Simple overnight oatmeal

1 c old fashion oats
1 1/8 c applesauce (unsweetened)
1 apple cored and diced
3/4 c soy milk
1/3 chopped almonds
cinnamon to taste (I use about 2 tsp)
1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c brown sugar

mix and chill in fridge overnight

Ice Box Pie (pineapple version)

This is the most easy pie... and it is so delicious!!

It is easy to change up too.

This is the pineapple/pecan version.

2 cartons coolwhip

3 tbs lemon juice (fresh!!)

1 can Eagle Brand Milk

1 large can crushed pineapple (drained until it is dry.. use cheese cloth)

1 cup chopped pecans

2 shortbread or vanilla wafer pie crusts (they are just better!)

Use mixer and whip coolwhip with lemon juice until stiff. Hand stir in remaining ingredients. Pour half into each crust. Put in fridge for a couple of hours to chill.

SERVE!!

It is that simple!!

Variations:

-add sweetened coconut flakes

Lemon/Lime Icebox Pie

(instead of pineapple and pecans)

Use 1 6oz can frozen lemonade or limeade and garnish with lemon or lime zest!!

Light bean salad

**adapted from mckmama's

1 can garbanzo beans

1 can dark red kidney beans

1 can light kidney beans

(oh lets face it... 3 cans of beans you like)

1 can Rotel

(as hot as you like)

2 avocados, diced

(or as many as you like)

lime juice (1lime)

1 handful chopped cilantro

salt and cumin to taste

rinse and drain beans, mix with remaining ingredients.  Best if chilled, but great right away too!!

quick and easy pasta chicken salad

super easy quick dinner...

very versatile!!

1 pkg of whatever shape pasta 

1 can of garbanzo beans drained

1/4 cup diced white onion

1 diced bell pepper... optional (not my fave so I add it on my hubby's)

dollop ( big spoon full) mayo

dollop plain yogurt

2 chicken breasts diced ( I just bake them with a little garlic salt and tarragon)

salt and pepper to taste

make pasta and rinse with cold water 

(hint.... heavily salt your pasta while cooking)

mix with remaining ingredients and serve on top of greens and top with whatever you like

Taco Soup

[photo will be comin']

the orinigal is not my recipe...

it is so common and I have heard it like 5 times I wouldn't even know who to 

give credit to...

BUT INCASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT:

Taco Soup

2 cans kidney beans

2 cans pinto beans

2 cans garbanzo beans

1 big can rotel

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

open all the cans...

dump in crockpot

dump seasonings

stir and heat on low for 10 hrs or high for 6... or whatever

top with cheese, sour cream, chips, on top of noodles, or eat with cornbread... 

it goes great with everything

ps.. tastes better the next day...

Sunday Waffles

We love Sunday Waffles!!!

We have breakfast for dinner on Sundays.

Much easier with church!!

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup sugar

1-2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

2 eggs 

1 and 3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

top with homemade whip cream...

and fruit...

I like bananas and pecans...

Eric likes peaches

the kids like chocolate chips.

ps....I double the batch and freeze the rest...better than the store bought kind!!

Tomato Basil Soup

This is my absolute favorite tomato soup for 2 reasons

1st- Easy Peasy!!! 30 minutes 

2nd- bestest yummiest tomato soup

Ingredients:

2 big cans crushed tomatoes

6 cups tomato juice

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

3/4 stick...(it is 3/8 cup) butter

15 fresh basil leaves

salt and pepper to taste

Here is the hard part.... 

dump the tomatoes and juice in pot and heat for 30 minutes.

Add cream, butter, and basil leaves.

Blend with hand blender.

Salt and pepper to taste-TRY BEFORE YOU PUT ANYTHING IN!!!

I like it au natural!!!