Chocolate Beet Cake

I promise, we don't eat all of our veggies in this house pureed in a baked good. I guess I just tend toward those recipes on this blog. But anywho--this is a great way to use beets if you find yourself with a glut. And oh boy, do we have more beets than we know what to do with!

CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
2 small handfuls of chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups of beet puree
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour (I used whole wheat with no problem)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
powdered sugar for dusting

In a small sauce pan, melt the chocolate chips with 1/4 cup of the butter. Stir in the cocoa powder until smooth and allow pan to cool slightly while proceeding to next step. Cream the remaining 3/4 cup butter with the brown sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Blend the chocolate mixture, beet puree, and vanilla into the creamed mixture (it will appear separated). In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices. Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture, stirring until well combined. Pour the batter into a greased bundt pan and bake at 375 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow cake to cool about 15 minutes in the pan before turning out onto a wire rack to finish cooling. Once cake has cooled completely, dust with powdered sugar, slice, and enjoy!

Stress

I was reading a bit from an old Relief Society manual the other day and came across this quotation:

When in situations of stress we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacity perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked. When we have been weighed and found wanting, let us remember that we were measured before and we were found equal to our tasks; and, therefore, let us continue, but with a more determined discipleship. When we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not over program us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear.
~Elder Neal A. Maxwell~

I needed this today. Hope it helps you on a day when you need it too.

Butternut (or pumpkin) Pancakes!

We were blessed with butternuts this year!
And thank goodness, I say,
because these beauties will see us through the winter.

I have a deep love for winter squash,
and so we have already been digging into the supply.

Here is one of our favorite breakfast recipes for butternuts:

Butternut Squash Pancakes

1 egg
3/4 cup milk (full fat is best)
1 cup wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
2 Tbsp. honey
1 cup squash puree
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

In a small saucepan, combine the squash, oil, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon, and warm over medium heat until coconut oil melts (but don't let the mixture get HOT).

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, powder, soda, and salt, and stir to combine.

In another small bowl or large measuring cup, measure out the milk and mix in the egg.

When the squash mixture is warmed to the point where the oil has become liquid, fold into the flour mixture. Mix thoroughly to ensure no dry pockets of flour. Then add the milk and egg mixture. Stir until batter is smooth and well combined.

Cook on a hot, greased griddle in 1/4 cup portions over low heat. Throw in a few chocolate chips if you are feeling sassy, or just enjoy with some pure maple syrup! (yields 12 pancakes)

Daughters in my Kingdom

I have been so grateful to have a copy of this remarkable book for the last few weeks. I love reading a few pages every time I get a chance. I was particularly struck by an excerpt from a talk by President Thomas S. Monson on charity. The message was shared only a year ago as part of the general Relief Society broadcast, and yet, somehow in a year I had forgotten so much of his important message.

President Monson spoke of charity beyond just the relief of suffering or giving of substance (though noted that this form of charity is also "necessary and proper"). "I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.

"I have in mind the charity that impels us to be sympathetic, compassionate, and merciful, not only in times of sickness and affliction and distress but also in times of weakness or error on the part of others.

"There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. the need for charity is everywhere.

"Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited...

"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. it is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others."

And the message went on. I read back through the words of this living Prophet, and I know that I have a whole new list of goals to work toward. My vision of charity needs to expand. And I'm so grateful that we are given the wonderful guidance we need to truly become more like our Savior.

Miracles

It has been far too long since I posted anything on this blog. I think, perhaps, it was a bit lofty to believe I had time to manage more than one.

But here I am. Ready to try again.

Part of the long absence was due to a long family vacation. The other part of the absence is because I am busy fighting through morning sickness--which is where the title of this post comes into play.

We all have miracles occur within our own lives. Some are large and touch the hearts of any who hear about them. Some miracles are small and are only miraculous in our own eyes. However, all are blessings from the our Heavenly Father and a reminder of His great love for each and every one of us.

I have seen many little miracles occur in my own life since we found out we are pregnant again. One, in particular, truly let me feel of that love from my Father in Heaven.

Marty had to leave our vacation in North Carolina a week early to come home for Scout Camp. I was then going to caravan up to Pennsylvania with my 2 sisters and 10 children to have Marty meet me at the airport to finish the drive home. This, to be honest, terrified me. I had no idea how I was going to cover hundreds of miles by myself when even a trip to the grocery store left me clutching a gallon plastic baggie to catch anything that may decide to come up.

Before he left, I asked my sweet husband to give me a Priesthood blessing. As the hands of my husband and my father were placed on my head and my husband spoke to our Heavenly Father in my behalf, I felt the sweet assurance that comes with faith in Priesthood authority. I was going to make it. Somehow, Heavenly Father would help me get to Pennsylvania.

The morning of the trip came. I was tired, a little queasy, and trying to remember the peace I had felt at my blessing. I packed the seat next to me with snacks, water, and baggies (just in case), and we headed out for a day of driving. The first few hours went by, and I felt okay. Better than okay. I kept nibbling on crackers and licorice and sipping on water, keeping my stomach busy and happy. By lunch I needed substance and was amazed at how a burger and french fries could make me feel so much better. The last few hours of the trip seemed to go by slowly. I was starting to lose steam, and felt a bit queasy. By the last hour I had a headache and was hoping I would not need to pull over.

By the time we got to Eva's house and I got myself out of the car, I knew that I was in for a rough night. But I remember laying in bed, afraid that any movement would send me back to the bathroom, praying to thank Heavenly Father for getting me there. I knew he wouldn't lift the morning sickness for good, but he gave me enough of a break to accomplish what I needed to--just like he promises he will.

The next day I left for the airport to pick up Marty and barely made it to his terminal without tossing my cookies all over the car. I parked, quickly kissed him hello, and buried my face in a plastic bag. I barely took my head out of various plastic baggies the whole 6 hours home. I was still amazed at how I had managed the whole day before in the car without getting sick once.

So that was my miracle. And it certainly made me feel loved by my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful that he knows each of us and answers our prayers. I am grateful for the Priesthood of God here on this earth. And I am grateful to know there is a sweet little spirit growing inside of me. How blessed we are.

Kale Chips!

I don't have a picture of these delicious snack bites, BUT I can say that my polka Dot ate them as well as potato chips (and life is rarely quiet for her on the green veggie front).

Kale is quickly becoming one of my favorite plants in the garden. It starts producing early in the spring and doesn't quit until nearly Christmas in this neck of the woods. It also doesn't take more than a handful of kale plants before you feel like you are suffocating in dark leafy-green goodness. When the plants get a little out of hand, or you just need a crunchy, healthy snack option, these kale chips are just the thing.

I'm not going to give any measurements because everyone will like them a little different, but here is the gist of how you make them:

Cut, wash, and dry a whole heaping pile of kale from the garden. Tear the kale leaves from the thick stems in large pieces. Put all your pieces in a bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil (I'd say hmm about 2 Tablespoons--maybe more. You don't want to find a puddle in the bottom of the bowl, but you want each leaf to get a little). Then sprinkle with some salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese and toss to coat evenly. Bake at 200 degrees on an aluminum covered sheet for about an hour, or until chips are nice and crispy all the way through. Put them in a bowl, watch them disappear, and feel good about how much leafy green power is now making its way through the bodies of those near and dear to you.

Seriously, I think you'll like these. Eating your greens isn't so bad after all:)

"What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?"

Every April and October, members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (and anyone who wants to listen, for that matter) have the incredible opportunity to listen to the words of our living Prophet and other church leaders. For two days we are filled with the messages of these inspired men and women, each of whom has sought out what to speak on through much prayer and fasting. I ALWAYS come away from these sessions with specific questions answered, my eyes a little wet from tears, and a set of new goals.

I have been trying to be better at reviewing these messages between conference sessions, and I especially seem to turn to this guidance on difficult days. Last week, when trying to be a good mommy was feeling especially difficult, I happened to listen again to the talk "What Manner of Men and Women Ought Ye to Be?" from Lynn G. Robbins of the Seventy. Choosing that talk on that day was what Heavenly Father knew I needed; I know he guided me down the list of talks to this title. These were the lines that moved me the most on that day:

A sweet and obedient child will enroll a father or mother only in Parenting 101. If you are blessed with a child who tests your patience to the nth degree, you will be enrolled in Parenting 505. Rather than wonder what you might have done wrong in the premortal life to be so deserving, you might consider the more challenging child a blessing and opportunity to become more godlike yourself. With which child will your patience, long-suffering, and other Christlike virtues most likely be tested, developed, and refined? Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?

I certainly need my girls to help me become a better person. In no other way could I learn such patience, humility, charity, and all other Christ-like attributes.

The rest of the talk can be found here. And all of conference can be found here. No matter what faith you are of, these talks are uplifting, inspiring, and will certainly bring you closer to Heavenly Father as you heed their counsel.