New awesome YUMMMY recipe!! Orange Peppermint Bread

This bread I discovered online and I crafted my own version of it! It is tasty and veryyyy simple to make! Also, most of the ingredients are usually found right in the house making it inexpensive!

You Will Need

1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp orange zest (or more for more intense orange flavor...I DEFINITELY used more...)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup plain yogurt (or vanilla is also a tasty alternative!)
1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped

Delicious Homemade Peppermint Orange Glaze
A few drops of Peppermint extract

2 teaspoons of orange juice
1/3 cup powdered sugar (confectioner's sugar)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan. To make it easier to remove the loaf from the pan, you may want to lay down a wide strip of parchment paper, along the length of the bottom of the loaf pan, and up the narrow sides. Butter this as well.

2. Beat the butter until fluffy, about 2 minutes on high in an electric mixer. Add the sugar and beat for an additional 2 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until completely incorporated after each addition. Beat in the orange zest.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

4. Add the yogurt and dry ingredients by thirds, starting with the yogurt, alternating the additions. Beat only until just incorporated. Mix in the golden raisins.

5. Immediately pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Place in middle rack of 350°F oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes*, until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.

6. Cool on a rack in the pan for 5 minutes. Then remove the loaf from the pan and cool for another 10 to 15 minutes.

7 While loaf is cooling, prepare optional glaze if using. Whisk together the peppermint extract, orange juice, and powdered sugar until smooth and there are no lumps. Place loaf on a serving plate. Use a toothpick or skinny skewer to poke holes in the top of the loaf and drizzle the glaze over the loaf. This helps the glaze not pour alllll over the place!

*If you are using a 5x9 loaf pan, the loaf will be done earlier. Check at 40 minutes. You can use this recipe for muffins, in which case the cooking time should be 20-25 minutes. For me I wasn't sure it was cooking all the way because the skewer wouldn't come out clean. DO NOT PANIC! It just needed more time. The bread didn't burn and it was delicous!

Best served warm and with liberal amounts of BUTTER and cream cheese : ) BON APPETITE!

TNWM

Preparing: Battling the Could Be's and Making Them Will Be's

Today I came to a realization that many of us have grown up with stars in our eyes. These stars are put there from the moment we are born. They are put there by the simple, wonderful dreams that many children have about what they want to be when they grow up. The stars are amazing and dreamlike when you're a child and they are I believe healthy in normal development. Unfortunately, all things have there time. I have found that I still have many of these stars in my eyes. They have now become a nuisance as they cloud my vision and my judgement of how to achieve my goals and dreams. I haven't realized many of my dreams yet because I haven't taken all neccessarry steps required to reach them.

My whole life I've dreamed of entertaining people. Making them smile, laugh, cry, and feel the same realm of emotions I have felt. I have definitely achieved that many times through the many performances I've gotten to do and I'm happy to say that it has left me fulfilled, but yearning for more. I want it on a broader scale. More people, more emotions, higher pay, more experiences outside the collegiate world, and ultimately to be on Broadway. These are dreams that I feel I am ready to fulfill....but I believe I've missed something.

There is an emptiness still deep inside when it comes to feeling really fulfilled. I know that I want to be on Broadway, but I've discovered something else on the way...I LOVE to teach. I love watching kids grow and learn and achieve some of the same things I did when i was in high school and middle school. It gives me such a warmth inside knowing they have learned something positive from me and that I have instilled just a little bit of my personal wisdom in each of them on a different level.

But now it comes to the point....I "could be" a teacher or I "could be" a Broadway star or I "could be" both! I've realized that all these stars I've placed in my eyes have clouded me from making my "could Be's" into "will Be's". It is time to put my childhood dreams in to real time action!

This means I have to get more serious about finishing school instead of feeling like it is a waste of my time and money. I have learned alot and I am ready to learn more. Also, I need to STOP listening to other voices...the nay sayers in my life who told me what I'm doing will never make me money and that its a wasted dream. I WILL MAKE MY DESTINY REALITY! I am ready to take those steps...I am prepared for the successes AND failures. Even when you fail, that doesn't mean you are a failure! It merely means it will just take a little more time and that much more effort to make it happen! If I get down on myself EVERY time I feel like I've failed...i will NEVER succeed!

In short...I WILL be a success....I WILL perform for thousands....I WILL teach my wisdom and experience to the younger generations and I WILL make lots of money doing it! Until this destiny is reached, I am willing to do WHATEVER it takes to get there....two or three part time jobs? MEH it's doable....will i like it? probably not...will I do it?! HECK YES!!! It WILLLL be worth it in the end...

"This is only the beginning of an adventure far grander than any I've undertaken...it will hurt...it will feel amazing....I will probably cry....but in the end every tear I shed is one more step I've taken to achieve my dreams!"

I hope I can inspire anyone else out there who feels they are falling short....DON'T give up! Take the baby steps and I promise you... you will feel fulfillment...Your destiny is chosen...it's up to YOU the paths you will take to get there my friends.

TNWM

For Today...Something Unrehearsed

Today I am writing after a stressful night. I realized last night after talking to someone that my life isn't exactly where I want it to be. I am still falling short of my dreams and my ultimate goals. Unfortunately I am still up in the air when it comes to finishing my first leg of my university career which I was more than hoping to have finished by now. Everyone seems to want to tell me that I'm doing ok and that I'm better off than many others, but it just isn't enough for me at this moment. I want to have a fuller feeling of independence. To have the abillity to extend my reach to the stars and beyond. I have had so many dreams dashed up on the rocks of irony that it seems I can never piece them together...so instead i am melting them down and starting again. This time I will approach things in a seemingly more selfish way. This time no one will step on my toes or try to trip because I will swiftly move past them. This time I will turn a deaf ear to my nay sayers and will in turn listen to my own instincts and follow MY own ambitions and not someone else's expectations. "Its time to trust my instincts...close my eyes...and leap...Its time to try defying gravity." Old lyrics from Wicked...but they still do and always will hold true to my own story. I hope that my words can give hope to those who feel like they have lost all passion for life and living for their dreams. I feel like all those parts of me that were cast in darkness and strife are now able to breathe in the fresh air and find hope in the hopelessness. For all those who don't know what to do when you feel backed into the perverbial corner...just remember why you do what you do...remember your dreams...call back those passions that started you on your path to begin with. Only then will you start to achieve fulfillment in all you do.

I hope I have helped to shed light on all those dark places...not just in others, but in myself as well. Here's to a future filled with happiness and light!

TNWM

Words...The Double Edged Sword

Has someone ever told you something and no matter how seemingly insignificant it seems you can never seem to shake it? Does it still fill you dread and doubt at what was said even though intrinsically you know its not true? Well that is how words are....they cut a wound so deep that no amount of healing can ever truly patch up those scars. People really need to be more careful about what they say. No one truly realizes the impact they might have. Say for instance in my own life...I grew up hearing a lot of things such as how to be, how to act, how to dress, when I looked bad, or had maybe gained too much weight, and etc. Those things have never left my mind. Those words have left scars that affect my personality, my day to day life, and the way I react to others. Of course over the years I have been able to overcome most of my self-concious issues and find myself as the beautiful creation I was made to be, but not without a lot of struggle and help from my friends.

My words of advice are to those who have suffered and maybe are currently suffering from harsh or judgemental words. My words are simple: believe in yourself and believe that God has made every one of us in His image. The only imperfections are the ones others point out to make themselves feel better. Believe in yourselves, believe that you are unique, and love yourself no matter what. Only when you can come to accept yourself and your flaws, can you truly show the world the precious gems you really are.

"Through the pain comes love, through the struggle comes strength, and through words we can change the world." -- Me

Keep your heads held high and if you need to look for help remember...LOOK UP!! : )

TNWM

NEW BLOSSOM!!! Introducing My Beautiful Orchid

I have been raising a very special orchid plant. It really means alot to me and I have been careful to provide it the most special attention I can give. And it seems to have paid off! My orchid has a new blossom. I am so very proud of how well my plant seems to be doing.

They have opened up a nurturing nature inside of me and I am seeing the beautiful results of my work. Starting this garden was the best hobby I have ever had!!!

In other news, I am still continuing to eat healthy : ) EVEN THOUGH camp food is very difficult to digest...I am stilllll very active as the kids keep me on my toes playing soccer, kickball, and dodgeball. ANNND I have rediscovered my love of four square hahaha! These amazing kids have brought the child in me and I am rediscovering aspects of myself that seemed lost. They are teaching me as much as I am teaching them. Even though we have just started I already know I will dearly miss most of them. With kids like these, the future seems so much brighter. They are going to lead us into a more prosperous and hopefully more harmonious future.

TNWM

The Fun is Officially Begun!!!! GLI 2010

I am about to embark on my fourth summer at Northwood University as a Group Leader/Camp Counselor with the Global Language Institute (GLI). Despite the stuffy title, GLI is in fact one of the most amazing camp experiences of my life! Kids and teens come from all over the world to learn the English language....AND most importantly to have the time of their lives! I have been a part of children's camps since I myself was a camper starting in the 1st grade. They are important parts of kids lives as that is where they learn important life and social skills and garner memories they will keep the rest of their lives. This camp is very special to me because of the things I also learn. These students and campers have given me the opportunity to experience new cultures and learn new languages. I have a blast EVERY year and I hope the trend continues! More to come as the fun rolls along! VIVE LE GLI!!!!!

P.s. My plants are alllll doing well. Since I have to live on campus for the camp I simply took them with me : ) new pics and posts on them to come!!!!

TNWM

Just A Short Thought...

I just wanted to write and say that I am a very lucky man. Not everyone gets to experience the kind of love I am enjoying on a daily basis. I have my friends surrounding me and I so much love in my life. I am grateful for where I am and for what is in store for me. I can now say for certain that I am happy. I am now just merely awaiting the destiny I have yet to discover! Its very exciting and life is just one adventure after another. It is time to start enjoying it and finding my purpose in it!

TNWM