Make it Love it

http://www.makeit-loveit.com/

This blog has some great tutorials on repurposing clothing. Check out the purse from an old sweater and a boys vest from old pants.

Spinach Pasta Salad

Bow Tie Pasta Salad
John Butterfield

16 ounce package of bow tie pasta, cooked al dente

Marinate the pasta 8 hours or overnight in:

• ½ cup oil
• 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• ½ tsp each of salt and pepper
• 6 tablespoons of sugar
• 2/3 cup white vinegar

After marinating pasta overnight add the following ingredients:

• 10 ounces of baby spinach
• 2 large cans of mandarin oranges
• 1/8 cup sesame seeds
• 2 cans water chestnuts sliced
• 6 ounces dried cranberries
• 6 ounces honey roasted peanuts
• 1 cup chopped green onions

Be sure to add all of the marinade to the salad as it acts as a dressing.

Pancakes

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
adapted from Cooking Light

3/4 C whole wheat flour
3/4 C all-purpose flour
3 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C low-fat buttermilk *
1 tsp vanilla extract 
1 Tbs canola oil
1 large egg
1 large egg white
Cooking Spray or butter for pan

*As a substitute for 1 C buttermilk, place 1 Tbs lemon juice (or vinegar but I prefer lemon juice) in a 1 C measuring cup and then fill the remainder with milk.  This recipe calls for 1 1/2 C buttermilk, so do the same thing with 1/2 Tbs lemon juice and remaining 1/2 C milk.

Combine flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk together.  In a separate bowl combine buttermilk, eggs, oil, and vanilla and whisk well.  Add the wet ingredients into the dry and mix just until moistened and combined.

Heat a nonstick griddle or skillet to medium heat.  Coat pan with non-stick spray or a little butter and then pour on pancake batter.  Use about 1/4 C batter for large pancakes (5-6") and 2 T for kid-sized ones (2 /2-3").   Wait until bubbles form and edges are set and then flip.

Makes 12 large or 24 small pancakes.

My new favorite sugar cookie recipe

1 lb. butter softened
4 eggs
2 c sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 c sour cream
1 t vanilla
8 c flour

Roll out thick.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Thanks John Butterfield