Kale Chips

Kale is an amazing vegetable (it's actually a form of cabbage.) It is loaded with healthy nutrients like calcium, iron, vitamins A, C & K. It is very high in beta-carotene and lutein which promotes healthy eye sight. Just 2 cups of kale has 4g of protein and 3g of fiber!

I was a little hesitant to try these but I finally did. They are so delicious! Kale chips are crunchy, light and make the perfect healthy snack.

This is how I made them:

I took one kale bunch and ripped the kale leaves from the thick stalk, then tore them into smaller pieces. You could probably leave the stalk too if you wanted.
Toss the leaves with 1 or 2 tbs olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place the kale leaves on a cookie sheet in a single layer.
Preheat oven to 350F and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring them occasionally and checking to make sure they don't over cook. (I overcooked a batch and they came out kind of bitter, similar to burnt popcorn.)
When they are done, they should be crispy to the touch.
Let cool and then enjoy!

Basil

Just planted this basil last week and it is already coming up! It's so cute - I had to take a picture.

Madison checking on the plants. She planted strawberry seeds in the terracotta planter.

Easter Cookies!

Sugar Cookies:
1/3 cup melted butter
1/3 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Mix well and chill for 3 hrs.
Roll dough out on floured surface and cut.
Place cut cookies on a cookie sheet.
Bake 7-8 minutes, until lightly browned.
Let cool completely on a cooling rack,
then decorate with butter cream frosting.

Madison cutting out the cookie shapes.

We made Easter eggs, butterflies, tulips and swans.

Decorating time

Madison wanted to make a hand cookie too - so we did :)


Madison decorated this cookie

Madison admiring our lovely decorated cookies

Carrot Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes for my sister's baby shower - they were a hit! They are a bit lighter than most carrot cakes and absolutely delicious topped with cream cheese frosting. I sprinkled some toasted walnut pieces and added a carrot on top for decoration.



The recipe came from Martha Stewart's new cookbook "Cupcakes", and you can also find the recipe on her website: http://www.marthastewart.com/284369/carrot-cake-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-f