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? :)

What I wish I knew as a freshman...

I'm a senior in college.....that is SO weird to me. I mean, wasn't this just yesterday? 

It blows my mind that I graduated from high school and moved away to college three years ago. My college years will be coming to a close in less than a year. Time really does fly by. By this time next year, I have no idea where I'll be living or who I will work for. I am absolutely terrified but beyond excited to see what the next year holds for my future. For you that are starting your college years in the fall, I have a list of things I wish I knew as an incoming freshman...

1. You think you know your major. You will change it and it might be multiple times. I applied to UT as a history major because I wanted to go to law school. Started freshman year as a marketing major. I almost switched to sports management. Took an accounting class during my sophomore year. Loved it and switched. Now I'm a supply chain management major. But if I could go back to freshman year, I would totally rock at being an industrial engineering major. Trust me, you will change your mind! 

2. Don't start college with a significant other. If you're reading this and you're in a relationship, you probably don't like me right now. I know this from experience. Almost 90% of high school sweetheart couples I knew three years ago are no longer together. When I started at UT, I thought I was dating the man I was going to marry. I held myself back from so many freshman experiences because of this. Don't make the same mistake I did..

3. Keep in touch with your family. Seriously, keep in touch. I still talk to my mom every single day. Your parents or siblings should always be your go-to call. They've been there since the beginning. You're going to need them more than ever over the next four years.

4. Be open and spontaneous! Take spontaneous midnight trips for ice cream, random weekend trips, walks around campus, or go on a date with the person you never thought you would date. Moments like these will turn into your favorite memories. 

5. You are at college to learn. There will be many of times where you will be given the choice to either study or do something fun with your friends. Sometime you have to turn your friends down and hit the books. It sucks. Your friends will understand and you will earn that A on your exam! 

6. Never think you're better than anyone. You were accepted to college because you are smart. So is everyone else in your freshman class. If you come to college with the mindset you are better than everyone, you will be sadly disappointed.

7. Befriend your professors...and the TA. When I came to college, I thought this was ridiculous. I have found it so true! Having a professional relationship with your professor/TA can make the difference at the end of the semester when your borderline between an A or B. You never know when you're going to need a reference for an internship/job. 

8. Your body is precious. Give it the respect it deserves. Most likely you will not eat the healthiest during your first year. Still make an effort! Keep healthy snacks in your dorm. Exercise! Don't take the bus unless it's pouring outside. You will be surprised how toned your legs will be from walking so much...especially if you're walking all those hills at UT :) Most importantly, don't trash your body with drugs and alcohol. Even more importantly, don't sleep around. If you plan on being sexually active, be on the pill and use condoms. 

9. Take advantage of free things...especially your freshman year. Free sporting events, food, fitness facilities, printing, and academic resources. What more could you ask for?

10. Get involved. No really, GET INVOLVED! Your college has a club or organization for every interest. It might not be your first semester, but you will find your niche. 

11. You will have your fair share of breakdowns. Let it happen... My year of the breakdowns was definitely junior year. Whether it's a break up, a bad test grade, or a broken heart there are times where you just need to lock yourself in your room and cry it out. You will feel SO much better. 

12. Become friends with at least one person in every class. 

Every person in the picture above I met in class or studying for an exam. All of us became extremely close during our first semester of junior year. Fact: when you go through a hellish semester sometimes you find your best friends along the way. 

13. Don't go home because you're running away from your problems at school. Welcome to the real world, friends. Because I did. I learned the hard way. Finally this past year, I was able to pull up my big girl pants and face my problems right here in Knoxville. Moving away from home is all about growing up. Your family will always be there, but they can't hold your hand for the rest of your life.   

14. You will be pressured to drink and smoke. Does that mean you have to say yes? Absolutely not. It is YOUR choice. For girls, never let a guy pressure you into having sex. He just wants you for the night, not the rest of his life. 

15. Continue to go to church. I haven't been the best in this department, but I have definitely continued my relationship with Christ. Regardless of your faith, practice a religion. I can't tell you how many times I've turned to Him in the past three years. 

16. Go to as many sporting events as possible. Just think of how much people pay for college football tickets. As a student you can get a ticket for the Florida vs. Tennessee game for $10! Take advantage! 

17. Don't pull all nighters. It is "so college" to cram all night long for an exam. You're eventually just going to crash from exhaustion. Even if you stay up late, try to get at least four hours of sleep. Your body, brain, and test grade will thank you. 

18. Caffeine is life, the rest is just details. If you don't like coffee...you will. 

19. It's never too early to start networking. It's not just for business majors. Take advantage of career services at your campus. I absolutely adore my career advisor. Without him, I would have no idea where to begin when it comes to networking. If your campus offers a career planning course...take it! It's also an easy A :) At the end of your freshman year, make a killer resume. Start attending job fairs during your sophomore year. Create a LinkedIn page. For those of you who aren't familiar with this form of social media, it's like Facebook but strictly for professional purposes. Here's a link to mine! 

20. Random roommates can turn into your best friend. Random roomies are not the end of the world. They don't have to be your best friend. Respect each other and speak to one another from time to time. My biggest piece of advice is don't push a friendship but don't be rude just because you have no desire to be close to them. There's a happy medium between the two. I was fortunate enough to meet one of my very best friends out of it.

Love you soooooo much, Melissa!

21. Treat the athletes like they're normal people, because they are. My most embarrassing moment of freshman year was being starstruck by the starting quarterback and him making fun of me. Some of my best friends at school are athletes. Of course I think it's cool they play for the Tennessee Volunteers. At the end of the day, they're no different than anyone else on campus. Ladies, don't like a guy because he's an athlete. Just don't do it... 

Guess which sport they play ;) 

22. Fall in love multiple times. I'm not just talking about with a boy or a girl. Fall in love with your friends, life, a class,  the university, and yourself. Learn to appreciate how beautiful your life really is. 

23. GPA isn't everything. Here's a little secret...I don't have a 3.75 GPA but I know I can still succeed in the business world. My biggest pet peeve is when people think GPA will make or break you. Your family and friends will love you regardless if you have a 4.0 or a 2.5. Be serious about your grades, but don't think it's in the end of the world if don't make the dean's list. Life goes on. 

24. Never lose your true identity but also find yourself. Cheesy as it is, Kelly Clarkson's song 'Breakaway' perfectly describes this. Never forget your roots. You will appreciate where you came from. I certainly appreciate that I was shaped by my hometown. I have also grown so much as a person since I started at UT. Who you are when you walk onto campus as a freshman is a completely different person than who will be at the end of your college years. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

25. Time management! You have all the freedom in college. Be responsible! Make time for friends and family, but your main focus is to succeed in the classroom. Make a schedule that will allow a proper balance of fun and studying. It's not as impossible as it seems. 

26. Only schedule an 8 AM if you can commit to waking up early. Ughhh, I hate having class at 8 AM. My spring semester of sophomore year, I had an 8 AM every single day. Sometimes 8 AM classes are inevitable. If you do have an early morning class, make sure to go to bed at a decent time. Most teachers will allow you to bring breakfast to class. Schedule an interactive class! You be more alert and awake rather if it was a lecture. Shout out to all my business friends...we made it through Nana's 341 class and here clickkkerrrrrr questions (say that in a Russian accent). #neverforget

27. PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES!!! Always have some form of a camera on you! 

28. You will stop staying in touch with your high school best friends. This isn't a bad thing! You will stay close to the ones that really matter. You're starting a new chapter in your life. You will gain so much more. 

29. Forgive yourself. This is the most valuable piece of advice I can give you. You will make plenty of stupid mistakes over the next four years. Your mistakes do not define who you are. You will find grace in every mistake.

30. Embrace the next four years. It will be over before you know it. 

Even though I've had my doubts and my moments where I just want to leave all this behind, I know The University of Tennessee is right where I'm supposed to be. I hope and pray that you will feel this way about your school. College is all about YOU. You have all the opportunity in the world to make these next four year unforgettable.

"Time's flying by...moving so fast. You better make it count because you can't get it back."

Wonderfully Made

As a young woman, this verse hits hard to home. Many women struggle with body image from the time they are in elementary school until they have children of their own. It would be a complete lie if I told you I've never had my own struggle with body image. To this day, I still struggle with it. Today's society teaches us that beautiful is defined by your pant size, how much makeup you have on, the color and cut of your hair, and brand of clothing. I recently watched Colbie Caillat's new music video "Try." I have no doubt in my mind that any female can relate to this video.

My entire life I have tried. I've tried so so so hard. My junior year of high school, I tried so hard that my health, mind, and body were put at risk. October of my junior year I weighed 145 pounds. By June of 2010, I weight right in at 110 pounds. This was made possible by not eating and throwing up whatever I did eat. I passed out at a school event and was taken to the ER, my menstrual  cycle was becoming irregular, you could see my bones when I would wear a bikini (my mom cried when I was trying on swim suits while shopping for spring break...that bad), the list could continue for awhile.

Beginning of junior year....

....end of junior year

Granted, I had other things going on in my life at the time that were a cause of the weight loss. At the beginning people would tell me how I looked great losing all of this weight. I had finally accomplished my goal for so many years....I was skinny and people noticed! In my mind this was "wonderfully made." How sick was I to think this?! By July of that summer, my parents gave me the intervention I deserved. I went to a counselor to deal with my problems and started to eat right. I can honestly say if it weren't for them, I would have kept spiraling out of control.

I now weigh in at 130 pounds and I'm happier than ever. I still have issues with my weight. I am guilty of asking for compliments if I look skinny or not. When my family was recently at the beach, my mom finally told me how it is. Did I stomp down the beach in anger after that conversation? Of course. Ever since our talk, I've reflected on the past couple years. This past year was the first time I finally stopped trying. I exercised because I wanted to, ate healthy food because it actually tasted good, and indulged when I felt like it. If you've struggled like I have, I encourage you to accept your flaws. Who you are today is the best person you can be. God gave you the body you have for a reason. You are beautiful, wonderfully made, and always enough in His eyes.

Dear Taylor Raye

Exactly four years ago I was about to start my senior year of high school. The chapter that was I was to begin meant growing up, making my own decisions, and finally being on my own for the first time in my life. I wrote a letter to myself telling myself to embrace the change that was coming. I recently found it. While I was reading it I fell into a puddle of tears. Who knew that seventeen year-old Taylor Raye would write the perfect letter for herself four years later.

Dear Taylor Raye, 

Life takes unexpected turns. Your life is about to get crazier than you ever expected. 
You are growing up fast, but growing up right. 
Never think you're dreams are too big, you have the heart and desire to accomplish anything. 
Never say never or you can't
Love with everything you have.
Live like there's no tomorrow
Live life on the edge
Live passionatly 
Be the person you've always dreamed of becoming
Always know that people love and care for you
Always be you

Love, 
Yourself

The first blog post is always the hardest. Trust me, I've already failed twice at blogging. Third time is the charm! Now is the perfect time in my life to become a blogger. The past four years have brought much joy, heartbreak, lessons, and friendship. More than anything I have grown in His grace. This letter holds so much truth. Senior year of college will bring more change in my life than I'm prepared for. I can't wait to see life's little surprises and how things will just fall into place. I hope I can successfully document little surprises, share a little advice, maybe make you cry, but most importantly make you laugh. Ready, set, let's blog!