Skinny's Skippers - Moving Towards a World Free of MS

I don't know what you know about Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but it is a devastating disease. It is an unpredictable, immune-based disease that attacks the brain and spinal chord with symptoms including numbness, loss of balance and coordination, slurred speech, tremors, paralysis, and blindness. The cause is unknown and there is no cure. MS stops people from moving, and the National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn't by raising funds for research, as well as comprehensive programs and services for people with MS. My family has experienced MS first hand. I have both an uncle and an aunt who endure the debilitating effects everyday. I have seen a once healthy man enjoying life's activities to the fullest - skiing, fishing, and really loving anything outdoors (he even fought for our country when his legs still worked), lose control of his muscles, now scooter bound and struggling just to hold a fork or sign his name. However, his spirit is amazing and I have learned so much about life from him!  He will always be among the list of heroes in my life. 

I usually feel helpless, but I have been volunteering for the National MS Society putting together a Walk MS event this weekend, here in Rock Springs, Wyoming. It's my way of showing a little support. We walk Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 a.m. Our goal is to raise both awareness and money to keep moving toward a cure. I would love your help! If you live in my area, please come walk with us!!! For details, click here.  If not, you could still support us with a donation by following this link.

Have you heard about the fabulous Kristen and her hand stamped sterling silver jewelry? She has worked with me to design a special necklace just for the MS Cause. The signature MOVE IT necklace has been designed especially for this cause. The words, "MOVE IT," serve as a reminder that we are a powerful piece of the movement as we take steps (the shoe) towards a cure, while the orange dangle is the official color for MS awareness. The second dangle is left for you to personalize with a birthstone for yourself or whoever it is you honor or remember with MS. Kristen is donating 10% of sales back to the MS Cause.

If you live with MS or want to wear one to honor or 

remember who you walk for, click here!

Thanks, Kristen for your support!

I want to thank you for listening today. This is a cause that is dear to my heart and I thought I might share it with you all. I appreciate your kindness!

PS - Skinny's Skippers is our team name, just in case you were wondering...

Have You Heard About The World's Largest Bake Sale {And Butter Toffee Flower Sandwich Cookie Recipe By Sandra Lee}

Tomorrow, on March 29, 2011, Sandra Lee is hosting the World's Largest Bake Sale at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The event will benefit the Food Bank of New York, featuring sweet and savory baked goods from 30 of New York's favorite chefs, restaurants, and food shops. Sandra is committed to ending childhood hunger, and collaborated with food industry icons Mario Batali, Emeril Lagasse, and Rosanna Scotto will be attending this event, along with Food Network Star Duff Goldman, from "Ace of Cakes." Bakers throughout the United States, are coming together and hosting similar bake sales to raise funds for local food banks. What a wonderful event!

To celebrate and encourage baking, Sandra Lee is sharing her recipe for Butter Toffee Flower Sandwich cookies.

Butter Toffee Flower Sandwiches

Prep 35 minutes
Chill 30 minutes
Bake 8 minutes per batch
Cool 5 minutes per batch
Oven 375°F
Makes 12 cookie sandwiches

COOKIES

1 pouch (17.5 ounces) chocolate chip cookie mix, Betty Crocker®
3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon imitation butter flavoring, McCormick®

FILLING

1 cup whipped buttercream frosting, Betty Crocker®
1⁄4 cup powdered sugar, sifted, Domino®/C&H®
3⁄4 cup toffee bits, Heath®

1. Spoon cookie mix into a wire-mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Sift cookie mix through
strainer, leaving chocolate chips in strainer (reserve chocolate chips for another use). Add flour,
oil, eggs, and butter flavoring to cookie mix in bowl; stir until dough comes together. Shape into
a ball; wrap in plastic wrap. Chill dough in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper; set aside.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1⁄4-inch thickness. Using a 3-inch flower
cookie cutter, cut 12 shapes from dough. Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter, cut out each
flower center. Reroll scrap dough; cut out another 12 flower shapes, but do not cut out centers.
Transfer flowers to prepared cookie sheet(s), spacing cookies 2 inches apart.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or just until starting to brown. Cool on cookie sheet(s) for 5 minutes.
Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool completely.
5. For filling, in a medium bowl, stir together frosting and powdered sugar until well mixed. Gently
stir in 1⁄2 cup of the toffee bits.
6. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the filling onto each of the whole flower cookies. Top each with
a cutout flower cookie. Sprinkle a scant teaspoon of the remaining toffee bits in the center of
each cutout.

*Excerpted from the book, Sandra Lee Bake Sale Cookbook, by Sandra Lee
Copyright © 2011 SLSH Enterprises, Inc. www.sandralee.com


What can you do? Attend one of these bake sales and fill up your cookie jar. Organize your own bake sale and donate the proceeds to your local Food Bank, or bake a batch of your favorite goodies and deliver them to your local soup kitchen. Goodness, you could even donate an afternoon of your time and volunteer for one of these organzations. Big or small, it all helps!!!

 Remember, you may not be able to do everything, but you can refuse to do nothing!

What do you do to help in your community?

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