End of the Week Crock Pot Soup

Towards the end of the week I often have a mix of different veggies and meat that I don't want to waste. So I throw it all in the crock pot and and have a delicious soup for dinner. It's a great way to get a lot of nutrients, use up leftovers, and take a break from cooking after a busy week. I make a lot of chicken stock that I keep frozen so I toss one that in with it and I end up with a great soup. 

 This picture was taken after we had eaten so there are plenty leftover for lunch the next day

Each batch is going to turn out a little different depending on what I have in my fridge, but so far we haven't had a batch that we disliked.

This particular batch had chicken stock, canned tomatoes, carrots, sprouted lentils, sprouted black beans, zucchini, kale, onions, garlic, basil, and chicken sausage.

Find more great recipes on Kelly's Blog,  Real Food Wednesday

Baked Oatmeal

I saw this idea of making baked oatmeal for breakfast over on Kelly the Kitchen Kop's blog. I made a few changes to make a version that I think my family would like (we aren't the biggest raisin fans). One of these mornings I'll make her original recipe though because I want to try it. The great thing about her recipe is it's quite versatile. Apples can be replaced for any other fruit of your liking and raisins can be traded out for different types of dried fruit. One of these days I want to make one with blueberries and black berries. Actually the more I think about it the more combinations I keep coming up with!

 Baked oatmeal in a 9x13 ceramic dish

Ready to eat! My husband pours milk on his and I enjoy topping mine off with walnuts or pecans

Ingrediants

2-1/2 cups oats (regular, steel cut, or both)

1-3/4 cups buttermilk, yogurt, or 1 Tbs lemon juice mixed with water

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup flax meal + water until it has the consistency of an egg (or use 2 eggs if not allergic)

1/3 cup real maple syrup

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup dates pit removed and chopped

2 cups unsweetened, chunky apple sauce

Pecans or walnuts to sprinkle on top (optional)

Directions

Soak the oats in buttermilk or lemon juice over night.

 In the morning Beat the coconut oil, flax meal mixture, and maple syrup together.

Add in baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and apple sauce. Beat together until well combined. Then stir in the dates and oats.

Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350 for 40-60 minutes.

Let cool for 10 minutes and serve.