A Little Yeast Can Change a Whole Batch of Dough

This spring I made a goal to start making homemade bread.  I had in my mind that I will finally be a true homemaker once I learn how to make great tasting bread.  Well this week I am happy to report that I have managed to make homemade bread three times.  Admittedly, my first attempt was about a month ago.  It didn't turn out bad but for some reason I stopped and this was my first week trying to pick it back up again.
Anyone that makes bread knows that yeast makes a huge difference.  It's amazing how the yeast causes the bread to rise.  Even once you punch the bread down the yeast will cause it to rise again.  The yeast is alive and active.

Recently, I have found myself feeling disconnected from God.  This morning during my quiet time I ran across this passage from Galatians 5:9 - "A little yeast can change a whole batch of dough ..."  Isn't God so timely with what Holy Spirit illuminates to you.  Through reading this and other scriptures in Galatians I repented of having a critical spirit towards some people in my life.  To be honest I didn't see it coming.  I can't even pin point when I allowed this spirit to infiltrate my thoughts and attitudes.  I just know it's there and has caused my texture to change just as yeast changes the texture of bread.  I repented and thanked God for showing me this.

We have to guard ourselves constantly and examine ourselves and motives each day.  Every time we find ourselves being critical towards others we should take that opportunity to pray for that person.  Sure yeast may be great in bread but a little worldly yeast in your life is no good at all.

Go to Granola

Here is the basic granola recipe I use.  It is very simple and I add a variety of things to it to change the taste and texture.  We eat it for breakfast with milk, pack it for lunch with yogurt, and eat it for a dessert.

Ingredients:

4 Cups Old-Fashion Oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp of ground cinnamon (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
In a saucepan mix brown sugar, honey, canola oil, and cinnamon.  Heat to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.  Allow to sit a few minutes until the extract stops bubbling.  In a separate bowl pour in your 4 cups of oats.  Pour mixture over oats and mix thoroughly. Heat oven to 350 degrees F and take a medium sized baking sheet.  Spread mixture in a thin layer over the baking sheet.  Cook for 6 minutes.  Take out of the oven flip the mixture over with a spatula and cook another 6 minutes.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Once completely cool add what you like.  Some things I typically add are:
Raisins
Chocolate Chips
Craisins
Marshmallows
Banana Chips

Also you could add:
Nuts (any variety) - my son is allergic to peanuts so we normally stay away from adding nuts
Sunflower Seeds

Enjoy.  If you have another recipe I would love to see it.

Guest Post from Patiently Enduring - Seasoned With Salt

I would like to introduce a wonderful women full of God's spirit and grace.  Her name is Patiently Enduring and she is my sister.  Below is a post from her new blog Grace to Endure.   She also has a website she maintains called Loved and Forgiven. She would love for you to come and check her out.

Seasoned With Salt -
Life throws many challenges our way. I was reflecting on my own life earlier today. Compared to many, I have to admit I have had a pretty good life. It has not, however been without its share of challenges. As I have grown more spiritually, I have recognized those challenges as more opportunities to trust the God that I claim to serve. What I mean is this. For some of us we never really know how much we really love the Lord until we go through trials. Something that forces us to fall on our knees, through up our hands to Him surrendering every ounce of our being.