“We should follow the example of the birds. They are always joyful, whereas we are always bothered by something.”
warm spiced fall apple cider
“Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, we ascend to the kingdom of heaven, and are reinstated as adopted children. Thanks to the Spirit we obtain the right to call God our Father, we become sharers in the grace of Christ, we are called children of light, and we share in everlasting glory”.
St. Basil the Great
Around this time in Virginia, apple cider turns up in all the stores and farmer’s markets. This warm apple cider is a great way to enjoy this crisp apple beverage. It is inspired from one of our favorite restaurants, Le Pain Quotidien, which also offers it at various times throughout the year.
Warm Spiced Fall Apple Cider
- 5 cups apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 5 cloves
- 5 cardamom pods
Place all ingredients in small pot. Bring to a simmer.
Remove from heat. Let sit for ten minutes. Pour into mugs and enjoy.
Alternatively, you can double or triple the ingredients and place in a crock pot on low and drink it throughout the day.
let us lift up our hearts
“In order to hear the Lord’s Prayer and participate in it, it is first necessary to rid ourselves of that inner confusion, that fragmentation our attention, that spiritual sloppiness by which we constantly live… we regularly hide from everything that seems too exalted and spiritually meaningful… Indeed so much of our inner strength is directed at stifling this inner voice, which calls us to an encounter with the ultimate.” Father Alexander Schmemmann
+ + + + + + + + + +
When we say “Our Father” … we find the meaning of love; and the answer to love; here lies the experience of intimacy and the joy of this experience; here faith opens into trust; and dependence yields to freedom; intimacy and ultimately unfolds as joy. This is no longer and idea about God, but already knowledge of God. This is already communion with Him in love, in unity and trust. This is already the beginning of knowing eternity. For Christ himself said to the Father: “For this is eternal life, that they would know you.” (Jn 17:3)
Our Father : Father Alexander Schmemmann
a thousand points of light
“This prayer has been said, and without interruption for two thousand years. At every moment somewhere on the globe, people are saying those very words which were once uttered by Christ himself. This is why we have no better path to the heart of Christianity than by this short, and on first observation, simple, prayer. ”
Father Alexander Schmemman
Such a parallel can be drawn with the Orthodox Liturgy, because every Sunday, at every moment in every time zone on the globe, the Orthodox Divine Liturgy, this holy and wonderful “work of the people,” is offered in one voice, the world round. It is a full twenty four hour cycle of thanksgiving and praise in thousands and thousands of Orthodox Monasteries and Churches. Each offering the “same” Liturgy in their own tongue and from their own geography.
The Divine Liturgy is Christ in our midst. It is an encounter with the resurrected Christ. And, in partaking of the eucharist — the “Bread of Life” — we who are many become one body… that is the body of Christ and the living Church.
Some call the richness of Orthodox Christian worship ritual, yet intertwined in this sublime Liturgical and spiritual tradition are the threads of living, personal and authentic Christian devotion.
“Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” sets the Liturgy in motion. This is the timeless, honest, and simple fullness of eucharistic praise – in all languages and ethnicities – offered on behalf of all and for all.
fall paleo pumpkin pancakes
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11”
These fall pumpkin pancakes have become a staple in our house this season. In fact, recently we had it for breakfast every day for a week! But in all truth we were tweeking the recipe, because we like our pancakes a little lighter and fluffier than the recipe we started with. This recipe is paleo and gluten free. If you are paleo, then you will not want to use a lot of maple syrup or any at all to avoid too much sugar. They taste great layered with banana, or you could put some warm apple sauce on them.
This recipe makes about 10 -15 pancakes if you scoop them out with a 1/4 cup measuring scoop.
Fall Paleo Pancakes Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 3 tablespoons almond flour
- 1/2 can pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup pumpkin (about 1/2 can)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 bananas sliced
- Coconut Oil, butter or ghee for pan
Preparation Fall Paleo Pancakes
To keep this as simple as possible I mix everything in one bowl. There are many recipes that call for mixing dry ingredients separately – in my house that translates into one bowl too many to clean. The reason many recipes call for mixing the dry ingredients separately is to fully incorporate the baking soda. Just mix it really really well and this will not be a problem.
You can substitute sweet potato puree in place of the pumpkin if you like! One note, do not omit the vinegar. It reacts to the baking soda and gives the pancake a little rise!
Add all ingredients to large bowl and whisk very very well. It will be the consistency of a slightly thick pancake batter.
Heat up your griddle. You can use a frying pan, but it should be a well seasoned cast iron one to avoid sticking. We are clumsy pancake flippers, so it’s just easier not to deal with the sides of a frying pan, hence the griddle.
Melt some coconut oil, butter or ghee in pan over LOW heat, and add batter. Use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop. That yields a good size pancake. When you pour the batter onto the griddle it should sizzle just a titch. Spread the batter out a little with the bottom of the measuring cup. The pancakes will not turn out to thick and also they will have an easier time cooking through.
Cook these slowly over a low or medium to low heat. You really do not want the pan to start smoking. They also have a better texture cooked over low.
When the top starts to bubble, or when the bottom looks nice and brown flip and cook on other side. Layer with bananas.
You can eat them as is, but if you want add a little maple syrup. That’s how my kids like it and we had them today for lunch!
Spiced Pecan Topped Pumpkin Custard
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
This spiced pecan topped pumpkin custard is dairy and gluten free, but you will never miss it! It has all of the mellow hearty flavors of fall, and the spicy pecans take the place of a crust. It is so easy, your kids can make it! This past weekend, we hosted friends and family here for brunch following a Memorial Service for our brother.
Our ten year old mixed all the ingredients for this recipe on her own and got it all oven-ready. An adult helped with pouring the boiling water and placing all the trays in and out of the oven, but it was such a great help to have the extra hands preparing the food! The recipe for the pecans yields more than the custard calls for, but they are so delicious on their own, you won’t mind grabbing a handful here and there until they are done.
Spiced Pecan Topped Pumpkin Custard
________________________________________________________________________________________
Ingredients For the Spiced Pecans
- 2 cups chopped pecans (you can use halves, but they are more expensive)
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary (use dried in a pinch)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (it spices the nuts, but not too hot) If you have kids who will not eat spicy, then add the pepper last and divide the mixture in two before you do. Then just add half the amount of cayenne to one portion of the pecans.
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, ghee or butter, melted
Ingredients For the Pumpkin Custard
- 1 can pumpkin (organic is preferable)
- 1 can full fat coconut milk
- 4 eggs (pastured, organic is preferable)
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon (rounded) cloves
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Prepare the Rosemary Spiced Pecan Topping
Preheat oven to 350 F. Chop fresh rosemary and all all ingredients to a bowl. Mix well to incorporate. Spread on a single layer on a cookie sheet. Place in middle rack of oven for 15 minutes. Check to see if they are golden brown and aromatic. If not, keep in oven for another 5-10 minutes, checking often. When they are complete, remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet before moving to a bowl. We often roast the pecans while blending the custard ingredients.
Prepare the Pumpkin Custard
While the pecans are roasted, place all custard ingredients in a bowl. Using a large whisk, blend thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
Pour the custard mixture evenly into 6 ramekins. Place the ramekins into a large lasagna pan. Once you have done this, carefully pour boiling water into the lasagna pan up to the halfway point of the ramekin height. Adding the water helps the custard to cook evenly. If you do not have a lasagna pan, or want to skip this step, then it is better to use a large cookie sheet and spread the ramekins apart from each other. I’ve made this recipe both ways, it turns out better in the water bath.
Place in a 350 F oven. Check the custard after 40 minutes for doneness. The custard will poof a little bit and it will be evident they are done. If you touch the center quickly and it is not firm, then put back in the oven and check every five to ten minutes.
Cooking time will vary if you do not use the water bath and may take longer.
Now for the best part… sprinkle each custard with 2-3 tablespoons of spiced pecans and enjoy. These are dairy free and paleo, but if you are not dairy free, why not add a dollop of whipped creme?
Enjoy!
simplicity
We do not need riches or learning in order to know the Lord, we must simply be obedient and sober, have a humble spirit and love our fellow-men. The Lord will love a soul that does this, and of His own accord make Himself manifest to her and instruct her in love and humility, and give her all things necessary to find rest in God.
Saint Silouan the Athonite
ever thankful
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What a blessing to know that – though we may falter – God is faithful, steadfast, unwavering and unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb 13:8). When we face challenges in our relationships with family or friends, grieving the death of a loved one, disease in our physical health, or any trauma or sadness imaginable, no matter what it is – God is forever with us. His word is true and unchanging, and where there are difficulties or misfortune, He ALWAYS offers a way of escape so that the trouble is bearable (1 Cor 10:13) – hope above and beyond the trial.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) The bearable means of enduring and facing hardship is turning to God. In this way, we get out of the stumbling block of our own selves; instead allowing Him to be a lamp to our feet (Psalm 118:105).
“Rejoice in the Lord always”…. this is not to be confused with cheerful jubilation or emotion. It is the prayer of the heart – “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”
In the Orthodox Church we are taught that the word mercy in Hebrew means “steadfast love” and that the Greek root for mercy has the same root as the old Greek word for olive oil, which biblically was used for healing wounds, bruises and ailments. To say, Lord have mercy is to ask the Lord to shroud our fallen selves in His steadfast healing love.
This is the way of thanksgiving; abiding and resting in His peace. Where there is suffering, there consolation also abounds.
May we all rejoice in the Lord, always.
souvlaki inspired Greek lettuce wraps
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
Souvlaki Inspired Greek Lettuce Wraps
For the past two weekends, Mark volunteered to help out at two different local Greek Festivals and we have been loving all the food. Lately though, we have been avoiding gluten. Our youngest daughter was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity so we have been modifying many meals out of solidarity with her. It is hard when only one person in a home must avoid a staple like bread and flour, so we do it with her. This souvlaki inspired Greek lettuce wrap is a fun and delicious dinner and gluten free.
Ingredients :
For the Salad
- 1 pound chicken meat, cooked and shredded. It can be any part of the chicken. ( We use our leftovers from chicken stock.)
- 3 carrots, shredded with a vegetable peeler
- 1/2 cup chives or scallion, minced
- 1/3 cup shallot, minced
- 10 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped coarse
- 1/4 cup feta
- 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced very small (this is about 1/2 cucumber)
- 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and leaves pulled off of the lettuce head
For the Dresssing
To Prepare
For the salad dressing place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Set aside.
If you have already cooked your chicken, take it off the bone, shredding it with a fork as you go. If you are using leftover chicken like we often do, then remove it from the refrigerator and place in a cast iron skillet over low heat. Slowly warm it until the chicken is heated through.
Place in a large mixing bowl and add all of the chopped vegetables, EXCEPT the romaine lettuce. Add in the salad dressing and toss to coat all ingredients.
Serve atop of the romaine lettuce leaves!
Now you have a delicious meal. YUM.
Christ is joy
Christ is our Friend, our Brother; He is whatever is beautiful and good. He is everything. In Christ there is no gloom, melancholy or introversion, whereas man suffers from various temptations and situations that make him suffer. Christ is joy, life, light, the true light, which makes man glad, makes him fly, makes him see all things, see all people suffer for all people and want all people to be with him, close to him.
gladsomelife.com 