Two Coffee Recipes Plus Three Goodies To Try With Coffee!

Nothing is better to me than a nice cup of coffee. I swear, I could drink only that! If you follow me on Instagram (@jendevereaux) you'll figure out pretty quickly how much I love my coffee. Most days I have at least three or four cups but was thinking today, how can I make my coffee experience even better? 

So, today I have two unique coffee recipes and I've paired it with some really yummy goodies that are good with or without coffee. 

Let's get started:

Ingredients:

3 cups pure water

2 Tbsp. Arabic coffee

3 Tbsp.. ground cardamom powder

1/4 tsp. saffron

Directions:

1. Put 3 cups of water in a pot. Bring to a boil. 
2. Add coffee and boil over a low heat. 
3. Turn off heat after 5 minutes and leave the coffee to clear. 
4. Pour coffee into a kettle and let coffee settle in the pot. 
5. Add the cardamom and saffron to the kettle of coffee. Bring to a boil once before serving in small coffee mugs. 

Ingredients:

1-1 1/2cups milk warmed up.

2 cups brewed coffee

Directions:

1. Heat 1 to 1 1/2 cups of milk in a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat. 
2. Whisking until milk is steaming and slightly foamy. 
3. Divide milk between two cafe au lait bowls or large coffee mugs, whichever you prefer. 
4. Divide 2 cups of coffee between bowls or mugs and stir. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

Topping and Middle Layer:

16 oz whipped cream topping

Strawberry Filling Layers:

1/4 cup sugar

3 pounds fresh strawberries, sliced. Keep a few for decoration. 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper as the handles and baking spray, set aside. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine the salt, flour, baking powder and whisk. Set aside. 
3. Cream together butter and sugar, mix well with mixture. 
4. Add eggs and vanilla and beat very well. 
5. With a mixer on low, slowly alternate between adding dry ingredients and milk.
6. Pour mixture into a greased baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack when done. 
7. Place sliced strawberries and 1/4 cup sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Take off heat and set aside to slightly cool. 
8. Once the cake is cool, remove it from the pan using the parchment handles. Slice in half vertically then again in half horizontally. Place the bottom half back into the baking pan with cut side up. 
9. Spread half of the strawberries with syrup evenly over the cake, then spread half the whipping cream topping over the strawberries. 
10. Repeat with the top half of the cake. Finish with the remaining whipping cream topping and decorate with reserved strawberries. 
11. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. 

To get the round look in the picture. I did the same steps but in a muffin pan. :)

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 Tbsp. instant coffee granules

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. In a large bowl sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. 
3. In another medium bowl combine milk and instant coffee. Mix until the coffee is dissolved. 
4. Mix in the large eggs, melted butter, and vanilla. 
5. Add the wet mixture into the dry mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Don't over mix. Lumps are okay. :)
6. Fill greased or lined muffin cups 2/3 full. 
7. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 

Ingredients:

Cooking spray

1 pound pre-made cookie dough

1/2 gallon ice cream

Directions:

1. Preheat waffle iron. Spray the top and bottom very well with cooking spray. 
2. Form cookie dough to cover the entire bottom of the waffle maker. Press closed. 
3. Cook 1-2 minutes on each side. 
4. Set aside cookie waffles to cool to room temperature.
5. Sandwich ice cream between two cookie waffles and Enjoy! 
6. To get the heart shape, cut with cookie cutter. :)

Directions:

1. Draw or print out a skull pattern. 
2. Cut out with an X-Acto knife. You want just the skull. Leave in the background. Just remove the skull pattern but make sure that the paper with cover the coffee cup and just the skull is open.  
3. Hold over the coffee of your choice and using coffee grounds, cinnamon, or my personal favorite chocolate and sprinkle over. To use chocolate, I just used my food processor to make it very fine.  

I hope you enjoy this new coffee and fun goodie recipes. If you try any? Come back and comment with a yay or nay. I'd love to hear your feedback and be sure to share with your other coffee lovers! 

The Best Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup

Today, I'll be sharing with you a family recipe for the best three cheese lasagna soup. I love recipes that aren't super time-consuming. 

Being a mom, anything that saves you time is a life saver. Plus, this isn't a very spicy recipe and my kids loved it just as much as the adults did. We made it for our small group for church.

 However, we all had to try a little bowl before serving it. I'm very happy with the results and hopefully, it will become a new family favorite for you and yours as well. 

The Best Three-Cheese Lasagna Soup

Ingredients:

19 oz ground Italian sausage, hot or mild. 
1 (14.5 oz) can fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic
1/2 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 Tbsp. dried Italian seasoning
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 Tsp. onion powder
1/2 Tsp. kosher salt
1/2 black pepper
8 oz dried campanelle pasta (Bell Shape)
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
4 oz shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 basil leaves, chopped fine

Directions:

In a large skillet over high heat, brown sausage. Making sure to break apart into small bite size pieces, until fully cooked or no pink is left. Drain well. 

In a large (12 quart) pot over medium heat add tomatoes, paste, sauce, seasonings, onion powder, salt, pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine. Once sausage is done, add to the pot. Cover and bring to a boil. 

We cooked our pasta in a separate pot and was unable to find the campanelle shells, so we used two boxes of DaVinci signature tortellini which is a tomato & three cheese filled pasta. Two boxes because we wanted to double the recipe. You'd just be using one box if not doubling. 

 Once water is boiling add pasta, cook uncovered, until it is al dente or about 7-9 minutes. Turn of heat and drain. 

Once our sausage mixture was boiling we transferred that to the crock pot and separated the liquid from the sausage mix. Added enough juice to fill the crock pot and discarded the rest. 

Then added our sausage mix and pasta. We did it this way because we didn't want a real soupy mix. We wanted it to have equal amounts of liquid to sausage mix ratio. 

Once in the crock pot, we added the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Stir well to combine.

Sprinkle top with freshly chopped basil leaves and enjoy. 

Serve with warm Artisan bread, sliced and homemade garlic butter.

Pool Safety and Pool Alarms.

Vigilance is the best way to prevent a child from drowning. Nearly all pool mishaps happen in less than five minutes; the amount of time it takes to make a cup of coffee or a sandwich.

There are alarms that can help you promote pool safety. Pool safety alarms afford you extra protection for the ones you care about and love. They will help keep your children from becoming a statistic.

Pool Alarms come in 2 styles: Floating and Infra red Sensors

1. FLOATING/WAVE SENSORS

These alarms are mounted on the edge of the pool or in the pool. They are key activated, battery powered, and portable. Generally, these alarms sense water displacement when an object weighing more than fifteen pounds enters the pool. When this occurs a signal is sent to a remote receiver which is either in the home or carried by the guardian. The receiver emits an alarm of approximately 85 decibels. This type of alarm can be used with pool covers, pool nets or solar blankets and have an adjustment that can reduce their sensitivity. They are affordable. The disadvantages to this system in some models include the portability, which means some can be removed for swimming and not replaced, and the fact that someone must be in the water before you are alerted.

2. FENCE/ WALL MOUNTED PASSIVE INFRA-RED MOTION DETECTORS

These all weather-designed systems may be mounted on a pool fence or wall and can also be installed in a spa, patio, or garage. They protect an 8-yard semi circular area by emitting a 110-decibel alarm that can be heard up to 50 yards away. These alarms, which are most effective when mounted on a pool fence or wall, are armed one minute after being switched on and possess a 5-second entry delay feature which prevents the device from going off immediately after it's been activated. Unique features include both a movement and heat sensitive sensor that can only be activated by a small child or animal when performing movements and emitting body heat within its patrol range. 2 standard alkaline batteries or a DC power adapter run these alarms, which has a 12-month full replacement warranty.

POOL MOUNTED PASSIVE INFRA-RED MOTION DETECTORS

These alarms, which are some of the newest ones on the market, combine all of the important features found on other devices and are very affordable. Each unit simultaneously detects both motion and heat of anyone passing by and will not give any false readings for inanimate objects. With this device, a perimeter fence is not an integral part of the system as it is with most other systems.

This key operating unit runs on batteries or a DC power adapter and has a 24-hour warning signal for low battery power. With a 110-decibel micro siren, this is also the loudest alarm on the market and can be heard 50-yards away. These alarms cover an 8.5-yard radius and a 150-degree area.

The Pool Mounted Passive Infra Red Motion Detector protects all children before they get wet and also keeps your pool equipment safe from theft.

Pool Safety AlarmsThings to Think About

In considering a pool safety alarm one should compare features, price, and reliability. Consider the power source or sources, the fail-safes, and the potential for inadvertently disarming the warning system. Remember that pool alarms are one tool that will help to make your swimming area safer. Parental guidance and vigilance are primary in ensuring pool safety.

This is an investment in your family's future. Losing a child is devastating and most couples who do so end up in divorce. Statistics are cold hard facts; the hug of your child is a tender, heart-warming reality. Keep your little ones safe and protected.

Our children aren't always our only concern when discussing pool safety. The biggest tip I can give for our four legged family members is to make sure they know where and how to exit the pool. If on the off chance they get in the pool and have trouble finding their way out. Most dogs, we can assume swim but they can't swim forever. Work with your dog big or small and help them find the stairs or other safe areas for them to get out. 

We have about 12 different models we offer for pool alarm through our distributor. If you have any questions or need any help, don't hesitate to ask. We would love to help you keep your family safe. 

Mexican Bean Salad

A yummy, spicy and family favorite! 

Ingredients:

1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained

1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (10 oz) package frozen corn kernels

1 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

2 Tablespoons white sugar

1 Tablespoon salt

1 clove garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 Tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 Tablespoon ground black pepper

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onions. 

2. In a small bowl. whisk together olive oil. red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin. and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce and chili powder. 

3. Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables, mix very well. Chill thoroughly, serve cold. 

Optional but I like to add fresh avocado to mine. Separate in my bowl. I don't recommend adding it to the whole mixture because it will turn all brown and ishy! 

I hope you enjoy the bean salad with your family! 

Homemade Garlic Butter. Two ways!!

This is the best garlic butter and can be used on everything from bread, potatoes, to Salmon. Quick and easy to make and smells delicious when they are roasting. 

Ingredients:

1 cup salted butter softened

2 small cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 Tablespoon sliced fresh chives

2-3 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

Directions: 

Combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. 

Serve with bread or over hot vegetables. 

Notes:

To make garlic toast, spread garlic butter over fresh bread and place on a baking sheet. broil 2-3 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Way #2

Slice off the head of the garlic clove cluster, not separated. Sprinkle with olive oil. Roast garlic head in the oven at 400 degrees, for 35 minutes. 

Remove from oven and cool to the touch. Separate garlic clove from the casing and set aside. For a family of five, we use one stick of salted butter, softened, and four cloves of roasted garlic. 

Smash garlic with a fork and remove any skin or heavily browned areas. Or this with give your butter a bitter taste. 

Once smashed up, add to softened butter and mix well. Taste. Does it need more of a garlic taste? if yes, add one at a time until you acquire the right ratio for your liking. 

Add finely chopped Italian parsley to make it pretty and enhance the taste. Done! This is by far, hands down, my favorite garlic butter I have ever had!!     

  

The Truth About Hell.

In today's society, people tend to talk about Hell as if it's this glorious place. We've all seen the memes out there but if you haven't? I'll add a few below I snagged from Pinterest. 

The last one imparticular is one of my favorites but we'll talk about that later, let's get started. 

Ok, first I'm going to make a list of facts that are true about hell. Next, I'll try to briefly go through them one by one. Now, stay with me until the end and it may really change how you feel about things. If you are a believer this won't be so difficult. If you are not, then I pray this is a wake-up call and will turn your heart towards repentance. 

What this list is not, is a line-up of all the people I like are going to hell. I won't be shaming any select person or group. That is not the purpose of me writing this. I wanted to truly shed some light on the truths about Hell. I will be referring to different Bible verses because if you believe in a Heaven, that means that there is a Hell. You can't have one without the other. Even, the hardest of hardest people believe in Heaven. Everyone always says that RIP, rest in peace. Well, what do you think that means? Who rests in peace in Hell? Which makes my point. 

Ok, ready? You gotta stay with me though. Don't get mad halfway through and think "screw her." Read the whole thing and know the truth. If your choice is still Hell at the end, that's cool. No hard feelings!  

The Truth About Hell

• Truth #1 Satan is not running Hell. He's not the boss on some throne. 
• Truth #2 Hell was not made only for Satan or his Angels. 
• Truth #3 Hell is a Lake of Fire. 
• Truth #4 Hell is eternal.
• Truth #5 Hell is God's wrath being poured upon you. 

Truth #1

Based on popular beliefs,  many people think Satan is the boss of himself and He is just roaming around doing his own wicked thing. However, the truth is that God is in control. Of Satan? Yes, of Satan. Even Satan has to get permission before he acts. Now, wait a minute...are you saying God allows Satan to do evil things? Well yes, and although that is very hard for any of us to understand, that is no less the truth. We can get more into that on another day. So just know that Satan is subject to God. The Bible says in Job that Satan needed to ask permission to harm Job, who was a righteous man. He couldn't just do what he wanted. If that were the case we'd all be dead and pretty early on in our lives as well. 

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eschewed evil? and still, he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou moved me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life.”
—Job 2:3-6

Truth #2

Some churches today and tons of people think that Hell was just made for Satan or what we in society would call really bad people. You all have a few that come to mind as you're reading this. Again, as people, we can vary on opinion. What is not up for opinion is that those thoughts are so far from the truth. Hell is for Satan and his angels, yes. However, it is also for sinners. The gate is broad to hell and the gate to heaven is narrow. Why is it a narrow gate? Why is hell's gate so big? To answer each of those questions I can do so in one answer. Jesus Christ. He is the reason you go to Heaven or He is the reason you go to Hell. The gates are so big in Hell because so few people will find true salvation. 

There are so many false salvations and religions. The sinner's prayer is the major culprits. Everyone, including myself at one time in my life believed this as truth. Stood for it. I grew up in non-biblical churches. I grew up believing a lie and thought God was who I was told he was. That I could confess things and it would happen. That I could ask and I was going to receive. I didn't make things happen and I didn't get what I wanted. God isn't what you think He is. He is what His word says He is. End of story. The only way to get to know him on a personal level. Is to read the Bible. 

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life.8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 

Romans 2:5-8

Truth #3 

Hell is not some cool hip place where you can now fulfill all your wicked heart desires. Hell is a lake of fire. A hot burning lake of fire. After the tribulation, Jesus will return to judge each and every one of us, according to our deeds. There is a Book Of Life and a Book Of Deeds. Your name is written in one of those books. If, you don't have the slightest idea of which book you fall in, Here's your sign! Most solid true Christians know where they are going. The Holy Spirit is our confirmation. If you don't have that confirmation, hopefully by the end of this you'll have a good idea of how to obtain that. 

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Revelation 20:14

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:15

13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 

14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.

Revelation 20:13-14

Truth #4

Hell is eternal. Something our little minds can't even grasp. It's just too big to think about, at least for me. I can't worry about tomorrow, let alone my eternal future. That is just plain stressful. What we need to worry about though is where are eternal future will be held? I certainly don't want to burn in fire for the rest of eternity. How can one even burn forever? Good question, glad you asked. The answer, we are given new bodies that burn but don't burn up. Just like you'll get a new spiritual body for Heaven, those going to Hell will be getting a new body too. 

50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:50

10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Revelation 20:10

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28

46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Matthew 25:46

Truth #5

Hell is for God's wrath. 

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Romans 2:5

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

Ephesians 5:6

6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

Colossians 3:6

10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

Revelation 14:10

All of us have sinned before we even knew what sin was. We sinned against our parents when they gave us a command and we disobeyed. Just that alone would get us to Hell but you and I both know we've done far more than that. I'm sure you've heard of the Ten Commandments? Those are 10 Laws of God, that most of us have broken. God's word says that if you have broken one, you've broken them all and are therefore declare a sinner and worthy of eternal Hell. Hell is not just for who we call wicked or evil. 

How can we then be saved from eternal damnation? Who can save us from this? Jesus Christ was sent to Earth, walked a sinless life and died a sinner's death. He paid the price, taking God's full wrath for our sins. Jesus was not just a man but God in the flesh. A holy, sinless lamb lead to slaughter. He put the power of death under His feet and took the blame for sinner's who believe, repent from their sins, turn from their sins, and follow Him. 

You have to understand that you are a sinner and on the road to eternal Hell. You have to see the need for a savior in your life. Why would anyone come if they thought they never needed one, to begin with? We don't run our own lives, every breath is given to us by Him.  I prayed before writing this, and pray now for you who aren't save. I ask that God reveals the truth to you, softens your heart and calls you to true repentance. That you may be saved and spend eternity in Heaven, not Hell. 

If, you aren't a believer ask God to show himself to you. Don't just assume He isn't real or won't listen. His word says all that ask, I won't turn away. Ask! and keep asking until your heart changes. Seek God's word and learn the truth. Only the word of God will open your eyes and heart to believe. Don't just settle for Hell, trust me on this!! 

You don't want to burn forever with a bunch of wicked sinners, evil angels, and the most wicked Satan. Who has come to deceive the whole world and trust me...he is very good at his job. In fact, most of you will walk away thinking I'm just another wacky Christian trying to scare people. 

Some of that may be true, LOL! However, truly it is out of love that I tell you the truth. I can't imagine anyone going through that punishment. I know for a fact some of my family members, some of which I was very close with, is headed that way. Breaks my heart. I can't change their out come but I'd like you to take another look at yours. 

Wouldn't it be better to live for Christ now? Then, wish you had? Wouldn't you rather suffer now and maybe have to give up a few sinful things now, then pay for them in eternal Hell later? Will there be things that will have to go? of course! You'll be given the ability to sever Christ and not your sinful desires. 

Just consider what I've talked about with you today. Ask God to tell you the truth, He is faithful and He will. Don't ever assume and let Satan lie to you that this is rubbish. Investigate it for yourself. 

This is your soul on the line you know? 

If you have any questions on this matter you can Visit Grace To You. There are a number of sermons that are very Biblical and you can trust.  I don't make a thing referring you to them, so don't think this is some kind of plug. I just trust John and know he teaches the truth about God's word.