HOMEMADE

It's been an incredible start to '08! I've started getting healthy - from my cold - finally!
One thing that Julie and I have been busy with is getting ready for the LA Marathon on March 2nd. We've been getting our runners out on the road 4 days a week with a hill work out on Wednesdays, and a Long Run on Saturday mornings.
Something we've learned over the past couple of years is that these kids don't eat healthy. A large part of our role is teach them about food, nutrients, healthy diets. A big part of this is diet for running is getting enough protein. My dad would be proud! (He is all about the protein as of late:)
And Protein can get expensive. All the protein bars and drinks start to drive me a little crazy, especially when buying for 20. So, I was really excited when I found a recipe to make Homemade Protein Bars!


Here are the more "granola-y" ones... I added Soy and Whey Protein. The kids like them best. They have a great honey taste. The key to these; after baking, press down firmly so once they cool, they keep their shape.

Here are the more "Cake-y" bars. I didn't have Apple Juice, but substituted with a Tangerine/Orange. The kids liked these as well. The peanut butter taste appealed to some, but they liked the crunch of the previous ones. I have to agree.

All at the percentage of the price of store bought protein bars, and they just taste so fresh... I really don't like the processed/chalky taste of store bought. I gotta give credit to Alton Brown. Love that guy. He is so "Bill Nye, the Science Guy", but with just enough of a great Cook in him. I'd like to try this homemade recipe next.

Posting Christmas...

So, It's after Christmas! We made it through the holidays... although, we've decided that New Years has become more of a Sports Holiday in the country - So yes, next year, Momma C., we're going to have some sort of semi demi quasi 'who knows yet' Cornbeef and Cabbage tradition.
My past month has looked a lot like - Sick, just barely healthy to get on top of 'immediates', Sick, recovering, Sick, getting back on top... well, you get the jist.
Julie and I did take time to reflect on our year. A friend of mine introduced me to these questions... So we went with it... I'm sure there's more we could add here, but it was more of a little exercise just to get into meaningful reflexion. Next we're going to look ahead. Do the 'set some goals' thing. but for now... We're Reflecting...

1. What was the hardest thing you had to do this year?

Going to Julie’s mom’s wedding the week after my parents visited which was right after we got back from Europe… and all the emotions.

Earlier this year, I had some difficult conversations and misunderstandings with a college student... yeah, difficult.

2. What was the most fun this year?

• Lake Tahoe! Jumping Rocks and playing two dogs at Chimney beach, and followed up with Smoothies.
• Watching Food Network. Making Food Network Meals with Friends! (smoked salmon on the grill with wood planks with glaze, Pumpkin Cheesecake, trying Rachel Ray dinners/reading her magazine, grilled sweet potatoes, eggplant, and mojitos!)
• Going to Sea Shamu World.
• Going to Yosemite. Water Falls! Brown Bears!

3. What were the milestones of 2007?

• Europa Trip!
• Getting into Grad School at Pepperdine.
• Teaching High School (after 4 years in Middle school).
• Getting Grad School Paid For!
• Seeing Two awesome people respond to the Call of Following Jesus.
• Playing in a International LA-based Soccer League
• Two Week Intensive: studying Ephesians and serving our pastors
• Sharing Season Tickets to the LA Galaxy – Experiencing Beckham Mania

4. What was your biggest accomplishment?

• 33% of Middle schoolers score proficient.
• Getting into Grad School.
• Being in Grad School!

5. What was something you wanted to do, but didn't?

Start swimming on a swim team. Stay in touch with friends. Study Spanish.

6. What was your biggest surprise?

The transition to High School was very difficult and unexpected. Finding out our friend, Sara, was pregnant, and then the baby being born 6 weeks early!

7. What was the meanest thing you did?

Yelled at julz in Staples over something frivolous. (Julie wants to rank hers; depending on the class time and week ;)

8. What was something you worried about that you don't worry about now?

Getting into Grad School. How we would pay for Grad. School. (yes, there is a theme here… simple, yet true.)

9. What made you proud?

• Seeing Two of our runners becoming leaders for the squad.
• Seeing Stephen share his faith.
• Hearing other teachers Praise Julie.
  
• Hearing other teachers praise Julies students.
• Concert for Kenya with Josh Garrels

10. Meaningful Visitors to LA?

• Beau and Carmel stayed at the Vagabond. It was so stinking hot in LA, we had to find AC!
• Josh and Michelle – we had a blast, cooking and surfing.
• Mom and Dad Christman – it was so meaningful to have them share in our lives and work – Dad’s wisdom and Moms contagious excitement about all things life... and shopping.
• Julies mom, Cecelia, visited San Diego – we had great weather and fellowship.
• My buddy Brad Wisler – Experiencing South Central together, just sharing our hearts, seeing over priced real estate and US Soccer team from a fancy box seat
  

11. Finally, describe a moment you want to remember.

Europe. Over and Over. Tulleries. Orsay! 7 Mile Jog – all over Paris. Came around this building, the wind hit my face, and BOOM, right there was the Eiffel Tower! Amsterdam. Running out into the countryside, seeing the rowers, the young men yell at the old women, seeing the poo, and then I (Julie) had to poo, then it rained that night and we rode bikes across town, 20 min., in the cold rain. Experiencing the first sabbath of Advent in the medieval church, Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia, with believers singing from their hearts... in Catalyunian Spanish...

(We took our running squad to this crazy lite up house in South LA... and Manny in the back ground jumping crazy, like he is... he makes us 'light up' :)