Month: August 2013

Science or Miracle
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Science or Miracle

More garden treasurers are starting to appear. The pumpkin Grandma Norma is holding came off a bit early, but it was ready. Always a great surprise to see what is found in the sea of vines.

More garden treasurers are starting to appear. The pumpkin Grandma Norma is holding came off a bit early, but it was ready. Always a great surprise to see what is found in the sea of vines.

Each week presents different situations. This week was the extreme heat which has put a lot of stress on the plants. We need rain! Because of the heat, we had to be observant of the temperatures throughout the day to consider the best time of day to harvest. We did some harvesting on Sunday because tomatoes and cucumbers were ready to be harvested, and it was truly amazing how hot they were coming out of the field. So you would have laughed to see us out late at night and early morning with head lamps on harvesting! But the vegetables were definitely cooler during those times of the day.

One of my favorite parts about the CSA is packing the boxes. Why do I love packing the boxes? Because I love doing things for others, and because I love to see what is growing, how it is growing and what is doing well in the garden.

I believe that all farmers no matter how many acres they farm, love to see their plants growing and look on with amazement to see the science and the miracles at work in their fields. It is so interesting to watch how the different varieties of crops perform in different growing conditions. Absolutely fascinating!

We were given some good advice when we started this adventure, “Select and use good seed.” Plant scientist study and observe how different seeds grow and select and use the seeds that perform the best in a variety of growing conditions, yield well and taste delicious. Understanding and knowing how the plants will grow their best is the science.

Understanding that the end result is out of your control, because it relies on the weather that God provides us is the miracle that we rely on. It is truly amazing that with all of the farmers that I work with…their strong faith in God is truly a common trait. Consider this year’s growing season and last year’s drought, that might help you to understand why they have such a strong faith.

Believing in what is yet to come and knowing that the end result was worth it … seems to be a commonality between farming and faith.

Garden Science

The heat and wind are taking a toll on the plants. They are droopy and shriveling up. Although we have irrigation and do some additional watering, nothing provides plant relief quite like Mother Nature.

The heat and wind are taking a toll on the plants. They are droopy and shriveling up. Although we have irrigation and do some additional watering, nothing provides plant relief quite like Mother Nature. Pray for some relief.

Boxes of Produce

Please remember to return any cups or plastic containers in your box each week. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your produce before eating.

Black Seeded Simpson Elite Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce – reddish lettuce

Prizehead – is the spear like green leaf.

Beet leaves

Broccoli

Tomatoes – Fourth of July (medium size red), Yellow Girls, Romas (long, narrow), Black Krim (smaller, blackish/red tint) and cherry tomatoes.

Peppers – Green and Yellow

Onions – A few fresh onions to put in a recipe here or there.

Sam found the peas are ready.

Sam found the peas are starting to show pods.

Green Beans – This type of green beans are Providers.

Sam is displaying the cherry tomatoes, potatoes and a kohlrabi that was ready.

Sam is displaying the cherry tomatoes, potatoes and a kohlrabi that was ready.

Kohlrabi

Potatoes – Kennebec potatoes – great for baking. The potato bugs got the best of the plants so the full maturity size was not achieved. So please enjoy the baby potatoes as well. They have their own wonderful qualities.

Cucumbers – Varieties include Fancipak, Straight Eights and Japanese. Let us know if you are interested in any for pickling.

Summer Squash Medley and Zucchini – If your kids want to measure a zucchini/summer squash and watch it grow for a week, let me know.

Sweet Corn – Thank you to our neighbors FarGaze Farms – the Peterson families for this delicious vegetable!

Herbs – Basil, Golden Oregano, parsley and lemon thyme

Fresh cut arrangement – A variety of sunflowers for you.

Recipe of the Week

Vegetable and Beef Kabobs

Cut vegetables and meat into small pieces and thread alternately unto skewers. We used about cherry tomatoes, onions, peppers, summer squash and beef.

Cut vegetables and meat into small pieces and thread alternately unto skewers. We used about cherry tomatoes, onions, peppers, summer squash and beef.

In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste: 1 garlic clove, peeled, 1 teaspoon salt. Next stir in 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste: 1 garlic clove, peeled, 1 teaspoon salt. Next stir in 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste: 1 garlic clove, peeled, 1 teaspoon salt. Next stir in 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour garlic mixture over kabobs; let stand for 15 minutes.

In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste: 1 garlic clove, peeled, 1 teaspoon salt. Next stir in 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Pour garlic mixture over kabobs; let stand for 15 minutes.

Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or just until vegetables are tender, turning frequently.

Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or just until vegetables are tender, turning frequently.

Carefully unwrap foil and serve.

Carefully unwrap foil and serve.

Vegetable and Beef Kabobs

1 garlic clove, peeled

•1 teaspoon salt

•1/3 cup olive oil

•3 tablespoons lemon juice

•1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

•1/4 teaspoon pepper

•8 medium fresh mushrooms

•2 small zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices

•2 small onions, cut into six wedges

•8 cherry tomatoes

Directions

•In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste. Stir in the oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning and pepper.

•Thread vegetables alternately onto metal or soaked wooden skewers; place in a shallow pan. Pour garlic mixture over kabobs; let stand for 15 minutes.

•Grill kabobs, covered, over medium heat for 10-15 minutes or just until vegetables are tender, turning frequently. Uncover and serve.

Source: tasteofhome.com

The boys each tried the kabobs. Some of the vegetables they liked and some they didn't. But they both tried new vegetables that they hadn't tried before. I call that an achievement.

The boys each tried the kabobs. Some of the vegetables they liked and some they didn’t. But they both tried new vegetables that they hadn’t tried before. I call that an achievement.

Lessons Learned
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Lessons Learned

Lots of insects, worms and plants to discover in the garden.

Life is continual educational process. So many life lessons are learned during a growing season. Here is a look at this year’s top three.

1. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Last year, was our first year with this project, we had an extremely early spring, hail and record breaking rain 11 1/2 inches in two days which flooded 1/2 the garden.

This year, presented different challenges late cold spring and a terrible infestation of potato bugs. Each challenge provides an opportunity to grow and learn. Although we may not always understand the lesson at that time, at some point in our life we will. And we are most definitely stronger and wiser because of it.

2. Working together to get the job done, makes it go faster, more enjoyable and fun. Not only is it more fun but some of these tasks while peaceful and not that stressful can just seem to last longer then you would like. But with a bit of crazy, family fun, mixed in with a delicious snack the result can be good memories that will last a lifetime.

Here is an example of keeping it fun. Really did a little bit of mud ever hurt anyone. I don't think I will ever forget, "Look mom, mud angels!"

Here is an example of keeping it fun. Really did a little bit of mud ever hurt anyone. I don’t think I will ever forget, “Look mom, mud angels!”

3. Hands on Learning provides Common Sense. It has been amazing to watch our kids learn by doing. Agriculture is full of these opportunities. Our CSA project is definitely an example of this. I think these two quotes sum up the experience:

“Don’t tell them how to do it, show them how to do it and don’t say a word. If you tell them, they’ll watch your lips move. If you show them, they’ll want to do it themselves.” –Maria Montessori

“Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.” –Chinese Proverb

Let us know how we can involve you in this journey. We love the opportunity to help your families feel part of this growing season, these educational lessons and hands on learning.

Garden Experiment

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have a variety of trellis options in the garden. This heavy pumpkin must have one very strong vine and stem to be hanging on the upright hog panels.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, we have a variety of trellis options in the garden. This heavy pumpkin must have one very strong vine and stem to be hanging on the upright hog panels.

The vines are all reaching for the sun. A pretty amazing site.

The vines are all reaching for the sun. A pretty amazing site. Pretty cool science experiment to watch how the plant desires and needs the sunlight for photosynthesis to produce the crop.

Boxes of Produce

Just some of the harvest for you.

Just some of the harvest for you.

Please remember to return any cups or plastic containers in your box each week. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your prodcue before eating.

Black Seeded Simpson Elite Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce – reddish lettuce

Prizehead – is the spear like green leaf.

Broccoli

Tomatoes – Yellow Girls, Romas and cherry tomatoes.

Peppers – Learn how Chile peppers are grown on farms in Arizona.

Onions – A few fresh onions to put in a recipe here or there.

Sam looking for green beans. A newer planting is flowering and has produced a few green beans this week. More to come next week. The new set of peas have also began flowering so peas will soon follow.

Sam looking for green beans. A newer planting is flowering and has produced a few green beans this week. More to come next week. The new set of peas have also began flowering so peas will soon follow.

Green Beans – This type of green beans are Providers.

Potatoes – A few fresh Masqurade and Yukon Gold potatoes for you. The potato bugs got the best of the plants so the full maturity size was not achieved. So please enjoy the baby potatoes as well. They have their own wonderful qualities.

Nothing like eating the cucumber in the garden!

Nothing like eating the cucumber in the garden!

Cucumbers – Varieties include Fancipak, Straight Eights and Japanese. Let us know if you are interested in any for pickling.

Summer Squash Medley and Zucchini – If your kids want to measure a zucchini/summer squash and watch it grow for a week, let me know.

Sweet Corn – Thank you to our neighbors FarGaze Farms – the Peterson families for this delicious vegetable!

Vermicilli (spaghetti) squash – Our family enjoys this eaten just like spaghetti with our favorite homemade spaghetti sauce, some hamburger and topped with some parmesan cheese. Last year, we prepared our squash by boiling it. See how to prepare it here as well as additional recipes from Martha Stewart.

Basil - a wonderful herb for so many dishes. I love to use it when I am grilling meat, making tomato sauce, you name it.

Basil – a wonderful herb for so many dishes. I love to use it when I am grilling meat, making tomato sauce, you name it.

Herbs – Basil, Red Rubin Basil, parsley, pepperming and lemon thyme (bags are labeled with the first initial).

Fresh cut arrangement – A variety went out in your boxes as I had enough variety but not enough of one type for each of you. So the varieties included: Sunflowers or Zinnias.

Sam with the sunflowers he picked.

Sam with the sunflowers he picked.

I love watching kids pick flowers. The selection is random, and the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I love watching kids pick flowers. The selection is random, and the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Keith with sweet peas. While they are quite pretty, they only last a few short days in the house.

Keith with sweet peas. While they are quite pretty, they only last a few short days in the house.

Recipe of the Week

Chocolate Zucchini Blueberry Bread

Mix together: •2 cups sugar,1 cup applesauce 3 eggs, and3 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix together: •2 cups sugar,1 cup applesauce 3 eggs, and3 teaspoons vanilla extract until well blended.

Mix together in a separate bowl: •2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour,1/2 cup baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon baking, der

Mix together in a separate bowl: •2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour,1/2 cup baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon salt,
1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon baking and a 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. Gradually beat into sugar mixture until well blended.

Stir in zucchini and blueberries. Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. •Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Stir in zucchini and blueberries. Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray.
•Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

The muffin contains two fruits and a vegetable, and they eat them right up!

The muffin contains two fruits and a vegetable, and they eat them right up!

Chocolate Zucchini Blueberry Bread

•2 cups sugar

•1 cup canola oil

•3 eggs

•3 teaspoons vanilla extract

•2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

•1/2 cup baking cocoa

•1 teaspoon salt

•1 teaspoon baking soda

•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

•1/4 teaspoon baking powder

•2 cups shredded peeled zucchini

1 cup of blueberries

Directions

•In a large bowl, beat the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and baking powder; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in zucchini. Transfer to two 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray.

•Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Source: Recipe modified from Tasteofhome.com

TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More
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TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More

The boys being the cucumber combine. Great Teamwork!

The boys working as a team to act as the “cucumber combine.” Great Teamwork! They even were thankful for this in their prayers!

TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More – there is no I in TEAM.

Over and over throughout my life, I have been reminded of this. For me, this was ingrained in my head and my every being. This  began on the farm as we worked with our animals, bailing straw, rock picking, bean walking…you name it. Then I heard it again in sports, band, FFA, student council etc.

It was funny and very satisfying to hear Steve tell me that while he and the boys were harvesting that he heard our boys also say, “Let’s do TEAMwork.”

Sometimes in our busy lives, we can forget this very common but underlying important common sense message. TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More. A strong TEAM will provide you with a safe place to belong, will push you to excel beyond what you ever thought possible, will force you to work harder than you thought you could and will provide camaraderie that lasts a lifetime.

So why is it important to us to provide our children with farm experience?  Because of TEAM. I hope in the end of this journey that we have all excelled to be more than what we thought possible, that we are better people and a stronger family because of it and that we have left a positive footprint on the lives we had the opportunity to be part of.

Watermelons and muskmelons are growing.

Watermelon and muskmelon are growing.

We are finding gourds, pumpkins and squashes growing like crazy! Allowing for daily treasurer hunts!

We are finding gourds, pumpkins and squashes growing like crazy! Allowing for daily treasurer hunts!

Garden Experiment

Interplanting a variety of crops to maximize space was one of our experiments. The jury is still out on what we thought of interplanting onions between the tomatoes. At least this year's onion crop is an improvement upon last year.

Interplanting a variety of crops to maximize space was one of our experiments. The jury is still out on what we thought of interplanting rows of onions between the rows of tomatoes. At least this year’s onion crop is an improvement upon last year.

Boxes of Produce

Please remember to return any cups or plastic containers in your box each week. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your prodcue before eating.

Black Seeded Simpson Elite Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce – reddish lettuce

Prizehead – is the spear like green leaf.

Broccoli

Red cabbage this week. Enjoy!

Red cabbage this week. Enjoy!

Red Cabbage – check out Martha Stewarts recipes for red cabbage.

Tomatoes – Yellow Girls, Romas and cherry tomatoes.

I spy with my little eye...green peppers.

I spy with my little eye…green peppers.

Peppers – Learn how Chile peppers are grown on farms in Arizona.

Onions – A few fresh onions to put in a recipe here or there.

Green Beans – This type of green beans are Providers.

Potatoes – A few fresh Norland red potatoes for you.

Cucumbers – Varieties include Fancipak, Straight Eights and Japanese. Let us know if you are interested in any for pickling.

Sam thought that perhaps the zucchini could be used for a "unihorn."

Sam thought that perhaps the zucchini could be used for a “unihorn.”

Summer Squash Medley and Zucchini – If your kids want to measure a zucchini/summer squash and watch it grow for a week, let me know.

Red Rubin Basil - give it a try. It adds some wonderful color to your dishes.

Red Rubin Basil – give it a try. It adds some wonderful color and flavor to your dishes.

Herbs – Basil, Red Rubin Basil, parsley, pepperming and lemon thyme (bags are labeled with the first initial). Click here to hear Martha Stewart discuss herbs. Ideas for fresh peppermint here.

Fresh cut arrangement – A variety went out in your boxes as I had enough variety but not enough of one type for each of you. So the varieties included: Sunflowers or Zinnias.

Recipe of the Week

Garden Omelet

Sautee garden vegetables in butter. I used red and yellow onion, green peppers, yellow girl tomato and zucchini. Once the vegetables are softened set aside.

Saute’ garden vegetables in butter. I used red and yellow onion, green peppers, yellow girl tomato and zucchini. Once the vegetables are softened set aside.

Mix together with a fork 3 eggs, 1 Tablespoon water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper and add a few herbs that have been washed and torn into smaller pieces. I used basil, Red Rubin Basil and Golden Oregano.

Mix together with a fork 3 eggs, 1 Tablespoon water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper and add a few herbs that have been washed and torn into smaller pieces. I used basil, Red Rubin Basil and Golden Oregano.

Garden Omelet

With a fork, beat:

3 eggs

1 Tablespoon water

1/4 teaspoon salt

Dash of Pepper

Add herbs of your choice that have been washed and torn into smaller pieces.

Heat skillet. Butter pan with butter. Place egg mixture in skillet and cook slowly. Run spatula around edge, lifting to allow uncooked portion to flow underneath. Place choice of filling inside. I included sautéed vegetables, a couple of our favorite cheeses (mozzarella and sharp cheddar. Turn off heat. Place pan cover over the mixture for about a minute allowing cheese to melt. Fold sides over as you flip it onto a plate. Garnish with parsley and cheese.

Garnish completed omelet with cheese and omelet. I learned in 4-H foods project that a garnished food will always taste better to the person consuming it simply because of the way it is presented.

Garnish completed omelet with cheese and herbs. I learned in 4-H foods project that a garnished dish will always taste better to the person consuming it, simply because of the way it is presented.

Treasurer Hunt
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Treasurer Hunt

Treasurer hunts include vegetables and insects Remember, you need something to put your treasurers in. We need to bring something to put dragon flies and butterflies in:)

Treasurer hunts include vegetables and insects Remember, you need something to put your treasurers in. We need to bring something to put dragon flies and butterflies in:)

“Mom, do you know why I like coming out to the garden every night. It’s because it is like a treasurer hunt. You never know what you are going to find.” – Keith

That was music to my ears.  I love agriculture, because to me I learn something new every day, and there are always treasurers and always pleasant surprises. So when I hear my kids say this as well, I know we are going down the right path of learning and exploring and helping them to share the story of agriculture with others. They to have so much to learn and so much to share about their treasurer hunt with others.

We are finding so many variety of pumpkins growing on our garden treasurer hunts . It is really cool.

We are finding so many variety of pumpkins growing on our garden treasurer hunts . It is really cool.

These are the same pumpkins that Keith is pictured in above, taken on Saturday. This is taken on Thursday. Look how much it has grown. We had to cut the wires so the pumpkins didn't grow into the fence.

These are the same pumpkins that Keith is pictured in above, taken on Saturday. This is taken on Thursday. Look how much it has grown. We had to cut the wires so the pumpkins didn’t grow into the fence.

When we are scouting the garden, we are finding pumpkins, melons, cucumbers etc. growing and changing. It is absolutely so much fun!Like in life, not everything in agriculture is fun, some of it can be frustrating…We also find potato bugs, squash beetles and more. The treasurer in these challenges is what we learn about them, from them and how we deal from them.

Another treasurer is when we find foods that we like which we have grown. Like many of your families, not all of us like everything grown in the garden. But the rule is that every one of us must try the food and/or the new recipe.

Last week's zucchini brownies were a hit. Definitely a recipe worth making again!

Last week’s zucchini brownies were a hit. Definitely a recipe worth making again!

So when  Sam said, “Mom, I love zucchini!” I was so surprised but yet so excited that I had found a way that these boys love this vegetable. Okay, I know it was zucchini brownies and chocolate zucchini muffins, but it is a step in the right direction!

One of our goals is to help you also achieve some of this with your families. That is why we ask the boys to share what is “growing on” in the garden with your children and to provide your kids with a weekly treasurer hunt. Hopefully, if they see how their food is grown and where it comes from, they will feel more connected to it and curious about trying it.

Garden Experiments

Did you know that field corn is different then sweet corn. We also have three other varieties of corn growing in our garden: ornamental corn, popcorn and broom corn.

Did you know that field corn is different from sweet corn. We also have three other varieties of corn growing in our garden: ornamental corn, popcorn and broom corn.

Keith and Sam both wanted their Dad to lift them up to see how tall or neighbors corn was. As you can see, it is quite tall. This height helps to generate additional photosynthesis to help the plant produce a good crop. Did you know that field corn can grow between 8-12 feet high and an average ear of corn will have 800 kernels.

Keith and Sam both wanted their Dad to lift them up to see how tall or neighbors corn was. As you can see, it is quite tall. This height helps to generate additional photosynthesis to help the plant produce a good crop. Did you know that field corn can grow between 8-12 feet high and an average ear of corn will have 800 kernels.

Boxes of Produce

Love this photo that Keith took with some of the vegetables.

Love this photo that Keith took with some of the vegetables.

Please remember to return any cups or plastic containers in your box each week. Remember food safety in your kitchen when preparing, always wash your before eating.

Black Seeded Simpson Elite Lettuce – One of my favorite garden crops. These crops have taken a hit with the lack of rain.

Red Oak Leaf Lettuce

Prizehead – is the spear like green leaf.

The tomatoes are starting to ripen. Yummy!

The tomatoes are starting to ripen. Yummy!

Tomatoes – Yellow Girls, Romas and cherry tomatoes.

Broccoli – A new addition to your boxes this year. Let us know what you think of this variety of broccoli.

Keith picking onions. The boys have tried raw onions. Good thing they enjoy harvesting them more then they like to eat them!

Keith picking onions. The boys have tried raw onions. Good thing they enjoy harvesting them more than they like to eat them!

Onions – A few fresh onions to put in a recipe here or there.

Green Beans – These type of green beans are Providers.

When we were digging potatoes, Sam is still all about finding the worms! He finds that the worms and the potatoes are both treasurers.

When we were digging potatoes, Sam is still all about finding the worms! He finds that the worms and the potatoes are both treasurers.

Potatoes – a few fresh Norland red potatoes for you. Learn about potato harvest in Colorado.

Look what the boys found in the garden, just a few cucumbers.

Look what the boys found in the garden, just a few cucumbers.

Cucumbers – The harvest is beginning. Varities include Fancipak, Straight Eights and Japanese. Let us know if you are interested in any for pickling.

Summer Squash Medley and Zucchini – If your kids want to measure a zucchini/summer squash and watch it grow for a week, let me know. It really is amazing how fast they grow. See recipe below.

Dill...photo by Keith

Dill…photo by Keith

Herbs – Golden Oregano, Red Rubin Basil, dill and lemon thyme (bags are labeled with the first initial).

Fresh cut arrangement – A variety went out in your boxes as I had enough variety but not enough of one type for each of you. So the varieties included: Sunflowers or Zinnias with Hosta leaves.

Recipe of the Week

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins - a winner in this household.

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins – a winner in this household.

Chocolate Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

•3 cups all-purpose flour

•1 1/2 cup sugar

•2 teaspoon baking soda

•2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup cocoa

•1 teaspoon salt

•2 eggs, lightly beaten

•1 cup applesauce

•1/2 cup milk

•2 tablespoons lemon juice

•2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•2 cups shredded zucchini

•1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

•1/2 cup chopped walnuts Directions

In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Garnish with a few miniature chocolate chips. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done. Yield: about 2 dozen. Recipe modified from Tasteofhome.com.

Happy boys in the morning is always a great thing!

Happy boys in the morning is always a great thing!