Ham and Bean Soup-Slow Cooker Style

Planning ahead so dinner isn't stressful is key for me! I try to cram as much in as I can before 8 am because if I don't it's just not going to happen! I've been freezer cleaning and found a ham bone from the holidays. Bean soup it is!

Ingredients/Directions:

Soak a regular sized bag of pinto beans in warm water while your getting ready in the morning

Drain and throw into crock pot along with a ham bone (or 1 lb smoked ham from the store, chopped)

Add in:

1 chopped onion

4 garlic cloves

2 bay leaves

Cover beans with water almost to the top of the slow cooker

Turn it on high and let it cook for 6-7 hrs!

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

What to make tonight.... this.... holy moly make this nutritious, thick, and velvety broccoli cheddar soup! Gluten free, vegetarian, and can be made vegan!

5 red skin potatoes

1 large onion

4 garlic cloves

2 celery ribs

1 bunch fresh broccoli

Few heads of fresh cauliflower

Dash dried rosemary

Salt and pepper

Water to cover all vegetables

Boil ingredients until potatoes are soft. Chop 6-7 oz sharp cheddar and throw right into the pot. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth and creamy. Thin with water if needed. Add any extra seasonings you like such as more salt and pepper or garlic powder!

Balsamic and Spinach Chicken Sausage Saute

If you haven't had a chance to try the Italian Chicken Sausage from Whole Foods Market, do yourself a favor and pick some up on your way home! I'm not a huge meat fan but these are delish, easy on the pocket, and super filling. They are flecked with fresh garlic, oregano and just ohhh soo good. I wasn't sure about which kind I was going to buy ( I don't think I've ever made raw sausages before.. cant even believe that haha) but the guy tending the meat counter was an enormous help! He narrowed it down by giving me a list of all the gluten free options, and was just an overall awesome guy. Thanks dude out there if you ever read this:) 

I paired these sausages with the classic combo of olive oil, fresh garlic, fresh baby spinach, and tomatoes.  To go along side I made a pesto and parm rice ( recipe to be posted soon). The nutritional highlights of this are the iron filled spinach, paired with the lycopene containing tomatoes, both nutritional  powerhouses. The lean protein from the chicken is filling and gives you a protein boost perfect for an after workout, or really anytime meal. 

In a large skillet saute 4 fresh cloves of garlic, 1/2 small onion, and 2 Tbs olive oil for 2-3 minutes

 Add in 3 chopped tomatoes, cook for a few more minutes

Add in enough fresh baby spinach to fill the entire skillet, this will look like entirely too much but will wilt down

Salt and pepper, dash

Place a few slits in the top of the sausages to allow them to cook and not burst. Place on top of the wilting spinach. 

Add in 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Cover and let cook for 7-9 minutes. Sausages will be firm to the touch. So yummy I hope you love this! P.S these would also be perfection on the grill!!