Fresh Start Daily

I took my parents to a vegan restaurant tonight after papa’s check-up. There are certain foods that papa’s not allowed to eat anymore. Veggies and fruits are the best option for him but with some restrictions.

Ingredients:

• 700 g linguine pasta
• basil leaves (Sorry I didn’t measure them. They were about 3 cups when ground.)
• 1 head garlic
• 1/4 c cashew nuts
• 1/3 c almond nuts
• 2 tsp ground pepper
• 1/3 c olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 1/4 c parmesan cheese
• 2-3 tbsp butter
• 4-5 tbsp lemon juice

Methods:

Pesto sauce:

• Put all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until finely ground.

Pasta:

• Bring water to a boil
• Add salt and oil
• Add the pasta to the water, stir to prevent the noodles from sticking together
• Cook according to package directions
• Drain and pour cold water to not overcook

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 heads garlic
• 3 medium-sized bulbs onion
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp rosemary
• 2 tsp thyme
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 pieces lemon
• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 3 pieces carrots

Methods:

• Chop 1 head of garlic and 2 bulbs of onion
• Add soy sauce and lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
• Put the chicken in a pan then pour the marinade into the pan
• Fill the chicken cavity with the marinade, half lemon, 1 whole carrot, one sliced onion bulb
• Put the sliced potatoes, carrots, garlic, and lemon around the chicken
• Drizzle olive oil on the chicken and the vegetables
• Sprinkle some rosemary, thyme, and oregano
• Sprinkle some salt on the chicken
• Bake at 190 degrees Celsius for an hour and a half

I’ve been wanting to go to the market early morning in the weekend but because of work, I get to go late in the afternoon. (Just saying, not complaining! I’m super grateful for work.) In the afternoon, it’s either the goods have run out or the ones left are not fresh anymore.

I like to cook something special for my family when I have the time. Today’s a holiday so I grabbed the opportunity to go to the market early. I thought it would only take me a few minutes to get everything I needed because it was early in the morning and vendors still have an abundant supply, but lo! I finished an hour and a half later.

I walked around the second and third floor (where the fruit and vegetable sections are) four times to look for pine nuts and basil leaves. Two vendors told me that their suppliers bring the herbs in the afternoon. I couldn’t wait for that because I have other things to do and I promised my family I’d cook for lunch.

Even though I was informed there were no herbs available, I still looked around. I told God that I already had the other ingredients for the pasta I’m making. I kept repeating the verse, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find… (Matthew 7:7)” to myself. I also recited it to God—not because He’s forgetful and needs reminding, but because I was holding on to that promise.

After an hour and a half of going back and forth, up and down the upper floors, looking and asking people, and failing, I decided to go to another market. As I was about to leave, my eyes were led to some greens across the street. I realized they were basil leaves when I came closer, but I asked the vendor for confirmation because I could not believe my eyes!

I also thought of going to the mall in case I don’t find them in other markets but they open late. God didn’t want me to go through the hassle of searching other markets or waiting for the malls to open. I can’t contain it! God is faithful!!! God came through for me when I was ready to leave. I felt convicted because I fell asleep while reading the Bible last night. 😅 His words are true. They are living and active. God is true to His promises if we do not give up. To be honest, I was a little worried because I was already tired and I still couldn’t find what I was looking for. What God gave is better than I expected because they’re fresh. (They’re sold in tiny pots because they’re meant for planting.)

I know my dilemma this morning was petty compared to the problems we face in the world now, (I mean, really? Basil leaves?!) but for me, answered prayers as picayune as mine today are important because they’re a form of assurance and reassurance. Realizing that God hears and answers the simplest requests of His children proves His omniscience and omnipresence. He’s all that and yet, He notices us and cares about the little things that worry us. I always want to be made aware of God’s hand in my situation—no matter how paltry or colossal it is.

The LORD does take care of His children. He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful to Him. What a loving God we have!

After my morning shift today, I took a short nap, got ready, and went out to buy some stuff. It has been raining for a couple of days now and my umbrella’s missing. Everyone went out before I left and the only umbrella I could find is broken. I had no choice but to use it.

I noticed that every time it would pour heavily, I was already inside a building downtown. I would automatically say “Thank You, Lord” every time. I am still awed thinking about it. God knew the umbrella I brought was not sturdy enough to protect me from heavy downpour so He made sure I was already safe before He let it rain heavily.

This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care about those who got wet in the rain. I just remembered asking Him before I left to not let me get wet because I want to fully recover from my cough and cold (common cold). God showed me once again how kind He is.

I’ve been struggling with a spiritual slump recently (because of my crazy schedule but I’m intentionally working around it) but God reminded me that I am not forgotten and that He sees me. He continues to show me grace and mercy. God has been so, so kind to me.

Some might say it was just a coincidence but there’s no coincidence in God’s economy. Everything that happens, He has knowledge of. Each raindrop, He allows.

“…’Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’” Jeremiah 5:24 ESV

“He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields…” Job 5:10 ESV

“I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither…” Amos 4:7 ESV

“He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.” Psalm 135:7 ESV

~Successes~

I am learning that we should enjoy our successes—big or small—because God allows them. God wants His children to prosper in what they do.

There are many characters in the Bible that God prospered because they loved Him. Joseph (the dreamer), for example, became successful because God was with Him (Genesis 39:2). King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes that we should enjoy the fruits of our labor.

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.” – Ecclesiastes 5:18-19

It’s not pride to want to celebrate when we’ve achieved something on earth, especially if we worked hard for it. God teaches us hard work and discipline. At the same time, He gives us the strength to work and to prosper.

“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” – Deuteronomy 8:18

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” – Proverbs 6:6-11

~Failures~

I am learning to rejoice in my failures—because God allows them. The apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh by the enemy and he asked God to take it away but God did not grant his request. It’s not because Paul didn’t love Him or He didn’t love Paul. To keep the apostle from becoming conceited, and to keep him always dependent on Him, the Lord allowed it to stay.

“…I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’” – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

Oftentimes, when the situation is too painful, we want to avoid it or end it right away. However, there are situations that are not within our control. I am learning to lift up to God problems I cannot solve. I am learning to go through them WITH GOD. He reminds me time and time again to ask what the situation is teaching me and how I should respond.

God allows the good and the bad for a reason. HE knows why things happen—or don’t happen—and we will not always understand it. Our job is to trust Him because He is sovereign. I am learning to praise Him in good times, and trust Him in bad times. God is good whether I succeed or fail. His character does not change based on my circumstance. It says in James 1:17 that He “does not change like shifting shadows”. My life is in His hands. I offer everything (successes and failures) to Him. It’s all about God. We are created by Him, for Him. It’s all for His glory.

“For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:16-17

I constantly need to be reminded that I am merely a sojourner in this world. Having that perspective helps me to hold things lightly. Everything He gives, I give back to Him. Just like what Paul said, I am what I am because of the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10).

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him.” – Ecclesiastes 7:14

I love Joseph Benson’s commentary on this verse:

“In the day of prosperity be joyful — Enjoy God’s favours with thankfulness. In the day of adversity consider — Namely, God’s work, that it is his hand, and therefore submit to it: consider also why he sends it: for what sins, and with what design? God also hath set the one against the other — Hath wisely ordained, that prosperity and adversity should succeed one another; that man should find nothing after him — Or, rather, after it, as it may be rendered; that is, after his present condition, whether it be prosperous or afflictive: that no man might be able to foresee what shall befall him afterward; and therefore might live in a constant dependence upon God, and neither despair in trouble, nor be secure or presumptuous in prosperity.”

I remember hearing a celebrity say in her vlog that she felt that she has arrived when she bought her dream house. I was, like, “Wow”. I can’t say that about my life. Then I realized, I don’t want to feel that I’ve arrived—ever. I always want to be dependent on God in everything. It’s not an excuse to not work hard because I believe in hard work. However, as I pondered, I realized life’s sweeter knowing that God is with me in all of my decisions and in the consequences of the decisions for which I failed to seek God’s guidance. I prefer a life with Jesus even if it’s not always a smooth ride than a life without Him.

Also, if we believe that we’ve arrived, we won’t look to God anymore for anything because we’ve become self-sufficient. Worldly success is exactly what it is: success in this world. It’s not something we can take with us in eternity. Genuine and perpetual success is remaining steadfast in our faith in God.

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Ingredients:

• whole chicken
• EV olive oil
• lemons (about 6 pcs.)
• ground cumin
• rosemary
• thyme
• garlic, grated (I used A LOT!)
• red chili flakes (optional)
• salt
• black pepper, crushed
• water (1 c.)

Method:

• Squeeze 4-5 lemons into a bowl
• Add 1 cup of olive oil into the bowl of lemon juice
• Add the grated garlic and mix
• Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, rosemary, and thyme, then add them to the liquid ingredients
• Add 1 cup of water
• Put the chicken in a pan then pour the marinade into the pan
• Fill the chicken cavity with the marinade plus 1 lemon (sliced) and garlic bulbs (I put 2)
• Sprinkle chili flakes, black pepper, rosemary, and thyme
• Truss the hind legs (with foil or thread)
• Add sliced lemon and garlic bulbs around the chicken for extra flavor (I added corn, too!)
• Bake at 250 degrees C for 1 hour, or until the chicken is golden brown

I was looking for roasted chicken recipes online and came across Mrs. Barretto’s recipe. I read the comments and some of them who tried it said it was delicious, so I decided to use her recipe. She didn’t give exact measurements so I just adjusted according to my liking. 👍🏻 I also wanted to add more corn in the pan but they didn’t fit so I didn’t put everything. The recipe didn’t disappoint. It was really good.