Tag: Whole foods

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl

On By The DiscernerIn Daily Devotions3 Comments

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Put g o o d things into your body. When you put good things into your body, your body will be in good health. And what are our bodies?

Temples of the l i v i n g God.

Yes, our lives as Christians are indeed spiritual. But as God’s people who are set apart for His purposes and His glory, it is imperative to take loving care of the bodies that God has graciously given us. We must care for them with •respect• because He m a d e them with •respect•.

Remember, we don’t belong to ourselves anymore, we belong to Jesus.

Spiritually a n d physically,
we are His.

Let us glorify Him in all we do, including what we put in our mouths. Let us delight in the foods He kindheartedly provides this earth.

{Psalm 139:14}
I will praise you; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are your works; and that my soul knows right well.

This bowl of chocolate yumminess may look unhealthy but I assure you, it’s
f u l l of goodness and nutrition!

B l e n d:
Frozen bananas | Cashew milk | Unsweetened cocoa powder.

T o p w i t h:
Drizzled natural peanut butter | Peanuts | Buckwheat.

D e l i c i o u s.
W h o l e.
H e a l t h y.

Gorgeous Risotto

On By The DiscernerIn Daily Devotions7 Comments

…Did I just call my risotto gorgeous? Yeah, I did. And for good reason too! This butternut squash risotto wasn’t only a delight to the palette, but very pleasing to the eye as well.

This creamy butternut squash risotto contained walnuts, goat cheese, raisins, dried apricots, portobello mushrooms, and fresh sage, among other things. All together in one dish? Bliss on my tongue. It was my first time making risotto, and I was pleased with the results! And it went perfect with a fresh loaf of olive oil, rosemary, and sea salt bread.

Come…into…my…mouth, you gorgeous thing, you. Yeah. Okay, I’m weird.;)

Oh, the scents radiating through my home that day was half of the reward in itself!

My cousin and his wife and kids were to come over for dinner that night, and I thought, what a better dish than a staple made at our Italian family gatherings when we were growing up. Kind of brought up a bit of nostalgia. :’) Not only that, it was such a perfect and warm dish for the stormy blizzard weather outside. This was all around a great one-pot dish to serve a family.

One of the things I’ve vastly come to appreciate is the presentation of beautiful food. The beauty in food is half of the enjoyment that comes from food. Our eyes gaze on the colours and combinations, and we can’t help but look at it with appreciation. I wasn’t at all like that before. I didn’t really care or appreciate these things, because I didn’t see the meaning behind it all. But now I do. Boy, do I ever! I love, love, love the beauty in food. And it’s because I love, love, love the Creator of that food.

Food is something we’ve been given to appreciate and receive joy from.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God. Ecclesiastes 3:13

God wants us to experience joy! And you know why? Because He’s a God full of joy.

The LORD your God among you is powerful— he will save and he will take joyful delight in you. In his love he will renew you with his love; he will celebrate with singing because of you. Zephaniah 3:17

We have a God full of joy and abounding in pleasures!

God knew what He was doing when he created the abundance of beauty, tastes, and nutrients in foods that we have been given. Food is not only meant to sustain, but to heal our bodies. Food is not only meant to fill us, but food is meant to please us as well. We’re not only meant to receive food, but to give as well. It connects people together. Some of the greatest joys in human life revolve around food, and it was by no coincidence. God is a pleasing God who is full of joy, love, and great abundance. He’s not a boring God like so many might think.

He is exciting, thrilling, incredible, beautiful, and pleasing beyond measure.

All you have to do is look at the things He creates, and you can easily see who He is through His creation. Look at the sunset! Isn’t it glorious? It is stunning artwork before your eyes. Bite into a juicy, ripe peach on a warm, sunny day and taste its refreshing, delicious flavor that is so pleasing to the tongue. Look out at the colours from a cliff on a fall day, and bask in the majesty of it all. Feel the cool raindrops on your face and look out at the sky to see a bright rainbow.

I’m sure lots of wonderful thoughts about who God is will come to your mind if you open your eyes and your heart to see it. It does to mine, every day.

So making this risotto, I’d have to say the beauty in its presentation was my greatest reward. It’s just so pretty! Take a look.

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I swear, my eyes are turning into the shape of hearts as we speak. Look at all of those beautiful whole and natural ingredients. Look at the vibrant colours! My heart swells when I look at this. Because I’m connected to the God who created this, and I love Him more than life. I see this as a reflection of Him and I’m in awe.

People so easily take for granted the beauties of this earth. It has become common, and I find that to be a great tragedy, because it is anything but. One of my deepest passions to the core of my heart is to reverse the commonality of the endless beauty and make the Creator and His splendor known. 

I loved making this recipe, and I definitely plan on making it again. It was a one-pot wonder dish – the kind you throw everything in the pot raw and uncooked, along with the water, and the result is a creamy, delicious dish.

Having my cousin and his family over for dinner was such an incredible, intimate, and special time. In the past, I’ve veered away from inviting people over for gatherings and dinner parties because my apartment is oh so tiny! But I have come to realize that I care more about opening my home up for people and good times than I do about a small space. And really, the closer the better, right?

So I laid out a beautiful spread of risotto, along with my favourite olive oil, thyme, sea salt artisan bread, and some red wine that they had brought over. With the candles lit, it was such a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy each others company and share our lives together.

Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. Ecclesiastes 9:7

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This dish turned out lightly sweet with a sour touch and earthy undertones; the goat cheese balanced out the flavours together very well.

In case anyone would like to make this amazing dish, here is the recipe:

  • 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 4 cups of water
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh orzo, uncooked
  • 1/2 cup of walnuts
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tbs. honey
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 portobello mushroom, diced
  • Goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

Bake the squash first, then peel and cube. Combine in the pot your squash, 4 cups of water, orzo, honey, shallot, apple cider vinegar, salt, sage, thyme, and mushroom. Bring to boil over high heat, and reduce to simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, uncovered, stirring frequently. Add water if necessary (if you need more moisture). Once creamy and thick and water has boiled off, take off of heat and add your apricots and goat cheese! This recipe was used from topateyourplate.com.

Bada bing, bada boom. Deliciousness in one-pot and pretty to serve.

A Good Boost of Energy

On By The DiscernerIn Daily Devotions2 Comments

Protein bars. Energy bars. Granola bars. When we think of these things, we usually think of those packaged ‘healthy’ snacks that take up half an isle. When we need a boost of energy or feel those 3pm hunger pangs kick in, or when we had just worked out and need to refuel, much of western culture buys processed, sugar-laced crack in a neatly shaped bar, wrapped with loud and bright logos. To our dismay, these can even deceive the most trained and passionate athletic gurus into thinking that they are healthy. Those protein bars packed with sugar and a bunch of ingredients we can’t even begin to pronounce are not good for you in any way, shape, or form. Sadly, what manufactured companies advertise as healthy usually isn’t the case. They’re packaged to solicit healthy-lifestyle and workout junkies; however, they aren’t nourishing to your body. Yeah sure, they’ll give you an energetic high. That’s because of all the sugar in them! And yes, protein is good for you, but in manufactured form…not so much. Not even close. Not only that, they charge 4-6 bucks a pop, basically ripping money out of the hands of folks desiring to lead a healthy lifestyle.

According to an article I found on The Globe and Mail, many protein bars contain these horrid ingredients: soy protein isolate, high-fructose corn syrup (HSCS), fractioned/hydrogenated palm kernel oil, artificial sweeteners, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and natural flavourings (which are not natural!). Without making my blog post too entirely long, I didn’t include the descriptions or what they do to your body [please do research!]. But, they aren’t good for you, and I feel grateful to have the opportunity to shed light on them and help encourage another way.

Before I go on any further, I’ll be the first to admit that I will splurge on candy, chocolates, and when my mom lays out a beautiful german chocolate cake in front of me, I won’t say no. Haha. But my argument here is that these bars are packaged to endorse a healthy lifestyle and are geared towards those trying to be healthy. When I eat chocolate cake, I know that it’s a splurge. But I wouldn’t want to eat something I think is healthy and nourishing yet it be anything but that.

I can tell you that it breaks God’s heart to see people deceived and caught up in the advertising and sale schemes of big money-hungry companies, and the people behind them.

Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. James 1:16

Just because it’s packaged as healthy, doesn’t mean it is. In fact, these corporations don’t even slightly care about your health. They want your money.

Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. Proverbs 1:19

God doesn’t want the precious human beings that He created to fall into this advertisement, passivity haze. Jesus Christ is the all-powerful, Almighty God, but He also feels so deeply. More deeply than human beings can fully grasp. And His heart breaks when He sees His people nutrition-deprived, especially when he gifts us with an abundance of food that comes from the earth. This goes way beyond packaged bars. It’s the fast-paced convenience-centered culture in which we live. The kingdom of consumerism as an entity spills out into every facet of our lifestyle, and greatly effects our culture, society, and way of living as a whole. It goes deeper, but for the sake of this post, I’m only going to discuss packaged protein bars. The good news is that with the right knowledge, we can go against the grain! We can open our eyes, become purposeful in our well-being, and walk in a different direction.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

God doesn’t want us to blend in with this world. Let Him give you wisdom and insight on how you should take care for yourself and live this ever-so-difficult and pressing life.

Now, I’m not saying all protein bars are bad for you! Nor am I saying you should never eat them. Some bars on the market are clean and whole and good for you, albeit being expensive. Whether you love protein bars or hate ’em, that’s up to you. But, I’d like to provide insight on them because I believe there are so many different possibilities  – ways that invest nutritiously into bettering your mind, body, and overall health. Ways that give you natural energy and satisfy your hunger.

What’s important is fueling the body with real, natural, whole foods.

It’s easy (and fun!) and almost sickeningly quick to make, and for pennies on the dollar of those sugary monstrosities.

Did I mention they are oh-so good? I mean, those manufactured bars ain’t got nothin’ on the homemade whole food versions!

You can really be creative when you make your own energy bars. That’s the beauty of it! Recently, I made move to rid of all things in bags and packaged and put everything into jars. (Okay, I’m kinda obsessed with jars. Once you start, you won’t stop.) I made a huge trip to bulk barn, bought raisins, craisins, dates, nuts, seeds, chia seeds, shredded coconut, flax seeds and more. My heart literally gets excited at filling all of my jars with various foods.You name it, it’s probably in my cupboard. Haha.

 

 

Here, I made energy bars that came out so yummy, filling, and healthy. They are like the homemade version of larabars. Fruit, nuts, dates = yumminess and energy at my fingertips. I made two different kinds! The first batch, I threw in….

Recipe:

  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • dates
  • 1-2 tbs. almond butter or any nut butter (use at your discretion – used to hold everything together!)
  • 1 tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • dash of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (for good measure, of course!)
  • flax seed
  • chia seeds
  • unsweetened coconut

Put it all in the food processor, mix it all together, then form it into a glass dish! Put in fridge to further seal it all together, and it’ll be ready for you to cut into squares. Batch number two was the same, except I omitted the unsweetened cocoa and chocolate chips, and added a bit more dried fruit almond butter.

 

Here’s some energy balls I made as well:

 

Recipe:

  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup nut butter (I used sunflower seed butter! Yum!)
  • 1/3 cup honey, warmed
  • 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
  • 3/4 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup flax seeds
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 tbs chia seeds

In a large mixing bowl, put all ingredients except honey. Pour warmed honey over everything, and mix with a wooden spoon (or your hands!) form into balls, and place in fridge to harden.

They’re amazing squares and balls of goodness! And the best part is sharing them with a friend! There’s a great deal of joy to be said about receiving that text saying, “your bars are so delicious! Thanks!”. Ah, the little things in life that touch the heart. :’)

I hope you enjoy making these. I’d love to hear your feedback on them!