I Dare You To Eat It

Last week's Relief Society meeting was not your typical meeting
about Food Storage.
Liesa Card, author of the book

"I Dare You To Eat It:  Designing Food Storage You Would Actually Want to Eat"
shared her humorous story of developing a food storage system that has worked for her family as well as many others.

Sister Card's website:  www.idareyoutoeatit.com states it this way:

There are all sorts of pre-conceived notions about food storage and the people who promote food storage. I do not fit that mold. I’m a working mother who has successfully run my own business for over twenty years; I’ve raised five daughters; and I’ve served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am living proof that food storage doesn’t have to be your life in order to bless your life. Rather than a set of practices that complicate life, I see food storage as a divine program that has simplified my life. My message is that food storage is part of the whole gospel plan and an opportunity that any bright individual wouldn’t want to miss.

After many years of trial and error, I found the course that works for my family: it involved 1) gradually building a year’s supply of basic dry goods suggested by the Church, and 2) designing thirty meals and purchasing a three-month supply of canned, dried, or bottled ingredients for those meals, with fresh ingredients added as necessary and as available.

Now my family has food storage we’re comfortable eating on a daily basis. It slices! It dices! No, not really. We’re still just talking about mostly canned goods.  But once I figured out how I could design and regularly use my food storage there was an actual shift in my lifestyle. I was prepared with the things my family was used to eating, I knew exactly how to cook with the supplies I had stored, and I began reaping the numerous blessings of that preparation.

Visit Sister Card's website:  www.idareyoutoeatit.com and then click on the "Strategy's" tab at the top left hand side of the page to read about her 3 step process for using your food storage in your daily life.

For more information on becoming self reliant please visit the Church's Provident Living website:  http://www.providentliving.org   You might especially be interested in reading this pamphlet:    Prepare Every Needful Thing: Family Home Storage.  (Also called "All is Safely Gathered In:  Family Home Storage")

Daughters in My Kingdom

Please see a member of the Relief Society Presidency if you have not received your copy of this important book.  You can read it online or download the book by clicking here.  Sister Chris gave a wonderful lesson about the importance of this manual in Relief Society Today so we thought we would share those words here for everyone to read.

"It will unify and align a worldwide sisterhood with the purposes of Relief Society and the patterns and privileges of disciples.  It is a witness of women's essential roles in our Father's plan of happiness, and it provides an immovable standard of what we believe, what we do and what we will defend"

"This book can teach Latter-day Saint women who they are and of their importance to the Lord." - Sister Julie B. Beck

There are many important themes that surface throughout the book.  These themes teach about identity and purpose.  Some of the themes are:

• Relief Society strengthens and supports women in their identity as daughters of God.
• Relief Society is a restoration of an ancient pattern of discipleship
• Relief Society, when it functions properly, is a manifestation of charity.
• The history of Relief Society is a history of noble, faithful women.
• Through Relief Society, women learn about and are strengthened by an inseparable connection with the priesthood.  

The book corrects many false ideas about LDS women.  Some of the truths that are found in the book are:

• Relief Society is a way of life, not just a Sunday class.  It is the way that the Lord organizes His daughters into a discipleship.
• Relief Society is a place of influence, a worldwide sisterhood.  It is not a place filled with old ladies and knitting and cliches.  It is where we can, together, have a greater influence than doing things alone.
• History confirms that members of the Relief Society have always cared about significant issues.  Relief Society sisters have been thought of as "sweet but uninformed."  The Lord has always expected His daughters to lead and influence for good, to make significant contributions to home and family and their communities, and to further His work.
• The Lord values the contributions of women.  If any woman in the Church feels that she does not measure up to what is expected of her this book will help her remember that righteous offerings are acceptable to God.  Busyness and competition are not the same as consecration and our best efforts.
• Relief Society provides a way for women to fulfill the Lord's plan.  The world teaches women that everything is about them.  Through Relief Society we learn the Lord has expectations and responsibilities that are eternal and not negotiable.
• Women have played an important part in His Church from the beginning.  The history of the Church is filled with powerful stories about women.  The Lord has always valued women.

Church News, September 17,2011

A lot of thought and detail went into this book.  The Church wanted this book to be something that was special and unique for the sisters and something that would help them realize how special and unique they are. To accomplish this, several design elements were implemented:

• The corners of the book are rounded
• There is a lot of color throughout the book (see page 105)
• The books is the same height as the international scriptures.
• The book stays open when it is laid flat, making it easier to read.

"This great circle of sisters will be a protection for each of you and for your families. The Relief Society might be likened to a refuge—the place of safety and protection—the sanctuary of ancient times. You will be safe within it. It encircles each sister like a protecting wall."  - Boyd K. Packer

In 1980, President Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Donna, visited a Relief Society in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia). He later recalled:

“It was not easy to obtain visas, and we used great care so as not to jeopardize the safety and well-being of our members, who for generations had struggled to keep their faith alive under conditions of unspeakable oppression.

“The most memorable meeting was held in an upper room. The blinds were drawn. Even at night, those attending came at different times, one from one direction and one from another, so as to not call attention to themselves.

“There were in attendance 12 sisters. We sang the hymns of Zion from songbooks—words without music—printed more than 50 years before. [A lesson] was reverently given from the pages of a handmade manual. …

“I told those sisters that they belonged to the largest and by all measure the greatest women’s organization on earth. I quoted the Prophet Joseph Smith when he and the Brethren organized the Relief Society. …

“The Spirit was there. The lovely sister who had conducted with gentility and reverence wept openly.

“I told them that upon our return I was assigned to speak at a Relief Society conference; could I deliver a message from them? Several of them made notes; each expression, every one, was in the spirit of giving—not of asking for anything. I shall never forget what one sister wrote: ‘A small circle of sisters send their own hearts and thoughts to all the sisters and begs the Lord to help us go forward.’

“Those words, circle of sisters, inspired me. I could see them standing in a circle that reached beyond that room and circled the world.”

Recalling that meeting, President Packer said, “I stood, for a moment, in that circle and felt the impulses of faith and courage and love coming and going on either side.”

In the book the Relief Society is likened to a fabric of lace spread across the continents.  The tighter the threads in a fabric are woven together, the stronger the fabric becomes.  It is the same with women in the church.  The more we work together the stronger we become.

Fabric is something that is international.  No matter where you are you wear some kind of clothing or you have some textiles in your home.  A fabric/texture design element is featured on each chapter headiing page.  

Nicole Erickson, a Church employee who helped with the manual, said that working on the project changed the way she views herself.  "I always knew I was a daughter of Heavenly Father, but I didn't really realize what that meant.  I know now after working on this book that He will take care of me no matter what."  Nicole also said that she sees other women differently now.  "I see them as strong daughters of God with great power and potential to do great things on this earth."

Relief Society, she said, "is a group of women who are organized or come together wherever they may be to help those around them, to help themselves better understand the gospel and to better themselves so they can help their families and their communities."

More than 98.5 percent of Relief Society sisters will have a copy of Daughters in My Kingdom in their own language by January 2012.  Sister Beck said this book is not a manual or a course of study.  It is a personal and family resource for us to have in our homes.  She said "it is expected of you that you read it . . .you will know how to use it once you have read it."

Sister Beck said that we all face challenges and have many questions - for example - "How do I soften my heart so my anger goes away?  How do I manage helping my children reach their spiritual potential while I am just trying to get by? "

Sister Beck said that no matter the question, answers will come with the help of studying the scriptures and this new book.  Through these two resources sisters are able to strengthen their own faith as well as the faith of those around them.  "You are doing better than you think you are, but we can be better."

A Beautiful Baby Girl!

Congratulations to Laurie and Nick 

on the arrival of another beautiful daughter!

A New Baby for Kara and Andrew!

Congratulations Korrin and James!

Congratulations on the safe arrival of baby boy #4!

Summary

Click here for a written summary of President Uchtdorf's talk.

Pres. Uchtdorf's Relief Society Talk

Double Layer Brownies

This heavenly brownie recipe comes to us from Linda N.  Don't think about the calories, sometimes it is all about the taste.  Enjoy!

Double Layer Brownies

Chocolate Layer:
2 eggs
1 c sugar
3/4 c flour
pinch of salt
1/2-3/4 c cocoa (depending on how chocolately you like it, I use 1/2 c)
1/2 c butter
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

In a med-large bowl melt butter in microwave then add cocoa, set aside to cool. In another med-large bowl beat eggs until foamy, add sugar, flour, salt & nuts if desired When chocolate mixture is slightly cooled, add egg mixture gradually and blend well. Spread into greased 9x13" baking pan. Set aside.



Butterscotch Layer:
1/2 c butter (soft)
1 -1/2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 c flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream butter with sugar. Add eggs & vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Add flour, salt & nuts. Blend. Spoon over chocolate layer in small blobs. Spread carefully. Bake @ 350 25-30 min. Until brownies begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool & frost.

* note when I make these I usually put the butterscotch layer on the bottom because I like the striped effect, I don't think it makes a difference.


Icing:
1/4 c butter
1/2 c brown sugar
3 Tbsp milk
1- 1/2 c powdered sugar

Bring butter, sugar, & milk to a boil in a small-med size saucepan. Boil 2 min. Cool slightly. Stir in powdered sugar, add more if needed, but it will thicken when completely cooled. Spread over cooled brownies.



Drizzle:
1/2 c semi sweet chocolate chips
1-2 Tbsp butter
Melt together & drizzle over icing.

Stung by Tragedy, Lifted by Faith

Autumn Pear Salad

This salad was brought to the High Priest's party by Loralee.  Thanks for sharing, it was delicious.


Autumn Pear Salad

Dressing:

   5 Tbsp Olive Oil

   2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

   1 tsp  Honey

   1 tsp  Dijon mustard

   1 Tbsp  chopped green onions

   salt and fresh ground pepper

 Mix dressing ingredients in a jar, shake well and refrigerate.

 Salad:

1/2 head green leaf lettuce

1/2 head red leaf lettuce

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

2 oz. Asiago cheese, shaved with vegetable peeler   (I just used grated Asiago)

1/2 cup unsalted cashews, toasted

In salad bowl, combine greens and 3/4 of the dressing.  Arrange pears, cheese and cashews over top and drizzle on remaining dressing.

Lemon Zucchini Cake

Here is the link for the Lemon Zucchini Cake served at tonight's High Priest Social.

I thought I had found it on one of my favorite go-to websites:  Joyofbaking.com but it seems I actually found it on a new favorite:  davidlebovitz.com

I did make a couple of changes to the recipe:

I added the zest of one lemon to the cake batter and

used only 1/2 tsp. ginger and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg,

and instead of 1 cup of oil I used 1/2 cup oil and 3/4 cup applesauce.

It's a nice moist cake and a great way to use some of those summer zucchini's.

Does anyone else have a recipe they would like to share?

I've had a request for Linda N.'s brownie recipe (which I'm working on) and for recipes to use summer produce.  Please email Lisa C. to share your yummy recipes.

And a big congratulations to Aly L. who took 4th place at the State Fair for her delicious whole wheat bread!

Fruit Leather

Shared by Aly L.

YUMMY PLUMMY FRUIT LEATHER (or any fruit)

6-8 cups pureed fruit ( I pitted and put it in a fruit processor)

2 Tbsp Honey

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

2 Parchment or plastic lined baking sheets

Start by pureeing fruit until smoothie consistency. Add honey and lemon juice and stir in.

Line baking sheets with parchement or plastic wrap and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Pour fruit until 1/8 in thickness onto lined baking sheets.

INDOOR METHOD:

heat oven to 200 degrees and bake for 2-5 hours until dried out and dry to the touch.

OUTDOOR METHOD:

Place baking sheets on a flat surface outside where they will get lots of sunlight. Cover with a screen, cheesecloth or tulle to keep bugs or anything out without taking the sun away. Place a few cookie sheets covered with foil (shiny side out) to reflect sun onto leather. Let the sun bake it for 4-8 hours or until dry to the touch.

use a knife or pizza roller to cut leather into strips and wrap in wax paper or plastic. Make pieces as big or small as you like.

I stared out in the oven, but my house started to get really hot so I moved it outside. It was ready by the time naptime was over and my kids just ate it up!

I think I will try peaches next week!

Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe Aly!  

Do you have some recipes to use up the abundance of late summer fruits and vegetables that you would like to share with the Relief Society?  Please email them to Lisa C. or any member of the RS presidency and we will get them posted.

Julie B. Beck: An introduction to "Daughters in My Kingdom" book

"All Mormon women over the age of 18 belong to Relief Society, which helps women in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ, increase their personal faith, strengthen families and serve others. This work and Relief Society women both past and present are the focus of a new book soon to be released by the Church, Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society."

Julie B. Beck: An introduction to "Daughters in My Kingdom" book

Congratulations Ann and Bryndon!

Expressions of Love