Blog Posts

And Then It Was March...

3/1/2022

Not sure how it happened, but here we are!
Happy March my dear friends.

Hi! How are things? I hope you are well and making the time to take care of yourself during these trying times. The world continues to be chaotic with trouble brewing everywhere and it's easy to become overwhelmed. It's important to slow down and take care of yourself. Read a good book, watch your favorite film and eat good food.

The weather has been more than a little odd, too. Winter is hanging on with unexpected storms rolling in here.

I broke out the soup pot and made a satisfying recipe I adapted from a much more involved recipe I found on line, late last night. It came out so well I wanted to share it with you. If you are looking for a hearty, satisfying stew to warm you up (Note: Its Spicy!) then give this recipe a go.

Not the prettiest meal I have ever made, but the taste makes up for it!

Prep time is minimal and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand.

This spicy Moroccan-Inspired Chickpea Stew cooks quickly and makes a satisfying meal.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25-30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 T. tomato paste
1 T. ground cumin
1 t. smoked paprika
¾ t. cayenne pepper
1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz. can crushed tomatoes
2 c. butternut squash, cubed
2 c. vegetable broth or water
2 c. kale, tough stems removed and chopped
2 T. fresh lime juice

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, bell pepper, and garlic. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and develop a bit of color, around 5-6 minutes.
Add tomato paste, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir to combine and continue cooking until the spices become really fragrant, approximately 1-2 minutes.
Add the chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, butternut squash, and vegetable broth. Season with another layer of salt and black pepper, if desired. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15-20 minutes or until the butternut squash is fork tender.
Stir in the chopped kale and cook, stirring occasionally, just until it wilts, approximately 1-2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice. Taste and adjust seasonings, as desired, before serving. Dig in!

NOTE: Adapted from a recipe I found on line.

Who Else Feels Like This?

2/20/2022

What I've Been Doing In February

2/18/2022

Hiya!
Hope you are well, warm and enjoying yourself. It finally decided to become winter here. So I've had spotty net and lots of cozy evening by the fire. I really enjoy the cold, especially if I don't have to go anywhere, lol.

We had company last month and I cooked liked a mad woman, I have started a 'Veganary Food" post which should be up by late July, LOL! No, really I have a few new recipes I want to share with you and cooking tips, but work has been so busy. Which, I am thankful for. But its keeping me very busy and then when I'm done I really don't feel like blowing. (Or doing much of anything.)

But with the travel restrictions easing up, it looks like we will be traveling again soon and I am so excited!
But in the meantime I'm going to enjoy winter here with my warm socks and hot tea.

But really, Brrr ❄️ ☕️ 📚
We have another snow storm expected next week.
So Spring will be late this year. I have the urge to go purchase 9,000 + plants but am holding off till I know my schedule. I hate the idea of purchasing a horde of plants and then leaving for a month.

Thank goodness I stocked up on these vegan gems!

Snow is so beautiful!

Speak soon!

But Really...

2/16/2022

#TrueStory 😬😝📚

Whoever Finds Love

2/7/2022

“Whoever finds love
beneath hurt and grief
disappears into emptiness
with a thousand new disguises”
― Rumi

Texas Wine Cup Wildflower

Do you agree?
I believe it to be true. You are never the same after something dreadful happens. Period. It's the end of a chapter of your life. But you can recover.
Well, let me clarify, you don't so much recover yourself instead, one becomes a new, improved version of yourself. You are not ever the person you were. But yet at your essence, you are still you, but more so. Suddenly you are stronger than you ever imagined and more. Deeper, kinder, gentler, and perhaps wiser.

Rumi will brighten your life.
Google for more quotes or buy a book of translated poems.

Now, I'm off to lunch with an old friend & then shopping for a housewarming gift. I have so much to do and not enough time! Which seems to be a theme lately.

Later-

And It's February!

2/1/2022

How is it possible? It was just Christmas?

Hello Dear Travel Family,
As I write this silly little post I am struck by the wonder of it all.
How did we end up here? It's already February 1, 2022! So many things have changed and our world seems upside...but there are so many wonderful things happening too.
I have some AMAZING news I want so badly to share with you, but can't just yet...so please come back later in the month.

Feb. is going to be a very busy and exciting month. I hope you have some fun planned?

Until then I hope you are safe and feeling loved. If not, know that soon all will be better.

Have a wonderful month!

Weekend Vibes

1/22/2022

I found that picture and admit it has noting to do with the post...But I just thought it was a nice edit. And spoiler: This post, much like that picture, are much ado about nothing...

The last of my organic avaocado. WOW they were so good! But they should be as I paid $5USD each for them! OMG!

We are experiencing odd weather, or so it seems to me...but it may soon be snowing and storming, so who knows. (Shrugs and slips on sweater over tank top and shorts.)

But anyway, have you been reading much lately? I found a few book reviews I left "in progress" and never finished. They should be up later this week, if the book gods allow it.

I have so many new projects I want to show you, but as if yet they are still "Hush - Hush" and I also don't want to jinx them. When it comes to money, work and love, I'm all about superstitions, lol, go figure.

Using my hair for warmth...

I'm also back to juicing. After all the celebrations I've been to lately its really needed. Between the holidays, new babies, housewarmings, and engagement parties you would think the pandemic was over! Well maybe not, but we are partying like it's over. Please pass the vegan pasta....

I've also been working on my Vegan Candy Game...These include almond butter and coconut.
With only a few simple ingredients and no refined sugar they are a super snack. I will add the recipes to the tab soon. I just want to experiment with a few more ingredients.

Now I'm off for a hike before the weather turns. I need to burn that candy off and find something interesting to talk about for the next blog post, lol.

I hope you have a great weekend!

Vegan Sesame Teriyaki Beef

1/15/2022

As we continue to celebrate 2022, I'm cooking up a storm! I had non-vegan friends from out of state come for a visit last week. I wanted to cook dishes that would be both hearty and comforting for them and wanted to share some of my findings with you.

I bought Garden beefles tips and went to their website for ideas on how to make these work. What is pictured about is my version of a recipe found on their website. I used what I had on hand and jump it. IT WAS A HUGE HIT! I only have the quick photo because it was eaten almost before I could say "Vegan!" lol

INGREDIENTS

1 package Gardein beefless tips, cut in half
380g rice (brown or white)
5 tablespoons bought Sesame Teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 onion, diced
4 small carrots, cut into rounds
1 small green bell pepper

DIRECTIONS

– I thawed the beef tips for 10 minutes and cut them in half.
– Cook the rice according to package instructions.
Prep the vegetables.
In a non-stick pan over medium heat, sauté halved Gardein beefless tips in vegetable oil for 4-5 minutes caramelizing well on all sides. Then add the sesame teriyaki sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until tender. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add onions, carrot, and bell pepper strips to the pan and cook until onions are caramelized, pepper is crisp, and carrots are soft, approximately 2-3 minutes.
Plate: I used a large glass pie pan and layered rice, with beef tips in the middle, and spread veggies around the sides.
Serve with extra sauce or vegan soy sauce.

Made 4 servings.

This is based on a recipe I found on the Gardien website.
I made minor changes, using what I had on hand.

It was a big hit with my family and also the non-vegan company. I highly recommend this simple recipe.

First Book Review For 2022

1/13/2022

First book review for 2022!

Quick Book Review - Thursday Edition:
The Cold Vanish by Jon Billman

Was it a page-turner? so-so
Do I like this genre? Meh-True Crime
Setting: American Wildlands
How's the storytelling? fair
Was it well written? 50-50
Would you recommend this book? Probably not
Page Count: 284 pages
Published Date: July 2020

OVERVIEW:
The book is about people who have gone missing in the wilderness in America/Canada. The central story revolves around the disappearance of Jacob Gray, and his father's quest to find him.

The narration was good/okay overall, but it got boring at times, so much so that I was left wondering why I was even reading this book? Luckily, it wasn't long, and I finished in a single afternoon.

I read different topics/genres, and the subject matter intrigued me, but it was more push to finish versus "I can't put it down."

My Last Minute Thoughts:

I feel more attention/coverage should be put on missing people cases. Telling their stories could be fascinating and motivate searches to continue.
I found the tone dry at times and very judgemental. The author tried to be philosophical at times and missed.
If you like true crime, you might like this.

More reviews out soon~

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And Then It Was March...

Vegan Chickpea Stew (Spicy)