Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:
“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.
‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).
“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.
“Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].
“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”
*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.
^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^
Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…
Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?
During my dedicated eating time (yes, I must make a meal break away from my computer, according to my Bestie Evie‘s birthday advice), I actually HIIT before I sit!
While I wait for my chow to cook ~ simmering in the crock pot, boiling on the stove, or nooking in the oven/microwave/toaster ~ I do the following quick set(s), to induce more calorie-burning even after I’m done exercising:
I’ve lucked out with this eatery (which opened in my hometown, thanks to my h.s. buddy’s dad ~ a contractor who liked it when he visited his son in college and decided to build it by their family home) because it’s always been quick, inexpensive and most of all: delicious!
My former workout partner (who now lives overseas for the military) and I used to grab Italian Lemon Ice at Fazoli’s after we’d have a fun run at the park around the corner ~ we’d burn calories then reward ourselves with something sweet, refreshing and healthy!
Classic Strawberry Italian Ice ~ nothing classic about it! #BoldAndFresh
Alfredo & Marinara + Meatballs = YOLO Italiano!
F is for …Flashback *Foodie* Friday: I’ve even feasted on Fazoli’s while watching Fast & Furious movies at the drive-in!
Plus, now that I typically fly solo, I’ve done my work or homework there after hitting the track myself and have tried almost ALL of the seasonal desserts (except for the Red Velvet Cheesecake around ♥Valentine’s♥ Day ~ because it was out when I visited)!
Watching my ☼truck☼ while sipping on this Strawberry Italian Ice Float!
After I returned from my 🎾research🔬 🚘trip, she and my Bestie‘s mother both welcomed me 🏡home🏠 with chili: Mami Aya‘s colorful vegetarian 🍆variety🌽 & Mama Maggie‘s award-winning 🍖meaty🍣 version!
Today, Nanay cooked this southwestern🍛 recipe, chock full of veggies and meat (her lean ground white turkey)
Mami Aya’s Tex Mex Chili🍲 pairs perfectly with Trader Joe‘s Veggie Flaxseed Tortilla Chips! Jalapeño adds that extra kick! #pica
Excellent timing for this hearty, savory dish🍲 while I crank out 💡study📈 on this ⚡️rainy☔️ day!
My Nanay has always cooked unbroken noodles for 🎈birthdays🎁 to signify long life. Usually, these celebratory main courses are spaghetti🍝 or Pancit🍜 (Filipino dish).
Some of us loyal children out there tend to be biased to our parents’ cooking if we grew up mostly exposed to their food. I’m definitely no different; as a matter of fact, I was so spoiled to the point that I as a preschooler once sobbed at my parents’ friends’ 🏠house🏡 when they dropped me off there for date night, and I was stuck with foreign spaghetti.
While many kids cooked for their moms on 💐Mother’s Day, my Mami Aya insisted on cooking her own special meal. Papa Jun and I didn’t mind. Not only have her masterpieces been delicious, but also nutritious!
I never can pass up what I call Nanay’s Bomb Diggety Spaghetti (she used to put hotdogs to keep up with Pinoy tradition ~ she even made my sis’ separately because she only liked the hotdogs)
Here’s a new side dish that she whipped up: Baked Parmesan Zucchini Sticks
I now prefer these over the fried green tomatoes🍅 or fried pickles ~ or any other fried greens, for that matter
Who needs mozzarella sticks with these bad boys? The Birthday Girl also cooked her special meal! Pancit Canton goes well with Lumpia (eggrolls)! And let’s not forget the 🎂cake🍰 ~ bring on Tres 🍶Leches🍼 con 🍉frutas: fresas🍓 y 🍍piñas!
TGIF! April Showers with a Chance of … Scrambled Eggs ✌
From ☼sunny☼ to stormy, I’m honestly relieved to sleep in on this rainy day because we all need downtime (something that I took for granted and recently realized is a necessity in order to thrive and survive).
Before I made myself this brunch:
Grilled Cheese Garlic French / Texas Toast: French Toast with egg wash (Almond Breeze Coconut Milk blend with cage free egg scrambled) * grilled cheese (Kraft Colby Jack marbled Big Slice) * garlic garnish (McCormick Perfect Pinch Garlic & Herb) for Texas Toast
♪Gotta have coffee♫ … I dig those days when I’m can drink from my mug at home instead of taking my tumbler on-the-go!
Chill cats waiting patiently with anticipation of good grub …
Breakfast of Champions: Meow Mix Soufflés “with REAL Chicken, Egg and Garden Vegetables”
Sharing is a skill!
Simple and Savory is the Flavor of this Friday!
Final note: good thing that we chowed down our hearty meals before the heavy hail hit! I saw our neighbor cat sprint across the front yard to safe shelter!
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
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