Going Against the Grain

Have you ever had a strong conviction about something, but completely terrified to act on it?

That was me today.

I am a major people pleaser, don't like having or making enemies... I pretty much want everybody to feel content in relation to me.
Which is a great attribute sometimes to have because it makes me keep my mouth shut when I want to say something rude or out of place.

But other times, it cripples me and I become a human doormat. The last thing I want is to compromise my core values and beliefs. But when it means having an unsure and uncomfortable conversation... Like everyone, It's not the most comfortable situation to find myself in. but I couldn't dance my way around the conversation I had to have today.

Tonight I read a bit in the word, looking for some verses that speak to me about confrontation and hard discussions. I really recommend reading the book of Proverbs, I find that anytime I'm worried or don't have peace about a situation, the wisdom in Proverbs is so helpful. Even if you AREN'T a Christian, I recommend reading them simply because they offer very common sense ideals and solutions to hard situations.


"In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery." (Proverbs 28:23 MSG)

"An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead, but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace". (Proverbs 10:10 MSG)

"Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything." (Proverbs 13:3 MSG)



Really, in the end, I think this verse sums up the hope we should have in everything working out for the best:


"Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory. "(Proverbs 21:31 MSG)

Warning: Nostalgia Ahead

I've been extremely sentimental and nostalgic lately.

Looking back at these four years of high school, I'm so flabbergasted at how I can still get wrapped up in daily mundane struggles. I should be proactively looking into the future.

There's so much life to be lived ahead.
It's also crazy to think that all the life I've experienced totals to 17 years. And I can consciously remember even less than that. I'm young. I don't think I am a fully mature, independent woman yet. Young woman, yes. But no way do I have the raw life experience and hard knocks that can turn a punk into an adult.

That's what all young people have to realize and respect about the generations above us. They have years over us. Life. Thousands more mundane days...and more extraordinary days too.

I feel myself becoming less and less of a teenager everyday. It's crazy how somedays you can just feel yourself settling into the person you are going to ultimately develop into, and taking a couple correct steps down the path God has paved for you.

Thanks for reading.
Nostalgia.... Done.

One Step at a Time

I watched an interview with our new Miss America the day after she was crowned, and found deep encouragement in her words. Mallory Hytes Hagan was Miss New York 2012 before she won MA. She moved to New York 5 years ago from Alabama with nothing but $1000 in her bank account. She was actually a waitress while she was competing for Miss New York. She had some good advice about college that has encouraged me that I'm on the right path in regards to my higher education.
"It’s okay for you to take time to figure out what your passion’s going to be. And education is extremely important but let’s make sure that you’re going to school for what you want to do and that you have a passion for what you are doing”

Perfectly said, Mallory. If I could give advice to any high schoolers who are unsure about what path after high school, it would be this: take it one step at a time.
I don't know what my major will end up being, or when I will achieve it. There is such pressure to jump right into a major university setting when a lot of us aren't ready and are unsure of why we are there. I feel such peace knowing that I'm not on a time crunch to make a rash decision.
With my ultimate purpose in life to fulfill Gods plan for my life, I found that I had to let go of my obsession with finding MY perfect college, and meditate on what Gods perfect plan says of my future.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me. (Psalm 57:2 ESV)

Miss Keller 2013

To keep up with me during my new reign, please follow www.misskelleramerica.blogspot.com

I PROMISE I WILL POST ANOTHER RUBIES POST ONCE I FINISH MY COLLEGE APPS :) stay tuned!

Something's fishy...

My dinner!
Thought I'd share this dish I made that I'm rather proud of.
Spicy cod filet with okra, tomato and onion on top of brown rice pilaf.
I baked the cod wrapped in tinfoil with some peppers and onions plus spices.
The okra and tomato topping for the rice was okra, tomatoes, onion and jalapeños sautéed in a pan.

In the spirit and theme of "fishy"....

And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17 KJV)

Will you drop everything and follow him?

Respect, Class, and a Chicken Sandwich.

All this talk about chick-fil-a is starting to get really nasty, and honestly I am appalled by the way the national conversation about this has become a national argument. It is arguments like these that have divided our nation.

We live in a broken, sinful, world. While I do have my personal opinion about the situation, in the end I know that I am not of this world, and I am not called to love the sins and temptations of it.
What I AM called to do is: Love God and let his will be done in my life, and share God's love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.
I believe in the love story that God has written for us.
The bible is a not only a guidebook but a story of God's pursuit of the hearts of the human race. And our constant ignoring of a loving father who sends his son to overcome death so with faith in him we can be saved and transformed.

A lot of people have been offended by Dan Cathy's comments about his beliefs and faith, and opinions.
Others have been offended by the backlash against his statements and business.

I am proud of the rights we have as American citizens to use our freedoms of speech, religion, and assembly (among others).

Both sides of this argument have fully used these rights, and I will fight for the right for any group to protest, voice their opinions, or worship whatever they please, so I can retain my rights to do so as well.

The main things that are lacking in this controversy is RESPECT and CLASS.
Respect for Dan Cathy's RIGHTS of speech and religion.
Respect for the LGBT community's RIGHTS of speech, and to protest or to boycott if they want.

Can we please inject some class into the conversation, and stop name calling? Using derogatory terms toward The LGBT community, or terms like "bigot" and "homophobe" all hurt the same... And only pour salt in wounds.

Words can be healing, or dividing. And right now what our country needs is healing, and something to remind us that our differences don't have to tear us apart. In order to keep America strong, we need to be united as a nation, not divided by economic class, political parties, or gender. Differences don't have to be divisive, instead they can be the very glue that holds us together.







I encourage an intellectual and civil conversation on the issues at hand, because I believe that is the only way this issue can be solved.

Raw goodness

The past few weeks I've been experimenting with raw veganism. No, it's not a cult. My best friend was a vegetarian for a year and chose to cross over to raw veganism. Basically, the diet consists of eating pure, uncooked fruits, veggies and nuts. I was not consistent on this, I tried my hardest to see the benefits that my friend experiences from it with an open mind. As a pageant girl, fruits are something that are kind of demonized when in preparation of a diet regime to get in shape, merely because they are high in sugar, and sugar can be the cause of weight gain in a lot of circumstances. What's so interesting about raw vegan is that over half of your diet relays on fruit in a given day. We'd have fruit smoothies with kale, watermelon, plums, berries, and normally a huge salad for dinner. And dessert was probably the biggest surprise of them all to me. FIG AND DATE PIES. Guilt free. The crust was walnuts, almonds, dates and coconut oil. Filling was purred fresh figs, dates, and agave nectar. Paired with coconut milk, it was probably the most satisfying dessert ever, because I knew exactly what I put in it was fresh.

THE CONSENSUS
this diet is a cleanse diet, and while I can't say that I'm completely a raw veganist now, I definitely have a new understanding that pure food is the best food, and all the added chemicals and preservatives that we consume in a day really do drag us down.

THE CHALLENGE
try one or two raw vegan recipes, or one day eating a fully raw vegan diet, plan out your meals for the day, and if anything, do it for the cleanse, because Your body will thank you for it.

Summer Shares!

Here are some cute must have items for summer: via Modcloth!

I'm loving the wide array of swimsuits were seeing this year from one piece, one shouldered, and high waisted!
Also swingy dresses as well as simple shift dresses with funky assessories!

Baked Zucchini Fries

Oh pinterest!
I modified a recipe for Zucchini fries because I REFUSE to eat breadcrumbs.
So here's a heart healthy recipe for your fry fix:

1/2 cup oatmeal ( quick, old fashioned or rolled)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated ( or substitute wheat germ/ crushed almonds)
1beaten egg with water
Spices of your choosing ( I used crushed red pepper and Italian seasoning)

Turn your oven onto 425
Throw your oatmeal into a food processor and process until it looks like a coarse flour. Add cheese ( or substitute ), and spices and process untill dispersed.
Lightly coat a cookie sheet with olive oil .
Set up your coat station with strips of your zucchini and two separate bowls for your beaten egg and oatmeal crumbs. Dip zucchini in egg, then coating, and place on pan. When done bake 10-15 mins , flip, then another 10-15. Enjoy with marinara sauce or tzatziki sauce. ( a cucumber yogurt sauce)


Hope y'all enjoy this, I LOVE baking things coated in oatmeal.

the R- Word

The events I'm invited to as Miss Tarrant County's Outstanding Teen vary from charity events, sporting events, Galas and formal benefits. And I enjoy every event I attend, because whether I interact with adults or children, I learn so much from each appearance I make.

But not until this month have I attended any events that have touched me like the Little Miss Sweetheart Special Needs pageant and the Special Olympics have. They have not only humbled me to no end, but they've given me a new understanding for an often overlooked group of our worlds population. The disabled.

The Special Needs pageant I attended  had an organization there who were getting attendants to take a pledge, and sign a banner. This organization was called The R-Word. After hearing what they had to say, and seeing what the organization was all about, I too pledged not to use the r-word.

My platform "Revaluating Rubies: Building Self Esteem" describes the four needs to build healthy self esteem.

1. Strong Foundation-
You are a valuable human being, wonderfully made.

2. Ample Support-. Everybody needs at least one mentor and role model who can encourage them.

3. Quality Materials- When you know that you are valuable, that is when any "self improvement" can occur. if you attempt to hide low self value or attempt self improvement in a negative mental state, it's destructive.

 4. Finally, the fourth element is an Open Door- Get involved!

That's my platform in a nutshell and my door is opening wider and wider as I volunteer and experience life with so many people, now including those with disabilities. Bullying or tearing down somebody is not acceptable. Indirectly insulting someone or putting "no offense" before or "just kidding" after a statement does not justify saying it. Attacking self value is attacking a person who feels and thinks the same way you do. So with all this being said, using an originally medical term in a derogatory and demeaning way is not acceptable either. I urge you to take the pledge to not use the r-word.

http://www.r-word.org/

Motivation

Well well well,

I'm back!

Recently (approximately one month ago) I made a HUGE lifestyle change.
I began going to the gym. One of my pageant directors told me that physical fitness is the one thing you can control come Teen Texas. I totally agree. While it has been a rocky road, with ups and downs, I am quite satisfied with the results so far, and I feel amazing... the other day I did 100 squats. ONE HUNDRED! I could hardly do 10 a month ago without being beat. After the intial shock of the sweating and pain, I kind of look forward to my workouts!

I encourage everyone to get active this week. I promise, you will feel great after. Nothing like the feeling of acheivement!

1 Corinthians 9:27     

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
 

Kony 2012.... Some perspective.

Just watched the invisible children's video for Kony 2012, and finished wiping the tears off my face. First I, d like to say it was a very well produced video. Got its point across, and very impactful. It made me want to take a flight out to Uganda and take out the bad man myself. But before buying that plane ticket, I did some research on the trusty google.
So a whole lot of people are criticizing invisible children about not including in their video that all of their statistics are from 8 years ago, Kony's army has declined, and the LRA has moved out of Uganda ( which it tormented for a decade or so before) into the surrounding countries. I have not done much with invisible children, so I can't really judge them on their motives on making the video. If you read my blog regularly, you'll know that I am very supportive of Falling Whistles, trade as one, and Hello Somebody, who arê retailers who help make our purchases count by keeping them fair and helpful, and using the motto " every little bit counts".

I actually went on the falling whistles website as well to see if maybe Joseph Kony was involved in the deadliest war in the country in the DRC that ALSO uses child soldiers. ( don't know what I'm talking about? Fallingwhistles.com)
He definitely has a presence in the Congo. No doubt about it. However, I read on the fw website that the major war in the Congo will still rage on, even after Kony is brought to justice because it's a structure and warlord problem, and is not fueled by the LRA.

All this said, let me tell you where I stand, looking at the well being of the whole continent of Africa, and our earth. Capturing Joseph Kony will not solve all of Africa's issues. There are extremist Muslim brotherhood organizations in the north, warlords in the DRC, anarchy and total devastation in Somalia, terrible HIV/ AiDs outbreaks, And the LRA causing chaos as well.
Yes. Kony 2012, go get him, let's make sure we can bring justice to Jacob, and all the innocents Kony has violated and killed . But in the Kony craziness, remember that there are so many other things going on in Africa, just capturing one man, whos influence seems to be decreasing, will not stop all war. My one fear is that so much time, money and effort is going into finding one man, when that time money and effort could feed children, build churches, build infrastructure, security! I care about my fellow earthlings. Terrible things are happening in Africa. Start with Kony, but let's not end with Kony. There is so much more that we can help with. One true statement I am sure of in the Kony 2012 video is difference is made as soon as people who care take action. For there to be peace in Africa takes relentless action, and it also takes, I believe, an act of God. But nothing's impossible for him, especially when he works through his people.
So mini message to the church.... Let's let God use us to help mend the broken lives in the chaos of war and disaster that is in Africa. Whether that means buying an "action pack", a falling whistle, our own hands, or using what invisible children took advantage of: the Internet and the power of our words.
I don't hate Joseph Kony. He is a fallen, broken human like us all. But he has chose to commit evil against himself, God, and others, and is a danger.

"No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us-perfect love! If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both. (1 John 4:12, 20, 21 MSG)"

Chicken chili

This can be made into a vegan/ vegetarian recipe by leaving out the canned chicken!
You've probably noticed that I've been posting a bunch about food recently.., well... I'm gearing up for Miss Texas, so I've been experimenting with easy healthy alternatives that will help me become the best me I can be by July, along with working out alongside Cassey Ho, one of the best trainers on YouTube!! Check her out at YouTube.com/blogilates


Anyways... Here's the recipe! It can be added to/ subtracted from depending on your fridge and tastes

Chili:
Beans of your choice:
I used 1 can each of
Chick peas
Black beans
(drained)
Red beans ( in chili sauce)
3/4 can tomato paste
1/4 cup water
Drizzle olive oil
Drizzle red wine vinegar
About 1/2 -1 cup each of
Chopped onion, jalapeño, parsley, celery, tomato
3-5 cloves smashed garlic
1 can chicken( optional)
Combine all In a pot and cook until onions are tender

I cannot stress how important eating right is, I just recently began keeping a food journal, and it's so surprising how much unnecessary food you eat through the day that could be causing weight gain, as well as energy loss.
What does the bible say about food?

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life-your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life-and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. (Romans 12:1 MSG)

We need to honor the Lord with not only what we wear, and our actions, but the food we eat. It sure will be a challenge for me, because I tend to over eat... So using moderation is something I need to work on! What do you need work on? Pray for strength to overcome whatever is binding you from being happy and healthy!

Veggies...not just for vegetarians anymore

Here's a delicious recipe for an easy vegetarian dish... Adapted from Cassey Ho of blogilates tv's version of this recipe!
What you need:
Angel hair spaghetti (I prefer whole wheat)
1 avocado
Juice of 1 lemon
Basil ( fresh or dry)
Tbs of water
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
1 cup onion ( red or white)
2-3 cloves garlic
Beans! ( I used edamame, but black would work)
1 diced tomato
Jalapeño (optional, but recommended )

Alright. 1st you want to cook your spaghetti, it shouldn't take long, you can do everything else while waiting for your water to boil.
Put your avocado, lemon, water, and basil in a food processor and blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper.
In a frying pan,drizzle olive oil, and sauté garlic ( crushed) onion, beans, jalapeño and any other vegetables you like. Red bell peppers would be good in this as well! Once it's all sizzling and pretty much cooked, add chopped tomato.
By now your spaghetti should be done, just mix everything together, and enjoy!

Health: Avocados are high in fat, but it's a natural fat that is really good for your hair, and keeping skin supple!
Beans are protein and will keep you full longer, And whole wheat pasta will give your body complex carbs for a healthy energy. Add the mixed benefit of your veggies, and you've got an extremely nutritious meal!!

Fulfillment

Are you truly happy? I can answer that for you. Nope. Happiness is a lot like a bad friend. It comes and goes. But when you have a relationship with Christ, Joy becomes your best friend.
Here is the difference between somebody who is after Gods heart and a poser. Somebody with the joy of the Lord inside of them is fulfilled. Satisfied. Confident in who they are. On the other hand, posers use anything to make themselves feel and look better than they are, such as tearing others down, doing illegal things to fit in or look cool, or using drugs or alcohol to feel good.
"Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. "(Ephesians 5:18 CEV)
"It's a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. "(Ephesians 5:12 MSG)
If they curse or use the Lords name in vain...
"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. "(Ephesians 4:29 MSG)
All these things show that somebody is not living a good life, the temporary pleasures in life may bring small bursts of happiness but never joy. Drinking, using drugs, bullying somebody, even hurting yourself may seem like the right thing to do at the time. They're not. "Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ." (Ephesians 5:13 MSG)
Need fulfillment? Look to Christ.

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!