Why Worry?

The past week I have let worrying get the best of me. Stressing about my test on Friday has led to a cluttered mind and an anxious heart. I can’t stand it! It’s not just all I have to read and learn before Friday’s test but I’m already getting nervous about what’s next. After this test is over, I am going to jump right into self-studying for the MCAT. I know that I need to make a strict schedule for myself if I am going to stick with it and master the material. And what am I going to do once I graduate for the year in between? That’s unknown to me and surely it’s adding to the list of unnecessary worries clogging my brain.

What i’ve realized the past few days is that all of this stressing about the next day and the next, is only preventing me from doing what I need to do in the moment. My mind has been so distracted that I have been unable to focus on the tasks at hand. The extreme lack of motivation has led to frustration and self-doubt. Not to mention, it’s just plain annoying!

I had a moment yesterday where it dawned on me that I have been carrying around all of this junk that the Lord never intended for me to carry, let alone feel in the first place. I came across this verse which has spoken such amazing truths into my life:

Philippians 4: 6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ.”

The Lord presents us with such an amazing opportunity to come to Him with all of our concerns, doubts, desires, and struggles so that we may ask for His help. He is always there- in good times and in bad, to support us and comfort us. Once I realized that His peace is what I needed to combat those feelings of stress and worry- I was finally able to give it all to Him. When we surrender our feelings to Him, he truly blesses us with a peace that can only come from Him. Trusting in Him every moment and every day is a work in progress but He is so full of grace and mercy. So blessed beyond belief!

Other verses that have helped me when I am burdened down with worry:

Luke 12:25- “Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life?”

Matthew 6:24- “Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”

Psalms 55:22- “Our Lord, we belong to You. We tell You what worries us, and You won’t let us fall.”

1 Peter 5:7- “Cast all of your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

XOXO,

Shelby

Sleeps ’til…

Time seems to be flyin’ these days. I really can’t fathom the fact that I am currently experiencing my final semester here at UGA. I absolutely love everything about this town and the people in it. I like to think of myself as an honorary Athenian, especially because I am so close to being a Georgia Alumni! Bulldawgs for life 🙂 Any who, seeing as I haven’t posted in decades months, I figured I would start with a countdown of sorts. The way I like to do this is by counting the number of sleeps until the actual day. I stole this idea from the “Sleeps ’til Christmas” app on the iPhone… yep, I’m that cool. 

• 6 sleeps ’til my first biochemistry test (yikes!)
• 19 sleeps ’til Valentine’s Day- unfortunately Cameron and I won’t be able to celebrate together but I’m totally up for a girls night. Who’s with me?
• 21 sleeps ’til my soon to be sister-in-law, Kelley’s, bridal shower in Atlanta.
• 29 sleeps ’til my friend from college, Ruthie’s, wedding (also in Atlanta). This is the first of my friend’s weddings. Feels unreal…
• 42 sleeps ’til my last spring break- for now (hopefully)
• 51 sleeps ’til me and Cameron’s 6 year anniversary, whoop whoop! Love that guy 🙂
• 79 sleeps ’til I watch my big brother, Tommy, get married to sweet Kelley. It’s gonna be such a special day.
• 106 sleeps ’til I graduate from University of Georgia- it’s so bittersweet! Don’t even get me started on leaving this place. Athens is my home and I tear up even thinking about moving…
• 177 sleeps ’til my homegirl, Emma’s, wedding!

Although there’s lots to look forward to, I’m going to do my best to take each day God gives me as it comes and focus on loving those around me and just soaking it all in. Speaking of, I really need to start get back to studying for this dang test on Friday- boo hoo. I will leave y’all with a cute picture of my little guy, Noah! 

 

Guilt-free Blueberry Banana Bread

I don’t know if you know this about me or not, but I have a massive sweet tooth. I’ve tried to deny it so many times but let’s be honest, I tend to be a whole lot happier when I have a little (emphasis on the word “little”) chocolate in my life. I emphasized the word “little” because as much as I love sweets, there’s nothing worse than polishing off your third slice of banana bread (with chocolate chips, of course) and slipping into a food coma complete with a food belly to match. Since I have found myself in that type of situation a couple of times (who’s counting?) I am on a mission to enjoy the bread I just made without going overboard. But lucky for us, it’s healthier than your average banana bread!

Rotting bananas on the kitchen counter mean only one thing in my mind. It was time to make banana bread. But not just your average banana bread complete butter and oil. This recipe is a healthier spin on the classic replacing the oil/butter with 2% greek yogurt and even throwing antioxidant-rich blueberries into the mix. I also cut the amount of added sugar in half by replacing it with an extra banana. Oh and don’t you know I had to add me some chocolate chips. This bread is flavorful, moist, and just overall delicious. I baked this loaf last night and honestly enjoyed it better cold from the fridge this morning- even more moist the next day. Tastes great topped with Justin’s Maple almond butter (yum) for breakfast or topped with ice cream/cool whip for dessert!

Guilt-free Blueberry Banana Bread

Slightly adapted from (Daily Garnish)

(Makes 1 loaf)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Sugar in the Raw (could use regular sugar)
• 1 cup spelt flour*
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour*
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup 2% plain greek yogurt (I used FAGE brand)
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 3 large overripe bananas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the salt, flour, and baking powder in a medium/large sized bowl. Mash the bananas in another mixing bowl using a fork until consistency is gooey. Add in the eggs, vanilla, and sugar and mix until combined. Add in greek yogurt to wet ingredients and stir until lumps are minimal. Add the wet to the dry and mix until just combined (do not overmix or bread could become tough). Fold in the blueberries and chocolate chips. Pour into a greased bread loaf pan (I sprayed mine with coconut oil spray but anything works) and pop in the oven! Mine took about 50 minutes to bake but every oven is different. I would check it after 45 minutes and every 5 minutes after that. To test if it’s done stick a knife or toothpick in and see if it comes out dry. Once it’s done, let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes (if you can wait that long)! Enjoy 🙂

*Any flour can be used here but I used a combination of spelt and whole wheat for more nutrients. Any combination of flours can be used! Whole wheat pastry flour would be great as well.

1 Loaf = 12 slices

Nutrition facts for 1 slice (1/12th of loaf): 164 calories, 3.4 g fat (1.9 g saturated fat), 29 mg cholesterol, 117 mg salt, 30.4 g carbohydrates, 2.8 g dietary fiber, 14.4 g sugar, 4.7 g protein

Cheers!

Chicken and Veggie Stir fry with a “Coconuty” Peanut sauce

Hello everyone!

First off, I must apologize for not writing a post in what seems like centuries. I guess I have just gotten a little too busy with other things but I’m back baby (hopefully, haha).

Yesterday after I hit up the gym for round one of the day (early afternoon for weights, early evening for Zumba class), I decided to swing by the grocery store for a couple things- sliced ham for sandwiches, fresh veggies and fruit, you know the drill. I ended up with a great selection of fresh food which inspired me to make a delicious meal for dinner after Zumba later.

I browsed through a couple recipes on Lauren’s blog and found this one that caught my eye. I changed a few things and ended up making a different sauce than she used. For some reason when I made her original sauce recipe it turned out disastrous but I think it may have been due to a couple substitutions I had to make but the new sauce worked great.

Chicken and Veggie Stir fry with a “Coconuty” Peanut sauce

*please excuse my iPhone pic 🙂

Makes 2 Servings

• 2 cooked chicken breasts (I used thin cut for quicker cook time)
• 1 cup cooked rice or any other grain desired
• For the stir fry:
• 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil (regular will work as well)
• garlic powder (or chopped garlic)
• ginger
• 6 stalks bok choy
• 5 kale stalks (leaves cut off stalk)
• 1/2 orange bell pepper
• 1 cup (or more) broccoli florets
• For the sauce:
• 1 and a half to 2 tbsp of Coconut Peanut Butter (regular will do as well)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp tamari (or other soy sauce)

First, I went ahead and heated a little olive oil in a pan on medium heat, once it was good and hot I cooked the chicken with just a little salt and pepper. You can also used chicken prepared on the grill but I decided to pan fry mine.

Once the chicken was done I put them on a plate and covered with aluminum foil for the time being. Next, I heated one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil with a little ginger (I didn’t use fresh) and garlic salt on medium heat in a large pan. Allow the oil to melt and the mixture to become fragrant (1-2 minutes). Next add all the chopped vegetables except for the kale. Once the veggies have only a couple more minutes until they are cooked to your liking, add the kale and let cook until done.

While the veggies cook, prepare the sauce. Mix honey, coconut peanut butter, tamari sauce, and rice vinegar in a bowl and stir until combined. Once everything is done cooking- chopped the chicken into pieces and incorporate into the veggies. Put veggies and chicken into bowl containing the sauce and mix. Serve on top of brown rice or any other cooked grain. I used half cup of cooked brown rice (used 10 minute- boil in a bag… sh, don’t tell).

Enjoy!!

Off the gym, poor little guy… “Don’t worry, I’ll be back!”