Mixed berry streusel on shortbread.

For a wile I worked on finding the best recipe for a streusel type bar.   I tried a lot of different ones.  This streusel has been developed out of several different recipes.   the bottom is a shortbread recipe that I changed ratio's just slightly but is pretty much the same as the original recipe.   The topping is a small amount of the bottom with extra sugar.  And for variations I have added to that: nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and other mulling type spices.   The filling is totally my own creation, I don't like a all jelly texture center, but I also don't want something that is just chunky fruit\berries mixed with sugar.

The way I do this is in a sauce pan cook my ingredients for a wile; whatever fruit\berry I use, sugar (and depending on fruit or berry, lemon juice or vanilla extract) and water.  Or sometimes I replace the water with a juice - with a citrus juice I leave the sugar amount the same.  With a apple or pear juice etc I decrease sugar levels about 1/4-1/2 cups.   After boiling the chopped/whole fruit\berries in the  liquid and sugar I pour it into a food processor where I blend it until its not quite puree'd but close runny but still some chunks here and there.   And then I return it back to the sauce pan and continue cooking until the mixture reaches a boiling point.  Then I add 1 tsp thickener (corn starch or potato flour, etc) and cook until reaches the right thickness.  Also remember when it cools it will be thicker then when hot.  

What Beth has been up to. . . .

This summer I worked part time as a server at Hot Licks Home Made Ice Cream Co, For about a month and then I worked full time as a supervisor (But was more like the manager) for about two and a half months.   This summer I went to McCarthy, with my boyfriend: Lee Person, and his family.  Dave, Renee', Ben and Wyatt.  And some of our friends for the Fourth of July Weekend.  (Go to Facebook for pictures)  My summer for the most part has been spent working and spending time with Lee.  

 Lee and I often go on drives, walks, hikes and places to take pictures, some of the places we've gone have been creamers field, two different gold dredges, rose hip camp ground to go fishing, took several trips up the Steese, drove to 112 mile Eagle summit a few weeks ago, etc   But more commonly just come over to one or the others house and have dinner together, read together, work on homework together or sometimes we will watch a movie. <3 

As far as my activities with childrens ministry,  I'm still a Jr. kids church assistant teacher but I quite working in the nursery at the beginning of this summer when I got  a preschool Sunday school class that I teach weekly; I enjoy that very much.  Since I quite working in nursery I am able to spend more time working in Jr kids church, which allows me to build stronger relationships with the children in my Sunday school class.  :-) 

  Since Hot Licks has closed for the summer, I got a job at Subway.  I applied there as a "last resort" type of thing, but didn't up having a interview and agreed to start working there after finding no better jobs for a wile, and getting worried about passing it up in case nothing else came along.   This job was very unprofessional and a liberal work environment, that lacked work ethic.  And I found one of my male co-workers that I was going to have to be around a lot incredibly offensive and objectifying.    Not to mention the job was frustrating for a food snob like myself. ;) :-P  Thankfully I only worked there for three days; and was offered another job at Petunia's Garden Bistro.  Which is a small cafe' inside of Holm Town Nursery:   A large, gardening store,  and plant nursery.  There, I work as a chef and Barista: (espresso goddess. . . . just kidding :) .. someone who makes espresso beverages ;) )  preparing daily specials (Sandwhiches, soups and rolls) and making yummy snacks to accompany them; cookies, breads, pastas and salads, cakes, desert bars etc.  And drinks, espresso ^  chais and  fancy soda drinks like Italian creme' sodas.   This job suits me much better, I enjoy my co-workers and am developing friendships with them quickly.  And I thoroughly enjoy my work, and am able to put myself into it and am learning from it and getting more experience in culinary arts. and its a more customer-interactive job which is nice.   I'm really thankful for this opportunity.  :) 

On the days that Lee and I wont be spending together, I plan to finish up a few academic things;  I'd like to increase my understanding of science.   I'm in the process of getting a driving learners permit so that I'll be able to have my license by spring and will be able to drive myself to work and whatever other outings I do.   

Lee has transferred to University of Fairbanks this year.  He's currently working on his associates  degree in business.  So he wont be leaving this year for Texas,  which means we will get to spend the whole winter together which I'm very thankful for.   -  Last Thursday we celebrated our anniversary of four years (of being in a relationship)   He picked me up from work and took me out to a lovely Italian restaurant, afterwords he started his clever and really fun treasure hunt by giving me my first clue written on a piece of paper that clue took me to several other clues all written on paper and hidden in various places throughout town, the hunts secret ending destination led me to a hidden present for me. :) After that we went for a drive to another "secret location" :) and enjoyed some hot drinks cuddled in lots of blankets together to watch the night sky.  Where we saw the first little snow flakes of the year.    Don't worry they didn't stay. :(   

That's about it....

~   Beth.  

The Smoothie Post

  

So over the last several months I've been drinking and experimenting a lot with different kinds of smoothies.   Its a convenient and fast breakfast choice, especially for some one like me who doesn't fancy the majority of American breakfasts.    Its also very nice because its healthy, low in calories and actually helps you lose weight, and of course its brain food.    Although when veggies and fruits are blended in this fashion the longer you wait to drink it the less nutritional value it retains as time passes.   Here is a list of my recent favorite smoothies.    Saving the best one for last of course.

•  Unfortunately I don't have pictures for every smoothie.   •

Delicious Tropical Smoothie

1 small pear - peeled and sliced.  

1 large banana - peeled and cut in to chunks.

1 8 oz (1 cup) can of chunked pineapple w/ packing juice. 
 

1/2 cup frozen blueberries 


1 packet nu-stevia  



Add pear, banana, blueberries and pineapple with packing juice -  blend until smooth, stop machine and add the nu-stevia blend for 30 seconds.    Best cold (blueberries keep it cold for a wile)



Options:  
Add 1 or 2 large ice cubes to serve. 
Add a a bit of whipped cream. 
Add fresh blueberries to the top.
Add 1 sprig of mint.  

Protein smoothie version:  Do everything as above except add 1/2 cup strawberry or blueberry yogurt. (Or other fruity yogurts)
__________________________________________________________________________________ 

 Moca blendie 

1 Banana - peeled and chunked

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled (Or if your blessed and own your own espresso machine 2 shots of espresso, chilled.)

1 cup crushed ice.

2 packets nu-stevia powder.  

2 tbs chocolate syrup.

In the blender add:  Banana, coffee, stevia,  chocolate and vanilla.   Blend thoroughly, add ice and pulse to lightly combine. 
___________________________________________________________________________________ 

*Blueberry Burst*

1 banana.

1/3 cup frozen blueberries.

1 packet nu-stevia powder.

1/2 cup orange juice.

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon - or nutmeg.

1 tsp fresh lemon juice.

Add all to blender,  pulse til blended.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Cheese cake heaven smoothie

1 small piece of your favorite cheese cake w/ crust. ( Although I'd be Leary of  chocolate cheese cake for this desert.)

4 oz of vanilla ice-cream.

1/3 cup milk.  

Slice the cheese cake up in to fourths, add to blender with ice cream: Pulse, add milk blend until desired consistency.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Strawberry banana zester . . .   

(My Favorite)

5 large fresh strawberries - stems removed (Frozen can be used to, but fresh is better in this smoothie) 

1 banana - peeled and chunked.

1 12 oz can of chunked pineapple in 100% pineapple juice, Use five pieces of pineapple, and all of the pineapple juice.

3/4 of the zest of one small lime.

2 packets nu-stevia powder.


Combine all in blender,  blend until very smooth.


• Cooks note:  Placing can of pineapple in freezer for five minutes before making the smoothie, chills the smoothie quite nicely. 
 
  
• Cooks note:  all of these smoothies can be made with 2 tsp + of sugar instead of stevia. 

Peach Ice-cream!

So lately,  in my anxiousness for summer I've been reading about the proper ways to make ice-cream.  I have several different flavors I plan to work on: Peach, Coffee, Vanilla, Chocolate, Vanilla blueberry, Strawberry and Cheesecake.    I'd like to have at least four of these perfected by summer.   Now this is a new endeavor for me  -  So I've so far only worked on one flavor,  Peach.   Which if I may say so, turned out pretty amazing for my first try.     The only "side notes" and "adjustments" I will do to my recipe is 1/3 cup less sugar, and upon churning I will only churn half of the batch at a time.     Allowing the finished product to come out smoother and firmer then without being flakey and frosty-like, but also not like a milk shake.    Doing smaller batches at a time has really helped that.   I've also found that other sweeteners such as stevia are also quite possible options in ice-cream making.   Of course,   taking the different amounts of stevia vs sugar into consideration is important.   As one cup of sugar in ratio of sweetness that it will have on the dish would be equivalent to around 1 1/2 tb of stevia powder.  - Wednesday I plan to buy some more heavy cream and such and try a coffee ice-cream.     Until then: here is a picture of my peach ice-cream.   I'd be happy to share my recipe if anyone would like it.  :-)

are we to blind to find the way.

 Is it true what they say,
Are we too blind to find the way?
Fear of the unknown cloud our hearts today.
Come into my world,
See through my eyes.
Try to understand,
Don't want to lose what we have

We've been dreaming
But who can deny,
It's the best way of living
Between the truth and the lies

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,
This is not the end.

Fear is withering the soul
At the point of no return.
We must be the change
We wish to see.
I'll come into your world,
See through your eyes.
I'll try to understand,
Before we lose what we've had.

We just can't stop believing
'Cause we have to try.
We can rise above
Their truth and their lies.

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,
This is not the end.

Hear the silence
Preaching my blame.
Will our strength remain
If their power reigns?

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,

See who I am,
Break through the surface.
Reach for my hand,
Let's show them that we can
Free our minds and find a way.
The world is in our hands,
This is not the end.

Things to ponder.

What is evil?

Is evil a physical thing, or something that was created? is it a entity that has always existed by its self and doesn't need any thing to exist ( Humans, devil etc ) Does it even exist? 

- My opinion:  Evil is the absence of God.   Its everything that isn't holy.   its the exact opposite image of God.  So is a real physical thing?  - Yes and no, but its not a created thing.   It's a choice rather or not to be like God: Righteous.   

Are all people Evil? Are you a sinner simply because you have a sin nature?  - what is a sin nature?  Where did it come from?  Have we always had one? 

All people aren't evil, because all people who have believed and act on their faith are redeemed by Christs blood.   Hence why we can have a relationship with God.   Because we have been redeemed.   if we hadn't we wouldn't be able too, because God is completely pure, justified and holy.   And God cannot dwell with evil.

No, not all people are sinners, yet. the bible says all have the ability\choice to be perfect.   But none will.   So, people aren't born inherently evil.   People are born pure and clean.  With a tendency to sin.   Once they make a choice to sin or not.   Is when they become a sinner or remain sinless (Jesus)   What is a sin nature?   A sin nature, is a nature\ tendency? to sin.   But it doesn't make us sinful.  Unless we act upon that nature.    Then we become a sinner.     My ultimate take on sin nature is the ability to see what good is and what evil is, and the ability to choose to do one or the other  - the sin nature comes in, in the fact that our nature is leaning towards the sin aspect.   Its not that we are destined to sin.   We still have the choice.   its just none after Jesus will choice to never sin. 

We didn't have a sin nature until Adam and Eve sinned.   -   if eating from the tree was a sin, and Adam and Eve knew so ( They knew God told them not too, and to not disobey God ) Then how did they not have the Knowledge of good and evil until after they sinned?  ....   I'd argue that they didn't have the Knowledge of evil - but had the Knowledge of good (God) hence why they had to be deceived to eat of the tree.     Once they made their choice: to sin.   Not only did they immediately know it was wrong, but they knew completely what wrong was,  and they knew shame.   So without sin, there is no shame.

Why did their choice to sin cause the rest of humanity to have a sin nature, and know the difference and be able to be tempted by the Devil.   And the Devil be able to have power over people who are not believers?

This is how I think about it.   Image our world today,  completely sinless, completely shameless and guiltless.    everyone is in perfect harmony with each other,  there is no hate (because hate is a sin) everyone is consumed with perfect pure love for another.  -  Now image that somewhere in the world\or heavens there is evil or rather the opposite of God.   (The devil, and all his followers)  Now, if people don't have the Knowledge of sin.   Or evil, or have the temptation to sin.   What hold\tempting could the devil possibly have over people?  - That's why it was so important to get us to have the Knowledge.  And once there was the Knowledge,   Not only will every person be tempted.   But that was when the first sin was done.   We know from the gospels that satan had no power over Jesus.    Because Jesus was perfect and holy.   So, he has no power over perfect and holy people.    Not only does he have no power but he really cant even do much.   So, my opinion is.  Once Adam and Eve sinned.   it unleashed the devil and his army to be able to ..tempt people.     I kinda think that before since people where perfect and holy he couldn't even do anything to them.   (why he had to deceive them first)  So once they sinned, and made the choice to take part in evil.   Evil existed in the earth.   And since evil existed satan had power.     Sadly for satan.   he still...just can't get the victory though.   :-)  


So, in essence evil is when we chose to sin.   Evil cannot exist in a perfect life.   -  Evil isn't physical evil is the result of people\angels choosing to be the opposite of God: satan, all the other fallen angels.  etc.     And No, God didn't create evil.   It wasn't created, it was chose to exist - by satan.   And was farthered on and unleashed by Adam and Eves decision.

...life..

. . . . . . . .