chocolate chip blueberry breakfast quinoa | pinterest test

Is breakfast a tough one in your house, too? It is in mine. Mostly, because it calls on me to provide for my children before consuming an entire pot of coffee.  I'm always trolling Pinterest to find simple breakfast recipes that are filling and add some variety to our usual scrambled eggs. I found this breakfast quinoa a few weeks ago. This is a go-to breakfast for us, now.  I was a little skeptical about blueberries and chocolate together, but I am now a believer.  I have to double the recipe from what How Sweet Eats shows to feed all fours of us.  I have also used just regular ol' butter and milk, too.  Almond milk is super great, too. Either way, give it a go! Chocolate chips make mornings better.
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Chocolate Chip Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa
1 C blueberries
1 1/2 cup + more for drizzling of milk, your choice
1 C quinoa, uncooked
1/2 C mini chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Generous pinch of salt
4 teaspoons vanilla (adjust if using flavored milk)
1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter
In saucepan, heat butter or oil.  Add dry quinoa and coat with oil or butter. Toast quinoa for a few minutes or until you smell it. Add milk, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, & simmer for 15 minutes. Just as you would if prepping plain quinoa. Fluff with fork. Divide into bowls, to with chocolate chips and blueberries, drizzle milk, and enjoy!

slowcooker lentil & sausage stew | pinterest test

perfect baby eating perfect baby food. :)

I came across this recipe on Pinterest last weekend.  I had all the ingredients, so I decided to give it a whirl.  It came out delicious and everyone liked it.  Especially Violet Alice.  Lentils are the perfect baby food. I added garlic and used the entire package (16 oz.) of Italian sausage. This does not and could not cook all day, unless you have a crockpot with a timer.  So save this for a day you can be home to throw it together later in the afternoon.
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Slowcooker Lentil and Sausage Stew
1 package of Italian sausage, cut up
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
2 c. of beef broth
1 can (14.5 oz.0 of diced tomatoes
3 carrots, chopped
1 c. of lentils
2 large handfuls of spinach
Combine everything but the spinach in the crockpot.  Cook on high for 3 hrs or low for 5 hours.  A 1/2 before done, add spinach.  Cook until spinach is wilted and lentils are tender.  Enjoy! (We ate ours with cornbread. Delicious!)

simple spaghetti with kale, lemon, and garlic | pinterest test

January is the month of new beginnings and resolutions, but it is also the month the seed catalogs arrive with mammoth force. Seed catalogs make me long for Spring and make it very difficult for me to stay in the moment. I have lists upon lists laying about planning our garden, spring cleaning, and the kids' birthdays. I have paint chips on the front door. I'm constantly looking into the future in January. It's time for me to take a deep breath. Whew.
This recipe I made several times last Spring. It is one of those few Pinterest recipes that comes out spectacular the first time. It's a great one for the days when it seems the greens won't stop coming or even when you forgot a bunch in the fridge. It's also great when you long for Spring, as I am now. My husband loved it as a side to a grilled steak. It is, however, a wonderful main dish. Adjust the quantities of the ingredients based on how many eaters you have and your taste.
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Simple Spaghetti with Kale, Lemon and Garlic
Adapted from Jess Thomson
Spaghetti
Kale
Olive Oil
Garlic, sliced thin
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan
Juice from fresh lemon
Prepare spaghetti. When it is almost done, saute kale in olive oil until almost crisp. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Drain pasta and add kale. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and parmesan. Serve immediately and dream of Spring.