Today's JAR: You Have to Plan for the Feasts and Fasts. Remembering September 14th.

September 14th is the day we remember the Exultation of the Holy Cross.  This year the 14th falls on a Saturday.  You will have to make plans now to be in church for the holy feast day. 

Why do we remember the cross?

The Cross changed human nature to the angelic,

having released it from all that is corruptible,

and have found lives worthy of immortality

 Read more of the words of St. John Chrysostom on the Holy Cross via MYSTAGOGY

But remember this is also a strict fast day because we not only remember the power of the cross due to Christ's resurrection, but that it was also an instrument of torture and death of our Lord.  We must also soberly carry our own cross as we struggle towards salvation. 


Plan a Lenten recipe for the day and plan to attend Liturgy that morning.  You could prepare Shrimp and Rice or even Spinach and Rice.  You will be blessing your family more than you can imagine by teaching them to celebrate the church calendar.   

 

When we celebrate the church calendar of feasts and fasts we live the Gospel of Christ and participate in His life and teachings.

Holidays, Short Weeks and Deep Thoughts

I love a good three-day-weekend, but its recovery, especially if the day off is a Monday, is a tough hurdle to leap.  Sure we had a relaxing day with friends, but now that it's Tuesday morning, the gears are spinning a bit slow.  Even the strong morning coffee hasn't kicked in yet.  And I am pretty sure I hear my pillow calling my name.

I now have 4 days to get my weekly work done.  Laundry is at the top of the list.  A new recipe post is there too.  But I am finding that there are other things I can't get off my mind. 

I've been thinking about things I am not ready to write about...

• No one knows what age looks like any more.  With Botox, surgery, dyes and collagen, it's hard to remember.  (A recent view of Sharon Osbourne on TV sparked this theme.) I don't color my hair, but the temptation to look younger is nagging me and Sharon's example is a solid warning. 

• Kids are given so much direction/protection in an attempt to avoid failure that they don't know how to think for themselves.  The morning and afternoon car lines at school are signs that we are overprotective or our kids are over scheduled... "I can't let my baby ride the bus, he might be bullied and I haven't taught him to protect himself" ... "The bus takes too long and (insert dance, soccer, music, art, martial arts) practice starts at 3:00."   

• Do I really want baked chicken again?  I need a new crock pot recipe that doesn't need a packet of Lipton Onion Soup or Campbell's Cream of Mushroom.  (must add cornstarch to grocery list.)

• Which is easier, to get a second job or to spend less?

So much floating around in my head.  Looks like I'll busy myself with laundry today as I sort (pardon the pun) it all out.  At this point it's better to keep busy and too late to go back to bed.  Plus, if we are eating chicken tonight I better run to the store...

Have a great week... it will be over before we know it. 

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."

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. 

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!