Abide in Me

Jesus tells us to abide in Him. Not just a suggestion, but a command.

To bear fruit, we must remain in the Vine

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.”John 15:4

Abide. What does that mean.

The dictionary definitions are—1: to remain in, to stay stable or fixed 2: to continue in something, to persist, to pursue 3: to tarry, to linger

We need to be connected to the vine. As a branch, it cannot get nutrients without being attached. I remember growing cucumbers. We put up a fence for the vine to grow and as it branched out the tiny cucumbers began to grow. Some grew this way and some went that way. I went out a few days later hoping to get some for my salad.

On one side of the fence I found several yummy cucumbers, but on the other side, I saw shriveled up cucumbers, smaller than a few days earlier. There was no fruit, or vegetables in this case. What happened??

Looking closer, I discovered that one of the branches, as it went over the fence, it got caught and broke off from the vine. Without the nutrients and support from the vine, the cucumbers shriveled up and died.

When we are not attached to Jesus, the vine…we too will not bear fruit. We need to stay attached, to tarry in His Presence.

Abide can also mean to tarry. It reminds me of the song, “In the Garden” “I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known”

Oh to tarry in the Presence of Jesus, what a sweet picture.

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Laugh, it is Good.

I was feeding my grandson, Kaleb some carrots. He really likes them! I was giving him a bite and my face was close to his. We were deep in conversation as he enjoyed his lunch. He was making faces and smiling at me. That’s when it happened…

No time for me to react. As he smiled so sweetly at me, he sneezed. A BIG sneeze. Aaaa, ahhh….choo! Carrots went flying all over my face! I was covered with orange carrot freckles & baby spit!

I just had to laugh. I laughed so much my belly hurt. It makes me think of all the blessings I have in my life. All the times I can choose joy!

“A man (or woman) has joy by the answer of his (or her) mouth and a word spoken in due season , how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23

How we react to situations effects the outcome. I know this situation is silly, is light and invokes laughter. How can I not laugh. Kaleb had the biggest grin..not knowing what was so funny. Buy Grammy was laughing and that made us both happy.

Sometimes things happen to us during our day and perhaps we react in anger or another emotion and that makes us miss the moment to speak or react in JOY.

JOY, JOY, JOY…I choose to speak and react with JOY

Vitamin B2 Riboflavin

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) is part of the B Vitamin group.

Mushrooms are a good source of Riboflavin Vitamin B2

The name “riboflavin” comes from “ribose” (the sugar whose reduced form, ribitol, forms part of its structure) and “flavin”, from Latin flavus, “yellow”.

It is best known visually because it imparts color to vitamin supplements and the yellow color to the urine of persons taking it.

It helps to turn fats, sugars and proteins into energy.  Very important for our bodies!  It is needed to repair and maintain healthy skin.  It is important for healthy nails, skin and eyes.  It also helps to regulate the body’s acidity.

Click this link to watch my free webinar on pH: Alkalinity & Acidity in the Human Body http://www.instantpresenter.com/WebConference/RecordingDefault.aspx?c_psrid=EA50DE868049

Tops foods containing Vitamin B2:  mushrooms, watercress, cabbage, asparagus, broccoli, pumpkin, bean sprouts, mackerel, milk, bamboo shoots, tomatoes, and wheat germ.  Vitamin B2 works best with other B Vitamins & Selenium.  It is best supplied as part of the B complex and taken with food.

Deficiency symptoms :

• Ariboflavinosis or riboflavinosis is a very painful ,red tongue with sore throat, swollen, chapped and severely cracked lips, and inflammation of the corners of the mouth.
• There can be oily scaly skin rashes on genital area and other soft folds of skin.
• The eyes can become itchy, watery, bloodshot and sensitive to light.
• Due to interference with iron absorption, riboflavin deficiency could cause anemia.
• Deficiency of riboflavin during pregnancy can result in birth defects including congenital heart defects and limb deformities.  Riboflavin deficiency has been implicated in cancer.

Daily Requirement: RDA 1.6 mg (May vary depending on body weight)

Toxic Levels: Not a concern.  It is water soluble, any excess will be excreted and you may have bright yellow urine.

100% of 6 B Vitamins Plus 6 KEY electrolytes in just 2 servings…NO Stimulants added.

Adversaries are antibiotics, tea, coffee, birth control pills, alkaline agents, sulfur dioxide (a preservative) overcooking & processed foods.

Supplement with AIM Peak Endurance…Contains six of the B vitamins important to metabolism – B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12  Contains all six major electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and chloride) in proper balance

View data sheet https://www.theaimcompanies.com/datasheets/2/72E.pdf

AND/OR BarleyLife Xtra…a whole food with 2% of your Daily Value in just 1  teaspoon. Find it at AimForBalance.com

Vitamin B1 Thiamine

I am starting a series on Vitamins.  They are SO essential to our immune system and our whole body health.

I will be giving you food examples that can help you get the RDA of each Vitamin, and how the Vitamin best works and what its’ adversaries are.

Should you wish to supplement with high quality products…I will be talking about products from The AIM Companies.  A whole foods, nutrition company based in Nampa, Idaho that has been around for over 30 years.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) is essential for energy production, brain function, and digestion. It helps the body make us of protein. It works well with other B Vitamins, magnesium & manganese.

Watercress is High in Vitamin B1

Some good sources are trout, tuna, lean pork, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bread, watercress, squash, lamb, asparagus, mushrooms,  green peas, lettuce, peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, yeast & beans.

Deficiency symptoms can be tender muscles, eye pains,, irritability, poor concentration, prickly legs, poor memory, stomach pains, constipation, tingling hands, rapid heartbeat.

Daily Requirement: RDA 1.4 mg

Toxic Levels: Not a concern

Adversaries are antibiotics, tea, coffee, birth control pills, alkaline agents, sulfur dioxide (a preservative) overcooking & processed foods.

Supplement with AIM BarleyLife Xtra…a whole food with 2% of your Daily Value in just 1 teaspoon. Find it at www.aimforbalance.com

Sweet and Sour Chicken Recipe Paleo

Sweet and Sour Chicken, Colorful & Delicious

This recipe takes a bit of  time to prepare and cook the chicken, (about 25 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook)…BUT SO WORTH IT!  Serves about 4 unless you did what I did and kept nibbling on the crispy chicken pieces 🙂

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 1/2 cup whole grain millet flour, stone ground*
• 1/2 cup coconut flour*
• 1 cup almond meal/flour*
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup pineapple, cut into chunks ( Fresh is best, but I used canned in its’ own juice)
• ½ cup pineapple juice (I used the no sugar added juice from the can)
• 1 cup sweet bell pepper, chopped (I used a combination of red & green for color)
• 1 cup sweet Vadalia onion, chopped;
• 3 tbsp. honey; (optional) (Local is best)
• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s)
• 2 green onions or scallions, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup chicken stock (Try to find one with no MSG)
• ½ cup (or so) coconut oil ( I use Wildtree Organic Coconut oil, find it at mywildtree.com/myfatherswellness)
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

• In a bowl, combine the flours and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Dip each chicken cube in the beaten eggs; then coat with the flour mixture.
• Heat half or 1/4 cup of coconut oil in a large skillet placed over  a medium heat.
• Cook the chicken until brown.  Work in batches and do not over crowd your pan.  You will have to add more coconut oil as you go. Takes about 10 minutes or until cooked through, turn so chicken is browned on all sides.
• 

  So golden & delicious…I could not resist eating a few!

  Set the chicken aside and drain on paper towels.

• Clean the skillet.
• Heat some coconut oil again over a medium heat

 

•  Add the bell pepper and onion, and cook for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the pineapple chunks, pineapple juice, apple cider vinegar, chicken stock, honey (if using), and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
•  If you want to keep your chicken crispy, after all you worked hard to get it crispy…GOOD JOB!…add the sauce individually to your chicken as you serve it
• Otherwise…Return the chicken to the skillet.  Lightly mix to coat. Serve warm with green onions sprinkled on top.
• If you are NOT doing Paleo, you can serve over  brown rice, or Orzo.  
• *NOTE:  You can use any combination of nut or seed flours (or grain flours if you are not Paleo and/or do not require gluten free).  I like the subtle coconut taste.

To follow my blog or for complete recipe with step by step color photos, go to http://www.myfatherswellness.wordpress.com and click on recipes

Heavenly Counsel

As many of you know, I am a Certified Nutritional Counselor & Health Specialist.  What you may not know is that I am a Certified Biblical Health Coach too.  I believe that we are not only just a physical body, but a spiritual one as well.  In this blog I write about health related topics, recipes, nutrition facts and Biblical truths.

Today is a Biblical truth.

They do not hurry or worry.

I am sometimes so caught up in getting things done, that I fail to ask God for guidance.   I fall into the trap of being too busy, always on the go.  With the constant snowfall we are getting in New Hampshire, I am kind of forced to slow down.  It is good for my soul.

As I sit here and watch the birds in my feeder, especially my favorite, the red cardinal…I am reminded that they do not hurry and they do not worry.  They are provided for.  It is the same with us.

We have a Heavenly Father that has His eye focused on us, on you and on me. If we listen with our hearts and are in His Word…He promises to give us direction.

 ^“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
 I will counsel you with my loving eye on you”. Psalm 32:8New International Version (NIV)

We must align ourselves with His way, His perspective.  When I do this, time seems to slow down.  I get so much more accomplished.  I am not running around in crazy circles.  I am focused… Focused on Him. May you be blessed with His Counsel today.

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Sweet Potato Hash, Paleo

This is quick & easy to prepare.  This version allows the sweet potato to be just cooked through but firm.  It will easily serve 2.  To feed a bigger crowd or to have left overs, double the recipe.

Sweet potatoes stay firm & add color to this easy dish

Ingredients

• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large sweet potato
• 1 lb kielbasa or smoked sausage, diced  (I use one with no nitrites, no nitrates, no MSG)
• 1 tsp or to taste, Greek style spices (See my recipe below) Or spices you like

Directions

• Heat oil on medium heat in a large skillet, add onions and cook about 5 minutes or until translucent.
• While this is cooking, microwave your sweet potato until slightly soft but not cooked through.  (You can also partially cook your sweet potato in the oven the night before and use from cold.  This is a great way to use up left overs.  If sweet potato cooks all the way through before adding to the pan, it may be soggy, but still tastes good).
• Allow sweet potato to cool for 10 minutes. Dice sweet potato into about 1 inch cubes.
• Reduce heat in pan and add sweet potato, kielbasa and Greek spices
• Gently toss or stir to cover ingredients evenly.
• Saute for about 10 minutes or until sweet potato is done or if using already cooked leftovers…until all ingredients are hot.

Greek spice recipe:

Takes about 5 minutes, makes just over 1/4 cup and will keep for about a year (Mine never stays in the house that long!) I triple the recipe because we use it so much.

• 2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, ground**
• 1 tsp dill weed
• 1 tsp dried marjoram
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme, ground**
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• *1 tsp cornstarch *NOTE:  Cornstarch is NOT PALEO…Some people add it to the mix for a more free flowing mix.  I do not  and mine always is okay.  It is up to you.

Add all ingredients except rosemary & thyme into a bowl.

**Mix rosemary & thyme in a spice grinder just until ground.  Mix in with other ingredients.  Thoroughly mix together (You can put them all in a blender/spice grinder and pulse to mix)  Store in a airtight container.

Get more recipes by following my blog at http://www.myfatherswellness.wordpress.com

 

Chili, Paleo

I was looking for a way to substitute beans in my traditional chili recipe.  My husband went on line and together we looked at a few.  Here is our “tweaked” version.  We added what works for us and took out what didn’t.  All the colors make it a  great visual for the palate too!  This is on the mild/medium spice level.

Full of vegetables and flavor!

• 1 lb ground beef (grass fed, if you can)
• 1 large sweet onion, diced
• 2 medium sweet peppers , diced (I used 1 red, 1 green)
• 2 medium/large sweet potatoes, peeled and medium diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 29 oz (2 CANS) diced tomatoes, NO sugar added or 4 large fresh tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar ( I used Bragg’s)
• 2 tsp cayenne pepper (you can use 2 Tbsp chili powder instead for a kick and/or 1 tsp chipotle chili powder…CAUTION, this one is SPICY))
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano or (2 Tbsp fresh & chopped)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• pepper, to taste
• cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

• Heat  dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and let it brown.  Drain off any excess fat.
• Add diced onion, peppers, sweet potato and garlic to the pan.  Season with sea salt & pepper.  Let everything saute for about 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
• Add the spices to the pot, stir to cover vegetables. Let mixture saute for about 5 minutes, keep an eye that it does not burn on. This step is important to let the spices roast and combine with other ingredients.
• Add the apple cider vinegar to the pan, use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom & sides of pan where most of the flavor is!
• Add the diced tomatoes and stir everything together.
• ( I transfer all my ingredients into my slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.
• Or you can cover and bring to a boil.  Then reduce heat and simmer with the lid cracked for at least 20 minutes…more time, more flavor!
• Season with additional sea salt & pepper, if desired
• Garnish with cilantro, if desired

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Gluten free, Paleo friendly Coffee Cake

Gluten-free, Paleo and delicious

As a Certified Nutritional Counselor, I am always checking out the newest  “fad” and other diet plans that are out there.  Right now, I am researching Paleo.  Although I do not agree with all of the ways, there is much merit to it.

In the 12 week series of classes that I teach, I recommend staying away from all processed foods, sugars, and other “white” foods. Omit or at least Limit caffeine and stay away from grains for first 6 weeks, then whole grains  are slowly added back in.  Great way to find out if you have any sensitivities or intolerance to grains.

Lots of fresh and steamed vegetables, fresh fruits, leans proteins, nuts, seeds, beans & legumes are allowed.  And for those who are not lactose intolerant, dairy in the form of yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream.

So I have been looking for a good gluten free, Paleo coffee cake recipe.  I found one and tweaked it a bit.  It was DELICIOUS and MOIST!  Hope you like it!

COFFEE CAKE (Paleo & Gluten –Free)               Serves about 9.

INGREDIENTS, CAKE PART

¾ cup Coconut flour

¼ cup Millet flour (can substitute Almond flour)

½ tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

8 large eggs (organic, if you can) or (4 large eggs & 1 cup eggs whites, cake will be a bit drier…just sayin’)

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup plain coconut milk yogurt or (plain yogurt if using dairy, NOT non-fat)

5 TBL coconut oil, slightly melted or (5 TBL unsalted butter)

¼ cup honey (local or clover is better) can use up to ½ cup for additional sweetness

1 TBL real vanilla extract

**INGREDIENTS, TOPPING (My FAVORITE!)

1 ½ cup unsalted nuts (I used almonds…use what you like)

2 tsp ground cinnamon

4 TBL honey (local or clover is better

4 TBL coconut oil, cold and cut into tablespoons or (5 TBL unsalted butter)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 F and adjust rack to middle position.

Place all the batter ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.  (Batter should be about consistency of cake batter, only a bit thicker) Pour batter into a well greased & floured 8 X 8 glass baking dish (*I brushed on olive oil liberally and dusted with coconut flour)

Clean your batter bowl and place nuts in food processor and pulse till coarsely chopped.  Add last 3 topping ingredients.  Pulse just until combined and ingredients bind together.  I mixed mine too fine; it’s better coarser than mine.

Drop spoonfuls of batter into batter and using a butter knife, swirl topping into top layer of batter.

Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool for 20 minutes.  Be careful when removing from dish.  You may have to go around the edges and under with a spatula before removing.  My topping mostly sunk to the bottom (Probably because I doubled it) so I just left the cake upside down.  Cut & serve right away.  Best when eaten the day it is made.  Enjoy!

*The first time I made this I used an air bake aluminum cake pan and just used oil…my cake STUCK a lot.  The next time I used a glass 8 X 8 baking dish, oiled and floured, MUCH BETTER!                                                                                         **Sometimes, okay MOST of the time I double the topping recipe.

You can find pictures for each step at http://www.MyfathersWellness.com. click on the tab recipes

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Basic gluten free Paleo bread

Really delicious…you wouldn’t think it was grain free!

Ingredients:

*1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour (you can make your own by grinding whole blanched almonds in a food processor or spice grinder)

*½ cup millet flour

*2 Tablespoons coconut flour

¼ cup ground golden flaxseed

¼ teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

5 large eggs (or 3 whole and 3 egg whites) at room temperature is best

1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil (I use Wildtree organic)

1 Tablespoon honey (Local is available)

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (I use Bragg’s)

Directions:

1. Place flours, flaxseed, salt & baking soda in a food processor.
2. Pulse ingredients together.
3. Mix remaining ingredients in separate container and slowly add to flour mixture, pulsing after each pour just until mixed.
4. Transfer to a greased loaf pan. (I used a glass pan and I brushed the sides generously with olive oil)
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
6. Cool in the pan. I use a spatula to gently unstick any areas on the pan, and then it should slide out pretty well after it has cooled.
7. Enjoy! I like to drizzle a little honey on top.

NOTE:  You can add your favorite spices, nuts, fresh berries or other fresh or frozen fruits to the batter.

*You can also use any combination of the above nut & seed flours or any you prefer to get the flavor you like.

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