Just Listen

Mmmm...Pumpkin Oats for breakfast.  Notice the texture of the oatmeal today, just a little quinoa mixed in.  I am loving this combination.  If you are new to quinoa I highly recommend!  In just a half-cup serving, quinoa packs 4 grams of protein.  It is also a good source of magnesium and phosphorous and low in sodium in cholesterol.  I personally love the texture of quinoa and I enjoy it savory or sweet.  It is also quicker and easier to cook than other whole grains like brown rice!

I have been spending my daily quiet time in the morning reading through the book of Jeremiah.  The Book of Jeremiah records the final prophecies to Judah, warning of the certain destruction if the nation does not repent. Jeremiah repeatedly calls out for the nation to turn back to God. What strikes me is the repetitive nature of Jeremiah's prophecies.  Time and again he tells the people to repent, turn to God, follow his leading.  And time and again the people of Judah disobey.

I have to wonder why they don't just follow the instructions.  They are given so clearly to them.  Do not go to Egypt.  Do not worship Baal.  Do not do this and do not do that.  Yet every time Jeremiah prophecies, the people of Judah seem to do exactly the opposite.  Many claim Jeremiah is a false teacher but I think they know he is telling the truth and they can't handle the truth.  I find myself screaming into the bible...JUST LISTEN! SHUT UP AND LISTEN!

After reading a few chapters each day, I pray to the Holy Spirit to show me my take-away.  What should I learn from the fall of Jerusalem?  I can hear God screaming to me just the way I scream at the Israelites...JUST LISTEN!  SHUT UP AND LISTEN!  God asks me to follow his lead and not my own, yet time and again I am insistent on my own direction.  My own agenda.  I am so preoccupied I forget to ask God his direction and his agenda. 

Despite the clear teachings of the bible, like the Israelites, I disobey all the time.  While reading the Old Testament, I shake my head at God's people as they repeatedly turn their backs to God's teaching and leadership.  Their disobedience is so evident!  But after closer examination I realize my own disobedience runs rampant and I am no better.  If my life were a book and someone were reading, I assure you they are now shaking their head and screaming JUST LISTEN! 

The area of my life that needs better obedience is our finances.  While this may come as a shock to you after just reading how we are paying off an entire credit card this month, I assure you this is an area that Mr. Kummerow and I constantly struggle with.  Daily I must shut up and listen to God's leading and my own conscience and ignore the impulse decision to buy, buy, buy; spend, spend, spend!  These constant battles are exhaustive and there are times I want to quit, but I know if I continue to follow God's leading (and Dave Ramsey's principles) that there will be great reward and freedom!  For of my love-hate relationship with Dave visit this post.

There are also many other areas of my life that need constant attention and work and I find myself asking God's guidance and then failing to follow through.  The teachings of Jeremiah can seem irrelevant at times in our own lives, but I assure you they are as important to my daily life as it once was to the people of Judah during the fall of Jerusalem.

Lunch yesterday was a hurried meal.

A fruit bowl, frozen peas popped in the microwave for several minutes and a funny looking green thing!  Ok, that funny looking green thing is a veggie burger wrap with ketchup and mustard and pumpkin.  It was delicious.  I gobbled it down between my work out and a pep rally at Harmony Elementary for Girls on the Run.  And now finally, I will share with you our burger recipe.  This is probably my favorite one so far!

Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 chia egg (1 tbsp chia seeds mixed with 3 tbsp water)
2 slices sprouted grain bread (or other whole grain bread)
1/4 large yellow onion
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp paprika
2 clove garlic

In food processor, process bread to create bread crumbs.  Set aside.

Now place 2 garlic cloves and onion in food processor and finely chop.  Add black beans for several minutes.  You do not want to puree them, but just finely chop.  Combine with all other seasonings for several minutes. 

Remove blade and stir in quinoa and then the chia egg until mixture is well combined. 

Scoop into 1/4 cup balls and roll in hands until well "mushed."  Gently pat flat and lay on parchment paper on baking sheet.  Pat flat until about 1/2 inch thick and 2-3 inches in diameter.

Repeat with rest of mixture.  Should make about 10 patties.

Bake in 375* oven for 30 minutes, flipping each burger half way through. 

These veggie burgers are great for freezing and leftovers.  We popped all 10 of ours in the freezer and remove them when we need a quick meal.  After 1 minute in the microwave they are ready to serve and they sure beat the store-bought version that are processed and unhealthy!  This recipe is definitely a winner!