Soup and Yoga Wednesday

 

Caribbean Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 large white onions
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 jalapeno peppers
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 (14oz) cans black beans
• 4 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf

Instructions

• Saute onions, garlic, jalapenos, allspice, and cumin till onions are soft then add to the slow cooker
• Add beans, bay leaf, and broth
• Cook on low for 4 hours

So, today I went to work and since there were so few kids there (flu season, snow) I was asked if I wanted to go home early. Naturally, I said "Of course!" and headed out the door. I have a phone meeting today and I was happy to do it at home. But now, I have decided what I am going to do for the rest of my unexpected day off: Go to the library, treat myself to some lunch, buy Amanda from Creative Ramblings a bridal shower gift, make soup, go to yoga! Can't wait!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Happy Birthday, Jefferoonie!!!

... And GOOOOO DUUUUUUCKS!

Happy Game Day!

Weekend Adventures: Homemade Granola

So, Erik, my parents, and I have been working on eating healthier and just living a more simple life besed on cooking at home. So I have been thinking that I need to start making more things from scratch just to make sure I can. :) So, since I love Kashi Pumpkin Flax Granola, I am going to attempt to make my own granola. I might even add some flax seeds to the recipe. So here goes!

Ingredients !

• 1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/3 cup raw sesame seeds
• 2 cups organic rolled oats
• 1-2 teaspoons organic ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons organic coconut oil, liquefied in a pan of hot water, if necessary
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup organic raisins
• 1/2 cup organic dried cranberries, unsulphured dried apricots, or other dried fruit (chopped, if necessary)
• 1/4 cup raw cacao nibs- optional, but highly recommended (70% dark chocolate chips could be substituted, if desired)

Directions!

1. Preheat oven to 250°F.

2. Pour all ingredients except cacao nibs in a large bowl and stir well.

3. Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet in a thin layer.

4. Place the baking pan in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.

5. Remove pan from oven, toss granola around, rotate the pan, and bake for another 15 minutes. Repeat until granola is completely dry and light golden brown (about 1 hour total).

6. Allow to cool and then stir in cacao nibs. Store in an air-tight container.

(From "Healthy Green Kitchen")

Happy Weekend Adventuring! 

I Love This Song....

"Only Girl (In The World)" -Rihanna

Want you to make me feel like I’m the only girl in the world
Like I’m the only one that you’ll ever love
Like I’m the only one who knows your heart
Only girl in the world…
Like I’m the only one that’s in command
Cuz I’m the only one who understands how to make you feel like a man

Want you to make me feel like I’m the only girl in the world
Like I’m the only one that you’ll ever love
Like I’m the only one who knows your heart
Only one…

Soup and Yoga Wednesday!

So, as I said yesterday, one of the new things of 2011 is that it is soup/yoga Wednesday. My mother and I are going to Kundalini Yoga every wednesday at 7pm. So we decided that we would make soup in the slowcooker every week so that we could eat ebfopre yoga and our husbands could eat whenever they wanted during the evening. So, Today we are making...

Roasted Tomato Soup with Spinach Pesto! 

To be served with grilled cheese sandwiches!

And then we'll be off to Yoga to get some relaxing, heart pumping (oxymoron?) exercise done.

So Happy Soup/Yoga Wednesday Everyone!

Operation Get Healthy

So, in honor of the new year, it would not be complete without thinking about getting healthy. It is my plan every year and usually I do it for a little big, usually even a few days, then get back into my old routines. But this year, I am feeling it being different. First of all, my mom and I set out a calendar and divided up days as to who would cook at home because we realized that one of the main things that gets us out of shape is going out to eat. We designated Soup Wednesday because we go to yoga every Wednesday night and it is an easy enough dinner for us to eat after and the boys to eat at any time. Next, I have been making Erik and my lunches every night before I go to bed so they are there to pick right out of the fridge on the way out the door. And lastly, I am trying to be active everyday. I used to think it meant going to the gym to sweat it out for an hour, but I gave up on that much too quickly every year. So this year, I am just telling myself that I need to do something active everyday. For example, yesterday I lifted weights and jumped rope while today I spent a half hour power dancing with my kids at work. So! Lets see how this new improved more relaxed guide to getting healthy goes!

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Recently, Erik and I decided we want to visit Santa Fe, New Mexico or somewhere close to there for our one year anniversary trip. I really want to check it out because neither of us has ever been there. Doesn't it look amazing? 

Has anyone ever been there? 

And if so, How is it?