Simple Rice & Beans with a Kick

It has been cold here, and now that I'm eating better, I don't have the hot flashes like I used to.  On days like this, a hot flash just might be nice as I've been shivering in my socks all morning!

A hot cup of coffee is out - which really I don't mind since I have been sleeping so much better since kicking the habit.  I feel rested and have more energy....

But enough about that.  Let's get to the rice and beans.  Today I wanted something warm and filling - yet easy and fast to throw together.  This dish hit the mark.

Don't let the fact that it's so simple fool you.  It's good, and nutritious... and perfect for those chilly days!

RICE & BEANS with a KICK

• 2 cans of black or pinto beans (or both!)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (not Italian seasoned)
• Jalapeno - fresh or canned - to taste
• Brown rice

That's it!  Simply put the tomatoes and jalapeno in any blender and blend.  Start of with a small amount of jalapeno and adjust to the heat that you like.  It does seem to lose some heat when cooked and mixed with the beans and rice, so you might make it a little hotter than what you would normally like.

Strain and rinse the beans, add them to a pot along with tomato sauce.  Bring to boil and then simmer.  The longer you can let it simmer to let the flavors meld, the better it will be.

Serve over brown rice.
(I like to keep cooked brown rice on hand, so I cook extra when I make it.  I keep individual portions in the freezer for days like this).

Tortilla Soup = Satisfying!

These crisp, chilly evenings have made it a perfect time for some Fresh Tortilla Soup.  This recipe is so easy to make, and packed full of nutrition.  It has become my "go to" recipe when I am chilled and craving a cup of coffee… but so much better for me than coffee, and very satisfying!  I even eat it out of a coffee mug...

INGREDIENTS:

·         1 can of vegetable broth (or chicken / beef)

·         1 cup water

·         1 Roma Tomato

·         1 Carrot

·         1 Stalk of Celery

·         1 thin slice of Onion

·         1 Garlic Clove

·         ½ of a Yellow Squash

·         ½ of Red Bell Pepper

·         ½ Fresh Jalapeno (optional)

·         2 Mushrooms

·         Salt & Pepper to taste

·         ½ tsp. Cumin

·         1 tsp. Taco Seasoning

Additional Ingredients:

·         1 bunch Cilantro (chopped)

·         ¼ cup Black Olives

·         ½  cup Corn – drained

·         ½ cup Black Beans (drained)

·         2 oz Tortilla Chips

1     ½ Avocado, cut into larger chunks - added after soup dished into bowls

High Power Blender:  This recipe is super easy with a high powered blender.  Just add the top ingredients in the order they are listed, chopping larger vegies in half, and blend 5-7 minutes, until heavy steam comes out.  Then turn to low variable speed and add remaining ingredients, blend for about  10 seconds.

 Stove Top:  Chop  vegetables listed in top ingredients and add to pot of broth and water.  Cover and bring to boil.  Lower heat and simmer until carrot chunks are soft.  Add seasonings.  Using an immersion /hand blender, or batches in regular blender (let cool to avoid burns) – blend ingredients until desired consistency.  Return to heat.  Return to simmer and add remaining ingredients.  No blender?  Try using a potato masher once the vegies are soft.

This is one of those recipes that you can adjust to how you like it.  Play with it and find what you like... and then kick back and enjoy the warmth it brings.

Even in the Small Things

This morning as I was walking, I passed by a tree that was totally covered with frost.  It was so stunning that I had to stop and turn around for a second look.  There were buds already, brilliantly covered with beautiful bright, crisp, minute icicles.  I contemplated taking a picture right then, but kept walking since there were neighbors out and about.  I decided that my camera wouldn’t have been able to capture the beauty, and really, I have so many pictures already…. Who would want to see one of frosty tree buds?

My heart is heavy this morning, as I have a few friends going through some really tough things – so tough that I found myself weeping as I prayed for them.

As I opened up a new devotional to restore my soul, the message was meant for me… and meant for me to share.

From Daily Readings for Difficult Days by Jennifer Carter:

“ … as I innocently bustled my way…. I see the light catching the branches of a tree – nothing surprising you may say.  What struck me is that, even now, before the harshest day of winter has come, the buds of next year's leaves are already furled up waiting for that first warm day of spring.

Even in our darkest times there is the promise of something better to come, if we can only believe and stand firm.  As surely as the seasons come and go, so the dark times eventually pass and a brighter time arrives.

Yet just as in the winter it is so hard to remember the feel of the warm sun beating down on your skin, in the dark times we need to remember that God is faithful and He promises to be with us through the darkest of days.”

Of course, after reading such a beautiful analogy, I had to go back and take a picture of the tree branches before all of the frost melted to share with my friend…. And now you.

‘ And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age. ’
~ Matthew 28:20

Extreme Migraines call for Extreme Measures

Up until this point, I haven’t been inspired to continue posting on my blog.  The last few years have been filled with chronic pain and fatigue, and really, other than the day to day happenings of being ‘Mama’, there wasn’t a lot new and exciting going on.  It took all I had just to get through each day.

Oh yeah, the chickens have been fun for us, but really, there’s only so much you can post on that before people start thinking you’re crazy.

But I’m so excited to report that things are improving rapidly in my life and I am so thankful!  Jeff and I have started out the new year with a new lifestyle.  And yes, maybe we are a bit crazy with this one.  We have eliminated caffeine, sugar, dairy from our diets, as well as most meats.  I know!  CRAZY!!!  But let me say that it has been the best month health wise for both of us.  We feel so good!  (recently, we both ate meat and cheese, and both times could definitely tell how much worse we felt after….).  No worries, we are getting plenty of protein, calcium, etc from the foods we are eating.  We take vitamin D supplements since we don't have much sunshine now, and the small amount of meats that we will eat will give us the B12 that we need.

It’s been over 3 weeks now, and it is so much easier than I thought it would be.  Really, I wasn’t sure if we would last this long.  But we aren’t hungry – we eat a LOT – and our tastebuds are changing.  Food that we used to love doesn’t taste the same, it tastes salty and gross, and we are finding that we don’t even want it.  We both have lost more weight than what we thought possible without an extreme exercise plan – and because of our new found energy we are finding that we are becoming more active and are looking forward to family hikes and such.

Get this… I ENJOY waking up with Jeff in the still dark hours of morning to make his breakfast and meals for the day.  Mornings used to be the hardest part of the day for me as waking up in constant pain is exhausting and discouraging.  Now I bounce out of bed ready to start the day!

Best of all, I feel inspired – to be a better wife, mom, and all that God created me to be.  Kate’s giggles this morning as I ran up our hill ahead of her were priceless.  She was in shock and delighted at the same time, and she couldn’t wait to share with the other people at the bus stop.

If I feel this good in just a few short weeks, what’s the rest of the year going to be like for me??  I am excited to find out!

What has inspired us?

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (a documentary found on Netflix)
Eat to Live – book by Joel Fuhrman (available at Amazon)
Vitamix – my new fun blender that we invested in when we knew that this was going to be a lifestyle for us.

Rejoicing This Christmas

I am blessed.  There are so many things in my life to be thankful for right now.  I am loving the anticipation for Christmas.

Though I hadn't planned on doing much decorating this year, somehow we keep doing more and more.  A light fixture here, the card tree there, tonight the Nativity.  Though I love all the colors, ribbons and being creative - I think I would be just as content with simply the Nativity up.  That's what my eye keeps going to, even in a room full of lights and twinkles and ribbons and...

The Nativity.

The Reason for the Season.

This has become one of my best Christmas Season's ever.  Yes, I have known great loss, but maybe it's from that loss that I can realize the great love that I have in so many areas of my life.  It has been a goal for Jeff and me this Christmas season to keep things simple... to keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.  In a time when there is stress and chaos all around us, and technology that can easily consume us, it isn't always an easy feat. 

Yet when I focus on Jesus - His birth, His teachings, His love, His sacrifice - then all those things that bombard me lose their draw.  My focus changes.

I don't have the desire to fight traffic and crowds for those perfect gifts... but what I love more than anything is sweet time with my family and friends.  This season, this is my priority - for my time to be well spent on the those whom I hold dear.  Even with the miles that separate, I hope my family and friends know just how much they mean to me.

Relationships.  Encouragement.  Love.
Remembering our Savior, and celebrating His birth.
Humming my favorite carols...

"O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel."


... and rejoicing this Christmas.

 A couple of Chelsea's ornaments

 He's a professional you know...

 Last year's 'after Christmas' super cheap poinsettas.

 They don't like to have their picture taken.

My cozy evening. I am thankful.

Joyful Surrender

It’s one of those times again…. I have been sensing change on the horizon. The Lord has been doing a work in me. Thankfully, it’s been a gentle work, rather than my whole world crashing in around me as it did a few years ago during Chelsea’s battle with cancer.

This change is different. I am different. I am changed – because of what He showed us those last several years. The things we had to endure were horrible, devastating in many ways. Yet at the same time, we got to see the Lord move in a magnificent way.

So now, I trust Him.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I am at peace. There is a contentment even, in knowing that I don’t have to worry. God knows what I need better than I do. My focus simply needs to be on focussing on what is right and true, remembering the promises in His word. (Jer 29:11, Prov. 3:5,6 and so many more…) This time of year, when it’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos.... keeping the main thing the main thing is more important than ever.

Today is a new day.

I will face it surrendered, and with much JOY.

CHRISTMAS JOY.

Banana Crepes (Grain Free, Protein Rich)

Banana Crepes (Grain Free, Protein Rich)

So I saw a great new recipe this morning, and decided to try it out right away. I love the idea of grain free simply because I know so many who are avoiding grains. I was surprised and delighted with the simplicity of this recipe. If it’s catching your eye, let me just say that you probably already have the ingredients on hand.

These Banana Crepes were impressive, and if you’re a foodie, than you’ll love the idea of getting your fruit and protein in such an easy, fast, delicious, REAL food way.

Here’s what you need:

1 Ripened Banana

2 eggs

butter, palm kernel oil, coconut oil or ghee for frying.

Simple Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil or butter in a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-low heat. Mash banana with a fork and then add the eggs and whip with a fork. Spoon the batter into the oil.  Once they firm up, flip them once... just as you would a pancake.

At first, I was hesitant to mix the egg and banana flavors, but it really turned out well. It tasted more like crepes than it did egg. I didn’t top with anything this time, but it would be delicious with nutmeg and cinnamon or whatever else you normally would top pancakes with. 

It's a great way to use those ripe bananas that you may have in the freezer - just thaw them first.

With a healthy easy breakfast out of the way, I can spend my time on more important things....