Lauren's Minestrone

1 lb bulk italian sausage
1 large onion chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium leek, chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2 pieces
1/4 fresh green beans, cut into 1/2 pieces
6 c broth
2 can diced tomatoes, with basil, oregano and garlic
2 c shredded cabbage
1 t dried basil
1 t dried oregano
1/2t pepper
2 T parsley
1 can garbonzo beans drained
1/3c parmesan
1/2 c uncooked small pasts shells



Option #1 cooking- quicker, cooking with in 30min
Cook sausage and onions. Stir in carrots, celery, leek, garlic cook 3 min. 

Add Everything else except pasta shells till 20 min before serving.

Option #2 cooking- longer term crockpot cooking
In the morning- Brown sausage, garlic, and onions put in crockpot or large soup pot on low. Add diced tomatoes, broth,  garlic, cabbage, basil, oregano, pepper, parsley. Let cook in crockpot for a couple of hours.  

Cook pasta shells separately and store in fridge till soup is ready.

20 min before you serve- add: 

carrots, celery, leek, zucchini, green beans.

add  noodles and parmesan right when you eat 

Best Spinach Artichoke Dip

Pioneer Woman


3 Tablespoons Butter
4 Tablespoons Garlic, Minced
1 bag Spinach
Salt And Pepper, to taste
2 cans Artichoke Hearts, Rinsed And Drained
3 Tablespoons Butter (additional)
3 Tablespoons Flour
1-1/2 cup Whole Milk (more If Needed)
1 package (8 Ounce) Softened Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Crumbled Feta
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan
3/4 cups Grated Pepper Jack Cheese
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne
Extra Grated Pepper Jack
Pita Wedges, Tortilla Chips, Crackers, french bread

INSTRUCTIONS
Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. Crank up the heat a bit and throw in the spinach. Stir around and cook for a couple of minutes until the spinach wilts. Remove the spinach from the skillet and put it in a small strainer. Squeeze the excess juice back into the skillet. Set the spinach aside. 

Throw in the artichokes and cook over medium high heat for several minutes, until liquid is cooked off and artichokes start to get a little color. Remove the artichokes.   In the same skillet or a different pot, melt 3 additional tablespoons of butter and whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour until it makes a paste. Cook over medium-low heat for a minute or two, then pour in milk. Stir and cook until slightly thickened; splash in more milk if needed. 

Add cream cheese, feta, Parmesan, pepper jack, and cayenne and stir until cheese are melted and sauce is smooth. Chop artichokes and spinach and add to the sauce. Stir to combine. 
Pour into buttered baking dish. Top with extra grated pepper jack and bake at 375 for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. 
Serve with pita wedges, chips, or crackers!

Amy said- I have substituted some plain yogurt, sour cream, and mayo in the place of some cream cheese

Chicken Recipes To try

Recipe Critic- Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini
Recipe Critic-  CRISPY PARMESAN CHICKEN WITH CREAMY LEMON GARLIC PASTA

Mom Dot- copykat KFC chicken

Gifts

A wonderful and thoughtful family member asked what to get the girls for christmas besides clothes. She asked if they are ready for a tablet? Of course my kids would love that to read and play games on.  But it doesnt add positively to our family dynmaics - connecting and creating memories with each other or being physcially active and helps us create healthy habits for the future? I know it would be great for my 10 year old and all the reading she loves to do, but maybe a little older.

So I'm brainstorming ideas
Maybe a membership to kangaroo zoo, art lessons, sewing lessons, rock climbing lessons, cooking lessons,

Traditions

August- Tuesdays in august are free at the Curiosity Museum at Thanksgiving point at Lehi, UT, Museum of Curiosity

October- 

1.   Black Island Farms for a better price- organize a church group during the day, between 9am-12pm, b/c then it is $5 a person instead of $10 in the evening. Fill out the field trip form

2. Cross E Ranch  in SLC, begins around september 20 - Oct 31.  ​​$16 for 12 and up, $10 kids. Corn Maze, Corn Maze Games, Real Pumpkin Patch, Sunflower Field, Feed & Pet Animals, Watch Pigs Race (times click here), Play on Jump Pads, Zip Lines, Mega Slides, Hay Pyramid, Hay Rides, Mini Wagon Train, & More!
3. Red Rowleys Farm in Santaquin. September 24, 2021 running thru October 30, 2021, All Day Admission Monday – Thursday is $10.00 per person.  

All Day Admission Friday and Saturday is $13.00 per person.  Family Pass: for 5 or more people is $1.00 off per ticket, Large Group Pass: for 15 or more people is $2.00 off per ticket, 

Includes wagon rides to the Back Forty and back to the Barn, and unlimited access to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, apple cannons, giant slides, race tractors, hay pyramid, tractor train, corn pit, jumping pillows, and zip lines.  

4. Green Acres Dairy  A. Sunflower Festival- (only about a week) August-September, $15-8, walking through sunflowers

B. Pumpkin patch mid september to october 31, $10-$12 Mon-Thurs 4pm-9pm, Friday 4pm-11pm, Saturdays 11am-11pm

November- thanksgiving Pattberg family temple trip

December-
1. The Grand America in SLC window stroll

2. SLC temple square events

3. Caroling in the neighborhood or to a retirement center

Peach Crisp

Taste of Home

We had frozen peaches I thawed and saved the liquid to thicken with cornstarch.
FOR CRUST:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed

FILLING:

• 2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) sliced peaches
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

TOPPING:

• 1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons butter, cubed

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Pat into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
2. Meanwhile, drain the peaches and reserve juice in a small saucepan. Stir in the sugar and cornstarch until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in peaches.
3. Pour into crust. For topping, combine the oats, brown sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Yield: 6-8 servings. 

Upper body workouts

 Map My run Upper body no weights

Logan Chili

1lb black beans rehydrated
1lb garbonzo beans (freeze half of the garbonzo beans for other uses)
1lb kidney beans
1 can corn
2 cans of crushed tomatoes (or 15 chopped tomatoes)
1-2 chopped sauteed onions
3T garlic
1T Chili powder
1 t cayenne powder
salt and pepper

Pressure cook the one pound beans one at a time.  They soften at different time frames.

I soaked the black beans so they went smooshy faster than I expected when I cooked them.  The Kidney beans weren't soaked and they cooked with in 5-7minutes, I was suprised how quick they cooked, I thought the kidneys would need more time b/c they are bigger beans.  The garbonzo beans weren't soaked either and they cooked for about 10 minutes.

Let everything cook for a couple hours.

I made alot so I could freeze some for future dinners.

Spaghetti sauce

Pioneer Woman

1 pound Ground Beef, optional can add 1lb of sausage
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 whole Large Yellow Onions, Diced
1 whole Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Diced
6 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 cup White Wine (or Low Sodium Beef Broth If You Prefer)
2 cans 28 Ounce Crushed Tomatoes (or 12-20 chopped tomatoes)
1 can (small, 4-ounce) Tomato Paste
1 jar Good Storebought Marinara Sauce
1 teaspoon Ground Oregano
1 teaspoon Ground Thyme
4 whole Bay Leaves
2 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper (optional)
1/4 cup Finely Minced Fresh Parsley (or 3 Tablespoons Parsley Flakes), More To Taste
1 whole Rind From One Wedge Parmesan (optional)
1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
2 pounds Spaghetti, Cooked Al Dente And Tossed With Olive Oil
Extra Minced Parsley, For Serving
Extra Parmesan Cheese, For Serving

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage and beef. Put meat into a separate bowl on the side.  Then cook the onion till translucent, and garlic until well browned; drain fat, add the meat back in. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix in sugar and all the seasonings, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

A I have roasted the chopped tomatoes,  zucchini and peppers on broil in oven for 20min with salt, pepper, oil, and garlic before I add to the sauce.  It gives a deeper intense flavor

Serve with Cheesy bake tortellini or Chicken Parmesan or Lasagna Rolls or Lasagna

5 minute magic green sauce

Pinch of Yum
 dressing, sauce, spread, dip, marinade for chicken, from salads to quesadillas to just straight up chips and crackers

INGREDIENTS

• 1 avocado
• 1 cup packed parsley and cilantro leaves (combined)
• 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed
• 2 cloves garlic
• juice of one lime (or two - get lots of limey goodness in there!)
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup olive oil
   Coupons
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ cup pistachios (you can sub other nuts - see notes)
• INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pulse all ingredients - except pistachios - in a food processor until incorporated.
  2. Add pistachios and pulse until mostly smooth (depends on what consistency you want).
  3. Serve as a dip, spread, or sauce -- or add additional water or oil to thin the sauce for use as a dressing or a marinade.
  NOTES

  From origianl post on pinch of yum- I did make this with other types of nuts like walnuts and almonds and it worked just fine, but the taste wasn't as good IMHO. If you can find shelled pistachios, it's worth the splurge!

HERB AND CITRUS OVEN ROASTED CHICKEN

Comfort Cooking

1/4 cup olive oil

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons sugar

2 whole lemons, one juiced and one sliced

2 whole oranges, one juiced and one sliced

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

10-12 pieces (about 4 1/2 lbs.) bone-in chicken parts (thighs and legs are best), pat dry

1 medium onion (any kind), thinly sliced, I sauteed it b/4 adding to dish

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

I mixed everything the night before and put in a 9x13pan.  In a small bowl whisk together olive oil, garlic, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, red pepper flakes, sliced onion, thyme, rosemary and salt and pepper.

Place chicken in a rimmed 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Place parts skin side up and spread them out evenly in the pan. Pour olive oil mixture all over chicken, turning pieces to coat all sides. (If you marinated the chicken in this mixture, still add it all in). Arrange slices of lemon, orange and onion around and under the chicken. 

Bake uncovered for about 1 hour, or until chicken is cooked and juices run clear. Remove parts to a serving platter and garnish with additional chopped fresh herbs, if desired.

Enjoy!

Roasted Potatoes and a salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

Sweet Breaded pork

• Ingredients-
• 2 (1 1/4 pound) fully trimmed pork tenderloins, cut into 8 pieces
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 2 eggs, beaten

3 cups panko bread crumbs

The sweet sauce, Heat on the stove-

Leftover red pepper or vinegarette  salad dressing

I added 1/4c of jam

1 t garlic powder

1/4c honey

Begin in morning-

Trim any excess fat from pork and pat dry with a paper towel. Pound down the pork till 1/2inch thick.  Season with salt and pepper. Dust with flour, shaking off any excess. Dip pork into egg mixture cover both sides, then coat with the panko crumbs, then let sit in fridge till ready to cook it.

Heat sweet sauce on stove. I like to let it cook 20 min, so it gets a tiny bit thicker, instead of runny and then let sit in fridge.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 breaded pork cutlets and cook until pork is not longer pink inside, and the crust is well-browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining vegetable oil and pork cutlets.

Serve with the sweet sauce, corn on cob (cook for 3 min in boiling water), roasted potatoes and any type of salad.

Conscious Creator

Living Limitless
Conscious Creator Audio Book

Limitless website

Audio children books

Possible ideas to read or listen to in  summer 2017  Suggestions from What Do We do All Day

Anne of Green Gables

The Secret Garden

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate 

The Runaway Princess 

Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms 

All-of-a-Kind Family 

The Key to Extraordinary 

Our Only May Amelia.

The Mighty Miss Malone

Mischievous Meg 

The Great Cake Mystery Precious Ramotswe’s Very First Case

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Starry River of the Sky and When the Sea Turned to Silver.

The Grand Plan to Fix Everything

The Problem with Being Slightly Heroic

Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards

The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond.

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard by Jonathan Auxier

Understood Betsy.

Thimble Summer. Elizabeth Enright’

Here are some Audio and read-a-loud books my 10, 7, and 4 yr old enjoyed.
We listened to these audio books just for fun in the summer of 2016 as we drove to Yellowstone, camping, or to grandmas house. Then as the school year began, it was a pleasant surprise when my oldest mentioned she has a book report due every month of her 5th grade year. So we got a head start in the summer before her 5th grade year.

1. A Long Way from Chicago- Probably better for 10 yrs and up.
Two grandkids go to visit their grama every summer for years.  She is very quirky and tells stories that are lies to help benefit her friends that would be stepped all over and taken advantage of.  The characters in this book are older and have descriptive silly phrases that older seasoned people use.

2. Dear america the diary of lydia amelia pierce- true story of a girl whose parents died b/c of influenza and she had to go live with the shakers.  She was scared and mad at first but came to love them.

3. Captain Nobody- a boy, Newett that is overlooked/slighted by his parents, brother, and school mates b/c his brother is a high school football star.  The brother has an accident and Newett has to look out for himself. For halloween he hopes to dress up as something great, but the parents were to busy to help. He dresses up in his brothers oversized clothes and his friends helped him make it a great costume.  When he dressed up he felt like a different better person and that he was getting noticed. Newett and his friends started helping people that were in need.

4. Ice Whale- an eskimo boy helps a whale, who is a friend, to escape whalers who hunt whales.  Gives educational information about whales with in a fictional story.

5. Joey Pigza- Swallowed the Key- a boy Joey who comes from a broken home and has serious ADHD.  His life experience/stories are so funny but scary too b/c he doesn't think through anything before acting it out, so he gets seriously hurt often.

6. Wonder- a boy named Auggie who has a deformed face and was homeschooled most of his life until junior high, he returns to school.  He experiences bullying and sincere nice friends. It s great opportunity to discuss the situations with your family.

7.  My Side of the Mountain, Jean Craighead George. About a boy from NYC who doesn't like life in the city, so runs away by himself and creates a home on a mountain side and lives off the land.  It is interesting how he watches and learns from animals and birds and learns how to cook/feed himself.

Logan recommended for a 13yr old boy to read-

if he likes humor- origami yoda,The Fourth Stall, How to Survive Middle School, Pickle, Joey Pigza, are all good.

If he likes more fantasy/sci-fi: Savvy, Behemoth/Leviathan, and the Steelheart series are all good

From Scratch Cream of Soup

Once a month


x4           Original
6             2 cloves garlic, minced
1          1/3 cup onion, diced
1&1/2   1/2 cup main ingredient, diced (see Main Ingredient)
3/4        1/4 cup butter or substitute (see Soup Base)
3/4        1/4 cup flour or substitute (see Soup Base)
3           1 cup milk or substitute (see Soup Base)
3/4 cup broth (see Soup Base)

Quadruple recipe and freeze quart or pint size portions to use in other recipes.

MY RECIPE-
2 chopped onions
2 T garlic powder
3 stalks of celery
3/4c butter
3/4c flour
3 c milk
3c broth

Directions

Saute garlic, onion and main ingredient (mushrooms, chicken, celery, etc.) and set aside. Melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add “milk” and broth. Add sauteed garlic, onion and main ingredient. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring regularly, until it reaches desired consistency (about 10-15 minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper and use as you would a can of condensed Cream of Something Soup in any recipe. If I make it ahead of time, I pour the soup into a pint canning jar and refrigerate it for up to four days.

Freezing Directions

You can freeze these in batches in pint or quart size bags or use as you would a can of condensed Cream of Something Soup in any recipe and freeze that dish. A great way to keep “cans” at-the-ready for your CrockPot recipes is to make a quadruple batch and bag each “can” serving in a pint-sized freezer bag. Place those bags in a gallon freezer bag, label and freeze. When you need a “can” of condensed soup, pull out a bag, thaw, and drop it in your crock!

Cobb Salad

Pioneer Woman

Crisp greens
yummy chicken
hard boiled eggs
bacon
avocado
tomato
shredded cheese
sliced cucumbers
shredded carrots

Salad Dressing
1 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup Sour Cream and 1/4c of plain yogurt
1/2 cup Buttermilk or cream cheese
3 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Chopped Chives
4 ounces, weight Blue Cheese Crumbles
1 dash Salt
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

Grill or broil Chicken sprinkle them with salt and pepper…

I put dressing ingredients in the blender to puree. Chop everything arrange in a vegetable tray and let everyone assemble their own salad