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Wilmington DE. Stake Relief Society
Enrichment Newsletter
November 2009
Wishing you a very Happy
Sherry Crawford
Stake Relief Society Enrichment Counselor
[email protected] 410-749-9575
Bring Blessings To The Table Cut out pretty paper leaves and ask guests to write one thing they’re thankful for on each. Soon the Thanksgiving table is strewn with colorful leaves of gratitude. Or you can make a Thankful Tree. . .
Thankful Tree . . . Let your family put their gratitude on display with a classic tree of thanks. Your kids (or grandkids) can set up the tree ahead of time, then leave out the materials for the guests.
To make the tree, insert a branch in a flowerpot filled with pebbles, rocks, or marbles. Cut leaf shapes from cardstock or colored paper. Use a hole punch to make a hole in each end, and attach a loop of twine or string. At your gathering, have guests jot down a note of thanks on a leaf and hang it from the tree. You can also string the tree with clear holiday lights for added festivity. FamilyFunMagazine
Turkey In The Straw
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (in Asian food
aisle)
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 -12 oz. package broccoli slaw
2 cups cooked turkey cut in bite-sized pieces
or cooked chicken
Salt & pepper
2 tablespoon chopped dry-roasted peanuts or
chopped walnuts
Shredded Parmesan to taste
Combine first 3 ingredients in a large skillet
over medium high heat. Add mushrooms, cook
until soft. Stir in garlic and cook 1 more
minute. Add broccoli slaw; cook and stir until
slightly wilted. Stir in turkey, and salt and
pepper. Heat through (but don’t overcook
broccoli). Serves 2. Place ―straw‖ on plate,
then sprinkle with nuts and cheese.
Compassionate Service Meal Tips
Compassionate Service Casserole 2 ears for listening 2 eyes that see what needs to be done 1 mouth, open to speak the words of the Spirit 1 neck, easy to move and not stiff 1 shoulder, ready for crying on 2 elbows, elbow grease sometimes needed 2 hands, willing to serve 1 heart, ready to open 2 knees, prepared for kneeling 2 feet, ready to go where needed Put all ingredients in whatever modest container is desired: jeans and a sweatshirt, skirt and sweater, or dress. Proportions of the finished product don’t matter, as long as all the parts, especially the heart, are in the right places. Sprinkle liberally with the scriptures. Bake under various degrees of prayer until there’s a burning in the bosom. Remove from heat, and serve to those who cannot help themselves. Feeds the multitudes much like the Savior’s loaves and fishes—the more served, the more there seems to be available. (By P. D. Wiles)
The meaning of Compassionate Service: Compassionate service is NOT about the food—it’s
about the LOVE that delivers it. “When
compassionate service is cloth in the true spirit of charity—which the Book of Mormon defines as the
pure love of Christ—it becomes an all-encompassing
and rewarding experience for the giver as well as the
receiver (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8; Moroni 7:6-8; 45-47).”
When we are prompted, or asked, to take a meal to someone, there are a few things we should remember…
1. It is okay to take in simple meals; not
everything needs to be elaborate—it
should not be a financial strain for you
and your family.
2. Coordinate meals with others bringing
meals to the same family to avoid food
allergies and/or three days in a row of
lasagna/spaghetti dinners.
3. Personalize it…Find out what the
children’s favorite meals are, put their
initials on the cupcakes, etc.
4. Use disposable serving dishes. You
may also include good quality plastic
plates, cups, and utensils to ease
dinner clean-up.
5. Be on time when delivering meals
(children and husbands will be hungry
and may be on a light schedule).
6. Invite a friend to help provide meal
components and extra love.
7. If you discover an additional need
while delivering a meal, maintain the
person’s privacy by only discussing the
need with the Relief Society President.
8. Add the family to your personal
prayers.
9. If possible, and if needed, spend a little
time listening to the sister in need. A
short conversation, a listening ear,
might be more needed than a meal.
The service that you provide when you take
a meal into someone is invaluable. It may
be that you will never realize the
difference it made.
This Month, Why Don’t You . . .
Purge your closet. If you haven’t worn it in a year, you’re not going to.
Set a holiday budget and promise yourself you’ll stick to it.
Wash your next load of clothes in cold water to save energy and help cut your electric bill.
Clear off the refrigerator door. (outside)
Stock up on basic food items and misc. that you use during the upcoming holiday season, especially if they are on sale. womansday.com
Old Sneakers . . .
Recycle. Drop off any brand of old sneakers at a Nike store; their Reuse-A-Shoe program grinds up old shoes to make materials for athletic areas like tracks and playgrounds. For shoes that are gently worn, bind them together with rubber bands and send them to Soles4Souls, Inc. 315 Airport Road, Roanoke, AL 36274. Go to soles4souls.org for more information. womansday.com
Reflect upon your present blessings – of
which every man has many – not
on your past misfortunes,
of which all men have some.
-Charles Dickens
“Fall Back” To Sleep . . . The time change can make you feel and think better.
Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. on the second Sunday in March and reverts to standard time on the first Sunday in November. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time.
Most Americans “fall back” to standard time and gain an extra hour. How to spend it? Use it to pay off your sleep debt. That extra hour of sleep will rejuvenate you both physically and mentally.
The difference between your body’s need for sleep and the actual amount of sleep you get is called “sleep debt”. So, if you require eight hours but only get six, your sleep debt is two hours.
Beyond fatigue and crabbiness, research links chronic sleep deprivation with health problems, including: obesity, greater risk of developing cardio-vascular disease and diabetes and worse eye-steering coordination, which ups the odds you’ll crash your car.
Tips for a better sleep:
Avoid napping during the day.
A few hours before bedtime, steer clear of caffeine, heavy meals and exercise.
Relax with soothing rituals before going to bed.
Keep your bedroom dark, quiet and a little cool. usaweekend.com
This Spud’s For Your
Potatoes are one of nature’s most perfect foods and plentiful this time of year. They’re great baked, boiled, fried, roasted or –the most loved version—mashed. Choose potatoes that have smooth, unblemished skins and a firm texture. Avoid any that are soft, shriveled or green. For perfect taters every time, follow this guideline.
Russet. Fluffy when cooked; good for baking, mashing and making French fries.
Round White. Hold their shape after cooking; perfect for salads.
New Red. Waxy, firm flesh with thin red skin. Taste best when roasted or steamed.
Yukon Gold. Yellow flesh with a creamy texture that’s ideal for baking and mashing.
5 Dishwasher Tricks You’ve Never Heard
Don’t Pre-rinse. It’s a waste of water and energy. Not only that, but if there’s no food left for the detergent to attack, it can go after your glassware and make it cloudy.
Save Detergent. The amount you use depends on how dirty the dishes are, not on how many there are. If you have a full load of lightly soiled dishes, use only a little.
Check the Manual. There’s usually a handy illustration of how to load your particular model. (If the manuals’ long gone, check the manufacturer’s website.)
Load Down. Make sure no pans, bowls or cups are facing upward and open. Open dishes catch dirty water, and the whole load gets repeatedly bathed in it. (Tip: When a load doesn’t clean, this is usually the culprit.)
Wash on Normal. This is the cycle consumer testing groups test appliances on, and despite what you might think, it’s by far the most efficient.
End Homework Battles. . .
Hating homework is usually the kid’s job. But
when keeping a child’s focus on his books
rather than the TV becomes a nightly struggle,
parents can wind up hating homework, too.
Most parents, especially those who work
outside the home, dread all the homework and
pressure that the school year brings. Try some
of the following strategies to end homework
battles.
Set big-picture goals together. Ask your
child to write out homework goals, such as, ―I
will not turn on the TV until my homework is
finished.
Assess your child. Decide whether she’s
struggling because she lacks motivation or just
doesn’t understand the work. Then decide the
best approach to help her do better.
Make room. Encourage neatness and organ-
ization by giving your child a study area that he
can use routinely and maintain on his own.
Teach accountability. Don’t blame the
teacher for what your child doesn’t
understand. Instead, teach your child how to
get answers. For example, tell him to ask the
teacher to explain any unclear assignments.
Don’t give up if bad habits return. Refocus
on those big-picture goals you set together,
and remind your child to stick with his
commitments.
Connect success with effort. Remind your
child that effort and perseverance – not just
innate talent – will lead to success. usaweekend.com
Pumpkin Pancakes
In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups plain yogurt, 1/4
cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons unsalted
melted butter, 1 egg and 1/2 cup canned
pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine 1 tablespoon sugar,
1 2/3 cup flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2
teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Combine
wet and dry ingredients and stir just until
moist. Heat a griddle and lightly coat with
cooking spray. Using a 1/4 cup measure, pour
batter onto griddle. Cook pancakes until
bubbles begin to burst, then flip and cook until
golden brown (makes about 18).
Caramel Apples
6 assorted small to medium apples (Granny
Smith, McIntosh, Gala, Golden Delicious)
6 clean twigs or ice cream sticks
1 bag (14 oz.) traditional caramels (such as
Kraft), unwrapped
Autumn leaf or orange sprinkles
Wash and thoroughly dry apples. Remove
stems; insert twigs. Line a large baking sheet
with nonstick foil.
Microwave caramels and 2 tablespoon water in
a large microwave safe bowl on high, stirring
often, 2 to 3 minutes until melted and smooth.
Dip 1 apple at a time into mixture, spooning
over apples to coat (you may need to use a
spatula to spread). Let excess drip off,
scraping bottom of apples if needed.
Place on lined baking sheet. Decorate with
sprinkles. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until
caramel is firm. (Apples can be made up to 1
day ahead).
Chocolate Version: Instead of caramel, melt 1
package (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
with 2 tablespoon vegetable shortening
according to package directions. Dip and
decorate as in steps 3 and 4 above.
Turkey Hash Great for turkey leftovers.
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 chopped sweet red pepper
1 tablespoons butter
6 cups diced cooked potatoes
2 cups cubed cooked turkey
1/2 teaspoon salt, optional
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
In a large skillet, sauté onion and peppers in
butter until tender. Add the potatoes, turkey,
salt if desired, cayenne and nutmeg. Cook and
stir over low heat for 20 minutes or until
lightly browned and heated through.
Golden Harvest Cookies
A little different, slightly sweet but good.
2/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup self-rising flour *
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ cups quick cooking oats
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup (4 ozs.) shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup raisins, dates, or currants, optional
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown
sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and
vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, and
cloves; gradually add to the creamed mixture
and mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart
onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375
degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden
brown. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in
the refrigerator.
*As a substitute for self-rising flour, place 1
teaspoon baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt in
a measuring cup. Add all purpose flour to
measure ¾ cup.
Easy ways to make it healthier, tastier, more filling, and just plain better.
Most of us don’t think about lunch until our stomach starts growling. Then we grab whatever we can get our hands on, which is hardly the best recipe for eating well. With a little creativity and planning, your midday meal can be quick, easy and healthy.
--“I eat at the computer.” Solution: Step away from the computer, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. Taking time to focus on your meal will help you savor the flavors so you feel more satisfied. So will swapping foods that are packaged (like muffins) and loaded with sugar (like frozen yogurt) for whole foods that are much bigger on taste, texture and nutrition. If yogurt’s a favorite, try the creamy lowfat Greek kind and sprinkle it with berries, chopped nuts and lowfat granola. Add a half-sandwich to round out your meal.
--“I’m still hungry afterward.” Solution: Pump up the protein. Tossing 4 oz. grilled chicken with 1 cup pasta is an easy way to add just the right amount of extra calories. Protein is especially important because it helps keep your blood sugar stable so you tend to stay full longer. Another option is to skip the chicken but swap white pasta for a high-protein pasta. Made from a blend of beans and whole grains, high-protein pasta has nearly 45% more protein and twice as much fiber as traditional pasta.
--“I’m too busy planning my son’s lunch to think about my own.” Solution: Pack your own lunch while you’re making it for your kids (if mornings are too hectic, do it the night before). Make things easier by prepping the same lunch for everyone. Kid-friendly foods like a heart healthy peanut butter sandwich can be good for adults and vice versa. (Unless it’s a peanut free school.) Up the nutritient quotient by using whole-wheat bread and swapping jelly for a sliced banana or apple. Other lunches that everyone will enjoy: chicken
salad and ham and provolone on a whole-wheat baguette with honey mustard with add-ons such as lettuce or baby spinach.
--“I can’t break for lunch until 2 P.M. Solution: A solid breakfast (including some protein like eggs and/or lowfat cheese) and a midmorning snack are both musts. They’ll keep your energy and appetite steady throughout the day so you’ll eat the right amount at lunch (and dinner) whenever it happens. Calcium and protein-rich yogurt or string cheese are both good starts for the snack, but you need more calories, carbs and healthy fat to keep going throughout the day—especially when lunch doesn’t have enough of these nutrients. Nibbling on a handful of dried fruit and nuts can help you power through your morning and may even prevent you from going overboard at dinner.
Which is healthier?
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad or Veggie Pizza Slice? Go with the veggie pizza. It’s a filling combo of protein and carbs with 320 calories versus this salad’s 410 (blame the high-cal dressing).
Portobello Mozzarella Panini or Chef’s Salad? Calorie-wise, it’s a tie, with both weighing in at 485. But the Panini has half the fat of the salad.
Ham And Swiss on Rye or Tuna on Whole Wheat? Both sandwiches are similar in calories (385 for the ham and 347 for the tuna). But the tuna is a heart-smart choice thanks to beneficial omega-3 fats and less than half the sodium of the ham and Swiss.
A Medium-Size Hamburger or 10-Piece Chicken Nuggets? The burger! Without cheese or mayo, it has only 333 calories. That’s 90 calories fewer than the nuggets with less total fat and roughly the same amount of saturated fat.
Try this for a quick lunch: A bowl of whole-grain cereal with fruit and lowfat milk. It’s got the perfect mix of complex carbs and protein to keep you going all afternoon.
womansday.com
Kiss Your Turkey Problems
Good Bye. . .
Turkey Troubles, Solved !
? My bird is still frozen.
Submerge it in a bucket or sink filled with cold
water. If the turkey has already been thawing
in the fridge for a couple of days, a quick cold
bath should do the trick.
? The meat is dry.
To avoid a dried-out turkey in the first place,
check for doneness early with a meat thermo-
meter. And if it does end up a little dry, well,
that’s what gravy is for.
? My gravy is lumpy.
Puree it in a food processor or blender, then
return to the pan to heat.
? I need more help!
Several companies offer turkey hotlines that
you can call on T-Day, such as Butterball (800-
288-8372), Jennie-O (800-887-5397) and
Reynolds (800-745-4000).
Side Dish Dilemmas, Solved !
? I can’t juggle everything at once.
Do yourself a favor—make the spinach and
potatoes the day before; let cool, cover and
refrigerate. All you’ll need to do is reheat
them before serving. (Mashed potatoes keep
well in a slow cooker on low or warm setting.)
? I’d rather cook the stuffing inside the
turkey.
Just up the roasting time by about 30 minutes
and make sure the stuffing reaches a temp-
erature of 165 degrees F.
? I forgot an entire dish!
Fake it – warm up some frozen creamed spinach
or make speedy baked sweet potatoes in the
microwave.
Pie Problems, Solved !
? I won’t have time to make the pie.
Plan ahead—prepare it a day in advance and
store in the refrigerator. If all else fails, jazz
up a store-bough pie with a dollop of freshly
whipped cream. (Or ask someone else to bring
the pie.)
? The crust is browning too much.
Cover the edges with strips of aluminum foil
and continue to bake until the pie is set.
? I need a hand with my homemade crust.
Get expert advice on the double by calling the
Crisco Pie Hotline (877-367-7438). quickandsimple.com
Other Hints & Tips:
Get two smaller turkeys instead of one big one.
They cook faster, and you get more breast
meat, which most people want. You can carve
one and set the other one on the table whole if
you like.
Set the table as early in the week as you can.
It gives you a chance to enjoy all the dishes
you rarely use, and you get to look at the
beautiful table. If the table is set, you can
also focus on cooking on Thanksgiving Day.
If you plan on making homemade gravy, always
have a backup gravy – premade in other jars or
packets – for any unforeseen emergency.
Do all the prep work the day before. Put
ingredients in the baking dish waiting to go, so
all you have to do on Thanksgiving is pop
everything in the oven. Make a list of the
dishes and their baking times, so you know
exactly what to put in at what time.
Cooking for a crowd is much easier when you
use tinfoil disposable casserole dishes and cook
in batches a few days out. Then you only have
to make the turkey and heat up the dishes.
quickandsimple.com
Braving Black Friday . . .
Get ahead of the feisty crowds on this sale-driven day with these tips:
Team Up. Have someone stay in the car if parking’s bad, and split up the shoppers, with each person carrying copies of the other’s lists so they’ll know to buy multiples.
Time It. Call the stores you’re planning to hit – some open before 5 a.m., others host midnight-madness sales.
Prep Yourself. Go to bed early, eat breakfast, pack healthy snacks and wear comfortable shoes.
Click. Don’t leave the house if you don’t want to. Lots of companies offer the same great in-store deals online.
Thanksgiving Countdown
3 Number of places in the U.S. named after
the holiday’s main course (Turkey, Tex.; Turkey
Creek, La.; Turkey, N.C.).
9.1 Number of people who sit at a typical
Thanksgiving table.
91 Percentage of Americans who gobble up
turkey on Thanksgiving.
1789 Year that George Washington de-
clared Thanksgiving a national holiday.
A Grateful Heart
Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost.
--Robert H. Schuller
Who does not thank for little will not thank
for much. --Estonian proverb
You won’t be happy with more until you’re happy with what you’ve got. --Viki King
Thoughts About Hope
1. Give God what’s right –not what’s left.
2. Man’s way leads to a hopeless end –
God’s way leads to an endless hope.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good
standing.
4. He who kneels before God can stand
before anyone.
5. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to
church for a face-lift.
6. When praying, don’t give God instruct-
ions – just report for duty.
7. We don’t change God’s message – His
message changes us.
8. The Church is prayer-conditioned.
9. Exercise daily – walk with the Lord.
Not Just Today Not just today, but every day Should be Thanksgiving Day. Time should be spent in retrospect; There should be time to pray And thank the Lord for blessings sweet, For His great loving care That overshadows every day; And in that little prayer You should include your thankfulness For babies sweet and small; For blessings such as these we should Be thankful for them all. Thanksgiving Day comes once a year, And this is why I say— Not just today, but every day Should be Thanksgiving Day!
By: Georgia B. Adams