A Candle in the Dark

What is your favorite kitchen appliance and how does it help get dinner on the table?

 When we lived in China (2005-2006) we had to boil all our drinking and cooking water. I used an electric hot water pot, like ones we’d nearly constantly used in Dubai when we lived there for eight years. (1992-2000).

  Once home, I found this hot water pot, never used, still in the original box, at a garage sale for one dollar. My Scottish Great-grandmother willed me some of her genes and I love such bargains.

 

I use this pot every day, over and over. We are big tea drinkers, breakfast, lunch and dinner (almost all herbal teas) and have taught guests to enjoy tea, also. So this pot makes  dinners with friendly conversations over a ‘cuppa’ so enjoyable.

The little gadget near the pot is a tea bag squeezer that a friend received during a tour of Celestial Seasons Tea factory.

 In China, a fellow college teacher told us “We never ship our best tea overseas. We drink that ourselves.” Their tea comes from the top, small leaves on bushes and if the leaves sit around for three months, the Chinese throw them out. They send to America the lower, darker, less flavorful tea leaves.
However, our lovely daughter-in-law, half Chinese, half Taiwanese, regularly sends us the GOOD Chinese teas from Taiwan, where she and our son live. That’s what’s in the round red tins to the left of the hot water pot.

 Please tell us about YOUR favorite kitchen appliance and how it makes dinner preparation easier. Thank YOU.

 Kathi Lipp asked we bloggers to tell you how this week of following her ideas from The What’s for Dinner Solution went.

This has been a most unusual week. My Hubby unexpectedly had open-heart surgery (triple bypass) a week ago and was released from the hospital three days ago. Life has been hectic. We survived because a friend brought dinner over twice. Thank God for friends, freezers, microwaves, slow cookers and His help to keep blogging.

What are Your Favorite Family Meals?

Kathi Lipp, in her book, The What’s for Dinner Solution, talks about her family’s ‘go-to’ meals, easy-to-fix favorites that everyone enjoys any time.

What is your family’s favorite ‘go-to’ meal?

Hubby and I have two ‘go-to’ foods: Make your own pizza’s

and make your own sundaes.

For the pizza’s we set out on the kitchen counter:

warmed tortillas,

 a jar of tomato sauce seasoned with oregano and garlic,

a variety of toppings such as chopped left-over roasted chicken

crisp bacon bits

pineapple chunks

 shredded cheeses

a jar of crushed pepper flakes

—and left-overs’ that may not sound ‘pizza-ish’, but which some youngster always piles onto a tortilla with enthusiasm.

.

For the sundaes

Set out bowls (fancy ones are nice),

 whatever ice cream you have in your freezer, (I’m an ice cream addict so own three ice cream scoopers and usually that many flavors)

 various slices of fresh fruits,

chocolate and caramel sauce (or whatever you have on hand)

 raspberry and apricot jams, (for example)

chopped nuts

a spray can of whipped cream.

Whole bananas, sliced length-wise, turn the sundae into a truly special treat.

We love these meals because they clean out the refrigerator, are quick to prepare, and make every one feel special because THEY chose their meal.

We’ve also used these methods for parties, with great success. We do ask every person to place their dishes in the dishwasher after eating. And no one ever minds.

This is OUR ‘go-to’ list, but be creative with yours!

Please comment with your family’s favorite recipe/home quick meal. (No fast-food drive-in type allowed!) You’ll be entered in Kathi’s contest for $100 basket of cooking goodies.

For more ideas, Kathi’s newsletter is filled with great recipes and tips for every area of your home. When you sign up for the newsletter, you will receive The Ultimate Guide to Man Food, an e-cookbook that will rock your husband’s culinary world.

Head over to her website at KathiLipp.com. Look for the below piece of information to sign up.

KathiLipp.com Where to sign up for the free newsletter and recipe book for your man.

Kathi Lipp asks, "Would you like to cook LOOP meals?"

SCROLL DOWN FOR TWO OTHER POSTS AND CONTEST INFORMATION. AND PLEASE VISIT THE NEXT TWO DAYS FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MAKING DINNER TIMES EASIER.

Kathi Lipp makes LOOP meals, a lovely acronym…Left-Overs On Purpose. Do you plan left-overs on purpose for easier meal prep in a day or two?

My favorite LOOP meal is chicken thighs. I plop four (straight from the freezer)  into my ‘just-right-for-two-people’ slow cooker. Hubby and I eat two on one day and the other two the next, maybe as chicken and rice or chicken salad or chicken sandwiches. Because of my special dietary needs, my LOOP chicken is mixed only with yogurt mixed with a bit of mayonnaise. Hubby gets chopped dill pickles, a dash of lemon juice, a dash of soy sauce and a spot of mustard along with the mayonnaise/yogurt dressing on his chicken salad or sandwich.

 For more ideas about LOOP meals, head over to Kathi’sBlog www.kathilipp.com (look under 'categories' and The What's for Dinner project’ on the bottom right of her home page) to download five of her favorite LOOP chicken meals.

 Here’s my two-person crock pot, next to my two-person rice cooker. These both are used often in our home, although I prefer uncluttered counter tops so when not in use these kitchen favorites reside in a cupboard near this picture.

A What's For Dinner Solution Contest by Kathi Lipp

I’ve been cooking for sixty-five years, but our menus changed two years ago. My husband is now diabetic and I must eat a low-fiber diet due to radiation damage to my intestines. We need almost exactly opposite foods.       

An RN trained in nutrition, I developed a meals pattern, years ago. Every day we average 2 servings of proteins, 3 servings of dairy, 4 servings of carbohydrates and 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, divided into several meals.

Breakfasts don’t vary. Hubby has oatmeal with fruit, I have cranberry juice, milk and a bowl of Cheerios or a scrambled egg with toast. Or left-over pizza, my favorite.          

Mondays our main protein is Wild Alaska Salmon, a specialty of our area. Hubby has wild rice, I eat white rice. He has a salad of mixed greens and a steamed veggie every noon while I drink V-8 and milk, digestible fiber (Benefiber), and yams with no skin.

Wed. is often spaghetti with tomato sauce and ground turkey. Thurs. a small pork chop with apricot sauce (Kathi Lipp’s recipe!) Friday’s-- crock pot chicken with barbecue sauce for Hubby, plain for me..

Our evening meals are simple; Maybe a sandwich, fruit and milk or a cottage cheese and fruit salad or soup and crackers--whole wheat for Hubby and saltines for me.

So how about sharing YOUR weeks’ menu? List your menu in the comments, please and we’ll all enjoy your ideas.

One person who posts a menu will be entered in a drawing for Kathi Lipp’s hundred dollar basket of cooking goodies. Also, one of you will receive Kathi’s book The What’s For Dinner Solution from me.

Kathi Lipp wants to help your home and give away gifts

Delightful writer Kathi Lipp’s husband also happily helps her plan dinner meals.

For many women dread turns to panic around 4:00 in the afternoon, wondering, “What’s for dinner?” Too often the answer may be another rotisserie chicken or worse yet, a drive-thru order.

In her ‘What’s for Dinner’ Solution, popular author and speaker Kathi Lipp provides a 21 day plan for getting dinner on the table every night while saving time, money and the cook’s sanity.

 Her book, The What’s for Dinner Solution includes real recipes for real women, a quick guide for monthly meal plans, the best shopping strategies for saving time and money, tips on slow-cooker use, and freezer and pantry expertise. Kathi’s book will keep home cooks from hitting the panic button.

 Kathi is a busy conference, retreat speaker and author (The Husband Projcet: 21 Days to Loving Your  Man, The Marriage Project: 21 days to More Love and Laughter, and The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted.) She’s a frequent guest on Focus on the Family and dozens of radio programs.

 Kathi helps women move from living out of obligation to enjoying godly passion. She and her husband Roger (who makes a luscious gazpacho) are the parents of four young adults and live in San Jose, CA.

The What's for Dinner? Solution Where to purchase Kathi's books

Another place for buying this book
Reader Freebies from Kathi

Can America Become Great Again?

•  
• The Coming Revolution
• Signs from America’s Past That Signal Our Nation’s Future
• Dr. Richard G. Lee ©2012
• Thomas Nelson, Inc.
• ISBN 978-0-8499-4829-9 (Hdbk) (Also e-book)
• Bibliographic notes and Topical Index

 Author of eighteen books and speaker for an award-winning TV program in Atlanta, Dr. Lee writes with authority, based on extensive research. He proves that our nation’s founders were Christians who knew the importance of God’s leading. Reconstructionist historians say our country was not founded on Christian principles, but Lee refutes that decisively.

He relates early US history and the paths of our country’s growth. The causes of the Revolutionary war were similar to conditions in the USA today-- loss of freedoms and excessive government controls.

Dr. Lee credits American spirit as what made us a productive and creative nation. He wonders if liberal and left-wing influence in our schools and on our young people have killed that spirit. But he has hope common people will work together and return us to independence and creativity.

The author lists ten ways to peacefully regain our country, number one, by praying, second by voting and third urging others to vote.

Years ago, I joined a Citizens Study Committee and was shocked at the widely-respected leader’s beliefs. He claimed people are too ignorant to choose for themselves so government must care for everyone. He insisted parents were inadequate to teach rightly their children. Our government now pushes that same agenda and we suffer for their arrogance.

As Dr. Lee encourages, it’s time we the people stood together and reclaimed our nation.

 Where to buy this book Thomas Nelson publishers or Amazon.com

Eight Ways To Beat Holiday Christmas Blues. Depression Doesn't Need To Win

With her fun personality and passion for communicating life-changing truths, Poppy Smith inspires believers to thrive spiritually and personally. Poppy’s practical how-to messages (in print or in person) uses colorful examples from her own struggles to be more like Jesus. She encourages women (and men, at times) to grow in every kind of situation—whether joyful or painful! Poppy is British, married to an American, and has lived in many countries. She brings an international flair seasoned with humorous honesty as she illustrates Bible truths. A former Bible Study Fellowship Lecturer, Poppy’s teaching challenges women to look at their choices, attitudes and self-talk. As a result, God’s speaks, changing hearts, changing minds, and changing lives.

Sign up for Poppy's THRIVE newsletter at: http://www.poppysmith.com/newsletters.htm

 Eight Ways to Beat the Blues at Christmas

By Poppy Smith

 Instead of a houseful of kids and their little ones running around laughing, crying, playing with toys and sneaking treats, this year my husband, Jim, and I will be home alone for Christmas.  My automatic reaction is to feel sad—but I am glad that all of them will be celebrating the coming of Jesus with their in-laws.  After all, we are usually the ones who get that privilege!

 But—it’s easy to be sucked down into a “poor me” mindset and play the blues, unless we decide to change our perspective.  So here are eight simple ways to help you enjoy the holidays whether you’re physically or emotionally alone. Why not join me and let’s beat those blues which aren’t where God wants us at this special time of the year—or at any time!

• Sing. Play music. Listen to the words and join in praising God. Singing is a guaranteed mood lifter and perspective changer. “Sing for joy to God our strength” Ps.81:1.
• Smile. Smile at little children. Their harried moms. The older shoppers who are trying to find just the right present. Make smiling your chosen expression (not through gritted teeth, however!). It will make you feel so much better and maybe lift up another lonely soul.
• Invite. Is there someone you haven’t had time for this past year? Could you suggest meeting for coffee, lunch, or even over to your home? Perfection isn’t needed—only a loving heart that looks beyond it’s own world.
• Rest. Remember all those too early mornings when you longed to just stay in bed? Now’s your chance. Take time to read a book of the Bible or several psalms. Choose a special book, magazine, or television program. Make or buy some once in a year yummy treats and ENJOY this gift of time!
• Scan down for other ways to win over blue feelings

Ways to Beat Holiday Blues

• Give gifts to others. Go online and look for simple Christmas recipes. Make peppermint candy or a cranberry loaf and go drop it off at a homeless shelter or place that serves those without a home. Change your perspective from looking inward to looking outward—as God our Savior did when He gave us the most amazing gift of love any one can receive.
• Write a list of your blessings. Think back over this past year. Even if it has been one of the most difficult you’ve experienced, ask God’s Spirit to show you where He was present, loving and supporting and guiding you through. He will show you something and lift your heart.
• Go to a Christmas Eve Service. Even if you’re by yourself, don’t miss the presence of God amidst the beauty of this celebration. Let your senses feast on the beauty, your ears delight in the music, your heart be moved to new heights of gratitude and love.
• Pray about your dreams for 2012. What do you want to see happen in the coming year? Have you thought about changes you want to make? New paths to walk? Write out what comes to mind when you think of taking better care of yourself physically, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. (See my video: Take Care of Yourself, …….. or check my website on the media clips page).

May your “Home Alone” Christmas fill you with joy and a fresh awareness that Christ is with you, whether you’re surrounded by people or peacefully alone.

 

A Helpful Biblical Reference Book for Every Day Users

• Proverbs Reconstructed
• Gus Dallas © 2011
• West Bow Publishers (Division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
• ISBN 978-1-4497-1874-9 (e-book)
• ISBN 978-1-4497-1875-6 (ppbk)
• ISBN 978-1-4497-1876-4 (hdbk)

King Solomon’s Proverbs guide readers into a common sense, intelligent lifestyle. However, the verses are not arranged for logical learning or remembering. Gus Dallas has organized these poetical sayings into three hundred and seventy categories, from Abomination, Adultery, Advocate, etc. to Zealous. This makes studying the Proverbs far easier.

            Our brains learn by filing information in a practical manner, such as Dallas has created in this book. His order for the Proverbs helps apply important concepts to every day life. The author also recommends Proverbs Reconstructed to pastors for sermon preparation. Groups discussions could be enhanced using this volume.

Dallas uses the admirable New King James Version of the scriptures. Some verses fit under more than one category and probably not every Proverb is included in the book.  

  Proverbs Reconstructed has been diligently researched and written, although a few minor typos exist. A well-written prologue and epilogue explain the author’s vision for this volume.

Proverbs Reconstructed is available as an e-book, a soft-cover book or a hardback.

Proverbs Reconstructed

Someone who comments on review of this book may win this prize!

SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE BOOK REVIEW

Grand  Prize  Giveaway

       $85.87  Value

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