Living relevantly + Recipes

Being a Christ follower & living in Africa, everyday I am challenged by the 'face' of need & poverty at my car window, in car parks, at the supermarket, on the streets... actually most places I go. Having lived with 'it' up close & personal for so long, it is hard not to become anesthetized to their need & I find myself turning away more & more. This however in not what Jesus commanded us to do. As models of Him here on earth, we are called to love & care for our neighbor. In theory this sounds easy until we have to give something of ourselves whether it be money, time or compassion. It is hard & I am the first to say that I fall hopelessly short of how we are called to live! 

This week our church is doing something amazing to help us identify with the plight of so many people in our local communities. We have been encouraged to put aside our comfort food, Starbucks latte's, Kauai wrap lunches & Sushi dinners (my interpretation, not theirs) and try & live like so many others do for a mere 3 days. It's daunting believe me but my family & I are challenged to try.

 The "Live Under the Line Challenge"

Monday 31 October 2011 - Wednesday 2 November

Did you know that there are currently 13 million South Africans who live under the international poverty breadline? That means they’re living off R10 ($1.28) or less per day. That’s R10 ($1.28) for food, medicine, education, transport, shelter and clothing. Seriously!

The Challenge we as Common Grounder members are attempting over the next 3 days:

-  Attempt to live on R10 per day for food and refreshments

-  Encourage colleagues, friends and family to join the “Live Under the Line Challenge” in a  
   effort to identify with how 13 million others in out country live every day.
-  Donate whatever you would’ve spent ordinarily on food and drink for those three days to 
   the Common Good foundation.

All money donated will go directly towards initiatives that uplift the vulnerable of our city.


   As a Community we’re doing this for two very good reasons:

-  Because if we really want to know how to love our neighbour, we need to start by  
   identifying with those needing provision and protection in our community, and

-  Because we want to give generously as a church to those in need

For more on this amazing cause...see here~

(As seen on the Common Ground web site)

RECIPE EXAMPLES: 

Breakfast – Oatmeal Porridge with apple and cinnamon (serves 1)

Ingredients
- 50g rolled oats 
- 1 cup skim milk
- 1T sugar     
- 1 apple
- a sprinkle of cinnamon

Method
1. Pour rolled oats and skim milk in a bowl, mix well and microwave for 2 minutes.
2. Take it out and give it a stir, add some water if it’s too dry.
3. Add sugar and cinnamon and put it back in the microwave for another minute.
4. Serve with apple slices, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Lunch - Potato and Leek Soup (serves 1)

Ingredients
- 1 large potato - butter
- 1 medium brown onion  
- 1 leek (if your budget allows)
- 1 ½ cups water

Method
1. Boil water in a medium saucepan and add potato. Simmer for about an hour, adding 
    more water if it starts to get too dry.
2. Heat butter in a saucepan and fry onion (diced) until soft. Add a leek at this point 
    too, if your budget allows!
3. Add onion to boiling potato, and mash with a fork or potato masher until the soup is as
    smooth as  you’d like.  
    Taste and season.

Dinner – Chilli Con Carne (serves 2)

Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar beans 
- 1 onion
- 1T oil  
- 1T curry powder
- 1 cup soya mince
- 1 beef stock cube
- 2 chopped tomatoes
- tomato paste
- I cup rice

Method
1. Soak sugar beans overnight. Boil in salted water the next day until soft.
2. Chop onion and sauté in 1T oil.
3. Add curry powder (to taste) and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add soya mince, cup water, beef stock cube, chopped tomatoes and tomato paste.
5. Stir in beans and allow to simmer.
6. Serve with rice.Small group meal 

Samp and beans (Serves 10-12)

Ingredients
- 1kg samp and bean mix (rinsed and soaked overnight)
- salt
- 2 onions, sliced 
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed (optional)
- 5ml allspice 
- oil
- 2ml nutmeg 
- black pepper
- 50ml butter (optional)

Method
1. Pour off the water after soaking and place the samp and bean mix in a large saucepan.
2. Cover with water and simmer slowly until the samp and beans are nearly soft and 
    most of the water has evaporated. (Add extra water if necessary.) 
    Season well with salt.
3. In the meantime sauté the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft. Add the cloves 
    and allspice. Add  the onion mixture and continue to simmer until the samp mix 
    is completely soft.
4. Season with nutmeg and black pepper and extra salt to taste if necessary. Stir in 
    the butter. Serve hot.

image links: porridge.soup.chilli, beans

I hope this has been food for thought (no pun intended).

I am glad you stopped by!