Cooking Thursday: Green Goddess Pasta Salad

Hello dear Friends!

Happy Thursday to you and I hope you're doing well. 💗

It has been rather interesting here in the northwoods. First we had days of 90 to 100* temps. Now we have had wildfires from Canada and also some areas closer to us in the states and the Boundary Waters too. So we have been enveloped with a thick blanket of smoke. It looks like we're fogged in, but if you go outside it smells and tastes like you are in the middle of a campfire. It's the worst air quality we have ever had in our area. We have always been known for our pristine air, lakes, and forests. And with the environmental issues affecting our world we are once again dealing with wildfires. I have lived here my whole 54 years and never had these issues until the past 4-5 years it has become a regular thing. I pray for all those truly suffering through this and hope it clears up soon!🙏🏻 

So needless to say, this summer has now started to feel like we are trapped indoors. We only go out when truly necessary. We haven't been able to mow or do the yard projects that need catching up. I know there are far worse things... and I'm grateful we are healthy and don't have issues from the air. But it's frustrating when our summers are already so short. 

This was the sun coming up this morning:

I was out (quickly) watering my flowers earlier today. Our lilies have been popping out and I took this pic and you can see off to the right the thick haze:

But I'm sure you didn't pop by to listen to my belly achin'. Lol 

What I wanted to share for a recipe today is this green goddess pasta salad. I follow a young gal on social media called cooking.em and she does a lot of healthy twists on yummy food. And I knew Annie would especially love this salad... so I made it for us all a few weeks ago. 

Now with the worries about fresh produce - it may not be something you want to make right now, as it has a bit of fresh produce and herbs. But I'm sharing it anyways as it was really yummy and fresh and you may want to make it sometime. 

 

The recipe is below but she had a video for her instructions. So I will share what I did. I boiled the pasta (I used tricolor veggie pasta). While it was boiling I washed & cut up the fresh veggies and herbs. When there was about 2 minutes of boiling time left I threw some frozen peas, frozen edamame, and fresh asparagus (cut up) into the pot too... in order to blanch them a few minutes. Then I drained all into a big colander and rinsed with cold water to stop the cooking of the pasta and veggies. I put all into a big bowl.

To that bowl I added the cut up fresh veggies of pepper, cucumber and instead of green onion I threw in some chives from my garden. I tossed everything together. 

I then blended all of the dressing ingredients in the blender. 

I then put the dressing onto the pasta and mixed it all together.

I didn't use arugula - I had some spinach to use up. So I added that and some mozzarella balls (I wanted to use mozzarella pearls but they didn't have them at the store). So I cut the balls smaller - but you could just cube up some cheese too. 

This was really easy and so fresh and tasty. It's wonderful as a side for a BBQ or to have as a main dish. If you wanted to add more protein, as a main dish, I would throw in some grilled or rotisserie chicken too. Here is the recipe:

Enjoy! And have a great weekend ahead. xo

Cooking Thursday (on a Friday): Date Treats & Happy Independence Day!

 

Hello Friends!

Happy Friday to you. I was busy with a few things yesterday - including making some meals and goodies to bring my Mom & step Dad. By the way, thank you so much for your kind words and prayers for them. My Mom said the meds are helping her shingles and she's doing well overall.

So that's why I didn't get here for Cooking Thursday but I'm doing it today. Also, Happy July to you!

I'm not sure when that snuck in here because it feels like it was just May. But such is the speed of time these days I swear. It has definitely been feeling like July here. The last couple days have been close to 90* F! Hot stuff ☀️ 

It was a nice evening once it cooled off last night so Matt, Annie & I went out for sushi for dinner and then got in some mini golf. The summer is so fleeting here that it feels wonderful sneaking in fun summery things even on the week days. 

Today I thought I'd share more about the dates I had made and brought for our weekend at the lake. Matt's folks have been trying to be better about their diet and so instead of bringing bars, pie or really naughty treats I brought those dates. They still give a richness and candy bar like fix - but they are less calories and at the base of them a date...which also adds fiber. 

They are pretty self explanatory. I bought a box of medjool dates from Costco. These were nice as they were pitted. But otherwise, just cut them open and scoop out the pit. Take a litte teaspoon and fill with your filling of choice. Top with a dollop of melted chocolate (semi sweet chocolate chips I microwaved until they were melted and stirred until smooth). And sprinkle a little sea salt on top. Chill and then dig in. 

For the dates in the photo above I placed a piece of walnut inside and then stuffed with a tsp scoop of peanut butter. You could put whatever nut you like or just do peanut butter. Once the dates were done I put them in the fridge to chill and set up. And I kept them in a container in the fridge. 

And feel free to get creative with how you want to make them. I have also made Dubai chocolate dates:

I picked up this pistachio cream with bits of kadayifi in it (shredded up crunchy phyllo dough bits) and then filled the dates with that. Then topped with the melted chocolate and sea salt just like the other ones. Just like a Dubai chocolate bar. So good! 

I think next I'm going to fill them with marshmallow cream or fluff and a little piece of graham cracker and then the chocolate topping to make a s'mores version. Just have fun and get creative with them! They are nice little bits to have in the fridge and so easy to grab for a very satisfying treat. To make them even healthier you could use Lily's chocolate chips which don't have added sugar and use plant based sweeteners. I just couldn't find them the last time I was at the store. 

Have you ever made or tried these? We really like them and hope you do too if you give them a try. 

And for those in the States that will be celebrating July 4th this weekend - I hope you have a very fun and safe one! For those who don't live in the states this will be a weekend of parades, picnics, BBQ's, sparklers & fireworks, and often time in or on the lake/beach (weather permitting). All to celebrate our Independence Day. And this year is extra big as it's our country's 250th birthday! Otherwise known as the Semiquincentennial (say that 5 times fast 😂)

So I thought I'd share a little vintage July 4th inspiration. 

No matter where you are in the world I hope you have a very blessed weekend ahead.

For the weekend I made these July 4th strawberries with white chocolate bark and some blue sugar. 

 Bubba & Ruby wish you a Happy 4th too! 

 🇺🇸❤️💙

Cooking Thursday: Homemade Granola and a Fun Treat

 

Happy Thursday Friends!

I thought I had shared this recipe with you already, but I was looking back and I see that I never did. It's one I'd like to have in my recipe tab so I'm sharing it today, even though I made it a month or 2 ago. 

I think I found this in either a Taste of Home magazine? Or maybe my Country Living magazine where I have a subscription? As I mentioned, I made it a few months ago and I had taken a quick pic of the recipe... so I'm not certain. But it was really good and we used it in our desserts or for breakfast for a few weeks. 

The recipe was for this maple coconut granola. It was an easy and straightforward recipe. I mixed the ingredients, poured them on the sheet pan and baked it half way...took out the pan and added the coconut and then put in to finish baking. Then added in the chocolate chips and craisins when it came out of the oven and cooled a few minutes. I think I used whatever nuts I had on hand (sunflower and pumpkin seeds at the time). Then stored it in an airtight container and it stayed good for weeks. I had also halved this recipe and it still turned out great and lasted us a while. If you're not a coconut person I think you could easily omit it too. 

Here's the recipe:

With the yummy homemade granola we had this apple pie inspired yogurt treat for several nights. I don't remember where I saw inspiration for this recipe I sort of made up - maybe pinterest. I chopped and peeled a large apple and put it in a bowl. I then sprinkled the apple chunks with some cinnamon, ginger, ground clove and nutmeg. I drizzled all with some maple syrup and tossed it. I measured everything with my heart and no set amounts. I would guess a tbsp of syrup, a 1/2 to 1 tsp of cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp each of the rest. Tossed it all together and microwaved it until it was warm and softened. Maybe a minute - every micro is different so check as you go. Then I put the warm cinnamony apples on vanilla greek yogurt and sprinkled on some granola. So good and gave apple pie/apple crisp vibes for less sugar and calories and added protein. It was delish! 

If you try these recipes I sure hope you 

enjoy! 

xoxo

Cooking Thursday: Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken

 

Hello Friends!

We are heading quickly towards the weekend - yay! I'm so looking forward to our annual girlfriend Christmas get together I'll be hosting here Saturday. I plan to soak up the last of the Christmas tree and glow extra over the weekend. ;) 

 What do you have planned? 

It will also be a bit of indulging as we do a fun potluck for our gathering. But Matt & I have already been working on some of our new year goals for better health. I have been walking every day instead of being so sporadic. And we have been making sure we up our veggies and lean protein in many of our meals. I made this really easy and VERY yummy sheet pan dinner the other night. The marinade is amazing and would be good used in other ways too. 

It was one I found from my sheet pan meals board on pinterest and it's a recipe by family table vibes website found here. She looked like she has lots of yummy recipes if you want to check it out. 

But Matt & I both loved this stir fry tasting easy meal that had lots of yummy veggies and baked chicken. You add the cashews at the end so they get a little roasted but are still crunchy. So good! 

You let the chicken marinade a while and in the meantime prep all the veggies:

Then put it all in an even layer in the sheet pan and bake. So very easy! I did use fresh ginger (which I think really made the marinade so flavorful) - but I think powdered ginger would work too. I didn't have cilantro so didn't garnish with that and it was still amazing. 

We had ours with some jasmine rice that we blended with cauliflower rice so it was about half and half. It added more nutrients and fiber that way. I highly recommend this one for an easy weeknight dinner that is truly delicious and pretty healthy. We will definitely be making it again. 

Enjoy! xo

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy new week my Friends :) 

September has been coming in cool, clear and crisp. And I can't say I'm mad about that. Granted, there are still more pontoon rides I hope, and some golf. And it's kind of sad the garden is all done - I picked the last of the cukes this weekend. 

But we've also been getting in some long walks on nice sunny but chilly days. And watching football is always such a fun thing we share together. Our Packers looked pretty great yesterday! And they won, yay!  We went for a 2 mile walk and then we made fun snacks and just had a living room picnic watching the game... and that was our dinner. Autumn perfection in my book. Over the weekend we also had dinner with my Mom and step Dad one night and helped them get out their Fall decorations for their apartment. We also went to church and grocery shopping. 

Throughout the weekend I texted and kept up with my kiddos. Annie often likes to facetime too. In productive news I've been working to complete our wedding scrapbook. I was doing a little watercolor painting over the weekend too. As well as getting in lots of reading...often with the accompaniment of hot tea. Lately I've been on a mint tea kick. Matt and I have also been playing our usual cards or games that we always enjoy. Instead of just sitting in front of the tv we like to do things like that. Living room picnics aside, we sit at the table every night for dinner and catch up on our day. Then either play cards, go for a walk, sit out on the deck & play with Ruby in the yard, or go out on the pontoon. It feels kind of nice to have a routine to our lives again now that we're back to the "Fall schedule". 

So life here has been feeling cozy, fun, and filled with gratitude. I hope you can say the same my blogging Besties. 🙏🏻💗

 

 

 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

hot coffee with cafe latte premier protein and vanilla almond milk foam, an apple cider donut for special 😋

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands, go to gf's daughter's game, might run around with my Mom one afternoon, having honorary Aunties over for brunch, dinner with my Dad & step Mom, make list of home projects for Fall (clean windows, go through closets, get out decorations etc), hospice work

THINKING ABOUT: 

How proud I am of my sweet Hubby. He is 11 years sober today. He has shared stories with me about his past and it, at times, is quite an entertaining one (his really young days especially). But as a more mature adult he realized he had a problem, and over a decade ago changed many things in his life. At that time he discovered even more of a relationship with God too. As well as so many other wonderful areas of his life he nurtured to become the amazing kind, honorable, loving man I know as Husband. He is such a good person to the core... I don't think that ever changed in him. But He continues to work to be healthy and the best version of himself every day. I love that about him so much! The kids and I are so very grateful for the gift of him in our lives. 

Matt is wonderful and God is so good!! 

❤️❤️❤️

THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

Finding a wonderful new candle for the season...and even getting to smell all different kinds during the search. :) 

CURRENTLY READING

I've decided to finish all the Dream Harbor series before moving on to my other books. Still enjoying these and some seasonal magazines.

ON THE TV TODAY:

 Americas Got Talent, Jeopardy is back, The Office, Football, Big Brother,The Last Kingdom, I think we may both watch the House of Guiness when it comes out later this month (I think on Netflix)

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  low carb BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes, asparagus

TUESDAY -  leftovers from weekend and Monday

WEDNESDAY -  dinner with Dad & Mary: brats on the grill, veggie tray, deli salads, fruit

THURSDAY - protein pasta with marinara and Italian chicken sausage, veggies (I didn't make it last week)

FRIDAY - maybe out for dinner?

* for the Aunties brunch I'm making cheddar broccoli quiche and melon. I will also have a charcuterie tray out to start and to pick at during the meal (veggies, grapes, crackers, salami, cheeses, nuts, preserves) And I will have a pitcher of peach iced tea with frozen peaches as ice cubes. 

Then we can do "dessert" out on the deck and have coffee and I'm baking some cherry almond scones with cinnamon glaze for that.

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

scrapbook, painting, reading

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

I work to be better about recycling and the environment. I turn off the water while I brush my teeth, I buy the k-cups for coffee that are fully compostable, I recycle our paper, plastic and glass. I work to cut down on using so many paper towels and paper plates etc. And I've also started doing more thrift shopping for clothes. I will buy some new pieces now and then....but I've been using the site thred up especially. I have found amazing pieces for a fraction of what I would normally spend for brands I love. I put in sizes to sort my searching (you can also sort by cost etc). And I then put in the brands of clothes I like - or even something specific I'm looking for like "skirts" And I look through what is offered in my size. It will state the condition of the piece and I have only bought "very good" or "excellent" condition pieces with great success! It even states on the site how much you save the environment by buying used pieces. They're still new to me and I feel good about spending less money and helping the environment. Win-win. They have tons of options of brands and sizes. 

And I just recently also got a bag from them that I can load with some of my old things and mail back in. If my items sell I will get credits for buying things I want on the site. They have handbags, shoes and accessories like that as well. 

I'm not getting paid for this or anything. Just a recent discovery I've really been liking. I have received a few boxes now and only had a skirt that didn't fit and it worked for Annie and she took it to college! Just thought some of you might be interested too. 

FROM THE CAMERA:

Life is good when you can take long walks in cool crisp air, instead of sweating like crazy. And to see some leaves turning makes my heart go pitter pat. 🧡 

And then to be able to put the feet up and watch some football is the best. Especially to watch and cheer for our Green Bay Packers! And our snacky dinner consisted of taco dip (with veggies instead of chips), apples with a little caramel, pickle salami roll-ups, and slow cooker buffalo ranch meatballs with a little bit of bleu cheese dip Matt made. So fun and so tasty! 

Go Pack Go! 

A couple watercolor painting moments I did over the weekend:

The screen on our fridge this AM - 48* and love the fall leaves :) 

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For real change to happen to prevent another shooting from ever happening in our schools again and protect our children.

For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. 🙏🏻

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Nice cozy hugs to you all from the northwoods! Have a blessed week ahead. xoxo

I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.