First Harvest!

This is my first harvest from my first little garden at my house.

Chocolate Power Smoothie

I start almost every day with this amazing power smoothie.

Chocolate Power Smoothie

-3 very ripe bananas
-3 tbs raw cocoa powder
-1 tablespoon coconut butter (may substitute almond or peanut butter)
-2 cups spinach leaves (the more the better)
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-2 tbs raw cocoa nibs (optional)

Blend all ingredients together in a magic bullet. Enjoy having the best breakfast or snack ever!

Avocado Quinoa Salad and Buttered Cod

I love cod! But I find that the more intricate the recipe, the worse it tastes, because it hides the naturally wonderful taste of cod. This simple way to cook cod yields a succulent and flavorful fillet.
Serve cod with this tasty and nutritious Quinoa Salad. I honestly didn't think my meat loving husband would care much for the Quinoa Salad, but he loved it!


Avocado Quinoa Salad

1/2 cup dry Quinoa
1 cup water
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped roma tomato
1 cup spinach leaves
2 tbs fresh lemon juice
2 tbs olive oil
salt and pepper
1 avocado sliced

Bring water and dry Quinoa to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 11 minutes. Mix together Quinoa, red onion, tomato, and red onion. In a bowl whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, and a little salt- stir into Quinoa mixture. Season with salt and pepper-serve over slices of avocado.

One pound Cod (about 3 fillets)
1/4 cup butter
salt and pepper

Simple Buttered Halibut
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil and place cod fillet on top. Melt about 1/4 cup butter (for 3 cod fillets) and spread on both sides of the cod. Salt and pepper both sides. Bake for about 8 minutes covered with foil, and another 10 minutes uncovered- until cod flakes off easily, do not over bake or it will be dry.

Blueberry Banana Power Smoothie

I have been experimenting with power smoothies lately, and this is one of my successful smoothie recipes that give you lots of energy and keeps you full because it's loaded with protein. Spinach may sound odd in a smoothie, but it's a great way to make sure you get all your servings of vegetables in for the day.
Also, my digestive system can't handle lots of raw vegetables, so if you are a

person who is sensitive to raw fruits and vegetables smoothies are a lot easier for the human body to digest.

Makes: 1 serving
1 very ripe banana
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/3 cup fresh spinach
1 tbs flax seed
1/2 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Place in blender or magic bullet and blend until smooth.
*I recently bought a magic bullet, and it's my new favorite appliance! It's so easy to make a smoothie for one, because you can blend it right into the cup your going to drink out of. It's fast, and virtually no clean up!

Best Pesto

My aunt gave me this recipe, and it really is the best pesto I have ever had. The secret is to use a few walnuts instead of all pine nuts (not to mention it's cheaper).

Makes: 1 1/2 to 2 cups
2 cups packed fresh basil
4 medium garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/4 cup walnut meats
1 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine basil, garlic, pine nuts, and walnuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off until basil is chopped, add olive oil in a steady steam while food processor is running until a paste is formed. Scrape down container, and add Parmesan cheese, combine. Refrigerate up to three weeks, or pour into ice cube trays, transfer to a bag and freeze.
*If you have a magic bullet you can also combine all ingredients together, and adding olive oil in a few batches at the end*

If you are looking for new ways to use pesto I highly recommend adding a couple tbs of pesto to some healthy Quinoa. I also like to mix half pesto, half mayo together instead of plain mayo on my sandwiches.

*Quinoa was once called the "gold of the Incas." And it's no wonder: it's a whole grain; and a complete protein, making it a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. Quinoa is a very good source of manganese as well as a good source of magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.

Potato "Quiche"

My bible study leader brought this recipe to our last luncheon, and it is delicious! It isn't greasy and heavy like a lot of quiches', it's light yet filling. Brought it to an Easter pot-lock and it was a hit as well.

6 to 8 potatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp salt
1 cup shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 cup fully cooked diced Ham
5 eggs
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/4 tsp seasoned salt


Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place diced potatoes in microwave safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap with small slits for venting. Microwave on high for 10 minutes or until potatoes are soft, stirring once. Stir in butter and salt in cooked potatoes; roughly mash potatoes. Spread into a 9 by 13 baking dish, pushing potatoes up along sides to create a crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until edges are browned. Meanwhile, combine cheeses and ham. Spoon into the potato crust. In a bowl, beat eggs, cream and seasoned salt, pour over ham mixture. Reduce oven to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in center come out clean.

*The dish can be made vegetarian by omitting the ham, and substituting mushrooms*

Risgrynsgröt (Swedish Porridge), and Almond Milk Oatmeal

Swedish porridge is very soft and sweet, the perfect comfort food for winter. Traditionally it is reserved for Christmas time but due to my husbands persistent request we actually had it for dinner yesterday.
Traditionally an almond is placed in the Porridge and whoever gets the almond in their bowl is next to be married!

1 1/2 dl Arborio Rice
3 dl water
1/4 tsp salt
1 tablespoon butter
7 dl milk

Sugar
Cinnamon

Put rice and water in a pot. Add salt and butter. Boil on low heat for about 10 minutes. Add the milk and stir. Bring to a boil and let it simmer on very low heat for about 40-50 minutes. Ladle into bowl, drizzle with sugar and cinnamon, and pour a little milk on top. Enjoy!

*.42 cups to a deciliter
*Arborio Rice can be found in most bulk food sections, I have found it at Winco and Market of Choice.

Almond Milk Oatmeal
I love oatmeal, but find that it can be tasteless and that the portions are too small. That is why I invented my Almond Milk Oatmeal, it's creamy and the portion size about doubles, leaving you with a big bowl of satisfying oatmeal.

Serves 1
1 1/2 cup almond milk
1 1/2 cups water
3/4 Old Fashioned Oats
2 tbs chopped almonds
raisins *optional

Bring almond milk and water to a boil, stir in oats. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ladle into a bowl and add some chopped almonds, and raisins if you like sweeter oatmeal. Enjoy!