Author: Nicole Obligacion

Relax with Milk & Oreo Stuffed Cookies

One of the best midnight snacks I’ve had recently was freshly baked, Oreo stuffed chocolate chip cookies with a cold glass of milk. Mmm… DELICIOUS! :) Yes, yes. I know that I’ve already posted two different entries in this blog about chocolate chip cookies. But, what can I say? Cookies are delightful treats! :)

Last Tuesday morning, when work unexpectedly got suspended, I had an idea of treating the family with some baked goodies. Before going home, I passed by the supermarket to get more ingredients. I wanted to experiment with a new treat/recipe. However, since I didn’t have access to the internet at that time, I decided to use the only recipe that I knew by heart: Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I was about to pay for the ingredients already when I suddenly thought of baking Oreo stuffed Chocolate Chip cookies. Early this year, I was able to see different photos of that particular type of cookie in the internet and it intrigued me. I immediately ran to the cookie section at the supermarket and got myself a pack of Oreo cookies. I eagerly paid for my groceries and went home as soon as possible.

                Making the cookies that day was a relaxing moment for me. Although it was raining hard, I somehow still enjoyed preparing and baking them. I’ve baked chocolate chip cookies a lot of times already; however, I still get nervous every time I would put them in the oven.

The tricky part about baking cookies is that you really have to keep your eye on them while they’re baking. Otherwise, if you let them bake a few seconds/minutes longer than they should, you’d end up with harder and darker cookies. (I prefer the soft, chewy, light colored ones. :P)

It was sort of a struggle to stuff the sticky cookie dough with Oreo cookies. However, after chilling the dough for a while, I was finally able to nicely shape the cookies. I sat in front of the oven while they were baking and carefully watched over them as they slightly puffed up. When the time was right, I got them out of the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

After about 2 hours of preparing and baking the cookies, it was time to taste them! :) I couldn’t believe it. They were actually really good!

OREO INSIDE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES + COLD MILK = THE BEST!

Of course, it was all by God’s grace that I was able to make them. Thank You, Lord! :)

I really appreciate being able to try out new treats every now and then. But what I appreciate more is being encouraged by God through them. Interestingly, while I was munching on my cookie treats, God spoke to my heart. :)

He made me remember the times when I sat down in front of the oven and carefully observed the cookies. Syempre! I didn’t want to over bake the cookies. I wanted them to become the best that they could be. :)

In the same way, God reminded me that He also carefully watches over me. He watches over us every single day. It was such a comfort to know that, because it allows us to relax more and not worry about what we’re going through or even about the future.

 

It was actually a very timely reminder that day too. The Philippines was experiencing struggles because of the bad weather and it would have been so easy for the Filipinos to just complain and rant all day long about the terrible situation. But, I was blessed to see the Filipinos still have peace and hopeful hearts despite the heavy rain and flood. Moreover, it was nice to witness a lot of people really exert effort in helping out each other, especially those who were affected by the flood.

It says in Psalm 121:3, 5-8

He who watches over you will not sleep;

5 The Lord watches over you—
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm —
he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

                Indeed, making those cookies that day was a relaxing moment for me… not only because of the sound of the rain and the fact that I was baking, but also, because I was reminded of the comfort and security that we have in God, knowing that He will continue to watch over us. :)

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time! :)

Shrimp Scampi with Guacamole

A few days ago, my younger brother was confined and advised to stay at the hospital for the weekend. I knew that it was a perfect opportunity for me to treat the family with something special. I decided to prepare Shrimp Scampi with Guacamole on toasted slices of Baguettes. I originally wanted to make another shrimp dish; but, I remembered how chefs would always say that shrimps and avocados make a good combination. Interestingly, God taught me two important lessons when I made this dish.

  1. God gives us everything we need in His perfect time for His good purposes in our lives.

I went to the grocery to buy my main ingredients: Shrimps and Avocados. However, to my dismay, all of the avocados were still green and unripe. I wanted to go to another supermarket but since it would be a hassle, I decided to stay instead. In the meantime, I went to the seafood section to get shrimps and started talking to God. “Lord, I don’t know how, but I know that if You really want me to make guacamole, You will provide the avocados. Thank You.” :)

After getting the shrimps, I decided to pass by the avocados again. Would you believe it? Hidden underneath the vegetables beside the green avocados were 3 packs of purple, ripe, Hass Avocados! I couldn’t believe my eyes! “Wow, Lord! Those ripe avocados weren’t here a while ago. Thank You so much!” I immediately grabbed the avocados and paid for my groceries.

The wonderful thing about the hidden, ripe avocados that God gave me was that they were Hass/Haas avocados (the best type to be used for the guacamole recipe that I had). It was really encouraging to be reminded by God that He will continue to provide for our needs and give us what is best for us according to His will.

It says in Philippians 4:9

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

 

2.       How God sees us, rather than how we/others view ourselves, is the only thing that matters.

After making the guacamole, I prepared the other ingredients for the shrimp scampi. I noticed that some of the chefs recommend removing the heads of the shrimps before cooking so that they would look more presentable.

Before I cooked the shrimps, I was torn between removing their heads and keeping them intact. “Is the head of a shrimp really that undesirable?” I asked myself. I then remembered instances before when people would use the term “Shrimp” to describe a person who has a great body, but has an ugly face.

I thought about it more and decided NOT to remove the heads, because I remembered my mom who always used the heads of the shrimps to enhance the flavor of the dish. I knew that there was something in the shrimp’s head that was useful, despite its “ugliness”.

True enough, while I was cooking the shrimps with butter and garlic, I saw some of its juices flow out of their heads. “Thank You, Lord, that I didn’t throw the heads away.” I whispered to God as I took a sip of the delicious sauce of the shrimp scampi.

After taking photos and preparing the dish, I suddenly remembered an interesting trivia about shrimps that I read a few weeks ago. Did you know that a shrimp’s heart is located in its head?* “Hahaha! What a funny trivia, Lord!” I told God. But, amusingly, He used that fact to speak to my heart.

God purposely placed the heart of a shrimp in its head. And it’s amazing because although the head of a shrimp is perceived by others to be useless, not presentable, and undesirable; it actually contains the very thing that gives the animal the ability to live: its heart. Moreover, the head contains certain elements that produce more ‘shrimp flavor’.

In the same way, I am reminded me that God created me for a special purpose and He made me the way I am according to His good will. Moreover, He encouraged me to focus on what’s more valuable to Him (my heart and how I see myself and others through His eyes) than on the opinions and expectations of the people around me.

It says in 1 Samuel 16:7

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Avocados and shrimps definitely make a good combination, most especially, when God uses both ingredients to encourage our hearts. :)

Encourage yourself one treat at a time. :)

 

*trivia taken from www.weirdfacts.com

 

 

 

 

Learning from My Box of Twister Fries

MCDONALD’S TWISTER FRIES IS BACK! :D I noticed that each year, McDonald’s purposely limits their supply of twister fries. I can say that this has been one of their most effective marketing strategies because, by producing less, they actually increase the product’s worth.

Last Thursday after work, I went to McDonald’s to have some quiet time (it was something that I needed) and I saw that they were selling twister fries again! At first, I didn’t want to buy it because it was more expensive than the straight-cut fries. However, I eventually bought it because I knew that it was going to be available only for a certain time.

As I was enjoying my twister fries, I started to talk to God about how my week went so far. I was telling Him how ashamed I was to actually go near Him because for the past week, I wasn’t really able to spend much quality time with Him (compared to the time when I was still unemployed).

I told God: “Lord, You know what happened to me this week and how I’ve chosen not to prioritize you at certain times. I just feel that it’s not right for me to lead people to sing to you tomorrow at Friday Night Light (FNL: young singles ministry of CCF Makati). Would you please speak to me because I don’t know what to do.”

I got my journal and Bible and I started to spend more time with God that night at McDonald’s. I apologized for the things that I’ve done that week that did not please Him and I asked Him to change my heart. I also said to Him: “I don’t know how I’ll be able to encourage others to worship you tomorrow…

               …But, right now, I’m reminded that if you want me to sing and serve, you will allow me to. I’m reminded that this isn’t about me and my weaknesses. It’s about who You are to us, Lord; how gracious you’ve been.” I read Psalm 95 and it encouraged me to keep on singing for God not because I am equipped to sing, but because God deserves all the praises and glory. He deserves to be worshipped. :)

I then got my earphones and listened to “No Shame” by Moriah Peters (It was the song that I was going to sing the next day).

“I hear what you’re saying at the end of the other line.

What you said you’d never do again, you did it one more time…”

 

Interestingly, while I heard these first lines of the song, I noticed the similarity it had to the continuous loop seen in the twister fries that I was eating. Paulit-ulit yung pag-ikot ng fries. In the same way, I remembered my continuous loop of disappointing God in the things that I’ve done and in the things that I wasn’t able to do that week.

                I started to feel more ashamed. “I’m not worthy to serve You, Lord. I just can’t.” I said. But, what happened next surprised me and touched my heart deeply. As I was getting twister fries from my box, I saw a J-shaped twister fry! WOW! But, what fascinated me more was seeing that french fry at exactly the same time that this line of the song played in my phone:

“But mercy longs to reach to us. In the arms of Jesus, there is no shame…”

                Without a second thought, I knew that God was using it to speak to my heart and encourage me. Seeing that “J” reminded me of only one name, and it was Jesus’ name.

It was amazing how God placed that “J” fry on my box of twister fries that night. It was His way of telling me that even though I’ve disappointed Him; I’ve failed Him again and again; and I’ve chosen not to prioritize Him that week, His love for me never changed and it never will. He reminded me that He has already forgiven me and that His grace will always be enough for me.

                The next day, as my sister and I were on our way to CCF Makati for Friday Night Light, I was sharing to her my experiences that week. I told her this: “Ate Michelle, I guess God still allowed me to sing and serve Him tonight at FNL because it was His way of letting me experience GRACE again. Grabe si God noh?” :’) It is a privilege to sing to God. It is something that I do not deserve and yet, God still allows me to sing and serve Him in ministry. What a gracious, gracious, gracious God.

I sang “No Shame” that night and led the people in FNL to worship God along with two other volunteers. IT WAS ONLY BY HIS GRACE.

I just want to thank You, Jesus, for showing Your grace to me this past week. But more than that, I want to thank You for the amazing grace that you’ve given all of us when You took our place; died on that cross many years ago; and saved us from the penalty of our sins just so we could spend eternity with God in Heaven. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Thank You, Jesus, because You know our hearts and needs. Thank You because You meet us where we are and use us despite our weaknesses. I pray that we would continue to have the desire to know You; spend more time with You; and love You more and more each day. You deserve it, Lord! :)

“You have rescued me
You took a wretch like this.
You loved me and You saved me.

With all that’s within me, I will bless You Lord.”

-“Dominion” by Citipointe

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time. :)

Anyone Can Cook Ratatouille

One of the most encouraging mottos I have ever heard in my whole life is this: “Anyone can cook.” This line came from one of the characters (Chef Gusteau) in Ratatouille, a Disney Pixar animated movie. After watching the movie for the first time (a few years ago), I was able to appreciate culinary more. Moreover, even without the luxury of being trained by professional chefs, because of the movie (and many other things), I was encouraged to constantly improve on my skills in the kitchen.

Last weekend, I tried making my first Ratatouille. :) As seen in the movie, it basically is a vegetable dish that combines cooked zucchinis, eggplants, squash, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onions, fresh herbs, and spices. One of the most popular recipes of Ratatouille was made by Thomas Keller, who was also one of the consultants for the movie.

I started making the dish by roasting green bell peppers in the oven at 450 degrees. After cooking and removing the peppers from the oven, I had to readjust the temperature to 275 degrees as it was stated in Mr. Keller’s recipe. To ensure the correct temperature, I used my oven thermometer to check the degrees.

After a few minutes, I used the pair of tongs again to get the oven thermometer out and placed it on the table. However, I guess, because I was trying to work double time, I accidentally grabbed the oven thermometer with my left hand without any mitten on.

“AAAAAGGGGHHHH!” I screamed in pain as I dropped the oven thermometer on the floor. I immediately rushed to the freezer and held on to an ice cube. All I could say was “Huhuhu. Ouuuch.” It was really terrible. I had a difficult time preparing the ingredients because my fingers were aching and sore.

As tears rolled down my cheeks, I told God: “Lord, of all the times to have burnt fingertips, why now? :( Haha. I was supposed to make Ratatouille tonight. But with my sore fingers, how can I thinly slice the vegetables and do the rest of the preparation?”

I sat in front of the electric fan and I tried to cool myself down. I was already giving up on the idea of making Ratatouille that night when God suddenly spoke to me: “Nic, you know that I am still in control even when it’s painful and difficult, right? And you know that you can still do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Phil. 4:13). So, why are you still so disturbed and worried?”

“Oo nga noh, Lord.” I replied. “Sorry for not focusing on you and for not being grateful still. You are in control and by Your grace, I know that I can do the Ratatouille even with burnt fingertips.”

I continued preparing the ingredients even if it was really painful. I constantly placed my three fingers on the ice to soothe the pain while I was slicing, chopping, mixing, and baking. Eventually, my mom put an ointment on them for faster recovery.

While I was preparing and baking the Ratatouille, I started to think about my situation and thanked God for the following:

  1. That I had the privilege of baking again.
  2. That he provided for the ingredients and other resources needed.
  3. That I only have three burnt fingers and was still able to work in the kitchen.
  4. That my mom is a dermatologist, so it was really convenient for me to have a treatment instantly.
  5. That Philippians 4:13 continues to encourage me and remind me that I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.
  6. And that God is God, because whatever happens and whatever the result may be, it was comforting to know that He is always in control.

 

After one and a half hours, I finally topped the dish with my leftover mozzarella cheese from the pizza I made two weeks ago (https://encouragingtreats.com/god-stuck/); placed it back in the oven for five minutes; and served it with fresh, toasted slices of baguettes.

I kept on thanking God while I was enjoying my share of Ratatouille because He allowed me to finish it even with burnt fingertips. I suddenly remembered Chef Gusteau’s motto: “Anyone can cook.” and it became so real to me. “Wow! This is so cool, Lord! By Your grace, I COOKED RATATOUILLE! ANYONE CAN COOK RATATOUILLE!” :D

But, what made that moment even more special was when God whispered in my heart, “Yes, Nic. You can because of Christ who gives you strength. (Philippians 4:13)” :) (It was interesting how He made the Bible verse and chef Gusteau’s motto to be so similar.)

I smiled and suddenly noticed my three burnt fingers again. At that moment, I realized that God does sometimes allow us to go through different kinds of pain and struggle.  However, it is still comforting to know that He will always give us what we need (in my case, 7 more fingers to use), for us to fulfill His purposes in the lives He has blessed us with.

I thank God because of His reminder for us to still find joy in Him even in difficulties. Making Ratatouille definitely is one of his encouraging treats for me. And I pray that my heart will continue to rest, do my best, and at the same time, find joy in Him who is able to work in and through me in whatever situation.

 

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Psalm 46:1 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

 

Encourage yourself one treat at a time! :)

 

 

 

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About Me

My name is Nicole Obligacion and I started this blog because I was inspired by Hebrews 10:24 and Hebrews 3:13. I love to eat, cook, bake, read the Bible, and encourage. :)

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