Mangoes

I am in love with this fruit! There is never enough of it!

In addition to being tasty it has great nutrients.

Great info from health-alternatives

Mango

One mango without peel contains 1.06 grams of protein, 135 calories and 3.7 grams of dietary fiber.

Potassium - 323 mg Phosphorus - 23 mg Magnesium - 19 mg Calcium - 21 mg Sodium - 4 mg Iron - 0.27 mg Selenium 1.2 mcg Manganese - 0.056 mg Copper - 0.228 mg Zinc - 0.08 mg Also contains small amounts of other minerals.

Vitamin A - 1584 IU Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.12 mg Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.118 mg Niacin - 1.209 mg Folate - 29 mcg Pantothenic Acid - 0.331 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.227 mg Vitamin C - 57.3 mg Vitamin E - 2.32 mg Vitamin K - 8.7 mcg Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

The only trouble has been getting that darn pit out! I found a picture of a tool that I want to try.  Let me know if you have ever used a mango slicer!

In my quest to eat more mangoes I made this recipe. 

Banana Mango muffins

1 1/2 cups almond flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 eggs
1/3 cup raw honey
1 ripe banana
1 tablespoon coconut flour
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp chia seeds
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup chopped pecans for topping
1 medium mango, peeled and cut into small squares

Directions

Combine all of the wet ingredients, except the mango, Add the dry ingredients and mix well Next add the mango stir until incorporated but don't mush it up. 

Pour into muffin tins. (I always use liners) Top with pecans and Bake for 20-24 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Allow to cool completely before devouring!

Yes they were delicious! The little pieces of mango are a wonderful pop of sweetness in this muffin. Next time I might even add more mango!  his little one 

What I learned

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

Even a little bit of sweetness can make a difference.  You never know what a smile can do for someone. An act of kindness can sweeten someones day, a kind word can change someones outlook, a soft touch can bring comfort. 

I work with the cutest kindergarten and first graders.  Some of them come from homes that are anything but sweet. They are starving for a smile, a look a touch.  Giving it to them is a joy for me and world of difference for many of them. 

Yesterday one student showed me how his father disciplines him. This little ones face became twisted and full of anger as he told me of his father's angry words and harshness with him. All I could do was speak softly, crouch down and look him in the eyes and tell him how happy I was to have him at our school.  Then in a sweet moment he wrapped his arms around me. 

We have a choice to make a difference in this world. I choose joy and want to share that joy with everyone I meet. 

Who needs to have a little bit of His sweetness shared with them today?

How to use a Mandoline Slicer

In the kitchen aisle at Marshalls I fell in love! There hanging, waiting for me to pick it up and take it home was a beautiful green mandoline slicer. I have been looking for one that will help me slice zucchini into thin long slices for lasagna and noodles.  This one looked perfect.  It even came with a holder that you use on the item that you are slicing so that you don't slice your finger by accident.

Once I arrived home, the mandoline was taken out of it's packaging, washed and then the plastic film on the blade was removed.  Imprinted onto the plastic was a warning, "Warning, sharp blade. Use caution while using." I giggled at the simplicity of it. Next, the zucchini was prepped and ready to be sliced.  The plastic grip that was supposed to fit onto the zucchini was difficult to use and mad the slicing awkward. "I know that I am suppose to be careful, but this thing isn't working properly", I reassured myself as I put the holder down and proceeded to try and slice the zucchini holding it with my hand.

On the very first pass through, almost in slow motion, my thumb was sliced. It happened quickly and the pain was instantaneous! If should have seen me hopping around the kitchen holding my thumb. All I could think of was, "Warning, sharp blade. Use caution while using." Oh the wisdom of a lesson learned!  I haven't been brave enough to try it again.  Whenever I do venture back to this mandoline I will use caution and follow it's directions!

Why do we do these kind of things?  We know the rules, know the risks, and then when things turn out bad, we ask, "what happened?" God has given us his wisdom to be applied to our lives. I wonder how many times we we see His warnings and do exactly what I did? 

Father, help us to heed your warnings, walk in accordance to your word and listen to your promptings. 

 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,upright and godly lives in this present age,  while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 

Titus 2:11-14