Daily Inspiration & Motivation

Making Doughnuts: Affordable Fun With The Kids

Here is a fun and affordable activity to do with the kids. That’s right,  make doughnuts! We have made them in our home for quite some time, but recently I came across a really good recipe. They taste kinda like crispy cremes! We rolled some into small balls, and we used cookie cutters for the rest. It was affordable, fun, and the doughnuts were delicious!

What you need:

Deep fryer, or skillet with oil

Doughnut cutter, Cookie Cutters or A Cup

Ingredients:

2 packs of dry yeast

1/4 cup hot water

1 1/2 cup warm milk

1/2 cup granulated sugar

pinch of salt

2 eggs

5 cups of all purpose flour

1/3 cup shortening

Glaze:

1/3 cup butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 t vanilla ( or substitute with almond, orange, strawberry flavoring)

4 t hot water, or as needed

Directions:

  1. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk, sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour. Mix for a few minutes at low speed, or stirring with a wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
  4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
  5. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.

If you do not have a doughnut cutter, all cutters will work. We used Christmas cookie cutters and rolled small balls for doughnut holes. We also used a cup and just punch out the center with our finger, and did it the old fashioned way.

You can glaze them, ice them, add sprinkles, roll them in powdered sugar, or roll them in a cinnamon sugar mixture.


This is a fun recipe, and it makes about two dozen doughnuts if using cookie cutters.

Titles Are Just Titles

As I read an email from a reader this morning wondering why I have been much slower to post these days, I thought I would share my most recent life lesson: Titles Are Just Titles. Not only will it explain the lesson, but it will also explain some of why I have been much slower to post items these days.

From the time I was a young girl, I wanted a title in terms of career. I knew when I grew up and had a career it would be something meaningful that I would be proud of. Upon entering my third year as a single mom I had yet to find that career with that nice title. Then alas, it came. I was hired as the “Operations Manager” and felt like my future was secure. It was such a strong title, and on salary.com it showed some nice numbers for a salary. I knew if I took the position I would be making a six digit salary within a year or two. So I took the position. It was definitely promising for a single mother of three, and the company seemed to have a lot of potential.

As I began to work for this company my creativity began to be used there instead of here, and I had less to offer when it came to writing. I was beat. I was spent. And I was also pre-occupied with other things. I would be in the midst of working with no way to jot ideas as they came, and at times it drove me crazy. I was conflicted and torn so I did what I always do, I prayed.

As I prayed things began to unravel. One thing at a time, one day at a time I was given cues. And to make a long story short, my boss turned out to be a complete shmuck that didn’t pay me for two months.  So rather than work for free, I quit. I gave up on the career with the strong title and I quit worrying about what other people think about where I am at in my journey of life now.  Since resigning as Operations Manager, I have since begun to walk my own path. I have begun treasure hunting at auctions for items to sell on eBay, and have had more time to write.

As a result, this past week I have nearly finished a book that should be complete within the next few days. Although I havent been actively posting, I have been actively writing and look forward to sharing this book with everyone. It is a compilation of life, love, and lessons. It is a simple table side poetry book but is designed much different from others out there. I’m excited to publish it, and look forward to feedback both good and bad.

Through all this I learned that titles are just titles. It is doing what we love and what makes us happy that matters most when lay our head down at night. And this, is what I love. Writing, sharing, giving, and helping. That is me. And I have way more to give, when I don’t worry about what other people think.

The ABC’s Of Life


© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Beauty In Pain


~ We will often learn more in ten days of agony than in ten years of contentment ~

Pain is a wonderful motivator that breaks down the walls that keep old behaviors intact. It guides us towards thoughts and ideas we may otherwise suppress, and forces us to seek answers from places we have never looked before. It opens our minds to ideas that hold the key to new insight, understanding, and freedom.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2010. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

When Was Your Last Piece Of Humble Pie?

Humble pie is the hardest piece of pie to eat. No sooner than we think we are: above something or someone, better than something or someone, don’t need something or someone …. we are given our first slice.

Humble pie must be chewed slowly, and is often washed down with  grateful juice.

(Grateful juice is also known as an attitude of gratitude energy drink.)  

The grateful juice tracer is crucial to prevent future pieces of humble pie from being served. Grateful juice can be found anywhere. To find it we must look around and see what we have to be thankful for.

WARNING: Humble pie can be crippling, and must be taken seriously!

As that piece of humble pie enters the body it begins to expose one’s insides. It rotates around the heart and soul for quite some time before entering the digestive tract. Humble pie can take weeks, months, and possibly years to digest. It varies from person to person and bite by bite.

For some lucky ones who indulge in a piece of humble pie, it will digest instantly. Some will only need a bite while others will need to eat the entire pie.

Of course there will always be some people who will eat all of the pies in the bakery and soon-after head to the next bakery. The engorge themselves because they just can’t taste the lessons. 

Beware of humble pie! It is often served following statements such as:

I would never _____

I could never ______

I have never ______

You could never _________

You will never ________

You can’t _________

You won’t ________

They always _________

They never _________

I wish I _________

Beware filling in the blanks above and when forming any sentences that begin with such words.

Humble pie is frightening  and is typically not the most appetizing dessert. It can be bitter and sour. When digested it can leave some feeling weak, vulnerable, and helpless.

At times humble pie can take lives but in time it will restore many lives. It takes hearts  and it gives hearts. It simply depends on how we digest  it. 

If digested properly humble pie can and will improve eyesight. Humble pie has been known to cure blindness in most cases.

Always keep your grateful juice handy to prevent future occurrences with humble pie. To date, the grateful juice is the only preventative measure that can be taken.

Just as humble pie has no expiration date, neither does the grateful juice. So drink it often!

Have you eaten a piece of humble pie lately?

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerer, 2009-2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerer with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

The Divorce Is Final, Now The Emotional Divorce

Often people file for divorce or initiate a break-up thinking that they are done with the relationship. They think the issues will be gone and that they can begin their new journey. Although publicly filing for divorce is the first major step, the emotional divorce is much harder to deal with, and it takes time.

Studies indicate that it takes approximately 3-6 months for every year in a committed relationship to heal. Although there is no such timer for healing due to the fact that each person handles it differently, this time period proves to be true in the dissolution of almost every relationship I have witnessed.

How To File For An Emotional Divorce

1. Begin to live separate lives! This is crucial! You are two separate people, heading two separate directions. You are on a journey to find yourselves again, and you will hit many road blocks while still acting as though you are a married or committed couple. Give him/her space, and begin to live separate.

2. Do Not Answer To One Another! This one is probably one of the hardest to do. After being in a committed relationship we naturally answer to the “How, Why, Where, When” questions. We do it naturally, and it times we feel it is just showing respect. Reality is, it is keeping us attached.

3. Reinvent Yourself! Find something you have always caught yourself daydreaming about, and do it. Take that trip, join that society, fight for that cause, run that marathon, publish that book, or whatever the case may be. When we begin doing something that empowers us on a daily basis we begin to feel we live a life of purpose. Reinventing ourselves is our way of keeping our past from dictating who we are or become. This is your chance to shine!

4. Pray! This is by far the fastest road to recovery. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and discernment. Pray for a life of peace. Pray to know yourself, and pray for God to allow others to be receptive to your wants, needs, and desires. It may be instantly that He answers, and it may be months. But nonetheless, He will answer. Just be ready when He does!

5. Let Go! There is nothing worse than holding on to something that is dead. Once you let go completely you can begin to embrace the new journey, and move forward. You then begin to experience an inner peace like no other just by letting go. Fear keeps us holding on, fear misleads us, and fear blinds us. When we let go of fear, we can let go of almost anything.

6. Find A Positive Outlet! Wether it be crafts, arts, music, writing, playing sports, coaching a team etc., it is important to find a positive outlet. This emotional roller-coaster ride may not end for weeks, months, or even years. Find something or some way to release that anger, frustration, and sadness in a positive way. By projecting positive, more positive will come.

7. Believe! The sooner you believe you can do it alone, the sooner you will. The sooner you believe, the sooner you will succeed. After every loss, there is a gain. When God takes one away, He often sends something or someone even better to bless our socks off.

8. Don’t Rush It! There is no need to rush into the arms of someone else. If we did that we would end up right back where we are now, eventually. Take time to learn the lessons. Dig deep and do a self-check. Break-ups are never due to one person alone. Both parties bring issues to the relationship, and it is important to take responsibility for your part in that. By accepting responsibility for where you went wrong in the relationship, you begin to take preventative measures for all future relationships.

As I stated earlier in this article, the emotional divorce is far different from the typical divorce. It is an entirely different process. Couples divorce every day in this country through our court systems. However, more often than not they remain emotionally married for years to come. Take control of your life, and get out completely. Only then will you experience the true beauty in this world. Only then will the chains that bind you, be broken.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Goodbye Says It All

No long explanation. No reconciliation. No lets talk it over, number you can call. Goodbye says it all! *Blackhawk*

The biggest mistake we make at times is saying goodbye, or so we think. We fool ourselves into believing that in the eyes of someone else, we are worth fighting for. That our relationship with them meant to them, what it did to us. The truth is, that is hardly the case in any relationship. Wether it be romantic or what one thinks is an innocent opposite sex relationship, one always seems to feel more than the other. One always seems to have higher expectations.

As we walk away threatening our goodbyes while hoping deep down that another person will change their ways or even put up a fight to keep us, we begin living in denial. We begin to loose ourselves. It is crucial to maintain your dignity, and keep walking. Despite the pain of goodbye, 99% of the time it is worth it. It will make for a much sweeter “hello” with someone who believes what we believe, and that we truly jive with.

As we kick ourselves during the mourning process of saying goodbye, we must not wallow in our own self pity. After all, we chose to walk away right? Perhaps when we walked away from someone who we think we still love, goodbye said it all to them. Are they suppose to spend their life consumed with thoughts of us? Or are they suppose to learn their lessons, heal, and move forward?

In the initial stages of break-ups , we truly believe we still love someone out of fear and fear alone. Once we move out of fear, we will then see that the break-up that occurred, occurred for a reason. It occurred to take us to a much brighter destination. It occurred so the we can be in complete control of our happiness.

Before saying goodbye, remember that to many people in this world, “Goodbye says it all.” Never say goodbye and expect someone to beg you to be in their life. It just doesn’t work that way. Pick up the pieces, and move on. Brighter days will come.

Footprints In The Sand

This is a really good song to meditate  and give thanks. He hears us, no matter who we are or where we are.  And he responds. It is no coincidence that people in this world that have achieved much came from some of the most difficult circumstances. It is no coincidence that when you ask them all how they survived traumatic life situations they say… : “I prayed”.

Those who answer that question with “I prayed” came from all nations, and all walks of life. They were from all religions, all beliefs, all completely different people. He is there, and He listens. Although he does it in his own time, He answers. It may not always be in the way we thought, but He answers. He never fails to answer. Just believe.

Tides

We will make mistakes

we will fall on our face

But what really matters

is that we fall with grace

When tragedy dies

and lessons are learned

happiness is found

the tides have turned.

© Angela Bininger and The Empowerers, 2009-2015 Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this websites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Angela Bininger and The Empowerers with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Fighter

I went to see a band this past week, and received validation that I have been given a gift of discernment. As the gals in the band sang Fighter by Christina Aguilera the crowd sang along. I walked over to a man, and said “keep fighting”. I could feel it, despite his smiling outwardly and appearing to be enjoying his evening. When I spoke those words to him, he said “You have no idea. I’m fighting. I’ve had 5 brain tumors”, and he began to list a series of medical complications. He then looked at me and said “Out of everyone in this room to have said that to, you picked me. I’m fighting! This is weird! I have chills!”

Needless to say we became quick friends, and this experience gives me chills to even retell. We never exchanged numbers, or even our names. But it reminds me of the old saying “Be nice to everyone you see, they are fighting a battle you know nothing about!”