New Site!

Hey everyone!


Just wanted to let you all know I am moved to a new blog site:http://ktupton14.wix.com/graceupongrace

Yay!!! I've been wanting to update my look and set-up, and now I have. There's a tab on that site with all my posts from this blog, so you can come back and read my past posts. I probably won't post too much until I can get some of my own, good quality photos to go with each one, but I will give it a shot.

I hope you all will come with me as I make this transition :)
See you there!

Alternative Protein Sources

So, I'm taking a stab at being vegetarian. About a month into it, and it's going great!

 I've considered it for a while, but was really concerned about getting enough protein, especially with my weight-lifting. Thankfully, Hy-vee has a large selection of products that have great amounts of protein that have reasonable calories, and are plant-based.

If you can't read the label, this black bean pasta has 25 grams of protein (12 grams of fiber and 185 calories) in 2 ounces of pasta.  There's four servings in each bag, but it really made more than I expected! Honestly, there's really no distinct taste with this pasta, so I make it like usual with red sauce. Yummy!

Beyond Meat plant-based "chicken strips" are yummy, too. A serving is 3 oz (about 6 strips), with 20 grams of protein, and 120 calories. I like to add some of this to my ^pasta, and wraps that I'll make for lunch (mentioned below). 

Seitan has 27 grams of protein and 170 calories in 4 ounces. Seitan is wheat gluten, which is the main protein source of wheat. This flavor and the pre-cut strips are pretty good- better mixed with other things, but fine on its own once you get used to the texture (in the package it looks like canned dog food). I'm not sure how a plain flavor would taste. 

A few weeks ago I decided that wraps would be easier to bring for my lunch than anything in a container (that I can't microwave). I was looking at regular tortillas, but for the usual Mission tortillas, one tortilla has at least 200 calories and only 4 or 5 grams of protein. These tortillas have only 100 calories and 8 grams of protein (and 13 grams of fiber), in addition to short and simple ingredients. I like to put some "chicken" strips or Seitan in these with some black beans, corn, and avocado if we have any. Very filling:)

 I am in love with Quest bars and Quest protein powder- I have the vanilla flavor, and for 100 calories you get 22 grams of protein. When I make protein drinks, I use 8 ounces of vanilla soy milk (100 calories, 6 grams of protein) and add 8 ounces of water, which keeps a good amount of flavor while making more liquid to fill you up, and then one scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (totaling 200 calories and 28 grams of protein). 

Dannon Light&Fit Greek Yogurt is super yummy. With 12 grams of protein, 80 calories, and only 7g of sugar (most other yogurts have way more.

Overall, I'm trying to eat more veggies while also getting good amounts of protein. Really what I'm looking for in high protein foods is at least an equal protein to calorie ratio (1g of protein = 10 calories, and all of these products have that. You also have your eggs, nuts, peanut butter, etc. 

Sniffle, Tear

Sometimes, the tears just come in waves. And you don't know why exactly, but there's no use fighting it because that, honestly, just makes the headache worse.

Tonight I've got a case of something. Not sure what. But it's making me cry. No joke, my eyes are all swollen and my head hurts, and my nose is all stuffed up.

My mama is so good to me, just rubbing my head until I calm down. But then I start crying again, and I hate when she doesn't know I'm still crying so I try to stop.

I don't really know why I'm crying. That's okay. It's been a while since I just let it come.

I learned something important today, that I think a lot of people never quite understand: missing someone and grieving them/their absence is not the same thing.

Maybe I'm crying because I miss some people. Maybe I'm crying because I'm afraid they'll never know it, and because I feel that it's somehow not okay for me to tell them. Maybe I'm crying because I can only hope they miss me too. I don't know.
Maybe I'm crying because I'm overwhelmed by the love of my Jesus, and can't comprehend the entire extravagant meaning of this Easter holiday, and feel so unworthy.
Or I may just be hormonal and tired. You never know. ;)

I feel the need to share this small segment of my night, because I think a lot of people won't ever physically see this part of me. People just don't see me crying- I'm a happy person. I've cried a lot of tears in my life though, and I feel like people think it's wrong to cry, that it's wrong to feel sad. But I believe it's so important to be honest about how we're feeling because so many people cover it up and then wonder why nobody understands them or sees their hurt.

*Breathe* I guess I'll sleep good now! I'm worn out. But you have to cry sometimes or you'll just explode. Don't really have a point here, but what the heck, I needed a blog post anyway.

Goodnight,  everyone.

Question

I've always been a supporter of modesty.
Look in my closet and you will find a sufficient number of stylish shirts, sweaters, or jackets to cover up the not-always-appropriate spaghetti strap tank top.
I don't even own a crop top (but I'm considering buying one to go with my new maxi skirt because I have nothing else to finish the outfit).

I have not always understood everyone's extreme adherence to modesty, because let's be honest: it's pretty subjective, especially when it comes to swimwear.

During high school, I was part of a church where the friends I spent time with were held to a pretty high standard, over and above the 'please no bikinis'  when we would do anything with our youth group involving water games/activities. There were always extra clothes thrown on top of the existing one-piece or tankini.

Now before I state my question, know that I do own two bikinis as well as a tankini and a very cute one-piece, thank you very much. Because I only get invited to go swimming about two times each summer, these are rarely used. But, I can and will wear each one of them if I so choose.
Does that mean I'm not modest? You may think so. I'd argue with you about it if it was 100 degrees outside and there was no one else at the pool to bother looking at me.


Now, here's my question: why is it that guys are not encouraged to wear more modest swimwear, when we girls are expected to dress so that no one may struggle the problem of lust?

Isn't it entirely possible that when a hot guy walks around without his shirt on, a girl could find herself lusting too?

*I personally have no problem with guys not wearing shirts at the pool. I am definitely not complaining when Bradley Cooper's doppelganger walks past me in only swim trunks. But I also have good control over my thoughts, and can keep them from straying.

But really, why are guys held to a different standard?
I totally respect you and whatever you feel the need to wear at the pool or beach. But I don't think we have any reason to be judging each other. When we judge other people based on what they're wearing, that reveals a lot more about our heart and attitude than it will about theirs.