Strawberry Smoothie

I was longing for a strawberry smoothie so here is a very simple and delicious recipe that I make. In my blender I added 1 cup ice cubes, 1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 carton Greek Plain yogurt, a cap full of Watkins Strawberry Flavoring and 2 teaspoons honey. Blended it all together until ice is crushed. Oh so good! Enjoy!
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Dilled Vegetable Salad

Everyone who knows me, knows that I like to cook and I like quality when I cook. I use the best ingredients and want to make a product that looks good also. I am sharing a recipe from the Watkinsonline.com website. It is great for summer picnics or just anytime you want a great tasting salad.


Ingredients
1 pound/454 g fresh green beans
1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 small red onion
3/4 cup/180 mL Watkins Original Grapeseed Oil
1/4 cup/60 mL white wine vinegar
2 tbsp/30 mL Watkins Dill (Tin)
2 tsp/10 mL Watkins Italian seasoning
2 tsp/10 mL red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Garlic Powder (Tin)
1/4 cup/60 mL feta cheese, crumbled

Cooking Directions
Wash vegetables. Cut ends off beans and cut cauliflower into small florets. Steam beans and cauliflower until crisp-tender, being careful not to overcook the cauliflower. Cut red onion into thin rings. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar and seasonings. Pour over vegetables and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Top with feta cheese before serving.

Other uses for Dill Dressing:
Be sure to make extra dressing; it keeps well in the fridge and can be used to enhance other quickly-prepared ingredients for side dishes in the coming days. Here are some ideas:

•Combine dressing with feta cheese and serve with pita slices or wedges.
•Roast bell peppers, slice and toss with dressing to use on bruschetta (or use tomatoes).
•Roast tomatoes, slice and toss with dressing to use as a warm salad or side dish (or use bell peppers). Add feta or Parmesan cheese, if you like.

Denise Passehl
#300500 Independent Watkins Associate

Photo curtesy Watkinsonine.com

Italian Spaghetti Sauce

Here is a great recipe for spaghetti sauce curtesy Watkinsonline.com in the recipe section. This tastes great and is very easy to make. Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 pound/454 g mild or hot Italian sausage
2 cans (15 oz/425 g each) tomato purée*
1-3/4 cups/450 mL water
1 tbsp/15 mL sugar
1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Watkins Beef Soup & Gravy
1 tsp/5 mL Watkins Parsley (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Basil (Tin)
1/2 tsp/2.5 mL Watkins Garlic Liquid Spice
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Oregano (Tin)
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp/1.2 mL Watkins Black Pepper 6 oz


Cooking Directions
Brown sausage in large saucepan until lightly browned; drain grease. Add all remaining ingredients. Simmer over low heat about 1 hour. Serve over hot cooked spaghetti noodles with a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese on top.

Makes about 2 quarts/liters sauce, 1/2 cup/125 ml per serving.

*For a chunkier sauce, substitute canned diced tomatoes for tomato purée.

Nutrition Facts
1/2 cup/125 ml per serving

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories 120
Protein 7 g
Carbohydrates 6 g
Sodium 500 mg
Fat 8 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 22 mg
Dietary Fiber 1 g

Denise Passehl
Independent Watkins Associate #300500

Marilyn Monroe Contest-Why Would You Do That Denise?

June 1, 2011 I entered a Marilyn Monroe contest put on by KLMJ radio station from Hampton, IA. The contest was held at the Chit Chat Cafe in Thornton, IA which is 10 miles from my home. Two other friends, Deb and Mel, also dressed up for the event with blonde wigs and all the trimmings. We decided we looked like what Marilyn would look like as she was older. So off we went, 3 blonde bomb shells in my car headed to a contest.
The Chit Chat was packed-full house. I had no idea what we were up for but soon found out. There was only one other contestant and she was a knock out. She dressed exactly as Marilyn looked like, gown and all. She did win and she deserved to. As a contestant I did win 2 tickets to the REO Speedwagon concert. I am excited about that!
I had so many people ask me why would you do such a thing? We had to stroll down the run way for everyone to see us. We mingled with the customers and we even sang Happy Birthday do the owner. All in all we had a great time.
My reason for why I did this is simple. Since my cancer surgery and recovery I have done more things in my life that I would never have done before. Life has changed, I appreciate so much more and love every moment of life and the adventures I have had and more to come. I have gone way out of my comfort zone and never in my life would I have been so brave as do to this.
My message today, enjoy life. You make your happiness, either you choose to be or not. I choose to be happy.