Easy & Tasty Apple Salad

     January 2013 I posted this healthful apple salad recipe. It was within and at the end of a blog, so it may have been overlooked. A Facebook friend recently said she loves it, and my husband and I continue to enjoy it. Maybe the cinnamon makes it taste a bit like apple pie.

     There is no major laboring involved with the preparation of this recipe. It is healthful and was begging to be re-posted as a stand-alone blog. My entire family loved it last Christmas.

     Apples (and their skins) contain pectin which encourages digestion. My preference is to use organic apples.

Hyvee's Apple Salad (t=teaspoon, T=tablespoon)

1 med. apple sliced & chopped (honey crisp is recommended, but I prefer Granny Smith)
3/4 t lemon juice
2 T chopped walnuts
2 T honey
1 t flax seed
1/8 t ground cinnamon (this ingredient helps sugars digest & creates an apple crisp taste)
1 T salted sunflower seeds (optional)
1 T dried cranberries (optional)

In a small bowl, combine the apple and lemon juice. Add remaining ingredients; toss to coat. Chill until serving. Yield: 2 servings.

Gluten-Free Cheesy (Brazilian) Bread Balls

For the recipe, click the link at the bottom of this blog

     Cheesy Bread Balls are made with gluten-free tapioca flour rather than wheat flour. They are served in Brazil and other South American countries because of their plentiful tapioca crops. The taste-factor is definitely inviting.

     Due to their gluten-free nature, the center's texture might be a bit spongy... I let mine cool to continue the center's cooking. Read about this particular method of making the dough, called pâte à choux, that produces a light and puffy center. Anyone on a strict gluten-free diet will welcome this recipe's cheese-factor.

     Note that the recipe's 2 1/2 Tablespoons of milk equals 7 1/2 teaspoons.

     A special caution for anyone on a gluten-free diet: Gluten-free diets lack vitamin-B-plentiful wheat. It is critical to supplement with B-vitamins (including B-12).

        Extended B-12 deficiency can lead to depression, low libido, and other varied symptoms. The specific sublingual B-12 pictured to the right is absorbed by my body well. Sublingual means that the vitamin can be placed under the tongue to dissolve for a few minutes. This encourages quicker (and sometimes better) absorption into the blood stream. The cherry flavor of these vitamins makes them almost like candy.

     I tend to have an intolerance to wheat, so rotating and varying my (low-yeast) grains is helpful. I store the cooled bread balls in a zip-lock bag, and for a snack pop one or two into the microwave for mere seconds. These cheesy delights taste great served with marinara sauce.


     Click this link for the official 4-step cheesy recipe with pictures:  Gluten-free Cheesy (Brazilian) Bread Balls


Software:

• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons milk (equals 7 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic (minced very fine)
• 1 cup tapioca flour
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg

Hardware:

• Large microwave-safe mixing bowl
• Spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking pan/cookie sheet
• Small cookie dough or ice cream scoop (or just two teaspoons)

Step 1

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Mix melted butter, milk, water, and salt
3. Microwave for approximately 1 minute or until the mixture reaches a gentle boil (mixture can also be heated in a small saucepan over medium heat)

Step 2

1. Add tapioca flour and garlic and stir well to fully combine
2. Set aside for 10 to 15 minutes
3. Add egg and grated cheese and stir well to combine (the mixture will resemble cottage cheese)

Step 3

1. Scoop dough onto sheet pan (either greased lightly or with a silicone liner). Don't worry about the balls of dough being perfect balls - as they bake they form pretty little domes all on their own
2. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned
3. Enjoy!

PAPA : #1

The beach is heaven as we celebrate... 37!!

 

     Today I intentionally steal a few moments to capture thoughts about the man I love. We married on a hot and sweaty August evening. Despite incredibly low Freon levels in the church's air conditioner, our hotel reservations mysteriously vanishing, and no extended honeymoon... we still believe that Friday the 13th is magical. Our union was on that superstitious day, yet the love endures as respect for my "soul mate" continues to grow.

 

     He is "...the butter to my bread and the breath to my life" (Julie & Julia)... He adds fullness and dimension to this invisibly-blogging homebody. For the last 37 years we have birthed and raised together two treasured children: a responsible son who keeps us grounded, centered, and s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d, and a caring daughter who beautifies our lives. We love our ever-expanding family (we recently welcomed grandchild #2).

 

     My husband works hard, loves Taco Bueno, and has a special fondness for kayaking and walking on the beach listening to endless crashes of waves. Yada... and yada, yada... other anniversary soliloquies are best communicated... with DRAMATIC FLAIR!  



Intriguing "Harry" flies with me to exotic places



Heroic "Spidy" saves this occasional damsel in distress

 

Whimsical "Goofy" lightens the tension 



Our magic kingdom needs no mice, thank you

        A hesitant confession is overdue. During our 37 committed years together... there has been Another in my life (it is not Harry, Spidy, Goofy OR Mickey). My husband is #2, and the Other possesses position #1 for my allegiance. My love and respect for #1 grows as He accompanies us to exotic places (most recently to Florida), He saves me during sticky situations, and He was actually the Finder of OUR Magic Kingdom as well as our castle (my husband thinks he found it). My #1 is PAPA God.


       Patient study, and practice, and blogging of the book The PAPA Prayer has subtly, colorfully-enhanced my ordinary world, like a vivid Avatar jungle scene. During sporadic "missions" I experience figurative flight, resembling daring Jake Sully's Great red Leonopteryx ride in Avatar.

     PAPA God is alive and active, most acutely on my recent extended "missions" trip to Chicago. It included two quick aunt-stopovers plus a sweet, lengthy stay at my daughter's to welcome our newest grandchild. My daughter's delivery couldn't have been smoother, and Grandchild #1's potential asthma crisis (during Momma's hospital stay) was gracefully averted. His episodes are rare, but expensive ER visits are normally required. This time, with many pray-ers, plus skilled and timely (literal) breath-taking intervention, we were spared simultaneous patients in opposite ends of the hospital.
 

     Yet, on the other hand. Life has its enduring difficulties. July visits with endearing aunts have sensitized me to serious ailments and looming, aging, care decisions. Their vulnerable physical frailties are fresh on my mind, so I somewhat shudder and identify with this less palatable portion of Larry Crabb's book: "...I am developing a comforting sense that the best is yet to come, even if I end up alone [emphasis mine] in a nursing home with attendants taking care of me..." (p. 12).

     The PAPA Prayer is anything but a rigid formula or recipe for answered prayer and success. It is a recipe starter, or a beginning base, to flavor a relational prayer life with God. A savory tickling of taste buds for PAPA has been the intention of my August blogs. In September, I will butter the bread.

PAPA : Follow the Shade

     Poolside adventures continue as I experience Day Three of my husband's sunny Florida business trip, preparing to write this third PAPA blog. Today I notice the tremendous advantage of securing a lounge chair in the protective shade, and as soon as scorching noon rays appear, I find new shade. UVA and UVB rays are problematic, particularly today. My husband hid the SPF 30 sunscreen, so shade = skin protection.

     I will return to Springfield with various shade memories. Chameleons seem to like the shade. While lying poolside, I cautiously respect the dozens of bees that pollinate what I hope are safe, overhanging, flowering shade bushes. I find two spongy balls in the shade. When fluffy clouds overtake the skies and cover the entire area with shade, invigorating pool laps beacon me.

    Today (in the shade) I chat with a mother whose son is participating in the 2013 World Yo-yo Championships, currently being held at our hotel. That explains the increased noise last night, when teenagers infiltrated the hotel, with busy yo-yo-ing elevators, and heavy doors yo-yoing shut, with loud thunks-- yo-yo YOLO! The YouTube clip below shows dramatic and impressive feats of coordination.

     That enlightening yo-yo conversation and other shade experiences fill me. I dare to dub, temporarily, for this Florida post only, The PAPA Prayer's subtitle to be: Follow the PAPA Shade. His shade has its unexpected surprises; I receive insightful information; it helps to manage stinging yo-yo insecurities; it cools and refreshes. I earnestly seek shade in Florida, like I seek refreshing PAPA God.

     I want to experience more of PAPA God. Two introductory quotes from PAPA intrigue me, draw me into its message, and resemble a special invitation into cooling shade:

...Brennan Manning and I were chatting after we had spoken at a conference together.
"Where are you heading from here?" I asked.
"I begin a week long prayer retreat by myself in two days."
I'd never done that, so I was curious. "What does a week like that do for you? How does God respond to your praying for a week?"
Brennan looked a little puzzled, and then said, "I've never thought about what I get out of it. I just figure God likes it when I show up [emphasis mine]."  (The PAPA Prayer, p. xv)

...[The PAPA Prayer] is a way of coming to God that delights Him and changes us [emphasis mine] (p. 9).

PAPA : Immensely Good

Todd "kicks" as Dad swims while in Todd's tight headlock

      This is Day Two of my husband's business trip, and again I sit poolside (after a very refreshing swim). As I attempt to prepare for and plan the contents of this entry, I ask for Help... to give Him due justice. I don't want to present God in a way that limits.  

     A toddler entering the pool catches my attention (for "kicks" he will hereafter be named Todd). The Dad/Todd swimming dance begins. Dad holds Todd as they adjust to the water's temperature. In no time the little guy is ready to kinda/sorta feel independent. He exits the water to walk along the pool's edge. Don't run, Dad instructs. 

     Don't run? Awww, that's no fun! Todd decides it is much more stimulating to be in the water. Todd again is held by Dad as they walk in the baby pool together.

     The swim experience begins. Dad wraps his son's pint-sized arms around his neck, holding Todd over his strong shoulders. Todd has a much better view of the pool and almost feels like he is swimming. Kick, kick, kick. The Dad/Todd dance continues until Todd wants to swim in the water rather than on Dad's shoulders. The next water step progresses, and Todd's skinny little arms are awkwardly threaded through mammoth floaties ... to dive into swimming.

      I wish for a present, earthly Papa (my Dad passed over 7 years ago). I wish to be respectfully pursued and to ride on his shoulders. When running poolside, I hope my strong-will defers to wise Papa's: Walk; Don't Run! I want to embrace his neck and see ahead with a birds-eye view, as he patiently teaches me the world. I wish for beneficial trust in his tender strength.

      My earthly Papa-dance can either interfere with or enhance my relationship with PAPA God. I want to trust PAPA. I want to see Him as strong, yet the respectful, loving, motivating pursuer. I am learning that He is trustworthy and immensely good. These are my basic foundations for even desiring to dive into: The PAPA Prayer.

PAPA : Good

     As I accompany my husband on a business trip this week, reading by the pool is my refreshing lot. Poolside with The PAPA Prayer makes the experience quite satisfying.

     In my final July blog I vowed to spend August focusing on PAPA; that will not be difficult. I love the book and have studied it for years. In this entry I begin at the beginning. I start with introductory quotes from the book. This early on, it would be premature to quench thirsts, but hopefully the following will pique PAPA appetites:

1. My friend turned toward me and said, "Suppose when you picked me up [in the car], the first thing I said to you had been, 'Larry, I need...advice...and...could you...pick up a prescription...and oh, by the way, any chance of a loan? '...         I don't know how to just be with God. So I ask Him for lots of things... (The PAPA Prayer, p. xiv).
2. But if God is so good as you represent Him, and if He knows all that we need, and better than we do ourselves, why should it be necessary to ask Him for anything?     I answer, What if He knows Prayer to be the thing we need first and most? What if the main object in God's idea of prayer be the supplying of our great, our endless need--the need of Himself? (emphasis mine)... Communion with God is the one need of the soul beyond all other need: prayer is the beginning of that communion, and some need is the motive of that prayer. So begins a communion, a talking with God, a coming-to-one with Him, (emphasis mine) which is the sole end of prayer. (George MacDonald, The PAPA Prayer Introductory remarks).