So the boys went back to school yesterday after a week off. I spent the day getting the house back in order. It always feels so good to do some good cleaning when the house is in a bit of disarray. However, my least favorite job with a house full of boys is bathrooms. I honestly do not know how they miss that giant hole so often. But I got the bathrooms done and washed all the hardwood, now all that is left to get back in order is the kitchen and basement. I will tackle that on Wednesday, although now we are being threatened with a huge snow storm, so I may have boys home again because of a snow day....we shall see.

Today I am off to be a substitute teacher in a first grade classroom, it will be a busy but fun day.

I thought I would share some recipes with you

First some new ones I have discovered

Quinoa Kale Patties

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 4 eggs, whisked
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
• 3 spring onions, sliced thin (I used green onions)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup steamed kale, chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (I used whole wheat)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, lemon juice, salsa verde, garlic oil

Cook the quinoa (if you have already pre-prepped some for the week this recipe uses 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa)

In a large bowl, mix cooked quinoa, egg, Parmesan, onions, garlic, salt, steamed kale and breadcrumbs. Let everything sit for a few minutes to absorb the liquid. You want the batter to be moist, but not runny. For patties (you can make slider size or burger size)

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in large skillet over medium-low heat. Cook up to 6 slider size patties or 3 burger size patties at a time (don't overcrowd the pan) Cover the pan and let cook for 8-9 minutes until it is golden brown, flip and cook for another 8-9 minutes covered. If you aren't going to eat all the patties in one sitting, leave the extra batter uncooked and store covered in the fridge.

I formed all the patties and then was able to grab one and cook it for lunch the next few days. I topped mine with avocado and they were very tasty.

I entered the ingredients into MyFitnessPal

This is the nutrition information it gave me (and this was for a full size burger patty) 244 calories per patty, 36 g carbs, 6 g fat and 12 g protein.

I found this recipe on Yummy Supper via Pinterest.

Italian Meatball Sliders

INGREDIENTS:

• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 lb lean ground turkey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup minced yellow onion
• 1/4 cup minced roasted red bell peppers (packed in water and drained)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup natural jarred marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 24 cocktail-size whole-grain pitas or buns, split, toasted lightly if desired or full-size flat bread sandwich thins if you make full size patties

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with foil and mist with cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine turkey, garlic, egg white, onion, bell peppers, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. Gently mix until combined. Using a spoon or small scooper, form into patties about 1 scant tbsp each, making about 24 sliders (or I made burger sized patties); place on sheet. (MAKE AHEAD: Prepare patties up to one day in advance, wrap tray in plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
3. Transfer to oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and flip patties over. Bake for 5 more minutes. Remove patties from oven; spoon marinara over each patty and sprinkle each with cheese, dividing evenly. Switch oven to broiler setting on high, return to oven and broil for 4 to 5 minutes, until cooked through and cheese is bubbling. Using a fork or tongs, transfer each patty into a pita or bun. (Cooking time will be an extra 2-3 minutes if you make full size patties just check to make sure they are cooked through)

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance.

In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

What is a book on your shelf?