A night of REFLECTION...

Tonight marks the end of the first week I have been back in Mesa, AZ. After spending the last 3 months in Eagar, AZ, working on my internship so I can graduate (May 13, 2011!!) and the 3 months prior to that worried about finishing my internship, I finally completed it and turned in all documents needed in order to say, "I, Sara Ray, am done with ANOTHER degree!"

As my time at the White Mountain Regional Medical Center (WMRMC) Physical Therapy clinic came to an end I found myself a mess of emotions. I was excited to be moving on with my life. I was sad to say goodbye to some really amazing and talented people. I was eager to see where life's journey would take me next. Most of all, however, I found myself anticipating that the next few months of my life were going to bring something truly amazing and I was excited for that next step.

As I arrived in the valley the week did not go as planned. The man who I was talking to as a reference for jobs has seemingly disappeared and the amount of jobs I was promised would be out there was highly dramatized. Ok, yes, I did land a job interview the second day I was in the valley but I am still waiting for so much still to come!

Coming down to the valley I knew I had to change things. I could not continue to live as I had. I have changed so much in the last 6 months and I wanted to continue with that progress. I am changing my social life, I have changed what I want in life and I am working on changing how I work towards certain goals.

Tonight I had a night of no plans. I laid in the house watching movies and TV then realized it'd be a great night to go to the temple. So, off I went...

It was such a lovely night. The sun was still setting and so the colors of the valley sky mirrored those of the reflection pool. Whenever I go to the temple I always sit on the same bench as I ponder certain things of life. Tonight was no different.

I went tonight to discover answers of questions I've had now for some time. What should I do to find work?... Am I headed in the right direction with choices I am making?... What do I need to do for the next year or five?... Will I have the patience to endure the wait?... Will I have the strength to overcome the trials at hand?... What all is required of me?

I will not lie, a large part of why I went to the temple tonight was because what young single female would like to be at home alone on a Saturday night? As I was driving to Mesa I will admit that I was hoping I could sit on the bench and something amazing would happen and all my problems could be solved. I am sad to say that did NOT happen.

I did not receive all the answers I was wanting. I do not know where I should go to find work. I hope that I am making the right choices. I can only imagine that I know what I need to do for the next year or five. I doubt I will have the patience to endure the wait. I am hopeful to have the strength to overcome all trials I have to face and only time will show all the Lord will require of me.

I wanted so badly to shed tears of pain and sorrow. To pour out my heart to the Lord of my sadness of loneliness, seclusion and uncertainty, yet no tears would escape my eyes. I tried to plead with God to grant me solace in my many trials hoping that every tear shed would somehow take away a little piece of the anxiety I feel for my life at times.

I did, however, feel accomplished for the night as I walked back to my car at the end of the night. I sat on "my" bench and watched as people walked in and out of the temple doors. I saw men and women of all ages. I can only assume that some were married, some were dating the person they were with and some were single at this moment of their life much like myself. I saw children and parents walk the temple ground and talk about reverence and the temple.

I miss having the temple present in my life. I have decided that although I do not have a way to regularly attend the temple, I will continue to visit the temple grounds. I want to walk the grounds with people I care about. I hope one day to walk out of the temple doors dressed in white, surrounded by family and donning a new name. I pray that I will continue the temple tradition and maintain a regularity of seeing the temple.

I wish the night could have ended with more revelation about my concerns, however, I do still hold the hope of greatness to come and cannot wait until everything I am working towards is nigh and mine for the taking.

So much to say...

Alright, so I know it's been a few months since last I posted on here, but in all honesty, what else do you expect from a college kid?

Plans HAVE changed. In the last few months my internship has been pushed back to the spring because I didn't get to take my summer classes like I had hoped for. I am NOT moving this summer, I will still be in good-ole Gilbert, Arizona, leaving me close to family and school. Graduation has been moved to MAY of 2011... BOOOO, HISS BOOO!!!

I lost my job at the pool I was working at because there was a mis-communication between the old supervisor and the new one. I've been trying to make sure my health is up-to-date so I can not be paying for it HUGELY after I loose my health benefits in October.

I'm not sure still what is going on with my chest-pain but I think it has been ruled out that I do not have costachondritis or if I do it's very mild. Now they are looking more at if it's a heart issue; which I'm hoping it is NOT but we never know.

This summer I came home to spend time with my family and so far we've actually had a good summer. We've had the opportunity to have all SEVEN kids under one roof numerous times and have the opportunity to continue that for the next few weeks.

I have started working at the pool here and doing well with that. I'm volunteering at the Health Center here hoping to get some good word-of-mouth for my internship (HOPEFULLY).

I'm trying to do better with blogging. With me not writing emails a lot I feel it's the only way anyone is able to see I am in fact still alive. I do exist though you may not see me. And hopefully I'll get better at making it a regular thing. Sometimes I just feel like nobody cares what a 22-year old college kid has to say anyhow.

Ah well, I think that's all I have to update anyone on as of yet but I promise, cross-my-heart and hope to faint that I will do better at blogging.

Update on life... NOT FOOD

So someone asked me last week if my blog had turned into a food blog. Sadly no, it's just a hobby I know have and figure it's nice to post the recipes online to share them and so that I don't have to physically make a book for my favorite recipes; instead I can just go online and look up whatever dinner I want to make that night. Plus I hope it helps others who might be wanting to try something new, either as a dessert or main course.

Over the last few months a few things have come to light. No, plans have not changed too drastically, I still plan to move this summer to be closer to my internship which I finally DID get pre-approved for which made me ecstatic to say the least, my graduation is still set for December 2010! and I'm still not enjoying life here.

Some things that have changed are as follows and I'm trying to not be too sad about this but I went into the doctor the other day to talk about some health issues I had been having which I always associated with bronchitis or asthma. Turns out it's a disease called costachondritis; basically the muscles between my rib cage and the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the sternum are inflamed and causes the pain. Ok, so not a big deal; I'm getting over it just means pain and managing that pain.

The doctor sent me out for a few tests and x-rays. Results came back and apparently I have scoliosis. GREAT! Is there anything that I won't have before I die or am I about to keel over? Scoliosis is still a little bit of a schock but at least it's not the fibromyalgia they WERE talking about; that would be worse!

Moving on, nothing else has been going on. I still throw myself in school and some say I will regret that later but I honestly don't think I will. It's not that I pass up opportunities to hang out or go out; the chance just never presents itself. Therefore I am looking forward to December and January where I can begin to work full-time and not worry about homework, papers and tests. Is it bad that I want to go back to work?

I'm sure some people will tell me, yes and that I'm crazy. But really I worked full time for a year and I thought I would love being in school but I'm finding that I really just want to go back to working full-time; even if it meant going back to my old office. Maybe these thoughts only come because I am taking 18 credit hours a semester with 6 courses and 2 labs. I don't know, but I really just want to get done.

That's about all I have to update on me thus far. I will do better to keep the updates more regular and look for more blogs on my travel blog as I go to Georgia in 2 weeks; I'm really trying to have it all updated BEFORE I go.

Chipotle Steak Tacos with Pineapple Salsa and Peach Cobbler

Ah, another Friday! I find more reasons to look forward to the weekends now!


This week I was emailed a recipe for Chipotle Steak Tacos with a Pineapple Salsa and thought, 'hmm, this might be interesting'... Oh, it was VERY interesting and delicious!


Ingredients:
-12 Soft Corn Tortillas
-1 Tsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
-1 Tsp Chipotle Chili Powder
-1 Tsp Kosher Salt
-1 Lb Flank Steak beef
-1 Pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2 inch rings
-1 Red bell pepper, finely diced
-1/2 cup Red Onion
-1/4 Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro


Preheat a grill to medium heat. Combine oil, Chipotle powder and 1/2 tsp salt in a small dish. Rub the mixture on both sides of the steak.


Grill the steak 4-6 mins per side or until desired doneness. Grill pineapple rings until moderately charred, 1-2 mins per side (I did just until they were light brown). Remove grill and pineapple from grill and let steak cool for 5 mins before slicing into thin strips.


Dice the pineapple and transfer to a medium bowl. Add bell pepper, onion, cilantro and a pinch of chipotle powder and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Toss to combine.
Serve the sliced steak in warm tortillas with the pineapple salsa.
And of course, everyone's FAVORITE time of day, DESSERT!!


This week I wanted to make the EASIEST dessert I know of. When you read this blog you might think it's too good to be true, but I promise you, it is not and I love the dessert.


Ingredients:
-2 (16 oz) cans of sliced peaches with juice
-1 Dry Yellow Cake Mix
-1 Stick of butter


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay peaches in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Top with the cake mix and melt the butter then drizzle it on the cake mix. (I know the picture doesn't depict that but now I know for next time!)

Place in oven and cook for 45 mins or until golden brown. That's all, enjoy! Told you it was the easiest thing huh?

*Note: Not all of the cake mix will be moist or baked, but it will still be delicious!*

Until Next week, ENJOY!

Mexibake and Blueberry muffins

Woohoo! Dinner time again! So, let's get started since I had to wait an extra day to make this beauty of a meal!!
Mexibake! it's a Mexican styled Casserole.

Needed:
-1 Lb Ground Beef or Turkey
-1 Can Diced Tomatos (~14 Oz.)
-1 Can Mexicorn (~12 Oz)
-Taco Seasoning
-Corn Bread (enough for an 8X8 pan)

Brown the meat and add the taco seasoning following the directions per the instructions on the pack. Add in diced tomatos and mexicorn allowing it to simmer for 5-10 mins or until heated.

Prepare the Corn Bread while the meat is simmering. Once the meat is thoroughly heated place it in an 8x8 pan and spread the cornbread on top. I found it helpful to make the cornbread thicker around the edges so that it will cook all the way through.

Cook according to the corn bread recipe. Usually 20-25 mins. And enjoy!

Ok, so after dinner I didn't make dessert because the next morning I had a breakfast to go to. So, instead, I made blueberry muffins with fresh ingredients and they were GOOD!!

Ingredients:

-4 Cups Flour

-2 Cups Sugar

-2 Tsps Baking Powder

-1 Tsp Baking Soda

-1 Tsp Salt

-3 Cups (24 Oz) Fresh or Frozen Blueberries

-4 Eggs--Lightly Beaten

-2 Cups (16 Oz) Sour Cream... I HATE Sour Cream; but this was good

-1 Cup Vegetable Oil

-1 Tsp Vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees.

In a large bowl combine the Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder, Baking Soda and Salt; Add berries and toss GENTLY! (If using FROZEN berries they do NOT have to be thawed.)

Combine Eggs, Sour Cream, Oil and Vanilla and mix well. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened.

Line Muffin Tin with muffin papers or spray with cooking spray and fill 3/4 full. If you want a full muffin I would fill it just slightly more than 3/4 full.

Bake for 20-25 mins or until golden.

Delicious!!!! Hope you enjoy! Until next week...

Beef Chili and Valentines' dessert

I've done Chicken meals so much this past month of blogging about dinners that I figured it was time for a change; yes Chicken is healthier, but c'mon. There is such a thing as TOO much Chicken.

So, Beef Chili was actually pretty good for something so simple and all just me going, 'I think this would be good... ' or 'yummy, lime juice!'

(Once again I'm mad at blogger for flipping my picture!!)

Ingredients:

-Vegetable Oil

-1 lb Ground Beef

-1/4 Medium Red Onion

-3 Cloves chopped/pressed Garlic

-1 Medium Red Pepper

-1 Medium Yellow Pepper

-3 Jalapenos

-14 oz diced tomatos (I did diced tomatos with green chilis)

-14 oz light red (or dark red) Kidney Beans

-1 Lime's juice

Begin by cooking the ground beef, you can season it with black pepper or chili powder; I actually did neither (Next time I will try to simmer the meat in the Lime juice).

Remove the beef, sepearating the fat from it and discarding. Allow the meat to sit off of heat but you do not need to refrigerate it.

Put about a tablespoon of oil in the bottom of a large skillet or wok sized pan and heat until it has the consistency of water or until it pops when water is flicked in it (a trick I mentioned in the second post when I made stir-fry).

Add the diced Onions and garlic to the wok until they become translucent. Add in ALL of the peppers allow them to cook for 2-3 mins followed by undrained diced tomatos. Finally add the meat and Kidney beans.

If you would like to add Lime juice to set off the spice of the peppers I would recommend it (again, I'll try next time to cook the meat with lime-juice and let you know how that goes).

Allow the whole wok to simmer for a few minutes, serve hot and with a side of cornbread for best experience.

Smoothies were pretty good too and rather healthy I believe.

Ingredients:

-3/4 Cup Skim Milk

-1/2 Cup berries (Combining raspberries, strawberries, blue berries)

-1/4 Cup Nonfat yogurt

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 1-2 mins adding more milk to improve on the consistency.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries were presented to me for two reasons; 1-It's actually a semi-healthy dessert, only 70 calories from the chocolate and it's fresh fruit, and 2-It's Valentines day. What says Valentines like Chocolate and Strawberries?

Things you'll need:

-15-20 Strawberries (I was lucky enough to find long stemmed strawberries which I would recommend if you can find too)

-5-6 oz semi-sweet bakers chocolate (You can also use white chocolate if that tickles your fancy)

Place the chocolate in a heat-proof bowl (I cut them into smaller chunks to make it a faster melt).

Wash the strawberries and pat them dry. Lay out a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet for easier transportation to the fridge when you are done.

Put 1-2 inches of water in a small sauce pan that the bowl will be able to act as a top for and bring the water to a boil. Remove the water from heat and place the bowl of chocolate on top to simmer.

Stir the chocolate until you get a smooth chocolate completely melted. Leave the bowl on the pan to make sure it does not turn hard.

Take the dry Strawberries and dip them in the chocolate making sure to cover them to your heart's content.

Place on the wax paper and store in the refrigerator to harden. Eat after about 10 mins of cooling or until chocolate has hardened.

There you have it. A relatively easy dinner and dessert idea for anyone.

Until next week, Enjoy!

Schnitzel, Lime-ade and Cookies you don't BAKE!

Is it FRIDAY already? I guess so...

So, last week I thought I'd be making Chili this week but looking in my fridge I realized that I had Chicken Breast I needed to use before it went bad so the final decision was.... SCHNITZEL!!

That's right, I just got back from Germany about 3 weeks ago and already I'm making one of the most popular meals from there. I can't help it. It is so good! (As long as you don't fry it in a half gallon of Crisco)

You will need:
-Meat Tenderizer
-3/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
-2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
-1/3 Cup Flour
-2 Large Eggs
-1/2 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs
-1 Large Lemon

Begin by 'tenderizing' or POUNDING the chicken breast unti the thickness is about 1/2 INCH.

Heat the OIL in a WOK sized pan (If you want a CRISPIER Schnitzel use LESS OIL) on MEDIUM HEAT.

In THREE SEPERATE bowls place the FLOUR, EGGS and BREAD CRUMBS. After the CHICKEN is the right thickness coat the CHICKEN with FLOUR and THEN place the FLOURED CHICKEN in the EGGS followed by the BREAD CRUMBS.

Place the CHICKEN in the OIL and allow to cook about 7 MINUTES each side or until GOLDEN BROWN or the right CRISP-NESS.

Remove from the OIL and allow to cool. SERVE with a LEMON-WEDGE (Allows for GREAT flavor) and SHOE-STRING FRIES.

And of course I had to have something to DRINK!!! It was LIME-ADE night!

You will need:
-1/3 Cup SUGAR
-6 Small/Medium Limes
-8 Oz. Water

Begin by softening the LIMES; roll them on a hard surface, squeeze them by hand; just get them soft for an easier time.

Cut the LIMES into WEDGES and then squeeze the JUICE into a small PITCHER.

Add 8 Oz of WATER and start with 1/3 Cup SUGAR; add more SUGAR as needed.

Serve COLD! Good, easy, delicious!

Onto DESSERT!

Standing in front of OIL all night what is better than NO-BAKE COOKIES?
You will need:
-2 Cups Sugar
-5 TBS Cocoa
-1/2 Cup Milk
-1/2 Cup Butter (1 Stick)
-1 tsp Vanilla
-1 Cup Coconut
-3 Cups Oatmeal
-Wax Paper

Put SUGAR, COCOA, MILK AND BUTTER in a large pot. Bring to a BOIL; add VANILLA.

Remove from heat and add COCONUT and OATMEAL; MIX well.

Lay WAX PAPER on a flat surface and drop them COOKIE-SIZED onto the WAX PAPER.

Place in the FRIDGE to cool for BEST results and ENJOY!

Until Next week...

Lemon-Chicken Stir Fry and MORE!

Another week, another day of food, drinks and dessert! I know to some I seem like I'm alienating myself by making dinner for myself and not really being social but I'm not too sorry for that. The way I see it is I could do one of two things; I could either not go out on the weekends and wimp and whine about it because I seem to have zero social life or I could make yummy foods and enjoy myself and alone time. I choose the latter.

So, tonight's feat: Lemon-Chicken Stir Fry, Homemade Raspberry Lemonade and Magic Cookie Bars for dessert. Yes, of course recipes and tips are to follow!
*STUPID BLOGGER WON'T POST THIS PICTURE RIGHT SO I'VE POSTED IT AS IS...*

This was the end result of Lemon-Chicken Stir Fry. Are you ready for this? Let me just say that it was delectible and I could not believe it actually turned out well.

Ingredients (produces 3 Servings):
-1 tsp Oil
-1/4 tsp Soy Sauce
-1 tsp Rice Vinegar
-Cilantro Flakes
-1 Chicken Breast
-1 Lemon

-1/4 Medium Sized Red Onion

-1 Clove Garlic

-10-12 Brocoli Florets

-1/2 Green Bell Pepper

-1 Large Red Pepper

-1/2 Cup Snow Peas

Begin by cutting the chicken breast into small strips and placing it into a large gallon-sized ziploc bag. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the bag of chicken (the juice should cover the chicken generously). Sprinkle the chicken with Cilantro flakes until an even coat has covered the chicken. Mix the bag and place in the fridge to marinate; leave it to sit for at least a few hours. The more lemon-tasting you want it the longer you should leave it but I left mine in the fridge for about 12 hours and it had a good taste to it.

Prepare all vegetables:

-Onions: Sliced OR Diced

-Garlic: Minced

-Brocoli Florets: Remove the Stalks, leave the florets whole

-Peppers: Sliced and cut into half

-Snow Peas: Left whole

Heat the oil in a medium-sized wok and add the GARLIC and ONIONS. Continue to cook the onions and garlic until they are lightly brown or caramel looking.

Add in the CHICKEN leaving the EXCESS LEMON JUICE in the bag (You can add the juice later for more flavor or if you want to add a little now that'd be fine too). Let the CHICKEN cook for 2-3 mins continuing to stir it occasionally. *I cannot say to cook until tan or white because the lemon juice will begin to turn the chicken white while marinating*

Add in the BROCOLLI FLORETS and allow to cook until they begin to soften.

Throw in the PEPPERS and SNOW PEAS.

Allow all this to simmer to trap in the flavors. Then add in the SOY SAUCE and RICE VINEGAR. **I am NOT a SOY SAUCE fan, but I added only a small amount to really set off the Lemon**

Allow the whole concoction to simmer on LOW HEIGHT until chicken is THOROUGHLY COOKED and the BROCOLLI is at the texture you want.

**Also, next time I will NOT add SNOW PEAS; I felt it just did not absorb the flavors at all, so why waste time?**

Serve with a side of ride and WALLAH! Party in your mouth!

Not a lot of work for a GREAT result!! I can't wait until I can have the left overs for lunch!!!

So, what about some Lemonade? This is a relatively simple recipe; the procedure may seem difficult but really, it wasn't. I did it all by myself in about 5 mins.

Ingredients:

-1 Cup Lemon Juice (Fresh Lemons it came out to about 5 Lemons)

-2 Cups Water

-6 oz. FRESH or FROZEN Raspberries

-2/3 Cups Sugar

Rinse the Raspberries and sprinkle with sugar. Then, using a Potato Masher or spoon mash the RASPBERRIES and let stand for 5-10 mins.

Using a FINE Strainer (The one I used is actually a sink strainer but I promise I bought it NEW!!) press the RASPBERRIES through the strainer to separate the seeds and extract the juice. This took most of the time; I used my fingers, a measuring cup whatever really works. You do NOT have to extract ALL of the juice but there should be a good amount of juice when you are finished.

Then add the Lemon Juice and Water and mix. Taste and add more sugar if too bitter.

**SIDE NOTE: I did NOT let the RASPBERRIES sit in sugar. I decided that I would add the sugar at the end to taste because I like MORE of a bitter taste...**

Now, what about DESSERT?

MAGIC COOKIE BARS--Recipe with step by step pictures

Ingredients:

-1 1/2 to 2 PACKS of SMASHED HONEY Graham Crackers

-1/2 Cup (1 Stick) Butter MELTED

-1 or 2 Cans Sweetened Condensed Milk

-Chocolate Chips

-Diced Almonds

-Shredded Coconut

-Preheat oven to 375 F.

Melt the butter and, in the cookie sheet, add to the crackers. Mix until most, if not all, of the graham grackers are moist. Press into the pan. **If you have a METAL Cookie sheet; I'd recommend using one of those. Disposable pans are GREAT, but they bend a LOT!**

Coat the crackers with the Condensed Milk spreading to make sure a even coat is applied. Usually about 1.5 cans will be enough for this.

Layer to your liking chips, nuts and coconut. Again, I do NOT like Coconut, but it helps you know when it's done in the oven so it's helpful...

Place it in the oven for 5 mins or until coconut begins to golden. Remove from the oven and place in the fridge to cool.

**THE ABSOLUTE BEST WAY TO EAT THIS IS BY PUTTING A FORK IN THE FRIDGE WITH THE DESSERT AND TAKING A BITE AT A TIME**

It is soooooo good and might not be any left after tonight.

Looking ahead I have a few options for next week, I'm thinking either GERMAN SCHNITZEL, TUNA CASSEROLE or MEXICAN CASSEROLE... I'm up for any SUGGESTIONS though...

Love cooking!!!

Last week I started something and I think it's a great new thing; weekly cooking of bigger meals!

Now, why is this a good thing, I have a couple reasons for that. First of all, just because I'm a college student doesn't mean I have to eat like one EVERY day of the week. I can get tired of chicken quesadillas, pasta, ramen, mac and cheese and yes, I can even get tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. For this reason I justify spending time in front of the stove to make a good meal usually with more vegetables and fruit servings than I'd normally get throughout the week.

Second, because I've not been living away from my parents for long I do not have a lot of 'kitchenware'. Instead of just going out and buying EVERY dish I THINK I might need I've put it off until I cook a meal that needs something I don't have. I figure it'll save me spending hundreds of dollars all at once :)

Needless to say I'm a little excited to keep cooking and blogging. I'll continue to let you know how it goes.

Up this week: Lemon-Chicken Stir Fry with Raspberry Lemonade and Magic cookie bars for dessert.

Single Awareness Day!!!

I need an idea or IDEAS! Every year February 14th comes around and I look for ways to spend it since I tend NOT to be with anyone romantically. Last year I hung out with a few friends, the year before I went to Brugges, Belgium.

So, WHAT do I do THIS YEAR????