Pancakes... morning comfort food.

Do you miss pancakes because you are living #glutenfree...? these pancakes are healthy, delicious and #glutenfree!! They whip up in just minutes... top with syrup, fruit or yogurt... they are also high protien so you aren't hungry an hour later...

GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES
1 Cup old fashioned rolled oats (gluten free)
1 Cup cottage cheese
3 Eggs or 6 egg whites
1 Tbs. sugar
1 Tsp. cinnamon
1 Tsp. vanilla

Place all ingredients in blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Cook on griddle preheated to 300* .  Make sure bubbles are forming, popping and staying open... before you turn them.

These are the best pancakes and I would eat them if I wasn't gluten intolerant :)

Lessons from Enos

Enos was the son of Jacob and the grandson of Lehi
From reading the Book of Enos in the Book of Mormon I have learned lessons on prayer, repentance, revelations, blessing of the atonement and sharing my blessing with others!

Enos 1:4 My soul hungered...
When we are hungry for food we feel empty, weak, pain, anxious, a craving, unsatisfied and/or starving! When our soul hungers we are spiritually empty, our testimony may be week, we may have a desire to be filled spiritually.

How do we fill that hunger? Many many times when I am frustrated, feeling discouraged I like to listen to the Mormon Channel. It has never failed to have a message just for me and my situation. There are others whose stories have humbled me, encouraged me, inspired me and have been an answer to a prayer!

From reading how the word of Enos' father had sunk deep into his heart and how Enos had gotten on his knees, prayed and let Heavenly Father know of his desires; asked for the remission of his sins; for eternal life and how had joy of the saints.  It wasn't easy what Enos did. He had to wrestle before God, mentally and spiritually. He had to have a willingness to repent and make changes in his life and he had to exercise faith in Christ.

Enos' prayer made me think about what do I desire? Do I let the words of the prophets sink into my heart? What could make my prayers be better? How can I increase my faith in Christ? Are my prayers sincere?

This week in my prayer journal I going to record the results I have in praying by the example of Enos! 

Putting it all together...

For my "putting it all together" project this week for school I made a little slide show based on a talk by Pres. David Bednar. His talk touched my heart and I really enjoyed it!!

Afflictions are they a good thing?

 One would think that using the word affliction and good in the same sentence would be an oxymoron. Is it? I am interesting in hearing your opinion.

Many prophets in the scriptures where highly favored in the eyes of God yet they still faced many afflictions. They were also tested with afflictions. Nephi, Job, Abinadi to name a few. Trials are a part of life and with trails comes afflictions. Our faith in Jesus Christ provides us the power and the strength to endure our afflictions.

If we have a good attitude we will see our afflictions as an opportunity for growth, to exercise our faith and to endure it well. Afflictions humble us and reminds us of the Lord's blessings.

"thine adversity and thine affliction shall be but a small moment;

     and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt the on high." D and C121:7-8

 BUT, if we have a bad attitude our affliction is just an affliction to bring us down and  give power to Satan to discourage us and loose faith.

The choice is yours!!

..the giving game (ad some fun into your relationship)

 ... It's so easy to get into the "what's in it for me mode" these days. We hear it all around us. Sometimes we have to do something for someone else "just because" to break us out of the selfish mode...

The giving game is just a little thing I came up with for Steve and I to play... We all know about the 5 Languages of Love (gifts, affirmations, service, physical touch and time) and how important it is to feel loved in your language. What I have learned being married to my best friend is that ALL 5 languages are important to show to have a GREAT marriage. Neither Steve and I are the GREATEST gift givers... YET we both love to get little gifts that show the other has listened and payed attention to the things we like.
So here is how the game works...

1. Find a small box (this one was purchased for $1 and measures 5.5 x 4.5 x 2.5)
2. Take turns finding a little something under $5 to put in the box.
3. No time limits, but a month turn around time sounds good to me.

...Steve used this little box for my Valentine's Gift and that is what sparked the idea. I was so tickled to get this little inexpensive toy... how fun would it be to find something for Steve and give the box back...and voila! The Givine Game was born!!

Cream of Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

Fall has come to NE Nebraska, my tomatoes plants are finally slowing down. This afternoon I went out to the garden and picked 6-8 small to large tomatoes...and a handful of my beautiful basil.  I pealed and chopped the tomatoes and diced the basil to  make this amazing soup!!

Cream of tomato Basil Parmesan Soup

32 oz. fresh tomatoes peeled and diced (Or 2 pints canned tomatoes)

1 cup finely diced celery

1 cup finely diced carrots1 cup finely diced onions

1 tbs diced garlic1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano

1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil

4 cups chicken broth

½ bay leaf½ cup flour

1 cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

2 cups skim milk

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

1. Heat oil in 4 quart soup pot. Add celery, onions and carrots. Saute 5 minutes. Add basil, oregano, bay leaf, tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender (15 minutes).

2. While soup simmers, prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat, add flour and cook, stirring constantly,
5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add back into soup pot.

3. Simmer, stirring constantly, until soup begins to thicken. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk to blend. Stir in warmed skim milk, salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

If you want to make this recipe just throw the soup ingredients into the crock-pot and cook for 4 hours on low. Make your roux and continue as the recipe. 
(adapted from a recipe I found at Keep It Beautiful)

...attitudes

...we are all born with an attitude.. it's either a positive attitude or a negative attitude.. I am sure there are a few that are right down the middle and can sway either way quite easily!! I can say that I was born with a positive attitude... I have the ability to find the good in EVERY situation. It's how I deal with life... something goes wrong there HAS to be a lesson in there somewhere and I will toss and turn the events around in my mind and verbally until the answer pops out.
...I also like to believe that everything happens for a purpose and that everything will work out in the end. Just ask Christy, whenever she calls and is stressed out about something that is going on in her life... I always and I mean always tell her don't worry it will all work out in the end... and I must confess when it does I also call her and ask her... and what did I tell you!! :)

...so when I saw this quote on Facebook I INSTANTLY thought of her... so this inspirational picture and quote is for my daughter Christy!