Beans & Babies

{Melting Pot Bean&Rice=Yum}

Does this look good to you?  {Well, as good as a picture that I can take...}

If so, you'll want to read this post.  If not, just go about your next blog hop & we'll catch ya later:)

{The Story}

If you've ever lived on or visited the East Coast you know how amazing the food is.  I gain about 10 pounds just thinking about it.  The pieces of pie {pizza} you fold in half, the freshly made bagels {ahh}, and the gnocchi to die for.  Not to mention the gelato from heaven and Dunkin Donuts on every corner. 

Enough already.

While I was living in the lovely garden state of New Jersey for a year and 1/2 I could not eat enough.  If you don't believe me you can ask these 2 lovely ladies...

You see, we were LDS missionaries and got the chance to know eachother {and eat alot together} while teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the amazing people living in NJ.  

No, I won't get too religious on you--but I do have to say that this service bonded us for life.  {If you're curious and want to read a post about this adventure you can click here.}

So its natural that we would want to reunite every now and then...and in fact...a few days ago we got together and brought all of our wee-ones.  And everyone LOVED it.

{Babies}

Meet Tate.  He is the youngest of the group clocking in at 3 months. And he is truly a sweet, mircale child.  You see his dear mother--Siri--suffers from a severe case of HG when she is pregnant. {For which I have complete empathy/sympathy.}

I'm so proud of her for even attempting to have baby #3. 

And even with all the sickness, stress, IV's, doctors, hospitals, etc...I'm positive she would do it all again.  She is an inspiration to me. 

And yes, I'll talk about the beans and rice...in a minute.  First you have to see these darling boys of Heather's.  I know I don't even need to say another word...how handsome are they?!

And what does New Jersey have to do with beans and rice?  Well, I'll tell ya. 

New Jersey is known as a "melting pot" with so many nationalities gathering together in one spot.  While living and eating there I learned how to make Haitain, Puerto Rican, & Korean rice...from people of the respective nationalities.  It was all so yummy so say the least.

However, when I came back home...to the West...it was ALOT harder to find the right spices, ingredients, and help {heaven knows I needed it} to make it.  So, I adapted. 

The following recipe is NOT nearly as cool as the orginial, authenic recipes by any means, but its become a staple meal in our home...and we eat it at least 2-3X a week.   Since several of you have asked me for the recipe--here you go!!

{Beans&Rice Baby}

Here's what you'll need...

Just be sure the rice is the type you actually cook on the stove.  Yes, it takes longer, but believe me--its worth it.

Follow the directions on the rice package to give you the correct rice to water ratio, and put it in your pot.

Once its in the pot just add the can of black beans--the beans and liquid. {Don't drain the beans!}

Then you'll add Taco Seasoning.  The seasoning will be to taste, but if I'm making a big fatty pot I'll add 1/2 cup.  If I'm only making a small pot--with like 2 cups of water and 1 cup of rice---I'll add one envelope or 2-3 TBL.

Just cook the rice as long as the package says...and you'll be loving life in no time!

Now go for it!

{CHEEEEEEE}

Oh dear. 

{Win Vinyl}
Oh, and if you make this far in my post you deserve to know that my friend over at Lett'er Express It {vinyl decor} is having another giveaway.  She is giving away 3 of  her cute new designs to 3 different people, and last time I checked she only had 7 comments.  So hurry if you want good odds!:)

XOXO-Toad

My Faith

{Inner Peace}

My faith is centered in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I chose to follow his example of baptism and joined His Church when I was 8 years old.   Although it hasn't always been easy, I've tried to keep His commandments and my life has been very blessed because of it.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Pictured below is my brother Peter with his son Greyson and my two boys Ethan and Aidan.

{Teaching Others}
The peace and purpose I feel through the Gospel of Jesus Christ motivated me to serve for 18 months on an LDS church mission.  I was asked to live in northern New Jersey and had many life changing experiences there. I posted more about my mission here.

As a missionary one of my favorite things to share with people was about a book called the Book of Mormon.  Most people have heard of the Bible and know it is a record of Christ's dealing with the people living in the Middle East.  

The Book of Mormon is a record of his dealings with the people in ancient America.   Some Gospel and teachings, just in a different part of the world.  The Book of Mormon is amazing in so many ways, especially as it testifies of Jesus Christ and His Divine life and death.

{Study Abroad}

Another experience that solidified my faith was living in Jerusalem for 4 months. While studying at the BYU Jerusalem Center I was able to visit so many amazing historical biblical sites.  My favorite was the Garden Tomb where Christ was laid to rest.  There was such a special spirit there.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge I have of life's purpose. 

Pictured below is the Salt Lake Temple. Temples play are at the central of our worship at Latter-Day Saints. For more about Temples you can see my post about them here.

If you have questions about my faith please visit this website.  It can help answer any questions you have.  If you'd like to check out a copy of the Book of Mormon you can just email me at ToadsTreasures@gmail.com.

Its been 10 years...Can you believe it?!

Wow. May marked 10 years since I returned home from my LDS mission. They say you should remember the past so you can continue to learn from it, and since this was one of the influencial experiences of my life it has been good for me to reflect those 18 months of service.

I was changed by many people I met in NJ. So, here's a big shout-out to just a few of them...Siri, Heather, Julie, Jessica, Virginia, Melissa, JaNece, Brooke, You-Sun, Kirsten, Mary Musick, the Thompsons, Shelly, Anita, S. Rogers, S. Foster, the Pyrams, S. Lazarus, & so many others! Thanks you guys.

I feel so blessed and lucky to have served a mission. As I was ending my mission I wrote a few things down in my journal about what I had learned...here are 3 things I thought I'd share:

#1 Happiness must come from within no matter what is going on around me.
#2 The Spirit is truly the best teacher.
#3 You must rely solely on the Lord for everything. Everything comes from Him.

I hadn't always planned on serving a mission, but am so grateful that I did. I am a better wife, mother, and person because of it.

I'll end this post with one quote that really influenced me to serve. President Hinckley stated:

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and are therefore being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood army to earth. He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the Gospel, and what better training can young woman have than that of serving a mission?"


PS Coming soon...The McKay High School Class of '93 celebrates 15 years since graduation! Yes, pictures will be posted! (If I dare!:)