Weather Woes-o Wonderful

Much of the U.S. is experiencing some very cold and snowy weather right now.  While some people enjoy getting outside in the snow, I think most of us find it the perfect time to hunker down indoors where it's warm and cozy.  And if you're anything like me it brings to mind all the wonderful winter comfort foods such as chili, stew and decadent casseroles.

Since becoming a vegetarian, I have enjoyed the adventure and the challenge of converting my lifetime favorites into vegetarian and vegan dishes.  I have always enjoyed cooking, but I have learned about so many new and delicious foods and ingredients over these past few years.  I think my food now tastes so much better than it ever did when I was cooking with meat.  I can only assume that it is because having to find different ingredients has made me more mindful of what I am eating, and in doing so, has introduced me to some things I might not otherwise have ever tried.

It is cold today.  And it's only going to get colder over the next couple of days.  We are supposed to be near 0 tomorrow, and maybe below 0 with windchill.  So as I break out my thick sweat pants and socks on this lovely, chilly Saturday, I am thinking of what delicious, cozy, soul-warming meal I should make today.  I have decided on Green Chile Chick'n Enchiladas.  Yum!  I think it has to be my favorite meal.  I thought I would miss them SO MUCH when I stopped eating meat.  So I immediately started trying new recipes to fill that void.  I made them with all kinds of vegetable combinations, including beans, corn, kale, spinach, carrots, squash, peas, mushrooms - you name it, I probably tried it.  What I found was that these new enchiladas were literally some of the most delicious I had ever had!  What?!?  How did that happen?

Today's enchiladas are being made with Simple Truth Chick'n Strips, Portabello mushrooms, onions, roasted poblano peppers, fire roasted tomatoes and a new enchilada sauce I have not yet tried made by Rick Bayless.  It should be delicious.  Mmm, just talking about it is making me hungry!

So, I hope you're lucky enough to be in a part of the world that isn't covered in ice, snow and subfreezing temperatures right now, but if you are I hope you'll join me in trying a new, delicious, vegetarian or vegan comfort food recipe to warm your souls.  Wishing you all toasty tootsies and full bellies!

Tending My Garden

I don't really do the whole resolution thing.  It always seemed a little silly to me to set some goal to achieve within a 12 month period which is usually forgotten by February and becomes a part of some running joke.  No, I would rather just make a promise to myself because I'm good at keeping my promises.  

I think a lot of women, myself included, tend to feel guilty if we put ourselves first, to make sure we're well fed and well taken care of.  We tend to put the needs and wants of others before our own, especially those with children.  If you are a parent, I think that guilt must multiply ten-fold.  Particularly the guilt hurled at you from others if your child's needs, your partner's needs, the house's needs, your job's needs (if you work), etc. are not at the very top of your priority list.  Yourself as a priority should probably fall somewhere between re-organizing the linen closet and picking up a new book of stamps.

This isn't right and it needs to change.  If we're expected to constantly give our time, devotion, dedication and attention to others, shouldn't we be giving them all our BEST SELF?   Why is that such a taboo idea?  I would like to think that everyone is getting the best version of me, not some used up, depleted and completely worn-out version.  Is that who you want to cook your dinner, to take care of the kids, to write your report, to do the laundry?  Personally, I would prefer to have someone who's really bringing their A-game for all of those scenarios.  

Well guess what?  In order to do that, to be at 100%, in order to give my best, I have to BE at my best.   Which means....drumroll please....I have to make myself a priority, too.  

So,  I am going to do a little self-cultiavation (okay, maybe a LOT) and tend to my personal "garden".  No, not that one.  Keep it clean.  I'm talking about making sure I'm eating healthy, that I'm at a healthy and comfortable weight (feeling good, not a specific number on the scale), that I'm happy, and that I'm well-rested and peaceful.  I am making myself my priority.  Yup, I said it, right up there at the top of the list.  I know, it's risky, but I've got a little bit of a rebel hidden inside me so I think I'll give it a go.  And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the promise I am making to myself.  

This Week's Recipe - Dec 23 - 29

Photo copied from Oh My Veggies

Sweet Potato and Kale Gratin 
from Oh My Veggies (http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-sweet-potato-kale-gratin)

Ingredients:

1 large bunch kale (about 1 lb), tough stems removed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
3 lbs. sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (mine were between 1/8 and 1/4 inch)
1 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground nutmet
2 Tbsp salted butter, cut into small pieces, plus more to grease baking dish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Steam kale for about 3 minutes, or until wilted, in a large steamer basket set over boiling water.  Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.  Squeeze out excess water.
3. Place half of the potatoes in a greased 9 x 13 baking dish.  (You don't have to do this neatly, but try to make sure each layer is even.)  Top potatoes with kale, then top kale with half of the Parmesan cheese.  Place remaining potatoes in dish and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
4. Whisk together whipping cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg and pour over potatoes.  Dot with butter.
5. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.  Remove foil and bake for 20-25 minutes more, or until potatoes are tender and cheese is golden brown.  Allow to sit 15 minutes before serving.

Christmas Dinner

Hello!  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Yule, and Happy Festivus!  This is why I usually say "Happy Holidays" because there are so many people of different faiths celebrating holidays this time of year and I want to respect the beliefs of each of my friends regardless of their faith.  I hope you all have been blessed enough this season to be surrounded by those you love, creating wonderful memories and enjoying great food.

I haven't posted much these past two weeks because I've been so busy preparing and shopping for today, plus my mom still has appointments for her cancer treatment and I always go with her to each one.  I apologize that it's been so long.  I'm sure the two of you that read my blog have been busy as well and probably haven't noticed.

I just wanted to quickly share a recipe with you that I tried today for the first time.  In a word, it was AMAZING.  It's so creamy, sweet and decadent, and it's simply the best way I've ever had sweet potatoes.  This is now a definite must have for many, many years to come.

The recipe I am referring to is Sweet Potato and Kale Gratin.  I got this recipe from one of my favorite vegetarian blogs I follow, Oh My Veggies.  She knows what she's doing because I love her recipes.  You simply HAVE to try this.  I am not a huge sweet potato fan, or at least, I didn't used to be, but this dish has made me a believer.  I have a love affair with kale, so that didn't surprise me so much, but pairing it with the sweet potatoes, heavy cream and nutmeg is out of this world!

I hope you all give this a try.  It doesn't have to be for a large meal, either, just be sure to make plenty because it won't last long!

Happy Holidays to each of you.  I wish you nothing but peace, love and happiness.

Compassion and Kindness

While this time of year usually brings to mind images of families getting together, decorating homes and being creative, unfortunately there is also a darker, sadder side where emotions run high, depression sets in and people do unspeakable and unthinkable acts.  Over the past several days, there have been several mass shootings reported and it truly breaks my heart.  I am sitting here watching the news reports of a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut, and I can't imagine what these families are going through, or what these children had to witness and endure. 

I don't understand why it seems to be easier to carry around hate, negativity and violence in our hearts and minds than it is to show compassion, kindness and love for one another.  We are all neighbors on this planet, and we should take care of each other.  Imagine what it would be like if everyone was looking out for each other, to make sure everyone was fed, clothed, warm, loved and sheltered; if everyone would lend a hand to those less fortunate, or just offer compassion to those they encounter each day.  

I don't have much more to say today, other than please be aware of your actions and make it a point to show compassion and kindness to those around you.  You never know what hardships someone is facing in their life and how much a simple smile, a touch, a hug, etc. could mean to someone, or what a difference it could make in their life.  

I wish you all a very splendid Friday, and I hope you're blessed enough to change someone's life today.