I love making these naturally colored crackers with vegetables and olive oil. Beets, broccoli, and cheddar are divided into three parts to make these colorful and tasty crackers.
It’s an easy way to avoid dyes in my food, too!
The concerns for dyes and preservatives in the food supply are climbing as children and young adults have more difficulty concentrating at school and at work. The History of Dyes In Food, Why it Matters, & a List of Safe Foods quotes some research articles related to dyes and behavioral problems.
Benefits of Naturally Colored Crackers
Although fresh-milled whole wheat is the star of this crunchy snack, a good unbleached organic flour is acceptable, too. The fresh-milled grains provide the original B vitamins, plenty of fiber and protein, and necessary valuable minerals.
I thought a cup of beets would be nice for making them red. It will add a few antioxidants. A cup of broccoli is pretty cool too for making them green, and bringing in some sulforaphane, calcium, potassium, and iron. (1)
Cheddar is set aside to flavor the rest.
God provides what we need in the garden, and we can use the items in our baked goods to make ordinary crackers even better.
Naturally Colored Crackers
3 Cups Wheat Flour
1 Tsp. Salt
1 Tsp. Onion Powder
1/2 Tsp. Baking Soda
Beet Cracker
1/2 Cup Beets
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
3 Tbsp. Water
Broccoli
1/2 Cup Broccoli
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
3 Tbsp. Water
Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
4 Tbsp Water
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Combine the flour, salt, onion powder and baking soda in a mixing bowl.
Take 1 cup of the flour mixture and place it in a separate bowl.
Puree the beets in the oil and water and add it to the flour. Mix into a soft dough.
Roll out the dough onto the counter thinly and cut into desired shapes.
Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 300 30 minutes and turn them over to bake 30 more minutes or until desired crispness.
Repeat the process for the broccoli. Mixing it with the water, oil, and 1 cup of the flour. Roll out and cut into desired shapes and bake at 300 for 30 minutes each side.
Use the 3rd cup of flour and mix it with the cheddar cheese, water, and oil. Roll out and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 300 30 minutes turn and bake 30 more minutes.
I hope you enjoy the crackers and the rest of the recipes on this blog!
It’s my pleasure to bring them to you!
Refernces:
Hwang JH, Lim SB. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Broccoli Florets in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 Cells. Prev Nutr Food Sci. 2014 Jun;19(2):89-97. doi: 10.3746/pnf.2014.19.2.089. PMID: 25054107; PMCID: PMC4103733.
Colorful Cauliflower/Carrot Frittata
I’m always on the lookout for easy breakfasts and a colorful cauliflower/carrot frittata fits the bill. It’s simple, delicious, and lasts several days in the fridge. The good news for my low carb and gluten free friends is it fits into their eating patterns, too!
Although serving it with some slices of No Knead Bread or adding some quinoa would make it just perfectly fiber-filled for me!
The cauliflower and carrots are going to provide vitamins, and minerals, while using left over ground meat, salmon, or chicken adds extra protein. You and I need the protein to start our day, so we feel full longer and utilize the amnio acids to restore and repair our cells.
This particular dish just happens to be lower in carbs too. However, I’m already thinking it needs a half a cup of cooked quinoa to provide extra fiber and nutrients.
What God puts in the garden is good! I love sampling all the goodies he has to offer and sharing them with you.
You know, an interesting thing I notice about God by reading scripture is He is always testing us. I guess that is why He places us in situations that provide luxurious food, overabundance, and opportunity. He wants to see how we respond.
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
We see compassion for the crowds in Jesus’ words and actions. He is ready to feed 5000+ people with 5 loaves and two fish. Phillip responds like most of us do, blurting out how much money it would take to do this task.
Do you take comfort in God’s testing, knowing he has your best interest at heart? Every experience He takes us through brings us closer to Him. He is pretty awesome!
The colorful cauliflower/carrot frittata is proof of His divine nature in the things he makes, too!
I hope you enjoy it as much as my family did!
Colorful Cauliflower/Carrot Frittata
Colorful Cauliflower/Carrot Frittata
1 12 ounce Bag Cauliflower/Carrot (Blend Frozen Vegetables (thawed))
1 tsp Seasoning
1/2 Cup Cottage Cheese (Or Milk)
6 Eggs (Or 8 if you need more for the week)
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 Cup Ground Beef (You can use chicken, turkey, sausage, salmon, or whatever you have left over from the night before. )
Preheat oven to 375
Place vegetables in a dish and season with your favorite seasonings. I like onion powder, or Redmond's salt seasoning.
Add the ground beef or leftover meat of your choice (salmon/chicken/chicken apple sausage work well too)
Combine the eggs and the cottage cheese in a separate bowl and mix well.
Pour over the vegetables and bake at 375 for about 20 minutes or until eggs are done.
Top with the parmesan cheese and serve!
As you can see this recipe is very low carb and low fiber, so I would add a cup of quinoa or serve it with a slice of whole grain bread!
Gluten Free Date Nut Bars
Breakfast ideas with a good amount of protein and fiber, and not too much sugar is hard to find. Thankfully, these gluten free date nut bars will help fill the void!
When you and I use alternate whole grains to make our breakfast bars we are stretching our baking muscles and ready to serve! Now, if your loved one is also nut free, I’m sure you’ll skip the walnuts I add to this recipe. However, using sunflower seeds in their place will provide some good vitamin E and selenium!
So, there are always options!
The good thing about these date nut bars is there are 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber in each bar. Fresh-milled millet also contains a decent amount of magnesium (106mg/100grams). There is 2.5mg of iron, 55mg biotin, 20.8 niacin, and 23 grams of selenium in 100grams. So, these bars are rich in nutrients that are not on a standard nutrition label.
You and I can feel good about that!
However, there is also just over 2 teaspoons of sugar. Although we can always adjust the maple syrup to our tastes. I use 1 tablespoon when I make them for myself, but my hubby likes things a little sweeter and since I made these for him to take to work, he gets what he likes.
As long as he is getting the fiber, protein, and nutrients alongside the sweetness, I don’t feel too bad. I’m just hoping homemade treats keep him out of the snack machines and all the ultra-processed junk he likes!
God’s garden is so much better taste wise and nutrition wise. He makes everything for our good and His glory!
The hubby is in agreement on this fact.
Devotion
He compels us with the Holy Spirit to seek Him and His provision, rather than the things of the world. In Luke 14 Jesus tells the story of the great banquet while reclining at the Pharisee’s table. He basically says don’t just invite friends and neighbors who can return the favor but go out and invite the poor and lame who may never have the resources to do the same for you.
At the great banquet in heaven Jesus invites everyone. However, we also see in this chapter many people have excuses not to come. He goes on to say, “Compel people to come in so my house may be filled.” (vs.23)
Compel is to necessitate, drive to, constrained as through a channel. The late Charles Spurgeon says, “Little by little as we are transformed into the image of Christ, we increasingly desire to follow him.”
And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
Oh, how our choices today to follow and be whole in Christ Jesus spiritually parallel our choices from the garden to sustain and nourish our bodies. There is plenty of goodness and room for more. So, the next time I think about my daily banquet, I’m going to start asking myself some questions.
Where has Jesus compelled me to minister?
Am I listening to His call or am I providing excuses as to why I prefer to feast on the world’s offerings?
We’ll see. A little self-examination each day, alongside God’s Word, may be just what I need for true contentment.
Place the dates and water in a saucepan on the stove and heat on low.
Meanwhile, combine the softened butter, oil, slurp, and egg in a mixing bowl.
Add the ground millet, oats, arrowroot flour, and xanthan gum.
Combine until well mixed then divide the dough into two halves. Place half of the dough into a lightly oiled 9×9 inch baking dish and spread out until it covers the bottom. Set the other half to the side.
Blend the dates and water in a blender until there is a nice puree. Spread it over the dough in the 9×9 pan.
Take the remaining dough and place small balls of it across the filling, Don't worry, they will bake together and form a crust. Top with walnuts and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.
You have a great day and enjoy your weekend!
I am here for you and cheering you on!
414 Bonding Challenge Kickstart
Do you ever find yourself wanting more time to relax?
Maybe you just want a few hours to meal prep or play.
My hope for this Better Bonding Challenge is to put some strategies in place to help you and I do just that.
How Does A 414 Better Bonding Challenge Work?
So, welcome to this challenge of 4 weeks/1 night/4-hour better bonding challenge.
Maybe you’ve decided what night to begin your screen free time, and what hours work for you and your family.
Chances are you’re thinking about activities or your grocery list. Perhaps you even have your bible ready.
Or maybe you need more time think about it and are here looking to see what the challenge is all about.
Regardless of where you are in the decision process, I am so glad you are here!
Please take your time, read the post and the graphics and let me know if you have any questions.
Who knows?
Maybe God is calling you and I to gather with our family because He has something extremely good for us in the next four weeks!
And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Most importantly, I know He will honor the time you and I take to draw closer to Him and to one another.
I believe this 414-bonding challenge will be easy to implement, and helpful in giving you and I family time to build our faith in God.
At the same time it builds structure in our homes, places God at the center of our lives, and helps us carry out the Great Commission within our family.
We are equipping our children to read God’s Word, and giving them solid principles, life lessons, and time to discuss how the scriptures apply to our lives.
Part of the challenge includes a time for meal prepping.
Just think for a minute about four whole hours one night a week with no phones, TVs, laptops, or video games!
What would you like to do, distraction free?
Will it be peaceful, or will there be chaos?
Maybe it is a time to think about the health and well-being of the entire family. Preparing meals for the week as a family can help us all plan and eat more nutritious food.
Better food means a better mood and better sleep.
I’m ready for all of that, how about you?
You decide what works best for your family in this wonderful space and time together.
Once we get the meal prepping strategy ready we can relax.
Have you ever just laid in the floor and let your child or your partner play with your hair.
Oh, my! Keep me awake for the next activity!
Maybe we can adjust the sequence of these activities just a bit and save that one for last! It really depends on your day.
Did you have a long exhausting day moving around a lot or did you sit most of the day?
The energy we expend and the food we consume really affects our energy levels. You do you on this one!
If we’ve had a stressful day we may not feel like play time in this bonding challenge.
However, when we find the energy to get up and move, 9 times out of 10, we feel better for doing it!
What is fun for you and your family? Does kicking or passing a ball sound fun?
Maybe, singing a song and dancing to a tune. . . oops no phone, what will you use? An old-fashioned radio or record player without a screen?
Summary
I hope and pray this 414 Bonding challenge is something worthwhile to get you started on family time and a healthier eating routine.
I am here for you if you need encouragement, click here to join. Maybe get some extra support by getting your tribe of friends and family to do this with you!
I look forward to serving you!
Check out the Focused Family Health Podcast and follow for weekly ideas and strategies for biblically improving family health.
Coconut Cherry Almond Cookies
My favorite no-sugar cookie is hands down, coconut cherry almond! When I say no-sugar, I mean zero unrefined processed sugar and lightly sweetened with a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup.
So, yes, you and I will get some carbs and fat in this delicious cookie for the holiday season, but we will also load up on fiber, nutrients, and antioxidants. That’s why when I do our traditional cookie day, I make this low sugar coconut cherry almond cookie for my personal enjoyment.
Being careful to indulge and not binge is the key to staying on track with healthy eating. One way to do that is to think about the upcoming holiday parties and plan meals and treats accordingly.
Asking ourselves a few questions keeps us aware and intentional about what we are eating.
How many parties am I attending this week and what can I do between them to offset indulging?
What treats at work, school, or home are tempting me between meals that I can choose to set aside and savor after my salad for lunch? Enjoying the small treat after feeding my cells will help me feel satisfied and full. Also, by eating it this way, I am not spiking my insulin or blood sugar between meals.
Some Benefits of Coconut Almonds and Cherries
Since saturated fat has been ostracized for decades, it may be a little difficult embracing its beneficial properties. However, they are still there! For instance, coconut oil has been shown to help with weight loss and Alzheimer’s. It also has antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. (1)
As with any high fat, high calorie food, we want to be wise in how we combine it with other foods. When Pacific Islanders ate their native coconuts with all the fiber present, they were at low risk for metabolic disease. Once they began incorporating highly processed (refined white flour, refined white sugar, etc.) foods to their high saturated fat diets, they too became susceptible to increasing risks of cardiovascular disease.
Almonds are also rich in monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, fiber, potassium, and magnesium, nutrients essential to heart health. (2) Throw in some anti-inflammatory cherries, some fresh milled soft white wheat with all its B vitamins, and overall, you have a decently healthier cookie. As I always say, “What God puts in the garden is good!”
We can enjoy a few treats with our family and friends while keeping the fruit of self-control firmly in our hearts this Christmas season. I pray you are filled to overflowing with the love of God and His plan for restoration for one and all.
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
I savor the hope, joy, peace of Advent too, but there is something about the love that tops it off and stirs my heart in a way nothing else does. It’s so nice to rest in the love of God, and not worry so much about feeling unloved by others.
I talk more about God’s love in The Gift of Love blog post, check it out if you have time.
In the meantime, I hope this low sugar coconut cherry almond cookie becomes one of your favorite treats for the holidays as much as it is mine!
Coconut Cherry Almond Cookies
Coconut Cherry Almond Cookies
1 Cup Oats
1/2 Cup Flour ((Your choice, almond/gluten free/fresh-milled))
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil (melted)
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Almond Extract
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup
1/2 Cup Cherries (Fresh/Frozen/or Rehydrated)
1/2 Cup Coconut (Flakes/Unsweetened)
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Combine melted coconut oil, egg, and maple syrup in a mixing bowl.
Add the oats, flour, coconut, cinnamon, and almonds, then fold in the cherries.
Form into rounds and flatten into disc, bake for 18-20 minutes, let cool, and enjoy!
I hope you enjoy this easy cookie recipe and share it with your family and friends! I look forward to offering more recipes and health tips on this blog without annoying advertising.
You can always contact me for coaching if you need further assistance in making healthier choices. I look forward to serving you!
Merry Christmas!
Mysty
References In Order of Use:
Sekhar S, Makaram Ravinarayan S, Kashmer D Yu A, Kilic F, Dhawan R, Sidhu R, Elazrag SE, Bijoora M, Mohammed L. Are We Nuts Over Coconuts? Studying the Effects of Coconut Oil on Low-Density Lipoprotein and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2022 Apr 17;14(4):e24212. doi: 10.7759/cureus.24212. PMID: 35637823; PMCID: PMC9132222.
Kalita S, Khandelwal S, Madan J, Pandya H, Sesikeran B, Krishnaswamy K. Almonds and Cardiovascular Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2018 Apr 11;10(4):468. doi: 10.3390/nu10040468. PMID: 29641440; PMCID: PMC5946253.
Fresh- Milled Spelt & Oat Streusel Cake
Fresh-Milled Spelt & Oat Streusel cake with pears, honey, and pecans is an easy recipe to throw together for a gathering. I developed this recipe for a friend with several food sensitivities. Since he has a considerable amount of pain when he eats wheat and dairy, those items were off the list!
Surprisingly, he does tolerate gluten, so the spelt works well for this recipe. The fresh-milled grains provide good nutrients from the bran and germ, while the pears and pecans add flavor and richness. I substituted cardamon and nutmeg for cinnamon because of a mild sensitivity, and coconut milk to replace the dairy.
Overall, this cake turned out light and fluffy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Now before you go thinking, what RN Health Coach advocates dessert?
One who balances a whole food eating plan with occasional treats, that’s who!
You and I don’t have to give up ALL enjoyment to live a healthy life. We simply have to follow wise principles:
Choose Wisely
Minimize sugar to 6 teaspoons or less a day as recommended by the American Heart Association.
Eat whole plant-based items 80-90% of the time.
Choose quality proteins the rest of the time (organic beans/legumes/farm fresh eggs/poultry/grass-fed beef, clean fish, etc.)
If you ever need help revamping recipes and looking a nutrition with a biblical perspective, I’d be happy to help you out.
More importantly, I hope you like this recipe as much as my friend did. If you’re looking for more ideas for wheat free recipes check out this link: Mysty’s Gluten Free Recipes.
Spelt & Oat Streusel Cake Benefits
The benefits of fresh-milled spelt per cup are omega 3 (113mg) omega 6 (2076mg) vitamin A (44 IU) K (4.4 mcg) Niacin B3–11.9mg, magnesium 237 mg, potassium 675mg, selenium 20.4 mcg, zinc 5.7mg. Combine this combo with the fresh-milled oats and you and I receive a good amount of zinc, calcium, B1 and B5, too. Plus, approximately 38 grams of fiber.
The rich nutrients of this spelt & oat streusel cake help contribute to better digestion, circulation, hormone regulation, bone health, and immunity!
I’ll take more of that in my little coffee cake, won’t you?
God prepared everything you and I need in the things that He made, my friend! Gratitude comes naturally when we are loved and cared for in such a nice way! The Psalmist, king David, uses the perfect words to express gratitude for the blessings from God.
Give thanks. Sing praise. Honor His presence. Read His Word. Attend church.
Are ways he gives thanks to God for his health and provision. Gods’ name and His Word are high and lifted up for all to see. We can always rest in that, my friend! His steadfast love and faithfulness will be with us forever.
I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
Combine the flour, baking powder, and spices together in a bowl and mix well.
Add the egg whites, oil, coconut milk, honey, mix well. You can use a mixer, I just use a whisk. Fold in the pear, and pecans. Set it aside for about 15 to 20 minutes so the grain soaks up the liquid.
Pour the cake batter into a greased 9×9 pan.
Mix the streusel toppings together and spread over the cake. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Drizzle with powdered sugar or a honey glaze and enjoy.
Refrigerate all leftovers, as fresh-milled wheat products go stale and rancid very quickly!
Enjoy!
If you give this spelt & oat streusel cake a try, please give it a rating too! I want this blog to be free from advertising and keep it encouraging. So sharing the link with your friends helps me out! There are also handy social share buttons here too, so you can share this recipe and encouragement with others.
When we have a good understanding of the benefits of God’s garden, we want everyone we know to make wiser choices, right?
The good news is simplifying health also tastes delicious!
Let me know how you use your fresh-milled grains to make occasional treats for your family and friends!
Take care!
Mysty
Simplifying Health God’s Way
Fantastic Fiber Ideas!
I’m always excited to share high quality fiber recipes with you. When we understand the benefits of this tasty item for fullness, gastrointestinal motility, and gut health, it’s even better!
It is estimated Americans are getting half of their recommended dietary fiber intake each day. USDA sources place the number of grams required daily to prevent disease at around 25 grams for women and 38 for men. In addition to that, a large population study reveals a high fiber diet is associated with lower all-cause mortality. (1)
As a person who has suffered from IBS for many years, taking control of my diet mattered to me. I can only stop on the side of the road and jump over a guardrail for emergencies a certain number of times before I realize…
What the heck did I just eat to cause that and how do I get it under control?
It was also problematic watching people die, before their time, from chronic disease in my career as an intensive care nurse. I did not want to be one of my patients!
Some careful observations need to take place, and soon. The delicacies I enjoyed so often, were deceptive food.
When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food.
Changing my diet twenty years ago and getting my stress under control with prayer made a huge difference. So, I am confident you can do it too! God’s plans for you and me are good, and He gives us everything we need in the garden to restore our health.
I’m here to help you, too!
My ways of including optimal amounts of fiber in my diet are:
Fruits and vegetables, at least 5-6 per day.
Chia Seeds on my eggs, in my muffins, on my salads.
Quinoa in my eggs with kale or spinach.
Quinoa on my salads, or in my soups.
Flaxseed meal in my tortillas, muffins, multi-grain bread recipes.
God made some easy take-along items to feed your gut microbiome and help you and I feel full longer.
Since we have to watch pesticide spray on all of the items I sprinkle them with baking soda, gently rub it over the surface, then rinse with filtered water. The baking soda works like sandpaper to get the wax off your grapes and apples. I love using it!
If you are worried about natural sugars in fruit, always add some spices and protein to lower the sugar spike and insulin burst from your pancreas.
For example:
**Peel back your banana, sprinkle on some cinnamon, and grab a few walnuts to eat with the fruit. Or add the banana to your vegetable and protein smoothie.
**Strawberries and full fat- sugar free–yogurt with walnuts and a dash of cinnamon is good too!
**Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries with a side of cottage cheese and black pepper.
**Cardamon sprinkled Grapes, and mozzarella slices or sticks…oh yum!
You get the idea. You are feeding your cells the antioxidants they crave and lowering inflammation throughout your body (the root cause of disease).
God will heal your soul through Jesus and your body through His provision in the garden, my friend. Just trust Him with all your needs and pray for the desire to consume more of Him and what He provides.
I am here for you, too. Let me know how you would like prayer and guidance in living more for Him and less for the world.
Recipes with Fiber
Most of the recipes on this site are created with fiber content in mind. Any recipe with 3 grams of fiber per serving is a good fiber choice! I hope you enjoy some of my favorites in the links below!
I hope these recipes are helpful in jump starting your fiber ideas! They sure are fun to incorporate in any wellness plan. Mostly because when we don’t feel well and start connecting it to what we eat, we then understand what we’ve been missing. .
The fiber is lacking in the fast-paced, ultra-processed food plan.
Ditch that plan, my friend, and my guess is you, and your children, will start feeling better within a week!
God has a better plan for your life and for your health and it’s not in a package or a supplement.
Xu X, Zhang J, Zhang Y, Qi H, Wang P. Associations between dietary fiber intake and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease and cancer: a prospective study. J Transl Med. 2022 Aug 2;20(1):344. doi: 10.1186/s12967-022-03558-6. PMID: 35918724; PMCID: PMC9344643.
Turkey & Chicken Goetta
My late stepmother, Doris, loved to eat Goetta. The sausage oat mixture was a frequent breakfast item for her. So, the other day when I was failing miserably at making tasty nitrate-free turkey sausage patties for my hubby, I decided to look up a recipe for Goetta.
Following a food.com recipe, I did the following:
Place 1/2 cup of oat groats in a saucepan of 1 1/2 cups of water, 3 bay leaves, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Boil for one hour on low until they are tender.
The water almost boils off the groats, and there is a little left over.
I substituted 1 pound of ground turkey for pork and pureed 1 cup of leftover chicken for added filling.
The meat is added to the oats and stirred a bit, browning slightly. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, another 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and salt.
Oil a 9×13 baking dish with olive oil and place the meat mixture in the pan. Brush on another tablespoon of olive oil.
Bake for 1 hour. Then cut into squares.
It was delicious! I felt like Doris was with me the whole time cheering me on!
Devotion
She is at home with the Lord and gathered with her people. It reminds me of Abraham breathing his last in Genesis and being gathered to his people.
God establishes a covenant with Abram for the generations to come. Abram, (childless at 85) couldn’t comprehend what God was saying, yet when God puts him in a deep sleep and shows him the slaves in Egypt 400 years and their coming out of the land with great possessions, he understands.
This text is written to the many children (descendants) of Abraham to show them God’s faithfulness.
I appreciate the nugget of information about Abraham’s life after death. God says, “…as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace. I’ve looked back through the chapters of Genesis and believe this is the first mention of life after death.
As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.
Gen 35:29 And Isaac breathed his last, and he died and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
The text teaches me God has a plan for my soul and your soul, long after we depart from this world. The idea of being gathered to my people not only gives me hope to be with God forever, but also a cherished loved one I miss dearly.
I look forward to seeing her again in heaven some day!
Turkey Goetta & Spinach Panini
Remembering her love of Goetta inspired me to use the No Knead Bread to make a Goetta Panini Sandwich.
Goetta Panini Sandwich
2 Slices Easy No Knead Bread
3 Squares Turkey & Chicken Goetta
1/2 Cup Spinach & Kale Blend
3 Large Slices of Cucumber
2 Tbsp Yogurt
1/2 Tsp onion powder
1 Slice Havarti Cheese
In a skillet place a teaspoon of ghee and add the bread.
Place the Goetta slices on one slice and the spinach/kale on the other.
Cover with a lid until all are heated through.
Mix the yogurt with the onion powder.
Get the sandwich out of the pan and place it on a plate top with the cheese, cucumber, and yogurt sauce.
Enjoy!
Easy No Knead Bread, Fresh Milled
An easy no knead bread can be fresh milled with hard red wheat berries or made with regular unbleached flour. I’m not sure where this recipe originated, but I adapted it from two Youtubers, Jennie Can Cook and The Frugal Fit Mom.
Although this recipe, and the way I make it, is with fresh-milled wheat, you can use regular unbleached organic flour. I purchased five pounds of Simple Truth Organic Unbleached flour for a Teaching and Tasting Monday night and the bread turned out very nice.
I chose this route because I had used that same flour for many years and wanted this process to be doable for the average person. And purchasing and working with wheat berries, requires an investment of time and money. Plus, you need a grain mill to grind it for flour.
So, $5.99 for an organic bag of flour makes more sense for the purpose of a teaching and tasting. I made two loaves of bread and 60 tortillas. That is a pretty good deal! There are no pesticides or fertilizers on this bread, and it’s not bleached.
You may think, “Why is this important?” And I’d have to respond, “We don’t know what the bleach and preservatives do to our gut bacteria or our overall health.” The 100% whole grain bread I use for my class as a demonstration of preservative power is still free of mold after ten months.
Bread on a shelf lasting 10 months without mold scares me for all of us. The good news is we don’t have to participate in the deception any longer. We can splurge a little on the flour and create our own artisan masterpieces. We may find in the process; we don’t have a gluten sensitivity after all.
Maybe it is just a mono-diglyceride, sterol sulfate, ammonium sensitivity. By the way, I’ve read flour will go rancid 30 days after opening if it is not refrigerated. So, remember that when buying and storing your flour.
I personally like to take it a step further and use fresh wheat berries, griding them up in a grain mill and using them right away. The leftover flour can be stored in the freezer 6 months or the refrigerator 1 week.
Benefits of Baking Easy No Knead Bread
Well obviously, a big benefit is, it’s easy and it’s free of pesticides. You mix four ingredients, cover with plastic and let it set a minimum of three hours or a maximum of 24 hours. The countertop is fine, and there is no need for it to rise in a warm place. Timing of how long it sets depends on you and your schedule. I’ve waited 3 and it’s fine, I’ve waited 6 and it’s perfect. I didn’t have the patience to wait 24, so I don’t know how it tastes.
Other benefits for the fresh-milled grain include a decent amount of protein, a wonderful amount of selenium, vitamin E, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and manganese.
Devotion
God’s perfect plan for the seed-bearing plant to nourish and sustain our bodies is present in the things He made.
And God said, “Behold I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”
It’s always exciting to me to see the love of God in the gifts he gives us throughout creation. Every plant yielding seed on the face of the earth is mind boggling. The kiwi alone can have up to a thousand seeds! The mustard seed that Jesus talks about in Mark chapter 4 is so small yet grows into a towering tree to house and feed the birds.
It is a parable describing how the kingdom of God starts very small with Jesus and twelve disciples yet spreads across the globe. Every tribe, nation, and language will see and hear of his great love. His power to work miracles in our lives and sow seeds of righteousness is also pretty impressive. 2 Corinthians 9:10 says,
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Yes! God’s great love is working through us and in us as we enjoy the fruits of every plant bearing seed and the greatest seed of all. . . His Word. The powerful Word that transforms lives, fuels loving service, and explodes into peaceful contentment beyond this world’s understanding.
It too, is a gift like the seeds in the very first garden that keep on giving, century after century. I don’t know about you, but the similarities of physical and spiritual provision bring out humility and adoration in me when I witness such thoughtful planning.
Four Easy No Knead Bread Recipes
So, as we look at the wheat seed my friend, and you and I can take full advantage and have plenty to share with others. One 5-pound bag of flour makes 4 loaves of bread! We would normally spend $8 to $10 on one loaf.
Another fantastic part of this versatile recipe is you can use any of the recipes above to make English muffins, too!
1.
Easy No Knead Bread, Fresh Milled
3 Cups Fresh Milled Hard White Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
1 Teaspoon Yeast
1 3/4 Cups Warm Water
Combine the flour, salt, and yeast in a medium mixing bowl
Add the water and stir well to incorporate the liquid.
Cover with plastic wrap and let sit a minimum of three hours on the countertop. No need to place in a warm spot. You can let it sit longer 6, 8, 10, or 24 hours.
After letting it set the desired time, remove the plastic and place the sticky dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough lightly with your floured fingers, cover with a towel and let sit 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 450 degrees while your dough is resting. You can place bread pans or whatever crock you have in the oven while it heats.
After 30 minutes, I transfer the dough onto parchment paper and place it in the heated pan. Bake covered 30 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 minutes more.
Cool completely before slicing. Store in a zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you are using Unbleached Organic Flour Use the following ingredients:
3 cups of organic unbleached flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110-115 degrees)
(If you want more fiber and protein, use 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup of ground flaxseed, and 2 tablespoons of chia seeds).
Easy No Knead Bread— Taken up Several Taste Notches!
There are fun ways to add to this basic recipe and create your own flavor sensations. The following additions below will be just as easy and maybe even more delicious than the two above!
No Knead Cinnamon Raisin
This is not my favorite choice for fiber or protein, but I am trying to make it as easy as possible for the MetS Busters group I am coaching. I’d use a whole grain bread in place of the unbleached white flour to add more fiber and protein. But as an alternative to store-bought bread with hazardous chemicals and preservatives, it is the better choice.
You make it, you know what’s in it.
You can also remove 1/2 cup of the flour in this recipe and use the ground flaxseed instead. Adding the chia seeds for more protein and fiber works too.
2.
Easy No Knead Cinnamon Raisin Bread
3 Cups Unbleached Organic Flour
1 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 Tsp Yeast
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1/2 Cup Raisins
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well with a whisk add the raisins and warm water.
Mix well until all the flour and water are combined into a soft dough
Cover with plastic and let it sit on the counter all night or while you are at work (6-8-10-or 12 hours)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Get your loaf pan or crock ready and line it with parchment paper.
Place the dough in the loaf pan and cover with another loaf pan. Bake covered 30 minutes.
Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes.
The paper will allow you to remove it from the pan in a couple of minutes. Let it cool well before slicing and store any leftovers in the refrigerator. When ready to use a slice, toast or heat in the microwave 10 seconds to soften.
Easy No Knead Garlic & Cheddar Bread
Here is another version of the no knead bread that is healthier than a store-bought biscuit mix of cheddar and garlic. You’ll be impressed with the price and the ingredients when you calculate making 4 loaves of artisan bread for roughly $6!
No, it’s not the greatest as far healthy is concerned. However, when making healthier choices we want to avoid extremes. It does not have hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or harmful preservatives like the box brand offers.
In my book, that is always a win! Plus, I’m not eating the entire loaf or eating it every day.
3.
Easy No Knead Garlic & Cheddar Bread
3 Cups Unbleached Organic Flour
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Yeast
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese (1-1/4 cups)
1 tsp Parsley (Optional)
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
Whisk the flour, salt, garlic powder, and dried parsley well. Add the remaining ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. If needed use your damp hands to incorporate all the flour and water.
Cover with plastic and let sit 6 or 8 or 10 or 12 hours while you sleep or go to work. Shortest time 6 hours longest time 24.
When ready to bake. Preheat oven to 450 degrees
Place parchment paper in a loaf pan and place your prepared dough into the loaf pan. Cover with another pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the lid after 30 minutes and bake another 15 uncovered.
Use the parchment paper to remove it from the loaf pan after a few minutes, but let it rest until cooled completely before slicing. It will become crumbly if you don't.
Store Leftovers in the refrigerator
However you decide to make your easy no knead bread with the following recipes, I hope you enjoy it as much as me and my family do! It is worth the little bit of time and very little effort. I am here for you if you need coaching or want to book a speaker for your next event.
I want to help you simplify health God’s way. So, have fun making the bread your own way! I’d also love to hear your ideas and variations, if you care to share them!
Take care, and remember. . . What God puts in the garden is good!
Butternut Squash Pie
The harvest of butternut squash is storing well for winter and I’m using one today to develop a butternut squash pie for my family, Thanksgiving Day. God’s design for this winter squash is something to be admired. The skin hardens to protect the flesh inside and it stays well protected for months.
It gets so hard, I don’t even bother to peel it when I’m ready to use it! Instead, I place it on a baking sheet to bake at 350 degrees. After about 45 minutes in the oven, I let it cool until it’s ready to handle.
Benefits of This Butternut Squash Pie
The pie is naturally sweet so you and I can use less sugar.
It tastes like pumpkin pie, so you won’t need a store-bought unknown source of pumpkin to bake with, you can create your own.
It’s super easy to make!
It has the same antioxidant benefits of all butternut squash recipes. They have beta-carotene and A-carotenoids. This is helpful to deter macular degeneration and cataracts and help protect the epithelium (the inner lining of our blood vessels). We need all the heart protection we can get.
One cup has a large amount of vitamin A (212%), some C (35%), B6 (10%), and a little potassium and magnesium.
God’s plan for your physical health is evident in the things He created. We see this every time we read how many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are placed in the plants and what they do for our bodies! On the other hand, we know man’s ultra-processed items destroy the cells and cause chronic disease.
Let’s get our families away from that practice and towards a less toxic cooking experience.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
To make your pie crust, mix the salt with the flour, cut the butter into the flour until it looks like crumbles. Add the stevia syrup (homemade stevia is 1/2 tsp, store bought is just a couple of drops because it's much more concentrated). to the water
Add the water, start with 6 tsp, depending on humidity, it may need more. You'll know if it looks dry and it not forming a ball to add more. Roll it out and cover your pie dish.
The Pie Filling
In a large mixing bowl combine your butternut squash with the spices, maple, syrup, eggs, and milk, and a pinch of stevia. Mix all ingredients together until well blended.
Pour into the pie crust and bake about 30 minutes, checking with a toothpick to make sure it comes out clean. Cool and serve!
**The nutrition facts for the fresh-milled pie crust are not in the nutrition calculator system, so there is more fiber in the fresh-milled pie crust than what is displayed.***
I hope you give this zero refined sugar pie a try for your holiday! I love developing recipes from God’s garden goodness, He supplies such abundance and gives so much thought and care into what we need, it is easy to be thankful!
If you are looking for other recipes using your butternut squash here is another one you might like! I do an entire workshop on using butternut squash too, so look at my booking a workshop page to see if you and a few friends might want a girl’s night out to enjoy this creative workshop!
I look forward to serving you and offering you add free recipes and browsing on this site! Share this recipe with a friend or on your social media so others can be encouraged too!
References:
Tang G. Bioconversion of dietary provitamin A carotenoids to vitamin A in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 May;91(5):1468S-1473S. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.28674G. Epub 2010 Mar 3. PMID: 20200262; PMCID: PMC2854912.
