Brown Christmas

We have long and snow winters in Northern Japan. A White Christmas seems to be a well-earned bonus....but this year...things are BROWN.

We had white. We've had a "warm front" this week. It's sad, melty, wet and brown.

We're praying for a White Christmas. It would be a special Christmas gift for the kids....and today is 24 Dec.

Michael drove yesterday - there is no fear of not being house-bound - please Father - send the snow.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Lazy Talks, Ocean Trips, Yummy Food, Advent Hunt

This was a red-letter day! A lazy Sunday - not the norm around here. Michael is still on convalescent leave until 26 Dec. We sat and talked about Birthday Party plans for the 25th. I thought I'd make Chocolate Cupcakes (these are good, low fat and vegan) with candles and sprinkles. Michael would like an ice cream cake. I'll probably make some cupcakes, eat one and freeze the rest - and make an ice cream cake for the rest of the crew. 

We also discussed a 2013 Family Prayer Verse and Family Focus. We have a verse; we're still working through the focus....trying to separate what we are hearing from various ministry themes, what may be an overall family vision and my personal word of the year. Yes, I know it seems to be over-thinking but it works  and is meaningful for us. 

 I cooked....and then...I suggested Michael get dressed and I'd drive us to the ocean. I thought getting out of the house would do us all good. 

He got dressed and DROVE us to the ocean.....both great signs - jeans and keys. I don't like the cold but I love the ocean...so I stayed in the warm van and Michael got out and took photos.  They are still working on transforming our beach since the tsunami. 

Stacia was in the van with me. She, truth be known, was the reason I didn't even try to venture to the cold. She didn't bring a coat and Michael didn't want to leave her alone in the car.

Doesn't he look great in JEANS? 

 This man is amazing. He knows I've been struggling with the food issue the past few days. I got up early and climbed into my "secret place" with Jesus and felt much better today. I was excited at dinner when Michael passed up the meat entree. I said I thought he was becoming flexitarian. He fessed up and said he thought I could use the support and was joining me in my nutritarian lifestyle for a bit. While I was sad he wasn't you know - CONVERTING - I was touched my meat and potato man was taking such concrete steps to support me on my journey to health.

Jesus is the Light of the World - and the darkness did not overcome him!

Advent Clue Hunt: "Got a can-can?" Stacia ran upstairs. Nolan and Arielle found it quickly and went back to the couch to wait.....

The Muppets - from a year ago - watched this with all 9 in TX last year

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Hazelnuts (Deliciously Organic)

Serves 6

1 pound brussels sprouts
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, divided
2 tablespoons ghee (click here for an easy homemade recipe)
Juice of half a lemon
1/4 cup crispy hazelnuts (I used this method to dehydrate the nuts)

Place brussels sprouts in a medium-size pot and cover with water. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and bring pot to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 8 minutes. Drain. Coarsely chop the brussels sprouts. Melt ghee in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add brussels sprouts and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sprouts begin to turn golden brown. Remove from heat, spritz with lemon juice and sprinkle with hazelnuts. Serve.

I only had 1/2 a lb. I'll need a full lb next time. Three of us loved them. The other three didn't try. BUT there were NO leftovers. I didn't have hazelnuts and used almonds....still good. The hint of lemon was perfect.  I didn't use Ghee.

I found this recipe at Deliciously Organic.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Golden Cheddar'd Potatoes (Mouthwatering Vegan)

These were a hit with the entire family - even the non-vegans.  I'm not sure WHY there were so oily looking  - I will cut the oil by 1/2 next time - make it more nutritious anyway. LOL  This, and other yummy vegan recipes, are at Mouthwatering Vegan Recipes. 

Serves 3 to 4 (depending on portion size)

INGREDIENTS FOR CHEESE SAUCE

3 cups (750 mL) soya milk, or other non-sweetened dairy-free milk (I used Alpro)

1 Tbsp all purpose plain flour

3 Tbsp nutritional yeast

2 Tbsp olive oil

½ tsp fine garlic granules

salt (don’t omit)

a knob of vegan butter

¼ tsp turmeric powder

1 tsp vegetable stock powder or granules (try Kallo)

a little water if needed

FOR ROAST POTATOES

4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large quarters (Cyprus potatoes are ideal)

1 large onion thinly sliced

¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil for roasting

¼ cup water

salt

paprika and fresh rosemary for garnishing

METHOD :-

1. Preheat your oven to 440ºF (225ºC).
2. Place all the ingredients in a ‘milk’ pan and whisk.
3. Heat the mixture up, mixing virtually non-stop, until you have a thickish consistency.  Lower the heat, and continue cooking for a further minute or so.
4. Next, arrange your potatoes and onions in an ovenproof dish, (around 8 x 8 inches), pour on the oil and the rest of the ingredients, except for the garnish of paprika and rosemary.
5. Place in the oven for an hour, or until the potatoes are all golden.  Remember to take them out after 30 minutes to turn them around.
6. When golden, pour the cheese sauce on top of the potatoes, making sure to allow some of the potatoes to show themselves through – so don’t dowse the entire surface.  Do this by pouring the cheese sauce all around the edges, and the rest on the top, leaving a few inches of space between the sauce mix and the potatoes.
7. Place in the oven for a further 20 minutes, or until a skin is formed.  Remove, garnish and serve.

These were yummy  - almost like dessert Arielle said. I think this is because I didn't have enough potatoes and used a sweet potato too. I didn't use the vegetable stock powder and it was fine. Next time I'll cut the oil.  No animal products and it tasted wonderful - even better than cheese potatoes. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Kale Salad (Oh She Glows)

I bought more Kale and tried this salad today. This is from Oh She Glows, and yes it is vegan - nearly nutritarian if it didn't have oil. The "sauce" is wonderful. I think I will make some, massage the Kale and then make chips with them in the next day or two. 

Yield: 1 large serving or 2 smaller servings

Kale:

• 4 cups (packed) torn kale leaves, stems removed
• 1 tbsp hemp, flax, or avocado oil (or use extra virgin olive oil in a pinch)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp pure maple syrup, or to taste
• Herbamare (or sea salt) and cayenne pepper, to taste

Vegetables:

• 1 radish, thinly sliced into rounds
• 1/2 large avocado, chopped
• 1/2 English cucumber, chopped
• 1/2 red pepper, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
• handful pomegranate seeds
• 1-2 tbsp hemp seeds

1. Tear leaves off kale stems and discard stems. You can save the stems for juicing or blending if you wish. Break leaves into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly.

2. Place kale in a large bowl and drizzle on the dressing ingredients (oil, lemon, maple syrup). With your hands, “massage” the dressing into the kale until all leaves are coated. Sprinkle on Herbamare (or sea salt) and a touch of cayenne pepper if desired.

3. While the salad marinates, chop the vegetables. Mix into kale and serve, topped with hemp seeds if you desire.

Isn't it lovely. I didn't have radishes, I added carrots and artichokes.  I still find Kale very filling so we had two salads and a left over. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

A Bit of Everything

Fuji Sei Boen

We have wanted to visit a Children's Home since we arrived, but have repeatedly hit road blocks. We heard you usually do not get to play with children if you do get a visit arranged. Every year the chapel buys gifts and takes them up. Club Beyond arranged for the youth, and families which wanted to, could drive up to deliver.  We were sad we couldn't commit with Michael's surgery. However, Arielle and Nolan were able to go. They were disappointed they were not allowed to interact with children. Ah well.

We had a lazy day at home. Picking up the kids on base provided the opportunity for me to run through the commissary and post office.

Arielle, Nolan and I went for a walk. We're all missing the older Gherkins this year.

Michael  bet the kids  he could move the coin below without touching the match....

And he did....though the perspective of the photo makes it hard to really see...the match levitated and he moved the coin. ::snort::

We enjoyed a rousing round of "Don't You Forget It." I learned to play it safe from the rest of the family, and this time I WON!

We continued to brainstorm about our Family Verse/Vision  for 2013.

Arielle  enjoyed popcorn for the first time in 3 years.....we all helped her celebrate.

Michael read a chapter of the fifth book in the Cooper Kid series while the rest of us snacked on popcorn. He asked me to read chapter two so he could snack too. I read all but the last two pages and could tell I was in danger of sliding into "sleep reading."  He took over.

Arielle must be sleep listening....

I'm going to go join the others in watching Sheerluck  Holmes - Veggie Tales.

Michael is doing better each day.

All our snow melted today...we're praying for a White Christmas.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Kale Chips

I have heard about Kale chips repeatedly...armed with a bunch of Kale....I gave it a shot. I found a really easy and healthy recipe here and another one here. It seemed, if one were to have a snack attack it would be a healthy way to indulge. I didn't want all the calories from the second recipe...seemed to complicate something easy....but maybe next time I'll try that way. This was nearly calorie free, full of plant protein et al.  I must become friends with Kale as it is the number one nutrient dense/calorie food. Remember? Health = Nutrient dense/calorie

I read the comments, read the ingredients and gave it a shot. 

DON'T eat Kale stems. ::snort:: Wash, de-stem,  and tear into pieces (they shrink). 

I then spritzed with olive oil, I didn't care for the way the seasoning fell off the ones that weren't spritzed. 

I sprinkled with Old Bay, Garlic Powder and later with Nutritional Yeast (Full day's worth of B12 - one of those nutrients missing from a vegan only lifestyle- tastes great).

I did some in the microwave for about 7 min.  I did others at 350* for 9 - 11 min. I liked the oven baked chips better.

I tried them straight from the oven - I think it may be an acquired taste...Michael came in and asked if I were going  "eat that or smoke it?"

I added Salsa - and liked it better 

 I liked them best sprinkled with Lays Baked Southwestern chips (25% fat!).... 

No, I did not really leave all the chips. ::snort:: 

Michael discovered they were best if you crinkled them up and added them to the salsa....then ate them with a chip. MEN. It is a lentil chip (30% fat). 

Why would I eat this? Kale is new to me and I want to try a variety of ways of eating it as it IS the most nutrient dense food known to date.  I did eat the equivalent of a whole bunch of Kale - but that is o.k. I do eat an alarming amount of nutrient dense food.

NOW - I'd love it if you'd share your favorite Kale recipes. I have a bunch left.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...