Iron Chef: From the Garden Recipes August 2008

You may have noticed the poster with all the delicious looking food in the hallway outside the relief society room today. I did and I stopped to stare... and drool. Here are the recipes that have been e-collected so far. Yum and I can't wait until next month's secret ingredient is unveiled!

Ratatouille
By Rachel B.

1 small eggplant, peeled and cubed
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼-inch thick slices
1 yellow crookneck squash, halved lengthwise and cut into ¼-inch thick slices
1 15-oz can crushed tomatoes (with juice)
1 can water
½ cup finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp dry white wine
½ tsp dried basil, crushed
¼ tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp pepper
½ cup shredded Swiss cheese

In a large skillet combine eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes (with juice), water, onion, olive oil, wine, basil, garlic salt and pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 20 minutes, until tender. Cook, uncovered, about 5 to 10 minutes more until thickened, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese.


Vegetable Pinwheels
By Kathy S.

2 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp Kraft Peppercorn Ranch Dressing
2 flour or wheat tortillas
1 cup finely chopped vegetable of choice (such as carrots)
2 green onions, chopped

Mix cream cheese and dressing until well blended. Spread evenly onto tortillas; sprinkle with vegetables and onions. Roll up tortillas tightly; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Unwrap when ready to serve. Cut each roll into 6 pieces. Place on serving plate.


Spinach & Chicken Pasta Salad
By Michelle V.

16 oz bow tie pasta, cooked al dente
Dressing:
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup Yoshida’s gourmet sauce
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
6 Tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
Salad consists of:
20 oz bag spinach
1 6 oz bag craisins
3 cans mandarin oranges, drained
2 cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
½ cup parsley, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
¼ cup sesame seeds, toasted
6 oz peanuts
2 cups chicken, cut into pieces

Blend dressing in blender. Mix dressing and pasta and marinade for 2 hours (in a Ziploc bag). Combine rest and add pasta and dressing and toss.

Fifth Sunday!

I love fifth Sundays. I don't know why, but I do. Maybe because it gives me a whole other week to get ready for fast Sunday and actually remember that it is fast Sunday.

Tomorrow is a fifth Sunday. It's also the last day of the month. (It's also, coincidentally the one year anniversary of Nigel's intended due date, if only he wouldn't have come 6 weeks early. I'm glad he did though...)

Which means that there's half of a Saturday and a whole Sunday left for visiting teaching. I always worry that it is too offensive to call so late in the month, but I'm convinced that that is Satan trying to get me to feel good about not doing my visiting teaching. Boo Satan. I'm making the call anyway...

Just in case you need the message, here's a quick link.

Attention Bargain Hunters!

A week from today at Thanksgiving Point Modbe is having one of their famous warehouse sales. Modbe is one of those cloting companies that you can't buy in stores. You have to know someone who sells it, or have a "party" at your house, but not this time! You can go buy all of their clothes that are about to go out of season (maybe even swim suits?) for a fraction of the cost.

So, please don't think of this as a post advocating Modbe as much as it is a post about advocating buying clothes for $5.00! Seriously, they sell shirts, skirts and swim suits for $5.00. It's that great of a sale.

It's definitely a bargain hunter's dream. There are just boxes and boxes of their inventory to dig through looking for a great deal. They have women's, plus sizes, maternity, juniors and kid sizes - all for women or girls

Modbe Warehouse Sale
Friday, September 5th
Thanksgiving Point Barn
noon - 5:00 PM

Children's Photographer

Wynona Robison. Have you heard of this amazing photographer? She is based out of Salt Lake City and was recently featured on Your Heart Out, one of my favorite blogs. You can look at her blog here to get an idea of how great she is. AND If you post a comment on Your Heart Out before August 29th at midnight, you will automatically be entered to win their door prize!!

The lucky girl wins a free sitting and a $50 credit towards prints.
I especially appreciate her perspective on beauty. See what I mean?

Hanging out with Brooklyn?

Hello friends. You may have heard that Anjanelle Kendrick just had an emergency appendectomy. I haven't heard specifically how she is doing, but I'm assuming that no news is good news. Her husband Brandon just started a new job in Salt Lake and so they need help with their sweet little girl Brooklyn. I think she is 8 months old, and is really a mild tempered baby. Very easy going.

Rachel Hiatt is organizing babysitters for today, tomorrow and Friday. If you have some spare time please give her a call to sign up for a time. She's been working on it for a couple of days, but I'm sure it would be great for Rachel if we contacted her instead of her having to hunt for those of use able to help.

You guys are the best. I love being your neighbor and friend.

IRON CHEF THURSDAY!

Come show off your cooking skills in our fabulous Enrichment Group –
Iron Chef: Grandview 1^st

Each month prepare one dish (appetizer, entrée, side, salad, dessert or drink) using our “secret ingredient” and then bring it and the recipe to share (or you can e-mail your recipe).

Let’s have fun, taste what others have created and swap recipes!

The secret ingredient for August is: Anything from the garden!!!

Thursday, August 28th

Willowbrook Clubhouse

6:00-7:00 PM

(a children’s class will be provided)

I simply remember my favorite things

My favorite food is chips and salsa. I love it and could eat it any time of day or night. Micah feels the same way about ranch dressing. So today is a happy day for our family. Thanks to Pat Glenn and Jean Rhineer we have a delicious new recipe for each of our favorite things! Thesewould be pointless without this:

Thai Chili Salsa from Pat Glenn
6 TBLS rice vinegar
3 tsp dijon mustard
3 avocados, cubed
3 large tomatoes, chopped
6 scallions, chopped
3/4 cup vegetable oil
6 TBLS Thai Sweet Red Chili Sauce
3 cloves garlic, smashed
6 TBLS chopped cilantro, or to taste

In food processor combine: vinegar, chili sauce, dijon and garlic. Puree till smooth. While processing, add oil in a thin stream until emulsified. Add cilantro, avocado, scallion and tomato. Season with kosher salt to taste.

8-10 servings

And who thought thiscould get better? Now you'll know how:

Creamy Ranch Dressing by Jean Rhineer
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup minced cilantro
1 cup salsa verde
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-4oz. can diced green chilis, or to taste
1 dash crushed red pepper flakes

In a large blender combine all ingredients except the red pepper flakes. Blend well. Season with pepper flakes to taste.

Makes 1 quart. Keeps up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

That was FUN!

The End of Summer Service Social was really a lot of fun this last Wednesday. Was it just me or did you guys have an especially great time too? Special thanks to our new Enrichment Committee Leader, Claudine Snyder, for throwing herself into her new calling just in time for a great night.

Pat Glenn brought these beautiful flowers from her garden.

There was a terrific meal put together by Rachel Hiatt and her team. Thanks guys! (I'll post the recipes tomorrow :) Just look how enthusiastic Janet is about this food...Yummy salsas + yummy salad dressings = smiling people.
Here are some of the Lee family helping tie the quilt. Later on in the evening I worked with Jessica Lee sanding blocks outside and really got to learn a lot about her. What a great girl! She's already been accepted to her Art program at BYU and has already earned a talent award, which is kind of like a scholarship, right?
Lovely ladies tying a lovely quilt.
More of the same... lovely ladies tying a lovely quilt.
Such great form! She even stays inside the lines :) These were the folder games and activities they worked on.
Painting wooden building blocks...
Michelle Virtue painting wooden building blocks....
Again, painting wooden building blocks...And as all good things must come to an end, we cleaned up.
It's really a great thing to be a part of providing services for Heavenly Father's children in need. We all had such a fun time doing it and it probably didn't seem like that big of a deal, but I have a feeling that these things will be a big deal to someone.

Good work everyone!

Sniff, sniff...

I missed church today because yesterday my eyes were attacked by something in the air at the Wal-Mart in American Fork (or is that considered Lehi) and my face swelled up like something that swells a lot... maybe a bowl of rising dough?

Anyway, I thought I would sleep it off, but when I woke up this morning I was definitely still swollen. (Next time I will take a picture because it was pretty funny.) I visited the doctor and followed directions for prescriptions and rest.

What did I miss in our wonderful ward?

PS I'm happy to report that I'm no longer swollen, just slightly "puffy".

Book Review: First Meals by Annabel Karmel

I know that not everyone is trying to figure out how to feed a one-year-old who is finally weened, but I can't help but share this book. It has great basic nutrition information and made me think twice about not only the food I give to Nigel, but the food I eat myself.

There are lots of great natural and healthy recipes for kids from 6 moths to 7 years old, and I can't see any reason why my whole family can't eat these recipes. There definitely all healthy and they all sound so good!

Here is one of my favorite one-year-old recipes that I think Nigel will have to share with me.

Root Vegetable Chips
Preparation: 10 minutes; cooking: 15 minutes
Provides beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and vitamin E

1 sweet potato, scrubbed
1 parsnip, peeled
2 carrots or 1 raw beet, peeled
spray oil
freshly ground sea salt

You can also use this recipe with sliced plantain.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice all the vegetables wafer-thin by hand or by using a slicing blade in a food processor. Spray some oil onto a couple of large baking sheets and brush to cover the surface. Heat the baking sheets for 5 minutes in the preheated oven.

Place the vegetables on the baking sheets in a single layer and lightly spray with oil. Cook in the oven for 10-12 minutes, turning half way through.

Transfer to paper towel, sprinkle with sea salt and serve cold.

Our Prophet speaks today.

A while ago I was explaining what the Ensign was to someone who hadn't been exposed very much the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When she found out that a living Prophet and other leaders of this church I felt so passionately about actually published something each month to the entire membership of the international church, she very excitedly asked what God had said to his children this month and I had to say, "I don't know. I haven't read it."

Ouch! Why did I take the First Presidency message in the Ensign for granted? There's always really great stuff in there!

I love the story by Louise Dickenson Rich that President Monson shared in his message this month. I won't give it away here, but I will highly recommend it and say THANK YOU to our home teachers for sharing it with us.

See you tonight, right?

Grandview 1st Ward Enrichment Night
Wednesday, August 20
6:30 PM
Ward Building

End of Summer Service Social

Dinner and Children's Class Provided.

***There will be door prizes given away throughout the night. Fun!***

Won't you be my neighbor?

I'm always reminded of Mr. Rogers this time of year with people moving in and out of our neighborhood and ward. It's just that time of year, you know? People moving in and out.

Be sure to invite all of your neighbors, new and old, to our Enrichment Night tomorrow. It's the End of Summer Service Social. Dinner will be served at 6:30 then we'll be working on three different humanitarian aid service projects:

• toy blocks
• quilt tying
• folder games

A Children's Class will be available for any youngsters you may be in charge of that night.

In preparation for this Enrichment Night I learned a lot about the Church's International Humanitarian Aid Efforts just from their website. You can click on the Current Needs link to see what the most relevant needs are at any given time. They'll even give you specific instructions and patterns on how to make them.

Pretty Neat!

Ketchup Catch-up

Tomato Ketchup compliments of Margie

1 can (6oz) tomato paste
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
1/8 cup water
1/8 cup vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Dash cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients and refrigerate in an airtight container. This mixture will be be as smooth as commercial ketchup, but is very similar in taste. Makes 1 pint.

Thank You Moore Family!

I can't help but give a shout out to the Moore family. Today in sacrament meeting Tina Moore was recognized for having earned her Young Womanhood Recognition Award in the Personal Progress program for Young Women. That really takes a lot of work. Way to go Tina!

Also, Joseph Moore returned home from his mission in Italy this past week. Welcome home! I've heard missions really take a lot work too :)

Lisa and Brent Moore have been great examples of quality family life to me these last 5 years we've lived in this ward. It's easy to look at families and pick out which children do "commendable" things (or which ones don't), but the purpose of doing "commendable" things is to act on our testimonies of true principles - right?

I know the Moore family, especially their daughters, and they really are a family that studies and teaches correct principles and does their best to apply them in their lives. It seems that today is a day of rejoicing in the good things that come from life when we do our best to do what we know is right.

Thanks for sharing Moores!

New Fun Easy Treat

I get those same emails that Michelle gets from Betty Crocker and yesterday she sent me something inspiring. Stoplight Sugar Cookies! Fun! You could put these on a cake or serve them by themselves or a million more things.
*If you don't have a pastry cutter you can get one for $5 here or just use a pizza cutter, rectangle ccookie cutter, or a regular knife!

Here's her recipe with the Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix and I'm including my mom's sugar cookie recipe after that. It's the best recipe for sugar cookies IN THE WORLD, but it definitely takes more time than just using the mix. Enjoy!


Stop-and-Go Cookie Pops from Betty Crocker

1	pouch Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/3	cup butter or margarine, softened
1	egg
1	tablespoon Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
	About 30 craft sticks (flat wooden sticks with round ends)
	About 30 each red, yellow and green candy-coated chocolate candies

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg and flour until soft dough forms.

2. On floured surface, roll dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into 3x1-inch rectangles, using pastry wheel or knife. Insert 1 inch of wooden stick into a 1-inch side of each cookie. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cookies 2 inches apart.

3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Immediately press red, yellow and green candies into each cookie. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooking racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Mom's Rolled Sugar Cookies
In a bowl add the following ingredients and cream well:
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups butter

Add dry ingredients and mix well:
5 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Chill for at least 1 hour before rolling out 1/4" thick and cutting with your favorite cookie cutters.

Bake at 375 degrees 8-10 minutes. Do not brown.

Revelation and the Living Prophet

This Sunday's Relief Society Lesson will come from Chapter 16 of the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church manual.

Let's give our teacher the gift of reading the lesson before we come to be taught. Even if you can't attend Relief Society we can all be united in the study of "Revelation and the Living Prophet" this week. Chapter 16 begins on page 193. If you can't find your book, you can read the lesson online here.

Feel free to share thoughts here before or after the lesson.

Looking for something to read.... or listen to?

Book Club Wednesday, September 3 8:00 PM 1538 N 1250 W

We will be discussing The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.

I've heard this is a book lover's book so enjoy the read... or the listen?

Did you know that you can check out an audio version of several books at the Provo City Library? Luckily this happens to be one of them. This book is available on CD and includes a reading group guide on a bonus CD!

You can also check out audio books just by downloading the file! You don't even have to make a trip to the library. It's only available for a limited number of books, but if you like to listen, this is an amazing way to put our tax dollars to great use :)

When you are searching for a book in Provo City Library's Catalog, just look for the Format column to read "electronic resource". There will be a link with directions on how to download.

BYU Education Week Aug. 18-22

I've heard a lot about BYU Education Week, but have never really known much about it. I finally looked in to it and I'm excited that something so great is happening just down the road.

Registration costs range from as little as $15 to $56. To get the best prices you should register before August 15th. Prices go up after that.

Look here to see details about how to register for what.

Look here to browse the class schedule. (Anyone look familiar? Hint: Amy Ossofsky)

Look here to access all of the hand outs offered at classes for the last three years. (What a treasure!)

PS Did you know that Self Magazine ranked Provo/Orem as the second healthiest city in the nation for women to live in? Check out other national rankings for our community, BYU and the state of Utah here.

"It mattereth not."

Okay, who else loved Dave Price's lesson in gospel doctrine this past Holy Sabbath Day? Was it just me, or were there a million really great principles in that lesson?

One of the principles came from Alma 40:5 where Alma is talking about the possibility of several times for resurrection. He said this about the possibilities, "it mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case - that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead."

I love this bit of truth! It seems to me that this applies to all of us who speculate about truth. This could mean truth about the scriptures, personal truth that the Holy Spirit has born witness to our hearts individually, or really obscure doctrines that the scriptures and modern prophets just haven't said too much about.

I think the principle that Alma was teaching was that we don't have to worry about the parts we don't know. Focus on the truth we have.

One of my life's mottos is that there are only so many hours in a day and we only have so much energy.

Ultimately I place my trust in Heavenly Father and accept the responsibility to determine the things that matter and "mattereth not" for me in my life today so I can be sure to make good use of the time and energy I'm blessed with.

Expand your mind. Increase your opportunities. Feed your soul.

Just in case you missed it, Elder Ballard's article about using the internet to share the gospel in July's edition of the Ensign was especially inspiring. I really love it when people acknowledge the power for good that controversial things like the Internet have.

I'll not write my own article here, but I do want to say that my perspective of the purpose of this Enrichment blog comes from Elder Ballard's article about new media.

"Make sure that the choices you make in the use of new media are choices that expand your mind, increase your opportunities, and feed your soul."

You can read the whole article here. And if you need to renew your Ensign subscription, you can take care of that here.

Think of the good we can do with our Grandview First Ward Enrichment blog!

Charity Auction

First Annual Friends of GIANT Steps Charity Auction!
August 15th, 2008
7-9pm
Tahitian NONI Building (5151 North 300 West, Provo, UT 84604)
Hosted by Greg Wrubell of KSL
Entertainment by Marvin Payne

Admission is Free (adults only)

For a list of items to be auctioned, please visit www.friendsofgiantsteps.net

One in 79 boys (1 in 119 children) in Utah County will be diagnosed with Autism.

144 children are on the waiting list hoping to attend the GIANT Step Program and only 36 spots are available.

To be a part of this year's charity auction, please contact McKenna C. for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about autism, I really enjoyed reading this article from the Daily Herald.

The Olympics are here!

The opening ceremonies were amazing! Don't you love the feeling of the Olympics?

Peter Vidmar is a former Olympian who happens to be LDS. He also happens to have an article published in a 1985 Ensign. I loved what he had to say about President Kimball's motto Do it.

"Let’s not just talk about what we want to be. Let’s not just dream about what we want to be. Let’s just do it, whatever it takes. To reach your goals, you may have to work harder than you have ever worked before in your entire life."

Good old hard work. Let's all work a little harder and help each other when we get tired and we'll all be a little closer to reaching our goals and making our dreams come true.

I think that helping each other when we get tired is a big part of the Relief Society. "Charity never faileth" is our motto, but since we aren't perfect yet we definitely need help now and again.

May we all be a little more humble, as accepting help requires humility and offering true help requires humility.

Preparedness Tip

When I was young and had an upset stomach, my mom would often mix a glass of water with a bit of baking soda. It was a much dreaded concoction, but it always seemed to make me feel better. Over the years, I've learned that soda has a myriad of potential uses. One submitted by our ever-faithful preparedness committee is as a substitute for toothpaste. Just wet your toothbrush and add a small amount of baking soda. Rinse mouth well after brushing. I wonder if you brushed your teeth with baking soda while you had an upset stomach--would it kill two home remedy birds with one stone? Maybe?

BEE there or BEE square

Our next enrichment night is August 20th at 6:30 pm. Dinner and children's class provided. You won't want to miss it. Mark your calendar. . .right now. Yep, get up and take your little pen to circle the evening. Your husband would love to watch the kids!

Book it to Book Club

TONIGHT if Book Club at 8 o'clock. Hope you've finished reading "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

The quilting group is going on a field trip!

Wednesday, August 27th at 6:30 the quilting group will be meeting at the church and car pooling to the annual Quilt Snow at the Springville Art Museum. Mark your calendars!

Visit HERE for more details.

Primary Tidbits

I suppose it would be okay if I slip a little bit of primary influence onto the enrichment blog, right?

This month in Primary, we are talking about baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost. When I asked the Junior Primary members how they thought it might feel to come out of the baptismal waters, with little hesitation, the cutest Sunbeam answered--"WET!"

Ask your children and grandchildren some questions about these sacred ordinances this week. You'll be surprised at what a sweet conversation you will have. In fact, this would be a great Family Home Evening Lesson to enforce and explain these principles.

“Questions and Answers about Baptism,” Friend, Aug 2008, 24–25

Do I make a promise when I am baptized?

Yes. You promise to keep Heavenly Father’s commandments. He promises that you can live with Him in His kingdom. These promises are called covenants.

Where will I be baptized?

Where possible, you will be baptized in a font in a stake center. If you cannot be baptized in a font, you may be baptized anywhere approved by your bishop or branch president, such as a pond or ocean. There has to be enough water to cover you completely. That’s what baptism by immersion means.

Why is baptism important?

It’s more than important—it is necessary. Jesus Christ said that people must be baptized to belong to His Church and enter the kingdom of God (see John 3:5).

Is baptism scary?

No. The person baptizing you holds onto you the whole time. You are under the water for only a moment.

What do I need to do to prepare to be baptized?

Want to be baptized.

Keep the commandments.

Be willing to live the teachings of Jesus Christ and follow His example.

Be interviewed by your bishop or branch president.

Why aren’t babies baptized in our Church?

Children are born innocent. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ give parents eight years to teach their children the gospel so their children can learn right from wrong before they become accountable for their sins. (See D&C 68:25.)

Who can baptize me?

A priest in the Aaronic Priesthood or a man who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood.

When can I be baptized?

You need to be at least eight years old (see D&C 68:27).

What will the person baptizing me say?

“Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73).

What happens after baptism?

After you are baptized, you are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You are then accountable for your sins, and you need to repent when you do something wrong. Before you take the sacrament each week, you should repent of whatever you did wrong that week and ask for forgiveness. Then when you take the sacrament, you covenant to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, which means you will always try to remember Him, follow His example, and obey Him. When you do this, you are promised that His Spirit will be with you.

What will I wear when I am baptized?

White clothing usually borrowed from your stake, district, or mission.

Do the scriptures tell about people who were baptized?

Yes! Here are some you can read about:

Adam: Moses 6:64–65

Alma: Mosiah 18:8–16

Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:13–17

3,000 in one day: Acts 2:38–41

Paul: Acts 9:17–18

Limhi and his people: Mosiah 25:17–18

Zeezrom: Alma 15:12

Joseph Smith: JS—H 1:68–71

Illustrations by Julie F. Young

Primary Sudsy Service

Primary activity day is Saturday, August 16th from 9-10am at the church (meet on the west side by the primary room). We will be cleaning the nursery toys and tables, so make sure your children are dressed in outfits that you won't mind getting wet & soapy!

August's Message

"Latter-day Saint women should understand that no matter how many other people they enlist to help them with their home and children, they cannot delegate their role as the primary nurturer and teacher of their families. As a daughter of God who has made covenants with Him, each of you carries the vital and indispensable female half of the responsibility for fulfilling the Lord's plan" (Julie B. Beck, "Unlocking the Door to the Blessings of Abraham," CES Fireside for Young Adults, March 2, 2008).

Click HERE for the August visiting teaching message.

Farmer's Market

Earlier in the week, I mentioned that you might be able to purchase apricots at the local farmer's market. For those who didn't know, Provo has a wonderful market every Saturday morning from June until October. It is open from 9am to 1pm, and will be held at Pioneer Park on 500 W 100 S. There is free parking located behind the Covey Center for the Arts. Local farmers bring their fresh produce to sell. There will be fresh vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, artisan bread, live music, gifts, jewelery, bakery items, tamales, ceramics, and much more!!