Cake Batter Smoothie

Ooh la la!  One of my favorite indulgent breakfasts that is oh so good for you!  I'm happy to be back to blogging... and promise this is not just a food blog... but these recipes sure are a fun way to kick it back off.  I've adapted the recipe from Oh She Glows so you can check out her version too... let me know what you think!

Cake Batter Smoothie: 

·         1 cup almond milk

·         1/4 cups old fashioned oats

·         1 frozen banana

·         1 tsp cinnamon

·         1 tsp vanilla

·         3-4 drops stevia

·         1 tbsp raw cacao powder (regular cocoa powder is fine too)

·         1 tbsp almond butter or peanut butter

·         1 tbsp chia or flax seeds

·         a few ice cubes as needed 

 You can soak the oats in the almond milk for 30 minutes if you want to really make it creamy, but I never do and it tastes great!  You can take out or add ingredients to your liking... super versatile and sooo yummy and healthy.  You can take out PB... add spinach... take out oatmeal... yum! Enjoy!

Roasted Soups... Perfect for Fall & Winter!

These are two soup recipes that are super easy- roast the veggies then toss them in the vitamix!  All healthy ingredients... no creams or butter.  Roasting gives them such a yummy rich flavor it makes up for being so healthy. They are really versatile- add more of what you love or less of what you don't.  Don't feel stuck to the ingredients!  Maybe your kids will eat it better if you toss some whole grain pasta in there... Make it your own... and pass along any soup recipes you love.  I'm always looking!

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

1 onion 

1 2 pound container cherry/grape tomatoes

2 stalks celery

1 yellow/orange/red pepper

1 cup baby carrots

2 TBS olive oil

1 TBS pure maple syrup

Sea salt and pepper

1 tsp crushed garlic or 3 cloves minced

1-2 cup chicken stock

1 cup almond milk

3 tbs minced basil or 1 tsp dried

Turn oven on 425. (I use convection bake but regular bake is great too). Pour olive oil and maple syrup on baking sheet and then place cut vegetables and cherry tomatoes on the baking sheet. Using a spatula mix veggies into olive oil and syrup. Generously pepper and salt entire pan. Bake 15 minutes then turn, adding garlic on top of vegetables.* Stir with spatula. Bake 10-15 minutes until veggies are soft and browning. Remove pan from oven and use spatula to scoop entire pan into Vitamix blender. Scrap pan getting all juice into vitamix. Add chicken stock, almond milk, basil and blend until desired consistency.   Taste and add more almond milk or chicken stock/salt & pepper as needed.  I store it in the fridge for 5-7 days.  Makes for an easy lunch/dinner!  

*Original recipe called for 2 cans of diced tomatoes being put on top of roasted veggies at this point.  I modified recipe to use more fresh tomatoes, but if you are low on the fresh tomatoes you can use 2-3 cups fresh and sub in some diced canned tomatoes too.

 

Before and After roasting!

Here's a butternut squash soup recipe I love with the original recipe link below... I actually roast the carrots/celery/onion/squash in the oven with 1-2 TBS of Olive Oil and 1-2 TBSP of Maple Syrup, salt and pepper, on 425 for about 20-25 minutes, flipping once.  Then toss in blender with remaining ingredients... If it's too thick it's also yummy to add almond milk bc it gives it a rich thick flavor with added calcium/nutrients.  (Though I'm sure you can thin it with chicken broth too.)  Love using Costco's pre-diced squash and then this is really the easiest recipe ever.. (try goat cheese and pomegranate seeds on it if you want to add a fun twist to it!)

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/classic-butternut-squash-soup

Classic Butternut Squash soup

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cups cubed butternut squash, fresh or frozen
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Heat oil in a large soup pot. Add carrot, celery and onion. Cook until vegetables have begun to soften and onion turns translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in butternut squash, thyme, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until squash is fork-tender, about 30 minutes. Use an immersion blender to purée soup. Alternatively, let the soup cool slightly and carefully purée in batches in a traditional blender. 

Three Twists

Apple, Gorgonzola and Almond Butternut Soup
Stir 1 cup unsweetened applesauce into puréed soup. Garnish each serving with crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, toasted almonds, a few slices of thinly sliced apple and a small sprig of fresh thyme. 

Thai-style Butternut Soup
Stir a tablespoon of red curry paste and 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger into carrot, celery and onion mixture. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk with broth. Purée soup and garnish each serving with toasted coconut flakes and chopped fresh cilantro.

Southwestern-style Butternut Soup
Add a tablespoon chopped chipotles in adobo sauce to carrot, celery and onion mixture. Garnish soup with crumbled queso fresco, toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped fresh cilantro.

Nutritional Info: 

PER SERVING:140 calories (50 from fat), 6g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 280mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 6g protein

When we lived in Texas there was a fabulous store called Central Market.  It specializes in fresh, healthy, and organic food and had lots of amazingly tasty and unique foods.... They have a fantastic bulk section of everything from sour gummies to dried mangos and kosher salt. It even had a yummilicious cafe and fresh gelato stand that was to die for. One of my favorite sections though was the prepless food kits- all kinds of veggies and fresh ingredients chopped up with simple directions to make fresh spaghetti, kabobs, soups and stews, etc.  Our very FAVORITE was their Tortilla Soup- either from the prepless section or bought freshly made from the Cafe. The best we've ever had... and trust me, we have tried it at LOTS of restuarants. When we moved I was so sad to not have the recipe or premade kits! After craving it for a few months, I finally called them desperate. They were nice. I've got the recipe. The real deal. It's oh so fabulous. The kids beg for it.  Hubby craves it.  Hope you love it just as much as we do!

Central Market Tortilla Soup

Makes 8 8-ounce servings

2 TBS olive oil

1 c diced onions

1 serrano pepper, finely diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

1 T minced garlic

2 TBS Chili powder

1 TBS Cumin

1 Bay Leaf

Salt

1 cup fresh diced tomatoes

1 cup fresh or frozen corn 

2 quarts chicken broth (or 8 cups water with boullion added)

Chicken, cooked & diced (about 2 cups- Costco rotesserie chicken works best!)

1 lime

3/4 cup Tortilla chips crushed

2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

Tortilla chips

Sour cream

Avocado slices- optional

Shredded Cheese- optional

•Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large stock pot; sauté onion, garlic and peppers until onions are translucent.

•Add the dry spices (chili powder, cumin, bay leaf, and salt) and cook for 1 minute.

•Add tomatoes and corn and continue cooking 3 minutes.  Add chicken and mix well.

•Add 2 quarts (8 cups) of chicken broth and bring to boil; Add 3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips. Stir well. heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

•Add chopped cilantro and fresh lime juice 

•Serve and garnish with sour cream, avocado slices, additional tortilla chips and cheese if desired. If you want it less spicy, don't add the serrano pepper or add less chili powder... but really, the recipe is perfect as is!

TIPS:

• We think lime chips are tastiest for the crushed tortilla chips
• I always buy 2-3 Rotesserie chickens at Costco and immediately dice, double bag in 2 cup increments, and freeze.  Thaw a bag of chicken the morning of making the soup in the fridge and add to this recipe... so easy!  Canned chicken also works in a bind!

Perfect Fall Salad

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Cider Vinaigrette

• 1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced

• Good olive oil

• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 3 tablespoons dried cranberries

• 3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice

• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons minced shallots

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry

• 1/2 cup walnuts halves, toasted

• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the butternut squash on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.

While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.

Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

**THIS IS AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!  One of my favs...Great for a crowd and also delicious as leftovers.  It's super easy with the diced butternut squash from Costco- the tub of it is only $3.50! 

Dad's Day...

Bah!  Dad's Day is this Sunday!  I'm sure you all realized that... and I did too... but I'm always procrastinating. :0) Here are a few links to some fun and cute ideas and free printables.  I decided to have the kids fill out these cute questionnaires which always end up being so fun/funny!  I'm also working on his annual Dad's day book... but man I just don't have time for scrapbooking even if it is online!  It's going to be late this year. :-)  If you have some fun ideas, please share!

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-gotta-see-this-fathers-day.html

http://www.tipjunkie.com/fathers-day-printables/

http://www.tipjunkie.com/what-to-make-for-dad/?

utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TipJunkie+%28Tip+Junkie+-+Creative+Inspiration%29

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27508477@N05/5754805242/sizes/l/in/photostream/

"I know, now, without a doubt that the true source of happiness, self-worth, and authentic beauty doesn't come from the outside. Women are constantly being persuaded to want something unachievable, to look younger or thinner and above all to fit in because being different is too painful and embarrassing. I have accepted myself in a world that does not accept me, because I have learned--and more than any of the lessons of my accident, this is the one I wish I could teach everybody--that our hearts matter most. Your heart matters most, so be gentler and more patient with yourself, and their hearts matter most, too, so be kinder and more compassionate to others. It's a beautiful heart, not a perfect body, that leads to a beautiful life."--Stephanie Nielson 

You all probably know that Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash which burned 80% of her body, but still embraces motherhood and has chosen to be happy and find joy every day in life.  My sister just finished reading Stephanie's new book and shared this quote with us and I can hardly wait to read the book now.  Such a beautiful reminder of what matters most... what we should focus our time and energy on... our heart! And other's hearts! And we will recognize true beauty whether it comes from the inside or the outside.  My Mom did such a great job teaching us this growing up... that we had divine worth and were daughters of a King.  She was always an amazing example of loving others and serving others- constantly caring for the widow's in our ward, making bread and meals for a family in need, listening to those who were lonely, serving faithfully in whatever calling in the church she was in, teaching us every week for family night, standing up for those things she believed in, teaching us not to judge others or ever think we are better than them, and helping us have a truly "beautiful life."  Not a perfect life in any way- ha! But I'm so grateful that I have had this influence in my life. My sisters are all glowing examples of it too- beautiful hearts that are full of compassion and love and service and sacrifice... they are constantly teaching me through their examples.  I'm so grateful to have so many examples of beautiful women in my life!  I'm working harder to embrace this concept on a daily basis - some days are easier than others but I loved this quote and definitely need to post it on my bathroom mirror as a constant reminder... And yes, this is such an important concept for my kids to "get" at a young age!  But that's a whole other topic for another day.  Have a beautiful week embracing your beautiful heart...as well as others!

It's Smoothie Season!

Maybe I overshare recipes- ha!  But anyways, we are sure drinking a lot of smoothies... for breakfast, for an afterschool snack... for dessert!  A lot of green smoothies... and a lot of just yummy fruit ones too like the ones I wanted to share today! The one pictured above is just a watermelon smoothie- if you have leftover watermelon this is sooo easy and yummy.  Throw in the watermelon, frozen strawberries and blend!  YUM!  You can add sugar or sugar substitute if it's not sweet enough for you... squeeze in lime if you like your smoothie to have a kick... or add pineapple too if you like it to taste tropical!  Easy and refreshing...

Then another favorite lately is a Jamba Juice recipe from our sweet neighbor Carole!  She found out Mia had pneumonia and a sinus infection... upper respiratory virus... allergy induced asthma... etc! and immediately brought a huge pitcher of smoothie over for all of us!  We were having "breakfast" for dinner so the smoothies fit in perfectly.  When people are so kind and do something that makes the kiddos feel so loved... so out of the ordinary... it is so touching.  Very sweet of her... and now a favorite smoothie recipe!  It's below... Happy smoothie making!  We'd love your favorite recipe if you care to share! ;-)

Basic Jamba Juice Recipe

8 oz Juice (the frozen concentrate made with 1/2 the water)
2 scoops sherbet (you can also use frozen vanilla yogurt)

2 scoops frozen strawberries
1 scoop frozen blueberries
2 scoops crushed ice
Blend until desired consistency

The scoops are standard ice cream scoops. You can use your favorite juice, sherbet & frozen fruits. It's really fun to get creative with this recipe based on what you and your kiddos like!

The one Carole brought us that was amazing was with orange/mango juice, mango sherbet, with frozen mango pieces, strawberries & blueberries. 

 This is a MUST have recipe if you like Carrot Cake!  Melinda Anderson made it for a RS dinner and I only eat carrot cake if it's good... I don't like the taste of pineapple overpowering the carrots... definitely don't like a dry carrot cake... and it needs a good amount of frosting... So this really is the perfect carrot cake recipe! It's AMAZING. It's so moist and perfectly flavored.  Ger fell in love too!  Thanks so much Melinda!  So here's the recipe- not too hard just takes some time... and yes I need some major practice on cake frosting and decorating!  :-)

Carrot Cake
Cake: 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking soda 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 

3 large eggs 

2 cups sugar 

3/4 cup vegetable oil 

3/4 cup buttermilk 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

2 cups grated carrot 

1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 

1 (3 1/2-ounce) can flaked coconut 

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts 

 Line 3 (9-inch) round cakepans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.

Stir together first 4 ingredients.
Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cakepans.
Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. *Can substitute 1/3 cup sweetened coconut flakes from bag for canned flaked coconut 

Glaze: 

 1 cup sugar 

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 

1/2 cup buttermilk 

1/2 cup butter or margarine 

1 tablespoon light corn syrup 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

 Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. 

Cream Cheese Frosting: 

3/4 cup butter 

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 

1 (3-ounce) pachage cream cheese, softened 

3 cups sifted powdered sugar 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

 Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.  Add chopped walnuts if desired.

Update!

I have been horrible at blogging our lives lately... I looked at our family blog books and was reminded at how much the blog helped me remember the fun and little things we do all the time!  PLUS the kiddos love looking at pics of themselves and being reminded of what we did when...  So here's a peek into our lives, especially for Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunts and Uncles... and Cousins and friends!

 

Allie and I keep very busy these days... Allie loves riding her little car and bike (especially up and down a hill by our house!)...

  

Allie loves going on walks with her baby in the stroller... and painting!

Allie is SO sad when Sydney, Mia and Colby leave for school... and so excited when they come home to play!  They are sooo sweet with her.

   She loves snuggles and cuddles with sissy!

 Allie LOVES swimming!  It's already in the 90's here so our pool is plenty warm and fun to play in.

Allie sure loves her Dad!  And always says, "MORE MORE MORE!" when he throws her up in the air.  Crazy that she isn't scared...

     

Allie loves making messes!  Ha- she loves her toys... She also loves playing with friends now and practicing her sumersaults and tricks from...

 Little Gym!  Not a good pic but she LOVES her Little Gym Class.  She is at such a fun and busy stage- constantly asking, "What is that?  What is that?" over and over, even if we answer her!  She is very curious and loves staying busy.  She loves any arts and crafts and coloring... and loves being outside too.  She is such a happy sweet child.  Sometimes when I pick her up during the day to go somewhere, she puts her little arms around my neck and will give me a big squeeze of a hug and a kiss on my cheek. Melts my heart.  She is always saying, "Thanks Mom." And if I say, "Thanks Allie!" she will say, "You're welcome Mamma!"  If she does something good she will say, "Momma, say, "Good job Allie!"' She has such good manners and is always making me laugh!  She is loving swim lessons and diving and swimming with her head under the water.  She actually begs to go to swim lessons!  She is starting to really like friends and going to a few friends houses... which surprised me because she is such a home body!  She was so excited to go to her friend Emri's the other day and then even more excited to tell us all about it when we picked her up!  She feels so big and grown up like her sissy's and brother when she plays at friends.  She is a full time job for sure... house is almost never clean... but we are having lots of fun every day!

Ok on to our other children! ha! Mia has been keeping busy with soccer!  Well pneumonia and a sinus infection too... but soccer is more exciting than that, right?!? ha. 

 

She is very competitive and hates to lose... and HATES playing goalie with a passion!  Her favorite position to play is forward. She's got a big decision to make since the league has asked her to be on their competitive team for her age.  We will see what she decides!?!

 And on to... Sydney!  She has absolutely loved volleyball and gotten some mad skills playing.  :-) Really we have been impressed- she has had an incredible coach who played in college and has taught this cute team of Sydney's all the right skills and techniques to the game. They lost all their games since they are the youngest team in the league, but all got so much better, learned a lot, and had a lot of fun still too.  Their season ended Saturday.

 Sydney is constantly asking me, "Are you busy mom?!?  Let's go play volleyball!" We've had fun as a family playing in the backyard with the net set up!  Even Colby and Mia have learned how to play...

 Gotta love her zebra knee pads!  Very focused... She tries so hard and her coach said, "Sydney is always smiling! When I tell her to do something or offer critique she always nods her head and improves and is always working so hard to do better."  She has been very determined practicing almost every day!

 Her team pic!  Cute cute girls- a lot of them were on her basketball team!

 Back to swimming...  

 What's not to love about it?!?

 The kids get out tons of energy....

 And all play SOO cute together in the pool- from games to creative pirate plots with rafts tied together!

 

Most requested swim treat?  Snow cones!  I think we've made them a dozen times already!

And we can't forget Colby!  He is busy these days getting straight A's in school... 

and riding his new scooter...

Rollerblading...

And taking horse lessons from Brescia!  He loves horses and is learning a lot about them.  Not only does he help scoop poop and feed them, he also can tell you the names of all their body parts! He does get to ride too... and wear cool blue cowboy boots.  He also is working on his golf game with Ger on the weekends... he loves staying busy!

The kids did a great job in their spring sing this year... it was on Allie's bday so I'll have to post more about that later... But it was a fun concert with the concluding song, Fifty Nifty, being song by the whole school!  It was the highlight of the night for sure for all the kids.
But we are blessed to have such great kids.  Yes we have our challenges and behavioral issues... messy rooms and whining... tantrums and time outs!  But we are all learning a lot in the process and still finding joy in every day... which is what life is all about!

"There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama & the people who create it & surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."

 I loved this quote when I saw it the other day!  All of us always have a lot going on in our life... maybe not necessarily drama... but bad and good and I loved the reminder to focus on the good and not dwell on frustrations or problems...  Life IS short and we need to CHOOSE to be happy no matter the circumstance.  I'm constantly trying to teach this to my kids but need to take it to heart myself!

 And laughter can be the best medicine!  Love that my kids constantly make me laugh!  We had a late night dance party in Allie's room the other night (yes I still can't decide what to do with it so it's still ghetto!) and the kids were making me laugh so hard... so silly, so funny, with so much love for each other.  Such a fun night... we need to have dance parties more often! (Too bad all the pics were blurry!)

So I hope each of you can surround yourself with those who make you laugh... and be happy! And take a moment and do something silly or goofy with your kids- they'll love you for it!