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My Bliss Ball/Power Ball Recipe

I did something different yesterday. I had a holiday party at my house. Some of the ladies from the neighborhood came over and we sang carols, made crafts, put on reindeer antlers and of course ate. It was a fun time.

A few people asked for my bliss ball/power ball recipe so I decided to post it here and share it with you as well. I have posted this before, but the chocolate version is new. I’m an add a little of this and that kind of cook so you may want to adjust measurements to your own taste.

Genies Bliss Balls/Power Balls

Ingredients:

3/4 c. natural peanut butter (without added sugars, oils, etc. Peanuts and a maybe a little salt are all I want to see on the label.) “Regular” peanut butter might work as well, but I haven’t tried it.

1/4 c. agave nectar (or other liquid sweetener – honey, brown rice syrup, etc.)

1 t. vanilla or almond extract

3 T. cocoa power

1/4 c. flax seed meal (ground flax seed)

1 c. oatmeal, quinoa flakes or crushed rice squares cereal). Remember to check labels if you need these products to be gluten free.

Directions:

1. Combine peanut butter, agave and vanilla in a bowl. Mix well to combine.

2. Add remaining ingredients. This may take a little work to get them all mixed in. It the mixture seems dry add more peanut butter.

3. Form into 1 t. sized balls using damp hands and place on waxed paper covered (or greased) plate.

4. Put in refrigerator until firm and ready to eat. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

That’s the basic chocolate recipe — now here are the variations.

Leave out the chocolate and add 1/3 c. shredded unsweetened coconut. Or try rolling them in coconut.

Leave out the cocoa powder and add 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Or add it to the chocolate version.

I wanted to try substituting mint flavoring for the vanilla with the chocolate version, but haven’t tried this one yet.

Add any other mix-ins you like such as:

1/4 c. raisins, mini chocolate chips, trail mix or nuts

This is a very versatile recipe. Make it your own and add whatever sounds good to you.

Thought for Today

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” –Henri Nouwen
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/celebrate

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Non-Perishable Food Donations**

A word of advice here. Don’t just give that old can of lima beans no one really likes anyway. First think of practical needs. Items always needed at food pantries include:

*Shelf stable proteins — Canned tuna or salmon, Canned chicken or other meats, Canned beans, Dried beans, Canned soups and stews, Peanut butter, Nuts, Canned chili, Trail mix

* Pantry staples such as Rice (especially whole grain), Oatmeal, Pasta (especially whole grain), Diced tomatoes, Tomato sauce, Canned vegetables, Cooking oils (such as olive oil or canola oil), Flour

*Holiday Ingredients and Side Dishes, Canned pumpkin, canned yams, cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing, dried macaroni, canned vegetables.

Think about healthy foods you like to eat. Hold off on the snacks and junk foods. Most food banks get more than enough of these. What they need is good food to fill people up. Some food pantries like to have juice boxes for children, but real juice only please. If you have special dietary needs think about picking up an extra when you buy your special foods. People in need also have health conditions requiring special diets. If in doubt call the food pantry and ask what they need.

Finally, remember there are hungry people every day of the year. Contribute to food pantries throughout the year, especially in the summer.

For more information:

The Best Foods to Donate to Food Banks During the Holidays

THought for Today

“Pointing to another world will never stop vice among us; shedding light over this world can alone help us.”
― Walt Whitman

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Think Good Thoughts

We create our reality with our thoughts, so make them good ones. You have to work at this folks, but it is well worth the effort. Remember it’s not what happens to us, it’s how we think about and react to it that matters. We make our world heaven or hell through our thoughts. Wouldn’t you rather live in heaven? Wouldn’t you rather be an example to others that they can live in heaven?

Thought for Today

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.”
― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Continue Your Spiritual Practice

It is important that we continue on our regular spiritual path during the holidays. Do not let your daily practices get lost in the busyness of the season. Continue to make time each day to meditate, pray, read from sacred texts or devotional materials and any other spiritual practices that are a regular part of your life.

Now that doesn’t mean we can’t get creative with our practices. We can even focus on light or the particular light holiday we celebrate. The important thing is to stay centered, grounded and connected to Spirit.

There are materials out there to assist you with this or you might want to create your own. Here are a few to get you started:

The Love and Light of Christmas

Light up your Advent: Resources to make the most of the season

Lift Your Light High: A reading for an Advent candlelight service

Advent Resources

Fun and Easy Ways to Shine Your Light: Make and Send Holiday Cards

I love to get cards, but when someone makes a card or adds an extra touch to a purchased card, I feel special. If you usually buy cards this year try something different. Create your own cards. This is a great project to get the kids involved. Look online for ideas of handmade cards. Send them to friends and family. Think of hospitalized children, nursing home residents, solders or others who might enjoy receiving a card. I’m mentioning this early, because it takes time to make and mail cards.

Need ideas? Here are a few links to get you started. Pinterest is also a good source of ideas.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/49-awesome-diy-holiday-cards?utm_term=.cvYjJdayl#.wiK24zEo8

http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/handmade/16-handmade-holiday-cards-pictures

http://www.marthastewart.com/1506825/christmas-cards

Thought for Today

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu

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For more “sparks” of light in a dark world please visit McGuffy’s Reader.

Thought for Today

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by“.— Alek Wek
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alekwek783092.html?src=t_celebrate