Five-Spice Pork Roast for the Crockpot ***

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Recipezaar)

2-3 lbs pork shoulder, trimmed of fat and bone
1-1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder
1 tablespoon cooking oil
3/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup dry white wine (I used chicken broth)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Rub roast with five spice powder.
Sear roast in a skillet with hot oil before placing it in the cooker. (optional)
Mix together and pour over roast: apple juice, wine and soy sauce.
Cover and cook on low setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high setting for 4-1/2 to 5 hours.
For Gravy: Strain cooking liquid.
Skim off fat.
Combine 2 cups of liquid (may have to add water to make 2 cups) with cornstarch and water.
Cook until thick and bubbly.
Serve over rice.

Carrot "Cake" Tea Sandwiches ***

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Recipezaar)

1 loaf cinnamon raisin bread
8 ounces cream cheese frosting (½ can)
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 cup grated carrot
¼ cup walnuts or pecans

Trim crusts off of bread.
Combine frosting, cream cheese, carrot and nuts.
Spread filling evenly on bread, top with another slice of trimmed bread
to create sandwiches.
Slice sandwiches into quarters, and be creative with the shapes, long fingers, squares, triangles, or use cookie cutters to create other fun shapes.
** Amy's notes: I used an entire 12-oz can of the whipped cream cheese frosting.

Crockpot Vegetarian Chili ***

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Recipezaar)

1 large sweet onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can chopped green chilies
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 (28 ounce) cans tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can black beans
1 (14 ounce) can kidney beans
1 can corn
1 can sliced carrots
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper, to taste

Add all ingredients to crockpot.
Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours.
Can add shredded cheese to individual servings for a little extra flavor.

Peachy Yogurt Smoothie ***

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Recipezaar)

4 fresh peaches, peeled, pitted and quartered (I used frozen)
1 cup vanilla yogurt (I used strawberry)
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed (I used Splenda brown sugar)
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in blender.
Blend until smooth and serve.
** Amy's notes: If using frozen peaches, you'll need to add extra milk. I ended up using a total of about a cup and a half.

Apple Pie Smoothie **

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Recipezaar)

1 cup apple juice
½ cup vanilla yogurt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in blender.
Blend until smooth and serve.

Soup to Get Thin On **

(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Fix-It-and-Forget-It)

3 (32 ounce) cans low-sodium low-fat chicken broth
2 medium onions, chopped
5 celery ribs, chopped
5 parsnips, chopped
1 head cabbage, shredded
4 red or green bell peppers, chopped
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 (10 ounce) frozen chopped spinach
1 (10 ounce) frozen cauliflower, thawed (florets)
2 slices fresh gingerroot, 1-inch thick
1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

Banana Mocha Smoothie ***

(luckymommyto2boys ~ inspired by Recipezaar)

2 medium frozen bananas
1 ½ cups skim milk
1 cup vanilla yogurt
2 tsp instant coffee
¼ tsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp Splenda
2 tsp cocoa powder

Combine all ingredients in blender.
Blend until smooth.
Serve and enjoy!