Friday, November 20, 2009

Yummy, healthy recipes.

So I know it comes and goes, but I am eating really healthy again. And I feel amazing! Thought I would share some of the recipes that I have come across.
Vegan Banana Muffins

4 ripe bananas
1/2 cup brown sugar or pure maple syrup (I used maple syrup)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (Canola)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cup white flour ( I used all wheat flour, 1/2 of it was whole wheat pastry flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
I added chopped walnuts and raisins.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease or place cups in tin for 12 muffins
3. Mash bananas
4. Add oil, sugar or maple syrup, salt, cinnamon and cardamom and mix.
5. Add flours, baking powder and baking soda and mix.
6. Spoon into muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes until muffins are done and slightly browned on top.

Calories 241
Total fat 9.6
fiber 2.8
protein 3.4

Salad of Arugula and Persimmons
from "The New Vegetarian Epicure"
3 good-sized bunches of arugula (I used mixed greens)
1 small head radicchio
1 small bunch water cress
2 medium Fuyu persimmons or a firm pear (I used a red pear that was amazing)
1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet onion (not a big raw onion fan, I used less)
1/2 medium red bell pepper
1 small sweet yellow pepper
1/2 pound Roquefort cheese
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3-4 Tbs. olive oil
2-3 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Basically, toss it all together and toss the oil and vinegar on top:) Yummy!
Veggie Jambalaya
(crock pot recipe)
From the "Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker"
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
15.5 ounce can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15.5 ounce can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
(You can use slow cooked beans but I am way to lazy for that, 1 1/2 cups each)
15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
14.5 can diced tomatoes, drained (I didn't drain them)
1 cup water
1 teaspoon file powder (optional, but I used it)
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces vegetarian sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
Tabasco sauce (I didn't add)
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic; cover and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Transfer to a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Add the beans, tomatoes, water, file powder, thyme and Old Bay seasoning; season with salt and pepper, cover, and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. (I did it on high for about 3 hours.)
3. Just before serving time, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage link pieces and cook until browned, then add to the jambalaya along with Tabasco sauce to taste.
**If you need your meat, I would think you could add any meat in that last step.
Enjoy mixing it up a bit in your kitchen!

Four kids?!?

God is calling us again. Loud and clear. Some of you know that when we called about Sabrina, we also inquired about a little boy. Almost two years later, he has still not found a home. We are pretty sure that is because we are his family and we need to go get him!! So, we are starting the process again. I am unsure if the journey will be longer or shorter based on some of the details of his situation. We had our home study appointment Wednesday night and are working on the first round of paperwork.

We would love your prayers that this process would go quickly. In my little dream world, I see us all going to pick him up next summer before Jake heads off for college. By the way, have any of you returned to Ethiopia with your previously adopted children? Scott is worried about taking Sabrina.

Awesome Book Study!!


Can't remember if I mentioned or not...we are finally in an adult small group. After leading youth small groups for thirteen years, we are so excited. The book Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus is what we are reading. We are watching video clips and using the workbook, but this book absolutely will stand alone! It is a study of Jonathan, and focuses on seizing your divine moment. Here a just a few of the many, many things that I have underlined.
-"The most spiritual activity you will engage in today is making choices."
-"There are things God does for you and things that God waits for you to do."
-"...while God leaves us with many choices to make, when He has spoken, the one right choice is to obey."
-"We must resolve not only to leave the path of doing evil, but also to passionately pursue a life of doing good."
-"At worst a passive life is only pitied, yet God counts it as a tragedy when we choose to simply watch life rather than live it. Jesus described as wicked the person who leaves his talent unused. When we fail to choose, we choose to fail. You cannot put your life on hold. It moves forward with or without your approval. Choosing not to choose does not put off the problem, only exacerbates it."
-"...when you are passionate about God, you can trust your passions."
-"God rarely shows you the problem so that you can tell someone else about it."
I could go on and on. If you want to be challenged to step outside of your comfort zone and live for God in a way that will rock your world...this is the book for you. If that scares you, read it anyway!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Halloween!

We started on Friday with a party at a friend's house. We wore our dress from Ethiopia. Thanks, Jael.

Carving pumpkins. She didn't want to put her hand in at first, then she finally braved it!






Back at pumpkin town. This time with cousin Elizabeth.
All of the cousins adore Sabrina.



On the hay ride with Grandma. It was a cold and windy day.


Here Kitty, Kitty!


All kitties wear shades when they are trick or treating!
After each house she would say, "more trick or treating!"
She knows what she likes.



Trunk or treat at church. Our daughter Noelle is the platinum blond in front.
They were supposed to be some sort of futuristic night club. Perfect for church.
Apparently they had a great time:)

Mommy and Kitty at Trunk or Treat.


Finally, I get to eat some!

Bubble Hat


Daddy, aren't the bubbles supposed to stay in the bath tub??