Food Is Medicine

Do you believe it?

Do you believe that what you eat can heal or hurt?

Of course, you know that I do.

Since giving up gluten, I have a much better disposition.

It is so nice not to sit, like Eeyore, under a cloud of depression all of the time.

Currently I am trying to add live to my diet.

It is really touted as a super food.

But ... live?

The easy way is to take it in pill form - dehydrated.

I am only 3 days in, but I am already seeing some good results.

But, maybe I am missing something great in not cooking the actual meat.

Hubby said that he would try the real thing with me.

Do you like to serve liver?

If so, how do you prepare it.

I have a feeling that I will have a texture issue with it,

but maybe your recipe addresses that.

Care to share? 

Plantain Clarification

So, I am going to make a cake out of plantains. (mentioned in yesterday's post)

Not this plantain

But this plantain

I could not find any recipes for the weed/herb

except for sauteed, in soup, or as a tea;

but I also didn't realize that it had as many medicinal properties as it does.

Did you know that it will lower cholesterol?

File that one away.

It is also good externally for bites and stings.

The fruit plantain is good for potassium, magnesium, vitamin c, vitamin b6, and fiber. 

When Work Gives You Strawberries...

... make Strawberry Shortcake.

Well, I took the picture for the Thankful Thursday edition,

but the post did not get written.

On Thursday, 

hubby came home with these.

Aren't they beautiful?

I am thankful for the generosity of someone at work.

We had both had active days and I decided to make up some biscuits

and we enjoyed our first shortcake of the season

complete with coconut whipped cream!

On Friday,

we were also gifted quite a few plantains.

I am looking forward to making a plantain cake

which can also be topped with coconut whipped cream and fruit.

Pragmatism

Pragmatism - 

the belief that we do what works best.

I was reading about the early kingdom of David this morning.

First came an eager Amalekite.

He thought for sure that he would be honored for claiming to kill Saul.

Then came Rechab and Baanah to kill Ish-bosheth.

They thought that the king would be pleased with the death of Saul's son.

There was no pleasure or reward from King David.

He was not pragmatic.

He held to the truth of God's Word.

He knew that God's annointed was God's annointed

and that God would deal with David's enemies in His time.

I was convicted.

How often do I want to take charge.

I "know" what God wants and want to "help" Him.

His Word is His Word and He can do as He will.

While I Wait

I am waiting for a pot of rice to finish ... just 25 more minutes.

So, why not update?

We survived some severe thunderstorms yesterday

and are buttoned up for almost freezing temps tonight.

Supposedly we will be back to seasonal temps again later this week.

We did enjoy watching the storms, primarily from inside.

I was feeling a little run down yesterday,
so it was a good excuse to just sit still for the day.

The weather was nicer today,

so it was back to work.

I am finishing up a meal for the lunch box this week ... Red Beans and Rice

This recipe is easy and one you may have forgotten was in your arsenal.

Red Beans and Rice

1 c rice (prepared per directions)

1 kielbasi or smoked sausage

2-3 TBSP olive oil

1 can red beans (drained and rinsed)

Creole seasoning (Iam using Tony Chacheres)

Prepare rice per directions.

Saute kielbasi in oil until browned.

Add red beans and warm through.

Season to taste with creole seasoning.

Serve beans and kielbasi over rice (or mix with rice and serve).

Yes.  It is that easy.

It says it feeds 4.  But it makes 2 to-go lunches here.

or 1 dinner for 2 after a busy day at work (3 servings for 1 and 1 serving for the other)

Welcome Faces

For all those waiting for Spring,

A little welcome by the spring irises in NC.

Always Something to Work On

Do you always feel like you have more and more to learn,

that life requires constant adjustment?

I am going through that again.

I am working on my "people skills."

I think that being a homemaker sometimes leaves me "quiet" in social settings

and I am reminded that I need to work on that.

While I can listen well, I want to reciprocate well in conversation.

I am reading a book on communicating with ANYONE!

I am hoping that it helps me to reach out to my neighbors.

This week, I am also working on my exercise plan.

I have had a good challenge the past year and it has worked well,

but feel it is time to adjust again to get more balance.

More variety and more weights!

Oh!  and my accountability partner.

Well, I asked my hubby to listen to my verses 3 times every night.

So far, it is going far better - of course.

In the Little Things

I was recently challenged to really work to know my neighbors.

I have made excuses...

everyone stays inside,

we're too different'

what if they end up hiding from me?

I prayed and asked for boldness.

I asked for clear opportunities to meet my neighbors.

On this thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for God's quick and caring answer to prayer.

Shortly after my prayer,

a neighbor came by and needed to use the phone.

The same day, some neighbors were outside when I took my trash to  the dumpster

and we were able to chat for a little while.

Then, on Tuesday, hubby and I started our walk by taking out the trash

and on the way out, we met another neighbor and her children.

Not only did God answer,

but He helped make it easier.

He, of course, wants me to do right

and he blessed my desires.

I am thankful.

March Update

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 

(this is really helping me)
Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (failed)

(considering printing these out and taking them on my walks)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(nothing this month)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily. 

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Added 17 in February (short by one) for a total of 73 lessons)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 2 whole and 2 half - finished book on the home and started a new one, read one on Charles Dickens, 1 on Eleanor of Aquitaine)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(on schedule to have text done by end of may)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (at least 1 per week - easier in nicer weather)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (sent out happy mail and almost daily notes during midterms)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(4 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 3 - 2 groups of students and one family)

Find a place of ministry.
(still focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (it is still organized as we speak!)

A Change of Focus

There is much to be thankful for today.

The sun was shining.

The air was cool but comfortable.

It was lawn mowing day.

I took 2 - 4 mile walks.

We just finished 4 days of special meetings at church.

But I want to be specific.

I am thankful for a change of focus.

In all of the changes that life brings with it,

those changes sometimes turn me around.

Those changes sometimes force me to change.

Those changes give me new perspective.

My nature wants to fight those changes.

My nature often wants the status quo.

But as I submit to the changes,

God reminds me that His way is best.

It is late in the Bickish household (9:45 pm).

I am thankful that hubby has his turn to minister over in the college dorms tonight.

I am thankful for the opportunity to minister to a 5th grader numerous times this week

and to develop a rapport and the start of a relationship with her.

I am thankful for 2 different opportunities this summer to be background help
at weddings of good friends.

I am thankful for the responses that God has given as "tokens for good"

that the ministries that we are engaged in at present,

though different,

are the right ministries in this season.

A Rebuke to my Faith

Hubby came home Friday 

and told me not to plan on guests for Sunday dinner.

He had some definite No's 

And was assuming the others were as well.

I did cook the ham on Saturday afternoon

But just planned to wing the rest IF anyone came to services.

On Saturday night, we were praying at church for the services

And for those who had been invited.

I was rebuked that I wasn't acting as though God was able to bring the coworkers to church.

So Sunday morning, I woke early and prepared the scalloped potatoes and some dessert.

Though no coworkers came,

I learned a lesson in living by faith.

I want to expect God to work when I pray.

Mini cheesecake muffins

12 nilla wafers (I came across some Gf last month)

16 oz cream cheese

3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

1 TBSP lemon juice

1 tsp vanilla

Muffin liners

Pie filling (be careful to get gf if required)

Put liners in muffin tin.

Place wafer in bottom of each liner.

Blend cream cheese and sugar.

Add eggs, juice, and vanilla.

Fill liners.

Bake 350 for 15-18 min.

Cool.

Muffin tops will sink in to create hole for pie filling.

Top with fruit.

Store in fridge.

A True Fool

A true fool lives for today,

lives for himself,

seeks to make a name for himself.

This world and all it has to offer is temporary.

On what the world celebrates as April Fools Day ...

Won't you give up your pride, your sin, your excuses?

Don't be a fool.

Acknowledge Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

who not only died for you, but rose again victorious over death.

Don't be a fool.

Repent, turn from your sin, and give your life to Jesus.

You will gain eternal life.

You will gain peace that passes understanding.

He Is Risen Indeed!