Update: Currently Digging June 5th, 2013

Can you guys believe school is over? I'm still in shock and I have no clue why. My 8th grade went by like crazy fast and I learned so much in all my subjects. My mom congratulated on me on improving in math, according to my testing results this year, which I'm really happy about!( Math is a not my thing!) We learned so many interesting things, including a bit of geometry and pre- algebra!!!! And next year will be my freshman year of high school!! June is a crazy month for our family; there is so much going on. 

1: My Aunt and Uncle's Baby Shower, set for June 15th.

2: Baseball games, going to Arrows game this Saturday, 

3: Mine & my brother's Bds( 3 days apart)!

4. plans for sleepovers, spending  the night with Grandparents, ice cream outings and A&W outings and so forth.

5. Father's Day

All of this said, you can tell it's pretty jam- packed busy, amen?!

For my birthday this year, I have some cool food ideas. 

For my actual bd, I'm making corn- meal pancakes with Aunt Jemima syrup( my favorite!)

 

I'm also going to bake some sweet nuts with pumpkin- pie spice, ( inspired by Giada again:))

Then on the 15th, we are celebrating both of our birthdays( my brother's & I) at my Grandma's. For that, I'm cooking pumpkin pie and Giada's mushroom crostini appetizers with Italian bread.

But, enough updating. 

Here's what I'm currently watching, eating, drinking, reading and listening to

MOVIES: The Phantom Menace( Star Wars: Episode 1)

Recently, my brothers and I watched this for a campout last weekend. It was super fun. One of my favorite ones, it is thrilling, scary, and funny at the same time with excellent acting and a well- written script. My favorite actress, Natalie Portman, stars as Padme Amidala along with Ewan Macgregor as Obi Wan. I won't give all the story away, but it marks the beginning of the Star Wars saga. Anakin Skywalker, a young 10 year old slave and inventer on a planet called Tattiwan  is found by a Jedi knight, Qui Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Obi Wan Kenobi. He is thought to be the one to bring  balance back to the " Force". Expert Star Wars fans could explain this better than me; though I love the movies I'm not good at giving accurate, specific descriptions of parts of the movies I don't completely comprehend yet:) Bascially it's the way of life with the good side of the Force( opposite of the wicked," Dark Side"), and is used to fight, control emotions( fear, anger, hate)& thoughts centre of the dark side. Many on the "Good side", Obi Wan, Luke Skywalker. Etc. are quoted often as saying, " May The Force Be With You."  This is not the only section of the film though, it all details a current struggle for the Jedi( new enemies, a current war on the planet Naboo) Padme( Queen Amidala's) side of the story is as a queen in hiding, disguising herself as a maidservant, while trying to secretly free her people from foreign oppressors. 

At any rate, it is an awesome film, with lessons to be learned and plenty of excellent intense battles for the boys, as well as good humor from Jar Jar Binks ( you'll have to watch it to find out about him;) 

Music: Jewel. 

 With my overly-obsessive personality, when I find something I love I take off! Henceforth with the amazingly talented, beautiful Jewel. Winner of many music awards and blessed with an angelic, calming voice, she is def. one of my favorite singers. 

When I was younger, I hated her voice and I mean hated it. In comparison to my beloved newly- found JJ Heller, this" Jewel" of my dad's was nothing! Now I can't imagine my day without her in it. Nighttime( winding down, resting), daytime( learning to sing along and hold high notes). My headaches( which occur at least once a week) weigh me down with additional stress, & lack of sleep( which I can't help with our busy schedule). Anyway, I've learned to lower the level of intensity they get to it with chai tea latte( I call them " my magical cure") and Jewel" Angel Standing By". The line" Everything's gonna be all right" hits the spot with my worries and stress about what this headache will lead to it( throwing up, not being able to eat.. etc.). Two hours after a short power nap combined with these 2 things & my headache is GONE!

my favorite song is" Who Will Save Your Soul". The lyrics are stuck in my head like crazy & I can't stop listening to it. Such an awesome, well- composed song. Of course, I'm not allowed to listen to the more" Grown- up" songs by her till I'm older, but I'm in love with anything she sings that I can listen to:) 

Books: Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

I read this book a couple years back and really enjoyed it. I can definitely relate to many of the spiritual struggles of Katy Mortimer, the 16 year girl in the book. It follows her from that age on through her married life and so forth. Truly a interesting, learned read, it will challenge the intimacy in your walk with God to a wonderful extent. As Katy, who makes many mistakes like all of us,  eventually gains trust and total acceptance of her Father's Will, you will rejoice as she triumphs over temptation and sin. 

Encourage all girls to read this book( probably most appropriate for ages 12-15)

Eating: Giada's Almond Waffles 

These delicious, flavorful waffles will make breakfast a lovely, yummy treat. They take a little more effort and longer steps than the traditional waffles, but are so worth it! Next time, I've decided to try them without the chocolate chips, because it's kind of an overwhelming sweetness with the honey & lemon combined( at least for me.) They are also healthier, made with almond flour, and of course honey is a better substitute for syrup. In my opinion, they would be good for a Sunday morning, when you have time to make a nice, prepared breakfast.

Ingredients
Vegetable oil cooking spray
Lemon Honey:
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 large lemon
Waffles:
2 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
2 cups unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
Zest of 1 large lemon
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, optional
Special equipment: an electric waffle maker
Directions
Preheat the waffle maker. Lightly spray the waffle grills with vegetable oil cooking spray.

For the lemon honey: Heat the honey, lemon juice and lemon zest over medium heat in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally, until warm, about 4 minutes.

For the waffles: Beat the egg whites until they are thick and hold soft peaks using a whisk or an electric hand mixer in a medium bowl, about 2 minutes.

Combine the egg yolks, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract and lemon zest in a large bowl. Beat until smooth. Add the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until smooth.

Fold the egg whites, butter and chocolate chips if using into the batter. Using the amount recommended by the waffle iron manufacturer's instructions, about 1/3 cup of batter for each waffle, pour the batter into the preheated waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Drizzle with lemon honey and serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lemon-almond-waffles-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Drinking: Chai Tea Latte's

These are absolutely delicious, hot, spiced tea with a healing power, which as previously mentioned, is" magic". They say that caffeine helps with headaches( coffee particularly). I would drink these every day if I was allowed.  My mom got me into them, when I tried one about three months back. Anytime I need to rejuvenate and relax, they are the solution.