Kindness and service

Today I decided to stay home from church since the sore throat that I've had all week is still there and TJ is starting to get sick too.  I don't want to pass this on to anyone I don't have to.  So, in my search for something spiritual that can fill my time I went to the lds.org website and then the byutv.org website and found a video to watch.

I have been touched, recently, by the amazing spirit that comes when you listen to a prompting and give to another.  When we went on our trip to Florida we had very limited space.  I packed all the food for our trip and as we were heading out the door to pile into the cram packed XUV I felt I should grab the bag of pretzels.  I almost didn't.  But being the over prepared one that I tend to be, I went ahead and tossed in into the car on top of the already stuffed food box.  It wasn't until we reached St. Louis that I realized why that bag of pretzels was there.

Standing at an intersection, in a part of the city where railroads, intersecting highways, and buildings meet, was a man with a sign asking for help.

Many times in my life I have passed these people by.  Shaking my head and wondering why they would stand there and pester those driving past.  Never looking them in the eye. Feeling disgusted towards them.  I remember years ago when a dear friend of mine told me a story about what her daughter said when she saw a man doing just the same thing.  He had a bandanna wrapped around his head.  She thought he looked like Nephi.  That changed my outlook a lot.  And then, when reading the scriptures I realized that what I was doing was judging these people.  I made assumptions based on what I saw.  That was wrong.

Feeling prompted, I asked my sister to grab the bag of pretzels that still sat on top of our food box.  She handed it to me and as I reached where this man was standing I opened my window.  He gratefully accepted the food and told me to have a blessed day.  I was touched so strongly that I cried.

Later we were on the receiving end of a dear friend's kindness and again were touched by that same spirit.

Two days ago when I was traveling to Jeff City I saw a woman standing with a sign.  I don't normally carry any money with me.  I remembered having a bunch of quarters on my purse and began to quickly dig some out.  I wish I had had more time to dig them all out.  There were people in line behind me...waiting for the green light.  I quickly pulled up and handed her what I had...feeling badly that I couldn't do more.

Today as I watched this and again was touched by this amazing spirit.  If we can help only one person today, even in the tiniest way, we need to do it. Do what we can.  Share what we can. Give what we can. And love people the way the Savior loves them.  Without judging them.

http://byutv.org/watch/3a8b3267-1dce-473e-b301-ef72a199dee0#ooid=hvdWUzNTpQG9tJv_MWYLdL77WpYvJ8hl

Oooh! Tasty!

I LOVE new recipes!  So today as I was reading a few posts on facebook I came across this recipe that someone had pinned.  They are in the oven as I type!  I can't wait to try them!!!  And I can feel good about telling you that they ARE low fat and healthy.  :) So many recipes make that claim but are NOT what they claim.  

(My notes are in purple!  ;o) 

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares

by Gingerbread Bagels

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Keywords: bake breakfast snack dessert bars low fat healthy

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Healthy oatmeal squares perfect for breakfast or a snack

Ingredients (9 squares)

• 1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar (I used dark brown sugar since that's what I had in my cabinet.)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk since I'm trying to eliminate dairy for Cassie)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 large mashed banana
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

• Mix together the quick cooking oats, light brown sugar, baking powder, kosher salt and ground cinnamon. (I took the time to mash the clumps of brown sugar with the back on the spoon so as not to have clumps when it's all done)
• Add in the vanilla extract, milk and egg. Mix the ingredients together.
• Then add in the mashed banana and peanut butter. Combine all of the ingredients.
• Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 8 by 8 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Cut into squares and enjoy!

For more information go to this website.  

http://gingerbreadbagels.com/2011/03/22/peanut-butter-banana-oatmeal-squares/

These came out so tasty we munched on them all day. They were gone by the end of the day.  TJ didn't really enjoy the banana flavor, so today I tried changing them a bit.  Here's the recipe:

1 3/4 cups quick oats
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup almond milk
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Mix together oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Add honey, vanilla, milk and egg.  Mix well.  Then add in the peanut butter.  Pour mixture into a lightly greased 8x8 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  After 10 minutes of baking, place a baking sheet on the bottom rack, under the pan to protect it from burning.  Once done, let cool for 15 minutes.  (Note: if you don't let them cool they will completely crumble.  Once they have cooled they can be cut and served. The consistency is NOT the same as the above recipe, but similar and still so tasty!)

New Blog Title

This year has been crazy, chaotic, insane...and then some.  But it has also been a good year so far.  Many times lately I have said or someone else has jokingly made comment about our "three ring circus".  Yes...having this many children can get crazy!  We are an oddity in today's society.  I love shocking people with the number of children we have.  And with so many boys...well...I'm sure you can guess what it's like sometimes.  LOL!  It's something I've grown accustomed to.  You HAVE to when it's a daily occurrence!  But to others it's not only comical but I think sometimes it's frightening!  Haha!  Things are flying , kids are screaming, someones giggling, toys are crashing, avalanches of laundry are falling, sky scrapers made of dirty dishes are toppling, the dog is yapping, the cats are mewing, the baby needs a diaper change, the toddler is tired, the pre-teen is whining, pretend fists are flying ("But Mom, we were only pretending!  We weren't hitting each other!")...I'm sure you get the picture.

So...after this crazy year I've decided...we are now the...

Crazy Cantwell Circus!

Fitting don't ya think?!

I'll start taking pictures and creating a new photo for the blog to go along with it...as soon as I have a free moment.  Don't hold you breath...it could take a few months!

We DO have a juggler, a comedian, and much more!  I think I could be considered an acrobat, of sorts, at times.  Walking the tight rope of insanity will do that do a person.

Strawberry Cake

In my search for a strawberry cake recipe for Alyssa's upcoming birthday, I found this recipe.  I do not what to be buying the strawberry cake mix from the store with all of the artificial ingredients, etc.  Also, I'm not a fan of the boxed Jello, but thought I'd at least give it a try in this recipe.  So tonight, while making dinner, I made this cake. It was delicious!!!!  So good that I have decided to try again and use some all natural gelatin instead.  Knox clear gelatin would work, but I have to figure out how much sugar and pure strawberry extract to use as well.  I changed the recipe to show the changes I made when I made the cake tonight.  I took out a container of frosting I had stored in the freezer, thawed it out and added about a cup of pureed frozen strawberries (with a little sugar added) to it.  I filled the layers with the frosting and then frosted it too. OH MY!  You could taste the yummy strawberries and the best part is knowing that...for the most part...it was natural.  I'll definitely be testing it out without the box of Jello next time.  Remind me to have guests over so I don't eat it all by myself!!  ;)

Strawberry Cake

2 cups white sugar

1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin

1 cup butter, softened

4 eggs room temperature, separated

2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup fat free vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup strawberry puree made from frozen sweetened strawberries

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and dry strawberry gelatin until light and fluffy. Beat in egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each. Combine the flour and baking powder; stir into the batter alternately with the yogurt. Blend in vanilla and strawberry puree. Whip egg whites until soft peaks form.  Fold egg whites into batter.  Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a small knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in their pans over a wire rack for at least 10 minutes, before tapping out to cool completely.

http://anwjohnston.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-cloth-diaper-safe-laundry-detergent.html

Whole Wheat Coconut Flax Bread

Lower in Calories, higher in fiber...full of healthy goodness!  Check out my recipe below!  The texture is soft and yummy, the flavor is delish!

Whole Wheat Coconut Flax Bread

by Kara Cantwell

3 1/2 cups hot water

5 cups wheat flour

1 cup sifted coconut flour

In a medium sized bowl combine the water and wheat flour. Let mixture sit covered for 20-30 minutes.

In large PLASTIC kitchen mixer bowl combine the following:

2 Tbsp. yeast

½ cup warm water

½ cup molasses

Mix, dissolve and let it foam up. 

Add the following to the wheat flour mixture:

1/3 cup oil

1 Tbsp. salt

Mix well, and then add the wheat flour mixture to the yeast mixture.  Mix well.  Then add:

2 cups oatmeal

4 Tbsp. flaxseed meal

Mix well. 

Add enough more wheat flour so that as your mixer mixes, it will clean off the sides of the bowl. (This can be done by hand as well.  Still use the plastic bowl, as you will use less flour that way. If using a metal bowl, check the consistency several times while adding the wheat flour.)  Check the consistency to make sure the dough is slightly sticky/tacky. To do this, touch the dough with a clean try hand. When only a tiny amount sticks to your hand, it’s done.  Spread a thin layer of oil on the inside of a large plastic bowl. Spray your hands with oil. Pull the dough out of the mixer. Place the dough into the oiled bowl. Make sure the ball of dough has a thin layer of oil all over it. Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap or an oiled lid. Then let it rise, in a warm place, until double. Once double in size, punch dough down.  Divide into two loaves and mush the air bubbles out.  Shape dough and place in greased pans.  Cover loosely with oiled plastic wrap and let rise until double in a warm place.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Rub some real butter on the top of each loaf. Enjoy!  Makes 2 loaves.