Make Kale Chips

When I first saw the recipe for Kale Chips, I immediately skipped over it because, I admit it, green chips don't seem that appetizing at first glance. However, a friend recently commented on how tasty kale chips are, so I overcame my reservations, dug out the recipe and gave them a try. Guess what? My family likes them! My husband and I both recognized a similarity in taste between kale chips and pumpkin seeds; I love roasted pumpkin seeds; their yummy crispy goodness warms up a cold fall day. But we rarely make them because separating seeds from the slimy pulp is messy work, and the seeds are gone quickly! Kale is readily available and doesn't require separating seeds and pulp. Bonus!

Today there are recipes for regular kale chips and tangy kale chips. I will warn you that Kale can have a stronger taste than pumpkin seeds; it only takes a handful to satisfy a flavor craving. The tangy kale chips use vinegar which works really well with kale, but can add to the strong flavor, so I recommend trying the regular flavor first or using less vinegar than is called for. Also, go light on the salt, you can always add more later.



Baked Kale Chips

Tangy Kale Chips

Make Granny's Spinach

This was my Granny's go-to recipe, the one that came with her to all the family gatherings. We all loved it, but as she got older, the horseradish got stronger, so we ate smaller and smaller portions. Maybe she did that on purpose so that she had more left over for later! Since we aren't horseradish fans at my house, we substitute garlic instead, and enjoy Gran's classic dish with a little less "kick."

Gran’s Spinach

6 slices bacon                                         

2 bunches spinach        

1 TB grated onion  

1/2 c sour cream

3 oz. cream cheese 

1-2 TB horseradish sauce OR minced garlic (for a more mild taste)

*optional* substitute fresh horseradish instead (Gran likes even more!)

 Preaheat oven to 350°.  Brown bacon & crumble.  Cook spinach and onion according to directions on box.  Drain.  Soften cream cheese.  Mix everything together & place into greased pan.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Happy Birthday Gran!

Ride in the sunshine...at last!

Due to a surprise twist of fate and a generous woman, I was given the chance to ride in the Little Red Riding Hood bike ride this weekend with a few friends. It is held in one of my favorite areas, Cache Valley, and it is an amazingly well-planned ride that raises money for Hunstsman Cancer Institute.

Finally fortune smiled on me and I got to ride in an organized event, in the sunshine! It was much more fun (imagine that). Here are five of my favorite things that make a good ride even better.

5.  Entertainment: Little Red has a theme each year. This year was Bollywood & people are so creative in finding ways to accessorize their riding gear - tattoos, chimes, miniature sari scarves and more.

4. Music: motivation. 

3.  Friends: friends can make a rainy ride tolerable.  They make a ride in good weather an adventure. 

2. Beautiful scenery: it is so amazing to ride in the fresh air while looking around at the beautiful world God has created for us.  My only problem is that I want to photograph all of it.

1.  Sunshine: it is definitely harder to enjoy the scenery when your head is down to avoid getting blasted in the face, and when you can't feel your fingers, or move them. Like they say, good lighting is everything - in photography and bike riding.