White and Wild Rice Pilaf

White and Wild Rice Pilaf
From Allrecipes.com
Serves 8

1 T olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 1/2 C Swanson Vegetable Broth
1/2 C uncooked wild rice
1 C uncooked regular long-grain white rice
2 T chopped fresh parsley

Heal oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook until tender. Stir in broth and wild rice. Heat to a boil. cover and cook over low heat 25 minutes.

Stir in white rice. Cover and cook over low heat 20 minutes or until rice is done. Stir in parsley.  Serve hot.

Italian Herb and Cheese Baguettes

This recipe comes from my Sister-in-Law Krystal. It's amazing. Hopefully you're accustomed to bread making, cuz the directions here are as good as they're going to get, considering this was originally a bread machine recipe.

Italian Herb and Cheese Baguettes

Makes 2 

 1 1/4 C water (roughly 105-110 F)
2 t active dry yeast
1 1/2 T olive oil
1 t salt
3 1/2 C flour
2 t sugar
1 T dried parsley
1 t dried basil
1/2 t garlic powder
1 C colby jack cheese (or choose a different one)

In a large bowl combine the water and yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes. It should get frothy.

Add remaining ingredients, knead until dough is soft and springy. cover lightly and let rise in a warm area until doubled, 1-1 1/2 hrs. Punch dough down, cut in half, and shape into two baguettes. Let rise a little more, then bake at 360 for 15-20 minutes.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

From Eating for Life
Makes 1 smoothie

12 oz cold water
1 packet vanilla Myoplex Lite
1 small banana
6 frozen strawberries

Pour old water in b lender. Add myoplex powder and blend on medium speed for 15 seconds.

Add banana; blend for 30 more seconds. Add frozen strawberries and blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 more seconds.

Pour into a tall glass, serve and enjoy.

**Notes from Em**
This smoothie comes out only "cool" in temperature, so you might want to throw in a few ice cubes and decrease the water amount, that or stick it in the fridge/freezer for a while, then re-blend it for a sec before drinking it.

Bananas Foster Style

Bananas Foster Style

From Eating for Life

Serves 1

1 banana, sliced
2 T sugar-free maple syrup
1 portion low-fat cottage cheese (about 1/2 C)

Lightly coat a small nonstick skillet with butter-flavored cooking spray and place over medium heat. Add sliced bananas and fry for about 1 minute.

Add maple syrup to the skillet and gently stir to coat the banana slices; continue to cook for another minute.

Place cottage cheese on a small serving plate and microwave on high until heated through, about 20 seconds.

Top cottage cheese with maple-glazed banana slices. Serve and enjoy!