Soup's Up!

Hey Y'all!

So I know I popped up, "Hey! I'm back!" and then, "Just kidding...Not back..." So this is the deal. My MacBook is dead. We are on a super tight budget so waiting to get it revived. But the main reason I'm often unable to blog, is because Daniel is working a full time job, part time job and attending graduate classes full time. Whew! I got winded just saying that. So I'm home alone with the girls all day everyday. We get Daniel Wednesday evening and night and all of Sunday. That's it! We miss him. Today's Wednesday so he's home! WooHoo! He's been swamped with finals. Today he came home from work, got the girls involved in playing an educational game on their own, helped with dinner, burped the baby and said, "What do you need me to do?" But I didn't hear him. All I heard was a symphony. I have the best husband.

On another note, being alone with three girls three and under all the time has made me incredibly strong. I can hold a 15 pound baby, squat and brush a kid's teeth all at once. Don't I get some sort of badge for that? No? Okay. I guess I'll settle for semi-strong legs and a clean set of toddler's teeth.

I've been spending the last ten days trying to get my toddler to stop sucking her thumb 24/7. Have you ever spent time with an addict being forced to get over a major addiction? Draining....Get the thumb out get the thumb out get the thumb out. The way she reacts to this request would make a person passing by believe there was some sort of real torture involved. No, no torture. Just fighting addictions. I can joke about addiction because I have an addictive personality. I hold a record for completing all seasons of Prison Break in record time. Hello, how is it possible to stop looking at Wentworth Miller once one has seen his face? Too bad the poor kid can't act. He'd be unstoppable.

So why am I blogging today? Oh, why to share one of my favorite soups of course! Today is officially the first day of Fall in our neighborhood. We broke out our pants! It'd been so long, I had totally forgotten what my pants looked like. We also got to wear sweaters. We hit up Farmers Market and the produce looked amazing! So beautiful. I wanted to kiss the growers. I wanted to make this meal to warm us up and use lots of our fresh veggies.

I love this recipe because it has a variety of veggies and instead of pasta contains quinoa. When I make this, I use only 4 cups stock and substitute the rest with water. I don't toast the quinoa and I omit the coriander (because we don't have any and I'm too cheap to buy it). My favorite topping to add to this soup are corn tortillas which I cut into strips and then pan fry till crispy. Yummy! 

Saucy Southwestern Meal recipe here.  

from veria.com

I encourage you to check out other recipes on this site by Ann Gentry. This is definitely the easiest one on the site, her dishes can get really complicated, but all her food is amazing and the site has great cooking videos by her as well.

Here is my baby! We called her Sunny in the womb and she definitely has lived up to her name. 

 How about that chunk! Her two faces are happy and terrified. Aw...they are growing too fast. Not allowed.


Today I scrubbed my kitchen sink so bright it almost blinded me. Yes, these are the things that excite me in life now. I love being a stay at home mom! All the sippy cups and the... the...mess...I take comfort in knowing that a cleaning fairy is going wipe the mess away. Yes, I'm the fairy. Do I get a badge for that?

I'm on the hunt for easy, quick, cheap vegan dishes (that does not include just rice and beans). Please share if you have a staple!

How I Get Through My Day

Sorry for being gone so long.

We are finally back from vacation.

Which means we have tons of laundry, cleaning 

and sleep to catch up on. 

Makeup Remover

When I packed for vacation

I totally forgot to pack my makeup remover.

This is my all time favorite,

I missed it so much.

Poor guy, being left all alone at home.

Earth Science Eye Makeup Remover.

I love it because it is gentle on the eyes.

I have zero eye lashes, so when I put on mascara 

I put on about ten layers.

This stuff is the only remover I've used 

that gets the mascara off without a fuss.

Organic Produce

I'm passionate about organic produce.

For more reasons than one,

I think it is so important to shop organic.

Unfortuatly, our budget doesn't allow us 

to shop exclusivly organic right now.

So I follow these two lists 

put out by the Environmental Working Group.

The Dirty Dozen

This is produce that must be bought organic 

because they absorbe pesticides.

Apples

Bell Peppers

Carrots

Celery

Cherries

Grapes

Kale

Lettuce

Nectaries

Peaches

Pears

Strawberries

What is great about this list is that 

it includes berries that I don't buy all year long.

Since it does include lettuce and kale, 

I go a step further and buy all my leafy veggies organic.

Such as swiss chard, watercress, and spinach.

The Clean 15

This is produce that is fine to buy 

when grown conventionally.

Asparagus

Avocados

Broccoli

Cabbage

Eggplant

Kiwifruit

Mangoes

Onions

Papayas

Pineapples

Sweet corn

Sweet peas

Sweet potatoes

Tomatoes

Watermelon

See a pattern? Most of these have thick peels 

or hard shells to protect them from pesticides.

Running

I'm so proud of myself.

While on vacation, I started running again 

with my sweet cousin, Rosalia.

It totally helps to run when you have 

a great partner who pushes you.

We were both on runners high all day 

with the extra energy boost our workout gave us.

When I started running, my husband bought me a pair of Asics 

which are the greatest thing that has happened to my feet.

I love them so much, that I asked my husband 

if we could name our first son Asic.

And when I go long periods of time without running,

I look at them longingly.

Oh Asics, you make running so comfortable.

The same shoes isn't right for everyone.

My hubby took me to a running specialty store, 

where they have you try on shoes,

and you do a lap around the store 

to find out which is right for you.

Whole Grain Salad

When I was visiting family in Washington

my aunt made this salad.

Talk about fantastic!

So delicious and satisfying.

All my cousins raved about it 

and they were right!

Perfect for a hot summer day.

And it's super easy. 

Just cook the quinoa,

chop the veggies,

mix and eat!

I love that it's made with quinoa.

Quinoa is a superstar in the food world.

Full of protein and fiber, you can't go wrong.

Black Bean, Corn, and Quinoa Salad

1 cup water or vegetable broth
1/2 cup quinoa, well rinsed
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 teaspoons lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon minced scallions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 15-ounce can no-salt black beans, rinsed and drained
1 ear fresh corn, cooked, kernels removed (about 1 cup kernels)
1 small tomato, chopped
(about 3/4 cup)
3/4 cup chopped bell pepper
(red, orange, yellow, or a mix)
2 tablespoons canned diced
green chilies
1 cup chopped fresh mango or peach
Lime wedges

1. In a saucepan, bring water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa, cover, and simmer on low heat until water is absorbed, 10–15 minutes. Cool.
2. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, cumin, cayenne, scallions, and cilantro. In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, green onions, beans, corn kernels, tomato, bell pepper, green chilies, and mango or peach. Add olive oil mixture and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until cool. Serve with lime wedges.

Looking forward to what the rest of summer hold for us in our home.

So far we are plagued with Adventure in Potty Training.

All day my toddler had accidents all over the house.

Finally, this evening she told me she needed to go, and went in the potty.

Success!! Sigh. It does actually work to be persistent. 

Thank goodness! I'll be ready again tomorrow to clean up the puddles

and reward the flushes. 

How I Get Through My Day

Five Minute Face

I've finally perfected my five minute face.

When I'm in a rush, but I want to look semi done up,

I wash my face, I dot on concealor, 

put on tinted moisturizer, eye liner, mascara,

blush on check bones and sides of my forehead, nose, chin,

done.

I'm loving using tinted moisterizer.

Right now I'm using Mary Kay moisterizer with color and sunscreen,

so it's perfect for summer. 

Having the three in one really cuts back on time.

Quick Lunch

I found this recipe  on Healthy Tipping Point.

I love that blog! Makes me want to go out for a run.

Her recipe looks crazy delicious.

I toned my version down a lot 

because I didn't want to turn on my oven.

It turned out to be a great quick lunch for us.

It had everything we need in it to fill and energize us.

Santa Fe Rice

1 tablespoon olive oil

- 1/4 onion

- 1 bell pepper

- one can kidney beans

- 2 cups cooked brown rice

- 3 tablespoons vegan cheese

Heat oil in pan and saute onion till translucent.

 

Mix in bell pepper and beans.

Heat for a few minutes till beans are warmed 

and bell pepper is slightly cooked.

 

Mix in cooked rice and grated cheese. 

Cook until cheese has melted.

That's it!

It was a yummy complete meal and my todder

enjoyed it as well.

Leisure Reading

I've been wanting to get into another novel, 

but haven't been able to lately because of lack of time.

 I haven't had the attention span for a movie lately, either.

My new favorite way to kick back is to open up a Tin Tin book.

I love graphic novels because they engage all the senses

(yes, they have sound effects too). 

They are so cool to read

and for a few minutes I'm able to go on Tin Tin's adventures 

and forget my responsibilities.

I said for a few minutes.

Oh, Tin Tin, alwasy getting into trouble

and miraculously escaping.

Family Time

This fall we are going to be incredibly busy

so we're trying to get in as much family time as possible.

Being a stay at home mom

it's easy to get stuck in the monotony of housework, 

cooking, feedings, and diaper changes.

Sometimes I find it's more important to let the dishes go

and live in the moment with my little girls.

Their smiles get me every time!

Her eyes are so dark, I can always see my reflection.

Check out that beautiful clear sky!

 

Whole Grains: Bulger Wheat with Pasta and Mushrooms

I did a post a couple weeks ago on Whole Grains

and why they are good for you. 

In that post, I mentioned that eating whole wheat pasta 

is not a good source of whole grains.

Let me clarify, when I'm talking about whole grains, 

I'm talking about the grain right off the plant.

Unlike whole wheat which is processed to be made into pasta

whole grains are in their most natural form.

This is the best way to eat the grain.

Don't think of whole grains as carbohydrates.

Carbs have a bad (and accurate) reputation of bulking on pounds.

But whole grains, when eating the right serving size,
will not make you gain weight. 

Quite the opposite, they will clean you out. 

They prevent asthma, allergies, and are overall healing.

One of the most common whole grains is brown rice.

But it's important to eat a variety of whole grains 

since each one has different nutrients.

I'm always looking out for whole grain dishes,

sharing whole grains will be a regular post on this blog.

This is something you can incorporate in your life now.

You can easily serve them along side
whatever protein dish you already have on your table.

I get my whole grains in the bulk section of our health food store. 

They are inexpensive and filling.

Store your whole grains in the refrigerator 

if you don't plan on using them a week after you buy them.

They have no artificial ingredients to preserve them
so they can go bad fast.

Here is a recipe I made this week with Bulgur Wheat.
This grain has been pre-cooked and cracked
so it doesn't contain all it's original energy.
But it's still great and perfect for summer. 

Bulgur Wheat with Pasta and Mushrooms

In a large saucepan

sauté 1/4 onion in oil until translucent.

Stir in 1 cup bulgur wheat.

Stir in 1 cup pasta.

I used spiraled brown rice pasta.

Add 2 1/2 cups water.

Bring to a boil uncovered, reduce flame to low, cover 

let simmer for about 20 minutes.

When it's done water should have dissolved. 

Sauté 1/2 an onion in 1 tablespoon olive oil.

If I did this all over again, 

I'd sauté this onion till it browned.

Gives the dish so much more flavor. 

When your bulgur wheat is done, fluff it with a fork.

Throw sliced mushrooms into your onions.

I also threw in a chopped scallion.

Once the mushrooms have browned 

stir in your pasta, bulgur wheat mixture. 

Our poor camera is on it's death bed. 

Can you tell?

Serve it up!

This is great on it's own for a light lunch 

or as a side for a satisfying meal. 

My family loved this dish. 

My toddler didn't want to eat it, 

but as I was spooning it into her mouth

she kept saying, "More."

She ate it all up without a fuss!

The next day I squeezed some ketchup on it 

and she finished it up. 

At first, whole grains can seem bland and boring,

but they grow on you because your body will plead with you to eat them.

Enjoy your whole grains!

Get Your Whole Grains On!

Whole grains are fairly new to me.

Yeah, I grew up with whole wheat pasta,

and bread, tortillas, crackers (no! crackers should never be made from whole grains!)

but whole grains, real whole grains, this is a whole new revelation to me.

Whole grains are the key to the mint, they are so good for you!

They prevent asthma in children,

are healing to the body, 

cleansing,

prevent stress,

no really people, I could go on and on.

These poor fellows are so under rated.

But there's something else about whole grains.

Whole grain recipes are lame. 

No really, they are.

Ultra healthy, I mean, come on, you can't get any closer to eating the Earth.

Here is a super healthy recipe using millet I found on wholeliving.com. 

What's millet? Seriously, all this stuff is new to me. 

I get it in the bulk bins in my health food store. Everyone say cheap! "Cheap!"

Millet Bowl with Black Beans and Vegetables

Ingredients

Serves 2

• MILLET
• 1/4 cup millet
• One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup water
• VEGETABLES
• 4 shiitake mushrooms (2 ounces), sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
• 2 baby bok choy, halved
• 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds
• DRESSING
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar

Directions

1. Place millet, black beans, and ginger in a small saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and water. Bring to a boil, stir once, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Allow to rest for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
2. Steam shiitakes in a steamer over boiling water, covered, for 3 minutes. Add carrots and bok choy and steam 4 to 6 minutes more. Remove steamer from heat.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together oil and vinegar to make dressing. Season with a dash of salt.
4. Transfer millet to bowls and garnish with steamed and remaining raw vegetables. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour dressing over top and sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Millet Bowl with Black Beans and Vegetables 

This really is a good recipe. Give it a try. You'll enjoy it.

It's got everything you need.

But it's not something you could eat everyday. 

Oh no. 

We need something more savory.

I'm always looking for delicious whole grain recipes.

I tried this one tonight. So yummy!

It tastes like Lasagna.

Now that's more like it!

You can find the Zucchini Quinoa Lasagna

at Peas and Thank You. Scroll down when you click, people.

Everyone loved this.

Including my 9 month old.

My mother-in-law said she's making this her official lasagna recipe now. 

Great way to get your whole grains in!

I served it with a salad.

Wow! That's the first time I've used that word on this blog.

You know why? I'm not a salad person. 

I'm just not big on them.

Lots of work...

I'd rather eat plain lettuce, and often do.

Here is a simple salad I made.

Grate 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 beet and 1 carrot.

Toss with half head of green leaf lettuce.

Sprinkle whatever dressing you love.

I always head for extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. 

Yummy dinner that's incredibly healthy! 

Love it when healthy and yummy fit in the same sentence. 

All that was missing was the garlic bread. 

Sorry guys. 

I'll be sharing more successful whole grain recipes with you

so we can reap the whole grain benefits.

Woo hoo!