Hamburger Soup

With all the snow here lately I have been in the mood for some warm comfort food.  This soup is perfect if you don't have a lot of time, want to pack in the veggies, and have some good bread for dipping!  I like this soup because you can cater it to your family's likes.  Take out the meat, add veggies, do whatever sounds good! Enjoy!



Image found : http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/hamburger-soup/

Hamburger Soup
1 1/2 - 2 qts. v-8 juice or vegetable juice
1 lb hamburger meat
5 carrots
5-6 potatoes
2-3 Bay leaves
1/2 t. montreal steak seasoning (optional)

Optional veggies:
Onion (I added 1/2 to mine)
Celery stalk (I only added one)
if you omit the meat you can add your favorite bean and/or noodle to this.

Cook meat thoroughly and drain.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer on medium heat for 30 minutes.  Cook until veggies are soft and liquid has reduced to the consistency you like. 

You can top with cheese if you like and serve with bread!

Banana Ice Cream

http://janaemonir.wordpress.com/2011/04/18/banana-ice-cream/

Ice cream has been a staple go to dessert in my family for a long time.  We all love it but let's be honest....it's not that healthy for you.  Yes, it is true...cold stone's ghirardelli dark chocolate ice cream covered in brownie, caramel, and pecans is not good for your body.  So what to do?  Think fruit!!  I first saw banana ice cream on pinterest and was skeptical but had to try it.  I froze the bananas without peeling them and that was a huge mistake.  I almost gave up after near frost bite.  After thawing out we tried the concoction and......mmmmmmmmmmm!  Totally worth it and definitely satisfied my craving.  I don't know how mother nature does it but banana ice cream doesn't just taste like a froze banana.  It was creamy, not too sweet and quite awesome!  So, you better try it!

Banana Ice Cream
2-3 frozen bananas (if you have bananas starting to go bad, unpeel, cut up and stick in a plastic bag.  Store in freezer until you want a treat!)
A little milk if you have a weak blender or like ice cream on the soft side

Stick all in blender and blend until nice and creamy.  Enjoy!

Recommended mix ins:
Pecans and malt
any berries
chocolate and peanut butter (kind of defeats the healthy purpose but sooo good!)
pineapple and coconut
whatever you have in the cupboard!

Homemade Salsa

          http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2011/05/03/homemade-restaurant-style-salsa/

Chips are salsa are a staple at my house.  I love that you can change up the recipe to make it just how your taste buds like it.  Below is the regular recipe I use but feel free to add green pepper, lime, garlic, regular onion (careful it's strong in salsa), or anything else that sounds good! Info on stewed tomatoes to come later.

Salsa Recipe
2-3 hot peppers (I buy the canned ones found by the pickles)
3-4 green onions, chopped
2 28 oz cans of tomatoes (I buy one diced and one petite diced)
2-3 stalks celery chopped
Cilantro (about ¼ cup after it has been chopped)
Salt to taste
Lemon juice to taste (I use about ¼ cup)

 Add peppers, cilantro, 1/2 can of tomatoes, salt and lemon juice to blender.  Blend until peppers are chopped well.  Add the rest of ingredients and chop for 5-10 seconds just until mixed.  Enjoy!

My love of food

The taste of warm soup, the smell of slow cooked meals, and the feel of a decadent dessert can't be beat.  I am a foodie and will be until my dying day.  My tastes have evolved and changed over time and finding and inventing new recipes is a passion.  I enjoy making wonderful food for family and friends and love the high when I find a "golden recipe".  I also strongly believe that raw and non processed foods are truly superfoods and are our body's best friends.  That is where my hypocrisy comes in.  I am known for desserts laden with guilt and know how to use cream and butter to whip up supreme concoctions.  This blog will feature what I have found to be amazing recipes.  I won't promise they will all be healthy but moderation in all things, right?  :)  In my quest to ever improve the health of my family, I promise not to make penne rustica more than once a month and instead I will make banana ice cream in lui of chocolate cheesecake.  Please join me as as I learn more about food, find delicious recipes, and occassionally get on my soap box about healthy eating.  Bon appetit!

image from: http://www.blisstree.com/2009/07/14/live/whole-foods-doing-poorly-in-hard-economy/