The first book in the series, Angel Watching Over Me, addresses identity on the very first page. If we don't know who we are or who we were created to be we can fall into an identity crisis.
There are many messages in the media, among our peers and family, and in our entertainment choices that shape our identity or our concept of ourselves. Our ideas of ourselves start to take shape from a very early age. This is one reason why we address identity in the Where Is Your Angel?™ series. Kids need to know their identity or self-worth is not in their outward appearance. It is who they are on the inside. This isn't supposed to sound like a cliche or the happy ending of a Hollywood movie but a truth that transforms hearts and minds and changes incorrect concepts. Although I can rely on make-up and black and white pictures to make my appearance more attractive, those are not always on or available 24/7. If I am honest and have integrity and keep my word, that is with me no matter if I showered that morning or look like a million bucks. Getting the right things in their proper place and order will give us all a healthy dose of identity. As these books are read to the kids, true identity and worth are being heard and confirmed. They are seeing the words on paper and hearing what characteristics angels applaud. We are excited to offer a book that helps parents and adults discuss with kids what really matters. And it can even serve as a good reminder to us adults too. #identity #angels #angelwatchingoverme #honest
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Ever go to a restaurant and have yummy perfectly cooked pasta? Want to duplicate that in your own kitchen?
If your pasta ever sticks and you can't seem to get it not to stick, or if you've ever cooked pasta and you think you've ruined it, don't throw it out, here's a tip you'll appreciate: Run cold water over the pasta in the colander (basically shocking the pasta and stopping it from cooking). Stir with a fork to separate pasta. Drain and toss with a little bit of oil. Just enough oil to lightly coat. Don't put too much oil on the pasta. To make perfect pasta the first time, here's how to prepare it: Cook according to package directions until al dente (which means to the tooth), add salt to the water. Do not put any oil in the water. If you bite into the pasta it will have a little bit of white and not be soft all the way through. Drain into colander letting drain for 1-2 mins. Shake colander with pasta in it and lightly coat pasta with oil. Do not put too much oil on pasta. Just a dab or two will do. Cover with your favorite sauce and enjoy perfectly cooked pasta! #pasta #perfect #nostick Sunday is not only the start of Advent, it is also Dine In Day. A day to encourage families to come to the dinner table and enjoy a home-cooked meal with each other.
There are many benefits of families preparing and eating healthy meals together. Depending on the ages, the kids can gather the ingredients, measure, mix, set the table, "many hands make light work." Include them somehow or someway. If your kids have aprons, have them put them on. It makes their role and involvement official! Just think back a generation ago when most meals were eaten around the family dinner table. In order to reap the benefits of breaking bread together, here are some recipe ideas taken from our Pinterest page picked for you all. Angel Hair Carbonara The portions serve 3-4 so you may want to double it if you have more family or if you want extra for lunch the next day. 4-6 strips of bacon 3 eggs 3/4 lb. angel hair pasta 1/4 t. black pepper 1/2 t. sea salt 1 T. butter 2/3 c. Parmesan 1/2 c. reserved pasta water 1. Cook bacon, chop, then set aside. 2. Cook pasta according to package directions. 3. Combine eggs, 1/3 c. cheese, and butter in bowl. 4. Temper egg mixture with the reserved pasta water while stirring. 5. Pour egg mixture over warm noodles until the noodles are well coated 6. Stir in bacon or use bacon as a topping. 7. Top with remaining cheese. Easy enough! Pick any veggie for a side dish - broccoli or peas would be nice with this main dish. Some people like to have garlic bread with their pasta. However, if you really want to keep with the angel theme, here's a recipe for Angel Biscuits (also on our Pinterest page). Angel Biscuits The bread takes an hour to make so you will want to start the bread 1st before making the main meal. This recipe says it serves 40 (!) So cut the measurements in half and whatever your family doesn't eat over the next few days, freeze for next time. 1 package dry active yeast 1 t. baking soda 1/4 c. granulated sugar 1/2 t. salt 1/2 c. shortening (cut into 1/2" pieces) 3 T. warm water 1/2 c. salted butter (cut into 1/2" pieces and room temp) 2 c. buttermilk (room temp) 5-6 c. self-rising flour 1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in bowl. Set aside. 2. Wisk 5 c. flour, salt, and baking soda in large bowl. 3. Add shortening and butter to flour mixture. Use your fingers to form balls (think feta cheese). 4. Make a well in center of flour and shortening mixture. 5. In separate bowl stir together the yeast mixture and the buttermilk. 6. Pour yeast mixture into the well of the flour mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon. Mixture will be slightly damp. 7. Divide the dough in half. Set aside one of the halves. (It's easier to handle. If you decide you don't want to make both halves, you can refrigerate the other 1/2 for up to a week before baking.) 8. Roll dough into 1/2" thick rectangle. 9. Fold dough and roll out to 1" thick. 10. Dust your biscuit cutter in flour. If you don't have a biscuit cutter use a glass (or mini glass for smaller biscuits). 11. Place biscuits on a greased baking sheet. Cover with a hand towel and let sit for 30-40 minutes. 12. After biscuits have risen, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake biscuits 10-12 minutes rotating half way through. 13. Brush warm biscuits with melted butter and dust with powdered sugar if you choose (angel dust!). Any leftover biscuits can be for breakfast with some honey, jam, or preserves on them. Yum! No meal is complete without dessert. So, for the sweet tooths reading this, here's a treat to top it all off. Since we are encouraging kids in the kitchen, our dessert is going to be cookies. Pioneer Woman's Angel Sugar Cookies 2 eggs 1 c. canola 2 sticks softened butter 1 c. sugar (plus extra for the top) 1 c. powdered sugar 1 t. vanilla 4 c. + 2 T. all-purpose flour 1 t. salt 1 t. baking soda 1 t. cream of tartar Preheat oven to 350 degrees. (although my Executive Chef husband says 325 is the best temp for cookies) 1. In large mixing bowl, cream together eggs, oil, butter, sugars, and vanilla. 2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. 3. Refrigerate for one hour. (Although if you are in a time crunch, you can bake after mixing - for best results refrigerate.) 4. Using cookie scoop, drop balls into ungreased cookie sheet. 5. Smear a dab of butter on the bottom of a clean drinking glass. Dip the glass in granulated sugar. Flatten ball of cookie dough onto the sheet. Repeat for each cookie. 6. Bake for 9-11 minutes. Eat, enjoy, repeat!! Happy Advent and Dine In Day! #advent #dineinday #angeleats #angels |
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