Food

If you know me at all, you know I love food.

I love to smell food. Think about food. Cook food. Taste food. Day dream about food. Analyze food. Touch food. Grow food. Take pictures of food. Read about food. Chop food. Share food. Try new food. Talk about food. Does the word "food" look funny to you, too, now? Food Food Food.

I like to think that I have broadened Chad's food horizons & refined his palate a bit. Poor guy was eating oatmeal for most dinners before we got married. And I also found a can of spaghetti in his pantry...I guess that's not saying much then. Almost anything is a step up from oatmeal & canned spaghetti.

All this to say: I am so excited for warmer weather! The abundance of fresh produce is good for my heart (figuratively & literally!).

This past summer/fall we had our first attempt at a garden. Some successes & some failures (mostly failures) but learned a lot & am looking forward to gardening again with my new knowledge. Right now the garden is a little...unkempt. There are broccoli & carrots & lettuce & cilantro that somehow survived the winter. Plus two strawberry plants are also going crazy.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be time for another garden this summer. We just got orders that we will be moving to Barksdale AFB mid June. So I'm thinking that by the time we get a house, it may be too late for much of a summer garden! I am very interested to see what the culture is like there. If there are any other foodies, farmer's markets or homesteaders in the area.

Anywho, random post, but it seemed like time to update! Must drive hubby to PT on base so he can bring his car home later (we parked it there last night on the way to church).

Learning to Fight Back

1 Peter 5:8 says that the devil "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

Satan knows just what to do so he can gobble me up. Lie. Nothing fancy or elaborate. And the same exact lie works pretty much every time.

Well, I'm finally getting wise to his ways.

And I am learning to defend myself against the "angel of light". Because he is not full of truth - he is full of darkness. And I am promised victory by the Lion of Judah!

Satan may try a new version of the lie or a whole new tactic, but I know that when I am armed with the Sword of the Spirit, I can "extinguish the flaming darts of the evil one" (Eph 6:16). The Gospel of Truth is more powerful than the words of the serpent.

Without over-sharing, one verse that I am clinging to as truth against the particular lie Satan is using this time: "but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." Psalm 147:11

Truth wins, Jesus wins!!

Strawberry Basil Smoothie

No no no - not this Basil:
Although there are times she is so cute I want to eat her. There are also times when I think I love olive oil so much I want to rub it all over my face. Which is neither here nor there.

This is what I'm talking about! Sweet Basil. Ocimum basilicum, if you want to get scientific.

This versatile herb most commonly used in pesto is incorporated here for it's ability to perk up a smoothie with fresh summery flavor. (Don't freak out when you read the ingredient list...I promise it tastes really good!)


Strawberry Basil Smoothie
Makes 32oz total, 2 - 16oz servings
(or 1 serving for a smoothie crazed husband, not naming any names)
Per 16oz serving
Calories: 200
Fat: 2g
Carbs:47g
Protein: 6.5g
Fiber: 8g
Sodium: 22mg

Ingredients:
1c fresh kale, packed, tough stems removed
1 large banana, peeled
2 c strawberries, hulled if fresh
2oz soft (silken) tofu
1/4c lowfat strawberry kefir
1/4c fresh sweet basil, packed
2 TBS lemon juice
1 TBS honey, local is best if you have it
1 splash of OJ

Method:
1. Add liquids to blender first
2. Add berries, kale, tofu, basil & honey
3. Blend

Enjoy!

I didn't use any ice - mainly because my blender can't handle it. :( (note the green kale flakes) But add it in, if yours can (and if you aren't making these the night before for breakfast the next day...that would be a watery mess)!
Although...maybe if I start making ice chunky smoothies, Chad won't like them & will let me buy the fancy blender.