FFTF – Spirit: Breath of Heaven Body: Healthy Prestigio (Chocolate Coconut) Tarts

Ok, it’s another FFTF (Food for Thought Friday) – Food for the body and the spirit.  I loooooovvve the Christmas season, so this post is very befitting.  For the spirit I will be sharing a bit about how the Christmas song, “Breath of Heaven” has impacted me.  And for the body, “Healthy Superfood Prestigio (Chocolate Coconut) tarts.  Hope you enjoy.

I have traveled many moonless nights
Cold and weary with a babe inside
And I wonder what I’ve done
Holy Father, You have come
And chosen me now to carry Your Son

I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now, be with me now.

Breath of Heaven, hold me together
Be forever near me, Breath of Heaven
Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness
Pour over me Your holiness for You are holy
Breath of Heaven

Do you wonder as you watch my face
If a wiser one should have had my place?
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of Your plan
Help me be strong, help me be, help me

Amy Grant

Listen to a version by Eden’s Bridge here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLXvGNUOtZM

Sometimes when I listen to this song I start to cry.  I think it’s because of the simplicity of it and the way that Mary addresses God, “Breath of Heaven”.  She was just a young girl when a unexepected visitor showed up and shared a message with her that essentially changed the entire course of her life.  She was engaged to be married to a simple carpenter, and she herself, was just a simple girl – that loved God.

As she silently prays to her maker, she’s extremely vulnerable and expresses to Him just how scared she is.  She knows that the world is a cold place and she is feeling all alone.  And rightly so.  Imagine being in her place.  A virgin, engaged to be married, in a society where it is absolutely unacceptable and punishable to have had sexual relations before marriage.  And now she is carrying the son of God.

She pours her soul out to the only one that could possibly understand what she is going through.  God, hold me together (I’m losing it).  God, be forever near me (I feel so lost).  God, lighten my darkness (the stone cold reality of this world is blinding me (I can’t see you).  God, pour over me your holiness (for you are the only one that can ease my anguished heart and replace the lack of tranquility with overwhelming peace).

I think it’s amazing how she addresses God as, “Breath of Heaven”.  The word breath signifies life.  Every bodily function depends on breathing as breathing is the most fundamental of all the body’s systems.  It’s at the very core of life.  When one stops breathing, one dies.

She also recognizes that she’s weak.  She doesn’t see herself as one that is wise enough to be carrying such a serious responsibility.  But the beautiful thing is that, even though she’s full of doubts and even though she considers herself as unwise, it didn’t matter to God.  What mattered was that she was willing to offer all that she is.  What mattered was that she had a heart of humility and recognized she needed His strength, and not her own.

What do you think of this song?  What are your thoughts concerning it?  Leave a comment and let me know.

Ok, who else out there loves a good dessert or tasty little treat, but hates the refined sugar?  Being that it’s the Christmas season and all, I thought I’d create this little goody for my kids (ok, for me too, I confess).  Try it out and let me know what you think.

Yes, this is my little girl enjoying what’s left over of the filling

Healthy Prestigio (chocolate & coconut) tarts

Crust:

• 1/2 cup chopped cashews
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup dates
• 1 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil
• pinch of salt

Place all ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until incorporated.  Fill mini cupcake tins with paper liners.  Press 1 heaping teaspoon of the mixture into each to form a crust.

Filling:

• 4 small bananas or 2 large
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 honey
• 4 Tbsp coconut milk
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp melted butter or coconut oil

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until fully incorporated.  Spoon around 2 good teaspoons of the mixture into the cups.  You can garnish with some shredded coconut and then place in the freezer until ready to enjoy.

FFTF – Spirit: Neediness and the infusion of peace Body: Healthy Raw Energy Balls

FFTF (Food For Thought Friday) – Spirit: Neediness and the infusion of peace, Body: Healthy Raw Chocolate Balls

As you may know by now, I absolutely love the daily devotional book, “Jesus Calling”, by Sarah Young.  Some days the words from that book just jump out of the book and into my spirit.  Today’s was like that and the following are my thoughts provoked by it.

We live in an age where independence is highly valued and neediness is despised.  However, I believe that we will only find true peace in our spirits when we surrender to the maker of all things. I have found the key to true inner peace.  My recognition of how dependent I am on Him and how needy I am of Him is the key to entering into a deeper intimacy with my creator and lover of my soul. As I come away to that secret place where only He and I sit together, He infuses His peace into my innermost being and allows me to find rest and tranquility of mind and of heart.

I am not my own.  I cannot live a life of independence – and I wouldn’t want to.  I am totally and completely needy of Him.  And I am found in Him, nestled in the palm of his hand as He shelters me and sustains me ‘whole-istically’.  And when I start to fall away from Him – when I try to do things on my own – that’s when stress enters into my life again and peace fades away.  But He love me so much.  And He remembers that I am made of dust.  And soon enough he nudges me and leads me back into His keeping again.

How about you? Do you value being independent? What do you think about this topic?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Now…. for the yummy stuff.  Who wants healthy chocolate balls.  Oh, I do I do!

Raw Energy Balls

• 1/3 cup whole oats
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup protein powder (all whey or brown rice in vegetarian)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 Tbsp all natural peanut or almond butter
• 1 Tbsp flax seeds
• 2 Tbsp raisins

1. First grind the oats and then place mix all of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Put in the fridge for about 30 minutes to chill.
3. Take out of the fridge and then form balls with your hands.

Makes about 12 balls, depending on how big you make them.

Ummmmmm Superfoods Do a Body Goooooood

I looooovvve eating healthy.  It makes me feel so good, and energetic, and happy, and healthy, and….. You get the point.  Anyhow, good food and nutrition are a passion of mine, and that’s why I want to make part of this blog about food, nutrition, exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  I know that when I eat crap, I feel like crap.  Not that I don’t ever eat crap, but it’s all about balance, self control and not being an extremist.

I believe that God gave us good, natural, healthy foods to do our body good.  Hence, if you eat the good that God gave, you reap the benefits.  YEAH!  Ok, I have two recipes for you today.  Below you will find the instructions.

Egg Cups – Steam the spinach. Saute the tomato, onion, green pepper and mushrooms in olive oil. Separate the eggs into a bowl (don’t worry if you get some yolk in there too. I did). Grease or spray your muffin tins (a 12 muffin making pan is good).  Put a little bit of egg white in each one.  Then divide the spinach and sauteed veggies and top them off with the rest of the egg white.  Sprinkle in a little salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like (I put a splash of pimenta sauce in each one too).  Bake at 180 C (350 F) for about 20 minutes or until done.

Ok, the benefits of egg whites, our first superfood – Each egg white has only about 16 calories, 0 g of fat and a whole whopping 5 grams of protein.  They also contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and iron.  No wonder they’re called a ‘superfood’.

Guacamole – Chop up the onion, tomato, cilantro.  Scoop the avocado meat into a bowl a mush it up, leaving chunks.  Add the onion, tomato and cilantro.  Squeeze 1/2 of a lime (to avoid oxidization of the avocado) and add the salt, pepper, and if desired, a splash of tabasco or pimenta (for the brazilians). Mix it all up and Voila.

Avocados are awesome.  In Brazil, avocados are eaten sweet (it is strange for a Brazilian to think of avocados as a salty or savory food). They have the highest protein content of all fruits and contain no sodium or cholesterol.  75% of their fat is unsaturated (mono & poly) and supply us with necessary fatty acids that our bodies need.  Research has shown that they are good for those that have problems with cholesterol, diabetes and they contain an antioxidant that could help prevent certain types of cancer.  They’re excellent for the eyes and yes, for weightloss.  They are a source of fibre, vitamin E, potassium and B vitamins.

Suggestion for using the two together: Take 3-5 of the egg cups and 1/4 cup of guacamole and enjoy.  I’m telling you, it will satisfy your hunger, stave off cravings and keep you full for a good amount of time.

EAT UP – YUM!

Ok, I would absolutely love to hear what you think.  Also, if you have any suggestions or other special egg and/or avocado recipes, please share them.