Slow-cooker Freezer Meals

Dot, from bustedbutton.com said, "In the past I have attempted so many cooking-ahead methods.  Once a week cooking, once a month cooking, and all kinds of freezer meals. This method is sooo much easier and quicker because it involves very little cooking! Only two of these recipes involve any pre-cooking of the meat - and it is a really quick step!

I would definitely suggest doing this with a friend - it made it so much more fun and quick!  We each bought the ingredients to make two meals each of three different recipes. Then we came together, prepped everything and we each left with six different meals that were ready to pop in the freezer, then go to the crockpot when she has her baby, or when I move into my new place in a week!"

To learn more (and get her recipes): bustedbutton.com

20 Unique Healthy Food Alternatives

Want to eat healthier but don’t want to get rid of those delectable recipes you like to use? It may seem difficult to eat healthy when recipes you like call for more fatty, unhealthy ingredients. It is a lot easier to cook and eat more healthy than you would think. Many ingredients can be substituted for more healthy choices. For example, butter can be substituted for applesauce in a brownie recipe. The applesauce will keep the brownie soft and moist, like the butter, while still giving it good flavor. If the applesauce is sweetened, you could even put in less sugar. Although some ingredients cannot be substituted straight across you can still substitute part, to make the recipe more healthy. But how do you know what can be substituted for those unhealthy ingredients? I have put together a list 20 unique healthy food alternatives to those unhealthy ingredients. Because of the difficulty of knowing the proportions to use when substituting, I included the ratio of healthy ingredients that can be substituted for unhealthy ingredients. I have also included a few recipes from my other blog posts, where more healthy ingredients are incorporated. Hope you find this list helpful in your search for more healthy alternatives!

To learn more: My Natural Family

• 1 cup butter, shortening or oil = 1 cup applesauce
• 1 cup butter = 1 cup of a not very ripe banana or 1 cup mashed avocado
• Cooking spray = 1 Tbsp olive oil, coconut oil or avocado oil
• 1 Tbsp. sugar = 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup sugar = 3/4 cup honey, in baking, reduce liquids by 1/4 and mix in 1/4 tsp baking soda (if baking soda is not already included) for every cup of honey used. Food will brown faster as it bakes so watch the amount of time it bakes in the oven.
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream = 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup chocolate chips = 1 cup carob chips
• 1 cup white flour = 1 cup black bean puree
• 1 large egg = 1 Tbsp chia seeds and 3 Tbsp water
• 1 cup pasta = 1 cup spaghetti squash, zucchini, shredded cabbage, ribboned eggplant or bean sprouts
• 1 cup cooked rice = 1 cup grated steamed cauliflower, cooked quinoa, cooked barley or cooked millet
• 1 cup mashed potatoes = 1 cup mashed cauliflower, celery root, parsnip or carrot
• 1 cup cream = 1 cup Greek yogurt or coconut milk
• 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tortilla = 1 large leaf of lettuce
• 1 Tbsp. mayo or Miracle Whip = 1 Tbsp. greek yogurt, mashed avocado, olive oil, hummus, pesto, mustard, cottage cheese or almond butter. These alternatives are great for spreads on sandwiches!
• 1 cup of uncooked quick oats or oatmeal = 1 cup of uncooked millet, barley, quinoa, amaranth or spelt
• Canola oil = Greek yogurt Cut the oil in half and add ¾ cup of yogurt for every cup of oil that you remove from the recipe.
• Frosting = whipped cream, fresh fruit, fruit glaze or homemade pudding. Use as much as desired.
• Creamed soups = mashed potato flakes or pureed carrots, add as much as desired to broth for a creamy consistency.

The Living Christ Challenge

Dear Sisters,

Yesterday in our Women's Conference, the Young Women of the 3rd Ward performed "The Living Christ" set to music.  Because of the power of this music, as a Stake Relief Society Presidency, we are putting forth the challenge for all sisters to learn "The Living Christ" music. 

It is our goal to learn it by end of September. We will gather as a group after the General Women's meeting broadcast and sing "The Living Christ" together. This challenge is a great way for us to focus on our theme, "Becoming a Woman of Christ," and to imprint these inspired words permanently upon our hearts, becoming more unified as a stake in the process.

Carrie Wrigley, of the 8th ward, who wrote the music, has provided sheet music, recordings, and other materials to help us fulfill this quest together.  She has provided a place on her website where you can download and then learn the music. PLEASE SEE YOUR RELIEF SOCIETY PRESIDENT FOR DOWNLOAD INFORMATION.

In the October 2013 General Conference, Elder Robert D. Hales said, "The world is moving away from the Lord faster and farther than ever before. The adversary has been loosed upon the earth. We watch, hear, read, study, and share the words of prophets to be forewarned and protected. For example, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” was given long before we experienced the challenges now facing the family. The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” was prepared in advance of when we will need it most." 

We are grateful for your support and for the excitement we felt at Woman's Conference from the sisters about the challenge. We know we will be blessed, faith will increase, testimonies will be strengthened, and unity among us will expand as we carry out this inspired goal together.

All our love,

Terri, Leann, Jackie, Sherry. 

Don't Forget Women's Conference!

Our Stake Women's Conference is this Saturday, March 7th from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The 3rd Ward Young Women will be performing The Living Christ. It will be held in the Stake Center Chapel. All girls and women from age 12 years old and up are invited to attend. A light luncheon will follow the presentation.

How to Cut a Recipe in Half

Kitchen Basics 101: Making Half a Recipe

There are a few other things to take into consideration when cutting a recipe in half.  Whenever you alter the amounts of ingredients you also need to adjust the cooking temperature, cooking time and pan size.

Cooking Temperatures:  Use the original cooking temperature as a reference point but monitor closely for the results you are looking for.  If you’re cooking something that includes meat, you’ll need to check for proper internal temperatures with a meat thermometer.

Cooking Time:  Use the original cooking time as a reference point for how long it should cook, but you’ll also need to monitor it closely.  If you are baking half a recipe of cake, bread or pie, then the cooking time will be more than half, about two thirds to three quarters of the original time.

Pan Size:  Try to use a pan that has half the volume of the one called for in the original recipe.

To learn more: Robyn's View

Spice Chart

The Provident Living topic for March and April 2015 is Big Dinners/Small Meals. Happy cooking as you discover new ways to season your meals.

To learn more: Adventures in Spice

Spiritual Self-reliance

In his talk, Christlike Attributes - The Wind Beneath Our Wings. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said,

"The Prophet Joseph Smith explained, “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves” (quoted by John Taylor, in “The Organization of the Church,” Millennial Star, Nov. 15, 1851, 339). To me, this teaching is beautifully straightforward. As we strive to understand, internalize, and live correct gospel principles, we will become more spiritually self-reliant. The principle of spiritual self-reliance grows out of a fundamental doctrine of the Church that God has granted us—agency. I believe that moral agency is one of the greatest gifts of God unto His children, next to life itself."

To learn more: Christlike Attributes - The Wind Beneath Our Wings