Banana Orange Icee

1 banana
1 1/2 cups orange juice
tray of ice cubes

Mix well in blender. Yum!

* This is what I make for the boys instead of giving them popsicles on hot days - its just a little bit healthier.

Easy Greek Salad

Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Yellow Peppers
Orange Peppers
-Chop into bite size pieces. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle with Italian dressing or olive oil. Mix well.

Optional:
Feta Cheese
Kalmata Olives

I make this almost every night. We love it!

Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Chicken

Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Chicken

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I used 1/4 teaspoon)

Coat the inside of your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Place all ingredients in the crockpot. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, or until chicken shreds very easily with a fork. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Chicken will absorb liquid after it is shredded.)

* I found this on My Kitchen Cafe a while ago and made it a few times, but I had forgotten about it until I saw it again on Sisters Cafe. Simple and easy! If you wanted to give it more flavor, you could probably use one of the many different types of diced tomatoes. I use it for chicken tacos and quesedillas. The first time I made it, the chicken absorbed all the water, but today it was really watery. Go figure. We like it best in just plain old chicken and cheese quesedillas, dipped in your Cafe Rio Creamy Cilantro Dressing.

Home Made Granola

This is absolutely delicious with yogurt and fresh fruit (raspberries, strawberries, even peaches). I have had it almost every day for breakfast. I have eated 2 batches ALL BY MYSELF!

Mix and set aside
- 4 cups oats
- 1 cup sunflower seeds (can add other nuts or leave out entirely)
- 1 cup wheat germ
- ½ cup wheat bran or blend up All Bran)
- 1/3 cup powdered milk
- ½ t salt
- 3 t cinnamon

Over medium heat, mix until sugar dissolves and boil for 2 minutes*.
- ¾ cup oil
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla

1. Poor the mixture over the dry ingredients and place in a 9 x 13 pan.
2. Cook at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Stir and cook an additional 15 minutes. Feel free to add raisins and dried banana chips after the first 10 minutes

*if you want crunchier granola in larger clumps boil the sugar mixture longer.

Haggen's Chicken Panini Sandwich

When we lived in Portland, there was a grocery store down the street from us called Haggen. Best store ever! We loved it. They always had the best sandwiches in their deli and this was one of our favorites. I have been craving it lately, but couldn't remember what was in it, so I emailed the store and they sent me the recipe. I was too hungry and excited that I forgot to take a picture!

Pesto Mayonnaise
-1 Lb Best Foods Mayonnaise
-2 Ounces Pesto
*Obviously I didn't do this much, I just mixed a small part of each.

CHICKEN PANINI
1 ea Soft Hoagie Roll
Pesto Mayonnaise
Shaved Asiago (I splurged and bought Asiago and it was worth it!)
Avocado sliced
Red Onion, sliced
Chicken Breast (from the deli counter)
sprinkle Kosher Salt
sprinkle Black Pepper, ground
Pesto Mayonnaise

Layer ingredients in order given. Super yummy!

*Maybe I'll remember to take a picture tomorrow when I make these again for lunch!

Emeril's Kicked-Up Tuna Melts

From Everyday Food

Serves 4

* 4 cans (5 ounces each) solid white tuna packed in water, drained
* 1/3 cup mayonnaise, plus more for spreading
* 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
* 4 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained
* 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
* 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
* 1 teaspoon ground pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled between your fingers
* 4 slices crusty bread
* 8 thin slices tomato
* 4 slices provolone

Directions

1. Heat broiler, with rack in highest position. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, onion, capers, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano and stir until thoroughly combined.
2. Arrange bread on a baking sheet and spread a little mayonnaise on each slice. Divide tuna salad evenly among slices, then top each with 2 slices tomato and 1 slice cheese. Broil until cheese is golden brown and bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes.

~Simple, yummy, and perfect for a fast summer night dinner!

~I halved it, only using 2 cans of tuna and omitted the capers, yuck!, and I got 6 sandwiches out of it. I just used a small loaf of sourdough bread - next time I will toast the bread a little first. It would probably be good with canned chicken too.

Easy "Ice Cream"

From "Our Best Bites" (Click for better for instructions)

Ingredients:
Frozen Bananas

Pulse in food processor until resembles crumbs.

Watermelon Lemonade - Part II

So after having that watermelon juice at Jan's house, I was thinking....

-Cubed watermelon
-1 or 2 TBS frozen lemonade concentrate
-Splash of Watermelon Juice (Do you remember the brand, Tropicana?)
Ice cubes (Or make ice cubes out of the juice)

Blend well!

Anywho, I have yet to try it. Chime in with your thoughts!