Mission Trip? I Like That Idea

I've been tossing around the idea of going on a mission trip for about a year now, but I've never really looked upon it. About a month ago I facebook messaged a fellow sorority sister who has gone on quite a few mission trips and who I look up to dearly for advice on how to really start the process. She responded with great guidance but the hustle and bustle of school and work kept me away from paying it any mind.

Now that I'm sitting here studying for my two tests and practical on Wednesday, it of course pops back into my head and I can't shake it. (Great timing eh?) I was considering doing Peace Corps after getting my nursing degree, but I decided against it. I think a long trip over the summer sounds extremely doable and rewarding. . If you know me you know I am not an outspoken person, especially not concerning God. I have my beliefs, I do strongly believe in them, but I'm not exactly one to go and yell at people for not believing in what I do. If someone is rudely going against what I believe and personally jeering at it I do not have a problem nicely telling them why I believe what I do, I will not sit and have someone makes jests at something that I live by. That being said I do think everyone has their own set of moral codes, but I also think that some places do not have any at all and that's where I would love to go. I want to make a positive difference in a persons life and help them see something that they may have not seen before, or purposefully shut out of their life (I'm guilty of doing this myself).

I just started looking and have already found two trips that I would love to go on. I like one specifically because it is closer to the US. Sad I know, but I've never really been overseas before (Costa Rica doesn't really count). This trip is focused around working with an orphanage in Tijuana. That being said the chances of my being allowed to go to Tijuana are slim to none; my mom was just reading in the paper about how dangerous Mexico is this morning. And she's rather protective, which I'm very thankful for. But I would love to work with children. The second trip which I am extremely drawn to is in Thailand and has to do with human trafficking, an atrocity that I have very strong feelings concerning. I first really became aware of human trafficking through a Lifetime movie and since then it is something that I will willingly get into arguments about and have always wanted to help stop but have never really knew where to start.  Click here if you're interested in reading more about it! And make sure to read this story to understand exactly what is drawing me towards this. It's so heartbreaking.

If any of you have any ideas or places to point me to I would greatly appreciate it as I feel like this is going to be a great journey that I'm just starting to put my toes into.

Ciao!! xoxo

Nutella Rice Krispies

Okay, so I have a confession to make. . I have never had Nutella. I've heard the wonders of it and how it will change your life and be all you want to snack on but I've just never had the motivation to actually try it. And honestly, I figured if I could avoid having a new favorite bad for you snack I might as well do it. Then I saw this recipe, and told Nic about it and there's absolutely no way I could go up there this weekend without these little love bugs tucked away in my suitcase.

And of course I tried the Nutella while making them. . and proceeded to eat a whole spoonful. Lets just say I am no longer taking today off from working out. IT IS SO INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS OMG.

It's a really simple recipe:

- 1 jar of Nutella (I got the bigger jar and used 3/4 of it)
- 1 package of mini marshmallows
- 6 cups of rice krispies
- 6 tbsp of margarine (or butter, we only use margarine in my house)


In a pot mix the margarine and Nutella together over low heat. Once these are happily joined, add in the marshmallows and mix until a gooey concoction. Add in the six cups of rice krispies and mix until well coated. Pour into a large pan and cool.

Once cooled you can use whatever cookie cutter you have to cut the krispies into cute little shapes or just do it the old fashioned way and cut them with a knife. I only got 16 pumpkins out of the proportions I listed above, so as with the chocolate chip cookies I think I may have to make another batch. .

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Super duper yummy, super unhealthly. . Go make them and then go for a run. But seriously, like now.

Ciao. xoxoxo.

Cookies Cookies Cookies!!

Finally, my absolutely amazing oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies!! No, that wasn't exactly modest, but yes, they really are delicious.

This was my first time making them, and they were actually a lot trickier than I was expecting them to be but I'll explain why when we get to that point. To begin, the ingredients:

For the oreos:

• Bag of oreos (I used the good ol' fashioned regulars ones)

For the chocolate chips: 

• Bag of semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels 
• Two eggs
• 2 cups white flour
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 sticks of margarine (or butter)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla 
• 1 tsp baking soda 

Mix the margarine, eggs, vanilla, brown and white sugar together in a medium bowl. (If you like cookie dough, I highly recommend a big spoonful of this sugary concoction) Mix the flour and baking soda together in another bowl. Slowly mix the dry ingredients in the deliciously sugary mixture. And add the chocolate chippers in! Yummy.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

I used the entire bag of oreos, and therefore had to make a double batch of the chocolate chip cookie dough. You need that much to cover them all. .

Now this is a kind of crucial part that I NEVER follow when making my regular cookies; you actually need to chill them. I did mine for fifteen minutes in the freezer and it was perfect. Before hand, I couldn't get the dough to stick anywhere except my hands.

For composing the stuffed cookie goodness I tried three ways. First, I put the cookie dough both on top and bottom of the oreo -- that didn't work so well, the chocolate chip spread out so you were eating a whole lot of cookie before you even got to the oreo. Then I tried putting a tiny bit on the bottom and more on top, still didn't work. Lastly I just put a big glob on top of the oreo and they actually came out looking pretty normal. This did frustrate the hell out of me. . But I must stay I liked the ones where I put dough on the top and bottom best. Because the dough spread out you got to eat a plain chocolate cookie before you got to the oreo and chocolate chip cookie together.


They are going to look HUGE when you put the cookie dough on them, I was amazed and kind of worried, but it's completely normally.


Bake them for 15 minutes, one pan at a time.
 
I am going to warn you of two things:
1. They are absolutely addicting, and they will be loved by anyone who loves oreos and chocolate chip cookies. I sent them to Nic and they all adored them.
2. They will make you feel like the biggest fatass, and one will fill you up. But they are soooooo delicious!

Ooey-gooey goodness

Have fun baking!!


Ciao! oxoxo