Wednesday Pick-Me-Up #10

{Healthy Eating} - Vegetable Quinoa Soup

I have had a really productive weekend - I can cross three things off my project list!  I had hoped to share one with you this weekend but it has been very gray and dreary so I have not taken any pictures yet.

Gray and dreary weather is good for one thing though - eating soup.  I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share with you a delicious soup I made last weekend.  This  Vegetable Quinoa Soup is from Two Peas & Their Pod.  I knew I had to make this when I saw that all the vegetables in it - onion, carrots, celery, zucchini, yellow squash, green beans and tomatoes - are vegetables that I like.  {That doesn't happen to often.}  The addition of quinoa is a nice bonus too, making this a super healthy soup.

You can get the recipe here.  Have a great week!

{Confidential} - November Project Board

Okay - it's time to get serious in the craft room.  The list is getting longer and the holidays are getting closer.

{Not So Confidential} - October in Review

Goodbye October.  Goodbye walks in the park with beautiful scenery like this:

Hyland Lake Park Reserve

{What I made} Craft Projects

{What I made} Yummy Eats

• Stuffed Acorn Squash from Rachael Ray
• Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto from the Star Tribune - At first I thought this was a lot of work for something that only tasted all right.  But the leftovers changed my mind because they tasted great.
• Apple, Sage and Turkey Meatloaf from Whole Foods Market
• Orzo with Parmesan and Basil from My Tiny Oven - This reminded me of Pasta Roni only homemade and better.
• Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins from Tracey's Culinary Adventures - I loved these.  They were great for breakfast and for dessert.

{#FMSphotoaday} 

Last month I joined the fun that is the Fat Mum Slim Photo a day challenge.  While I haven't managed yet to complete a whole month of the challenge, I love playing along when I can and putting my creative hat on.  I post my photos on Instagram and would love to have some followers {I'm lynnbodensteiner}  I'll follow back.  Here is my favorite from October:

20. 4 o'clock #lateasusual

{Popsicle of the Month} - Root Beer Float Pops

Never mind that this weekend the temperatures are only in the forties and that it snowed on Thursday {it didn't stick though because the ground isn't cold.}  Last Sunday it was a spectacular 70 degrees.  So, before fall turns into winter I made these super easy and wonderfully yummy popsicles.

I recommend planning ahead when making these popsicles because you will want to use flat root beer so open a can the day before and leave in the refrigerator.

Root Beer Float Pops

Vanilla Ice Cream

Cold, Flat Root Beer

Using a spoon, loosely fill your popsicle molds with small scoops of ice cream.  Pour the root beer into the molds and fill to the top.  Insert sticks into molds and freeze until firm.

I am sharing this simply delicious treat at these parties.

Wednesday Pick-Me-Up #9

{Healthy Eating} - Turkey Sloppy Janes with Oven Fries

I am trying to keep potato chips and french fries out of my diet.  So far, so good.  But these oven fries are an exception.  They are easy to make, tasty, and dare I say it - healthy.

Here's how I make them:
Cut potatoes into matchsticks.  Soak the potatoes in cold water for 20 or so minutes.  Dry the potatoes and place in a bowl.  Toss with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Spread in single layer on foil lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.  Then enjoy!

I recently made oven fries along with these Turkey Sloppy Janes {recipe from Whole Foods Market} and some mixed greens.

{Disclaimer: I don't typically eat my sandwiches on hot dog buns.  But I had hot dog buns so that is what I ate.  I do however have a funny story about a potluck, sloppy joes and hot dog buns.  That is for another day though.}

The turkey sloppy janes are packed with veggies {are dates a fruit or veggie - I think fruit} and lean ground turkey.  Yum - very delicious and healthy.