FFTF – Eggplant and “Where does your confidence reside?

Food For Thought Friday – YEAH!

I have found a new yummy dish, inspired by my wanderings around the internet on different foodie sites.  As I’ve mentioned before, I am passionate about being healthy, eating well and staying fit.  It does wonders for me, not just physically, but for my spirit as well.  God made me and caused yummy delicacies to grow on this earth so that we humans could be creative and inventive with the resources He has provided.  And so, here you have it: my fun little experiment with eggplant.  It was soooooo delish, and even my hubby liked it.  There will be no problem in making this savory dish again, because I know he will appreciate it and we both will eat it all up with no problem at all.

Eggplants are loaded with good, healthy stuff.  Not only are they an excellent source of soluble fibre, manganese and potassium, they are also very low in calories and fat.  They are also high in antioxidants and are great for cardiovascular health.

So here you have it:

Stacked Eggplant Pizza Rings – Serves 2

-8 1/4 inch eggplant rounds

-1 egg plus 1 egg white

-panko or bread crumbs (enough to bread the eggplant)

-Canadian bacon or turkey breast (or meat of choice or omit)

-1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup tomato or pizza sauce

-1 red or yellow pepper sliced (can use green if you want)

-1 small onion sliced

-2 cloves garlic chopped

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 tsp salt

-1 tsp demarara (raw) sugar

1. Chop the garlic and slice the peppers and onion.  Caramelize along with the garlic on low heat with the olive oil, salt and sugar.  Put aside.

2.  Place eggs in a bowl and the bread/panko crumbs in another bowl.  Take the eggplant rounds and dip in the egg wash, then cover with the cumbs.  Line a square pan with tin foil, place 4 eggplant rounds on the bottom.  Then place the meat, followed by the cheese, half the mixture of peppers and onion, and tomato/pizza sauce.  Then place the other 4 rounds of breaded eggplant and top with the rest of the sauce, cheese and peppers/onions.

Preheat your over for 5 minutes at 205C (400F), then bake for 1/2 hours.

And there you have it, 2 stacked eggplant pizza rounds each.  You can have together with a nice side salad of mixed greens and a light dressing and you’re set.

Ok, I always like to post a recipe together with some “Food for Thought”, because just as our physical bodies need food for life, our spirit also needs to be fed.  I absolutely love the devotional book by Sarah Young, “Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence” (http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Calling-Enjoying-Peace-Presence/dp/1591451884).  I try to read it everyday in the morning.  God has really used it to bring his word to life in such an intimate and personal way.

Have you learnt to appreciate difficult days?  Do you believe that, together with God you can handle anything?  We, as humans may change like shifting shadows, but God is always the same – today, yesterday, tomorrow, forever.  Our confidence resides in this.  In Him we live and move and have our being.  Our very breath depends on Him.  Do you believe this?  Please leave a comment and let me know.  Or go into my facebook page (button on the right side) and press like and let’s discuss this topic a bit.

Green Smoothies – Ummmmmmm Who Wants One?

Ok, as you may already know, I have been doing a project called, “40 to 40”.  I’m down to my last two weeks of it, however I’m thinking of extending it until my actual 40th birthday on November 27th. Anyhow, I’ve been whipping up green smoothies in the morning for breakfast and they are deeeelish.  I thought I’d just share some of my experiments with you.  I’m telling you, they’ll do your body good. How can they not? They’re full of natural, healthy ingredients that God made for us to enjoy (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).  So give them a try and you’ll reap the benefits.

1.  Kiwi, Banana and Chocolate Smoothy

3/4 cup skim milk, 1/4 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 small banana, 1 kiwi, 1 cup kale, 1 Tbsp cocoa powder, 1 Tbsp whey protein powder, 1/2 Tbsp ground flax seeds, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 10 drops liquid stevia.

2. Pineapple, Banana and Coconut Smoothy

1 small banana, 1/2 cup pineapple, 1 cup kale, 1/4 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 3 Tbsp coconut milk, 1 Tbsp protein powder, 1 Tbsp oats, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 10 drops liquid stevia.

3. Apple Pie Smoothy – This one is so seriously good I had to name it ‘Apple Pie’.

1 apple cut up, 1 cup kale, 1/2 cup skim yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 Tbsp oats, 1 Tbsp sliced almonds, 1 Tbsp protein powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 10 drops liquid stevia.

You just throw all the ingredients into the blender and you’re good to go.  I used a magic bullet because of the single cup and all, but any blender will do.

*If you don’t drink milk, you can substitute with some other type of plant-based milk (almond, rice, soya, etc.)  Unfortunately I can’t get almond milk here (north-east Brazil), but I so wish I could.

*I also can’t get a decent greek yogurt here as well that isn’t loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Ultimately, it would be better to use Greek yogurt for its high protein value.

*Of course, you don’t have to use kale if you don’t like.  You can use spinach, mixed greens, or whatever your heart desires.  Go ahead and be inventive.

Ok, now for some spiritual food:  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

What does this spiritual food mean to you?  Leave a comment and let me know; I’m very interested.  Also, do you have any special smoothies that you enjoy?  I would love to know about them and try them out. Let me know in the comment section here below.  And if you like this, why not hop on over to my Facebook page and press the ‘like’ button.  And if you found this pinteresting, go ahead and pin it. Thank you and BIG smile.

1/2 Way Mark on Project “40 to 40”

This is not just a post about food and health.  Read on for the deeper meaning.

For those that may not know yet, I am carrying out a project right now called, ’40 to 40′.  I’m turning 40 at the end of November and I wanted to get my self into tip top shape for the big day.  I started on September 30th, so I have just passed the half way mark.  I’m already a pretty healthy individual, but I wanted to step it up a notch.  I started a fairly rigid diet and have been following ‘BodyRock TVs’ 30 day challenge (which will not end after 30 days).  I haven’t been eating any grains generally throughout the week except for oats sometimes in the morning. And on the weekends I’ve been more lenient, with Saturdays being my cheat day (however I kind of fell off the wagon this last weekend).  I have been feeling great – I mean GREAT!  I don’t feel like I’ve been depriving myself at all.  I have tons of energy, never feel heavy or too full, and I don’t have yucky morning breath anymore – YEAH!  Pluuuussss, I’ve been losing weight and toning up.  My jeans are lose, my elasticized belt is lose, things that used to fit snug or were just right are baggy now.  And so I’m happy.  (–to see some of the food I’ve been eating – recipes, check out and like my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/godcolouredgirl.  

Or you could just click on the link to it on the side bar.) So this is all very well and good, however life isn’t all about being physically healthy and feeling good.  It’s definitely a plus, but it’s not the be all, end all of life.  Even the most fit and athletic person in the world will not be able to outlast the effects of gravity and aging.  Sooner or later, parts will start to sag, muscles will start to atrophy, strength will start to wane, physical health will deteriorate.  Nobody can overcome the final earthly destiny of all mankind and living entities.  Death is a reality for all.

The one thing that doesn’t change though is our creator.  He is always the same.  He doesn’t change.  He is always strong; His strength never falters.  He is always there.  Stable and unshaken.  He is always permeating with peace.  And He lives in me. You see, physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next (1 Timothy 4:8). Or lets look at it another way, “Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. (the message)” So yes, I may feel awesome eating super healthy and getting regular, hardcore exercise, but what really brings health to my bones, life to my body, energy to go about my days and overall well being is the indwelling peace that I feed upon when I’m alone with the lover of my soul.  He sustains me.  He strengthens me.  He feeds me food that will never rot.  And as I drink from his water supply, my thirst is quenched.

So tell me, what do you think?  Are you striving to maintain your youth, vigor and beauty alone? Or are you investing in maintaining and strengthening that which far exceeds physical vitality – your spirit? Leave a comment and let me know.