Mmmm Mmmm Good

Hearty Minestrone Soup
Awesome, healthy winter dish. And it cooks itself in the crock!

2 cans (one 28 oz., one 14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups water
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 pkg. (3-1/2oz.) sliced pepperoni
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
2 cans (16 oz. each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-1/4 cups cooked elbow macaroni
Shredded Parmesan cheese

In 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 10 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until vegetables are tender.
Stir in the beans, spinach, and macaroni. Cover and cook 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese.
Yield: 7 servings

*Tips- I tried to use organic ingredients when possible- especially for the carrots which have higher trace amounts of pesticide residue- used turkey pepperoni, and used organic (but natural would be good too) kidney beans. I was buying my beans at Aldi cuz they're super cheap, but noticed that they are also loaded with high fructose corn syrup- yucky and unnecessary! Meijer's natural and organic brands are a fabulous way to avoid these types of ingredients for an even healthier soup!

Discoveries

Okay. So I made 2 discoveries today. Wanna know?????????? They're really exciting......

1. TJ Maxx is comin' to town. Well, to Rossford/Perrysburg anway. Right near Target where the old Linens 'n Things was. Yeah. TJ Maxx 'n More. What we've all been waiting for, seriously.

2. My So-Called Life. Remember back in '94? Jordan Catalano? Angela Chase? Her crazy friends Rayanne and Ricky? Deep, Awkward, Beautiful. Love it. Season 1 Episode 1. Thank me later.

5 Months

Well this month we got a little crazy with the photo shoot and did a pre and post-nap session complete with costume change. Hope these chubby cheeks make you smile and enjoy pics from last month as well.

By Request

I hadn't planned on blogging about Christmas because even though it was an enjoyable "Baby's First", I wasn't sure that it would make for a thrilling read. However, we've had some personal requests for Christmas pictures and the like. So by popular demand, here you go. (To the staff in Education 365-hope this makes your Monday a bit more bearable :)

Lookin' fine for dinner at J. Alexander's and church on Christmas Eve.

At home Christmas Eve celebrating as a family of 3.

Tearing into some gifts at Grandpa Bill and Nana's house Christmas Day.

Tada!