Not Mandatory

Have you ever volunteered for something? To join a committee, chair an event, host a party/dinner, coach a team? As you were doing this, did someone ever volunteer you for something else? It's a goodwill cycle that's hard to break. And, although it's for a good cause, you find yourself completely over-volunteered. At what point do you say no? Can you even choose to say no without feeling that guilt (or is that an Irish Catholic thing)? You want to please and help everyone, but it's not fair to yourself or your family if you're too busy to spend quality time with them. I just try to remember that it's called volunteering for a reason, it's not mandatory.
Coconut Almond Quick Bread
Oven 350

3cups  all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/8 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
1 1/2 tsp. almond extract







Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder.













In another large mixing bowl, combine eggs, oil, sugar, and extracts and beat for 2 minutes. Alternate adding in flour mixture and milk and then mix until just combined. Add coconut and mix until just combined.









Pour into 2 regular loaf pans (sprayed with nonstick spray) and bake about 1 hour (or until toothpick comes out clean). Let cool on cooling rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans.