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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. -Proverbs 1:7

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.-Proverbs 4:7


Saturday, February 23, 2013

Hungry?

Highlights of the week:



Southwest Black Bean Burger w/Guacamole, Baked Sweet Potato with Lime Juice Drizzle and Corn.  (Making bean burgers is EASY and they taste way better than the ones in the frozen section.)


Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Spinach Wrap on a Brown Rice Tortilla  w/Fruit


Strawberries, Almond Yogurt and Cinnamon


Clean Out the Fridge Night = Stir Fry


Berries and Almond Yogurt


Putenesca


Sweet Potato Chili


Mushroom Strogonoff w/Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Peas


BBQ Tofu, Baked Potato, Broccoli, and Pineapple

Sunday, February 17, 2013

RFC


It was a fun little jaunt for a Sunday night...Restoration Fellowship Church, Middletown, VA.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

He's hopelessly romantic that man of mine...

 



Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Laissez les bon temps roulez

Vegan King Cake

 
In some other world I lived, Cajun food was plentiful.  I took Ryan there once.  He decided in that moment he would never live in Louisiana.  I could probably talk him into New Orleans, but that is not where I would pick.  No matter...it's not going to happen.
 
 
I've eaten a lot of food.  Not only is the food in Louisiana some of the best, it's pretty much impossible to get anywhere else.  People attempt to copy it, but it's not the same.
 
 
I always say I'll make a King Cake for Mardi Gras and then never do.  I guess this year was the year.  Vegan style.  I was suspicious of it during the process, but it didn't turn out too bad.  Not going to post the recipe yet, because I did so many things to the recipe I was messing around with that I'd have to make it again to be sure.  Ha.  Next year, maybe?  I will say I used pumpkin instead of eggs and the cream cheese is that fake stuff Tofutti makes.  I really don't want to know what they make it out of.
 
 
For the record, the sugar is supposed to be yellow, green and purple.  All bright and vibrant.  I had lavender.  Around here that would only be a problem if anyone other than I was in the know.  :-)
 



Monday, February 11, 2013

"How To" Monday: Almond Milk

Mostly, for this guy at work I was talking to...  He's one of those kinds of people who don't realize that a lot of stuff at the store was "made" by someone.  (It's sort of a joke between us.  He's always all "What do you mean you made it?"  Umm...duh?  If someone else can make it then why can't I?) 
 
The whole thing honestly came one day when I made the realization myself.  I think I was stuck between choosing "vanilla" vs. "unsweetened" and was probably going to have to buy one of each when the light went on.  Who needs a fridge full of various cartons when you can make one batch and flavor all of it or as much as you need/want of each?
 
It's easy.
 
We get our nuts from here.  I'm not saying it's the best place, just saying it's where we buy ours.  And cacao nibs.  And chia seeds.  And...
 
 

Soak a cup of almonds in water for 8ish hours.  Or longer if you are me and can't seem to perfectly time out your life in an 8 hour interval.

Drain and rinse the nuts.  Add them to your blender with 5 cups of filtered water, 3 dates and a small squeeze of lemon juice.  Blend until smooth.


Line a pitcher with a nutmilk bag.  You could just quickly make a bag (maybe 1/2 the size of a pillowcase?) out of some muslin or something if you don't have one.  Pour the milk into the bag to strain out the solids.

Add a teaspoon of vanilla if you want vanilla flavored milk.  If you want plain (unsweetened) milk, leave out the dates.  If you want chocolate flavored, try adding some cacao nibs when blending.  For a heavier, creamier milk, decrease the water to 2-3 cups.


It's as easy as that.


Sunday, February 3, 2013

Super Bowl Party

Not the outcome half of us were hoping for, but still...it was a good game.  And the party was awesome.  At one point, I think there were 30 people in my house.  I do not live in a big house.


 Look closely...aren't my radish mushrooms cute?


 This is a rather boring picture of the beginning phase of the hotdog station.

 I sewed Alicia these socks 45 minutes before the game started while Ryan was in the shower.  Only a sewing person would understand this.

 Food!

 More food!  Before you start wondering if we had enough food, I only got pictures of about half of it.  My belly hurts.


When they were both still happy.  Actually, I think they are both still happy. :-)

 Upstairs...before the last crowd of folks showed up.


Downstairs...
The "Barbies" and "Wii" crowd...

I wish I had a picture of us the last time they went to the Super Bowl.  We were just kids then.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

And so it begins...

Happy Super Bowl Eve! :-)

The Tale of Two Best Friends

Intro: One is a 49ers fan and the other (who was born and bred a Niner's fan) somehow became a Ravens fan.

Middle part of this story: To be determined.  The only thing for certain in this moment is that many party preparations will occur over these next 2 days.

Conclusion: Someone in this house is probably going to be crying.

I have my pick, but I'm trying to keep this whole thing in perspective.  It's really all about the food, right? (Says the wife who was the recipient of a brand new, installed t.v. on another floor separate from where the husband will be doing his viewing...because the wife believes it's her right to be coaching her team from the house and gets all obnoxious during that process.)