Random Acts Of Kindness

(Published on surfKY News on February 16, 2012)

The first time I heard about random acts of kindness was on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She was talking about how people were performing selfless acts for others, for no reason other than because they can, with little or no recognition for the acts. The phrase, “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty” is claimed to have been written by Anne Herbert onto a place mat at a Sausalito, California restaurant in 1982/1983.
 
One of my favorite movies is “Pay It Forward”. It stars Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey and Haley Joel Osment. The plot of the movie is centered on a class assignment to devise and put into action a plan that will change the world for the better. Eleven-year-old Trevor (Osment) develops a plan based on the networking of good deeds, rather than paying back a favor, the recipient “pays it forward” and asks that person to continue to pay it forward, creating a pyramid of acts


I have a friend that writes at least one thank you note each week. She sends a short note telling a special person how much they mean to her and how they have affected her life. Another person I know enjoys secretly purchasing cups of coffee for military personnel that she sees in McDonald's. There are so many acts that can be done to bring a smile to another person. It doesn't have to involve a lot of money or even a lot of time.

This Friday, February 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day. I challenge you to perform at least one Random Act of Kindness on this day.
 

Here are some quick and easy recipes that you can make and share with others.
 



DIABETIC CINNAMON COOKIES

2 large eggs
2 Tablespoons water
5 teaspoons Equal
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat water and eggs in mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add in Equal and cinnamon. Combine baking soda, flour and salt in sifter. Sift half over egg mixture. Fold to completely blend, and then repeat. Drop by teaspoonful’s onto greased cookie sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

 
OREO COOKIE BALLS

1 18oz. pkg Oreo cookies (regular size, 3 rows of cookies)
1 8oz. pkg cream cheese
4 oz white chocolate almond bark

Add Oreo cookies to food processor and blend until fine. Add cream cheese to Oreo crumbs and blend until dough-like. Chill mixture for 15 minutes then roll into bite-size balls. Chill balls for 15 minutes. Melt almond bark in microwave according to package directions. Dip chilled Oreo balls in melted chocolate using fork so chocolate can "drip off". Set covered cookie balls onto waxed paper and let set approx. 30 minutes. If using sprinkles or decorative sugars do so before chocolate sets.

 

LEMON RASPBERRY BREAD WITH LEMON GLAZE

1 stick butter, melted
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tbsp lemon zest, finely grated
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil & flour bread pans. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Add in eggs. Mix in buttermilk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold raspberries into mixture. Evenly spoon into bread pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire racks and invert. Whisk powdered sugar into lemon and add more of each if necessary. Pour glaze over bread and serve.

NEXT WEEK—Take a Flying Leap 

Remember......Life is short. Eat Dessert first!!