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/

Shepherd's Pie, Rice pudding for breakfast, Teddy Puffs

Recipes

Spicing up Shepherd’s Pie

I love shepherd’s pie. This is a dish that might take a little time to make but can be made ahead, baked right before eating, and frozen.

A favorite of mine growing up, shepherd’s pie can actually be REALLY bad for you. Load up those potatoes with butter/cream/milk, only use corn, and use a high fat beef and you are talking an extremely starchy dinner full of fat. Here are some alternatives you can use.

Meat:

• Ground turkey-this can get dry so make sure you put it on the bottom
• Vegetable protein “beef” style- This stuff is great IN dishes (not really by itself). Try this with traditional shepherd’s pie spices or a little catsup mixed in.
• Ground chicken
• Very low fat beef
• Ground lamb- a little more expensive and a tad gamey lamb is lean and healthy

Corn:

• Using a small layer of corn is ok, but Shepherd’s pie does not really offer much in the way of vegetables
• Mix in celery
• Put in a layer of peas, green beans, roasted peppers, broccoli, or just about any other vegetable.
• Mix in spinach with what ever you put in for a little more green to your pie

Potatoes:

• Mashed potatoes with no butter and skim milk, add garlic for a little more flavor
• Brown rice
• Mashed cauliflower/potatoes (see previous blog for recipe)
• Sweet potatoes
• Thinner layer of traditional mashed potatoes

I am taking some liberties on what shep. Pie really is in this next section :)

Mixin’ it up, different spice and food combos:

• Asian: Ground chicken with a little stir fry sauce, green beans, bean sprouts, pea pods topped with thin rice noodles also with a little stir fry sauce
• Tex Mex: Throw a taco seasoning packet in with your choice of meat, roasted red peppers, corn, onions, black beans, top with potatoes
• Indian: Lamb with curry spices, apple, onion, string beans, summer squash, any other veggies that are mixed with a little curry, brown rice, top with a little chutney
• The vegetarian: Vegetable protein mixed with a little catsup, green beans, ketchup, peas, mashed cauliflower
• Italian: Mix up your meat with a little pasta sauce, summer squash, zucchini, brown rice, parmesan cheese.

Ty’s Breakfast Rice Pudding

This is what Ty had for breakfast this morning, it was pretty good.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 to 1/3c cooked brown rice (we had leftovers)
• dash of cinnamon
• Dash of sugar (ty’s did not have it)
• Diced fruit

1. Scramble egg with cinnamon (and sugar) and place into hot non stick pan
2. Let it cook for a few seconds and add in rice
3. Take off stove and add in favorite fruit
4. (Ty’s also had peas in it)
5. Cool and enjoy

This can also be made with quick oats. I have done this at work. Instead of scrambling the egg and then adding the oats, you do it all in the same bowl. You then cook it like a pancake!

Product of the day:

Healthy Times Teddy Puffs

http://www.healthytimes.com/htteddypuffs.htm

These are a totally whole grain (no wheat or soy) product. Although I would classify these as not super healthy, they are easier to grab and more fun than cheerios. All organic, iron enriched, and sugar is way down on the list of ingredients these are a fun and quick snack when you are on the go!

Picture from website above