Pasta Fagioli Crockpot Italian Soup Thing

This recipe is really great, and is a knock off of something they serve at Olive Garden.  It is really great and everyone in my family loved it. 

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. ground turkey
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2-28 oz can of diced tomatoes
16 oz. red kidney beans
16 oz. cannellini beans
30 oz. beef broth
3 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. pepper
5 tsp. parsley
1 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
20 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce

Brown the meat and add everything to your crock pot.  This will make A LOT of soup, so make sure you have a big crock pot.  Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.  Boil some pasta (whole wheat elbows or shells) and mix it in the bowls when you serve.  Top with parmesan or mozzarella cheese. 

Almond truffles

These are super yummy - almost like buckeyes or peanut butter-chocolate truffles without all the self loathing at the end.  All of the ingredients I found at our Kroger in the organic section.  They are gluten free, low sugar, high protein.   Paleo friendly.  Enjoy. 

TRUFFLE MIX:
1/2 c. coconut flour
1/2 c. almond flour
1 c. almond butter
2 tsp. coconut oil (melted)
1 T honey
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. Enjoy Life chocolate chips (like these)

COATING:
1/2 c. Enjoy Life chocolate chips
1 T coconut oil

Mix the truffle stuff together in a bowl.  Roll into balls and chill for 15-20 minutes.  Melt the coating in the microwave (it takes almost no time - watch it closely - like 1 min or less!).  Roll the balls in the chocolate coating and chill a little longer. So good.

--from Pinterest and my friend Dawn Candler.