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The Long Way ‘Round

by ladypbwiggins

Sometimes I find myself questioning God about Carl’s healing. I know without a doubt that he answered my prayer that fateful night quickly and clearly. He confirmed it every step of the way in the hospitals and rehab through nurses, speech therapists and Carl’s progress. Yet, here we are almost 4 years later and there are still areas that are not completely healed. The brain trauma due to a lack of oxygen caused by the several episodes of ventricular tachycardia still affects his memory sometimes. He says it’s like being in a fog and when it clears he remembers. I guess I didn’t think it would take this long. I asked God why was it taking so long? Was I doing something to slow down the progress?

One day while reading Exodus, I believe I received my answer. In Exodus 13:17,18 God says He led the people along the path of the Red Sea rather than the short route through the Wilderness of Sin because the wilderness took them through the land of the Philistines. The Philistines were large in size and proficient in war.

So it happened, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearer; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war [that is, that there will be war], and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea; the sons of Israel went up in battle array (orderly ranks, marching formation) out of the land of Egypt.

EXODUS 13:17‭-‬18 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/exo.13.17-18.AMP

It jumped off the page. He didn’t choose the shortest route. They were not ready for what they might encounter. Think about it. They had not needed to war for 430 years. Egypt handled that. He took them the long way so that they could learn.

  • Learn Him and His ways;
  • Learn how to strategize;
  • Learn how to fight;
  • Learn to be His nation

More questions. What had I not learned? I realized maybe it wasn’t about me. Maybe there was more for Carl to learn; maybe for us to learn together. Hmmm…

Thank you Lord for “the long way ’round.”

I’m Back!

by ladypbwiggins

I have been away for a while. I had too many random thoughts that it just tired me out or so I thought. Actually, I was just overwhelmed with life obligations and my brain and body refused to do anything that was not absolutely necessary. I couldn’t organize my thoughts. My randomness was random. I realized one morning that I was suffering from a mild depression. It’s interesting how it can just sneak up on you. I’m fine now. Life is good. So much I want to do and share. More random thoughts are coming.

Professionally Natural

by ladypbwiggins

Why can all other people groups be considered professional looking with whatever hairstyle they choose to wear. Why do we have to apply chemicals and heat to our natural texture to be accepted professionally. The message you are sending is, “no matter how educated or experienced you are, no matter how qualified you are, if your hair doesn’t imitate white European texture to help me overlook your black skin you are not good enough.” Of course those aren’t the words used. You speak in code, i.e., you don’t look professional. Well, I went through this over 40 years ago. Many have proven that their professionalism has nothing to do with their hair texture. It is a product of character and hard work. So just be honest. It’s not professionalism, it’s not white, it’s not straight. I remember the uproar about cornrows in the workplace. Then Bo Derrick sports them in the movie Ten and suddenly it was acceptable. She was a beautiful, white model and actress. I will leave that right there.

My real issue is with “educators” who demean black students during an already vulnerable stage in their lives. Their image of themselves is critical for developing a good mental attitude and that affects academic success. Some choose to chemically or heat relax and that’s okay. What should be equally okay are those who choose to keep the texture with which they were born. Good grooming should be expected and that’s it. Additionally, hairstyles reflect creativity. Creativity requires thinking. Is that what you fear? Thinking black people, especially kids? Embrace them and their uniqueness. When students feel respected and accepted, behavior and production improve.

I invite you to read this Time Magazine article for more incite. http://amp.timeinc.net/time/4909898/black-hair-discrimination-ignorance

You may be denying yourself the experience of greatness shown by your students.

MAGA!?

by ladypbwiggins

Waking up to the news that this weekend gas prices could rise to $5 a gallon was just another thing that made me wonder how great we will become. There are other things that make me question like the treatment of people of color, but this affects everyone. E-ve-ry-one. If this rise happens and continues through the summer we will experience

  1. Increased food costs
  2. Increased utility bills
  3. Increased clothing costs; Anything that has to be transported.
  4. Reduced vacation opportunities
  5. Reduced income in tourist dependent cities
  6. Reduced employment i.e. layoffs in those tourist dependent communities.
  7. Potentially an increase in hunger and homelessnes

Okay now I am getting depressed. Can someone please tell me how this direction is making us great? Our allies feel betrayed. Large consumer markets are in jeopardy like China. I have a lot of smart friends. Can you help me see it please?

A Big Mistake, Good Results

by ladypbwiggins

Three tasty uses from a big mistake.

How hard could it be? It’s just a form of soybeans. #Tofu. It’s all about tofu. I found a recipe on #Pinterest. It was simple. That was weeks ago. So on Saturday I went to the #99RanchMarket to get some hoisin sauce and I ran across a bag of dry soybeans. I thought now is the time for tofu. On Tuesday I cooked the soybeans in my #PowerPressureCooker. I pureed 1/2 the batch. After all this is an experiment. I added lemon juice from a whole lemon and a little white vinegar so it would kurd. A few bubbles formed but no curds.

What did I do wrong? I didn’t re-read the instructions!

I wasn’tsuppose to cook the soybeans first, so now what? What can I do with this slightly fermented soybean puree?

My Tasty Results

  1. #buttery spread. I blended some with a little salt and avocado. Delicious.
  2. #salad dressing? I added 1/2 avocado to 2 cups of puree, #Kirkland no-salt seasoning, 1/2 jalapeño, and smoked paprika to my Vitamix. Then I added water until I reached the desired consistency. Hubby loved it.
  3. #Oil-substitute in waffles. I will try it in other breads.

Those ideas worked so well I am anxious to use the rest of the bean puree in desserts and meat substitutes.

Follow me on this vegan journey.

Tofu next time.

Asian, Vegan, Oil-Free

by ladypbwiggins

Recently I had a craving for good Chinese Lo Mien. I found a restaurant that does not use MSG. I tried it. It seemed very oily to me. Disappointed. I decided to give them a second try after discussing the oil quantity with the restaurant. They explained how they prepared the lo me in and that much of what I thought was oil was a combination of a small amount of oil and Hoisin sauce.

I am now on a quest to adapt good Asian recipes to our dietary requirements. I am beginning with Thai and Chinese. The resulting dish must be vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free. I welcome all your authenic tried and true suggestions or recipes.

Finally Oil-free Waffles

by ladypbwiggins

The struggle continues to find substitutes for oil that works in my food. I finally succeeded with my waffles. I have tried pureed applesauce with no success. Tried a blend of pureed applesauce and avocado. That was better but not quite right. Saturday I decided to try just pureed avocado. Success! I added this to my vegan, gluten-free mixture and found success.

Gluten-free vegan oil-free waffles

Now I will try this with my cornbread. Southern upbringing requires good cornbread. Anyone out there with a good cornbread recipe? Biscuits? Not sure I’m ready for green biscuits.

Back In The Kitchen

by ladypbwiggins

I am so excited. I have been trying for a while to create my own veggie burger raw and cooked. I have used other people’s recipes. Some were good and others not so much or at least not to my liking. What are my motivations for making my own. I could just buy them. Right?
Motivation 1. Mastering my refrig

I also wanted to confidently create my own with whatever I had in the kitchen. That’s what so many said they did in their experiments so why can’t I?
Motivation 2 Cost

Buying them can be a budget buster. They are expensive. Here in Texas they are approximately $4.50 and up for 4 patties and they may or may not be vegan.
Motivation 3 Satisfying The Cardiologist

This is the hardest. Carl’s doctor has so many requirements. First it was raw so the body could heal itself. Then it was you can add in cooked but must be vegan,gluten-free, oil-free and clean as possible. Vegan was easy. We had already eliminated dairy and most flesh. Gluten-free required learning how to use different grains and seeds and the flours made with them to make waffles, bread etc. Keep in mind the raw, clean and oil-free parameters. Oil-free is easy to understand but no so eary to accomplish. You don’t want dry burgers, or dry anything. Still working on that one. Then what’s clean.

Clean eating is a deceptively simple concept. … At its simplest, clean eating is about eating whole foods, or “real” foods — those that are un- or minimally processed, refined, and handled, making them as close to their natural form as possible. fitnessmagazine

Minimally processed is the kicker. How can you know if it is minimally processed unless you make it yourself?

I finally found a recipe from The Spruce Eats that was very close to the #Dr. Praeger patties that I buy and fit within the parameters set by the Doctor. So with a little modification here is my offering.

Recipe

1 2/3 cup beans (this was a mix of kidney, lentils and leftover black)

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 c chopped on onion

1/2 c chopped yellow bell pepper

1/2 medium fresh jalapeño

1/2 medium avocado

1 Tbls brown rice flour

1 tsp chia seeds in 2 Tbls of water

3 Tbls of liquid aminos or to taste

Pinch of cayenne

Mix all ingredients in a food processor until well blend. Form patties and bake at 375° F for 45 minutes or desired firmness.

The brown rice flour made them a little crusty on the outside but were moist on the inside. I will try next time with oats instead of quinoa.

7 burgers that were 4″ in diameter and 1/4″ thick

The flavor was great and now that I’ve made them it will be a quick process next time.

I would love to read your comments and don’t for get to follow me at Pat’s Random Thoughts

Experimenting With the Leftovers

by ladypbwiggins

This is not about regular leftovers. This is about the leftovers from the vegetable broth. I pureed the cooked vegetables. I thought creating a veggie burger recipe with them was a good idea. In theory, yes. In reality, not so much.

Has anyone tried this? Tell me about your experience.

I will try again!

All In The Head

by ladypbwiggins

It’s been a little over a year since we began this raw vegan/vegan lifestyle change. I have learned how to prepare meals which is a real accomplishment; I never liked to cook. I am still learning because my husband’s cardiologist wants as much gluten-free, oil-free, clean food as possible. This is no easy task. Eating out is hard and cooking requires learning how to make good food with these substitutes. The journey has begun again.

I discovered one other thing, your mind is still the main battlefield. Occasionally my mind still test me when I am tired. Catfish and fried chicken, Chinese and authentic Mexican screams at me. The struggling vegan pops up and shouts substitute. That is my present objective; substitutes and the changing of my mind, again.

“…..but Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” Romans 12:2

This is the key to all lifestyle changes. It all begins with how you think. When you determine to make the change and settle it in your mind the rest is easy.