Cool Down

Daniel and I have been married for over a year now. I cant believe how comfortable we are with each other. I know this is how marriage is supposed to be, but I never thought I would be as laid back as I was with my own family growing up. Sometimes I feel like I am back home with my brothers pre-adulthood. I have a feisty personality and sometimes have a problem with raising my voice. :(  Although Daniel and I are the perfect ones for each-other, it doesn’t mean it’s perfect all the time. We have had our share of heated conversations, and I know we will have more in the future. However I have just learned a key for successful heated arguments  conversations. 

I learned this while making a Dark Chocolate Raspberry 4 Layer Cake for my book club. I was running a little behind schedule and wanted to finish up the cake. The cake had only been out of the oven for 15 minutes (which meant it was still pretty warm). I decided to go ahead and frost the cake. Mistake #1. The two layers seamed to be doing just fine, until I laid the third layer of the cake on top. The bottom layers of frosting had begun to melt! The cake was sliding every which way. It just so happened that my close to perfect husband wanted to talk to me while I was attempting to save the cake. Mistake #2 I was pretty flustered and not in a loving place. I became pretty defensive to what ever he was telling me. In a moment, a moment only the Holy Spirit could create, I heard him tell me to take a break and cool down. I told Daniel I needed 10 minutes and I would be back to talk. I walked to the bedroom and laid down. When I stepped out of the kitchen into a safe place of our bedroom I was able to realize that my husband loved me, my book club friends don’t really care what cake looks like as long as it taste good, and I over reacted due to stress.  I was able to come back to the front room, kiss my man and listen with an open mind to his needs....and the cake was salvaged as well. (looking a little sloppy, but still tasted great) I guess sometimes we just needed to cool down. :)

 Jewels from Proverbs

13:3 Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything.

14:29 Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.

15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.

4-Layer Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cake

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa

1/2 teaspoons baking powder

 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Garnish: fresh raspberries

Preparation

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, and make a well in center of mixture.
2. Stir together eggs and next 3 ingredients; add to dry ingredients. Beat at low speed with an electric mixer just until blended. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9-inch round cake-pans.
3. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until cake begins to pull away from sides of pan and a wooden pick inserted in center of each layer comes out almost clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
4. Split layers horizontally. Spread Raspberry Filling evenly between layers. Spread Dark Chocolate Frosting on top and sides of cake. Garnish, if desired.

Raspberry Filling

Ingredients

1 cup fresh raspberries

Milk

1/2 cup butter, softened

5 cups sifted powdered sugar

Preparation

1. Process raspberries in a food processor until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Pour puree through a fine wire-mesh strainer, pressing with the back of a spoon; discard seeds. Add enough milk to equal 1/2 cup.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with raspberry mixture, beginning and ending with powdered sugar. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.

Dark Chocolate Frosting

Ingredients

1. 6 tablespoons butter, softened
2. 2 2/3 cups sifted powdered sugar
3. 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa
4. 6 tablespoons milk
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Combine powdered sugar and cocoa; gradually add to butter alternately with milk and vanilla, beginning and ending with powdered sugar mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
2. Tip: To prevent a white dusting on your chocolate cake layers, dust cake pan’s with cocoa instead of flour.

Fuel

With gas prices that have been through the roof all year, I have thought a lot about fuel. The cost it takes to fill up my V8, how many hours of work it takes to pay for that, and locations that have quality but cheap gas. Before I was married I would run my car down to the last drops before filling up. My husband has informed me that our car performs better and longer when filled with gas. That letting our vehicle get as low as it did actually wears the car out faster...hmmm never thought of it like that. 

I guess it’s the same in life too. If I take a week off from the gym it take 2-3 workouts to get back on track and receive that extra energy. When I go until 11ish to fuel my body with “food” (coffee is not a food group people) I don’t get the most out of my mornings. I have such a hard time getting momentum for the day going. When I let my spirit run dry, it regretfully encounters pain usually to get me back on track.  

Why is it hard to fuel up? Well just like gas, it will cost us something, and take a little time and effort. But there are benefits, just like my car, we will get more out of life if we are fueled up. I know that in order for something to stick I have to see the value in it.........  

*Quite time with the Creator of the universe= I am reminded of who I am in HIM, that I have a purpose, today matters, and it’s all about Jesus.

*Eating breakfast= Helps improve concentration and performance at work or classroom. It gives me strength and endurance for the gym or physical activity, and lowers cholesterol. 

*Exercise= Have you heard the expression “Use it or loose it?” Well it’s true. Exercise keeps us physically fit and reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. It also improves our appearance and delays the aging process!

My goal for the rest of August is to make fueling a top priority. I hope you join me. xoxo Daniela

Red Velvet

I’ve just made 100 Red Velvet Cup-Cakes for work on Tuesday! I have been daydreaming about starting a catering company someday for years. Today I am one step closer. I was curious about the history of red velvet cake. So I went about a very extensive google search :). Funny thing is no one really knows, it’s kind of a folklore. 

I like to imagine a women in her kitchen attempting to make a chocolate dessert for her family, realizing she didn’t have enough coco powder to make a chocolate cake; she got a little creative. When she saw the cake looking grayish (lack of chocolate) she decided to add food coloring. She went with the red...well because- who would eat a green or blue cake? And then as she set her warm beautiful cake on the table, her family stood to applause her mad baking skill and amazingness. The end.

Colossians 3v1-3 “ Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sit’s at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is HIDDEN with Christ in God”.

Red velvet is a basic butter/white cake with red food-coloring.  But the secret to this red cake is the faint hint of coco powder hidden within. We are called to be like coco powder, hidden in Christ. When we walk through our daily life, it is not Christ hidden in us, but we in him. When we place our lives in Christ hand’s, we move from an ordinary life to an extraordinary adventure. Who knew cake could be so spiritual? I guess I’ll go eat more cake in the name of Jesus!

Beaches to Brave Heart

My mom asked me the other day how I was feeling, after yet another doctor’s appointment.  Off the cuff I said, “Mom, my emotions are caught somewhere between Beaches and Brave Heart.”  Yep that’s right – my feelings were caught somewhere between Barbara Hershey and Mel Gibson, at the same time.  I felt as if I was on my death bed, handing over my look-alike daughter to a friend who had made our friendship all about them, and I wanted to yell... ”Can’t you see I’m dying?!”  Then the next moment I could imagine that I was covered with homemade blue paint, wearing a potato sack, screaming “FREEDOM!!!” and charging the battle field of life next to Mel (pre-drama) Gibson.

Funny thing is I think a lot of us live on an emotional roller coaster.  I myself have struggled with depression several times in my life.  For a season I even needed pharmaceutical help.  The problem with living by our emotions is that we make “how we feel” a chemical imbalance excuse, when we need to wake up and remember that we have an enemy.  The word tells us that Satan’s goals are: to kill, steal, and destroy.  I don’t like to spend a lot of time thinking about him, but to walk in complete denial of his presence only lets him win. 

Case in point - a few days ago, Daniel left for work and I was all alone with my thoughts.  Next thing I knew I was staring off into nowhere, filled with gloom and despair.  My first reaction was to call my mom or girlfriends.  But my gut told me to “go to the throne before the phone.”  I listened.  I stood up, and prayed my way out of the funk.  I will continue to win this battle field of the mind.

Tips for pressing in and through:

*Stand UP - Literally stand up when you pray.  Walk the hall, street, or circles in your room.  When we stand we engage our bodies and incorporate our “whole self” into being involved with our minds.

*Get Dressed - Ephesians 6:13-18 says to put on your spiritual Armor!  We have been given a helmet that guards our mind, a breast plate that guards our heart/emotions, a belt that holds up truth, shoes fitted with the Gospel of peace, and a shield of a saving faith (that puts out those arrows).  Most importantly, don’t forget your SWORD!  Lift that sucker up.  Read the Word and remind yourself “Whose” you are!  Let’s face it - although the sweats are comfortable they can keep you lethargic and lazy.  (This is that great excuse you’ve been looking for to treat yourself to some “prayer” clothes.)

*Play some worship music - Charge the atmosphere.  Worship reminds us of who God is.  Sing along!

*Call a fellow Warrior - Get your prayer warrior posse on prayer alert.  There are times I couldn’t press through and I needed my husband and/or friends to stand in the gap.  (Hey - there’s a reason Mel didn’t charge that field alone, you know!)

Beautiful

What a beautiful week. Hosted my amazing Monrovia girls book club, Daniel and I both went back to work, and I launched this lovely blog. Thank you everyone for all the love, support and encouragement. Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

Rest

When I got sick this past year one of the hardest things I had to learn to do was rest.  I was used to living like a gypsy - working at least two jobs, staying up late, and saying “Yes” to every invitation.  After my second surgery, I had a month and half waiting period until my radiation treatment.  In that season I was living without a thyroid to help produce and balance out my hormones, metabolism and blood pressure.  There were days I couldn’t even lift my head off the pillow. But just because my body was forced to rest, didn’t mean my mind was. 

For us to be healthy we must rest; in other words, slow down and let God heal us.  He will bring rest to our mind, body and most of all soul. He will lead us to green pastures.  

Psalms 23:1-2 says: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures.

A green pasture does not mean a stocked bank account or organized kitchen cabinets.  I believe a green pasture is a spiritual place God provides for us in our Spirit, Soul, and Mind; a place of surrender and letting our loving Shepherd meet our needs.  I promise you, if you do not make yourself rest our loving Father will. 

I am not a mommy to a child yet, BUT I am to an adorable Lab/Pit mix named Spotter.  I love watching Spotter pass out for her naps.  No one needs to tell her it’s time for a nap … she just does it.  Today, I encourage you to be like Spotter. If your body and/or spirit are telling you to rest - then do it!

Balsamic Reduction

When I look back on our first year of marriage, I am shocked at what we have lived through.

Two things I now know for sure: 1) God is good!  No matter what happens in life, He is good.  2) I married the right one, and it has made ALL the difference. 

Life threw us some curve balls this year, by way of cancer, unemployment, and several other tough situations.  We got on our knees.  It was dark ... but with time in Jesus’ presence, I was able to stand up and say, “Jesus make me more like you."  Looking more like Jesus can vary from day to day: from speaking hope and peace to someone else in the waiting room on my surgery day to standing in grace when the Army EFMP’s (Exceptional Family Member Program) had lost our paper work once again, or even doing the dishes when it wasn’t my turn.  But by being available and letting Him use me for each of these tasks (just to name a few), I found joy and freedom from the fear of the unknown.

Have you ever smelled balsamic vinegar?  It’s bitter.  It burns your eyes, overwhelms your nose, and makes your tongue shrink up from the tartness.  But when it’s reduced (cooked down) by 75% it is the sweetest addition to any home cooked dish.  There were many days I felt like vinegar.  My pain made others shrink back.  My life was overwhelming and it took over the atmosphere in a room.  Father God met me right where I was.  He exposed the stink in my personal life, scraped it off and left both Daniel and I a little sweeter - a stronger more pliable spirit than just over a year ago.  If you ever make a balsamic reduction (which I recommend you do) it takes time.  It will cost you the smell of your home for a bit (nothing a good candle can’t fix), and your eyes and nose might burn.  But just as it is with life, in the end, you will have a beautiful product that was worth all of the effort and tastes great. 

Balsamic Reduction

You need:

A stainless steel sauce pan

12oz of Balsamic Vinegar

A squeeze bottle ( I found mine at Sally Hansen Beauty Supply Store)

Pour vinegar into sauce pan.  Bring to a boil and reduce by 75% on medium heat, or until vinegar turns into a glaze.  This will take about 25-30 minutes.

*Want to be super fancy ... Add a few dried figs to balsamic while reducing and you will have a flavored reduction.  Make sure to toss figs out once vinegar is reduced.

Leave at room temperature for a few minutes to cool slightly before pouring into a plastic squeeze bottle.  Store in refrigerator.  Before use, set balsamic reduction squeeze bottle out until it comes to room temp.

  

I love to drizzle my balsamic over fresh sliced tomatoes and basil, sprinkled with olive oil and a dash of salt. Serve with a hearty slice of mozzarella.....and that's called love.

Blogger for one year....

God speaks to me. Yep, I said it. He does. This may be a foreign concept to some, but for blessed little ‘ol me It’s normal. My dad often spoke to my brothers and I in analogies growing up. When we had been in heated discussions regarding who had to do the dishes, or our curfew’s, he would bust out a simple story that would drive home his point. I like to think I have this ability as well. Jesus taught in parables. They were relatable stories. God often speaks to me in Target’s organizing isle, during a run, and in the kitchen next to my trusty red Kitchen Aid. He speaks, and I listen. Sometimes it’s just for me, other times I find my husband and friends benefit as well. 

So Here is my go at a blog page.  My one year anniversary to my hot hunk of love Husband is July 24th. This date has become like a new birthday. A moment in time that helps measure out a year. So I am going to blog for one year what the Lord is teaching me in my everyday life, starting this week!