Vegetable Soup and Wrap Up

Lauren’s Veggie Soup
This is a vegetable packed soup that freezes well. I use a giant pot and cook a ton, freeze half in pint containers and enjoy for months!

• 1small bag of carrots, peeled (optional) and sliced
• 1 bunch of celery, chunked
• 2 medium onions, chunked
• 1 small head of cabbage
• 1 15oz can of low sodium normal diced tomatoes
• 8c of vegetable stock
• 3/4c barley, 1c of lentils and/or egg noodles (whole wheat ones are yummy)
• Spices (throw in some dill, parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme, whatever! A store brand "zesty" blend is also REALLY good in this)

1. Chop veggies (except cabbage)
2. Place everything but cabbage and barley/lentils/egg noodles in pot
3. Bring to a boil
4. Reduce to simmer, cover, cook all day
5. 1 hr before you want to eat cut cabbage into 1 in strips and add to soup
6. 30-45min before you want to eat add in barley and/or lentils
7. If you want noodles pre cook and add in before eating

Wrap up
This week has been about basics. Those homemade recipes that fill you up on a cool day or that you want when you are feeling ill. Although easy, the foods in the past week have layers of flavor and can be changed and added too easily.

When feeding any of these to a baby or toddler make sure to decrease the salt, cut up and/or puree the food, and let it cool down. I would skip the broth unless your child is a bit older.

Ty loves beef, but only if it is tender, has a lot of flavor, and cold. I usually cook a dish like the ones listed above, take out some beef and veggies an hour before, chop the bits really small and then cool it in the refrigerator. Although Ty has tried broth I never give it to him because of the mess :)

My Weight Loss
This week I lost more than my goal (which is 2lbs a week). Last week I lost, but not as much as I wanted to :( I think it was because we went out to dinner and ordered out (for our anniversary) and had a lot of yummy leftovers which lasted for a while. I am finding it easy to snack at this time of year because of all the fruit available. The farmers market, as well as larger grocery chains, have so much local fruit that tastes wonderful!

Beef Stew

Beef Stew

This recipe is easy peasy and freezes well. It is another takes minutes to prepare but cooks all day recipe.

You will need:

• 1lb (or more) of stew meat cut into 1cm cubes (or larger if you like)
  
• 1lb carrots peeled (optional) and sliced
• 1 bunch of celery sliced
• 1lg onion diced
• 2lg potatoes, peeled and diced (add more if you would like)
  
• 4c beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Any desired spices (garlic, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay leaf)
• EVOO
• Cornstarch and water

Directions

1. Heat EVOO to medium high in a heavy bottomed pan
2. Add meat and brown evenly on both sides
3. Add veggies and spices
4. Add broth, bring to boil
5. Reduce to simmer, cover, and cook all day
6. Add more broth if it dry out add more broth
7. Once dinner time rolls around add mixture of cornstarch and water to thicken (take out the bay leaf!)
8. Serve with warm rolls, rice, noodles or barley!
   

Other tips:

You can also add 1/2 c of sour cream for a little fo- stroganoff flavor. Put on top of egg noodles for a little more!

Make sure you decrease the liquid if you are cooking in a slow cooker

Add more broth and barley for beef soup!

Product of the day:

The Ergo Baby Carrier

This product is why I can bring Ty to work with me. Since he was 9lbs I have strapped him in this to sleep, look over my shoulder while I work, and shop. Now at over 22lbs Ty is still easy to carry and I can do almost anything with him being held close to my back, side or front. The ergonomic design makes it easy to carry Ty even though I have lower back problems. This carrier is worth the extra cost and will not wear out quickly.

Pic from: http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/