Apple pie oatmeal

This is healthy, I swear!

Apple pie Oatmeal
-1tb of wheat germ (adds fiber and protien)
-1/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup water microwaved according to package
-A heaping spoonful of organic applesauce
-half of an apple, diced
-dash of vanilla extract
-cinnamon, nutmeg to taste

Stay tuned for my new post!

Every 2 hours

Have you ever heard that the best way to eat is every two to three hours? I have never done it, and I bet not many other people do either. So I challenge you to take the 2 hour challenge!
Here's my attempt.
Woke up at 11:30 ( I slept in)
-Ate at 12:30.
Decided to make oatmeal, but I switched up the recipe a bit!
Check out my Apple pie oatmeal post for recipe.
-Ate at 2:30, leftovers from last nights dinner, salmon patty with coleslaw on a multigrain sandwich thin. I may put my salmon patty recipe up after I perfect it, trying to make the healthiest version I can!
-4:30, had a piece of bread with nutella
-stuffed jalapeño with a laughing cow lite wedge cheese, and Mexican chicken soup. (leftover chicken soup with taco seasoning and a couple tortilla chips)
Forgot to post this yesterday, went to look at Christmas lights.
So, I think for adults, this way of eating is the best, however, for someone with a high metabolism like me, stimulating it even more wasn't very efficient, I ate so much more than I normally do... And was a lot hungrier all day. If your looking for weight loss... Eat this way, it will get your metabolism started again. Also, drink water before and after you eat. This expands the food in your stomach, making you feel full, but eat less and cut down you appetite!

Trade as one

"Fair trade allows you to use your spending power to make the world a better place."

"Here at Trade as One we’re passionate about using our spending to address 3 crises. 

                      First, the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It’s an emergency on an unprecedented scale. 

                      Second, the problem of human slavery. Fair Trade is about both prevention through employing vulnerable women, and bringing hope and restoration to survivors. 

                      Lastly, the problem of extreme poverty. The worst evils in the world are rooted in the desperation of extreme poverty, and Fair Trade employment is a sustainable route out of that desperation."

My church has events with Trade as One a lot, so I thought I'd do some research.

From John Robbins Blog

Is there Slavery in your chocolate?

Most likely, Yes.

 The US spends 16.7 billion Dollars on Chocolate every year.

70% of the worlds Cacao supply is grown in West Africa, and 43% is grown on the Ivory Coast (the southern coast of West Africa)

 Hundreds of thousands of children are being purchased from their parents or stolen, and then sent to the Ivory Coast, where they are sold as slaves to cocoa farms. 

These children, 12-to-14-years-old, sometimes younger, are forced to do hard labor 80 to 100 hours a week for no meals or pay. And are terribly beaten if they try to escape.

 Most never see their families again.

Some companies that use "slave tainted" cacao beans include:  M&M Mars,Hershey Foods Corp., ADM Cocoa, Ben & Jerry’s, Cadbury Ltd., Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut, Fowler’s Chocolate, Godiva, Guittard Chocolate Company, Kraft, Nestle, See’s Candies, The Chocolate Vault, and Toblerone.

Trade as one sells Slave free chocolate, as well as many other products that help other people through your purchases. So before you buy some chocolate for Christmas presents or stocking stuffers, consider that you may be indirectly funding Child slavery. Just because we don't see it daily, doesn't mean its not happening.

Eggplant and Muppets

If you're ever craving Italian food, but don't feel like consuming empty carbs, here's a great alternative.

Saute some eggplant with olive oil, garlic, and top with tomato sauce ...voila! No guilt!

On another note, are you excited for the Muppets movie, because I know I am!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm all for wholesome entertainment, and the Muppets are just that, clean fun!

Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese and a Black Friday Heart

Here is a gourmet twist on a classic sandwich!

credit: Gina-Taste.blogspot.com

A grilled cheese with not just cheese... Carmelized red onion, Fresh apple slices, 

and 2 cheeses: mild cheddar cheese and asiago cheese.

I of course will urge you to try this on Ezekiel bread... its amazing toasted, and more filling!

It is grrreeattt!

Well, the Thanksgiving holiday is gone, I really don't like how black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, 9the day that we thank God for what we are blessed with and already have) and then turn around the next day and buy a new flat screen TV. But that's consumerism for you! 

King Solomon had a bit to say about possessions:

 Here's a piece of bad luck I've seen happen: 
   A man hoards far more wealth than is good for him 
   And then loses it all in a bad business deal. 
   He fathered a child but hasn't a cent left to give him. 
   He arrived naked from the womb of his mother; 
   He'll leave in the same condition—with nothing. 
   This is bad luck, for sure—naked he came, naked he went. 
   So what was the point of working for a salary of smoke? 
   All for a miserable life spent in the dark?

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.

                                       Ecclesiastes 5:13-20 THE MSG

So before you complain about the sale you missed, or the new shoes you want, make sure your heart is in the right place before you buy any luxury items, and make sure that they don't oppress others. it's time we begin to make a difference with our purchases!

Lover

That's right, you read the title correctly.

The bible describes God in many different ways. Alpha and Omega, the great I am, King of Kings.

and Lover.

... what?

In my devotional last night, that very idea was brought to my attention. Hmm... God as a lover.

Well, it makes sense if you think about it.

Some traits that are pretty much universal that a person wants in a spouse or lover:

"I want someone ..."

who loves me
who will never leave me
who provides for me
who protects me
who knows my every detail
who delights in me

Sounds good right??  Well, God fills all that criteria, and more.
While we also see God as a creator, father, savior, and judge, an over looked part of him is a lover.
And it makes sense.
God is literally the perfect lover.

 He'll never break our hearts, while we break his often.
 But he's always there, waiting for us to come back to him.




"At that time"—this is God's Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!' I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles, And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies! And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am.
Hosea 2:15-17

Chilly

Henry Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson make me sad.

Reasons why:
#1: Their literature is what my AP English class homework consists of.
#2: They were so smart, yet so stupid.

Explain? I will.

Both Emerson and Thoreau made great consessions about government and the nature of man according to politics, however, I don't understand how they can be so in tune with nature and their transcendental ideals, and be so ignorant as to ignore the creator of the creation they adore.  Nature is wonderful, beautiful, mysterious, awe inspiring even. But nature contains only a slight reflection of its creator, the alpha and omega.

Homework talk done. Now for Fashion.

its starting to get chilly.. here are some MODCLOTH picks I love for winter/fall.

I'm off to bed... Going to wear some WARM clothes tomorrow... a cold front's coming in!

5 Favorites!

Well, posting in September has been a fail... seeing how this is only my second this Month. 
In my defense (excuse) it's been busy! 

"Where'd Kaylee go?!"

I've:    Won an iPad, entered a pageant, joined two clubs in school, been cast in a play, filmed for some upcoming projects (whose names are under wraps at the moment;)), started a refined sugar and fried food fast, and neglected my devotionals (again:/)

So here's to 5 favorites, things I've been enjoying in my siesta away from the blog world:

1.      Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread,
 is an organic, nutritionally-dense, high fiber bread that also is a complete protein — one of the few breads on the market that contain all 9 essential amino acids, is low in fat, has no Trans Fats or cholesterol and is generally low in sodium. 
(http://www.answerfitness.com/213/ezekiel-bread-healthy-food-day/)
THIS BREAD IS A BLESSING.
Why?
 No flour= no carb crash
Protein= more filling= eat less= healthy portions= a healthy diet= happy body
It's amazing, end of story.


2. Winged Eyeliner,

Whether paired with a bold lip and matching blush, or a nude face, winged eyeliner is so classic and easy!

I have a little trick... I draw the line on the outer half of the lid, so I can focus on the wing. This is super helpful for if you have already applied mascara, then apply a highlight on the inner corner, and apply white eyeliner on the bottom waterline. its' a cute, easy makeup job, and you don't have to worry about the black smears you get underneath your eye with normal eyeliner!

3. Waves

An easy hair-do! Procedure:
1. shower. (thats good to do every once in a while;))
2. comb hair 
3. apply hair product (if you use any regularly)
4. braid
5. go to sleep.
6. take out braids in morning, and voila!  Beautiful waves, and all you did was sleep. 
best bedhead ever.


4. Sparkles.
Yes. Be it shoes, eyeshadow, or clothes, glitter is big right now!!

modcloth.com

5. Dylan Patrello:
Her lyrics and rhythms are so relaxing, fresh and unique!

 So there's my 5 favorites for the month of September!!


Proverbs 12: 25
Worry weighs us down; a cheerful word picks us up.


Task for tomorrow, give someone a pick-me-up with a cheerful word!


Hope everyone's September was a good one!

Beware of Christians

My church hosted a screening of the Movie "Beware of Christians" recently.



In this Documentary, 4 College guys from Highland Park, Dallas take a trip to Europe to escape american culture and throw everything they know about church out the window, all with a goal to grow closer to God.
They interview many Europeans about views of faith, and problems facing young people today.
What I took away from it after was the art of listening. I have a problem with talking and arguing instead of listening. But once you stop talking and start listening, you begin to understand truly what us Christians need to do to live like our name... (Christian means 'Little Christ')

Matthew 23

Religious Fashion Shows

 ^1-3 Now Jesus turned to address his disciples, along with the crowd that had gathered with them. "The religion scholars and Pharisees are competent teachers in God's Law. You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. 


Christ didn't look down on the prostitutes, thieves, and beggars. Christ called out the Pharisees...a.k.a. the religious of the religious.... They knew the rules, went to school for religion, and made sure everyone knew they did.
But Jesus knew what they were really all about.
Beware of Christians, to me, calls upon the fact that a lot of God's proclaimed people aren't really walking with him, and it's blatantly apparent, especially through a non-Christians eyes.
I applaud Will Bakke for a great film that's hilarious, and thought provoking at the same time!



for more information about the film, check out this website!

Sexy

Here's something that's been grating on me lately... In our culture, girls are encouraged to be sexy and provocative, and that's what is considered attractive.

we live in an defintion#1 sexy culture, which can be considered definition#3 sexy, and girls are encouraged to be definition#2 sexy.

We are trained to think that what men want to see is revealing clothing and seductive behavior.

But when it comes down to it, who would rather have a guy call her sexy over beautiful!?

The desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

(1 John 2:16)

 Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control.

(1 Timothy 2:9)

Here's a challenge for you:

First I'd like you to take a good look in the mirror. 

No really, go look at yourself. 

List 10 things you like about yourself. If you want, take an expo and make a list on your mirror. 

5 need to be outward- (like your teeth, eyes face arms shoulders legs, fingernails, eyebrows... whatever!)

5 need to be inward. -( any spiritual gifts, a few personality traits, abilities)

If you don't love yourself, the creation, how in the world can you expect to be able to love the Creator?

Culture may say that your body type, bone structure, skin tone, hair color, or figure is unattractive. In God's eyes it is beautiful. Because the creator of the stars, moon, earth, rainbows, butterflies, flowers, mountains... actually everything,

made you and loves you and rejoices in YOUR beauty. 

THATS RIGHT!

You can be not only self confident, but God confident, the obsession with being seen as sexy will pale in comparison to being a valued creation of the maker of the universe.

If anyone is struggling with this, or if this made you think, angry, confused, empowered or even slightly hungry, tell me about it at  http://revaluatingrubies.tumblr.com/ask or in the comment section below.

Thanks!

DIY, New Shorts, and...SCHOOL

 So I was feeling extremely crafty the other day so I searched the web for fun DIY's, and ran into Wearingitonmysleeves's blog!! She had a cute tutorial for making rosettes out of felt, and I duplicated it, using T-shirt material! Check out her DIY for basic instructions!

 Leave a comment about my hair accessory making! Success ...or failure????

ALSO! I went thrift shopping the other day and got these wonderful shorts that my family insists on making fun of! Well, I feel spiffy in them, plus they're comfy!

AND school is starting up again!

In order to have a good school year, I recommend reading devotionals in the morning before school, or at night before bed, or anytime that you want. Keep those regular, because the more we read God's word, the closer to his heart we become. And that's when peace sets in, which can be pretty darn helpful during normally stressful school!

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians while locked up in a nasty jail cell, in the worse condition, yet it is the single-most joyful letter he wrote that is contained in the Bible. So if school reminds you of a prison sometimes... we have a lot to learn from Paul. Philippians 4:6-7 is one of my favorite verses!

God Bless!

 And have a great first day of school!

The Help

73% of critics
67% popularity increase
7.8 stars on imdb

I saw the movie "The Help" with my father yesterday, and thought I'd do a review.
Set in 1963, in Jackson Mississippi, a town consumed by segregation and where racism is a normality. While the movie is not a quite accurate depiction of the level of racism in that time period, (it was much worse than the movie portrays) the amount shown is enough to break your heart.
Emma Stone played Skeeter Phelan, an ardent and candid protagonist who doesn't have a problem with speaking her mind, and aspires to be a journalist or novelist, or both.  Caught in a world of upper class young baby boomers, Skeeter is single, and still living with her mother, who is plagued with cancer. After receiving a job at a Jackson newspaper, writing the cleaning column, Skeeter asks a friend if she can interview her maid, Abilene about cleaning tips for her column. Viola Davis, (Abilene), gave an almost Oscar winning performance, you see the obvious elephant in the room when Skeeter begins to interview the maid, and Skeeters peers take notice, belwildered at the respect Skeeter has for the lower blacks who weren't even allowed to use white toilets. Skeeter's cleaning column research ensues, while she begins interviewing other black help as well, collecting stories from their point of view, eventually published in a book, that causes a scandal in Jackson, and puts Skeeter, and all the maids involved in the book, in danger.

Period pieces are always so difficult to recreate, but I found the time period believable, and the all-star cast truly delivered with real, poignant characters.

Tackling racism, parenting, down south tradition, gossip, prejudice, discrimination, lies, peer pressure, cancer, and grief,  While creating laughs and aww moments through unlikely friendship,  funny revenge, and a ditsy blonde.
I laughed, cryed and laughed and fumed and cryed and enjoyed every minute of the film.
I recommend recommend recommend this movie!!!

"You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus. There is neither Jew, or Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26-28

God doesn't see skin color, he sees souls.

Online Window Shopping, and Inner Beauty!

I was on Modcloth.com, doings some "online window shopping" and found some necklaces I HAVE to share!

I'm all about cool necklaces!

We represent Jesus in every way once we put our trust in him, through our actions, word, and how we present ourselves! If you like cool necklaces also check out my falling whistles post!

I'm making these cute verse pictures for my tumblr, thought I'd share one!

So let that inner beauty shine!

Our culture always emphasizes outer beauty, and a lot of us seem to forget the most important kind of beauty..INNER! Which I believe comes from the fruits of the spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, tolerance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Pageant, Carter's Crew, and Tumblr

Hey everyone!

So, In the time since I blogged last, I've...
1. Won the National American Miss Talent competition
 Check out my song here....

2. I shot a promo for Carter's Crew Undercover, soon to air on www.youtube.com/user/ccrewundercover

Some pictures from shoot:

3. I made a Revaluating rubies tumblr!
It has a lot of pictures, fashion, videos, music, verses... arranged pretty darn cool;) so check that out when you get the time! Or NOW! GO!

revaluatingrubies.tumblr.com

Just following God's plans;)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11

Where Are You?

I went to my Mom's bible study this past Tuesday and the topic of the day was seeking the Lord.


What became very clear through the lesson to me is that if your'e not actively pursuing  the Lord, in prayer, reading your bible, and worship, you're actually drifting away.
 If we truly want a relationship with the Lord, we must treat it like any other relationship and give it effort, because we all know how it feels when were in a one sided relationship... like our effort isn't appreciated.
We have to pursue the Lord, and only then will we truly begin to know him more like a father, and less like a judge.


"He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD" 2 Chronicles 12:14


So the readers digest version of what i'm trying to say is this: If we don't seek the Lord, and make an effort, it will be so much easier to fall to temptation. Because once you forget about Jesus, you will begin to make the wrong choices. 
Read the bible, or do devotionals. Keep a prayer Journal. Talk to HIM. . Get to know that God that knows everything about you.


Great songs for worship, or to listen to alone!

Kari Jobe also has some great organizations shes backing through selling products (If you love online shopping like I do), I'd check it out! Click here to go to Kari's website

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies!

One of my favorite restaurants...hands down is Paradise Bakery... What my good friend Leigh calls: "frilly food".
Quiche and soup? Or salad and panini?
And their cookies are to die for!
So I searched the internet for their Coconut Chocolate chip cookies... and found this! 


Here are some pictures from my baking excursion!

I find that I really enjoy sticking my camera in dangerous appliances...(i.e. the mixer, the oven...the blender!)


They were a hit with the family and I'll be forever putting coconut in chocolate chip cookies now!


I was inspired to bake cookies from cupcakesandcashmere


So last night in my Devo I came upon the verse Ecclesiastes 11:9-10:
You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it. 10 Live footloose and fancy free - You won't be young forever. Youth lasts about as long as smoke.
.
What does" make the most of your youth" and "relish" mean to you? Eat cookies while you can? LOL! 
Or use that youthful determination to make a difference while you have it?

Hello...Somebody

I saw the Hello Somebody booth at Celebrate Freedom and liked their products, but didn't really know what all they were for...

Here's a quote from their website:

"Hello Somebody is a non-profit brand that exists to impact and change the world through love, passion and creativity. Our purpose is simple: feed the hungry around the globe."
So far they have served up 986244 meals to the hungry! Almost a million meals!




They have many ways you can help through your purchases, here are a few!!

A 22 dollar T-shirt feeds 100 people!

Sweet Sixteen, and Gearing up.

Yesterday was my sixteenth birthday!
I didn't really have a party, or get a car, or my licence, but I did go to dinner with my family had had the best lobster i've ever had! So thats good!
              So I've been gearing up for my pageant coming up, last minute song changes and memorizing! I have about two weeks so thats what I've been doing (instead of blogging :/)
Excuses, excuses, I know.
So I made a really yummy iced coffee today!!

Ingrediants: 4 cups water, 9 tablespoons Starbucks french Roast coffee beans(grinded to medium)...but any coffee will do, half and half and chocolate syrup to taste, and ice!
serves 3, yum!

I'm excited for pageant and claiming this verse going into it! "Colossians 3:23---

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Five Favorites!

1. Bubble baths!

Lush has some really cool soaps and bathbombs that are really fun!

this one spews glitter!

2.

Tinted moisturizer

I've been using this product almost daily and it's great for an easy summer moisturizer!

(Plus...no need for foundation or powder!)

3. Iced tea!

I'm in love with Starbucks passion tea lemonade and Iced chai latte, but when there isn't a starbucks nearby, an iced green tea at home will suffice! 

 

4. The Message Bible-- a must have translation, can't put it down!

5. this song

Closer by Shawn McDonald

I saw him perform this at Celebrate freedom this year, and Love it!

Hope everyones summers are treating them well!

Another great verse... the Bible has a lot of them;)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

Summer Smoothie!

I made this great smoothie for breakfast the other day!
what you need:

1 mango
1 banana
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons honey
handful of ice
blend it all in a blender!
serves 2

This is  packed with potassium, vitamin C, and Calcium, and live cultures from the yogurt!

The bible says that our bodies are like temples, so we need to take care of them and keep them healthy... nobody wants a messy temple! :)

The Roaring Twenties, and Getting Back On The Horse.

My brain just imploded at a realization that I've just had... 

The New ROMPER trend.....

JUICY COUTURE 

Forever21

Strangely resembles bathing suit trends in the 1920s!

ALSO

Today I bought a red flapper dress that looks very 1920's at a garage sale for five dollars!! 

And, This pin... how cool is this?

I'm really excited to wear this with some dresses, cardigans, and purses!!

Kinda random, but I think this verse is beautiful! After coming back from New York, I stopped reading my Devotionals for a while. I'm getting back on the horse and into this verses mentality! Here we go!:)

Philippians 3:13-14

 I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.