I Learned From My Mom

I learned many things from my mom growing up. I learned amongst many things, how to drive a stick shift, how to be a Godly women, how to clean up after myself (I'm still perfecting that one), and how to cook. :)

Here is one of my favorite recipes that she taught me: Tostadas. Super easy and delicious.

The ingredients are:

• about 1/2 head of cabbage
• 1-2 cans of rotel tomatoes 
• lemon or lime juice
• 2 cans beans (black or any kind you like, I used pink beans)
• spices 
• garlic
• tostadas 

First, you blend the beans in the blender. I didn't drain either of the cans and my beans were a little runny. I would say to drain one and not the other so the blender has enough liquid. 

Next, I heated the beans on the oven on medium-low, adding garlic, garlic salt, and nature's seasoning. You can add whichever spices you prefer. 

While the beans are heating, slice the cabbage into thin slices. It should look shredded. Put shredded cabbage in a large bowl and add in can of drained rotel tomatoes. Mix evenly and add a splash of lemon or lime juice. 

Spoon beans and then cabbage mixture on top of a tostada. You can also add in ground meat and cheese if you like! 

Enjoy 

xoxo Jessenia 

Horse Poop and Taylor Swift

It's a beautiful day in South Florida today, super sunny and hot! I love it :)

Today I went with my friend Matt to get some soil for my new garden box so I could plant some new veggies. We went to a horse ranch where he used to work and he shoveled a bunch of soil/ horse poo poo into the bed of his truck. So glad I didn't have to do that part!

He helped me fill up my new garden box that my husband, Johnny made for me and then I ventured off to Lowe's for some new seeds. I picked out some vegetables that I really like - onions, spinach, zucchini, peas, and then some sunflower mixed seeds. I also got some little pink flowers for decoration.

When I got home I put on my hat and went out to start gardening. I just downloaded Taylor Swift's new album and I can't stop listening to it. I listened to it while I gardened and felt like a real southern girl. haha.

I sectioned off all my different plots for different seeds and guesstimated on the spacing. I'm not much for following the rules so we'll see what happens when they start sprouting up. ;)

I also planted my sunflower and some more zinnias in addition to the zinnias I planted last weekend in my front planter. They are already sprouting up!

I am completely obsessed with this. :) It's so fun seeing new growth everyday. A beautiful reminder of God's amazing creation.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!

xoxo Jessenia

Farewell

The past 3 weeks have been such a roller coaster. I mentioned before about my cat and how sick she was and having to bring her to the vet. For about a week and a half it was back and forth to the vet, spending money, getting new medicine, not knowing what was wrong.

She was on antibiotics and it was such a struggle just to get her to take them and on top if that she wasn't eating and was sneezing blood. I knew she was getting worse but I just kept wishing it wasn't true. Last monday, when I woke up she threw up blood and I knew it was time for her to go. Looking at her as I left my house to go to work I knew it was the last morning I would see her laying on the chair as a walked out.

On the way to work I finalized the idea in my head and knew we would take her to the vet first thing when I got off work. I kept battling with myself on whether or not it was time but I always kept coming back to the sight of her sneezing or throwing up and being so unhappy. Whether or not I could handle it, it was the best thing for her.

I was a zombie through both of my classes and had to try hard not to break down. Having to make it through the morning knowing what was to come was awful.

I called Johnny on the way home and told him to make the appointment with the vet. I kept feeling like I should just wait and see if she improved but I knew that if I didn't do it on that day that I wouldn't be able to and that I would have to watch her get worse day by day.

I cried heaving sobs the whole way home and walked in the door to her laying on Johnny's lap purring. I kept telling myself that just because she was purring, it didn't mean she was healthy or happy. She was frail and skinny and I knew she must have been in so much pain.

I held her the whole way to the vet and she purred as I pet her. It was extremely bittersweet and I was dreading the moment I would have to let her go.

We pulled in and I kissed her goodbye. Johnny walked her in and then we drove away. Just like that and I knew I would never get to hold her or pet her again. I couldn't bear the thought of being in the room when they put her down. I would have been a mess.

I cried the way home and then some more and then some more after that.

Losing a pet is terrible and it made it so much worse knowing that I couldn't save her. She was really sick and I couldn't do anything to help her.

Although, it was painful, I arose from my depression in about 2 days and was at peace, knowing she didn't have to suffer anymore.

I also decided to get a new kitty almost right away because I hate how empty it feels. Our new little boy is a white and gray one year old by the name of Lio. He was the ultimate lap cat and loves to give kisses.

I know that people say, they are just animals, but they become a part of your life. Cat was there for me every time I needed her and I loved her and cared for her as much as I could. The way I see it, I now have a new little guy who will love me and who I rescued from being stuck in a cage.

Sorry for the sob story. I really am happy now and feel so blessed for the life I have been given!

xoxo Jessenia

Spring, Soil, and Sprouting

It's spring time and I am loving it! Although in FL, it kind of just feels like summer with a cool breeze here and there. This week was my spring break from work and I am sad to see it coming to an end! It was a nice break from reality and having to wake up at 6 am every morning.

I'm also sad to say I didn't go to the beach or do much of anything very spring-breaky. My poor little cat was really sick and between bringing her to the vet, cleaning my house, and getting caught up on some work, spring break came and went.

I did however, sleep in everyday, spend time with my hubby, relax, start a garden, and start sprouting.

The garden came about because my friend Juli is really into it. I have wanted to get started for a while but it never happened.. until now! Her and my other friend Tiffany were over for our girls bible study so we went to Lowes right after and lo and behold I now have a small container garden!

Yesterday we planted carrots and lettuce and watered my mint in hopes that it would come back to life. Today, I added two more pots with yellow squash and cucumbers. I decided on a container garden because I don't know how long we will live in this house since we are renting. With containers, I can always bring them if we end up moving.

I would post a photo but the garden isn't exactly beautiful yet. I'm thinking about mulching an area, arranging my containers and adding some pretty flowers. Once it looks nice I'll post a picture!

Now about the sprouting. If you aren't familiar with it, it is a way of sprouting beans and other grains and seeds in order to eat them raw. You can also cook them or grow them after. Although I'm not completely raw, I love the idea of growing your own salad toppings right in the kitchen! There are tons of videos online that demonstrate the proper technique. It's quite simple actually.

beans, grains, and seeds

I made my own sprouting jars from ball jars and metal screen from home depot. I now have enough of the screen to make about 500 sprouting jars. haha. (it comes in a huge roll)

The basic process is to fill the bottom of the jar with said bean (I started with mung beans) and soak them in plenty of water for 8-12 hours to remove any dirt or toxins. Then drain, rinse, and drain again. Next, you just turn the jar on its side making sure you remove as much of the water as possible to prevent rotting, and let sit for 3-4 days. Within those days you need to rinse and drain twice a day. Then, presto, you have sprouts!

chickpeas soaking in sprouting jar

Needless to say, I am in love. I need to sprout at all times. ;). I love watching the little seeds grow tails and the satisfaction of growing my own food!

mung beans almost done sprouting after 2 days!

Hope everyone has had a joyous and splendid weekend!

Do you garden? or sprout?

xoxo Jessenia