Key Lime Smoothie

Don't be scared by the color it doesn't taste green at all! Key lime is one of my favorite flavors. This smoothie is sooo refreshing! Make sure to blend very well to avoid a gritty consistency from the lime peel. Double the recipe for more servings to share :) 
1 banana
1/8 to a 1/2 avocado
1 med. lime(juiced) + 1 wedge with skin on (or 2 - 3 key limes juiced + 1/2 key lime skin and all)
1/4 C. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. stevia powder
1/2 C. non-fat greek yogurt
1 tsp. ground flax seed
2 C. (or more if you like) Spinach
1 C. ice

Add ingredients in order listed and blend very well. Add ice and blend to desired consistency. Serve immediately. Makes 1 smoothie

M&M Cracker Kookies

This is my favorite dessert! Its fast to make and tastes so good. :) I use Jiff crunchy peanut butter but any kind would work so use your favorite.
1 graham cracker
1 T. peanut butter
1 tsp. mini M&M's

Break the graham cracker in half or fourths. Spread the peanut butter evenly across the cracker. Gently press mini M&M's into the peanut butter. Enjoy! Yield: 1 serving Calories: 178

Valentines Sugar Cookies

These are the best tasting sugar cookies I have eaten. They are soft and mildly sweet. They are a lot like the ones you can buy at Walmart.
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup milk
4 tsp. baking powder
6 cups flour
1 tsp. salt

• Cream the butter and the sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Alternate milk and the flour mixture to the batter. Refrigerate before rolling out dough. (I roll out onto parchment paper so I don't have to add more than a sprinkling of extra flour).


• Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. When cool, ice with your favorite icing and decorations.

Icing

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tsp. milk

2 tsp. corn syrup

Food coloring of your choice

Mix powdered sugar and milk together, add corn syrup. Stir until smooth. Add food coloring one drop at a time until icing becomes desired color.

M&M Cookies

I was really tired out after work but wanted to make something for dessert so these cookies were just the thing. They are quick to make and are so yummy hot off the pan! I used red M&M's for Valentines Day. You could use any color or kind. Have fun and experiment!

Prep/Total Time: 35 min.
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening
2 eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces

• 
  In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies.
  
• Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies.
  
• Bake at 350 degrees F for 9 to 11 minutes, to your liking. Yields: 5-6 dozen

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Five stars on this recipe! I used mozzarella cheese since I didn't have cheddar and you can experiment with what ever kind of cheese you like. I also added some Lawry's and Nature's seasoning to the sauce.

Prep/Total Time: 35 min.

8 ounce box of elbow macaroni

4 Tablespoons of butter, divided

2 Tablespoons of cornstarch

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried mustard

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups of milk

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons dried breadcrumbs

• Cook and drain an elbow macaroni. Pour the cooked noodles into a large casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
• Pre-heat oven to 350*.
• In a large saucepan, melt 2 Tablespoons of butter. Mix in cornstarch, salt, dried mustard and black pepper. Let it cook for just a couple minutes, then stir in milk. Stirring constantly, bring the milk mixture slowly to a boil over medium heat. Let it gently boil for a few minutes until it's thick and creamy.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in cheese. Once the cheese and white sauce are evenly mixed, pour the sauce over the macaroni. Stir it, so everything is evenly dispersed. Set aside.
• In the saucepan melt the 2 Tablespoons of butter. Once it's melted, stir in a few tablespoons of seasoned dry breadcrumbs. It should form a crumbly texture.
• Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs over the top of the casserole and bake it (uncovered) at 350* degrees for 25 minutes. Yield: 4 servings