Sweet Basil Kitchen

Faith Filled Friday

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Jane @ Sweet Basil Kitchen

What is Controlling You?

I confess, I don’t like to be controlled…I would much rather be the one in control. My human nature thinks I know best. Today we read about the love of Christ controlling a person. This is a picture of the love of Christ grabbing hold of someone; holding them firm and strong. When this love captures our heart, we live with an eternal perspective. It means that this world holds a dim view in light of eternity.

“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on, we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have know Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-16

I know when I am famished I have a single-minded focus to satisfy my hunger. I am compelled to find food! Whatever it is that directs our actions is that very thing which also controls us. Our love for Christ should compel us to bring glory to God. Of what value is a belief in Christ if it doesn’t so compel a person to live as Christ lived? The love of Christ not only constrains us, it enables us to love and obey the Bible. That love causes us to understand that all of His commandments are imposed for our own good.

The love of Christ gives us the motivation and the strength to do the things that we need to do in order to be pleasing to God. We could not do it on our own. Our own personal determination and willpower is not enough. The love of Christ in the life of a believer is at work in us, renewing us day by day. It is only when we are inspired and strengthened by the love of Christ that we find the strength to live as God would have us live.

The compulsion of the love of Christ should be the driving force in a Christian’s life; a compulsion to tell others of our faith and a conviction to live out that faith. When we grasp the amazing love of God for sinners like us, the only reasonable response is to share it with others. When the love of Christ dominates us, we are going to have a heart that He has. It is not fear that constrains us, or “hems us in” but His love toward us!

When you are constrained by the love of Christ, it will move you to respond to the needs of the people around you. It thrusts you into action without stopping to rationalize. The constraining love of Christ will keep us away from what Satan seeks to ensnare us in and motivates us to act with His love and compassion.

Constrains, controls and compels… What force is driving you?

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Vegetable Panini’s

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Jane @ Sweet Basil Kitchen

Need a quick, but hot hearty sandwich? What about a panini? Check out my blog today for a few easy steps to sandwich happiness! I am always looking for ways to eat more vegetables and less meat and today’s panini fit the bill perfectly.

Several years ago I received a panini grill for Christmas. While we lived in our small apartment, my panini grill was packed away, so once moved, I resurrected one of my favorite kitchen toys! They work by pressing the sandwich between two heated grills connected by a hinge. This allows both sides to be cooked at the same time. You can also use your Panini grill to grill vegetables, such as long slices of zucchini and peppers.

I chose spinach, bell peppers and mushrooms for the vegetables along with some grated organic cheddar cheese. I always buy organic spinach and if possible bell peppers. (depending on price and availability in the supermarket)

I keep sprouted whole grain bread in my freezer. This is considered a live food product with no sugar and no flour. Read about this amazing bread here. Instead of mayo or butter, I mixed up equal portions of apricot jam (fruit sweetened) and Dijon mustard. Spread a small amount on the inside of each bread slice. Layer the veggies and cheese on the bread. If you have previously roasted or grilled veggies, it works better, but I sliced my peppers and mushrooms thin and they cooked up fine…with that little crunch that I adore!

Grill until bread is nicely toasted and melted cheese starts to ooze out!

Slice and serve…and enjoy to the last bite!

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Pomegranate Parfait

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Jane @ Sweet Basil Kitchen

Recently our large extended family celebrated an early Christmas. Every family brings a favorite plate of goodies which results in an array of candies, cookies, chips and dips. Since a number of us try to eat as natural as possible, I wanted to bring something that was nutritious as well as festive. Our local supermarket has had beautiful and reasonably priced pomegranates the past few weeks. While they are in season, I keep a half a dozen or so on hand. The amazing little seeds, or arils inside pomegranates are perfectly suited for juicing or eating whole on salads, yogurt, or as a topping on any other food you love. They are delicious, tangy, and light up your taste buds when you eat them.

I peel my pomegranates in a large bowl of cold water. If I work under the water, it doesn’t splash and pomegranate juice stains miserably! Each fruit will yield hundreds of beautiful arils!

The ingredients for this parfait are arils from 2 pomegranates, organic frozen wild blueberries, homemade granola (recipe here), non-fat Greek yogurt, 1% cottage cheese, coconut nectar, vanilla and berry stevia.

Read about the health benefits and how to order, here.

Place 1 1/2 c. yogurt and 1 1/2 c. cottage cheese in blender. Add 1/2 c. coconut nectar, 2 t. vanilla and 1 dropper full of berry stevia. Blend until smooth. (Order berry stevia here)

Starting with granola layer ingredients in a glass bowl. Top with the pomegranate arils and garnish with some Christmas holly atop a dollop of vanilla cream.