I absolutely adore black beans. They are, without a doubt, my favorite bean. They're wonderful as taco filling, with sweet potatoes in burritos, in salsa, and all by themselves. For lunch today, I'm having them with rice. I decided to experiment with the spices, by adding onion soup mix and taco seasoning. Let me tell you...they are AMAZING!
Rice Bowl Black Beans #2
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed well
1 packet onion soup mix
2 tbs. taco seasoning (or more to taste)
1-1 1/2 cups water (eyeball it)
Throw it all in a pot, and let it simmer for about 25 mins. Notes: I added a few splashes of milk for creaminess.
I also have a new way I make rice. In trying to eat healthier and heartier, I've been mixing different grains whenever I prepare rice. The ratios can be adjusted to your specific tastes, often times I use more wheat and less white rice. The bulgar really adds a good bit of fiber and lends a slightly nutty taste.
Rice mix:
1/2 cup white rice
1 cup brown rice
1/2 cup bulgar wheat
1 tbs margarine or butter
4 1/4 cups water
Boil the water. Add margarine (or olive oil). Add rice/grain. Turn the heat to low and cook until all the water has been absorbed (about 20-25 minutes).
Happy eating!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
quick thoughts on marriage
The other night, I was sitting and talking to some of the ladies from the shelter. Each was sharing their story, and talking about the different men who'd hurt them at some point in their life. After about an hour, they shuffled off to bed. One came back at about midnight, wanting to chat some more. She began telling me about all the things that went wrong in her marriage. She said her husband called her a bad parent, and in the same breath that she cared too much about the kids. As she was telling me this, she said, "My life is and always will be about my kids," then to my horror, she continued with "if given the choice between him (her husband) and my kids, of course I'm going to chose my kids. He couldn't handle that."
Ladies, respect your husband. He should never be made to feel as if he's disposable!! It doesn't matter if he's not a great leader, if he leaves the clothes on top of the hamper rather than IN the hamper, if he seems unmotivated. Wives are commanded to respect their head! "Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. (Eph 5:33)" Regarding hubby vs babies, your husband is to come out on top. He was there first, your marriage existed before your children. The way I see it, it's like trying to save the shingles on a house that's burning.
Ladies, respect your husband. He should never be made to feel as if he's disposable!! It doesn't matter if he's not a great leader, if he leaves the clothes on top of the hamper rather than IN the hamper, if he seems unmotivated. Wives are commanded to respect their head! "Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband. (Eph 5:33)" Regarding hubby vs babies, your husband is to come out on top. He was there first, your marriage existed before your children. The way I see it, it's like trying to save the shingles on a house that's burning.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Dip
So...in the theme of my previous post, here's another recently inspired recipe.
What you need:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4-1/2 cup picante sauce (maybe more)
1/2 -3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (maybe more)
taco seasoning
What you do:
Mix all of the above together to your taste. I prefer leaving it thick enough to be a spread for crackers rather than a real dip. Best when served with crackers (saltine or otherwise...no real need to get fancy, though...desperate times call for desperate measures), or tortilla chips.
This is definitely a comfort food. Rich, creamy and cheesy...what more could a person want?
What you need:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4-1/2 cup picante sauce (maybe more)
1/2 -3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (maybe more)
taco seasoning
What you do:
Mix all of the above together to your taste. I prefer leaving it thick enough to be a spread for crackers rather than a real dip. Best when served with crackers (saltine or otherwise...no real need to get fancy, though...desperate times call for desperate measures), or tortilla chips.
This is definitely a comfort food. Rich, creamy and cheesy...what more could a person want?
If the cravings are bad now...
So maybe I shouldn't have free time on my hands. This is especially true during certain times of the month, I'm just sayin'. Anywho, I've discovered a tasty little snack that is not lacking fat, I'm sure.
What you need:
Peanut butter (the natural, organic stuff...the only ingredient should be peanuts)
Coconut flakes (sweetened, unsweetened, fresh or in a bag...doesn't matter)
Graham crackers, ground/crumbled
A spoon
What you do:
Mix the coconut and crackers together in a bag or bowl. Get some PB on your spoon. (Please tell me you see where I'm going with this) Dip or roll the PB covered spoon in the coconut/cracker mix. Enjoy. Repeat as needed...which, if you're anything like me, could be 10 times...or until your PB is gone.
For extra yumminess you can use chocolate covered graham crackers or crush up some chocolate chips with your crackers.
What you need:
Peanut butter (the natural, organic stuff...the only ingredient should be peanuts)
Coconut flakes (sweetened, unsweetened, fresh or in a bag...doesn't matter)
Graham crackers, ground/crumbled
A spoon
What you do:
Mix the coconut and crackers together in a bag or bowl. Get some PB on your spoon. (Please tell me you see where I'm going with this) Dip or roll the PB covered spoon in the coconut/cracker mix. Enjoy. Repeat as needed...which, if you're anything like me, could be 10 times...or until your PB is gone.
For extra yumminess you can use chocolate covered graham crackers or crush up some chocolate chips with your crackers.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Love shouldn't hurt, love shouldn't scar
Not for the first time, I was pulled from the depths of slumber by the sound of a woman crying. At first I thought perhaps I'd misheard, so I merely turned over and reunited with my pillow. As is usually the case, however, the crying and screaming was not to be ignored. After hearing it again, I got up and peered out my window to see what I could see. There was nothing amiss in the parking lot, and it was difficult to pinpoint where exactly the sounds were coming from. I then went to my living room, and looked out the window there. Again, nothing. As I stood scratching my head, and figuring out my plan of action, I heard a man's voice telling the woman to "Shut the !@#$ up!" More crying and screaming followed.
As I said at the beginning of this post, this isn't the first time I've dealt with this situation. This isn't even the first time I've dealt with it at this apartment complex. At a former residence, I dealt with it on an almost weekly basis. My neighbors fought all the time, and it was not uncommon to hear the female in the courtyard screaming for her bf to come back and to hear him respond "Get back in the apartment before I do something you'll regret." At some point after he drove off, I'd try to talk to the girl...help her think about her options. It was like repeatedly running into a brick wall. After a little less than a year, the couple moved. Maybe it had something to do with the frequency of the cops knocking on their door, or maybe the shame of everyone knowing about their business was too much to handle. Who knows. I pray that both are alive and well.
Back to this morning. I decided the best course of action would be to attempt to pinpoint where exactly the abuse was taking place. I got dressed, and went outside. All was clear. I pretended I was walking to my car, and as I rounded a corner, I immediately heard the sounds of arguing. To make sure I had the right apartment, I rounded another corner to get to the parking lot to where my car was actually parked. As it turns out, my car was parked mere feet from their bedroom window. I confirmed the sounds of arguing and screaming, then quickly went back to my apartment and called the cops. After giving the appropriate information, I stood by my bedroom window, watching and waiting. I then witnessed the girl emerge from her building, crying a little. She hopped in her car and was off. Seriously, 1-2 minutes later, she came back with a man in her car. They parked, and I guess they went into her apartment. I'm not exactly sure what happened here...who this man was...or anything. I made another trip to my "car", and on the way back to my apartment, I passed the girl and this guy. Both were smiling and talking...they even smiled at me. I know some of you are like me, and are wondering "where were the police?". Good question. WHERE were THE POLICE? To my knowledge, they did not show up.
I'm up now...so much for sleeping in. I'm trying to figure out how to reach out to this girl, for this actually is not the first time I've been woken up by DV against her. The last time was a few months ago, and a bit more severe. As someone who works for an abuse center, I feel it is my duty to talk to her. As a Christian, I know I must reach out to this hurting woman. I must extend to love and mercy of my Savior. not just to figure out the logistics...
As I said at the beginning of this post, this isn't the first time I've dealt with this situation. This isn't even the first time I've dealt with it at this apartment complex. At a former residence, I dealt with it on an almost weekly basis. My neighbors fought all the time, and it was not uncommon to hear the female in the courtyard screaming for her bf to come back and to hear him respond "Get back in the apartment before I do something you'll regret." At some point after he drove off, I'd try to talk to the girl...help her think about her options. It was like repeatedly running into a brick wall. After a little less than a year, the couple moved. Maybe it had something to do with the frequency of the cops knocking on their door, or maybe the shame of everyone knowing about their business was too much to handle. Who knows. I pray that both are alive and well.
Back to this morning. I decided the best course of action would be to attempt to pinpoint where exactly the abuse was taking place. I got dressed, and went outside. All was clear. I pretended I was walking to my car, and as I rounded a corner, I immediately heard the sounds of arguing. To make sure I had the right apartment, I rounded another corner to get to the parking lot to where my car was actually parked. As it turns out, my car was parked mere feet from their bedroom window. I confirmed the sounds of arguing and screaming, then quickly went back to my apartment and called the cops. After giving the appropriate information, I stood by my bedroom window, watching and waiting. I then witnessed the girl emerge from her building, crying a little. She hopped in her car and was off. Seriously, 1-2 minutes later, she came back with a man in her car. They parked, and I guess they went into her apartment. I'm not exactly sure what happened here...who this man was...or anything. I made another trip to my "car", and on the way back to my apartment, I passed the girl and this guy. Both were smiling and talking...they even smiled at me. I know some of you are like me, and are wondering "where were the police?". Good question. WHERE were THE POLICE? To my knowledge, they did not show up.
I'm up now...so much for sleeping in. I'm trying to figure out how to reach out to this girl, for this actually is not the first time I've been woken up by DV against her. The last time was a few months ago, and a bit more severe. As someone who works for an abuse center, I feel it is my duty to talk to her. As a Christian, I know I must reach out to this hurting woman. I must extend to love and mercy of my Savior. not just to figure out the logistics...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Gravy
Working overnight has it's perks. As it turns out, I actually enjoy being up early in the morning...though it tends to sour the rest of my day by making it seem unbearably long. One of my favorite things to do is shop, especially for groceries before 7 am. This morning, I decided I would have butternut squash soup and some sort of cabbage side. For breakfast I wanted biscuits with sausage gravy. I really haven't tried to make this, my favorite breakfast meal, so I figured it was time. I collected a few other random things at the store...this always happens when I shop.
Anywho, I got home, and immediately started on making the biscuits. I love having shortening in the house, because I feel like it opens countless culinary doors. Same thing with butter and bacon. Do you see a fatty trend here? :) My original plan was to just "eyeball" the ingredients for the biscuits. They really aren't complicated, so it wouldn't be hard to do. I'm not a big measurer, I cook using my senses...mainly sight and taste. As I was getting ready to dump some flour in a bowl, I noticed the biscuit recipe on the back of the can of baking powder, and decided to use it. I don't have as much experience as I'd like with making biscuits, so it's was smart to at least have a recipe to reference. It was quick and easy, and the biscuits were in the oven, baking up to buttery goodness within 5 minutes!
Now for the gravy. I heart gravy. I've had all kinds of gravy, from onion gravy (a staple of my childhood), to red eye gravy. Gravy makes me happy. My favorite is pork sausage gravy. I squeezed some pork sausage into a pot and browned it. The next step was where I experienced uncertainty. I still get a bit unsure about whether to use flour or cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Normally, I go for the starch, but I've noticed it doesn't always lend the best tasting product. I'm not saying it makes foods disgusting, but it does lend a little something...extra that people could do without if there was an alternative. So what did I use?
This was the morning of flour power! I added a few tablespoons of the stuff to the browned sausage, coating it well. I've realized adding fat to your thickener, rather than mixing the thickener to cold water yields a smoother, richer sauce. After I felt enough flour had been added, I poured in the heavy cream and milk. By the time it cooked up, the biscuits were done. The gravy took only a couple of minutes to thicken. Everything was FABULOUS! In case you were questioning it...yes, I did just spend a whole post talking about biscuits and gravy.
Anywho, I got home, and immediately started on making the biscuits. I love having shortening in the house, because I feel like it opens countless culinary doors. Same thing with butter and bacon. Do you see a fatty trend here? :) My original plan was to just "eyeball" the ingredients for the biscuits. They really aren't complicated, so it wouldn't be hard to do. I'm not a big measurer, I cook using my senses...mainly sight and taste. As I was getting ready to dump some flour in a bowl, I noticed the biscuit recipe on the back of the can of baking powder, and decided to use it. I don't have as much experience as I'd like with making biscuits, so it's was smart to at least have a recipe to reference. It was quick and easy, and the biscuits were in the oven, baking up to buttery goodness within 5 minutes!
Now for the gravy. I heart gravy. I've had all kinds of gravy, from onion gravy (a staple of my childhood), to red eye gravy. Gravy makes me happy. My favorite is pork sausage gravy. I squeezed some pork sausage into a pot and browned it. The next step was where I experienced uncertainty. I still get a bit unsure about whether to use flour or cornstarch to thicken the gravy. Normally, I go for the starch, but I've noticed it doesn't always lend the best tasting product. I'm not saying it makes foods disgusting, but it does lend a little something...extra that people could do without if there was an alternative. So what did I use?
This was the morning of flour power! I added a few tablespoons of the stuff to the browned sausage, coating it well. I've realized adding fat to your thickener, rather than mixing the thickener to cold water yields a smoother, richer sauce. After I felt enough flour had been added, I poured in the heavy cream and milk. By the time it cooked up, the biscuits were done. The gravy took only a couple of minutes to thicken. Everything was FABULOUS! In case you were questioning it...yes, I did just spend a whole post talking about biscuits and gravy.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Those of you that know me, or have at least checked out my blog a few times know that I very deeply desire marriage and children (lots of babies). I make no apology for this, because this desire is not ungodly. No, it is a very appropriate and beautiful thing. In a time when families are crumbling and children are subject to so much abuse and neglect; the actual longing to be a godly wife and nurturing mother is a wonderful thing. That said, I must also face the fact that God may not intend for me to ever marry or bear children. Granted, I'm fairly young (though not as young as I'd like for the childbearing part), so there's time for all that great and wonderful stuff later, but God is by no means obligated to give me a hubby and babies just because I want them (fiercely).
This may sound strange, but I actually get excited when I meet older single Christian women. My heart beats a touch faster, and I can't wait to engage in a good conversation with them. The reason for this intense reaction is simple...kind of primitive, actually. It does my heart well to know that you can survive singleness as a Christian woman. Perhaps you feel I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here, but it deeply encourages me to see the way God has worked in these women's lives. To listen to them tell stories of their Beloved's faithfulness and loving kindness to them throughout their lives. To hear how they deal/dealt with being told "No" to something they wanted so much. I'm not saying being single is so terrible, and gosh-darn awful that death is a far better alternative. NAY! I'm just saying it (life) can be hard...no matter how good your friends are, there's still something completely different about actually becoming one with somebody and going through life together.
Thankfully, I've met very few bitter, old, Christian, single women. When I do, I usually begin immediately praying internally. Praying that this women would release the bitterness eating away at her. Praying that she and I would both know in our souls that God is enough, period. Finally, I pray that the day never dawns where I'm that bitter. Depending on what they're saying, it sounds like one man after another has somehow failed them, and they kind of think God...the true Beloved...has failed them as well. Men have not come through from them, and the Creator of the men has not come through for them. Their words and their actions tell me "God is not enough." Bitterness is a very vile emotion, it's infectious and toxic. It is not to be named among the characteristics of a godly woman.
"(30)And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Eph. 4: 30-32.
" (14) Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (15) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled" Hebrews 12: 14-15
This may sound strange, but I actually get excited when I meet older single Christian women. My heart beats a touch faster, and I can't wait to engage in a good conversation with them. The reason for this intense reaction is simple...kind of primitive, actually. It does my heart well to know that you can survive singleness as a Christian woman. Perhaps you feel I'm making a mountain out of a molehill here, but it deeply encourages me to see the way God has worked in these women's lives. To listen to them tell stories of their Beloved's faithfulness and loving kindness to them throughout their lives. To hear how they deal/dealt with being told "No" to something they wanted so much. I'm not saying being single is so terrible, and gosh-darn awful that death is a far better alternative. NAY! I'm just saying it (life) can be hard...no matter how good your friends are, there's still something completely different about actually becoming one with somebody and going through life together.
Thankfully, I've met very few bitter, old, Christian, single women. When I do, I usually begin immediately praying internally. Praying that this women would release the bitterness eating away at her. Praying that she and I would both know in our souls that God is enough, period. Finally, I pray that the day never dawns where I'm that bitter. Depending on what they're saying, it sounds like one man after another has somehow failed them, and they kind of think God...the true Beloved...has failed them as well. Men have not come through from them, and the Creator of the men has not come through for them. Their words and their actions tell me "God is not enough." Bitterness is a very vile emotion, it's infectious and toxic. It is not to be named among the characteristics of a godly woman.
"(30)And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Eph. 4: 30-32.
" (14) Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (15) See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled" Hebrews 12: 14-15
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
So in an effort to hone some of my domestic skills, I'll be focusing more on cooking (as if I don't do that enough, already!), and sewing. Admittedly, I dropped the needle a year or so ago, and I have yet to make any clothing for myself, so this will be a fun project. For the cooking, I'm really looking into baking breads and other grain oriented staples. My first sewing project will be to make a skirt. This particular project was born from my irritation with the lack of affordable skirts in stores. Not just skirts, but long, plain skirts. I've decided it will be much easier just to make my own skirt...exactly the way I want it. We'll see how that goes.
Financially, I'm really working on streamlining my budget and STICKING TO the budget. That's been a real struggle for me in the past, but God is really dealing with me in this (and so many other) areas.
Anywho, I've been in a book frenzy lately. Over the past couple of weeks, I've really added quite a few good works to my bookshelf. Interestingly enough, many of the books are bent towards marriage and being a godly woman. God is really making me long to grow in femininity and take on the characteristics of a woman after His own heart. Praise Him.
My current prayer is that I would learn to be more content with the life God has given me. That I would stop worrying myself silly about "what's next", and take care of the here and now. Also that I would learn how encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ with Truth and love.
"O, how He loves you and me! O, how He loves you and me! He gave His life, what more could He give? O, how He loves you! O, how He loves me! O, how He loves you and me!"
Financially, I'm really working on streamlining my budget and STICKING TO the budget. That's been a real struggle for me in the past, but God is really dealing with me in this (and so many other) areas.
Anywho, I've been in a book frenzy lately. Over the past couple of weeks, I've really added quite a few good works to my bookshelf. Interestingly enough, many of the books are bent towards marriage and being a godly woman. God is really making me long to grow in femininity and take on the characteristics of a woman after His own heart. Praise Him.
My current prayer is that I would learn to be more content with the life God has given me. That I would stop worrying myself silly about "what's next", and take care of the here and now. Also that I would learn how encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ with Truth and love.
"O, how He loves you and me! O, how He loves you and me! He gave His life, what more could He give? O, how He loves you! O, how He loves me! O, how He loves you and me!"
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