My Ways or His Ways?

Sometimes I find that my perception of God needs a bit of alteration.  I find that I am not consistent in my thinking or that I bought into something that shouts that I’m stuck on my ways instead of seeing them as His ways.

Example One: I found a prayer in one of my journals that asked God to protect me from deception.  And at first, I was like, uh….what!? where were you God–why didn’t you step in and intervene and save the day? Except, the kicker here is that I wanted Him to intervene so that things would turn out how I wanted them.  He DID protect me by allowing others to step in and walk with me. Things just looked different.

Example Two: I keep wanting to put lists, rules, and lines in areas of my life.  But, then, I’m reminded…He wants me to fall in love with Him in such a way that life no longer feels like a list of do’s and don’ts but a crazy madly love that permeates all that I do to where each and every moment translates into an all relying on Him adventure both with Him and others!

Example Three: I found myself verbalizing frustration over waiting on God’s timing…yeah, sometimes I get frustrated.  But, see, I kept thinking of Him as almost teasing or just not wanting to give me want I want.  Though, really, no! That’s not it at all. He wants to wait to give me that amazing delicious tasting satisfying falafel instead of letting me settle for some not so tasty cheeseburger…

How about you? Do you need to adjust or alter some areas you translate your ways as God’s ways?

Food, Photos, and Vanilla Chai

Playing around with the camera beforehand. Here’s a shot of a bowl from South Africa–Chelsea and I walked ALL over a market trying to find the right one with the right colors and right design. 🙂

Pre-eating and cooking game face. ha!

Tofu…springy…mushy…I’m pretty skeptical at this point!

They look tasty….

Now to add some asparagus. (Yeah, I had to look up how to trim and cut asparagus just in case!) Add in a little vanilla chai and everything looks just about perfect.

Oh yes! Tastes fabulous! A little mediterranean peri peri to boot and my mouth is happy.

White Chocolate Deliciousness

I spent the night baking!  Finally!  I haven’t been in the mood to bake for so long and I definitely missed it.  I am so glad and my heart is happy that this part of me can be expressed with joy instead of sadness/heartache at remembering times of baking with others.  I love baking, baking with people and giving food to others. I made some brownies for those who watched Titanic and then I made banana bread with white chocolate and brown sugar from the States (woot! the brown sugar here is different…and you can’t get white chocolate in “chip” form here).  I included the recipe for the banana bread below since I think it’s the best and super delicious especially with white chocolate chips.  Enjoy!  Any recipes that you recommend?

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Banana Bread

5 T butter

½ cup sugar

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, 2 egg whites or egg replacer works fabulously!

1 t. whites

1 t. vanilla

1 ½ cup mashed bananas

1 ¾ cup flour

1 t. soda

½ t. salt

¼ t. baking powder

½ cup heavy cream or soy milk

NOTE: These are REALLY good with white chocolate and many people like them with chocolate too, but I like white chocolate.  Estimate how much you want in there.

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Spray the bottom of the loaf pans (2 reg. or 4 small).
2. Beat butter in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add sugar and brown sugar.  Beat well.  Add egg, egg whites, and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.  Add mashed bananas.  Beat on high 30 sec.
3. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.  Add this flour mixture to butter mixture alternately w/cream.  End with flour mixture.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the loaf pan.  Bake until brown, toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.  Baking times: Larger Loaf pan—1 hour 15 minutes.  Smaller Loaf pan—45 minutes.  (I don’t know if I buy these times…each oven is different and I usually find it needs more time.  Just stick a knife in it and when it comes out clean then it’s ready!!).
5. Cool on wire rack in pan.  Remove from pan after 10 minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack.  (Nah, go ahead and eat some after the first 10 minutes…YUM!)

Random Question

While taking a shower this morning, I had a random thought and question.  My lovely roommate kindly picked up some shampoo and conditioner for me since I finally ran out and didn’t go into town.  I spent yesterday afternoon climbing and soaking up the sun instead of going to town, which was exactly what I needed.  Anyway, I tried out the new shampoo and condition, smells delicious by the way, and realized that the conditioner instructions said to towel dry hair, put in the conditioner, wait a minute and then wash out.  Normal except for the random part about towel drying your hair and then getting back in the shower.  Yeah…not going to happen.  But here’s the question for you.  Do you follow shampoo and conditioner instructions?  Do you wait that minute? Or do you just do whatever you want? Do you even read the instructions? Okay, that was more of a string of questions, but you get the idea.  As for me, I like to read the directions and I typically follow the instructions.  Not always to the minute, but you get the idea.

White Chocolate

As most of you know, I LOVE white chocolate! Well, today was a wonderful day because of white chocolate. I found Lindt white chocolate at SPAR (the grocery store) in both bar form and truffles!!!!! Of course, I bought some and it was amazing. My heart is happy, but I ate a little bit too much… 🙂
p.s. What kind of chocolate do you like best?

Daring Bakers–YAY!

Yay!  I’m so happy this month actually turned out and was edible!  Here are the pictures:

The “fountain” that proceeded to literally fountain over shortly afterward.  Next time, I’ll use a bowl!  Live and learn on this one.  (I didn’t know what a fountain was until I “googled” it)

Waving while baking 🙂

Yay for super cute braided-ness 🙂

Finished product!!!  1 1/2 with apple filling and one with raspberry.  Delicious.  I definitely did not have to bake these as long as suggested–I must have a super powerful oven or something. 🙂

Substitutions

When I want something, I make do concerning recipes.  Sometimes this strategy works, sometimes utter failure  For example, I really wanted pancakes on Saturday, but we didn’t have milk.  I searched the fridge where I found a Vanilla Carmel creamer and decided to make do.  Vanilla Carmel tasting pancakes were quite interesting.  Good, but thick.  The next one…well, I admit wasn’t completely out of desperation.  I made white chocolate s’mores. Delicious. Absolutely delicious.  Go try them right now! 🙂

Blogged it. Tried it. Loved it.

YUM!

So I tried the Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich recipe that I blogged about here and it turned out great!  The pictures aren’t too bad either.  I even took the “long” way and didn’t cheat by using a toaster instead of a pan!  The sandwich was delicious and I can’t wait to eat another one.  I love that this recipe is quick, easy and doesn’t require an extra trip to the grocery store for random ingredients.  Go try it!

White Chocolate Goodness aka Oreo Truffles

Oreo Truffles

1 package oreo cookies (divided… use cookie including the cream center)

1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)

white chocolate bark

1. Crush cookies and stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.

2. Roll the mixture into 1″ balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet.

3. Melt chocolate as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.

4. Enjoy!  

Makes about 36 truffles.

Notes: Also, it helps to freeze the uncoated balls for a few minutes to keep the mixture from starting to fall apart in the melted chocolate. If this becomes a problem, dip them in the chocolate, let dry and then dip again. They are also good dipped in regular milk chocolate bark. And for an extra twist, use the mint oreo sandwich cookies.  Also, if you have extra chocolate you can always make a few chocolate covered pretzels or strawberries or bananas!

*I LOVE white chocolate and oreo…so these are amazing!  A nice mix of hard white chocolate with a soft inside 🙂

Yum! Banana Bread

Here is my favorite thing to make!  I love that the preparation time is long enough to enjoy, but not annoying…complicated/busy enough yet mindless too.  Perfect baking combination!  Plus, the final product is SO good it’s gone in literally a day or two…maybe three if you’re slow.  Plus, it works for any meal…breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack!

Banana Bread
5 T butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
2 egg whites
1 t. whites
1 t. vanilla
1 ½ cup mashed bananas
1 ¾ cup flour
1 t. soda
½ t. salt
¼ t. baking powder
½ cup heavy cream (some recipes don’t include this…but I like to think it adds that something extra that makes this recipe extra good.  Though this is usually the only ingredient that needs to be planned)

NOTE: These are REALLY good with white chocolate and many people like them with chocolate too.  Estimate how much you want in there ☺

1.    Preheat oven to 350.  Spray the bottom of the loaf pans (2 reg. or 4 small).
2.    Beat butter in a large bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add sugar and brown sugar.  Beat well.  Add egg, egg whites, and vanilla.  Beat until well blended.  Add mashed bananas.  Beat on high 30 sec.
3.    Combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.  Add this flour mixture to butter mixture alternately w/cream.  End with flour mixture.
4.    Pour the batter evenly into the loaf pan.  Bake until brown, toothpick inserted in center will come out clean.  Baking times: Larger Loaf pan—1 hour 15 minutes.  Smaller Loaf pan—45 minutes.  (I don’t know if I buy these times…each oven is different and I usually find it needs more time).
5.    Cool on wire rack in pan.  Remove from pan after 10 minutes.  Cool completely on wire rack.  (Nah, go ahead and eat some after the first 10 minutes…YUM!)