Ratatouille

Ratatouille in the Crockpot

2 onions, sliced--I did 1 yellow and 1 red
1 eggplant, peeled and cubed
4 zucchini, sliced (I added 1 yellow squash to use it up)
2 green peppers (I used 1 green and 1 red), diced
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
5 garlic cloves, minced
2 t. basil
2 t. oregano
2 t. parsley
2 t. salt (more to taste)
1/4 t. pepper
a pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 c. olive oil
2-3 T. balsamic vinegar

Layer in your crockpot: first half of the onion, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, garlic, a can of diced tomatoes and then dot with tomato paste. Add half of the herbs & spices. Repeat layering with remaining vegetables and dot with the remaining half of the tomato paste. Pour the olive oil on top and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Serve over rice or whole grain pasta (which was what we did). Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

That's it! You could omit or add vegetables as you wished. This was so healthy and flavorful! I am already craving it and I am going to make it again soon!

Chewing a bug

Well, I've been chewing a bug for a while now. I had to decide whether I was going to stay in my corner and chew my bug or move on. I've decided to move on.
Chewing a bug is not all it's cracked up to be.
Life is tough.
People are made of clay.
They let you down and hurt you.
I have friends that have broken my heart and left me wounded and afraid to trust again.It is really painful to be mistreated and misjudged.
But I refuse to be stuck on these issues for the rest of my life.
I will move on.
I will love as God intended for me to love and serve Him. I continually seek to love them and continue to pray for them despite the hurt.And our Amazing God gives me the love and strength to step outside of my hurt and love them in ways that are like Him! I do love my friends, even though they have walked away. I want us all to glorify God and raise our children to love and glorify Him because He is worthy of that. So He empowers me to love them and pray that for them.
God is always there and ready to help and to help you be all that He designed you to be.
I am seeking to be all He created me to be to His glory.
Enough bug chewing for a while.
Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me.
Thank you for Your new mercies every day!


Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous;
love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;
it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails...But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13
Love is patient,
True love is unconditional, that is, it does not depend on the attributes or lack thereof of the person loved, therefore, it is willing to give as much time necessary, and as much space as necessary for that person to grow.

love is kind and is not jealous;
Love seeks to give others something of benefit for their welfare, and consequently, rejoices when they do benefit.

love does not brag and is not arrogant,
To lift one's self up in reference to others leaves no room for unconditional, graceful love.

does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own,
To act inappropriately, shamefully (morally, especially in the area of sexual purity) is not in accordance with true love. Love never seeks it's own gratificaiton but rather the interests of others.

is not provoked,
Selfishness seeks to manipulate others by stimulating certain selfish emotions. Love will not do this to others, nor will it let it happen to itself.

does not take into account a wrong suffered,
Forgiveness. Let it go. Bitterness is the acid. You are the container. Get rid of it or it will kill you.

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
Love does not somehow gloss over things that are going to be hurtful. True love originates from the truth.

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
If love really is unconditional, it will hold any weight, face any doubt, persist through hopelessness, and last any trial

Love never fails...
If it did, would it be love?

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Someday, faith will not be needed, for we will see God. Hope will not be needed, for when everything is fulfilled, there is no need for hope. But love, yes, to it there will be no end. If it did, it wouldn't be love.

Claim It!

Isaiah 55:11:

So is my Word that goes out from My mouth:
It will not return to Me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Sometimes We Need Rescuing

Sometimes we need rescuing...
That was on Ann Voskamp's blog today.
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/08/organizing-head-heart-to-homeschool/
It was a release, permission....
I need rescuing.....
And Satan wants me to beat myself up for it. Or better yet, to deny it.... And I oblige....
But God wants to rescue me....
He loves me...
He's there.
He will.
Thank you, Lord, for being my salvation. For saving me from my sins, both in the past and in the present. Thank you  for loving me even when I am singularly unloveable. After decades of pratice, I can hide that I am hurting, angry and bitter from everyone else. But I can't hide it fromYou...
And the longer I  hide it and dont' deal with it, the more it festers and becomes a boil of nasty germs that would eat me up from the inside.
But You are there.
You see.
You know.
And You say, "Come to me... I love you... I care.... I will help..." When no one else is there, You are... When no one else cares, You do.
My heart hurts so much. I need You, Lord. You are the only one that can fill this empty space insideand I  feel so empty, so needy.
Rescue me....

9/12/11 Monday

40 clove garlic chicken

http://susannesspace.blogspot.com/2007/04/slow-cook-thursday40-clove-chicken.html

garlic mashed potatoes

green beans

salad

Special Spinach Salad (from my Sister-in-Law)

1/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 bunch of romaine, torn
1 pkg (6 oz) fresh baby spinach
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
3 cups shredded swiss cheese
1 med. red onion, sliced
1/2 lb. sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 can 15 oz mandarin oranges, drained

Poppy Seed Dressing:
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tbsp. dijon mustard
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup canola oil
2 tsp. poppy seeds

1. In a small heavy skillet, melt sugar low heat add almonds and stir to coat. Spread onto a greased sheet of foil; break apart if necessary.
2. In a large bowl combine romaine, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, red onion bacon and oranges.
3. For dressing, in a blender, combine the vinegar, sugar , onion, mustard and salt cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream, stir in poppy seeds.
4. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sugared almonds

Menu 9/5/11

Menu 9/5/11 Monday

Breakfast

Omelet    

Lunch

Chicken Corn Chowder

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/quick-chicken-corn-chowder-10000000521745/

Nutritional Information

Amount per serving

·                                 Calories: 257

·                                 Calories from fat: 28%

·                                 Fat: 8.1g

·                                 Saturated fat: 4.4g

·                                 Monounsaturated fat: 2.4g

·                                 Polyunsaturated fat: 0.8g

·                                 Protein: 19.1g

·                                 Carbohydrate: 28.6g

·                                 Fiber: 1.9g

·                                 Cholesterol: 52mg

·                                 Iron: 0.4mg

·                                 Sodium: 668mg

·                                 Calcium: 165mg

Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Living

Ingredients

·                                 2 tablespoons butter

·                                 1/4 cup chopped onion

·                                 1/4 cup chopped celery

·                                 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

·                                 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

·                                 3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

·                                 2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 2 breast halves)

·                                 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (about 3 ears)

·                                 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

·                                 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

·                                 1/8 teaspoon salt

·                                 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn

Preparation

·                                 Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and jalapeño; cook for 3 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook until thick (about 5 minutes).

Supper

Thai Curry

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/07/crockpot-thai-curry-recipe.html

13.5-oz can coconut milk
- 1 T brown sugar
- 1 T soy sauce (La Choy is gluten free, and so is Tamari wheat-free)
- 1 T Thai red or green chili paste, or more to taste (I used red, and went with 1.5 T)
- 1 t fish sauce (optional. I put it in because I was thrilled to have another use for fish sauce!)
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1/2 large eggplant
- 1 sweet potato
- chicken thighs (I used 5 frozen boneless, skinless)

And! 1-inch knob of ginger, peeled and grated. I bought this. I totally forgot to use it. It's probably for the best, since we aren't huge ginger people.

The Directions.

Combine the sauce ingredients: coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, chili paste, and fish sauce in the bottom of your crockpot stoneware. Taste. If you think you need more chili paste, add some, carefully. It's hot stuff!

Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, flipping them over a few times so they get nice and saucy.

Wash and cut the vegetables, and add to the crock.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6. This is done when the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables have reached desired tenderness.

I cooked ours on high for 5 hours. The vegetables were soft, but not squishy, and the chicken was cooked, but still had shape.

Serve over white rice.

Menu 9/6/11 Tuesday

Breakfast

Lunch

Left over Chicken Corn Chowder

Salad

Fruit

Supper

Crock Pot Roast Beef

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2010/10/old-fashioned-pot-roast-slow-cooker.html

Menu 9/7/11Wednesday

Lunch

French Dip Sandwiches

Carrot Sticks

Fruit

Supper

Beef and Broccoli

http://erincooks.com/beef-and-broccoli-with-oyster-sauce-for-two/

Beef and Broccoli with Oyster Sauce for Two (Reprinted with permission. Originally published in the April 12, 2007 edition of Cooks Illustrated)

1/2 pound flank steak, cut into 2-inch-wide strips with the grain, then sliced across the grain into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons dry sherry
1 tablespoon low-sodium chicken broth
2 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
3 medium cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press or minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, minced (about 1 1/2 teaspoons)
2 tablespoons peanut oil or vegetable oil
2/3 pound broccoli, florets cut into bite-size pieces, stems trimmed, peeled, and cut on diagonal into 1/8-inch-thick slices
3 tablespoons water
1/2 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium scallions, sliced 1/2-inch thick on diagonal
Note: I also cooked white rice to serve with the dish

Combine beef and soy sauce in medium bowl; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 10 minutes or up to 1 hour, stirring once. Meanwhile, whisk sherry, chicken broth, oyster sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch in measuring cup. Combine garlic, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon peanut oil in small bowl.

Drain beef and discard liquid. Heat 2 teaspoons peanut oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until smoking. Add beef to skillet and break up clumps; cook, without stirring, for 1 minute, then stir and cook until beef is browned around edges, about 30 seconds. Transfer beef to medium bowl.

Add 2 teaspoons peanut oil to now-empty skillet; heat until just smoking. Add broccoli and cook 30 seconds; add water, cover pan, and lower heat to medium. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp, about 2 minutes; transfer to paper towel-lined plate. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons peanut oil to skillet; increase heat to high and heat until just smoking. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until spotty brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Clear center of skillet; add garlic and ginger to clearing and cook, mashing mixture with spoon, until fragrant, 15 to 20 seconds, then stir mixture into peppers. Return beef and broccoli to skillet and toss to combine. Whisk sauce to recombine, then add to skillet; cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and evenly distributed, about 30 seconds. Transfer to serving platter, sprinkle with scallions, and serve.

Thursday 9/8/11

Lunch:

Leftovers/Salad

Supper:

Fish Tacos

Cilantro Slaw

Garlic, Jalapeno, Cilantro Mayonaisse

Mexican Rice

1 onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 small can tomato sauce

yellow rice (use tomato sauce as part of  water mix)

Beans

1 onion

1 clove garlic, pressed

1 tsp taco seasoning mix
refried beans or other beans

Friday

Lunch

Sandwiches/Leftovers/Cheese Quesadillas/tomato soup

Supper:

Italian

Lasagna
Salad
Bread

Live Uncaged

I am ready to put the past to rest. I am ready to move on to my future without the burden of the past weighing me down. I am so grateful that my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, can heal me of the wounds of the past and give me a future more beautiful than I could ever imagine.
Forgive me, Lord for hanging on to the past for so long. I thought I had laid it to rest, but thank you for showing me how deeply marred I am. Thank you for empowering me to move on even if my present stays the same. That is the kicker.
I am in relationships that are going to be here even if I want to put the past to rest. Some of them cause me pain on a regular basis. It is that ongoing pain that I have had the most trouble with. I can't make it not hurt. The offenses are there. But I can be empowered by Jesus to let the offenses go even as they occur and even before, and STILL MAINTAIN THE REALTIONSHIP. God is powerful....
I can be so certain of who I am in Christ; I can be so certain of how God is going to meet my needs; I can be so full of the Holy Spirit, that those slings and arrows bounce right off of me and are met with unconditional love. Thank you, Jesus!