Elle Is For Living!

Pico de Gallo

This is a standard that I make in our house at least once a week!

Elle's Pico de Gallo

1 tomato

2 thin slices of red onion, diced

cilantro, chopped

avocado, diced

salt

Lime juice from 1 to 2 limes, squeezed

jalapeno, optional

Tapatio or Sriracha sauce, to taste (I like about 2 to 3 drops, Mark like at least 1 tsp!)

Combine all ingredients.

Serve over chimichanga or with chips.

If you have leftovers, cover with saran wrap pressed down tightly to adhere to the avocado to prevent browning

September Scriptures

A quarrelsome wife is

as annoying as constant dripping

on a rainy day.

Proverbs 27:15

A worthy wife is a crown

for her husband,

but a disgraceful woman is like

cancer in his bones.

Proverbs 12:4

Charm is deceptive, and

beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord

will be greatly praised.

Proverbs 31:30

Always be humble and gentle.

Be patient with each other,

making allowance for each other’s faults

because of your love.

Ephesians 4:2

We can rejoice, too,

when we run into problems and trials,

for we know that they help

us develop endurance.

Romans 5:3

Dear brothers and sisters,

when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity for great joy.

James 1:2

This is my commandment:

Love each other in the same way

I have loved you.

John 15:12

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful or proud

1 Corinthians 13:4

Better to be patient than powerful;

better to have self-control

than to conquer a city.

Proverbs 16:2

Are any of you suffering hardships?

You should pray.

Are any of you happy?

You should sing praises.

James 5:13

When she speaks, her words are wise,

and she gives instructions with kindness.

Proverbs 31:26

Who can find a virtuous

and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

Her husband can trust her, and

she will greatly enrich his life.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

Proverbs 31: 10-12

Love is patient and kind.

Love is not jealous or boastful

or proud or rude.

It does not demand its own way.

It is not irritable, and

it keeps no record of being wronged.

It does not rejoice about injustice but

rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith,

is always hopeful, and endures

through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Devote yourselves to prayer

with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Colossians 4:2

Three things will last forever

—faith, hope, and love—

and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you

who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Elle's Easy Egg Drop Soup

This is going to be in a bonus video I am putting out next Thursday so I wanted to make sure to share the recipe beforehand. I frequently double this recipe. It is so fast and delicious!

The eggs and green onion are added at the end. This is super flavorful. Note: I didn't have Sherry so used Marsala instead - either works.

I just love how the flavors come together. I always serve this when I make wontons.

Elle's Easy Egg Drop Soup

Servings: 2

2 1/2 C Chicken Broth

1 Tbsp Cornstarch + 2 Tbsp water

ginger

dash pepper

1 tsp sherry

1 tsp sesame oil

egg beaten

green onion, chopped

Bring broth to a boil.

Mix cornstarch & water and add to broth

Add rest of ingredients to oil

Add egg stirring only in one direction

Dish up and serve with green onion on top

Elle's Easy Chia Seed Fruit Bars

Healthy, tasty and not messy - yup, these are the greatest fruit bars! They are also super easy to make and freeze well. These are a staple that I always have on hand. I keep extra in the freezer in a ziplock baggie for grab-and-go snacks.

It doesn't look to pretty when you first mix it but it all comes together when you added the dry ingredients.

Get creative with the seeds/nuts that you use. My favorites are using a combination of sunflower and walnut.

These are "no mess" so they are great to throw a few in a baggie and grab as you are on your way out the door as they don't fall apart or leave your hands sticky! I love to grab these to eat in the car.

Elle's Easy Chia Seed Fruit Bars

Servings: 30 bars

2 frozen and thawed bananas

3 C frozen fruit, thawed (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, cherries)

1/2 C Chia Seeds

2 Tbsp flax seed

1 C rolled oats

1 C seeds or nuts of your choice

Stevia if desired (see my notes)

Microwave the frozen fruit 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every minute, until thawed.

Mix with an immersion blender, blend fruit until it breaks down.

Add rest of ingredients to bowl and mix

Let sit on counter for 30 minutes - this allows the chia seeds to thicken the mixture

Put in lightly greased pan(s) spread out to about 1/2 to 3/4" thick.

Bake 350 for 20 minutes

Let cool completely before cutting in to bars. Put in ziplock bag and grab for a quick easy snack.

- Use 5C fruit (each banana counts as 1 C). If I use more bananas and less berries, I find it needs stevia. More berries and less banana (as written above) means I don't think it needs stevia. Adjust to your taste. I have made it with between 1 and 3 bananas but think 2 bananas is my favorite.

August Scriptures

He will flatter and win over those

who have violated the covenant.

But the people who know their God

will be strong and will resist him.

Daniel 11:32

Dear friends, do not be surprised at

the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you,

as though something strange were happening to you.

But rejoice inasmuch as you participate

in the sufferings of Christ,

so that you may be overjoyed

when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,

you are blessed,

for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

if you suffer as a Christian,

do not be ashamed,

but praise God that you bear that name.

For it is time for judgment to begin

with God’s household;

and if it begins with us,

what will the outcome be for those who do not

obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:12

This same Good News that came to you

is going out all over the world.

It is bearing fruit everywhere

by changing lives,

just as it changed your lives from the day

you first heard and understood the truth

about God’s wonderful grace.

Colossians 1:6

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,

because it is the power of God

that brings salvation to everyone who believes:

first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Romans 1:16

Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed,

but the Lord Jesus will slay him

with the breath of his mouth

and destroy him

by the splendor of his coming.

2 Thessalonians 2:8

Yes, and the Lord will deliver me

from every evil attack

and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom.

All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

2 Timothy 4:18

And I am convinced that

nothing can ever separate

us from God’s love.

Neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither our fears for today

nor our worries about tomorrow—

not even the powers of hell

can separate us from God’s love.

Romans 8:38

Such people will not be overcome by evil.

Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

They do not fear bad news;

they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.

They are confident and fearless and

can face their foes triumphantly

Psalm 112:6-8

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”

your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought me joy.

Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—

a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?

The wicked band together against the righteous

and condemn the innocent to death.

But the Lord has become my fortress,

and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

He will repay them for their sins

and destroy them for their wickedness;

the Lord our God will destroy them.

Psalm 94:18-23

We can rejoice, too,

when we run into problems and trials,

for we know that they help us develop endurance.

Romans 5:3

And this is the plan:

At the right time he will bring everything together

under the authority of Christ—

everything in heaven and on earth.

Ephesians 1:10

The Lord will rescue me from

every evil attach and

will bring me safely to

his heavenly kingdom.

To him be glory for ever and ever.

Amen

2 Timothy 4:18

Oh, the joys of those who

do not follow the advice of the wicked,

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the Lord,

meditating on it day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;

my only aim is to finish the race and

complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—

the task of testifying

to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20:24

Elle's Easy Italian Cheesy Chicken

This is much simpler than it looks, Basically coat the chicken in the sour cream mixture, dip in the breadcrumbs and bake, then melt the cheese on top. Mark likes it served with the marinara sauce but that is totally optional.

Elle's Easy Italian Cheesy Chicken

Serves 4

4 chicken breasts

1 cup sour cream

3/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated, divided

1 tablespoon corn starch

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly ground

1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground

Panko bread crumbs

4 slices mozzarella or meunster (or any mild white cheese)

Parsley, chopped, for garnish

Fresh basil, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Spray baking dish with nonstick spray.

Mix sour cream with a half cup of Parmesan, salt and pepper, oregano and basil, garlic powder and cornstarch together.

Pound breasts to tenderize and put on baking dish. Put a light coat of sc mixture on the top of the chicken breasts. Sprinkle with Parmesan and then panko bread crumbs. Bake for 375F for 20 to 30 minutes.

Pull out chicken and top each breast with a slice of cheese and parsley and/or basil. Put back in oven or, even better, put in air fryer at 400F for 5 minutes until to melt cheese and make bubbly and hot.

Serve chicken over pasta or zoodles with marinara. Top with chopped parsley / basil for garnish.

July Scriptures

Praise the Lord! Let all that I am praise the Lord.

I will praise the Lord as long as I live.

I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;

there is no help for you there.

the Spirit God gave us

does not make us timid,

but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Psalm 146: 1-3

A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22

Praise the Lord!

How good to sing praises to our God!

How delightful and how fitting!

Psalm 147:1

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens!

Praise him from the skies!

Praise him, all his angels!

Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Praise him, sun and moon!

Praise him, all you twinkling stars!

Praise him, skies above!

Praise him, vapors high above the clouds!

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord,

for he issued his command, and they came into being.

Psalm 148:1-5

With praise and thanks,

they sang this song to the Lord:

“He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”

Ezra 3:11

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

Elle's Effortlessly Easy Rice

This is so delicious and versatile that it can honestly be served with just about anything. With just four ingredients that I always have on hand, this is a go-to recipe in our household.

1 cup uncooked long grain white rice NOT instant

10 oz can of condensed French Onion Soup

10 oz can of condensed Beef Broth

1 stick butter (1/2 cup) sliced thinly

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In an 8x8 inch baking dish combine rice, soup and broth.

Cut butter into slices and place on top of the mixture.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 30 minutes more.

Optional

After step #4, you can add two seasoned chicken breasts to bake with the rice.

When rice is done, you can put it in a ramekin and cook in air fryer (or on broil in the oven) to crisp up the rice (Mark likes his crunchy in the air fryer, I like mine right out of the oven when it is more moist.

We freeze leftovers and they reheat beautifully.

June Scriptures

God has not given us a spirit of fear

For the Spirit God gave us

does not make us timid,

but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Be sober-minded; be watchful.

Your adversary the devil prowls

around like a roaring lion,

seeking someone to devour.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing

that the same kinds of suffering

are being experienced

by your brotherhood

throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9

Put on the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to stand against

the schemes of the devil.

For we do not wrestle against

flesh and blood, but

against the rulers,

against the authorities,

against the cosmic powers

over this present darkness,

against the spiritual forces

of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the

whole armor of God,

that you may be able to

withstand in the evil day,

and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having

fastened on the belt of truth, and

having put on the breastplate

of righteousness and, as shoes for your feet,

having put on the readiness given

by the gospel of peace.

In all circumstances

take up the shield of faith,

with which you can extinguish

all the flaming darts of the evil one

and take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God,

Ephesians 6:11-17

Call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.

Psalm 50:15

We destroy arguments and

every lofty opinion

raised against the knowledge of God,

and take every thought captive

to obey Christ

2 Corinthians 10:5

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,

as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you,

not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Peace I leave with you;

my peace I give to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your hearts be troubled,

neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

The lord is my light and salvation,

whom shall I fear

The Lord is the stronghold of my life,

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my rock,

my fortress and my deliverer;

my God is my rock,

in whom I take refuge,

my shield and the horn of

my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:2

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

deliver me in your righteousness.

Psalm 31:1

Into your hands I commit my spirit;

deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Psalm 31:5

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you

and help you.

I will hold you up

with my victorious right hand.

isaiah 41:10

For I am the LORD your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you,

Do not fear; I will help you.

Isaiah 41:13

I can do all things

through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

he delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

May Scriptures

History merely repeats itself.

It has all been done before.

Nothing under the sun is truly new.

As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you,

dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord.

We are always thankful that God chose you

to be among the first to experience salvation—

a salvation that came through the Spirit

who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.

He called you to salvation when

we told you the Good News;

now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters,

stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching

we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself

and God our Father, who loved us and

by his grace gave us eternal comfort and

a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you

in every good thing you do and say.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Do not fear, for I am with you.

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you.

Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand

that is right and good.

See, all those who are angry with you

will be put to shame and troubled.

Those who fight against you

will be as nothing and will be lost.

You will look for those who argue with you,

but will not find them.

Those who war against you will be as nothing,

as nothing at all.

For I am the Lord your God

Who holds your right hand,

and Who says to you, ‘Do not be afraid.

I will help you.’

Isaiah 41:10-13

Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people,

who do not follow the example of sinners

or join those who have no use for God.

Instead, they find joy in

obeying the Law of the Lord,

and they study it day and night.

They are like trees that grow beside a stream,

that bear fruit at the right time,

and whose leaves do not dry up.

They succeed in everything they do.

But evil people are not like this at all;

they are like straw that the wind blows away.

Sinners will be condemned by God

and kept apart from God's own people.

The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord,

but the evil are on the way to their doom.

Psalm 1-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your possessions,

And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Psalm 3:5-10

Devote yourselves to prayer

with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities

to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ.

That is why I am here in chains.

Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

Live wisely among those who are not believers,

and make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive

so that you will have the right response for everyone

Colossians 4:2-5

Always be joyful.

Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Do not scoff at prophecies,

but test everything that is said.

Hold on to what is good.

Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

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