EMMA WATSON on some tips – spiritual and practical – when finances tighten and an inexpensive family meal…
Like a broken record, we’re constantly reminded of the increasing cost of our everyday lives. Petrol, housing, and even food staples have skyrocketed before our watery eyes. Thanks to lockdowns, restrictions, and worldwide trauma it’s been a tough ride for most, if not all of us. The challenge as Christians in these times is how to navigate these difficulties practically, while trusting God. How to live faithfully and authentically, believing His Word when our world is in turmoil?
PICTURE: Unsplash
Firstly, I always go back to who God is and what He actually says. There is so much hope and comfort in the Bible.
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:31-34
BEEF CHOW MEIN
Ingredients:
1 brown onion, diced finely
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated (or 1 teaspoon minced ginger or ¼ teaspoon ground ginger)
1 or 2 garlic cloves, crushed (or half to 1 teaspoon minced garlic or garlic flakes)
500g beef mince
2 teaspoon curry powder
2 carrots, grated (or zucchini, beans, peas, mixed frozen veggies)
2 corn (fresh or frozen)
Sauce:
1 cup chicken stock (or beef stock – we always use chicken for some reason)
¼ cup oyster sauce
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 cup chicken stock
2 teaspoon sesame oil Noodles (2-minute, Hokkien, rice noodles or even rice!)
Method:
1. Heat oil. Stir fry onion, ginger, and garlic for 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Add mince and curry powder. Cook, stirring now and then, for 4 to 5 mins.
3. Pre-mix sauce in a jug, whisking until smooth.
4. Mix in veggies and sauce. Stir fry for 1 to 2 minutes, until just tender.
5. Cook noodles etc and serve.
Note: Pre-cook rice if noodles aren’t your thing!
These are Jesus’ words! Something to hang onto, something to pray to God when times are tough and hope seems distant. I have prayed these verses through tears of despair when things have been tight at home. It’s not easy but I have found hope and strength to push through these dark times, into the light, which always follows.
Secondly, I have learned to be thrifty with pretty much everything, including food. I always buy things like olive oil in bulk and, when things are half price, I buy two! My one downfall in this is that sometimes the food goes to waste if it’s not used in time. Still working on that one. I also shop around for the best price online for more expensive items and make a beeline for that particular store.
Thirdly, I try to maintain serving up relatively healthy meals, choosing my ingredients wisely. That is, produce that is in season, products on special, and recipes that could stretch over two meals.
They are just a few little tweaks that I make when prices increase, making the most of what I have in my hands. But finally, I just want to encourage you to hold onto God. Dig down into his word and get a taste of who he really is: genuinely powerful, kind, and active. It’s in these times that our faith is tested and strengthened.
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – II Corinthians 4: 7-10
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A few verses to encourage you if you’re struggling in this season. But it wouldn’t be a food column without some food, so I’m sharing one of my favourite family meals, one that doesn’t cost the Earth, is super-flexible ingredient-wise, and provides delicious leftovers.
