Food

Food for Life – Better ‘N Burgers

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“The Lord has shown me that Sabbath-keepers as a rule labor too hard, without allowing themselves change or periods of rest. Recreation is needful to those who engage in physical labor, and is still more essential for those whose work is principally mental. It is not essential to our salvation nor for the glory of God to keep the mind laboring constantly and excessively, even upon religious themes. There are amusements, such as card-playing, dancing, theater-going, etc., which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them. They open the door to great evils. By their exciting tendency they produce in some minds a passion for gambling and dissipation. All such amusements should be condemned by Christians, and something perfectly harmless should be substituted in their place. There are modes of recreation which are highly beneficial to both mind and body. An enlightened, discriminating mind will find abundant means for entertainment and diversion from sources not only innocent, but instructive. Recreation in the open air, and the contemplation of the works of God in nature, will be of the highest benefit.” Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 108.

Better ‘N Burgers

Mix together:
1 cup fine, fresh bread crumbs
3/4 cup quick oats
2 Tablespoons gluten flour
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon salt

Mix in well, with hands:
1/2 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons tomato sauce
1 cup onion, finely chopped
1 cup raw potatoes, grated

Add 3/4 cup water or just enough to form nice patties. Do not leave mixture too stiff, but the more water added, the less chewy the patties will be.

Brown patties in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil or in the oven for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, turning once.

Serve on buns with lettuce, onion and tomato slices, and your favorite condiments.

Cathy Summers Timmons, a Steps to Life staff member and a member of LandMarks’ editorial staff, writes from her home in Wichita, Kansas. She may be contacted by e-mail at: cathytimmons@stepstolife.org.

Do you have a favorite vegan recipe you are willing to share with LandMarks’ readers? Send it to us with a photo of you, if available, and a two or three line bio. We will consider all submissions. Send to the address below or by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

LandMarks Recipes
Steps to Life Ministry
P.O. Box 782828
Wichita, KS 67278

Food for Life – Natural Immune Boosting Drink

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I [Ellen White] saw that when we tax our strength, overlabor and weary ourselves much, then we take colds and at such times are in danger of diseases taking a dangerous form. We must not leave the care of ourselves for God to see to and to take care of that which He has left for us to watch and care for. It is not safe nor pleasing to God to violate the laws of health and then ask Him to take care of our health and keep us from disease when we are living directly contrary to our prayers.

“I saw that it was a sacred duty to attend to our health, and arouse others to their duty, and yet not take the burden of their case upon us. Yet we have a duty to speak, to come out against intemperance of every kind,—intemperance in working, in eating, in drinking and in drugging—and then point them to God’s great medicine, water, pure soft water, for diseases, for health, for cleanliness, and for a luxury.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 280.

Natural Immune Boosting Drink

4 medium-sized oranges

2 grapefruits

4 lemons 1/4–1/2 cup honey

9–12 cloves of garlic

1/2 onion, peeled

1/2–1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4–1/2 cup honey

Juice the oranges, grapefruits, and lemons. Pour juice into blender. Add 9 to 12 cloves of garlic, depending on their size and the heat you can tolerate. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend thoroughly.

Make the Natural Immune Boosting Drink fresh at the start of the day and drink 4 to 6 ounces every 3 to 4 hours until symptoms are gone. Begin using this drink at the first sign of cold or flu.

The citrus fruits, garlic, and onion have antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The cayenne pepper will act as the catalyst that will help the germ-fighting properties to circulate more freely in the system. Honey is added to make the drink more palatable.

Reprinted with permission from Whole Health Healthy Lifestyle Classes binder, Historic Message Church, P. O. Box 130, Colton, Oregon 97017.

Mike Bauler pastors the Historic Message Church in Portland, Oregon. He may be contacted by e-mail at: mbauler@molalla.net.

Do you have a favorite vegan recipe you are willing to share with LandMarks’ readers? Send it to us with a photo of you, if available, and a two or three line bio. We will consider all submissions. Send to the address below or by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

LandMarks Recipes
Steps to Life
P.O. Box 782828
Wichita, KS 67278

Food for Life – Tomato Kale Dish

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We endeavor to use good judgment in determining what combinations of food best agree with us. It is our duty to act wisely in regard to our habits of eating, to be temperate, and to learn to reason from cause to effect. If we will do our part, then the Lord will do His part in preserving our brain-nerve power.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 492.

“The other members of my family do not eat the same things that I [Ellen White] do. I do not hold myself up as a criterion for them. I leave each one to follow his own ideas as to what is best for him. I bind no one else’s conscience by my own. One person cannot be a criterion for another in the matter of eating. It is impossible to make one rule for all to follow. There are those in my family who are very fond of beans, while to me beans are poison. Butter is never placed on my table, but if the members of my family choose to use a little butter away from the table, they are at liberty to do so. Our table is set twice a day, but if there are those who desire something to eat in the evening, there is no rule that forbids them from getting it. No one complains or goes from our table dissatisfied. A variety of food that is simple, wholesome, and palatable, is always provided.” Ibid., 491.

Tomato Kale Dish

1 1/2 bunches of kale (about 12 cups)

1 cup chopped tomatoes or 1 14-ounce can stewed tomatoes

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup peas (fresh or frozen)

1 Tablespoon olive oil or water

1/2 cup cleaned raw cashews

1 teaspoon ground cumin

salt to taste

Remove stems from kale, rinse well and chop; then steam until tender. While kale is steaming, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil or water. When onion is soft, add cumin and heat until fragrant; then add tomatoes and peas. When heated through, add kale and cashews. Serve over brown rice.

Submitted by Wally Lacey

Office administrator for an ophthalmology practice in Oceanside, California, Wally enjoys encouraging patients to eat a healthy, vegan diet to improve their health.

Food for Life – Carob Sweets

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When reading the Bible with humble, teachable heart, we are holding intercourse with God Himself. The thoughts expressed, the precepts specified, the doctrines revealed, are a voice from the God of heaven. The Bible will bear to be studied, and the mind, if not bewitched by Satan, will be attracted and charmed. . . . The light which beams through the Scriptures is light from the eternal throne flashed down to this earth. . . .

“All who make the Word of God their guide in this life will act from principle. Those who are vacillating, vain, and extravagant in dress, who are gratifying the appetite and following the promptings of the natural heart, will, in obeying the teachings of God’s Word, become balanced. They will devote themselves to duty with an energy that never falters, and they will rise from one degree of strength to another. Their characters will be beautiful and fragrant and devoid of selfishness. They will make their way and be acceptable anywhere among those who love truth and righteousness.

“The psalmist prayed, ‘Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.’ The Lord heard him, for how full of assurance are the words, ‘How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!’ ‘More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.’ (Psalm 119:18, 103; 19:10.) And as the Lord heard and answered David, so He will hear and answer us, making our hearts full of gladness and rejoicing.”

That I May Know Him, 196.

Carob Sweets

1 cup almonds, soaked in water overnight

1 cup walnuts, soaked in water overnight

Drain off water and grind the nuts together into butter.

Add:

1 teaspoon light tahini

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon honey

Mix together well to make a dough, and divide into two halves. Add 1 teaspoon carob powder to one half. Chop some dates or other dried fruit. Roll up a small piece of white dough and a small piece of carob dough, adding a piece of dried fruit in the center. Roll each ball in carob powder to coat.

A friend of Steps to Life, Margaret Murray enjoys reading LandMarks and watching sermon videos on Sabbath. She lives on the Sussex Coast at Eastbourne, England.

Do you have a favorite vegan recipe you are willing to share with LandMarks’ readers? Send it to us with a photo of you, if available, and a two or three line bio. We will consider all submissions. Send to the address below or by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

LandMarks Recipes
Steps to Life Ministry
P.O. Box 782828
Wichita, KS 67278

Recipe – Walnut Balls

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1 cup ground, raw potatoes
1 Tablespoon flour
1 cup dry, whole wheat bread crumbs
3 onions, chopped
1 cup walnuts, ground
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sage
1 Tablespoon oil
1/2 cup soy cream cheese or soy sour cream (optional)

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together, then form into balls. Put into a baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. After baking, you may use them with your favorite gravy, sauce, or as “meatballs” with spaghetti. The flavors are enhanced if the balls are allowed to set in the refrigerator for awhile before baking.

Food for Life – Animal Meats and Animal Products

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Health reform, like other lifestyle changes, needs to come as a result of a desire in our hearts to serve God. The following quotations are a brief representation of the issue of use of animal meats and animal products. Be sure to look for the upcoming issues that will continue to look at this subject.

“The time has come when we must carry in our lives the influence that the Saviour carried in his life. We are to instruct and educate the suffering ones how to resist disease, by teaching them how to eat and drink and live healthfully, and how to love and fear God. By reading and studying the Word of God, those who in their hearts desire to serve God will learn to discard the habits that are ruining the health of body and soul.” Review and Herald, January 21, 1909.

“In order to know what are the best foods, we must study God’s original plan for man’s diet. He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. . . . Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator.” Child Guidance, 380.

“Therefore light must be given to the best methods of introducing health reform. Meat is the greatest disease breeder that can be introduced into the human system. But you can not touch health reform unless you present the most inexpensive methods of living. The enemy must have no advantage in any line. The Lord can only bless those who are keeping every precept he has given in relation to this life.” Spalding and Magan Collection, 136, 137.

“When flesh food is discarded, its place should be supplied with a variety of grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, that will be both nourishing and appetizing. This is especially necessary in the case of those who are weak, or who are taxed with continuous labor.” Child Guidance, 384.

“It is a mistake to suppose that muscular strength depends on the use of animal food. The needs of the system can be better supplied, and more vigorous health can be enjoyed without its use. The grains, with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, contain all the nutritive properties necessary to make good blood. These elements are not so well or so fully supplied by a flesh diet. Had the use of flesh been essential to health and strength, animal food would have been included in the diet appointed man in the beginning.” Ibid.

Food for Life – Granola Bars

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The following quotes are from the pen of Ellen G. White. The date given after the book reference is the date the statement was said or written.

“We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet; but we do say that in countries where there are fruits, grains, and nuts in abundance, flesh food is not the right food for God’s people. . . .

“We are not to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship, but we should consider the influence that professed believers who use flesh foods have over others. . . . Will any who are ministers of the gospel, proclaiming the most solemn truth ever given to mortals, set an example in returning to the fleshpots of Egypt? Will those who are supported by the tithe from God’s storehouse permit themselves by self-indulgence to poison the life-giving current flowing through their veins?” Testimonies, vol. 9, 159, 160. (May 31, 1909)

“Milk, eggs, and butter should not be classed with flesh meat. In some cases the use of eggs is beneficial. The time has not come to say that the use of milk and eggs should be wholly discarded. There are poor families whose diet consists largely of bread and milk. They have little fruit and cannot afford to purchase the nut foods. In teaching health reform, as in all other gospel work, we are to meet the people where they are. Until we can teach them how to prepare health reform foods that are palatable, nourishing, and yet inexpensive, we are not at liberty to present the most advanced propositions regarding health reform diet.

“Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men. The time is near when, because of the iniquity of the fallen race, the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.

“God will give His people ability and tact to prepare wholesome food without these things. Let our people discard all unwholesome recipes.” Ibid., vol. 7, 135. (August 20, 1902)

Granola Bars

Mix together:

6 cups rolled oats

3/4 cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1 cup almonds

3/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup flaxseeds

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

In another bowl, mix together:

1 cup honey

1/2 cup olive oil

1 Tablespoon vanilla or 1/2 cup natural cane sugar

vanilla bean equivalent crystals (optional)

Combine moist ingredients with dry ingredients and mix well. Press onto sprayed cookie sheet (should be about 1/2 inch thick). Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Cut into squares while warm or break apart into chunks after cooling.

Adapted from a recipe from Bill Humeniuk who lives with his wife, Becky, in Carrollton, Kentucky. Bill is director of Advent Hope Ministries, Inc., a ministry to supply Bibles and Spirit of Prophecy books to Africa. He may be contacted by e-mail at: adventhope@bellsouth.net.

Recipe – Country Style Gravy

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3 cups water

1/2 cup cashews

2 Tablespoons cornstarch

2 Tablespoons chicken-like seasoning

2 teaspoons onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 Tablespoons Bragg Aminos

1 Tablespoon parsley

Blend 1/2 cup hot water with the cashews until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients, except parsley. Pour into a saucepan and stir while cooking over a medium heat until thickened. You may add vegetarian “bacon/sausage” to the gravy if desired. Add parsley just before serving.

Do you have a favorite vegan recipe you are willing to share with LandMarks’ readers? Send it to us with a photo of you, if available, and a two or three line bio. We will consider all submissions. Send to the address below or by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.

LandMarks Recipes

Steps to Life Ministry

  1. O. Box 782828

Wichita, KS 67278

Food for Life – Transitioning to a Vegetarian or Vegan Diet

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Change to a vegan diet should be done with study, care, and thought. If people change too quickly, before they know how to cook nutritional, tasteful food, there is a danger that the change may be short lived. It is also important that diet reform be ongoing as more information is learned. It may be very difficult if too much information is given all at once and the person cannot incorporate the knowledge into healthful living. Ellen White made the following comments in regard to diet reform and change:

“Let the diet reform be progressive.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 135.

“When flesh food is discarded, its place should be supplied with a variety of grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits, that will be both nourishing and appetizing.” Child Guidance, 384.

“Some, after adopting a vegetarian diet, return to the use of flesh meat. This is foolish, indeed, and reveals a lack of knowledge of how to provide proper food in the place of meat.

“Cooking schools, conducted by wise instructors, are to be held in America and in other lands.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 469.

“Nuts and nut foods are coming largely into use to take the place of flesh meats. With nuts may be combined grains, fruits, and some roots, to make foods that are healthful and nourishing. Care should be taken, however, not to use too large a portion of nuts. Those who realize ill effects from the use of nut foods may find the difficulty removed by attending to this precaution.” Ibid., 363, 364.

“Three years ago a letter came to me, saying, ‘I cannot eat the nut foods; my stomach cannot take care of them.’ Then there were several recipes presented before me; one was that there must be other ingredients combined with the nuts, which would harmonize with them, and not use such a large proportion. One-tenth to one-sixth part of nuts would be sufficient, according to combination. We tried this, and with success.” Ibid., 273.

“Olives may be so prepared as to be eaten with good results at every meal. . . . When properly prepared, olives, like nuts, supply the place of butter and flesh meats. The oil, as eaten in the olive, is far preferable to animal oil or fat. It serves as a laxative. Its use will be found beneficial to consumptives, and it is healing to an inflamed, irritated stomach.” Ibid., 349, 350.

Food for Life – Carob Cream Pie

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This month we will look at a principle regarding sweetness in our diets. Although this will not be an exhaustive study, a broad principle will be included. Please know that it is important for you to study this subject in detail for yourself. Be a Berean.

In the Bible, we find what is often called the “honey principle.” The Bible records three statements regarding the eating of honey that should be considered for an overall temperance principle. “My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste.” “Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.” “[It is] not good to eat much honey.” Proverbs 24:13; 25:16, 27.

Using these verses, we can identify a temperance principle that is applicable to many areas of life besides the eating of honey. The principle is this: Even good things should be taken in moderation. In other words, honey is good for us, but we should consume it in moderation—only as much as is sufficient for us, and never in excess, as that is not good.

Temperance Principle: If the item is bad for you, abstain from it. If it is good, partake to sufficiency and in moderation, not excess.

Carob Cream Pie

3 cups soy or almond milk

1 Tablespoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons Emes Kosher-Jel (unflavored)

1 teaspoon cereal coffee substitute such as Roma or Postum

1 cup pitted dates or 5 Tablespoons honey

2 drops mint flavoring (optional)

3 Tablespoons carob powder

1 Tablespoon molasses

1 pre-baked pie shell

Heat 1 cup of the milk with Emes Kosher-Jel and stir until the jel is dissolved. Combine with remaining filling ingredients and process in a blender until very smooth. Pour into a bowl and chill until firm. When firm, stir with wire whip or spoon (add more milk if necessary), and then pour into pre-baked pie shell. Chill again until firm. If desired, garnish with lightly toasted coconut.