cheese leek soup

Recipe: German-Style Cheese Leek Soup

This recipe for Cheese and Leek Soup (or “Käse Lauch Suppe” as the Germans would say) comes straight from a German grocery store ad. Normally, I wouldn’t see a small recipe amidst food ads as a reliable source for yummy food, but I do now!

I went out on a limb one day and tried this leek soup out on my family–Wow! This is homemade comfort food at its finest for the winter months. (more…)

soy crepes for kids

Easy Crepes For Kids

I finally figured out a way to “healthify” one of my favorite European recipes–the Crepe! In my effort to get more healthy soy protein into our diets, it dawned on me that I had never tried the soy/flour substitution in crepes yet.

Crepes are one of our favorite desserts, brunches, snacks…you name it! These thin little pancakes are so versatile since you can add just about anything you like to them.
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Peanut Butter Balls

Soy Protein Peanut Butter Balls

These soy protein peanut butter balls make a wonderful snack for kids! They are high in protein, which keeps little tummies feeling full longer, and they are quick and easy to make.  No baking required!

Research shows that young girls who are raised on 40 grams of soy protein per day have a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer later in life.[1. A H Wu et al., “Soy intake and risk of breast cancer in Asians and Asian Americans,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 68, no. 6 (1998).]  And this is just one of the many health benefits associated with a healthy soy intake. So, I am constantly looking for ways to help my kids get more high-quality soy in their diet.

Each peanut butter ball contains about 2 grams of heart-healthy soy, and your kids will probably only eat 2 or 3 in one sitting.  They are very filling and satisfying. (more…)

9 layer dip recipe

Recipe: Fiesta 9-Layer Dip

Our family loves mexican food of any kind, and this 9-layer dip was born out of my own personal love for supreme nachos.  I took some layer ideas from friends and then added a few of my own.  I’m sure this combo has been done before somewhere, but I’m claiming it just the same. 🙂

This dip is completely void of artificial ingredients and packed full of flavor.

The basic layers, starting from the bottom, include cream cheese, bottled salsa, ground sirloin, kidney beans, diced green chills, tomatoes, grated cheese, green onions, and fresh avocado.
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pizza rice recipe

Pizza Rice

I stumbled upon this pizza rice creation one evening when the original plan was to have homemade pizza, but I had failed to make the pizza dough ahead of time.  And I didn’t have an extra 2 hours at that point.  My kids were hungry!

So, upon further examination of all the ingredients that I had, I thought, “hey! I can serve this over rice instead!”

I’m sure I’m not the first person to have thought of this, but I’d at least like to think so for a while. 🙂  The impromptu meal turned out fabulous and was a big hit with the kids!  Since that time, I have made it again…quite intentionally.
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butter flaky pie crust

Butter Flaky Pie Crust Recipe

The Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts used to be the norm at my house when I was growing up.  I didn’t know there was any different way to do it.  I had never seen anyone make a homemade pie crust before.

Many years later, after I was married, I learned that I truly enjoyed cooking and making things from scratch.  Even then, I had not yet attempted a homemade crust.  Perhaps I was intimidated by the idea, thinking it would be way too hard.
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