Tamarind

One of my goals of the day today was to find Tamarind for an East Indian inspired barbequed chicken dish.  My father sent me the recipe.  In my search I came home with three species of Tamarind - none of which are really what the author of the recipe had in mind. 

OTHER NATURAL FLAVOR

NATURAL FLAVOR WITH

OTHER NATURAL FLAVOR

What's the difference?

Spiritual Biographies

Meditation give between Stations of The Cross and Benediction at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Friday, March 16 2012.

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We all have spiritual biographies. Where we’ve been and where we’re going.

If we’re honest with ourselves - we could say there are parts of our biographies where we’ve come to great enlightenment, and there are part of our biographies where we come to great doubts.

I am going to share briefly a couple slivers of my own spiritual biography. After my story I would ask that each of you not so much think about what I have to say (but if it resonates with you - all the better) - rather I would ask you to think about your own spiritual biographies of where you’ve been and where you’re going.

I grew up being quite “churched” My family regularly attended a Roman Catholic congregation in Northeast Minneapolis. Our family regularly attended holy day services in addition to Sunday services. I grew up in a tradition of observing Lent from Ash Wednesday, until the very long Easter Vigil Service. We would periodically participate in Stations of The Cross.

I grew up in a catholic tradition where observance and participation took precedence over any particular deep dive into scripture. Eventually my family moved around the United States, and then I myself moved around the United States. After leaving Minnesota - I became exposed to the idea of being “Saved” and having a particular personal relationship with JESUS. Up until then, somehow, even being churched - I had a rather abstract concept of God. The idea of proclaiming one’s faith in order to be “SAVED”. There were times when I tried to espouse this model of faith, but it has never felt right or true for me.

I left the Roman tradition for a myriad of reason. But as time went by I felt the need to be with other spiritual persons and I started church shopping. Where ever I went - I felt welcome by others - but then there was that talk about a personal relationship with JESUS.

About two decades ago, my mother was visiting me from Minnesota here in Chicago, and we happened to arrange to be on the Architecture Tour of Edgewater. The last stop on that tour back then was The Episcopal Church of the Atonement. I will never forget walking in and immediately feeling at home. One thing I remember most from that initial visit was the wood carved stations of the cross. Knowing there were Stations of the Cross, or in other words, walking the way of the cross, gave me a particular context that I understood and made me feel at home.

Years pass. A new Rector is installed at Atonement. One from The South. One from the land of having a personal relationship with Jesus. Recently, in a brief homily from Fr. John David vanDooren; Fr. vanDooren mentioned another via media or middle way that the Episcopal Church has, where one Firstly makes the effort to participate in liturgy as a way to better understand God and God’s will but Secondly where one can have a personal relationship with Jesus. I think, “Oh My God, what I am going to do with that?

I don’t know how or when the lightening bolt hit, but I realized that I may have had the makings of a personal relationship with Jesus all along. The form my “personal relationship with Jesus” has taken is: walking the way of the cross. I came to realize that for me, the tradition of the Stations of The Cross, something I’ve had since childhood - is where I best meet Jesus face to face. To me, this is where Jesus is most human. Aspects of all the characters of the way of the cross are things that resound with me and I find true.

I invite you to think about where you’ve been.

I invite you to think about where you’re going.


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+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

CLOSED

I love these hand written signs in local businesses near where I live.

THANK YOU BAGS

This first bag wishes me THANK YOU

and with sort of a half smile - to HAVE A NICE DAY (exclamation point)

It also notes: WARNING: TO AVOID DANGER OF SUFFOCATION, KEEP THIS PLASTIC BAG AWAY FROM BABIES AND CHILDREN, DO NOT USE THIS BAG IN CRIBS, BEDS, CARRIAGES, AND PLAYPENS. THIS IS NOT A TOY.

Don't call the police, but I'm sorta playin' with this bag as a toy right now.

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This second bag says ....

THANK YOU in a sorta orangey tropical way. It notes: WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children. MADE IN CHINA.

This bag has no toy restrictions. You KNOW I'll be playin' with this bag. If the police come, tell them I was playing with the orangey tropical thank you bag.

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Both bags are "2" HDPE recyclable. HDPE means high-density polyethylene. This sort of material is in demand for recycle firms - so whenever you can reduce/reuse/recycle. I am a nerd and happen to save these to reuse. When I have more than I need I donate to thrift stores who may use them when they sell items.

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SOLI DEO GLORIA

Study in White

My Amaryllis and Paperwhites are blooming at the same time this year. Usually the Paperwhites bloom first. I bought a white amaryllis this year (they were out of red). To me, forced bulbs are the antidote to mid-winter. Along with the theme of white, here in Chicago we are supposed to get a significant amount of measurable snow starting now.

Discerning God's Call

It has been more than a year since I have posted.

This past Wednesday I had the privilege of preaching to my own community: The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory.

I preached on the following text

1 Sam. 3:1-20
Ps. 40:1-10
Mark 1:29-39

Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make both ears of anyone who hears of it tingle.

In the name of The Father....

Many of you know, I made a big deal out of turning age fifty this past year.

I joined AARP.

Got the colonoscopy.

For the first time in my life I had wax removed from my ears - and had my hearing tested.

In spite of the wax removal - I am getting to be the age where I periodically experience that awkward moment when you can’t understand what someone’s said even after they’ve repeated it four times

So, I’m all like

Praying to God that it wasn’t a question.

Samuel, in today’s scripture, and I are the same in that we knew that we heard something; but, we’re not sure what we heard.

Samuel, Samuel!

Samuel’s time was after the period of The Judges. Samuel’s time was nearly a millennium before the time of Christ. Samuel is the person God chooses to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king.

This favorite bible-story of the boy Samuel is framed by the comment - “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread” In other words - the people of Israel were not hearing what God was saying to them - until - somehow God, with the help of Eli, get’s Samuel’s attention.

Initially it is not Samuel, but Eli who perceives God is calling. Eli instructs Samuel what to say.

Samuel, Samuel!

‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

The Lord has a message - however ominous.

Hugh Laurie in his role as Dr. House in the second season of the television series “House” noted...

If you talk to God, you’re religious; if God talks to you, you’re psychotic.

So here we are with a story about listening, listening particularly to God.

What does this mean for me? What does this mean for you?

I think it is safe to say, that to some degree every one of us here has perceived a call to something greater. To something different. Yes, likely we’ve perceived somehow a call from God. That call has landed us here in this religious community.

It has been over a decade since I was interviewed by council to consider my postulancy to the The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. One question that was asked of me - “How is that we will know that you are called to the religious life?” I thought to myself, “How the hell do I know?” I did say, “Y’know, I don’t hear voices from God.”

While that question bothered me then - I cherish it now. How is that I know that I am called to religious life? The answer is: Discernment. With the help of this community; through formation and mentorship; through making mistakes and being transformed - I learned the particular vocabulary of discernment. With experience, I’ve learned that discernment is an ongoing journey and not a particular destination. I learned I need experience and perspective to know indeed that not only have I been called to religious life - but to life profession.

James Martin, SJ in his book The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything - writes of the connection between Ignatius of Loyola’s spiritual exercises and discernment for us today. The sixteenth century Saint Ignatius was rather sober and practical - not particularly romantic.

Ignatius in his spiritual exercises makes use of prayer, imagination, and experience. Ignatius made mistakes in his own spiritual endeavors and allowed for “do-overs” or trying to re-evaluate God’s call with new data.

Ignatius himself - noted if you try something and feel peace, it’s likely God’s presence or consolation. If you try something and you feel disquiet and agitation - you are on a path of desolation.

Contemporary Jesuits note that discernment - through experience is “recognizing the action in human-consciousness of the Holy Spirit” - In other words - knowing God’s will or hearing God’s call.

As the months and years pass there are times for each of us when the call is loud and clear, there are times when the call seems distant and faint. Either way, in hearing and answering the call, we are discerning what we are called to by God.

Each of us; with God’s help; over and over; finds our calling. Some of us are called to heal as Jesus does in today’s unvarnished Gospel of Mark. Some of us will pray, some of us will preach The Good News - all of which are aspects of Jesus’ life noted in today’s Gospel - where we can find peace.

In the 1979 Book of Common Prayer - the gerund “discerning” makes only one appearance; this happens in the prayer immediately following a baptism. This prayer is my prayer for each one of us today.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these your servants the forgiveness of sin, and have raised them to the new life of grace. Sustain them, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works. Amen.

Advent

Waiting

QUINOA WITH BLACK BEANS AND APRICOTS

QUINOA WITH BLACK BEANS AND APRICOTS

1 teaspoon canola oil
1 small onion chopped
1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
1 cup red or white quinoa, rinsed
¼ cup dried apricots, chopped
1 3 inch cinnamon stick
1 cup rinsed and drained canned black beans
1 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

(1) Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to boil. Stir in quinoa, apricots, and cinnamon stick, return to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until quinoa is tender. 12 minutes.

(2) Stir in black beans. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick. Stir in parsley.

Per serving (3/4 cup): 197 g, 248 Cal., 4 g Total Fat, 0 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 0 mg Chol, 240 mg Sod, 43 g Total Carb, 6 g Total Sugar, 7 g Fib, 10 g Prot, 56 mg Calc.

6 PointsPlus per serving

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Cookbook



....just a note....

I just made this from the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus Cookbook, which just came out in the last couple weeks - along with Weight Watchers revamp of their weight management system. New PointsPlus are different from the points system they had been using for the last decade or so.

ALSO - I doubled the recipe (if I am going to go to the trouble of cooking - I want some for the week)

While this is listed as a side-dish, I'll eat this as an entrée. It is a bit different from what I gravitate to flavor-wise. This is warm/sweet/savory. I tend to go for spicy-zesty - but this is good. I look forward to trying other recipes.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Advent / Quietness

To keep silence, in thought, word and deed is a manifestation of humility in the presence of God and his existence within his Creation. Our presence, as testimony to God's love, should always be subdued, in deference to his goodness and mercy towards us. We accept quietness, not merely as a reflection of our humility, but in acknowledgment of the fact that we really know very little at all. It is an expression of our awe at the Presence of he who is far greater than ourselves, and a deference in the face of the Love that surpasses our capacity to reason.

Br. Karekin Madteos Yarian, BSG
The Skillfulness of Shepherds

Apple Pie

I was reticent to have a blog entry called Apple Pie. To me, there seems to be a lot of cultural baggage around the words “Apple Pie” at least for Americans. I am reticent since the current political climate is contentious to say the least, whereby, how “American” one is or isn’t seems constantly called into question. Personally, I find such confrontations annoying; keeping people from focusing on deeper or more important issues such as working for economic justice, or just plain feeding the poor. “Apple Pie” is often found in sentences that also contain the adjective American. American or not, I’ll carry on.

As a sometime cook, and sometime baker (I am better than some things than others), one thing I happen to be better at is baking pies. I have not been making as much pie as I used to as of late for a number of unrelated reasons. I live alone; pie tends not to aid my weight management; my work is stressful, especially the last few weeks (months?) and time off is often just used resting doing as little as possible including NOT making pies.

Given that perfect storm of NOT making pies – I missed two of my favorite pie ‘seasons’ earlier this year, so because of that, I was bound and determined NOT to miss the current pie season that I enjoy. I missed rhubarb season in the spring – I even have my own patch of rhubarb right here in The City of Chicago. I missed tart Michigan cherry season in July. I did NOT make a blueberry pie this year, even though, really blueberry pies are secretly the easiest to make; and, through advancements in hybrids and transportation, blueberry season seems now to last all summer long.

The thing that is available now that is not available other times of year is locally grown heirloom apples. Sure, apples are available in our brightly lit, highly packaged supermarkets all year round. I can have an apple any time of year – whether from New Zealand, or somewhere in the U.S. All this feeds our need for instant gratification – our “instant” culture.

When I was young I remember when fruits had very particular and short seasons. I remember my parents or my grandmother buying a crate of Colorado peaches when they were shipped to the store. You couldn’t buy one peach.

So, basically today, I have been all about Apple Pie, particularly Heirloom Apple Pie.

The apples I get – I discovered a number of years ago at The Chicago Farmer’s Market in the loop. I use the vendor Nichols Farm & Orchard who bring their produce into Chicago from Marengo, IL.

The varieties of apples I purchase are:

Cox Orange Pippin – English Variety identified in 1830

Cox Orange Pippen

Golden Russet – American Variety (New York) identified in 1845

Golden Russet

Just to LOOK at these apples, unwaxed, not uniform, heterogeneous, and mottled; they are most gorgeous things. To use them in cooking is even more glorious.

A number of you who know me personally, know that I use the Apple Pie recipe from the 1975 Copyright of The Joy of Cooking.





My piecrust recipe – while simple and elegant is more than just the recipe – there is an art to it that can’t be explained in just words. When I have time, I can show you how to do it. If you plan on making a pie – use whatever piecrust makes you the least stressed-out; and if that means buying a pre-packaged one, so be it.


I mix these heirloom apple varieties together – the result with the sugar and the spice is a warm appley – winey flavor. I have made plenty of apple pies from supermarket apples (and if I have to make an apple pie from supermarket apples, I use Granny Smith). I sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on the outside of my crusts.


Since I went to the trouble to get the apples, and I was going to fire up the oven and all – I thought what I would do is not make one apple pie, but two. One for myself, and one to give away. Even though it takes more time to prepare, and twice the amount of ingredient - it takes about the same amount of preparation dishes and the same amount of cooking energy whether you are baking one or two pies. So really, it is more economical to bake more than one.

As a middle aged person living alone in the City – my friends tend to be middle aged persons living alone in the City. Generally no one cooks for me, except me. I try to foster an attitude of cooking more and giving away, because, when you least expect it food seems to come back to you. A brother in my religious community – The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory gave me two muffins he saved for me that he baked just that morning. So, I gave one of my pies away to a neighbor, in a pie plate I purchased just for that purpose. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get the pie plate back. (actually it was kind of a GIANT pie plate). The pie I kept was baked in a vintage FIRE-KING pie plate I found a number of years ago.


Go out there and cook for someone else and don’t expect anything back.


SOLI DEO GLORIA

The Rich The Few

TODAY

Joseph Basil (myself), Mark Andrew, Emmanuel

Seven years ago today, August 23, I took my first vows (fundamentally Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience) with The Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. It seems like a short time ago. It seems like a long time ago. This is a photo from that day.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Jalapeño Hummus

Jalapeño Hummus



My sister sent this recipe which is easy to whip up in moments.

(you can find her blog HERE; I recommend it!)

She made it for my niece who doesn't even like Hummus - and my niece LOVES IT! I am not going to even type it out.....

You can find the recipe HERE

First picture is my batch

Second picture was my sister's batch - I lifted that pic from her Facebook page

I couldn't find a 1/3 cup can of jalapeños at my terrible large grocery store full of things I DO NOT WANT! So I purchased the ONLY sliced jalapeños they had and measured out 1/3 cup. Everything turned out fine.

I find it very tasty myself - an interesting intersection of Middle Eastern and Mexican/American flavors and textures.





SOLI DEO GLORIA

African Sweet Potato Stew

African Sweet Potato Stew

My sister and my mother raved about this. I happened to be at my mother's up in the Twin Cities over Memorial Day. My mother sent some of this recipe home with me. I gave some to a friend home in Chicago before trying it. My friend called me and asked for the recipe. I tried it. It is good. ALSO Easy to make. I like the taste and the texture! I really don't know how "African" it is, it might be African like how French - French Toast is.

My sister found this recipe on line HERE

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cups chopped cabbage (to save time, use packaged slaw mix)
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1 18-ounce can sweet potatoes, drained and chopped
1 14 1/2-ounce can tomato wedges or diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
3/4 cup apple juice1 to 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups frozen cut green beans
1/3 cup natural peanutbutter



1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Add onion; Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Mix in cabbage and garlic; Cook, stirring, until cabbage is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tomato juice, apple juice, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low; Cover.
6. Simmer until hot and bubbling, about 6 minutes.
7. Stir in green beans and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. 8. Stir in peanut butter until well blended and hot, about 1 minute. 9. Serve stew with crusty bread and a salad, or spoon it over rice or mashed potatoes.


Comments
6 Servings
Per Serving:
261 Calories; 8g Protein; 9g Fat; 40g Carbohydrates; 0 Cholesterol; 425mg Sodium; 8g Fiber.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

RADISH

I haven't gone away. Just working and recovering from work. Today just a picture. I received as a gift today these radishes which were picked today, grown just steps from where I live. I am whipping up a batch of CURRIED QUINOA WITH CHICKPEAS AND ALMONDS. The radishes will be my crudite or garnish.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

INTERNATIONAL NURSE'S DAY & FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

I’ve had fun this week posting Romance Novel bookcovers depicting nurses on my Facebook page. Young ladies in starched white uniforms with cinched waists emphasizing other endowments. All this because in the United States it is National Nurse’s Week, which culminates on May 12. May 12 happens to be International Nurses Day. May 12 was chosen as the day for International Nurse’s Day because it is also the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is considered the pioneer of what we think of as contemporary nursing emphasizing hygiene and sanitation. Florence Nightingale’s work established nursing as a distinct discipline requiring education. Florence Nightingale was born 190 years ago today, May 12, 1820 in the City of Florence within modern day Italy (hence her name Florence). Florence Nightingale used what we refer to today as “evidence-based-practice” in her work in hospitals in what we now know as Istanbul during the Crimean War; greatly reducing death-rates.


This year - 2010 marks the centennial anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s death in August 1910. The Episcopal Church notes here life near her death date of August 13. Words about Florence Nightingale on the Episcopal Calendar can be found here.

An 1856 lithograph of the Selimiye barracks as a hospital during the Crimean War.

I say all this as a contrast to the images that are part of the collective cultural unconscious within the United States of what nursing is and who nurses are. I know this first-hand. I am a nurse. First and foremost, I am a male in a female dominated profession. Sexism in our country – nurses continue to be seen by some as helpers, handmaids. Some patients equate us with waitresses. Some believe women go into nursing to find physician spouses. I’ve dealt with a few male physicians who swoon when they are able to converse with young female nurses (who happen also to be very adept clinicians); but the same physicians bristle in having to deal with me, a male nurse.

I am here to tell you first-hand that nurses are some of the strongest, toughest, most courageous people I know. I work the PM shift. After all the visitors are gone and we are dealing with abusive patients, patients withdrawing from alcohol and drugs, patients who are just plain grumpy from being chronically sick and nurses are there to receive that information. We are there dealing with the scores of elderly with dementia – I have chased more than one of your loved-ones late in the evening who have taken off their gown, removed their own heart monitor and IV access and are walking naked down the hall to who knows where.

Since being becoming a Registered Nurse, I once greeted a patient family, introducing myself to the patient and patient family in the room. A quizzical child noting my gender asked his mother, “why is that guy a nurse?” Right in front of me the mother’s answer was, “because he couldn’t get into medical school.” as if I weren’t even there. While I corrected them telling them I never wanted to be a physician (actually I wanted to be a physician for a couple weeks in the fifth grade – what I really wanted to be when I grew up was a pharmacist). – the family wasn’t buying it. I was their waitress for the evening.

I am here to remind one and all that nurses historically have been and very much are educated professionals as the compassionate caring persons they are. Nurses are able scientists using data and observation to analyze injury and disease. Nurses are the social workers when the LCSWs have gone home. We counsel the crazed and truly afraid.

I also maintain that hospital administrators believe we are caring for the smiling active alert and oriented seniors on the brochures and annual reports about the hospital. They don’t want to know about patients who throw bedpans at workers.

Being a bedside hospital nurse is incredibly difficult work (I was warned by more than one before embarking on this journey). Being a bedside hospital nurse is emotionally taxing. At the same time being a bedside hospital nurse is incredibly rewarding and is a far cry from being a bean-counting-mugwump in a beige cubicle. I love the people who work with me shoulder-to-shoulder caring for patients and solving problem. A favorite nursing professor of mine suggested to us that going into the nursing profession will cause great and sometimes uncomfortable spiritual growth. She was right.


So here’s to International Nurse’s Day and our Lady of the Lamp.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

SMALL SIMPLE THINGS

Cripps Pink Apple

I received this apple (Cripps Pink breed) as a gift from a brother in my community today. Small simple things and actions bring me such joy.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

LILIES OF THE VALLEY

There are scents at certain times of year that are like no other. This time of year it is Lilac and harder to find Lilies of the Valley. Somehow they’ve taken hold on the boulevard in front of my building in Chicago.

SOLI DEO GLORIA

GLORIOUS EATING FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS

One wonderful cookbook I happened upon in a thrift store was one called, “GLORIOUS EATING FOR WEIGHT WATCHERS”

You can see the cover here.


For those that know me, know I am a proponent of the Weight Watchers program. Those who know me well know that I used to be an employee of the Weight Watchers Corporation.

I obtained this gem when I was working as a Weight Watchers leader for the Weight Watchers Corporation.

What is wonderful / shocking / funny is the back cover.


A VERITABLE ORGY OF WESSON OIL.

This cookbook is really a cookbook to encourage you to get MORE WESSON OIL into your diet.

This soft-cover cookbook was published in 1961, the year I was born.

The cookbook is (like me) nearly a half a century old.

To put things into focus/perspective – this book was published in 1961, but it wouldn’t be until 1963 when Jean Nidetch would start her “Weight Watchers” meetings which would be the beginnings of the Weight Watchers corporation.

When I got this cookbook, there was a coupon from some periodical inside – which was used as a bookmark.

The coupon expired on July 31, 1964.

All in all, the art direction in the cookbook is good. The recipes are well written and interesting. After I test a couple I may share them here. They are; however, not really weight-management friendly, knowing what we know today. There are however, weight management menus and suggestions that really would still hold up today.

To me the me the best part of the cookbook is that it includes that genre of mid-century
graphics. Minimal. Modern.


I love the exuberance captured here.


SOLI DEO GLORIA