Random Thoughts by Pina

Saturday marks my 6th year of marriage to an amazing man. 6 years ago I had no Idea what was in store for me. I first met Sean when I was about 15 or 16 and he was about 20 or 21. We were both camp councilors at a kids camp at my church. I thought he was a cool and funny guy, but not as cool and funny as his best friend Kevin. That year (I believe) was when Worship Generation started at my church and even though it was meant for college kids, the high schoolers enjoyed going also. Who wouldnt enjoy going to hear amazing music, with less supervision than high school ministry and hearing a nerdy music geek teach us how to find God in our everyday lives (yes even secular music and disney movies!! GASP!!!) Sean was the guy who did the announcements. He would always add a little personal story or something funny to it. One time he did an announcement from the toilet...we loved it. As always with a large group of people there were some people who didnt quite fit in. This was a nice group of

I just noticed today that there was a comment left on my crock pot chicken recipe post. I think I know who it was from...I have a couple friends named Michelle so I am not 100% sure. She said she had just put the chicken in the crock pot. I immediately felt a little sick...like oh crap...people are actually reading...and trying one of my recipes...and I got scared. What if it didnt turn out good for them?! What if the hate it and it is a complete wast of food!!! So scary!! Anyways...I just thought I would share. Have a great weekend Y'all!

Ok, so I went to make this chicken the other day and suddenly realized that I had no onions!!! WTF...How did that happen? Anyways...I went ahead and made the chicken anyways because 1. it was the middle of the night (what can I say, I work the night shift) 2. I really needed the meat for another recipe I was making. So this is how you make delicious crock pot chicken. Usually when I make a chicken in the crock pot I am going to use the meat for something else. In my opinion, it is not as tasty as roasting it in an oven. But this time it turned out really good! It could have been the centerpiece of a meal! What you will need: -1 Whole organic chicken (I get mine from costco) I have no idea how much it weighed...sorry... -Lots of salt (like a couple tablespoons)...and I know what you are thinking, that seems like alot of salt, and it is for 1 meal. But depending on how many mouths you have to feed This chicken is going to make 3 or 4 meals. So dont worry about the salt. -A pinch of peppe

So, since I started on this paleo journey I really have not looked back. Part of what I love about it is that I really dont have to think about what I am eating. I mean...obviously it takes some time to meal plan and prepare but I cooked every night before I started so that wasnt to hard of a transition for me. What I mean when I say you dont have to think about it is when you are eating high quality fruit, veggies, nuts, and meat there is no need to count calories or feel guilty after you eat. I used to eat a meal and instantly feel super fat and gross (I know that is also an insecurity thing, not just a food quality thing). Now I eat a meal and move on...well...usually I think about how delicious it was :) My version of paleo is a little more strict than the average person. For most people the bottom line is no gluten, and avoid corn, legumes, grains, dairy, sugars and sweeteners. The average paleo person will have a corn tortilla every once in a while. Some grass fed milk, and

I think the hardest part about this whole deal is staying at home. I get so bored...and so tired of being at home all day long. It helps when people come to visit and break up the monotony of it. Good thing this is temporary!! Natalie brought me some awesome thai basil...my last hurrah before embracing this whole paleo world. Jenee brought some soup over which was a huge blessing. Sean even packed it for his lunch the next day. Erica and malachai came over twice. The first time they just hung out. Malachai read some Miley Cyrus magazines and then fell asleep on the couch. The second time they took me to Trader Joe's. My mom and grandma stopped by and dropped off some decaf coffee for me. And my mother in law is making fajitas for my lunch today. I cant wait to cook again. Hopefully my husband will let me soon. He doesn't want me to do anything...ever. I told him that women go through this kind of surgery all the time (c-section) and they have babies to take care of when

Ok...I feel like I am going through the darkest days of my life, so I have decided to list all of the things I am grateful for. I realize that people go through trials that are much harder than mine. I think I have just been blessed with such good health for so long that being hit with a chronic illness has really laid me out. I am a wimp! Ok, here is the list 1. Jesus Christ who is faithful even when I am completely without faith. I will admit that my faith sometimes doesnt seem as strong as even a mustard seed. 2. Sean, he has been very patient and loving and supportive and helpful. I keep thinking maybe he has had enough (I have been all over the place with my emotions lately) but he remains patient and kind. I think we have grown closer because of this. 3. My left ovary...LOL...seriously...it gives me hope, hahahaha. 4. All my friends who visited me and those who havent. I still feel their support. Poor Erica tried to visit me yesterday but I was so tired and kinda sick to my stoma

This is a word I never thought I would be struggling with. But these past couple days my life has had some twists and turns that I never expected. I think it is interesting that my facebook status on thursday said, "My life is drastically different than I ever planned for it to be, and for that I am grateful." Than friday happened, and I am not sure if grateful is the word I would use to describe how I feel. I had a horrible experience with a doctor here in town. When I told him that I wanted a second opinion he basically said that was a stupid idea and that I should just trust what he says. I am sorry...but that is not the way I make decisions regarding my health. I am an educated person who makes educated decisions. He was trying to take that away from me. I called my the on call line for my gynecologist in tears and she reassured me that I didnt need to start the drug that day and she moved her schedule around to see me on monday. I am so glad. So now, I am facing some tou

Well, as of 6: 00 pm yesterday, I am not longer a surgery virgin. I woke friday morning with excruciating pain. I have had ovarian cysts before and they were very painful, but nothing compared to this. Sean came home from work and took me to the hospital where they gave me a cat scan and determined that I had an 8 cm long cyst residing in between my uterus and my intestines. The doctor (the same one who delivered me it turns out) recommended that I have surgery to remove it. He said he would try to save my ovaries and my ability to have kids. I will be honest...it was a little scary going into surgery, but I have received really great for the nurses here. The doctor ended up having to take one of my ovaries but was able to save the other, thank God. He was really sweet and told me that my fertility was on the forefront of my mind. Most of my girlfriends know about the issues I have been having with my ovaries and overall pelvic pain that I have been experiencing for quite some time now

I made a bomb breakfast for myself...If I dont say so myself. I cracked 2 eggs in a bowl, added 1 diced zucchini, 1/3 of a red bell pepper cut in to small pieces, a handful of spinach torn into pieces, salt, pepper, and salsa. I mixed it all together, cooked it in some olive oil and topped it with more salsa and some tapatio...it was BOMB!!! I love cooking!

-Whole organic chicken from Costco -Whole organic chicken thighs from Costco (breast are to expensive) -Organic Marinera sauce from Costco (32 ounces for like 2.99 each!!!) -Curvy fit jeans from target (only 24 dollars!!!) -New converse (christmas present) -New guitar (also from christmas) -New sports bra...so amazing I almost want to write a whole post about it...but I will spare my vast audience

I failed this year. I failed at most of the important relationships in my life. I can basically say I failed in most of the important parts and some of the less important parts of my life. So...at the end of 2010 I find myself at an impasse. I can either wallow in my own self pity...like I am really good at doing, and continue in a downward spiral of crapness...or I can pick myself up, dust off my shoulders and try harder. This is going to be a huge year for me...and I want to fully embrace it but this time actually acknowledging and seeking the Lord. So, some new years resolutions... -Less pride, more love -Less gossip, more love -Less Judgment, more love Do you see a theme here? -More physical health -More organic cooking -Get a job -Form traditions -Seek God 1st -Give love to those without love -Instill hope in the hopeless -Stand up for the orphan -Reach out to homeless people...or at least dont look down on them as if I am better or something...I guess that goes along with the wh