Shake Your Bootie Cherry Smoothie

This smoothie will get you going! It's really awesome for breakfast, or if your about to head out for a night on the town, this drink will wake you up and recharge your energy!

1 cup frozen black cherries
1 big hand full of fresh spinach leaves
1 cup limeade (Simply Natural is my favorite brand)
juice of 1 orange
1/2 bananna
6 or 7 ice cubes

That's it! Just throw it all in your blender and blend it up! Now GO!

So Delicious!

Broccoli Stump Soup!

I don't like to waste food. There can be two cans of beans in the cupboard and some left-over salad in the fridge and I'll make a meal out of it.... ummmm, unless it has mold on it.... then I'll feed it to my dogs.... noooooo! So, this is about Broccoli stumps; that's what I call them; you know, the stems after you cut the tree tops off. Well, there's a lot you can do with them besides throwing them away. They're still good for you and they can add a lot of flavor to a bland dish. Sometimes I like to chop them up into dime sized bits and throw them in chili for an extra crunch, but today I decided to puree them into a creamy soup. It's been raining here for 3 days non stop :> so soup is in order!

Broccoli Stump Soup:

2 cups chopped broccoli stalks
2 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth
1 cup organic half and half
1 tbl spoon diced roasted red peppers
1/4 teaspoon Cardamom (this is where you get the zing)
1/4 teaspoon brown sugar (that's all you need)

Put everything in a pot (EXCEPT FOR THE half and half) save that for the last couple of minutes....
Bring it all to a boil and put a lid on it for 15 minutes on med/high heat
Add your half and half at the last minute
Remove from heat
Pour into a blender and puree

Dish into bowls and garnish with a couple of broccoli tops and some diced scallions, a dollop of sour cream and some hot sauce

YUM!

Easy Oven S'mores

My lady friends and I like to throw ourselves a girls night about once a month. We take turns hosting, but usually either Shaun or Ginny ends up being the hostess with the mostest!  We always bring a dish and something to drink. Last months girls night was held at Ginny's. When I arrived there was already a nice spread of snacks and treats on the table. I started nibbling and realized I'd just eaten a cold marshmallow, a graham cracker, and a chunk of a Hershey's bar! "Hey, I pretty much just ate an uncooked S'mores!" Not quite the same cold.... so I grabbed a cookie sheet from Ginny's cupboard, sprayed it with Pam, layered the crackers, mallows, and chocolate, and popped them into the oven for about 5 minutes on 350. They turned out really awesome. The marshmallows puffed up and browned just a bit; and the chocolate melted nicely! I think kids would really like this recipe.

I've include a few pics of some of the girls and thier dishes! I don't have those recipes but if you see something you like let me know and I will ask... :>

Cheddar~Pumpkin Bisque

The first time I ever tried Pumpkin Soup was in Interlocken, Switzerland on a back packing trip with my best friend Kate. Interlocken is a beautiful town in the Alps. We spent our first day there wandering around tiny side roads along pastures full of cows, sheep, and goats all wearing bells around their necks. The mountains that surrounded the valley were covered in snow! It was amazing. Anyway, after a long chilly day of walking we needed major comfort food. We found it in a local cafe. We had Pumpkin soup that was so delicious I had to go back the next day for more. It was served in big round brown crocks with little lids. I crave this soup a few times a year but mostly in the fall. I have definitely not perfected this one, especially since I have no idea what was in it, but here's my version.... it's getting closer. It's really good. It's super, super, easy to make. Let me know if you try it and have any suggestions on variations! :>

1 large 29oz can 100% pure pumpkin
3 cups (low sodium) organic vegetable stock
1 cup cream, or 1/2 and 1/2
1 cup grated sharp white cheddar cheese (make a little extra for garnish)
2 tbl spoon butte
1 tbl spoon brown sugar
black pepper to taste
cayenne to taste
good pinch of Cinnamon
2 dashes of allspice or nutmeg
chopped scallions for garnish

Put all ingredients in a large pot, bring it to a boil for a few minutes, stir constantly, bring to a simmer and let bubble for about 10 minutes.
Serve with chopped scallions and a left over grated cheddar cheese

That's it! enjoy!