Jeff's Pesto Chicken Pizza

When I was interning at George Mason in Farifax, VA one of my students Jeff made me and the other interns a delicious dinner. We had Pesto Chicken Pizza. Pesto is one of my favorite summer foods, as my parents always make it from our garden. This pizza recipe is perfect for nights where you don't want take-out but don't necessarily have time to cook from scratch.

Ingredients:

1 package Pillsbury Pizza Crust
2 Tbsp Olive Oil (brushed on pizza crust)
1/2 Package Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Pesto
1 large Chicken Breast (grilled and diced)

Start by grilling one large chicken breast about 3 1/2 minutes on each side. Brush on pesto sauce and then dice chicken into bite size pieces and put aside. Roll out pizza crust and brush with olive oil, followed by the cheese, pesto, and topped off with chicken. Bake in a 375* oven for about 10 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Serves 4. Best with a side salad :)

the little things

I just finished reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, which I would highly recommend! Iloved her approach of taking on a few small projects each month to make her life happier so that when times got tough she had a solid foundation. Today I was cleaning out our files and inside one was an excerpt from the book 14,000 things to be happy about... it made me smile in the middle of a long day. I've been keeping a gratitude journal for a while now but I think that sharing the little things in life that make us smile is so important and is what I hope to do with this blog. In the last year I have really started to appreciate the little things in life and not be so stressed out all the time.

A few of the things that made me smile this weekend include:
-Celebrating AC's birthday at Cellar on Greene- who doesn't love to close out a work week with colleagues, friends, and a glass of Chardonnay
-Celebrating my friend Candice becoming a licensed psychologist! Cantina 76, The Big Ugly, and Art Bar provided us with quite a fun night!
-Cleaning my apartment from top to bottom! My parents visit next week and with being out of town for the last month, it desperately needed it
- 27 Dresses was on TV. Story of my life and I love it.
-Tonight I am going to have dinner with college friends, Alex & Carey which is always fun

An advisor in college used to always send us a QOTD, which at the time drove me crazy because it filled my inbox but now I have become a huge quote person and this one makes me smile- Happy Saturday!

what this world needs is a new kind of army- the army of the kind. cleveland amory

#1 in 52 of 52

In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving” by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. The couple who was the inspiration behind another of my favorite movies, The Blind Side. The book starts with a quote from Anne Frank that really gets at the heart and sense of commitment to compassion that the Tuohys have, “No one has ever become poor by giving”. The Tuohys came from humble beginnings to live the American dream. They still have held on to their simple roots and rather than focusing on “philanthropy- we aren’t the fancy types” to The Popcorn Theory which they describe as “not being able to help everyone but you can try to help the hot ones who pop up right in front of your face.” It is about noticing others, their potential and value, which I love. Rather than focusing on how much they helped Michael they focus on how much Michael helped their family and faith. The Tuohys say “Life is about doing small things with great love" and I can't think of a better motto to live by.

An Ode to 2011

I’ve never been one for journaling or scrapbooking so I am hoping this can serve the function of both. Let me quickly recap 2011 before becoming better about documenting 2012 and beyond.

2011 was a great year for so many reasons, but I will name just a few:
-I graduated with my Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs in May! Yay M.Ed.
-I rediscovered running. Many 5Ks, community races, and miles on the treadmill. The best was probably Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston (1:02) which was the farthest race I have ever run. (Here's to hoping this March I break 1 hour!) 13 road races in 2011!
-I GOT A JOB! A real one, one that allows me to pay bills, enter races, buy ingredients to try to cook tasty meals, and visit friends. Not only that, but it is my dream job at that allowed me to stay in South Carolina.
-I was able to watch my little sister graduate under the oaks at my alma mater, Elon University. Talk about special.
-CHICAGO. I was able to travel to meet up with my parents in a city that I have been dying to visit for years. It did not disappoint. Pizza- yum.
-I was able to be a part of some of my best friend’s weddings. Such special days to see my best buds find their true loves. Also discovered Pinterest which has allowed me to pretend that I am even remotely close to wedding planning.
-Teaching University 101. The opportunity to guide 22 incoming USC students was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had. I was blessed with an amazing class and learned as much from them as they did from me.
-YOGA. Changed my life for the better. After being told to try it a million times, I finally caved and I'm so glad I did.
-Reunions near and far. From beach weekends, trips home to Shrewsbury, visitors to Columbia, going to Elon Homecoming, and ASCA & ACPA conferences, I was able to reconnect with many of the people that mean the most to me.

2011, you were great but 2012 is already looking good!