Eggplant Lasagna Featuring AZ Grass Raised Beef Italian Sausage

Eggplant Lasagna with Italian sausage

I have been a long time lover of eggplant. So fitting I would find another way to cook it, Eggplant Lasagna. As a matter of fact, I love it so much I have grown 8 different varieties over the years. Did you know that the Black Beauty eggplant (the one most commonly found in American stores) is actually one of the most bitter eggplants? I find it odd that it is so commonly stocked when there are some really amazing soft and sweeter ones available.

This recipe is one that takes some time but is well worth your efforts.

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How to meal plan like a pro

Weekly Meal Planning for beginners

Meal planning can be a daunting task, I know this to be true, and this is my testimony. Many moms out there know the struggle all too well. And even more over, the most dreaded question in the history of motherhood, “What’s for dinner???” (Please insert scary music when reading that line.)

I am here to give you 5 practical tips on how to manage weekly meal plans like a friggin boss. Like… more then a boss, like… you not only own your families nutritional well-being, you own the house, the car, and grocery store – including aisle 11 that protects our precious wine.

If you start these simple steps this week, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. You will see how great weekly meal planning can be, and will soon be on your own new path to dinner redemption.

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La Campagna Homestead

Queen Creek, AZ Homestead

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a nearby homestead called La Campagna, run by two really kind and generous people, Lauren and Frank Infurna. It was actually an instagram contact turned friend that posted some photos to her stories about a great market stand, already loving that I had found a new market to visit, my IG friend then posted a picture holding a piglet, the same breed that we are planning to raise when we have our own homestead! SOLD! I had to go check this place out, visit pigs, and see what kind of goodies that had for me. Boy was I impressed with their entire operation. La Campagna Homestead.

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4 DIY Spice Mixes

4 DIY Spice Mixes you will always find in my cabinet.

I started mixing my own spices about 2 years ago when I ran out of Italian seasoning mix. If you know me, you know that I am quite the spice collector. So I took to the Goog (google) to hunt down a recipe, and sure enough, I had everything I needed. So I am sharing 4 DIY spice mixes I have modified over the years that you’ll ALWAYS find in my cabinet.

 

Italian

I use this mix the most. Because Many of the ingredients are larger flakes, I like to run this mixture through my coffee grinder to make it a finer powder. Mostly because I hate giant rosemary in my dishes. I use this in our homemade spaghetti sauces, many Italian dishes, and often on top of vegetables I am roasting.

3 TB Parsley flakes

3 TB Dried basil

2 1/2 TB Dried Oregano

1 TB Garlic powder

1 tsp Rosemary

1tsp Thyme

1/4 tsp Black pepper

Taco

Well this one is pretty obvious, I use this for all types of tacos such as: chicken, beef, fish, & shrimp. It will go well with your vegetarian options as well. And if you want to omit the sugar you certainly can! I like the sweetness though.

2 tsp Chili powder

2 tsp Ground Cumin

2 tsp Garlic powder

1/2 tsp Cayenne

1/2 tsp Black pepper

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Oregano

2 TB Brown sugar

Cajun

This is another one on my favorites. It’s smoky flavor fills your dishes with a deep deliciousness. I love using this as a rub on chicken breast then blackening it over an extra hot oily skillet. It is also great to add to an alfredo sauce or even to a rice.

2 tsp Garlic powder

1 1/4 tsp Oregano

1 1/2 tsp Thyme

1 tsp Smoked paprika

1 tsp Black pepper

1 tsp Cayenne

3/4-1 tsp Red pepper flakes

Seasoned Salt

A versatile spice for practically everything. I use this in just about every soup, stew, chili, on meats, and my absolute favorite – on some warm buttery ramen noodles. I don’t use the seasoning the ramen comes with, my kids call that version “Mama Ramen“.

2 TB Salt

1 tsp Garlic powder

1 tsp Paprika (regular -not smoked)

1/2 tsp Ground Mustard

1/2 tsp Turmeric