Easy Peasy One-Pot Pasta

 

My favorite recipes are those that create the least amount of dirty dishes. Here's a simple way to make a traditional pasta dinner in just one pot. First, gather your ingredients:

• ground beef (or sausage) 1 lb
• pasta sauce 24 oz jar
• pasta 16 oz box
• garlic cloves, 2 chopped
• medium onion, chopped
• dried oregano 1 tsp (or your favorite Italian seasoning)
• water 2 1/2 cups

Place a large, 6 quart pot over medium-high heat:

• cook ground meat and onion until meat is browned and onions are soft
• add garlic, herbs, sprinkle of pepper and salt
• gently stir in pasta sauce and water, mix well and bring to a boil
• add dry, uncooked pasta; return to a boil
• reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 8-10, stirring occasionally
• remove from heat and serve

Enjoy!

A very chocolate cherry smoothie

Every summer I love to make smoothies. It's a fun and easy to experiment with different flavors and combinations. Our Blendtec blender (a superior blending experience) can handle anything and makes everything super smooth. Here's how I make a very chocolate cherry smoothie:

• One cup frozen dark sweet cherries (picture above from Wal-Mart Great Value)
• one ripe banana
• one handful spinach
• one cup milk
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• one handful ice

Seasonal Summer Breakfast

photo via martha stewart 

A cool breakfast idea for Summer:

• smoked salmon
• hard boiled egg
• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• fresh herbs

top with a sprinkle of salt & squeeze of lemon!

Things I'm Loving Lately {Good n' Natural}

photo from goodnnaturalbar.com

Good n' Natural bars - I first discovered these hearty bars at Sam's. They have 7 flavors and pack 10 grams of protein in each bar. Peanut Butter is my favorite with Cranberry Almond as a close second. Each bar is gluten free, dairy free, vegan with 5 grams of fiber. Plus you can pronounce and recognize all of the ingredients!

Things I'm Loving Lately {Cafe Bustelo}

Cafe Bustelo with Moka pot - photo from cubancoffee.com

Cafe Bustelo is a dark, rich Cuban coffee with a great price tag. It's best brewed in a Moka pot then served with milk and spoonful of sugar.

"Brew your Bustelo coffee in a 4 cup (8-ounce) Moka pot. It's super simple and less effort than an auto drip coffee maker. Fill the bottom of the Moka pot with frsh water, add a few tablespoons of Bustelo coffee to the holder, screw the pot parts back together, and put it on the stove. In about 5 minutes your fresh Bustelo cuban coffee is ready. Now add milk to taste, say 2-4 ounces, a generous heap of sugar and enjoy!"

from cubancoffee.com/bustelo-supreme

My Favorite New Food

photo from sunbutter.com

Sunflower Seed Butter made from roasted sunflower seeds. It is a delicious alternative to peanut butter. There are a bunch of different varieties. Next time I will try the creamy version. Find more info here.

Ice Cream for The Royal Wedding

Since tomorrow is the The Big Day, I thought this ice cream would be absolutely perfect!

I Do!  I Do! Wedding Cake from Blue Bunny.

Celebrate the marriage of sweet buttercream frosting flavored ice cream and white cake pieces all wrapped up in delicate ribbons of raspberry sauce.

Yum! I'll be looking for this at my local grocers. Click here for info about Blue Bunny ice cream.

Free Drink at Starbucks Tomorrow

Celebrate Earth Day at Starbucks!

From the Starbuck's blog - click here for full article.
On April 22 we’re inviting everyone to bring in a reusable mug or tumbler and get a free brewed coffee or tea. Your choice of brew, hot or iced – it is spring after all! This is happening at all participating stores.

Weekend Update :: Signs of Summer

 

Signs of summer at home... our hibiscus tree is blooming and cherry tomatoes are ripening. 

We are having a wonderful summer and trying to make the most of each weekend. 

Friday night we made tilapia for dinner then headed to Pineapple Whip for dessert. They introduced a new flavor (Strawberry Kiwi) this month. It's pretty good when swirled with the standard pineapple but a little too sweet on it's own. 

Saturday morning we were up early for bike riding. I met some friends on the Frisco Line trail. It was perfectly cool and shady! That afternoon we drove to Branson to meet R's family. We made a spontaneous trip to the Water Shute and played there for an hour before heading back for dinner. 

Sunday morning we slept in and R made waffles for breakfast. I also got to try out my new Bodum double-walled glasses with a latte. Later, I went to church while R raced his mountain bike. Wrapped up the weekend with a trip to the grocery store to stock up. 

Ready for the week ahead now?!

What's For Lunch?

Recently I received this question from my sister:
I need some healthy lunch ideas, something quick, but good. Could you give me a few ideas?


Since I typed up a long response I thought I should share it here too.
Have you tried sandwich thins? The best brand is Nature's Own (I buy it at Wal-Mart).  They are only 80 calories and are perfect for a lunch time sandwich*.


Sometimes at dinner I portion out a serving for the next days lunch.   

Chopped veggie sticks - Buy real carrots and slice into sticks.  Cucumber sticks are good too. Celery and bell peppers are all good and easy to chop at the beginning of the week, store in a container and eat when needed.

*Healthy sandwich ideas:

1. Buy some natural peanut butter.  I like Smucker's Chunky Natural (also buy at Wal-Mart). 

Smear a sandwich thin with PB and all-natural no sugar jam/jelly and add some fresh spinach.  I'm serious!! It's really good.

2. Hummus sandwich.  Does you like hummus? It's really cheap and easy to make if you have a food processor.  If not, buy the SABRA brand (at any grocer).  It is delicious! 

Smear a sandwich thin with hummus.  Add some thinly sliced avocado and cucumber.  Layer on some lettuce and tomato slice too.  It's really yummy! 

OR you can make it more savory: hummus with a slice of cheese and slice of tomato then heat it up like a grilled cheese!

Make a GREEN smoothie - eat some almonds or other good nuts on the side

(it sounds weird but also really good and filling!)

Layer in your blender
Handful of ice

1 chopped banana

2 cups fresh spinach

1 c milk

squirt of honey or agave

For more ideas see this blog post from Small Notebook.

Do you love cupcakes?

Check out this great new to me blog: Ming Makes Cupcakes.  I really want to make #13 - Sour Cream Fig Cupcake. There are some yummy cookies recipes too!
Click on the photo for the recipe.

Free Coffee at Starbucks Today

If you take in your own mug today they'll give you a free cup of brewed coffee! I would recommend the new Cafe Estima Blend. It's very smooth but still bold. I like to add a splash of half n half.  Enjoy!

A Yummy Start to My Day

I recently left home a few minutes early to grab a latte before work (this is a rare indulgence for me).  I swung into the conveinently located coffee shop: Dancing Mule Coffee Company.

My drink was delicious: tall, nonfat latte with one pump vanilla! Very creamy and not too sweet. Typically these drinks are about 120 calories.  Plus you get some vitamins and nutrients from the milk and a little jolt of caffeine too!  Try it out sometime.

Plus, I noticed they have live music on Saturday mornings. Fun!

A New Favorite

 

Recently I met a friend for lunch at this little sandwich shop. We loved it! The sandwiches are totally delicious and they have a bunch of creative combos.  Plus, it's close enough for me to walk over on my lunch break.  Check out it sometime... it's located on Battlefield near Hwy 65.  Yum!

Satisfy Your Cravings

Sometimes my resolve weakens through the work week. A few good tips below...

Today, try to find new, healthier ways to satisfy your cravings:
Quell a sweet tooth with clementines, kiwis, or dried apricots. To survive a midafternoon slump, brew a cup of chai or green tea instead of coffee or soda. To curb salt cravings, turn up your food's flavor with fresh herbs and spices. And use smarter cooking tools and techniques to add flavor to your food without the saturated fat.  Info from here.

A Fun Appetizer

I would love to make these for Christmas Eve dinner.  I think the kiddos would love to munch on the little penguins!  

March of the Goat Cheese Penguins.  

Recipe and instructions from A Recipe for Aperture.  

Be sure to check out all of her posts.  Fabulous ideas and beautiful photos!