Chocolate Chip Cookies with a secret!

Okay, not a huge secret, but this recipe calls for a box of instant pudding mix for the batter. Have to admit that I haven't tried it, yet, but it is on my list of things to do . . . soon!

Chocolate Chip Cookies With a Secret!

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Ideas . . .

A combination of chocolate chip and peanut butter chips would be excellent!

Using half chocolate chips and half raisins would make it taste like a chocolate fruit nut bar.

Mint-flavored chips for the holiday season?

Trying a different flavor of instant pudding mix?

Chopped, toasted almonds with white chocolate chips?

A break from the political . . .

There is just so much serious stuff one can dwell on before baking and keeping your home a haven come back to mind. Speaking of which, here is a no-bake recipe that even the children can help you make. Although I do prefer baked goods, it is always nice to have a batch of these in the refrigerator when people come wandering into the kitchen looking for a snack.

No Baking Involved Peanut Butter Bars!

2 cups peanut butter, divided.
3/4 cup or 1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

Beat 1 1/4 cups peanut butter, vanilla extract, and butter in a large bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar. With sturdy wooden spoon, work in remaining 1 cup of powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Press evenly into pan. Smooth surface.

Melt remaining peanut butter and morsels in emdium saucepan over low heat, stirring ukntil smooth. Spread over crust in pan. Refrigerate until firm or about an hour. Cut into bars and store covered in refrigerator.

This will definitely change my grocery shopping . . .

If you were told that the food you are eating would involve the use of aborted fetal cells in order to enhance/test the flavor and reduce the sugar and salt, how would you feel? Would you avoid that product/company or just assume that it probably doesn’t include any of the foods you use?

Do you use products from Pepsico, Kraft, or Nestles? Oh, and Cadbury Chocolate is a subsidiary that also uses this procedure to provide all that delightful Easter candy you give your children. These companies partner with the Semonyx who provide this service. As time goes on, who knows what other major companies will literally sell their souls to make a dollar.

As the article I read stated, it might be our clue to start feeding our families with food we know are free of this processed horror. It is time to get back to basics and bake and cook with products that avoid the factory cannibalism used by Pepsico, Kraft, Nestles, and Cadbury ‘to make their products better’. We already know in our heart of hearts that processed food isn’t good for us. Now we know that it isn’t good for us spiritually if we believe in the sanctity of life. Sure, as the article says, it only uses fetal cells from elective abortions to test the food flavors, etc., like that makes a difference. A murdered baby is still a dead baby.

Although cooking from ‘scratch’ seems difficult, first steps lead to advanced steps and knowledge around the kitchen. The first time you put a loaf of bread you made yourself down on the dinner table and see your family’s eyes light up, you realize that you don’t need soulless companies to dictate what you feed your family.

Years ago, I read that some cultures actually swallow down tiny, aborted fetuses as a ‘health’ regime. I was shocked. Now, I find aborted babies being used in food research in our own country under the guise of providing more healthy food.

This is certainly going to change my shopping habits. No more shortcuts for me. I already prefer my own cooking to fast food product helps and actually see a reduction in my grocery bill. Seems like a win/win situation: reduce our spending and eventually force these companies to rethink their shocking tactics. And, some extra prayers are in order, while we reclaim our kitchens, for the people who don’t care how the companies process their food even if it means using cells from a human baby.

Here's a thought . . .

Okay guys, let me get this straight. Serve 2 years in the House or 4 years in the Senate and get $174,000 per year for life. Not a bad scam is it? And these members of the House and Senate are talking of taking away health care for retired military and their families? We really need to get together and get these people out of office!! And begin cutting where the cuts need to be made. You serve, you get paid, end of story, no retirement, go back to your former job as an attorney.   Our government has no money - how long can we keep giving away what we don't have?

　

　

Salary of retired US Presidents .............$180,000 FOR LIFE

Salary of House/Senate .......................$174,00?0 FOR LIFE

Salary of Speaker of the House ............$223,500 FOR LIFE

Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders ...... $193,400 FOR LIFE

Average Salary of Soldier DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN .......$38,000

Perfect political description!

"Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."
-- Ernest Benn