Hey ya'll! It feels like a lot is changing here in our household and family. I am "in kitchen" for a couple months. So, sometimes when the mornings are busy, I need something quick for breakfast. Overnight oatmeal (oatmeal parfait) is great. One of the great things about this recipe is you can change it to fit just about everybody's taste. 

Ingredients:

1/2 of oatmeal
1 cup almond milk or milk of your choice or water
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla, and or cocoa powder, cinnamon, etc...
sweetener of your choice
Chia seeds
yogurt or cottage cheese
bannanas, peaches, blueberries.....

Here's how you make it! 

Heat oats, almond milk and water in a pan until almost cooked. Mix in vanilla, sweetener, cocoa, cinnamon, etc... 

Now layer- oatmeal, cottage cheese or yogurt, fruit and chia seeds. We usually layer the ingredients about three times. Put the lids on and place in refrigerator until ready to use. This is enough to satisfy a large appetite, so you may need to adjust it a bit.

You can change the order of the layering if you want. Most of my family likes it when we put fruit at the bottom of the jar. Sometimes we use peaches and others bananas or apples. Be creative and have a good time!

Comment and tell me the combinations you come up with! Hope you enjoy the recipe!

                               Blessings!
                                       Lydia :)
                                    

Hello everyone!

We have been getting ready for so many things recently. Passover....Unleavened bread......Emily's graduation.....Joe and Naomi visiting. This year my family and I are going to Tennessee to celebrate the spring feasts. I can't wait! 
So many things to look forward to!

One of the things I did to get ready is make Granola, yum!

Here's the recipe that I use:



GRANOLA

1 stick of butter

1/2 C coconut oil

1/2 C olive oil

1 C honey

12 C rolled oats

1/2 C chia seeds

1/2 C sesame seeds

1 C sunflower seeds

2 C raisins or chopped dates

1 Tbsp cinnamon

In medium pan add: butter, coconut oil and olive oil. Heat on low heat until melted. Add: honey. Stir well, until melted. (Can add 1 tsp vanilla.) In large plastic bowl put: rolled oats. In coffee grinder, grind: flax seeds, chia seeds and sesame seeds. Add to bowl. Add  raisins and cinnamon. Mix wet into dry ingredients, a small amount at a time until very well mixed. Let set for 30 minutes. Preheat oven on 275*. Spray 9X13-inch pans or cookie sheets well. Put granola in pans just until all of bottom of pan is covered (about 1/2 inch). Bake 15-20 minuets, until golden brown. Take out and let cool on racks. Use a spatula to remove. Can store for 3 weeks or more.

Well, I got to go!

Blessings, Lydia

Preparing to be a Stay-at-home Wife*

The title of this post comes from a thoughtful question that was asked of us by a reader of our blog. (everydaysetapart. com)  Here is what she asked: “How [do you] prepare to be a stay at home wife while being a stay at home daughter?”

 First of all, I would refer back to the Daughters of Yah series we posted back in July. These are articles written by young women (some stay-at-home daughters, some not) that are all desiring, seeking, and walking in God’s will for their life. All of these daughters are beautiful and unique- as they should be! God never intended that we all be perfect little replicas of one ideal.

Think about it like this- in America we all follow (or *should* follow) the same laws but within those laws there is freedom and diversity; Joe can be a Goat Herd on a mountain; George can be an acrobat and Charlie can open a Kosher Deli. God’s Word is our Christian Law and within that Law there is freedom and diversity; Naomi can study herbalism, farming, and agriculture; Samantha can choreograph her own dances and form a dance team; and Elizabeth can continue to develop her cooking skills while also taking online classes on business management. It would be a tragedy if George decided to open a restaurant because that’s what Charlie is doing (and Charlie is an excellent example of godly manhood! Shouldn’t George try to be like him??). Or if Charlie stopped pursuing his potential business because Joe’s life looks so radically different from his own. God calls us all to do different jobs and to different ways of life- So let me encourage you to be who God has called you to be, not who He’s calling Samantha to be! If you ‘seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness’ your life will be different from everyone else’s and very different from the worlds ideal.

 While my sister, Naomi, was a daughter-at-home she had certain skills she sought to develop, such as; understanding and applying Scripture, herbalism, farming, agriculture, prenatal care, midwifery, mothering/child rearing, and hospitality. The way in which she pursued each of these interests might be different than the way you pursue them, if you choose to pursue them at all. She also devoted time to helping at our local food pantry/women’s shelter and thrift shop and Nannying for our neighbor. Maybe God isn’t calling you to that particular type of ministry. Naomi was able to use all these skills as a daughter-at-home and Yahweh knew that Naomi would eventually use the knowledge and materials she acquired as a stay-at-home wife. Yes, that’s right! Naomi’s life as a stay-at-home daughter prepared her to be a stay-at-home wife! If Naomi had tried to emulate the way someone else lives her life as a stay-at-home daughter then she would not have been as well prepared for her life now, as a wife to Joe. The skills she pursued as a stay-at-home daughter laid the perfect foundation for what she is learning and doing now, as a wife. 

Here’s a look into my life right now. My skills and interests are somewhat different from Naomi’s but we still have some things in common. I am seeking to develop skills in writing, painting, cooking, menu planning, and nannying - as well as increasing my knowledge of Scripture and its application, the Hebrew language, biblical health, and fitness, parenting and wifering (My Definition: Skills that are involved in being a good, biblical wife… surprisingly much the same as being a good daughter, sister and friend… but not exactly).

 I am also following Yeshua’s (Jesus) example of a servant by serving as receptionist at a few of our local Life Centers (a pro-life organization) and shadowing in the counseling room in order to become a Peer Counselor myself. It’s important to remember that this type of outreach may not be possible for all stay-at-home daughters. I only have four younger siblings (Clayton and Sherman are 12 and 14; Lydia and Emily are 16 and 18) who do not require ‘looking after’ or cleaning up after (or shouldn’t ;) ). Also, Emily and Lydia need to learn important homemaking skill too! It wouldn’t be right for me to take over all the menu planning, cooking, cleaning etc… Don’t leave your sisters without opportunities to help in your eagerness to prepare. But also don’t leave all of the homemaking responsibilities to others while you pursue your own ministries. I have time to pursue outside ministry and you may not, that’s okay!  We have no farm with animals (however, we’d like to, eventually), no elderly grandparent(s) or pregnant mom that needs my help… do you get my point? I have time. In my life, right now, I have time! And you may not. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have time for outreach because you are doing “within-reach” by ministering in your own home. If cooking needs done, then cook. If it’s cleaning that your mother needs help with, then clean. Every life is different. But if you have the time, resources and your parent’s approval, then be the hands and feet of Jesus to the needy. 

In her book, No More Wasted Years, Olivia Brodock suggests ways that women can build their skill set for both stay-at-home daughterhood and marriage. Taking a counseling course is one of the recommended things. I have wanted to volunteer with Life Centers for years but I didn’t know how, and I was too young to pursue a position as a peer counselor. Reading that suggestion in her book reminded me that I am old enough now. I talked with my parents and they agreed with Olivia; everyone at some point will offer counsel to someone, so you might as well know how to do it in a biblical, compassionate and loving way! I feel that the training and, one day, actual counseling has and will continue to equip me with skills needed to be an active listener. Being an active listener will enable me to become a better sister, friend and one day, wife.

 Olivia also talks about goal setting, the importance of serving your family and how we should never stop learning. While I don’t agree with everything in Olivia’s book (such as her recommended reading list), I did find her book to be helpful and thought provoking. No More Wasted years is written in short, to-the-point chapters that are able to be read even on a busy day.

 If you’re having trouble filling your days as a stay-ay-home daughter then maybe this book will help you with the different ideas Olivia gives. Talk with your parents and see if they have things for you to do at home first! 

 Lastly, I’d like to remind us all (including me!) that it’s important to have balance. Remember the past, so that you can learn from it- but don’t live in it. Look to the future, so that you can prepare for it- but don’t live in it. Live today. Obey what God has for you to do today. Obedience today is the best preparation for tomorrow.

Bethany

*in case it isn't clear enough from the post;  being a stay-at-home wife or daughter does not mean that we stay at home all day, everyday. In fact, the opposite is true! I am busy inside and outside the home! A stay-at-home daughter is a woman who chooses to remain in her parents home until marriage. Living at home has many advantages to both daughter and parents, spiritually, financially etc. However, it is not for everyone, every situation is different.

This is a picture of the yummy shakes.

So I was looking for something to have for dinner one night and I found this on www.food.com. It sounded really good so I decided to try it and it was good! Below is me modified version of the recipe, I hope you enjoy! 

Ingredients:

6 cups vegetable broth 
2 Tablespoon tomato paste
4 cups chopped cabbage

1 cup green beans
3 cup chopped kale
1 yellow onion
1 cup carrot
8 garlic cloves (or more!), minced 

2 cups navy beans, cooked
1/2 teaspoon basil 
1 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste 

1. Spray pot with olive oil and saute kale, onions, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes.

2. Add broth, tomato paste, cabbage, green beans (I used our home-canned ones), navy beans, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.

3. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes until all vegetables are tender then add Zucchini and simmer for another 5 minutes or so.

Serves about 12

We also really liked putting milk or plain yogurt in each bowl when it was ready to serve.
. 

Be happy and Healthy! 
                   Lydia

No one likes to have a cold! The stuffy nose, sore throat and maybe coughing, it can drive you nuts! But what can you do once you have it? Lydia has put together some tips that will help you relieve some of the typical cold symptoms. -Bethany 
Tip #1:
My mom has found a super easy recipe for natural cough syrup. You can take a spoon full of it straight or mix it with some hot tea. I prefer the tea method. When I tried it, it really soothed my throat! Here's the recipe.


Cough Syrup

1/4 cup Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Lemon juice
3/4 cup Honey

Mix all the ingredients together and store in a glass jar.

Tip #2:

If you feel a cold coming on, drink apple cider vinegar diluted in water. It will lessen the effects of the cold. This can also help while you actually have the cold but it isn't pleasant for a sore throat. 

Tip #3:

One of the best ways to relax your throat and stop coughing (When you CAN'T stop coughing) is to suck on really dark chocolate (80% or darker). I know sounds like it would make you cough more but it really helps! 
 
Tip #4:

Have a vaporizer in your room at night. If you like to use essential oils; peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus are some great oils to put in the vaporizer's cup.

Tip #5

Hot soup also helps. Bethany made up a really good recipe for soup, she is going to post about it soon.

Tip #6

Make sure you're getting enough sleep!

These are some tips that my family finds helpful.

If you have any tips or suggestions please share them!

Blessings,   

Lydia

Hello everyone! My name is Kaity and I’m 21 years old. I was born and raised in and out of the “church” until I was about 10 years old. My Family and I came into the Hebraic Roots/ Messianic movement about the time I turned 6. Growing up I believed that Yahweh (God) existed, because of all that my parents instilled in my siblings and me. Instead of grasping the deeper concepts and meanings of the Bible for myself, I just went along with whatever my parents did. My own personal growth seemed stagnant. As we were growing in learning Torah, we had absolutely no one to fellowship with and no teachers to learn from. But after a move to a different state when I was 15, we discovered that we were not alone. There we found a fellowship of like-minded believers and my spiritual growth started to blossom. Today, I can honestly say that I have more of a deeper understanding of who the Creator is and what the Bible says. I praise Yahweh for my parents making the choice of looking deeper into the scriptures and realizing that the church was missing something. Personally, I don’t know what lies ahead in my future. But I do know this, the Creator of the universe has a plan and a purpose for my life and I can’t wait for Him to reveal His amazing plan to me as I grow in Him.

What makes you, you?

Let me paint you a picture of how I see myself. I am a person who loves and cherishes life and strives to honor YHWH with all my heart. Weekly, I look forward to our fellowship meetings on Shabbat and our monthly H.U.B.(Hebraic Understanding of the Bible) meetings, where people come from around Indiana to study together. I’ve learned much through these venues and, of course, I enjoy meeting other like-minded folks, too. I love to have a good time. Even though I am 21, I still enjoy playing with children; it keeps me young at heart. :)  My favorite hobbies are baking yummy deserts, crocheting, knitting, playing the piano, taking walks, understanding history (especially American History), reading a good book, volunteering at a Therapeutic Riding Center and most importantly spending time with family. 

Are you involved in Ministry?

At this time I am volunteering at a couple of different organizations. The first is a women’s shelter. There, with a few of my friends, I help sort out clothes and items donated to the center to be sold in their thrift store. The second place I volunteer is a therapeutic riding center. This riding center offers classes for children to adults with disabilities like Autism, Down syndrome, ADD, ADHD, etc. This is an amazing blessing to watch the interaction between the students and the horses. It is our job to help them prepare the horse for their ride and keep them safe while riding and interacting with the animals. Working with these organizations enables me to have the opportunity to share with others what I believe and in turn I learn not to take for granted the blessings and abilities that He has given me to share.

What words of encouragement would you give to other young ladies who are seeking to please the Most High with their lives?

I would encourage young ladies to keep on striving to do the will of our amazing Father. Pray, study YHWH’s Word, memorize verses and most importantly, don’t believe anything you hear, test everything you hear. If you think about it, our walk is like that of a fish swimming against the tide or current. The world is the tide or current and wants to drown us but YHWH’s Truth sustains us at all times. We just need to ask our Heavenly Father for His protection and guidance for our lives.

2 Thessalonians  2:16-17 states, “And our Master יהושע Messiah Himself, and our Elohim and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good expectation, through favour,  encourage your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."

Kaity

Edit- Kaity has a blog, stop by for a look! daughterofyhwhathome.weebly.com

It's a Flip-Flopped Friday because an un-healthy dessert was flipped and made into a  healthy one!

I love peanut butter. Growing up my mom would occasionally make Frozen Peanut Butter Pie. Not healthy.
Basically it was a pie that contained refined sugar, cream cheese (which isn’t too bad… but it’s not from healthy grass fed cows or goats), refined sugar, whipped topping, peanut butter (not the two ingredient kind, if you know what I mean), and refined brown sugar. 

Recently my mom asked me to make this pie to take to my grandparent’s house- actually she asked Naomi to make it and I volunteered to make a healthy version instead. 

So here’s the challenge- How do you make a healthy peanut butter pie? Even if I used our home made peanut butter and replaced the refined sugar with (slightly) less refined sugar it would still be full of refined sugar, hydrogenated oils, corn syrup (from the whipped topping) and enough calories to feed an army. 

After some brain storming and recipe book searching, I turned to the resource I always turn to when I just can’t do it
on my own…google. 

Googling “healthy peanut butter pie recipe” brought up an abundance of “healthy” peanut butter pie recipes… Not healthy… I don’t know exactly what’s in low-fat peanut butter but I bet it isn’t any healthier than sugar-free whipped topping or fat-free cream cheese. 

My second search (“healthy frozen peanut butter pie whole food”) brought up exactly what I was looking for. Five results down the page was a link to Chocolatecoveredkatie’s blog and a recipe for “No-bake Peanut Butter Pie”.
I skimmed the recipe ingredients and felt confident that this pie would definitely be healthier that the one I ate growing up. Bananas, peanut  butter, vanilla, salt, coconut oil and only a small amount of honey (or stevia)-enough calories to feed half an army but it is all whole foods that weren’t made in a factory! And a crust recipe that didn’t require store bought graham crackers?  *bonus* :) 

So, now you might be wondering, did it taste good? Was it as good as your mom’s pie? 

The answer is more complicated than you may think. I thought it was one of the best desserts I’ve ever tried, but I also prefer a healthy dessert to a non-healthy one. If you usually like whole food desserts better than their highly refined alternatives then you will probably love this recipe. But if you always prefer store bought ice cream to banana ice cream then you will probably find this recipe less than satisfying to your sweet tooth. 

Chocolate Covered Katie has become my all time favorite dessert blog. Check out the Peanut Butter Pie Recipe by clicking this link- Chocolatecoveredkatie

Have fun!

Bethany

p.s. I made this for Shabbat tonight and it was very tasty! Minus the peanuts I threw in for crunch, they weren't such a big hit :p