It IS Easy Being Green ;)

Forget about what you've heard before ('it's not easy being green...'  I can't quite recall - was that Kermit that said that?  I think it was... ) I'm here to tell you that (for me, anyway) it has been SO easy going vegan that I'm pleasantly surprised! 

I'm loving the fact that my tastebuds seemed to have cleaned out and I truly welcome the tastes of fresh vegetables and fruit and really (honestly!) dislike the taste of so much 'dead' food that I had been eating before... breads, pasta, meat {shudder} and other things that just had no life left in them.

I love the fact that my skin looks more radiant and my hair and nails (which always grew really fast before) now grow even more quickly!

I've been putting my KitchenAid food processor and blender through their paces on a daily basis - creating healthy smoothies and delicious entrees.  My husband is really happy on our new diet as well.  He's lost weight and feels fantastic.  

It does require more preparation (obviously) but after trying (with very disappointing results) to go out for dinner - even when the food choices were 'clean', we have noticed a huge difference (likely the culprit is large amounts of sodium, among other things used in restaurants) so we opt to stay home for 98% of our meals now.

I'm waiting (rather impatiently) for the day when I can afford a Vitamix.  I'm dying to make my own nut flours in addition to hot soups without cooking!

Until then, I continue to put my small appliances to good use and allow my creativity in the kitchen to roam free... 

Eat Healthy!

Sue's Southwestern Black Bean Soup (Vegan)

Another cold snap in Ontario... we spent my birthday at Blue Mountain (Collingwood, ON) and that week, the temperatures were around -32 c - just lovely!  (NOT)  Great weather for sitting by a fireplace, playing board games and having warming, comforting foods... 

When we drove home again, we were both hungry and I was in too much of a rush to make dinner to have time to soak my beans overnight, etc., so once again, this was a quick soup thrown together with ingredients on hand.  When I make this again, I will plan better and soak my dried beans overnight... 

It's hearty and filling and oh-so good!


INGREDIENTS

3 tins black beans (do not rinse) 1/2 red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 large tin stewed tomatoes
1 bunch of cilantro, washed and chopped 
1 tsp cayenne (optional - since I am allergic, I have to forego this ingredient)
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander
Black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil

METHOD

In medium size pot...
Sauté onions, garlic and spices with oil
Add all other ingredients and bring to rapid boil
Turn down to minimum for 20-30 minutes

Use immersion blender to combine all ingredients before serving 

Makes 4-6 generous servings ** I like to top with more chopped cilantro ;)