Category Archives: Natural Living
Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Soup with pasta shells
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Hosting a small casual party? I seem to be doing that on a weekly basis lately since my new grandson is local one day a week. Sweet baby boy is bait for visits from family & friends, especially during lunch time. I love these visits and the opportunity to spend time with those I love and sometimes, I like to have lunch ready to serve. Most everyone loves broccoli cheese soup as well as mac & cheese, right? How about a combination of the two? This only takes about 30 minutes to prepare. Perfect!
Ingredients I used:
- 1 box Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese
- 1 lb. bag of organic frozen broccoli (recommended: Earthbound Farms brand)
- 1 tablespoon melted butter (recommended: Horizon® brand)
- 1 small chopped onion
- 1/4 cup organic all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 4 cups free range chicken broth
- 2 cups organic half and half (Horizon® brand recommended)
- pinch of sea salt
- shredded (Horizon®) cheddar cheese for topping
For more information, visit Horizon®’s website.
Servings: 4-6
Time: approx. 30 minutes.
Directions:
Saute onion in 1 tablespoon of melted butter in large pot. Add two cups of chicken broth and simmer.
Add 2 cups of chicken broth and half of frozen broccoli to food processor and puree.
Add chicken broth/broccoli to onions/large pot and stir over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
In bowl, mix cheese packet from Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese, 1/4 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of melted butter and 2 cups of half and half.
Slowly add the half and half mixture to pot and whisk to mix over medium high heat 2 minutes.
Add Horizon® Pasta Shells & White Cheddar Cheese and remaining broccoli. Add a pinch or two of sea salt. Boil 10-12 minutes or until macaroni is done.
Remove from heat, top with shredded cheddar cheese and serve.
It’s so good! Day 2/leftovers may require the addition of more chicken broth/etc. because those shells soak it all in.
Since we’re considering more organic choices, I was pleased to learn about all of the Horizon® products. Looking for more recipes? Try the MAC-N-ATOR™, an online tool that takes existing ingredients in your kitchen that you enter and creates a recipe including Horizon® Mac & Cheese. Horizon® is an easy solution you can feel good about.
*This conversation is sponsored by Horizon. The opinions and text are all mine.
Enjoy Horizon Mac & Cheese as a versatile meal and keep your family happy. Try different vegetables in the dish to promote alternative uses of Horizon products or let your imagination take over.
Horizon is a pioneer in the organic industry. Every choice they make is carefully considered with National Organic Program (NOP) guidelines in mind. Horizon Mac & Cheese is made with these guidelines and the happy family in mind. For more information, visit Horizon’s website for more information.
This conversation is sponsored by Horizon. The opinions and text are all mine.
Essential Oil Lotion Hearts
It’s the second month of the Embracing Wellness Series and giveaway – several blog friends sharing their favorite Young Living essential oils and hosting an awesome giveaway as our way of wanting to help spread the oily love. Woo hoo! More details below. *This post contains some affiliate links of what I purchased on Amazon, enough supplies for several different DIY/handmade recipes.
These essential oil lotion hearts are not only a great gift idea, they’re super handy for dry skin. Winter and extra-handwashing have made my hands super dry. I love having these on display/ready to grab near the soap on our bathroom sinks and in my purse for a quick grab. Not to mention a cute gift, great {essential oil} business incentive or prize at essential oil classes/events.
Ingredients I used:
- 1/2 cup of unrefined raw shea butter
- 1 cup of organic beeswax
- 1 cup of organic coconut oil
- 15 – 30 drops of Young Living essential oil – you choose your favorite!
*I chose Valor for the one I keep in my purse. I like the benefits for easing occasional feelings of anxiety on top of soothing dry skin on the go. I also like Joy, Peace & Calming, Lavender and Sacred Mountain. One of the bonuses to DIY! YOU choose the essential oil you prefer.
Valor: Valor® is an empowering combination of therapeutic-grade essential oils that works with both the physical and spiritual aspects of the body to increase feelings of strength, courage, and self-esteem in the face of adversity. Renowned for its strengthening qualities, Valor enhances an individual’s internal resources. It has also been found to help energy alignment in the body.
What I did:
I simply added the shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil into a double boiler (I bought this double boiler) and melted it together over medium-high heat.
Once completely melted and blended, remove from heat and mix in essential oil. You’ll need to move through the next step rather quickly (but you can always reheat to liquify if needed).
I poured my mixture into a glass measuring cup to make pouring the mixture into silicone heart molds easier.
I let them cool. It doesn’t take long. I waited a few hours just to be sure they were completely cool and formed.
Then I removed the hearts from the silicone mold. They pop out easily! Wrap for gifts or display in small labeled dish on the bathroom sink.
Let’s get YOU started! Join the Oily Families team by simply visit Young Living HERE (using member#1836762 as sponsor & enroller), choose the wholesale membership to save 24% (no obligations) and choose the Premium Starter Kit. It’s the best way to start your essential oils experience and a great deal! Embrace wellness! What are you waiting for? Today’s the day!
Curious about more uses for essential oils? Follow the entire Healthy Living / Healthy Home series by checking out these sweet blog friends and what they’re sharing:
Catch up on even more information by visiting the January edition of Embracing Wellness here where I shared an easy lavender pillow & linen spray recipe.
