Hmm...where to begin? It has been some time since I have been getting to this blogging business. So maybe I shall start by just stating what has been going on since I last wrote, purely because it would just take too long.
Daily life consists of working as a barista at From the Hearth, a local cafe, where I enjoy making tasty and lovely beverages and building community with the people that I share a workspace with.
Mike works during the weekdays, but is typically off at the same time as me so we enjoy having our evenings together. This is when I feel like I really get to expend my creative energies with making up meals for dinner and maybe even dessert if I'm feeling it.
When I am not at work during the week, I wake up and go to the Prayer Chapel for some time to reboot.
I like to roll down the windows and take drives on unfamiliar roads to soak in the new scenery and the lovely colors of this Fall season.
Next, I might go back to the house and play a game of catch with our roommates' dog, Cash. He could do that all day long. Unfortunately, I cannot.
Also, I have been spending time putting together a project for my nephew-to-be-born on October 28th, if he doesn't come sooner. Kids these days just cannot seem to wait.
And no, I am not giving any hints as to what this project might be in the event that my sister is reading this, but it would be suiting for a baby. That is all I will say on the subject.
As for the rest of my time, I like to spend it dreaming.
I dream about the possibilities in creativity, about writing books, and sewing clothes, and painting murals, and writing more music, and picking up my violin so that I may play Classical again. I also like to imagine that I could begin to dance. I was not the little girl who took ballet classes, instead, I played kickball.
However, I cannot help but want to move whenever I hear the rhythm of music. My whole family seems to be this way. Some should join in more than others...just kidding...or am I?
My mom and I used to enjoy watching the show Bunheads, which btw what happened to that?!
We were very let down when it seemed to discontinue.
Maybe it was because it brought out much of the feelings of simplicity of a small town that I enjoyed about Gilmore Girls or because they were both created by Amy Sherman-Palladino or because I always get Carole King stuck in my head when I watch either...
Whatever the case, it seems that whenever I am observing others being diligent about a craft, such as music or dance, it stirs something within me to believe that I can do that, too.
Though I feel that if I were to join a dance class now, I would be surrounded by either 5-year-olds or those past 80... Oh well, I don't suppose I have been one to conform, anyways.
I also like to dream of having a big and bountiful garden that would sustain us with seasonal produce.
Then, there is this distant, yet not-so-distant, dream of creating my own Patch Adams-esque counseling cafe. My degree is in Counseling and Human Services, because I believe this is a lifestyle, but simply put I could never be a "shrink." I certainly am not downing anyone who's profession is a Therapist.
I just know that it is not me.
Rather, I would like to create a cafe that speaks as if the door is open.
A place where the atmosphere would be to nourish physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
A place where the weary could come to purely find solace.
I dream of traveling further.
I dream of growing a family that prospers in health, in every way.
I dream of expression.
Simply, I dream.
While my heart is laden with desires and my mind runs eager to create, I also know that good comes to those who wait.
So maybe that is all I have to share for now.
I shall share other ventures on the next post, until then,
may dreams awaken.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Monday, October 14, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Things keep going
Hello again! I wish to write each day, but it seems (in a very good way) that life gets busy here with new adventures and new people all the time!
Crazily enough, in the past week my husband AND myself have BOTH received jobs! And not just any jobs, but the ones that we presented to the Lord and said "I want this job and I trust that there is a place for me there!" And badabing, just like that, the doors opened! I am officiallya Californian Barista and Mike is working in a local Christian School! It has been such an awesome experience for me, because I really have been hearing God talk to me as a Father who is eager to bless His children. A shift in my perspective has needed to take place. While running around putting in resumés and applications, my husband was encouraging me to not simply seek out of necessity, but from desire. I find that when we get afraid it is easy to just go with the quick and easy fix that is before us, instead of waiting in expectation of the perfect breakthrough and provision. This has all been a learning process for me, because all the while of running around I was becoming more confused about where to go and what to do. It was, in this, that I was listening more to fear and necessity, rather than what does my heart want. Once I decided to only apply where I wanted to work, I found so much each and rest in just waiting. And well, God is always the Good and Perfect Father who is EAGER to give His children every Good and Perfect gift. The challenge is not in Him giving, but in us seeing ourselves as Beloved children who are worthy to receive.In addition, as I have been opening my eyes to the beauty of the area and this new season, even more doors have opened in meeting new people and making new friendships. Like last night, I was invited to a chick flick night kinda deal with a good friend and was able to meet new faces and feel more sunk into the community. Not to mention, dessert was accompanied and it is just unnecessary to turn that down! So, again, things are good.
There truly has been so much fun here! We even went down to Whiskytown Lake this weekend around midnight to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower that only takes place in the Northeastern Hemisphere and, let me tell you, I have NEVER been in a darker night and seen so many stars! It was truly breathtaking!
And amongst all the activities, this month is a big birthday month! My good friend just had her birthday, where we did lots of celebrating, and my husband's is this week (and you better believe I have a BIG surprise in store, however, I regret to inform you that you will have to wait to read about this at a later time, because I am not allowing for any spoilers ;]) AND next is our roommate's and my older brother's birthdays at the end of this month! Geesh! So it is now that I will let you in on our fun little parties this week and the recipe for my yummy gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free birthday dessert! Yes, it still tasted like sweet goodness.
You better believe that I have been making time for cooking up some fun stuff! Now, my good friend is also gluten free and dairy free, like myself, so I decided to make her an extra special birthday dinner and dessert, of course!
I know this may sound a bit odd (follow me on this bunny trail), but in the mornings I like to go out on the back porch to enjoy my coffee and some early sunshine (that's not the odd part), and right next to our house is a small, family-owned Mexican restaurant where they are usually doing preparations in the kitchen at this time, and somehow, whatever they are cooking always seems to smell like Chick-fil-A to me! Now, they may be frying something and the lovely grease is just tricking my nose, but CFA is a signature scent that my nose knows well! And consequently, I naturally develop a craving for some fried chicken, at this point. Thus, I decided that I would cook up some healthified CFA! And, upon request from my older brother, I decided that this would become the special menu for the birthday night! So, let me let you in on the secret to making gluten, dairy, and refined sugar-free CFA chicken sandwiches!
Now, you may have already discovered that there is quite an archive for mock-fil-a recipes, as such. So I am just going to give you my twist on things. I basically took the standard recipe and just substituted the MSG with good stuff! However, one thing you cannot omit is PICKLE JUICE! Yep, it's true!
So, below, I have posted my recipe: (serves 4)
- 2 chicken breasts (each makes two filets)
- 1 egg
- 1 cup coconut milk (or other nondairy milk)
- 1 cup gf flour ( I used brown rice mix that included xanthan gum. If xanthan gum is not included, then you will need to add 1 T. of xanthan, or arrowroot, or tapioca starch. These act to hold the flour.)
- 1/2 cup pickle juice (dill works best, but I used organic kosher pickle juice and saved the pickles for the sandwiches)
- 1 T. pure maple syrup (this goes in place of the traditional powdered sugar)
- 1/2 t. paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt (I use pink Himalayan salt)
- coconut oil and olive oil for frying (I combine the two for a richer flavor, seeing as the original recipe calls for peanut oil)
- 4 gluten free buns
Step 1: Put chicken breasts in a ziplock bag and take that stress out by tenderizing the chicken with a meat mallet. (This is where Mike has to leave the kitchen, because he is afraid that he may get salmonella by inhaling the raw chicken in the air... hah)
Step 2: Soak the chicken in a medium-sized bowl of pickle juice for one hour to marinate.
Step 3: Prepare the dredging station- mix the egg with the milk and add the maple, then whisk away!
Step 4: Mix the flour with the seasonings on a large plate.
Step 5: After the hour is up, begin to heat the oil on med-hi heat in the pan, while coating the chicken in the wet mix and then the dry. You will want to drain the pickle juice off the chicken first. And remember, one wet hand and one dry hand! (Learned that trick frying things in the South, early on!)
Step 6: Place the breasts in the hot oil (make sure that the oil has not burnt) and cook each side for 5-7 mins., until browned.
Step 7: Let the oil from the absorb on a plate with paper towels (or, in m case, coffee filters because we ran out of napkins!)
Step 8: Butter some gluten free buns and toast them in the oven for a few mins. and prepare your sandwich! I topped mine with organic dijon mustard and original Vegannaise and PICKLES, of course. I also made a little honey mustard mixture to go on the side. You can, also, make yours supreme with lettuce and tomato...OR you can be totally weird and put grape jelly and pickles on it... because that it what one does that has been raised going to chick-fil-a since they were an infant! ;]
I also sliced some russet and sweet potatoes into thick wedges and roasted them for 25 mins. on 425 F.
The Spread!
So crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! Delicious! I can officially say that I am the best Chick-Fil-A in town... and very possibly the only one! ;]
And now, it is dessert time! (Hence, why I only ate half my sandwich, but you know you do it too!) ;]
My friend had showed me this dessert she wanted to try and so I decided to take on the endeavor! The original recipe came from this awesome site http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2013/04/fruit-coconut-ice-cream-cake-with.html?m=1, however, I did change the cake base to a more fudgy cake!
The original recipe gives great instructions for how to top make this into an ice cream cake, however, I had a little difficulty doing so because I changed things up. It was still delicious, all the same!
You will need the following ingredients:
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1 can (400ml) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 t. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 t. cinnamon (optional)
- 2 cups of any fresh or frozen fruit. I used a frozen variety of her favorites: strawberries, blackberries, and mango, and saved slices of fresh kiwi and blackberries for a garnish!
Step 1: Combine all ingredients, except for the 2 cups of fruit, in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: If you are going to attempt to top the cake with the ice cream, you can line the bowl with some of the fruit for a pretty factor and then pour in the ice cream mixture over top. Then you will add the remainder of the fruit to the bowl. I would suggest lining the bowl with a plastic wrap if you are going to try removing it from the bowl later.
Step 3: Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 3-4 hours to freeze (You can prepare the cake while the ice cream is freezing, so that it has time to set up and cool).
Step 4: After the ice cream has set, you can attempt flipping it onto the prepared cake bottom or simply serve on the side or plate each ice cream all fancy, like we did!
Step 5: I prepared a quick chocolate shell sauce to drizzle over each cake! Simply combine 1/4 c. or 2 heaping T. of unsweetened cocoa with 1/4 c. sweetener, such as maple syrup or honey, and whisk in 1/4 c. coconut oil. Tada! So simple (insert Italian mobster accent)! Because coconut oil has a high melting point, it freezes and heats very quickly! Thus, when you drizzle it over the ice cream it makes a special shell trick (look at photos on bottom of page)! Also, Google coconut oil and make yourself feel even better about indulging in this dessert! ;]
Now, for a flourless, gluten, dairy, and refined-sugar free fudgy chocolate cake (yes, it still tastes like sweet goodness), this is what you will need:
- 4 eggs
- 1 t. pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 c. coconut oil
- 1/2 c. or 4 heaping T. unsweetened cocoa
- 1/4-1/3 c. of pure maple syrup (or other sweetener of choice; honey or alter measurements for stevia)
- 1/4 t. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 c. cooled coffee
- 1/3 c. toasted, chopped walnuts (optional)
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 F.
Step 2: mix all wet ingredients.
Step 3: Add in dry ingredients.
Step 4: Pour into prepared cake pan. (I used a 9-in. pie dish)
Step 5: Bake for approx. 25 mins. or until cooked through and surface springs back to touch.
This is all you will need! This cake, seriously, is so easy!
Before and after the oven!
I, also, clipped some fresh flowers from the yard to decorate the cake for a special display!
All garnished up and having a good time!
I hope these recipes come in handy for a special occasion and if you have any questions or suggestions you know where to find me! ;]
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Let's get to know each other.
Preface-
I have been told, for sometime and by many a friend, that I should start a blog. This has all been spurred on with a desire to write and a passion for words but, moreover, to put words to a process of health that I have been growing in over the past three years.
I have been on a journey. Growing up, I was raised in a Southern kitchen where I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. However, when I came into my twenties things in my health started to shift, and not for the good. I began to lose weight and almost anything I ate made me sick. I began going to doctors with the outcome of few answers and, instead, much debt. There were also external factors that swirled around me, making me feel as if my world was turning upside down. Fortunately, one day after a procedure I was told that I had a parasite.. dun dun dun...
Home girl say what?! This was an odd result to hear when the only time I had left the U.S. was probably five years prior to Venezuela. Maybe parasites sleep for a long time?...
Anywho, I was placed on all sorts of antibiotics and medicines to treat symptoms, rather than the source. I did approximately three rounds of treatment with little-to-no relief. That is when I was told about a doctor of Naturopathy from a family member that was going for the same issues and seeing drastic breakthrough. She gave me the contact information and I set up an appointment.
Now, I know that many times when one hears the word Natural or Herbal doctor, there is a hmmm that follows. However, to me this was nothing new being raised with a grandmother who believes strongly in the healing powers of natural supplements that have simply been given to us from God through His creation. What's more, I had seen medical doctors for over two years without relief and it was within three months that I started to see improvement with this new approach. More importantly, to me, was that this doctor was a Christian man who shared very similar beliefs with me and just desired to see people healed and gain health back in their lives. I go into this story, as an intro to my blogging adventures, because this has been a turning point in my life in which I was reminded of the power of Hope. I have been seeing this doctor for just over a year, now, and I am at a healthier place in my life that is quite alternative to what I knew in my adolescence, but I would not change a thing about it!
So, now, my hope is to share what I have learned, over a very gradual process in the past year, about nutrition and food (etc, etc, etc...) and to encourage any who have experienced a feeling of defeat that ALL things are made NEW and the first step to breakthrough is to believe in hope.
I do hope not to defer my new readers with this long first entry, but this is only the beginning of what I have come to realize as part of my story. We each have a story and I believe it is for us to share.
Part One-
Now, we're getting to the good stuff! My husband, Mike, and I have just moved to the small city of Redding in the "Golden State" of California. My purpose in writing, to you, on this 108 degree Thursday (yes, I am serious and that is Fahrenheit!) is to invite you into what has been a quite adventuresome journey. I have been born and raised my whole life in the dirty south of Georgia. My husband, on the other hand, was raised in the Great Lake State of Michigan so he only lived in Georgia for about 5 years, in which we met but we'll save that story for a rainy day.
Anywho, it was one Winter day over Christmas break, last year, that Mike and I had the word to move placed on our hearts. This happened individually and we prayed on it together. We knew, surely, that if God was going to such lengths to communicate this to us, then He must have a plan and we wanted to know what it was all about. Within the coming months, the Lord started leading us to California and, well I'm no Valley Girl, so we decided that somewhere up North would be a good fit. And, then, the purging process began. We had been living in a small and quaint house and settled quite nicely and, by that, I mean we had accumulated a good bit of this and thats and whatnots. We realized that we most definitely could not take all these things and decided to just sell it all- with the exception of basic essentials and sentimental things we had been given from our wedding and such. Let me tell ya, it really was a cleansing process. At that point, we decided we wanted to keep things simple and to not gather things simply to have them. So we had a HUGE yard sale and used our profits for travel money.
So, next leg meant moving out of our house and in with some dear friends of ours, during the transition time of our moving. We have been so blessed by sacred community in our lives and it is our desire to see this always grow. We were there for about a month when we took off one early Monday morning to head out West. Yes, you guessed it! We packed up our car and decided to take only what we could fit. No trailer. No moving truck. Just me and my love in our (loaded) CR-V. We decided to make it a road trip and stuck to our handy dandy atlas as our guide, of course Google was a travel companion, as well.
Along our journey, we saw the changing of landscape across the country with the ebb and flow of deserts to canyons. It was exciting, stressful at times, and a beautiful experience we wouldn't ever give up. A big part of this move, for us, is to be intentional people. By that, I mean to not simply say that we want to do or see something, yet not follow through. I have- occasionally... okay, maybe more frequently- been known to be a procrastinator. I am a very creative person who, often, sees art all around me. This can be a problem for me at times, because I tend to begin projects that get interrupted by others and then I end up with partially completed projects that I may only finish when put under a deadline. So....I am putting this out there as some sort of accountability... or maybe disclaimer...NO, a reminder to myself to be intentional and to do this thing! To write even when I don't feel like it, but I know that it will be worth it, because it always seems to be some sort of therapeutic experience for me.
So, now, I am sitting her at the dinner table at our place in Redding to share this account and, I guess, to get it out.
Again, I know this is a bit long, but this is our introduction. I guess I should have said this at the get go, but Hi, my name is Jessie. I love adventure. I am about community. I am about always growing. I love learning. I am a practicing vegetarian who is gluten free and dairy free, but, most importantly about health. I am about serving where you are planted and feeding the hungry. I hope to share with you what I have learned over a long process. I love to cook, so look out for hot recipes coming your way! Hence, my clever play on words with the web site name, "Anne of Green Tables." Okay, I didn't come up with that... it was actually my husband. :) But I hope that you pick up on my play of words and see that it is my desire to see community gather around the table and be nourished with food that feeds the heart, mind, soul, and of course belly! I hope you have enjoyed our quality time, via the virtual web, and that we get to hang out again soon! And just for your enduring patience, on this first date, I will give you a free recipe! Now, I did not come up with this one myself, unfortunately, but it is so good! I like to refer to this as my gateway meal to healthier and cleaner eating. I have made this for many friends and they always ask for the recipe, veggie and nonveggie people alike! If you are a mac n cheese kinda person, this is for you.
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/03/butternut-squash-mac-n-cheeze/
Thanks again for sticking with me and if you actually read this WHOLE thing, then you can leave me my very first comment with the code phrase: the fridge is on the floor. Just do it! And, of course, please leave me comments, questions, and anything helpful you have learned in your own journey. Word out.
I have been told, for sometime and by many a friend, that I should start a blog. This has all been spurred on with a desire to write and a passion for words but, moreover, to put words to a process of health that I have been growing in over the past three years.
I have been on a journey. Growing up, I was raised in a Southern kitchen where I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. However, when I came into my twenties things in my health started to shift, and not for the good. I began to lose weight and almost anything I ate made me sick. I began going to doctors with the outcome of few answers and, instead, much debt. There were also external factors that swirled around me, making me feel as if my world was turning upside down. Fortunately, one day after a procedure I was told that I had a parasite.. dun dun dun...
Home girl say what?! This was an odd result to hear when the only time I had left the U.S. was probably five years prior to Venezuela. Maybe parasites sleep for a long time?...
Anywho, I was placed on all sorts of antibiotics and medicines to treat symptoms, rather than the source. I did approximately three rounds of treatment with little-to-no relief. That is when I was told about a doctor of Naturopathy from a family member that was going for the same issues and seeing drastic breakthrough. She gave me the contact information and I set up an appointment.
Now, I know that many times when one hears the word Natural or Herbal doctor, there is a hmmm that follows. However, to me this was nothing new being raised with a grandmother who believes strongly in the healing powers of natural supplements that have simply been given to us from God through His creation. What's more, I had seen medical doctors for over two years without relief and it was within three months that I started to see improvement with this new approach. More importantly, to me, was that this doctor was a Christian man who shared very similar beliefs with me and just desired to see people healed and gain health back in their lives. I go into this story, as an intro to my blogging adventures, because this has been a turning point in my life in which I was reminded of the power of Hope. I have been seeing this doctor for just over a year, now, and I am at a healthier place in my life that is quite alternative to what I knew in my adolescence, but I would not change a thing about it!
So, now, my hope is to share what I have learned, over a very gradual process in the past year, about nutrition and food (etc, etc, etc...) and to encourage any who have experienced a feeling of defeat that ALL things are made NEW and the first step to breakthrough is to believe in hope.
I do hope not to defer my new readers with this long first entry, but this is only the beginning of what I have come to realize as part of my story. We each have a story and I believe it is for us to share.
Part One-
Now, we're getting to the good stuff! My husband, Mike, and I have just moved to the small city of Redding in the "Golden State" of California. My purpose in writing, to you, on this 108 degree Thursday (yes, I am serious and that is Fahrenheit!) is to invite you into what has been a quite adventuresome journey. I have been born and raised my whole life in the dirty south of Georgia. My husband, on the other hand, was raised in the Great Lake State of Michigan so he only lived in Georgia for about 5 years, in which we met but we'll save that story for a rainy day.
Anywho, it was one Winter day over Christmas break, last year, that Mike and I had the word to move placed on our hearts. This happened individually and we prayed on it together. We knew, surely, that if God was going to such lengths to communicate this to us, then He must have a plan and we wanted to know what it was all about. Within the coming months, the Lord started leading us to California and, well I'm no Valley Girl, so we decided that somewhere up North would be a good fit. And, then, the purging process began. We had been living in a small and quaint house and settled quite nicely and, by that, I mean we had accumulated a good bit of this and thats and whatnots. We realized that we most definitely could not take all these things and decided to just sell it all- with the exception of basic essentials and sentimental things we had been given from our wedding and such. Let me tell ya, it really was a cleansing process. At that point, we decided we wanted to keep things simple and to not gather things simply to have them. So we had a HUGE yard sale and used our profits for travel money.
So, next leg meant moving out of our house and in with some dear friends of ours, during the transition time of our moving. We have been so blessed by sacred community in our lives and it is our desire to see this always grow. We were there for about a month when we took off one early Monday morning to head out West. Yes, you guessed it! We packed up our car and decided to take only what we could fit. No trailer. No moving truck. Just me and my love in our (loaded) CR-V. We decided to make it a road trip and stuck to our handy dandy atlas as our guide, of course Google was a travel companion, as well.
Along our journey, we saw the changing of landscape across the country with the ebb and flow of deserts to canyons. It was exciting, stressful at times, and a beautiful experience we wouldn't ever give up. A big part of this move, for us, is to be intentional people. By that, I mean to not simply say that we want to do or see something, yet not follow through. I have- occasionally... okay, maybe more frequently- been known to be a procrastinator. I am a very creative person who, often, sees art all around me. This can be a problem for me at times, because I tend to begin projects that get interrupted by others and then I end up with partially completed projects that I may only finish when put under a deadline. So....I am putting this out there as some sort of accountability... or maybe disclaimer...NO, a reminder to myself to be intentional and to do this thing! To write even when I don't feel like it, but I know that it will be worth it, because it always seems to be some sort of therapeutic experience for me.
So, now, I am sitting her at the dinner table at our place in Redding to share this account and, I guess, to get it out.
Again, I know this is a bit long, but this is our introduction. I guess I should have said this at the get go, but Hi, my name is Jessie. I love adventure. I am about community. I am about always growing. I love learning. I am a practicing vegetarian who is gluten free and dairy free, but, most importantly about health. I am about serving where you are planted and feeding the hungry. I hope to share with you what I have learned over a long process. I love to cook, so look out for hot recipes coming your way! Hence, my clever play on words with the web site name, "Anne of Green Tables." Okay, I didn't come up with that... it was actually my husband. :) But I hope that you pick up on my play of words and see that it is my desire to see community gather around the table and be nourished with food that feeds the heart, mind, soul, and of course belly! I hope you have enjoyed our quality time, via the virtual web, and that we get to hang out again soon! And just for your enduring patience, on this first date, I will give you a free recipe! Now, I did not come up with this one myself, unfortunately, but it is so good! I like to refer to this as my gateway meal to healthier and cleaner eating. I have made this for many friends and they always ask for the recipe, veggie and nonveggie people alike! If you are a mac n cheese kinda person, this is for you.
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/03/butternut-squash-mac-n-cheeze/
Thanks again for sticking with me and if you actually read this WHOLE thing, then you can leave me my very first comment with the code phrase: the fridge is on the floor. Just do it! And, of course, please leave me comments, questions, and anything helpful you have learned in your own journey. Word out.
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