Adventures in Quinoa

Not having a job and being by myself for 80% of my day has resulted in me becoming incredibly domestic. This is a thing I do when I have nothing else to do. These phases have fondly become known as my "June streaks", because, frankly, my secret life goal is to be June Cleaver. But I am easily distracted. So it comes and goes.

Lately, however, I have been all up in that housewife life. Hanging art, organizing closets, doing laundry, watering the plants (just kidding my roommate does that) and, oh yes, feeding myself. Which some of my friends find absolutely laughable, because I tend to do things like make the home made whipped cream, and accidentally add orange flavor instead of vanilla (whatever it tasted like a dreamcicle. Cry me a river). But, the thing is, when you are in charge of not starving, you make it happen.

My adorable, hip mother has been on the world's biggest health kick, which has led to family discussions on purchasing a cow ("Where will it go?" I said. "In the deep freeze!" said the parents. "We don't own a deep freeze, parents.") and eschewing all things processed. Basically, I am terrified of eating anything that is not straight from the ground because, according to mom, it will probably kill me. So when I left the nest and started buying my own groceries again, I felt the challenge to continue in the healthy ways of my inspirational mother. (Also my jean shorts were magically way bigger on me than they had been last summer, and no WAY am I letting that go). Hence: Adventures in quinoa.

My first adventure in quinoa was an incredibly successful situation involving a frozen chicken tender sautéed with olive oil, lime juice, and chopped mini bell peppers (which, incidentally, make a great chip substitute according to my slim and trim father). Salt it to taste, then toss it with the quinoa for a lovely, quickie lunch. Even more quickie if the quinoa and chicken are already prepared and hanging out in the fridge.

Adventure number two was even more successful. And straight up GENIUS, if I do say so myself. Like, Pinterest genius. Really. Since dairy and bread are making me fat and prone to break outs (according to the Paleo whiz), I've been trying to find breakfast substitutes for my classic toast or cereal habit. This morning I looked in my fridge and saw fruit, vegetables (yay me I'm doing so good!!) and quinoa. "Okay. How can quinoa be a breakfast food?" Here's how:
Heat up the quinoa in a frying pan with some cinnamon and brown sugar. Pop it in a bowl, sprinkle more brown sugar on top (so it's all melty and excellent) then throw a handful of blueberries in there.
NOM NOM NOM. I even had it with a cup of iced coffee (Roasterie Bali Reserve, duh) splashed with almond milk.

 Quick, give me a show on The Food Network.

Looking in the Rearview

The upside to the fact  that I haven't posted anything since, you know, February, is that I didn't have time to wax on about life because I was too busy living it. Sorry I'm just not sorry about that.

But I felt a little life update was needed because, y'all, I DID IT. I MOVED TO NASHVILLE.

(Insert full orchestra fanfare, please and thank you.)

The best thing about living here so far is that I can unashamedly blast country music and no one will judge me.

This morning, though, I find myself in a very familiar place. It's the same place I was in last September (if you will recall, I was super dramatic about it and moaned and groaned. Typical).  I am in a new city, I know exactly ten people, and I am jobless. It sounds daunting. It is kind of daunting. But HELLO MY NAME IS RACHEL AND I AM EXCITED. Ya know why? Because that totally unplanned time in Kansas City ended up being beautiful and wonderful and full of blessing. Which has convinced me of this truth: that the God I love has a treasure chest full of good things for me. My only job is to trust Him. And not freak out. Which, if you know me at all, you know is legitimately impossible. But, hey, a girl can grow!

They say hindsight is 20/20, and they are right. As I get my Nashville feet wet (literally. It's raining.) and take time to reflect on the last eight months, I am blown away by the perfect planning that landed me at a little cafe in Brookside with the strangest, most beautiful group of people. I would say random, but I know it wasn't. There's no way. For reasons that I'm sure will continue to be revealed as we each grow and move down different paths, we were given a season with each other to learn. (I am getting so sappy right now, I apologize). It wasn't necessarily an easy time. There was crisis and conflict and hurts. But, man, there was also alotta love. And I know a whole bunch of things now that I didn't know before. Which is super handy for being a big kid in a new city. And also for being a more well-rounded human.

So with all that in mind, I'm ready for this new chapter. I'm ready for new things and new experiences and new blessings. I'm willing to wait, because I know that sometimes good things take time. I'm trusting that stepping out in faith (and moving 9 hours southeast) will be fruitful.

Bring. It. ON, Nashville.