CATHY'S CORNER

Food for Advent Believers

& Recipes From Cathy's Kitchen

 From the beginning

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" Gen 1:1. In verse 27, God created man. When formed, Adam and Eve were given "noble TRAITS of character" and "High intellectual powers," yet they were to develop character by the CHOICES they made. Therefore, "at the very beginning of man's existence a check was placed upon the desire for self-indulgence," and "the tree of knowledge [food]...was to be a TEST of obedience, faith, and love of our first parents." (PP 48-9; compare with Gen. 2:17)

Death is mostly E-A-T. And Satan "overcame Adam and Eve upon appetite." For through "indulgence of appetite" Satan can control our "minds and being." (Gen. 3:6; 3T561-2)

If a person conquers appetite he will have the "moral power to gain the victory over EVERY other temptation of Satan" (3T 491-2). Inasmuch as "food" is a constant temptation right from birth, appetite is a very wonderful training tool. The baby's mother should present only a strict vegetarian diet (other than actual breast feeding), training the child to continually exercise self-control, remembering that it's character is formed and it's destiny determined by the CHOICES it makes.

As diet plays such a large part in man's history, let us briefly skip through the pages of time.

The first chapters of the Bible, particularly Genesis 1:29,30, reveal that both man and animal were created to be strict vegetarians. (The only exception, apparently, was the nursing of offspring on its mother's milk, until weaning.) In other words, man was to exist upon natural foods, without even the use of dairy or egg products.

 Blood and Fat

About 1700 years later, after the Flood had torn up the vegetation, God allowed (not commanded) men to eat flesh. But if they did, they would pay price, having their life span reduced by the very animals they ate. (Of the hundreds of animal diseases, it is known that more than half can be passed from animal to man.) The average life span of man before the Flood was about 909 years. But after animal and animal products were introduced into the diet, the next 10 generations lost an average of 73 years of life per generation, down to Abraham's age of 175 years. (And today, despite modern medicines, we are still down 70-75 years, which still does not recommend this type of diet.)

Several hundred years later, when God led His chosen people out of Egyptian slavery, He immediately switched them over to vegetarian manna. But they preferred flesh and eventually were allowed such, with regulations.

"Upon their settlement in Canaan, the Israelites were permitted the use of animal food, but under careful restrictions, which tended to lessen the evil results. The use of swine's flesh was prohibited, as also of other animals and of birds and fish whose flesh was pronounced unclean. Of the meats permitted, the eating of the fat and the blood was strictly forbidden." Testimony Studies on Diets & Food 63

"The Israelites were forbidden to eat the fat or the blood. 'It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood [Lev.3:17]. This law not only related to beasts for sacrifice, but to all cattle which were used for food. This law was to impress upon them the important fact that if there had been no sin there would have been no shedding of blood...

"The blood of the Son of God was symbolized by the blood of the slain victim, and God would have clear and definite ideas preserved between the sacred and the common. Blood was sacred, inasmuch as through the shedding of the blood of the Son of God alone could there be atonement for sin. Blood was also used to cleanse the sanctuary from the sins of the people, thus typifying the blood of Christ which alone can cleanse from sin. The fat was to be used in sacrificial offerings with the beasts, but in no case was it a suitable article of food. If used, disease would be the sure result." ST 7/15/1880 (Compare PP355; GC418)

"For whosoever eateth the fat of the beast, of which men offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord, even the soul that eateth it shall be cut off from his people. Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings. Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people." Lev 7:25-27

 Down Through Time

Again, through Isaiah, God pointed toward complete vegetarianism (Isa. 11:6-9; 65:21-25. Compare with Dan. 1:8-16).

John the Baptist was a vegetarian picture of what God's people are to become in these last days (Mark 1:6,7; 3T61-2). "Locusts" are pods of the Locust or Carob tree, and the Spirit of Prophecy confirms that John's diet was "purely vegetable" CDF 71, 3T62).

Likewise, John the Revelator spoke of a time when there would be "no more" pain or death (Rev. 21:4). 

In 1844, God, in a very marked manner, began calling His people out of Babylonian slavery, pointing them toward the heavenly Jerusalem. Within four years, He was directing attention to their diet, and altering it. (See James White's comments in CDF 495-8.) Thereafter they received much information on health, including the meat-eating question in 1863. (2T153) 

During 1867 the Spirit of Prophecy referred us to 1 Peter 2:11, saying: "'Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul"....tea, tobacco, and flesh-meats...is...hurtful." And "health reform" was to be agitated and urged "home upon others." (1T546-8,486,489. Compare 1Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20; 10:31; 3John2.) 

Thus today is our Lord gently trying to switch us back to strict vegetarianism. Because He once permitted animal products, does not mean that He would not withdraw that permission. He once authorized eating fruit from the Tree of Life; but later withdrew not only permission, but the very tree itself. He also gave ceremonial/sacrificial laws; but when He came to cancel those laws, the Jews had Him crucified. They preferred to cling to their own ideas; so they refused the King of light.

 Even Our Sanctification

Let us here consider an important distinction. When we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour and Leader, we are counted as perfect, even though we are not actually so. Jesus' righteousness is credited (imputed) to our account.

But Jesus wants us to be like Him, literally. How can this be accomplished? By OUR choices! We can CHOOSE to love and serve Jesus and give Him our will. Thus our whole nature will be brought under His control (2Cor.10:5) So the process of perfection begins. Jesus reveals His will to us, something that He wants us to do, saying "If ye love me, keep my commandments" "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." (John 14:15; 15:14)

He allows us the CHOICE of obedience or disobedience, of life or death. By means of the Holy Spirit, Jesus endeavors to implant (impart) His righteousness, His character, His very life, into us.

If we yield, and truly accept whatever He is pointing out, then we are truly converted and have become like Him on that particular point. It is Jesus living IN us Who has gained the victory. And point by point, step by step, we are converted back into His image for eternity (Col. 1:26-27; Gal. 2:20).

Therefore, let us accept ALL His revealed will, including diet, as honest sincere Christians are expected to do, because "...to obey is better than sacrifice..." whereas "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..." (1Sam 15:22,23).

Just For "Her" Day?

Concerning diet, in past centuries disease in the animal kingdom was not nearly as terrible as today. The time has come for us to cooperate with God rather than rebel against His counsel.

 Back in 1868 the Spirit of Prophecy advised: "We are composed of what we eat, and if we subsist largely upon the flesh of dead animals, we....cannot avoid eating the meat of dead animals which are to a greater or less degree diseased... The fluids and flesh of these diseased animals are received...into the blood, and pass into the circulation of the human body, becoming fluids and flesh of the same... The liability to take [get] disease is increased tenfold by meat-eating. The intellectual, the moral, and the physical powers are depreciated by the habitual use of flesh-meats. Meat-eating deranges the system, beclouds the intellect, and blunts the moral sensibilities. We say to you, ...your safest course is to let meat alone." (2T60-64)

 From 1870 to 1906, a time of great dietary uncertainty and medical ignorance, the Spirit of Prophecy was wisely leading God's people away from meat-eating and toward strict vegetarianism, bearing "positive testimony against tobacco, spirituous liquors, snuff, tea, coffee, flesh-meats," suggesting also that many flesh-eating people were being "filled with cancerous and scrofulous humors. Their bodies are composed of what they eat." "Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating.... People are continually eating flesh that is filled with tuberculosis and cancerous germs. Tuberculosis, cancer, and other fatal diseases are thus communicated." "God's people are to take a firm stand against meat eating." "Those who digress OCCASIONALLY to gratify the taste in eating a fattened turkey or other flesh-meats, pervert their appetites, and...are controlled by taste, not by principle." "Not an ounce of flesh meat should enter our stomachs." "Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God's people to walk NO MORE with them." (3T21; 3T563; CDF 388; CDF 383; 2T487; CDF 380; CDF 382). 

And in 1890: "Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,-- that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth." (CDF 380)

 Notice this specific warning from our Lord in 1898: "In a short time the milk of the cows will also be excluded from the diet of God's commandment-keeping people. In a short time it will not be safe to use anything that comes from the animal creation." (CDF 411)

In 1899, again the warning was given: "The light given me is that it will not be very long before we shall have to give up using any animal food. Even milk will have to be discarded. Disease is accumulating rapidly." (CDF 384)

 Three years later, in 1902, our all-knowing and gracious Lord commanded: "Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter. Tell them that the time will soon come when there will be no safety in using eggs, milk, cream, or butter, because disease in animals is increasing in proportion to the increase of wickedness among men.. God will given His people ability and tact to prepare wholesome food without these things. Let our people discard all unwholesome recipes... By precept and example make it plain that the food which God gave Adam in his sinless state is the best for man's use as he seeks to regain that sinless state." (CDF 460, see also 7T 135)

In the same vein, God has given us ample warning: "The effect of cheese is deleterious... Cheese should never be introduced into the stomach.... Cheese is...objectionable; it is wholly unfit for food." (CDF 236,368)

God forcefully and authoritatively declared in 1905-1906: "Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing.... The grains, with fruits, nuts, and vegetables, contain ALL the nutritive properties necessary to make good blood.... In grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are to be found ALL the food elements that we need." (CDF 313)

 Brothers and sisters, our Lord Jesus is calling us up to higher ground -- a diet free from all animal products. As indicated by the Spirit of Prophecy quotations above, God's people will do away with all animal products and enjoy a diet of wholesome foods made of non-animal sources.

Extremes

The last few words in the Counsels of Diet and Foods appendix, are those of James White regarding the counsels on health given to his wife: "...all changes in diet should be made carefully, one at a time. And while she [his wife, Ellen White] would say this to those who are in danger of making changes too rapidly, she would also say to the tardy, Be sure and not forget to change."

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

Feel free to copy this tract in its entirety.

From Cathy's Kitchen

Tofu Cheezcake

500 mg. firm tofu (not Silken) crumbled, smashed or pieces

½ Cup margarine or oil

½ to ¾ Cup honey

juice of 1 lemon (2 Tbs+)

2 tsp Vanilla

Salt

½ Cup (or less) soy milk - just enough to allow blender to operate easily

Blend till smooth.

Pour into chilled crust.

Place in freezer until firm enough to slice (not frozen).

Return to freezer until ready to serve.

Allow to sit at room temp for 5 to 10 minutes.

Add topping and enjoy.

(Great with or without fruit topping)

Topping

With corn flour, thicken juice (about 1 cup) from one tin of fruit, over medium heat, stirring constantly. As juice thickens, add in chopped fruit, and stir in. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Crust #1

2 cups granola (no dried fruit), chopped to make fine crumbs

Enough soy milk, oil or margarine to moisten (not wet)

Spray pan and push down granola to form crust.

(Save leftover crumbs to sprinkle on top.)

Freeze until firm and fill.  

Crust #2

1½ Cups flake cereal (bran, wheat, etc.)

1½ Cups dates

1 Cup quick oats

¼ Cup chopped almonds

Cup water, juice or soy milk

Dash of salt

In blender, whiz water (juice or soy milk) with dates to make a paste.

In mixing bowl, combine the rest of ingredients.

Add date mixture and stir thoroughly.

Spray pan and press into pan to form crust.

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes.

Allow to cool completely before adding filling.

  Crust #3

1 Cup dates

¼ Cup water

½ Cup coconut

1 tsp grated lemon or orange rind

¾ Cup walnuts, chopped

In blender, combine dates and water to make thick paste.

Add coconut and citrus rind, continue to blend.

Spoon into pie pan. (Don't make too thick.)

Sprinkle chopped walnuts over crust & press down.

Freeze and fill.

  Our Favorite Burger

Blenderize until nearly smooth:

½ cup cooked garbanzos (chickpeas)

½ cup water (or garb juice)

½ onion chopped

½ tsp salt

½ tsp sage

½ tsp basil

½ tsp garlic pwdr

1 tsp+ Braggs or soy sauce

Then add slowly

1 cup rolled oats

If mixture is not too wet, oats will bog down the blending process.

If that happens, stop immediately.

If oats blend well, add another 1 or 2 Tbs.

Pour mixture into bowl & allow to rest for 10 minutes.

Form 3 or 4 patties (depending on desired size).

Slowly pan fry in olive oil until brown

OR

Bake 350 for 30 min or until brown.

 Better 'N Burgers

Mix together:

1 C fine fresh bread crumbs

¾ C quick oats

2 Tbs gluten flour

½ tsp paprika

¼ tsp thyme

¼ tsp marjoram

1 tsp salt

Mix in well, with hands:

½ clove garlic, cut very fine

2 Tbs tomato sauce

1 C finely chopped onions

1 C grated potatoes

add ¾ C water (approx) or just enough to form nice patties.

Don't leave too stiff, but the more water, the less chewey the patty will be.

Brown in olive oil, or in oven.

Serve on buns with lettuce, onion & tomato slice.  

Lentil Burgers

1 cup dry lentils

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

½ tsp. chili power

1 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)

1 tablespoon tamari

½ pkg. tofu

½ cup wholewheat flour

Wash and cover lentils ½" with water.

Add chopped onion, garlic, chili powder.

Cook till tender and add Tamari and liquid smoke.

While lentils are cooking, in a blender, chop ½ pkg. tofu and add ½ cup wholewheat flour.

When lentils are tender, mix with tofu/flour mixture.

This should be real thick and easy to spoon onto a hot griddle in the shape of a burger.

You may want to add 1 T. of Olive oil on the griddle.

Cook on each side.