Most people who know me have figured out the fact that I don’t bake a lot. However, it is something that I have wanted to learn how to get better at, and lately, I am becoming a little bit more courageous about this new adventure. I usually leave the baking up to my daughter, who can whip up something in a minute. Yesterday’s adventure was oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
I was pleased with the result, and I had to force myself to stop after cookie number three. The flaxseed meal makes these cookies really moist on the inside. The bonus to making these cookies is that I had everything at home already.
Activity: Baking Oatmeal Chocolate Delights
Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
(1 1/2) cups of oatmeal
(1/4) cup of semi-sweet organic chocolate chips
(2) tablespoons of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water
(1 1/2) cups of flour
(1/4) cup of brown sugar
(2) teaspoons of vanilla extract
(1/4) cup of coconut oil
(1/4) cup of grapeseed and sunflower oil blend
(1/4) cup of sunflower seeds
(1) teaspoon of baking soda
(1/4) cup of vegan milk (soy, almond, etc.)
(1/4) cup of cinnamon
Directions:
Prepare two cookie sheets by greasing them with the grapeseed oil using a paper towel or optional, using parchment paper. (I ran out, so there was no option.)
Whisk together the flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, sunflower seeds, and baking soda in a bowl.
Mix together the brown sugar, vanilla extract, coconut oil, and vegan milk in another bowl.
Pour the brown sugar mixture into the dry mixture.
Add the grapeseed blend and stir.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Use a small cookie scoop to place the dough on the cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes.
Enjoy!
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!†–Isaiah 52:7
Towards the tail end of last week, I had what I described a surreal moment of God’s presence. The last time that I experienced something so profound was when I was in the midst of extreme physical illness about three years ago, and I literally felt like I was going to black out. I’d sat on my bed, criss-crossed, and lightheaded, and starting praying to God for help and deliverance.
The situation was so intense, that I laid hands on myself and prayed. I am not kidding you, sometimes desperate times calls for desperate measures. I remember asking God to please deliver me as he did the Hebrews boys in the fiery furnace, but if he didn’t deliver and heal here on Earth, then I knew that meant healing for me in heaven. I knew God was listening. Immediately, I heard a praise song in my head. It was literally like a radio playing in my head. Then, I felt God’s presence all around me, as if he was covering me with himself.
Fast forward back to last week, and to the point when I was working on a blog post, I could feel the presence of God all around me. It literally covered me from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet. After working for so long, I decided that I would go for a walk to the beach, and get some fresh air. His presence continued to cover me like a blanket. I watched the sunset, and enjoyed seeing the clear water, and communing with God. I walked home, and listened to gospel music, and had a worshiping good time in God’s presence.
Little did I know, God’s surreal presence last week was to assure me for this week that he had my back. It was the peace before this week’s storm. Thank you God for your love and protection, and giving us what we need when we need it.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.†– Psalm 46:10
My friend and I were out yesterday, and she started talking about how much she had a sweet tooth. Sweets sounded appealing to me. However, I know that I have to be careful with sweets, and that my best bet is to create something at home. That way, I can control how much sugar, honey, and salt is used. When I got home, I started thinking about an apple crisp that I made about a month and a half ago. I looked into the cabinets to see what I had, and I decided that I would make what I decided to call “Pear Crumble”. This baked good that only requires minimal prep time, takes about 45 to 50 minutes in the oven. As hoped, it hit the spot. There’s nothing worse than having your mouth set for something, and it doesn’t come out as expected, so that was a nice blessing. This crumble would serve as a nice topping for vanilla ice cream.
Activity: Baking Pear Crumble for Dessert
Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 70 minutes
Ingredients:
(2) cans of pears – $2.00
(1) .75 oz of cinnamon – $1.00
(1) box of oatmeal – $1.80
(1) pack of flour – $1.50
(1) bag of light brown sugar – $1.80
(1) jar of honey – $1.70
(1) container of butter or bottle of olive oil or vegan butter – $3.69
Total Cost: $ 13.49
Cost per day for two days: $6.75
Estimated Duration of Food: 1 day for a family of 4-6, 2 days for a family of 1-3
Directions:
Pour the pears into a small casserole pan.
Whisk one cup of flour, 3/4 cup of oatmeal, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a bowl.
Pour 1/4 cup of oil into the bowl and whisk.
Pour these ingredients on top of the pears and drizzle with honey on top.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes.
Enjoy!
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
A few days ago, I decided to make two of what I call a breakfast bread casserole. Sometimes I get in the mood of mixing different ingredients together to see how they come out, based upon several other meals that I cooked that were similar. This one turned out even better than I thought. I love the challenge of tweaking recipes to accommodate my daughter, who is vegan. What I realized is that there was not a whole lot of substitutions to make for this recipe. Instead of buying vegan and non-vegan bread, you can just use vegan bread, and call it a day. The meat and cheese are major substitutes of course. The only other substitute is using one tablespoon of flaxseed meal, mixed with two and half tablespoons of water in a bowl, per egg requirement. This is also a great substitute for baking, and if you are like me, and you have to watch the cholesterol for health reasons. Have a blessed week in the Lord! Happy cooking!
Activity: Cooking Two Bread Casseroles for Breakfast
Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 90 minutes
Ingredients:
(1) loaf of bread – $3.99
(1) pack of Fieldcrest vegan sausages – $4.99
(1) .75 oz of parsley flakes – $1.00
(1) .75 oz of onion powder – $1.00
(1) .75 oz of chili powder – $1.00
(1) .75 oz of oregano – $1.00
(1) pack of Pepperjack vegan cheese – $3.49
(1) pack of cheddar cheese – $1.88
(1) 16 oz. pack of ground turkey – $2.00
(1) carton of eggs – $0.88
(2) 13.5 oz can of cut spinach – $.75
(1) container of butter or bottle of olive oil or vegan butter – $3.69
(6) plum tomatoes -$2.00
(1) small bag of flax seed meal – $3.69
(1) non-dairy milk – $2.59
Total Cost for Breakfast Bread Casserole: $ 33.95
Cost per day for two days: $16.98
Cost per day for three days: $11.32
Estimated Duration of Food: 2-3 days for a family of 4-6, 5-6 days for a family of 1-3
Directions:
Place two casserole dishes on the table.
Put butter or oil into two separate skillets, and then place the meat inside both of them with the seasoning.
Cut up six tomatoes.
Drain the two cans of spinach.
Pour oil or butter into a third pan, placing the spinach and tomatoes inside afterwards.
Take eight slices of bread, and cut them into cubes.
Grab two medium-sized to large bowls, placing three cups of non-dairy vegan milk into both.
Place three eggs into one bowl, and three flaxseed mixtures into the other bowl. (Use one tablespoon of flaxseed meal and two and a half tablespoons of water and mix for each egg requirement.)
Use the meat as the first layer, spinach and tomato as the second layer, and sprinkle cheese on top.
Place the cubes of bread into both casserole pans.
Place another layer of cheese on top.
Pour the milk mixture into both casserole pans.
Place another layer of cheese on top.
Enjoy!
I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Just in case you haven’t figured it out by now, I love me some pasta. I decided to call this mixture “pasta goulash” because I took a mixture of some of everything that I had left in the fridge before it came time to go grocery shopping again, and made a meal out of it. The funny thing about it is that it actually came out pretty good, and I could taste the spices on each of the main ingredients separately. I hope that this recipe inspires you to make your own goulash of a meal. Enjoy! Have a blessed rest of your weekend.
Activity: Cooking Pasta Goulash for Dinner
Total Prepping and Cooking Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
(1) box of spaghetti – $.50
(1) jar of balsamic vinegar – $3.69
(1) .75 oz of parsley flakes – $1.00
(1) .75 oz of onion powder – $1.00
(1) .75 oz of chili powder – $1.00
(3) ears of corn – $1.00
(1) 13.5 oz can of cut spinach – $.75
(1) container of butter or bottle of olive oil or vegan butter – $3.69
(1) bag of mini red and golden yellow potatoes -$2.00
(1) bag of cello carrots – $.50
Total Cost: $ 18.82
Cost for two days: $9.41
Cost for three days: $6.27
Estimated Duration of Food: 2 days for a family of 4-6, 3 days for a family of 1-3
Directions:
Cut up 1/3 of the bag of gold and red mini potatoes into 4 wedges each.
Pour oil or butter over the potatoes, and sprinkle them with chili powder and parsley flakes.
Place them in the oven for about 40 minutes, or until nice and crisp.
Boil a pot of water, and then add spaghetti and oil to the boiling water.
Drain the can of spinach using a colander to remove excess liquid.
Cut the corn off the stalks, and place them into an oiled skillet.
Cut the cello carrots into spirals using a potato peeler or knife.
Place the carrots and spinach into the skillet with the corn, and sprinkle them with parsley flakes.
Drain the excess liquid off the pasta using the lid of the pot, colander, or strainer.
Place the potato wedges and all of the sauteed vegetables into the pot of spaghetti, adding oil and balsamic vinegar to the pot.
Enjoy!
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
About a year ago, I was looking out of the kitchen window, and I thought that what I was witnessing was a bird fight. Instead of it being a fight, it was more like bullying. Bullying among two birds. One robin decided that he wanted the other robin to leave the grass. (Granted there was more than enough room for both of them.) The second robin(victim) tried to stay there.
However, the first robin(victim), continued to peck him. The second robin went over to the bird bath to relax there. And what do you know? Mr. Bully came over there and pecked him until he left that area. Eventually the second robin flew into the happy face tree(someone literally drew a happy face on the tree itself), and stayed there for a while. This made the bully very happy.
Last week, I saw several birds in the backyard after it rained. No one had the bullying and victim title. They were all scavenging for food after it rained. They knew that there was more than enough to go around.
God revealed something to me in that very moment. Sometimes we are like the two birds from a year ago. We feel that we are not satisfied until we are the only star. We feel that there will not be enough of God’s grace, goodness, and mercy to go around. We think we have to fight in order to get the blessings, or there won’t be enough.
Other times, we are like the birds from last week, realizing that there is more than enough, God is the one who owns it all, and is running it all.
The earth is the Lord‘s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalms 24:1, KJV
Even with whatever talent it is that he has blessed us with, he has to tell the door to open and to close. Some of us will be blessed with a lot, and some of us will be blessed with little.
“O my people, listen as I speak. Here are my charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God! 8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.
9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. 10 For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.
13 Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? 14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.†Psalms 50:7-15, NLT
However, when we realize that there is more than enough for everybody, then we can look to God, rather than other people to receive the blessing.
Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Proverbs 15:16-17, KJV
Dear God,
We thank you for the gifts that you have blessed us with. We pray that you will help us to realize that we don’t have to worry about being threatened by anyone else, because you have blessed all of us with different gifts/talents that are unique to us. Please help us not to compete, but to work together for your glory.
When we were living at our last residence, I looked around my bedroom, and then I realized that the canvas painting on the wall didn’t match the theme of the rest of the room. As a matter of fact, it was totally off. I was in such survival mode for a while, that it had taken about a year for me to figure this out.
At first, I decided to take the painting to Goodwill. Then, my creative mind took over, and I thought that maybe I could upcycle the painting for a different purpose. I decided to make a memo/postcard/picture board, and was pleased with the results. Remembering that I had some extra burlap material left over, I held it up to the painting, and got to working. The blessing in all of this is that I had everything that I needed for this project at home already.
Activity: Recycling a canvas painting
Materials:
staples
stapler
any material from home
canvas painting from home
pushpins
Directions:
Cut the material if needed, and then completely cover the canvas painting with it.
Cut off any excess material, then fold and staple the ends of the material to the wood on the back of the canvas.
Place your pictures/memos/postcards onto your board with pushpins.
Voila! You’re done.
She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
Every now and then, we tend to have those bad days. When I say bad days, I am speaking of bad emotional days where you know that the only thing that you can do is to ride them out. Last week was one of those weeks. Praise God that this week is starting off better. Along with praying and reading God’s word, I took a walk to the beach, and let the sand and water run through my feet. I notice that for me, it tends to happen when I already have a few issues that I am dealing with, and then unfortunately, a few to several more are taking place. These are those days when I thank God for Lamentations 3: 22-24, which says:
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,†says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!†NKJV
This verse gives us hope in knowing that every morning we get a new set of mercies, and that although we feel like our state is going to last forever, it isn’t. God is gracious, and joy does come in the morning. Praise the Lord!
There are several things that I have found works for me when I am having a bad day:
Saturating myself in God’s word. Sometimes we have a favorite book of the bible, or a favorite verse that we can recite over and over.
Praying to God for relief and provision during this time. Sometimes I’ve literally laid my hands on myself, or laid out prostrate for God to break through, reciting his word back to him, and reminding him that he promises that his word would not return unto him void. I also pray and ask God to help me to get to the root of what is causing this if I am not 100% sure of the cause.
Getting outside for fresh air. It’s good for the adrenal glands, and an overall good feeling. If the sun is out, we get free Vitamin D.
Going for a walk. When we walk, our blood is flowing, oxygen is running through, and it gives our bodies an overall good feeling.
Taking an additional Vitamin D if needed.
Going out with friends and having a discussion about some of the issues that are going on, along with talking about things that you like to do that will help to lift your mood. Remember, we weren’t made to bear all of our burdens on our own.
If you live close to a beach or pond, watching the water gives a calming effect. Â
Journaling:Â Writing down a list of the things that you are dealing with, and going to God in your writing can also help release some of the weight.
Creativity:Â This could include painting, upcycling, poetry, scrapbooking, etc.
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.â€
There are a lot of things that happen in life that we are just not prepared for handling. As a matter of fact, if God revealed to us what was on the way, we’d take off running in the other direction. Sometimes one thing happens, and that one thing ends up changing your entire world for what you know it to be. That is what happened to Naomi. She was surprised by disappointment, and then surprised by provision.
Naomi and her husband Elimelech, and their two sons decided to leave Bethlehem and reside in Moab because of the famine. Instead of life getting better at this point, it got worse. Elimelech died. Their two sons found wives, and got married. Then their two sons died.
Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, since she heard that they had bread again. She figured that this might be a small sign of God’s provision. Naomi told her two daughter-in-laws to head back to their homelands so that they could find husbands, since she didn’t have anymore sons. Orpah left, but Ruth decided to stay:
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Ruth 1:16, KJV
When they returned back to Bethlehem, it was evident that Naomi was surprised by God’s provision:
So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?
And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.
I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. Ruth 1: 19-22, KJV
Neither Ruth nor Naomi had a clue that going back to Bethlehem would bring surprise provision itself. They went back for bread. God had a little bit more than bread waiting for them. He slowly began to reveal his plan.
Ruth went out to glean corn, and she met a man named Boaz. They had a conversation, and Boaz let on to Ruth that God was recompensing her work for her full diligence:
And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.
The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Ruth 2: 11-12, KJV
When Ruth arrived back home, Naomi questioned her about the food. Ruth told her that she had met a man by the name of Boaz. Naomi knew this was good news:
And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.
Ruth 2: 20, KJV
According to the law, a kinsmen could be the redeemer if a relative died. In this case, since Boaz was a kinsmen, he could redeem the land that belonged to Elimelech and his two sons. However, there was a kinsmen even closer than Boaz. This meant that he had first pick. This relative didn’t want to forfeit his own inheritance. Therefore, Boaz became the kinsmen redeemer.
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
Ruth 4: 9-10, KJV
Surprise!
What a surprise! The women encouraged Naomi, telling her that God hadn’t forgotten about her:
And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.
And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.
Ruth 4: 14-15, KJV
My Story
At the age of 25, I had my surprise disappointment as well. I was pregnant with my first child, and I worked all the way up to the day before delivery. At the time, I was the breadwinner for the household, and I had all of the family health insurance in my name. My son had his days and nights mixed up, and so for almost six weeks, I had between two to three hours of consecutive sleep during the night. I was at the point of extreme exhaustion, and I could tell that my blood pressure was up.
This was confirmed when the home nurse came out to check on me. As soon as she checked my blood pressure, she knew that it was from lack of sleep. Four days before my six weeks was up, my son started sleeping through the night for four consecutive hours. However, I need that I would need two extra weeks of this before returning to work, or else my health would plummet.
I called my job, and requested an additional two weeks off. I was informed that if i didn’t come back right away, then I would be considered as having abandoned my job. I hung up the phone, and then wrestled with what to do. With $50 left to my name, and no emergency money, this was a hard call. However, I also knew that if they were like this about my health, then they would definitely be like this about my son’s health as well. I decided not to go back, not sure of how I would make it.
Surprise
My son was almost 3 months old when I took him to his three month checkup. After the appointment, I decided to visit my old job, which was five minutes away. I got caught up with everyone, and my old boss asked me when I would return to work. I told my old boss what happened, and he said, ” Just like that?”. I replied, ” Yes, just like that. End of story.” We laughed, and he asked me what I thought of working for him again. I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious. What a surprise!
Within two weeks, I was back to working again. In the beginning, I worked a five day week, then a 10 hour four-day week while my son was little, before moving on to a different job. I didn’t know, but God knew that his divine providence was waiting for me at this place. All I had to do was to go and get it. Talk about Jesus working it out with provision!
Dear God,
We thank you for your surprise providence. Thank you for helping us to step out on faith, even when we are not sure what you have in store for us.
Sometimes we are so busy doing things in the house, running around with the kids, and taking care of business, that we forget to take a break, and really soak in the air, the animals, flowers, and all of God’s creations. This morning, I was busy doing things in the house, and I decided right then and there that I would stop what I was doing, and get some photography in outside. It was literally a breath of fresh air.
Last year, as the peonies were blooming, I decided that I would go out and take pictures, and bring a few flowers inside. That never happened. By the time that I finally decided that I would do it, they were already dying. I had waited too long. I was waiting for the perfect moment. This really made me sad, since photography is something that I enjoy. Waiting for the perfect moment can cause us to miss out on the right now, filled with simplicity and God’s perfect grace for today.
Unfortunately, the roses didn’t bloom this year. This was also sad. However, God blessed me with six more flowers to plant within the last three weeks. Don’t forget to get out today, even if it’s just fifteen minutes. Have a blessed rest of your week!
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 40:8
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