Spinach/blueberry shake

2 cups ice

1 cup blueberries

2-3 handfuls of spinach

1 scoop protein powder (ours is vanilla flavor, but we have friends that use chocolate)

1 cup almond milk (so far I've bought Silk vanilla flavor)

1/2 a banana

1-2 Tbsp peanut butter (we substitute almond butter and use less.  I thought it was too peanut butter flavored with original recipe since I don't love peanut butter)

Our family loves this shake and has it for breakfast most mornings.  You don't taste the spinach at all. :)

Sweet Broccoli Slaw with Cranberries

This recipe was submitted by Annie S.
The original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup light sweet Vidalia onion dressing (such as Ken's Steak House Lite)
• 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 3 cups packaged broccoli coleslaw
• 1 cup chopped Gala apple (about 1/2 pound)
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

Preparation

• 1. Combine dressing and cider vinegar in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add coleslaw, apple, and cranberries; toss well to coat. Top evenly with pecans, if desired.

Spaghetti Pasta Salad

Cook 1lb. spaghetti noodles according to package directions. Do not overcook. Drain and rinse well with cold water.

Add: 8oz. Italian dressing
1/8-1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/3-1/2 bottle of small "Salad Supreme" seasoning. (Can be found in spice section)

Add in chopped veggies of your choice (example: carrots, green pepper, broccoli, red onion, cucumber, zucchini, etc.)

Stir all together. Chill until ready to serve. Great for summer get togethers. This recipe makes a lot! Be ready to share.

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

5 lbs white or yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1 tsp kosher salt
12 tablespoons unsalted buter, cut into pieces, at room temp
1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup sour cream
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp black pepper


1. Place the potatoes and 2 1/2 tablespoons salt in a large pot. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, over medium heat, heat the butter and 1/2 cup of the heavy cream until the butter melts.

2.Drain the potatoes and return to pot. Add the butter-cream mixture, sour cream, nutmeg, pepper, and the reamning salt. With a handheld potato masher, mash the potatoes. If a thinner consistency is desired, add the remaining cream, 1 tablespoon at a time.


3. Transfer the mashed potatoes to a heatproof serving dish. (You can cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, for up to 2 hrs).

Caesar Green Beans

Ingredients:
1/2 - 1 lb fresh green beans or 16 oz. bag frozen green beans
2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon melted butter
paprika (optional)

Directions:
1) Prepare and cook green beans until tender (10-15 mins). If using frozen, follow cooking directions on bag.
2) Toss green beans with all ingredients except bread crumbs, cheese and butter.
3) Put in 1 1/2 qt ungreased casserole dish.
4) Mix bread crumbs, butter and cheese.
5) Sprinkle over green bean mixture.
6) Sprinkle with paprika. (optional)
7) Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Medley

Often when when I make this, I use less than the full head of cauliflower and more broccoli. For faster preparation, I also buy the bagged, pre-cut, fresh broccoli.

1 head cauliflower
1 bunch broccoli
2 small onions, sliced & separated into rings (I prefer red onions)
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1/3 c. vinegar
3/4 c. sugar (or Splenda)
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Wash & clean cauliflower & brocolli thoroughly. Cut into bit sized pieces. Combine with onion in a large bowl.

Combine remaining ingredients, except bacon; add to vegetables, tossing gently.

Chill several hours or overnight.

Garnish with bacon before serving.