETTER than that.  

I love you, Jake :)

Reason 137: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Wednesday, May 18, 2011.

It has been raining here for about 6 solid months.  Not really, but it has been raining for awhile.  It's awful dreary here which means that you cook comfort foods :).  I've always wanted to make meatballs from scratch, but for some reason I had in my head that it would be really difficult.  Thanks to my new favorite website, Our Best Bites, this was successfully (and easily) accomplished last night!

Looks comforting, eh?  It was surprisingly easy.  And it is always fun to try and make your own sauce (which, in my humble opinion, also turned out quite well).  If you want to check out this recipe, follow this link.

See that garlic bread?  Toasted Costco rolls with garlic salt and parmesan cheese. Haha.

Tonight we are having stuffed bell peppers and cheesecake with our dear friend, and almost missionary, Danni.  She brought a friend to enjoy our *lovely* weather in Northern Utah.  Check out her blog here!

Reason 133: The Brachial Plexus

Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

Oh, brachial plexus, how you concern me.

See this?  I have to memorize this.  Be able to draw this.  Know what connects to what.  Know what is damaged/weakened when a certain portion is cut.  How do you memorize something like this? In the summer?

Then....how do you find this business on a cadaver?  My TA would lift up a little piece of insides and call it a nerve.  My jaw would have dropped to the floor, but I was afraid of inhaling too much formaldehyde ;-)

Today I also read an extremely long position statement on cervical spine injuries.  I basically highlighted the whole position.  That stuff is SO important.  And as of right now, my worst fear is handling a C-spine injury.  But I totally feel more prepared after position statement. 

I also read about environmental conditions in the Arnheim Principles of Athletic Training text book (yes, I am reading the entire 1000 page text book in six weeks). 

BOC. Functional Anatomy. BOC. Functional Anatomy.

Off to open lab!

Reason 136: I Am a Child of God

Tuesday, May 17, 2011.

Here is a new Mormon Message.  Kind of cheesy, but so cute!



BOC in exactly one month.  YIKES.

Reason 135: Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I have a new favorite blog.  It's called "Our Best Bites" and you can find it by clicking on the title.  Tonight we made a chocolate chip cookie pie.  Woah.  Delicious.  Like- amazing.  And SOOOO easy.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie
Recipe from Nestle

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust, homemade or store-bought.
2 large eggs
1/2 C flour
1/2 C white granulated sugar
1/2 C packed brown sugar
3/4 C real butter, softened (1 1/2 sticks)
1 C chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark works best, you might find milk too sweet)
1 C chopped pecans (you are welcome to make it without nuts)

Vanilla ice cream, or sweetened whipped cream for serving (a must!  I prefer ice cream)

optional: chocolate sauce (honestly, doesn’t really need chocolate sauce, but it looks pretty!)

Preheat oven to 325° F.

Beat eggs in large mixer bowl on high speed until foamy. Beat in flour, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat in butter. Stir in morsels and nuts. Spoon into pie shell.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until knife inserted halfway between edge and center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack or serve slightly warmed.  Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

So there you have it.  We also made chicken and vegetable teriyaki stir fry over rice. Mmm mmm. 

Reason 134: Great West Track and Field Championships

Saturday, May 14, 2011.

This weekend was the Great West Conference Track and Field Championship track meet at UVU!  I usually dislike working track meets, but this weekend was exceptionally fun!

The Great West Conference has some random teams such as: Utah Valley University, Seattle University, University of Texas Pan America, University of North Dakota, University of South Dakota, Houston Baptist University, Chicago University, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  It was really fun to meet these track and field athletes from all over the country and talk to them.  I met some fascinating people, including the athletic trainer from HBU who is from Israel.  So cool!  

And this is me and and Jen Terry with the most intense golf cart ever.  It was LIFTED. 

Congrats to UVU on winning the Great West Conference Championship!

Reason 132: My mom :)

Sunday, May 8, 2011.

Happy Mother's Day!  Here is a shout out to my AWESOME mom..

You are amazing and beautiful and I love you with all my heart. If I can be half as strong or amazing as you- I will be successful.

P.S. And to Grandma Linda...
Yeah- you have your own post coming!

Reason 131: BYU Rugby

Saturday, May 7, 2011.

Rugby is one of the most awesome sports on the planet.  Today, Jason and I met up with the Hepworth's to watch BYU Rugby take on Navy in the quarterfinals.  It was WONDERFUL- the team looked awesome.  We beat them 64-12!  Now we move on to the semifinals on May 14.  The championship game will be held in Sandy, so it would be SWEET to win that.

Photo from BYU RUGBY Facebook Page

I got to work with the Rugby team in Fall 2009 which was SO amazing.  It's nice to have time to go to their games now. It was also really warm outside today- perfect to be outside.  Only downside?  The top of my knees got burned.  BADLY.  And my arms, face, and neck.  But, oh what a blessing this warm weather is!

Go BYU Rugby!  I would love to see them win the National Championship!

Reason 130: Triathlon Training

Friday, May 6, 2011.

I am training for a triathlon.  To be honest, I am not sure my knee can handle a triathlon.  Mile 1.5 of my run tonight I felt this horrible clicking so I had to slow down and head home.  But regardless- it is the goal. Right now I am lifting weights for an hour, four to five days a week.  I run only once or twice, swim twice a week, and bike whenever I can.  It's already been a successful two weeks (well, not the running)... but I'd love to do a sprint triathlon in the next twelve months.  Kokopelli is in September in St. George- that is the tri that Jason is training for right now.  That feels REALLY soon to me- but we'll see!

Spring term is looking something like this- study for anatomy, study for the BOC, workout, play the piano. Those are the main four things that fill my days.  It's actually quite wonderful- it leaves plenty of time to be with Jason, watch movies, and attempt new recipes.  And I keep trying to convince myself that studying anatomy with "House" on will help.  I will let you know how that goes.

The BOC, to clarify, is the "Board of Certification" exam to become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).  Basically, it tests everything I've worked for for the past 2 years.  It's a big deal.  An EXPENSIVE big deal.  And I MUST pass it in June so I can work as a graduate assistant in August.  No pressure, right?  If you want to read more about what an Athletic Trainer actually does, click on the underlined text.  Yep- I am shamelessly promoting my profession.  And so is your local legislature.  Athletic Trainers are a necessity in organized sports- especially high schools, colleges, and professional sports.  More and more cities are requiring a full-time Athletic Trainer in their schools.  That is GOOD news for me and the job outlook!

And finally- today we bought the wood to build our bookshelves and tv stand!  I am SO excited that Jason wants to build them.  I think it will be absolutely wonderful.  The wood is gorgeous.

Tomorrows agenda?  Bike ride, study for the BOC, BYU Rugby game with the Hepworth's, stain the end tables, and swim.

Reason 129: Top 10 BYU Classes

Wednesday, May 4, 2011.

As graduation approaches, I thought I'd make a list of my Top Ten Favorite classes as a BYU undergrad. It may be slightly premature- I still haven't taken Physics 106 & 108, Tennis, or Volleyball.  But I do have a lot of other classes.  So in no particular order (because that'd make this post really difficult)...

Top 10 BYU Classes

1. American Heritage (A Htg 100)

This class is often spoken of as the most despised class on campus. I think I got really lucky.  I had Matt Holland as a professor- current UVU President and the son of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.  This class was so incredible- seeing the Gospel weave in and out of American history, discussing current events and how they will effect us, and getting a taste of economics.  

2. Mission Preparation (Rel C 130)

Brother Randy Bott. Wow- what a teacher.  This class taught me a lot about myself, and how preparing for a mission is the same as preparing for life- Gospel and Christ centered.  If you are at BYU and have not taken this class, you are missing out.  He also has some awesome one-liners.  Not at BYU? And even if you are- check out his book.

"Preparation Precedes Power"
Randy L. Bott

3. Human Anatomy (PDBio 220 and ExSc 400)

PDBio 220 was so brutal.  But it was also SO worth it.  Understanding the human body in a great depth is blessing and so intriguing.  I wish this were a GE because I think it is more important and applicable to life than a lot of GE's they require!  Here is my favorite quote on the topic.

"I marvel at the miracle of the human mind and body. What a remarkable thing you are. You can think by day and dream by night. You are a child of God, His crowning creation. After He had formed the earth, separated the darkness from the light, divided the waters, created the plant and animal kingdoms—after all this He created man and then woman." -President Gordon B. Hinckley

4. Kinesiology and Biomechanics (ExSc 362)

I love the combinations of physics and the human body.  This was a really interesting class.  I think it helped me improve my wakeboarding technique- hehe.

5. Injury Evaluation of the Lower Extremities (ExSc 416)

This was the class that made me realize I was in the perfect major.  We talked about injuries, pathologies, special tests, and how to handle it.  

6. Rehabilitation of Orthopedic Injuries (ExSc 418)

Pretty self explanatory description in the title of the class.  I love learning about rehab.  Sometimes I read my rehab book just for fun :)

7. Problems in Exercise Prescription (ExSc 468)
Once again, brutal.  But doesn't it usually turn out that the most time-consuming, stress-provoking classes are the ones that make you work the hardest?  This class was great- we focused a lot on applying physiology to rehabilitation, strength training, and nutrition.  LOTS of applicable things came from this class.

8. LDS Marriage and Family (Rel C 234)
Take this class from Guy Dorius.  This class is for people at all relationship stages.  It is doctrinally based and discusses topics from dating to engagement to marriage to babies.  SO good.  You learn a lot from the words of the Brethren.  And Brother Dorius is a fantastic teacher!

9. Beginning Weight Training (ExSc 191)
This class is wonderful.  I have totally fallen in love with weight training!  Our teacher is awesome- he has showed us how to correctly lift with free weights and helped us do our max and taught us the most effective way to work out.  No expectations.  Just go at your own pace.

10. The Book of Mormon- Pt 2 (Rel A 122)

I had a hard time choosing a tenth class, but this class was important to me because it is the class the prepared me the most to receive my endowments and be sealed in the LDS Temple.  This class really helped me to see the depth that is in the scriptures and how important they are.  Brother Thompson was a  great teacher and easy to follow.

Honorable Mention: Music Civilizations (Music 201 and 202)

Dr. Howard was so funny and SO knowledgeable!  This class took some work, but I feel like I learned a lot about art and music.  Definately a good GE option.

Well there you have it.  Maybe I'll do a top ten list of classes to absolutely avoid?  Haha.  I can't believe graduation is almost here- only 3 months and 6 days away!  

Reason 128: Osama is dead!

Sunday, May 1, 2011.

Go America.  I'm listening right now as President Obama declares that Osama bin Laden is officially dead. Holla. This is great news.  It's amazing to think that my little sister (born in 2001) has known nothing except this "War on Terror." Can you believe it's taken ten years to find him?  That guy was a hide-and-go-seek master.  Anyways- we won.  Take that.

The real title of this post was "New Ward!"  We started in our new ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  After three years of singles wards I was MORE than ready to leave.  This past year we have had a great calling.  We taught a "Dating and Courtship" class in a singles ward- twice.  It was super fun!  We learned a lot.

Today we went to the Springville family ward and it was great!  Everyone was really nice and I am just so excited to be part of a family ward again.  Little kids screaming?  Music to my ears.  Elderly people tellings stories with no point?  Beautiful.  When I would tell them that I am a Bartholomew (well, my mom is.  Same thing.) I felt like I was elevated to rockstar status.  Pretty awesome :)

One final word to Osama.

Na na na na, hey hey hey, GOOD- BYE.

Reason 127: The Royal Wedding

Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Yep- I'm one of them.  I found myself getting obsessed with the Royal Wedding on Thursday (so not too bad, only a few days).  Kind of random, but here are my main thoughts on this topic.

-I have visited London twice.  I got to tour Buckingham Palace, visit the Westminster Abbey, and drive by other historic landmarks.  I'm familiar enough with the city that it was SO fun to see these sites on tv for this event.
-I remember when Princess Diana died.  I was only seven years old and I remember being glued to the TV with my mom, watching the coverage.  So I guess that was my first real "experience" paying attention to the British Royal Family.
-I think Kate Middleton is GORGEOUS.  And William is some mixture of goofy-cute-and totally and obviously in love with Kate.
-It is seriously like a fairytale.  With all the devastating news coming from the South, this was a pleasant reminder that happiness DOES exist.

And just like everyone else I'm going to go ahead and say it....

Kate's dress? WOW.  Oh my goodness.  I have never seen anything like that.  I'm not a fashion follower by any means- most current "fashions" I totally don't get or I don't see why someone would pay so much for clothes.  But this dress?  Stunning.

Photo from Google Images

Yeah- I love everything about this dress and veil.  And hair.  And did you know she did her own makeup?  Haha even I couldn't pull that one off.  This whole wedding reminds me of my own which happened almost a year ago- we are at approximately 10 1/2 months.  Time flies.  And because it is the cool thing to do, here is my favorite picture of my wedding dress.

On another note: It's still snowing here, I went to Tucanos Brazilian Grill for the first time (YUM), and I have had a much needed lazy weekend with Jason.