Amy's Apple Dip

My mom got this recipe from our cousin Amy Dunn Jacobsen, or so the story goes, and we've been calling it "Amy's Apple Dip" ever since. But seeing that none of you know Amy (or me, for that matter) I thought I'd call it what it is. 

1 can sweetened condensed milk
6-8 oz. butterscotch chips
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vinegar
Melt in a double doiler on low heat. Serve warm with granny smith apples, or any other apples you prefer, but, the more tart the better!

Jen's Power Smoothie

My friend Jen introduced me to these smoothies. She calls them green smoothies, but my sister and I have tweaked the recipe a little bit, and our's are more purple (which to me look more appetizing to eat than the green.) These smoothies have so many vitamins and nutrients in them, if you eat one in the morning, your fruits and veggies are taken care of, along with so many other good things like omega-3 and fiber, etc. These measurements are appoximations, so you can play with it to your taste and liking.

1 cup vanilla or plain yogurt
1/2-1 cup orange juice
1-2 ripe bananas
about 1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, or a combination of all)
1-2 Tbsp. flax seed (whole or ground meal)
huge handful of baby spinach
2-3 large kale leaves, removed from the hard stalk
2-3 large collard greens, removed from the hard stalk
large cup of ice
agave nectar or honey to sweeten

My friend Jen doesn't use yogurt or orange juice, but I feel like it just makes it taste better. Plus the yogurt and o.j. adds protein and vitamin C. I also add a few more berries than she does, and agave nectar because if it doesn't look or taste good, my kids won't drink it! She also adds a scoop of protein powder, and you can do this if you want, but I found it makes it taste grittier or chalkier and it brings out the taste of the greens, which you're trying to mask.

The key is to blend this really really really well so the greens are blended and hidden. Also, another key is the bananas because it makes it smooth and sweet. But you can play with this recipe to your liking, I have a ton of friends who eat this smoothie now and it seems like we all have our own version. But it is really tasty and so good for you, and makes me feel like I'm giving my kids some great nutrition!

easy easy cobbler for 1, 2...

1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup quick oats
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup walnuts (optional)

[mix all together (at this point i put in a Ziploc and put what i don't use in the fridge then when i want some cobbler i just take out what i need) take out 1/2 cup of mixture and put in microwave safe bowl cook for 1 minute (bubbly) stir. then get out some fresh or canned peaches (or any fruit you like) and put in bowl microwave for 30 seconds then add topping and micro for 30 more...
voila! yum yum!

yummy berry smoothie

I've been making the best little smoothies lately... and I just cant get enough of them...

Here's what I do...

1 cup berries (blue and rasp)
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup milk
1 TBS agave nectar (or honey.)

mix this up and you have a great snack... I ate it 3 times yesterday... I say its better than me eating a candy bar...

5-cup Salad

This is one of those standard Utah-Mormon salads you would have at any potluck, but we usually make it at Thanksgiving dinner (although one of my friends made it for a brunch at a baby shower). The last time I made it at Thanksgiving, both my husband and sister-in-law Michelle said they liked it better than their Grandma's Dixie Salad (sorry Leila!) It is a recipe from my Grandma Kay. Enjoy!

1 cup mini marshmellows or large marshmellows cut in quarters
1 20-oz. can pineapple chunks
1 15-oz. can mandarin oranges
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup sour cream
Mix all together, chill and serve. This is best made ahead, and it gets better the longer it's in the fridge!