Toviel Microwave Fudge Mix

Psalm 135:3
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant.
 
As I ponder publishing my "secret formula" I can't help but think of the events that led to it's discovery and of all the spiritual analogies I could draw from the process. I'm a poor story teller tho so I'll just try to give you the facts in a nut shell and leave the analogies for someone else. I really need to get this written down, if only for my own benifit, my memory is short and I really don't want to go through the process of re-learning all this if I ever feel inclined to make fudge mix again!
  Almost two years ago I came across a delicious fudge recipe...what was most unique about it was the fact that it was a dry mix...ie you could gift the mix to someone and when they wanted fresh fudge all they need to do is add water and microwave.Chef tess Magic Fudge
I loved the recipe but it called for powdered butter (we made it with margarine).  I wanted to make the mix to give as gifts...but here in Canada powdered butter is simply not available and ordering it in from the U.S. isn't an option since the tarrif can be as high as 300%. Making any to give away just wasn't an option!
 Last fall when my two daughters registered for summer missions in Africa and my wife and son registered for an easter break mission to Mexico we started looking at ideals for fundraisers. Fudge mix was one of the ideals.  I gave alot of thought to how I could get powdered butter or some other powdered form of milk fat that would  be economical enough to make a microwaveable fudge mix we could sell.  One day the ideal came to me...how to make a fudge mix with the ingredients I have available. I'm pretty sure it came straight from God, because I wouldn't have come up with the ideal on my own if I live to be 100! I took that as a sure sign that it was something God would have us do for our fundraising so we wasted no time aquiring the ingredients, the bags, printing the labels and making 150 pounds of fudge mix!  Well God is good, and the funds have been coming in...but as for our fudge mix, mostly I've been giving it away!  Sometimes I think  "Why Lord?, what is the point of this fudge mix?"  but really, what could be better, God has given us something good and we can share it. Does it get any better than that?   Fitting I suppose for something we call Toviel (Goodness of my God) Fudge. Somethings are just meant to be free and are just too good not to share!

Toviel Microwave Fudge Mix

4 cups Powdered sugar (600g)
1 1/2 cups of chocolate mini chips (300g)
3/4 cup cocao (22-24%) (100g)Cocao Barry
1/3 cup coffeemate coffee creamer (40g)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla powderGround Vanilla
3/4 teaspoon salt
A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper

-Mix the ingredients well. My measurements are leveled but not packed cups and in the case of the chocolate chips a slightly rounded but NOT a heaped cup! It becomes very important when you go to prepare the fudge because if the water/mix ratio is high the fudge may have the consistency of a fudge icing, if the water/mix ratio is low it will be  difficult to mix and pour. I believe high fat cocoa contributes substantially to the success of the fudge...tho I haven't tested it with a 10/12% cocao. I use compound mini chips, they are very economical and they seem to work well. I have  used large milk chocolate chips as well (I ground them in the food processor) and that worked well too..

To Prepare the Mix:
Place the mix in a microwave safe mixing bowl, add 2/3 cup water (measure carefully!) You will not be able to mix it much at this point....so microwave it on high for 3 minutes, mix well and return to the microwave for an additional 1minute 30 seconds.  Mix and pour into the 8"x13" lightly oiled cake pan that you prepared ahead of time.  Let the fudge set.

This recipe will make about 3 pounds of fudge...which is lots. If you wish to divide the mix into two equal portions then prepare each portion as such : add  1/3 cup water,  microwave for two minutes on high, mix well, return to the microwave for one minute, mix and pour.
The microwave times work well for microwave ovens in the 500-800watt range. If your microwave is more powerful then you can reduce the microwave times somewhat. This mix does not need to boil, it simply needs to melt.
 We have the use of a comercial scale so we also packaged it in a diet size 210gram package. 210 grams requires two tablespoons (30ml) of water and the microwave time is reduced to 1 minute on high, mix and return to microwave for an additional 30 seconds.
  That is about all I have to say about that.

Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Tough Love

   Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lacked," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Mark 10:21

What does money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they did use their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. What if Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money-whether it is your servant or your master. In addition, Jesus showed genuine love for this man, even though he knew that the man might not follow him. Love is able to give tough advice; it doesn't hedge around the truth. Christ loved us enough to die for us, and he also loves us enough to talk straight to us. If his love were superficial, he would give us only his approval; but because his love is complete, he gives us life-changing challenges. That is what God's love is all about.
God bless you,

J.H.

Don't Give Up

  Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.
II Chronicles 14:11

If you are facing battles you feel you cannot win, don't give up. In the face of vast hordes of enemy soldiers, Asa prayed for God's help, recognizing his powerlessness against such a mighty army. The secret of victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort, and then to trust God to save you. His power works best through those who recognize their own limitations. It is those who think they can do it all on their own who are in the greatest danger. You must first surrender in order to win the ultimate victory. Let go and let God.
God bless you,
J.H

In Christ alone

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.


Tim and Dolores are on a mission to Mexico. Marianna is touring with the high school choir.Barbara and I are just here, just fine!

Sorry...I hijacked this picture ;) but it is way cuter than any I have of Barbara and I!

Eggs for dessert!

We used to have these more often for dessert when the kids where younger because they are so simple for the kids to make, they are fun, and they are good! This morning Barbara made me eggs for breakfast!
It is simply a small spongecake, covered in dessert whip and topped with a peach half! Yummy!!

Here is a diaper cake we made. As the name would suggest this cake looks better than it tastes!