The Wild Gems

Roasted Sweet Potatoes With Raw Honey

February 23, 2022February 23, 2022 The Wild Gems3 Comments

What You Need:

4 sweet potatoes cut into cubes with skin

1/4 cup of raw honey

Salt, pepper, and cinnamon for seasoning

Olive oil (3-4 tablespoons)

Steps:

1. Lay out foil (optional) on a baking sheet. Scatter your sweet potatoes and drizzle on the olive oil and honey. Season the potatoes with the salt, pepper, and cinnamon.

2. Mix it all together and ensure all the potatoes are evenly coated with the oil, honey, and seasonings.

4. Bake at 375 for 30 to 45 mins.

Pairs so deliciously with chicken breasts covered in a hearty pesto sauce! Trust me!

Softening The Heart: Devotional #16

February 22, 2022February 25, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

John 20:23

Forgiveness is so powerful. It’s a weapon to conquer suffering. But it’s not easy to forgive, we know that. And it’s not usually something you do once. You go to battle with it many times, if not everyday.

Forgiving is to let resentment go, against others, against yourself. It’s to release yourself from the pain that you’ve been holding for so long. It’s time to let it go. Let it go.

Jesus gave us this gift of liberation. He took the weight from us. He knew how challenging this life would be. So he dedicated his life to saving people from themselves. He reminded us of Gods love.

How freeing and beautiful is it that God loves us no matter our flaws. No matter what, we are loved. And always have been. He continues to love and forgive us because that is how much God loves us.

We are human, we are flesh. We feel guilt for many things, we hold mistakes over peoples heads never letting them forget the pain they caused, we have a difficult time moving forward because we are still replaying scenarios we wish we could have changed. We beat ourselves up for our choices. And the choices of others.

Unfortunately, the truth is we can’t rewind time, we can’t undo what has been done, and we need to come to accept what is. And trust, trust that God will take our hurt and brokenness and turn it into something that would be impossible without his guiding hands. God will make it great, and He always does.

If God can forgive us and continue to love us despite our flaws, wrong doings, and mistakes then we must provide that same love and forgiveness to others and to the reflection in the mirror.

God does not want us to live a life full of heavy burdens and heavy weight. He wants to free us from ourselves, He wants us to love. And He has shown us the benefits of doing so.

Who do you need forgive? What do you need to let go of?

May God give you the strength to do so.

Lavender Simple Syrup – Mix It In Everything

February 17, 2022February 17, 2022 The Wild Gems1 Comment

This lavender syrup is so good. Mix it in your lemonade, your favorite cocktail, a mimosa, raw honey, cream cheese frosting, the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy!

What You Need:

1 1/2 cups of water

3 tablespoons of dried lavender

1 1/2 cups of sugar

Steps:

1. Bring the water and lavender to a boil.

2. Add the sugar and mix until it dissolves completely. Allow to simmer for 15 mins. Boiling lightly.

3. Remove from the heat and let sit for 2 hours. The aroma is so relaxing.

4. Strain the liquid into a mason jar discarding the dried lavender. Store in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Soften The Heart: Devotional #15

February 12, 2022February 14, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

“For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.”

1 Corinthians 7:22

Everyone has a designated plan or purpose in this life. We are apart of this miraculous design, yet we do not know quite yet what we are creating. All we know is it’s something beautiful and something we can trust.

God works through each and every one of us everyday. Strengthening us, as well as , using us to strengthen others. In this time or maybe even decades to come. We are the project and the tool. Some are aware and some are oblivious to the way God is working for them. God is on our side though, always.

Sometimes we see humans do things that we don’t quite understand. Then we judge. Then we think they need God. But who’s to say they aren’t in the process of receiving God in their life? They have to go through the motions just like anyone else. One could say you were lost before you let God into your heart. If anything we should be giving those who are “in the process” or “lost” more love and compassion. Everyone’s path is a little different. Some smooth and some very rough. A person’s sacrifice and hardship are never in vain.

God will soften their heart, God will liberate those souls, but it takes time like anything else. Certain steps need to be taken the same way certain recipes have to be followed specifically. Have you ever cooked or baked something and forgot a necessary ingredient like salt, or baking soda? God doesn’t forget. He knows the steps that need to be taken for complete liberation.

We can’t see the whole picture. We can see maybe but a small corner. Not the front, back or side, but a tiny, tiny, corner.

This scripture reminds us that we belong to God in whatever state we are in. And those that know God (the slaves of Christ) are to help and encourage those who are in the process of receiving God and accepting His love. If we go back to the scripture it reads “The Lords Freedman”. If we define ‘freedman’ it means an ‘emancipated slave’. And if you define emancipated it means process of being set free. We must be patient the way God has been with us. Each one of us is loved, and God doesn’t love anyone less or more. Nobody is more righteous than another.

The truth is we live in a broken world with much pain and suffering. And Everyone is in need of mercy and grace and we must give it and give it often to one another. We must be that example that many need, we have been given our own power to help liberate others and point them in the right direction. We have been given a gift to encourage others to seek God themselves and find that comfort, peace, and love. And we know in our hearts they will find that mercy and grace that has been given from the very beginning.

God loves us all. He knows this is hard. He reminds us that we are not alone. We are bound together.

German Pancakes With Powdered Sugar And Honey

February 6, 2022February 6, 2022 The Wild Gems1 Comment

Servings: 2 large German Pancakes

What You Need:

4 eggs

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2/3 cups of flour sifted (I used a small strainer and it works just fine)

2/3 cup of milk

2 tablespoons of soft butter

2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and honey for drizzling (optional)

Would also be great with some fruit compote, maple syrup, or baked apples with cinnamon

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 400 and butter the cake pans well.

2. Best eggs well, and then add remaining ingredients.

3. Once mixed well pour evenly into the two cake pans.

4. Bake for 20 mins at 18 mins. Then open oven to release some heat and turn down to 350. Bake an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

If it begins to expand in the middle that’s fine! It will go down some when it comes out and will still be delish!

When I took it out this is what I looked like.

Honey and powdered sugar is usually are go to but you can get really creative with it!

Spinach And Cheese Tortelloni With Roasted Broccoli, Salami, Parmesan Cheese, And Olive Oil

February 4, 2022April 15, 2022 The Wild Gems3 Comments

Had one of those nights where I really just needed to use what I had. Threw all of this together and it was so flavorful and delicious!

When it comes to the ingredients you can always had less or more. You want more Parmesan cheese, add more! More garlic? Garlic it up! This is just the gist! Get creative and have fun!

What You Need:

1 family size bag of spinach and cheese tortelloni (20 oz found in the frozen food aisle)

2 heads of broccoli chopped and broken into smaller pieces

A handful of salami cut into strips (snack size work just fine)

1 tomato diced or a handful of cherry tomatoes (whatever you have)

Jarred minced garlic (3-4 tablespoons)

Parmesan cheese (1/4 to 1/2 cup)

Salt, pepper, chili flakes, fresh rosemary (fresh is best)

Olive oil

1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter

Steps:

1. Place chopped broccoli on a pan sheet with foil. Drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red chili flakes. Add 2 tablespoons of garlic. Mix well until all combined. Add more olive oil if necessary. Bake at 400 for 15 mins.

2. Cook the tortelloni as directed.

3. Once the broccoli is done, add the salami strips and tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 mins. Just so it’s warm and a little soft.

4. Place the tortelloni in a large bowl and add the butter. Once melted add the roasted broccoli mixture. Next add Parmesan cheese, fresh rosemary, and drizzle some more olive oil. (I also added just a bit of sea salt.)

Enjoy with a glass of red wine! Some crusty bread with butter would be so good with this too!

This is what the bag looks like. It’s so good!

About to go into the oven. Olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.

A lot going on, but believe me so many good flavors!

Enjoy!

Perfect Chopped Chicken On The Skillet – Never Overcook again

February 3, 2022April 24, 2023 The Wild Gems3 Comments

What You Need:

1 1/2 lbs of chicken breast or tenders chopped up

Steps:

Here’s the secret:

1. Turn the skillet on low/med heat. Between a 2 and 4. Allow it to heat up while you chop your chicken up.

2. Once completely heated add your chopped chicken and makes sure it’s laid out evenly on the skillet. Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. (Set your timer, I’m serious.)

3. Once the timer goes off, grab your spatula and move around the chicken gently for 4 mins (once again, set your timer) .

4. Once the timer goes off immediately move your chicken to a plate to rest and then check it. Perfection!

Valentine Wand Craft For Kids

February 3, 2022February 3, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

What You Need:

Paper straws

Red and pink tissue paper

Glue

Glitter

Cardboard cut into heart shapes (I used a heart cookie cutter to trace on the cardboard)

Steps:

1. Start by cutting tissue paper into small squares. Have your kids scrunch them up really good.

2. Next allow them to glue their scrunched up tissue paper to the cardboard hearts. Once glued they resemble little roses

3. Have some fun with glitter. Make a heart shape on the back or whatever! Get creative!

4. Hot glue gun your paper straw to the heart.

Cute and simple! It can be a wand or place then all in a mason jar and now it looks like a small bouquet of hearts.

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Apple Bread

January 14, 2022January 18, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

Makes 1 9×5 loaf of bread

What You Need:

1/3 cup light brown sugar plus two tablespoons

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

2 green apples peeled and chopped

2/3 cup white sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

Steps:

First mix 1/3 cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a bowl; then set aside. In another bowl toss apples with the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
Beat the butter and the 2/3 cup of white sugar together in another medium bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; mix well.
Whisk the flour and baking powder together in another bowl, then add to the butter mixture and beat until blended. Mix 1/2 cup milk into batter until smooth.
Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan then add half of the chopped apple mixture.
Sprinkle half of the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture on top of the chopped apple layer.
Pour the remaining batter, and top with remaining chopped apples, then the remaining brown sugar/cinnamon mixture.
Lightly pat apples into batter; swirl brown sugar mixture through apples using a knife or spoon.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Note: comes out more of cake texture but still incredibly delicious!

What it looks like before going into oven

Enjoy!

Soften The Heart: Devotional #14

January 13, 2022January 18, 2022 The Wild GemsLeave a comment

“The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.”

Habakkuk: 3:19

When I first read this scripture, I thought to myself, what is so great about deers feet. Do I want deers feet? What does this even mean?

I did some research to discover that deers feet are made up of keratin, which is the same thing our nails are made up of. That gives you a slight idea of the strength of deers feet. Take a moment to examine your nails and feel for yourself. Imagine your feet made entirely of this hardness! Such strong feet you would have!

Mammals such as gazelles, sheep, hogs, cattle and goats also have “deer feet”, or others call, cloven hooves.

These special feet help them to climb the impossible. And it is only possible because of these special feet that they can achieve such great heights.

Upon my research I stumbled across a video of a mother goat and her child climbing this very high dam. They were climbing this incredible dam to get the salt at the top. A salt that is so desirable and needed for them to thrive and survive. Without that salt, they would wither and become weak. After that treacherous climb, can you imagine the taste of that salt? How rewarding for that mother goat and child.

This spoke to me. The salt is very much like God. How we desire God so much whether we know it or not. We need God to survive and thrive in this world, otherwise we are weak in spirit. To achieve the salt is to be liberated and rejuvenated. But it is only He, who can gift us “deer feet” to climb and conquer what many see as impossible.

With God the hills are possible to climb. The salt at the top is achievable. You have been given such a gift to climb, you just have to trust that gift. And that’s where we fail. We don’t trust what we have been given. The heights scare us. But it will be okay, because like the deer and their special feet, you have been given “deer feet” as well. The salt at the top awaits you.

May the Lord be your strength, and may your feet be like deers feet.

Amen.