Simply Sweet Days

Simple discoveries that make every day count.

Recipes

Ground Turkey and Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes

Have you noticed how much easier it is becoming to find organic, all-natural products in the grocery stores? In my local market, they size of the “organic” section in the produce department has doubled in the last few years! I decided to whip up a dinner for my family that uses all-natural, organic ingredients. I was inspired by this organic, free-range ground turkey that I found at my local market. I had this $2 off coupon, so the price perfect. The dinner turned out pretty tasty, and was ready in under 45 minutes! Here’s what I came up with:  

Ground Turkey and Heirloom Tomatoes with Broccolini

This dish is super easy to put together. It uses heirloom tomatoes, which are commonly found in late summer and fall. I love the funky coloring and awkwardly lopsided appearance of these tomatoes. A side of broccolini, asparagus, or some other green can give an added dose of veggies to the meal.

We are a busy working-parent family, so this worked well for me on a weeknight because it didn’t require a lot of monitoring.

Here are the basics. As I said, the veggies are locally-grown. Even the ground turkey was local! I so much prefer serving California-grown poultry to my family than a product that was probably frozen and flown in from Minnesota. 

Start by setting the oven to 450. While it’s heating, prep and chop the veggies and get the pasta pot started.

Place the tomatoes, garlic, bell peppers, and 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium sized bowl and toss to combine.  Spread the mixture out evenly on a baking pan. I line mine with tin foil to make cleanup a little easier 😉 If you’re serving turkey and heirloom tomatoes with broccolini or asparagus, you can add them to the roasting pan too. Roast the veggies for 11-14 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and the broccolini is crisp-tender. The tomatoes may get kind of juicy, and this will help add flavor to the pasta and the broccolini in the pan. 

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling water for 5-7 minutes or until al dente. Angel hair pasta cooks quickly, so this doesn’t take long!

Cooking with ground turkey on a busy weeknight is a cinch because the meat cooks rather quickly. While the veggies are roasting, heat the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a pan. Add the turkey and cook until beginning to brown. Add the onions and cook another 3 minutes or until the onions are translucent and soft. 

The Foster Farms ground turkey I’m using is lean, and doesn’t leave a lot of fatty liquid in the pan. Even so, you will want to drain off the juices that accumulated during cooking.  

By now your kitchen should be smelling pretty amazing as the different smells from the roasting veggies start to permeate the room. Toss the turkey and heirloom tomatoes with the cooked pasta, top with some shredded cheese and basil and enjoy! 

I saw on Facebook that there is also a chance to win free Foster Farms turkey if you leave a comment on this Foster Farms Facebook post. There will be multiple drawings, so good luck to all who enter!

What’s your favorite way to enjoy ground turkey? 

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Ground Turkey and Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes and Broccolini

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

4 servings

Ground Turkey and Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes and Broccolini

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. angel hair pasta
  • 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 16 oz. Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey
  • 2 large heirloom tomatoes (about 1 lb.), cut into chunks
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 1 bunch broccolini (about 2 cups)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbsp. (about 8 leaves) torn fresh basil
  • 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450°.
  2. Cut up vegetables and trim broccolini.
  3. Place tomatoes, bell pepper, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, and garlic slices into a medium bowl and toss to combine.
  4. Arrange the tomato mixture and broccolini in a baking/roasting pan and cook at 450° for 11-14 minutes, or until broccolini is crisp-tender.
  5. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water for 5-7 minutes or until al dente.
  6. While pasta and veggies are cooking, heat the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a pan on medium heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 5 minutes or until beginning to brown, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks.
  7. Add the onions and cook another 3 minutes.
  8. Combine roasted tomato mixture, pasta, and turkey mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir together well.
  9. Top with a sprinkle of basil and parmesan cheese and serve immediately with a side of broccolini.
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Refreshing Summer Smoothie Recipe

One of our favorite things to do during the summer is make yummy frozen pops and blended treats from fresh fruit. This refreshing summer smoothie hits the spot on hot summer afternoons. It’s not just a summer drink, though. Most of the ingredients can be found in the frozen fruit section of your grocery store, so you can enjoy this summer smoothie year-round! The ingredients give it a taste that is very similar to a Jamba Juice Peach Perfection, one of my absolute favorites.  This refreshing summer smoothie hits the spot on hot summer afternoons. You can make it from fresh or frozen fruit and enjoy this drink year-round!

You can peel the plums and peaches before chopping them, but you really don’t have to. There may be flakes of fruit peel in the smoothie, but that shouldn’t take away from the flavor.

If you do want the peels off of the fruits, you can add them to a pot of boiling water for not longer than 30 seconds. Remove the peaches and plums from the hot water and place them in a dish of cold water. Then use a paring knife to peel away the skin. It should be ready to come right off!

Refreshing Summer Smoothie Ingredients

  • 2 small plums, chopped
  • 1 medium white peach, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1-1/2 cup orange juice
  • Pineapple wedge for garnish (optional) 

** A note about peeling the fruit: You can keep the fruit peels on or take them off. As I was chopping the plums, the skin was easily pulling away from the flesh. I removed the plum skin before adding them to the blender, but I left the peach skins on. You will see flakes of peach skin in the smoothie, but no worries, you won’t taste them. Leaving the skin on the plums and peaches increases the fiber content, adding to the nutritional benefits of this low-calorie smoothie!



Add fruits and juice to blender. Pulse on high for 2-3 minutes until ingredients completely smooth. Serve chilled.

Makes 2 8-oz servings. 

Pin it for later! This refreshing summer smoothie hits the spot on hot summer afternoons. You can also make it from frozen fruit and enjoy this drink year-round!

Crunchy Oven Baked Chicken

This is a crunchy on the outside, moist on the inside version of oven baked chicken that our whole family loves. It’s easy, no-fuss, and perfect for a busy after-work dinner!  Our family's favorite recipe for oven baked chicken uses simple breading made from crushed cracker crumbs! It is a fast and easy dinner, perfect for busy weeknights.

Crunchy Oven Baked Chicken

We eat chicken a lot in this house. It cooks up quickly for weeknight meals and it’s tender enough for the little ones to enjoy. I usually don’t like oven baked chicken but this recipe is one of my favorites. The breading helps seal in the flavor, so the meat is juicy yet falls apart easily. Since it kind of resembles chicken nuggets, my kids love dunking it in their favorite dipping sauces.

When I make this oven baked chicken for dinner, I usually pair it with some cooked brown rice and steamed veggies. I start cooking the rice while preparing the chicken. Then while the chicken is in the oven I steam the veggies. The whole dinner is ready in under 45 minutes, which is pretty good for a healthy, home cooked meal!  

Oven Baked Chicken Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 ½ – 2 cups of crushed buttery snack crackers
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

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Beat eggs in a shallow bowl.

Place cracker crumbs in a large Ziploc bag with garlic salt and pepper. Shake it well to mix the seasonings with the crumbs.

Dip chicken breasts in egg, then shake (1 at a time) in the Ziploc bag of cracker crumbs. 90’s friends, this might remind you of the Shake ‘n Bake dinners from back in the day. 😉 Arrange the breaded chicken in a greased baking dish and bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°. Serve it with your favorite sauce or by itself-it’s got enough flavor to stand on its own!   Our family's favorite recipe for oven baked chicken uses simple breading made from crushed cracker crumbs! It is a fast and easy dinner, perfect for busy weeknights.

Seriously, how easy is that? I hope you enjoy this recipe, and don’t forget to pin it for later! Follow my Family Dinner Recipes board on Pinterest for hundreds of kid-friendly dinner ideas, like oven baked chicken fajitas and this zesty pasta casserole.

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Crunchy Oven Baked Chicken

Crunchy Oven Baked Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ - 2 cups of crushed buttery snack crackers
  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Instructions

  1. Beat eggs in a shallow bowl.
  2. Place cracker crumbs in a large Ziploc bag with garlic salt and pepper. Shake it well to mix the seasonings with the crumbs.
  3. Dip chicken breasts in egg, then shake (1 at a time) in the Ziploc bag of cracker crumbs.
  4. Arrange the breaded chicken in a greased baking dish and bake at 375° for 30-40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°.
  5. Serve it with your favorite sauce or by itself-it's got enough flavor to stand on its own!
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Easy 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Refried Beans

For the last year or so, these crock pot refried beans have been a staple in our home. It started when we took the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course and we were really trying to cut our budget down to get out of debt. Now we’re pretty much on a roll with the whole budgeting thing, but it turns out these beans aren’t just for broke people because they’re actually pretty good!   This easy homemade crock pot refried beans recipe can be served whole or mashed!

I whip up a batch of crock pot refried beans just about every other Sunday. This isn’t really a “set it and forget it” crock pot recipe because you have to turn the heat down part of the way through. But once they’re done, they’re so tender! Mashing them is easy work.  

Crock Pot Refried Beans are a Cheap and Healthy Option

I get beans from the bulk section of the grocery store, It’s $.068 for a pound of beans. and about $0.50 for an onion and maybe $0.15 for a few garlic cloves, A traditional refried beans recipe requires you to soak the beans, then boil them, then fry them in lard or oil. It’s a very time-intensive process. With my method, the beans aren’t pre-soaked, and the still turn out well. Not only that, you don’t have to fry them. They still have great flavor even without all the lard.   easy 5-ingredient crock pot refried beans

6 Things to do with Crock Pot Refried Beans  

My kids could eat plain beans for every meal, but I like to mix things up a bit. After cooking our beans, we either 1) eat them plain, 2) serve them with enchiladas, 3) serve them with fajitas, 4) make bean and cheese burritos with them, 5) use them as dip with your favorite corn chip, or 6) make tostadas!

A batch of crock pot refried beans makes way too much for one meal. I put the leftovers in an air-tight container and store them in the fridge for up to one week. Otherwise they go into the freezer if I know I’m not going to use them up soon.   homemade crock pot refried beans

Crock Pot Refried Beans Recipe

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Best Crock Pot Refried Beans

Best Crock Pot Refried Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. pinto beans
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 2-3 minced garlic cloves
  • 1/2 Tbsp salt
  • 1/2 Tbsp cumin
  • 6 cups water

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in the crock pot and stir them together. For an extra kick, add 1 or 2 chopped jalapeño peppers with the seeds.
  2. Cook on high for 2 hours and then on low for 4 hours. No pre-soaking required!
  3. When the beans are done, be sure and reserve some of the excess water before pouring it all out.
  4. Beans can be mashed with a potato masher or left whole. If mashing, add reserved bean water to get your desired consistency. Beans will be drier once they’ve cooled!
  5. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to one week or in the freezer for 3 months.
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Excited for Some Cooking Inspiration with Macy’s Culinary Council!

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every week we plan out the dinners we’re going to make, compile a list of necessary ingredients, and do all our weekly meal shopping in one big swoop. That was my task today, and I have to tell you I was absolutely bored with our regular rotation of dinner recipes. It feels like we’ve been cooking a variation of the same casseroles and main dishes for months now, and I’m ready to try something new. 

Inspiration from the Pros

When I need photo inspiration, I check out photography books and blogs. When I need lesson ideas for my classroom I pick the brain of my experienced coworkers. And when I need to get fired up about creating restaurant-quality tasty dinners, I tune in to what the real chefs are creating.   

Macy’s Culinary Council Helps Me Learn from the Best

I’m looking forward to attending a free event sponsored by Macy’s Culinary Council next weekend, on January 13th, at 1 pm in San Diego. It’s held in a Macy’s store so, it’s easy to find! Get the full details and register to attend using this link.  Macy's Culinary Council event in San Diego

These events at Macy’s are like watching a live cooking show. A Macy’s Culinary Council chef walks participants through the steps to creating a delicious meal from start to finish by demonstrating several different recipes. But what makes it better than TV is that the chefs interact with the audience. They answer questions and share a little bit about themselves as they are preparing the dishes. Everyone gets to try the food and drinks, and they are always to die for! The best part about these live cooking demonstrations is that you get some handy recipe cards to take home with you, so you can make the same drinks and tasty bites on your own.

Visiting San Diego: Chef Michelle Bernstein and Chef Bill Kim

The Culinary Council event at Macy’s on January 13th will feature two chefs: Chef Michelle Bernstein and Chef Bill Kim. I can’t wait to hear what they have to share with us from their vast knowledge of all things cuisine.  Macy's culinary council chefs Michelle Bernstein and Bill Kim

Chef Bill Kim has made his way from sesame seed roaster and grinder, to sous chef, to executive chef. His resume includes famed restaurants such as Ciboulette in Atlanta and Charlie Trotter’s and Le Lan in Chicago. His latest project is opening a growing number of restaurants that are more casual, but equally as delicious.   

Chef Michelle Bernstein also comes with an impressive and diverse range of experiences. She owns her own cafe and catering company and appears on shows like Top Chef and Good Morning America. She partners with big name brands such as American Express and Delta to create unique menus, and somehow finds time to devote to Common Threads, an after-school program for underprivileged kids.   

As a wanna-be foodie, I’m beyond excited to get to see these talented chefs in action. At the last Culinary Council event I attended, the chef made a delicate ice cream right there in front of our eyes, using an ice cream maker from the Macy’s store. Honestly, that ice cream was probably my favorite recipe and it was so simple! I just had to have my own ice cream maker so I could use the recipe card to make that ice cream at home. And would you believe, event attendees all receive a $10 gift card to the Macy’s Home department? I’m always ready to buy new cookware, so I was happy to have that gift card at checkout!  

Be sure and register to attend the event, and arrive early enough to snag a front-row seat. I hope to see my San Diego local friends there!

Cheesy Pasta Casserole

Don’t you just love a saucy casserole dish after a long, busy day? We make this dish year-round, it’s that good! This cheesy pasta casserole is great for a family dinner and it’s really easy to make. I so wish it could be a one-dish meal but, alas, it needs a side of veggies. I suggest serving it up with some zucchini or yellow squash in keeping with the Italian theme. 😉   this cheesy pasta casserole is one of our favorite family dinner recipes

How I make my cheesy pasta casserole

I make this so often, I have all the steps down to a science. If you need a printable recipe card, it’s at the bottom of this post.

You start by cooking the pasta and ground beef. I have these going on the stove simultaneously to save time. 

The ricotta mixture is what adds plenty of creamy goodness to this dish. I mix the ingredients together one at a time in a medium-sized bowl. 

There’s nothing like the scent of fresh basil. Even though I use a prepared marinara, it doesn’t quite bring a full Italian flavor. My marinara has plenty of oregano, so adding in some fresh basil gives the dish more flavor. 

Everything blends together before it goes in the baking dish. 

Adding some marinara to the bottom of the casserole helps to ensure that the pasta mixture won’t stick to my cookware, plus you get that zesty marinara on all sides! 

More marinara goes on top, followed by cheese. Then into the oven it goes! 

Choose your ingredients wisely

If a name brand item isn’t called for in a recipe, I usually just get whatever brand is most appealing to me at the time. When it comes to dairy products, however, I always stick to the ones with the “Real California Milk” seal on them. These products are made with 100% real California milk from California dairy farms. You’ll find the seal on all your favorite dairy products, like cheese, yogurt, butter, and of course milk.  the real California milk seal is on many dairy products that you use every day!

As a California girl, supporting local dairy farms is reason enough to choose these products. But even better than that is the Spot the Seal campaign. They’re giving back to those living in Texas and Florida who have been affected by hurricanes, and in California who have been affected by the recent wildfires. For every social share of the Real California Milk seal (with the hashtag #SealsForGood), they’ll make a $5 donation to help those communities in need. We have family in Florida and northern California, and I’d love to be a part of the healing for them. 

After you add this cheesy casserole dish to your Pinterest board, be sure and add this chicken casserole recipe as well. The cheese topping on both of them are available as Real California Milk products. Don’t forget to snap and share your #SealsForGood photo on social media. Yummy food and helping those in need is a win-win!   This is one of our favorite recipes for a family dinner. Cheesy pasta casserole is an easy baked dish that feeds a crowd!

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Cheesy Pasta Casserole

Cheesy Pasta Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 (12-oz.) package penne pasta
  • 15 oz. ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • ½ tsp. fresh ground pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. snipped fresh basil
  • 24 oz. jar marinara sauce
  • 1 ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°
  2. Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Drain the grease from the cooked meat.
  3. While the beef is cooking, cook the pasta according to package directions.
  4. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, pepper, and basil.
  5. Drain the pasta and return it to the cooking pot. Stir the meat and ricotta mixture into the pasta until well blended.
  6. Spread ½ cup of marinara into the bottom of a casserole dish.
  7. Add the pasta mixture to the dish and cover with the remaining marinara.
  8. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  9. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until pasta is heated through and the cheese is bubbly.
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Disney Pixar’s Coco Movie + Recipes and Printables!

I had no idea what to expect when I got to the theater.

With my 14-year-old for company, I went to see the Pixar movie Coco a few weeks ago, knowing little more than I could glean from the teaser trailer. I was sure that I would enjoy it because I have yet to see a Disney or Pixar film that I didn’t love. Coco not only met my expectations for a Disney?Pixar movie, it blew them out of the water!   disney pixar coco movie review

Family

This movie is perfect for the holiday season because the central theme is all about family. No matter how busy we get or how far apart we are, I know that my family will always be there when I need them. I don’t want to give away too much of the movie, but Miguel travels pretty far to find his great-great grandfather. Check out this clip of “A Great, Great Rescue”:

La Musica

Oh my goodness, is the music in Coco beautiful! Miguel’s love of music and the lovely guitar playing were my favorite part of this movie. I’ve already downloaded the Coco soundtrack from iTunes so I can listen to Un Poco Loco all the time. This clip from the beginning sets the stage for the romantic, playful Spanish guitar that you’ll hear throughout the rest of the movie: 

Funny in a Not-Spooky Way

Because I didn’t know what kind of movie this would be, I left the 5-year-olds at home. The girls were great at their first movie theater trip, but I was worried that they might be spooked by Coco’s story being centered around the afterlife. In my opinion, I’d say that it’s not spooky at all. I could have brought the girls, and will definitely take them now that it’s out in theaters. It’s actually a very funny movie, as you can see from this clip:

An Appearance by Olaf?

Yep! You read that right! For a limited time, the featurette “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” will be playing in front of Coco. This experience is only in theaters, so it’s best to plan on seeing it soon! Here’s a clip from the featurette:

Are you planning on seeing Coco over the holidays? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below! And be sure to print out some of these extra freebies!  

Coco Coloring Pages:

Coco coloring page “Miguel”
Coco coloring page “Hector” Coco coloring page “Ernesto” Coco coloring page “Dante” 

Coco Craft Activity:

Coco Recipe:

 

Coco Maze Activity:

Printable Recipe Cards:

Family Tree Printable:


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Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Dip Recipe

 

This week we had a potluck with a bunch of other families one evening before church. I like to bring dishes that are tasty, snack-able, easy to make, and not too expensive to put together. This slow cooker broccoli cheese dip was a slam-dunk!

What makes this broccoli cheese dip recipe unique is that I add a sprinkling of crunchy bacon crumbles on top at the very end. I like to serve it with thin slices of sourdough bread or crisp fresh veggie sticks. Check out the recipe video!  YouTube Preview Image

As an added bonus, if you choose to make this dip with Real California Cheese between now and December 31, 2017, you’ll be contributing to the support efforts for hurricanes Irma and Harvey. In response to the recent devastation, Real California Milk is generously contributing $5 to the Great American Milk Drive every time someone shares a photo of the Real California Milk seal, with the hashtag #SealsForGood. The donations will be a huge help to the families affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey in Florida and Texas. There’s no purchase necessary, so it’s an easy way to join the relief efforts! Check out the Great American Milk page to learn more.

My recipe for broccoli cheese dip uses cheese and butter, both of which are Real California Milk products because they’re made with wholesome milk that’s not overly processed.

Making Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Dip  

First you saute the veggies to bring out their flavor and soften them up a bit.

The veggies go into a slow cooker, then you stir in the broccoli, cheese, and cream of celery soup. Add a dash of salt and pepper and mix everything up well. 

Set the slow cooker on high for 2 hours or low for 3 ½  to 4 hours. When it’s done, just spoon it into a bowl with some bread, chips or veggie sticks for dipping.

This dip works great for a family event, potluck, or a big game with lots of people over. It makes enough for a large crowd, and it’s pretty filling too!   broccoli cheese dip recipe made in the slow cooker

After the tragic destruction left from the recent hurricanes, I appreciate the opportunity to partner with Real California Milk in the relief efforts for families in Texas and Florida. You can find products with the Real California Milk seal in stores all over the U.S., so anyone can participate in the Great American Milk Drive. We are big cheese eaters, but the seal is also on other dairy products like butter, cottage cheese, cheese, and yogurt. Which dairy product will you look for in stores? And don’t forget the share a photo of the seal!

 

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Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Dip Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

2 hours, 15 minutes

Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Dip Recipe

This recipe is great for a potluck or big game party. Serve the broccoli cheese dip with celery sticks, chips, or slices of firm sourdough bread.

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/4 cup diced broccoli
  • 1 or 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 stalk of celery, diced
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1 can cream of celery soup
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 10 oz. bag frozen broccoli, defrosted
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 2 strips cooked, crumbled bacon

Instructions

  1. Melt the butter in a medium saute pan.
  2. Add the onions, garlic, and celery and cook until soft and onions turn translucent (about 5-7 minutes)
  3. Stir in 2 Tbsp. flour
  4. In a 4-quart slow cooker, stir together the cooked veggie mix, cheese, broccoli, and cream of celery soup.
  5. Cook on high heat for 2 hours or low heat for 4 hours. Serve warm.
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Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie for Busy Mornings

This healthy recipe for a fruit breakfast smoothie is packed with protein and nutrients, and takes about 5 minutes to make! #ad #MyMilkMyWay

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser The National Milk Life Campaign. All opinions are mine alone. #MyMilkMyWay #CollectiveBias

It’s true what they say: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! As a working mom with 3 small children, I have to make sure I take care of myself. Having a good breakfast is especially important on those days when I feel like I don’t have time to make one. My blueberry breakfast smoothie is seriously easy to make, and it’s got lots of nutrition to keep me going on long days.  

I’m not on a low-carb diet by any means, but one thing I’ve learned is that protein is essential to keeping me energized throughout the day. Breakfast can so often be a meal of empty carbs: muffins, bagels, coffee… But add in a protein and it’s much better for you! 

Milk Meets Our Nutritional Needs

With 3 children under 5, milk is a staple for our family. My little ones are still growing, and milk is a great source of calcium, potassium and vitamin D. These are nutrients that their little bodies need to grow big and strong. How else could they be filled with energy at 8:00 at night? Clearly, this is the best time of the day (night?) for making cardboard box race cars. 

A cardboard box: Endless entertainment.

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Our fridge is always stocked with milk because of the my kids, and also because it is the perfect protein for a frugal family. Dairy milk protein is a complete protein, which means that it has all the amino acids we need for a balanced diet. One gallon of milk easily feeds the 6 of us, and costs about a quarter per serving for the little guys.  

The Littles are Milk-Obsessed

All 3 of my little ones love milk. They get a kick out of getting a glass of milk and exclaiming at how cold it is. On a hot day, it just hits the spot. Milk is the top food source for nutrients that are most likely missing from some kids’ – diets (calcium and vitamin D, among others). An 8 ounce glass of milk contains 8 grams of protein, so milk is a simple, affordable way to help my family get the natural protein and balanced nutrition they need. Find more milk recipes and inspiration at MilkLife.com!

What if you could give your kids a nutrient-rich, delicious, farm fresh beverage with natural protein and no sugar added – all for about a quarter per serving? Surprise – it’s something that’s likely already in your fridge – white milk!

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The Milk-Based Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie blueberry breakfast smoothie made with milk

Our family enjoys cereal with milk, and I do too. But some days it’s nice to change things up a bit. As much as I’d love to make a hot breakfast every morning, we’re usually blasting out the door to school and work. There’s just not time for that. I have a simple solution though. A blueberry breakfast smoothie packs protein and antioxidants, plus lots of vitamins, all in one quickly devoured beverage! This recipe uses about 6 ounces of milk, which is about 6 ounces of protein. You should make sure that you’re getting your daily servings of protein based on your age and body weight.

Just put milk in the blender and add bananas. how to make a blueberry banana smoothie with milk

Then blueberries. 

Blend it all together, and you’re good to go!  

What’s your favorite way to enjoy milk? Share in the comments below!

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Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie

Blueberry Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 banana, sliced
  • 2/3 cup fresh blueberries
  • Mint (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with mint and more blueberries, if desired.
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And don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!  This healthy recipe for a fruit breakfast smoothie is packed with protein and nutrients, and takes about 5 minutes to make! #ad #MyMilkMyWay

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Join the Summer Celebration with Chef Anthony Lamas at Macy’s

This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Macy’s; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

From Belmont Park to the Safari Park, there is so much to see and do in San Diego, especially during the summer. One of the hidden gems that foodies are sure to enjoy are Macy’s Culinary Council events. On July 29th, Macy’s has invited Chef Anthony Lamas to give us a peek into the hows and whys of his famed Latin-style cooking.  

Meet Acclaimed Chef Anthony Lamas

Chef Anthony Lamas’s restaurant, Seviche, has been thriving in Louisville, Kentucky for over a decade. As a Central California native, Lamas’s own cultural background inspires the restaurant’s Nuevo Latino cuisine with its spice of culture and flavor. Seviche brings the freshest ingredients into every dish in a style that belongs only to Chef Anthony Lamas.

Lamas’s talent has earned him fame as “Best Chef” by both local and national publications. In 2011 he won the title of “Extreme Chef” on Food Network. He is also recognized as a leader in sustainable seafood practices, earning himself a Seafood Ambassador Award.  

Chef Anthony Lamas will be sharing his cooking secrets with us at the Macy’s in Mission Valley, San Diego. He will create some of his favorite award-winning dishes and give us tips on his technique. Come to this celebration at 12pm ready to enjoy plenty of delicious food and drinks! The event is totally free, RSVP here to ensure your spot.   

Celebrate Summer with a Special Macy’s Offer

After the demonstration, you may find that you’re ready to hit the kitchen and hone in on your own culinary skills. With your Evite registration, you will receive a $10 Macy’s gift card at the event. Attendees who spend $35 in the Home department will also receive a special Macy’s gift and a copy of Chef Anthony Lamas’s book, Southern Heat, which he will sign for you.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what Chef Anthony Lamas has in store for us. IT’s going to be such a treat to see him in action. Don’t forget to sign up via the evite registration, and I’ll see you there!

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