Judy's Strawberry Pretzel Salad

 I got this off of allrecipes and it was really good.

 The only changes I would make are adding one more 3 oz jello with one cup water so it is more of the same amount as the cream cheese mixture. also make sure you do not cook the pretzel crust past 10 minutes because it does get really hard.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels 4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar 3/4 cup butter, melted 1 cup white sugar 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped

topping, thawed 1 (6 ounce) package strawberry flavored Jell-O® 2 cups boiling water 1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
2.	In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.
3.	In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 1 hour.

Granola

I was introduced to the Green Smoothie Girl by Chynna, and I have really liked some of her stuff. Here is one recipe that I think is great, if you're looking for a good healthy breakfast to give your kids before they go to school.

It's full of fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids. It can be made in a big roasting pan with a lid, or broiler pan with a lid.
Mix Well:
8 C rolled oats (not instant oats, which are a processed food)
1 C raw wheat germ (found in bulk at the health food store, high in B vitamins)
1 C shredded coconut (found in bulk also- not the sugar kind)
1/2 C freshly ground flax seed (grind fresh, in your high-powered blender)
1 1/2 C nuts (walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds)
1/4 C sesame seeds
2 Tbsp. cinnamon

Heat on the stove until barely melted, stirring together:
1/2 C honey (raw)
1/2 C molasses or Grade B maple syrup
1/2 C water
1/2 C extra virgin coconut oil
optional: 1 Tbsp maple flavoring or vanilla

Pour liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until distributed evenly (this takes a few minutes). Bake at 250 degrees, stirring well every 20 minutes for 45-90 minutes or until dry. Keep in the pantry for up to 2 weeks in cooler weather, or in the fridge for up to six weeks.

We add dried fruit and sprouted raw sunflower seeds the day we eat them.

To sprout sunflower seeds, cover 1/2 p. of sunflower seed with filtered water overnight, then drain in the morning. They are now living food with vastly more enzymes and nutrients. Here's the link to her youtube video where she makes it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1HUUEuv-QE&feature=channel_video_title

Rainbow Jello

This is a very easy dessert but it will take all day to make. You won't be in the kitchen all day but you will be in and out throughout the day after a layer sets. This is a tradition for Christmas day, but I know Heidi does it for St. Patrick's day. It is one of my kids very favorite things. They LOVE seeing all the colors.

Rainbow Jello
6 3oz boxes of different flavors of Jello to make the rainbow (strawberry or cherry, orange, lemon, ect.)
Sour Cream

For each box of Jello do the following:
Dissolve 1 c. boiling water and divide in half. Slowly whisk in 1/3 c. of sour cream in one. Stir until smooth. Pour layer in pan. Refrigerate (or freeze if you want it to go faster). After the sour cream layer sets, pour the clear layer over. I usually wait 15-20 minutes in between layers so that the clear layer sitting out on the counter waiting to be poured will not set.
Pretty simple but super fun to eat!
P.S. The first layer will take the longest.

Sugar Cookies

It's been quite a while since anyone last posted on here.  In case some of you are making Valentine cookies and would like to try a new recipe, I have one for you.  My friend gave me this recipe and I used it to make my Christmas sugar cookies.  I really liked it because the dough was perfect to work with and the cookies were just right and soft.  The only thing is is it does make a lot.  Oh well.  Give some to the neighbors.

1/2 C butter
1/2 C shortening
1 1/2 C sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp soda

Cream butter, shortening and sugar together.  Mix in the rest of the wet ingredients.  In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, and soda.  Add slowly to other mixture.  Chill dough.  Roll and cut out.  Bake at 375 for 8 min.  Frost and enjoy!

Hopefully they turn out as well for you as they did for me.

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

I just made this the other night and it was tasty. Very hearty soup. Try it out. Easy peasy too. Love those.



Hamburger-Vegetable Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1 whole potato peeled and diced
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped green pepper
4 cups beef broth (can use 4 c. water + 4 beef bouillon cubes)
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (corn, peas, carrots, green beans)
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp Salt (and more to taste if you would like)

In a large saucepan or pot cook ground beef, onion, and green pepper till meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to boiling, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes or till vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf. Makes about 8 cups (6 main-dish servings).


The changes I would make next time is using a little less hamburger. I thought it was too much hamburger. So I would recommend 1/2 lb or even 3/4 lb.
Very good soup and super easy. Also lots of veggies. I hope you try it!

Baked Oatmeal

We had this for breakfast on our vacation and it was so good! It makes probably enough for two mornings.

• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat in milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Spread into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.  
4. Put in your bowl and pour a little milk over it.

Green Pepper Chip Dip (I don't think this is the best name for it)

Here's the recipe you wanted, Jessi..

4 oz cream cheese
8 slices velveeta cheese
1 small can diced green chilies
1 small can tomato sauce
Salt to taste

*Put in crockpot on low and melt.  Good for chip dip and also delicious on burritos.