Skinny Soup

I love making soups.  My sister loves Cabbage Skinny Soup.  She wanted me to remember the recipe I made from a year ago, but I just don't remember.  Here is the download of Skinny Soup.

Pretty much you throw together your poor man soup or skinny soup and it always turns out fine! Poor man soup consists of potatoes and a little more hardy veggies.  This soup was tossed with tons of randomness.  Still yummy, still colorful.

Onion
Garlic
Celery
Carrots
S & P
Garlic powder
Oregano
Cabbage
Canned Tomatoes
Broth/ Water
Small red kidney beans
Green beans
Brocolii
Saute. Boil. Simmer. Serve.

*I love to add Zucchini & Summer Squash when I have them available.
**I may add some meat protein in the beginning, or I may not.
    Sausage, chicken, bacon, or in this case a few slices of salami

Meeting the Onion.

I was making a salad a few days ago and giving it a tex-mex feel. So, I made a pico de gallo dressing with tomato, cucumber and onion. I was using my normal amount of onion and as I was cutting it up I was having my normal reaction of irritated eyes, itchy face, and burning tears. I thought quietly to myself that maybe my food is trying to tell me something.


I've been trying to learn more about Heavenly Father's foods; the living food of the earth, and its relationship with my body. Onions and garlics seem so important to me, especially in the field of healing. They are antibiotic and anti-fungal, however when consumed raw they're so sharp, and disgusting. They also make me smell for days and I never want to kiss my husband when we eat them. I was thinking how they must be reacting in my body, even if I'm not sick. It's like taking medicine that I don't need. They are in almost every home remedy, just like vinegar which gets its healing properties once rancid and fermented.  Just like the vinegar and alcohol which are fermented material, they are designed for the cleaning and healing of the body. Doctrine and Covenants 89:7. Not to be ingested. I wondered if onions were like that too in some way.

Today, I decided to do a little onion research and came across this:

http://www.raw-food-health.net/Onion-Toxicity.html

I was fascinated, maybe it's not enough research but it was interesting to me. Sure, cooking the onion makes them so much more appetizing and bearable. Cooking downsizes the goodness and natural benefits of everything. I think these foods are marvelous and I look forward to using them for their specific design.

As a child I HATED onions, I would take them out of everything and wouldn't go near them.  As an adult, I got use to them but only as a topping for a burger. Then added them more and more in my lifestyle. I don't know very many children who love them from the beginning. I know my kids frown against them.  I think for the first time since I was a little child I allowed my body to be aware of those warning signs of the things I put into it. Meeting the onion a few days ago is a good example. I had the promptings while preparing: is this good for you? what will you benefit from it? Do you want this in your body? Unfortunately, I didn't listen and maybe because I didn't have any answers. My dinner was just okay and I ended up with an upset tummy, unsatisfied, and stinky.

As I grow closer to life, I feel so much more in tune with the promptings from the Holy Ghost. Even in all areas of my life. Maybe it's because I'm looking for them, ask and ye shall receive, right?

It's been fun, but I have SO much more to learn!

Grocery Shopping in Less than 30 Minutes

Day 6 on Banana Island and Sunday is day 7.  What if on day 8 I'm ready for more food?  I knew I needed to go shopping since tomorrow is the Sabbath. I don't want to stave!! So, I went to my grocery store. Here I spent a longer amount of time because I wanted to know some prices on the bulk mangoes. I'm starting to grow a relationship with the produce guy, although I speak English and doesn't at all. Then it took me 20 minutes to find gluten free pasta. The one I found isn't 100% corn. It's 70% and 30% rice, which I'm fine with. I also got two produce I've never tried before. Then I went to Costco to get some produce in larger amounts. I'm thinking now I probably will eat a little bit more, and my family loves to eat it too. So, we will just have to see how long it last us! At Costco I also got a new melon I've never tried.

I WAS IN AND OUT OF COSTO on a Saturday in huge lines in less than 30 minutes. Shopping is so quick and exciting when you only shop in the produce section. There are so many options, so many colors, so many smells. People are examining and touching their soon- to- be food. I love seeing that kind of interaction, finally. They are seeing if it's good enough to eat, just like we should all their food.

I can't believe how fast it was and then we were done! I was even shopping with my oldest two boys. They loved it too. They got to pick some of the produce. We learned about weighing our fruit and picking ripe melons. I really had a very fun time! I usually get irritated with them with me, and impatient, and distracted. It wasn't like that today.

Leaving with a full cart of Real FOOD made me feel so happy! We were all excited to get home and unpack. Everyone tired whatever we wanted when we got home. I broke my Banana  Diet just for a short taste test, I couldn't hold back. Perhaps if I had eaten my lunch I wouldn't have dug in but I just wanted a taste of those beautiful grape tomatoes. it exploded in my mouth!! I also tried raw dates for the first time! YUM MY and sugary and rich like pecan pie!! I also had a sweet snack size pepper and 2 Puerto Rican Mangos. The mangoes are beautiful, juicy, and tangy.  My favorite moment was that mini tomato!


After 5 days of eating only bananas I was surprised that immediately after eating my little taste test I wanted  Bananas. I made BananaMylk with 5 bananas and only drank half. Today is was really watered down to resemble more of milk than milk shake, and I liked that!

I'm exited for my food this week! :)

WHY DO I WANT TO EAT CLEAN?

8 years ago I had a Vegetarian roommate, and I guess it was her who sparked the interest for not eating  meat. It was so foreign to me, I thought it was impossible. Then a couple years later I met some Vegan friend in Missouri and became more intuitive asking so many questions. I've made posts about not eating meat, and then I was eating it again. For the past two years I've had several months on Vegan or Vegetarian and then fall off the wagon hard. I was embarrassed to tell people I didn't eat meat, or drink milk. I didn't want to cause controversy or even conversation about my diet. I didn't want a label, so in group situations I would not eat the way I was eating.  I would go weeks without meat, but even one bite of meat, usually in a social situation or pressed by someone else would ruin it all.  The next day I would have meat, then next day and then the next. To the point where all I'd want is meat, then cookies, chips, and junk food. Adam would walk up to me and say what about the Veggies I bought you, you want a salad? And I would turn up my nose and want nothing to do with it.

The last time this happened I realized I was addicted to processed foods. I realized I was wanting the wrong things and I need to fix it quick. With prayer and lots of study  I realized I want to eat Raw Whole Foods diet. I want Heavenly Father's food. I spent some time reading and re-reading the Word of Wisdom, and cross referencing the Old Testament, Moses and Abraham. Learning what I could about food, and what Heavenly Father wanted me to know. I didn't want to do something unpleasing, drastic, and I no longer feel like I am. I would always give the excuse  of needing moderation in all things, and quit eating Vegan just for rancid cheese. I've now realized, I need moderation in all GOOD things. My journey is to find and cherish those good things.  I think focusing my eating on a Low Fat Raw Vegan lifestyle is what will give me the vibrant life I want.  Does this mean, I'll never have cooked foods, or I'll never eat oils or whatever? No, I don't know!! I still believe the Lord has blessed me with so many food options.  I'm not explaining myself anymore to people. I'm not feeling guilty anymore about food and how I eat it. I'm going to try to eat what I feel is right, no matter which way I eat it! I know its a self-mental complex I have to feel the need to explain myself and please others. I hope that too goes away! Finally, I'm doing something to please myself.

Food is Medicine!! 

Here is what I want from eating CLEAN ... 

I want clarity of mind.

I want more patience with my children.

I want to be more tolerable with my family.

I want energy to play with my kids

I want to eliminate my anxiety.

I want greater strength, even in my hands I can't open bottles sometimes.

I want healthy vibrant not very sick pregnancies.

I want my autoimmune disease eliminated.

I want joy and peace.

I want my family to know I'm healthy.

I want to move my body and not have difficulty lifting my own weight. I'm not huge, I've had 3 babies and each one has left me with 10 pounds of unnecessary fat.

I want a slim body, or my natural body to take over

I want the energy and vitality to love my husband better.

I want to maintain my childishness innocence, and feel youthful.

I want to enjoy and delight in God's food.

I want to allow food to be my medicine.

I never want to see a doctor again. 

I want greater knowledge and quicker understanding.

I want to run and not be weary. 

I want to grow my hair long, I've been having so much trouble.

I want to be a greater example of clean living for my family.

First 5 Days on Banana Island!

I recently joined the forum 30 Bananas A Day so I can have some greater guidance, and example from people who live a life style that is interging and real to me. I'm in need of a serious cleanse. I was using their blog option for the week, but decided to transport those week of interies to my daily blog full of good morning kisses and sweet good nights. This is diffidently something that is in my life right now. I want to remember it.

BLOG:

I've decided to really launch my NEW life, I needed a SERIOUS detox and back to reality. I've been living a partial flip floppy whole foods diet for 2 years but only a couple months at a time, and when I fall... I FALL!!  To the point where looking at a green leafy thing is gross, and I'm achying for a cookie. If that doesn't describe addiction completely.. because I know it is. I'm tired of being addicted to nasty crappy food. I know in my heart Earth's foods, God's food is what will heal me, and make me strong.

SO, here I am trying again. I bought myself TONS of Bananas and I think my husband is even excited for me. (Plus, he's been eating his fair share of nana's too!)

DAY 1:

Easy peasy! I started mid day after a Mono meal of Pineapple because that was what I had. Then for lunch I had 8 under ripe bananas. YUCK! I guess I never realized what I was eating my whole life wasn't ready for me to be eaten. But I ate them, and felt great full. But right away I could tell it wouldn't be so great to digest. For dinner I went to EVERY store around looking for ripe bananas. I found a few boxes of baby bananas ready to eat. So, I had 5 babies. Then I remembers I had frozen ripe bananas! So, I had my first BananaMylk with 1/2 frozen, 1/2 babies. YUMM YUMM!! My husband had some and said.. "what did you put in this?" I said BANANAS & Water! He asked me 5 more times because there are something so special and spicy and wonderful! 

My tummy felt WAY sick that night. I was grumbly and full. My dreams that night were me throwing up.. it felt like I was dreaming that for hours.. throwing up. Weird.

DAY 2: 

BananaMylk for Breakfast, 10 Baby Bananas for Lunch, and I went back to those ripping bananas and when I grabbed one, it fell off into my hand. Just like Banana Girl described.. It was screaming EAT ME! What a difference the way the bananas tasted today. However, for dinner I had 5, and couldn't take it. Then a couple hours later felt grumbly so I went and had 2 more.. but I was SO FULL!! I made or even went over my Cronometer calorie. I also drank TONS of water today! More than I have in a long long time! 

I have energy, and I wish I could move more!! 50 Squats two days in a row have made me sore. It's bedtime and I'm feeling sick again. My tummy aches, and it's grumbling. I don't feel the got-to-go feeling but I don't feel happy either. I think I need more water!

I'm waiting for the day where I notice something great happen! I'm waiting for the sign of being cleansed.. and really launching into a Raw Lifestyle. I guess my next shopping trip will be Bananas.. but I am excited to stock my fridge with TOO MUCH FRUIT! 

My kids will love it!

Well Glo DAY 3

You are doing great! Last night was really awful though. I had so much energy, I just couldn't fall asleep. My body must have been begging for Cardio but I just didn't give it. So falling asleep was really hard. My tummy ached really bad, but I wasn't hungry and I didn't want to eat anything. I finally fell asleep and I think I woke up too early. My body was aching for more rest. I'm going to bed early tonight!

I woke up and drank my water! YUM! and made BananaMylk with my now perfectly ripe Puerto Rican Bananas! I had 8 big ones and 2 babies in my Mylk. It was very delicious! I heard that I could have lettuce and celery but I just don't have the desire for it yet. 

Making lunch for the family was easy and I didn't have any desire to eat what I was making like I had in the past when trying to eat better. I even made hubs a salad and although I know those things are super good for me, I just wasn't interested. My cravings are gone, and my body is not gittery. I have tons of energy! I finally gave myself some cardio today. I was nervous because after 10 jumping jacks I'm wiped out.. or even 30 seconds of running. I just didn't think I could do it. However, I just started jumping!! And Jumping and Jumping!! I did like 80 jumping jacks. Which is kind of big for me. (lame i know). And I started jogging in place, and jogging and jogging.. and then running around the room. I'm starting to tear up a little writing this because I would usually have a side cramp in seconds or get just quit. Even when my calf started to hurt, I just did cardio in a different way.. and different trot. I didn't want to stop but eventually after 10 or 15 minutes I did just sit down.. and then got right back up and walked the house. I know I'm in a already sweaty P.R. but I never sweat before working out. I'm not even sure if this counts as a workout but I was so sweaty, and my skin was super itchy and red, especially around my heart! I feel so good!! I hope I remember this in a few weeks or when I run into difficult situations!

Had more water, and now I'm on to lunch. BANANAS!! I'm letting a Plantain ripen on my counter and I can't wait to try it one day! I know that i have grumpy moments and upset tummy but I'm cheering it on!! I know that it is clearing me OUT!! 

I wonder which day is most difficult!?

DAY 4

I almost forgot what day it was.. maybe because I don't care anymore about getting though it. I'm just trying to get into my Bananas like Freelee the Banana Girl suggests. Today was the first day I had some adversity. I woke up and had my water, and Banana Mylk then i suddenly became very dizzy. I was worried that I might be doing something wrong for my body. I then realized I hadn't really experienced many detox side effects yet. I was feeling suddenly sick and ripped off a piece of Romaine Lettuce and put it up to my lips to see if I wanted it. I just didn't. So, I just carried on. Hoping the Toxins will pass. I then was socializing at lunch time and so glad I brought my bundle of bananas. The cooking food smelled good, and I started to crave just a little bit. Then I started eating my bananas and the hunger went away. I felt bad inside by not eating the food I was offered. It still makes me feel so rude.

While eating my now very ripe Bananas. I almost felt sick again and overwhelmed by the sugary sweetness of the bananas. I'm not a sugary lover in general, and I don't really know what this is all about but UCK! SO overly sweet! I had Mylk for dinner and it was very satisfying. The only worry I have is not enough side effects because I know I'm toxic, but I don't feel the cleansing part. My Hydrodenitis sores are still around, and I didn't have as much clarity today. I actually felt very sleepy and a bit dizzy. I also haven't passed the toxic waste from my body at all today. That makes me worried. 

I hope the Bananas I bought today ripen up a bit by dinner time tomorrow or I might run into problems!

P.S. Breadfruit grows a lot on the island. Tons of fun fruit I've never tried does. I'm new to Puerto Rico, but I'd like to try it if I can figure out how it is when it is ripe.

DAY 5:

I started to read The 80-10-10 diet yesterday and the first chapter was so fun. I ran into the living room 12 times to share with hubby the coolness I was learning. I was happy to see he agreed and understood everything I was saying. (except the cheese thing) 

I'm having an odd rash on my neck near my lymph's. It is really bad when I'm sweating and cleaning the house. I'm not sure if its an effect of detox. Other than that it was a simple day. I also was thinking about the "recommended" calories. I heard I needed 2500 calories, but I'm a bit over weight and I don't even eat that many now. I found it very difficult the past few days to eat that much without feeling very uncomfortable. Today I ate when I was hungry and consumed an amount of calories that I was normally getting to the others days when I felt full, which was about 1800. I believe I need to listen more to my body about how much food I need and how many calories I need to feel full. It's been a fun day otherwise. I went swimming, I have tons of energy. I really need some more sleep. I want to stay up late and watch videos about LFRV, or read but I know I need more sleep. I guess I've lost about a pound a day, but I'm not concerned with that right now. I expect it to take time. I'm doing this for other reasons which I will post soon.

I made eggs for the kids for dinner. The 2 little babies didn't like them. I thin they've been consuming bananas on the sneak! :) But I actually gagged when I was serving them and cooking them. All I could think about was Chicken Discharge. It really grossed me out. It smelled awful, it looked awful. I honestly believe I am gaining a greater emotional connection to animals around me, and my role as a human, which I had never bothered with before. 

My favorite part of the book last night was the image of us walking into a farmer market, fruit stand and being surrounded by sweets fruits and vegetables. I mean just thinking about it right now, it makes me breathe in deep and salivate. I just want to dive right in and gobble all the juiciness up. That feeling is natural. Then imagine when we walk into a butcher shop or when I walk past the meat and fish counter in the grocery store. It smells gross and kind of uneasy. I manage to take it home without "dripping" everywhere and cook it, and then cover it with condiments. Very Interesting!! :) hehe

I'm excited for the morning. All I had for day 5 was BananaMylk, I enjoyed it very much! I can't wait to have it again in the morning! I wonder if I'll experience some more detox symptoms. I just don't feel a lot. I think detox will take several months on the cellular level.

Backwards Day

January 31st is Backwards Day.

We had a lot of fun doing things backwards, and reminding each other about doing things backwards!
We walked up the stairs backwards, sang the the ABC's backwards.

We started our day off with desert.. MILK AND COOKIES!

Then we had dinner for lunch, which was chicken nuggets... Dad says buying Chick-fil-a for dinner was backwards, since we don't eat out much.

No.1 insisted on wearing his clothes backwards ALL DAY! 

For dinner we had BREAKFAST! These BREAKFAST BURRITOS were YUM!

Hash browns, Ground Sausage, Scrambles Eggs all mixed and covered with Cheese w/ those fantastic Raw tortilla.
 Don't forget the Chalula!

Corn Chip Day/ Puzzle Day

In honor of National Corn Chip Day, January 29th... We had delicious FRITO PIES for dinner! Spicy, Gooey, Cheesey Mess! YUM!

Smoother those chips in your favorite chili and top with cheese, chopped onions, and sour cream! 

(math)
January 29th, 2013- National Puzzle Day

I am trying to plan my activities on whim. I know I can have fun with my kids in just a few seconds without hours of preparation or trying to collect "trash" just so I can do an art project. I don't like trash.. or crafts from trash or toys from trash.. those things just end up in the trash. 

This quick puzzle takes time to make and even more time to put together. It's not made from trash.. but yes it also ends up in the trash eventually, without tears. I don't know what brought on my rage against garbage...geez!

I make my puzzle in a 9x9. Fold it in 3rds one way, open and then in 3rds the other way. try to make them as even as possible. Then open it up and draw a picture, THE SAME PICTURE, that's very important,  draw a picture on every crease you've made. You also draw half that picture on all the edges.  Then cut the page on all the creases you made.

 After you cut the picture all the pieces look the "same" but in reality only 2 pieces fit together to make the page whole. This spider man puzzle was fun to make but it was a little difficult for my young ones. Next time I'll stick to a single shape. The boys made their puzzles too.. but I told them it's very important to follow directions in this project. They refused... so it didn't work out the way they wanted, maybe next Puzzle Day!

Chinese Night!

We had the missionaries over last week. Adam told I wasn't allowed to feed them my Morning Star Chicken and so I made some chicken nuggets for them and some for me! It was super yum!

Fried Rice 

• Rice
• Oil
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, chopped
• Mixed Veggies
• Soy Sauce
• 1 or 2 Eggs
• Ginger Powder
• S & P

 Cook rice!! I love my rice pot and I'll have to share with you my easy great non-sticky rice! The start of your pan as normal..lol Oil, onions, and garlic.. heat them up and cook them down! Then add your cooked rice to the pan! You've got to fry it right?! I used frozen veggies, so I popped them in the microwave and added them to my pan. Then I started to pour on my Soy sauce, about a 1/4 cup to start off. I mixed it around, let it fry up, I think I might of added a little more oil. Then I put the rice back into the rice pot. 


Mix your egg with salt and pepper and a pinch of ginger. Fry up your egg scrambled style and put that into your rice! It's so easy and so yummy!!

Sweet & Sour Chicken

• Morning Star Chicken Nuggets
• Sweet and Sour Sauce
• Oil, Onions & Garlic 
• Chunk Pineapple
• Green Peppers ( I didn't have any)
• Soy Sauce

Cook Chicken like box says, I baked them to make them crunchy! Set pan up, add oil, heat the oil and add chopped onions and garlic. This is the time you'd probably add the chopped peppers too. Then add 1/2 a jar of sweet and sour sauce, pineapples and a splash of soy to the pan. Mix that up and then add your chicken! Let pan simmer and continue to coat chicken! I thought I didn't have enough sweet and sour sauce but it was the perfect amount!

My first Mandarin Salad

• Baby Spinach
• Sliced Almonds
• Sugar
• Mandarin Oranges
• Cucumber
• Chow Mien noodles
• Raspberry Jam
• Dijon Mustard
• Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar ( I only had apple cider vinegar and it did fine!)
• Salt & Pepper

 It was so easy and so quick! In my salad bowl I had handfuls of baby spinach, and chopped cucumbers! I used DOLE mandarin's because they were so BIG and plump and WONDERFUL!!


In a small pan I threw int he sliced nuts and a spoonful of sugar! Mix it around on med heat until the sugar is melted and nits are coated. Then spread them out on a plate and pop in the freezer for a quick cool! Top salad with chow mien crunchy noodles and these yummy carmel nuts!

I didn't know what kind of dressing to make, I'm not big on peanut butter and had no sesame's so the missionaries suggested raspberry dressing. So, I mixed all the ingredients together that are in italic, and then shook shook shook!! It was yummy to me!

Sweet Tofu Tacos

I bought Tofu for the very first time last shopping trip! I was SUPER nervous to use it and I had no idea what I was going to do! I did a quick search on Tofu Tacos and saw that it could be done! This is my version!

Sweet Tofu Tacos

• Cubed Tofu
• Onions & Garlic
• Rasins
• Cumin
• Chili Powder
• Taco sauce
• Tortillas
• Toppings 

Alright, I feel like Rachel Ray with my staple of EVOO, Onions, and Garlic. I learned from here when I was beinging to cook and now that I am like re- beginning, the traditon still stays! So- Heat some oil in your pan and add your chopped onions and garlic, cook them down!

This really is my FAVORITE part! I love the sweet onion smell and sauteeing sound and smell! Ugh! It's so yum! However- Unline Rachel who LOVES her softball sizes onions, I love my small baseball size- it is just enough to feed my little family!


When your onions are ready I opened my tofu package! I had no idea it was in water!! I drained it out and then began crumbling it into my pan! Next, I threw in a snack box of raisin. I am pretty sure I got this idea from Rachel Ray years ago too! I cooked that around a little bit and got to seasoning. I added Sofrito (I'll have to do a blog on this stuff!!) It is a Puerto Rican staple and any time I am making something hispanic- I need it to give it that special touch! One day I will make my own. Right now I use Goya's. I also add some cumin, chili powder, taco sauce... You can use anything you need really to make it taco tasting! Then I let all of that heat up a little longer!!

 

We had corn tortillas, cover them with a damp paper towel and put them in the micro for 30 seconds! Then they are ready to fill!! :)

 

It even comes baby ready!! Everyone loved it! Even Adam liked it! At first he complained and complained! He was so mad that i made him tofu. He really didn't want it, I tried to tell him that they were so good! I loved that I ate them and I felt satisfied but not full!! I've been feeling that way a lot lately! I love to eat but sometimes I eat way too much and feel stuffed and sick! I felt so alive and ready to take on the rest of the day! I am sure eatting is suppose to be that way! Oh- and the best part!! Look at this pan, easy clean up!! Adam is gonna love this new diet! (He always complains about my dirty dishes that he gets to clean.)

Vegetable Lasagna

Remember those left over Veggi's I saved from the soup! I used them in my Lasagna for Sunday dinner! What a time saver!

Vegetable Lasagna

• Lasagna noodles (cook with box directions)
• Tiny Cut Veggies: Carrots, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Mushrooms, whatever..
• Onions and Garlic, chopped
• Olive Oil
• Vegetable Garden Pasta Sauce
• Cottage Cheese
• Egg
• Parmesan Cheese
• Motzerella Cheese
• Oregano
• S & P

Alright- Chop those onions and drop them in some heated oil! Cooked down with the garlic! Yum!! This is my favortie smell! I'll have to do a blog about Onions and how I hated them and now I love them.. Did I just tell you all about it? Perhaps!

Add your veggie's and cook for a couple minutes! It's kind of the same steps as browning your beef! Alright once done, but not too done, dump your jar of pasta sauce! I add a squirt of mustard. I don't know why. Adam taught me that a couple years back and it just became routine. Mix it all together & take a big whiff! Mmmmmm!

Mix about a cup of Cottage Cheese, one egg, and 1/4 c. Parmesan and a handful of shredded cheese. Mix that all together. This time I chopped up some baby spinach leaves and add that in my cheese mixture! It looked so pretty!

Preheat over to 350. Get out your casserole dish and spread your Olive Oil on the bottom! Then layer up!! Noodles first, then 1/2 sauce mix, then noodles, and cheese mix, noodles once more and the rest of the red mix!! Top with CHEESE!! We love Cheese around here! Bake for 50 minutes!

 

By the looks of things it was darn good! Adam still loves his meaty Lasagna, but I totallu disagree. I'm not a lasagna fan and this is the ONLY way to go! :)

Kid Tested! It's a Keeper!

Vegetable Lentil Soup

This was super yummy and super easy! However, I totally forgot potatoes. That would of made it go a lot farther!

I just went shopping so I had loads of fresh veggi's! This is the perfect time for me to cook up all my fresh ones before they go rotten. One day I'll learn how to even that out.

Vegetable Lentil Soup

• Potatoes
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Zucchini
• Onions & Garlic
• Mushrooms (optional: I guess all veggi's are optional!)
• Vegetable Broth 6 C.
• 1 C. Lentils

So, I chopped my veggi's chunky and saved 1/3 of them (not the potatoes). Then I chopped the left overs really tiny for a lasagna! Start off with Olive oil and saute your onions and garlic! Same 'Ole. Cook those down and then add the others. Let them cook around and after a couple minutes add the Broth, about 6 cups. Then add your lentils. Season with salt and pepper, and maybe oregano. Bring to a boil, and then lower temp to simmer for about 20 minutes!

Soup

Super fast and super yum! Oh, and even better on day two!

Black Bean Bell Pepper

In my first attempt to GO FOR IT! I kind of made something up!

I knew I wanted to make some stuffed peppers because we just went shopping and I got these amazing bright red peppers! These are all first attempts so my pictures kind of suck! Hopefully I will get better at taking pictures!

So, I created this recipe and it turned out great! I actually burnt the cheese on top so I didn't take a final pic but you gotta believe me! Oh, and I used Beef broth, so my first attemp wasn't actually all veggi. It was probably artificial flavor anyways!

I do have to warn you. I don't measure very well. I also just throw stuff in.. that is why these recipe collections will be under the title " Go For It!" because that is what I did! Enjoy!

Black Bean Bell Pepper

• 4 Red Bell Pepper
• Rice
• One Portabella Mushroom Top, chopped
• Small Can Sliced Black Olives
• 15 oz Black Beans, drained & rinsed
• Beef Broth
• Small Can Tomato Sauce
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Olive Oil & Veggi Oil
• Chopped Onions & Garlic
• Salt and Pepper

First is first! I've got to prep the rice! I LOVE making rice and once I taught Adam he makes a pot everyday! Puerto Rican rice has a crisp texture to it. It is not sticky or bloated! It's loose and wonderful! Anyways, first you've got to saute your onions and garlic in some olive oil. Next, I added my chopped mushrooms and got that breaking down! I added some Beef broth, maybe 1.5 cups. S&P'd it!!Cut opened my cans and added them in! Rinse your beans first! It makes less black mess!

Bring liquid to a boil then add a couple cups of rice. Be sure the liquis covers the rice, you might need to add more. Add a spoon full of vegetable oil and stir. Top the pot and turn temp way down LOW! Let cook for 30 minutes.

Preheat over to 400. In your dish add an 8oz can of tomato sauce. Cut your peppers in half and clean them out! When rice is done, stuff peppers and place them on top of the sauce. Then top your peppers with handfuls of cheese! Bake for 50 minutes!

You probably want to cover with foil for the first half because my cheese got pretty crispy!

It was super yummy to me! I loved it for 3 days in a row!

Kisses to El Iguana

HOORAY!!!!

Adam and I love to eat at mini Mexican places. It's our thing to go and see what is being offered around town and compare. HOWEVER- all the places we've been here in Branson and even our disaster in Springfield was yuck yuck awful!! UNTIL TODAY!!!!!

While driving around last night I saw a little place that said California Mexican Food. I figured thats closer than this Missouri Yuck we've been offered. Today for lunch we slipped over to LA IGUANA and it was WONDERFUL!!!!! It has only been open for 3 months and it only offers burritos and tacos but the meat choice is out of this world and they have all the right toppings: cilantro, onions, lime, green sauce, white cheese, great looking peco, real guacamole!! The burritos were stuffed with pinto beans and rice. I had my mine with Carne Asada. I LOVE authentic Mexican or close too and this was so great for me! My fat FRESH burrito reminded me of a mixture of Beto's & Cafe Rio- it was just more traditional! (which I LOVE!) I can't wait to eat my corn tortilla tacos next time with Carnitas! YUM!! It was the best and is going to be my favorite place to eat in town!! Gotta love the whole in the walls!! Did I mention it was on the cheap side!!?? Another PLUS! Tell your friends, I know I will!

Who Needs Fast Food??

Chicken in the Pot.

This is gonna be lame.

I have a 1970's crock pot. I'm not even sure they were invented then but thats what I've got. Anyways- I inhereted this from a ward member once and I did a couple of things but nothing good really.

So,I'm a little late to the crock pot miracle-- the last time we went to my Sister in Law's Michelle's house. She crock potted her chicken and the cut it up (I mean shredded it up). I thought this was so smart. I just tried last week... and its my new favorite way to prepare my chicken. It takes a while but yummy.. its so good.

Tonights- Chicken soup and 7 layer roll-ups. I know they don't match. I just needed to make something that would cook on its own and something I could make a head of time because I've been busy holding a sick baby all day!!

My poor poor little baby!!