MATCHA CHICKEN PASTA and POTATO

-your pasta of choice so long at its gluten/corn free and 100 percent with no derivatives

-Matcha

-Moringa powder for added health benefits

-Chopped cooked garlic peices

-Air fryed cooked butcher chicken breast

-Rice milk or a safe milk alternative and also depending on the taste you would prefer, eg coconut

-Pure peanut butter will thicken the consistency of the dish and add flavour

-Chopped raw cashews

-Sea salt flakes

-Mashed potato; I used rice milk for my mash but can use a safe alternative. The potato mash goes well with balancing out the different but somewhat strong flavours added to the pasta and also is balanced well with the chicken breast. The amount and portion of each ingredient to be decided by the cookers discretion based on how much flavour they want and how many people they are cooking for/portion size etc.

This recipe is an original creative invention of mine and is packed with nutrition and corn free It may or may not be suited to your taste but I enjoyed the heartiness of it. It can also be experimented with give or take some added ingredients or some taken out. ENJOY.

The post ~Creative cooking without the Corn first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

It is for this reason I have done research around these areas, so I can eat and live life. I have had anaphylaxsis to Corn and carry Epipens. This allergy was undiagnosed for me for what could have been many years. Learning how to manage it took a fair amount of time and was initially very scary as I was reacting to so much food but it got easier as I dedicated alot of research and time into this area; I simply had no choice. Now as I have healed somewhat in this area; I am going to share some staple/basic foods and tips needed; so someone with this crazy allergy who may be starting out can eat and learn about what they are cooking with.

PANCAKES

Bread is such a staple food of our society. But it can often include corn derivatives; especially if brought from a local supermarket/ bakery and not homemade. After initially making my own homemade bread, I realised I wanted to use the flour in making these breads for pancakes, muffins and cakes/other baked goods. I use mixed corn free flours from a health store, cassava flour, brown rice flour and any other safe options with manning valley eggs (not corn fed) and coconut milk to make pancakes. Other safe foods like pure matcha powder and carob powder can be added to a pancake/crepe for a more flavoursome meal

FRUIT AND NUT MUFFINS

As corn can restrict our diet alot; adding safe nuts like cashews, walnuts, almonds etc to muffin recipes adds nutrition. I also add pure rice malt syrup as a safe sweetener and may add a low chemical fruit such as soft boiled pears. Homemade muffins are much healthier then cafe or supermarket brought muffins which are packed with sugars and preservatives as well as corn derivatives. You also know exactly what you are putting in your body when you make it yourself.

PEAR JUICE

Pears are low chemical and pear juice is also a tasty drink. Peeling fruit like pears is good to ensure the corn is removed as pears may have been sprayed with a corn derivative. I peel pears, boil them using filtered water and then drink pear juice, either hold or cold as a drink alternative. Many store brought drinks contain corn and corn derivatives.

COCONUT JUICE

100 percent coconut juice is another safe alternative for someone with a corn allergy/sensitivity. Coconut juice can be high chemical but generally are safe for the corn allergic.

FILTERED WATER

I drink filtered water for the most part. I brought a water filter for home and order filtered water in 10L lots to add to it. I find some local tap water can not be as pure.

RICE

I add rice to dishes as opposed to some store brought pasta which can contain corn derivatives. If I find a safe 100 percent pure pasta I’ll cook with that. Homemade pasta can be safe as well but it is also time consuming to make so requires patience

MATCHA

Matcha is one of my favourite hot/cold drinks. After I was diagnosed with this allergy I had to remove ALOT of food and drink. Matcha in its pure form is much safer then coffee for corn allergics/sensitives and a great drink to socialise with.

MATCHA ICECREAM

You can add matcha to alot of different foods such as pasta but also homemade ice-cream. I use safe coconut yoghurt, coconut milk and matcha and freeze and then use a ninja icecream machine for homemade matcha icrecream without the corn

MEAT

I use safe lamb, chicken and beef. The animals are often fed corn and I only purchase safe meat that hasn’t been corn fed from the butcher not the local supermarket. Packaged meat is often added to the packet with a liquid to preserve it so I definately avoid packaged meat and buy as fresh as possible.

SPRAY FREE FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

It is highly possible the fruit and vegetables from the local supermarket have been sprayed with corn. This can keep them shiny and lasting longer but for corn allergics/sensitives the fruit/veg can be enough for a reaction. For this reason I only shop for spray free fruit and veg from a reputable health store or shop. I also peel all my fruit and vegetable; though if they have not been sprayed this may not be necessary. I use the fruit and veg to make all kinds of creative cooking recipes.

FREEZING FOOD

Living with this allergy can be time consuming; for this reason I sometimes freeze the food/drink I make.

SAFE SNACKS

My only safe snacks from the supermarkets are raw nuts, Organic brown rice crackers from brand Ceres Organics, Organic rice cakes from the same brand and a couple of others that don’t add corn derivatives, safe coconut yoghurt. Spray free avocados are a tasty addition to rice cakes and crackers as well as safe 100 pure peanut butter and rice malt syrup on rice cakes.

The post ~Creative cooking without the corn PART 1 first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

What’s it like going through life as a single, childfree women?

For me it has many layers. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I feel the pang of grief at how my life could have turned out. What I have reached is acceptance. Acceptance of how things are and a momentum that going at my own pace; I can make my own life choices irrespective of what others who haven’t walked my path say.

People will always talk.

Whether someone has had kids or not. People will always talk.

I won’t apologise for the childfree choice; at 43 it is pretty set in stone and i’m ok with it as i have worked through grief. If my intent is not to harm others but live my life with kindness then my childfree/ childless life is perfectly fine.

The post ~Why I won’t apologise for being childfree/childless. first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

Imagine remembering we are God’s masterpiece.

And all those lies of being unworthy fall at his feet.

And every time we feel the need to earn love as we go.

God reminds us you’re already my masterpiece;

I hope you know.

I hope you know;

That while I love the good things you do.

You are enough in my eyes

~ I made you.

The post ~Daughter of the King first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

The only choice I had was to survive.

In the intense period of isolation I experienced; I clung to the Lord and found small ways to heal everyday; until I eventually began to function more again.

Today as I reflect on that night; I am saddened by the reality of the jealousy that can permeate humans. Yes jealousy is normal to some extent we all experience it; but there is a kind of jealousy that is purely demonic. One that drives people to do things that are inherently evil like rape. There is a spiritual side to sexual violence. To want control and power over someone and cause immense pain intentionally comes from a darkened soul.

The Lord however can heal anyone. He can transform a darkened soul into one more connected to the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus; but it takes a willing person to repent of the evil they have done and truly mean it. Change of who they are must happen on a deep level so they operate from a more loving space.

Jealousy underpins alot of crimes, sin and evil.

Asking the Lord for healing from the spirit of extreme jealousy is also another way perpetrators can overcome evil by doing good. Leaning into prayer, reading the bible/listening to verses online and getting the proper psychological help.

We are all sinners but we are also all saints made right through the blood of Jesus. ANYONE including a rapist can come to the Lord and be healed but the interaction has to be genuine, true and real. My hope is that these people come to know the Lord, his love for all humans and seek a changed heart that is not driven by wickedness. However if they continue to choose the wicked path they are essentially sending themselves to Hell.To call on the name of Jesus with pure intention can bring even the most wicked to Christ.

As a victim/survivor I can say my life has been far more painful than what it needed to be.

I enter a new season of hope and love now focusing on what the Lord wants me to do and continued healing from what I never should have had to go through.

For those who struggle with abnormal jealousy; hoping you seek the Lord and ask him for help in overcoming this and get the help you need. The love of Christ is far greater than wickedness and we all have that choice to connect with it.

Wishing everyone a continued relationship and connection to Jesus.

Love is patient, Love is kind.

The post ~The impact of jealousy first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

The rise;

The fall.

The mind that thought it knew what to do.

The heart that wandered to places and faces;

in search of brand new.

I’m still finding ways to unravel and feel;

What left me unbound.

in a space of unreal.

Living to a new tune;

But still not fully sure.

Theres purpose in this;

And what’s it for?

I’m still placing my trust;

though some moments with fragility.

In the only one who knows everything I am;

Who holds the essence of me.

~You Lord.

The post ~You Lord first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

Then there are other times where I love my singleness. So much so I’m not sure I want things any other way. A deep contentment washes over me and I am so glad God knows what he is doing and has decided this is what I truly need. I am meant for this.

I sit with two oscillating mindsets each carrying their own emotions.

Then again there’s free will. Maybe I have missed the one and didn’t know it? but you can’t miss what is truly meant for you, right ?

And so it continues and I live in a space where when it comes to love;I don’t have all the answers, but he does.

Who’s he?

the big G-O-D

and for now I am savouring this beautiful season or life? alone.

The post ~Valuing singleness first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

On the path to healing from severe trauma there may be many roadblocks encountered;

~Finding the right help

~Knowing what help you need

~Knowing how to pace yourself and listening to what is truly needed

~Overcoming the challenges around people’s judgements of the trauma

~Accepting and working through the way the trauma has impacted one’s life, one’s sense of self and one’s circumstances. As well as the way it has impacted relationship dynamics

~Finding reasonable ways to heal as well as leaning into faith

~Trusting that other people’s opinions around the trauma are just that; their opinions and not always an absolute truth or fact. Remaining in truth is very important particularly for mental and emotional health and healing

~Having self compassion when the bad days and moments come and understanding life is cyclical, seasonal and ebbs and flows. Bad times never last forever although some days it can feel neverending.

~Recognising profound trauma has a profound impact on someone. Therefore giving oneself the adequate time to heal which is unique to every person is crucial.

As a survivor the lived experiences I have had give me a depth of understanding that can translate to helping others at times. In saying that; who I am as a person is much broader then the trauma I have had to and am still working through. We are all multifaceted humans. I can only focus so much on trauma before I feel the heaviness return and thus I am one person of many. Simply sharing some of my story is a lamppost as they say for someone who needs to read it at this appointed moment in time. Trauma was never who I am; it is what I have had to overcome and I take it as part of my path now.

Acceptance allows me to let go. Of wanting things to have been different and simply sit in the space of truth. I have moved forward alot, but some things remain. It is what it is. I am happy with the person I am today.

If you are finding life has been traumatising. You don’t always need a million solutions but taking steps when you can to help the situation is often much better than not facing the reality of it.

Life can cut deep, but it is also a beautiful life, especially when we walk through it with God

The post ~Healing from serious trauma. first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

I trust you Lord;

who is in ultimate control.

Some days will feel lighter;

Others less so.

I can know you fill me with your love and peace Lord; 

I can trust and let go.

The emotions can feel deep;

The battle has been strong.

But I know you are always by my side Lord;

carrying me along.

From me to you, today, thankyou;

~This is my love song.

The post ~ Wholeness first appeared on A Piece of Pam.

In times of rest;

I see how you; 

know what’s best.

I lay my troubles;

upon you with ease.

Knowing it’s you;

I wish to please.

Thankyou Lord;

In quiet reflection;

I feel your presence;

Your loving protection.

A light whisper;

A gentle knowing.

In life’s ordinary;

Your spirit’s glowing.

The moments you effortlessly have a way;

of lifting me up;

and brightening my day.

Thankyou Lord;

~With gratitude

The post ~With gratitude first appeared on A Piece of Pam.