Fall Recipes

Funny how discovering a new recipe can make a homemaker's heart sing with happiness. Haha. I just wanted to share two new fall recipes, shared with me by family and friends, that I have tried and loved!

Pumpkin Bran Muffins
http://www.womansday.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-bran-muffins-recipe-wdy1013

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup wheat bran
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
2 eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, wheat bran, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, eggs, buttermilk, and oil. Fold the pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture just until combined. Divide the batter among 12 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Turkey, Kale, and Brown Rice Soup
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/turkey-kale-and-brown-rice-soup-recipe/index.html\

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 to 6 large shallots, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8 ounces ground turkey
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 small bunch kale, coarsely chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, carrots, and bell pepper and sauté, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ground turkey and stir until the meat turns white and begins to color very slightly around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the herbes de Provence and stir, 1 minute. Add 4 cups broth, tomatoes, and rice. Bring to a boil. Stir in the kale and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

 

 

When You are a First-time Mom...

• You cannot help staring and smiling at that first good family photo. Wow, you think, we are a FAMILY!
• You have researched so much about pregnancy, birth, breast-feeding, child-rearing, etc., that you feel like you deserve another master's degree!
• Even though your labor was the closest thing that you have ever experienced to torture, you soon learn to join the legions of other women who simply smile and say that "everything went well."
• You listen to mothers squabbling over Attachment Parenting versus Baby Wise, and it is so intense that you feel like you are listening to theologians debating over Arminianism versus Calvinism! You wish that the angel Gabriel would come down from heaven to show you which way is right.
• Your home life is transformed into a musical as you constantly make up silly songs to entertain the baby.
• Finding time for household chores is so difficult that when your husband offers to mop the floors with you on a Friday night, you cannot think of a more romantic gesture.
• You walk into the post office, toting the baby in his car seat, and elderly women literally line up to catch a glimpse of your baby. You feel like a movie star, or rather, the chauffeur for the movie star.
• If the joy of your new baby ever starts to lose its luster, you simply drive to Grandma's house, place him in her arms, and listen as she expounds upon his wonders. You leave refreshed and recharged every time! 
• You flip through an American Girl catalog, admiring the Bitty Baby collection. The little girl who still lives inside of you almost wishes that you had one. Then it hits you: who needs a Bitty Baby when you have THE REAL THING?
• You wish that everybody could know the joy of a new baby, and you thank God for His all-sufficient grace and amazing blessings!