2009 June

FHE Quick lesson

2009

Summers are busy, busy for most families. There’s vacations, family reunions, sports and lots of chores to get done during the warm months.

While there may be a lot to do, there still time to gather as a family and spend that quality time for Family Home Evening.

Here’s a quick FHE lesson for that crazy week this summer:

Scripture: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”

Lesson: Share stories with each other about growing up, what’s going on now and just have fun around a campfire.

Activity: Go someplace or at home and have a campfire. This is fun for ALL ages!

Treat: Have a hot dog roast and even some yummy S’mores!

Filed Under: Family Home Evening, Lessons, Store

Food Storage Fridays: Death by Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2009

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Okay, so I’m not going to lie to you. I’m not usually a fan of homemade chocolate cakes. Sometimes they can be really dry and very cocoa-ey tasting. However, when I found this recipe I knew I had to try it. It didn’t originally call for whole wheat flour but because it had brown sugar and cocoa I knew it would be perfect for disguising the color and taste of the wheat. I used that same trick when I originally found the zucchini bread recipe posted earlier this week.

Everyday Food Storage Essential Tip: Always remember, you can disguise wheat in any recipe that calls for any of the following ingredients: brown sugar, cocoa/chocolate, fresh fruit or vegetables (banana, apple, or in this case zucchini, etc.).

Anyway, back to this amazing cake. It is moist, ooey and gooey, and oh so chocolatey! The best part about it is that it’s a snack cake…meaning… you don’t have to bother frosting it!! It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to know this cake is delicious, but just in case you were wondering I really did feed it to a rocket scientist and he loved it and was shocked there was wheat in it! So give it a try, you’ll be amazed how delicious it is.

Death by Chocolate, Zucchini Cake

one 8 inch pan, if you want it for a 9×13 just double the recipe

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1/4 C. White Sugar

1/4 C. Butter

1/4 C. Oil (or Applesauce)

2 Eggs (if you’re doubling the recipe use 3 eggs)- 2 T. dehydrated eggs + 1/4 C. Water

1 t. Vanilla

1/4 C. Buttermilk-3/4 T. Dry powdered milk + 1/4 C. Water + 1/4 T. lemon juice or white vinegar, let stand for 5 minutes before adding to the recipe

1 1/4 C. Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 t. allspice

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. salt

2 t. baking soda

3 T. cocoa

2 C. Zucchini, grated

1/2 C. Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325.

2. Cream brown sugar, white sugar, butter and oil together in large bowl.

3. Add eggs vanilla and buttermilk and stir well to mix.

4. In a separate bowl mix remaining dry ingredients together and add to mixture.

5. Fold in grated zucchini.

6. Pour into greased, floured 8 inch round cake pan or 8×8 pan.

7. Sprinkle the top of cake with chocolate chips and bake at 325 for 30-35 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

To visit Crystal’s blog to learn more about using food storage everyday in your own recipes, click HERE.

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Alma the Younger and Sin

2009

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Objective: Teach children that sin can cause suffering and unhappiness. By living righteously and spreading the gospel to others we can have joy.

Song: “The Second Article of Faith,” Children’s Songbook, pg. 122

Scripture: Mosiah 27:8-17, Alma 36:10-26

Picture: GAK 321-Conversion of Alma the Younger

Lesson: Alma the Younger was the son of Alma the Elder. Alma the Elder was a righteous man, however his son and the sons of King Mosiah were rebellious and didn’t keep the commandments. King Mosiah and Alma the Elder were very sad and they prayed to Heavenly Father that the Lord would help their sons.

Discuss with your family about what the scriptures teach us from this story.

How did Alma’s words and actions affect the people around him?
Who appeared to Alma and sons of King Mosiah?
What happened when the angel spoke to Alma and the sons of Mosiah?
What did the angel tell Alma to remember?
What caused Alma to suffer so much?
How do we feel when we do something wrong?
What did Alma say and do when he awakened?
Have you shared the gospel with others? How does it make you feel?
How did Alma feel when he taught others?

Treat:

Key West Cupcakes~ from: bettycrocker.com

Make cupcakes with a Key lime flavor twist! Both a filling and a frosting make them special.

Prep Time: 25 min

Total Time: 1 hour 30 min

Makes: 24 cupcakes

Filling
1	box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 1/2	cups whipping cream
1/4	cup fresh Key lime or regular lime juice
4	drops green food color
1 1/2	cups powdered sugar
Cupcakes
1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Frosting
1	container Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
1	tablespoon fresh Key lime or regular lime juice
1/2	teaspoon grated Key lime or regular lime peel



	Print these coupons…





	About Concordance™

1.	To make filling: In large bowl, beat pudding mix and whipping cream with wire whisk 2 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Beat in 1/4 cup lime juice and the food color; stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.
2.	Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark and nonstick pans). Make and cool cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes.
3.	Spread 1 rounded tablespoonful filling on top of each cupcake. Stir frosting in container 20 times. Gently stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice and the lime peel. Spoon frosting into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 1/2-inch opening across lower corner of bag. Squeeze 1 tablespoon frosting from bag onto filling on each cupcake. Garnish with fresh lime wedge if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude cake mix directions for cupcakes.

photo courtesy: http://picasaweb.google.com/LDSClipart/Children#5328352679796807602

Filed Under: Family Home Evening, Lessons

Food Storage Fridays: Make your own Corn Dogs!

2009

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What kid doesn’t love corn dogs? What kid wouldn’t love making their own? Wouldn’t it be great to make your own corndogs at a fraction of the price? Corndogs are SO expensive. This is so simple, tasty, and fun (not to mention CHEAP) that your kids will love to help you make them. Remember having your kids help in the kitchen is a great way to help them eat new foods. It also has versatility, you can make your cornbread batter from scratch or use it from a box (I stock up on Jiffy cornbread for an everyday emergency). Either way you are still using your food storage (as long as you’re remembering to use your powdered milk(…click HERE for the milk conversion chart), dehydrated eggs, and so forth in the recipe) to make it and having fun with your kids at the same time. PERFECT!!

You’ll need a sandwich maker appliance (pictured below). If you don’t have one, you can check your local thrift store. I know I see at least one everytime I go. They are very handy and can make A LOT more than sandwiches, like muffins, cakes (we’ll talk about that later), regular cornbread, etc. in a jif and it doesn’t heat up your house!

All you need to do is make some cornbread batter. Cut hotdogs in half and then cut again lenthwise (so they are half the length and half the width). Fill wells half full of cornbread batter and place hotdog in the center. Cover hotdog with cornbread batter. Repeat until all the cooking wells are filled. Close and cook until your “ready” light turns on. This whole process will take about 6-8 minutes. Great for an everyday emergency, a fun lunch, or as a snack!

To visit Crystal’s blog to learn more about using food storage everyday in your own recipes, click HERE.

Filed Under: Contact

Music Appreciation

2009

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Materials; a collection of music from various genres, a list of songs, a hat or bowl,
lyrics to your favorite songs

Hymn: opening – Oh, What Songs of the Heart pg 286 or Hum your favorite Hymn pg 152 (Children’s)
closing – Come, Let Us Sing an Evening Hymn pg 167 or Sing your way home pg 193 (Children’s)

Lesson: Finding Joy in Music, use any of the quotes, articles or ideas below to open a dicussion on the music in your lives and it’s relation to your spiritual, mental and emotional health.

Scripture: D&C 25:12 For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.

For the Strength of Youth “Music is an important and powerful part of life. Don’t listen to music that drives away the Spirit, encourages immorality, glorifies violence, uses foul or offensive language, or promotes Satanism or other evil practices”

Open a discussion about the music you listen to, within your home, with friends and by yourself. What do you like about it? Does your taste in music reflect your mood/attitude on life? Do you use music to relax, get into a better mood, when you’re angry, or as escape?

What does your taste in music have in common with others taste in music? Are they all fast tempo? Do they use similar instruments? Are the lyrics uplifting, fun or energetic?

Take turns sharing the lyrics to your favorite song(s). Discuss whether they are in tune to the counsel found in the Strength of Youth and in the qoute below by Boyd K. Packer

“A wise man once said, “Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind.” Whether it governs in a positive way or a negative way is determined by what it brings onto the stage of your mind. If you can say that a song is spiritually inspiring or that it urges you to see yourself in a more noble perspective, the music is worthwhile. If it merely entertains or lifts your spirits, then it also has a useful place. But if it makes you want to respond in a carnal, sensual way or to consider unrighteous desires, then that music should be avoided. It is not worthy.” Boyd K. Packer (April 2008, New Era)

Is there ever a sound war in your home? Do your tastes in music drive other people crazy? Open a discussion following the advice found in the New Era and by Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, listed below.

“Whenever my dad and I talk about music, we get into a fight. How can I persuade him that it’s sometimes not a question of good or evil but of personal taste?,” New Era, Jan. 2009, 35

“Let there be music in the home. If you have teenagers who have their own recordings, you will be prone to describe the sound as something other than music. Let them hear something better occasionally. Expose them to it. It will speak for itself. More appreciation will come than you may think. It may not be spoken, but it will be felt, and its influence will become increasingly manifest as the years pass.” President Gordon B. Hinckley (Liahona Sept 2004)

For more guidelines on finding music to enjoy that is in harmony with the guidelines of The Church read Cream of the Crop from the 1986 Liahona.

Activity:

Name that tune - take your list of songs and cut them into strips. Place them inside a bowl or hat. Take turns pulling out a title and humming the tune while everyone else guesses the song. You can divide into teams or score points individually.

Musical improv – two people open the scene in the ER, class room, work place or playground. Using only the title of songs create a diaolog. Each have 15 seconds to respond. If one can’t think of a title someone else takes their spot. ex. In the ER, person 1,”Help” (The Beatles) person 2 “Achy Breaky Heart”(Billy Ray Cyrus) , person 1 “I Wanna Hold your Hand” (Yesturday) person 2 “Love Hurts” (Nazareth), person 1 “I know, I know, I know” (Tegan and Sara) person 2 “Make it all better” (The Gifted) ….