This week our church started reading Ann’s book “Not So Fast”.  We had a  lot of laughs as our leader Debbi Keller had us name off all our roles on any given day.  The small group  spent most of the time just  getting acquainted.  We will meet for the next ten weeks to discuss two chapters a week, and pray for our children.  Two of the Mom’s are vegetarian and from India. Interesting to hear their stories of having arranged marriages.  Looking forward to next week and developing friendships with all the women in the group.

 Rosh Hashanah is literally the head of the Jewish New Year followed by ten “Days of Repentance.”  I think of my Jewish friends on Jewish holidays and of the many blessings they bring into my life.  I have learned the importance of planning meals ahead of time for the weekend and lessons of their Jewish faith, both lasting gifts from Stacie, Elisa, Julie and Wendy.   They prepare dishes early on Friday mornings so they can enjoy their family over the Shabbat or Sabbath. 

Here is a simple, heart healthy starter dish you can prepare for your family in advance for the weekend.  Top off salads, fish or tortillas, convert to chili, or do or anything else you imagine for that matter:

Boil 2 pounds of pinto beans for 1 hour  and drain off the water completely

Saute in EVOO, one ice-cream scoop full of chopped garlic 

Chop 1/4 of a red onion and toss in with the onions

Slice off 1/4 of a fresh jalepeno

1/4 cup of Valentina Salsa Picante 

Combine all with drained beans in crock pot on low and add water to about 1/2 way up the beans

Put the top on and set for 3 hours on low 

 The beans will be quite dry the first time served, but after a day or so in the fridge they’ll be quite nice. 

Serve with fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and if your diet allows, La Morenita, Queso Fresco crumbled sparingly on the beans.

The only oil in the recipe to help justify the refried title is the extra virgin olive oil.

Cynthia Heald speaks on the Sabbath and rest in her new release this month.

“Jesus confirmed that the Sabbath, a day of rest instituted by God, was made for us (See Mark 2:27). Christians now set aside the Lord’s Day for worship, for our rest is not in a day, but in a Person. We are no longer bound by the Old Testament law to keep the Sabbath, but nevertheless I think that as we observe the rhythm of God, we would be wise to rest one day a week. I do my best to schedule one day where I do not have to do anything. It doesn’t mean that I sit all day and do nothing, but I avoid pressing appointments or obligations for that particular day. For me, at my season in life, it is a day for quiet, for extended time with God, or for time with a friend. I know what it is like to have children, activities, work, etc., but even with your family, do what you can to keep a day that is commitment free. I think that this is God’s way for us to manage stress – to stop and rest from our labor one day a week. ”  

                                                                                                                                       –  Cynthia Heald, Becoming a Woman of Simplicity,Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2009, pg.122, www.navpress.com

Rest up this weekend,

Trish