Tahini Sauce

Tahini is a condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame.  The sesame seeds are soaked in salt water to separate the bran from the kernels.  The kernels are toasted and ground to produce an oily paste.  The paste can either be served by itself as a dip, or as an ingredient in hummus or other Eastern Mediterranean recipes.

Tahini Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 6 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place the tahini, garlic, salt, olive oil, lemon juice and water in a medium bowl. Whisk with a hand whisk until smooth.
• Use a rubber spatula to mix in the parsley.
• Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Stir again before serving and add more water if the sauce has thickened in the fridge, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
• Tahini sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.

The sauce can be used as a condiment for meat or as a dipping sauce for vegetables or bread.  Or continue adding water for a tasty salad dressing.

HOPE

 Well it finally happened! Six weeks into Stay-At-Home/ Work-From-Home I became bored and cut my bangs, dyed my hair and gave myself a mani/pedi!! I have to admit it was very energizing.

During this pandemic quarantine I have been blessed to continue to work from home. That in and of itself has brought some challenges of how to quickly change processes to accommodate the needs of co-workers that I support. It’s a daily challenge as we all weather this storm and continue to support our utility customers.

Also during this time I have been blessed with wonderful friends. We check-in on one another routinely, listen to our frustrations and find ways to see one another while self-distancing - order take out and sit in our vehicles and chat, go for a three mile walk or meet at a local park while keeping our distance and wearing masks.

It has been extremely helpful during this #AloneTogether to look inward to my faith. I am reading a bible study through Bible App. I listen to the on-line sermons through Church of The Resurrection (COR) and I pray for HOPE and HEALING🙏 God continues to teach us daily to have hope and to be of good cheer. We see that in the renewing of the earth. Welcome into your heart and home HOPE.

The Cup

The new decade beginning with 2020 has come with many challenges.  A great storm, or seismos, has come upon our world globally in the form of COVID-19 Pandemic.  In the Bible in the Book of Matthew we are told that Jesus and his disciples got into a boat in Galilee and suddenly a great seismos came upon them.  The disciples were afraid and Jesus asked them why they were afraid.

Life comes with fears - war, sickness, finances, disasters.  Fear can serve as a healthy purpose to change our actions-fear of the law of the land that we drive the speed limit and pay our taxes.   It's not the absence of storms that sets us apart, it's the ONE that we discover in the storm. There is wisdom that comes from fearing God.

Mismanagement of our fears - trying to control a world that feels out of control, we tend to exclude God and let fear dominant our behavior and actions.  God has NOT given us a Spirit of Fear - don't invite Fear in by opening  the door of your heart. The fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

It is not by chance that we are experiencing extreme challenges during the season of Lent.  Jesus was in the garden praying to the Father when Judas led the soldiers to him.  In the midst of our current crisis, will people know where to find you?  Would they find you in prayer, or out trying to bury your anxiety by shopping, dining/drinking, or binge watching on Netflix?

Jesus embraced the cup God gave him to drink from.  He moved toward the men who came for him.  He moved toward what God had in store for him to fulfil the great promise - the promise of forgiveness and eternal life.

Today we each hold a cup the Father has given us.  Each one of us is dealing with the ramifications and challenges of COVID-19.  Instead of being filled with fear and paranoia, we need to embrace this cup.  During this strange season, ask God to lead and guide us.  Ask Him to help us to do what is wise and most pleasing in His sight.

As children of God we should not store up the bins beyond what is our normal consumption.  This prohibits the poor from buying what they need on limited funds. God can and will send wind, rain and earthquakes to level those storage bins.  We need to display the love of God to one another and help each other in these trying times.  Don't be selfish but selfless, or God will not bestow blessings upon us.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

5 Fun Facts About Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit

Recently while I was vacationing in beautiful Monterey, California I had the opportunity to purchase a dragon fruit at a local fruit market.  It was truly an interesting experience!

Dragon Fruit is an exotic and delicious fruit.  It is also known as pitaya or pitahaya and strawberry pear.  The peel of the dragon fruit is used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical applications.  Dragon fruit is a healthy fruit which is low in calories and rich in antioxidants.  The fruit is rich in protein, fiber, lycopene and carbohydrates.  Some health benefits are that it aids in weight loss, controlling diabetes, improving digestion, lowering cholesterol, and boasting energy levels. 

When cut open, the texture of the meat is similar to kiwi, and it is filled with small black seeds which help improve digestion.  The meat of the fruit can be used to make wine or can be strained into other beverages.  The leaves can be steeped for a healthy tea.

1.     Find Dragon Fruit – it may not be available at your neighborhood grocery, but you can usually find them at Asian markets

2.     Select ripe fruit – it should be bright red or pink.  Press the flesh of the dragon fruit, and if it has a little give it is probably ripe

3.    Cut the fruit in half lengthwise from the stem, using a sharp knife.  You will find white flesh inside with tiny black seed throughout the fruit

4.      Scoop out the flesh with a spoon.  If the fruit is ripe it will separate easily

5.      Eat the dragon fruit – quartered, mixed with other fruits, in smoothies or sorbet

Enjoy this Super Food!

New Beginnings 2018

2018 a new novel  - containing 12 chapters and 365 blank pages. 

Open the book and begin -

Break a bad habit
   Learn a new skill
      Do a good deed
          Visit a new place
                Read a difficult book
                     Create something important
                            Try a new food
                                 Take an important risk
                                     Kiss someone who thinks you are wonderful
                                         Be your authentic self
                                             Live in the moment-the 'present'
                                                 Show gratitude not negativity

Turn the page and see what the next chapter holds. Everyday remember the greatest gift is the gift of LIFE!

Wishing you the best chapter yet in this coming New Year!

Christmas Wreath

Christmas 2017 I have the joy of celebrating with the Ashleys-my daughter, son-in-law and puppy Jules.  It’s been full of holiday magic and cheer-shopping,cooking, karaoke challenge, Celebration of Lights and Williamsburg tour.

On our trek to Williamsburg we were drawn to the various wreaths.  In true Colonial style they were made from natural items-cedar greenery, apples, dried flowers and leaves and feathers.  Simple yet elegant because of the natural beauty. These wreaths  represent renewal, rebirth, everlasting life, memory and hope. Our ancestors were very attuned to nature and the cycle of life.

Enjoy this collage of natural elements and wonder-and blessings upon you and your family during this Holy season.

Feline Musings

My furry feline friend, Camille, has brought much comfort and happiness into my life.  I adopted her in 2016, an emotional roller coaster year for me.  We all experience these highs and lows in our lives while on our journey, but sometimes the storm barely passes before the next wave comes crashing into our shore. Most waves splash over us with happiness, and other times there are whitecaps tossing us to and fro.  That is when we need to hold tight to our anchors- Faith, Family, Friends and Fur Babies!

My feline friend has instilled the following wisdom in me: