Author: Julie

Coconut Whipped Cream

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I’ve been wanting to try this for a while now.  It’s a gluten-free, dairy-free way to enjoy something like whipped cream and can be enjoyed in hot chocolate, on desserts, or on fruit.  It’s easy and fast, too!

Ingredients:
Coconut Milk
Vanilla
Cinnamon

1.  Chill an unopened can of coconut milk in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
2.  Open the can; into a bowl scoop out just what has firmed up on the top.  What’s left underneath is coconut water…don’t use that for your “whipped cream” but do save it to use in smoothies.

the leftover water after scooping

3.  Add some vanilla (I used about a teaspoon for the one can) and a sprinkle of cinnamon.  Mix well with a fork.

That’s it.  You’re done!  Now, obviously this doesn’t taste just like, or have the same consistency as, real whipped cream.  It has a slight coconut flavor.  But it’s kinda fun and may be good for those trying to cut back on dairy.  Give it a try and see if you like it.

Source:  about a million places via Pinterest

French Breakfast Puffs

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I remember making a version of these delicious morsels as a teenager.  Back then I think I pulled the recipe from the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.  But recently I noticed that The Pioneer Woman had a version in her first cookbook.  My daughter decided to give them a try and they were even more delicious than I remember.

Truly, they just melt in your mouth.  I dare you to eat just one.

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 cup milk
——–
Coating:
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 tsp. cinnamon

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
2.  In a large bowl combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; stir to combine and set aside.
3.  In another large bowl, cream the sugar and shortening together.  Add in the eggs and mix well to combine.
4.  To the creamed mixture add:  one-third of the flour mix, one-third of the milk.  Beat well.  Repeat until all the flour and milk have been added.
5.  Fill your muffin cups two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden.  Remove the muffins from the pan and set them aside.
6.  Melt the 2 sticks of butter in a bowl (P-dub uses loaf pans and these work great!).  In another bowl (or loaf pan) combine the sugar and cinnamon.  Dip the warm muffins into the butter, completely coating each one.  Then roll the muffin in the cinnamon-sugar.

According to P-dub, these freeze well.

Source:  The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Reduce the Drag

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Photo Source: Microsoft Office Clip Art

I was listening to an audio recording recently about streamlining household chores.  The speaker’s intent was to share ways to make everyday chores flow more smoothly and she used the phrase “reduce the drag” in describing this process.  This made me thing of airplanes, aerodynamic cars, and….swimming.

The Olympics are just closing down shop in beautiful London town.  One of my very favorite summer Olympic events to watch is swimming.  I know that swimmers do whatever they can to make their bodies flow more smoothly through water.  Certain swimsuits “reduce the drag” that a swimmer’s body has in the water.

This made me think of other things in life beyond household chores and swimming.  It made me wonder what things are producing a drag in my life.  A drag on my energy, patience, charity, motivation, intellect, happiness.

In a media world filled with nonstop images that tell us we are not enough, it can be difficult and challenging to fight off feelings of inadequacy.  We may be our own worst critic in nearly any and every part of our lives.  Finding a way to avoid this false humility can reduce a lot of drag.  How heavy life and it’s many responsibilities and challenges can feel to one who never quite feels good enough! President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said:

“Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. … Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.”

Learning to see ourselves through the eyes of Heavenly Father.  That’s a tall order, but an essential one.  Prayer, pondering the messages of the scriptures, exercising faith in the Lord and in ourselves….all these things and many more can begin to give us a glimpse of our true selves.  Once we begin to see this, the drag begins to get smaller and smaller and smaller.

What are some ways that you have been successful in overcoming this particular glitch in spiritual aerodynamics?  Or perhaps this is not a challenge for you….what, then, do you feel is creating a drag in your daily swim through life?

Baked Buffalo Wings

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One of my favorite appetizers to order at a restaurant is Buffalo Wings.  A good plate of Buffalo Wings makes me a happy girl.  But I usually ONLY have them on a night out because they are kind of indulgent.  Baking instead of frying makes these wings a dish you can eat a little more often.  Without the side order of guilt.

Ingredients:
cooking spray
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cayenne powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt (divided)
about 20 chicken wings (you know, appetizer size)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup Frank’s Red Hot Wing Sauce (or Texas Pete or Texas Pete Wing Sauce)
2 Tbsp. honey
2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1.  Line a baking sheet with foil.  Then set a cooling rack in the baking sheet.  Spray this with cooking spray and set aside.  Rinse the wings and then dry them well with paper towels.
2.  Combine the flour, cayenne, garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp. of the salt in a gallon-size zip-top bag and shake well to combine.  Drop the wings into the bag, zip closed, and shake to coat.  Remove wings one at a time, shake off any extra flour, and place on the sprayed cooling rack.
3.  Place the wings in the fridge, uncovered, for one hour at least.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Remove the wings from the fridge and bake for 25 minutes.  Remove sheet from the oven, turn each wing over, and return to the oven for another 25 minutes.
4.  Combine the butter, wing sauce, honey, soy sauce, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a bowl.  Whisk until well blended.  When wings have finished their second trip to the oven, dip 3 or 4 at a time into the sauce mixture, making sure the wings are completely coated.  Return wings to baking sheet/rack and bake  for 7-9 minutes.
5.  Remove wings from oven, place on a serving platter, and pour any remaining sauce over them.  Serve with the traditional celery sticks and blue cheese dressing.

Yum!

Source:  Lana’s Cooking via Pinterest

Faith

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“DOUBT IS A PAIN TOO LONELY TO KNOW THAT FAITH IS HIS TWIN BROTHER”…………Khalil Gibran

Stop a moment and really ponder this simple phrase.

We know that lightness and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

 “Somewhere in your quest for spiritual knowledge, there is that ‘leap of faith,’ as the philosophers call it. It is the moment when you have gone to the edge of the light and stepped into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two.”—Boyd K. Packer

Faith IS an exercise.  Though my faith “muscles” have atrophied as of late, I will get up each new day and have the goal to exercise them, to bring those muscles to a state of being chiseled and honed, a spiritual 6 pack if you will.  I’ve got to “go for the burn”; no pain – no gain.  You get the picture!

Standing Firm

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We live in a world where we are constantly battling to find firm ground to stand on and the strength to go on. There are so many different struggles that we, as humans, face–so many ways to be pulled away from the gospel. Whether those are physical or mental infirmities, distractions, etc., it is sometimes hard to grasp hold of the truths that we know are important.

I found two quotes from our prophet, President Monson concerning testimonies–and really, if you think about it, testimony is that base that keeps us, as individuals, going. What do you believe? Why do you believe it? What experiences have kept you steadfast in the gospel? Everyone is so different and yet we all have the same goal. Exaltation. To be with God, and our families, FOREVER.

It is my personal opinion that the following is a key to getting there. And when we are living our testimony, we are a beacon to those around us.

President Thomas S. Monson:

“My…plea…is that you have the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Because the trend in society today is away from the values and principles the Lord has given us, you will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith. When firmly planted, your testimony of the gospel, of the Savior, and of our Heavenly Father will influence all that you do throughout  your life. The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe.” (April 2009, General Young Women’s Meeting)

“Although that testimony can continue to be fed spiritually and to grow as you study, as you pray for guidance, and as you attend your Church meetings each week, it is up to you to keep that testimony alive. Satan will try with all his might to destroy it. Throughout your entire life you will need to nurture it. As with the flame of a brightly burning fire, your testimony–if not continually fed–will fade to glowing embers and then cool completely. You must not let this happen.” (April 2012, General Young Women’s Meeting)

Cheesecake Berries

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I had some friends over a few nights ago and wanted to try some new recipes that were collecting dust in my “Recipes to Try” Pinterest board.  I needed something simple, easy, and tasty.  BINGO!

I think this will be my new go-to treat to bring to parties and showers, or just to eat in the privacy of my closet while my children clean the kitchen.

I can dream can’t I?

Ingredients:
a carton of strawberries (there were about 20 in mine)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
graham cracker crumbs (it doesn’t take much)
chocolate or vanilla melts for decor (optional)

1.  Wash the strawberries, drain completely, and dry completely.   With a pairing knife, begin coring out the middle of each berry down through the stem.  For me this was easiest while holding the pairing knife higher up on the blade with maybe and inch of blade actually exposed beyond my fingers.  Work slowly until you get a feel for it.  You want a nice, roomy area for the yummy cheesecake filling; just don’t go all the way through the berry.

2.  In a mixer blend together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.  Scoop this mixture into a zip-top baggie, seal the bag, and snip off one corner.  You can always snip off more if the hole’s not big enough, so be stingy with your cut.  Holding a berry in one hand, use your other hand to squeeze the cheesecake-baggy mixture into the strawberry holes, allowing the filling to come up out of the berry just a bit.
3.  After filling the berries, either sprinkle on or dunk the tops of the berries with graham cracker crumbs.
4.  Place the berries on a cooling rack with a sheet of wax paper underneath.  Melt your chocolate and drizzle over the berries.  A tip here:  don’t try to “draw” the lines onto the berry.  This will make for a sloppy job.  Just quickly go back and forth over the berry, letting some of the chocolate go past the berry on each side.  I had a lot of melted decor here so I did lines in two directions.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.  YUM!

I think next time I will:

  • double the berries and one-and-a-half the cheesecake mixture.
  • try a chocolate cheesecake filling.
  • not invite people over so I can have more for myself.  (Just kidding.  Sort of.)

Source:  Sugar Derby via Pinterest

Fresh Courage Take

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The 24th of July is a day that members of the Latter-day Saint faith celebrate. It is called Pioneer Day. A day that we commemorate the early members of the church finishing their trek westward and settling in the Salt Lake Valley (in Utah). In church we often will sing a song titled Come, Come, Ye Saints. This is one of my very favorite hymns.


When I sing this, many things will come into my mind. I think about the pioneer heritage that I have. I think of my ancestors walking across the plains in search for religious freedom. I think of their great courage, and hope that their faith and hope are still alive in me today. I also think about how we all are pioneers in some way or another. I also think how we all have trials today, and Heavenly Father is there, waiting to help us. 

My very favorite stanza from this song is in the second verse….

 Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
’Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we’ll have this tale to tell—
All is well! All is well! 

 How often do I find myself in a woe as me attitude? I put this verse into ‘today’s language’ and apply it to my light often! Afflictions, illnesses, situations, seem to bring me down at times. Why should I morn and think my lot is hard? Why should I think that I’ll get to my goal if I don’t fight for it! (hello! baby weight that desperately needs to be lost!) So, I need to buck up and fresh courage take. Heavenly father knows me and nows my situation. He is there waiting to help. I know he will be there when I ask. So really, All is well, All is Well!

Gooey S’mores Bars

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I love S’mores.

(That’s “smores” not “shmores” if my husband is listening, ahem!)

But really….I mean, it’s hotter ‘n heck right now and I am not about to go build a campfire so I can indulge in some gooey chocolate, marshmallow madness.

(That’s “-mallow” not “-mellow” if the misspelling world is listening.  Your You’re welcome.)

Enter:  this easy and satisfying recipe via Pinterest that seduced me with its siren song.  I knew when I bought the two giant Hershey bars for it that this was going to be love.  Real heart-pumping, jaw-dropping, artery-clogging love.

If you ask me, this recipe has “Family Night Treat” written all over it.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 (4.4 oz) Hershey bars
1 (7 oz) jar marshmallow creme

1.  Preheat oven to 350 and grease an 8″ square baking pan.
2.  In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until well-combined.  Add in the egg and vanilla and mix until well-blended.
3.  In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder, and salt.  Add this to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until combined.

4.  Take half of this mixture and press it evenly into the baking pan.  Add the chocolate bars on top (they just fit side by side in my pan).

Spoon the marshmallow creme out on top of the chocolate; gently and evenly spread the marshmallow creme over the chocolate.

Make square-ish patties out of the remaining dough and piece together on top of the creme (I did this in four patties and it worked just fine).

5.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool completely at room temperature (or all the gooey wonderfulness will ooze out of the bars and we don’t want that, do we?).

Makes 16 bars

Source:  Lovin’ from the Oven via Pinterest

Happy Independence Day!

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Other than the sweltering heat, I always love the Fourth of July.  I love fireworks and parades (which always make me cry for some reason) and sparklers and flags.

And I love my country.

I have a great love for the Founding Fathers of America.  They were not perfect men but I believe that they were divinely inspired to do the great work that they did for my country.  They took a stand that required complete and total commitment.  One that was also, quite literally, do or die.

I have to ask myself if I have that kind of courage.  I think I do in some situations.  I think we all do in very drastic situations, perhaps involving the safety of a loved one.

But what about the less obvious opportunities to take a stand?  What about our personal independence from whatever tyrants we have allowed to rule our lives?

While we are totally dependent upon, and grateful to, a loving Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to be enslaved by the ruthless despots that rob us of our precious “natural” resources of time, energy, and talents.  Are there any ways that we, in our very personal lives, have allowed a “foreign” ruler to reign supreme?  An addiction, a habit, a weakness, a character flaw….something that we know we need to break free from but somehow feel unable or unwilling to declare our independence from?


President James E. Faust once said:

Each new day that dawns can be a new day for us to begin to change. We can change our environment. We can change our lives by substituting new habits for old. We can mold our character and future by purer thoughts and nobler actions. As someone once put it, “The possibility of change is always there, with its hidden promise of peace, happiness, and a better way of life.”

Peace, happiness, and a better way of life?  Sounds good to me.  Sounds like something the Founding Fathers wanted.


And so, I challenge myself (and you, if you are up for it) to declare independence from one thing today.  One vice or habit that steals away a part of you, that somehow holds you captive.  It doesn’t have to be huge.  In fact, it probably should be something small that you can tackle with confidence.  


Really think about it.  Has something been gnawing at you, making you squirm, filling you with regret?  Analyze it and pick it apart if it’s too big to handle in one chunk.  Pick a baby step that at least puts you one foot into the journey towards independence from whatever maniacal monarch has you in chains.


Declare it, and then fight for independence from it!  Look it straight in the eye and say:



Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!  May it mean more to you on this day than ever before.