What's cookin, good lookin?

"Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you."

Exodus 23:25

Whether we are at home or at a restaurant, a family reunion, or in the van...

if our family is eating we are blessing our food.

We say grace.

We thank God for the provision that He has given us; the ability to eat; the bounty that He so graciously gives. We thank Him for health in our bodies and pray that He would take sickness from our midst. We pray He would bind it up and protect us from disease.

In the old testament (especially verses in Leviticus and Deuteronomy) there are lists of food that God called unclean. In the garden of Eden man was never commanded to eat animals; in fact, in study it shows that man was probably made to be vegetarian. However, after the fall, God made a covenant with Noah. In Genesis 9:2-5 God gave Noah permission to eat anything that did not have it's life blood in it. This included all land animals, birds and fish. No exception was given to Noah at the time.

Later, in the time of Moses, God introduced a number of different restrictions. This was during a time when He wanted the people of Israel to be set apart. It was ok for foreigner to eat unclean food, but not the people of Israel. He wanted anyone that was observing His people to know that they were set apart and different; that their God was Holy.

Many believers silently still believe some of the laws of the old testament regarding food. However, in the New Testament it is made clear to us that Peter's old way of thinking had to be changed from law to gospel. Seemingly, the New Testament breaks the bondage of the old law because of Jesus' sacrifice for us and the covenant God made with us because of His son.

It is made clear in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 that anything that God made is clean and is ok to eat. Whatever the Lord blesses is enriching to our bodies!

In fact, this word goes on to tell us that teaching anything other than this is doctrine of devils; which is not only profound but a strong word that should be noted!

1 Timothy 4:1-5

" Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirit and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."

Here is a recipe from our delicious dinner last night...

Sweet & Sour Chicken/rice stir fry

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound chicken breast; cut in halves

1 package brown or white rice ( I used Lipton's instant chicken rice)

1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup bottled sweet & sour sauce or any stir fry sauce of your choice

packaged oven roasted almonds (also optional. I did not use)

DIRECTIONS:

Cook rice as directed. Stir peas into rice mixture.

Meanwhile in a large skillet, cook and stir chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir rice mixture into skillet. Stir in stir-fry sauce and heat through. If using almonds, sprinkle each serving with them and serve!

311 calories per serving! oh & it was good!

The kids ate their bowls clean! Cant beat that!

"You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed."

Joel 2:26
I know I've mentioned before how hard it is to find a fool-proof chocolate chip cookie recipe. The dough is always delicious and then you bake the cookies and they either burn to a crisp, dont bake at all, fall exceedingly flat or are too gooey to even touch. I think I found a pretty close to perfect recipe that I'll share. Let me know how they turn out for you! Not bad in my kitchen;)
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips


DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir with fork so all ingredients are mixed.
In large bowl, combine sugars, and butter. Mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and fluffy.
Add 1 cup of dry ingredients at a time to mixture until all is incorporated.
Drop cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for about 10-15 minutes ( I baked 10 minutes) or until edges are golden brown.
Have a recipe that you want to share? You can email me and I'll include it on my blog; or I will link to yours so that others can read about what's happening in your kitchen!


Feedback on my recipes or questions about nutrition? Again, email me!
rameelin@mail.com
I love hearing from you!