The Vital Need for Daily Protection

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read-your-scriptures

 

Can you agree with me that the world is a crazier, darker place right now than it has ever been before?  Daily reminders abound to freak me out.  Stress over the presidential election, terrorism rising at a deadly rate,  wars and rumors of wars, natural and not-so-natural disasters everywhere you turn.  Maybe I need to stay away from Facebook, or watch the national news a little less–though that is hard to do.  And then there is the busyness of everyday life!  My goodness.  So much going on, and not enough time to sift through it and choose over Good, Better, Best.

Today, as I pondered what to share with you, an image came to mind that I did see on Facebook.  A friend had shared this and when I saw it, it immediately gave me a sense of peace.  

 

I was reminded that if we will take the time to do our personal spiritual preparation–study, meditation, scripture reading, praying, whatever you do to connect to a higher power–we will be protected and will be putting on a spiritual armor that will help to protect and shield us, as much as possible, from those things that would attempt to destroy us and pull us down to a level where we just do NOT want to be.

Do this for yourself, do this with your families.  Strengthen your soul.  Prepare for your everyday battles.

 

Image Source: I do not know where this image originated.  If you do, please let me know and I will give appropriate attribution.  Thanks.

Morning Orange Drink

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morningorangedrink-2

 

Here’s an oldie but goodie.  I promise some newer recipes in the upcoming days, but lately I have been way to busy to even think about cooking.  Ever had a few weeks like that?  Yeah.  I retired from a 10-year part time job a couple of weeks ago, but had to come out of “retirement” to do some more training for my replacement, and I just got back from a week-long trip to visit my daughter in Idaho–great trip, by the way.

So rather than not post a recipe today, I am bringing back one of the first recipes I posted, like probably my second one from 5 years ago! The source?  A recipe that I had taped to the blank pages in our Brew Family Cook Book that I had always wanted to try, but had never gotten around to.  Oh come on.  You know you do the same thing!  This recipe looked yummy and so I tried it and yeah, it was good.  Somewhat like an Orange Julius, so enjoy.

Morning Orange Drink
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 1 can (6 oz.) frozen orange juice concentrate
  2. 1 cup cold water
  3. 1 cup cold milk
  4. 1/3 cup sugar
  5. 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  6. 10 ice cubes
Instructions
  1. Combine the first 5 ingredients in a blender; process at high speed.
  2. Add ice cubes, a few at a time, blending until smooth.
  3. Serve immediately (probably because it will separate if it sits a while).
Adapted from Country Woman Magazine
Adapted from Country Woman Magazine
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

 

Salsa Verde

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salsa-verde

 

Saucy Recipe #2!  Okay I warned you last week we would have two sauces in a row.  Can I just say QUE RICO!  That means, another yummy recipe for you to try  out.  This is a tasty, fresh, cooked version of what you might have had in your favorite Mexican restaurant.  Hope you enjoy this dish!  Adios!

Salsa Verde
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Ingredients
  1. 2 lbs. green tomatillos, husks removed and rinsed
  2. 2 garlic cloves peeled
  3. 2 serrano chilies, or more for taste
  4. 1 c. cilantro leaves
  5. 1/4 c. white onion, roughly chopped
  6. 1 t. kosher or sea salt, to taste
  7. 2 T. safflower or corn oil
Instructions
  1. Place the tomatillos, garlic cloves, and chilies in a pot and cover with water. Place over high heat until it comes to a boil. Simmer at medium for about 10 minutes, or until tomatillos change color from a bright to a pale green, are cooked through and are soft but are not coming apart.
  2. Place tomatillos, garlic and chile (start with one and add the other if you need more "heat") and 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid in the blender and puree until smooth.
  3. Add the cilantro leaves, onion and salt and process again. Adjust for taste with salt.
  4. Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat. Once it is hot, but not smoking, pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 6 to 7 minutes, until it thickens and deepens its flavor and color. Turn off the heat.
Notes
  1. Sauce can be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator for weeks. However, the heat level of the sauce will fade with time.
Adapted from Pati's Mexican Table
Adapted from Pati's Mexican Table
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

My Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

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my-best-cc-2

Too dry.  Flattens out too much.  Doesn’t taste great.

No, no…I’m not talking about THIS recipe!  I’m talking about all the recipes I tried up UNTIL I found this recipe.  

I searched the world over for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.  I spent years trying and testing.  

I’d find recipes with shortening instead of butter.  While I appreciate the texture, well….I’m just a butter snob.  

I would find recipes that tasted pretty good but the cookies flattened out too much during baking.  “Oh, I just add a lot of flour and then it won’t do that!” I was told.  Yuck.  I don’t want MORE flour.  I want the flavor, the texture.  I want perfection!

Is that too much to ask?

my-best-cc-cookies

Well, maybe it was.  But I found the perfect recipe–at least my family and I think so.  We loooooove these cookies and make them often.  Too often.  

And I can’t believe I haven’t put them up on the blog until now!  My kids will thank me….we lost the original recipe card a long time ago, and have several not-so-great copies on scraps of paper (that always get lost) and in text messages.

But now, finally, it’s in a place of honor!

We hope you enjoy these cookies–they are one of my family’s most used recipes.

my-best-cc-3

My Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yields 2
A yummy combination of the classic cookie, with peanut butter and oats for fun!
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Prep Time
10 min
Prep Time
10 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 sticks of butter, softened (1 cup)
  2. 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  3. 1 cup sugar
  4. 2/3 cup brown sugar
  5. 2 eggs
  6. 1 tsp. vanilla
  7. 2 cups all-purpose flour
  8. 1 cup oats
  9. 2 tsp. baking soda
  10. 1/2 tsp. salt
  11. 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Scrape down the sides.
  3. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well to combine.
  4. Slowly add in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix well to combine.
  5. Add in the chocolate chips and mix on low just until evenly distributed OR mix them in by hand.
  6. Use a cookie scoop and scoop balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 10-12 or 18-20, depending on the size.
Notes
  1. Baking time depends on how large you make them. My family loves to make cookies using a large cookie scoop and those take longer (18-20). A medium scoop will take more like 10-12. You just want them to be golden brown across the top and slightly brown on the edges.
  2. I always use Old Fashioned Oats, but you can use Quick Oats that's what you have on hand.
  3. We love to use large chocolate chips, but you can use whatever kind you like best.
  4. If you use the large cookies scoop, a batch will make about 2 dozen. With the medium cookie scoop, about 5 dozen.
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

What’s In Your “Wallet?”

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This Mormon Morsel was posted on November 27, 2011.  This same story was mentioned in a Relief Society lesson this past week and I thought it would be appropriate to share again.  I love the message here!
 
I was looking up information on http://www.lds.org/ for my upcoming lesson in Young Women and I saw this video for youth called “The Lost Purse.”  Oh my goodness.  It really makes you think about what your “stuff” says about who you are.  Take a look at this video.  I, for one, am going to check my “purse” and see what I am putting out there about who I am.
 
 
 

 
“The Lost Purse”
 
 

Avocado Cilantro Dressing

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avocado-cilantro-dressing

 

Feelin’ a bit “saucy” today, so you get two sauce recipes a week apart.  It’s been that kind of week and these are quick and easy to do–lucky for me since I am trying to post these ahead of time so I can do all the other stuff I have  get to do this week.  ’nuff said, let’s get crazy with this delish, multi-purpose dressing!

Avocado Cilantro Dressing
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Ingredients
  1. half of an avocado
  2. 1/4 c. Greek yogurt (plain)
  3. 1/2 c. water (more if needed for consistency)
  4. 1 c. cilantro leaves & stems
  5. 1/2 t. salt
  6. 1 small clove of garlic
  7. squeeze of lime juice
Instructions
  1. Blend together and enjoy over salad, on sandwiches, with tortilla chips...
Adapted from 71 Toes
Adapted from 71 Toes
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

Quick Skillet Rolls

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skillet-rolls-4

I love my cast iron skillet.  Love.  Love.  Love.  

So finding a recipe sized down for quick 30-minute rolls was so exciting for me.  I don’t make rolls often because I’m really not supposed to have wheat, and these are so good that I can’t stop eating them.  This size recipe is perfect for my family and means that, even if I do indulge, I don’t have too many to tempt me!

skillet-rolls-3

My cast iron skillet is 12″ across and I got 19 rolls out of this recipe.  It’s great for a family meal!  Brush the rolls with melted butter when they come out of the oven and they will be absolutely delicious!

Quick Skillet Rolls
Yields 1
Delicious dinner rolls baked in a cast iron skillet.
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Prep Time
25 min
Prep Time
25 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. of warm water
  2. 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  3. 2 Tbsp. active dry yeast
  4. 1/4 cup sugar
  5. 1/2 tsp. salt
  6. 1 egg
  7. 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, oil, yeast, and sugar. Whisk together, then set aside to rest for 15 minutes.
  3. Add 2 cups of the flour, salt, and egg to the yeast mixture. Use the dough hook on the mixer to begin mixing/kneading the dough. Add in the remaining flour until the dough is in a workable state (not too wet to work with).
  4. Shape the dough into golf ball sized balls, tucking under to make smooth tops. Place in a cast iron skillet and allow the rolls to rest for 10 minutes.
  5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are a golden brown.
Notes
  1. Try to use the least amount of flour that you can when adding in the remaining flour. You don't want the dough to be totally dried out. Just make sure that it's got enough body to it that you can form rolls--your fingers will still get a little messy with dough.
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

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be-your-own-kind-of-beautiful-mormonad

These little “MormonAds” would come out in every issue of The New Era, the LDS magazine for youth and as a teen, looking for the new ad each month was a ritual for me as I leafed through each shiny, new issue.

This particular ad was my favorite.  For a couple of reasons.

One, I absolutely love daisies!  And to see a daisy in comparison with all those roses….yeah, I got that, because I’d rather get a bouquet of daisies than roses.  (Not that I don’t also love roses!)

But the main reason I loved it is because I never really “fit in” and needed reassurance that it was okay that I didn’t.  I don’t know that I always internalized the message from this ad as well as I should’ve (and still don’t).  I still spent countless hours wishing I was something I wasn’t (and still do).  

But I have always remembered the image of the daisy among the roses.

And I thought of this ad recently when I watched a documentary about body acceptance.  The film addressed the pressure that women are under to look a certain way in order to be acceptable.  Basically, to all be roses.  But not just any roses.  We must all have perfect petals with no flaws.  Our stems must all be long and straight.  Leaves in just the right places.  If not, then we just don’t belong in the bouquet!  

It was very eye-opening to see just how much we have let the media influence who we should be and that we have reduced the definition of ourselves to the appearance of our outer shells.

How sad that must make our Father in Heaven!

Here we are.  A diverse garden of unique and beautiful flowers.  And all we want to do is look like one kind of flower.  What a boring garden that would be!

How much more beautiful for each flower to be the best flower it can be, “flaws” and all.  To bloom where we are planted.  To face the sun, grow up strong, and be proud of who we are.

Supermodels?

Beauty Queens?

No.

Daughters of our Heavenly Father.

That alone makes us exquisite.  That alone makes us beautiful.

And we enhance our beauty with the lives we lead.  By being kind.  By loving fully.  By serving others.

That kind of beauty is the highest form of beauty.  

And while I’m not gonna stop wearing makeup, I am going to try to look for and embrace my own kind of beautiful.  I am going to try harder to love this imperfect body that has grown and birthed five amazing humans.  And I am going to work on believing in the beauty that is already there, deep down in side.

It’s time to embrace being a unique part of a beautiful, diverse garden of womanhood.

It’s time to be your own kind of beautiful!

Italian Meatloaf

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italian-meatloaf

 

In my opinion, one of the ultimate comfort foods is meatloaf. Seriously, thinking about making a meatloaf for my family just makes me think of being a kid again and watching Mom fixing meatloaf for supper, pouring ketchup on top–and did you know there are about 3 different spellings that are pretty much considered correct on that one word?– and popping it in the oven . 

I remember enjoying the smells of good, homemade food coming from her kitchen.  I have her recipe taped in my family cookbook, and that is my go-to recipe, but I saw this one in a newspaper supplement and thought I would try it out.  Made it tonight and I must say I was impressed.  It’s pretty dang tasty.  Even someone else, who must remain nameless, had seconds after we got back from taking a couple of plates of supper to a friend’s house down the road.

Italian Meatloaf
Serves 6
Tasty version of a family favorite.
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/2 slices of white bread, torn into small pieces
  2. 3 T. milk
  3. 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  4. 8 oz. button mushrooms, chopped
  5. 1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
  6. 1 egg
  7. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Asiago Cheese blend
  8. 1/2 t. salt
  9. 1/4 t. black pepper
  10. 12 grape tomatoes, cut into halves (that's what I had, but cherry tomatoes is what the recipe calls for)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Combine milk and bread in a large bowl. Soak for 5 minutes.
  3. Combine bread mixture, onion, mushrooms, beef, egg, cheese, salt, pepper and half the tomatoes. Mix with your hands, then shape into a loaf and place in a baking dish. Scatter the rest of the tomatoes over the top.
  4. Bake about 50 minutes, or until meat reaches 160 degrees F.
Adapted from Relish newspaper insert
Adapted from Relish newspaper insert
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/

Easy Caramel Sauce

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easy-caramel-sauce

Have you ever tried a new recipe?  Have you tried a new recipe when guests were coming over in a few hours and there was no time to make anything else if it failed?

Sunday morning I had high hopes for the Apple Fritter Bread.  The recipe pics looked amazing!  But here’s the thing about trying new recipes:  you gotta make sure you have all the ingredients and you gotta actually follow the directions!

Both situations got me in trouble.

I didn’t have enough fresh apples so I subbed some freeze dried apples.  And this normally is not a big deal because subbing works well with freeze dried if you refresh them first and then drain them well.

I was in a hurry.

So I didn’t prep the apples well AND I didn’t read the recipe well in my rushing around.

So here I was with dry, ugly apple-cinnamon bread for dessert.  

It was okay.  I mean, it wasn’t gross.  It just wasn’t….right.  And I had no time to make anything else.  What was I gonna do?

Have I told you how much I love Pinterest?  I’m so visual and that’s always the easiest way for me to narrow down a search…Google is just…too many words!  I thought maybe a caramel sauce would do the trick…I could still serve the apple bread, salvaging it with a buttery rich sauce to hide the #recipefail.

So happy to have found this recipe.  I can’t believe how ridiculously easy it is to make, and it tastes delicious!  And NO CANDY THERMOMETER!!

It’s like caramel sauce for dummies! 😉

 

Easy Caramel Sauce
An easy, rich dessert sauce that whips up in no time in the microwave!
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Cook Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Ingredients
  1. 1/4 cup butter
  2. 1 cup brown sugar
  3. 1/2 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
  4. 1/2 tsp. salt
  5. 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
  1. In a large microwaveable bowl (I used my large Pampered Chef batter bowl), microwave the butter till it is mostly melted.
  2. Add brown sugar and cream and whisk well until smooth.
  3. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Return to microwave for another 2 minutes.
Notes
  1. Serve it warm, but you may want to let it sit for a few minutes to thicken a little.
  2. Your microwave time may vary; you just want it to be bubbling and start to thicken a little.
  3. Store any leftovers in the fridge; reheat in the microwave to serve again.
Mormon Mavens https://www.mormonmavens.com/
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