Winter is one of my favorite times of year.

Coming from Chicago I am quite used to cold weather & all of the inconveniences that come with it. But there are some cold weather happenings that are warm & wonderful. Like cuddling in front of a crackling fire. Sipping hot chocolate & warming up with a hearty winter stew. But now that I am eating a healthier vegetarian diet- what do you do? Get creative, that’s what. This is one of my mother’s favorites. I call it No Chicken & Dumplings. And the best thing is that I make it in the slow cooker.
What could be easier? I think you will like it.
Enjoy!!

1 small sweet onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 32 oz. box of no chicken vegetable broth(vegetarian but chicken tasting)
1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables or 1 cup each of broccoli, carrots & cauliflower
1 packet vegetarian chicken gravy seasoning
1 Tbsp. flour
1 & 1/2 cups multigrain baking mix
½ cup fat free milk

Sauté onions in olive oil & add broth,vegetables & gravy seasoning mix to slow cooker. Cook on low for about 4 hours. Add flour, stir & cook for another 20 minutes. For dumplings mix together baking mix & milk & add by spoonfuls to top the mixture cover & heat another 30-40 minutes.

Sweet Potato & Corn Pancakes

Like so many of you out there, one of my Resolutions is to lose 5 pounds. And it does not matter whether you have to lose 5 or 50 pounds, it is tough. I love potatoes. So any time I can find a way to make them more figure friendly I go for it!!! Here's one of my favorites. Happy New Year!!!

Sweet potato & corn pancakes.

This is a great way to use up leftovers & with only using egg whites & a small amount of olive oil, they wont break your diet or your wallet!

Two cups Mashed potatoes
1 cup sweet corn
½ cup flour
1 small diced onion 1 egg white
Salt & pepper to taste
Olive oil

Place a small amount of olive oil in a skillet & turn on the heat. Mix all ingredients together & eyeball it. If it looks like it needs a little more flour to make it a nice thick consistency, go ahead & add a little more. This is one of those recipes where you have to judge for yourself.

Take a large wooden spoon & shape potato mixture into patty shapes.
Place in skillet & cook for a few minutes till browned on each side.
Remove from heat & serve.