A Mosaic of Possibilities by Brittney Hallenbeck

This week, I'm pleased to introduce Brittney Hallenbeck blogging about giving back to her new community.
A Mosaic of Possibilities

A few months ago, my husband and I packed up and moved from Denver, Colorado, to
On the job at Delta Airlines.
I take healthy meals on trips with me.
his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa. I was really nervous to leave Colorado. I didn't know anyone in Iowa, and with my job as a flight attendant, meeting friends is hard. Really hard.

So, I decided to try and find a way to fit into the community. I started looking up volunteer opportunities. I figured I could work at a soup kitchen every so often, just to keep me busy on my days off. Well, God (as always) had other plans for me. 

Cooking in high school.
I was always in the kitchen.
I knew from a young age that I loved to cook. It wasn't until I got older that I realized I was actually good at it. It was something I did for myself, but also something I wanted to share with others.

The first place to get back to me was Mosaic, a non-profit organization that helps intellectually disabled adults live a full life. This means getting them out of group homes, figuring out where their skills and passions are, and helping them find jobs and activities within the community. 


Seeing as I never really had many interactions with intellectually disabled
individuals, I was confused why God put me with Mosaic. What on earth could I offer them? 

At a luncheon meeting with Mosaic's Public Relations Specialist, Katie, we came up with a plan. I'd teach a healthy cooking class at least once a month. 

I was absolutely blown away with the encouragement and confidence Katie had in me. I taught my first class recently to two wonderful young ladies who are served by Mosaic. 


We made stuffed zucchini boats (recipe below) which has all the "fixings" you'd put in a pasta dish, but with a healthy twist. This recipe calls for ground turkey, organic pasta sauce, mushrooms, garlic, onion and no pasta. We topped our boats with shredded skim mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan. 

The girls instantly took to the entire process, although one was a little shy at first. They enjoyed browning the turkey, hollowing out the zucchinis, mixing Italian herbs into the cooked turkey, and making salad dressing from scratch.      

God calls us to serve one another humbly (Galatians 5:13). For a long time, I've been trying to figure out where I fit in this world. I spent several years just living for myself and fulfilling my own needs. But I knew in my heart that wasn't what I was supposed to be doing. I knew I could do more ... make a bit of a difference. 

Mosaic is a wonderful organization that helps everyone, even those without intellectual disabilities, find a purpose. They helped me find mine. 

I'm grateful God led me to a place where I can use the gifts he gave me. 

If you'd like to read more on Mosaic, their website is www.mosaicinfo.org 
This faith based organization serves the intellectually challenged in locations all across the United States.

Love,
Brittney

"But through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13

(Brittney shares healthy recipes on her FB page Galley Delights. Stop by and "like" her!)
Stuffed Zucchini

4 green zucchini, washed, cut in half length-wise, and hollowed out. Reserve pulp in a separate bowl, squeezing out as much moisture as possible.
1 small yellow onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
Italian seasoning taste
Sea salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 pound ground turkey
1 jar organic pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded skim mozzarella
Shaved parmesan

Preheat oven to 325. Line baking pan with tin foil and place zucchini halves on pan. 
On stove, cook onion, garlic and seasonings in olive oil until onions are translucent. 
Add turkey and zucchini pulp. 
Once turkey is cooked, add enough sauce to cover. Stir. Mix in mozzarella.
Spoon mixture into zucchini shells.
Bake for 20 minutes or until zucchini is softened. 
Sprinkle with shaved parmesan and broil until melted.
Serve hot and enjoy!


Comments

  1. Sharon HornJune 29, 2016 at 3:43 PM

    Love this, Brittney (and Denise). It is always amazing how God uses us in ways we never consider or think possible. And the joy that comes with it.... Can't wait to hear some stories in the weeks and months ahead, Brit!

    ReplyDelete

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