Saturday, August 31, 2013

Today's JAR: Happy New Year!

Today's JAR- Just a Reminder:

Americans might be celebrating Labor Day, but on Sept 1, we will be celebrating the Ecclesiastical (church) New Year!  The cyclical church calendar begins September 1st and will celebrate its first major feast with the birth of the Virgin Mary, September 8.  You have a week to find a way to celebrate Mary's birthday.  Besides going to Liturgy, since the feast is on a Sunday this year, make a cake, a donation to a charity, a nice meal... Visit your mom, grandmother, godmother... Go out to eat...  Host coffee hour...  Buy a bouquet of flowers... It doesn't matter what you do, just do something. 
 
 "Many generations will call her blessed."

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Meal Planning--- Better Late Than Never



I am off to a late start to my meal planning... But better late then never.

Sunday- Birthday Party- No cooking!

Monday- Slow cook Pork with Rice and Gravy.  (It was delicious!)  Used 1/2 Boston Butt.

Tuesday- Souvlaki, Greek Oven Potatoes and Salad.  Used the other half.

Wednesday- Pierogies

Thursday- Shrimp & Rice (update)

Friday- Beans in the Oven and Mac N Cheese

Saturday- Dolmathes
Please be sure to let me know if you use any of my recipes.  I'd love to hear how it all turned out. 

Monday, August 26, 2013

Zucchini Cornbread is Worth the Try.


ZYMAROPITA:

Preheat oven to 375*

Grate 4 zucchini (I use a big food processor) and a pinch of salt. Let sit in a strainer to draw out the moisture.

 

 



 

 

 

Chop 1 Vidalia onion. Sautee onion in 2 T butter until transparent.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 COMBINE:

 



 

1 box Jiffy Corn Bread/Muffin Mix 

½ c cream of wheat,

1 stick softened butter

5 eggs

16 oz. small curd cottage cheese

8 oz. well crumbled feta cheese

½ c milk

(I will also add any grated hard cheese I have including asiago, Parmesan, or Romano.)

 




 

 

Drain and squeeze zucchini and add to transparent onions and sauté for a few more minutes to remove more moisture.

 

 



 

 

Add zucchini/onion mixture to other ingredients in bowl. Stir and put in greased 9x13 cake pan.

 

 

 

 

Bake for 40-50 minutes or until golden on top.

 

 



 

 

If you can wait, cool for 15 minutes.  You can also serve at room temperature or cold.  Any way you serve it, it's delicious!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 




Sunday, August 18, 2013

Today's JAR- Just a Reminder

"They need not go away; you give them something to eat."



There will be times when it seems God is asking you to do the impossible... but don't let that worry you.  He is planning on being there to help you... most likely, He is already planning to do all the work and just wants you there to witness His love.   (this becomes easier when we step aside and let God's will be done.) 

Sure there are times when we have to do something... get a job, pay some bills, take the food to the mission... but there are also times when it's out of our control, almost impossible.  That is the time you bless what you have before you and let God take care of the rest. 




At that time, Jesus saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a lonely place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." And he said, "Bring them here to me." Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass; and taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and broke and gave the loaves to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Then he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.  Matthew 14:14-22 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Today's JAR- Just a Reminder



 
August 15, the Dormition of the Virgin Mary is
one of twelve major feast days of the Orthodox Christian calendar. 
We prepare with a fast and we celebrate with Liturgy.  
 
Plan to attend Liturgy for this great feast.



Monday, August 05, 2013

Today's JAR- Transfiguration

Today's JAR   Just a Reminder.  Tomorrow we remember the Feast of Transfiguration. This is a Major Feast Day of the Lord. Since we are in the middle of the fast to the Virgin Mary, fish is permitted tomorrow.  








 Apolytikion
You were transfigured on the Mount, Christ God revealing Your glory to Your disciples, insofar as they could comprehend. Illuminate us sinners also with Your everlasting light, through the intercessions of the Theotokos. Giver of light, glory to You.


Friday, August 02, 2013

Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

In Honor of the Mother of Our Lord.
 

Orthodox Christians remember the Virgin Mary during the first fourteen days of August leading to the her Dormition on August 15th.  We remember her by fasting and attending the Paraklesis Service. 

This icon is from the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, SC.