Menu Plan & Tasty Recipes Blog Hop

(YES friends I'm repeating my menu and linky below. Still link up and I will pick my favorites in 2 weeks. We only ate half this menu so we will finish up the other half this week! Thanks for stopping in.)

Ready for a new week of cooking? I haven't posted much of a menu plan the past month because I haven't been cooking. Hubby was gone for a month and when he is gone I don't cook much. We ate light meals or ate out. The summer schedule is crazy around here and I never knew when we would be all home to eat. So this week I plan on cooking.
Monday-
Asian Chicken Salad with Cilantro Dressing-I'm buying a cooked chicken at the store.
Fruit & Yogurt

Tuesday-
BLT Pizza (teens love this)
Huge salad using fresh garden tomatoes

Wednesday- Makin' Breakfast
French Toast Casserole- for kids
Crustless Spinach Quiche- healthier choice for me and I'm leaving out the potatoes to cut down on the carbs.
Fruit Salad Kabobs

Thursday-
Crock Pot Italian Sausage & Peppers- Three choices with this meal. Eat with pasta, eat as a sandwich or eat just sausage and veggies on a plate. I will give the family a choice. They will pick choice 1 or 2 and either way I will eat mine without the bread or pasta to cut down on my carbs. I could use whole wheat pasta but no one likes it around here but me.
No bake peanut butter bars

Friday- (left overs) and/or Homemade Pizza

Saturday- Happy Birthday to Me! 

My ideal meal (where calories do not count this day)
Sushi
Japanese Fried Rice
Hot Fudge Brownie, Caramel, Whipped Cream Sundae
Fun tropical drinks
Coffee (sipped in a Paris cafe)

Sunday- No cooking. Check my Recipe Box for something fun.

Link up your menu plan below or any recipes you want to share. You can also link up any craft that is food related.


Next week I will picked a few of the most clicked recipes to feature in and try in our menu! So link up something good :)

Oh and check here and here for new coupons before you go shopping!
I link up at orgjunkie.com and always check out 3 Boys and a Dog menu!

It isn't always easy being YOU! Mom Daughter talk #KotexMom

Kermit the Frog sings, "It's not that easy being green." Here are the lyric to the actual song:

Written by Joe Raposo 

It's not that easy being green;
Having to spend each day the color of the leaves.
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold...
or something much more colorful like that.

It's not easy being green.
It seems you blend in with so many other ord'nary things.
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
or stars in the sky.

But green's the color of Spring.
And green can be cool and friendly-like.
And green can be big like an ocean, or important like a mountain,
or tall like a tree.

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why?
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful!
And I think it's what I want to be.

Funny thing about that song is that I thought of the potential talks that I would need to make with my babies years ago while we were watching Sesame Street. I knew that it was my responsibility to prepare my babies (3 girls) to be young women. The lyrics have always stuck with me.  I really think it applies to the mother-daughter talk which is supposed to prepare the baby (tad pole) to one day turn into a beautiful (frog) young lady!

(Verse 1) As a women, it isn't easy being who we are. Our bodies change and our outside appearance isn't always what we want it to be. Our thoughts and emotions don't always match the way we look on the outside. This has guided me to always let my daughters know that they have to like themselves if they want others to like them for who they truly are inside. This isn't easy but over time they will gain confidence in themselves especially when they see that their mother has that same confidence.

(Verse 2) It isn't easy being yourself because your body is changing, your hormones change and fluctuate depending on the cycle of your body. Some days we don't know who we are. I have taught my girls early on that they do not need to be like everyone else.  They don't have to act, dress and follow the crowd. This isn't easy to do but I have to say that if you teach your daughter this they will become a better woman.

It is ok to get passed over because you are not in the "it crowd" and yes it will hurt. It is ok to have your own sparkle, dress and act for yourself and not like everyone else. Yes sometimes people will ignore you, not pick you first to be on their team, walk by you and act as though you don't matter but remember that is their loss.  This does hurt when you are going through body changes and yes, even when you are 40 something. Be honest, open and sharing with your daughter. When the "it crowd" isn't around anymore she will have her own confidence to stand up and be who she wants to be.

(Verse 3) Deep down we are all green. Yes even the "it crowd" girls! Let your daughter know that we all go through the same struggles. We all have hormones that cycle and as girls and women we are all alike in that regard.  I have taught my girls since early on that we ultimately choose how to be when our hormones are at different stages. For example, sometimes the hormones create emotions of rage. This will make her want to lash out but teach her that she can choose how to control that rage. The same goes for the  emotions of love, anger, sadness, etc. on others as well as ourselves.

(Verse 4) The last verse is a wrap up of everything in life. I've taught my daughters that ultimately they are responsible for what they say and do. They need to be responsible, accepting, and respectable of their own green skin and from their they can be all they can be to help others.

http://teenagerpost.tumblr.com

Does this make sense? Do these thoughts give you a sense of how to be confident for yourself and your daughter? It is a continual process that starts early on and never ends.  It isn't something that you can just dump on them when they are 13. You can guide your daughter into accepting herself and her changes as are they are happening, too. You can prepare them for what is coming with confidence if you are confident in yourself.


So when should you start preparing your daughter for her up and coming changes? We used a simple book series called Learning About Sex for Girls. They also have a set for boys but we never read it. I do wish that I would have read it to know what boys think and need to be told. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful husband and father for my daughters that could step up, guide, support and answer boy questions. This book series is used from early on and you read different books as they age. It even comes with a discussion book just for parents. 


For extra support and excellent online resources I have many times gone over to the Kotex site: www.kotex.com/tween. This site is a great reference to prepare for your talk with your daughter. It has great tools such as a calendar with facts about puberty, questions your daughter may ask, ways to start the conversation and more. The other reference spot is U by Kotex website for period questions that could be helpful for tweens and teens:www.ubykotex.com/helloperiod. 


As with any resource on and off line I always check and make sure what it is before letting my girl read on her own. I think it is important to know what they are going to read and it will prepare you for questions and facilitate discussions. 


I asked my friends on my Blog Facebook Page the question on tips and resources they use to teach their daughter and this is what Katie had to say, "I can tell you what not to do...Do not hand your daughter a book and tell her to read it and then walk away!" Sounds like great advise to me!

Why am I discussing this on my blog? Check out my first Kotex Brand Ambassador post for more information. IF you are on Pinterest, check out my Teen Inspiration board. If you post about teens I would love for you to join the board.

I wrote this review while participating in a Brand Ambassador Campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of U by KotexTween and received products to facilitate my post and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Teen Spiration Teen Inspired Projects

I'm a mom of 3 teens! Each one is very inspiring in their own way. The 13 year old has been helping me with projects for my blog since she was 9. Just recently one of my 17 year old girls asked if she could add some post to my blog. So this week I created a teen inspired Pinterest board and Teen link up.

If you have teens I would love for you to link up post that they have helped with, projects that they created, etc. Check here at Teen Spiration Teen Inspiration linky party for more information.

The featured board is my Teen Spiration Teen Inspired Projects. I hope you stop over and follow!

HOW TO JOIN THE LINKY below- (do any of the following)

1) Pin this Party Post to Pinterest- Please! Why? To let others know about the party. It advertises the party so more people see it which in turn more people will see what you pin and give you traffic.

2) Add your Pinterest name to the linky. If you aren't on Pinterest and want an invite, leave a comment and emailaddy.

3) Link up anything you want to be pinned! No limit. We just ask that you make sure your post has a decent picture.

4) In turn pin a few things on the linky.

5) If you want to host the party on your blog, scroll down and take the code. Make your own Pinterest Saturday page. That way you will get more attention to your blog.

Please follow my boards on Pinterest- SusieQTpies Scraps of Life and cohost  Crystal and Company and  3 Boys and a Dog. We do follow back.

FREE Gooseberry Patch Cookbook

Click to get this FREE Gooseberry Patch Cookbook! It is free for a limited time and you have a lot of choices on how you can get this book! Check it out--NOW! http://gooseberrypatch.typepad.com/blog/2012/07/ffg-burgers-ebook.html

Oh and while you are here at my blog, enter to win a copy of 101 Breakfast & Brunch Gooseberry Patch Cookbook! Giveaway ends in a week. 

Get $10 American Express Gift Card

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Information about the offer: ORDER AN AMERICAN EXPRESS® PREPAID CARD, LOAD $50 OR MORE AT THE TIME OF ORDER, AND RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY $10 GIFT CARD. Offer Ends July 31, 2012. Limit one (1) offer per Card. After qualifying for this offer, please allow 6 weeks for the $10 Gift Card to be mailed to the Card purchaser. 

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York Photo $1 Grocery Tote + 40 Free Prints

This would be so fun as a gift for the grandparents!


York Photo $1.00 Grocery Tote Plus If you are new to York Photo you get 40 free prints.

Use Code: YORKTOTEAD (Expires July 30th) Shipping for Tote: $3.99

9 Benefits of Music for Kids

By Laura Yeh

Kids who learn to play a musical instrument gain an outlet for their creativity that can bring them a joy for a lifetime. They also reap tangible benefits that can help them as students and throughout their lives.

Through musical instruction, children learn discipline, patience, problem-solving skills, confidence and responsibility, to name just a few benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages your child can gain from learning to play an instrument:

#1 Precision, discipline and focus: In addition to fostering the development of discipline, music enables children to learn precision and accuracy. I know of no other form of education that can help students learn this kind of focused precision at a young age. Students learn to pay close attention to exactly how a particular skill looks, sounds and feels. The brain learns to notice more detail.

#2 Patience: Students gain the valuable quality of patience, especially with a more complex instrument like violin or piano. Each skill requires hundreds of repetitions to become easy. Students must have the confidence that they will get it if they just keep practicing.

#3 Problem-solving and persistence: Practicing is always about problem-solving. Why do I make a mistake here or why does it sound squeaky? What solutions can I come up with to fix the mistake? Good practice techniques require creativity and patience to identify and solve the problem. From this, students learn persistence. No passage is impossible to play correctly. It’s just a matter of finding the right way of practicing.

#4 Fine motor skills: I have seen the development of fine motor skills in my violin students, particularly the ability to isolate certain muscles and joints as well as the independent use of each finger.

#5 Healthy habits: Learning a musical instrument requires good posture and the ability to keep muscles relaxed even while doing something challenging. Students also strengthen muscles and gain flexibility, both of which contribute to overall health.

#6 Memory: As music is memorized, the capabilities of memory are greatly enhanced. Education then becomes a matter of drawing conclusions and making connections between concepts rather than an exertion to merely memorize all the material. The younger a child can begin learning music, the greater the benefit for their short- and long-term memory.

#7 Creativity: The wonderful thing about music is that, although it requires precision and accuracy in terms of rhythms, notes and playing technique, when it comes to interpretation, there is so much room for individuality. The skill of improvisation allows even greater creativity. Students learn to think for themselves and make their own artistic choices rather than being told how to do everything.

#8 Cultural Understanding: Students are introduced to music of different cultures and from different times. This exposure is useful for kids to learn about and appreciate the differences and individuality of all people.

#9 Confidence and work ethic: Students learn that if they apply themselves intelligently, efficiently, and persistently they achieve the desired result.

So what is the best way to introduce children to music? Many children with encouragement can learn challenging instruments such as the violin and piano. But not all families can invest the money and time required for instruments and lessons. A wonderful instrument that I have found to help spur children’s interest in music is the ocarina.

These ancient little wind instruments were played by the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas of South and Central America and in ancient India and China. The ocarina was well known in the United States in the early part of the last century after being issued to troops in the two World Wars.

In 2004, I bought several ocarinas while on a visit to Taiwan. I was impressed by how easy the ocarina was to pick up and play. So we began teaching it at the St. Louis School of Music. It turned out to be a perfect fit.

The ocarina is pocket-sized, fun and intriguing to play. It’s portable, economical and has a pleasant sound even in the hands of a beginner. It offers a great way to teach children the lifelong joys of music and introduce them to skills that will help them excel in everything they do.

————————————————————————————————————

About the Author-guest article:

Laura Yeh is a performer and music educator trained in the Suzuki methods of instruction who teaches violin and ocarina at the St. Louis School of Music to children as young as 3 and adults. Laura and her husband Dennis have collaborated with ocarina makers around the world to produce new models of the ocarina. They have designed and produced many unique and innovative ocarinas sold by STL Ocarina (http://www.stlocarina.com).

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Teen Blog Hop, Cat food & cat toys!

My 13 year old, Emily, created two really fun cat projects for her three cats. She was featured on the Bowdabra Craft Blog on Monday and Tuesday where they hosted her two projects. I'm one of their Designers so it was fun to see my teen being featured.

Do you have any craft projects designed and teen created? Leave the links below so that she can check out your teen creations. This has inspired me to create a linky blog hop (I'm keeping it live for several months.) This means you can add the link up on your blog, too. Just grab the code. If you don't know how, just ask!

So please, only link up projects your teens have done. They do not need to be original ideas, either. Just projects that they have worked on. This includes recipes, book & music reviews, nail painting, hair design, etc! If they have projects but no blog, I will be happy to host their project. Just ask me what that means!

To kick off the "Teen-Spirations" here are the two photos Emily's projects and the link for you to check them out. I do know that she would LOVE your support. If you do stop over there, please leave her a comment. Teens love and need our support.

 Emily designed this project on paper and then painted each side of the container. Check out her Pet Craft- DIY Cat Treat Jar

Emily made a fun Pet Craft- Cat Toy for her pets, too! They love it and it is a really cheap project.

TO participate in the linky:

1- Link up anything that a teen created. No limit on ideas or projects.

2-Visit teen post and give them comments. Teens need to hear that we support them.

3- Feel free to take the linky and the above Teen Inspiration photo to add to your blog. I just ask that you link back to me in your post. It is all about sharing!

4- Have fun!

5- We created a Teen Spiration Teen Inspired Pinterest Board. Please follow! We will visit and comment on every post and pin each post to Pinterest. Want to be a contributor on the Teen Pinterest Board? Leave your Pinterest link and I will add you to the new board.

7 {family} Healthy Travel Tips

Are you still planning traveling events with your family this summer? We have several journeys before school starts (in less than a month.) One of the things I am doing this summer is to make sure we are healthy along the way. Out of the 5 of us, I'm the one most concerned and have decided to plan ahead so that I keep on my journey to healthy living. 

I haven't read the book yet but plan to get the bestselling book, “Dr. A’s Habits of Health,”by Dr. Wayne Andersen, Medical Director for Take Shape for Life (www.tsfl.com) to read along the way.

#1 Before you pack, be sure to ask the hotel if they have a gym or pool and bring appropriate clothes to get some exercise. (No excuses!) (I'm doing this! I exercise daily -remember I'm walking off my weight)

#2 Bring healthy snacks for the road / plane. Items like Medifast Crunch Bars are great options because they’re satisfying, portable and contain less sodium and calories than airplane snacks or fast food options. (I'm packing apples & popcorn for me!)

#3 Drink lots of water. Any sort of traveling is taxing on the body and you’ll want to keep hydrated. (I will and plan on getting ice whenever we stop because I can only drink icy cold water.)

#4 Remember that alcohol will let down your defenses and is full of empty calories and carbs! It is best to choose club soda or a diet drink with your meals. (I am not going to drink my calories. I do plan on having at least 1 drink at my brother-in-laws wedding...that is a given)

#5 Make healthy choices. Some days you may have to have both lunch and dinner out, so make the best of it and choose wisely. (We will eat out for all our trips. That is a given. I will pick healthy choices and plan on enjoying every bit of it.)

#6 Order a salad and appetizer for you main meal.  It will most likely be the proper portion. (I agree on this one. I always order my salad with dressing on the side. This way I feel good about adding a tiny bit when needed. I have found that the dressing covers off the fresh tasting veggies.)

#7 Remember to bring your journal to jot down both memories from the trip as well as what you ate to help you keep track of calories.  (I keep track of calories, exercise on the NOOM phone app. I plan on jotting down family memories and want to create a family Memory Jar.)

Hope you enjoyed those 7 tips. My plan is in red! What is your plan on staying healthy while you travel?

The article was provided by Dr. Wayne Andersen who is the Medical Director for Take Shape for Life Wellness program. He is board certified in internal medicine and specializes in weight management. Dr. Andersen graduated from University of Florida. Involved with Johns Hopkins in collaborating studies to show the efficacy of meal replacements, Dr. Andersen’s goal is to provide simple, convenient means for people to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. As the chief architect of Take Shape for Life, Dr. Andersen has built an integrated support system that helps people make the necessary changes in their lifestyles to create optimal health.

More Summer Travel and Healthy Food options

• 10 Tips for a Healthy Summer Vacation
• 7 Healthy Travel Tips
• 15 Healthier & Savvy Travel Tips
• 6 Summer Salad Recipes
• 7 Healthy NutritionTips for Families
• 6 Healthy Foods for the Savvy Traveler

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Zucchini Amish Friendship Bread

Do you have extra zucchini from the garden? Time to make bread! This is our favorite Zucchini Bread recipe that we found at the Friendship Bread Kitchen Website. Don't forget to check my Amish Friendship Bread Recipe Box for the Starter, 10 Day steps to creating the starter and other Amish Friendship Bread Variations. 

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Amish Friendship Bread

Ingredients

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1 cup grated zucchini, excess liquid removed
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1-2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding

Directions

1. Preheat over to 325° F (165° C).
2. In a large bowl combine all the dry ingredients except the chocolate chips. Mix well.
3. In a smaller bowl, combine all the wet ingredients. Mix well.
4. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and slowly fold in the wet ingredients, mixing well and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
5. Add the chocolate chips.
6. Bake for one hour in a well greased pan or until the bread loosens evenly from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
7. ENJOY!

The recipe belongs to the Friendship Bread Kitchen Recipe box and I have seen it on other websites. The photo is mine. 

We picked this variation of Amish Friendship Bread to bake because my 13 year old just finished reading the book, Friendship Bread by Darien Gee. It is a fiction book and includes recipes for the starter and bread. She picked this one to bake on her own. 

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6 Healthy Foods for the Savvy Traveler

Are you making your summer travel plans? Don't forget to plan snacks along the way, especially if will be at the mercy of others. Don't let yourself get in a situation where you are eating food you do not want to eat. Remember that nutritious, healthy eating doesn’t mean deprivation and with a little planning you can enjoy foods that are deliciously good for you.

Some simple and perfectly portable choices include:

• Natural peanut butter, raw almond butter and baked wheat/multi-grain crackers or rice cakes. Or pack some road-friendly nut butter sandwiches made with whole wheat or multi-grain bread.

• Nuts, fruit and a high quality natural dry cereal to munch on, or trail mix that is chockfull of your favorite healthy goodies.

• A power protein, or granola bar. Check the label to be sure it doesn’t have any chemicals, hydrogenated oil, or high fructose corn syrup lurking inside. Also watch the calorie count and check the fat and sugar content, and opt for one with the best nutritional profile.

• Pack a little cooler with yogurt, berries, low-fat cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or raw veggies and humus.

• For a punch of protein that doesn’t require refrigeration, take along sardines or single-serving packets of tuna and whole grain pita bread to make a simple, satisfying, and healthy sandwich.

• If you want something crunchy, pop natural popcorn, put it in a container or bag and take it with you.

Need to detox? Check out this Dandelion Root Tea. Read more on both recipes in the Summer 2012 Newsletter. 

 These Choco Coco Bananas look great! I'm going to make some of these for my up and coming trip!

Looking for some light, healthy, low-calorie recipes to add some sweet and savory flavor to your summer? Download the summer issue of Natural Healing, Natural Wellness at www.topricin.com for Payman’s delicious summer recipes for Choco Coco Bananas, Savory Yogurt Dip, Cinnamon Oranges, Asian Rolls with Dipping Sauce, Hoison-Chili Dipping Sauce and Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce.This was a provided article by Topricin. Check back for more, soon! 

More Summer Travel and Healthy Food options

• 10 Tips for a Healthy Summer Vacation
• 7 Healthy Travel Tips
• 15 Healthier & Savvy Travel Tips
• 6 Summer Salad Recipes
• 7 Healthy NutritionTips for Families
• 6 Healthy Foods for the Savvy Traveler

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Because I saw it on Pinterest... Project #1

Because I saw it on Pinterest... Project #1:

Jolly Rancher Lollipops

     Pinterest, Pinterest, Pinterest. Such a fun place to find new ideas! I'm sure that's just old news, but it's all new to me! While I was going through my feed, I saw this marvelous idea about making your own lollipops! They looked super easy to do plus they were made from Jolly Ranchers. (I've been going through Jolly Rancher withdrawals ever since I became a metal mouth, so this seemed like the perfect way to still enjoy them!) So my little sister and I embarked on our very first "Because I saw it on Pinterest" Project!

First, you'll need:

    

• Jolly Ranchers
• Lollipop Sticks
• Baking Pan
• Parchment Paper
• An Oven Preheated to 225 degrees

Once you've preheated the oven, line the pan with a sheet parchment paper and then place three candies of any flavor together. 

Don't forget to space them out so there's room for those lollipop sticks!

After that, stick them in the oven for ten minutes or until they look melted.

Once melted, take them out and place your lollipop sticks in them. Twirl the lollipop sticks until they're fully covered, and waaalllaa! You're done.

Let them cool for 20 minutes or so, and then enjoy!



Check here for more Lollipop ideas, recipes & crafts.

Check here for more Teen Inspiration.

Article written by my new teen writer, 1nOnlyAnna (17 year old daughter!) Check in frequently for her updates on her new series, "Because I saw it on Pinterest..."

101 Breakfast and Brunch Recipes with Gooseberry Patch

I'm a huge fan of anything Gooseberry Patch! Here is one of my favorite or I should say really it is my favorite, go-to breakfast cookbook ever! This book has 101 breakfast & brunch recipes that are so fresh and tasty. I know because I have cooked many of them and drooled over a lot of the photos! Read more below on the review and some of the tasty recipes we've tried. 

In case you are new here, check out some of their other cookbooks or recipes that I have reviewed like Almost Homemade,  Best Ever Cookies, Mom's Very Best Recipes and Kid's in the Kitchen.

Guess what time it is? Time to give you another Early Bird Review and giveaway of a brand new Gooseberry Patch Cookbook! This new book, 101 Breakfast and Brunch Recipes is bursting with tasty goodness! Are you surprised?

The 101 cookbook book series comes wire spiral bound. This series is my favorite because each recipe has a tasty photo. I'm a visual learner and when I see something that intrigues me, I will make it. Now I do admit that I don't need photos of recipes in all my cookbooks but I do enjoy this tasty series of cookbooks.

Here are the chapters in this book and some of the recipes I will be trying:

Rise & Dine: (no cook) Break-of-Day Berry Parfait, Kelly's Easy Caramel Rolls, Frosty Orange Juice, Slow-Cooker Breakfast Casserole, Huevos Rancheros to Go-Go (I'm making this in a few weeks for hubby's birthday breakfast), Breakfast Pizza (double yum)

Leisurely Weekend Mornings: Barbara's Open-House Waffles, Cranberry Hootycreek Pancakes, Texas Toads in the Hole, Bacon & Egg Potato Skins, Blueberry-Lemon Crepes, Sugar Plum Bacon, Eggs Benedict, Granny Ruth's Chocolate Gravy and Red Velvet Pancakes

Come to Brunch: Quick Strawberry Cream Danish, French Toast Casserole, Best-Ever Brunch Potatoes, Sweet & Easy Iced Coffee (from Jen at GBP), Hashbrown Quiche, Fiesta Corn Tortilla Quiche, Cranberry-Orange Warmer

Corner Bakery: Aunt Kornye's Cinnamon Rolls, Hot Chocolate Muffins, Cherry Turnovers (I'm making these for hubby's birthday, too but will use apples), Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee Cake, Banana Chocolate-Toffee Drop Scones, Sweet Twists, Spiced Zucchini Bars and Homemade Bagels.

Ok so that is just a few of the recipes that I want to try. Honestly most of them are on my to-do list.  I love to cook breakfast and this books has some new, creative food combinations that I cant wait to try. If you are looking for some fresh ideas then pick up this book as soon as it is for sale. Keep an eye out for it on the Gooseberry Patch Website.

Barbara's Open House Waffles

3 c. biscuit baking mix
1 c. millet flour
1/8 t. baking soda
1/4 c canola oil
3 eggs, beaten
3 c. buttermilk
2 T. water
Garnish with maple syrup, fresh strawberries, whipped cream or any fruit

In a bowl, whisk together baking mix, flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients except garnish and mix well. Drop batter by 1/2 cupfuls onto a heated waffle iron; cook according to manufacturer's directions. Top with maple syrup, strawberries and whipped cream. Serves 6-8.

French Toast Casserole

1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. butter
2 c. corn syrup
1 loaf French bread, sliced
5 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
1 t. vanilla extract
Garnish: powdered sugar, maple syrup
(We added 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans to our recipe)

Melt together brown sugar, butter and corn syrup in a saucepan over low heat; pour into a greased 13" x 9" baking pan. Arrange bread slices over mixture and set aside. Whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla; pour over bread, coating all slices. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until lightly golden. Sprinkle with powered sugar; serve with warm syrup. Makes 6-8 servings.

Break-of-Day Berry Parfait

1 c. strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 c. raspberries
1/4 c. blackberries
1 c. bran & raisin cereal
6 oz container strawberry yogurt
(I used bananas)

In a bowl, combine berries; divide into 2 small bowls. Top each with cereal. spoon yogurt over top. Serves 2.

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I'm an early bird reviewer for Gooseberry Patch. They sent me a copy of this cookbook in exchange for my tasty & honest review.