Wilmington DE. Stake Relief Society

Enrichment Newsletter

November 2009

Wishing you a very Happy

Sherry Crawford

Stake Relief Society Enrichment Counselor

slc6057@aol.com 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