The First Bite: It's not DiGiorno it's Divine

For the past couple of weeks I've been craving my stuffed crust meat lovers pizza that I usually get from Pizza Hut. Somewhere in my craving I forgot that I now lived in Brooklyn, NY where places like Pizza Hut, Dominoes, and Papa Johns are scarce. I was having a NY moment of wanting it now and fast, which prompted me to use Pillsbury Pizza dough and make my own stuffed crust. I think it came it fairly nice. But I plan on making my own dough next time. Maybe I'll have a couple of dough prepared for these cravings. 

Ingredients: Pillsbury Pizza Crust, Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded and Sticks), Spicy Italian Sausage, tomato sauce and Spinach.

Roll out pizza crust and form it to the back pan, align mozzarella sticks along the edge

Roll over excess dough to cover sticks

Slice sausage to cut out meat

Peel away the skin and place in skillet with no oil to cook

This is how the meat looks after cooking. 

I put the crust in for about 8 minutes....I don't think that was a good idea, because the cheese melted too much...owell.

Sauce it.

Cheese It

Spinach it

Meat it

VOILA! Yumminess. 

Bon Apetit!

Divine Beauty 

The First Bite: Leftover Shrimp

So the other day, I made some orange soy shrimp over mashed sweet plantains (I promise a post later). But any ways, I had some shrimp left over and instead of making a full blown meal I just whipped up some white rice and peas munched away at these little critters. Of course the meal was fast, easy and delicious. I'm a lover of seafood, but shrimp is one of my FAVORITEST (I know it's not a word, but it is my blog :-)

So anyways, I just wanted to post something and not leave my readers (crickets) alone for too long. I promise, I have so many good meals to post about and I will in due time. Please bear with me, but in the mean time, just salivate over your screen and take in the delicious fusion of orange juice and soy sauce. I am still working on trying to create recipes as it is not one of my best forte's. Below are some more shots of my deliciousness!

Bon Apetit-

Divine Beauty

Year 26: Boss Tendencies::Letting Go

 "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

One of the most common questions to date that children are asked about what they want to be when the grow up. Many times a child's decision is based on the influences of their environment or based a situation that may have occurred. 

Growing up, I first wanted to be a pediatrician because my older sister wanted to pursue that. For a while it stayed that way, and I justified it with saying that I loved children. I even went into detail to say that I wanted to be a neonatal nurse. All throughout high school I was in the Health Academy which I despised. During my junior and senior year in high school, we were able to participate in internships. Being in the health academy I interned at a local hospital which confirmed my dislike for the health field. I knew I would not put my phlebotomy certificate to use. So on to college I go, thinking I then wanted to be a lawyer. My mother also boosted that claim when she shared with me a prayer about how she prayed for a Pastor, a Doctor and a Lawyer. My siblings and I were all lined up to fit right into her prayer until life happened. We grew up and began thinking and really channeling our inner selves. We began seeking God for OUR life. I remember always saying how I want to go to law school in NY. Even while in TX, I would say the same thing. However, whenever I would study and take the test, the scores came back not impressive. My brother even invested in a LSAT class with Powerscore and still, my score was just about the same. 

So here I am, now in NY a year later, and I have confirmed that law school is not in my future. Every time I would pick up the book to study, I get sleep or nothing retains. It's as if I am forcing it. I honestly do not think, when it comes to your passion and desires, anything should be forced. Not saying that it will be easy, however there should be an enjoyment in the pressure. I stacked up my LSAT study books and placed them on the ledge.

There comes a time in our lives where we have to come to a point of letting go. Giving up what others want for you even if they may mean well, is a freedom factor for you. My mother and family always have pushed me for law, but what I think they have failed to understand was how to read us as individuals. Being of Haitian descent, I realize that they only want whats best for us. Becoming doctors and lawyers and businessmen are prestigious titles indeed, however that is one title I am okay with not obtaining. 

I am on a search for what it is that God wants for me. I pray to be in HIS Will and that I am able to exhaust my gifts and talents by the time He comes. 

Let go of the heaviness of other ideas of who they think you should be, so that you can be free to be who God wants you to be. 

Divine Beauty

Weekend at a Glance

Saturday was a High Bun and Scarf kind of day. 

At the train station, heading to Summer Streets.

My roommate is fitter than a 5th grader.

Left my mark on a canvas.

I FINALLY purchased a pair of Vibram FIve Fingers!!! So excited to start running in them. 

Be Still

“Develop my ability to discern your will and energize me to do things that are pleasing to you.”

                                                                                                                              – Jon Walker

In the short span of my morning I have read a couple of articles that for me all had a reoccurring theme of stillness and hearing God’s Voice, doing things that are pleasing to Him.

I tend to have my thoughts all over the place, sometimes when speaking and often times when writing. I just want to get it all out before it’s forgotten. So forgive me now, if along these lines there is no cohesiveness.

I read an article this morning written by Russell Simmons about meditation and clearing the mind. When the mind is clear even if it is for a mere 20 minutes, you are able to set things in order for the day. I think the art of meditation is something that everyone should get into before and after each day. Setting up your day on the right foot leads to success in every facet of that day. Then after it is all said and done, at the end of the day winding down with worship music or literally sitting still for a moment going over the day and emptying out the mind helps you to ease into a more relaxed state of sleep. I am yet to be there, in a place where I can wake up and take 20-minutes to organize my thoughts and thank the creator.  I am one who cherishes sleep. Not that I don’t Thank God for waking me up each morning and giving breath, I just do it while I’m walking to the shower, taking it, getting dressed and running out the door. I do it while I’m walking to the train station and marveling at his wonders as I pass under trees and clear blue skies. I’m just a natural multi-tasker. Anywho, for the next couple of days I am going to TRY and wake up a couple of minutes earlier than usual and try to find peace in the midst of car horns and sirens.

Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be Still and know that I AM GOD’

Simple?  Obviously for us humans, it’s easier said than done. Being still means that you are whole heartedly placing your trust in God’s hands and definitely HIS timing. As there begins to be a shift in seasons in my life, I am trusting God to show me and tell me (really remind me) of His Will for my life. What it is that He has destined for ME.

So join me and be still for 20 minutes and allow God to wash over His Peace, His Love, His Grace, His Mercy. Him.

It is in the stillness of my universe that God speaks. When my mind is clear from worry of tomorrow, clear from doubt of what people will say, clear from fear of the unknown, and clear from debris that life brings. It is then that He Speaks. 

-Divine Beauty

Year 26: Boss Tendencies::Know Thyself

Source

Who are you? 

I finished typing that question above and then the line to continue typing just kept staring back at me flashing, waiting for me to answer the question. A mocking “Well? Who are YOU” resonating with each flash.

Automatically when someone ask me Who am I, I respond with a confident “I am the daughter of a King, destined for great things” of course with reference to Jeremiah 29:11. {Insert Verse here}. Every morning we wake up we are reassured simply by the air of breath we took within that second. Everyone is not privileged to have seen the day, yet because Christ loves us and He knows that he is not through with us yet, we get to see yet another day.

This segment of my blog “Year 26: Boss Tendencies” will be about my chronicles of being 26 years of age and going through life. Really pursuing the facets in life I would like to change, improve, and even get rid of; things such as my finances, health, food, crafts, relationships, and more. So I figure the first post in this series should always begin at the beginning with the foundation of knowing who you are. Being able to look back at where I’ve been I can understand who I am in the present and who I would like to be in the near future.

Boss Tendencies for me is simple: becoming a lady. Everyone woman is not a lady. But every lady is a woman. There are some things that I like to hold on to which makes my life a little easier, but then again I can get a little too comfortable. For instance make-up…..not a big fan, but when I do put it on it does make a statement. I want to be able to know different ways of applying it especially for the different seasons in life.

At 26, a shy month away from my one year anniversary of graduating with my MBA in Operations, and making a major move to NY, I am tired of what seems to me no progress. However, I have learned to accept my accomplishments and strive for new goals, because I know that once I put my mind to it, it can and will happen. So let the fun begin, and I hope that you will jump on board while we ride Year 26.

The First Bite: Chewy Lemon Cookies

For the past week or so, I've been craving lemony goods like lemon cookies or cakes. So when I did Google a search for lemon cookies, My Baking Addiction blog came up and I found the perfect recipe for her Chewy Lemon Cookies here. I attempted it and LOVED it, my roommate also enjoyed them as well as her co-workers. Thanks Jamie!

Le Ingredients: Flour, Sugar, Salt, Baking powder, vanilla, Butter, an egg, lemon zest and juice, .

Mix together dry ingredients, then in a separate bowl mix the sugar and butter (I used shortening). In another bowl mix the egg, zest, vanilla, and lemon juice. Then mix everything. 

Everything is mixed in.

I used 1 Tablespoon to scoop the cookies, then rolled them into balls.

Roll in sugar.

Place on cookie sheet.

In the oven they go. 

VOILA!

This recipe was easy to follow and wonderful to taste. I will definitely be making these again.