What you are.

I'm a little worried about myself. For one reason.


I'm beginning to enjoy country music a little bit.

It was hard for me to write that sentence. This is NOT okay! Don't worry, it's not a full blown problem, and I'm hoping to nip it in the bud. I've always been partial to The Dixie Chicks. Just having them as my one guilty pleasure is okay, I feel. And even now it's not too bad.

As I've mentioned before, I am a huge fan of Jewel.

Isn't she beautiful?


I purchased her latest album (released last year) about a month ago, and I can't get enough of it. It has little tastes of country here and there, with the mandolin, the giant predictable song endings, the fiddle licks after a profound line... but the biggest part about country that has always bothered me (and is very present in her album) is the cheesy lyrics! Super cheesy! You know, the old my dog died, my wife left me, my truck broke down stuff? Okay, Jewel doesn't sing about that stuff, but her cheesiest song is actually my favorite. It's been on my mind a lot lately, and I had to share the lyrics.


What You Are lyrics
I'm driving around town
Kinda bored with the windows rolled down
See a girl on the bus stop bench
Dressed to draw attention

Hoping everyone will stare
If she don't stand out she thinks she'll disappear
Wish I could hold her, tell her, show her
What she wants is already there

A star is a star
It doesn't have to try to shine
Water will fall
A bird just knows how to fly

You don't have to tell a flower how to bloom
Or light how to fill up a room
You already are what you are
And what you are is beautiful

Heard a story the other day
Took place at the local VA
A father talking to his dying son
This was his conversation

\"It's not supposed to be like this
You can't go first I can't handle it\"
The boy said \"Dad now don't you cry,
Remember when I was a child what you used to tell me when I'd ask why?\"

(You'd say) Gravity is gravity
It doesn't try to pull you down
[- From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/jewel-lyrics/what-you-are-lyrics.html -]
Stone is stone
It can't help but hold its ground

The wind just blows, though you can't see
It's everywhere like I'll always be
You already are what you are
And what you are is strong enough

Look in the mirror
Now that's another story to tell
I give love to others
But I give myself hell

I'd have to tell myself
\"In every scene there's a perfect plan\"
Everything I hoped to be
I already am

A flower is a flower
It doesn't have to try to bloom
And light is light
Just knows how to fill a room


And dark is dark
So the stars have a place to shine
The tide goes out
So it can come back another time

Goodbye makes a love so sweet
And love is love so it can teach us
We already are what we are
And what we are is beautiful

And strong enough
And good enough
And bright enough





Just a good reminder that we are all capable of so many things. We already have within us what we want to bring out, we just have to realize it. When we are kind to others, we need to save a little bit of that confidence for ourselves.




Gah. Listen to me. I could write a country song!

Gnocchi recipe

Lately I've been trying some new dinner recipes, using more fresh ingredients and less meat. In this day and age, the internet is so helpful! I have about 15 cookbooks, but when I want to try something new and see what it will actually look like, I just use Google and type in what I'm in the mood for.

Last night I made skillet gnocchi with chard and white beans. Halfway through I was losing hope; it was looking very runny and kind of like the goop you see in the movie "Oliver!". But after I let it sit and thicken up, it looked a lot better. Here's what mine looked like:

Doesn't look as good as the picture online, but it tasted good!

Here's the recipe:

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 16-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi, (see Tip)
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
6 cups chopped chard leaves, (about 1 small bunch) or spinach (I USED SPINACH)
1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings
1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese


PREPARATION
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chard (or spinach) and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.


TIPS & NOTES
Tip: Look for shelf-stable gnocchi near other pasta in the Italian section of most supermarkets.


6 Servings, 30 minute prep

50 Life Changing Tips

I found this list of 50 ideas on improving your life. I am a big fan of lists of any sort, though I usually skim them. This one is so amazing, I read every word. I'm going to try and adopt one every day; maybe make a 50 day challenge. Some are easier than others to start right away. Here is the link (sorry it's not highlighted, you'll have to enter it in manually)


http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/8YZSE0/www.highexistence.com/life-secrets-and-tips/comment-page-1