ARTICHOKE

 The globe artichoke is the immature flower bud of a thistle, which is part of the sunflower family. They are one of the oldest known foods to man.   An artichoke's blossoms are blue violet in color and can measure up to seven inches in diameter.  One artichoke can produce up to 20 blossoms per year!

Artichokes are ranked number one over all other vegetables for antioxidant levels that help prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, as well as having a positive effect on the liver and digestive health - not to mention high in vitamin C, A, K and more.  To top it off, artichokes also taste great taste and are versatile in recipes too, including both low-carb, keto and air fryer recipes. Artichokes can be stuffed, grilled, steamed or braised. 

When purchasing fresh artichokes, look for dark green orbs with tightly closed leaves that are heavy for their size.  Artichokes are best eaten right away but can be stored in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to four days.

INGREDIENTS

• ▢2 fresh artichokes

Dipping Sauce:

• ▢1/3 cup mayonnaise
• ▢1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• ▢2 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme

Optional Toppings:

• ▢olive oil
• ▢ground black pepper and sea salt
• ▢dried thyme leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

• Prepare Artichokes: Rinse artichokes. Snap off and discard any small outer leaves on stems. Snip off any large thorns on leaves using kitchen shears. Cut off and discard top-third of leaves (inedible leaves furthest from stem) using a serrated knife. Cut off and discard lower part of stem, leaving at least 1 inch attached to artichoke.
• Cook Artichokes: Add artichokes to a large pot, add water until they start to float, and cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil covered for 30 minutes, adjusting heat as needed to maintain a medium boil. Uncover, and using tongs transfer artichokes to a colander to drain, stem side up. Check for doneness: artichokes are done when a leaf can easily be pulled out using tongs. Let them cool for about 45 minutes.
• Dipping Sauce: Whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl until very smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Serve: Slice cooled artichokes in half, down the stem, handling carefully to avoid breaking off tender leaves. Use a spoon to scoop out and discard fuzzy needle-like white centers and purple leaves from each artichoke half. Arrange artichokes on serving plates. Lightly brush cut surfaces with olive oil, and season with pepper, salt, and thyme. Serve with prepared dipping sauce and extra plates for discarded leaves.

• How to Eat Artichokes: 

  The bottom third of the tough outer leaves can be scraped with the teeth after a good dunk in melted butter or dipping sauce—there’s a fair bit of meat there.  Use a spoon to scoop out the heart or center of the sunflower—less any fuzzy choke. Enjoy!

EASTER ROLLS

 A delicious and easy Easter roll to make with your littles, while teaching the resurrection of Christ are 

                                                    EMPTY TOMB ROLLS

Symbolism of Empty Tomb Rolls:

Large marshmallows - body of Jesus

Crescent roll - the wrapping of Jesus' body or the tomb

Melted Butter - oils of embalming

Cinnamon and sugar mix - spices used to anoint Jesus' body

Oven - the tomb

Cavity in bun - the empty tomb or the empty cloths

How to make Empty Tomb Rolls:

1. Separate the eight crescent triangle rolls.  Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Dip a regular size marshmallow in melted butter and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.

2.  Place the dipped marshmallow at the top of the crescent roll and roll into shape, securing and pinching the sides.  Place on a prepared cookie sheet (greased or parchment paper).

3.  Brush melted butter on top of bun and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture.  Bake in 375 degrees oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy a new Easter tradition with your family this year💜☦

HOSANNA

 Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the first day of Holy Week and the fourth and final Sunday of Lent.  Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey and being greeted by the people waving palm branches.  It is a reminder of our welcoming Jesus into our hearts and our willingness to follow Him.

"They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"  John 12:13

Jesus ministered tirelessly in the days leading up to his entry into Jerusalem.  Among other righteous acts, our Lord healed the blind, cured ten lepers, ate dinner with Zacchaeus, resurrected Lazarus, and broke bread with His disciples at the Last Supper.

By the time Jesus and his disciples entered Jerusalem a large crowd had formed anxious to see Jesus and the man he had raised from the dead. Their shouts of praise honoring Christ as King infuriated the Pharisees who were trying to catch and kill Jesus. The Pharisees believed only Caesar was king. The crowd was wanting Jesus to be their king as a political and military leader freeing them from the hated Roman government.

Jesus was clear that the Kingdom He had come to establish was not of this world.  The Kingdom of God is eternal - transcending time and space.  King Jesus, Prince of Peace, Lamb of God - is our redeemer - the King of our hearts for eternity.

"Alleluia, how the people cheer and palm leaves rustle as the King draws near."  John Beavis

Deciding The Road You Are Traveling

February - the month of love❗ 💘 A wonderful time to pause and reflect upon the 'beat' of our hearts.  What is your passion or heart's desire for your life legacy. What impact do you want to make on our world.

There are two roads in life - the broad road and the narrow road, or the road more heavily traveled and the road less traveled.  The heavily traveled road is broad because the masses travel its path.  The road less traveled is narrow because few travel that path.

The broad road is crowded and carries with it selfishness, prejudice, hate, lust, intolerance and bigotry.  There are no restrictions, no inhibitions, no rules.  The extremes of humanity are on this wide road - the dictators, the immoral, the murderers.  Some Christians are on this road too - the ones that may 'feel' they are displaying the love of Christ by accepting and supporting everyone.  But perhaps what they are really doing is conforming to broad-minded beliefs and not standing for their own moral beliefs.

The narrow road is less traveled because some view it as being narrow-minded - too many rules, regulations and discipline.  Yet they fail to realize the impact upon their lives and the continuation of society that traffic lights, traffic signs, taxes, regulations and morals valuing life at any stage.  Social morality helps individuals to be law abiding and to treat others in society with dignity and respect.  Morality has a psychological impact upon society.  

Today the psychology of our society is affected directly and indirectly by social media and social networking companies.  These platforms have caused problematic social, political and cultural consequences.  Social media algorithm powered by artificial intelligence can nurture an addiction, manipulate it's use in politics and spread conspiracies.  We need to be vigilant and understand the path/road that our great nation is traveling by following the masses.

Our founding fathers sacrificed their lives, finances, homes and families to build this great nation built upon religious principles and values. We must not destroy our nation and each other by obliterating our country's history so that we do not allow those events to be repeated in future generations.  

Today, on Valentine's Day, I would love to challenge your heart to decide which road you are personally traveling.

                  

What Is Your Wildest Dream?

 Today our country honors Martin Luther King Jr, an American Baptist minister and activist who became a visible spokesman and leader in the American civil rights movement.  His famous speech, "I Have A Dream" delivered in 1963 in which he spoke of his dream of a United States that was void of segregation and racism.   

 Today, Americans should also reflect on the current status of our country.  Have we accepted a "New Normal" and become numb to the violence and acts of hate?  Have we allowed the stress of living with a pandemic to strip us of our human empathy?  Have we allowed our government to take away some of our rights through legislation and mandates?  Our great nation was founded by emigrants seeking asylum from the tyrannies of England.  Our ancestors honored the differences of their neighbors and allowed them the religious freedoms, languages and rituals of their individual nationalities.

I recently watched the movie "Tender Bar".  In one scene, a college roommate of J.R. Moehringer challenges him that it is not 'luck' that any of us is living life today.  We are all survivors via our ancestors who "had super-genes that made it possible for them to survive the myriad life-ending viruses that killed off so many, so early."   We need to embrace the fact that we are all here for a reason and to fulfill our own dreams.

A dream is an idea or vision that is created in your imagination.  Something that you have wanted very much to do, be, or have for a long time.  What are you dreaming for our wonderful diverse country?  What life do you envision for your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren?  Our country is at a crossroads where we don't hardly recognize the United States of America that we once knew and revered.

My wildest dream is that we embrace one another with compassion, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity and faithfulness!!  Our great nation was founded on these principles, the fruits of the spirit.  I am envisioning our country's return to our original beliefs that will sustain our diversities and make us -                                                         THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                                 DREAM YOUR WILDEST DREAMS NOW!