Favorite Recipe Friday

Yeah, so I'm a day off. Sorry to the loyal readers. This one is a new staple at our house. Great taste and easy to make.

Gypsy Stew

2 cans garbanzo or navy beans (low sodium)
1 pkg frozen spinach
1 lb pork tenderloin or chicken breast
2 cans chicken stock (low sodium)
1 cup water
1 can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1 large red or yellow pepper, seeded and cubed
1 tsp paprika and ground cumin
1 tsp dried basil (or more)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Add all to a crock pot and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or High for 3 to 4 hours.

Serving size =1 1/2 cups
Calories=260, Fiber=8.5g, Sugar=8g, Fat=4.5f, CHO=34g, PRO=21g


And now for something completely different...

Ben was Hero for the week at school last week. These are the pictures he chose for his 'Hero' poster, from a shoot he orchestrated.

I don't know why he wanted to stage this shot. Wonder what he told his buddies at school?

All Kinds of Fun - Phone Download #1

The kids have fun at the school playground across the street from our house whenever the weather is nice (been pretty spotty this year). I get to see it almost live, as Britnee sends me pictures at work.

I also get great pictures from their many many shopping excursions. (Brianne is trying to hide).

And sometimes I get to take the fun pics while Mommy is gone...

Doesn't Ben's friend look like one of the kids from E.T.?

I hope these two can always be best friends.

Birthday Party

Ben had a great birthday party with his friends from school and church Saturday. Naomee had a lot of fun too!

Trampoline fun...

Find the sour patch in the plate of corn flakes...

Pin the tail on the donkey...

Drop the clothes pin in the can...

Darth Vader piñata. Word of warning - Vader's helmet top and face mask separated with only 6 hits. We will go with a more traditional donkey or watermelon next time.

Maybe kids had to leave early, but everyone had a great time no matter how long they were there. Mommy throws an awesome party!

Favorite Recipe Friday

It's late in the day, but here it is anyway...

Crock Pot Lasagna

1 lb uncooked lean ground beef (with 7% fat)
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium garlic clove, minced
28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
15 oz canned tomato sauce
1 tsp table salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
6 dry lasagna noodles,m no-cook
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, strong-flavored like Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add beef, onion and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, breaking up mean with a wooden spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Spoon 1/2 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker.
Break 3 lasagna sheets in half and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture.
Repeat with another layer and finish with remaining 1/2 of beef mixture.
Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours.
Remove cover; turn off heat and season to taste, if desired.
In a small bowl, combine remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over beef mixture.
Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up, about 10 minutes.
Makes 6 servings.


And now for something completely different...

Sunday is not only Mother's Day, but Benjamin's 6th birthday. He was also born on Mother's Day. Here are pictures from his first birthday party:

Heebeegeebeez

Jango Fett and his 501st Legion Star Wars buddies will be at Heebeegeebeez (comic book and collectors store) in Ogden Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. Stop by to get your picture taken with the 501st or just to point and gawk.

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