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February 24, 2015

reallll smooth

          Lately, I've been on this smoothie kick where I throw together some fresh produce and whip it up into a nice breakfast treat. It is a quick and easy way to stuff some nutrients into your body, plus smoothies simply taste wonderful :) Here are a few of my favorite 'recipes' that I've tried out on my guinea pigs (aka the fam.)

mango smoothie: (recipe source -- Wishes and Dishes)

1 cup cubed/peeled/frozen mango
3/4 cup banana
2/3 cup milk
1 tsp. honey
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract




 Since I'd never tried using a mango before, this recipe was a pleasant surprise. The texture was unusually thick and creamy. Definitely making this one again...

kiwi/kale smoothie: (recipe source -- Diethood)

2 bananas
2 kiwis
1 cup kale tightly packed
1 cup milk
2 Tbsp. honey
1/2 cup ice

 
 The kiwi/kale smoothie is by far my favorite! My observant brother said that it looked like seaweed, and I have to agree, but the flavor is out of this world.

chocolate banana smoothie: (recipe source -- Baker by Nature)

2 frozen bananas
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. honey
1 1/2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups almond milk


Chocolate and bananas..... mmmmm. Can't go wrong with that combination!

coconut strawberry smoothie:

There is no recipe for this one: I made it up! I do remember throwing in some strawberries and blueberries which made it turn pink, but the main ingredient was coconut meat/water.

 
          That's the beauty of blenders -- you can throw in pretty much anything you want and it still tastes good. (Within reason.)
 
          If you are ever interested in some other smoothie idees, check out these links:
 

February 20, 2015

advice for life.

    

Someone asked me recently if I had any advice to impart. (Because -- you know-- I'm so darn awful wise.) Instead of saying something profound and helpful, I stuttered and managed to spit out a few words. What are you supposed to say when you're asked for advice?

It bothered me that I was unable to answer properly. But, a few days later, I came across this:


ROMANS 12

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

 

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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          Paul has written a list of ways to lead a godly life; to put love into action.
So, if anyone else ever asks me for advice, then I will promptly refer them to this list and say: "here is your advice for life right here!"
I myself will be striving to apply this scripture to my daily life, because I desire to be a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. "This is your true and proper worship."

February 3, 2015

on pomegranates and dying poets

Pomegranates:
     It has always been one of my 'unofficial' New Year's resolutions to live life more adventurously.
A phobia of mine is that I'll fall into the ruts of daily life and forget how to be impulsive and daring.
That's why I bought myself a pomegranate yesterday: I've never had one before, so of course I had to try it. (Eating a pomegranate is totally impulsive and daring -- right?)

 
     Scoop out the seeds, put 'em on a salad and BAM! you've got yourself a beautiful treat. Not only does it taste good, but it looks like you're eating bright red gems. And it's healthy.
 
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Dying Poets:
     This is what the piano looks like when there are three musicians living in the house:


Music. Is. Everywhere.
     The piano bookcase is full, so books and sheet music kinda spill out onto the piano bench/floor/parakeet cage/etc.
     Recently, I've been trying to conquer the song "Dying Poet" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk. It's not a difficult piece, but it's rather long. Sometimes I wish the poet would just hurry up and die. (Not really.)

 

What things have been a part of your life recently?