Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Larabars

This yummy recipe is from Angela at Oh She Glows. Check her out. 

Ingredients (12 bars)
1 1/2 C cashews
1/4 - 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
1 C tightly packed pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla
3 T mini dark chocolate chips (or chop larger ones)

Directions

Pulse cashews and salt in a food processor until the crumbs are just smaller than peas - 3 - 4 seconds.

Add the dates and process until the mixture comes together - about 15 seconds. The mixture should stick together easily when you squeeze it between your fingers. If it doesn't, add a very small amount of water (I ended up adding a T though it said to start with a tsp) and process again.

Add vanilla and process until combined.

Add in chocolate.

Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper, (this makes it easier to lift out). Scoop mixture into pan and smooth beginning at the center - push down firmly all over the mixture. The more you pack it down the better the bars will hold together.

Freeze at least 15 min and cut.

For on the go snacks, wrap in plastic. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Exciting, Great News from Stacia

 The kids sang the praises of Justin and Christina S for supplying us with NEW sourdough starter.  I made English Muffins today and promised Zander I'd have enough starter for him to make pancakes tomorrow morning.

I finished the Monk series yesterday while I worked out. It's hard to workout when you're in tears....and it made me sad to come to the end. I began the third season of Downton Abbey while I worked out today....and I start each workout by listening/reading the passage for the day from the Chronological Bible. It's working.

Our big news for the day is  STACIA IS NOW A SECOND GRADER!!! She finished her Math and Phonics....she was determined to finish today....I'm proud of her.

I tried a new recipe - Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Lara Bars. They stayed together much better than the ones I've made from Chocolate Covered Katie. I think they're a hit - the one I set aside for my snack was gone by the time I went to grab it. ::snort::

I enjoyed nearly three hours on Skype with BreAnne. Always fun. Always late for her - but she doesn't mind.

I had the "brilliant" idea while making BBQ meatballs for the family to save out some sauce and add Chick Peas to it for me.  I ate it - but I'm not so sure it was brilliant after all. ::wink:: The kale salad was yummy...prompting Stacia and Zander to chant...."Kale yesterday. Kale today. Blimey if it don't look like Kale tomorrow!" ::snort::

Arielle approved of the snack Akikosan brought over tonight. A whole bar of chocolate inside of soft, squishy, white bread....

Michael is still at work. It's 9 p.m. I should go to bed - but I'm dying to continue mapping out some Next Generation Mentoring for women.

I think I'll post the Lara bar recipe and then grab a journal. Yes, obsession works well for me.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

School, Snow, Scripture, Evaluating

School - and more school. Stacia and Zander are about to transition to 2nd and 4th grade. That means we are either ahead or behind or simply marching to the beat of our own drummer.... The truth is a combination of option A and C. I'm working on them being able to do more independent work. Arielle and Nolan continue on their charted courses. 

Snow play..... Here is this year's igloo - a work in progress. It's at the foot of our driveway - you can see the house across the street from us in this photo. 

I've been wanting to meet our new neighbor. Stacia and Maggie provided the opportunity. She was thrilled to have kids  play with her little dog....can you spot it?  She LOVES snow - though she nearly disappeared in the snow. LOL

A I John update - I think we're going to memorize four verses this week. We're doing well. Nolan is my study buddy and it's been fun.  Michael assures me it will begin to flow after the first couple of verses. I hope so. ::grin:: 

I've been reading, Mentor Like Jesus, by Regi Campbell & Richard Chancy. It's a fascinating book. I thought it would be hokey -  I repent. ::snort::  I have no idea how this got on my ipad...I thought it may have been a freebie, but it isn't now.  I will write more about it when I finish the book, but 50% through the book I'm enjoying it.  The model is a bit different than what I've come to think of as "women mentoring" - but I can SEE the possibilities.  Many of you know my purpose statement....

My goal in life is to passionately love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I endeavor through teaching and mentoring relationships to lead others to an extravagant, lavish  passionate, whole-hearted, love of their life. It is my goal to truly love others. 

The mentoring thing has eluded me. Others tell me I'm their mentor... I've been so busy teaching and leading I don't feel  I have TIME to be a "real" mentor...it's all been rather haphazard...I'm not saying God hasn't moved, He has.   Maybe I had to have this season of not teaching women to begin to flesh out the other side of my purpose statement. I've done a lot of informal mentoring in the past - inter-generational friendships, really.  In the past weeks I've had five young women ask me to mentor them...and I knew God was showing me a bit of direction now that my other leadership roles are transitioning...However, Michael has reminded me, even without teaching, I don't have the time to prepare and meet with five women weekly...but this model....a small group, a commitment of a year, meet once a month for 3 hours, facilitator vs. teaching model....it's good.....Unfortunately, the book and ministry is geared to men. I mean that's not unfortunate - they have some great tools...book lists, samples, tracks.....but it's not for women. ::snort:: BTW visit here if you are interested in mentoring men - they offer their stuff free.

I'm reading, praying, listening, observing....and sensing that I'll find something like this for women...or as Michael suggested....I'll write a program for women.  In any event I'm seeing a vision of how I could have time to be fully invested in both teaching (which involves mentoring) and radical-relational-intentional mentoring.

Michael has taken the kids to base....PYOC and AWANA...the idea was we'd have date nights on Wed....but he is catching up on work and I'm going to read some more. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

PCOC Blessings

Protestant Children of the Chapel (PCOC) is  the children's ministry of PWOC (Protestant WOMEN of the Chapel).  In a bizarre twist, this fall, I KNEW God was telling me to invest in the youngest of our ministry rather than lead a study. This is my first break in teaching in over 20 years. And really....it's not a break, as much a focus shift. The decrease in study prep time allows me time to dig deeper into a few areas which I'd been led.  I'm totally AMAZED that I LOVE working with these guys! ::snort::

Today.....we learned God provided manna and quail for His people...and of course manna and quail can best be remembered by associating with cotton balls and feathers....since we had the time...we made the room....and had fun! Jaycob and Nolan magically spread manna and quail around the fellowship hall and the kids ran to gather it...again and again.

Although Stacia and Zander stayed home today, Zander was blessed too! Jaycob sent home a special gift. Nolan and I talked about what his reaction would be - and he didn't disappoint.

Mom...look, "You want a piece of me? Do you?"  Boosh! Bushshshs! Hooya!

"Bring it! I'm Ogzog the THREE head!"

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Ginger/Garlic/Orange/Soy Sauce Salad Dressing

This is the salad dressing from my-favorite-so-far Raw Kale Salad.  I've been looking for an oil free dressing. This is probably  a bit high in sodium - though I used the lower sodium soy sauce. It's a touch sweet so next time I'll play with the tastes. 

Makes about 1 Cup - serving size 1 T

Ingredients
Juice of 2 tangerines (approx 1/4 C)
1/4 C tamari sauce (soy sauce)
1/2 C  agave or brown rice syrup or honey I would guess
1 heaping T grated fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced

Directions
Juice tangerines. Grate ginger. Mince garlic. Whisk all together. Store in the fridge....as it is a fruit base juice I have no idea how long it will last in the fridge.



Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Raw Kale, Quinoa, Tangerine Salad

Libby brought this to the PWOC Christmas Party and it was the first time I had kale or quinoa....I had this for breakfast and lunch today. It's that good. 

Serves 4 - or 1 or 2 Nutritarians

Ingredients

2 C cooked Quinoa (I could use less)

1 bunch kale, washed and dried (don't use the rib)

2 tangerines

1 T tamari sauce (soy sauce)

2 T agave or brown rice syrup or honey I would guess

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 garlic clove, minced

cracked pepper to taste

sea salt to taste

1/4 C toasted almonds (or I just used almonds, pistachio mix I have at the table)

Directions

See how to cook quinoa here. 

Fluff the quinoa. 

Wash and remove kale from rib. 

Peel tangerines and separate into wedges.  Save 1/2 of one tangerine for deressing. 

Whisk tangerine juice, tamari sauce, agave nectar, ginger and garlic. 

Add to kale and toss. Add quinoa and mix.  Add tangerine wedges. 

Add pepper and salt to taste.  

Add nuts just before serving. 

Note: This dressing has no oil, if you use low sodium tamari - it's pretty healthy - and tastes good. I think I'll make a double batch and use on other salads. 

Kale doesn't wilt. Make this the day before and it's fine to eat the next day...flavors are even better. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tamale Casserole (Happy Herbivore Cookbook)

FOUR of the six of us ate this and had seconds. Next time I will add tomatoes and possibly a bit more salsa...this was a little dry; but tasty. Recipe from The Happy Herbivore Cookbook. 

Forgot to get a photo - these are the leftovers. LOL 

Serves 4 - I doubled. 

Ingredients
1 C chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 green bell pepper - diced
1/2 C mild salsa
1/2 C frozen yellow corn
1/2 C black beans (cooked or canned)
1/4 C sliced black olives
1 T chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin

1 recipe cornbread mix  - not cooked - divided (only use 1/2 if  not doubling above recipe - make corn muffins for the kids who won't eat this).

Directions 
Preheat oven to 400*.

Combine onion, garlic, and pepper in 1/4 C of water in saucepan over medium heat.

Cook until water is mostly gone and the onions are translucent.

Combine all ingredients except cornbread batter and mix well to combine.

Spoon mixture into a greased pie or casserole dish.

Pat down firmly.

Divide cornbread batter in half, pour 1/2 over top of mixture in a thin layer.

Bake for 20 - 25 min until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Nutritional info: Calories 259; Total fat 2.4g; cholesterol 0; Total Carb 53.4; Dietary Fiber 6.8g;Sugars 5.6 g; Protein 8.6g


Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...