Weekly Menu

This coming week's menu (2 birthdays Carson's, my son and mine!)

Monday ~ Tacos w/ refriend beans (we are having leftovers Sunday and having chili Saturday instead from last week).

Tuesday ~ Carson's bday, so making homemade pizza and salad

Wednesday ~ Moroccan Chickpeas Couscous (my birthday unless hubby surprises me with something)

Thursday ~ Indian Spiced Lentil Ragu

Friday ~ Vegan Pot Pie

Saturday ~ Carson's bday party

Sunday ~ Tofu Tikka Masala

In the kitchen!

I was in the kitchen yesterday busily making vegetable broth and making pumpkin bread.

Making broth from scratch not only saves you money but is better for you.  I save vegetable trimmings (all but cabbage and lettuce type things) like onion peels, mushroom stems, and other vegetable peelings.  I also chop up celery (including leaves) and carrots.  Also I put herbs in such as basil, parsley and cilantro.
Next I fill up a large pot enough to cover everything up.  Cover, bring up to boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and keep covered for an hour.

After an hour, strain your broth.

I keep containers in the freezer on hand at all times. I make a lot of stew based things and use the broth for rice.

Also made pumpkin bread using whole wheat bread and all purpose flour.  Instead of using vegetable oil, I used coconut oil.  I don't use all the sugar called in the recipe either. And I used flax seed instead of eggs for this recipe, so it is vegan!
Before

and after

 I used this recipe: http://mybakingadventures.com/2009/10/18/healthy-pumpkin-bread/ with the mods indicted above.

Next blog post will be about making applesauce!  I have entire peck of apples and I love making homemade applesauce!

Looking for Holiday Cards, your search is over!

Shutterfly has one of the best holiday card selections to show off your family for the holidays.  Every year we send out holiday greetings that showcase pictures of our family.  This year Shutterfly has made the search easy!
My favorite holiday card is the Picture Joy.  You can't pick just one picture for your holiday card then this picture card card for you.  Click here to view it
  You can pick 3 -6 pictures for this card. This works out perfect for us since we have two children and 3 pets.  We have to have a furry ones on our holiday cards because they are part of the family, too.
  Also we could make a collage for the year to send family and friends, picking our favorite family photos throughout the year.  This way family that is lives far away can see the events or moments that they may have missed.
  There are so many different formats to choose from.  They have flat photo cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery , also photo cards: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards and even holiday party invitations: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-invitations .
 Shuttefly is my holiday card solution this year and it should be yours as well!

Weekly Menu

This week's menu:

Monday ~ Vegetable soup with black bean burgers ~ all homemade and vegan

Tuesday ~ Chicken Patties (probably boca since it will be a busy day with election and hubby out of town) w/ sweet potato fries

Wed ~ Mexican rice & bean bake ~ vegan

Thursday ~ Veggie Vindaloo with Naan Bread

Friday ~ Stove Top Cheeze Mac ~ vegan

Saturday ~ Tacos with homemade refried beans

Sunday ~ Pantry Chili ~ vegan

Apple Harvest Time ~ Apple Salsa

I made this for a party and it was a hit!!  It is so fresh and different!

2 apples, cored and cubed
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced

1/2 red onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted or not... I have done it both ways
2 tablespoons ginger or fresh grated ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine and eat! 

 

It tastes even better if you want a day, I serve with tortilla chips or pita chips. 

This Week's Menu!

Food, to me is very important.  We try and eat healthy.   We are vegetarian, even if you aren't you should try and have at least one meatless meal a week.  Maybe our menu for the week will help with ideas.  I will try and post recipes throughout the week.

This weeks we are having

Monday ~ Whole Wheat Gnocchi with homemade marinara sauce  w/ salad (vegan)

Tuesday ~ Black Bean Soup with Kale ~ in the slow cooker (vegan)

Wed ~ the hubby and I are having a date night at AIA awards.

Thurs ~ Stovetop Cheeze Mac (vegan)

Fri ~ Taco salad

Sat ~ homemade black bean burgers and with homemade vegetable soup (slow cooker) (vegan)

Sun ~ slow cooker chili with homemade cornbread (vegan)

Portobello Fajitas

Tonight's dinner is Portobello Fajitas.

olive oil enough to thinly coat a pan
3 Large Portobello Mushrooms
1 yellow onion
1 or 2 green or red pepper
garlic ~ minced
salt
pepper
cumin
red pepper flakes
chili pepper
balsamic vinegar
whole wheat tortillas
lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, salsa or whatever else you like to top them with. (leave the dairy out for vegan version)

Turn on oven to 350, wrap tortillas in foil and place in oven to warm up while cooking.

I get 3 portobellos, remove the stem, wipe them off with a damp cloth (I don't like rinsing under water as they soak up water.) and chop them length wise.
Chop onion length wise, large stripes and chop up the pepper same way.

Put some olive oil in a stainless steel pan over medium heat.
Add onions and peppers first, season with salt & pepper, let cook for a few minutes until slightly soft.  Next add mushrooms & garlic (2 cloves is fine) and the rest of the seasoning (tsp or so of each) and balsamic vinegar (just a couple squashes).  Cook until mushrooms are soft, but not mushy (doesn't take long watch carefully).
Wrap everything up in a tortilla and enjoy.
Delicious and healthy dinner!