Simply Muffins

Practical Homemaking 

I would like to invite you to check out my new blog called simplymuffins.wordpress.com.  I was asked to do all of the Gluten free baking for Hutto's Highland Haven B&B, which I gladly accepted....:)....but then I was asked by our local Farmer's Market to present my baked goods there.  And so began my entrepreneurial baking challenge.  I found that everyone liked my baking, but it was the muffins that everyone came back for.  I found my niche!  Muffins!  How quaint.  Hahah.  And so "Simply Muffins" was born.  I am still in the experimenting process but have conquered quite a few different muffins and am excited about the prospects of custom baking muffins to fit different peoples individual health needs.  I have always been quite passionate about health, and Gluten free baking, and more recently about food in general, and so this is perfect!  I hope to get my name out there so that I can start taking orders. I thought I would share my blog with all of you.  :)  

Quote of the Day

"He who sides with God cannot fail to win in every encounter; and whether the result shall be joy or sorrow, failure or success, death or life, we may, under all circumstances, join in the Apostle's shout of victory, 'Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ!'"  Hannah Whittall Smith 

Spiritual Lessons 

In Quiet Submission to Simply Be

I was having a hard time Sunday. Just being honest. :) Hard times do come and sometimes we choose to struggle with them.

I went out in our pasture that evening and walked through the long grass sprinkled with white daisies. I reached the very end of it and sat down and looked up at the hills still lit by the setting sun. And I cried.

I know my health plays a huge part in how I feel. Our physical is attached to our spiritual. Our spirit, soul and body are linked and they do affect each other. Another part is the circumstances I am surround with, and the attitudes of others in my life. My heart hurt and felt heavy.

Christ came and sat right there in front of me and listened. I could feel Him smiling and He asked me “Have I ever failed you in this? Have I ever led you astray?”

I thought back on His past faithfulness. And I said through my tears, “No, you have never failed me.”

He laughed and said “Then why are you crying?”

I laughed, even while I cried. It was kind of silly. So I shared all that was on my heart. He didn't condemn me. He understood where I was better than I did. 

I asked, "Is it weak to feel this way? Is it wrong?"

You know what He shared with me? No, it wasn't wrong. But it was weak to feel the way I was feeling. But it was a human, natural thing that He doesn't condemn, but a prone and weak place to be.

I had been “afraid” to tell Jesus how I felt because I thought He might take "this" away because He would know it was too much of a temptation... As if He didn't already know! 

Had He ever done anything to prove Himself untrustworthy? No! Did I really want to entrust my heart with myself? No thinking twice on that. Why hesitate to let a perfect, all-knowing, God orchestrate my life?  If He chose to take "this" away it would be for the best.  

To be able to allow Him to provide for me, and to do so without anxiety, and to silently give Him glory by simply being is my great desire. A child's heart that trusts her Father's providence is sweetly care-free. His yoke is light when I hold no expectations to where He will be guiding and don't pull in one direction or the other. My responsibility is to simply be. These temptations are opportunities to do just that. Do I know what He will do next? No idea. Do I trust that it will be good? Yes, I do, with all my heart. In quiet submission I will simply be.

“I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we meet them, that constitutes our comfort; and that this may be undisturbed, if we seek for and cherish quiet submission, whatever may be the privations allotted us.” ~ Elizabeth T. King (Joy and Strength, 176)

Flaxseed Blueberry Cookies

Recipes/Practical Homemaking 

Flaxseed Blueberry Cookies 

Okay....so I can't have any kind of flour, no sugar, no nuts, no dairy, no eggs...and what do I do?  Decide I want cookies.  And so...I make myself cookies.  :)  I was inspired by some "cookies" I saw at our local Yokes Grocery in the Natural Corner.  The "Go Raw"cookies looked good to me.  They were on the expensive side but I decided to try them.  YUM!  I don't know if it is just because I am on such a strict diet, or if they really are super yummy, but I thought they were delicious.  A great Gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, organic treat.  But then...they are spendy. Plus they use sesame seeds which are technically a "no-no" for me right now.  So, I decided I would try to make my own.  And I did!  If any of my readers are GAPs dieting or have a strict diet like it, or are just looking for a tasty pick-me-up treat -- these are great. 

Ingredients:
1 summer squash
1 zuchinni 

2 Tablespoons organic shredded coconut
2 teaspoons flaxseed meal
1 teaspoon flaxseed
1 teaspoon hemp powder
squeeze of lemon 
pinch of NuNatruals Stevia (or more to taste)
handful of blueberries (approx 1/4 cup?)

Instructions:
Cook squash and zucchini until soft.  Blend in food blender with berries.  Add dry ingredients.  If soupy add a little more coconut.  Should be quite wet.  Form little dollops of "dough" on cookie sheet.  You may want to brush a little olive oil on your cookie sheet....but I found they didn't stick.  Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.  (Check on them...they may bake faster in your oven).  And ta-da!  You have a GAPS legal cookie. Another rendition to this recipe is to omit the blueberries and zucchini and add one organic carrot along with chopped raisins!  Really yummy if you add cinnamon too.  The variations are endless!  

Jump

Spiritual Lessons 

Jump 

“And Jesus answered and said...Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things...” Luke 10:41

Why do we worry? Really though, ask yourself the question.

I know that I become anxious when I feel it's my responsibility to make sure I do something in order for the necessities of life to be accomplished. Lately this has included my jobs, health and bills.

“Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much better are ye than the fowls?” Luke 12:24

Why worry then? Well...to be honest -- because I feel like if I tried hard enough I could make it happen. Aren't I responsible for these things?

“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, then spin not...seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.” Luke 12:27-29

Not only am I not responsible to keep ends meeting, but I shouldn't sit on the side line doubting His providence either. God points out in this same chapter that it is the World that worries and seeks after necessities, but my Father, who is a good Father, “knoweth that ye have need of these things.” (v.30)

It has become easy to leave Him with my desires and wants because He has proven Himself faithful in knowing what is best for me. But He asks the same abandonment in my needs. God is my Father, and a Father's job is to provide. I am not meant to be a Provider. But guess who is? He is. I am to seek after Him and His kingdom and His will and He takes care of my needs. “Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give...” (v.32).

He knows our need and He said He will provide. Why waste energy on worrying? Is God a liar? Did He promise providence so we might be fooled into starvation? I don't think so.

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1 Timothy 6:8 

 It's actually an exciting place to be.  I don't need more than what He has already been providing. It isn't an accident that I am in this place of need. Perhaps He is preparing me for a future time? To be here in full dependence on His providence is the same thrill someone gets who jumps off the cliff, knowing it's all going to be okay because tied to his back is his parachute. I've chosen to jump – might as well do it without carefulness and trouble.

I once read a book title called “When You Fall: Dive”.  It made me smile.  You know, if I'm going, I'm going all the way. If I feel I can't give up all of me, than it's a clue that “me owns me”. That I haven't trusted Him with me. Is my life so precious to me that I cannot give it away? Am I that capable of saving myself?  I'd rather jump with Him providing, than stay on the cliff's edge hoping I can do it myself.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have...” Hebrews 13:5

This verse convicted me. I try hard not to complain about foods I wish I could eat and the mundane foods I have to eat over and over, but I know that I do it anyway. Christ will have to guard my mouth and place a content spirit in my heart. Contentedness springs from thankfulness. And how I am to be thankful, why I can be thankful, is found in the rest of the verse – “...for he hath said, I will never leave thee not forsake thee.” (v.5)

I can be content with my weight, my singleness, my food, my health, my jobs, because He is the Provider. He is in control. He can manage my life, He can hold me up...all I have to do is jump. He won't leave me.

 In the things I have no control in (like when I thought I might have lymphoma) I could cast it on Him because I had no other option of “fixing” it myself. I could not.  But the little things...this is where the enemy is concentrated. Satan is satisfied with a 1 degree turn in my attitude. And it isn't just in attitude toward jobs, health, bills, but relationships as well.

Has it ever occurred to us that Jesus may have entrusted those hard relationships to us? Maybe it it someone that grates on our nerves, maybe someone who has wronged us (or a loved one) or maybe someone that is interested in us. Could Jesus have allowed them in our lives because He wants to teach them lessons through us?  Did He trust that He can reach those people through us? 

 Perhaps He chose you to be the instrument in which to love that person that grates on people's nerves. Maybe He has picked you to be the one in which He can forgive that person who has wronged others. Maybe He has allowed that person to be attracted to you so they may learn purity of heart and giving up desires and distractions...and you are just the object lesson. Maybe you are the only “safe” young woman that He could use...He trusts that you will be a sister in Christ who cherishes that persons purity and will at all costs defend it. Even if it costs you the pleasure of being admired. Maybe He trusts you to defend their purity from your own fleshly desire. Maybe it isn't about us after all.

Content with such things as we have. Jobs, health, bills, relationships. He is trustworthy. Here I am Lord...clutching You....honestly I'm a little scared, but determined not to doubt you...I close my eyes and am overwhelmed by the memories of your past faithfulness...I'll jump.

Quote of the Day

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke

(Taken from Streams in the Desert V.II by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

Chard Chips

Practical Homemaking/ Recipes 

I found this recipe through doTerra Essential Oils and decided I had better try it.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It worked!  Plus it is really yummy.  

The  original recipe  calls for Kale and doTerra lemon essential oil.  I only had Swiss chard and lemon juice on hand.  But it worked.  Can't wait to try different herbs on them.  But it was great with just salt and pepper. 

Ingredients:

Bunch of Chard 

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Wash Swiss Chard leaves and dry.  Mix oil and salt and pepper with leaves.  Place in one layer on cookie sheet.  Preheat oven to 260 degrees.  Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until crisped.  Really tasty healthy treat.

Enjoy!  

Quote of the Day

"For every hill I've had to climb,
 For every stone that bruised my feet,
 For all the blood and sweat and grime,
 For blinding storms and burning heat,
 My heart sings but a grateful song-
 These were the things that made me strong.

 For all the heartaches and the tears,
 For all the anguish and the pain,
 For gloomy days and fruitless years,
 And for the hopes that lived in vain,
 I do give thanks, for now I know
 These were the things that helped me grow!"
   -Unknown-

Taken from Streams in the Desert V.II (Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

Knight #6

Spiritual Lessons 

Here is Knight #6.... I found this young man's thoughts a blessing.  

To see the questions I asked these Christian "knights" please see this post

Knight # 6 (Age: 21 )

I think that the world has had too much sway on Christians of all ages and both genders in many areas, this being one of them. The Bible clearly teaches that we should seek God above all else and all that we need will be added to us. I don't think our search for relationships should differ. A young lady looking for a life partner should look no farther than to God, who longs to be glorified through her life and future relationship. If God wants to be glorified through a relationship, one way we are promised He will do it is through blessing the obedience of those involved. I know by experience that letting God bring that person into your life, as your whole focus is on pleasing Him, is so much more rewarding than seeking out that desired relationship. God knew what I needed when I needed it and He continues to prepare me as needed for my future wife. As I look back at how God led me into experiences I can see He had in mind my preparation.

So as to a girl needing to be industrious; God knows what that girls future holds far better than society, and God will lead perfectly as she follows Him first, even against social norms and expectations,away from relationships and into others.
Also I think beauty is not what should seal the deal on a relationship. Of course it's a blessing that God has made males and females attractive to each other but I personally have found that regardless of what a girl looks like, her heart makes all the difference. Everything good and beautiful came from the Father, when He is in control she will be beautiful. I've known many girls, all of which their looks make no impact on my memory of them. In my sinful state their looks would have mattered, but now it is Jesus Christ who makes them beautiful. I think of beauty as how I see Jesus in them. Any man that marries a homely girl who has unconditionally given her soul to God is far more blessed than he who fell into the trap and married due to attraction of aging, mortal flesh.

Quote of the Day

"The fact is that God is stronger than any temptation and danger; and the person who has God in his heart is unconquerable." Mrs. Charles E. Cowman  (Taken from "Streams in the Desert V.II)

Quote of the Day

"Take the last transient swell of petty impatience, or of unkind criticism; things which to the unawakened conscience look so small and to the awakened conscience so large.  There is not one that need have taken place.  Had I been walking that moment with God, abiding that moment in Christ, drawing that moment on the sanctifying Spirit's power, I should not have lost temper, I should not have thought unkindly; -- not only should I not have looked impatience, or indulge in needless severity in words.  The occasion for the very feeling would have been as if it were not, because neutralized in Jesus Christ.  And if that might have been true for the last five minutes, why should it not be for the next five, for the present minute?  "I can do all things," I have resources for all circumstances, "in Him, that stregthened me".  ~ Handly C.G. Mule, Joy and Strength, 157 

Quote of the Day

"Your emotions may be delightful, or they may be very depressing.  In neither case are they any real indication of your spiritual state.  Your joy in the Lord is a far deeper thing than a mere emotion.  It is to be the joy of knowledge, or perception, of actual existence.  It is far better to be a bird, with all the actual realities of flying, than only to feel as if you are a bird, with no actual power of flying at all.  Reality is always the vital thing."  ~ Hannah W. Smith   

Gluten Free Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

Practical Homemaking 

Hurrah!  I conquered another Gluten-free muffin.  These are so yummy!  Or so says the Gluten-free-Snob-Queen (my mother).  :)  They are moist and not too sweet, with a zesty hint of lemon and the perfect touch of poppy seed nutty goodness.  They look gorgeous too.  They are worth baking just for the scrumptious aroma they fill the kitchen with.  Love these!  

If you are local I will be selling these over at Annie's Orchard every Saturday morning.  Stop by!  :)   

Gluten Free Lemon Poppy-Seed Muffins 

~ * ~

Ingredients:

2 cups GFM's Rice Almond blend flour

2 tsp. Baking powder

1 1/4 tsp. Xanthan gum

¼ tsp. Salt

½ cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup vanilla yogurt

1 egg

1 Tbl. lemon juice

1 tsp poppy seeds

¼ cup raw milk

2 Tbsp. Sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease muffin tins. In medium bowl combine dry ingredients and lightly whisk with a fork. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add yogurt, egg, lemon juice and milk. Mix until well combined. Add dry mixture a little at a time to your wet ingredients just until flour is mixed in, but do not over mix batter. Sprinkle poppy seeds. Fill muffin tins to top with muffin batter. Lightly sprinkle tops of muffins with sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

Quote of the Day

“We have no need that God should attack in us that which is lifeless and unresponsive. (It is the living only that must die). ...You asked for a remedy that your problems might be cured. You do not need to be cured, you need to be slain. ...So do not ask for either remedies or sustenance. Do not even ask for death. To ask death is impatience. And to ask food or remedies is only to prolong the agony. What then shall we do? Do nothing. Seek to nothing. Simply confess everything, not as a means of getting relief, but because of humble desire to yield unto Jesus.

...You see, the point is not how you are to be sustained and kept alive, but how you are to give up and die.” ~ Fenelon

Quote of the Day

"Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." (Isaiah 58:9)

"He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry. That has comforted me often, more than any promise of answer; it includes answers, and a great deal more besides; it tells us what He is towards us, and that is more than what He will do. And the 'cry' is not long, connected, thoughtful prayers, a cry is just an unworded dart upwards of the heart, and at that 'voice' He will be very gracious." (F. R. Havergal)
(From the book "Joy and Strength" P. 152)