Southwestern Quinoa Bake/ Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Welcome to my first recipe post! 

So being married has been a game changer in the way I eat and prepare meals. :) If you knew the former me,  you would know that I used to run to the cabinet and grab the quickest and most convenient meal (ramen noodles, canned soups, cereals, lean cuisines, etc.) and call it good. Sometimes I still do… But over the past year and a half I have actually come to enjoy cooking a good meal for me and my man. Plus- it helps that when I cook, he usually does the dishes. And if he cooks, I do the dishes. Just something we agreed on early in marriage. It just works for us. The former me hardly knew how to boil an egg. I think I had three meals in my repertoire- hash brown casserole, french toast, and an egg salad sandwich. All things I still love but I am so thankful that my horizons have been expanded and I've learned that if you can READ, you can COOK! It's literally as easy at that! Following a recipe, step by step!

At the beginning of this year we decided we wanted to take better care of our "temple." We were challenged by these verses.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore HONOR God with you BODIES." 1 Cor. 6:19-20

"Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates BODY and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." 2 Corinthians 7:1.

 We have always been somewhat healthy and moderately active but we decided we want to get more in shape! We have been doing P90X together and have been so much more aware of the ingredients in the food we feed our bodies. We have started trying to eat real ingredients, whole, healthy foods that are not processed. A new food we have enjoyed trying is Quinoa. Its a plant-based superfood high in protein, similar texture to rice. It's really great for you! You can do so many things with it. You can eat it for breakfast with cinnamon, vanilla extract, & brown sugar, or you can have it as a side with your meat with just salt & pepper. It's so versatile and it's become more of a staple in our diet. You should definitely try it! 

I originally made this recipe with the ingredients stuffed in the green peppers, which was delicious... But my husband and I decided we want the green peppers to be mixed into the recipe. So, I will post both ways of making it!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers/ Southwestern Quinoa Bake

Loaded with protein, veggies and healthy grains, these delicious meals will provide the nutrition that you need for a healthy, balanced diet!

INGREDIENTS

• 6 bell peppers, tops cut, stemmed and seeded (OR 4 diced bell peppers if making the quinoa bake)
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 (4-ounce) can green chiles
• 1 cup corn 
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 cup shredded pepper jack cheese (colby jack, mild cheddar, white cheddar would all be great)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 
  

SOUTHWESTERN QUINOA BAKE

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  9×13 baking dish.

First cook the quinoa & green peppers: place 1 cup quinoa, 4 diced and seeded green peppers and 2 cups water in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until all water is absorbed (10-15 minutes).

Once the quinoa and green peppers are cooked, combine with green chiles, corn, beans, tomatoes, cheeses, cilantro, cumin, garlic, onion and chili powder, salt and pepper, to taste.

Put the mixture into a baking dish and bake for 15 min.

Serve Immediately.

Here is the result with the green peppers diced and cooked with the quinoa then mixed with the other ingredients and put in the oven to bake for 15 min. You could shred some more cheese on top of the bake and let it melt to add even more flavor! 

• It's incredibly filling and hearty making it the perfect vegetarian option. It is SO delicious and the protein and fiber leave you feeling full and satisfied. 

STUFFED BELL PEPPER INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Non-stick spray the baking sheet. 
• First cook the quinoa: place 1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until all water is absorbed (10-15 minutes).
• In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, green chiles, corn, beans, tomatoes, cheeses, cilantro, cumin, garlic, onion and chili powder, salt and pepper, to taste.

• 
  
• Stem, seed and cut the tops off the green peppers. Spoon the filling each each bell pepper cavity. Place on prepared baking dish, cavity side up, and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through, about 25-30 minutes.
• 

• 
  
  

• Serve immediately.

HAPPY AND HEALTHY EATING! :) 

ENJOY! 

With dignity from my Designer,

Dorothy Pro

• 
  

#FeatureFridays {Anna Taylor}

#featurefridays

                                        

Lately, I have been wanting to feature some people who have inspiring and unique stories and bring awareness to their cause. I thought this would be a perfect day to start this new idea... And it's a Friday... So, here goes my first #featurefriday. 

Every Friday I will feature a different person or story that is inspiring to me, and hopefully encouraging to you! 

Meet Anna Taylor. Founder and CEO of Judith & James and James 127 Foundation...

She is also a wonderful friend, Chi Omega sister, and sister in Christ! Anna is a perfect example of an ordinary person called by God to do extraordinary things. She saw a need and filled it. Her story captures the essence of showing every person that they are created by God with dignity and for a purpose. Judith and James foundation helps these women, who might feel like they are worthless, realize their potential and that their dignity comes from their Ultimate Designer. 

Anna and I met at a 9-week summer discipleship program in college. We learned how to love Jesus with our whole heart, share Him with others, read the bible more in depth and pray. We became fast friends and continued our friendship far past that summer. I was so excited to go back to campus with Anna that next fall where she pledged Chi Omega as a sophomore apparel studies major.  After that we were able to hang out a ton more. Before we met, Anna had lived with her family for several years in Kenya and went to high school there. She and her family spent several years in the Nariobi slums helping widows and orphans.  In 2010, putting college on hold, she went back to Kenya and a Kenyan leader in the slums introduced Anna to a skilled unemployed seamstress, Judith (the company’s namesake). 

Anna and I during bid day when she pledge Chi Omega at the U of A!

 Tons of fun memories with Anna!

After several months and trips to Kenya, Anna was able to get familiar with the culture and made friends with women in the slums. They became her closest friends when her family went back to Arkansas and she continued to stay in Kenya. Overwhelmed by the poverty stricken families, God laid it on her heart to stay and use the skills she had been given as an apparel studies major to set up a sewing program for those widows in the slums so they could support their families. She designed custom pieces and sold them to friends and family back in the states. When she came back to school to finish college, it was awesome listening to her stories, her trials and triumphs while there, and it was so amazing to hear the work the Lord did in her heart towards the people there. You can see the passion and love for people in everything she does.

The beautiful African fabrics, leather purses and jewelry make up her clothing line called Judith and James. Judith & James is named after Judith, the first Kenyan widow employed and James 1:27 that states to care for widows and orphans in their distress. These garments were then sold in the U.S. with proceeds going directly back to the ladies to support their families. In 2012 Anna debuted 20 pieces from her collection at NWA Fashion Week. Her collection debut was a resounding success, and demand for Judith & James clothing rapidly increased. In September 2013, Anna debuted the Judith & James Spring/Summer 2014 Collection in New York Fashion Week at the Helen Mills Event Space. After completing her degree in Apparel Studies at the University of Arkansas, Anna launched Judith & James at New York Fashion Week to market high fashion produced in the Nairobi slums to the global audience. 

Anna and her crew heading to NYFW. SO exciting!

A few of the looks Spring 2014 Collection:

Click here to SHOP Judith & James.

Photo cred: Lela&Lyla

I am just so proud of the work that Anna has been doing to help these families in poverty and be able to point them to Christ as the provider of all their needs. I love how she saw a need and filled it. God used her gifts and talents, and exposed her to the right people that opened her clothing line up to a global audience which catapulted this God given vision to something she knows is way bigger than herself.  Its amazing to see what God can do through someone who is obedient in the small tasks he puts before you. "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones." Luke 16:10. Anna's story is the epitome of showing every person that they are created by God with strength and dignity. Judith and James foundation helps these woman realize their unique gifts and potential and that their dignity comes from their ultimate Designer. 

What small task has the Lord laid before you? 

What need do you see that God can use YOU to fill?

Lets all be a part of a global movement who can be faithful in the small things. Maybe God can use you too as part of somethings WAY bigger than yourself. I pray that we will all be diligent in prayer and keep our hands and hearts wide open to what the Lord may call us to do. 

If you would like more information about Judith & James and their mission, click here. 

Setting Up Shop

Hey there! I have found a new hobby I have come to enjoy.... Crocheting!!! Its a great activity to cuddle up with during the winter while watching t.v. and sipping hot chocolate! I am selling these looks below and I would LOVE to make you a dream scarf, headband, headwrap, beanie or holiday wreath!! Here are a few items that I can make for you! You can also contact me at Dottiepro@gmail.com for questions and custom orders. 

Beige/ tweed Chunky Infinity double or triple loop scarf

Newborn football beanie

Dainty and delicate headband with ribbon. 

Winter head wraps

Rich Red Chunky Infinity double or triple loop scarf

Holiday wreaths. (Email me your custom ideas.)

True Red fluffy yarn double loop infinity scarf

Black Chunky infinity double or triple loop scarf

Captured Moments

Our wedding video! Imagine Film Company did a fantastic job with capturing all the moments of the day. Here is a video of some of the highlights. I am so happy that I am married to that sweet man and I am loving the new life we have started together! It is only the beginning! :)

"Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." Mark 10:9

Click here to see the video

The best is yet to come.

True Joy

I wrote a post earlier on my Facebook about following God's will for our lives. An old friend of mine replied on the status, "don't preach a blind faith that leads to ignorance." That comment has been on my mind today and I felt saddened that He and so many other people might feel that following God's will is having "blind faith." That statement is far from the truth. I am okay with the fact that some people will disagree with me on Christianity... But it made me stop and think... It made me stop and remember a time when I too didn't understand the full implications of following Christ and what JOY it could bring.

I began to think of how my life would be if I did not know Christ. It made me think back to when I was not in a close relationship with God. To when my happiness was directly correlated to my current circumstances. For example, for my life to be going well, it would depend on my current situation or good events going on in my life. If things weren't working out in my life the way I wanted, I would lose hope or be unhappy. My HAPPINESS came from earthly praise and successes versus having hope in God.

For most people happiness is possible, but it’s also shallow, fickle, and fleeting. I’ve heard somewhere that the word “happiness” was derived from the same root as the word “happening” … so I guess if you follow that line of reasoning, then happiness is probably based upon what’s happening. If circumstances are favorable, you are happy; if not, you’re unhappy.

JOY, on the other hand, is true contentment that comes from internal factors like our faith in the Lord. True joy is everlasting and not dependent upon circumstances. Christian JOY is directly related to God and is the firm confidence that all is well, regardless of your circumstances. How awesome it is to know that my circumstances no longer affect my true joy!

Knowing Him brings joy that transcends temporal circumstances.

In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord.” The Lord is both the source and object of Christian joy.

Obeying Him brings peace and assurance. Joy is God’s gift to every believer. It is the fruit that His Spirit produces within you (Galatians 5:22) from the moment you receive the Gospel (John 15:11). This joy increases as you study and obey God’s Word AND follow God's will for your life. (1 John 1:4).

Even severe trials need not rob you of your joy.

James 1:2 says you should be joyful when you encounter various trials because trials produce spiritual endurance and maturity. They also prove that your faith is genuine, and a proven faith is the source of great joy (1 Peter 1:6-8).

We live in a world corrupted by sin. But our hope is in a living God, not in a dying world. He is “able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy” (Jude 24). That is our assurance of future glory and eternal joy. Until that time, we need not neglect His Holy Word, despise trials, or lose sight of our eternal reward. These are key ingredients of our present joy.

When I speak about God's will for our lives, I'm not "preaching blind faith." Who knows the purpose and plan for our lives better than the one who created us? I believe he wants us to have JOY in Him no matter where life takes us.

Jesus said "I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10b)

He has a purpose and a plan for our lives that will give us true joy, peace and hope and He wants us to know Him more fully. I sincerely believe that knowing God better and trying to follow his will is not ignorance, it's the beginning of wisdom and acceptance of Gods best for our lives.

Happiness is fleeting because it often depends on things outside of ourselves, but true joy is eternal because it is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ, which is itself an everlasting source of joy.

I have often heard an acronym for JOY being: “J” is for having Jesus first in your life. “O” is for placing Others second; and “Y” is for placing Yourself last. There is a lot of truth in this simple acronym. If we put Jesus first in our lives, joy is a natural byproduct which empowers us to really love others and love ourselves.

Joy is a vital aspect of the fruit of the Spirit; so be filled with the Holy Spirit today!

So, how full of joy are you? Are you typically happy, sad, or just existing? What can we do to be more joy-full?


Do you have true joy?