meghanewhite

Cobb Salad

April 26, 2024April 26, 2024 meghanewhite

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Cobb salad is my all time favorite salad. I order this at restaurants whenever it’s on the menu. If I’m really having a craving for a good Cobb salad, I just make my own, and you can too. With a little bit of prep, you can have a delectable, and nutritious meal.

If you don’t want to cook chicken, just grab a rotissere chicken at the grocery store. There is no need to stand over a frying pan cooking bacon. Use fully cooked bacon, and warm it in the microwave. These are just a few suggestions to cut your time in the kitchen so you can enjoy more time indulging in this fantastic salad.

Some fun food history about this infamous salad. The Cobb salad was created by owner of the Hollywood Brown Derby, Robert Cobb, way back in 1937. Mr. Cobb did a fantastic job combining some of my favorite things like avocados, and bacon.

Please enjoy my favorite salad. It’s a winner.

Happy Eating!

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:10

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Cobb Salad

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

8 slices cooked bacon

4 hard boiled eggs

2 cooked chicken breasts

1 (10 oz.) container cherry tomatoes

2 medium avocados

1 (5 oz.) container blue cheese crumbles

2 heads of romaine lettuce

Salad Dressing

2/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 tablepsoon dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Make the dressing:

In a small jar with a lid, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard and salt and pepper. Replace the lid and give it a good shake. Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.

Make the salad:

Rinse the lettuce. Pat dry, and chop into bite size pieces.
Chop the bacon.
Slice the eggs into quarters.
Cut the chicken into small chunks.
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
Halve, pit, and dice the avocados.
Add the lettuce to a large bowl or platter. Arrange the bacon, eggs, chicken, tomatoes, avocados, and blue cheese crumbles in rows on top of the lettuce.
Drizzle with dressing. Enjoy!

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Photo credits: Meghan E. White

Obedience

When No One Is Looking

April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 meghanewhite

It’s wonderful to post about God in our social media accounts, or even blog posts. That’s very important and does matter. But what about when no one is looking. When only God sees us and our deeds, whether good or bad. Those moments when we make a choice to not give in to temptation and only the Lord knows. We never boast about it, or brag on the world wide web. It’s just us and the Lord.

In Matthew 6 Jesus talks about giving, praying, and fasting. And those who make a show of these things already received their reward, the praise of men. Yet there will be no reward from the Father.

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

²“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

⁵“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
¹⁰your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
¹²And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

¹⁴For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

¹⁶“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:1-18, NIV

When our priority is to honor God, not man, it changes what we do and why. The things done in those moments where we could get away with it and no one would ever know, yet we choose to be obedient, glorify God. Because He sees all, and He knows the motives of our heart.

God knows when we have struggled to forgive someone and we finally forgive from our heart, He is pleased. He knows when we denied ourself and didn’t get angry, when normally we would have. He knows when we don’t give in to our temptations and we walk away. That honors Him. It has nothing to do with impressing someone else. It has everything to do with showing God how much we love Him through our obedience.

And bonus, there are rewards for those who honor God in secret. That shouldn’t be our motivator, but that’s how amazing God is. I honestly don’t know what those rewards are, but they are better than any praise from man, which is temporary. I personally have experienced peace, joy, and freedom when being obedient to God. I believe the rewards are on this side of heaven, and in eternity. God’s rewards are beyond compare.

Help us Lord, to honor You at all times, even when no one is looking.

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

God

God’s Ways Are Perfect

April 12, 2024 meghanewhite

This stunning flower is from a carrot. I never pulled up my carrots from last summer and just let them be, resulting in the most gorgeous flowers. The term for this is called bolting. It’s a survival mechanism in plants when conditions are no longer ideal for the plant. The plant is producing seed to continue on. There is no longer viable fruit or vegetables after bolting occurs, but the seeds remain. New life will emerge.

It would have been great to enjoy a large bunch of carrots, but that did not happen. There were a few carrots early in the summer. Later, the unbearable heat made it challenging for me to do much work in the garden so the carrots were neglected. However, along with the stunning flowers, I pulled up this gargantuan carrot.

It’s hard to tell from the picture, but this carrot is massive. Bigger than any I’ve ever grown. That’s what happens when you leave them through the winter. I will not eat it, but it sure was fun to find that in my garden.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

God’s ways are perfect. He made every plant, fruit, and vegetable. Only God can make something beautiful from a plant in distress. The fruit is no longer viable but the flower produces seed which means new life can continue. That’s not how I would do things, but I’m not God. I would have chosen an abundant carrot harvest, but I would have missed the stunning flowers. Sure, lots of veggies was the goal, but the circumstances were not ideal, and the plant was in distress.

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30

Whatever God allows is perfect. The hard things, painful things, and beautiful things, He allows. God’s way is perfect, not easy. Sometimes, His way is quite difficult for us. But He is a shield for us who take refuge in Him. He will help us. We don’t always understand His ways, but we can trust that He is faithful, and is working everything out for our good, and His glory.

We can trust God in all things. His ways are perfect.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your faithfulness and your perfect ways. Thank you for always working in our lives and turning beauty from ashes. Only you can do that Lord. You are our defender and protector as we take refuge in you. Help us, O God, to trust you more and give you everything that we are holding onto. Help us to place our fears and worries into your capable hands.

Amen

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Food

Pavlova

March 22, 2024 meghanewhite

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Pavlova is a fantastic meringue dessert that melts in your mouth. It’s light, airy, and crunchy on the outside, with a soft marshmallow inside. The addition of whipped cream and fruit makes this dreamy confection absolute perfection, in my opinion.

You can make your very own pavlova. It may look and sound intimidating to make a meringue cake, if you’ve never made one, but you can do it! With a few simple ingredients, in no time you will have a beautiful dessert for your next holiday, or gathering, or just to enjoy yourself.

And, a little side note on the origins of this wondrous treat; there is debate whether pavlova came from Australia or New Zealand. Either way, it’s delicious. The name is from Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Traditionally, it’s topped with passion fruit, but you can use whatever fruit you like. A little history lesson. Now, on to the recipe we go.

Happy Eating!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

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Pavlova

Special equipment needed: stand mixer or hand mixer

Ingredients

4 egg whites at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 Tablespoon corn starch

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200°.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and trace a 9-inch circle around a baking pan onto the paper.
Using the whisk attachment, place room temp egg whites in your mixing bowl and start the mixer on low. Mix for about 2 minutes until the egg whites get foamy.
Now turn up the mixer to medium until you get soft peaks. The egg whites will be fluffy and hold their shape. This will take several minutes.
Next, slowly add the sugar a spoonful at a time while the mixer is running at medium speed. Wait about 30 seconds between each spoonful as the mixer runs.
Once all the sugar has been mixed in, turn up the mixer to medium high until you get stiff peaks, and the mixture is thick and glossy. Check that all the sugar is dissolved by taking some of the mixture between your thumb and forefinger to feel for granules. Continue mixing until all sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks have formed.
Now add the corn starch, vinegar, and vanilla and mix on low just until incorporated.
Spoon the meringue onto the 9-inch circle on the parchment paper leaving a small shallow spot in the middle with the edges being slightly higher.
Bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven, leaving the meringue in the oven for another hour. After the 2 hours you can take the meringue out of the oven or you can leave it in the oven overnight.
When you’re ready to serve the pavlova top with whipped cream and fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Notes

Cracks in a pavlova are quite normal and it will still taste delicious.
Add the whipped cream and fruit right before serving or slice individual pieces and add toppings separately. The pavlova will start to soften once fruit and cream has been added so it will lose some of its crispness.
Store a decorated pavlova in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. A plain pavlova with no whipped cream or fruit can be kept in an airtight container in the pantry for 2 days.
Vinegar and corn starch will stabilize the pavlova and help prevent weeping.
Leaving the pavlova in the oven overnight to slowly cool will help prevent cracks.

Soft peaks.

Stiff peaks.

Trace a circle on the parchment paper.

Ready to go in the oven. Make lots of swirls as they add great texture.

Once the pavlova is cooked it will still look glossy, just slightly dull.

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Top with whipped cream and berries. Enjoy!

Photo credits: Meghan E. White

Sin

Let Jesus Take Care of the Jerks, and Don’t Be One

March 15, 2024 meghanewhite

Over ten years ago, we moved to one of the largest cities in the U.S., Houston. Immediately, we noticed the friendliness and politeness with the people we encountered. That all went away as soon as we drove around the city. The southern hospitality ends at the asphalt.

Road warrior is no joke here. When I drive on the massive highways, and freeways I’m suddenly praying the Hail Mary. But that’s not all. There are days and times when I’m behind the wheel where I become a different person, and it’s not pretty. It brings out the worst in me. I may have worship music blaring in my car and I’m feeling great and then I’m cut off, or honked at, or nearly killed by an aggressive driver, and I’m angry. Then I’m not thinking about Jesus. I want that person to be stopped.

Justice must be served, by me. I’m cussing, and I want bad things for that bad driver who almost took my life. Then I’m brought back to reality and reminded that I’m supposed to be salt and light, wherever I go. Not very salty. I was using salty language, but not letting the Lord handle it.

We are to die to ourselves daily as followers of Jesus. When I’m on the road with a bad attitude, I’m living for myself. It’s my pride. By my selfish actions I’m saying, “Since You’re not going to take care of this Lord, I will.” I’m a wretch. There’s my confession. Good for the soul, right?

Here’s the good news, I am forgiven. Hallelujah!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9, NKJV

This wretched sinner is under the grace of God. He is so patient with me as He teaches me, guides, and shows me how to do better and truly die to myself. I can’t help but think of what Paul wrote in Romans.

For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15, NASB

God’s working on me. I am reminded that I can just as easily be a jerk too. I say this little mantra to myself as I’m driving.

Let Jesus take care of the jerks, don’t be one.

I’m a sinner in need of a Savior, daily. And He saves me, from my selfishness. My God loves me too much to let me stay as I am. From glory to glory, less and less of me, and please Lord, more and more of You.

No one but Jesus has lived a perfect life. I’m not looking for perfection, it will never happen in me. God does not expect me to be perfect. He’s very aware what I’m capable of. That’s why we have amazing Jesus. He made the way to the Father, not me.

Oh Lord, forgive me for my many sins, especially pride. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from my sins and make the way to You. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Thank you for your grace, mercy and forgiveness. Help me to extend that to others by Your Holy Spirit. And help me Lord, as I drive, to be salt and light and not give in to temptation. Amen!

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White