Thought for the morning - positivity

It really is hard to stay positive during these uncertain times.  Just when I believe that things are on an upward swing, then society crashes down once again...politics, pandemic, violence and brutality.  It just amazes me that we cannot seem to catch a break.  Of course, I do realize that all of these issues are things that we, as humans of Earth and as citizens of the U.S., have done to ourselves.  I think that's what makes this the saddest of all.  These things could have been avoided, to a lesser degree at least, if we had just decided to find the good in mankind.  Oh, well.

I'm working very hard to staying as positive as I can.  Not only for my sake, but for the people around me.  This is not to say that I am going around ignoring what is happening.  I am simply choosing to take a different path to deal with it.  There is enough negativity out there right now.  Other people are making the choice to post whatever they feel they need to to make a difference.  So, I'm posting what I need to make a difference for myself and the people I care about.  That is all.  I want to be the reminder to people that everything isn't bad, even though it sure does feel like that at times.  That is all.

Stay positive.  Stay strong.  We will get through this and, hopefully, come out better on the other side.

Amazing Grace

This is not my favorite hymn, by far, but today I just needed it.  This beautiful setting by John Rutter.  Be blessed.

Recipe of the week - Beef and Broccoli

I was just in the mood for this dish a few weeks ago and so I searched the internet and found this on a website called justataste.com.  I am not very experienced in cooking beef other than ground beef and so I wanted to start on something fairly basic.  And I had some thin sliced beef in the freezer that I needed to use up, so this seemed ideal.  I've made it twice now and both times we really enjoyed it.  Both of us found it pretty filling in that we didn't need to go back for seconds.  As a result, one batch made two meals for us...score!!  Hope you enjoy!

Beef and Broccoli
3 Tbsp cornstarch, divided
1 lb flank steak, cut into thin 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp packed light brown sugar
1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp ground ginger
2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided
4 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup sliced white onions

 - In a large bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 3 Tbsp water.  Add the beef to the bowl and toss to coat beef
 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 Tbsp cornstarch with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger.  Set the sauce aside.
 - Add oil to a pan and heat.  Once hot, add the beef and cook, stirring constantly until the beef is almost cooked through.  Transfer beef to a plate and set aside, leaving drippings in pan.
 - Add remaining oil to pan and add broccoli and onions.  Cook until broccoli is tender.
 - Return beef to the pan and add the sauce.  Bring mixture to a boil and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until the sauce thickens slightly.  Serve with rice or noodles.

Enjoy!