BlueBerry BuckWheat Pancakes

I met a cashier at Trader Joe's a few days ago, who just finished school at Georgetown University in D.C.  We reminisced about good'ole times spent there in D.C.   Top of the conversation list was Eastern Market and their yummilious food at  Market Lunch!  

Their infamous blueberry buckwheat pancakes made their way into my brain!  Since they were on my mind, I decided to make them. 

With a side of encouraging scripture, what more could a me ask for?

BlueBerry BuckWheat Pancakes from here 

(but I added cinnamon, vanilla extract, and substituted canola oil for vegetable oil)

Beatty's Choco Cake

For my families Halloween party, I made a yummy chocolate cake... pretty good, but I recommend making it the night before you serve.  I devoured it the next day-- SO good!

Recipe from Ina Garten ("Barefoot Contessa").  Recipe here.

Homemade Salsa Tonight

 Tonight we are having a group of friends over and we will EAT!

 I made homemade salsa for this special occasion.  My beloved mother's recipe.

Used my mini processor that I scored from a thrift store in Arizona (thanks Heather for snatching this!)

Yay!  Excited to host tonight since we will eat like pigs :)

Beloved Mother's Salsa:

6 jalapenos (the more the hotter)

6 tomatillos (before boiling take off outter wrapper)

garlic salt

reserve water you boiled stuff in

Cilantro (if desired)

Boil jalapenos and tomatillos.  Once jalapenos change color turn off. Cut stems off jalapenos.  Put them in blender or processor.  (Might be too much to put in processor, I had to do it in two batches).  When transferring tomatillos use a spoon and fork because skin will come off and it will open up and disintegrate!  Add garlic to start, (you will continue adding more as you taste to your liking).  Add Cilantro if desired.  Blend and add the reserved water to dilute.  Add water and garlic salt to your liking. Then enjoy with some chips or Mexican food!

Sliders

Not the healthiest meal I've made, but boy was it tasty!

Ingredients:

Kings Hawaiian sweet rolls

slider size beef patties

tomatoes

spinach

bacon

pepper jack cheese

avocado

AND

pesto sauce

Rain, Rain Come Everyday!

What a sweet surprise to wake up to harmonious rain drops...

 The smell of rain all around.

 Homemade waffles for my sick family to cheer them up.

and Puddles all around.

Semi Homemade Waffles (*and a bit altered by me)

Wheat Honey Pancake Mix

*1/4 cup of brown sugar

2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

*1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

*1 tablespoon of sugar

*pinch of salt

mix until lumpy, preheat waffle maker, grease it up and pour! My waffle maker is set on a timer but if yours is not try 4-5 minutes. Then ENJOY!

Blue Velvet

to share...

Made yummy cupcakes for our neighbors.  It was a delight meeting them and showing a little love for them.  These were suppose to be red velvet but I only had blue food coloring :)

BLT Headaches

On 4th of July my kind brother-in-law offered me a BLT sandwich.  I use to love BLT sandwiches but stayed away from them because of the greasy bacon.  Well, fast forward a decade, I bit into the BLT sandwich that was prepared for me, and oh my did it bring back memories!  I loved it, not just because of the scrumptious bacon but because I felt like I was reunited with an old friend.  Fast forward a week...guess what's still on my mind?!  That BLT!!!  So, I go to Trader Joe's and buy me some hickory bacon, rush home, and prepare me a scrumptious BLT (altered to a little more of my liking).  Since I had some left over bacon, I made another the following day, AND I also got a huge headache.  I think I got BLT headaches!  SO, I must leave my old friend behind again, it was great while it lasted.

-sprouted grain bread

-low fat mayo

-bacon
-spinach
-tomato
-avocado

"Peanut, Peanut Butter & Jelly"

My niece would always sing the peanut butter song, and I can't remember where she got it from.  For lunch time I upgraded my PB&J sandwich.

-Trader Joe's nutty peanut butter
-Trader Joe's blueberry jelly
-Walnuts
-Sliced bananas

With some cold milk.  A yummy sandwich with some more crunch...Just what i like :)

Loving to Cook

Most kids love cooking or some how being involved in the process.  This little man loves it and begs to be involved.  I really want him to learn to cook, enjoy it, and be health conscious.  We'll see how it turns out :)

Making his cheese sandwich with e-v-o-o.

Cheese Sandwich Revamp

A tasty, interesting treat.  I found this simple recipe in a fitness magazine.  It's basically a revamp of a cheese sandwich.  

Instead of butter, use olive oil to coat bread.  I used "sprouted grain bread."  Spread a little of jelly inside both bread halves, you can use a sugar free jelly, or better yet, a homemade jelly.  Add cheese, then slices of peach!  Yes, peach.  I added a little more cheese on top of the peach so everything keeps together.  Then, place on heated grill, and whalah!  Not bad, perhaps a little too weird for your taste, but I love cheese so it worked for me :)  Try it.

Noodles

I made chow mien noodles, and I enjoyed throwing vegetables in the pan. The kids enjoyed their plain noodles, and I was able to make a healthier version. Not too shabby :)Ingredients:
chow mien noodles
onions
garlic
broccoli
carrots
tofu
snap peas
eggs
pepper
salt- (a pinch)
soy sauce (low sodium)-1Tbsp
olive oil

Simply boil noodles, drain, BUT keep a cup of the water. Cover pan with oil, saute onions, garlic, then add tofu. Through in all veg's, allow them to tenderize, include noodles, and spices. Include egg, and let it fry. Lastly, include water. Finally, enjoy!

A Refreshing Taste

Perhaps I'm not the first to invent this deli sandwich, but I love it so much I want to share it and hope you like it too! I first tried this two years ago, and loved the textures, and taste for a nice lunch treat....yummy.

Ingredients: blueberry bagel (opt for whole wheat), ham, pepper jack cheese, lite cream cheese, and spinach (I ran out). Optional: tomato

Toast bagel, and spread cream cheese on both halves (or just one). Put all other ingredients. Eat and enjoy.