Product Review of Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies; My Recipe for GF Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is the gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe included in my cookbook (which would be a great gift idea, by the way!).  :)  I am biased, I know, but I can rate my cookie recipe at a 10 and feel comfortable doing so.  We love the flavor, texture, and price compared to mixes.  We also love that the recipe is large, so we can freeze part of the batch to have cookies in school lunch bags or for snacks.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups brown rice flour
3/4 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips* (if milk intolerant, use Enjoy Life® Chocolate Chips and Earth Balance® margarine in place of butter)

1. Preheat oven to 375 °F.  Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs.

2. Add brown rice flour, tapioca flour, sorghum flour, xanthan gum,baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly.

3. Shape into small balls of dough and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10 to 11 minutes.

MAKES 34 TO 36 COOKIES

*As a variation, substitute 3⁄4 cup butterscotch chips and 2⁄3 cup toffee bits for chocolate chips.

However, when I am in a big hurry, it is nice to know there are a some great gluten-free chocolate chip cookie mixes at the grocery store.  I tried out three of them.  (I also have a blog post about Arrowhead Mills GF Cookie Mix in my post from 4-6-2012, and a blog post about Glutino Cookies on 5-31-2013).  It is kind of embarrassing that we love chocolate chip cookies this much. :)


Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

I am rating this mix at 5 out of 10.  My first impression was that they have some type of bean flour in them, and sure enough...the label showed there is garbanzo bean flour in the mix.  The bean flavor didn't last long since the chocolate chips helped to offset it.  These cookies have a good texture and aren't too grainy, though they are slightly dry.  The taste was average, but we definitely ate them since there was chocolate in them. :)

Pillsbury Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

I am rating this product at 9.5 out of 10.  This was our favorite cookie out of the three--due to taste, time savings, and convenience.  It comes in a container similar to sour cream in size.  You can find this cookie dough in the refrigerator section, probably near the eggs and other Pillsbury cookie dough.  The only problem was that the quantity of cookies was too few for the price. These are delicious cookies, though.  My husband said he would rate them at 10 for gluten free and would rate them at 8 in comparison to a gluten cookie.  Yum!

Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Gluten Free Cookie Mix

I am rating this mix at 7 out of 10.  The flavor was quite good, but the dough was crumbly and difficult to form into a cookie shape.  The cookies were a bit grainy, as well.  Not that appearance matters too much, but as far as color and shape are concerned, they look the best out of the three mixes.

Product Review of Enjoy Life Crunchy Flax with Chia

It seemed like a good idea to buy Enjoy Life Crunchy Flax with Chia.  I have no doubt that it is a healthy choice for a breakfast cereal.  However, I can't stand it.  It tastes terrible to me. :\ I tried adding it to my other gluten-free cereal to tone down the taste.  Nope.  Then I tried melting chocolate chips and adding some granola with it to enhance the taste.  It kind of ruined the good taste of the chocolate.  I am rating it at 2 out of 10.  I will just add flax to my smoothies and call it good. :)

Recipe for Red Pepper Noodles

I am grateful for family!  Even though there are difficult days with parenting--and the trials that come with it--life is good.  It is nice that life includes happy days to offset the hard days.  Having one son get married in August and another in October has brought great joy!  Plus, we now have two more awesome daughters-in-law!

In August, our oldest son, his wife, and their 3-year-old daughter came to visit due to the wedding.  It was awesome to have them here!  My daughter-in-law knew I was busy with wedding preparations, and volunteered to make some of the meals.  I was happy to let her do this, especially since she is a great cook!  Here is the recipe for the Red Pepper Noodles she made for us.  Delicious!

Red Pepper Noodles*

1/2 lb. gluten-free spaghetti noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 diced red bell pepper (or orange bell pepper)
1/2 cup diced onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Soy sauce, to taste

1.  Cook the noodles according to package directions.  Drain noodles.
2.  Dice the red bell pepper and onion.  Heat olive oil in a wok or large skillet.
3.  Saute the diced red pepper, diced onion, and minced garlic for 7-10 minutes.
4.  Stir in the cooked noodles, lemon juice, and sugar.  Add soy sauce, to taste.

*I also added sliced zucchini.  Yum!

Product Review of Pillsbury Gluten Free Pizza Dough; My Pizza Recipe

I was making pizza for a large group a few weeks ago and I needed more than our two large crusts that I make with my pizza recipe.  I decided to supplement with one more small to medium-sized-pizza and to give Pillsbury dough a whirl.  I like my recipe for pizza crust better (a subliminal hint to buy my cookbook).  :)

The Pillsbury pizza crust caused my eyes to light up, however, since it is great to see companies like Pillsbury joining the gluten-free product wagon.  I am rating the crust at 7, since the flavor was quite good, but it was chewy and dense and had a slight after-taste. See my blog post at this link for my pizza crust recipe, and hopefully you will like it so much you will buy my cookbook. :)

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2036047509040080967#editor/target=post;postID=2120220870250998932;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=29;src=postname

Review of Arrowhead Mills vs. King Arthur Chocolate Cake Mix

Our son recently got married and we wanted to have gluten-free cake at the wedding luncheon for those in our immediate and extended family who have celiac disease.  Our 12-year-old daughter loves art and so we decided to let her decorate the gluten-free cake.  We tested two brands of gluten-free cakes.  The Arrowhead Mills chocolate cake was very dry and didn't have great flavor.  Rating:  3.

Photo source:  http://www.arrowheadmills.com/product/gluten-free-chocolate-cake-mix

The King Arthur chocolate cake was delicious and moist.  Rating:  9.

Photo Source:  http://www.amazon.com/King-Arthur-Flour-Chocolate-22-Ounce/dp/B00473U3BM

We also used the following recipe from my cookbook, and we all LOVED the substitution of raspberry flavoring we used (we ran out of lemon flavoring).  Necessity is the mother of invention, right?

Cake Decorating Frosting

2½ cups powdered sugar

¼ cup shortening

⅛ cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons egg white

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon vanilla

¼ teaspoon lemon (or raspberry) flavoring

1 teaspoon almond flavoring

2½ tablespoons milk

Combine all ingredients and whip for 4-5 minutes on medium speed.

We had a hard time finding the pearl centers for the flowers.  Every craft store we checked carried the Wilton brand, and they are not gluten free.  Happily, my older daughter eventually found this brand and they are gluten free. :)

Photo source:  http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/celebration-silver-pearls-candy-812917/

My First E-Book!!!

I am soooo excited!  My first e-book is on amazon.com!  It is priced at $3.99.  Check it out!  :)

http://www.amazon.com/Gluten-Free-Cooking-Delicious-Breakfasts-Breads-ebook/dp/B00MFXXZG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407901183&sr=8-1&keywords=susan+bell+breakfast+and+breads

I love the work of my graphic designer and photographer, who both did a spectacular job!

Those Spunky Six Sisters and Their Yummy Biscuits

I was doing a book signing at a Deseret Book, and a friend told me I should sign up for the free drawing going on that night.  Wonder of wonders...I won!  And...I won a really fun cookbook called Six Sisters' Stuff.  The only challenge is that most of the recipes are not gluten free.  My daughter was undaunted by this, however, and used Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix as a substitute for the baking mix called for in their biscuit recipe.  It is a great recipe, and the 7-Up in the recipe gives the biscuits a delightful flavor.

Adaptation of Six Sisters Easy 7-Up Biscuits

1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups Pamela's Baking and Pancake Mix
1/2 cup 7-Up
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.  Cut sour cream into Pamela's mix with a fork.  Add 7-Up and stir just until combined.  Add melted butter.  It makes a very soft dough.  Drop by the spoonful onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.

Hummus with an Italian Flair; Our Most Important Work

Since we found out my husband's triglyceride levels are high, we have been trying to figure out healthy snacks.  He loves chocolate almond milk, and some of the Bolthouse juices, like Blueberry Goodness and carrot juice.  We also found some Popcorn Indiana chips at Sam's Club and on amazon.com that have far less fat than regular chips.  My husband likes to dip these chips in hummus, and I wanted to make a homemade recipe for hummus that would contain olive oil, instead of soybean oil.   He also doesn't care for the taste of cumin, which seems to be a prevalent ingredient for hummus recipes. So, I have been trying out different combinations of spices...and I came up with this one.  I hope you enjoy it. :)

Basil-Oregano Hummus

1 can garbanzo beans (15.5 oz.)
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons tahini (ground-up sesame seeds in a creamy mixture)
4 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder

Blend all ingredients for several minutes in a high-powered blender.

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We have had a whirlwind of activity at our home.  One of our sons returned from Mexico, another son got engaged to be married, we had a family reunion at our home, and we decided to paint several rooms in our house.  Whew!  One thing I know about all of this, I love FAMILY!!  I am impressed with this quote from Harold B. Lee:

“The most important... work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own homes.”

–Harold B. Lee

The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, sel. Clyde J. Williams (1996), 280

Our Four Minutes; Recipe for Tortilla Pizza

Life is full of ups and downs, joys and difficulties.  I was touched to the point of tears this morning after reading a blog post about a faithful and courageous father and mother who are doing their best to cope with the passing of their newborn son.

Carver only lived for six and a half hours. He only experienced life in two rooms. He never saw the outdoors, he never got to taste food or drink, or feel the wind or rain or sun on his face. As far as he knew, life was floating inside a womb, and then it was a moment of horrible, dry, bright coldness, and then it was a warm dream that lasted only a few hours more. That first day was the longest day of my life, but when it was finally over I felt peace. It wasn't hard for me to see Carver's body later at the mortuary, the viewing, and the funeral. To me, that wasn't him. He didn't look the same. His face wasn't how I remembered it during those heart-wrenching hours in the hospital. I knew Carver was in a better place, and I felt like I could move on. Karen, of course, had and is still having a much harder time. After all, she carried him for nine months, felt him kick her in the ribs and bladder, and gave birth to him. Such a tiny amount of time in the hospital was probably not long enough for me to properly bond with him. This is probably lucky, since Karen needs my support and love more than any other time. We both know that we'll have more children, and the odds that another child will have a diaphragmatic hernia are next to nil; but that doesn't make it easier for Karen, and I completely understand that. That's why, I think, God designed the family to have a nurturing mother and a supportive, protective father. We complete each other. We're opposite and equal, like two wings on a plane. It may take her years, or decades, to completely grieve for Carver, but that's all right. With something like this, that no one could ever prepare for in a million years, that seems a reasonable price to pay.

http://pretzel-lectern.blogspot.com/2014/05/farewell.html

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It certainly leads us to ponder just how temporary life can be, and how we should make the most of each day.  I am impressed by the thoughts of Gary E. Stevenson:

I first share the story of Noelle Pikus-Pace. In Noelle’s event, the skeleton, athletes build momentum as they sprint and then plunge headfirst on a small sled. With their faces inches above the ground, they race down a winding, icy track at speeds that top 90 miles (145 km) an hour.

Remarkably, years of preparation would be considered either a success or a disappointment based on what happened in the space of four intense 60-second runs.

Noelle’s previous 2006 Olympic dreams were dashed when a terrible accident left her with a broken leg. In the 2010 Olympics her dreams fell short again when just over one-tenth of a second kept her from the medal stand.²

Can you imagine the anxiety she felt as she waited to begin her first run in the 2014 Olympics? Years of preparation would culminate in only a sliver of time. Four minutes total. She spent years preparing for those four minutes and would spend a lifetime afterward reflecting on them.

Noelle’s final runs were virtually flawless! We will never forget her leap into the stands to embrace her family after crossing the finish line, exclaiming, “We did it!” Years of preparation had paid off. We saw her Young Women medallion around her neck as the silver medal was placed there beside it.³

It may seem unfair that Noelle’s entire Olympic dreams hinged on what she did during just four brief minutes. But she knew it, and that is why she prepared so diligently. She sensed the magnitude, the urgency of her four minutes, and what they would mean for the rest of her life.

We also remember Christopher Fogt, a member of the team that won the bronze medal in the four-man bobsled race. While he could have given up after a devastating crash in the 2010 Olympics, he chose to persevere. After a fantastic, redemptive run, he won the prize he so diligently sought.⁴

Now, consider how your pathway to eternal life is similar to these athletes’ “four-minute performance.” In the presence of a loving Heavenly Father, you trained and prepared to come to earth for a brief moment and, well, perform. This life is your four minutes. While you are here, your actions will determine whether you win the prize of eternal life. 

In a sense, your four minutes have already begun. The clock is ticking. The words of the Apostle Paul seem so fitting: to run the race, that you may obtain the prize.⁶

In the same way that certain steps are essential in the very brief performance of an Olympic athlete—jumps or maneuvers for ice skaters and snowboarders, negotiating the turns of a bobsled run, or carving through the gates of a downhill slalom course—so it is in our lives, where certain things are absolutely essential—checkpoints which move us through our spiritual performance on earth.

My young friends, wherever you are in your “four-minute performance,” I urge you to ponder, “What do I need to do next to ensure my medal?”  Whatever it may be, do it now. Don’t wait. Your four minutes will pass quickly, and you’ll have eternity to think about what you did in this life.⁸

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, “I already blew it. My four minutes are already a disaster. I may as well give up.” If so, stop thinking that, and never think it again. The miracle of the Atonement can make up for imperfections in our performance. 

Remember, you are not alone. The Savior has promised that He will not leave you comfortless.¹¹ You also have family, friends, and [others] who are cheering you on.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2014/04/your-four-minutes?lang=eng&clang=eng

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I am particularly mindful of the blessing it is to be a mother during my "four minutes."  I loved the opportunity on Mother's Day to talk with our daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and each of our children, including those who live far away.  It brought a feeling of pure joy.  

It seems like time slips away with lightning speed.  When our children were young, some people told me to enjoy our children when they were little because they would grow up too fast.  I found it hard to believe then.  Now I wish I would have listened more to what they had said.

One thing our children haven't outgrown is a tasty snack idea my sister shared with us.  It is called "Tortilla Pizza" and can be found in my cookbook.   It is a great after-school/pre-dinner snack.  I hope you enjoy it!

Tortilla Pizza

Top a tortilla with spaghetti sauce, pepperoni or bacon pieces, cheese, and other desired toppings. Put another tortilla on top and fry in small amount of olive oil on both sides until lightly browned and cheese is melted. Cut into pie-shaped pieces and serve warm.

What a Great Man! And...a Recipe for Gluten-Free, Cholesterol-Free Chocolate Oatmeal Blueberry Balls

We had the glorious opportunity to escape for a few days to a cabin near a mostly-frozen lake.  It was strange to leave the green grass of home and go where the snow still lingers.  Total relaxation enveloped us, and it was worth enduring the slush and ice.  My husband is a great man, and it was awesome to chat with him for hours about education, our children, and the joy of the gospel.

As we were enjoying these days off, we knew that my husband would likely get a phone call soon about his yearly physical exam results, particularly his cholesterol level.  Yep...a few hours after we returned home, the phone call came that his cholesterol levels are high.  So...we are launching into not only using the low-fat gluten-free recipes from my cookbook, but hoping to invent desserts to reward his efforts to eat cholesterol free.  It is a new level of learning and cooking for sure.

I hope you will enjoy the new recipe I invented for him.  He longs to eat something sweet after dinner, and he likes these...which is always a relief when inventions are in the works!  Our two daughters liked them, as well.  Give these treats a try. :)

Chocolate Oatmeal Blueberry Balls

1 cup gluten-free quick oatmeal
1 teaspoon cocoa
2 tablespoons Blueberry Craisins®
4 tablespoons date pieces
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons vanilla almond milk

1.  Pulse oatmeal in blender or food processor until it resembles coarse flour.  Pour into small bowl.
2.  Add remaining ingredients.
3.  Form into one-inch balls.  Chill until ready to serve.

Makes 14-16 one-inch balls

Product Review of Ultra Gel; Mom's Awesome Gravy!

Ultra Gel is a great product.  About a month ago, my brother was making some jam out of his frozen raspberries to serve at a dinner for our family and others.  He mashed the raspberries with a fork, added some sugar, and added Ultra Gel until it was the consistency of jam.  It was a delicious way to get raspberry jam with minimal effort.  

A few days ago, I cooked one of my favorite recipes:  "Slow-Cooked Roast" on Page 146 of my cookbook.  I strained the broth from this roast in preparation for my mom to use for a demonstration about making gravy.  She wasn't just teaching me how she makes gravy.  My 85-year-old mother also taught a group of young women (ages 14-15) how to make gravy, which is awesome! :)

She taught them to make a cornstarch gravy (2 1/2 to 3 tablespoons cornstarch whisked into 1/4 cup cold water and added to 1 1/2 cups boiling broth).  This is the type of gravy I have made since our diagnosis of celiac disease.  I have been intrigued, however, by how my mom makes gravy with Ultra Gel.  So I was watching intently as she taught these young women how to make gravy with Ultra Gel  (4 to 4 1/2 tablespoons Ultra Gel whisked into 1 1/2 cups boiling broth).  It was every bit as good as the cornstarch gravy, and even better since the beef flavor came out more fully.  Maybe it is because you don't have to dissolve Ultra Gel in a liquid before it is added to the broth.

I wish you could see how well my mom navigates around with a power chair or a walker or a cane since her second hip replacement a few years ago.  She has pain from three bone diseases due to late diagnosis of celiac disease, yet she doesn't let that stop her from helping and teaching and showing service.   She taught these young women last night--not just to make gravy--but how much fun cooking can be.  She is a great example to me. The following quotes personify how I perceive that she embraced the teaching she received from her own mother, my grandmother:

"A mother’s love and high expectations lead her children to act responsibly without excuses, to be serious about education and personal development, and to make ongoing contributions to the well-being of all around them."

"[Her] intuition is to do good and to be good..."  "No amount of money, authority, or public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family."  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-moral-force-of-women?lang=eng  

These quotes remind me of my wonderful daughter-in-law, as well.  As my husband noted after a visit to their home recently, she is a great mother to our granddaughter and puts a lot of effort and love into motherhood.  She is an amazing person and nurtures and teaches our granddaughter, even when she could be doing many other things right now with her gifts and talents.  

Our daughter-in-law has also willingly adapted their diet to help our granddaughter to feel better.  So far, our granddaughter hasn't shown positive testing for celiac disease, but a diagnosis of gluten intolerance has been given.  A gluten-free diet has been the key to keep the rashes away that have shown up due to eating something with wheat.  

I am grateful for the wonderful example of these two women!  

My Version of Loaded Chicken from Winger's Restaurant; The Joy of Giving and Receiving

Recently, I had a take-out lunch from Winger's with several of my friends. It is always a happy day when I see a variety of gluten-free items on the menu. :)

(Photo Source:  Google Images)

Here is my gluten-free version of Winger's Loaded Chicken.  The flavor of the chicken with the bacon, mushrooms, and cheese is so tasty! I hope you enjoy it.

Bacon and Mushroom Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
4 tablespoons bacon pieces
½ cup shredded cheese
1½ tablespoon gluten-free soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1. Bake chicken and water in a 9 x 13 baking dish for 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees.

2. Sauté mushrooms and onions in olive oil.

3. Place chicken on plate and sprinkle with mushrooms, onions, bacon, and cheese. Microwave until cheese melts.

4. Add soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar and stir well.

5. Pour over chicken, or serve sauce on side for dipping.

Serves 4

My friend, Sheila, was one of the friends I was with when we had food from Winger's. I will never forget when Sheila made some delicious gluten-free macaroons and brought them to a cookie exchange party so I could have some cookies to take home. What a difference sharing with others can make in our lives! I feel that one of the reasons Sheila is happy is because she loves to serve and help others. Receiving a gluten-free treat from someone can bring so much joy as well!

As we strive to serve others, we may find out that it will benefit someone who is struggling and is having a particularly stressful time right now. The next time we make a loaf of gluten-free bread, I hope we will remember the following touching story told by Thomas S. Monson:

"Tiffany’s difficulties began last year when she had guests at her home for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas. Her husband had been in medical school and was now in the second year of his medical residency. Because of the long work hours required of him, he was not able to help her as much as they both would have liked, and so most of that which needed to be accomplished during this holiday season, in addition to the care of their four young children, fell to Tiffany. She was becoming overwhelmed, and then she learned that one who was dear to her had been diagnosed with cancer. The stress and worry began to take a heavy toll on her, and she slipped into a period of discouragement and depression. She sought medical help, and yet nothing changed. Her appetite disappeared, and she began to lose weight, which her tiny frame could ill afford. She sought peace through the scriptures and prayed for deliverance from the gloom which was overtaking her. When neither peace nor help seemed to come, she began to feel abandoned by God. Her family and friends prayed for her and tried desperately to help. They delivered her favorite foods in an attempt to keep her physically healthy, but she could take only a few bites and then would be unable to finish.

"On one particularly trying day, a friend attempted in vain to entice her with foods she had always loved. When nothing worked, the friend said, 'There must be something that sounds good to you.'

"Tiffany thought for a moment and said, 'The only thing I can think of that sounds good is homemade bread.'

"But there was none on hand.

"The following afternoon Tiffany’s doorbell rang. Her husband happened to be home and answered it. When he returned, he was carrying a loaf of homemade bread. Tiffany was astonished when he told her it had come from a woman named Sherrie, whom they barely knew. She was a friend of Tiffany’s sister Nicole, who lived in Denver, Colorado. Sherrie had been introduced to Tiffany and her husband briefly several months earlier when Nicole and her family were staying with Tiffany for Thanksgiving. Sherrie, who lived in Omaha, had come to Tiffany’s home to visit with Nicole.

"Now, months later, with the delicious bread in hand, Tiffany called her sister Nicole to thank her for sending Sherrie on an errand of mercy. Instead, she learned Nicole had not instigated the visit and had no knowledge of it.

"The rest of the story unfolded as Nicole checked with her friend Sherrie to find out what had prompted her to deliver that loaf of bread. What she learned was an inspiration to her, to Tiffany, to Sherrie—and it is an inspiration to me.

"On that particular morning of the bread delivery, Sherrie had been prompted to make two loaves of bread instead of the one she had planned to make. She said she felt impressed to take the second loaf with her in her car that day, although she didn't know why. After lunch at a friend’s home, her one-year-old daughter began to cry and needed to be taken home for a nap. Sherrie hesitated when the unmistakable feeling came to her that she needed to deliver that extra loaf of bread to Nicole’s sister Tiffany, who lived 30 minutes away on the other side of town and whom she barely knew. She tried to rationalize away the thought, wanting to get her very tired daughter home and feeling sheepish about delivering a loaf of bread to people who were almost strangers. However, the impression to go to Tiffany’s home was strong, so she heeded the prompting.

"When she arrived, Tiffany’s husband answered the door. Sherrie reminded him that she was Nicole’s friend whom he’d met briefly at Thanksgiving, handed him the loaf of bread, and left.

"And so it happened that the Lord sent a virtual stranger across town to deliver not just the desired homemade bread but also a clear message of love to Tiffany. What happened to her cannot be explained in any other way. She had an urgent need to feel that she wasn't alone—that God was aware of her and had not abandoned her. That bread—the very thing she wanted—was delivered to her by someone she barely knew, someone who had no knowledge of her need but who listened to the prompting of the Spirit and followed that prompting. It became an obvious sign to Tiffany that her Heavenly Father was aware of her needs and loved her enough to send help. He had responded to her cries for relief."  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/we-never-walk-alone?lang=eng

Recipe for Honey Garlic Chicken; Kristie's Example of Endurance

I am excited about the healthy adaptations that are included in my new cookbook (2nd edition).  Here is one of the recipes.  My husband actually invented the sauce, and we love it!

Honey Garlic Chicken

Healthy Adaptation

SERVES 4 

1-2 cups cooked brown rice
1-2 boneless, skinless chicken
 breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced green or red bell
 peppers
½ cup diced onion
5-6 sliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons crushed garlic
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon apple cider
 vinegar
1 tablespoon butter or Earth
 Balance® margarine
½ cup honey
gluten-free corn tortillas
tomatoes, diced
avocados, diced
lettuce, shredded
ranch dressing

1.  Prepare cooked rice.

2.  Slice chicken breasts into chunks and cook in oil, along with diced bell pepper and onion.  Add sliced mushrooms and cooked rice.

3.  (Reduce the sauce ingredients by half if you don't want as much sweet flavor for the amount of rice and vegetables).   In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, add garlic, salt, vinegar, butter, and honey.  Microwave until combined and pour-able.

4.  Pour over chicken and fry for several more minutes.  Make a wrap using a warmed corn tortilla topped with cooked chicken, rice, vegetable mixture, tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, and ranch dressing.  (I also added cooked zucchini and yellow squash this time, as you see in the photo.) :)

Lately my blog posts have included some of my heroes, and today's post is no exception.  My friend, Kristie, doesn't have celiac disease, but her husband does, as well as one of her sons.  

She has a wonderful family.  In fact, one of her sons stopped to help me a few months ago when he noticed that I slid on icy roads and ended up without harm--but very stuck--in a snow bank.  They are friendly and helpful people.  

Kristie spoke before a large group of young adults about a year and a half ago and recounted what happened as her son, Tyson, was killed in an accident.  Her husband and another son were injured.  Here is a segment from her talk:

Tyson’s injuries were critical. He was intubated on arrival at the hospital, and rushed for a CT scan. During the CT scan he coded. Our good friend started CPR and was able to get his heart beating again. I was grateful to be able to be by his side.

The CT showed that Tyson had sustained a shattered spleen, multiple liver lacerations, and bone fractures. He was immediately taken into surgery. His spleen was removed and his liver was packed in an attempt to stop the bleeding. It was determined he should be life-flighted.  During the second surgery he coded multiple times and was resuscitated. I was able to be with him when he was brought into the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Tyson had the best medical care that was available; including IV’s, blood transfusions, platelets and clotting factors. None of this was able to stop the bleeding. His internal bleeding was so severe that it was impossible for the medical team to replace the blood he was losing.

My husband was not able to accompany me to Salt Lake because his injuries were so significant. It was very difficult for him and for me to be separated. A family member stayed with him during the night and I will be forever grateful that they were there with him when I called to tell him that Tyson had died in the early morning hours; eleven hours and two surgeries after the accident.

I can tell you that this is not what I prayed for...I remember thinking everything would be alright but I didn't know what side of “alright” I was going to be on.

After Tyson died, kindness was again extended to our family...Looking back I am still humbled by the sacrifices family, friends, and others made on our behalf. 

http://www2.byui.edu/Presentations/Transcripts/Devotionals/2012_08_14_Lords.htm

Kristie commented in an email to me, "These past nine years have been filled with tumultuous moments and tender mercies.  Truly blessings come through trials and endurance...I am grateful for so many blessings in my life."  Kristie know how to endure life's difficulties with strength.  Thomas S. Monson said,  

"This should be our purpose—to persevere and endure, yes, but also to become more spiritually refined as we make our way through sunshine and sorrow. Were it not for challenges to overcome and problems to solve, we would remain much as we are, with little or no progress... The poet expressed much the same thought in these words:

Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger wind, the stronger trees.

The further sky, the greater length.

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold, by rain and snow,

In trees and men good timbers grow.⁸

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2013/10/i-will-not-fail-thee-nor-forsake-thee?lang=eng

Product Review of Multi-Grain Crisps; Amanda's Success

My niece, Amanda brought a delicious spinach and artichoke dip to share with us on Sunday.  She is an outstanding cook, just like her mom.  She also thoughtfully brought some Crunchmaster Multi-Grain Crisps along so we would have some gluten-free crackers to eat with her dip.  I have had this brand of crackers before, but if I remember right...they were bigger.  These crackers were quite small, which is an ingenious way to get more dip per cracker and reduces the chance of anyone double dipping. :)  See...there is a science to this--to maximize the taste and make our taste buds happy!  I am rating these crackers at 7 out of 10, if you have a good dip covering them.

                                                  Photo Source:  https://www.crunchmaster.com/products/multi-grain-crisps-crackers.aspx

Amanda works as a nurse in an emergency room.  I can't imagine the pressure she feels in a job of this nature.  Just as D. Todd Christofferson stated, "I wish to express gratitude for the influence of good women...Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures."  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-moral-force-of-women?lang=eng

Amanda doesn't realize how much she embodies this quote, because she just simply works hard and quietly sets an example for those around her.  Her standard for what is right always shines through at work and in other settings.  As I see it, Amanda's success is based partially upon these ideas as outlined by Richard G. Scott:

Establish a set of principles by which you will guide every aspect of your life—in your home, in your Church service, in your profession, in your community. 

Don’t make exceptions to your standards. Never compromise them. Be loyal to the teachings you have received from your parents and Church leaders. They are the things of greatest worth. If you integrate your formal education with what you know about the teachings of the Lord and the examples of those worthy people who are role models to you, you will have a solid foundation. You will be productive and do things that are worthwhile for others.

Be loyal. Be loyal to your parents and your loved ones. When you seek work, find something that challenges you, that raises you to higher levels of performance. It may be harder, but you will grow, develop better, and contribute more good. You really have no idea yet who you are and what you can accomplish in life. You have great potential far beyond what you can imagine today.

Serve others. Sharing what you know with others will bring you happiness and bless their lives.

Smile. I don’t mean that you need to be cracking jokes every day, but a good joke now and then is an escape valve. Life is not all that bad. You will soon learn that everybody has problems and nobody wants to hear about yours. Put those things aside and smile.

Don’t complain. Life isn’t always fair. That’s a fact. But it’s always charged with marvelous opportunities if you know how to find them. 

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/02/living-a-life-of-peace-joy-and-purpose?lang=eng

Perfect Fluffy Frosting You Will Love; The Example of Two Amazing Ladies

Yum!  Don't you love a good frosting on a sugar cookie?  Last week my oldest daughter had fun making these cookies for Valentine's Day, arranging the cookies in a tin, and taking photos.  We all loved the cookies, too, and we all had to give ourselves a limit so we didn't eat too many in a day!

She decided to substitute raspberry flavoring for the almond flavoring in my frosting recipe.  I love either flavoring, but the raspberry flavoring was a fun change!  (This recipe can be found in my cookbook and in my blog post from 12/21/11).

When Valentine's Day was coming, I started thinking more about my husband and children...and also about a few of my friends who are going through some difficult times.  My youngest daughter made a cute origami puppy for each of them out of pink paper and decorated it with hearts to try to cheer them up.

One of the ladies found out recently that her husband lost his job.  I am so impressed with her attitude about it. With her permission, I am going to quote her text message from yesterday.  She wrote, "I have been through worse and things are always changing in life, so I just have to remember that it's a matter of time and it will be a different story."  There is an amazing level of strength in those words!

Just three houses away from her is the home of another friend.  She was the principal at the school when our sons were young.  She has since retired and she and her husband take care of their son who is in the advanced stages of Huntington's Disease.  When I told her how much her example of untiring care for him has meant to me, she said, "Susan, what other choice do we have?"

Both of these ladies could choose to have a bitter, anger-filled attitude.  Yet they go on with courage, despite the discouraging days, and continue to strengthen others.

Thomas S. Monson said, “We truly need Him every hour, whether they be hours of sunshine or of rain. May His promise ever be our watchword: ‘I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee’ (Joshua 1:5)” (“I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee,” October 2013).

Recipe for Vegetable Pizza; The Value of Friends

Thank goodness for friends!  It is amazing the difference one person can make in brightening our lives! This morning I was thinking about my friend, Nanette.  I met her back in 8th grade when she moved into our school.  Her friendship was actually an answer to a prayer, since I had been struggling and had been wishing for a "best friend."  All these years later, when I think about Nanette I get a happy feeling in my heart because she brightens my life and is so supportive of my blog, my cookbook, and me!  Who would have thought we would both be diagnosed with celiac disease?!

Then I got thinking about my friend, Brenda.  Even though she is busy with her work of helping to improve the health and comfort of others (and we don't talk on the phone as much as we used to), I know we can pick up our friendship where we left off when we have the opportunity to chat for a few minutes.  I am not sure how I would have gotten through the hard days of spilled milk and temper tantrums when our kids were young without those conversations with Brenda, and life was happier as we shared laughs about the funny things our kids said and did.

These cold days in February go by much quicker on the days that my friend, Abby, comes to my house to exercise with me.  While we jog on the treadmill and lift weights, we talk about our struggles and joys.  Several times, she spent some time after exercising to help me make apple pie filling with apples from our tree that I had kept in the cold garage for about four months until I could find time to do some canning.  :)  It was so much more fun than doing canning by myself!  When we got done making the apple pie filling, she tried a piece of my vegetable pizza...and she really liked it.  (See this recipe below). 

In addition, my husband, children, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and extended family all bring to my life a joyful friendship!  I am grateful for them!  

Marlin K. Jensen said, "I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world. I think in all of us there is a profound longing for friendship, a deep yearning for the satisfaction and security that close and lasting relationships can give."  
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1999/04/friendship-a-gospel-principle?lang=eng&query=friendship

Vegetable Pizza

Prepared pizza crust (see my cookbook for this recipe)

½ cup cooked chicken

1 package "steam in the bag"  broccoli/cauliflower

1 large diced green or red bell pepper

1 small thinly sliced yellow summer squash

1 small thinly sliced zucchini squash

½ cup chopped green onion with tops

Garlic salt

2-4 tablespoons hummus or pesto

½ cup shredded cheese

1 large diced tomato

Prepare cooked chicken and pizza crust.  Steam or microwave broccoli/cauliflower.

Sauté bell pepper, yellow squash, zucchini squash, and green onions in olive oil until tender.  Sprinkle lightly with garlic salt.

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Spread hummus or pesto across crust.  Cover crust evenly with cooked vegetables.

Top pizza with shredded cheese.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Add fresh tomatoes before serving.

Cookbook Corrections for Second Edition (first 250 copies)

Christmas was coming...and my graphic designer and I were working feverishly on the second edition of my cookbook.  Can you picture trying to add in finishing a cookbook to the busy nature of the Christmas season?  Unfortunately, mistakes seem to be made more often when we are in a hurry or when we are tired.  With that in mind, and since we are not perfect,  (though my graphic designer is nearly perfect and extremely awesome)...here are some mistakes that happened along the way with the printing of the first 250 cookbooks.

1.  Page 42:  Please add a step to heat oven to 350 degrees before baking the bread.

2.  P. 210, Please use the directions from the top recipe for the bottom recipe, as well.  The college student who helped me transfer recipes from Word to InDesign accidentally brought instructions over from another recipe. :)

3.  In the index, the K should be L and the L should be M. 

There are other small errors...but hopefully nothing too major.  Thanks for your support...even with my imperfections. :)