Archives for February 2024

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2, New King James translation)  

This statement is made by the Apostle John in his opening salutations in the letter he writes to his dear friend Gaius. The New International Bible translation says “…..be in good health…..”. When referring to health in this context both physical and mental health is implied, in other words it is important to have good physical and mental health just as much as it is important to have good spiritual health.

As Apostle John prayed this prayer for his friend it is a prayer that can be echoed and prayed over God’s people. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”  

There is no secret around the importance of having good physical and mental health. All around us in our society today we are encouraged to move our bodies (exercise), eat the right foods (balanced diet) and the all-important drinking enough water.  

All of this is encouraged as a way of getting us to be in good health and where possible avoid disease and sickness.   

In recent times as a fellowship, we have had the privilege of having two Health Awareness Days led and facilitated by Dr Cheryl Clarke. Incorporated into these days were seminars that discussed the importance of good physical and mental health. The church family were encouraged to take steps towards being in good health.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to share the Gospel (The Good News of Jesus Christ) here on earth whether in our homes, work places, schools, colleges, communities in fact wherever God has placed us. In fulfilling this mandate, we want to aim to be as healthy as we can be by doing our part.  With that in mind let’s look at us striving towards having good physical health through healthy eating.  

How many of us know the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables and having them incorporated into our everyday meals? but how many of us get stuck when making this become a reality.  Need some inspiration? Let’s get started with vegetables. 

Here are a few recipes where vegetables take centre stage. 

Disclaimer – There are several ways that the dishes can be cooked. These recipes are intended as a guideline. Please feel free to add or take away ingredients in accordance with individual taste preference or dietary needs.

Ingredients 

• 3 small onions chopped. 
• 1tlable spoon 
• 3 medium green peppers chopped. 
• large Aubergine cubed.
• 1 tsp salt 
• 1/4 tsp of black pepper or add according to your taste 
• 1 clove crushed garlic 
• x1 tin of tomatoes 
• grated cheese 
• Handful of crushed cornflakes

Method 

1. Sauté the onion and green pepper on a low heat for 3 min.
2. Cube the aubergine. If you wish you can peel the skin off. 
3. Add the cube aubergine.
4. Add salt, peppers, tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until the aubergine is nearly tender. Pour into a casserole dish

Sprinkle it with cheese and cornflake crumbs. Bake uncovered at 350°F  / 180°C gas mark 4 serves 4 

In Guyana, Cook-up Rice, a one pot rice dish is known to be the must have dish on Old Year’s Night (New Year’s Eve). Traditionally meat such as pork, lamb or beef is used in the dish as well as a range of vegetables. This recipe is a vegetarian option.

Ingredients

• 300g/10½oz long grain rice  
• 1 tbsp vegetable or rapeseed oil
• 2–3 garlic cloves
• 1 onion finely chopped.
• 1 tsp grated ginger  
• 1 x 400g/14oz tin cooked pigeon peas aka gungo peas, (black-eyed peas) or red kidney beans), drained.
• 200g/7oz pumpkin or seasonal squash, peeled and chopped into chunks.
• 2 carrots peeled and cubed.
• 2 okra, sliced
• 150g / 5½oz baby spinach 
• 1 tin of coconut milk 
• few sprigs thyme 
• 1 chilli scotch bonnet finely chopped.
• 2 tsp salt 
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 15g/½oz coriander, roughly chopped

Method

1. “wash” the rice.  Tip the rice into a bowl and rinse with cold water. Repeat two- or three-times until the water is clear. Drain, then set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a pan over a low heat stir in the garlic, onion, and ginger.
3. Add the drained peas, pumpkin, carrots, okra and baby spinach. Mix well to make sure the vegetables don’t stick to the pan.
4. Before the spinach starts to wilt, add 250ml/9fl oz water with the coconut milk, thyme sprigs and Scotch bonnet. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.
5. Season with the salt and pepper, then add the rice. Stir until everything is mixed and the veg is evenly distributed throughout the rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover and leave to simmer for 20 minutes or until all the liquid has evaporated.
6. Turn off the heat and leave the pan covered for a further 20 minutes. The steam will finish cooking the rice.
7. Scatter over the roughly chopped coriander and serve.

A suggestion.

If you would like less heat. leave the scotch bonnet chilli whole instead of chopping up.

Jollof rice is a rice dish from West Africa. Jollof is traditionally made with long grain rice, tomatoes, scotch bonnet pepper, onion, and spices. How Jollof is prepared varies across different regions. Here is a version with mixed vegetables added.

Ingredients 

Jollof Rice 

• 400g x 2 cups long grain or basmati rice
• 2 two tins 400g chopped tomatoes.
• 3 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 red pepper
• 1 scotch bonnet chilli
• 1 onion
• 3 Maggie cubes 
• I chicken or Vegetable stock cube.
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• A couple of sprigs of fresh thyme.
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• 1 tbsp curry powder (optional) 

Roast Chicken

• 8 Chicken legs or thighs. (you can remove skin if you wish)
• 1.5 tablespoons of all-purpose seasoning or chicken seasoning 
• 1 tsp of garlic paste.

Method 

Preheat the oven at 190°C /gas mark 5.

Jollof 

1. Blend the pepper, onion, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet to a smooth paste.
2. Heat the oil in a medium sized pan and add the blended tomato paste along with the curry powder, thyme sprigs and bay leaves, Maggie cubes and stock cube of choice. Cook on a medium heat for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.
3. While your tomato base Is simmering, put the rice into a bowl, cover with cold water and use your hands to wash the grains. Tip the water out then repeat twice or three times until the water runs clear. 
4. Add the rice to the pan, turn the heat down to a simmer then cover with foil and a lid (so no steam can escape) cook for approximately 20 mins or until rice is soft. 
5. Cook mixed vegetables separately according to packet instructions. 
6. Add to the rice and gently mix. Rice is then ready to serve.

Chicken 

7. Remove the chicken from its packaging, place in a bowl and wash with lemon, lime or vinegar.  
8. Place chicken on an oven tray and roast in the oven for 30 min turning halfway through.
9. Once chicken has thoroughly cooked through, place two pieces on a plate, add rice and serve with salad. 

Ingredients 

• Approx. 2 handfuls of washed kale 
• 1 medium size butternut squash 
• 2 red bell peppers 
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• salt and pepper according to taste 

Method 

1. Peel the butternut squash and cut into cubes. (It’s optional as to whether you wish to leave the skin on) 
2. Rinse the butternut squash cubes and then place on a baking tray.  
3. Coat with oil and roast in the oven at 180 for approx. 35 min or until soft.
4. Rinse and cut peppers. 
5. Rinse and kale. 
6. Add oil to the frying pan and heat on a low heat. 
7. Once the oil is heated add the peppers and kale.  
8. Sauté for 5 min on a low heat.
9. Add butternut squash season with salt and pepper. Gently stir together and it’s ready to serve.