Simple Hummus

Simple Hummus

Simple Hummus

This is a very straight-forward recipe for hummus dip.  All of the recipes I found called for canned chickpeas, (garbanzo beans), but I didn't want to use canned beans.  I ended up just "winging it" and figuring it out on my own.  I like the way it tastes.  I hope you do, too!

Cover 2 cups of raw, dried, garbanzo beans, (chick peas), with about 4 cups of water and allow them to sit over night.  In the morning, pour off the soaking water and rinse the beans.

Place the beans in a small pot.  Pour another 4 cups of water over them and add 3 cloves of garlic to the water.  Cover and cook the beans for about 3 hours or until they are tender.

Allow the beans to cool.

In a food processor, place 1 cup of the cooked beans, without juices.

Add*:

1 teaspoon Adobo seasoning (I make my own.  Recipe here.)

1/4 teaspoon roasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (I use California Olive Ranch brand, as it has been shown to be pure olive oil.)

Process the beans and seasonings until the mixture is smooth.  Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the liquid from the beans, as necessary.

Serve with veggies or use as a spread.  It makes a delicious dip!

*Note:  I doubled this recipe and added 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed meal while processing.  It turned out great!

Chewy Almond Carob Squares

Chewy Almond Carob Squares

Chewy Almond Carob Bites

What a yummy treat!  One could also call these energy bars, and they could be made with any nut butter, combinations of "add ins" and cocoa powder instead of carob.  Quick and easy to make, loaded with lots of healthy fats and fiber, and sweet to eat.  What's not to love?

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, combine:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup almond butter*

Heat the almond butter and coconut oil until it is melted.

*I made my own almond butter using 1 cup of soaked and dehydrated raw almond plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil ground in my food processor until it had turned to butter, about 2 minutes.

Add, stirring continuously:

1/3 cup xylitol
1/3 cup carob powder
3 tablespoons coconut sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla (I make my own)
1/8 teaspoon Real Salt or Himalayan Pink salt

Cook this mixture until it thickens.  Just before it's ready, it will release the oil, but keep stirring until it mixes back in.*  That's when it is done.  Remove the pan from the heat.

Add and stir well:

1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup soaked and dehydrated pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or other seeds**

Spread the dough into an 8" square pan.  Press the top down with parchment or waxed paper.  When they have cooled a few minutes, cut them into squares.  Chill the bars in the refrigerator.  Enjoy!

*The second time I made this, the oil didn't mix back in.  They are fine, but just cook the candy until it thickens, don't try to get the oil to re-emulsify.

**Also, I added an additional 1/4 cup, (total), of chia and flax seeds to the mixture and it turned out great. 

Renewing of the Mind

Renewing of the Mind

Renewing of the Mind

I've been seeing a lot of posts by Christian friends that disturb me.  It concerns me that syncretism has crept into our way of thinking, culturally.  Let me explain what syncretism is.

Syncretism:  This is the combination of any other belief system along with Christianity.

Most will say, "but I trust in Christ alone!"  Do you?  Do you read horoscopes?  Do you believe in "past lives" or "animal spirit guides?"  Do you ascribe to astrological signs?  Do you think people are basically good?  These are all false beliefs.  Romans 3:23 says,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Jesus himself said that the two greatest commandments are  “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  

There is no room for Christ plus anything else, and we are not good -- we are in need of a savior!

I recently had to do a mind change about one of these things.  It's easy to let false thinking creep into our minds.  Philippians 4:8 says it clearly how we should think:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Also, Romans 12:2

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

There it is.  We want to know what God wants?  We want to know his will?  That's it right there.  Change our thinking.  Easy, but hard.

I hope this will encourage and not discourage.

Humbly, your friend,

Sharron

Homemade Salt Free Seasoning (like Mrs. Dash)

Homemade Salt Free Seasoning (like Mrs. Dash)

Homemade Salt Free Seasoning (like Mrs. Dash)

This stuff is delicious!  Everyone raves about my grilled meats.  This is my secret:  I don't use "Mrs. Dash" as the label suggests.  I actually use this Home made Salt Free Seasoning, which is similar to Mrs. Dash, only better because I make it myself.  I use it as a seasoning on meat along with my Everything Seasoning or Himalayan Sea Salt.  It really makes plain grilled meats great!

(For SCD see *Note below.)

Combine:

3 tablespoons garlic powder*

1 tablespoon basil

1 tablespoon marjoram

1 tablespoon thyme leaves

1 tablespoon parsley flakes

1 tablespoon onion powder*

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon celery seed (for SCD omit unless advanced)

Sprinkle as desired on foods.  Store in an airtight container.  Enjoy!

*Note for SCD:  Be certain the garlic and onion powder used is SCD safe.  Know your manufacturer or make it yourself.

Low Carb Blueberry Muffins with Pecan Coconut Topping

Low Carb Blueberry Muffins with Pecan Coconut Topping

Low Carb Blueberry Muffins with Pecan Coconut Topping

I love muffins!  Years ago I came across a "master muffin" recipe and have memorized it.  This enables me to make just about any kind of muffin I want without much difficulty.  In this case, I have modified that basic recipe to include blueberries with a Pecan Coconut Topping.  The muffins are very moist and the topping is crunchy.  Yum!

Preheat the oven to 400F and spray a standard muffin pan with olive oil cooking spray.  Set it aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients:

2/3 cup almond flour
1/3 cup ground or finely shredded, unsweetened coconut (regular shredded coconut can be ground more finely by putting it into a food processor and grinding it for a few seconds)
1/2 + 2 tablespoons cup coconut flour
1/2 cup ground flax seed meal
2 tablespoons whole flax seeds
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup measurable stevia baking product (like Stevia in the Raw for baking)
1/4 cup coconut or coconut palm sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt (I use Himalayan pink salt)

In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients:

2 eggs
1 cup water or milk or milk alternative
2 teaspoons lime juice (lemon or apple cider vinegar would be fine.  Its purpose is to activate the baking powder)
1/4 cup olive oil, melted butter or liquid coconut oil

Set these aside.

In another bowl combine the crumble topping ingredients until crumbly:

1/4 almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup coconut or coconut palm sugar
1 packet stevia based sweetener (like Truvia)
2 tablespoons butter

Set this aside.

Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients.  Scoop the batter into the muffin cups and sprinkle the topping over the muffins.  There should not be any excess topping.  Bake the muffins for 15 to 18 minutes or until they are firm and browned.  They are a bit darker than traditional muffins because of the brown sugar color of the coconut sugar.  Allow the muffins to rest in the pan for about 5 minutes before slipping a knife around the edges to loosen the from the pan.  Remove them to a plate to cool.  Enjoy!

Refrigerate or freeze any extras.

Conspiracies, Are They Real? Thoughts about the State of the Nation and our World

Conspiracies, Are They Real?

Thoughts about the State of the Nation and our World

I know I'm not the only one who sees what is happening in our world, our country, our neighborhoods and our families and wonders what is going on? It seems like everything is against us as a nation, as Believers, as individuals, even just as humanity.

Abortion is all over the news.

Same sex marriage is constantly in the headlines.

Isis is murdering Christians, and terrorist are threatening our very way of life.

Human trafficking and other atrocities are rampant.

On the health front, cancer, arthritis, asthma, allergies, mental illness and auto-immune diseases are at all time highs.

Big Industry is pumping our food supply with dangerous chemicals, and our soils are depleted to the point that I wonder if there is anything nutritious about the food I'm purchasing for my family at all.

Spiritually, compromise and legalism equally eat away at true faith.

And the list goes on, and on, and on...

Distractions and Our Purpose

All of these distractions deter us from our true purpose. "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." (Westminster Catechism)  It, also, distracts us from fulfilling the Great Commission given to us by the Lord Jesus himself,

18 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Really, I think that is the point.  That is the conspiracy.  Lucifer and his minions are going about trying to devour humanity any way they can. 

 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8   (NIV)

The same verse from the Message:

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.

Am I saying we shouldn't try to do something about all of this injustice, atrocity and disease?  No, of course not!  What I am saying is that perhaps we've been going about it the wrong way.  

Sure, we should do everything reasonable to ensure our health, safety and freedoms. However, I will again say, I think we've been going about it the wrong way.

Where Does It All Come From?

Not only does the enemy of our souls seek to destroy us, our own flesh wars against us. I think that James chapter 4 (NKJV) sums it up pretty well.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

That's some pretty bold stuff there.  Here's the same section from the Message:

  1-2 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.2-3 You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.4-6 You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.”7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.11-12 Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?13-15 And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.”16-17 As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, is evil.

According to the previous scriptures, the bottom line is that the world's ills are caused by our own wrong desires and the devil's desires to devour the human race. Evil. It's all evil!

What Are We to Do?

What's the answer? If you've read this far, then I'm sure you know what I'm going to say -- Jesus Christ. It's that simple. Or is it?

It is. It really is. I will say it with a couple of caveats, though. If we are truly believers in Jesus Christ, then we need to be following what He gave us as the two greatest commandments:

37Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.  Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Our Lord doesn't mince words. God needs to be Number One in our lives, not our sinful flesh. Then the next thing he says is to love our neighbors as much as we love ourselves. Ouch!

Here's how the Message says it:

37-40 Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.”

But How?

How are we to do this?  Our Lord doesn't ask us to do things that He won't give us the grace to achieve.  This is NOT in our own strength -- far be it!  I've often heard people say, "God won't give us more than we can handle."  That's nonsense.  Of course he will give us more than we can handle, so he can work his good will and purpose in our lives.  Instead, he wants us to say,

"I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NCV)

Again, in that same chapter, verse 6, the Apostle Paul says,  

"Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks."  

This is where we've really been going wrong, in my opinion.  All the social programs, diets, health advocacies, petitions, and such will do nothing for the world's ills if we do not commit them to prayer.  Prayer must be the foundation of everything we do -- it flows our of our loving relationship with the Father, as Jesus said in Matthew 22:37 (above.)

In fact, the apostle Paul gives us the recipe to not only be able to do all these things, but to have a joyful heart in the midst of the world and its chaos, in the earlier part of that same chapter, Philippians 4:4-8 (NKJV):

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I think the Message says it beautifully:

 4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

No Fear!

If we do this, then we will be able to thwart the devil's schemes. Sure he will be given the power to deceive the earth's inhabitants for a short time, (Revelation 13:14), but we, In Christ, have no cause to fear.

The Psalmist says, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me." (Psalm 23:4) We have no cause to fear because God, the Creator of the Universe, loves us and is with us, supporting us, holding us up.

We don't need to fear. No fear. Nothing. Jesus Christ himself told us this:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NKJV)

Are there conspiracies against us?  Sure there are!  However as the Apostle John says:

4My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NCV)

In this we place our hope.

The Truth About Vaccines

I recommend that everyone -- yes, everyone, or at least one person in every household -- read this article.  My mind was blown.  If you take a stand against abortion, then you should definitely read this article.

I've long known that I became very ill after being injected with a flu vaccine when I was in high school.  I was paralyzed for four months and have suffered with significant nerve damage and ill health since then.  This explains a lot.

There is a two hour video attached, which I did not watch.