Flavorful Friday- Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe!

Matthew 28:6 NIV
"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

This Easter weekend, let us rejoice and celebrate our God, who loves us so much, that he gave his one and only Son that we may have life with Him.  If you are not familiar with the story of Jesus Christ, then reach out to someone you know who is full of life through Christ our Savior and ask them to share with you the Good News.  Or, check out the website needhim.org to learn more.

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While Easter is a Christian holiday of Remembrance and Celebration, there is a fair amount of the population who equates this Sunday with the Easter bunny and colored eggs.  Since bunnies love carrots, I thought it fitting, perhaps, to offer this carrot recipe for today's edition of Flavorful Friday.  Whether attending a potluck or hosting your own gathering, these Roasted Rainbow Carrots offer a quick, easy, colorful and delicious side solution to your Easter feast!  

May there be love in your heart and laughter in your home, now and forever.

As always, 

Happy Crunching!

Country Mama Hippie Chic

aka Brandi Schunk

bouncybrandi@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/CountryMamaHippieChic

http://countrymamahippiechic.blogspot.com/

Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe

Ingredients:

One 2 lb bag of Whole Organic Rainbow Carrots

One 3.5oz Stick of Kerry Gold brand Garlic & Herb Butter, cut into one inch chunks

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rinse and scrub Carrots with a stiff vegetable brush.  Place Carrots in a roasting pan with Butter evenly distributed on top.  Place lid on pan and roast for 20 minutes, covered.

Remove pan from oven and brush melted butter atop carrots.  Replace lid and roast another 20 minutes, covered.  Remove from oven and brush butter atop carrots one more time just prior to serving.

Flavorful Friday! Split Pea Soup Recipe

Mark 12:42-44 NIV

…42A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. 43Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; 44for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."

God has been tugging on my heart lately, when we set our hearts to give generously, and believe in the Provision of the Lord, opportunities will show themselves for us to give from what we have, even if it is only a little, trusting that God will be there to provide for us...
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With temperatures getting cooler, it's nice sometimes to cozy up to a warm bowl of soup.  A couple of months ago I made my first split pea soup and have been really happy with this simple recipe.  I had never had split pea soup until the first time I made it, so I can't say how it compares to any other split pea soup recipe, but I can say it's a huge hit in my house and hope you'll love it, too!

If you've never had split peas, I encourage you to try out this recipe in your kitchen.  Split peas are super cheap, full of good proteins, relatively easy to digest, and cook quickly compared to most beans.  Full of vegetables, vitamins, and nutrients, this soup is sure to please!

Yours truly,

~ Country Mama Hippie Chic

AKA Brandi Schunk

Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

·      1 C Green Split Peas, rinsed

·      1 C Bone Broth (beef/chicken combo gives a good depth of flavor)

·      1 C Filtered Water

·      ½ Yellow or Red Onion, diced

·      6-8 Garlic Cloves, peeled and minced

·      1 Celery Stalk, finely chopped

·      1 C Carrots, chopped

·      ½ tsp Celtic Sea Salt

·      ½ tsp Ground Pepper Medley

·      ½ tsp Dried Oregano (or a few fresh Oregano Leaves)

Instructions:

            Rinse split peas either by placing in a colander under running water, or by covering them with water and pouring off the water several times.  Place Green Split Peas, Bone Broth and Water in a 3-quart pot with a lid.  Bring to a boil and then stir and reduce to low heat.  Simmer, covered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

            Add Onion, Garlic Cloves, Celery Stalk, Carrots and seasonings, stir and simmer on medium-low heat, covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve hot and enjoy!

Additional Options:

• ·      Add about 1 C Cooked Shredded or Diced Chicken 10 minutes before done
• ·      Top with Fresh Diced Avocado when serving
• ·      Top with a few shavings of Parmesan Cheese when serving
• ·      Add Hot Sauce while cooking or when serving
• ·      Add Cayenne while cooking or when serving

Flavorful Friday! Spinach Watermelon Refresher Recipe

Flavorful Friday!  Spinach Watermelon Refresher Recipe

John 4:14 New International Version “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Even as fall firmly establishes itself with cooler temperatures across the region on the heels of a big storm, I thought I would give Watermelon one last hurrah of the season.  As of last week, Watermelon could be found at bargain prices, and perhaps you still have a few ripening in the remains of your summer garden.  Here is a recipe I put together this summer that instantly became one of my favorites.  I love this beverage on hot summer day as a nice afternoon pick me up, and it could serve as breakfast as well.  Not to mention, this is a great way to get kids excited about drinking their greens!  Enjoy!

Also today I wonder if you might do me a quick favor?  Some people have noted that they signed up on my blog to receive emails when I post a new blog entry, but they have not been receiving any notifications.  If you have entered your email on my site, will you kindly let me know if you are or are not receiving these updates?  Thanks so much for helping me deliver these health-minded messages to you in a timely manner.  = )

Yours truly,

~ Country Mama Hippie Chic

AKA Brandi Schunk

Spinach Watermelon Refresher

Servings: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Handful Chopped Cold Watermelon

2 Handfuls Fresh Spinach, washed

1 Handful Ice Cubes

½ C Filtered Water (or Water Kefir or Kombucha)

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in blender and blend well.  Serve in a tall glass and enjoy!

Options:

-Add some of your favorite Protein Powder

-Add ½ - 1 C Yogurt or Milk Kefir

Flavorful Friday- 2 Side Veggies- Broccoli and Collard Greens Recipes!

Flavorful Friday!  2 Side Veggies- Broccoli and Collard Greens

Happy Friday, everyone!  For today's Flavorful Friday edition, I thought I would bring you two side dishes that are well-loved in our home and kitchen, Sautéed Broccoli and Sautéed Collard Greens.  We all have busy lives and sometimes bringing a wholesome, nutritious dinner to the table can seem daunting at best.  Here are two recipes that are quick, easy, flavorful, and nutritious!  The recipes call for frozen veggies, which are a go-to in my kitchen on busy days, or days when my energy is low.  While fresh is generally best, frozen is the next best alternative as foods are preserved at the peak of their freshness and no salt, preservatives, or other chemicals are added.  Buy organic if you can for the best, highest quality foods.  You can also buy fresh veggies on sale and freeze them for later use.

These sides go great with just about anything, from Roasted Chicken or Salmon Cakes, to basic beef, chicken, or pork meals.  I would love to hear what you pair these veggies with and how it goes in your own kitchen!

I'm here to serve, so let me hear from you with requests on what you would like to read about from this Country Mama Hippie Chic!

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend!

(And to those in the Plano area, the Plano Balloon Festival is this weekend!)

~Country Mama Hippie Chic
AKA Brandi Schunk

Sautéed Broccoli

Sautéed Broccoli Recipe

Ingredients:

½ Tbsp Unrefined Coconut Oil

1- 14oz Bag Frozen Broccoli Florets

1 Tbsp Organic Butter

¼ tsp Celtic Sea Salt

¼ tsp Red Chili Pepper Flakes (optional)

Instructions:

Heat 8” cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.  Add all ingredients to pan in order listed above, then stir and cover for 3-4 minutes.  Remove lid, stir and then cook for 5-10 minutes until desired tenderness is reached, stirring occasionally.  Serves 2-3 side portions.

Options:

• ·      Serve topped with Grated Parmesan Cheese.
• ·      Serve topped with Sesame Seeds.
• ·      Leave off Red Chili Pepper Flakes for a mild version.

 Sautéed Collard Greens

Sautéed Collard Greens Recipe

Ingredients:

¼ C Slivered Almonds

2 Tbsp Bacon Grease, Butter, Ghee, or Unrefined Coconut Oil

1- 12oz Bag Frozen Chopped Collard Greens

¼ tsp Celtic Sea Salt

1/8 tsp Ground Pepper Medley, or to taste

Instructions:

Add Slivered Almonds to a dry 8” skillet.  Turn heat to medium-low and allow almonds to toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to a minute to keep them from scorching.  Once Almonds are lightly browned, add Bacon Grease, Butter, Ghee or Coconut Oil to pan and stir.  Add Frozen Chopped Collard Greens, Celtic Sea Salt, and Ground Pepper Medley to pan and stir.  Increase heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.  Serves 2-3 side portions.

Options:

• ·      Sesame Seeds can be used in place of Slivered Almonds.
• ·      Mustard Greens can be used in place of Collard Greens.
• ·      Serve topped with Grated Parmesan Cheese.