Wednesday, April 29, 2015

I Swam With DOLPHINS!!- Discovery Cove Recap!

Happy hump day folks! Sorry I have been a little MIA lately. It usually isn't like me to go a week without a single post but I have been unbelievably busy! I have had all my standardized exams this past week and I had quite an exiting weekend celebrating my sixteenth birthday at.....
 
 
... DISCOVERY COVE! For those of you who don't know, Discovery Cove is a day resort owned by SeaWorld where you get to enjoy a relaxing day while snorkeling and swimming with exotic sea creature including.. well, yeah... A DOLPHIN! I have wanted to swim with dolphins since I was little and it has been the only consistent thing on my bucket list for years. When I turned sixteen, I told my parents that I didn't want to have a party or any gifts, but that I wanted to swim with a dolphin. Best day of my life.
 
 




 
If you have never been to Discovery Cove but you have heard about it or think you might like it, all I can say is GO! The people that work here are SUPER nice and the area is kept SO nice and clean. They only allow a certain amount of people there at a time by reservation so it is never crowded. There are no lines for anything and you aren't shoulder to shoulder with anyone either. This is nothing like a water park if that is what you are picturing. Once you have paid for your time there, all the food is included and the workers practically wait on your hand and foot. It was awesome! The food there was DELISH!!!
 
 



 
 
Our nice cabana was located right in front of the Grand Reef where you can snorkel right beside colorful fish of all different sizes and Manta Rays larger than my body. You can reach right out and touch them. You can swim right up to a glass also where you can come face to face with some massive sharks. The grand reef was something I took advantage of quite a bit. Swimming through there and seeing all the neat fish and creatures made me realize how creative God is. Words cant describe how beautiful it is!
 
 
Another great feature to this place is the Fresh Water Oasis where you can swim right up to the little Otters and Marmosets. It is a trail of water that you can wade in or swim through under a rainforest canopy making you feel like you are in a tropical island.
 
 
Probably a favorite among my parents was the Wind-Away River. This is basically a lazy river on steroids. It feels as if you are just floating along a gorgeous river where tropical birds linger along the edges of the stream and fly right above your head. Super relaxing.
 
 
Next up we did the Explorers Aviary. This didn't feel like one of those zoo exhibits where you walk through a door feed a few birds, and walk out. This felt just like you are walking through the jungle when all of a sudden beautiful birds land on your shoulder or head. It was beautiful!
 
 
And of course the Dolphin Swim Experience! This was of course the high light. You first sign the wavers and watch a quick video. You then walk out into the dolphin pool area and you and your group of 6-8 people are automatically greeted by a few dolphins casually swimming around. I think I was too excited to freak out about the fact that an enormous sea creature was less than a foot away from me. We first did a few hand signals with the dolphins where they do tricks and make fun noises. After that everyone takes a cute picture with them, I of course had to plant a kiss on it :) You then take a ride on the dolphins back and that usually concludes the experience.
My parents however planned a little surprise. The trainer called me down in front of the dolphin to do a "new training method". I thought it was just my lucky day. That it was. She told me how to hold my arms and then she said the dolphin was going to go fetch a white buoy to bring back. I was pretty excited to see what it said on it!
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quite a way to finish off the dolphin swim. I was so surprised by the message and that white buoy will forever be sitting right about my bookshelf along with the thousands of photos I have framed. Truly one of the best experiences of my life. 
If you ever get to chance to go to Discovery Cove here in Orlando Florida, do it, Do It, DO IT!!!
 
Whatever Wednesday
 
I hope you have a fabulous week and I will see you all on Friday for some fashion! Comment below or email me with any thoughts or questions!
 
 
 
Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Sausage and Vegetable Pile Up

Happy Tasty Tuesday everyone! How are we liking this new series?? I am loving it because it challenges me to cook more often rather than just baking. This meal has got to be one of my favorites. Bowls are so popular now at places like Chipotle. This is essentially the same as those except mash potatoes are the base rather than rice. Let me tell you that I actually like it ALOT better. This was super quick and easy to make and this recipe allows you to choose exactly which veggies you want to top your bowl with. Try this recipe out because it is BOM!


Serves: 4 adults
 
Ingredients:
3 Tbs Butter
Green Bell Pepper diced
1 Zucchini diced
4 Sausages Links sliced
2 Cups of frozen Corn
1 (24oz) package refrigerated Garlic Mash Potatoes
 
Directions:
1. In a non stick skillet, melt butter and add pepper, zucchini, sausage, and corn until sautéed.
2. Cook potatoes in microwave according to package directions.
3. Layer sausage and vegetable mixture over mashed potatoes in a bowl and serve. 

Tasty Tuesdays
 
Enjoy! How easy is that? Super delicious and quick to make as well. Comment or email me with any thoughts or questions!

jgraceblog@gmail.com


Monday, April 20, 2015

Events of the Bible: Tower of Babel- Weekly Devotion

Happy Monday everyone! Did anyone watch the ACM's last night? I love country music so it was right up my alley. Comment and tell me what you thought about it if you saw it.

 
What we are Learning This Week:
The whole earth at this point spoke one language. They all gathered together to build a tower into the heavens and became sinfully proud of their accomplishments. So God caused them to speak many different languages causing them to scatter around the whole Earth.
 
Relating it to Your Life:
This is quite simple. Pride can separate you from God and others. Giving the glory to God makes everything in your life simple and worth wile. The language barrier that was to come kept many people from being able to witness to others because they didn't speak that language. Too much pride and greediness could lead to a barrier between you and those you are trying to witness too. Simple as that. Glory to God. It all belongs to him anyways!
 
This Weeks Reading: Genesis 12-13


Don't forget to comment below or email me with your thoughts and questions. Don't forget to continue your reading this week also. See you next week as we continue on with this great series, working our way through the bible.

jgraceblog@gmail.com

 
Friday, April 17, 2015

Army Green for Spring!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Happy Friday everyone. I have been up to quite a bit this week. The months of April and May bring ALOT of exams and testing here in my state as I am sure it is where you live also. No fun. Also, my sister had an outpatient procedure on Thursday and is recovering well. Pray that the doctors will have wisdom in how to help her in the future. Needless to say though that she was very happy when she woke up. I wish I had a video of her on the anesthesia :) This weekend I am going to sleep and relax and bake a little. I am super excited about some posts coming up including a delicious Sweet Saturday tomorrow so keep your eyes peeled for that. Talk to y'all soon!
 
Fashion Friday
 
Comment below or email me with any thoughts or questions. See you tomorrow!
 
 
 
Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Gluten Free Corn and Bacon Pasta with Kale Chips


 
Hello everyone! We are starting something new here on Juliana Grace called Tasty Tuesday! As many of you already know, I am gluten and lactose intolerant so when I find a good recipe I want to share it. I will continue to make delicious treats and desserts for Sweet Saturday but I thought I should share some recipes other than sweets for you gluten free people too.

Tasty Tuesday

 Today I am sharing a tasty dinner recipe that makes for some awesome left overs as well as a healthy and tasty side dish of Kale Chips as well. I never thought to put both corn and bacon in my pasta but it tastes quite good. This dish is served hot but when I had it cold the next day for lunch, it tasted just as good!
 
First we will start with the Pasta:
Serves: 6 Adults
 
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
 
Ingredients:
1 pound of your favorite gluten free pasta
10 pieces of bacon, chopped (I use turkey bacon but use whatever you like)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 cup cream style corn (the kind in a can on the veggie aisle)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Salt and Pepper to taste 
 
Directions:
 In a large pasta pot, bring water to a boil.  Drop pasta in and cook to al dente.

Meanwhile, in a big skillet, heat a few tablespoons of EVOO over medium-high heat.  Add in bacon and cook until crisp.  Remove bacon from pan and reserve on a paper towel nearby.  Add in onion, some salt and pepper and saute about 5 minutes.  Stir in garlic and frozen or fresh corn and cook over medium another 4-5 minutes.  Stir in cream corn and reserved bacon. 

Drain pasta from pot and toss with corn mixture.  Add in Parmesan cheese and stir until all the pasta is incorporated with the sauce.  Add a little more salt and pepper to taste.
 
 
Now for the Kale Chips
Serves: 4-6 Adults (depending on how many you want to give each person)
 
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes
 
Ingredients:
1 bag of kale
A drizzle of EVOO
Parmesan Cheese
 
 
Directions:
 Depending on how many people you are serving, wash the kale and make sure to properly dry the kale too. If you don't dry each kale almost individually real fast, your kale will be soggy instead of crispy.

Drizzle some EVOO on the lined baking sheet you are using and place the kale across the pan. It is okay if they are layered on top of each other.

Bake in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle (or in my case drown) the kale with parmesan cheese.
Bake in the oven for another 5 minutes.

Remove and serve on a separate plate and enjoy a tasty, healthy side to any dinner.
 
And Voila! You are done and you have a filling dish with a healthy yet tasty side. This was a fairly quick dinner to make and it pleased everyone in my family. Comment below or email me with any questions. Bon Appetite!
 
 
 
Monday, April 13, 2015

God's Covenant with Noah: Events of the Bible- Weekly Devotion

Happy Monday everyone! We are back with another event of the bible today. Click on the icon below to see all of the events we have covered in order so far.
 
Weekly Devotion
 
What we are Learning This Week:
The last two weeks we were all supposed to be reading Genesis 9:1-17. This is a more detailed version of part of the last event The Flood. Often in the Bible, God made promises to men. When God makes a promise it is called a Covenant and the first covenant that was recorded in the bible was his covenant with Noah. After God flooded the earth he promised Noah and all the creatures with him that he would never flood the earth again. This promise was not only made to Noah but with all the generations that descended from Noah and his sons all the way down through history to this generation. The rainbow was a sign of this promise so we can remember it every time there is a rainbow. God has kept his promise wouldn't you say?
 
Relating it to Your Life:
When God makes a promise he keeps it. End of story. Doesn't that give you such peace? There are so many more promises in the bible that we know God will keep and that makes me so happy.
 
This Weeks Reading: Genesis 11
 
Comment below or email me with any thoughts or questions. I have some new things coming your way soon here so keep your eyes peeled. Have a blessed week. God Bless.
 
 
 
Friday, April 10, 2015

Denim on Denim on Denim!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I have always loved some denim and every girl needs her perfect denim jeans. I usually never buy jeans in the summer because here in Florida it is waaaay too hot but when I saw these loose boyfriend jeans at the GAP, I could not resist. These aren't suctioned onto my legs which I like but are still flattering and very in style. How better to pair them then with a pair of fashionable denim flats and a blue light weight short sleeve sweater all from the GAP. Super simple to style your own way!
 
 
What are y'alls plans for this weekend?? I am taking a chill weekend after my busy weekend last week and probably getting some Chipotle and making my family watch National Treasures with me. Does anyone else LOVE that movie? I am kind of a dork and love all kinds of action movies and movies similar to that. Often times I would pick those types of movies over a chick-flick movie :)
 
I will probably fall asleep to my sister playing "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi.... Yes I have learned to fall asleep to rockin music like that :P Because it was Easter last week I didn't get to go work in the Pre-School at my church like I normally do every Sunday so I am excited to see all the fun kiddos on Sunday morning.
Fashion Friday
 
What have y'all got going on this weekend? Let me know in the comments below or email me! See you tomorrow for Sweet Saturday!
 
 
 
Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Birthday, Holidays, and Fun!- Life Lately

Hi everyone, how are y'all doing? I thought I would do a post today just sharing what I have been up to. This past few weeks have been crazy busy so I have a bit to share :)


On Friday, April 3rd my family and I went to a hockey game in Orlando. We usually sit up higher so we can see the whole ice rink but decided that for this game we would sit closer up. Man was it fun. If you have been reading my blog for a while you know I can get pretty into some sports, so sitting this close, there was nothing holding me back from screaming my head off. Also, how cool are their red, white, and blue uniforms for this game of remembrance for our service men?? Love me some Solar Bears Hockey!!
 
 
 
 April 5th was Easter as I am sure you know, and I had a fabulous time with my family. We went to a special service at the Amway center (Yes I was just there for the hockey game two days earlier) and it was AMAZING. I am just in love with Jesus and all he did for me. Not to mention my cute family he blessed me with!! :)
 
 
 
 
 
Even though they kill my feet, I am pretty obsessed with these shoes that I got for 12$!
 
 
My dad always makes fun of how I try to pose them while I am behind the tripod and ends up making everyone die laughing. We are one crazy whacky bunch. I love my peeps. 


 
 
The day after Easter, April 6th was my 16th birthday! I went shopping with my sweet momma at the Orlando Outlet Malls and got some goodies I cant wait to show you in some Fashion Friday posts. One thing my mom does every year on our birthdays is fix us the dinner we want. We get to pick it all out. If you know me personally you will know I pick the same things every year since I can remember. Corn pudding casserole, Coleslaw, Squash casserole, and Sweet Tea! Sound delicious? Maybe gross? Oh well, those are my favorite foods and they are most of the time reserved for my birthday :) I was a happy camper.
 
Whatever Wednesday
 
That is just a little life lately in my home! What have y'all been up to recently? Comment below or email me with any thoughts or questions. Love y'all and I will see you on Friday :)