Recipe: A heaping serving of homework motivation

Family Features -- Heading back to school doesn't have to mean forgetting the fun of warm weather treats. Once the homework is done and you've enjoyed dinner with loved ones, turn your attention to a dessert that tastes like it was prepared by a professional baker.

This S'mores Skillet starts with a sweet brownie base made with Domino Light Brown Sugar and is then infused and topped with traditional s'mores ingredients. Just combine in a skillet then bake - or grill for that familiar outdoor feel - until warm and gooey.

The next time you invite friends over to celebrate after a home football or volleyball game victory, try this easy-to-make recipe that will light up any party with ear-to-ear grins.

Find more dessert ideas to sweeten up the back-to-school season and postgame celebrations at DominoSugar.com.

S'mores Skillet

Prep time: 30 minutes / Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6

8 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Domino Light Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup mini marshmallows, divided
6 graham crackers, roughly crumbled, divided

Step-by-step

Preheat oven or grill to 350 F.

Place medium heat-proof bowl over medium saucepan simmering with water. Add butter, 1/4 cup chocolate chips and unsweetened chocolate; melt. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool 15 minutes.

In small bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt.

In large bowl, mix eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture and mix until well combined. Stir in flour mixture. Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows and three graham crackers to batter.

Pour mixture into 8-inch skillet. Top with remaining mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and graham crackers. Grill or bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from grill. Cool 10 minutes and serve.

Commentary: Stop throwing your life away doing nothing

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

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Enjoyable weather is coming soon. For many parts of the country September through November offers many pleasant days. Don’t waste them by spending all your time starring at the television or Facebook. You still have some life to live. Spending four or five hours a day watching what everyone else is doing is a waste of your time.

There are programs you enjoy and news events that grab our attention. There are a few people you enjoy keeping up with via social media. After this, get a life. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with your head bent down starring at a tablet or a cell phone? You might get to a point where all you can do is sit in your chair and stare at the television. I’ve seen many good people who at the end of their lives who could do nothing but watch television or stare into space. Often our bodies get to where that’s all we can do. Is this all you can do now? Consider your daily options.

Stop throwing your life away doing nothing. Have verbal conservations with people on the telephone. You can overdo this as well but it’s at least human interaction. Keep moving, stretching and exerting yourself. Plan your meals and eat as healthy as possible and don’t overeat. Save some for your next meal. You’ll live till the next one.

Go somewhere when you can. Going someplace is better than no place. A change of pace and being outdoors is mentally good for you. Your travel may be across the street but the key is to move and get out.

You will get depressed if all you are doing is eating, starring at your cell phone and flipping television channels. If you are physically able, work ten to twenty hours a week. Somebody will hire you.

Everyone needs something to do, someone to talk to and something to look forward to doing. You also need someone to love and first you always have God. God loves you now and if you’ll open your heart, he will fill your life with his love. There are people to love. Love your family, love friends, love people at work and church. Love the people with whom you socially gather. Some people aren’t easy to love and some are impossible. Keep in mind that all things with God are possible. Keep your heart filled with God’s love. Love yourself. You can’t love others very well if you don’t love yourself. Forgive and take care of yourself. You’ll then have something you can give others, love and kindness.

It's sad to be around bitter people who have never resolved life’s issues and embraced their own lives. Everyone has potential to excel and achieve. Too often people get bogged down with failures and are totally destroyed. Some failures are just events in your life in which you will learn about you and others. You can use failure to grow, reposition and redevelop your life.

You know what the political candidates are saying. You don’t have to spend hours watching political ads, unless you are bored stiff.

Enjoy the season. Make this next one a great one.

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Dr. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated American columnist and author of Grandpa's Store, American Issues, and ten other books. He is read in all 50 states. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization.

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This article is the sole opinions of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Sentinel. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Recipe: Super charge your day with this delightful cheeseburger turnover

Family Features -- There's a lot to remember when sending your student off to school each morning, from backpacks and school supplies to last night's homework. Don't forget one of the key ingredients to a successful day: lunch.

A menu of filling, delicious recipes is just what your family needs to make each school day a successful educational adventure. Satisfying lunch and dinner ideas can give loved ones the fuel they need while delicious desserts provide motivation for growing minds to get homework finished before enjoying a treat.

Photo provided

When the coming weeks get hectic due to busy schedules, this recipe offers a simple solution to make cooking easier while helping you spend less time in the kitchen. Start with a lunch that's as easy to make as it is to pack in a lunchbox, recharge in the evening thanks to a veggie-forward main course and satisfy everyone's sweet tooth with a chocolatey favorite to round out the day.

These Cheeseburger Turnovers provide the energy little learners need to power through their afternoon lessons. One winning idea to make the week easier is to prep a full batch of these easily packable, kid-friendly handhelds Sunday night so you've got lunch ready for each day.

To find more inspirational school-day ideas, visit Culinary.net.

Cheeseburger Turnovers

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard
1 can flaky biscuits
1 cup shredded cheese
dill pickle slices, halved
1 egg, beaten

How to make it

Heat oven to 375 F.

In large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until beef is thoroughly cooked and onions are tender. Drain. Stir in ketchup and mustard.

Separate biscuit dough. On ungreased baking sheet, flatten biscuit dough to form 6-inch rounds. Spoon beef mixture onto one side of flattened dough. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with dill pickle half. Fold dough over filling. With fork tines, press dough edges to seal. Cut two slits in top of dough to release steam. Repeat with remaining dough, beef mixture, cheese and pickles.

Brush each turnover with egg wash.

Bake 18-22 minutes, or until deep golden brown.