“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:19-20

I save myself a lot of anguish and regret when I am slow to speak….not that I always do, but WHEN I do, the outcome is better than when I don’t. There is so much noise and anger right now in our nation, it’s hard to discern what is righteous anger and what is just anger. My spirit aches for those angry hearts, because I know what it feels like to be trapped by it’s ugly snare.

Therefore, wise counsel from James is nice to hear among the clamor of voices. The reality of God’s word is summed up here…..he says, “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” The context of this verse is tucked away in ongoing warnings of being lured by our own desires and staying away from filthiness and wickedness. He goes on to say that religion is worthless if we can’t hold our tongue (vs 26). Ouch.

Statements that check the genuineness of my heart and remind me to live free of anger! Thanks James, because I need to cling to God’s wisdom in an age of extreme chaos. It feeds my soul, just like the sweet potatoes coming on feed my cells.

Yes! My cells love this hormone balancing starchy vegetable from the garden prepared in a variety of ways. I love the nutrients of beta carotene, vitamins A &C, B1 & B6. As well as the good amount of minerals–magnesium, potassium, manganese and copper. Don’t forget they are also full of soluble fiber. All of which increase energy, balance hormones, provide fiber and sustenance. I like the added benefits of pumpkin and sunflower seeds for extra vitamin E and selenium too!

Hey, I”m packing as many nutrient’s as I can into one meal for busy people, ya know!

These wraps are inspired by watching a beautiful Indian woman making a flatbread with a sweet potato several weeks ago. Since I love to make a variety of wraps; why not use this idea to make my own version?

Here is all you need:

• 1 1/4 Cup Organic Unbleached Flour
• 1 Preboiled and Still warm sweet potato ( this makes about 3/4 cup)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Cup toasted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds (1 Tbsp. each)
• 1 Tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Place a skillet on the stove with the heat setting on low. Place the pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds in the pan to toast. Just a couple of minutes. Meanwhile combine the flour and salt. Place toasted seeds into food processor and gently pulse until finely chopped. Add them to the flour mixture and mix well.

In a separate cup combine the sweet potato and oil. Using a fork, incorporate the sweet potato mixture into the flour until a nice dough forms. Knead several times on a lightly floured surface until no longer sticky. You may need to add a little more flour. Divide the dough into eight small balls. Roll out one ball at a time, on a lightly floured surface until very thin. Place in the hot DRY skillet to cook, about 30 seconds each side. They will look dry and no longer wet when they are ready.

Place on a dish to cool. Use them for your wraps right away or store them in the refrigerator in a large zip lock bag. They are usually best when used within 7-10 days.

Enjoy the wraps, soak up God’s precious cleansing Word, and gather in the garden!

I pray wise cousel from God’s Word to feed your soul today, as you escape the craziness of our world for the peace of our sweet Jesus. I pray His precious Word brings you comfort as you balance your mind with the bible’s solid reassurance and your body with sustenance from the garden.

Because what’s in the garden is good!

It’s a wonderful day for warm houses, hot ovens, and fresh bread. Giving thanks for God’s goodness and saying a prayer for those without today.

Psalm 107:1-9

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Lemon Blueberry Scones

The recipe:

2 Cups unbleached organic flour

3 Tsp aluminum free baking powder

1/2 Tsp salt

1/2 Tsp Cream of Tartar

Zest of One whole lemon

1 Tablespoon Honey

1 ounce plus 2 tsp extra virgin organic olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1/2 Cup sliced blueberries

Whisk the first 5 ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. (Save blueberries to fold in last.)Set aside. Then combine the following wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. Add the olive oil work into flour until incorporated well. Combine the Honey lemon juice, milk, and egg. Add this to the dry ingredients. Mix until if forms a soft dough.

Gently fold in blueberries (I used a handful of fresh blueberries, sliced 4 ways (after slicing I folded gently in a paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible).Place the dough onto a flour surface and gently knead about 10 times.

Shape into a log, and cut into triangles.

Place on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425 for 10-12 minutes.

Brush with honey butter when they come out! (I melt 1 tbsp butter, add 1 tbsp honey with lemon zest)I developed this basic scone recipe with olive oil when reading the bible. You’ll notice in the readingtheir sweet breads had olive oil in them. So, what’s good in the bible and what’s good in the garden, is always good for me.

Psalm 19:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is pure,

enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the honeycomb.

By them your servant is warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Yes, the word of the Lord is sweeter than honey!

Soothing a burdened spirit, His word lifts our eyes towards Him. And just as a tickling cough is coated well with a spoonful of honey, our hearts are coated daily with His truth!
Enjoy this apple honey coated Scone recipe for a lift of the taste buds and a reminder of God’s sweet truth. Because what’s in the garden is good!

Cinnamon Apple Scones

2 cups flour

3tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Add 2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

whisk together and set aside

Stir in one ounce plus 2 tsp organic olive oil. (It will look like coarse crumbles)

Finely Chop 1 small apple

1/2 cup walnuts

Add to dry ingredients.

In a cup add:

3/4 cup milk

1 egg

1 tbsp. honey

Add to dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Turn out onto floured surface to knead, about ten times. Shape into a log shape and cut into small triangles. Bake in 425 degree preheated oven for 10- 12 minutes. Melt 2 tbsp. butter, add 1 tbsp. honey and brush on each scone when it comes out of the oven.