Sprouts.

Yesterday at the store, I saw a little clear plastic container of alfalfa sprouts... and I figured, what the heck! So I picked them up an had my first adventure with them today!

Before I let you in on my lunch, I have to give you the scoop on this little guys... Alfalfa sprouts are a germinated alfalfa seed and only take like 7 days to grow! (Which also means you shouldn't let them sit in your fridge for too long.) The sprouts are grown through a soaking process and are easily susceptible to bacteria because of it .. so wash 'dem sprouts!




Juicing for Health thinks alfalfa sprouts are the bomb-diggity. If you click through to their website you'll find quite a list of why sprouts are good for you!

And if you're simply looking for some folks who love sprouts, check out Sprout People!


Now on to my lunch for today...

A Sprout Sandwich! 
Okay, this is simplicity at its finest, but I'm hoping to try a few other nifty things with sprouts this week and am sure to keep you posted.


Seen here partially eaten:
-2 slices of toasted and butter wheat bread
-a fat free american cheese slice
-2 deli style lunch turkey slices
-SPROUTS!




I love sandwiches. So I really love them in any possible fashion, but this definitely gets my seal of approval for its crunch! Two thumbs up to a sandwich that quick, easy, delicious and nutritious!

.

Versatility and fashion are synonyms.

The Nod. For a moment, I need to speak to the ladies. We've all seen it. We've envied the woman who receives it. We covet the woman who gives it. Once or twice we've basked in the glory of it. It's the nod. And who does it come from? It comes from the most fashionable woman in the room. We know what that nod means: "Well done, good and faithful fashionista." Often times the recipient of that nod is the woman wearing an almost-ahead-of-the-time statement on the world draped over her shoulders.

But if I can be so self-involved as to believe that I can be the giver of the nod for a moment, I would say that the most deserving recipient of the nod is ... the woman who makes everyday fashion look good. We all know this woman, but she is often overlooked for the STF (slave to fashion) in sparkles and spandex. The everyday fashionista makes white collared shirts, black dress pants, clean cut jeans, nude stilettos, and khakis look better than anyone else.

I give her the nod because she probably has a pretty simple closet, not overloaded with clothes, and yet everyday is brand new in the way she wears her fashion. Sometimes its the accessories, sometimes it's wearing the same old pieces in unique and interesting ways. I'm hoping to take a note from this woman's book and begin to try and wear my same-old-same-old's in new and exciting ways. Bring it on, LBD (little black dress)!


My inspiration:




What is your favorite go-to piece of clothing in your closet? 
What are your favorite ways to spice it up?

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Read In 2009 || Will Read In 2010

MY FAVORITE READS FROM 2009:

Overall favorite: 
Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres

This book did exactly what a 'favorite' book should do - I laughed, cried, gasped, and fell in love with the characters. This deeply striking and honest memoir deals largely with two topics that we'd rather look passed: racism and religioun ... and it does it in the midwest in the 1980s. A book I suggest you immediately put on your own 'to read in 2010' list.

 
Favorite tug-your-emotions book:
The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom

I realize that I'm a little behind on this one. Most of you have already tucked this fantastic, quick read under your belt. I finally dug into it this summer and I spent a few solid summer afternoons pouring over Eddie's life and his wanderings through 'heaven.' It was a beautiful portrayal of love and cyclicality of life that we all (or at least myself) often overlook.

Favorite memoir:
Naked by David Sedaris

I realize it might be off to devote a category to memoirs, but I will sing praises for memoirs all day long - a genre of books that demands more attention! Now as for this Sedaris book, its another where you'll laugh, gasp, and have your heartbroken between its covers, but it will be worth the emotional ride. In this book, Sedaris regales us with tales of his unusual upbringing and life thusfar. Another must read.

Favorite brain candy:
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

Calling all ladies ... and especially anyone of you who are knitters. This quick, but lovable read is a light-hearted book about a woman, her daughter, and her knitting shop. If you love books that give you a great glimpse into the hearts of its many characters, you're sure to love this one. And what is there not to live about a little heart-warming romance woven throughout (pun intended, haha).

Favorite chew-it-over book:
Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis


This book made me contemplate church outside of four walls. What does it mean to be a church when the building is not there? Community, Evangelism, the Gospel, Discipleship, and Missions are only a few of the topics it deals with. I read this book with a small group and highly recommend it for both personal and group reading. Start reading and immediately start thinking on this one.





TO READ IN 2010:

• Hotel On The Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
• The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
  
• Forgotten God by Francis Chan
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
  
• 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Have you read any of these? Planning to add any of my recommendations to your 2010 reading list? Let me know!

2009 : A Monthly.

2009.

January. Well, it was really cold. 

February. Still very cold. 

March.

• The suicide of a close friend rocked my mind. I spent the month and many consecutive months asking many questions, struggling with school, and unsure of how this fit into the construct of God I'd previously held. In the end though, I can only thank Peter for having taught me a lot about life in general and myself. Including how to live more passionately, care more about people, and to love God with purpose. But I didn't learn any of that in March - that's what I've learned so far in the past nine months. And I'm sure I have more to learn.

• This month I also traveled to  Texas for the first time. This trip included plenty of fajitas and chances to see friend I had met when I was abroad.

April. Another first time trip - this time to Chicago! There with the other Wittenberg Communication Leaders I pitched a social media rebranding campaign to Google!

May. I graduated from college!

June. A boring month in which I worked part-time at Job & Family Services of Clark County and moved like three times. 

July. A friend of mine from Texas came to visit and we ventured to Chicago for my second trip there!

August. Living with my parents (literally, I had a bed in the dining room). Working in retail. Highlight: seeing Cirque du Soleil!

September. In addition to my 23rd birthday, I started my first full time job, moved back to Springfield, and attended the Steelers season opener!

October. Homecoming (my first as an alumni) at Witteberg and Halloween (Zach and I dressed as the painting "American Gothic"). 

November. An epic Thanksgiving with Zach visiting both his parents and mine. 

December. Christmas. My first as a full-fledged adult. It was weird to not to be home for more than a day or two and to buy gifts myself for everyone. Hmmm ... 2010 is sure to be an interesting year.