I’ve recently learned about nutritional yeast (non-fortified to avoid vitamin overdose). This is my first attempt at using it: sprinkled over almost-finished-cooking scrambled eggs, then scrambled in.
In case you’re not familiar, nutritional yeast (veteran users’ affectionate nickname for the flaky goodness is “nooch”) does not rise. I won’t go into it here, but Google the health benefits, especially if you need to avoid sodium.
Nooch replaces cheese and salt, and is surprisingly delicious, wonderfully nutritious. (Wait, is that the Lucky Charms jingle? That stuff was terrible. Leprechauns are big fat liars.)
And this is bread I baked myself, actual yeast bread. With the other kind of yeast.
I tried once years ago–an utter failure–and accepted the idea of never baking bread again. Or of even attempting.
Thank you Covid, for giving me the empty-bread-shelf desperation to try again.
One full failure, four “okay” attempts, and one incredibly crispy batch later (fyi, letting the timer beep for four extra minutes might be fine for chili, but not bread), here it is: yesterday, I baked the MotherLoaf. And it is PERFECT.
(I plan to create a tutorial…if this yeast-terrified-me gal can bake bread, anyone can.)
Covid-19 has given us a lot to complain about, but when we complain, we’re focused only on ourselves. We can’t see the need around us.
I Thessalonians 5:18-22 commands us to give thanks in ALL circumstances. Not just some. It’s an attitude thing. If we can find a way to be thankful, our attitude stops being so cr@ppy and we free ourselves to serve others.
Keep in mind, it says IN all circumstances, not necessarily FOR.
If I said, “I’m so thankful the coronavirus came to hang out with us,” you’d think I’m crazy at best, and a complete jerk (or a psychopath) at worst. Covid-19 has caused terrible tragedy and heartbreak for many.
But we can choose to find ways to be thankful IN our circumstances.
Because of Covid, I faced and conquered a fear.
Maybe soft, fluffy bread doesn’t scare you, but the simple recipe was the monster of my kitchen nightmares.
Ultimate proof of my status as a failure.
Sure, my brownies are famous, but, really, how hard is it to screw up chocolate?
Am I alone in allowing a fear to tell me lies? I don’t think so.
I’m thankful for this opportunity, provided by the Covid circumstance.
I am thankful that an empty bread aisle and love for the PBJ people in my house poked me out of my comfort zone.
I’m thankful for the chance to prove my fear of failure wrong.
I’m thankful for friends who provided encouragement and recipes to try.
I’m thankful for more time with my husband as he works from home.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to focus more often in prayer for my friends.
I’m thankful my friend offered a class about building an online tutorial, so I can show my friends how to bake bread (because I know at least two of you also fear this monster).
See? Once you start being thankful, it’s easy to think of more reasons to thank God.
And once we get our heads on straight, it’s easier to think of others.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:18-22 (ESV)
And I’m thankful for my friend Bethie, who prompted me to sit down and think about Jesus this morning.
What’s your fear? Are you thankful for something in your current circumstances? How can I pray for you?
And remember, even in the fear, the difficulty, the does-anybody-get-it moment: you’re not alone. Not ever.