Thursday FOOD DAY

I had a FUN post ready to go, but I'm having trouble downloading images, so it's going to have to wait until tomorrow, or until my husband can help me. Carter update at bottom.

Here is a recipe for you. I made it for the first time the other night and all enjoyed. I love crock pots. It's so nice to have dinner ready in the evening.

SAVORY WINTER SOUP (because it feels like WINTER here)

2 lbs ground beef
3 medium onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 cans (10 1/2 oz each) condensed beef broth, undiluted
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cups water
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced celery
1 cup fresh or frozen green beans
1 cup cubed peeled potatoes
2 TBS minced fresh parsley or 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste

**I didn't make such a big serving so I adjusted some of the measurements. I also added a can of corn and used red potatoes un-peeled.

In a skillet, cook the beef, onions, and garlic over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink; drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 8 hours or until heated through. Yield: 14 servings

**This will warm you up! Justin likes to add hot sauce.

UPDATE ON CARTER: Still trying gluten free. Going to try for at least another week. Frequency of stools seems better, but form has not changed much. In the process of getting more stool studies done and we should have another GI appt very soon. He is going to neurosurgery on the 15th for follow up on a fibrolipoma that was found on his nerve column years ago (Cauda equina to be exact). It's border line from tethering his chord so annual follow up is suggested.