:D

     Hello there!  Who's excited about summer?

FOOD

      I tried the baked parmesan zucchini, and it turned out pretty good.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the finished product, but they didn't look as pretty as last weeks picture anyway.

      Next on my cooking list is going to be Quinoa burgers! I'm excited since I don't do well with meat and these look super yummy!

Quinoa Burgers

2 rounded cups cooked quinoa (see note below for cooking instructions)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or other variety, if you prefer)
1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, finely grated (OR 1 cup shredded zucchini, squeezed dry)
3 eggs
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 green onions, including white parts
1 /2 teaspoon Splenda or sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Olive oil for frying
.
To cook quinoa for the above recipe:
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a medium saucepan bring the 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil over high heat.  Add quinoa and reduce heat to low.  Cover and cook for 18-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and the seeds are tender.  Allow to cool for a few minutes.
.
In a large bowl combine the 2 rounded cups of cooked quinoa, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, carrot, eggs, flour, green onions, Splenda, pepper, cumin, salt, and garlic powder.
(To help them stay in patty form and not fall apart, I cook them on med-low slowly so they have longer to set-up without burning.  Makes them easier to flip, too.)  Heat a frying pan and a couple teaspoons olive oil over medium-low heat.  Mixture will be slightly sticky, so using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, drop mixture into pan and lightly flatten to 1/2 inch thick.  Fry until golden-brown, about 4 minutes on each side.   Makes approx. 10 burgers.
Per burger:  Calories 132; Protein 8 g; Fat 5 g; NET Carbs 12 g; (Fiber 2 g); Sugar 0 g; Sodium 200 mg

                       

  

FITNESS

     Exercising with a friend can be beneficial to your health, but it can also be distracting.  I don't like going to the gym alone, but I get a better work out if I do.  If I have friends with me I spend too much time talking and not paying attention to what I'm doing.

     If you have the same problem, but don't want to have to tell your friend you can't work out with them, just try explaining to them that you are very serious about your fitness when although you love the company you just can't afford to be distracted.  If your friend is a fitness buff like you are, then you shouldn't have a problem in the first place because they'll be focusing on their exercise just as much as you are.  But if they are someone who is just getting into the swing of things at the gym, you might want to go with them on your rest day.  That way, it won't really matter if you get in a good work out or not. 

     

WRIGHTING/LITRITURE

     I'm not sure if I shared this piece yet or not, but I wanted to start sharing my own work again.  So I hope you will enjoy this.

  

To thy beloved,

I have found no more.  They journey you hath begun with me must end with out me.  My love for thee was strong, but they love for myself was burned and broken.  I felt I had fallen from our Lord.  That he hath seen no more good in me.  I had gone on for months with feelings of sorrow and nothingness.  And than I dreamt that an angel of the Lord looked down upon me.  It spoke, but I understood it not.  Its heavenly glow blinded me, and my eyes could no longer see.  I thought my soul taken.  My body felt as hollow as conch shell.  I could feel the sound of the ocean traveling through me.  But then I was awoken.  I was certain I was dead.  My dream was real.  How could it have not been?  I was sure that the angel had forgotten my soul.  So I had to make sure my soul was returned to God.  So I beg of you, do not be cross with me.  It had to be done.  Do not worry my dear, one day the angel will collect your soul as well, and then we will be reunited in the kingdom of our ever so holy God.  And we shall be together for eternity.

I must go now.  Farewell my dear, I bid thee goodbye…

 

JUST A THOUGHT

     "Don't believe everything you hear!"  I can't tell you how accurate that statement is!  When you are given information, don't just give it the benefit of the doubt, do your own research.  You have the right to know the absolute truth.  Even if you're in school and your teacher tells you something, go home and look it up.  Preferably through books, not so much the internet.  Give your self the chance to learn the correct information.  Don't just take their word for it.

     

     Until next time... :-)

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All photos were found through Google search.  I do not own, nor take credit for any of them.