Monday, January 31, 2011

Comfort Foods on Sick Days

Is there anything better than a nice pot of homemade chicken noodle soup when you're miserable with the cold or flu?  It's such a comfort food.  I love to make huge pots of homemade soup during the winter, then freeze some for those days when you feel so yucky that you just don't want to be in the kitchen.  Just don't freeze any of the homemade noodles with it, for some reason I just don't think those freeze very well. But I could be wrong about that, so if someone knows then please let me know! :D

My homemade chicken noodle soup with homemade noodles!  Yum!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
This is an intuitive recipe for me so the amounts aren't specific, I just wing it based on how much I have.  Sometimes I add herbes de provence to the broth and the noodle dough but you can add any sort of spices you like to it, my soups never taste exactly alike~ it's a very easy, forgiving sort of recipe ~ just play around with it until it tastes the way you like it.

For the soup:
1 rotisserie chicken from the deli
celery
carrots
chicken bouillon {or other spices such as herbes de provence, celery salt and onion powder or whatever flavorings you'd like}
water
sea salt and pepper, to taste

For the noodles:
eggs
flour
sea salt

For the soup:  Pick the meat off the chicken and reserve for later.  Place the carcass in a pot of water with enough water to cover.  Boil and simmer for a while.  Pull carcass out and reserve the broth.  To the broth add the chicken pieces, carrots, celery, chicken bouillon, salt and pepper and any other seasonings to taste.  Simmer for a few hours until carrots and celery are nice and soft.
{Time saver tip:  Sometimes I steam the carrots and celery while the carcass is simmering so that they're ready to go back into the broth once it has been strained}.

For the noodles:  Right before you are ready to serve the soup, make your noodles by scrambling an egg or two in a bowl with a little bit of salt.  Add just enough flour until the eggs get doughy.  Roll the dough out on the counter and slice into long thin strands ~ they will get bigger once you cook them in the soup.  {A rotary noodle cutter or these KitchenAid attachments make it super easy and fast too!}.  Throw your noodles into the pot and let it simmer for about 7 or 8 minutes to cook the noodles.  Then serve and enjoy!

Now if you've frozen some for later use, then it's easy to feel comforted with a nice bowl of soup and apple juice when you're down and out {like I may or may not be right now!  Ok, I am.  Someone please pass me a box of tissues or just cut off my nose already!}.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Fresh Winter Vegetables

I didn't order Bountiful Baskets this week because we need to eat more out of our "root cellar".  So I thought I would show you what we have down there before we finish eating everything out of it for the year.  For the most part I really do try to eat a whole foods diet and preferably when things are in season, which is great during the high growing seasons around here, but what do you eat that is fresh during the cold snowy winter?

Why, lots of things actually!  That's why our ancestors had root cellars!  Throughout much of history there wasn't the luxury to run to the store 24/7 to buy exotic, out of season produce!  They grew, and ate and stored things that would last through the winter.  And I have to tell you, when I learned more about this it made the whole seasonal eating thing very exciting for me!

If you have access to any apple trees, they can be stored somewhere cool in something like this.  Isn't it cute? 



I'm still trying to figure out where to put one of these at my house because apples and potatoes don't play well together, so the apples will need to be stored somewhere else.  Which brings me to potatoes and some of the other things I store.

In the fall as my local farmer's markets are winding down I go and load up on lots of the winter squashes and other root storage crops.  They store really well in a cool, dark place for months at a time.   I store the squashes on shelves in an unfinished space underneath my front porch.

Pretty glamorous, eh?

I also have a rolling rack with bins on it that we picked up at Sam's Club one year.  The bins are super easy to wash out and disinfect if needed.  In my bins I store onions, potatoes, garlic and tomatoes.  Yes, tomatoes!

I pay attention in the fall to the weather report and right before the first frost we pick all the green tomatoes and bring them in for storage.  They will slowly ripen over time and this way I can have my tomatoes clear into December most of the time!


There are lots of other things you can store in a root cellar over the winter like cabbages and carrots.  But there are rules and guidelines you should follow in order to keep your veggies as fresh as possible for as long as possible.  I don't follow all the rules and my stuff does fine for the most part but if storing root crops is something you are interested in doing, I would definitely get my hands on a copy of Root Cellaring.   It's the book I have and is a pretty good reference book with lists of which varieties are good keepers, and detailed information on storage conditions for each type of storage-able food.



But I'd really like to get my hands on this root cellaring book too.  It looks like another good one for the reference library of mine. 




Storing root crops is one of the easiest and oldest methods of food storage around.  I love it because it means I don't have to spend hours in the kitchen canning and preserving.   And I can still have some fresh fruits or veggies throughout the winter.  Sounds like a win~win to me!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Labelling Ourselves

I've been trying to come up with more information about me to add to the Meet B. page so that you can get a better sense of who I am.  But I'm having a really hard time with it.

I could tell you that I'm shy.  That I'm vegetarian.  That I'm a foodie~wanna~be.  I'm not an expert at anything, I'm more of a renaissance woman who knows a little about a lot.  But by saying these things I feel like I'm labeling myself.  And why do we label ourselves?

Labels define us, but they can also limit us.  Even labels that you're not something, like "I'm not crafty" or whatever ~ it's a label.   When we label ourselves what does that say about our divine potential?  That we are putting a limit on that?  Putting a limit on our own personal growth?

When we label ourselves then we have a tendency to start to believe it.  And if you believe you are truly one thing, it's hard to believe you can become something else.  I truly believe in not labeling. Or trying not to {because let's face it, its hard not to!} because I think it allows us more personal growth.  It gives us more room to grow and become.

I just think that when the Lord looks down on us He doesn't label us and divide us up into different camps of this and that based on some strange labeling system {admit it, sometimes we come up with some pretty crazy labels}.  He's not dividing us up by the color of our skin, or how much money we make, or whether or not we have a great analytical mind or this or that.  He is looking at our hearts and our potential to become something greater than we can possibly ever imagine.

So yeah.  If you want to learn a little more about me, you can pop over to the Meet B. page and see what I came up with in the end.  Scroll down towards the bottom. 


I'm sure you'll learn more about me as we go along,
but if you still want to know more about me, 
then just ask away!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Pottery Barn Love!

Oh Pottery Barn! You have done it again! I am completely and helplessly in love. You always come up with such clever ideas. And this one is pretty dang cool. Do you see it?


Right over there. 

In the corner. 

These.



C~U~T~E~!

and

F~U~N~!

I'm all about positive self talk and framing things in positive ways.  These "I will" statements are brilliant!  Now my teen can frame her goals and desires in a fun way that she can use as visual reminders.  These just might have to go into her room update I'm thinking! 

Monday, January 24, 2011

Headed To The Mountain

Deciding what to wear...











Probably going to wear . . .

a pair of long and lean jeans
turtleneck {preferrably cashmere}
cute boots
and
a fabulous coat!


Watch out Park City
here I come!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

An Inspiring Story of Reinvention

Someone recently pointed me to an inspiring article in the Boston Globe about Sigrid Olsen who reinvented herself after losing her fashion business and the rights to design under her own name.   Kind of a bum deal for her, and in this economy I'm sure other people are facing different yet very similar major life changes too.  What's so inspiring about this story is that you absolutely can pick yourself up and remake yourself, no matter your age or where you've just come from.  And why not?  I found the following quote in the article quite interesting:

Until recently, the idea of older people reinventing themselves — starting from scratch in a new endeavor — was not taken very seriously. “Something in us feels that people our age should be consolidating our experiences, integrating all that we’ve learned and accomplished, and resting on our laurels — not engaging in risk-taking projects, embarking on unmapped adventures, and enduring the awkwardness and vulnerabilities of new mastery,’’ writes Harvard sociologist Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot.’’

A major life change is a great time to reinvent yourself, but I don't think you need to wait for something drastic to happen either.  You have dreams ~ "unmapped adventures" to take!  If you want to change things in your life, then what's stopping you? 

I think sometimes we worry about what other people will think if we drastically change our look, or our lifestyle, or whatever it is we are changing with deliberate choices.  But if it's something you truly love, then lead out with confidence and go for it!

Sometimes we don't have the luxury to change when we want, like in Sigrid's case, she was forced into reinvention as I'm sure a lot of people find themselves at times.  Not included in the online version of the article were Olson's  "essential practices" to "regain equilibrium and redefine [yourself] after a major life change":


1. 
Connect with nature. 


Next to the grandeur of nature, your problems seem very small. 


2. 
Inhabit your body.


Breathe, move, dance, run ~
anything that helps you feel awake and alive.




3. 
Find a community.

Seek out people who are honest and fun, 
who will listen and tell the truth.

4. 
Clean house. 


 Literally and metaphorically, 
clear the clutter that complicates your life.


5. 
Cherish beauty. 


 Try to put beauty in your path each day 
and take the time to enjoy it.
 

6. 
Open your heart. 



Give of yourself. 
Generosity breeds abundance. 


 
7. 
Create. 

 
Make something. 
Paint, sculpt, cook, plant a garden, keep a journal.


8. 
Celebrate life. 


Eat good food, have a party, travel, laugh a lot.


I think those are great ways to take care of yourself, no matter your circumstance!

If you want to see how Sigrid Olson reinvented herself, hop on over and read the article.  Have you ever had to reinvent yourself?  If you were to reinvent yourself today, what would you do?

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Bountiful Baskets


This week I ordered the Italian pack in addition to the normal basket.  I enjoy getting those extras because for some reason it usually helps me use up all the normal basket items easier.  I mean, if I just bought a regular basket, I might still need to run to the store for onions or garlic, but not now.  It also gives a lot of my recipes a focus for the week.   I also love that I get fresh herbs in the Italian pack.  They are something I can always count on since the ingredients in the Italian pack usually never change.


Another thing I really like about Bountiful Baskets is the variety I get and the chance to try out new vegetables that I might not ever buy otherwise.  This week?  That pretty purpley cabbage.  I think its a savoy?  I'm still trying to research it.


We got more delicious pears this week too and I think I will make a nice batch of homemade pear sauce for dinner one of these nights.  We also got a bunch of citrus fruits ~ lemons and grapefruits.

So this week on the menu {so far} we will be having:  

Grilled chicken with rosemary ~ roasted red potatoes with Herbes de Provence ~ salad ~ pear sauce

Rice pilaf with roasted red potato, tomato, and pineapple kabobs marinated in Asian drenching

Green pepper, pineapple and asparagus in a sweet and sour sauce served over a bed of rice

Po' Boys ~ made with roasted eggplant and fresh basil with fruit on the side

Southwestern Summer Squash Enchiladas

Along with some fruity smoothies, salads and omelettes.  But I'm still trying to decide what to do with that purpley stuff!  If you have a great idea or recipe for it, then let me know in the comments!

Buon Appetito!  
{Or however you say that in Italian!}

My Exercise Plan: The Things I Like{d}

What active things do you like to do? What active things did you like to do as a kid? What would you love to learn? What active things does your significant other enjoy?



Current active things I enjoy:  water aerobics, Zumba

As a kid:  I was a gymnast.  I loved that, but it's pretty hard on your body.  I was also a sprinter on the track team.  I loved that too.  And riding my bicycle. 

Love to learn:  How to row crew, Fencing, Ballroom dancing

The Hubs enjoys or has enjoyed in the past:  Racquetball

~~~

So here is the part where you might consider reconnecting and finding your past exercise loves.  Do you still enjoy them?  Is it something you could incorporate back into your life?  If you used to love riding your bicycle a lot as a child, then maybe you should start riding a bicycle more often now!  Feel the wind on your face again!

Maybe you could work on signing up for some classes to learn some of the skills you would love to learn.  And maybe you could participate in an activity with your significant other that they enjoy every once in a while! 

The whole goal here of all these questions was to open up and broaden your workout options and horizons so that you know that there are plenty of enjoyable things you can do to incorporate fitness into your life {hopefully in an enjoyable way!}.

~~~
Phew!  Ok, I'm done now with all those questions!  That was fun but I'm ready to move on to some cooking, decorating, organizing or fashion posts now!  Let's go!  :D

Friday, January 21, 2011

My Exercise Plan: Goals

Someday I am going to learn how to row crew.

What are your goals?

{Hang in there dear readers, 
we are almost done with the exercise posts.
Do I hear a collective hooray?}



Currently my main goal is to lose 40 lbs.

My ultimate goal however is to be healthy for the rest of my life.  To do what I can to minimize my risk for the heart disease that runs in my family, so that I can enjoy my family {and life} for as long as I can.  I want to live long and prosper, people!

I'd also like to learn how to row crew.  And I'd love to learn how to fence.  En guarde!  

~~~

This is a pretty simple, straightforward question.  What about you?  What are your goals?  Do you want to lose weight?  Want to train for and finish a marathon?  Participate in a triathlon?  Learn ballroom dancing?  Write them down!  I put mine in my Menu of Services and come to think of it, if you haven't started a file or Menu of Services of your own  yet, then you really should!  What's stopping you?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

My Exercise Plan: My Motivation



What is your motivation? What motivates you? 
Why are you doing this? List some reasons or benefits.

This is the part where you get to create a little mission statement of sorts.  Or what I like to call "my battlecry"!  Why?  Because we all need a battlecry!  It's something to hold onto in those moments when you really would just rather give up!  When you don't want to workout.  When you just don't think you can make it through those last few reps.  That's when you use your battlecry!  In the past I have used:

For the baby! 
{when we were trying to get pregnant and 
I wanted to be in top physical shape for it!}

For Hawaii!
Hey, no one said you can't use vanity reasons!  :D

Your battlecry is your short and sweet statement that wraps it all up!  But I also have a list where I wrote down every little reason why I exercise.  Some of them are vanity reasons . . .

Reason No. 7 ~ So I can wear cute clothes
Reason No. 9 ~ So I can feel and look good in my swimming suit
Reason No. 12 ~ Because it makes me feel sexy

And some of them health reasons . . .

Reason No. 1 ~ So I can be healthy
Reason No. 5 ~ To keep my blood pressure under control
Reason No. 6 ~ To help prevent strokes and heart attacks

I even have a few silly ones like . . .

 Reason No. 21 ~ So I can be all ninja if I have to
Reason No. 24 ~ So I can fit myself into super tiny spaces!
 Your longer list of reasons is also a helpful little tool you can use to remind yourself why you're doing this on those days that you really just don't want to exercise at all!  Make it specific.  Make it personal to you.  Really think about the reasons that you want to be healthy and then draw on those during the times you'd rather quit.  I've posted mine in my Menu of Services so I can go over it easily at any time.

So what do you think?  Would this be a valuable tool for you to use?  Have you ever made a list like this? And if you've come up with a battlecry I would LOVE to hear what it is!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Wok and Talk {and a little about me!}

 . . . . We interrupt this blog talk about exercise to bring you an update on the Wok and Talk . . . .

Last night we had a fun little activity for the women at our church. It was a cooking demonstration on Asian foods.  The women at my church are so adorable!  I mean even the title Wok and Talk was darling and look how cute the taster's table was!


We had people demonstrate how to make sushi and how to make Thai spring rolls.  Then some of the women had brought some of their own Asian dishes for the taster's table.  There were so many yummy things to try!  I wanted to bring an Asian dish that was based on vegetables {because hello!  I love vegetables!!!}.  So I made Soba noodle salad.  It's pretty easy!


Soba Noodle Salad

The salad:
8 ounces soba noodles {get at an Asian market} OR whole wheat spaghetti noodles
1 english cucumber, halved and sliced
1 medium carrot, cut into 2-inch matchsticks {or buy the pre-shredded carrot matchsticks}
1 chunk daikon {about 6 ounces}, cut into 2-inch matchsticks
1 red bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced into matchsticks
1 yellow bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced into matchsticks
4 green onions, sliced diagonally

The sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp mirin
1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
1/2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp sugar

Cook soba noodles according to package directions.  Drain, cool and pat dry with towels.  Combine the noodles and vegetables in a large serving dish.  Mix up the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and pour half over the dressing over noodles.  Toss well to coat.  Serve remaining dressing on the side.

I pretty much tripled the recipe to take with me and just started throwing vegetables in without really measuring those too much.  This recipe is pretty forgiving like that.   You can use more or less of any of the veggies according to your tastes.  I actually went pretty noodle heavy this time and wish I had put more veggies in. 

And I am pretty much in love with daikon with all my heart!  It is so tasty!  I love it in this salad!  It doesn't have a real strong flavor of its own and it blends in perfectly into the salad so that certain people at my house don't even realize they are eating a vegetable.  It just blends in incognito with the noodles!  Love that!


On a separate note, Adrienne over at The Rich Life {on a budget!} gave me The Stylish Blogger award today.  She is so darling!  Please go pay her a visit ~ I think you will really enjoy her!  


Thank you Adrienne!

So as part of my "acceptance speech" I am supposed to tell you a little more about myself.

01.  My real name actually does start with a B.  It's not just a catchy signature to match my blog!  It just happened to work out that way!

02.  I love vegetables.  Oh wait, you probably already knew that!  But maybe you didn't know that I tend to eat mostly vegetarian {for health reasons}, though I do sometimes still eat meat on occasion {my husband is a carnivore to the core!}.  

03.  I am passionate about organ and tissue donation.  I was blessed to receive a cornea transplant four years ago and have had friends and family members who have also received the gifts of kidney and bone marrow transplants.  

04.  I love old etiquette books.  Doesn't mean I am proper all the time.  In fact, I'm probably far from it.  I guess I just hope that some of it will rub off on me!

05.  I love the Beatles.  I probably would have been one of those crazy screaming fans too!

06.  I speak Portuguese.  Though I have forgotten a lot of it over the years. 

07.  I design eveningwear in my head.  All the time.  But I lack absolutely any skills to bring any of them into real life.  

So there you go!  I would now like to nominate a few fellow bloggers for their fabulous stylish contributions to the blog world:  

Mary at This is M.E. ~ she is my cute little sister learning to make her way in this world.  She is ever stylish and a budding photographer too.

Sarah at I Heart Pretty Things ~ She is my adorable cousin and I love her musings on life and family, like this adorable one, plus she creates fabulously crafty things like this gorgeous chore chart.

Loralee of Loralee's Looney Tunes ~ she is a friend of mine from high school.  I adored her then and I adore her now.  I love and appreciate her honesty and she always has the darndest things happen to her!

And a few others who write more private blogs or have already been given the award ~  I am blessed to have so many amazing women in my life ~ I love you all!

Please drop by and pay them a visit.  You won't be sorry!  And as always, if the above don't want to play along with the "7 things" it's no big deal ~ just know that I appreciate you!

 . . . . Ok now back to our regularly scheduled programing! . . . .

My Exercise Plan: Excuses, Excuses . . .



What are some of your excuses?
What are some solutions to your excuses?


Sometimes I work out in my cold, dark unfinished basement.  Even though it isn't finished yet, we have set up a tv, some couches and have some exercise equipment down there.  Here are some of my excuses I have used in the past + my solutions. 

The basement is too cold: Yes, yes, it is, but man it feels good once you get going!

It's dark down there: Yep! Sure is! But I got over it once I got all the lights turned on!

It's cold and I'm comfy in my PJ's and don't want to change: My day will go better if I get my exercise out of the way, I will warm up and won't be feeling guilty all day long.  Or start with some gentle yoga which I don't mind doing in my PJ's {since I usually wear yoga pants to bed anyway!}

There's nothing to watch on tv and I can't play my cd's down there: So watch some shows that aren't as fun and then get The Hubs down there to help me out with the music situation. Doesn't mean it has to stop me!  Use it as thinking time.  Or load up some new tunes on my ipod.

Here are the excuses for not going to the gym:


It's dark outside and there is too much snow all over the ground!  I don't want to drive in that!  Or, I'm running out of time to get over there and back before I have to wake the kids up for school.  Or, my schedule is just too crazy today!  Etc. :  Then just go downstairs and workout in the basement! Squeeze in a few minutes with a jump rope here and there.  Etc. 

~~~

So let's hear your excuses!  And then more importantly, let's hear some of your solutions to overcoming them!


Tuesday, January 18, 2011

My Exercise Plan: Creating My Menu of Services

  
My "Menu of Services".  And the name I've given my at home spa.

List your options. What is currently available to you?


I used to dream of owning my own health and fitness spa when I was younger, so I am striving to create my own little health spa of sorts at home ~ I've even given it a name ~ Club Pebblecreek.

Just like I imagine being presented with a beautiful list of services when I attend the spa, I have created my own little presentation for myself.  In a slim black leather binder I have inserted pages of creamy cardstock listing out all my current offerings {aka all my workout options}.  I get workout boredom quite easily, so writing out a list of everything I have is beneficial when trying to decide what I want to do each day. 

Working out can also be a mind game for me. I know my house and workout areas aren't quite spa worthy yet, and surroundings definitely affect my well being, so I am also breaking down each category to list out each aerobics video I have so that I can know today I'm going to be working out in Hawaii and my personal trainer is going to be Elle McPherson. At least I can pretend I'm there with her! Besides its just fun to say I have an appointment with my trainer in Hawaii!  Even if it is only in my basement.

My list is currently rather short since I just had to get rid of all my old workout videos since the demise of our VCR finally {may it rest in peace!}.  I am now trying to rebuild my workout library with newer versions on dvd and BluRay {hence my At Home Workout Club! ~ You're totally welcome to join me on rebuilding or building up your own workout libraries!}

I am also including lists of other schedules and things around my community such as good walking trails or places to go cycling or swimming and other fun activities that maybe I can call up a friend and say, "hey wanna go to water aerobics tonight?  It starts at 9 pm and costs $3", you know, for the times when I'm in the mood to do something different.

Actually listing out everything that I already have along with other options around me in my community helps me to realize the abundance of choices I have available so that I can switch things up and keep things fresh.  At least that's the idea anyway!

Have you written out what is available to you yet?

Monday, January 17, 2011

My Exercise Plan: Question 1

I mentioned the other day that I was going to go through the questions on my Exercise Plan. So that is what I am going to go over for the next few days here.  Here we go...

Question #1


Are you a social exerciser? Or a solo exerciser? 
Are you an indoor exerciser or an outdoor exerciser?

In the past I was mostly a solo exerciser and an indoor exerciser. I don't mind working out outside if I've got someone else with me, but I've come to realize that arranging with other people all the time can be rather difficult. I don't want to have to depend on other people, or have other people depend on me all the time either. I really like the flexibility of deciding when I'm going to work out rather than feeling pressured to be somewhere at a certain time.

But lately I really don't mind meeting up with friends at the gym.  In fact I have so many of my neighbors who go to my gym that it has really been quite fun.  I tell my husband it's like a little social club over there!  It usually doesn't matter what time I go, there is usually someone I know who is there too!  So I guess that's the best of both solo and social exercising, right?

But I don't mind occassional get togethers outside for things like hiking or something. I just don't like doing outdoor activities by myself because I worry about my safety.  So I guess I like organized activities with people outside, just not the everyday I'll meet you at 6 am to go running sort of thing.

~~~

Knowing your natural tendencies in this area can help you tailor what sorts of activities to incorporate.  I mean if you're a solo/indoor exerciser, you will end up torturing yourself and feeling really bad if you join the local neighborhood walking and running group in the mornings.  Or if you are a more social exerciser then you will want to definitely focus on activities you can do with other people, or you might want to sign up for some classes to be around other people. 

So what about you?  Are you social or solo?  Indoor or outdoor?

Meatless Sloppy Joe Recipe

The other day we had a surprise 40th birthday party for a cute friend of ours.  I think I heard someone say that 40 is the new 20 {~ yeah, I'm going to go with that!  We're not getting old yet!}

Knowing that there were going to be at least three vegetarians at the party I volunteered to make a vegetarian version of the Sloppy Joes we were having on the menu.  It's a really tasty version of the old classic.  In fact, I am quite honored to say that her cute 11-year old begged me to give his mom the recipe!  And he isn't even one of the vegetarians!  Major accomplishment!  Which means it must be really tasty and you should totally make it yourself!  :D


Meatless Sloppy Joe

1 package firm tofu, pressed
1 large onion, chopped
1 large red or green pepper, chopped
2 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional {you can get it at health food stores though}
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 cups ketchup {get the kind without corn syrup}
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 can red beans, rinsed and drained

Press the tofu for a few hours in the refrigerator to squeeze out the liquid by either using a tofu press, or by placing it in a shallow dish with a plate on top that is weighted with heavy books.  Drain the liquid and crumble the tofu into a non stick frying pan.  Add the onion, pepper and nutritional yeast and saute until onion and peppers are softened.  Add the rest of the ingredients and heat through.  Serve on buns.

Pressing the liquid out of tofu changes the texture of the tofu.  It makes tofu a very convincing scrambled egg or ground beef type substitute. Of the two pressing methods, using a tofu press will save space in your refrigerator.  I only wish I had two for when I want to make extra large batches of food {like large amounts when company comes etc}.

Enjoy!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

I Dare You!



Wow!  I can't believe it is already the middle of January!  Last year on the radio I heard about The Love Dare, a book with a 40 day challenge to learn about, understand and practice what unconditional love really means.   Each day you learn a principle about love and then there is a dare for you to put into practice.  I think it sounds fun and thought it would be fun to start before Valentine's day this year.   

I dare you to do it too!  If you want to follow along you can follow and get the daily dare's here {or the book is fairly inexpensive here}:

01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,
31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40.

I guess if I had been paying attention I would have started the dare's back on January 6th so that I could have ended on Valentine's Day.  Not that you can't start the dare's whenever you want during the year.  No matter when you start, it can only increase the love you have, right?  I will probably give you an update towards the end of the Dare.

So are you in?  C'mon, I double triple dog dare you!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Bountiful Baskets


My mouth was watering at all the freshness I picked up this morning from Bountiful  Baskets!  Mmm!  The asparagus is what I am most excited about this week!  Oh I can't wait to roast them with a wee bit of olive oil and sea salt.  And those tomatoes?  I'm thinking kabobs along with the fresh pineapple.  I also foresee a nice butternut soup with salad, veggie omelettes, fresh jalapeno poppers, pear tartlettes and some delicious fruit smoothies in my future this week!

If you get Bountiful Baskets too,
what are you making this week?