examining things
Posted: July 21, 2010 at 6:10 pmThank you all for your support of my 6 month blog “birthday”! It truly meant a lot to me to read all the comments. As a thank you, I have a few interesting things to share in this post. We’ll start with a great product review from last night.
Awhile ago the wonderful people from Frontier Soups sent me two soup mixes and a taco dip mix for review on the blog. I already shared the Sausage & Lentil Soup and the Tortilla Soup and how utterly fabulous they are with you all. Last night I prepared the last of the loot. I used their Taco Party Mix Dip as a burrito filling for the family and I.
This meal came together incredibly quickly and fired up our dinner. As always, I felt good consuming this product as the ingredients were simply freeze dried black beans, corn, red and green bell peppers, and onion with a chipotle spice blend. To prepare this spectacular dish you only need to add a few more things and blink your eyes. That’s how fast this is ready.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1/2 c water
- one 10 oz can Rotel tomatoes + diced chilies
- 8 oz shredded Mexican cheese
Preparation
After browning meat in a pan, stir the taco mix evenly into meat.
Add water and Rotel. Mix evenly and simmer 10 minutes until liquid dissolves.
Stir in cheese until absorbed and melted throughout.
Serve as dip with tortilla or pita chips. You can also roll in a whole wheat tortilla for a flavorful burrito.
Just like the other Frontier Soups products this one did not disappoint. They seriously are sooooo good! You must try them! The products offered by Frontier Soups use no salt, MSG or preservatives. All the ingredients are dried, natural, and wholesome. The soups and dips are easy to prepare in a pinch, tasty, and cost effective to get a full and hearty meal for minimal ingredients. I cannot rave enough about them!
Now, I have another exciting tidbit for this post. Those of you who are following me on Twitter know what I’m talking about, but for those of you who don’t know yet – I’m the new Pregnancy Fitness Examiner for Atlanta! Excitement doesn’t begin to cover how I feel. I know this is a perfect starting point for me and my writing. I honestly love sharing about fitness, health, and living well in all ways so this serves as another way to do that. It could even be a small step towards other opportunities, and if not that’s okay. I will go down whatever path God leads me to.
Now I’m going to do a bit of self promotion. PLEASE click on my ARTICLE – preggo or not – to give me support. Examiners are successful based on how much they write and the exposure they bring to their site. The fitness tips I shared apply to pregnancy but can also be generalized for anyone. Please show me some love. You know I would return the favor. 😉
I do have a confession to share though. For as much excitement that came with a new venture, concern and doubt also appeared. I had to spend a good chunk of time going over editorial guidelines, acquainting myself with the process, and getting my first article lined up for approval. I felt extremely guilty for spending some extra time on the computer. I questioned my abilities as a mother and wife. For the longest time those were my main two roles, but as the blog grows and I branch out into new things I need more time for personal development and goals.
I prayed about it last night after a bit of a breakdown to Peter, but then God quickly reassured me that all was well and I am simply living the life He has brought to me. The first chapter of my Bible reading this morning was Proverbs 31. The qualities of a wife of noble character. These verses popped right out to me - “her husband has full confidence in her” (v11), “she works with eager hands” (v13), and “she does not eat the bread of idleness” (v27). Message received loud and clear. Working hard does not make me lesser of a mother. It makes me more of a person. And I just realized I never think poorly of working moms (in fact I admire them and don’t know how they do it!), so why would I put such pressure on myself? Little M doesn’t need me at her side at all waking moments. She will flourish. Especially with a strong and dedicated mother as an example.
- What things do you judge yourself harshly on?
- Did you check out my article?? Okay you don’t really have to answer that! LOL
I DID check out your article from when you posted it on Twitter earlier, and it is great! Congrats, Tina!
I loved the article! I think it will be a great resource for pregnant women, especially those in the Atlanta area. Maybe you could do a piece for woman who weren’t active before they got pregnant, but want to start taking better care of themselves and their baby. It seems like there’s so much to keep in mind!
Great idea! I do articles at least 3 times a week so I will keep this in mind for an upcoming one. Thanks!
oh my goodness!!! congratulations! i knew it would be something with writing, but i didn’t know what! i am definitely really hard on myself when it comes to performance-based things and “winning”…it’s hard to find that balance and be OK with whatever happens.
i’m so proud of you and the incredible things that God is going to do with your gifts! 🙂
Congrats on the new gig! You know we’ll all go out and support you!
It is what I love about the blogging community. You all are great!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats!! You are the perfect person for this!! 🙂 God certainly does know what he’s doing!! 😉 And of course, you KNOW I will be reading every article!! 🙂
CONGRATS TINA!..that’s so exciting! i am gonna check out the article as soon as i finish this comment! 🙂
Congrats on the examiner!
Right now I am judging myself way too harshly on many things – most notably the fact that I don’t have a job or a career right now.
Hey girl – I have not checked it out yet, but promise to check it out. I am more than happy to help support you any way I can. I think this is so fantastic. I think we are all hard on ourselves – way harder than we should be. I think you are an amazing person and deserve the stars and the moon! I understand about judging though, I judge everything about myself – Type A much????
I think many bloggers are type A! LOL Thank you again for the tweet. You are such a good friend and person. 🙂
Congrats on your new position!!! I often find myself engaging in self-doubt and self-judgment, because I’m such a perfectionist that I want to be the best I can be in every single area of my life. Exhausting, much? But I think you’ve found the right path – God is definitely leading you, and you’re taking the plunge! YAY!
Going to read your article right now!
Congrats on getting published! I totally clicked on your article… lol And read it, too! (even if I don’t need the advice at this exact moment…)
Thank you very much! It makes me smile knowing the support I get from you all.
Great article Tina! And congrats!! This is a really exciting step for you. And those burritos sound delish :>
Wow wow wow…CONGRATS on the article! (articles?? I assume there’s more to come!). Seriously, lady, that is so exciting 🙂
I really mean it when I say that you’re an amazing writer, so please don’t ever doubt that! Also, from your blog I can tell that you’re also an amazing mother and wife. The fact that that’s even a concern of yours *proves* that you are, you know?
Oh, and this non-preggo lady certainly DID click/read the article 😉
What things do I judge myself harshly on? Hmm, how much time do ya have? 🙂 Just kidding–I am way too hard on myself about a lot of things but I am learning that I am accepted by God not because of what I do, but because of what Christ has done for me–HUGE relief!!!!
I am going to check out your article now. Congrats on a new adventure!
Yes! Thank goodness for that!!!
Great article. Tina! At 29 weeks I have definitely lost some stamina. But I can’t imagine how tired I’d be if I hadn’t remained as active as I have. Hope that means good things for labor!
Congrats on the new position! You’ll learn how to balance it all. And you need something that is just your own, like writing. Even if it takes time away from other things.
That is what I’m reminding myself of. It’s important to pursue our own individual passions.
Congrats to you-that’s awesome! LOVED the article!
AWESOME article Tina!! Congrats!
Yay- congrats on your new roll- so exciting!!
I think as women, we are all our own worst critics… but that’s why I love the blogging community. I love how we all encourage and support each other… it’s such a positive environment!
SO SO SO excited for you!! And pump the brakes…where in ATL are you. NEIGHBORS!! Hello, we need to meet up!
Shoot me an email and we can figure this all out. 😉
congrats!
OMG the article was awesome! While I’m not exactly expecting they are good tips to keep in mind…wink wink 🙂
Congrats on the article! I read it when you posted yesterday on Twitter. Great work and best of luck with the new role – I think you’re doing great so far!
Wow Congratulations Tina! You are the perfect person for this job! I am so thrilled for you. And also great job on your 6 month blog anniversary. You are such a wonderful addition to this blog community and I cannot imagine not having your blog to read on a daily basis….and sorry I’ve been kinda M.I.A. on commenting, we’re having VBS at church right now and things have been kinda crazy! ..Oh and I did read your article. It’s great!
Congratulations! You will do a great job balancing everything I am sure of it! 🙂
Congrats on the Examiner gig! I’ll be sure to check out your articles. I’ll add you on twitter too. (I’m possiblymaybe)
🙂
Great article, girlie!
And you know I am all for reaching for your dreams and pursuing passions and talents. You will do great with your new venture and I am your biggest fan!! xoxo
You are one of my best supporters. Love you!
Tina, wonderful job on your article! And congratulations on this great opportunity. I’m excited for you (and your family) and happy that you were able to receive peace about your current position in life.