Pork Cavatappi
This savory pasta is packed with ooey gooey cheese, a rich pork sauce, and satisfying cavatappi noodles. Its an easy inexpensive family friendly dish. 


Ingredients: 
16 ounces cavatappi noodles
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
4 ounces shredded parmesan cheese 
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1 pound lean ground pork 
Lavender Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper
2 cups tomato sauce
1 tablespoon italian seasoning
6 springs fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced


Directions: 
In a pot of salted water, boil your pasta until slightly under done, about 6 minutes. In a large skillet over medium high heat, warm your oil. Add your pork and heat until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes). Add your lavender salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook for an additional 30 seconds. Then add your sauce, italian seasoning, and basil. Stir until combined. Grease a 9x13 pan and pour your noodles into it. Then cover the noodles with the sauce and mix. Then cover with both the parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden, about 20 minutes. You can top with additional basil leaves if desired. 


This is a quick, no brainer meal that will leave everyone in your family happy and with a full tummy. Enjoy!

Pirate Treasure Hunt!
I have such an easy fun idea for all the parents out there. It required seriously less than 60 seconds in prep, but kept my son so excited and engaged for over an hour. Its an easy pirate treasure hunt! 

All you have to do is draw a map on a piece of paper of your yard, neighborhood, wherever you'd like to go for your walk. Think of landmarks that your child would know about. For us we did a big tree with a hole where an owl lives, the local dog park, a nearby fountain, etc. Be creative and try to use ideas that could be incorporated into a pirate theme. For example our nearby cemetery that was on our map became finding "Captain Hooks" grave. Be creative and your kids will love it even more. We even wore bandanas and took our binoculars to make it even more fun. 

I ripped and burned the edges of our map to make it authentic looking, then rolled it up and tied it with a ribbon. My son went crazy over it. The day I showed him the map it was raining, but I told him we would be going on our treasure hunt the next morning. Seriously the second his eyes opened he yelled "lets get the map!" 






Our map ended up back at our house, and of course an X marked the spot where the treasure was hidden. Our treasure included pennies and jelly beans. It was such a fun adventure, and so easy to put together as a parent. Hopefully making fun memories your kids will carry with them always. 
Insta Friday July Week 4
We are oh so busy I barely have time to get a blog post out this week! We will be at the Salt Lake Farmers Market tomorrow. Only our 2nd week being there all month! So make sure you come to visit us and stock up on all your favorite goodies. And if you are a blog reader, let us know! We love meeting our fans in person. 



A photo posted by Lavender Apple (@the.lavender.apple) on


A photo posted by Lavender Apple (@the.lavender.apple) on
Lavender Blossoms
You know what? Sometimes I just like to go read my favorite blogs simply to look at pretty pictures. Sure a nice story or thought is nice, but really? I'm just in it for the visual vacation. So today, without further adieu, here are just some pretty pictures of the first blossoms of our fields this year, just because we like ya. 







Lavender is known for its' soothing properties, so hopefully just a virtual gaze will help you have a little relaxation in your day. Have a good one!