Foodie's Palette

It’s always been my desire to put a smile on people’s faces by giving my services to them, for I believe that service to men is tantamount to serving the LORD. (“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40) I have this yearning as a child to be of help to people e

specially those who are underprivileged and that motivated me to take up pre-med and pursue medicine if given a chance, for in my heart I am considering to give “free” medical services to those who can’t afford to pay me…contrary to what other people think of doctors, I don’t have any intentions of getting affluent by practicing medicine, instead I’d like to make it an avenue for me to be of help to my brethren. When I told my dream to my American missionary friend, he commented “That’s the most pathetic thing I have ever heard!” I just gave him a vague smile and continued with my dreaming. But GOD has better plans for me…after letting me have a taste of what medicine entails, I had to stop schooling due to Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or “Lupus” for short, which I was diagnosed with while I was in my first term in 4th year BSPT in 1993. That opens the door for me to have more time for church and community services and at the same time harness and develop my GOD-given gift in arts. Since my brain is the organ affected by “Lupus,” I had to take up a course that will not put too much stress on me-Fine Arts Major in Advertising. “Lupus” is both good and bad to me…after learning the basics in Arts I had to stop again without even seeing my paintings prominently displayed in the school exhibits `coz I was in the hospice when I had a major flare up in 1995. “Good” for it lets me start something new and “bad” for it doesn't let me finish what I have begun with…but overall, I have learned in coping with the dreaded disease to turn every situation for my advantage. I've learned in the roller coaster ride in this disease, with its ups and downs, to turn darkness into light and the negative into positive by seeing the hands of GOD in every circumstance that I am in.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. “ Romans 8:28
“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.” Ecclesiastes 7:14

I can still remember that in my younger years I used to watch service oriented shows like “Kapwa ko, Mahal ko” “Tele Aralan ng Kakayanan” and the like, I also enjoyed watching cooking shows (I have a wide collection of cookbooks) and things that has something to do with arts. I also recall having asked several times by my teacher to draw the whole map of the Philippines on the black board and at times some animals, and I loved it. I just took pleasure in my art subject before but had no inkling that time will come that I will delve more of that now. I didn’t have a preconceived notion that in time my “gift” will be beneficial in my teaching in Sunday school nor can it give me an opportunity to earn, as a coach in painting, and as a graphic and culinary artist for I’ve always dreamed of becoming a “doctor.” GOD is indeed very good to me…earning while enjoying what I love to do, plus making people smile as they are elated and take delight in the services I give them, both as graphic artist and culinary artist. (“A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.” Proverbs 17:8) In a way, I let my clients have a taste of my art, something that they would enjoy seeing and with the edible art, eating after. I still remember the admonition of one of our Art teachers in college, to never underestimate our worth as an artist, as much as possible, he doesn’t want us to be considered as “commercial artists” who earn a living by making sign boards, etc…he wanted us to have exhibits of our own. I once thought that art is a pricey hobby so I just brushed away my interests in photography (especially knowing how costly films and developing were before) and in molding and sculpting (tools and materials are also expensive). Now I can do both…after creating edible arts I can take numerous photos of the finished products and have an exhibit of my own without hurting my pocket…GOD is really the best Orchestrator of all! HE let me study the basics in medicine which helps me understand not only my body but areas that also concerns other people (illnesses and all) and let me study the basics in Arts so I can have something to start with and continue on so I can create things that are profitable both to me and the others and thereby having greater opportunities to give back the glory to my CREATOR. I usually tell people that I only cook for those who are special in my heart. I also told our helpers that the reason why people find my dishes delicious is because of my not so secret ingredient-“love.” (“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” 1 Timothy 1:5 “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” 1 Corinthians 8:3) I told them that it’s not good to cook when you’re mad and frowning coz it’ll sure create a problem after. I told them to put their heart into what they are cooking and let their reason be for the sake of love. If a cook loves the people that will eat her dishes she will see to eat that they would enjoy and be satisfied with that, so she has to give her best. My father often tells me not to come too close to the heat of the oven or gas range and even reprimands people if he sees me cooking by myself coz he’s too concerned about my health condition. Then I’d tell him that heat is part of cooking, I’m not exposing myself to the sun anyway (contraindicated for Lupus)…getting cut at times, oil splatters and all, but they are all worth it when you see your loved ones enjoying the meal. Anyway, I believe that when I work GOD is with me, all the time. (“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7) Most of the time during special occasions since I am usually the busybody and I always end up a bit stinky when the party begins for I totally forget about myself, all for the sake of “love.” So everybody has to put up with me, thanks for rubbing alcohol which my dear mother advised me to use instead of taking a quick shower, coz I’m too tired to do so. : )

Special people in my heart never fail to praise me for the dishes I prepare for them, but I love seeing them delighted more than the commendations they give me. For in my heart, I only did what is right, what they do not know is that I do get a double portion of joy in my heart. Every time I cook, I hit two birds with one stone…making use of what GOD has bestowed upon me (talents & skills) and giving joy to those who partake of it. So I can say “thank you” both to GOD who created me and gave me the gift and to my neighbors to whom I can exhibit my love. (“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10)

After the prodding of those who believe in my “gifts,” few days after my second total hip replacement, I was compelled to make a business out of it and the “FOODIE’S PALETTE” came into being. My niece “Loraine” started a Face Book page which we planned to name “Nini’s Foodielicious Nook” as suggested by my equally artistic nephew Jacques Raven, “Nini” being my pet name, but we did not continue since Loraine found out that there’s an existing food blog page in Face Book with the same name as “Nini’s Foodielicious.” Since I often tell people that I don’t paint that much these days but I do enjoy playing around with colors in the food that I cook, I came up with the name “FOODIE'S PALETTE (Nini's Foodielicious Palette).” “FOOD” as the focus of our site and our target are the “FOODIE(S),” people who love food, “DELICIOUS” foods, and the FOOD as my painting “PALETTE,” or mixing board or canvass itself, thus my adage “Art in every bite!” Since our products are customized and made to order, I see to it that they are individually unique, unless one is ordering in bulk orders of a single design. Since special people in my heart and those who are total strangers are my neighbors, I owe everyone the “love” that is required of me, so, as my principle, I do put my heart into whatever my hands put into. These verses are my motivators:
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Colossians 3:23
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”1 John 3:11

Being health conscious myself because of the countless and diverse diseases that I had in my whole life, I do not encourage anyone to be so much drawn to my cooking. I also try my best to use alternative healthier ingredients so as not to compromise the health of my clients, unless they require otherwise. Feasting at times is not bad but overdoing it, is. (“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God”. Ecclesiastes 3:13) Let us be warned though that too much of a good thing is always bad. (“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12) God is not restricting us to occasionally enjoy and take pleasure in good, luscious, delectable food in moderation for every good thing is from the LORD. (“Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.” Deuteronomy 6:15 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17)

I do acknowledge the fact that because of the chronic disease “lupus” I am now considered a ”person with disability" (PWD); but with the abilities that GOD has given me, my being a PWD doesn't have to be a hindrance and restrain me from doing things that are both beneficial and profitable to me and the others. For I do recognize that GOD is the One who sustains me and who gives me strength & the skills that’s why I'd like to make use of the gifts HE has empowered my hands to do and offer everything unto HIM. (“It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32 “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29 “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:18 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11)

I have Lupus for over 20 years now and I also owe the LORD the responsibility of taking good care of the life HE has given me, that’s why I myself do not consume too much of what I make. (“Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.” Isaiah 42:5) But I do recommend that one shows his/her love and appreciation to his/her loved ones by giving them “something” that will make them smile and realize how special they are to GOD and to him/her, for time is too short to be complacent and undermine the value of thoughtfulness and gratitude that we demonstrate to people close to our hearts. You can rest assured that everything that we make is sacrificially and lovingly created with “GOD” and “love” in my mind, completely setting aside my own health concerns just to share a bit of my art for the glory of GOD.

“ Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all” Philippians 2:16-17

All glory, honor, and praises be to the Almighty GOD forever and ever! Jennifer "Jennie" R. San Andres

Marketing Administrator & designer-trainee: Loraine Angeli Barrios-San Andres

Please read an article written about me by KCAT CAN:

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