Banana Java Protein Shake

In a blender or smoothie maker, blend together
1 frozen, peeled chopped banana- if you don't have bananas on hand you can use 1 Tbsp instant banana pudding mix, you may also use unfrozen banana, it will work just fine
1 c strong brewed cold coffee, I use Pioneer Woman's recipe and keep it in the fridge
1 scoop of your favorite vanilla whey protein powder
sweetener-to your taste and preference (sugar, sugar substitute, coffee syrup, etc)
Blend well, Add 1 c ice continue blending until ice is fine and shake like consistency

Nutella Cookies

Mix together 1 c Nutella
1/4 c sugar
1 egg
 Stir in 1 cup flour.
Dough will be stiff.
Form into 1 inch balls and flatten with bottom of glass.
Bake at 350  8-10 minutes.


    yeah!! Nutella!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies- pudding recipe

You can see a crispier version of chocolate chip cookies HERE.
If you like the softer side this may be your recipe!

1 1/2 c butter softened
3 eggs, room temp
1 c brown sugar
1/2 c white sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
3 1/3 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 packages vanilla instant pudding
2 c chocolate chips

Cream together butter and eggs, add vanilla and sugars. In a separate bowel mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and drop by spoon fulls onto baking sheet, lightly sprayed, lined with parchment or well seasoned stoneware.  Bake at 350 10-12 minutes or until edges are browned.

You may change the flavor of your cookies by substituting chocolate instant pudding, or butterscotch with butterscotch chips.

Berry Poppy Seed Salad

Summer is here and a sweet salad is the perfect accompaniment to any barbque.
Make the most of fresh in season fruits and vegetables by mixing them and tossing with a light dressing.

Salad
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
2 large handfulls baby spinach
raspberries
blueberries
cashews
finely sliced sweet onion, like Vadallia or Walla Walla

Dressing
2/3 c apple juice
2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 Tbs poppy seeds

Toss and chill before serving.

Zuppa tascana

With fresh chard and herbs in the garden, it is time to make the perfect soup!
 There are many variations to this dish, this is mine.
For 4 servings
In large pot, Peel and chop 6 potatoes
                    peel and chop 3 carrots
                    chop 1 med onion
1/2  pound of sausage links. I use a chicken sausage from Sam's club. You can also use prepared ground sausage balls, you have browned previously.
Add 3quarts of water and 2-3 bullion cubes
 I use Knorr chicken - see photo below. I think these have the best taste. You can use homemade broth or canned also.
 Add salt and pepper to taste along with fresh herbs. You may use dried when fresh is not available.
 I add a small bunch of each
Thyme
Oregano
1 sprig of rosemary
After simmering 1/2 hour
add 1 or 2 large handfuls of chopped chard or kale.
Finish simmering until vegetables are tender and sausage is cooked through.

* to taste
add garlic when seasoning ( I would usually but this sausage has so much seasoning I hold back a little)
add cream to finished soup