White and black bean chicken chili

It's gray and rainy out and chili sounded good, especially since we probably won't have many more cold days ahead of us for a few months.  I found a recipe for white bean chicken chili on Pinterest, and decided to use that as a base line, but to throw my own concoction together.

Unfortunately, I was tossing everything in as if I really were "concocting" a potion, so some of my measurements are guesses.  Whoops.

Ingredients:

1/2 Yellow onion chopped

2 Cloves garlic pressed or diced finely

1 Tbsp diced canned jalapeños OR 1 small fresh jalapeño diced

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 14.5oz Cans chicken broth

1 14.5oz Can navy beans rinsed

1 14.5oz Can white beans rinsed

1 14.5oz Can black beans rinsed

1  4oz Can diced green chilis

1 Rotisserie Chicken 

1/2 Cup salsa verde

2 Tsp Chili powder

2 Tsp Cumin

1/4 Cup fresh cilantro

To garnish:

1 Avocado

Fresh cilantro

Sour Cream

Let's Cook!

1.  Place olive oil in pan and turn to medium on stove.  Add onion, garlic and jalapeños.  Cook until onions are translucent.  Add to crockpot and turn crockpot heat to high.

2.  Add the broth, beans, green chills, and salsa verde and mix.

3.  Pull the white meat off of the chicken in bite size pieces and add to the crockpot.   For more chicken, add the dark meat as well.  I save the remaining dark meat for other meals such as quesadillas, or a quick topper on salad.

4.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and turn to low until ready to serve, or keep on high heat if it is not at a rapid boil.

5.  Garnish with avocado, fresh cilantro and sour cream! 

Bon Appetit! 

~Alex~

Love in the Dominican

Jessica sure is on top of her posts!  I know how much she's been wanting to complete the Whole 30 challenge, and Jess...I'm so proud that you pushed through it and accomplished your goal!

I suppose I need to post an update on life, seeing as it's nearly May and a lot has happened recently.

SCHOOL:

The last 3 1/2 months have been incredible.  Incredibly rewarding and exhausting.  

I successfully made it through 2 1/2 months of teaching, capped with parent-teacher conferences and spring break, and now onward towards the finish line.  I was extremely nervous going into conferences for obvious reasons: Number one, I am a brand-new teacher and number two, I've joined this class midyear.  Conferences were surprisingly positive. Parents seem very happy with the changes and expressed that their kids really enjoy having me as their teacher.  I'm trying to take the positive feedback as a sign of my skill or potential, but I doubt myself as a new teacher daily. I guess I just need to keep in mind that I am new and I will grow on a daily basis.

We're already preparing for the end of the school year which seems to be flying towards us at full speed.  My kids have shown a lot of grown, but the most obvious growth to me (since I didn't know them last semester) is their growth as capable, responsible, loving little beings.  I get such a thrill when they gain reading levels, when they yell out "Oooooh I get it" during math, or when they tell me how much they love to read.  BUT, the real thrill is when someone includes a friend who is lonely, who uses their manners, who takes the higher road in a sticky situation, and who shows their love in the classroom.  I want nothing more than for these kids to grow up into thoughtful adults that contribute to our society in a positive way.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Over spring break Nick took us on a tropical vacation that we both deserved and needed.  We headed to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for 6 days of sun and warm tropical water.  Before Nick planned this vacation, I made sure he knew that I'd rather "take our relationship to the next chapter" than have the vacation, but that I'd be ok with the vacation if he had a plan.  After 5 amazing years, it was no secret that I was ready for an engagement..after all, I'd known for at least 4 years that I wanted to marry him.  I did my very best to go into the trip with no expectations, but in the back of my mind thought that if he was going to do it, this would be a great opportunity.

Well, he did it! I asked him later if I even said yes, it seems that I did. :)

Now for the details:
Nick apparently had the ring long before booking the trip.  He is SUCH a planner,  I'm not really sure why I ever questioned whether or not he had plans to propose.

The week before, Nick met up with my dad for some "financial advice," aka his daughters hand in marriage.  The following day we had a family night planned, and looking back, I now realize how well my parents and Nick's mom held it together.

We were in Punta Cana for 3 days before he popped the question, so I was losing hope.  The night before, we were walking along the beach and a couple was having a romantic moonlit  meal by the water.  Nick kept asking how on earth they were able to do that.  I became "al-sassinator" and said that he PLANNED it, he called the front desk and PLANNED it.  Which followed by me crying on our rooftop cabana bed saying, "I thought it could happen, but it's just not going to happen."  I'M SORRY NICK, I'M SUCH A JERK, hahaha!!  He told me later that in that moment he didn't know what to do, but that he was laughing inside.

The next day I woke up feeling better knowing that in the end I had my best friend with me and whether or not he proposed didn't change the fact that I love him and I knew we would end up as husband and wife eventually.

We went on a day trip to Saona Island.  It started with a beautiful catamaran ride to the island.  Once we got there, we enjoyed a delicious Dominican lunch and drinks.  Nick and I strolled up the beach stopping for pictures along the way.  We found an awesome palm tree growing over the water and started taking pictures.  Nick set up his GoPro to capture the beauty.  I started to sense something was about to happen when he was looking up and down the beach to watch for people.  Then he started acting a little nervous, I guess...taking deep breaths and being a little sporadic in his affection. Once I realized what might be coming, I too became VERY nervous, but was trying to stay present in the moment.  At one point I felt super nauseous with anticipation, and kept thinking to myself that maybe it wasn't what I was hoping but maybe the rum had gotten to him. :-D

Finally, he took a deep breath and began his speech to me.  I truly tried to stay with it so that I could look back and remember the moment.  I've heard from so many friends that they don't remember anything and practically blacked out as their boyfriends proposed.

He held me close as we were ankle deep in the water.  He said so much and what stands out is that he knows I will be an amazing mother and wife, and that he loves how goofy I am.  I know there was so much more to it, but I guess I did partially "black out" or the adrenaline took over too much and I can't quite sort out what else was said.  Then he got down on one knee in the water, and pulled my ring out of a little envelope he had created to store the ring in his wallet those past 4 days.

First I wanted a hug and a kiss, then I was ready for the ring.  Of course my hands were swollen because of the heat and humidity, but it's a perfect fit.  Nick got all of it on GoPro and he had a plan all along..I should have known!

I spent the rest of the day on cloud 9, with Nick, and I know he was relieved to not have to keep that big secret anymore...or the ring in his wallet.  We took a speed boat from the island to a natural pool where we got to pick up starfish.  They made for some awesome ring photo opts.

We are thrilled to become husband and wife, and continue writing our story together.  I'm so excited to be able to call him my fiancé, and soon my husband...and then after that, the father to my children, YAY!!

I'm sure most of my blogging after this will be wedding related.  We are on the hunt for a venue, and quickly learning how fast expenses add up, ugh!

Until next time,

~Alex~

WHOLE30 COMPLETE!

Wow, I can honestly say I never thought I would be able to say these words but... I HAVE COMPLETED THE WHOLE30 program!!!!!! Today is day 31, and surprise I haven't cheated! haha... it's only 7:04am but honestly I really don't have a desire to eat anything bad. My journey has come full circle and I feel accomplished, healthy and on my way to a complete lifestyle change. 

I will briefly break down my journey by week and again if you are interested in doing the program definitely check out the website! 

*pictures from pinterest.com

Yep, this about sums it up. I really wouldn't need to write anything else! ;)

Week 1-2

I felt exactly like the picture above. My body couldn't decide if it wanted to cry, be angry, be alone, eat a jar of butter, fall flat into a box of donuts and every emotion in between. I don't say that to scare anyone, I say that to show food has a powerful hold over you and you don't realize it until you take those foods away! Overall the first two weeks were no bueno for me. 

Week 3

I started to have an increase an energy but still struggled a bit with digestive issues. I can say I never had a stomach ache like I always used to, I think it was more my body was getting used to digesting such dense foods. This was the week I started having CRAZY dreams. Like I would be eating a piece of bread with jelly on it and wake up freaking out! phewww. only a dream! ;) This happened a lot! Some days I would still struggle with energy but the biggest change was my emotions! I saw such a change in how I felt, like a fog had lifted and I was back to being "normal feeling!"

Week 4

Easy peasy. Cravings pretty much subsided (ok, minus Easter. I was pretty bitter that I couldn't eat my Easter candy). But... besides that cravings have pretty much gone. I really look at food differently, energy has increased and I can tell slight changes in my body. I don't think I lost a ton of amount of weight thats noticeable but that honestly wasn't my goal. My overall goal was my get rid of the junk in my body and start bringing my body back to a state of healthy/normal/no stomach aches!

I am really happy and excited to have completed the program and I can't say enough good things about it!!! Give it a try. What are you waiting for? Is it hard-yes. But, it's worth it. 

Tips:

**Plan & Prep! These are probably some of the most important tips I can give you. I will say by Week 4 the thought of cutting veggies or cooking food was reallllllly starting to weigh on me. haha. I was over it. But... you just push through. 

**Grocery bill definitely increased. Were we eating out as much, no. But... our grocery bill definitely increased so make sure you are aware of this. Huge difference, no. So, don't even think about using that as an excuse.

**This next tip is helpful but not necessary. Complete the program with a buddy. I can say having my husband do the program with me was so helpful! We held each other accountable and it was nice knowing we both could really only eat out at the same places and buy the same foods. Definitely a plus!

So, there you have it. My whole30 journey! Have a great week!

Day 29!

Happy Monday peeps! :) I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! Easter is one of my favorite holidays, and not just because I am obsessed with Easter egg hunts and easter baskets, but because we are celebrating a Risen Savior. Death could not hold Him down, Jesus rose again and because of Him I am alive!

Today I am on DAY 29 people! 2-9! I know, it's a miracle. I'm not going to post too much until Wednesday when I finish. But, i'm pretty excited :) Have a great week!