Let's Get Poppin'

Buttery, salty, fluffy, a little taste of heaven. What do you think of when you hear these words? A french fry, a potato chip? Fried chicken? What I think when I hear these words is popcorn, my all time favorite snack. What can I say? It's classic, AND it's whole grain, Pretty RADIANT if you ask me. I especially enjoy microwave popcorn that I can make right at home. It's so convenient. But anyways, for all you popcorn lovers, I"ve whipped up some stuff about this savory treat, so get poppin'!!


Facts about the history of popcorn

• In 1946, Dr. Perry Spencer experimented with a new type of vaccum one day. He put some popcorn kernels next to it and turned it on, and to his surprise, the kernels popped. This eventually led him to develop the microwave oven.
• Archeologists have found 5.600 year old popcorn in dwelling caves in New Mexico.

Statistics

• 17 billion quarts of popcorn are produce each year.
• An average American consumes 60 to 70 quarts of popcorn a year.
• 1/4 of production of popcorn in the United States takes place in Nebraska.

Recipe: Popcorn balls

• Ingredients: 3/4 cups light corn syrup, 1/4 cup butter, 2 teaspoons cold water, 2 5/8 cups sugar, 1 cup marshmellows, 5 quarts plain popped popcorn
• In a saucepan over medium heat combine corn syrup, butter, water, sugar, and marshmellows. Heat and stir until the mixture comes to a boil. Combine the hot mixture with the popcorn, carefully coating each kernel.
• Quickly shape the coated popcorn into balls before they cool. Wrap with plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
• ENJOY!

xo,
Amanda

Dream place #2

Thank God that it is finally sunny again in Chicago!!! For the past few days its been rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, and more rain. Today it finally grew nice outside and I even went to the pool and got some sun. But anyways, I've decided to add another place to my list of places I want to visit someday. My friend visited this place a couple of years ago, and she said that it was absolutely amazing. Home to the Sagrada Familia, a magnificent Catholic Church, Barcelona, Spain is the next city I would love to visit someday.

Numero dos: Barcelona, Spain


xo,
amanda

Dream Travels

Well I'm starting a list of all the places I want to visit someday. The season finale of Glee inspired this first place. It is a place where artists walk the streets, performers sing on Broadway, shopaholics hit the stores, and lovers prance. People from every where across the world come here to experience the sounds and beats of American culture. This metropolitan phenomena is brimming with activity, excitement, and RADIANT creativity. Another name for it is...THE BIG APPLE!




Number # 1 on my list: New York City, New York
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,
There's nothing you can't do,
Now you're in New York,
These streets will make you feel brand new,
The lights will inspire you,
Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York
-"Empire State of Mind"


xo,
amanda

My Day

Ohmigod. My life has suddenly gotten super busy.
My day= sleep, eat, school, study, eat, rehearsal, study, sleep
Throughout this whole day I've had this song stuck in my head, so I've decided to get it stuck in your head too(its not that bad, and is from a RADIANT musical)

Well good night! & remember that you CAN think! hahahah...

xo,

Amanda

Hot Yoga

Yesterday my life became complete. haha actually no it didn't, but I did have a really awesome experience. My friend and I walked to the yoga studio a couple blocks from my house, and we participated in a hot yoga class. It was absolutely RADIANT! The room was ninety degrees and by the end of the session I was drenched with sweat but I loved it. My Favorite part was the end when everyone was laying down worn out in Shavasana(Corpse Pose), and the instructor came around and put cool lavender clothes on our foreheads. Everything was so cleansing and refreshing! I recommend any sort of yoga if you are looking for a rewarding workout, that doesn't just tone up your body but also tones your spirit. Another factor I liked about this class was that it was FREE! Check out a yoga studio near you, they may have a free class too! But I leave you today with the motto my class focused on during our session, "Tension is who you are trying to be, relaxation is who you are."
NAMASTE!!

xo,
Amanda

Changes

I hate when people change for the worst. I hate when someone who knows everything about me, and has seen me at my most RADIANT times and my worst times, becomes a stranger. Change is life. Some changes are uplifting but some are just absolutely morbid, and I guess the fact is that we just have to deal with it. Life can be unfair.

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.  ~Anatole France

Love yourself

Okay so lately I've been feeling kind of self conscience. It's a pretty horrible feeling and some of my friends have been going through it lately too. I hate my legs, eww my hair is so ugly, UGH why can't he just like me?--some of the complaints. But okay I kind of want to start a new message here on RADIANCE. What is RADIANCE all about? I think its about loving yourself, and others, and being the best possible person you can possible be. It's kind of hard though when you are going through the blues. That's why here I'm going to post some pick-me-ups: Quotes, Songs, Pictures, etc.etc.etc.

“Some women choose to follow men and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.” — Lady Gaga

Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde

Who you are isn't holding you back, who you think you are is-Anonymous

I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles. -Audrey Hepburn

"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead." -Louisa May Alcott

"To me, Fearless is not the absense of fear. It's not being completely unafraid. To me, Fearless is having fears. Fearless is having doubts. Lots of them. To me, Fearless is living in spite of those things that scare you to death." -Taylor Swift

It took me a long time not to judge myself through someone else's eyes.  ~Sally Field

Do do, the pretty girl rock!! :)

 

Life is either a daring Adventure or nothing.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
-Dr.Seuss

 

I'm grateful for...

I have been sick for like the whole week. &And i figured to cheer me up I need to list some things that I'm thankful for:

**I'm grateful for my dad's homemade chicken noodle soup with soft buttermik biscuits--with butter and honey(YUMMmmmy)

**I'm grateful for cherry cough drops


**I'm grateful for reruns of America's Next Top Model


**I'm grateful for soft clean sheets and woolen blankets
**I"m grateful for books fresh from the library, waiting to be read
**I'm grateful for the dew on the grass in the morning


**I'm grateful for RADIANCE!
**I'm grateful for my family and friends who all appreciate me as a person

xo,
Amanda

summer

Summer, summer, summer, summer! I'm so excited! In Chicago it isn't summer yet, it's still a little bit chilly out(one day its 80 degrees the next it's 40 degrees). I'm pretty sure that I only have like 10 days of school left, and then FREEDOM...haha actually no, I'm doing summer school this year to get some required courses out of the way:( but I guess it isn't that bad because the classes are only for about an hour in the morning. But to get in the RADIANT summer spirit I've gathered some treats. here ya go...


It's funny how one summer can change everything.It must be something about the heat and the smell of chlorine, fresh-cut grass and honeysuckle, asphalt sizzling after late-day thunderstorms, the steam rising while everything drips around it. Something about long, lazy days and whirring air conditioners and bright  plastic flip-flops from the drugstore thwacking down the street. Something about fall being so close, another year, another Christmas, another beginning. So much in one summer, stirring up like the storms that crest at the end of each day, blowing out all the heat and dirt to leave every thing gasping and cool.Everyone can reach back to one summer and lay a finger to it, finding the exact point when everything changed. That summer was mine.(from "That Summer" by Sarah Dessen)

(Iris Studded Sandals from Forever 21)

http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=FOREVER21&category%5Fname=footwr%5Fcasual&footwr%5Fstyle=&footwr%5Fsize=&footwr%5Fcolor=&footwr%5Fprice=&product%5Fid=2076738111&Page=1

 

Strawberry Lemonade!!!

*1 cup of fresh lemon juice, 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup sugar

*Add about a pint of freshly blended strawberries

*For some RADIANCE add about a cup of sparkling water, and a lot of ice.

 

 

Who doesn't love Grease? or summer nights?

 

 

xoxo,

Manda

 

 

Mother Theresa

One of my ultimate role models in life is Mother Theresa. She truly embodies every RADIANT trait that a role model and figure of peace should have.


Whenever I see the Prayer of St. Francis(shown below) I think of Mother Theresa. She lived out this prayer's message.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

The Royal Wedding

As you all probably know, the wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton took place a few weeks ago. The event was extravagant, and highly publicized, with over 2 billion people watching. In Chicago's central time the wedding took place at about 4 in the morning, so I didn't end up watching it until later that day. As I saw how spectacular every aspect of the wedding was, I became fascinated with royalty. The British Royal Family (and other Royal families) are just ordinary people with extraordinary "jobs" or whatever you would call what they do. I think it is great that Kate married William. It shows us that we can all be "royal" in our own way, no matter what each of us is born into. Each and every one of us, especially on our wedding days, can be RADIANT Princesses and Princes.

Zen Moments

The other day I was on StumbleUpon and I found a website called Zen Moments. It is a collection of a bunch of inspiring stories.
Here's the link to a story that caught my eye: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/7FbFiQ/www.zenmoments.org/the-cab-ride-ill-never-forget

Be sure to check this site out, it's pretty RADIANT!

(Picture from the story)

Inspired

Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
-W.B Yeats
"He Wishes For the Cloths of Heaven"

Francesca Battistelli

I have recently found out about a Christian music singer, Francesca Battistelli. I'm absolutely in love with this song:

3 a.m. Wake up Call

I've been sick this week with a bad virus and had to go to the doctor yesterday. As soon as I walked into the doctor's office, I heard a baby screaming. It brought back "wonderful" memories of the weekend when I had to take care of an electronic baby for Health Class.

My baby, Benny, was cute and cuddly at first. He cried a couple of times during the first day I got him (when the baby cries you have to either change its diaper, feed it, rock it, or burp it). I went to sleep the first night, relieved that taking care of the thing wasn't actually that bad. But...3 a.m on the dot, the "creature"(as I liked to call it after I realized it wasn't so cute and cuddly anymore) woke up screaming its bald head off. I couldn't get the thing to shut up until my mom, with her maternal instincts, came into my room and rocked it. That night I made a silent vow that  I would never become a Teen Mom. Teenage years are meant to be enjoyed. They are not meant to be spent waking up every three hours at night to take care of another human being.

In Health class, the day I brought the baby back to school, I heard some interesting stories about classmates who took the baby out and about, while taking care of it. I stayed home the whole weekend, not risking the embarassment of being stuck in a store with Benny screaming. Their stories consisted of people giving them rude stares, and whispering about them. One of the worst stories I heard went like this--a girl couldn't get her baby to shut up in a store, and a woman came up to her and said, "Serves you right!"
Hold up woman! What's your problem? I'm not saying that being a Teen mom is good, but everybody makes mistakes and you shouldn't prejudice against someone because of that. People should be more respectful. Respect=RADIANCE

 Benny :)

If you want to learn more about teenage pregnancy here are some links:

http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/

http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/teen-pregnancy/index.shtml

http://pregnancy.about.com/od/teenpregnancy/a/Teen-Pregnancy.htm

http://www.pregnantteenhelp.org/

Dolphin Facts

Okay, who doesn't love dolphins? First of all they are absolutely adorable. Second of all, they are extremely intelligent and have been known to save humans from shark attacks and other dangerous situations in the ocean. Nobody really knows why they protect humans. According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, there are stories of dolphins rescuing humans that date back to ancient Greece. In a case in California about 4 years ago, a surfer was attacked by a 12 to 15 feet long shark. After experiencing some painful blows, a pod of dolphins surrounded the surfer, forming a protective pack against the shark. The surfer miraculously survived. There have been thousands of situations over time, in which a dolphin or pod of dolphins saved the day for a living creature. These marine animals are truly remarkable and RADIANT!

Facts about dolphins

• U.S Navy has deployed dolphins for missions involving lost divers or underwater mines.
• Dolphins can sense which area of the human body is sick, and are often used in healing therapy. Swimming with these animals often gives humans a sense of relaxation.
• Each dolphin has a unique whistle, just like each human has a unique thumbprint.
• Baby dolphins are born tale-first so they won't drown.
• Dolphins like to play pranks on other animals. They have often been seen harassing turtles by turning them onto their backs, and pulling out the tail feathers of pelicans.
• Many dolphins sleep with one eye open right below the surface of the water.
• Dolphins can't stay for more than 15 minutes under water, or else they will suffocate. They usually return to the surface of the water every few minutes to get air. As a result of this, they never go into deep sleep.
• There are 67 total species of dolphins.
• To locate food dolphins use echolocation. This ability enables them to "see" with their airs by listening for echos. They do this by making clicking sounds, and then by analyzing the resulting echo. Through echolocation, dolphins are able to determine the size, shape, speed, and direction of objects in water.

Fabulous Song

Self Confidence

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."-Audrey Hepburn

Laryngitis

I love to talk. It's one of my favorite pastimes. But, as of now, I cannot talk or perform in the acting show case I was supposed to perform in tonight. ITS HORRIBLE :( ! I have Laryngitis and it is pretty tedious, but there are some things that I'm doing to make my voice feel better. If you are ever in need of some throat soothers here are some tips:

*POPSICLES(cherry are especially good)
*Green tea and Chamomile tea (both noncaffienated) or any other tea out of the big bunch of teas out there
*Cough drops(For me the best are cherry--again! haha)
*HONEY--have it by itself or add it to pretty much anything (hot tea, warm milk, boiled water, etc.etc.)
*Chicken Noodle Soup(Not absolutely necessary, but it helps and my dad whips up some a pretty awesome batch)
*Something very important is...WATER! Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids.
*Last but not least--Rest your voice! I should have rested my voice today. I tried what you would call "talking" (basically whispering), and it made this case worse. So lay off on those vocal chords, I guess that they sometimes need a break.

Blessings

Today I thank God for all of the blessings he has given me.

Buen appetit!

haha I am such a hypocrite. The other day I was giving you guys all these healthy snack recipes, and now i'm encouraging you to eat "junky" food . Well once in a while you have to treat yourself with the good stuff. So heres some comfort food for your comfort. Buen appetit!

Puppy Chow [aka. chewy, chocolate-peanut butter-goodness]
*9 cups chex
*1 cup chocolate chips
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/4 cup butter
*1/4 teaspoon vanilla
*1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Put cereal in a large bowl. Melt chocolate chips, butter, peanut butter, and stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and pour over chex. Put into a big plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake it to coat well. Let cool on wax paper, tinfoil, etc.etc. Then....dig in!


Homemade Mac n Cheese [aka. butter-cheese heaven]
* Pasta (as much as you want to make)
*Shredded chedder cheese(amount depends on how cheesy you like things)
*Table Spoon of Butter

Make pasta according to directions on the box. Drain the pasta in a strainer. Put pasta in a bowl. Mix in butter, and sprinkle on as much cheese as you would like. Mix it all up. Pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds to guarantee all melted cheese. ENJOY!


Pancakes[ aka. best hotcakes I've ever tasted]
* In a medium bowl mix 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 teaspoons baking powder.
* In a small bowl combine 1 beaten egg, 1 cup milk, and 2 tablespoons cooking oil. Stir into dry ingredients. Beat with a whisk until batter is moist but still lumpy.
* Put stovetop to medium heat. Pour 1 teaspoon cooking oil into pan. Add 1/2 cup pancake batter.
*When you see the pancake bubbling, flip pancake with a spatula but don't press down (keeps it fluffy).
* After about a minute check if the pancakes golden on the bottom.
(makes four to six pancakes)
Pair this with maple syrup, and a glass of orange juice, and you've got yourself a breakfast for kings!



Banana Bread[aka. savory, scrumptious, snack. Perfect for tea time!]
*1 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup bran flakes cereal, 3/4 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 eggs, 1/4 cup cooking oil, 2 ripe bananas(mashed)
*If you like nuts in your bread, then add a cup of your choice of nuts(walnuts are especially good)

*In a large bowl stir the flour, bran flakes, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended.
* In a medium bowl beat eggs, add cooking oil, and the mashed bananas. Mix well.
*Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients. Stir until batter is lumpy and thick.
*Spray a 8 by 4 inch loaf pan with cooking spray. Pour in batter. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until cooked thorougly. Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.
Slice and serve!


Chocolate Fondue[aka. why fall in love? when you can fall in chocolate!]
*1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons butter
*Any kind of fresh fruit, angel food cake slices, dried fruit, pound cake slices, marshmellows, pretzels

*In a small microwavable bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Heat for 1 minute and stir. Microwave for 30 more seconds, and stir. If chocolate still isn't melted keep on heating it.
*Serve hot. Put a bowl of fondue in the center of the table. Position "treats"(aka fruit, cake, marshmellows,etc.etc.) around the bowl. Use a small fork, or tooth pick to put a treat in the dip and eat it.
SCRUMPTIOUS!


Chocolate Milkshake[aka. a heavenly drink]
*Pour 1/2 cup milk into a blender. Add 1 or 2 scoops vanilla icecream. Cover, blend on high until smooth. Add chocolate syrup(as much as you want) and blend some more. Poor into a glass and top with whipped cream. Serves 1 to 2.
Drink in the richness of the shake!!


Besos(as they would say in Spanish),
Amanda

thinking...

Know what I've been thinkin lately? Life isn't all RADIANCE. There are hard times too, the times where you just want to break down and sob your heart out. The times when you want to curl up in a ball and disappear. I've been through some of these times lately, and they're absolutely horrible. I wish I could erase the troubles from my mind, but that can't happen. I think that's why I believe so much in RADIANCE. Radiance is hope, and hope is the one thing that I can hold on to, even in the darkest of moments. Oscar Wilde once said, "We are all stuck in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." This is so true. People will always have struggles, no matter what we do. But with darkness comes light, and with failed tries, comes strength and experience. By thinking positively and hopefully, we make the crosses we bear a little lighter. I know what your thinking now, "I'm done hoping. My hopes have failed." I feel that way sometimes too, but as soon as I get out of that bluesy funk, I try to think on the bright side again. It's the best we can do in this crazy life.

Hope is the Thing with Feathers
By: Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
 
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.



HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To all you RADIANT moms out there, thank you for taking good care of your children and being there for them through tough times. To my own mom,I love you so much and thanks for being there for me when i need you!!!!

snack attack

I have been learning a lot about nutrition lately, and have been trying to cut down on the sugar/junkfood in my diet. (My biggest weakness is icecream...YUM!) But anyways, instead of eating ice cream for a snack, I've been trying to consume foods filled with more nutrients. Here are some healthy snack ideas:

*peanut butter and bananas on wheat bread, drizzled with honey


*warm whole grain pita bread dipped in hummus



*CUTIES! (clementines)

*string cheese(made with low fat milk) and a choice of nuts(walnuts, pecans,almonds,etc.)

*Strawberries and cool whip


Each of these snacks offer some nutritional value and are low calorie/fat. If you want something to drink with them go for fruit juice, or even better, WATER! Eating healthy contributes to your natural RADIANCE, and will pay off in the end.


Best wishes,
Amanda

lessons learned

I made a friend the other day. I don't know her name, but I know other things about her. When she was younger she had five sisters. She has traveled to every single state in the United States, and her favorite was Colorado. She went to beauty school, and loves gardening. I also know that she is 93 years old and living in a nursing home. Weren't expecting that were you? It's nice finding RADIANT friends in unexpected places. I met her when my youth group helped people decorate eggs at a nursing home. She became my partner and we talked a lot. Although I was only at the nursing home for about 2 hours, I still learned some lessons that I would like to share with you.

1.) Travel. The world is RADIANT (especially the mountains in Colorado--as my friend would say) and there are beautiful things all around you. You just have to look.

"A gentleman ought to travel abroad, but dwell at home."


2.) Do what you love. This is one of the keys to happiness. Whether its gardening, snowboarding, or wood working, who knows what you love? My friend loved hair and makeup and she had an amazing time at beauty school!

"Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart into it, take yourself out of it."-Anonymous


3.) Spend time with your family and friends. These relationships are precious and should be handled with delicate love and care. Throw in the fun, and your all set!

"A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with thee."-Buddha


4.) Accept everyone for who they are. And i mean all of them--their RADIANT qualities, and their not-so-good qualities. Don't judge the book by it's cover.

"A loving heart is the truest wisdom."-Charles Dickens
 
5.) Think positively and enjoy life! Sometimes it may be hard and you may just feel down in the dumps(like my friend did when she fell and broke a bone in her backyard) but you have to find the silver lining of the situation. Time flies so we have to savor the RADIANCE of it when we can!

"A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life."-Charles Darwin



Well the other week I truly found out that Love and RADIANCE can be found even in the most unexpected places, especially in the shimmering kind eyes of an old, wise, woman.

MUCH LOVE(+&RADIANCE),
Amanda

GLEEK

I've been watching Glee for a while and I just wanted to tell you all that it is THE BEST SHOW EVER! haha && a bonus of the show is that it always has a RADIANT message. So fellow gleeks, Don't stop believing in your RADIANT inner selves!
http://www.fox.com/glee/

"Popular" is such a messed up word. It is 3 syllables that causes humans to do things that aren't a part of who they are. OKAY! I admit it! I've wanted to be more "popular" before. But lately, after watching innocent friends turn into so called "hot" messes because of it, I've realized that it's wayyy overrated. Btw, I'm not talking about the good, uplifting, including "popularity" here, I'm talking about the exploiting, self identity snatching kind.

         Anyways, you don't need popularity to be RADIANT. There are "popular" people in every part of live. So remember that RADIANCE is about being who you truly are, and not holding back if it isn't considered "cool". In the movie "A Walk to Remember", there's a girl who is always picked on by the "popular" crowd, named Jamie. They don't approve of the sweater she wears, and pretty much anything else about her. But you know what? Jamie stays true to herself and doesn't change to fit in. She is the quintessence of individuality, and a RADIANT role model for all. Leonardo Davinci one said, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Being RADIANT is as simple as this: Be yourself! haha I know easier said than done, but being an individual is worth a million of tries.