Christmas Traditions - Baumgart Style!

“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!".... Pretty soon, the lyrics of this song and many others will be heard on all radio stations.

After all the frenzy of unpacking fifteen Christmas boxes from the attic, the house is a Christmas wonderland. An 8 feet tall red and gold-trimmed Christmas tree stood resplendent in the family room bearing all the vintage collections since 1982. There are photos of the girls when they were still babies; there were homemade ornaments that the girls used to bring home from Pre-school and many handcrafted trims mixed in with the expensive ornate collectibles. There isn't a single branch of this tree that's left untrimmed. The mantle next to it is arrayed with Nutcrackers that I have been collecting all these years. Next, on a special gold table, stands the favorite ceramic Nativity set that has withstood all the hurdles of packing and unpacking throughout our constant relocations. Then there's our Victorian Christmas tree in the living room which is richly adorned with gold/white and pearl ornaments. This was always called "Mama's tree" because it holds all the ornaments that I love: fuzzy snowballs, flights of fancy cream-colored birdies, soft and plush bearded Santas, pearl-studded stars, all my soft and silky snowmen and snowdrops. It is quite a sight to behold. Within a few hours with all the helping hands, our home was transformed into a Christmas wonderland.

Then Kristi came down for the view and said, "Where is the 'parol' Mom?...It won't look the same without it!" I then realized that even though the girls are now teenagers, they still value the tradition we have began when they were little.

"Parol" is a traditional Filipino Christmas decoration, a five point star-shaped Christmas lantern. Originally made of thin bamboo frames and covered with colored cellophane or with rice paper also known as Japanese paper or "papel de Japon". It has two tails that serve as the rays of the star. "Parol" reminds the Filipino Christians of the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men on their way in search of Baby Jesus. Every Filipino home has one hanging somewhere in the house, mostly by the window or outside the door.

Our "parol" is made from Capiz shells, shaped like a star and stands guard at our front foyer so anyone who comes to the house passes by it. Amidst the commotion I forgot our emblem of Christmas tradition. I went right back to the attic and searched for that one special flat box that holds the treasure that will light up our home and remind us of that beautiful Christmas story of how three wise men followed that star to find the Messiah born in the manger to save mankind.

Each family has different Christmas traditions. Whatever yours is, it will always be a special moment when as a family we embrace it. Since my husband is from Germany, we usually have an advent wreath with four candles on it. A candle is lit every Sunday until the four candles are all lit Christmas evening. Each person has also an advent calendar filled with chocolates so one gets a treat each day. We always have a festive meal on the eve of Christmas. We have special a dinner with everyone's favorite dish which we all prepare together. Each family member contributes a special or favorite dish. The kitchen becomes the center of activity, and what a mess we create by the end of the day! But the meal is always worth it. We use all the special china and finery and the tablescape is always out of this world. Last year, it was a winter wonderland, complete with black forest trees, some cabins and snow all over. Then after dinner, we exchange gifts taking turns in handing out special inexpensive gifts as tokens of our appreciation for each other...we also write notes to each other. There are always surprises and the "unexpecteds". On Christmas day, we spend it with relatives or special friends who live nearby. Our trees and "parol" stays lit till my birthday, the 7th of January. That too, is another family tradition.

By Raylene Baumgart

Family Traditions

One of the things I enjoyed the most about dating Trevan was being invited over to grandma Osborn's house for meals. I relished those invitations to Friday dinners or Sabbath lunches because Grandma was awesome at making good, old-fashioned casseroles. Growing up in Costa Rica, we NEVER did casseroles, and it was quite an experience for me the first couple times I ate at grandma's.

When Trevan and I got married, grandma Osborn gave me a recipe book with some of the family favorites, including a noodle dish that I absolutely love! I cherish that gift because every time I pull out that recipe book it makes me think of those first couple years of my relationship with Trevan, and of warm, cozy nights spent at grandma and grandpa Osborn's home.

Grandma and grandpa have been gone for a couple years now, and every so often I feel a deep sense of longing for the old days. When the Osborn's get together we always talk about grandma's food, and there is usually one of the old favorite recipes on the menu.

I am not sure if grandma really understood that every time she put food on her table, and welcomed us all into fellowship, she was creating a lasting impression on our hearts that would inspire us to do the same for our families. I cannot count how many times I have made that noodle dish and tried to replicate that wonderful feeling I had when I went to grandma's house.

One of my most sincere prayers is that God allows me to give that feeling of love and warmth to all those that share a meal with us.

By Shari Osborn
Picture: The Osborn family gathered at grandma Osborn's table. In the front you can see grandma and grandpa Osborn.

A Land Flowing With Milk and Honey

It was March 2006, when I and my daughter (Franshelsa) migrated to America. My husband (Wilfrank) migrated two years ahead of us. At that time, we were so excited. No words can ever describe the happiness that we felt inside not only because we would be together again as a family but another important point was that, we were going to a land flowing with milk and honey (referring to America). That’s the concept most Filipinos have of America.

In the Philippines, the fact that you pass the immigration interview and you get an immigrant visa makes you smart and intelligent. It’s not easy to get an immigrant visa because of the expenses and several exams you need to take in order to get one. Only professionals or those who have money can apply. My family, especially my father were so proud of me. Everytime he talked to his friends, he always mentioned to them: “Oh, I have a daughter who is so smart. She has two degrees and now she is going to USA." The sad part was, he died before I came here.

By the time I got here, I had developed mixed feelings. We were in the airport. I was so excited to talk to the people. They looked so different, some had blonde hair and others red hair. Their skin was also different from mine. And most of them were big, fat people.

I tried to rehearse my English before I asked one of the guards, “Where is your comfort room?”. He looked at me and say, “I’m sorry?”. His face was really clueless. I tried to explain further what I meant by acting and using gestures. Then he said, “you mean a restroom?”, with a wrinkled forehead.

Another point of language confusion happened when a man seated next to me in the plane asked, “What do you do?” I din’t know what to say, I was confused because it was obvious that I was sitting next to him holding my bag. Later, I realized that he was asking about my work.

This was the first time I felt like an idiot. It is so frustrating when nobody can understand you and you cannot understand them. I tried so hard to straighten my pronounciation, remembering the short vowel, long vowel, present, past and future tenses. I had an A+ grade and even received an award as “Best in Public Speaking” in my college. But it was definitely not working for me.

The first two years were really tough. There were so many adjustments: food, lifestyle, traffic rules, communications, the use of credit cards, discrimination and differences at workplace. I was so stressed I developed a hormonal imbalance. I suffered from 30-day bleeding and asthma attacks. My daughter had a hard time adjusting to the weather. She was sick every month, even had pneumonia for two successive winters. This was the hardest time of our lives and I felt like I was about to give up. I didn't have a job but there were so many bills to pay: house mortgage, car, hospital bills, prescriptions, etc. My husband was working everyday just to keep up with the bills. I could see in his face that he was tired of working overtime. He would always say that he had to work hard because he had two million- dollar babies because of our expensive monthly prescriptions.

Everyone says that that is America - work and work and work. . . . Then the recession came and so many people lost their jobs. Children got hungry, depression rose. Now, we are facing the epidemic of swine flu. Everywhere there is flooding, earthquakes and other calamities.

But inspite of all these sufferings, I’m still thankful to God for giving me these experiences because these make me realize that God is telling me something. He is telling me that America is not the place where I am bound for. I am bound for heaven. We are all bound for heaven. We just live here temporarily. And this makes me more excited. I can’t wait to see my mansion that was prepared for me by my Father in heaven.

I know that we have milk and honey here but it’s not flowing and we still have to go to Walmart, Ukrops or any grocery store to buy it. In heaven, there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more traffic rules, no more mortgages to pay, no more sickness; only joy and happiness.

My daily petition is to see you all in heaven, with our loved ones, walking with God on the golden streets. Then the host of angels will say, “Welcome to Paradise." 2 Thessalonians 5:18 says: ”Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

By Elsa Paypa
Elsa is pictured with her daughter Frankie, and her husband Wilfrank

Recipe Challenge - Mini Apple Cake

Don't know if this ever happens to you, but Trevan and I buy our produce at Costco, but because it is only the two of us, fruit usually gets too soft and over ripe before we can finish it all. My solution? Baked goods! It might not be the best thing for my waist line, but I would not have it any other way. The past couple weeks I have been making Apple cake with old apples. I found this recipe online, and I hope you enjoy the photos and enjoy making the recipe yourselves. We certainly enjoyed eating them at our Wednesday night Bible study!

I modified the recipe a bit to serve my taste buds, I am sure you might want to add or take out a couple things to dit your tastes.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. Oil
3 c. apples (cut into small pieces, or totally pureed)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
3 eggs
3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 c. coconut, shredded
1 c. chopped nuts
1 tsp. baking soda

Directions:
1. Mix eggs and sugar till the mixture is soft and well blended.
2. Add apples and oil and mix well.
3. Add dry ingredients and mix on low.
4. Mix in the coconut and nuts.
5. Hear oven to 350 degrees. Bake until cake is golden brown. To ensure that the mixture is completely cooked just insert a toothpick in the cake and when you pull it out it should come out clean.
6. Frost with your favority glaze and enjoy!

In the Garden

“Mom, come and look!” my 3 year old daughter calls out from her room. “It is very nice, honey”, I reply not knowing what she wants. “Things are crazy here; I don’t have time for that.” I mumbled under my breath.

My sink is full of dishes from this morning and I have to get supper ready in about an hour. The trash can has been sending me a warning of needing to go outside. It is threatening to stink up the whole house if I don’t comply. Every time when I walk by my bedroom, the overflowing laundry basket just stares at me as if asking me “when are you going to clean me up? Your husband is going to ask you for clean socks again pretty soon!” It irritates me when I faithfully make up a shopping list only to leave it at home when I go to the grocery store. “I will get to the dirty clothes when I finally have the detergent or Santa will have to delivery his present early”, I grouch. Yes, I need to finish my sewing project in time for grandma’s 90th birthday this weekend. I cannot wait to put my sewing machine away so that we can claim back our dining table. The machine has been sitting there for months and I should start charging rent. Picnic everyday is not as fun as people think!

“Now, what?”, I scream when I heard the baby cry.

Although this happened many years ago, our challenges remain today. Being a daughter of the King of the Universe and to our earthly parents, we have great responsibilities and accountability. How can I live up to God’s standard? I do feel overwhelmed at times & I don’t know what to do.

My Savior always reminds me of his words: “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. He would gently take my hand and lead me to his garden. We walk through the meadow together; enjoy looking at his wonderful creations. The air is filled with refreshing aromas from different plants and the whole place is covered with pleasing colors. I enjoy the sounds of the bubbling brook that runs through the garden, accompanied by the feather choir. What a magnificent orchestra!

With a loving voice my savior calls my name trying to get my attention. “Miranda, take my peace” says the Lord, “the peace that I give you is not the same as the world gives nor can money provide.” He does not promise me a rose garden but he gives me the assurance of all things because he has overcome the world. He shows me his pierced hands and tells me how much he loves me. I should not have doubt of his love; he gave up his life for me and my loved ones as well. I need not worry about their salvation but faithfully do my duties, and he will take care of the rest. He leaves me his words “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt 11: 28-30.

I do not want to leave the garden but stay there with him forever. However, Jesus encourages me to go on a little longer, for he is coming soon to take all his children with him. He invites me to come back to the garden as often as I wish and drink from his fountain of living water.

Do you have the garden experience with Jesus? It is important to take time with him so that our strength will be renewed & our hearts will be encouraged. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40: 29-31

By Miranda Cerovski
Miranda is pictured with her husband Ed.

Women in Ministry at FWESDA

We are so proud of Marie Macri and Miranda Cerovski that were ordained as elders to serve in the Far West End SDA church. They are both women of great spirituality and will be a rock for us all as they minister in this capacity.

We are also blest to have Myriam Gutierrez as a deaconess in our church. Her warm and joyous spirit is a great example of the joy we can find in serving God and others.

Ladies, here are some pictures of your dedication taken by Carla Gutierrez.

Recipe Challenge - Rice with Coconut and Milk

This recipe was submitted by Myriam Gutierrez and I know many of you have been waiting for this recipe because it is absolutely delicious!

Ingredients:
½ Cup of Rice
1 Condensed milk (can)
2 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Cups of coconut (bag of shredded coconut)
Milk
Water
Pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Cook the rice with enough water to cover the rice over one inch.
2. Add the cinnamon sticks and a pinch of salt (just what you can grab with the tip of your fingers).
3. Cook the rice and add more water (if needed) until rice is soft, aprox 30 – 45 minutes. If needed add more water to obtain the desired consistency.
4. In the meantime, blend milk (liquid) with coconut (not too much, just to blend both ingredients together).
5. Add this blend to the rice and keep stirring, if rice gets too thick add more milk and cook it on low, stirring constantly.
6. Lastly, add the condensed milk and cook for a little bit just to get the sweet flavor on the rice.

If it gets too thick add milk (liquid).
Rice should be soft and sticky, not too dry.

Welcome Baby!

When it was confirmed that our baby was coming, as first time parents we had mixed emotions and excitement. Yes it was a baby boy, and then all the preparation followed like prenatal visits and preparing for baby stuffs. It was not easy but exciting.

At last Baby Jeid came, an additional member of the family. He was not aware that we needed to adjust our priorities to make him a part in our circle. We has sleepless nights when he cries for milk or needs a diaper change. Sometimes it’s frustrating but rewarding. But when he begins to smile and communicate in baby talks,fatigues are gone!

It is the love of a baby that is much welcomed that makes the difference.

How do we love the spiritual babies that are born in the church? Often times they come to the church helpless and in need of much attention as a new member. Sad to say that at times we treat them as adults for which they are not yet ready. We serve solid food while they need milk yet. We leave them alone to walk while they still need a spiritual stroller and walker, and if not attended they will stumble and fall.

Like Jten and I welcomed baby Jeid with tight embraces, and taking time for bonding & nurturing,in like manner we need to care for those spiritual babes that will come to our church.

By Daryl May Huilar
Daryl is pictured with her new baby boy Jeid, and her husband Jten.

Recipe Challenge - Patacones or Tostones

Plantains are abundant in Costa Rica. We grew them in my grandpa's farm when I was a kid. I remember that my dad would come home with a trunk load of plantains each week, and my brother and I would help him sell them to people at the Adventist University. We had regular clients that would put in their orders ahead of time because they knew we were coming on Sunday afternoons.

One of the most popular dishes to make with green plantains is Tostones, or what I call Patacones. Since the plantains are fried TWICE, it is not the healthiest recipe on earth, but it is so good it is worth the extra calories. You can serve it with rice and black beans, or with scrambled eggs or tofu. I made it this week as part of the cooking challenge.

Ingredients
2 green plantains, peeled and cut in 1 inch slices
salt to taste
vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Peel the plantains and cut them in 1 inch slices, like you would slice a banana.
2. Heat up your oil on a frying pan. Fry the sliced plantains until they are golden (not too dark).
3. Take out the fried slices from the pan and place on a flat surface (countertop or cutting board).


4. Use the bottom of a mug, or a small plate to smash the slices flat.
5. Sprinkle flats with salt and return to the frying pan.
6. Fry the plantains till they are golden brown. Make sure to flip on both sides.




7. Let cool for a couple minutes before eating. They are usually not as good it they get too cold, so eat them right away.

By Shari Osborn

Cooking Challenge

There have not been any Recipes of the Week lately because I am about to issue a challenge to all you ladies from FWESDA (and any other ladies that care to join the challenge).

I love eating good food, but I find that by the time I get home from work I just want to crash in front of the TV or with a book, so I end up eating a sandwich or something quick for dinner.

Many of you probably feel the same way. So, here is the challenge ladies. For the next four weeks I pledge to make a delicious dinner at least one night per week, take a picture and copy down the recipe, and share it with you. But, you must promise to try and share your recipes as well. Let's see how many of us can keep it up. Send me your recipes and pictures and I will post them on the site.

As recipes come in I will assign them a number. At the end of October I will randomly pick a number and one of you will win a prize! I will let you know what the prize is later. For now, let's cook!!!

Remember to email me a picture along with your recipes.

Give Thanks To God

I am very thankful to God for so many blessings He has given me, especially for giving me another year of life.I can see how every day he answers our prayers.

I remember when we came for the first time to the Far West End Church, the love received from every person was so great it made me feel welcome right away.That same night I gave thanks to the Lord for having sent us to that church, for letting us find it because I know He drove us there.

Today, I keep thanking God for all his blessings and for all the brothers and sisters we have so we all can keep radiating that same Christian Love.

Another motive to be thankful was that last year, on October 21st 2008, on Carla's birthday, right before going to bed, she told me that she had decided to go back to church regularly. I felt so much happiness in my heart and could see how God had answered my prayers.

Now, when I see my children and grandchildren going to church, all I can think of is to give thanks to God for all he has given me and for being part of what I call "The Church of Love", which is how I refer to this -My Church- when I talk about it with friends and family.

I pray that God gives me many more years to come to the Church of Love and to give me energy to keep serving Him and worshipping with my, now family, the Far West End Seventh Day Adventist Church.

God Bless.......

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Psalm 118:1-3

By Myriam Gutierrez

Healing in the Outerbanks

2009 has been a challenging year for our family. Kim's dad and mine each nearly died. Dad Jones was in a Pennsylvania hospital for a month in January, and my father spent five weeks in a Richmond hospital. Then our son Coby had his open heart surgery in May/June. I had become very depressed and didn't even feel like going to church. I stopped communicating with even my closest friends.

A friend invited me to spend a week in the Outerbanks. I had never been there, and the house she rented was fabulous! I was fortunate to have a suite on the oceanfront. Every morning I was "up with the chickens" and watched the sunrise from my private deck. I walked along the beach and enjoyed the peaceful, healing sound of the waves and the shore meeting each other. Tiny little sand crabs peeked out of their holes as I went by. Pelicans swooped from the air to catch a fish for breakfast, and dolphins leaped gleefully, beckoning me to come play with them. Sandpipers and seagulls paired off in their symbiotic relationship for a never-ending meal time.

One of the most remarkable things I witnessed was a group of tiny dragonflies driving away a batch of HUGE cicadas. Thanks to the dragonflies, we were spared the sound and sight of those other, annoying insects for the entire week.

My friend and I spent a lot of time in the pool, and one morning as we chatted (wearing our sunglasses against the glare), a little dragonfly flew right over the pool and just hovered, examining us. Do you suppose he thought we were giant flies? He fought off two other dragonflies (My friend and I think they were his "mother" and "father"!) to stay with us and observe.

I know that all of these experiences were sent by our heavenly Father to drift like sand through the holes in my heart and to fill me with His grace and peace. I am healing now because of His great love.

By Lin Jones

Recipe of the Week - Sweet & Spicy Hash with Tofu

I love this recipe from the Cook Yourself Thin book. It is so tasty!

Serves 4
Calories per serving: 322

For the hash
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup finely chopped red onion
1 large jalapeño, chopped
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper
4 cups peeled, roasted sweet potatoes, 1-inch cubed
2 tablespoons ketchup
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces baked tofu, diced
4 teaspoons chopped parsley

For serving
Scallions, chopped
Hot sauce
Ketchup

1. In a nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and the jalapeño, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the cubed potatoes, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce, and season with salt. Press the mixture down into the skillet, reduce the heat to medium and cook until golden, about 5 to 7 minutes.

3. While the potatoes are cooking, cut the tofu into quarter-inch dice, about the same size as the potatoes. When potatoes are cooked, gently add diced tofu.

4. Place the hash on a plate and top with parsley. Serve with scallions, hot sauce and ketchup, if desired.

Footprints on our Hearts

One of my favorite quotes is: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.” ~Flavia Weeden

My most cherished treasures are my family and friends. God has given me the privilege to live long enough to experience the joy of being a daughter, a sister, a Mom, Frank’s wife, a “Nani” to my incredible grandchildren. Each of these family experiences have left “footprints on my heart” that will never be erased.

I realize with today’s environment that I don’t take enough time to spend with family and friends – it does means planning ahead to make those moments happen. I can’t remember experiences that I didn’t take time to be a part of – just hearing about it is not the same as experiencing it first hand.

This summer I decided to make more footprints. Spending 10 days with my grandkids and daughter left me many footprints to remember: walking down the beach, laughter & hugs, catching grasshoppers, collecting shells, watching water birds & tiny crabs run in the marshes, touching stingrays, watching dolphins, riding a scary rollercoaster & screaming, sharing family stories, Sabbath at Brookgreen gardens, spending time reading God’s word, watching sunsets together and saying WOW!

Take time to cherish your family while you have them and build relationships. We are not long upon this earth – but the legacy we leave behind are the cherished family stories & memories that encourage the ones coming after us. The “tell me a story of when you were little” times -- giving us opportunity to lock in values and lessons. What footprints will you leave or take time to experience?

By Marie Macri

Pictures: Marie's grandchildren Makayla and Mitchell this summer.

Recipe of the Week - Smothered Tofu Steak and Onions

Ingredients
1 package extra firm tofu
2 tablespoon olive oil (divided)
1 lg. onion
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup extra water
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Slice Tofu into 6 even cutlets about 1/2 inch thick. Place on paper towel to drain. Heat non-stick pan. Slice Onion from root to stem. Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions when oil is hot. Sauté onions until golden brown and caramelized (about 5-10 min.) remove onions, set aside. Add other tablespoon of oil to pan. Add Tofu and fry until golden brown on both sides (about 10 min.) Add onions back to pan. Add balsamic Vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and stir. When all combined add slurry of water and Cornstarch to pan. Stir until thick. Add water to thin out if too thick. Add salt and pepper to taste. Plate up this dish with the onions and sauce smothered over the Tofu Steaks. Serve with a side of Roasted Asparagus and a nice Rice Pilaf.

My Wish

I spent the last 2 weeks trying to cram in 2 years' worth of nursing knowledge, as I was scheduled to take my boards on Aug. 14. It was not without the occasional feeling of uncertainty, fear, and nausea! How does one memorize all of these diseases, their signs/symptoms, diagnostic testing, nursing interventions, and medications? Along with knowing the meds, one has to know what teaching goes along with it-do you take it with/without food, do you protect yourself from the sun, and the ever-present "rise slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension!"

That's not so bad until you try memorizing the therapeutic/toxic ranges for the medications. Not to mention lab values-CBC's, CMP's, UA's, PT, PTT, INR, ABG's-I almost developed strabismus (which means cross-eyed, by the way).Now that it's all over, I wonder if it was worth all the trouble, and the answer is YES! I wouldn't have it any other way-except for perhaps an MD, but not right now! I find no greater satisfaction than helping a fellow human being and seeing how a little bit of attention and caring can make them flourish!

It reminds me of the words of one of my favorite songs:
Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord, let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant today

My wish as I begin my career as an RN is to bring hope and that others may see our Lord through my actions.

By Maria Ramirez
Picture: Maria and her son Tristan

Recipe of the Week - Vegan General Tao's Tofu

1 box of firm tofu

egg substitute for 1 egg

3/4 cup cornstarch

vegetable oil for frying

3 chopped green onions

1 Tablespoon minced ginger

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

2/3 cup vegetable stock

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

4 Tablespoons sugar

red pepper to taste

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

steamed broccoli

Directions:Drain, dry and cut tofu into 1 inch chunks. You can freeze tofu the night before to get a more chicken-like consistency, but it isn't necessary. Mix the egg replacer as specified on the box and add an additional 3 tablespoons water. Dip tofu in egg replacer/water mixture and coat completely. Sprinkle 3/4 cup cornstarch over tofu and coat completely. Watch out that the cornstarch doesn't clump up at the bottom of the bowl. Heat oil in pan and fry tofu pieces until golden. Drain oil.

Heat 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil in pan on medium heat. Add green onions, ginger and garlic, cook for about 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn garlic. Add vegetable stock, soy sauce, sugar, red pepper and vinegar. Mix 2 Tablespoons water with 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and pour into mixture stirring well. Add fried tofu and coat evenly.Serve immediately with steamed broccoli over your choice of rice.

The Women's Crusade

I read this article a couple days ago in the New York Times and thought I would share it with you. It is especially important for us women to know what is happening in the world and how we can help bring true equality and dignity to women. Here is an excerpt:

"Amartya Sen, the ebullient Nobel Prize-winning economist, developed a gauge of gender inequality that is a striking reminder of the stakes involved. “More than 100 million women are missing,” Sen wrote in a classic essay in 1990 in The New York Review of Books, spurring a new field of research. Sen noted that in normal circumstances, women live longer than men, and so there are more females than males in much of the world. Yet in places where girls have a deeply unequal status, they vanish. China has 107 males for every 100 females in its overall population (and an even greater disproportion among newborns), and India has 108. The implication of the sex ratios, Sen later found, is that about 107 million females are missing from the globe today. Follow-up studies have calculated the number slightly differently, deriving alternative figures for “missing women” of between 60 million and 107 million."

"WHY DO MICROFINANCE organizations usually focus their assistance on women?And why does everyone benefit when women enter the work force and bring home regular pay checks? One reason involves the dirty little secret of global poverty: some of the most wretched suffering is caused not just by low incomes but also by unwise spending by the poor — especially by men. Surprisingly frequently, we’ve come across a mother mourning a child who has just died of malaria for want of a $5 mosquito bed net; the mother says that the family couldn’t afford a bed net and she means it, but then we find the father at a nearby bar. He goes three evenings a week to the bar, spending $5 each week."

"Our interviews and perusal of the data available suggest that the poorest families in the world spend approximately 10 times as much (20 percent of their incomes on average) on a combination of alcohol, prostitution, candy, sugary drinks and lavish feasts as they do on educating their children (2 percent). If poor families spent only as much on educating their children as they do on beer and prostitutes, there would be a breakthrough in the prospects of poor countries. Girls, since they are the ones kept home from school now, would be the biggest beneficiaries. Moreover, one way to reallocate family expenditures in this way is to put more money in the hands of women. A series of studies has found that when women hold assets or gain incomes, family money is more likely to be spent on nutrition, medicine and housing, and consequently children are healthier."

Life and Death

I’ve been working in my garden this morning cleaning up my much neglected Stella D’Oro daylilies. They were full of old dead leaves and dried out stems. As I gently removed them, much to my surprise I found new growth – new life in August! Which got me thinking about life and death. In the past year our family has experienced so much of both. On August 22 our beautiful grandson, Eden, the joy of our lives, will celebrate his first birthday. But during this year we have also lost two people we loved, my father-in-law, Jack Baier, and my sister-in-law, Rosalind Baier.

Life and Death.

When I learned that Rosalind had stage 3 ovarian cancer I purchased the book “One Month to Live”. How would your perspective change if you knew that you had only one month to live? How would you live that month? You’d probably forgive those who have hurt you, love with abandon, focus on important issues of eternal value. You would put all your energy into being the person God wants you to be. If then, why not now? The reality is that none of us are even guaranteed one month to live.

A favorite song and prayer of mine is the one by St. Francis of Assisi.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;where there is hatred, let me sow love;where there is injury, pardon;where there is doubt, faith;where there is despair, hope;where there is darkness, light;and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;to be understood, as to understand;to be loved, as to love;for it is in giving that we receive,it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

By Laurie Baier

Photo: Laurie is picture with her grandson Eden.

Recipe of the Week - Mango Riblet Wrap

Recipe by: Morningstar Farms®

Ingredients
3 tablespoon reduced-fat ranch salad dressing
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 cups finely shredded cabbage or cole slaw mix
1 package (10 oz.) Hickory BBQ Riblets

2 (9-to 10-inch) spinach, red pepper or flour tortillas, warmed
1/2 medium mango, seeded, peeled and sliced lengthwise
1 tablespoon sliced green onion

Directions
1. In medium bowl stir together salad dressing, orange juice and pepper sauce. Add cabbage. Toss until cabbage is coated with dressing mixture. Set aside.

2. Cook MORNINGSTAR FARMS HICKORY BBQ RIBLETS according to package directions. Cut each portion into fourths, making 8 total pieces.

3. Spoon cabbage mixture onto the centers of tortillas. Top each with 4 riblet pieces, half of the mango slices and half of the green onion. Roll up. Serve immediately.

Being a Fan

"Football season is almost here! My husband and I are so excited about it we actually "high fived" last night in our anticipation. Every Sunday we look forward to sitting on our couch in our PJ's all day long watching the pre-game shows and eating lots of pizza during the games. I am a huge fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Lance is a fan of the Tennessee Titans, so the best is when our teams go head to head with each other.

While football is great, the truth is, I should be just as excited about Jesus. According to Wikipedia, a fan is someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking for a sporting club, person, etc. . . . According to Wikipedia I am a fan of Jesus. I need to remember to show it. It is ok to get excited about Jesus! He gave his life so all could be saved. Let's make sure we are all on the right team so we can all share in the prize . . . Heaven."

By Stephanie Doll
Picture: Stephanie and her husband Lance.

Recipe of the Week - Sesame Peanut Noodles

Another recipe from Cook Yourself Thin.
Serves 6

Calories per serving: 308

For the noodles

8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti

For the dressing

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup peanut butter

2 tablespoons grated ginger

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 lime

1/2 cup hot water

For assembling

1/2 bag store-bought coleslaw mix

1/2 cup red pepper
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 lime, squeezed
1/2 cup apple

1/2 cup jicama

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

2 scallions, julienne

1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts,

For garnish

Cilantro, chopped

Lime wedges

1.Bring a pot of water to a boil for the pasta, and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and run under cold water.

2. To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl and stir together with a whisk. Add the dressing to the pasta and toss. Stir in the coleslaw mix, red pepper and cilantro. Squeeze a half of a lime over the mixture, and toss.

3. Add the remaining ingredients, toss and refrigerate for one hour. Garnish with peanuts, cilantro and lime wedges. Serve.

A Minor Celebrity Teaches a Major Lesson

Trevan got me into tennis when we first got married and I have been a huge fan ever since. For our five-year anniversary this past weekend, Trevan got us tickets to attend a couple days of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

We were walking around checking out all these awesome players do their warm ups on Sunday. As I turned to walk away from a court I almost bumped into Ernests Gulbis, one of my favorite players. I have been a fan of his for a year now, and although he has not had his big breakthrough yet, he has tons of potential.

A huge grin broke out on my face and I felt like a fool for being so excited. We watched him warm up with other players, and as he started to leave the court I gathered up all my courage and asked him if he would take a picture with me . . . he said YES!!

This took a lot of courage for me because I am usually very self-conscious and very aware of my lack of a claim to fame. There were many other top ten players that walked right by me and Trevan was so disappointed that I never asked any of them for a picture. It was just too much pressure.

Many times I feel like that is what it will be like in heaven. I cannot wait to meet Jesus, but somehow I know that I am not as important as other great heroes of faith, so it is too much pressure to try to ask Jesus to spend a day with me. Just as I felt it would be an inconvenience for a tennis player to have to take a picture with little me, I feel like Jesus has better people to spend His time with than little me.

Yet, I am reminded in the Bible that He knew me before I was born, and that He loved me enough to give His life for me. So, even if I have to wait millions of years in heaven before my date with Jesus, He will spend a day with me, because He loves me and I am special to Him even if I don't always feel special.

By Shari Osborn

Picture 1 - Shari and Trevan Osborn

Picture 2 - Shari and Ernests Gulbis

Recipe of the Week - Portobello Benedict

Did any of you watch that show Cook Yourself Thin on Lifetime? I absolutely loved the show because the recipes seemed so simple. Here is one I think you would like.

Serves 4

Calories per serving, portobello Benedict: 183

Calories per serving, roasted red pepper sauce: 70

For the portobello Benedict

4 portobello mushrooms, gills removed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 garlic clove

2 10-ounce bags of baby spinach

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

Pinch nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

For the roasted red pepper sauce

1 4-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and finely chopped
3/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

1 ounce capers, drained

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

1. For the portobello Benedict: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Lightly oil a baking sheet.

2. Using an ordinary spoon, remove the gills from each mushroom cap and place the caps on the oiled baking sheet. Bake the mushrooms for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender. Remove from the oven and set aside.

3. In a small saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, garlic and spinach. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, tossing occasionally until wilted. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest and nutmeg.

4. In a blender or small food processor combine the sauce ingredients and pulse until creamy.

5. Using a spoon, evenly distribute the spinach onto the 4 portobello caps. Top each one with a poached egg, some roasted red pepper sauce and some grated Parmesan cheese. Serve.

A Mother's Reliance on God

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7

I always heard that being a single mom was hard but I hardly heard a lot of people saying that with God EVERYTHING is possible . . . except for my Mother.

She did so much for me and my brother, always making sure we had what we needed. We didn’t have a VCR or a DVD player, but church activities were ALWAYS in our house. With God's help she amazingly managed to send us to a Seventh-day Adventist Academy. I thank God He gave my Mom the resources to pay for our education and with that, we were able to attend a great Christian School from Kindergarten until we graduated from High School.

Now I became a Single Mom myself and found out that there is nothing in life that’s easy, we do have to work for what we want and make sure we do things right . . . but there is ONE THING that doesn’t change, even throughout the years, and that is God’s willingness to be there for us, to help us, to guide us through thick and thin. I can tell you that being a Single mom is NOT an easy task, but being a Christian Single Mom who prays constantly and asks God for advice is the easiest task in my life. Being able to trust God, being able to ask His presence in my life and my kids’ life is the greatest blessing and for that I thank God: for being part of my life, day in and day out.

He cares about us and wants us to give Him our worries, then, what are we waiting for? I received an email this past week and thought it was the perfect sentence that can resume the way we, as Women of God, should be: "A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man should have to seek Him first to find her."

By Carla Gutierrez (Carla is pictured with her two children: Emily and Angello)

Recipe of the Week - Samosa Soup

I found this recipe on the Eatnvegn blog. This is a really delicious recipe that I have tried many times. Hope you enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
2 t. mustard seeds
1 yellow onion, diced
½ t. chili powder
1 t. tumeric
½ t. cayenne
½ t. curry powder
½ t. coriander
½ t. garam masala
½ t. cumin
1 T. fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. potatoes, diced
1 lb. cauliflower, chopped
1 lb. bag frozen peas and carrots
3 c. vegetable broth
1 can lite coconut milk
8 oz. fresh spinach, chopped
¼ c. fresh cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lemon
1 t. salt
½ t. black pepper

Directions:
Heat oil in a soup pot. Add mustard seeds, cover, and let them pop. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add spices (except salt and pepper), ginger, garlic, potatoes, cauliflower, and peas and carrots. Cook a minute or two, mixing well and coating vegetables with spices. Add broth. Simmer, covered, until potatoes and cauliflower are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add coconut milk, spinach, cilantro, and lemon juice. Simmer 5 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

A Word for Women

As we begin our journey together through the world of blogging I would like to share this poem with you that I read a couple months ago. Learning to take time for ourselves is the greatest service we can give to our families, friends and to God. Feel free to comment on how this poem strikes you.

Angela's Word

"When Angela was very young
Age two or three or so,
Her mother and her father
Taught her never to say NO.
They taught her that she must agree
With everything they said,
And if she didn't, she was spanked
And sent upstairs to bed.

So Angela grew up to be
A most agreeable child;
She was never angry
And she was never wild;
She always shared, she always cared,
She never picked a fight,
And no matter what her parents said,
She thought that they were right.

Angela the Angel did very well in school
And, as you might imagine, she followed every rule,
Her teachers said she was so well-bred,
So quiet and so good,
But how Angela felt inside
They never understood.

Angela had lots of friends,
Who liked her for her smile;
They knew she was the kind of gal
Who'd go the extra mile;
And even when she had a cold
And really needed rest,
When someone asked her if she'd help
She always answered Yes.

When Angela was thirty-three, she was a lawyer's wife.
She had a home and family, and a nice suburban life.
She had a little girl of four
And a little boy of nine,
And if someone asked her how she felt
She always answered, "Fine".

But one cold night near Christmastime
When her family was in bed,
She lay awake as awful thoughts went spinning through
her head;
She didn't know why, and she didn't know how,
But she wanted her life to end;
So she begged Whoever put her here
To take her back again.

And then she heard, from deep inside,
A voice that was soft and low;
It only said a single word
And the word it said was . . . NO.

From that moment on, Angela knew
Exactly what she had to do.
Her life depended on that word,
So this is what her loved ones heard:

NO, I just don't want to;
NO, I don't agree;
NO, that's yours to handle;
NO, that's wrong for me;
NO, I wanted something else;
NO, that hurt a lot!
NO, I'm tired, NO I'm busy,
And NO, I'd rather not!

Well, her family found it shocking,
Her friends reacted with surprise;
But Angela was different, you could see it in her eyes;
For they've held no meek submission
Since that night three years ago
When Angela the Angel
Got permission to say NO.

Today Angela's a person first, then a mother and a wife.
She knows where she begins and ends,
She has a separate life.
She has talents and ambitions,
She has feelings, needs and goals.
She has money in the bank and
An opinion at the polls.

And to her boy and girl she says,
"It's nice when we agree;
But if you can't say NO, you'll never grow
To be all you're meant to be.
Because I know I'm sometimes wrong
And because I love you so,
You'll always be my angels
Even when you tell me NO."

By Barbara K. Bassett