make-it-yourself spaghetti sauce

In large sauce pan, simmer 1/2 to 1 whole onion (pureed, diced or sliced) and 1 TBS minced garlic for 7 or so minutes over med heat.
Add 1 pound of your meat, season with salt, pepper & garlic powder - cook through.
Add 2 TBS tomato paste and 1 28oz can crushed or diced tomatoes. Also add any other veggies you want, chunked or pureed. Add 1 TBS sugar (more or less to taste) and some oregano (also any other spices you want).
Simmer for 20 minutes, meanwhile cook the pasta (choose whole wheat to make this meal super healthy).

Orange Beef (or Chicken)

I tried out a great orange beef/chicken recipe this past week. Warning - it's pretty sweet, so don't add more sauce to try to get it 'go further'. :)

Put in crock pot:
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup terriyaki sauce
2 to 3 pounds stew beef/chicken
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Let cook on low 8 hours or so until meat is cooked through. Add veggies of your choice (like snow peas, red pepper, orange pepper...), turn to high and cook about 10 minutes, till veggies are cooked crisp. Serve over brown rice.

Between the Lions at the Oregon Zoo this Wednesday!

The popular PBS Kids show Between the Lions visits the Oregon Zoo for three special performances this Wednesday, July 15. "Between the Lions" engages young children with the fun of reading. Three interactive shows, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. Free with zoo admission.

Movies in the Park...

Portland style!
Check out all the offerings for Movies in the Park this summer!
Movies will begin at dark (between 8 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.), and are weather permitting. A rainout will be called by 5 p.m. and will be posted at the park. Prior to each movie, attendees can enjoy a variety of free entertainment beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A Christmas Carol Train Tour

Disney's 'A Christmas Carol' train tour will be at Portland's Union Station from 9am to 7pm today.
Check it out here