No Kid Hungry...

I remember what it's like, being hungry that is, and sometimes standing in the free food lines as a little girl with my sisters and brother...government cheese isn't too bad really. I remember our nice landlord, when rent was hard to come by for my parents, who just knew and would bring bags of food for us. I remember us being so excited to cook up some concoction on our little red propane coleman stove, even tho we were so aware that having no electricity was somehow different from our friends' lives. I remember always having love, and each other...no matter what. And  for those people who reached out a helping hand to me and my family when I was a little girl....I remember.  And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know if I could ever give back enough, but in any small way I can I will always try....

Even in this little way, big things can happen to help hungry children.  Today I took the "No Kid Hungry" pledge at the Share Our Strength site. And will continue to remember....

• Take The Pledge
• Spread The Word
• Act Now
• Donate Now

Take the No Kid Hungry Pledge

I believe that no child in America should go hungry. By pledging today, I add my voice to the national movement of people committed to ending childhood hunger in America.

Prom...

I found out about this incredible organization from Chef (aka my husband). :)   He was very blessed to be able to participate yesterday in preparing the meal for their Prom.  

ADONAI is a non-profit Christian organization that strives to help families that have a child with cancer or other life-threatening disease. From their website it appears they bring a lot to these families...including having fun.  And a prom, well what could be more fun that that?

 And it's more than just the meal, they.... 

"..collect gently used prom dresses & then host several "shopping days" for girls, moms, grandmas, & sisters to acquire a beautiful dress for our special night. Our families are given the royal treatment by our volunteers. The day begins with teams of volunteers styling hair, painting finger nails and make-up artists doing their make-up. The night consists of photographers taking family photos, boutonnieres, corsages, dinner, dancing, dance lessons, gifts for everyone & lots of door prizes. We have a crowd of 300 with a team of 75 volunteers to make this a very memorable night to our families.

What a blessing for my Chef to have been part of that night....

Sharing Muddy Buddies

 
I so enjoy making things for those I love, friends, and anyone else who I might find along the way. And my work peeps are no exception of course  So when the monthly birthday shin-dig came along this last week at work I decided to make one of my boys' (and their friends) favorites when they were all hanging around my house when they were younger. Muddy Buddies. I only had to run out to buy the chex cereal and in less than 15 minutes an easy to make and addicting snack. Hope you enjoy making them and sharing them as much as I do.....

Ingredients

9 cups Chex cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar (I just estimate and pour)

Pour cereal into large bowl; set aside. In 1-quart, microwave-safe bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine. Microwave at 100-percent power for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring after 1 minute.  Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate sauce slowly over cereal, stirring to coat evenly. Pour cereal into large plastic bag (I double up on the bag just in case). Add powdered sugar and secure; shake to coat well. Spread on waxed paper to cool.

I found this on a back of the chex cereal box years ago...you might see it there still. But it's floating around everyone online too with variations like using nutella instead of peanut butter and other creative edits. I'd love to hear how you you change them up and how you like them. :) Enjoy...

CakePops!

Goodness in a stick! I was on the hunt for a birthday cake "cakepop" and this one did the trick....from "The Girl Who Ate Everything" blog...fun blog and the Cake Truffles are the star attraction in my humble opinon. Check out her blog...
 
I didn't put the cake batter in the "truffle coating" as the recipe notes, instead just used the candy white chocolate disks that are everywhere (like Michael's) and melted them in a little bowl just a bit at a time  and that's it (microwave for 30 seconds, stir, microwave for same time again. Don't over melt or will become lumpy).  I  dipped the end of a lollipop stick into the melted candy, then into the cake ball. Assembly line style. Next, while holding the stick dipped each one into the melted candy and set on a cookie tray with parchment paper to set up.  Since there is milk in this recipe be sure to refrigerate them until a bit before you serve -- Chef what do you think?...you know how phobic I am about this sort of thing :)   


This is line up of the pops I made last month. The birthday girls and guests approved:

So...I made a bunch of the little cake balls, flash froze them, piled them into a freezer bag and stored them there until I was ready the next day to do the dipping.  Oh don't forget to put the sprinkles right after the dipping or they won't stick well. Oh...you'll have fun if you try this...easy peasy...

:)

Cake Batter Truffles

by The Girl Who Ate Everything


1 ½ cups flour

1 cup yellow cake mix

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

½ cup white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

3-4 Tablespoons milk

2 Tablespoons sprinkles

Truffle Coating:

16 ounces (8 squares) almond bark (or white candy melts)

4 Tablespoons yellow cake mix

sprinkles


Beat together butter and sugar using an electric mixer until combined. Add cake mix, flour, salt, and vanilla and mix thoroughly. Add 3 Tablespoons of milk or more if needed to make a dough consistency. Mix in sprinkles by hand. Roll dough into one inch balls and place on a parchment or wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill balls in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.


While dough balls are chilling, melt almond bark in the microwave in 30 second intervals until melted. Stir between intervals. Once melted, quickly stir in cake mix until incorporated completely. Using a fork, dip truffles into almond bark and shake of excess bark by tapping the bottom of the fork on the side of your bowl. Place truffle back on the cookie sheet and top with sprinkles. Repeat with remaining balls until finished.

Chill cake batter truffles in the refrigerator until serving. Makes around 24-30 truffles.