Chicken Tortilla Soup

So...I've totally been off my blogging game the past few months. My life has been absolutely crazy! I have been traveling every weekend for the past month. Tomorrow is the start of my last weekend excursion - St. Simons Island to visit my bestie! Hopefully after this weekend I'll get back on track. I like to think that a ton of people read my blog, but that's only in my wildest dreams. ;)

Even though the weather still likes to think it's summer - it's finally fall y'all!!! Don't get me wrong...I absolutely LOVE warm weather, but after the heat that July and August bring I'm always ready for some cooler weather. There's nothing that I love more than coming home to soup that's ready in the crockpot after a long day at work. Soup is my go-to meal in the fall and winter. It's so easy to clean up and makes GREAT leftovers. One of my staple recipes is Chicken Tortilla Soup. With this recipe, all you do is dump everything in your crock pot. A few hours later, you have comfort in a bowl!

1.5 pounds of shredded chicken 

1 (15 ounce) can of whole peeled tomatoes

1 (10 ounce) can of enchilada sauce

1 (4 ounce) can of chopped green chiles

1 medium onion chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 (15 ounce) can of black beans - drain before you add to crock pot!!!

1 (14.5 ounce) bag of frozen corn

Chopped Cilantro (you decide the amount!)

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon of chili powder 

1 teaspoon of cumin

Salt & Pepper (don't know how much - around a teaspoon each)

2 cups of chicken broth

2 cups of water

Place all of your ingredients in the crockpot. Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. You can shred your chicken right in the crockpot once it's ready! Top with cheese, avocado, tortilla strips, lime, sour cream, or whatever you like. 

It's super yummy!! Enjoy! :) 

Hometown Glory

July 16, 2015

Chattanooga will never be the same. 

{Pause} 

Let's go back to September 11, 2001....

I vividly remember sitting in Mrs. Johnson's reading class. Her facial expression and words are forever engraved in my memory. 

"Our country is in great danger. Two planes just hit the World Trade Center." 

To this day, I still have NO idea why she said this to a classroom of eight year olds. Anyone that knows me well can tell you I worry about everything. I worry about everything to the point I actually have anxiety issues that I've struggled with my entire life. Case in point, I was a nervous wreck that entire day. Whenever I got home from school, my mom and I immediately turned on the news. Within ten minutes the constant replay of the planes hitting the twin towers, people jumping from buildings,  the crash sight of Flight 93, and footage of the Pentagon became too much. Taylor Raye had a melt down.  For about a month after the tragic events of 9/11 my parents couldn't turn on the news around me. One time they didn't realize I was walking into the living room. Sure enough, Osama Bin Laden's face was on NBC Nightly News. I started shaking and couldn't move. I literally thought Osama Bin Laden was coming to 150 Hillvale Lane in Loudon, Tennessee to hurt my family. My parents had to constantly remind me that we were safe. This could never happen in our town.

Now let's go back to July 16, 2015....

Fourteen years later, I'm sitting at my desk logging shipment files (I've come a long way since Mrs. Johnson's reading class ;) ). I noticed a message from Holden in our GroupMe about a shooting in Chattanooga. Messages from our other friends followed soon afterward. At this point, I knew I needed to stop what I was doing to see what's going on in my hometown. I started to receive messages from my parents. They kept me updated until I took lunch and could watch the news in the break room. Before I could get to the news I thought this was some little shooting that would maybe reach state news. Wrong. It's national news and a terrorist attack.

But this is Chattanooga? Where nothing bad is supposed to happen? This is a nightmare. 

About an hour after lunch, I went into the break room to grab some water. I looked at the television...

Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez

That moment is still a blur. I could not believe what I was actually seeing. Mohammad Abdulazeez went to my high school. I remember him as nothing but a friendly person. People that went to Red Bank weren't supposed to be terrorist. His little sister was one of my best friends in school. She always spoke so highly of her brother and how she looked up to him. How was this even possible? 
Real talk, I had to leave work 30 minutes early. My mind was so many other places that didn't involve import operations. 

About an hour later, the girl I remembered as nothing but sweet and always knew how to make me laugh was in handcuffs on CNN News. 

This HAS to be a nightmare. Why is this happening?!

My heart was broken. It broke for the families and friends of the fallen marines and sailor. It broke for the Abdulazeez family.

It broke for the Chattanooga and Red Bank community. 

July 16, 2015 taught me that no place in our country is safe. A terrorist attack can happen anywhere. It doesn't have to be New York or Boston. I know our armed forces will do everything in their power to protect the homeland. It has been said that the fallen marines fought to their death. They gave their all for their country. For their service, America is a stronger nation. I owe you my deepest gratitude.

As for Chattanooga, I am so proud to say that this is my home. All the pictures and videos posted on social media in the past two weeks has proved we are an amazing community. It's beautiful how tragic events can bring people together. What Mohammad and any others involved did was morally wrong and they will pay the price. His name might have raised terrorist threats, but he's made us #chattanoogastrong.

#postgrad

For some it may be hard to believe (if we're being serious sometimes it's hard for me to believe), but as of May 7, 2015 I'm a college grad! At this time I would like to give a special shout out to Einstein's bagels, Starbucks, Snazzy Hazzy, John Hodges, my business frenemies, wine night, and my parents for making this dream possible! I mainly remember graduation day as sentimental and anxious. It really was the perfect day...

The mysterious hole of "Post Grad" life held over my head as soon as I woke up the next morning. My life as I knew it was about to change forever. I knew at this point I was in complete control of my life and could make it anything I went. 

The first month following graduation consisted of accepting a job offer, buying a car, turning 22, signing my first apartment lease, and getting ready to move to a big city! If we're being honest, I probably had at least two breakdowns a week. I was still am so scared of the transition of "college girl" to "big girl." 

On July 5th, I moved to the big city of Nashville, Tennessee. I remember leaving my parents' house thinking how could I ever be this lucky? My entire senior year I had expressed how I wanted to move to a big city with a job. It was actually happening and I couldn't believe it.  My mom stayed for two days to help me get settled. Once she left it was an immediate "oh sh*t?!" feeling. Like this was really it. This wasn't her helping me move into my college apartment where Scarlett would join me in a few days. Mentally, physically, and financially...I was on my own. 

Now don't get me wrong...I absolutely LOVE my job at V. Alexander. It really is the best feeling in the world to see those four years paid off and I landed a job in my desired field. We've all been the intern who's asking everyone in the office if there's anything we can do to help. Imagine being on the other side. That's a REALLY weird feeling. It's also REALLY nice to be paid what you regularly made in more than two weeks at your internship in six days. I'm financially independent from my parents. Although the thought of that is terrifying, it's the best feeling to know I can be a strong woman with a career who doesn't need a man's salary to support my lifestyle. Even with all the positives, I have daily lingering thoughts of "what the hell am I even doing here?" Will I ever live out my life-long dreams? 

The best piece of advice I've been given since graduation is you should be concerned if you aren't freaking out about your future. In college our biggest concern was time. We were limited to four (or five if you're lucky) years to fulfill our college dreams. As post grads, we have no limit on time. There's no rules. My years are no longer defined by first/second semester, finals weeks, and holiday vacations. To me that's exciting.  I have time to do things I never had time for because I was busy studying or working. These things include getting back into running, reading, BLOGGING!!!, trying new recipes, taking a vacation in October, and Netflix binges. What's even more exciting is to know we have our entire lives to figure out what's beneath the surface. 

I already miss Knoxville and my friends from college. Without a doubt, leaving my life as I knew it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. I'm not ashamed to say that the first week of living in my new apartment I sat in the middle of my living room floor and listened to Taylor Swift's song "Never Grow Up" and bawled my eyes out. Basically every morning when I'm driving to work I listen to "Fight Song" because I need that extra motivation to prove I'm doing just fine.  

Being scared is normal and adjusting to this new stage in my life won't happen overnight. It's time to explore and listen to my heart. It's time to go where I'd never go and make a new world now.

The Best Lessons Senior Year Taught Me

I'm in my very last week of classes at The University of Tennessee. In two weeks I will be a college graduate. Where has time gone?! Everything in my life has lead up to this moment. Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of attending this university. I don't think I've ever wanted something more.

College was very eye-opening for me. Not that I was sheltered by my parents, but I was the self-proclaimed "good girl" of my high school. College has taught me how a little recklessness, being spontaneous, working hard, and never being afraid to show who you are will give you the best four years of your life. 

Senior year is a special one. It's one of goodbyes and new beginnings. Here are the most valuable lessons I've learned in my final year... 

There are people out there who will love you matter what.
You will change so much in college. Who you are at the beginning of each year is completely different than who you are at the end. As you are constantly changing, so do your friendships. There are a few people you will find in four years that will change with you. They will show you tough love. This may be your best friends telling you to end it with a guy because they know it's only spiraling downward. You will be SO mad at them in the moment. Looking back you will be so thankful for them because they cared enough to tell you what you couldn't even see for yourself. They will also show you unconditional love. No matter the circumstances they will love and accept you. To "my people," thank you for showing me it's okay to completely vulnerable and feel comfortable in my own skin. Most importantly, thank you for always being there for me no matter what. 

 

 

You will fail, and fail miserably.
....but failure is the key to success! Whenever you fail it might feel like the end of the world. I'm my own worst critic, but I've learned that if I fail an exam or forget an assignment that it doesn't determine who I am as a person. Even when things don't go right, never lose confidence in yourself. You have the strength to do anything you set your mind to.

Relationships will happen at the right time.
I just automatically assumed going into college I would be engaged by graduation. I spent my first two years in a serious relationship and my last two the majority single and swiping right. Although it may feel like everyone around me is getting engaged and I'm just off in my own little world, I am content with solitude. I would rather be completely single than rush a relationship  just because I "need" to be with someone. Pursue the BIG relationships your senior year. Whether that's with a boyfriend or your girlfriends, enjoy every second with them. One day that special person will walk into my life at the perfect time. 

Be true to yourself.
Be confident, be honest, be silly, be kind. Never be afraid to show who you are. Do what you want! Be selfish to an extent, but care for those around you. Don't be afraid to say no. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Always, always, ALWAYS trust your intuition. Make all your decisions with your happiness and well-being in mind. 

Sometimes the most valuable lessons you learn aren't in the classroom.
Even by senior year you don't have your life completely together. You're still going to make mistakes. Now is the time to make them before you enter the "real world." Be unprepared and spontaneous. Be open to new experiences and enjoy your freedom. What you learn from a failed relationship with a guy, living with three girls, learning how to balance school and work, and all the experiences in between will teach you more about yourself than supply chain management or accounting ever could. 

I'm not afraid of moving on and letting go of the college lifestyle, it's just so hard to say goodbye to what I've known for the past four years. I think back to all the things I've done and how I wish I could tell my freshman self what I know now, but there's nothing I would change. My college experience was absolutely perfect. I am beyond grateful I was able to attend The University of Tennessee. Walking across that stage will mean I accomplished my lifelong dream. So here's to you Old Tennessee. Every moment of pure happiness, heartbreak, and triumph, I will hold forever. 

Motivation Monday

Mondays can just flat out suck.

Especially this week.... 

Today, I have my first big exam for supply chain and the supply chain management job fair. I've been anticipating/preparing/avoiding/anxious for this day for the past few weeks. I've prepared accordingly for both. I've studied hard, applied to more jobs than I can count, researched cities (here I come Boston or Atlanta..hopefully! :) ), and edited my resume more than I ever thought was possible. I've turned to Him more than ever in the past few weeks. Along with prayer, I need motivation. Below are some of my absolute favorite motivation videos to watch whenever I'm stressed or just having a bad day. Enjoy :) 

Whatever your Monday brings, you have the power and heart to do anything possible. Here's to what I hope is an amazing week of opportunities and new beginnings! 

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose

Friday Night Lights (aka best show ever)

Right after you read this start watching the series immediately!

One line that will always stick out from this series is "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." This mantra describes the sport of football perfectly. It's an idea of knowing who you are as a team, having a clear vision, putting your full heart into the game, and when you believe in yourself and your teammates you can't lose. 

Football is well known as America's past time. For as long as I can remember football isn't just a past time in the Daniels household...it's a way of life. I received my first football the day I was born from the booster club president of the Massillon Tigers. I guess that's what happens when you're born in a town where the high school football stadium can hold up to 20,000. From that day on, every Friday night for the past twenty one years has been spent in stadiums watching my dad coach the sport he loves. Would I have it any other way? Absolutely not. I am so proud to say I will always hold the title as "Coach D's daughter." I have lived my own version of "Friday Night Lights."

Clear Eyes
This means having a mindset and vision without fear. It will separate men and boys on the football field. I think back to when Red Bank beat Cleveland 20-19 with one second on the clock during the 2008 season. At halftime we were down 17-0. Cleveland was picked to win this game. No one had faith in our team that year. We were in a rebuilding season. Our players and coaches attacked this game with no fear. They had a clear vision of what they wanted to accomplish by the end of the night and they wouldn't let someone who was considered the "better" team stand in their way. I even think about this past Saturday how four true freshmen started for the Tennessee Volunteers. With barely a year out of playing high school football, it can seem impossible to earn that starting position your first year at a D1 (especially SEC) school. What was the game changer in picking a freshman over a senior to start? Clear Eyes.

Full Hearts
When you are engaged and full of passion, you are unstoppable. What sets team apart from others is their passion for the game. When dad coached from the Loudon Redskins, he never had a team that wasn't full of passion. Every Friday Night they put their heart and soul into the game. Our first two seasons at Red Bank were an absolute nightmare. Although I was only nine, it was evident that this team lacked passion. It wasn't until the third year when a senior held a team meeting in the locker room. He expressed how he was tired of losing and things are going to change for the Lions. Red Bank went 7-5 that season and then had three straight years of ten or more victories. The Lions finally put their heart into the game. If a team has a full heart or not, the fans and coaches will know it. This sets the tone of the season. Be full of loyalty, responsibility, and pride built in that makes a "team."

Can't Lose
A game I will always hold dear to my heart is when we lost to Greenville in the state quarterfinals during my junior year. That was our year. We were supposed to be the state champions. The big man upstairs had other plans. We lost 14-13 late in the fourth quarter by a missed extra point attempt. I will never, ever forget being in the middle of the field embracing my parents. It wasn't just about winning that game. It was knowing how hard my dad, the others coaches, and players worked to get up to this moment and watch it all fall to pieces. Five years later as I look back on that night, we did not lose. The coaches, players, and community believed and had faith in each other. The scoreboard showed that we lost, but in our hearts we knew everything we had accomplished that season. When Tennessee had the heart-wrenching lost to Georgia last season no one in Neyland Stadium left that game feeling absolutely defeated. What Coach Jones and the football team showed during that game did nothing but restore belief for the Volunteer nation. Even if things don't turn out the way we planned, there's a peace of mind knowing we did all we could to succeed and we did it with integrity.

Where ever life takes me, the sport of football will always be special to me. Even through all the wins and losses I wouldn't trade what my family has been through for anything. Football is more than a game. I have witnessed boys become men, a player who came from absolutely nothing turn himself into a NFL football player, and how a sport can have such an impact on someone's life. As Ray Lewis once said, "character and integrity and really making an impact on someone's life, that's the ultimate vision, that's the ultimate goal - bottom line."

Chicken & Kale Pasta Bake

I love pasta. End of story. 

It's seriously my most favorite food in the world. That being said I'm always looking for new pasta dishes. I recently came across this yummy recipe from Mix & Match Mama. I'm a newbie to the world of Kale. I'm not a big fan of it in salads so I thought I would give it in a try paired with my dear favorite food. Y'all this was SUPER  yummy.....like SO good! What made it even tastier is how easy it was to make. Check it out!

Shopping List 

1 onion, chopped (I used a little more than half)

3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 (3 oz) package of cream cheese (Kroger only had 8 oz. packages...just use half of it!)

1 cup chicken stock

1 pound cooked chicken, shredded (See below how I cook my chicken)

3 cups (a few big handfuls) of torn kale leaves 

1 pound pasta (Whatever shape you prefer)

1 cup of breadcrumbs or Panko

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (I didn't use any!)

2 spoonfuls of pesto (just eyeball it)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

*You can use a rotisserie chicken for this recipe. I cooked boneless chicken breasts seasoned with lemon pepper in my crock pot on high for 3-4 hours. Make sure to use either chicken stock or water to cover your meat. Super, super simple and fast way to cook chicken! 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, saute onion and garlic in a tablespoon of EVOO until tender (about 5 minutes).  Stir in soup, cream cheese, stock, chicken, pesto, and kale and bring to a bubble, reduce the heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes.  Add in a S&P.

While your chicken mixture is simmering, bring a large pot of water up to a boil and cook your pasta until al dente.

Drain your pasta and add it to your chicken mixture.  Pour everything into an oven-safe 8x8 inch casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.  Bake about 10 minutes or until the top is brown and bubbly.

Remove from oven and serve.

Even better with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon ;) 

I enjoyed every bite of this wonderful dish. Please try it! You won't be disappointed.

I have decided to make a major change in my diet. I will now be gluten and dairy free. I did not make this decision to lose weight. I believe by removing gluten and dairy from my diet is a major step in allowing my body to feel the best it has in a very long time. In the next few weeks I plan to blog on my progress with this new aspect of my life. Until then, make this pasta dish!  Cheese and pasta..what more could you ask for? :)