Baaaaad Cold gooood stoup!

Well I'm blogging on the couch on a borrowed laptop. Ahhhhhh the freedom!!! I know how long overdue this update is...bad blogger slap my wrist would ya! I have had a super bad cold and been doing nothing but watching movies. As nice and relaxing as that sounds, come on think about it, you know how much it sucks to be sick! I made a really yummy hopefully healer of a stoup this week. I think it was Rachel Ray that coined the phrase stoup, not quite soup, not quite stew.
Here it is with very rough quantities. Just use what you have on hand, you really can't go wrong with this one.

Big Big pot.
Saute 1/2 a large onion & 2 cloves of garlic in a bit-o-extra virgin olive oil.
add a while green pepper
1/2 package of veggie ground ("turkey" or tofurkey if you like that term better :)
a couple big carrots
1/2 a small-ish cabbabe
2 cans diced tomatoe
italian seasoning
couple squirts hot sauce
after simmering for a couple hours (or longer) add some egg noodles simmer another 10 min or so and remove from heat.
Freezes really nicely for lunches! mmmmmmmmm

New vigor for being Vegetarian

Sunday did it, I have more enthusiasm for being a veggie than ever! A few people claimed I wouldn't stick to it or "you need meat" Nope nope you don't! Before you read further please know this is MY blog, MY diary, MY opinion, MY point of view. This entry is not meant to offend or sound preachy in any way. It is simply how I look at things and what is right for, yup... ME.

My visit to farmer John's farm was delightful! Cute little lambs their fleece as white as snow...well dirty poopy snow. They are animals afterall, of course they are poopy! I love them all the same. Some think me weepy, some may agree but I cannot even think of putting one on my plate! What the hell would mary think!!!

The small time we spent on the windy, Masson Meadow farm we were surrounded by bleating, hopping, ba-aa-ing little lambs and protective mother sheep. Two lamas, and I can't forget Lily the sheep dog (more of a friendly people dog though)
One lamb was just born the morning of or day before our visit!!! Say it with me...aaawwww.
I am not vegan and have only been vegetarian for nearly a year, and am amazed at how easy it is and why I didn't do this years ago. I was NEVER a big meat eater and now that I have cut it out all together it seems the perfect fit! A vegan lifestyle is something I greatly respect, but do not feel ready for at this point in my life. All the man made "replacements" scare me a little bit too much. My only wish is that all the little animals can have a happy frolicky life while we take their eggs/milk/wool and such. I'd be happy to give them something of mine they might like...shelter/grain/attention and love. On that note here is a vegetarian recipe for you to try :)
That's just me

Broccoli Soup

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
2 onions, chopped
2 potatoes (12 oz/375 g), peeled and coarsely chopped
2 cups (500 mL) vegetablestock
1 tsp (5 mL) each salt and pepper
3 cups (750 mL) frozen broccoli pieces
1 can (385 mL) evaporated skim milk
2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh chives or green onions

Preparation:

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; cook onions and potatoes, stirring often, until onions are softened, about 10 minutes. Add stock, salt and pepper; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Add broccoli pieces; cover and cook for 5 minutes.

In food processor or blender, pur?soup until smooth. Return to pan; stir in evaporated milk and heat through. Serve sprinkled with chives.

crafting and cooking Sunday

I really like to update my blog on the weekends! It is refreshing for me to craft my little heart out then, post, post, post.
Today in about 2 hours time I completed my very first spinner ring. I used copper and a
sterling silver spin ring. I can say I'm really pleased with the results for a 1st try! I don't plan on listing this one though. Its too much fun to keep the practice model and sell the perfected pieces :)

Now I'm off to make an amazing vegetarian potato leek soup! mmmm simmer, simmer, bubble, bubble... here, enjoy the recipe and take care of some lunches for the week.


6 cups veggie stock
6 leeks (whites only)
1/2 cup onion
4 potatoes diced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup light cream (or whole milk)
chives or parsley to garnish

Combine the 1st 6 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 min. Run through blender. Return to pot. Stir in cream and heat through. Garnish with greens! Makes about 8 cups

G o o d Vegetarian E a t s

I have been a vegetarian now for only 9 months, and am really falling deep into it just recently. Before I was just not eating meat. Period. Everything else the same, lazy vegetarian. I actually gained weight (too much bread, cheese and junk).
Now I am embracing delicious menu items that I NEVER thought I would actually enjoy. I truly love those menu items now :) I have not only cut out meat, I am beginning to think about where I shop, who I support in the food industry, where my food is grown, and what the hell is in it! Less dairy more food of the earth!!!!!!!!!!
Here is a wonderful recipe I would like to share with EVERYONE!!! I hope you love it!

LENTIL STEW/SOUP
freaking awesome! I did not like lentils before this recipe...

1 onion
2 celery stalks
2 carrots
1 tbsp evoo
1 cup lentils (recipe says green, I used orange...take that recipe *sticking my tongue out*)
3 cups veggie stock (1 carton) or water
1 28oz can diced tomatoes (or 5-8 fresh + 1/4 cup water)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 potato
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup spinach ( i use a whole cup)
3 tbsp parsley (optional)
Saute onions, celery, and carrots in oil in large soup pot. Add everything else aside from spinach and parsley, bring to a boil and simmer for 30-45 min. Stir often. Stir in spinach and parsley, simmer another 5 min. Makes about 6 bowls.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm so tasty!

The Owl pictures posted for your enjoyment is just an a.m walk discovery by my parents. They are avid bird watcher, nature loving walkers! Not only did they come to pick me up and take me to see the lovely owl, they made a phone call. That phone call was to the local "nature guy". He takes beautiful photographs and writes in the local newspaper about his adventures in nature, and spotting wildlife. The not so good of the 3 pictures are mine. The first and wonderful photo is the work of Drew Monkman