Whenever the Swallow needs to clear either the cocoa powder or the peanut butter in her pantry, this is a recipe she considers using. Although a little too creamy for her, the young ones enjoy this rare treat.
Blend 1 cup vanilla ice-cream, 1 banana (peeled), 1 1/2 tsp cocoa powder, 1 tbsp peanut butter and 1/4 cup milk until the mixture is creamy. Serves 1 to 2.
Friday, 16 March 2012
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Chocolate Banana Shakes
This high-energy drink combines two ingredients on the young ones' list of favourite foods. Little wonder it makes an appearance during the holidays - yes, young ones' always-hungry stomachs strike again!
CHOCOLATE BANANA SHAKES
Version 1 (makes 2 x 250 ml servings)
Ingredients
250 g chocolate ice-cream
1 banana (peeled), about 100 g
125 ml milk
Version 2 (makes 2 x 250 ml servings)
Ingredients
200 g chocolate ice-cream
2 bananas (peeled), about 200 g
60 ml milk
Method
For either version, blend the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.
Notes
This recipe is good for clearing over-ripe bananas, or getting your young ones (or young-at-heart ones) to eat their fruits!
CHOCOLATE BANANA SHAKES
 |
| Two different versions of Chocolate Banana Shakes (Version 1 is on the right and Version 2 is on the left) |
Version 1 (makes 2 x 250 ml servings)
Ingredients
250 g chocolate ice-cream
1 banana (peeled), about 100 g
125 ml milk
Version 2 (makes 2 x 250 ml servings)
Ingredients
200 g chocolate ice-cream
2 bananas (peeled), about 200 g
60 ml milk
Method
For either version, blend the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth.
Notes
This recipe is good for clearing over-ripe bananas, or getting your young ones (or young-at-heart ones) to eat their fruits!
Monday, 12 March 2012
Cookie Shakes
This recipe is good for clearing all those sandwich cookies the young ones bring home in their goodie bags. It is welcomed as a snack for those holidays when the young ones seem to be hungry all the time.
Blend together 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice-cream, 6 pcs broken-up chocolate sandwich cookies (or any other flavour, maybe not jam, then again it may be good...), and 1/2 cup milk until the mixture is a little chunky. Serve with a few broken-up pieces of cookies as a garnish. This mixture serves 1 to 2.
Blend together 2 1/2 cups vanilla ice-cream, 6 pcs broken-up chocolate sandwich cookies (or any other flavour, maybe not jam, then again it may be good...), and 1/2 cup milk until the mixture is a little chunky. Serve with a few broken-up pieces of cookies as a garnish. This mixture serves 1 to 2.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Baby Steps
It has been many, many years, but each time the thoughts come, they bring a smile to the Swallow's face.
She remembers the days when her first young one took his first steps. Not the day of his first actual step, but the days since. Before he could walk well, he was trying to run. And where did that get him? Falls were plenty, while bruises and bumps were his trophies. Yet the falls did not quench his thirst in taking more steps. A few tears, a few hugs and kisses, and then he would be off again...
More than a decade later, he is still the same. Ready at the word 'go'. Well, sometimes even before the word 'go' has been given, he has already gone, only to be gently pulled back...but that is another story.
One of his favourite games during those early days of mobility was this - his papa (sometimes this honour may be bestowed on his mama too) would stretch out his arms, then count one-two----...anticipation would fill the young one's eyes as he waited for his papa's 'three'. When it came, the young one would hurry as fast as he could into his papa's outstretched arms, trusting fully that his papa would give him a big hug. Most of the time, his papa would be the one who had to surrender first to the always-energetic young one. The young one would have been happy to just go on and on and on...
How delightful it was to see the bond between this father and his young one. From the time the Swallow had discovered she was pregnant, her mate had been just as trilled as she was, and just as apprehensive of what they would be in for.
Having watched this young one, and the other young one that had followed several years later, grow and take their baby steps, the Swallow gets a little perspective of her own relationship with her Heavenly Father.
Just as the young one seeks his papa's hugs in his little journeys, she seeks her Heavenly Father's loving embrace in her life journey, and it is the thought of her Heavenly Father's waiting arms that moves her to press on in spite of falls, setbacks and discouragement.
Just as the young one looks to his papa for encouragement at each failure, she looks to her Heavenly Father - to pick her up, brush off the dust and tears, and encourage her to try again.
Just as the young one waits in anticipation of his papa's 'Well done' for each success, the Swallow is waiting in anticipation of her Heavenly Father's 'Well done', and some day, when her life's journey is done, and all she can lay before Him are her little trophies of "sins overcomed with His Spirit's help" or "loving others because she was first loved by Him", she is confident that there will be a 'Well done' waiting for her ears because her trust was in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary.
Yet her Heavenly Father is also more than the young one's papa. Even with his best intentions, the young one's papa is finite, and is bound by time, structures and limits beyond his control. After a long and hard day's work, the young one's papa (or mama) is in need of encouragement too. He will need extraordinary love to show love to his young one(s) and mate. He will need extraordinary strength to continue serving others selflessly. He will need to draw all these extraordinary-ness from his (or her) Heavenly Father.
For the Heavenly Father is infinite. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90 : 2, NKJV).
For the Heavenly Father is not bound by time. He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." (Revelations 1 : 8, NKJV).
For the Heavenly Father is not bound by structures and limits. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You." (Psalm 139 : 7 - 12, NKJV).
"My Heavenly Father, how patiently You wait for me each morning. How lovingly You comfort my soul. How amazingly You continue to love me in spite of who I am. Lead me on each day, and as I follow, may my steps be like baby steps - full of trust and confidence in You, my Heavenly Father."
She remembers the days when her first young one took his first steps. Not the day of his first actual step, but the days since. Before he could walk well, he was trying to run. And where did that get him? Falls were plenty, while bruises and bumps were his trophies. Yet the falls did not quench his thirst in taking more steps. A few tears, a few hugs and kisses, and then he would be off again...
More than a decade later, he is still the same. Ready at the word 'go'. Well, sometimes even before the word 'go' has been given, he has already gone, only to be gently pulled back...but that is another story.
One of his favourite games during those early days of mobility was this - his papa (sometimes this honour may be bestowed on his mama too) would stretch out his arms, then count one-two----...anticipation would fill the young one's eyes as he waited for his papa's 'three'. When it came, the young one would hurry as fast as he could into his papa's outstretched arms, trusting fully that his papa would give him a big hug. Most of the time, his papa would be the one who had to surrender first to the always-energetic young one. The young one would have been happy to just go on and on and on...
How delightful it was to see the bond between this father and his young one. From the time the Swallow had discovered she was pregnant, her mate had been just as trilled as she was, and just as apprehensive of what they would be in for.
Having watched this young one, and the other young one that had followed several years later, grow and take their baby steps, the Swallow gets a little perspective of her own relationship with her Heavenly Father.
Just as the young one seeks his papa's hugs in his little journeys, she seeks her Heavenly Father's loving embrace in her life journey, and it is the thought of her Heavenly Father's waiting arms that moves her to press on in spite of falls, setbacks and discouragement.
Just as the young one looks to his papa for encouragement at each failure, she looks to her Heavenly Father - to pick her up, brush off the dust and tears, and encourage her to try again.
Just as the young one waits in anticipation of his papa's 'Well done' for each success, the Swallow is waiting in anticipation of her Heavenly Father's 'Well done', and some day, when her life's journey is done, and all she can lay before Him are her little trophies of "sins overcomed with His Spirit's help" or "loving others because she was first loved by Him", she is confident that there will be a 'Well done' waiting for her ears because her trust was in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross of Calvary.
Yet her Heavenly Father is also more than the young one's papa. Even with his best intentions, the young one's papa is finite, and is bound by time, structures and limits beyond his control. After a long and hard day's work, the young one's papa (or mama) is in need of encouragement too. He will need extraordinary love to show love to his young one(s) and mate. He will need extraordinary strength to continue serving others selflessly. He will need to draw all these extraordinary-ness from his (or her) Heavenly Father.
For the Heavenly Father is infinite. "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." (Psalm 90 : 2, NKJV).
For the Heavenly Father is not bound by time. He is "the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." (Revelations 1 : 8, NKJV).
For the Heavenly Father is not bound by structures and limits. "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You." (Psalm 139 : 7 - 12, NKJV).
"My Heavenly Father, how patiently You wait for me each morning. How lovingly You comfort my soul. How amazingly You continue to love me in spite of who I am. Lead me on each day, and as I follow, may my steps be like baby steps - full of trust and confidence in You, my Heavenly Father."
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Solitude
Psalm 130 : 5 (NKJV)
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
SOLITUDE by jadeswallow
Time alone with You, I'll spend
That my ways, O Lord, You'll mend
Then my life will shine for Jesus -
Living life within Your plan.
Precious Jesus, You're my Rock
Evil thoughts within me, block
Looking unto You - my Jesus
Learn from You, whom many mock.
Daily cleansing, I will need
Before Your throne, O Lord, I plead
Humbled, hurting - seek my Jesus
Pliant clay, the Potter kneads.
Wait for You, not seek my plans
Daily moulding by Your hands
Bringing glory unto Jesus
Till I reach that Heavenly land.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.
SOLITUDE by jadeswallow
Time alone with You, I'll spend
That my ways, O Lord, You'll mend
Then my life will shine for Jesus -
Living life within Your plan.
Precious Jesus, You're my Rock
Evil thoughts within me, block
Looking unto You - my Jesus
Learn from You, whom many mock.
Daily cleansing, I will need
Before Your throne, O Lord, I plead
Humbled, hurting - seek my Jesus
Pliant clay, the Potter kneads.
Wait for You, not seek my plans
Daily moulding by Your hands
Bringing glory unto Jesus
Till I reach that Heavenly land.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Turning That Switch On
During the Swallow's growing years in Malaysia, there were many times when her parents had invited friends to their home for a meal. On one such occasion, midway through the dinner, there was a sudden blackout which had affected all the houses along the road and in the surrounding area. Although it was sudden, the blackout was not an unusual occurrence, and going by whatever little light was available, the young ones were told not to move while the older ones hunted for the candles, torches and matches that had been set aside for such an emergency. The highlight of such an event was the lighting of an old-fashioned oil lamp that had usually sat on the display cabinet.
A house may have its lights lit by a power source, but it will not stay lit if the power source is faulty.
In that same home, there was a certain light which hung from the high ceiling. It had several bulbs extending from it and when it was turned on, its brilliance was a source of delight for the Swallow and her siblings. They called it "their chandelier". Yet, the Swallow and her siblings were not allowed to turn this light on without permission. Due to its high consumption of electricity at each usage, it remained more as a display item than what it was meant to be used for.
A house may have many lights in it, but it will remain dark unless the power source is turned on.
Two weeks ago, during the lecture part of the BSF, the Swallow was reminded of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life. From the day she had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, as promised in His word, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in her life, illuminating her life and her walk in the Lord.
Psalm 119 : 105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
With the Holy Spirit's help, the Swallow's life should be victorious, overcoming the challenges found at every corner and milestone in life. This never-failing, never-faulty power source was and is there 24/7, always ready to help, lead and guide yet over the years, there were many times when she had lived a disquieted, dispirited and depressive life instead - times when she had forgotten to turn on the switch.
As she continues in her study into the Book of Acts, it is the Swallow's prayer that she may live a life like those of the Apostles, glorifying the Lord God with their lives - in what they said, in what they did.
Let's turn on the switch!
A house may have its lights lit by a power source, but it will not stay lit if the power source is faulty.
In that same home, there was a certain light which hung from the high ceiling. It had several bulbs extending from it and when it was turned on, its brilliance was a source of delight for the Swallow and her siblings. They called it "their chandelier". Yet, the Swallow and her siblings were not allowed to turn this light on without permission. Due to its high consumption of electricity at each usage, it remained more as a display item than what it was meant to be used for.
A house may have many lights in it, but it will remain dark unless the power source is turned on.
Two weeks ago, during the lecture part of the BSF, the Swallow was reminded of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life. From the day she had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, as promised in His word, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in her life, illuminating her life and her walk in the Lord.
Psalm 119 : 105 (NKJV)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
With the Holy Spirit's help, the Swallow's life should be victorious, overcoming the challenges found at every corner and milestone in life. This never-failing, never-faulty power source was and is there 24/7, always ready to help, lead and guide yet over the years, there were many times when she had lived a disquieted, dispirited and depressive life instead - times when she had forgotten to turn on the switch.
As she continues in her study into the Book of Acts, it is the Swallow's prayer that she may live a life like those of the Apostles, glorifying the Lord God with their lives - in what they said, in what they did.
Let's turn on the switch!
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Recycling - Reuse, Reduce, Refuse
In the beginning, "God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good." (Genesis 1 : 31a, NKJV). However, "very good" is not a term that can be used to describe earth today. That is the effect of sin - "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field." (Genesis 3 : 17b - 18, NKJV).
Earth will only continue to its final destruction. John, the beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." (Revelation 21 : 1a, NKJV).
Yes, the first earth will soon pass away but its departure should not be hasten. Thus, the Swallow does her part in being environmental-friendly. She recycles - by reusing, reducing and refusing.
Reuse - using old stuff in different ways
Earth will only continue to its final destruction. John, the beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ prophesied "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away." (Revelation 21 : 1a, NKJV).
Yes, the first earth will soon pass away but its departure should not be hasten. Thus, the Swallow does her part in being environmental-friendly. She recycles - by reusing, reducing and refusing.
Reuse - using old stuff in different ways
- cooking oil which needs to be thrown away can be stored in an old plastic bottle then disposed. A fine way to reuse that plastic bottle, keep your kitchen sink from clogging, use less plastic bags, and make less of a mess. Just make sure that the used cooking oil has cooled to room temperature.
- line dustbins with plastic bags. Save money at the same time.
- the Swallow's mom had often cut off the wearable parts from clothes with enough stains to deem them 'unwearable', and reused the wearable parts to fashion a quilt or children's pyjamas.
- wrap unsanitary items with newspapers before disposal.
- don't buy anything on offer unless it is a need.
- must there be another set of cookware, dishware, etc to be used only for guests?
- must a broken item be replaced by the purchase of another? There may be something in the nest that can be used instead.
- pass on children's toys, books and furniture to newer parents. The same for old-but-still-in-good-condition clothes. Young ones grow so quickly. The Swallow's family was a beneficiary of such goodwill when her young ones were toddlers.
- donate to charity organisations that accepts old-but-still-in-good-condition items.
- sell to shops that buy second-hand items. Receipts of first-hand purchases may be required.
- reduce the use of disposable items as much as possible.
- say no to extra plastic bags. Bring along a shopping bag. The Swallow applauds some departmental stores that have made the move to reward shoppers who bring their own bags, or charge those who chose to use plastic bags.
- politely reject those who wants to pass on their old-but-still-in-good-condition items if there is no need. Better to refuse honestly, than accept grudgingly and then complaining behind the giver's back!
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
A New Study
This year, the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) will be doing an in-depth study on the Book of Acts (also known as The Acts of the Apostles). Written by the same author of the Gospel of Luke, it has been likened to a sequel, tracing the steps of some disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ - what they did after He returned to Heaven after His death and resurrection.
Isaiah had been a challenging study. Will the Book of Acts be any different? The Swallow cannot wait to find out...
Isaiah had been a challenging study. Will the Book of Acts be any different? The Swallow cannot wait to find out...
Monday, 6 February 2012
Trust
Jeremiah 29 : 11 (NIV)
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
TRUST by jadeswallow
My life is part of God's great plan
I need to trust, not understand,
To yield my life, to hold His hand
For He, alone, will help me stand.
Without the sun, there'll be no rain
I won't know joy if I don't know pain.
All through life's cares, the Master knows
The joys, the hopes, and the tomorrows.
He is my Hope, He is my Light
I'll stay the course, as my soul takes flight
With eyes on Him, I'll soar above
The gloom, the pain, with wings of love.
The heart may sigh, and tears may flow,
He's promised hope though ill winds blow.
So I'll look to Him - My All in All
He'll keep me safe, though I may fall.
And as I walk along life's road
He knows my cares, He bears my load
So I must trust My Lord to guide
My way in life - He's by my side!
And yield my life, and hold His hand
For His promises will forever stand
I'll seek to trust, not understand
My life, my part in His great plan.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
TRUST by jadeswallow
My life is part of God's great plan
I need to trust, not understand,
To yield my life, to hold His hand
For He, alone, will help me stand.
Without the sun, there'll be no rain
I won't know joy if I don't know pain.
All through life's cares, the Master knows
The joys, the hopes, and the tomorrows.
He is my Hope, He is my Light
I'll stay the course, as my soul takes flight
With eyes on Him, I'll soar above
The gloom, the pain, with wings of love.
The heart may sigh, and tears may flow,
He's promised hope though ill winds blow.
So I'll look to Him - My All in All
He'll keep me safe, though I may fall.
And as I walk along life's road
He knows my cares, He bears my load
So I must trust My Lord to guide
My way in life - He's by my side!
And yield my life, and hold His hand
For His promises will forever stand
I'll seek to trust, not understand
My life, my part in His great plan.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012
The past month has simply flown by.
Getting ready for the trip back to Malaysia, for Christmas, for a new school year, and with the Chinese New Year barely a month away, time has been precious...not rushed, just too precious to use up for simple musings...
But with the relaxing trip back to Malaysia completed, Christmas well-spent in rememberance of the Lord Jesus' great love for mankind shown through his humble birth some two thousand years ago, and supervision on the wrapping of books and packing of bags for the new school year all done, there is time to settle down to a little reflection of the year past.
The year 2011 was a year of learning. There were lessons on trust in her Heavenly Father's sovereign control while her older young one tested his wings. There were lessons on patience while waiting for an end to an overwhelming trial. There were lessons on endurance when trial's end was put off indefinitely. There were lessons on faith when moving out of her comfort zone. There were lessons on humility, love and self-control when wronged by others. There were lessons on faithfulness when faced with difficulties in the Lord's service and in the study of Isaiah. There were lessons on joy, peace and comfort in the Lord despite more-than-usual ill-health in the family.
What will come in year 2012? The Swallow is sure of this - there will be more learning in store for her.
Proverbs 22 : 6 (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
The Swallow is sure that as His child, the Lord God will continue to train her up in the way she should go. May she stay the course of the training.
Now for some springcleaning...
Getting ready for the trip back to Malaysia, for Christmas, for a new school year, and with the Chinese New Year barely a month away, time has been precious...not rushed, just too precious to use up for simple musings...
But with the relaxing trip back to Malaysia completed, Christmas well-spent in rememberance of the Lord Jesus' great love for mankind shown through his humble birth some two thousand years ago, and supervision on the wrapping of books and packing of bags for the new school year all done, there is time to settle down to a little reflection of the year past.
The year 2011 was a year of learning. There were lessons on trust in her Heavenly Father's sovereign control while her older young one tested his wings. There were lessons on patience while waiting for an end to an overwhelming trial. There were lessons on endurance when trial's end was put off indefinitely. There were lessons on faith when moving out of her comfort zone. There were lessons on humility, love and self-control when wronged by others. There were lessons on faithfulness when faced with difficulties in the Lord's service and in the study of Isaiah. There were lessons on joy, peace and comfort in the Lord despite more-than-usual ill-health in the family.
What will come in year 2012? The Swallow is sure of this - there will be more learning in store for her.
Proverbs 22 : 6 (NKJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
The Swallow is sure that as His child, the Lord God will continue to train her up in the way she should go. May she stay the course of the training.
Now for some springcleaning...
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