E: Blog Meals- Veggie Bake & Crock Pot Black Bean Soup Filed under ( Beans, Healthy, Mexican, Turkey, Vegetables, vegetarian )

I feel like I’m always thanking you :) – but thank you for the well wishes on Frank’s recovery. He is getting there, but is still doing a lot of three legged walking.  He is loving the relaxing part:

I’m not sure about you, but I book mark SO many recipes I see on other blogs. This week, I tried out two of those recipes and I wanted to share the results. First up: On Wednesday night, I made Averie’s Cheezy Veggie Bake. Averie is always coming up with awesome ideas for quick, easy & healthy meals. This particular bake looked super tasty. I made it without the potato (I only had sweet on hand and Josh isn’t a fan), added roasted turkey to Josh’s dish, and went without the added water. For my spice mixture, I used Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb Seasoning:

 

And for my soup, I used Progresso reduced sodium garden vegetable:

 

Prior to baking:

 

I cooked the veggies/soup for 40 minutes and then added 2% sharp cheddar cheese on top and completed the bake.

 

Bowl full with added turkey:

 

SO good! SO easy! Thanks Averie ;). Both Josh  & I were huge fans.

Second: On Thursday, I made Heather’s Creamy Black Bean soup in the crock pot. I made a half batch and skipped the cashew cream (since I didn’t have any cashews). Instead, I topped Josh’s bowl with jalapenos and cheese and mine with just cheese. I MEANT to top mine with chobani….but some how it mysteriously disappeared into my tummy earlier in the day:

    

The soup was awesome! It tasted like refried beans in soup form with a good amount of kick! The half batch made enough for Josh & I. On the side I had a baked tortilla and fruit. Josh had a quesadilla & fruit.  I realize I made Mexican on St. Patrick’s day…maybe I’ll make something Irish on Cinco de Mayo ;).

What are you up to this weekend? Our plans are pretty up in the air. I am going to Body Step tomorrow morning and we have dinner plans with friends tomorrow night. Sunday might include baby furniture shopping.

Did you guys see this? Meatballs with a side of plastic?

Last, but not least: Happy Birthday to Lesley!!