Why Importance is Irrelevant

"You think that animals are more important than people",  her tone was accusing as she leaned aggressively towards me, clearly ready for a heated argument.

Four of us had traveled to Ottawa on vacation and we were sitting in a Mexican Restaurant when another member of our group had taken interest in my vegetarian diet by asking a few questions. I had just started to speak when the verbal assault began. She went on and on about how people are much more important than animals and how dare I put them before people?

I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't say much, being too stunned and confused about what instigated her anger. I had simply answered the question, "what are you going to eat?"  No efforts were made to convince anyone to join my way of eating.

That confrontation was over 6 years ago and I still regret my lack of response. As a person who shared my faith, I believe her argument demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding a much larger issue:  importance is irrelevant.

As the scripture says: "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Dominion is not about dominance, but servant-based leadership.  It's not about who is more important, who is inferior, has more status, etc.  It's about value. Wait. What??!! Is this not a contradiction? No; let me explain.  Every person, every creature, is infinitely loved and valued by the Creator. This value is not based on who you happen to be or what you have or have not accomplished. You are loved and valued simply because you are.

While I was pondering these thoughts on the drive home, the birth of Prince George was announced to great fanfare and excitement. All for a child who had done nothing, except to be born. The coincidence did not go unnoticed.  Lucky for him, he was born to a rich and famous family. Thousands of babies, far less "important" than the prince were also born that day; many who were unexpected (or unwanted) children living in poverty. Like Prince George, she or he had also done nothing to deserve their circumstance, except to be born. However, doesn't that baby also need and deserve love, care, and attention? He/she needs it more.

When we re-focus on love instead of importance, miracles can and do happen because love does not have a finite supply. When you love and care for the least important in society, love flows upward.

Loving and caring about the well-being of animals absolutely does not mean that there is not enough to go around to care about people in need. In fact, those who care for the "least of these" often have great concern for the well being of people.

Animals are the ministry that God has put on my heart since I was a small child. Animals matter to God and they matter to me. So do people.

When You Don't Know Jack

Barbeque Jackfruit

This past year, Beyond Meat has risen to mainstream popularity and has set off the creation of numerous copy cat plant-based products.  While it is exciting to see more meat-free options, especially if you care about animal welfare or the environment, these highly processed mock meats are essentially junk food that should be eaten as an occasional treat.

Why not consider a plant-based option that is actually a plant? Jackfruit is a fruit that, in cooked form, has the texture of chicken or pulled pork. You can find jackfruit in a can at many health food stores. However, if you have access to an Asian grocery store, you can buy it at a much cheaper price.

Below is a great make your own barbeque sauce. As I am aiming for a low-salt and low-sugar diet, I used Club House Salt-free barbeque chicken spice and tomato sauce to substitute for less
BBQ sauce.


Ingredients
2 20-ounce cans young green jackfruit in brine
1 tbs oil
1/2 onion, finely sliced
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 c vegetable broth
1 cup BBQ sauce, divided
 black pepper, to taste


Instructions
Drain and rinse the jackfruit. Cut out the dense inner core and discard. Transfer remaining fruit to a
large bowl and toss with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced onion and saute until translucent, about
5 minutes. Add jackfruit and cook, stirring, until jackfruit is beginning to brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Add vegetable broth and 3/4 cup BBQ sauce. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes or
until the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally using the spoon to break apart the jackfruit chunks as
they soften.

Season to taste. Shred the jackfruit with two forks and top with additional BBQ sauce, if desired.

Getting Crusty Without Flour

Anyone who has a social media account can tell you that low carb diets are on trend right now.  But, as demonstrated by the comeback of overalls, just because something is trendy, it doesn't mean you should do it.  (I was guilty the first time around; I'm not making that mistake again!)

While cutting back or quitting certain carbs like bread and potato chips is always a wise choice, you are missing out on nutritional superstars when you avoid beans and legumes. Beans and legumes may be high carbohydrate but they also come with a very low glycemic load, are full of fiber and nutrients. They are also gifted with an almost magical substance called resistant starch which not only lowers your blood sugar after one meal but creates a "second meal effect" that impacts your glycemic response to your NEXT meal.**

As someone who has blood sugar issues, legumes have become a necessity in my life. Whether or not you subscribe to the low carb diet, refined foods such as flour are a detriment to our health and our waistline.   So, take your power and ditch the flour!  Clearly, I am not above using cheesy taglines -especially when it comes to bringing to light the true power that we have over our health with the right food choices.

However, I do love and miss pizza...dearly. I did take a stab at making a cauliflower crust but found the recipe to be very time consuming and messy. Imagine my disappointment when the only pizza delivery I received for my effort was a soggy, stinky mess.

Since my passion for pizza still burns bright, perhaps taking just one more risk of having my heart broken was worth it.  This time it was with red lentils and it did not disappoint. I was impressed by the quick and easy recipe but most of all, the crispy, bread-like crust. It also had a pretty red-orange colour; a delicious delight on a cold, winter night. It was so good that I used the leftover crust as a pita in my lunch the next day.


Vegan Red Lentil Pizza Crust

• 3/4 c . red lentils , soaked 1-2 hours
• 1/2 c . water
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 t . dried basil
• 1/2 t . oregano
• 1/4 t . sea salt
• 1/2 t . baking powder

Instructions

1. Rinse and drain soaked lentils.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Blend or process all of the ingredients until very smooth. Add a splash more water, if needed, for blending.
4. Line one large or two small baking sheets and lightly spray them with oil
5. Pour the batter onto the sheet(s).
6. Spread out until it is about 1/8-1/4 inch thick.
7. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Top with sauce, cheese, veggies, etc.
9. Bake another 5-10 minutes.
10. Cool a bit, slice, and enjoy!

For info on second meal effect: : https://nutritionfacts.org/video/beans-and-the-second-meal-effect/