It's Still HOT=SMOOTHIES to the Rescue!

If you were at our 72-hour kit/water classes we had orange and mango smoothies. Some of you were interested in how to make them so here are the basic recipes for anyone who wants to try them at home. The ingredient amounts are extremely "loosely" stated. You can vary it however you like and use the amount of frozen stuff that your blender can handle. This is a great way to use your powdered milk!

If you can live with a minimum amount of sugar, then these can make great healthy meals. Then, when you have company, you can "sweeten it up" and make it a crowd pleaser. (I won't tell anyone though, if you want to just sweeten it up for YOURSELF for breakfast or lunch!)

For both of the recipes below, put liquid/soft ingredients into blender first, then frozen ingredients. Blend on a lower setting, then gradually move to highest power setting. If you have a larger capacity (8 cup) blender jar and want to maximize it, then just add more of everything. Enjoy!!!

FRESH ORANGE "JULIUS" SMOOTHIES (MAKES 4-6 CUPS)

1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 cup Honey or 1/2 cup Sugar (sweeten to your taste)
8 oz. Vanilla Yogurt
1/4 heaping cup Powdered Milk
2-3 Fresh Seedless Oranges (peeled)
Ice to suit your freezy/icy preferences and blender ability

MANGO SMOOTHIES (MAKES 4-6 Cups)

1/2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 cup Honey or 1/3 to 1/2 cup Sugar (more or less up to your preference)
8 oz. Mango Yogurt (Wal-Mart--comes in 32 oz. container) or Vanilla Yogurt
1/4 heaping cup Powdered Milk
1 1/2 cups Water
1 1/2 cups Frozen Mango (Sam's Club--possibly seasonal item)
Ice (Optional)

Books!

We're resuming our Book Interest Group in September. So we need your input. Please leave comments here on the blog.
1. If you're interested in attending, what day works better for you: Tuesday or Thursday?
2. What book suggestions do you have for our group to read?

We look forward to starting it up again!

Almost There!

Ladies - August, the last grand full month of summer and all that means to us, is almost here. We have one week left to enjoy strawberries and to do our visiting teaching for July. I think everyone needs a little "pick-me-up" in the middle of summer so be sure to try to visit your sisters as opposed to dropping them a note or calling them. Your cheery countenance and bright spirit might be just the thing to help them see life from a different perspective and feel more able to be the BEST they can be. Soon the leaves will be changing and life will take on a different pace - we're almost there!

July is a GREAT time to think about WATER!

Joel's parents in Lindon, Utah, were reminded last month that the unexpected does happen. Their area was put on alert to boil tap water for a few days. In some homes the water looked like it had just been bucketed out of a dirty ditch. The city repaired the spring runoff problem quickly but they could not use the public water supply for about two days.

For those in the afffected area that were prepared, this event was just a mild inconvenience and a chance to practice using preparedness supplies. Those who were boiling water or running to the grocery store for bottled water were unprepared. Consider the scenario if it had been on a larger scale. Stores still open would be emptied of bottled water and food in a few hours. Power and gas services would likely be out and you would not be able to boil water on the stove. With this experience as a reminder let me encourage you to review your plans for--

Emergency Water Storage!

The most recent message from the First Presidency says, "Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted." Start with a three day supply for your family and work up to 14 days. The minimum recommendation is to store one gallon per person per day. This is just enough water to survive but not enough for things like washing dishes, sanitation, showering, laundry, pets, etc., so the more you are able to store, the better. If you are pregnant/nursing, sick or in harsh conditions, then the need is also increased.

MINIMUM Three to Fourteen Day Emergency Water Supply:

One Person---------3 Gallons--------14 Gallons

Two People---------6 Gallons--------28 Gallons

Three People-------9 Gallons--------42 Gallons

Four People--------12 Gallons-------56 Gallons

Five People--------15 Gallons--------70 Gallons

Six People---------18 Gallons--------84 Gallons

Seven People------21 Gallons--------98 Gallons

Eight People-------24 Gallons-------112 Gallons

If you need more information about how to properly store water, please let me know and I will get you the information. Also, I am always happy to help you individually with your preparedness planning, so feel free to get in touch with me at any time.

Coming Soon: Smoothie recipes using your powdered milk! YUM!

It's Personal

As I read through the lesson for this Sunday (Elder Holland's Conference talk "Place No More for the Enemy of My Soul"--click here to read it), I was struck by the phrase "personal actions" when Elder Holland introduced 5 things we can each do to keep ourselves pure. PERSONAL ACTIONS means that it's up to me. I'm the only one who has control over my actions, my thoughts, and my attitude.

In my job, I do a lot of counseling for people who have to live with unpleasant realities. Unfortunately, some of their life circumstances won't ever change. But I do believe that each individual can improve their own actions and reactions to have a happier, healthier life. Changing our behaviors and thoughts takes self-discipline. But Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to do it alone. We have our Savior who knows us individually and loves us for who we are and who we can become.

As we prepare for our RS lesson this week, I pray that we can each recognize which personal actions we could change in order to draw even closer to the Savior.

What's Fresh!

I came to Dallas in 1975 after David and I graduated from BYU. I had grown up in a farming community in California and was at a loss as to the "how or when" to buy any fresh fruit or produce in Dallas.
(I do not want to promote a store on this blog - but I have to say that Sprouts makes it easy for any novice to find what is in season and picking it ripe and ready to eat.)
So ladies, while we might complain about the heat, the summer is produce heaven. Right now one can find "fresh" artichokes; corn; cucumbers; eggplant; all sorts of greens; onions; peppers; all the melons; avocados; summer squash; blackberries; blueberries; cherries; grapes; mangoes; nectarines; plums; pineapple; strawberries; and oranges!!!
It would be a fun Saturday morning activity to go downtown Dallas (1010 S. Pearl) to our Farmer's Market. It is large and well laid out and you can eat breakfast or lunch for free with all the samples they hand out!
It may be hot right now but there is never a reason NOT to enjoy one of the benefits of summer in Dallas - the fruits and vegetables!!

Blessings from the Restoration of the Priesthood

I am on my way to the temple this morning and am struck by the blessing, AGAIN, to literally live down the street from a House of the Lord. I can still recall having to take "temple trips" to the Mesa, Arizona temple. The privilege of participating in temple ordinances is the greatest blessing - to me - of the restoration of the Priesthood in these latter days.
This Sunday, Sister Chaillet will be teaching Lesson #13 - The Priesthood, in Relief Society. I have been reading and pondering the scriptures used in this lesson all week.
Now I will go the temple and FEEL the blessings of Priesthood Ordinances.
What better way to spend a Saturday?

MUCH WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN HOT JULY!

I was outside today, giving a little water to several flowers that were hanging their heads. Even though the earth is still damp down under from all the rain, the blasting sun was causing them distress. On the other side of the flower bed was a big Shasta daisy that stood tall and proud, and seemed very unaffected. July is so hot, and it is a time of reflection for me (in the air-conditioning!). I think of the Founders of our great country,who persevered in that hot, humid room in Philadelphia in July, while they argued and persuaded a Consititution into existence. I think of those first pioneers who looked over the Salt Lake Valley on a hot July day, and called it home and a place of refuge - even though journals recorded they could only see two real trees.

"Firm as the mountains around us, stalwart and brave we stand - on the rock our Father's planted for us in this goodly land". I am so grateful for those who have gone before me, and established a land, "choice above all other lands", as we read in the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for Joseph, the Prophet, who restored Christ's church on earth again in our dispensation, and for pioneers who gave literally their all to establish it in the tops of the mountains - to radiate to all the world.

I hope we all can stand straight and tall like the Shasta Daisy in the face of the blasting sun which seems prophetic for "our time on earth" - and accomplish what we were sent here to do, and not "wilt" at the first sign of distress, or hard thing.

Ripple Affects

This morning, I am studying the lesson for this coming week -Gospel Principles #13, The Priesthood - and have come away with profound gratitude for the ripple affects of the priesthood in my life.
One of the many ripples is my calling to serve in the Relief Society with all of you. I get to work with Bishop Johnson, Joel Adair, and James Monroe who are men of God. I am able to rub shoulders with Ruth Guerreiro, Karen Bateman, Joyce Hall, and Natalie Marstella - these are women I admire and love and as members of this presidency they work so diligently in so many different capacities. I work with Laurie Johnson on visiting teaching and marvel at her sparks of insight that keep this endeavor flowing forward. Then the ripple goes on to compassionate service efforts and quick response to those in need and the willingness of so many to take assignments at a moment's notice such as teaching a class or helping someone move. And, the Enrichment committee and Interest Group leaders and all they do the "feed" the talents and needs of this multi-faceted group of women. The list really goes on and on to all the sisters who participate - and most all the active sisters in this ward participate!!!
We, as a Relief Society, are organized by and function through the keys of the priesthood. I have so many reasons to feel blessed by the powers of the restored priesthood but - surely - near the top of my list - is the privilege I have to know and work and share my time on this earth - WITH ALL OF YOU!
So, the greatest ripple affect of all, is my growing love and admiration for each sister in this Relief Society. And I bear testimony that this blessing is through the power of the priesthood.

the Atonement

This Sunday, Ruth Hale will be teaching the Gospel Principles Lesson #12 - The Atonement.
I hope we all take the time to read it and be able to contribute our testimonies concerning this most singular act of love. Neal Maxwell, a great apostle of the 1980's&90's, states: "through the atonement of Christ, we BECOME and OVERCOME." He also wisely says: "...we will end up either choosing Christ's manner of living OR His manner of suffering!"
I pray we choose His manner of living. But we all know this is only possible through a careful study and prayerful reflection of His life and ways.
See you Sunday!

Summertime

After the 4th of July, the summer always seemed to go downhill for me. There was no holiday to break up the time till Labor Day. And that isn't really a fun holiday. July is the month that all General Authorities take off for respite from their grueling schedules. It is just a "pause month" in the hectic schedules we all carry during the year.
BUT, service and the needs of people in our environment never stop! There are no "pause months" for visiting teaching or sick friends or Sunday responsibilities etc. etc.
We have several new women who have moved into our ward. I won't name them as I will forget someone but just be looking for new faces. We have several moving out - Shelley Whiddon, April Calloway to name a few. We have several women who are housebound - Jo Grice and Elizabeth Woodling. We have some having babies and some with sick babies - Laura Nelson and Kim Adair to name a few.
I just love it when things get slow because we have time to get creative in our ability to hear the promptings of the Spirit and act often and quickly to what we hear and feel!
To me, this is the best part of the Summertime!

Independence Day

I found a great talk by Elder Oaks on the American Constitution. We'll be going over this and other talks in our RS lesson tomorrow to celebrate Physical Independence and Spiritual Independence.

You can read the talk by clicking on HERE.