Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God

/

  Nativity_of_the_Mother_of_God 

image source: http://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/ig/Wordless-Wednesday-Gallery/Nativity-of-the-Mother-of-God.htm

Joyous Feast!

Today is one of the feasts that the Latin Rite Catholics, Eastern Rite Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate in common. It is the day we celebrate the birth of Mary, the Mother of God, to Sts. Joachim and Anna. The icon and the prayers of the feast  teach the mystery.

Thy nativity, O Virgin,
has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!
The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God,
has shone on thee, O Theotokos!
By annulling the curse,
He bestowed a blessing.
By destroying death,
He has granted us Eternal Life.

By thy nativity, O Most-Pure Virgin, Joachim and Anna are freed from barrenness, and Adam and Eve, from the corruption of death. And we, Thy people, freed from the guilt of sin, celebrate and sing to Thee: The barren woman gives birth to the Theotokos, the Nourisher of our life.

Nativity_of_Theotokos 

Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nativity_of_Theotokos.jpg

The VanderWoude family is and forever will be in our prayers especially this day.

Back to School Waldorf Salad

/

  DSC_0080

It's blazing hot here today--definitely still main dish salad weather. I found the inspiration for this salad on Erin's blog. Admittedly, she had me at the name. "Waldorf" salad for back to school? Sure, why not?

This salad is a summer salad with a nod to the apple and cranberry flavors of fall. If you stop at the almonds, it's a lovely, protein-rich vegan salad. But if you add blue cheese crumbles, you take it to new heights of deliciousness. Even my kids liked this one. (I admit that Dad's dinner was steak with a side of salad, but some of us had salad only.)

Waldorf Quinoa Salad
2 c quinoa
4 1/2 c broth (chicken or vegetable)
2 large apples, chopped

2 c red seedless grapes, halved
1 c craisins
dash salt
1 c sliced almonds (Erin uses walnuts)
6 T lemon juice
4 T olive oil

Rinse quinoa well. Combine quinoa and water in a saucepan, bring to boiling, reduce heat and simmer until just cooked through, 20-25 min. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, cover and let sit until cool. Combine with everything except nuts in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil and toss to coat. Cover and chill. Just before serving, add nuts and toss well.

Optional: sprinkle liberally with blue cheese crumbles.