Reflection on the virus

Reflection on this crisis. 

By now, most of us should pretty much be used to the government-imposed state of staying home or being quarantined. 

I’m sure that for some of us it’s been a time of reflection. Let’s think about this for a second and try to figure out what God is trying to tell us. 

As a Christian, I strongly believe that God’s hand is in every situation—this present situation we’re undergoing is no exception. True that sadly we’ve lost thousands worldwide, and more cases continue to pop up. But we need to trust that God is in control of our lives and that He’ll see us through this most terrible ordeal, just as He has in previous ones. 

My deepest condolences go out to all who have lost loved ones and to all who are sick with little hope of survival. May all who died be resting in God’s arms. 

I’m sure I’m going to get some criticism here, but I’m going to go out on a limb anyway. As in every dire situation, maybe we should try to see the rainbow behind the dark clouds, because God calls us to be joyful even in the face of death. 

May God keep us strong and positive.

Let’s study the situation and pretend for a second that there’s no deadly virus hanging over our heads. Pretend for a second that we’re living in an alternative universe. An alternative universe, where people stay home and get paid to do so.

Where families spend precious time together—parents with children and vice versa, sharing meals around the table, taking up new hobbies or renewing old ones, spring cleaning or actually disinfecting their homes. Adult children taking more attention to their elderly’s needs—rising to the occasion in new and positive ways.

Families through out the world interacting in a way like never before—frolicking in the backyard, playing favorite games, indoors listening to music, dancing.

The young taking care of the elderly. The elderly’s needs being met by loving individuals, be they family or strangers.

Families actually staying home instead of at the malls spending their hard-earned money on another unnecessary item; dads entertaining their little ones instead of hanging out at the local bar; siblings sharing time with one another reconnecting again.

Who would have thought that social media would actually be embraced the way it’s been embraced, keeping us emotionally connected while physically disconnected? Never in the history of the world have we been more connected emotionally and spiritually.

Does this sound like a somewhat utopian way of life? You bet it does! 

So I ask you, do you think God is trying to tell us something?

Comments are welcomed, but please no bashing and no politics.  

that time of the year....

For cool dishes and delicious salads. 

I love me a good hummus. This is the easiest recipe for hummus I've found. It takes a can of chickpeas or chickpea flour. We used chickpea flour. 

Recipe for easy Hummus

Ingredients 

1 cup of chick peas (or chick pea flour-

Enough water to make a paste to your liking. About 1 1/2 - 2 cups of water)

Salt and red pepper flakes

Juice of one lemon

1 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, garlic, cumin, and ¼ teaspoon of salt to a food processor. 

Process until smooth and creamy. If needed, add additional water to thin out the hummus and ¼ teaspoon

of salt to your taste. 

It's easier to use canned chickpeas since they're already cook. If you use chickpea flour you must cook it first by adding enough water and salt. Cook over medium heat and stir to avoid lumps.  Cooked for about 10-15 minutes.  Transferred to a bowl and put in the fridge to cool off. 

When it's cooled completely mix all ingredients together either by hand or in a food processor. 

If you have tahini sauce on hand add a tablespoon to the mix. You can also add sesame seeds to the mixture for crunchiness. Either way you will love it. 

Serve with tortilla or pita crisps or with your favorite crackers. 

Enjoy. 

What will be your last thought before .....

What will be your last thought before you take that last breath?  Will it be, "Will I be worthy to see God's face?"  "Did I live enough of a Christ-like life?"  Who will I see up there (or, down there?!)?"  

Not everyone believes there's a heaven and a hell; but if you believe in God and consider yourself a Christian, what question will come to your mind? And if so, will you be able to answer without hesitation and with peace in your soul?

Last week at the 8:00 o'clock Mass, our pastor started the homily by asking himself how will he react when he's on his death bed seconds before leaving this earthly home--will he be out-of-this-world elated? will he feel worthy? will he have doubts (or guilt feelings)?

He asked we each consider what we will ask ourselves on that last second. 

These are deep questions that we should be asking ourselves now, so as to make our journey into the light easier--so that when our time comes, we can go acceptingly and in peace. 

What will be our last thought?  Seriously think about this. Our time may be closer than we think. Through Christ our Lord, God wants all his children to enjoy his heavenly home.  Amen!

How to sleep a couple extra hours on Thanksgiving morning

If you, like me, want to sleep a while longer on turkey day without fear of serving the perfect bird, fear not. I am here to tell you you can. I am the queen of short cuts.  I love to lounge in bed a little while longer in anticipation of the festivities and preparations of this most favored holiday.  I also am a lover of great-tasting cuisine. 

With that said, we must broil that bird face down and flat.

Laying the bird flat gives it a larger, more uniform surface area, allowing for more even cooking. It also exposes all of the skin to the heat (hence, more browning), so you'll get the super crisp skin you're looking for. This method cuts the turkey's roasting time almost in half. 

I discovered spatchcocking (the process of splitting a whole bird in half, removing its backbone and roasting it flat, skin-side up) about five years ago.  Friends thought I was crazy to roast the prized bird that way, yet the more I thought about it the more convinced I was that this was the fool-proof way for the amateur cook (so as not to say, laid-back) to broil the bird.  It was the way to get juicy flavorful meat and that prized, magazine-worthy golden skin.

Once the bird is fully cooked in about 3-4 hours, when serving it, you can either prop it up again to look like a regular whole roasted turkey, or just serve it flat. Either way, you can dress it up with an assortment of roasted herbs and veggies. I have also served it stuffed, after broiling it flat. If you are creative enough and passionate enough, it can be done.  If the tasty bird doesn't stay propped up, which it will normally do, you can hold it together in various ways with either twine or skewers, or whatever else you can think of.  As long as you're creative in how you serve it, no one will care.  And if anyone does care, the minute they have a bite of your succulent bird, they will be praising your ingenious spirit. 

So go ahead and oversleep on Thanksgiving Day without the worry of dinner not being served on time. Just don't forget to wet or dry brine the bird the day before.

Happy Thanksgiving. Everyone!