Saturday, February 28, 2009

Gluten Free Corn Dogs

1 lb hot dogs
1/2 c. rice flour
2/3 c. corn meal
1/4 c. tapioca starch
1/4 c. potato starch
2 T. sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground mustard
3/4 c. rice milk
2 T. oil
Extra rice flour
Oil for frying

Whisk dry ingredients together, add remaining wet ingredients. Cut hot dogs in half and lightly roll in extra rice flour. If cornmeal mixture is too thick, add small amounts of rice milk until you reach a good consistency. Heat oil, roll hotdogs in cornmeal batter and then slide into hot oil, fry 2-3 minutes on each side until a nice brown coating is on both sides. Strain on paper towels, sprinkle with salt, allow to cool and enjoy!

Gluten Free Biscuits with Sausage & Gravy

Buttermilk Breakfast Biscuits with Breakfast Sausage & Gravy

** Biscuits **
1/2 c. potato starch
3/4 c. cornstarch
1 3/4 tsp. xantham gum
1 T. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. sugar
1/3 c butter (or 1/4 c. canola oil)
3/4 c. buttermilk (or 2 T less rice milk and 1 T. fresh lemon juice)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Add dry ingredients to bowl, excluding xantham gum. If you add this now it will make the biscuits more gummy textured. Whisk to mix dry ingredients. Add fat (butter or oil) as well as milk, whisk together thoroughly. Finally, mix in the xantham until it combines. Don't overmix. Scoop dough into sprayed muffin cups or non-stick pan. Makes about 4-6 depending on size of muffin pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until biscuits are golden. Use a spoon to lift out the muffins and cool on wire rack. These are very gooey in the center while hot, but you can toss them in either a cinnamon sugar mixture or powdered sugar to get something similar to a beignet or donut. If you let these cool completely you will have biscuits just like the ones containing wheat.

** Breakfast Sausage with Gravy **

SAUSAGE
1 lb ground pork, chicken, turkey or beef
1 tsp ground sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp dried savory
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

GRAVY
1 1/4 c. gluten free broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground sage
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp poultry seasonings
Thickener of your choice:
2 T. cornstarch, 4 T. rice flour or 6 T tapioca starch
1/2 c. rice milk or gluten free broth

Blend all ingredients together in large mixing bowl using your hands or spatula. Preheat skillet, add olive or canola oil if using low fat meats. Cook until it crumbles and is no longer pink. If there is a good amount of grease, soak up with paper towel. Add 1 1/4 c broth, seasonings and turn head to med-high. In a small bowl, mix rice milk (or broth) with your choice of thickener making a thin paste. Pour thickener into meat/broth mixture and whisk gently until mixture comes to a boil. Adjust consistency by adding more thickener or broth. Serve warm over biscuits.

Ginger Plowman Quote

If someone gives us the answer, we become dependent on them to solve future problems for us. But if we are required to figure out the problem on our own, we are better equipped to figure out other problems , drawing from the personal knowledge gained to apply what we have learned to other problems as well.

Quote from J. I. Packer

There can be no small sins against a great God.

Jerry Bridges Quote

Sin is wrong, not because of what it does to me, or my spouse, or child, or neighbor, but because it is an act of rebellion against the infinitely holy and majestic God.

Good Produce Deals

Here's the produce deals I've found so far, hope they help! :-)


Publix: Ends March 3rd
FL Celery $.99
FL Radishes 16oz $.99
FL Tangerines 3lbs for $2.50 (.83)
FL Red Grapefruit 5lbs for $2.50 (.50)
FL Strawberries (Probably Plant City) 16oz 3/$5.00 (1.66ea)
Chilean Grapes $.99lb

Super Target: (Only in Orange Park) Ends TODAY!!
Avocado $.99 ea
Green Giant Russet Potatoes 5lbs for $2.50 ($.50lb)
Green Giant Red Potatoes 3lbs for $2.50 ($.83lb)
Market Pantry Grapefruit 5lbs for $2.50 ($.50lb)
Market Pantry Oranges 5lbs for $2.50 ($.50lb)

Winn Dixie: Ends March 3rd
Broccoli BOGO ($1.50 Head)
Red Delicious Apples 5lbs $3.49 ($.69lb)
Lemons 2lbs BOGO - 4lbs Total (.92lb)
Honey Tangerines 3lb BOGO - 6lbs Total ($.61)
W/D Brand Idaho Russet, Yellow, White, Red Potatoes 5lbs BOGO - 10 lbs Total (.49lb)

Whole Foods: Ends March 3rd
Avocado 10/$10

Food Lion: Ends March 3rd (Store down the road from GCC)
Mango $.99ea
Chilean Green Grapes $.99lb
Red or White Onions $.99lb
Red Grapefruit 5lbs for $3.99 (.79lb)

Friday, February 20, 2009

Charles Spurgeon Quote

Too many think lightly of sin, and therefore think lightly of the Savior. He who has stood before his God, convicted and condemned, with the rope around his neck, is the man to weep for joy when he is pardoned, to hate the evil for which has been forgiven him, and to live to the honour of the Redeemer by whose blood he has been cleansed.

Good scripture verses..

Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

2 Peter 1:3 - 4

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Psalm 40:11-12
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain
your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
ever preserve me!
For evils have encompassed me
beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me,
and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head;
my heart fails me.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Tidbits from my study on parenting

[1] All are born sinful:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

[2] Sin is bound up the heart of your child(ren):
"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child" Proverbs 22:15

[3] Sin is not a laughable matter:
No matter how "small" the sin may seem, Christ was crucified for it, and therefore it is not really a "small" matter, nor a laughable one.

Mark 7:21-22
For from within, out of the heart of man (this includes women and children), come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart his mouth speaks.

Favorite Morning Quotes

"The mother cannot tell what her tender infant may grow up to be, tall, short, weak, or strong, wise or foolish: he may grow up to be any of these or not, it is all uncertain. But one thing the mother can say with certainty: he will have a corrupt and sinful heart."
JC Ryle

"Children are born sinful, and that sinfulness manifests itself not because of what parents do, but because of what they don't do."
John MacArthur

"A change in behavior that does not stem from a change in heart is not commendable; it is condemable."
Tedd Tripp

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Must Try Product!

Okay, I feel the need to share some of my most tummy yummy finds! Occasionally, I might tout a household cleaner, natural medicine, etc, but 9 outta 10 times it's gonna be food. I wanted to be a chef and I love baking, so what else would you expect. :-)

This week's MUST TRY PRODUCT:

Liz Lovely's Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Cookies
These cookies are better than anything Nabisco could ever put out, and 100 times better for you. Not only does the company make GLUTEN FREE cookies, but they also make cookies that contain wheat but are vegan (no eggs, animal products, etc). Now normally, gluten free cookies taste anything but yummy and the same goes with vegan cookies, they are normally just horrible for the palate. My husband and I both agree, these are awe-mazing cookies and something you have to try at least once.

To find these yummy morsels, you can check out Native Sun's refrigerated section where they keep their already prepared cake slices and other items near the cafe/deli area at the 9A & Baymeadows store. They are $3+ for two very large cookies, and are worth every penny.

Check out their website at lizlovely.com and like most health food store companies, their hippie but man do they make some delicious cookies! :0)

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Price Book Template

It's really important to know when to stock up on an item and the way to do that is to keep a price book with the fluctuating prices over a number of weeks. It also helps keep you from making an assumption that a product is really cheap when it's in actuality, more expensive than the rock bottom price.

Here's a link that will allow you to download a FREE printable grocery store price book template so you can start your very own.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions about stockpiling and so forth.

Produce Deals - Upcoming Week **Updated 2/19/09

Publix -
Sweet Onions .99lb
Broccoli $2.00 Head (fairly comparable with produce market prices)
Cauliflower $2.00 Head (fairly comparable with produce market prices)
Red or Golden Delicious Apples 3lbs for $2.50 (approx .83lb)

Food Lion
-
Avocado $.99 ea
California Navel Oranges $.79lb
** We have a food lion just down the road from GCC but most Food Lions have closed down **

Winn Dixie -
Russet Potatoes 10lbs $3.49 (approx $.34 lb)
Red or Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji and Granny Smith Apples 3lb bag BOGO (approx .83lb)
Yellow Onions 3lb Bag $2.00 (approx .66lb)
Lemons or Limes 2lb Bag BOGO (approx .87lb)

Most ads start on a Wednesday (Thursday for Publix) and end the following Wednesday.

Hope this helps someone. :-)

UPDATE:
Whole Foods:
California Navel Oranges $.79lb

Super Target: (located in Orange Park)
Broccoli 2/$3 (use Target coupon for $1.00/1 and get $.50 BROCCOLI!!)
Cauliflower 2/$3 (use Target coupon for $1.00/1 and get $.50 CAULIFLOWER)
Gala or Granny Smith Apples $.99lb
Red Seedless Grapes $.99lb
** I would check to see if these come from Chile, the news has been reporting that they are using human feces as fertilizer over there, so if you want produce from Chile, keep that little nugget in your mind. ^_^ **

What's your motivation?

Do you do the things you do because....

you will be noticed by others?
you will be loved by others?
you will be praised for your effort?
you alone will get credit?
you will be seen as a good example?

If these are your motivation, then you are bound to legalism. What is legalism?

Legalism: the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.

Salvation:
deliverance from the power and penalty of sin; redemption.

Redemption: deliverance from sin; salvation.

Luke 18: 9-14

"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Show No Favoritism

James 2:1-10

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it."

[1] We should not show favoritism over he/she that dresses in more expensive and fine clothing and ignore he/she that does not dress that way. We should keep in mind, that just because something looks "clean" on the inside, that doesn't necessarily mean they are God fearing and seek the Lord's word on the inside.

[2] We should show no favoritism with one race versus the other, if we say we love the Lord and follow him, then we should remember that it was him who created all races and we should therefore show no favoritism over one.

[3] We should show no favoritism between men and women, God created both and set each to have specific tasks, each one was uniquely created by God, one was not better than the other.

[4] We should show no favoritism between native born and foreigner, one is not better than the other because it was God who allowed each to step foot on the same land. It was God who willed their paths to cross. As Americans, we must always remember in fact that *we* are foreigners in this land, not only because our ancestors were not native to this country but also because this is a temporary land for those who believe in Christ.

[5] Show no partiality between children, if one excels in sport and the other in computers, one is not better than the other. God simply crafted each child differently, to have different interests and do well in a specific area.

How do we who show favoritism claim to be followers of Christ?
James 2:9-10
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it."

Monday, February 16, 2009

Proverbs 29:17 & Commentary Notes

"Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart."

Believers Bible Commentary:
A child who has been disciplined properly will bring delight and rest to his parents instead of anxiety and heartache.

Proverbs 29:15 & Commentary notes

"The ROD and REPROOF give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. "

Believers Bible Commentary:
" This proverb flatly contradicts many modern specialists who advocate "permissive democracy". The rod is corporal punishment; reproof is verbal correction. These two forms of parental discipline impart wisdom. They do not inhibit a child or warp his personality as the "experts" say.

Ephesians 6:4 and commentary

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

The Believers Bible Commentary (by William MacDonald) opens up this scripture by saying, " The instructions to children are now balanced with advice to fathers. they should not provoke their children to anger with unreasonable demands, with undue harshness, with constant nagging. Rather children should be nurtured in the TRAINING and ADMONITION of the Lord. Training means discipline and correction, and may be verbal or corporal. Admonition means warning, rebuke and reproof. Child-training should be "in the Lord", that is, carried out in accordance with His Will as revealed in the Bible by one who acts as his representative."

Susanna Wesley, the mother of seventeen children, including John and Charles, once wrote:

"The parent who studies to subdue self-will in his child, works together with God in the renewing and saving of a soul. The parent who indulges it, does the Devil's work, makes religion impractical, salvation unattainable, and does all that in him lies to damn his child, soul and body forever."

I also personally believe that Mother's could benefit from this scripture, as well as the commentary information.

Proverbs 22:15

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

1 Timothy 1:15

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

End of 1st Trimester

Praise God! Hallelujah! Well, okay I've technically got 2 more weeks but I'm in a celebrating mood.

After having numerous weeks of daily nausea it seems to have receded and allowed me once again to return to church, though nausea is somehow a good sign that your pregnancy is progressing well so maybe that nausea thing wasn't as bad as I made it out to be. At least it was a good indicator, guess prayer and trusting God has a lot more lasting effect spiritually. :-)

On another note, I was recently told by my doctor's office that due to my insurance ending in January I would have to pay out of pocket almost $4,000 by 24 weeks or they would no longer see me. About a week or so ago my doctor's office called to let me know that my insurance was no longer active (really....had no clue!), and that it again was reinforced that I would have to pay them their requested amount by 24 weeks. Well, God blessed us with a couple thousand more than that in severance pay from Chris' previous job and that really was going to be a huge chunk out of our small stash of money. I briefly mentioned to the lady that I knew their office didn't take medicaid (was told they didn't serve "those types of women", before they knew I was signing up for it), but did the hospital itself. I was then assured that the hospital itself took medicaid but not the doctors and yet again, they wanted their cash ASAP. Can you tell money is muy importante to medical people? Anywho, so I just spoke to the Father in confusion as to how we would live without that huge chunk of cash but reaffirmed my knowledge that in Him all things would be worked out. About a minute or so after my moment with the Father, the doctor's office called back letting me know that since I was a current patient that they would allow me to use medicaid to take care of the pregnancy and that I just needed to bring in information on my next visit. So God has really come through with us and allowed that money to stay safe and be used to care for us through Chris' being laid off.

God has continued to be steadfast in providing for our needs. What a Father.

The Love Dare

Credit goes to The Romantic Vineyard and the book The Love Dare (as mentioned in Fireproof)

Just a sampling if your willing to take the challenge. You can find 40 days worth on the website by simply checking out the recent posting and going back to where this leaves off.

The Love Dare

(1) Resolve to say nothing negative about your spouse today.
Ephesians 4:2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,”

(2) Do at least one unexpected gesture to your spouse as an act of kindness.
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

(3) Buy your spouse something that says, “I was thinking about you today.”
Romans 12:10 “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”


(4) Contact your spouse sometime during the day and ask how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
Psalm 139: 17-18 “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.”


(5) Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them.
Proverbs 27:14 “Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.”

(6) Choose to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.
Proverbs 16:32 “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

(7)
On a sheet of paper, write out positive things about your spouse. At some point during the day, pick a positive attribute from the list and thank your spouse for having the characteristic.
I Corinthians 13:7 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

(8) Share with your spouse how glad you are about a success he or she recently enjoyed.
Song of Solomon 8:6 “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord.”

(9) Think of a way to greet your spouse today to reflect your love for them, and then do it with a smile and enthusiasm.
I Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”


(10) Do something out of the ordinary today for your spouse.
Romans 5:8 “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 8: 5:8

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Thomas Watson Quote

"Til sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet"

Friday, February 13, 2009

Today's Scripture Bite

I woke up this morning and have lately been deeply struggling with the differences in my boys and the sins that they specifically show due to their own personalities. Dominic is a very independent boy but has the tendency towards being indignant when requested to do something and is very "I can do it by myself" geared. John Paul is completely different than Dominic in that he is very much the baby and wants to be held or touched constantly in what seems to be a need for reassurance and safety (I believe this is due to big brother having the tendency to "parent him" and throw down with him on the floor when he doesn't really seem interested). I struggle with both sinful tendencies but this morning woke up with a full realization that I have both of those attitudes towards God but yet I struggle with figuring out how to discipline the boys without taking to anger.

I haven't been able to read scripture in the last few weeks (have been able to at least get in a couple sermons) due to extreme tiredness and nausea, but this morning woke up with a scripture in my head for some reason. Most people should know, for me to remember a verse is quite a feat so I really feel like this scripture came from God. I said to myself, "Okay, what should I read this morning?" and having no clue what the verse actually said simply turned in scripture to find my help.

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

As I eagerly wait for God to answer my need for Grace in this time of my life I'm encouraged by the scripture tid bit he brought to me this morning.