Barbara's kitchen open for business again!

The title refers to the fact that we moved recently, still in the Portland area though. And yesterday was the first time I had unpacked enough to be able to really cook.

Today I was getting food ready for work tomorrow. I still have to make smashed potatoes. But I did make an awesome veggie chili and a black bean, corn and red pepper salad.

For the salad, I used one can of black beans, rinsed, 1/4 of a huge red pepper, chopped and about 3/4 cup of frozen corn. Before I did that, I put in some red wine vinegar, and some dijon mustard from Trader Joe. Whisked that together with some dried thyme, salt and pepper. Whisked in just a little bit of olive oil. Put the veggies in, added a little more salt and pepper and some garlic and onion powder. Tastes great and it should be even better tomorrow.

The veggie chili was white and red kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, corn, onions, garlic, fresh cilantro. Put in some cumin and chili powder. Can't find my smoky paprika yet or would have used it. Put in a dash of cayenne, a little sugar, and some pepper. Made up some water with masa flour and put that in after letting it cook down for about a half hour. Thickened it up nicely. Very tasty as well. Going to put that over my smashed potatoes.

I've got steel cut oats cooking in the rice cooker and the dishwasher running. I'm in good shape for tomorrow.

Barbara

Zojirushi NS-LAC05

The title of this post is the name of my rice cooker. It's a 3 cup one, kinda small but perfect for me and my partner.

I wanted to post for my reference and others how to cook things other than rice in the cooker. These have all been tested several times by me and they work well. When I say 1 cup or whatever, it refers to the cup that comes with the rice cooker, not a standard cup.

Steel cut oats
1 cup steel cut oats
2.5 cups water
use the porridge setting

I usually set this up the night before on the timer. Hot oatmeal for breakfast, yum!

Polenta (aka grits)
1 cup of polenta
water up to the 2 cup brown rice level
use the white rice setting

I put some butter and cheese in this and it's a great breakfast.

Quinoa
1 cup quinoa
1.75 cups water
Use white rice setting

The cooker will keep things warm up to 8 hours. I would suggest not waiting too long to take the quinoa out. You need to fluff it with the rice paddle then remove it. It's a bit more delicate, I feel.

Give these whole grains a try!

Barbara

The 21-Day Veggie Detox Diet is here!

If you're still trying to find the best way to eat healthy, lose
weight and gain real health, this is the solution for you!

Veggie nutrition expert Kardena Pauza has just created a new "21-Day
Veggie Detox Diet Plan" that will help you kick-start your weight
loss the safe and healthy way.

Each day outlines what to eat and includes portion size guidelines,
PLUS it also includes her secret daily habits that help detox the
negative energy and stress from her busy 50-hour training schedule
and living in busy rush-rush-rush Southern California.

You'll discover how to start your day off in a positive mind set
and little things you can do at night to calm your flustered mind.

Combined, this nutrition and mental detox program will have you
looking and feeling 10 years younger, and probably 10 pounds lighter
as well.

You'll get the 21-Day Detox as part of the Easy Veggie Meal Plans
System here:

=> Easy Veggie Meal Plans

This detox will help break addictive habits and flush out addictive
chemicals that can be trapped in your cells and causing your body to
have cravings.

I promise this will help you lose weight and overcome stress. I've been using
it for a couple of weeks and have really noticed a difference in my energy.
And yes I've lost weight.

Barbara
Again, the link for Easy Veggie Detox Diet

PS - Once you complete the 21 Day Detox, continue eating healthy and
small portions throughout the day.

This is where the Easy Veggie Meal Plan program will guide you
through regular day-to-day nutrition.

To your success!

Spring has sprung early

The last two weeks we have had a lot of sunny days and temperatures consistently in the mid to upper 50s. Even though we still have some winter to get through. This has apparently confused the flowers and trees though. Flowering bushes and shrubs are in bloom, cherry trees have started blooming and daffodils have come up already. It's obviously been a very mild winter this year here in Portland.

I am hoping for a cool summer, I don't like high heat which we can get here. I guess we'll see!

Pantry challenge

I've decided to try a pantry challenge. I have stocked up lately on so much food that it's literally overflowing. My freezer and cabinets are full and other places in the kitchen I store things are also full. So I'm going to try to eat from the pantry/freezer as much as possible and get the amount of food down. Wish me luck!

Soy candles

My brother and his wife have started a small company selling soy based candles. It's called B&K Candles and you should visit. It uses US soybeans, and has a huge variety of scents for every occasion. They smell great and burn uniformly. I am planning on buying more, for myself and for gifts. Check them out at B&K Candles.

Eating healthy and loving it!

Since the new year I've been eating healthy much more. I've made quinoa pilaf with mushrooms (good but needs more seasoning) and potato barley soup. I love barley, but it sucks up liquid like crazy and ends up being very thick unless you eat it immediately after making it.

Hope everyone is having a Healthy New Year.

Barbara

Cooking up a Storm!

Cooked up some tasty sloppy lentils today and tomorrow I'm making my non-dairy potato corn chowder. Then I will be all set for my next work week.

I also have some steel cut oats ready for breakfast and some new cereals to try. One is called Multigrain Oatbran flakes and the other is Heritage Flakes, both from Nature's Path. I also have soymilk and Nature's Path Heritage O's at work, for the munchies.

Have a great week!