Buffalo Chicken Mini Pizzas

So.. today I wanted pizza. I actually had a taste for those $1 something Tostino's pizzas (weird, I know). But then I thought buffalo chicken pizza sounded good too. However, I really didn't want to go to the store so I thought I'd just check out my Pinterest cooking board to see what I had. I came across the veggie pizza pin and had an amazing idea. The veggie ones were just mini pizzas on english muffins. I thought, I have all the things for a buffalo chicken mini pizza! So that's what I did. Here's what you need:

Ingredients:

english muffins

shredded chicken

buffalo sauce

mozzarella cheese

ranch

First I preheated the oven to 400 degrees. While that was warming up, I split and laid out the muffins.

 Next I put about a tablespoon and a half of Frank's Red Hot (thick) sauce.

For the chicken, I used chunked premium canned chicken. Canned chicken kind of grosses me out, but I use it anyway. I took pieces from the can (after I drained it) and shredded the chicken and put enough on to cover the hot sauce.

Next I put a small handful of cheese over the chicken.. I like a lot of cheese, so I made sure it covered the entire muffin.

 Put it in the oven for about 10-12 minutes and there you have it. Mini Buffalo Chicken pizzas.

 Serve with some ranch and enjoy! They were DELISH.

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2 of 30: 3 fears

Refer back to The List
Number 2: List three legitimate fears and why/how they became that way.

-1-

 I'm afraid of someone breaking into my house. When I was in 7th or 8th grade, someone broke into my dad's house and I was the first one home. I can close my eyes and still see it all. It was a Thursday night, my mom was dropping me off after youth group, had Burger King with me.. opened the door and the porch door was already opened and my dog was at the front door to greet me. After I walked into the house, I set my food down, turned around and noticed the tv gone and wires coming out, turned again and saw the computer gone.. and I ran back outside to my mom who was luckily still out there. It was also the first time in my life I saw my dad cry. It terrified me and took me a long time to be by myself at the house (especially at night) again. Still have that fear that I will come home and something like that would happen again.

-2-

I'm afraid something will happen to my dad. I know everyone has that fear of losing someone they love.. but it's not the same with my mom. It's not that I'm not afraid of something happening to her, but to my dad, it's more of a conscious fear. And I think that's because I know my mom's heart and her faith, so I'm consciously, not as worried about her. I know she would be with her Creator. For my dad, it's a bit harder. I feel like he always has something going on with his health or heart and I don't talk to him a whole lot... I'm just afraid that something will happen to him, that it would be a long time since I've seen or have talked to him, and that I'll never see him again. Just hearts my heart thinking about it.

-3-

I'm afraid of never having a family. I just see so many amazing single women and it just baffles me that they don't have that. Especially the ones that I know are longing for it. I just don't understand it and pray that later in life, no one will have that same thought of me.

up next: Your relationship with your parents

1 of 30: Random Things

Well, if you read the last blog, you'd know I stumbled across the 30 Things challenge.

1 of 30 = 20 Random facts about yourself.

here goes.

1. i get to hang out with a bunch of rowdy, loud, genuinely sincere, crazy, loving three, four and five year olds 8hrs a day, 5 days a week. Most days, I truly do love my job.

2. sometimes I feel like I can talk to preschoolers better than adults.

3. starting this summer, I'm going back to school to get another MA.. this time around, in school counseling.

4. this is the first year I've ever stuck with a "new years goal"

5. i want two more tattoos.

6. i can't wait to live on my own and decorate my own place, my way

7. i honestly love to travel. love the plane rides. love the road trips. love the pictures. love love love it all (minus the packing and unpacking)

8. i hate confrontation but i'm getting more confident with it

9. spirited art has made me 10x more confident in painting. i feel like i can paint the world.

10. i dont ever plan on moving back to indiana (sorry fam)

11. Crossings is the first church I've ever truly felt a part of something much bigger than me

12. i randomly bust into song if you say a word or phrase that reminds me of one. it's a skill.

13. people's love for books = my love for movies. i love getting so engrossed in a different reality for two hours to hear a story.

14. the love for reading comes and goes.. however, i love buying books for my bookshelf.

15. the whole miracle of life/birth puts me in awe no matter how many people i know go through it. 

16. i strive to love like my creator... it's a rather difficult process sometimes.

17. i hope to one day make my house decor all DIY

18. i love organizing.. doesn't matter what it is.

19. i wish it were fall year round.

20. i think i'm more scared to be 26 than 30.

next up:  Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.

The List

Well... I'm still going to post about the "healthy living" aspects.. however, I'd like to add this one in here too for a while. It's not going to be an every day thing.. it's going to be a "here and there" type of thing :) I know.. in the past I've done a "30 Pictures" thing like this, and it didn't last long.. but I think this will be different. I want to blog more with different ideas and projects I'm doing as well as continuing the Healthy Living too.

Anyway.. I  was searching blogs tonight and came across Hopes and Dreams via Pinterest (I swear Pinterest is changing lives!) Anyway. She did a "::hopes::and::dreams::: 30 Things:" blog and here's the idea: the list is set out to record different parts of your personality. Not only do your readers learn more about you, but you tend to learn more about yourself as well since some of these questions aren't easy. Here it is...

The List:

 1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your parents.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrasing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. Describe 5 weaknesses you have.
14. Describe 5 strengths you have.
15. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?
19. If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. List your top 5 hobbies and why you love them.
24. Describe your family dynamic of your childhood vs. your family dynamic now.
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What is your love language?
29. What do you think people misundertand most about you?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

The One Where She Strives to Live Healthier

I'm watching Friends. I thought it was appropriate to have a title with, "The One Where.."

I know, I know.. I missed a week. I almost missed this week too, but alas, here I am.

Last week wouldn't have been too exciting. No changes really. Only got one run in and weight stayed the same.

This week I got four run's in and lost only 1.5lbs this week.. Kind of sucked since I pushed so hard, but at least it's something. I'm up to 13.5lbs since January! Slowly going... My goal was hopefully 10 a month since I lost 10 in January.. but we'll see for February; still two weeks left.

I'm up to 1.25 miles running straight! Pretty sure I won't hit the two mile mark in these next two weeks, but maybe; we'll see. Just gotta make sure I keep getting those runs in!

This week also started my budget!! I don't think I've ever been excited to start one. I made my one for March (just have to break it down to two-week sets), and made one for the last two weeks! Took out all my cash that I needed and started using my sweet wallet my mom bought me for Christmas in 2010. You can see a similar design here. I'm only on day 5, but it's been alright! We'll see how it is next weekend though when my wallet is empty :) haha... but hopefully it won't be. No cash = no more money to spend. Not going to use my debit card at all because the rest of that money is for my Emergency Fund!

I also went a little crazy and started planning on my upcoming trips! I'm going to visit my dear cousin in VA in April for a few days, so I estimated how much I'd need for that and how many checks I'd get before then. From there, I figured out how much from each check I'd need in order to have that money by the appropriate time. I did the same thing for all three weddings I have to attend this summer too since I will be traveling a lot. Figured out how much I'd need, how many checks til each wedding date, and then how much from each check I'd need to take out in order to have it by each wedding. I love figuring out things like this! Now I just HAVE to stick with it. After I this summer, my Christmas savings will begin! I just bought something today to start either a Christmas or birthday present (either September or December gift). I just saw it and thought of an amazing idea for my sister! I'd LOVE to share it.. however... she reads this :)

ALSO this week was my Interview for Grad School numero dos. I'll write more about that when I hear if I was accepted onto the program. It was something...

That's all I have for today. There's supposedly a winter snow coming.. Lots of talk about The Blizzard of 93 are going on.. how it was in the 60s one day and 24hrs later there was a huge snowstorm and people were snowed in for a week. Last year was the most snow I've seen in Knoxville in the (then) six years I've been here. This is the first year I haven't seen even a little snow stick. I feel like it's coming and when it does, it'll be good. I just hope for one good snow day before spring comes! And definitely before April when I'll be driving to VA.

Stay safe if you already have snow. Have a great week!

Life.Is.Good

Life is good.

Sometimes I just kind of sit back and think about my life… I just don’t have words to explain how I’m feeling. (Side note.. I have a feeling this may be a lengthy one today. So if you’re tracking the 30 Day Challenge, see last few paragraphs). Anywho… I am just thankful for where I am today and with what’s going on in my life. When the New Year hit, I kind of got irritated because of all the “resolutions” that people make and don’t keep (pot calling the kettle black.. I admit it). But this year it just irritated me because I thought, “Why does the ‘new year’ need to be where people start fresh? You can start fresh ANY TIME THAT YOU’D LIKE.” I just kept having this thought in my head…. as I made resolutions or goals for 2012. Just to off track a minute.. I have been running this past week and when I run, lots of things go through my head. Usually it’s, PUSH YOURSELF KATRINA! But during my last run, I thought, why is it called, “resolutions?” People make goals, not resolutions.. and then the more I thought about it, the more I “resolutions” was actually good.. because a resolution is usually a cure for a problem, right? That’s what people do at the new year… find a “problem” in their life and try to stick with a resolution for it.

Anyway… just a random thought that was in my head… back to making those resolutions… I think people make them at the new year because, well, it’s the new year. It’s almost like it’s a blank sheet of paper and you get to start completely fresh. I still think you can do that at any point in your life, but maybe it just gives people an excuse to live the way they do… or for me, as I look back, I look at the year as a whole.. and wow. What a year 2011 was. SO much was gone through. I finished my first year teaching… I started my second year teaching… I had friends move across the country… I had very close friends get married or engaged… my best friend and cousin moved and is away from me for the first time in over 10years… I moved yet again… and of course, the joke of the year was always “Katrina and her boys… which boy is it this time?” Which is HILARIOUS to me, because, well, if you know me, that has never been me. I went through dating one, not sure what you’d call the next, and then a pretty serious relationship after that, then ending the year single (which I’m okay with). For each of those, hard decisions were made, friendships were formed, heartache happened… 2011 was just a whirlwind of emotions for me, lots of changes, and “grown up” decisions.

As I looked back at 2011, I knew my perspective was going to change for 2012. I had a “clean page” to look at. I wanted to go in it not knowing what was to come, but knowing that whatever God had in store, it was going to be good. And I can’t even explain that feeling to you.. but I KNEW that it was going to be a great year (not saying 2011 was.. I learned A LOT about myself). So.. it’s only February 5, and these past 5 weeks have been SO good. Maybe it’s just because my perspective has changed. Maybe it’s because I’m looking at things in a new light. I don’t know. But I honestly don’t know that I’ve ever been this happy. Let’s take a look at different areas of my life so I can explain more.

Friends: I have the greatest friends. I feel like friendships are growing deeper. I am trying to be more intentional in those friendships and new friendships that have been made.

Crossings: I can’t say how much this community means to me.. and I don’t know that I ever could. But I feel a part of something big and life changing. Through every Sunday.. through

Small Group.. through Kid City.. through Hospitality.. through FPU…

Health: I don’t think I’ve ever “stuck” to working out.. but I have the last five weeks and I FEEL good. AND I’m doing a 5K! Who would have thought. Not me, that’s for sure.

Expenses: I am SO looking forward to budgeting and not living and worrying about expenses as much as I do.

Work: I love my kids. This new year has been awesome and encouraging.

Future: I’m going to Grad School… AGAIN. What in the world am I thinking!? I have no idea… but I am so excited for “what’s next.”

Maybe I covered it all.. maybe I didn’t… but I just love my life and where I am right now. You know when you are in a new relationship and you’re just head over heels for that person and you just can’t stop smiling? That’s how I feel. Maybe I’m falling in love with my life..

Okay.. that’s my rant and what’s on my heart. Are you still with me? If you are.. well, thanks.

To the Healthy Aspects of it all…

FPU is great. I’m loving it and can’t wait for each week to learn something new. Budgeting is going to be hard, but I’m excited.

I lost 4lbs this week, so I’m at 12lbs gone! WooHoo!

30 Day Challenge.. well… I didn’t finish it. LET ME EXPLAIN. I just got sick of doing the same exercise over again. I think I’ll incorporate some of it every once in awhile, but for now, it’s not for me. I feel like a quitter sometimes because I only had three stinking days left.. but I don’t feel like I quit because it was too hard. Does that make sense? Instead, I started running. I’ve been doing that on Mondays anyway, well, part walking.. but I’ve started running this past week. I did it three times last week and RAN MY FIRST MILE! NO BREAKS! It was quite a big thing for me. I want to try to start adding a little on at a time and hopefully be able to run the whole 5k in April, but we’ll see. My legs felt like spaghetti last week.

Well. That’s all I have for today. Ha.. all I have.. it was quite a bit. Thanks for reading though. Thanks for continuing to read and your encouragement as well. It means a lot.

Hope you all get to go to a fun Superbowl party tonight! I don’t really care about who wins… I’m excited for the party aspect of it all and for the new previews shown during the commercials!

Til next week…

"healthy" living? psh.

Well.. I don't have much to post about this past week as far as the 30 Day Challenge goes.. I got sick and I was able to do one day, and that's it... putting me behind almost a stinkin week. I think I was most mad about this then anything. My friend Rachel and I walk/ran 3 miles on Monday, and I worked out Tuesday. Wednesday, whatever it was, hit me.. so I was down Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I was getting my energy back. Today I thought about doing one or two of them, but my uterus decided to try to rip itself out of me, causing me to be in bed until 2:00 today (sorry if you're male reading this.. but let's me honest, you know what goes on once a month). But that's another story. I should probably go to the doctor since this is two months in a row. Too bad my insurance sucks. The whole getting sick thing would benefit a doctor's visit as well.. I'm pretty sure that was more a GI thing than a sickness thing, but I don't know... I'm no doctor, but I know how weird my stomach is.
anyway.
Since it's Saturday, I weighed myself after telling myself not to expect anything after this week of nothingness... and I was right. 2lbs were back on... but again, well... I'll just say bloating. Nothing like getting personal, right?

Financial Peace University (FPU) officially started this week. I'm really excited about it! I can't wait to see the difference after 91 days. I feel like I'm off to a good start, mindset at least. The first step is to save $1000. That makes me nervous a bit because I don't know where that is going to come from.. but I'm gonna do it! Also, I mapped out the distance from 4MS (where we meet) to my house, and it's a little over 5 miles. I think I'm going to start including that in my workout since the challenge will be over. However, Lisa-Marie (the AWESOME and motivating host of BodyRock.Tv) said what they have planned next is awesome. I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue with whatever they have.

Well.. that's what I got today. have a great week. wish me luck on my last week of the 30 Day Challenge! Really going to try to push myself this week.
peace out friends.

ps. sorry i didnt put a picture up.