You are kind, smart and important

Vegan Substitutes that are mmmm... So Good!

Cream Sauce recipes:  Instead of cream and cheeses with butter, use 1 cup soy milk, 1 cup vegetable stock and pureed white beans.  You will receive 25% of your daily intake of fiber and reduce calories.
Gravy:  Ladel your favorite vegan sweet potato soup over your mashed potatoes.  This adds much needed betacarotene to your diet, as well as boosting the nutrient content.
Pesto: Instead of using cheese, substitute avacado instead.  This creamy, delicious addition will add vitamin E to your diet, as well as a boost of antioxidants.
Quick Breads:  If you have any quick bread recipe that requires sour cream, add coconut milk instead.  Coconut milk has half of the calories and fat of sour cream, and adds more flavor.  I especially like using coconut milk in banana bread recipes! 
Rice: Quinoa!  Boost your antioxidant, iron, calcium,and protein intake with this one switch!


"You is kind.  You is smart.  You is important."
                 - from the book The Help

Stewed Baby Artichokes with Fava Beans and Peas
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 spring onions, trimmed and quartered OR 12 scallions trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
6 baby artichoke hearts, cut into quarters
1 cup fresh fava or lima beans
1 cup fresh or frozen peas
salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 fresh tarrragon sprig

     Put the oil in a large, flameproof casserole dish and place over medium high heat with the lid on.  Add the onions and cook, until wilted only.  One at a time, add each vegetable, stirring each for 1-2 minutes at a times.  Add the salt and pepper, stock, and tarragon at the end.  Turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for a 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.  This is a wonderful italian dish that is delicious mixed with penne pasta or served as a side dish.

                        December
A little girl is singing for the faithful to come ye
Joyful and triumphant, a song she loves,
And also the partridge in a pear tree
And the golden rings and the turtle doves.
In the dark streets, red lights and green and blue
Where the faithful live, some joyful, some troubled,
Enduring the cold and also the flu,
Taking the garbage out and keeping the sidewalk shoveled.
Not much triumph going on here- and yet
There is much we do not understand.
And my hopes and fears are met
In this small singer holding onto my hand.
     Onward we go, faithfully, into the dark
     And are there angels hovering overhead? Hark!            
                                  - Gary Johnson

Take this heart

Rice Noodles with Broccoli Almond Pesto
     
1 head of broccoli
6 TBSP toasted almonds
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 minced garlic clove
2 TBSP lemon juice
coarse salt and pepper
Rice noodles

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Steam one head of broccoli florets along with chopped stems until bright green; about two minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon and roughly chop the florets.  Puree the remaining stems along with the almonds, basil leaves, garlic, and lemon juice.   Add the olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper.  Return the water to a boil and cook the rice noodles.  Drain the noodles, saving one cup of the noodle water.  Add the broccoli and the pesto to the noodles, adding a bit of the water until creamy.  Season with salt and pepper.  This is delicious, aromatic and and a simple way to eat your vegetables!

Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don't make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticize
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss


Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart
Take this heart
Take this heart
And make it break
         - Yahweh, by U2

U2's "Yahweh" Live from Chicago

A Cheerful Giver

Roasted Winter Squash Salad

1 pound cooked winter squash, cut into 1 inch chunks and skin removed 

                     4 celery stalks

1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup dried currants or dried figs

2/3 cups beer

2 tsp dijon-style mustard

2 TBSP cider vinegar

3 TBSP olive oil

1 and 1/2 tsp honey

1/4 tsp sea salt

     Make a dressing by whisking together the beer, mustard, vinegar, olive oil, honey and salt.  Toss the squash in a large bowl with half the dressing.  Allow to sit for a few minutes, then add the celery, red onion, and figs, saving a little of each to sprinkle on top of the salad.  Add the rest of the dressing just prior to serving.  



      Christmas is a time for celebrating with family and friends.  Usually, the food is rich and unhealthy, but ever so tasty!  During this time of feasting, take smaller portions.  Limit your intake of alcohol, fat, and sugars. Ensure balanced portions of vegetables and fruit, along with all the Christmas food.   If you feel healthier at night and when rising in the morning, you can better function for your family, not to mention keep off that holiday five pounds.

    "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
                                                                               - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

    Think about all that God has given you and be generous.  Invest your time, talents, gifts, and love in others and watch how hearts will change.  

Pay it Forward

Spinach and Pine Nuts
The perfect, healthy, 10-minute side dish

3 pounds spinach
2 tsp olive oil
2 TBSP toasted pine nuts ( 10 minutes in a 300 degree oven, stirring twice)
1-2  tsp minced garlic (I always use more)
freshly ground pepper to taste

    Wash the spinach.  Cook the damp spinach in a skillet on high heat until the leaves just begin to wilt.  Remove the spinach.  Heat the oil in the skillet over medium heat.  Add the pine nuts, garlic and spinach, cooking for about two minutes.  My entire family loves this side dish.  For lunch, I even place this on an open-faced sandwich, adding other vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and onions.  


   

 Simple acts of kindness during this very busy season can remind others of the joy and hope in this world.  A simple smile, a door held open, a greeting, a helpful hand- all are such simple gifts but have a huge impact on people.  If they in turn pay it forward, think of what a better world this will be.

     " I thank my God every time I remember you.  
 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy..."
                                        - Philippians 1:3-4
 

Blessed is the Season

Chocolate Poached Pears 
(perfect for Christmas parties, or just special family dinners)

1 cup white sherry
1 cup unrefined sugar                          6 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and stem intact
2 cups water                                        1   pints vanilla ice cream ( I use coconut milk ice cream)
1/2 vanilla bean, split in half                chocolate sauce (See below)
juice of one lemon

In a one quart pan, combine the sherry, sugar, water, vanilla bean, and lemon juice and simmer on low heat.  Arrange the pears in the syrup, cover and poach for 20 minutes.  You want the pears to be tender, but firm when pierced.  Chill both the pears and the liquid together until cool.  Prior to serving, drizzle with the chocolate sauce:

Chocolate Sauce:

2 TBSP butter (Yes, butter.  It is a must in this decadent sauce!)
3/4 cups unrefined sugar
2 oz unsweetened chocolate
3 and 1/2 TBSP corn syrup
1/3 cup boiling water
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Melt the butter and chocolate in a heavy saucepan over low heat.  Add the boiling water and stir well.  Stir in the sugar and corn syrup until smooth.  Boil 10 minutes without stirring.  Remove from the heat and cool 10 minutes.  Stir in the vanilla.   Serve drizzled over the pears and ice cream in fancy dishes!

     Did you know that you can save quite a bit of money and have a better quality product by making your own vanilla?  Buy 4-5 vanilla beans and one large jug of CHEAP vodka.  You will need a glass bottle or a canning jar with a tight fitting lid.  Split the vanilla beans in half, and place them in the jar.  Pour vodka on top until the beans are covered.  Allow to sit for 6 months and you have delicious, ready to use vanilla!  I started making this about two months ago, so will start a new batch shortly.


"There's no business like snow business, like no business I know..."
                                                          - Sandra Boynton

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!"
                                                          - Hamilton Wright Mabie

This City

My city of Boyne Falls, Michigan

Perfect Guacamole
Combine in a large bowl:
3 avocados, mashed into chunks
2 TBSP fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup fresh chopped fresh tomatoes
1 TBSP finely chopped green onion
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1 tsp seasoned salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp chili powder

Enjoy!




     I have been so excited to see women from all over the world following this blog!  I encourage each one of you to make an impact in your family and in your schools and your cities.  Make an impact by loving and caring for your neighbors, being patient with bosses and children, and sharing your faith, the only hope in this hopeless world.   Cover your city with prayer as we all walk together along this journey of life.

You're the God of this city,
  You're the King of these people,
  You're the Lord of this nation
          You Are
 You're the light in this darkness,
   You're the hope to the hopeless
   You're the peace to the restless
           You Are
 There is no one like our God
 Greater things have yet to come
 And greater things are still be done in this city

Chris Tomlin's "God of this City"

Peace

Cran-Apple Quinoa
1 cup dry quinoa
1 and 1/2 cups mulled Cran-Apple cider, or plain apple cider
1/2 cup plus 2-4 TBSP water
1/2 vegetable bouillon cube
1/8 tsp sea salt
3 TBSP dried cranberries, or 1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 cup nuts/seeds of choice

Rinse the quinoa in cold water.  In a saucepan, combine the quinoa, cider, water (1/2 cup), bouillon cube, salt and fresh cranberries.  Bring to a boil on high heat, reduce and cover for 15 minutes.  If the quinoa needs longer to cook, add a bit of water and cook for a bit longer.  When cooked, turn off the heat and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, adding the dried cranberries at this point, if you are not using fresh cranberries.  Stir in the nuts.  Pistachios or pine nuts are perfect.


     "A day will come when war will seem absurd...when the only fields of battle 
       will be markets opening to trade and minds opening to ideas..."
                                                              - Victor Hugo, speaking to a European Peace Congress, 1849

     "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  
      Not as the world gives do I give to you.  
      Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
                                                                - John 14:27

Christmas celebrates the birth of the child who brings peace and hope to all mankind.

Build Others Up

Lemony Cashew-Basil Pesto on Pasta
1 large clove garlic
3 TBSP freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 tsp dry mustard
1 TBSP water
3/4 tsp sea salt
freshly ground pepper to taste
2 TBSP olive oil
1 cup plus 2 TBSP raw cashews
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 pound pasta of choice

     In a food processor, combine the garlic, lemon juice, mustard, salt, pepper, oil, water, and puree until smooth.  Add the cashews and the basil and puree only until small, textured bits remain.  Cook pasta according to the package.  When the pasta is done, save one cup of the pasta water.  Toss the pasta with the pesto, and if the pasta seems dry, add a bit of the pasta water one TBSP at a time.  Season with salt and pepper and drizzled oil.  Mmmmmm.... I typically add steamed broccoli or asparagus tips to this dish.

     "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
   but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
   that it may benefit those who listen."
                                                                   - Ephesians 4:29

     This week, try to be gracious when you open your mouth.
     Seek ways to build others up.
     Encourage.
     Give.
     Even if they don't deserve it.

Beautiful Saints

Creamy Basil Dressing

1/4 cup almond milk

1/4 cup raw almonds

2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 small clove garlic

freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

2 tsp agave nectar

2 TBSP olive oil

     Thank goodness we are all different!  If it were not for our unique qualities, imagine what the world would be like.  Everyone would think alike, there would be no new conversation, and everyone would seem fairly boring.  I am amazed at the quick stereotypes my mind places on someone, only to find out later that the depths of their kindness, gentleness, and love far outweigh mine.
     Try to enjoy learning from and serving others.  Gain knowledge by reflecting on the important characteristics of everyone around you.  This even includes being more patient with your family members.

       "But throughout the ages, beautiful saints 
                         have lived faithfully, giving us hope 
         that a set-apart people can fascinate and bless the world."
                                              - Shane Claiborne, taken from the book,  Jesus for President
           

Keep Your Christmas Merry

Feeling sniffly?  This is the dinner for you and your family.  Serve with crusty whole grain bread and a spinach salad.
30 Clove Garlic Soup
2 heads garlic, halved crosswise
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
4 cup low-sodium vegetable stock
8 oz yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
course salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (optional)

Heat the oven to 375 degrees.  Drizzle the garlic heads with the olive oil.  Wrap tightly in foil and roast until tender, about 40 minutes.  Allow to cool, then squeeze the garlic from the papery skins.
Bring the stock, potatoes, and roasted garlic to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are soft, around 15 minutes.  Let the mixture cool, then puree in a blender until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.


Other ways to feel healthy and keep winter viruses away?  Follow these simple measures:

1.  Allow enough sleep
2.  Reduce stress,  especially around the holidays
3.  Eat a bright array of colors, i.e. fruits and vegetables
4.  Wash your hands
5.  Drink hot tea.  Green and white teas are the best for you.

"Heap on more wood! ~ The wind is chill;
 But let it whistle as it will,
 We'll keep our Christmas merry still."
                  - Sir Walter Scott

A merry heart does good, like medicine, 
but a broken spirit dries the bones.
                  -Proverbs 17:22

Shop Smart

Wild Rice and Apples
1/2 pound of wild rice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 lb sliced mushrooms
2 TBSP minced onion
1 large, tart apple, peeled, cored and chopped
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup orange peel, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh orange juice

Cook the rice, as directed, then drain any excess liquid.  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.  Cook the onion and mushrooms in 3 TBSP oil, then add this to the rice.  Put in all other ingredients, including the rest of the oil.  Mix well and put into a 2 quart casserole dish.  Bake for 35 minutes.  Yummy! Even the kids like it.

How to Shop SMART this holiday:
1.  Go alone.  You will spend less money.
2.  Wait 48 hours before buying.  Before purchasing, consider the potential purchase. You will most likely buy fewer and spend less.
3.   Look beyond the fancy features.  Only buy what you need, not what you "might need".
4.  Make something, anything.   

"Be aware of the difference between anticipating and living.  Joy is rooted in the present. "
                                                                    - Terri Trespicio
       
    "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."
                                                                    -Isaiah 55:12

The treasures of home

Sliced Oranges
     This is a perfect, simple, healthy side to almost any dish during the holiday season.  The time to peel and slice is a bit taxing, but everyone will be able to tell that you love them!  This is wonderful with crepes, waffles, main dishes, and even quinoa salads!

10 navel oranges
grated rind AND juice of one lime and one lemon
2 TBSP agave nectar

     Gently peel nine oranges, making sure that no pith is visible.  Combine the grated rinds, juices and agave nectar in a small bowl.  Thinly slice the oranges and arrange on a platter.  Pour the sweetened juice mixture over the oranges, cover, and refrigerate, basting every few hours with the juices.

A Late Walk
When I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.

And when I come to the garden round,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words

A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
Comes softly rattling down.

I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.
               - Robert Frost

"With pomp, power and glory the world beckons vainly,
   in chase of such vanities why should I roam?
   While peace and content bless my little thatched cottage,
   and warm my own hearth with the treasures of home."
               - Beatrix Potter

     Two days ago, my daughter's little seven year old friend, Emily, died.  She was a beautiful, happy, sweet girl who was always smiling.  Now, she is in God's arms.   Please pray for the family and love your children immensely!  Thank you.