Sneaky Nutrition - Hot Cereal Muffins

Well now, it's been a while hasn't it? Time for a Sneaky Nutrition post! Of all the posts I make, I think these are my favorite. First, I kind of like being sneaky with my family and encouraging that kind of behavior in others. Isn't it fun when we can do things for them and they don't even know it? It all gets ruined when we tell them something's good for them, you know.

There is no specific ingredient that I'm pushing this time, I just thought I'd share what I believe is my favorite muffin. I don't remember where I first got the recipe, so I can't give credit to anyone. I love these, particularly when I make a mixture of cottage cheese and cream cheese, add a little vanilla to the mixture, and spread that on the muffins. Yum-YUM. The rest of my family prefers them with peanut butter. It's not going to be necessary for me to tell you all the reasons why these muffins are nutritious. You'll be able to figure it out yourself. I just wanted to share it, since I had lost the recipe for a while and it wasn't so long ago that I found it. So now I've started making them for breakfast again. Enjoy!

HOT CEREAL MUFFINS

1-1/4 cup uncooked hot cereal (I use oatmeal)

1/2 - 3/4 cup hot apple juice or orange juice (heat until almost boiling)

2 Tablespoons canola or sunflower oil

1/4 - 1/3 cup honey

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 cup plain yogurt (I use Stonyfield organic)

1-1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1-1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind (best with fresh grated)

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cereal and hot juice. Mix until well blended. Mix in the oil, honey, egg, and yogurt.

2. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, orange rind and raisins. Mix the dry ingredients into the cereal mixture.

Fill 12 greased baking cups about two-thirds full with batter. (For some reason, I had a lot of batter last time.I put the overflow in a small pan. Usually, though, it's just enough for 12 nice size muffins.) Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

If you make a double batch, you can put some in the freezer for busy (or lazy) mornings. Try them, you may like them. I never got past oatmeal, because that's my favorite hot cereal. You may want to experiment with something else. Hope you like them!

Life at Conception Act.

The fight goes on for the life of the unborn. I wonder just how many red envelopes have been sent to the White House. Keep pressing on, folks! We refuse to give up. Bathe everything in prayer.

I just wanted to drop in to give you a link to something we should all be aware of. Recently I received a call and a mailing from Rep Steve King of Iowa and the National Pro-Life Alliance. In the mailings were three petitions which we intend to sign and send to our representatives in the House and Senate. There is a very important bill in Congress right now which could have a huge impact on saving the lives of unborn children. It could very well be what is needed to see Roe vs. Wade overturned.

Please read about the Life at Conception Act as soon as possible and do one or two things: Please write about it on your blogs and/or send emails to pro-life friends asking them to contact their representatives in Congress.

Two Photos

Pray for North Dakota. There seems to be one disaster after another these days.

This is ridiculous. Especially at such a time as this.

Spring Getting to Know You Giveaway

This is all about a post I promised to make last week to Bev and our friend Sara about a giveaway going on at their Girl Inside blog. I'm finally getting to it. They are giving away a great book--I would advise you to check it out. In order to enter the giveaway, you fill out the following survey and then post it on your blog. Then you go to the Girl Inside blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at their post. Your name gets entered for the book and if you sign up to follow their blog, your name gets entered again. Hope that explains it well enough for any of you who wants to, to give it a try. All ages are welcome! So here goes:

1. Give us your name and age (age is optional) please don't put your last name!
My name is Maxine. I am also known as Nanna, and well, I'm old enough to be a nanna.

2. Who is in your family?
In our household: My husband Chuck and my sixteen year old daughter Neesie. Guess I'll count Frodo, our dog. My family, though, extends beyond this household.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse?
My favorite passage is Romans 8:35-39. But there are many favorites.

4. Why is it your favorite?
To know that nothing can separate me from Christ's love is all that I need in this often difficult pilgrimage. If I have Him, I have all things.

5. What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Write, especially something spiritual for children. This comes more easily at certain times more than others. I also enjoy all kinds of puzzles, enjoy old TV shows, and of course, enjoy blogging. Feeding and watching the birds is another pastime.

6. What is your biggest struggle as a woman?
To not talk too much.

7. What would you like us to talk about in the GI blog in the future?
I think I'll let your younger women tell you that.

8. Who is your favorite author?
Elizabeth Prentiss and J. C. Ryle.

9. What is your favorite Christian song or poem?
I can't just name one of the many old hymns that I love. "It is Well With My Soul" would definitely be one of them.

10. Do you have any advice for a fellow sister in Christ?
Especially for the younger women: Look to Christ in all things. Look to Christ to make you beautiful in the real sense; look to Christ to show you what is true success in this life; and look to Christ to give you contentment and satisfaction.

Now that I've done mine, why don't some of you try it, and then go over to tell Bev and Sara and link to your blog. Who knows--you may end up with a book!

Fun With Verizon

As much as I appreciate all that computers do for us and as much as I enjoy much of what I do here, just let me say that I almost reached my snapping point this morning. I have been ALL morning on the phone with Verizon with various problems--not just one, but several. Off and on I've already had issues with both computers and last night, just before going to bed, I realized we had no internet connection. So I went to bed, got up this morning to the same thing, and it's taken the whole morning to get it resolved. Then in my frustration while on the phone with the first technician (who I'm not sure knew what she was doing) I ended up breaking our phone jack when she told me to unplug the cord for modem from the jack. There's more to the story, but I won't bore you with all the gory details.

Well, the repairman has come and gone, we now have a jack and are back online, after a second long session with yet another technician (who did know what he was doing, thankfully). I'll talk to you folks another time when I'm not so frustrated. Whew. Just needed to vent a minute.

They're wonderful when they work, but when they don't--well, what can I say. Maybe in a little bit I'll have my composure back enough to work more on the income taxes (doing them online) and some pressing business issues (needing to be done online).

Why should I complain? I know so many people with problems far worse than mine. Hope your day is going well.

Rock of Ages

I recently read the story of Mr. Toplady, writer of this all time favorite, "Rock of Ages." He was sixteen years old when he was saved, in a barn no less, upon hearing the gospel from one who he said could "hardly spell his name." The text that brought this young man to Christ was Ephesians 2:13: "Ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." As Mr. Toplady reminisced about the night of his salvation, he said: "Surely it was God's doing and is marvelous!" And so it was when any one of us was saved. He was frail and sick much of his short life, but God gave him the grace to write this hymn which is often considered the most popular one in the English language. Who doesn't love it? I love the hymns so much because of the rich doctrine they contain. The people who wrote them knew their Bibles, and knew its teachings well. Let the words of this blessed and wonderful hymn prepare you for yet another Lord's Day on our journey.

By the way. Do you remember which Scripture verse or passage was most instrumental in bringing you to Christ? For me it was John 14:1-6.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

~ Augustus Toplady

Better Her Than Me

Now is this ridiculous or what? Now I love birds, but not this much. I know Bev is having cardiac arrest. (Inside joke.)

Tree Kangaroo

By the way, Neesie reminded me that I needed to come back and say what the animal is in the picture for last Thursday's post. It's a tree kangaroo. I've never heard of it before and apparently it's endangered. And I don't know how big it is. My intent is to go look it up and read up on it, but haven't had the time yet. One blogger guessed it after a few days--Kristina (Baptist Girl) knew what it was but nobody else did. Lisa (Speak On It With Lisa S.) had the most interesting response. Most people thinks the little critter is cute, but Lisa sure didn't. I had a few good laughs that evening when I got her response!

Listmania!

Well, we've made another addition to our dvd library and to our Amazon Listmania list and I wanted to tell you about it. Do you like old TV programs as much as we do? If so, then I HEARTILY recommend getting "The Donna Reed Show" season one set. Believe me, it's a worthwhile investment for your family. This show premiered on September 24, 1958 on ABC and was a favorite family sitcom for a long time. I think many of us can identify with Donna as she encounters all sorts of situations and family issues. It's a lot of fun; for me it's very relaxing to watch in the midst of all the tensions of the day and time we find ourselves. I am so thankful for the technology of today which allows us to "go back" and capture the kinds of shows that were on in days gone by. It's so refreshing to sit and watch with my daughter and chuckle together over what some would call "dumb stuff," but we thoroughly enjoy the antics of the Stone family in their little fictional town.

The season one package which we have has 37 episodes. Now, that's a lot! We're still watching them on evenings when we want something to help us unwind. And the best thing: No commercials!

We got it for Christmas at Amazon; if you click on the picture it will take you there. Why not treat your family to this DVD. You can watch an episode each Friday evening for your movie night, as a prelude to whatever is your main attraction. Goes well with popcorn and potato chips.

There were quite a few favorite prime time family type sitcoms "back in the day" when we could safely sit there with all ages present and enjoy without worrying what might come out of someone's mouth! I had so many that I enjoyed. Was there any one that was a favorite of yours?

Hey there

Have you ever seen one of these before? Do you know what it is? Maybe you've seen this photo already? If not, can you guess? I think he's cute, by the way.

Obviously, it's hard to find time to post with the way things are around here again, so I just stopped by to let you know what's happening. I'M SWAMPED! For now, I'll leave this cute fella here until I can get back with something with more substance. Also, I'm trying to "steal" time to get by to see some of you guys soon. Haven't forgotten you--really I haven't!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods and that you're pressing on with Jesus by your side.