Hello everybody, this morning has been a little rough, but I still give God all the glory, honor and praise. I will not let the enemy still my joy. I’m gonna eat my grits and crispy bacon

(heaven in my mouth) and enjoy my day. When do you realize that enough is enough? We try to “tough” out situations that are breeding grounds for chaos and try to justify the reason for dealing with it any longer than necessary. Why, is it because of love, loneliness, or fear of the unknown? For whatever reason we endure it we lose a little piece of ourselves in the process. If there is always confrontation and anger then there is never a compromise. Don’t lose yourself, the things that you want for your life and the life of your loved ones (children) are not up for discussion and never should be. Stand your ground because God has something magnificent waiting for you, but not until you, “take out the trash.”

PROVERBS 4:25-27

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all of your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Hello everybody, I know you’re having dinner right now, so you’ll have to have this conversation at another meal.  While I was cooking dinner today I was on the phone just telling them about what my Pastor spoke on today. We had fried pork chops, greens, squash, rice, and gravy. The gravy recipe is below because it seems as if a lot of people don’t know how to make it. While on the phone I told them that it seems like he was with us yesterday and was in on our conversations that we have had lately. It seemed like everything he spoke on was directly to us, it answered questions and confirmed things alike. God spoke through my pastor giving us confirmation on things we have discussed. As you are having conversation a meal time, ask the question, “What feels right to you?” Listen to the various answers and take note of them. This is a great way to see how others view their actions and behaviors. This also gives you the chance to see how things can be changed for the better and pull you all together as a unit. It’s time to lose the attitudes and stop hiding behind the smiles and holding things in and talk it out. Pray about anger and being quick to get angry it only causes you to act or say something foolish. Holding things in only allows stress and anger to build up a resentment that can cause not only broken relationships, but health issues and even death. Wake up, pray, laugh and love, it’s what is best for all of us.

GRAVY

3 tbsp. vegetable oil

¼ cup sliced yellow onion

3-4 tbsp. flour

1 cup chicken broth

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

In a skillet on med heat sauté your onions in the vegetable oil for about 10 seconds add the flour. Cook until golden brown (it will start to have a thick consistency). Add chicken broth, stirring while getting all of the flour from the pan. Turn your heat down, and continue to stir the gravy, if it seems to thick add more broth a little at a time. Season and enjoy.

JAMES 1:19 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Hello everybody, I hope you all are having a blessed day. Church was awesome as always, the message was definitely for me. I was struggling to get up this morning because I was busy yesterday and up late (eating, don’t judge me). I had a wonderful tomato sandwich. Now you may say ewwww, but it is delicious. So simple, sliced tomato with salt and pepper, mayo (dukes) and bread (white). You will fall in love with this sandwich. You have to make sure it’s a straight from the garden tomato, like yours or the farmers market, the store bought ones aren’t the same. That’s just like people, they are one way on the outside and another on the inside. We should stop trying to be someone or something to someone else that we aren’t. Learn to love yourself and the things that aren’t right and that you’re not happy with change. If you’re one way at home but different out then you need to change something because that is being fake. Never treat outsiders better than you do your family, and definitely don’t treat your family bad. Love always, I’m sorry for the harsh tone, but get it together.

  

Philippian 2:3-4

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Hello everybody, I hope you all had a very blessed day today because I definitely did. I must admit that every day is one.  No cooking was done today, I ate pizza. However, I did eat lots of fruit today, some with whipped cream (don't judge me). I'm going to do better this summer as far as eating goes. I'm going healthier but tasty. In order for me to get there I had to have a vision. Once I got the vision and documented it, my path was set. Something else that would help you reach the goal is to document it, with a vision board. For those of you that don’t know what that is, it’s a poster with writings and pictures of the goals you want to reach. It helps you to get excited about things as you are choosing pictures and words to show those goals. It also helps you to visualize where you’re headed. As you complete one of the items you put an “X” over it, which propels you to keep going. Whoever created this was a genius. Get up, get those old magazines and give yourself a push in the right direction, and oh yeah and eat some fruits and veggies while you’re at it.

FRUIT SALAD

Watermelon

Strawberries

Grapes (red and green)

Kiwi

Cantaloupe

Honey dew melons

Peaches

Pears

Blueberries

GLAZE; 1 cup honey and 3 tbsp. orange juice

DIRECTIONS

Dice fruit up into bite size pieces and place into large bowl. In large measuring cup whisk honey and orange juice. Pour over fruit and place into fridge chill for a few hours and enjoy.

PROVERS 29:18

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]

Hello everybody, tonight’s dinner were leftovers, smoked neck bones, okra, squash and collard greens. They were really good, is it me or does it seem like the food is so much better the next day. It seems like the seasonings have settled in and now it is ready to eat.  Life can be like that, we begin something and assume just because we finish that it’s ready for us to indulge when it’s not. Patience is something we all need in our lives, for some of us that may be a real challenge. When you start something keep reminding yourself to be patient, focus on the outcome that you want, work hard and enjoy the journey. Sit down observe your result. Then take part, you’ll see that it was well worth the wait.

SQUASH

2 LBS CROOK NECK GOURDS (YELLOE SQUASH) SLICED IN CIRCLES

1 SMALL VIDALIA ONION SLICED

3 TBSPN VEGETABLE OIL

2 SLICES FAT BACK MEAT

1 TBSPN SUGAR

SALT AND PEPPER

DIRECTIONS

RINSE FATBACK MEAT TO REMOVE EXCESS SALT. IN LARGE STOCK POT HEAT OIL ON MEDIUM HEAT, ADD MEAT. COOK FOR 2-3 MINUTES, ADD SQUASH AND ONIONS STIRRING CONSTANTLY. THEY WILL SIZZLE BUT NO WORRIES. SQUASH HAS A LARGE WATER CONTENT SO YOU WON’T NEED TO ADD ANY. ADD YOU SUGAR AND SALT AND PEPPER. TURN DOWN SLIGHTLY AND COVER. COOK FOR ABOUT 35-45 MINUTES. ENJOY!

NLT ROMANS 12:12

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Hello everybody, hope ya’ll are having a blessed day thus far.  I was on the phone while fixing me a small breakfast. We were talking about relationships and how he was attracted to certain characteristics. We as individuals always seem to look for approval or validation from someone. Especially in relationships, we forget about what’s important, love. No matter what type of relationship it is, friendship, romantic, family or even business it should be approached with love and respect. We as individuals need to learn to do things so that we are following our “inner man.” This way you are doing the things set for your life by God. You won’t need the validation from anyone and you’ll be pleased and happy. This will allow you the space to walk in love making the relationship better. My sausage and grits were good while we were talking.

ESV 2 JOHN 1:6

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

Hello everybody, today has been a great day so far. Went to the farmers market to get some fruits and veggies. I get overwhelmed sometimes because you want everything but know that if you get it and cook it, the trash is the next home for it. Control and discipline are a vital part of life that some of us struggle with. In order to be successful in anything these two things are a must. With weight control, getting out of debt or even grocery shopping you must have some level of control and discipline. I saw so many things I wanted like peaches, plums, strawberries, blueberries and cantaloupe oh my. We have watermelon that we need to finish so I left those lovely fruits there. Next trip I will get them and make a wonderful fruit salad. I got some collard greens, okra and squash, for tonight’s dinner. Never too many green veggies. Because I was able to control my shopping I was able to save money and not waste. Even though you want something, doesn’t mean you need it. Your “outer man” is always wanting something that you don’t need, which causes temporary satisfaction and long-term complications. Listen to your “inner man” use that discipline to control the situation. That long-term satisfaction is very rewarding you’ll lose those pounds, pay off that bill, or not waste food.

Southern Steamed Okra

3 lbs. fresh okra

1 cup yellow onion diced

3 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 strips of pork fat back meat

Salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS

Rinse off okra and cut into bite size pieces discarding the end pieces, set aside. Rinse off fat back meat to remove excess salt and dry with paper towels. Put your oil in a large skillet on med heat, once hot place you meat in the pan, and cook for 3-4 minutes till meat browns. Remove meat and place onions and okra in the pan. Slightly turn down your heat and place lid on skillet and let steam stirring occasionally. Let it cook for about 30 minutes. Okra will be cooked and tender, add salt and pepper according to your tastes. Enjoy.

1 Timothy 4:8English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.