FOOD FOR THE BODY

CHICKEN ENCHILADA CHILI

(adapted from http://www.5dollardinners.com/)

Serves: 5

Points: 3

1 c. homemade or store-bought beef broth

1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste

3 T. homemade taco seasoning

1 T. chili powder

1 (15-oz.) can red beans, drained

2 c. cooked black beans (canned is fine, rinse and drain)

1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes

2 c. cooked and shredded chicken

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven whisk together the beef broth and the tomato paste, plus about one can worth of water. Stir in the taco seasoning and chili powder. Add the red beans, black beans and tomatoes. Stir, heat through and simmer for ten minutes. Stir in the chicken. Simmer a little longer. (If simmering longer than 15 minutes, cover to prevent liquids from evaporating.)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Faith and fear cannot coexist." (Elder Kevin W. Pearson, "Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ," Ensign, May 2009, 40)

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Deal with the Matter Directly

Can I just tell you. . . I love the gospel? Today was wonderful. Our Teachings for Our Times lesson was based on the address: "Turn to the Lord," by Donald Hallstrom from April, 2010 conference. It was awesome. He talked a lot about not becoming offended by others or discouraged when hard times come your way. Here is the quote that stood out to me. (Actually, it was more like a charge from a lightning bolt.)

"If you feel you have been wronged--by anyone. . . or by anything (the death of a loved one, health problems, a financial reversal, abuse, addictions) deal with the matter directly and with all the strength you have. "Hold on thy way" (D&C 122:9); giving up is not an option. And, without delay, turn to the Lord. Exercise all the faith you have in Him. Let Him share your burden. Allow His grace to lighten your load. We are promised that we will suffer "no manner of afflictions save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ" (Alma 31:38). Never let an earthly matter disable you spiritually."

I LOVE THAT! 1. Handle problems directly and with all our strength. 2. Never give up. 3. Without hesitation, involve the Lord in the matter, having faith that He can and WILL lighten the load. And that last line: "NEVER let an earthly matter diasable you spiritually."

At one point in her lesson, the teacher asked what we can do to "turn to the Lord." One sweet lady, Ruth, my 81-year-old adopted grandmother, said that each time she is faced with adversity, she simply says a prayer asking the Lord to, in His own time, allow the trial to become a blessing. She noted that WITHOUT exception, every trial she has faced in her life has blessed her in some way. I was moved to tears by her simple, but mighty faith.

I hope that I will never allow a rude comment (such as the one that upset me the other day), an unkind glance, a judgement passed, or any other outside, earthly event rob me of the ability to live my life with grace and dignity, knowing that I am the Lord's and that He loves me. I hope that as challenges arise, I will consistently think of the Lord as my first helper and as my lifeline. I am full of love for Him and His promised assistance and watchful care.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

PUMPKIN-CREAM CHEESE SPREAD (from http://www.bhg.com/)

Serves: 24

Points: 0.5

1 (8-oz.) package of light cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. canned pumpkin puree

1/4 c. sugar

3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Serve with graham crackers, fruit, bagels, pretzels, or whatever (additional points).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

". . . I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of this work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don't turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because of Your Faith," General Confernce, October 2010)

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Loved and Guided, In Need of Prayers

I'm ba-ack! Needless to say, it's been a little hectic in my world this month. I have been keeping insanely busy with my family, work, my new mega-sized calling, and the peak of photography season. Sadly enough, I have slipped a little on my goals, both spiritual and for my health. Sigh.

I'm not gonna lie. Today was hard. I had a cruel comment made to my face about my weight, saw a shocking picture of myself, and I'm back to that point where health-wise, I just feel YUCKY. Also, my husband and I have gone through some craziness with our jobs lately, in the form of getting hours cut back, etc. (And believe me, the ETC. was BIG). But, here's the thing. . . I have had discouraging days (such as today), but overall, I still feel loved and guided. My kiddos and I have upped the ante (spelling?) with our prayers that Tyler will be able to find a higher-paying job soon and that we will receive the guidance necessary to get us through all this. It's been a neat experience to hear our kiddos pray FOR us. It is touching to know that their tiny little prayers are added to our pleas. And humbling. They are such wonderful examples of faith.

I am almost embarrassed to ask, but if any of you could offer a quick little prayer for our family at this time, I would appreciate it so much. And I would love the opportunity to pray for any of you who are struggling with anything. It's always so comforting to know that prayers are going up. Thank you all for your patience and love. I love you right back!

FOOD FOR THE BODY

DELIGHTFULLY BAKED APPLES (from http://www.skinnytaste.com/)

Serves: 4

Points: 3

2 large apples, cut in half
2 T. butter, melted
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. flour
4 T. quick oats
pinch of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350º. Cut apples in half and remove core and seeds with a small pairing knife or spoon.In a small bowl combine butter, brown sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon. Spoon on top of the apple halves and sprinkle with cinnamon. Place on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Serve warm with fat free whipped cream or low fat ice cream (additonal points).

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with ‘Thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).” (Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 46 )

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT-SO Much Pain!

This week has been...interesting. I hurt my back badly on Tuesday. It was feeling better by Thursday, but then one small mis-move, threw it out again. This time, I could hardly even move, and when I was moving, the pain was EXCRUCIATING. My sweet daughter tucked all the kids in bed (and the dog), then helped me get settled in my own bed. She soon fell asleep and so did I. My husband was working a grave shift and had no idea I had hurt my back again. I woke at about 12:30 in the morning with the most pain I have felt since giving birth, with no epidural, to my nine-pound baby boy. At this point, I could not move one inch. The phone was only an arm's length away, but I couldn't get to it. I wanted to call my husband so badly, but I couldn't. I wanted to call my dad to come and give me another blessing of comfort, but again, it was impossible. I wished my mom, a retired nurse, was there to help alleviate the symptoms, but she was across town, sleeping soundly. I also thought of my brothers, one of which is a physical therapist. Surely he would have some great exercise I could do, or could help me maneuver myself off the bed and into a less painful position. Or maybe my other brother, Mark, could help, as he has had bad back problems for years. But I couldn't reach any of them, and my poor, exhausted children couldn't hear my calls for help. So I laid there, helpless and alone.

As the pain came in waves of agony, it occurred to me that I really wasn't alone. I called out (literally) to my Father in Heaven to deliver me from the pain, or bring me help. Then, I thought of another medical "expert" --my Savior. He had already felt this pain in my behalf. He understood what I was feeling and how to alleviate it. I knew that although the phone was out of reach, my voice could still be heard, through prayer. I prayed and prayed, and though the pain didn't subside right away, it lessened enough that I could bear it until Tyler got home several hours later. Then my sweet, sweet husband, helped me out of bed (OUCH!) and into the living room, where I was able to feel a little better.

It was a humbling experience. I feel so blessed to have had this reminder of my need for the Savior. I am never alone.

Update: Yes, I am feeling much, much better today. :)

FOOD FOR THE BODY

APRICOT-GLAZED PORK ROAST (from http://www.recipegirl.com/)

Serves: 6

Points: 6

2 to 2½ lb. boned, rolled pork loin roast

½ c. apricot preserves

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. dried thyme

Preheat oven to 325°F. Unroll roast; trim fat. Re-roll roast; secure at 1-inch intervals with heavy string. Combine preserves, mustard, and thyme in a bowl; stir. Brush 1 Tablespoon apricot mixture over roast. Place on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Insert meat thermometer into thickest portion of roast. Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until meat thermometer registers 160° (slightly pink), basting once with apricot mixture. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Bring remaining apricot mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and cook 2 minutes. Serve with roast.

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Get out the Kleenexes!

I LOVE these videos! Enjoy. You may want to scroll down and hit pause on my music player in the sidebar before you watch it so you can hear the beautiful music.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

PEACH AND BANANA BRAN MUFFINS (from http://www.pinchmysalt.com/)

Serving Size: one muffin

Points: 4

6 oz. dried peaches (about 1 c.)

boiling water

2 T. vegetable oil

1 large egg, beaten

1 1/4 C. buttermilk

2 ripe bananas, mashed

1/3 C. brown sugar

1 C. whole wheat flour

1 C. unbleached all-purpose flour

1 C. wheat bran

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. mace (or substitute nutmeg)

1/2 C. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin. Cover peaches with boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes; drain and cut into coarse pieces. In a medium bowl, stir together oil, egg, buttermilk, bananas and brown sugar; set aside. In a large bowl, combine both flours, wheat bran, baking powder, soda, salt and mace; whisk together well. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. Don’t over mix, but make sure the flour on the bottom of the bowl has been stirred in. Fold in chopped walnuts.

Spoon the batter into 12 greased muffin cups, filling the cups to the top. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 – 22 minutes. Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT-Importance of Scripture Study

"...being in the scriptures is one way we receive the Holy Ghost. Of course, scripture is given through the Holy Ghost in the first place (see 2 Peter 1:21; D&C 20:26–27; 68:4), and that same Spirit can attest its truth to you and me. Study the scriptures carefully, deliberately. Ponder and pray over them. Scriptures are revelation, and they will bring added revelation." (D. Todd Christofferson, "The Blessing of Scripture," Ensign, May 2010, 35 )

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Feasting Upon His Love

I read the most beautiful verse this morning and wanted to share my thoughts. I was reading in Jacob 3 and I LOVE verses 1-2:

". . . Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause. . . "

"O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and fest upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm forever."

It struck me that all the promises in these two verses are CONDITIONAL. Do you remember in high school geometry, learning about "if, then" statements? This verse is an "if, then" statement as well, meaning that in order for the promise to be fulfilled, something must first be added to the equation. So, in my nerdy way, I wanted to write verse one in equation form:

look to God+firmness in mind+prayer+exceeding faith=consolation in afflictions+mediation+justice

There are tons of these "if-then" statements in the scriptures. I had an institute teacher once teach us to look for three different types of scriptural passages:

1. Principles
2. Doctrines
3. Storylines

Principles are "if-then" statements. They are conditional upon something. Doctrines are true regardless of actions on our part. An example of a doctrine would be "there are three degrees of glory." Storylines are just that; they are verses that tell the history. I have used this framework to study my scriptures for many years. As I am marking my scriptures, I simply write "P" for principle, "D" for doctrine, or "S" for storyline in the margin. This has been a great help for me in my scripture study. It helps me to better understand and focus on what I'm reading and understand what I need to do to claim the blessings that can be mine through righteousness.

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--My Father in Heaven

I love soup! Can you tell by the last few recipes I've posted? Growing up, my mom was FAMOUS for her soups. She made THE best beef stew, taco soup, chowder, vegetable soups, ham and bean, chicken noodle. . . you name it! I loved watching (and smelling) her prepare it, too. None of this canned convenience stuff. Her soup was truly a work of art and a labor of love. A good pot of soup would take her at least an hour to make, often more. She was expert at turning a fridge-full of leftovers into a tasty, masterpiece of a meal. This week I've made soup three times, in anticipation of Fall and to better utilize the bounty of my garden. And each time, I was so grateful for the lessons my mother gave me. As I served up these bowls of love, I felt closer to my mommy.

Thinking along these same lines, I wondered what my own Heavenly parents are like. I wonder what they have passed down to me. I wonder what things they long to teach me. I know that some might feel that thinking this way could be considered sacrilegious, but our church teaches that our Heavenly Father loves us tenderly and intimately, which is doctrine I cherish.

In college, I sang in the institute choir and served in its leadership program. Our director, Brother Castleton was an amazing man. He loved each of us so much. He had white hair, a round belly, and twinkling eyes. He was so kind to us as he taught us not only about music, but about life. I remember once after we finished singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," in rehearsal, the spirit was so evident. Many of us actually had tears running down our cheeks that day. He stopped and waited for a minute or so, respectful of that moment, then quietly and reverently said: "Brothers and Sisters, that is the Spirit of God. Remember how you feel right now and never do anything that will offend the Holy Ghost."

I imagine my Heavenly Father to be a lot like Brother Castleton. In fact, sometimes when I pray, I imagine his face. I love the quote by Ezra Taft Benson:

"Nothing will startle us more when we pass through the veil than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar His face is to us."

I look forward to that day! I love him so, and it means worlds to me to know that He loves me even more dearly.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Love of God," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 21 )

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter. Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect."
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Continue in Patience," Ensign, May 2010, 56 )

FOOD FOR THE BODY

HEARTY SPINACH AND SAUSAGE SOUP (from http://www.pinchmysalt.com/)

Serves: 6

Points: 6

1 T. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

2 stalks of celery, sliced

1 lb. red potatoes, cut into bite size pieces

5 – 6 c. chicken stock (homemade, or low-sodium broth)

1/2 c. pearl barley

1 lb. mild Italian sausage

1 large bunch of spinach, thick stems removed, roughly chopped (about 4 cups, packed)

salt, to taste

herbs or seasonings of your choice – I used some fresh thyme

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes or until onions are softened. Add potatoes, 5 cups of stock, and barley. Turn up heat, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30-45 minutes or until barley is tender. Meanwhile, squeeze sausage from its casings, crumble and brown it in a skillet. Drain fat and set the sausage aside. When barley is tender, add spinach and sausage to the soup and fresh herbs if you are using them. Add more stock if necessary or desired, bring soup back up to a simmer and let cook for another 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"[The] early Saints were indeed homeless, but they were not hopeless. Their hearts were broken, but their spirits were strong. They had learned a profound and important lesson. They had learned that hope, with its attendant blessings of peace and joy, does not depend upon circumstance. They had discovered that the true source of hope is faith—faith in the Lord Jesus Christ." (Wilford W. Andersen, "The Rock of Our Redeemer," Ensign, May 2010, 16)

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Press Forward

It's time for another verse dissection! I love to pick apart verses that I've heard a million times to make sure they haven't become so familiar that I miss out on their beautiful messages. Today I was reading a good old scripture mastery verse. . . 2 Nephi 31:20:

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father, Ye shall have eternal life."

Wow! What a beautiful passage this is! It almost seems like a little syllabus from a Professor, doesn't it? First, we are told to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. I noticed in the footnotes, the words commitment, dedication, perserverance, steadfastness, and walking with God. Am I fully committed to live the gospel of Christ? Am I dedicated to the cause of building up Zion? Am I willing to perservere through adversity, doubt, my own weaknesses, and all other difficulties that are simply part of life? Am I steadfast in my devotion to the Savior? Do I walk each day with God, exercising faith in His will for me?

Then I love the phrase "a perfect brightness of hope." I love that we are actually commanded to hope. God knows that it will take time for each of us to reach our spiritual potential. He also knows that at times, we are bound to become overwhelmed with the task of becoming our best selves. But here, He offers us a lifeline...hope. What a beautiful message of abiding and understanding love from a Father who cares about each of us on an intimate level.

Next I wonder if I truly love God. I mean, of course I love Him, but do I show it in all my actions? Do I love my fellow men or am I so caught up in the minutia of life, that I rarely think of others?

Do I have the courage to press forward, even when life is hard? What about during the times when my faith is tested? Am I feasting upon His word as if my very spiritual life depended on it? Do I hunger and thirst for what He alone can offer?

Will I endure to the end? I have often wondered exactly what "enduring" implies. I think I now have a glimpse of its meaning...in verse 16 of this same chapter it explains: "...unless a man endure to the end, in following the example of the Son..." Again, this is such a beautiful message!

If I can live my life according to this verse, I get....eternal life! Exaltation! To live with my Father and with my loved ones FOREVER! Sounds like a pretty good deal, doesn't it? I am so thankful for this specific verse and for the lessons it teaches me about the gospel and about the love of a Father and a Brother.

FOOD FOR THE BODY

WEIGHT WATCHERS CORNBREAD (from http://www.laaloosh.com/)

Serves: 8

Points: 3

1 c. uncooked cornmeal, yellow

1 (14-oz.) can of creamed corn

2 tsp. baking powder

1 c. all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 packets of Splenda sweetener

1 tsp. table salt

1/2 c. reduced fat buttermilk

2 large egg whites

2 tsp. corn oil

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat an 8-inch square cake pan with non-fat cooking spray (I prefer the butter flavored kind). Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, Splenda, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix well with a fork and set aside. Combine creamed corn, buttermilk, egg whites and oil in a medium bowl; mix until blended. Fold mixture into dry ingredients and blend. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely. Cut into 8 squares.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

“He is your beloved Heavenly Father, who seeks your good, your happiness. He desires with all the love of a perfect and pure Father that you reach your supernal destination. . . . All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan.” --Dieter F. Uchdorf

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--One Year

Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of Tyler's losing his job. I thought for today's post, I'd reflect a little on what this IMMENSE and challenging detour has meant to our family. It has been significant enough, that we have a invisible line through our family's timeline, delineating the before and after. All of us have experienced pain, confusion, anger, frustration, helplessness, and grief, but what has come as a sweet, merciful surprise is, that more often, we have felt guided, protected, and cared for. Here is a short list of some of the lessons of the last year:

1. Never take anything for granted. Now that Tyler and I are both working crazy schedules just to keep food on the table, our time together and at home is limited. As a result, we really make our family time count. No more sitting around, watching TV or playing video games. No more feeling picked on because of the countless tasks that need to be done. On my days off, I actually ENJOY cleaning now. In fact, I look forward to it! I now love doing homework with my kids. It has become a special, more appreciated part of family bonding. I love Saturdays, when I am able to clean, cook homemade meals, and take the dog for a walk: all things that I wouldn't have even thought twice about before Ty lost his job. I even love the opportunity to sink my hands into a sink-ful of hot, soapy dishwater, while watching my kids play tag in the back yard.

2. Always make time for family. Tyler and I have really had to improvise with our date nights, since money has been so tight. We now work in the garden, borrow movies from our parents, rather than rent them, go for long walks, and experiment with new recipes, where before, we would simply go to dinner and a movie. We have found these new activities to be even more romantic and FUN! A few weeks ago, we all wound up at home...together...at the same time! It was so unheard of, given the craziness of our hectic lives, that we decided to take an impromptu road trip to Arctic Circle in Tremonton, where we went inside and ordered 59-cent ice cream cones. It was actually heaven on earth, to sit there with my cherished family, all together and share such a sweet, appreciated moment with them. It's hard to explain how sweet that night together felt...

3. Just do it! The day after Ty lost his job, we both started the hunt for alternate employment. Three days later, I was hired to work at Farmers Insurance. Since that time, I have studied for and taken my licensure exam and now I am a Licensed Property and Casualty Producer. I also started my own little photography business, something I never would've had the guts to do, if not for the need to make more money a year ago. I am so grateful that I was led down these paths because my confidence in myself, and in the Lord's ability to help me, has grown immensely.

4. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Tyler and I have sort of switched roles during this whole ordeal. I have had to put myself in more of a breadwinner role. I understand more about what he struggles with day-to-day: the anxiety of going to work in the morning, the stress of work-related problems that are difficult not to bring home, etc. And meanwhile, he has had a chance to step into my shoes. He's realizing that it is hard work keeping a house, making meals, and helping the children with the schedules and studies. We really have learned to love and appreciate each other on a whole new level. I think we've grown closer in the last year than we'd ever been before.

5. Lean not unto my own understanding. Before this last year, I'd always just thought, "If we ever lose a job, we'll just find another one." But that wasn't God's plan for us. After applying for hundreds and hundreds of jobs--in his field and not--without much luck at all, we started realizing that maybe this is a crossroads for us. As we began praying and really searching to understand HIS will for our family, we came to the decision to have Tyler go back to school.

We are still learning new lessons daily. Though at times, I long for everything to just be "all better," as I look back on this trial, I can see glimpses of the good that have come. I long for stable employment, financial security, and fun trips, but even more, I long to be close to my Heavenly Father and to do things His way. And I know that He leads us daily and that His angels are around us to buoy us during the hard times. I can truly say that I wouldn't have it any other way!

FOOD FOR THE BODY

GRILLED SUMMER CORN AND CHIPOTLE "CHOWDAH"

(adapted from http://www.rachaelray.com/)

Serves: 6

Points: 6

6 ears corn
Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
4 slices smoked bacon, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 yellow-fleshed potatoes, such as Yukon gold, cut into small cubes
2 ribs celery from the heart with leafy tops, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 T. fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
2 canned chipotle peppers in Adobo sauce
One container vegetable or chicken broth (32-ounce) or (4 cups)
2 c. evaporated skim milk
Lime wedges, chopped flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped scallions and crumbles cotija cheese or queso fresco, for garnish (all optional)

Pre-heat a grill or broiler. Grill or broil the ears of corn until charred, 7-8 minutes (cover the grill to give the corn a smoky flavor). Scrape the kernels from the cob.While the corn is charring, in a soup pot, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, 3-5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate. Add the onion, potatoes, celery and garlic to the pot. Add the bay leaf and thyme, season with salt and pepper, cover the pot and cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Using a food processor, puree the chipotle chiles. Stir into the vegetables, then stir in the broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and keep warm. Rinse the food processor bowl.Add one-third of the corn kernels to the food processor, pour in 2 cups of the soup and puree. Pour the mixture into the remaining soup and lower the heat to a simmer. Stir in the remaining corn kernels, the milk and reserved bacon and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve the chowder in bowls with the lime wedges, parsley, scallions and lots of cheese.

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Sheri Dew Gems

SHERI DEW GEMS:

"It is in moments of disappointment, heartache, and loneliness that we often make decisions that forge our faith, mold our characters, and fortify our convictions about the only source of strength and solace that satisfies. And that is J e s u s C h r i s t."


"Our ability to successfully negotiate this spiritual minefield called mortality improves dramatically if we are clear about who we are and what is important. And what is important is eternal life."

"Yielding ourselves to the Lord, from whom we may obtain greater strength than we will ever muster on our own, is the only source of strength in this life and happiness in the life to come."

"If there were ever a time when the Lord needed righteous, determined women who can distinguish between the adversary's deceptions and the voice of the Lord, it is now. If there were ever a time when the Lord needed women who stand committed and consecrated, it is now. If there were ever a time when the Lord needed women of integrity and purity who live in the world but rise above it, it is now. If there were ever a time when the Lord needed His daughters to be alert to what is happening in society and to defend the sanctity of the home and family, it is now. If there were ever a time when the Lord needed us to have a clear vision of who we are, where we are, and what is important—it is now."

‎"We no longer have the luxury of spending our energy on anything that does not lead us and our families to Christ."

‎"There is one thing the power of God and the power of Satan have in common: Neither can influence us unless we allow them to."

"The last days are not for the faint of heart or the spiritually out of shape."