SEVEN - Intro/Food

I'm still unpacking a lot of information.  Even as I move on into the Clothes Week.  The introduction began addressing the idea of excess - as best you can with words anyway.  It also gave a little background on fasting - which I found very interesting.  I've been a Christian for 23 years now, and I've never participated in a fast (except for a 12 hour selfish stint in college that doesn't count).  How have I missed a pretty important part of the 'culture'?

Anywaaaaay, I read Crazy Love by Francis Chan a couple of years ago.  I also did Beth Moore's study Daniel (which makes a convincing case that we're living in a modern day Babylon).  All of this information was kind of blurring together in my head as I thought about excess.

A couple of things stick out in my head.  I am rich.  I don't consider myself rich.  I don't 'feel' rich (which kind of makes me ill when I consider all my creature comforts compared to some).  But there it is.  If I really understand this it changes something in my brain and effects my choices.  I'm still unpacking this.  Have been for a couple of years.  But, quite frankly, it's not going away.

Secondly, fasting has so many facets.  Reasons for it (mourning, inquiry, repentance, preparation, crisis, worship).  But, my favorite quote from the Intro week (or maybe it was the Food week) was this,

'It's interesting to watch God's movement after the famous fasts in Scripture; they positioned His people for a breakthrough so often.  What wasn't possible, suddenly was.  What wouldn't move, came unstuck.  What hadn't worked, finally did.  What was totally blurry, became crystal clear.'

A general consensus in Bible study has been this.  We all want to make more space for Jesus.  All of us feel too busy, too distracted.  And I can say already that fasting from 'stuff' has already allowed for us to hear from Him.  I will try to share what I've learned after each week.  There's already so much.  But, before I move on I'll share one other thing that is getting to me.  As Jen points out, the Bible is very clear, wherever our treasures are, our hearts will be also. 

As I continue to fast, as I consider to read scripture on how serious this is to God, how important this was to Jesus, I have to keep reevaluating my treasures.  Babylon has crept in more than I knew.  And it's sickening.  It's potentially spiritually crippling.  How have I been overlooking this?  It's crazy to me, it reminds me of a book or a movie (that may or may not actually exist) where the main character suddenly becomes aware of their actual surroundings as opposed to what/where they had perceived themselves to be.  As always, drawing near to God (the whole point of a fast) is always so humbling.

So, food week went...... well. Also, like the author, I discovered that I totally want what I want, when I want it.  The end.  My food choices have so much less to do with health and wellness and sustenance and all that.  So, much more to do with 1. what sounds good and 2. what will make me look good.  There it is.

But, I will share with you what I journaled at the end of the week.

The actual abstinence from other foods was fairly easy - I felt as though God was saying, 'See?  My yoke is easy.  Slow down.  Enjoy Me, make space for me, and everything else will fall into place.'

At the same time, I was surprised by how much I'd been snacking and relying on food.

I don't want to lose the empty space - I was more patient, more focused, I don't want to go back!

I was disappointed that I didn't pray more - I still feel tongue-tied and I was hoping this would 'break the chains.'  But, God showed me where the tongue-tied' is coming from and that there's work/healing to be done there...

I PRIDE myself on not doing a lot of shopping - clothes, shoes, etc. - non-grocery items.  But instead I found a way to make grocery shopping much more complicated and shop-esque than it needed to be...complicated, extensive meals...

I have no idea if this makes sense to anyone but me.  I was blown away by the response from God while fasting.  I said earlier 'as best you can with words anyway'.  Fasting, so far, has been incredibly rewarding.  He has responded and it has felt much like it has something to do with moving away from the excess.  The actual taking action of it.

Before this fast, God was focusing on grace.  I have been 'striving' (Captivating by John and Stacy Eldredge), trying so hard to do so many things well (wife, mother, cook, etc...)  And being who I perceived God wanted me to be was getting increasingly and increasingly difficult.  Not to mention, there were plenty of casualties on a regular basis.  Beth Moore's simulcast also fell under this category of living.  Within day one of the food fast God made it not about the food.  Love Him.

In an area that I have been seeking understanding and change God revealed something that needs healing.  Through the fast I was better able to see choices I've been making to which I was completely oblivious.  Health, finances, family - He answered so completely in week one.  I am so thankful.  He is so kind. 

I feel as though by the end of this I will be undone completely.

Strawberry Jam

I made my own jam!!  And it was so so easy!!  I'll tell you what I did, but from what I understand you can use any fruit.  Aldi had strawberries on sale for 99 cents ; )

1 2/3 cups strawberries (washed, hulled, and crushed one layer at a time)
2/3 cups sugar
2 T instant freezer pectin

Mix the pectin and sugar together.  Add the strawberries and mix for 3 minutes.  Add to jelly jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace and let set for 30 minutes. Refrigerate or freeze.

Weighty Thing

I keep forgetting to record this, and I really don't want to let it slide by...

This summer at the pool Powell was at the 'baby pool' where my nephew and other son were, playing with some friends.  One of the boys, bigger than my nephew who's 2 and smaller than my son, who's 7, started in on my nephew (pushing).  I had barely had time to take a step in that direction and open my mouth, when here comes Powell.  He was so fast.  I do not know how to explain to you how this took my breath away.  It was such a, well, man thing to do.  And he handled it so well!  He slipped between the two of them so fast to prevent another hand being laid.  And he didn't raise his own hands in response.  He just told the child to stop (this other child was a friend of mine's and in no way was acting out of order for a 4 year old - I don't want you to get the wrong idea).

Anyway, his chest was all puffed up and it just reminded me, as I am reminded periodically, that we're raising a little man, My Man and I.  And it's such a weighty thing.  Teaching a boy when to stand up for someone.  How to be smart about it.

I was so proud of him.

Beth Moore... geesh girl.

Can I just say, how?  How does she keep bringing a fresh word that hits me right where I am every. single. time.??  I mean, I know there's, like, a lot of material she's pulling from, but goodness. 

So, my I-had-four-babies-in-six-years brain cannot summarize the simulcast I attended on Sunday for you.  Sorry, not gonna happen.  But, it was awesome.  I believe she just hit on a major chord for a lot of us. 

So, my plan is to share my notes.  If they don't make sense that makes sense.  Maybe I will be able to review them when necessary and they will make sense to me.  Ha!

Also, you should also know that I attended this simulcast about grace and started my new study Seven in the same week - and God is marrying the two.  He's amazing.  But you already knew that.

NOTES:
Charis - grace, causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit.

Absolutely free expression - unearned and unmerited favor - changes new without changing individuality

Romans 5;2
elicit a reaction

1. Something's in our lives need to hear a loud No Longer!
2. The power to live out a lasting no longer can't be found under the law.

You are not under law but under grace.

Ephesians 4:32

(insert 'grace test' that I failed miserably and picked my nails during after which Beth actually referenced 'nail-biting')

There's a law of Moses and then there's a law of ME.

2 Thess 3:14, Titus 3:10, Matthew 18:17

Romans 5:5  This hope will not disappoint us. 
Disappoint - to fail to meet an expectation
what God begets He will not regret
Hebrews 10:35 Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

3. It's time we no longer see our lives under any heading but GRACE.

The more self aware we are the less we like ourselves.

Whatever we try to add to grace we subtract from God.

1 John 4:13

Self condemnation comes from trying to be approved by works.

Grace waits with healing in His wings when we're too mad to pray.

Romans 4

John 1:16-17

Romans 5:20

4. It's also time we quit trying to resuscitate the old dead us.

Write your obituary for your old dead self.

Gal. 4:4-7

5. Let's trade our no longer worthy for I'm no longer the same.

Romans 5:15
Heb. 5:9
Luke 18

6. We will see the face of Grace and need grace to bear the beauty.

St. Augustine - late have I loved you...

Sunday ; )

Seven

I'm starting a new Bible Study.  And it's a fast.  I think I've probably mentioned Jen Hatmaker before.  She cracks me up.  This is her study The 7 Experiement.  For 9 weeks I will be fasting from 7 different things, one week at a time.  I'm sure you'll be hearing about it from time to time. 

 

Just in the intro week right now, but the first week is food.  This is not going to be easy ; )  But, the idea, as with any fast, is to grow closer to God.  Realize my reliance on Him.  With this particular study I'm hoping to clean out and make SPACE for Him.  More to come...

 

Peach Upside Down Cake

So I made this once.  And it was delicious.  But it fell out in pieces when I flipped it over, so I pretty much ate it with a fork and then made something else....  But, I didn't do it by myself, so don't judge.

Peach Upside Down Cake
from the great David Lebovitz

3 tbsps unsalted butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar
3-4 large peaches, peeled and sliced thick (like 3/4-inch thick)
cake
8 tbsps unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (210 g) flour
1 1/2 tsps baking powder, aluminum-free
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (125 ml) whole milk, room temperature

You can use a 10-inch cast iron skillet or a 9-inch cake pan for this recipe, although David does not recommend using a spring form pan (because you’re caramelizing butter and sugar which will likely leak and make a huge mess – like everywhere). I used a 12-inch cast iron skillet (I don’t have a 10-inch) and it worked just fine, although I would have preferred a little more cake to go with the fruit.

Place 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and the light brown sugar in your skillet or cake pan over high heat and stir until the sugar has melted. It should begin to bubble, at which point you should remove it from the heat and let it cool. Place the peach slices down in the pan in a radial pattern (just make it look nice). Preheat the oven to 350°F while you make the cake batter. Beat the 8 tablespoons of butter and sugar together until they are fluffy. Beat in the vanilla, then beat an egg in until smooth and repeat for the last egg. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together.

Stir half of the dry ingredients into the batter. Stir in the milk. Then stir in the rest of the dry ingredients until just mixed (don’t overmix the batter). Pour the batter over the peaches in the pan, spreading it around to nooks and crannies in the fruit.

Bake 45-60 minutes or until the edges of the cake pull from the sides and the center is not gooey. Take the pan out of the oven and let cool 20 minutes. Flip the cake onto a plate. It’s best to do this by setting the plate on the pan and, while wearing oven mitts, inverting the pan onto the plate. The cake should release, but beware of caramelized sugar that could both burn you and make a mess. Serve warm. Serves 8-10.

Avocado Ranch!

Avocado dressing to replace ranch!  I love this!  We go through ranch like, well, Americans.  So here is one more way we can cut a few more preservatives OUT!  ; )

1 large avocado
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt

Sandwich Bread

So, I've been making our sandwich bread.  And I haven't been totally satisfied with the results... and neither is anyone else for that matter...  Not that they grumble a lot, but I'm aware. 

 

I decided to check my favorite source for these things - pinterest, of course (it's like the smartest moms everywhere convening in one place!).  Now I have a wealth of recipes to try.  However, after trying this one, we'll have to see if it's even necessary - I just love how beautiful this bread is!

 

details to come

Fall Table

I usually set my table in the fall, because we don't use it often and I host Bible study and it's an easy place to decorate and it's festive ; )

 

So, I did a quick search on pinterest and pinned everything I liked.  When I reviewed, I kept thinking hey, I have something like that.  So, I put it all together and liked it so much I decided to post it.  You're welcome.

 

Lola's Performance

So, Christopher came down with a 102.7 fever Friday night : (  Thankfully, it lasted 24 hours and broke.  But we couldn't take him to the football game with us to watch Lola.  My Man, selfless as he is, stayed home with little man so I could be there for Lola.

I wish you could have seen his face when he saw the pictures and video.  Pretty priceless.  Proud.  Terrified.  Rueful. ; ) 

Even in the pictures you can see how much fun she had.  Then there was the little dance at the end.  In my own words, she came alive when the music started.  There was hip popping.  As a cheerleader myself, once upon a time, I thoroughly enjoyed watching her.  She had a blast.

We will continue to train her in the way she should go and trust in God's promises.  For now, I'm going to enjoy the ride ; )

 I have never seen this little head tilt.  Cracking me up.  I think it came with the ribbons and ponytail ; )

 And the posing continues.  Where did it come from?

 Love this.

 Love this smile, just for me

This was during the dance

Homemade Creamer

Love this!  Let me just say that I'm a sucker for creamer...  if there's a new flavor I want to try it.  And My Man says I like coffee with my creamer.  Soooo, when I started cutting out artificial products I couldn't very well make everyone else do it and keep my creamer... 

And then someone, bless them, posted this on facebook. And now I can try as many flavors as I want to experiment with. So far I've had cinnamon vanilla (yum, but don't miss the 'warm up' instruction at the bottom) and coconut, of course ; )

For whatever flavor of creamer you want, you start off with the same basic ‘base’ recipe.

14oz can sweetened condensed milk
14 oz milk or cream (whole, lowfat, skim, almond, soy, heavy cream, half & half etc – whatever your preference, however the more fat, the more creaminess - just fill up your empty can!)

Mix the ingredients together well. Add them to a mason jar and shake it like crazy or you could also opt to use an old (washed) creamer container.


French Vanilla Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR vanilla coffee syrup

Vanilla Bean Coffee Creamer
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste

Chocolate
2-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
(1 tsp vanilla extract, optional)

Chocolate Almond
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon almond extract

Strudel
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Vanilla Caramel
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Chocolate Raspberry
2 teaspoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons raspberry syrup

Irish Cream
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon instant coffee
1-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Coconut
2 teaspoons coconut extract

Samoa (like the Girl Scout Cookies)
2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut, heated & strained, for the milk/cream)
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping

Peppermint Patty
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon peppermint extract

Cinnamon Vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Pumpkin Spice
3 tablespoons pureed pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Honey Vanilla
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Almond Joy
1-2 teaspoons coconut extract (or sub coconut milk or cream of coconut if you heat it first, strained, in place of the milk & extract)
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Sweet Cream
Use 1 3/4 cups of heavy cream instead of the milk in the base recipe
2 teaspoons vanilla extract OR the inside of a vanilla bean, scraped
1 teaspoon almond extract

Chocolate Orange
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1-2 teaspoons orange extract

Hazelnut
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Chocolate Hazelnut
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
2 teaspoons hazelnut extract

Cinnamon Cake
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Salted Caramel
2-3 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping
1/2 teaspoon salt

Eggnog
replace milk in base recipe with equal amount of heavy cream
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons rum extract
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Toasted Almond
2 teaspoons almond extract

Directions & Tips:
In all these recipes, anything that has a dry or thick ingredient (like cinnamon, honey, etc..) should be heated up with a small amount of your milk/cream from the base recipe so it can dissolve properly. You don’t want grainy creamer! Then, add the rest of the milk/cream along with the sweetened condensed milk.

If you want really creamy creamer, use heavy cream instead of milk in your base recipe.

Strawberry Fluff!!!

A friend whom I greatly admire brought this to our home this summer - and it was gone within 24 hours!!  My Man and I kept sneaking in the fridge alternately to get another 'small' serving.  So light and fluffy.... goes down so easily....

Strawberry Fluff
1 3 oz pkg strawberry jello
1 3 oz pkg jello tapioca
2 c water
1 pkg frozen/fresh strawberries
1 8 oz cool whip

Combine jello and tapioca with water - bring to a boil, boil 1 minute.  Chill until it starts to thicken good.  Add strawberries and cool whip.

Lola the Cheerleader, Blueberry Biscuits, Breakfast Enchiladas, and Pancake Squares

Well, school is in full swing, and as always happens, I'm ready for cooler fall weather to go with it.  We have swam and sweated and run and played and now I would like sweaters and campfires, and smores and pumpkin lattes.  

Lola has started soccer (which My Man coaches) and Powell has started football (which is new).  This week in particular Lola is participating in the mini cheer clinic and is sooooo super excited.  She will perform at the halftime of the varsity football game Friday and it's killing me. ; )  As anti-girly girl as Nana can be (she actually told me that she wasn't the type of girl to wear animal print leggings the other day), Lola is just as pro-girly girl.  I cannot wait to see her cheer - she was absolutely glowing with excitement yesterday when I picked her up.

before school and day two of cheer clinic this morning

 

 

Another thing I enjoy doing in the fall is...cooking.  I think I say that every season.  Anyway, I'm trying very hard to minimize as much pre-manufactured food as I can.  I've been doing a lot of cooking from scratch.

 

One of the things we have cut back on is cereal.  While we really tried to stick to the healthier cereals, they were still packed full of preservatives and unnecessary sugar.  So, I'd like to add a few more recipes to my index that I have been using and will be using quite a bit in the future.  First off, I have a blueberry lover in the house....

 

Blueberry Biscuits

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1/3 cup white sugar

5 tablespoons of butter

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3 ounces of fresh or dried blueberries

 

glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1/8 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

 

Preheat your oven to 450°F. In a large, bowl add and mix the salt, sugar, flour and baking powder. Add cold milk and blueberries to the dry ingredients and mix.  Remove the butter from your freezer and break it into chunks. Spread the frozen powdered chunks evenly over your biscuit dough. Fold the blueberry biscuit dough and knead. Repeat this until all the butter chunks are spread evenly throughout the dough. Place or do on a floured surface and roll in about 1/4 to 1/8 inches thick. Using a biscuit cutter cut approximately 6 biscuits from the dough. Bake your biscuits for approximately 7 to 12 min.

 

 

 

Breakfast Enchiladas

This is a new family favorite at the lake, thanks to my SIL.  I love make ahead casseroles that I can just pop in the oven in the morning!

 

Breakfast Enchiladas

2 cups diced cooked ham (I used sausage)

1 bell pepper, diced

8 green onions, finely sliced

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

10 eight-inch flour tortillas

6 eggs

2 cups half-and-half

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

 

Lightly spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.

 

In large bowl, stir together ham, bell pepper, green onions and 1 cup of the cheese. Place 1/3 cup of the ham mixture down the center of each tortilla; roll up and place seam side down in baking dish.

 

In large bowl, whisk eggs, half-and-half, flour and the salt. Pour over the tortillas. Cover then bake or refrigerate overnight to be baked in the morning.

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). If made ahead of time, uncover baking dish. Scatter the remaining cup of cheese over enchiladas. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Uncover, and then bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until set and cheese melted.

 

 

Pancake Squares

This is fabulous!  I just whip up the buttermilk pancake recipe I've used so long it's memorized and pour it in a 9x13!  Bake 20-25 minutes at 350.  The kids love it, I don't have to stand at the griddle while they cook and it's easier to serve!  All of the kids can cut up their own (major time saver around here :)

 

Buttermilk Pancake Recipe