Recent fave recipe: "Soba Noodles Verde"

I think it's safe to say that Spring is here. I have packed up my boots and am digging around for a lighter jacket. Phew. It's about time, although I'm not holding my breath.

In the meantime, while I have had a minute to spare I have also been enjoying "Springy dishes" at meal time. Unfortunately tonight was not one of those nights--just eating a piece of toast right now (yikes), but that is not the point. The point is there is this dish that is pretty dece that I wanted to share with you.

The main reason why this meal is "springy" is because of it's green colors (unfortunately not because of the veggies--they don't come into season in MN until May/June). Anyway, it's green and therefore springy, hence it's name Soba Noodles VERDE. Which reminds me, for you Spanish speakers out there, I'm sorry it is incorrect Spanglish, that's what the woman who gave me the recipe called it and I kinda like the ring of it. So lo siento, call it what you like and I hope you like it anyway :)

Two key things to know before you start:

1) Do not overcook the Soba Noodles--if you have ever worked with buckwheat noodles before you will know they aren't tasty if they are overcooked (I think anyway), so be sure to keep your eye on them and taste test them--al dente is best. For me they usually get done around 4 minutes but I also boil with the cover on, so just use your best judgment, its better undercooked than overcooked in my opinion.

2) This meal is very quick to prepare except for the dressing which is made of freshly chopped herbs, which can go quickly if you skip the thyme (because you have to get all those little leaves off the stem), but I personally like the flavor of fresh thyme in it so I add about an extra 20-30 minutes just to get a lot of thyme in the mix--it's therapeutic. If you think that sounds crazy just substitute the fresh thyme for dried thyme and you'll speed right through the prep.

Okay, the rest is easy.

Soba Noodles Verde

Dressing: 1/2 cup olive oil (marinade/dressing), 1 lemon juiced and zested, 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup of fresh, chopped herbs--I use basil, thyme, chives and parsley and put in maybe closer to 1.5 cups of herbs but you can be creative here, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix 'em up, set aside.

Chop into bite size, 1 cup each of: broccoli, zucchini (trust me it's good), and snap peas/snowpeas. Heat medium skillet of olive oil and saute the zucchini for 2 minutes, add the broccoli and then snap peas/snowpeas. Don't overcook, they should be a little crunchy. Set aside.

Boil water and add one package of soba noodles (12 oz) and follow directions on the package but remember not to overcook.

When noodles are done boiling place in colander and run cold water over them to ensure they stop cooking quickly.

In a large mixing bowl, mix the noodles, veggies and dressing. Add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

Sorry I do not have a picture to share...next time I make it I will take one.

Happy cooking and eating!

Mixed bean goulash recipe

This recipe has been adapted from the book, The Vegetarian Gourmet's Easy International Recipes by Bobbie Hinman. It's the first recipe I have tried from the book. I have been trying to cook without recipes lately but must say I am glad I checked this one out. It has provided great nourishment and comfort in the cold weather and it keeps well.

Lately I have been challenging my friends and family to eat meatless on Mondays. To provide some support and motivation I am sharing a vegetarian recipe. It can be vegan if you leave out the yogurt garnish, which is totally doable.

This recipe is based on a Hungarian stew and is thick, rich, and delish! For best flavor try to buy your ingredients locally and organically when you can.

Makes 8 servings (or lots if you eat little portions)

2 TBSP olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, thinly sliced (or 2 cups of onion)
1 large green pepper, thinly sliced (or 1 cup)
2 cups of organic vegetable broth
1-7 oz. can of tomato paste--organic if possible
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of white beans (cannellini)
1 can of pinto beans
2 medium potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (or 1 pound)
2.5 TBSP paprika (or more if you like)
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp sea salt and cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
cayenne pepper (to taste, for those who want more spice--I probably put in at least 1/2 tsp.)
1 cup of whole fat greek yogurt
noodles or rice depending on your mood :)

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic for one minute, then add onions and bell pepper. Stir frequently, for about 5 minutes. Add small amounts of water to mixture if necessary to prevent from sticking. Then add remaining ingredients (EXCEPT the yogurt!)

Mix well and bring the mixture to a boil and leave on medium heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir several times while cooking.

Serve over brown rice or noodles (egg noodles are good) and top each serving with 2 TBSP of yogurt or in any amount desired, I usually just put a good spoonful on top of the goulash. You can also just add grated parmesan cheese over the top if you are looking for that extra flavor.

Each serving provides approximately 235 calories, 13 g of protein, 2 g of fat, 0 sat. fat, 43 g carbohydrates, 521 mg sodium and 1 mg of cholesterol.

A new semester begins, with some new habits to boot

My final full semester of school begins today. I am taking four courses, all of which I am actually quite excited about.

I have research class, which hopefully despite the extra work will be more rewarding this semester with my new direction, community building.

I have a movement class which talks about how different movements affect the body/mind/spirit's health. Oooh, I can only hope that means we will be getting out of our chairs during class time.

I'll be doing an independent study on how art affects the health of an individual, a community and the world, as well as exploring different forms of art on my own (a self-study). I will also address the bigger question, "What is the purpose of art?"

My last class will be at the Cultural Wellness Center and it is called Organization for Social Change. I'm stoked for it. My biggest reason for going into my field of holistic health studies is because I believe EVERYBODY should have access to good health and there are ways we can do it without having to rely on insurance companies and medical doctors. We can take care of ourselves! Woo hoo :)

Additionally, I will be continuing with training in Beginning Yoga I and II, which will be great learning but also great self-care for the semester.

It will be busy but I am excited for some movement this cold winter.

Beyond the exciting news of the classes I am taking I wanted to come on here and be open about some goals I am trying to meet on the side of academics. I feel by sharing this news it will further my dedication to these goals.

Number One: Become a Vegetarian.
It's already been three days meat-free and I have to say I am feeling fine. I am looking forward to this challenge of eating a nutritionally balanced vegetarian diet. After basically being a flexitarian my whole life, I am making the final plunge and letting go of meat-eating for awhile. I will assess my health and see if it is a good choice for me along the way.

How I came to this decision?

1. Recent discussion with my pal who just went vegan. Thanks Ash, for the inspiration.

2. Listening to exerpts from the book, Slaughterhouse. The cruelty of animals in factory farming just killed me. There was one part where a factory worker was describing just before a pig was to be slaughtered. He said it came up to him and nudged up against the worker like a puppy. For some reason after hearing all of the horrific ways these animals are being killed and treated, hearing about this pig described as a puppy begging for forgiveness made my stomach turn. It also made me want to adopt a pig and have it as a pet. I'm working on this one with Jay.

3. My connection to Buddhism, long ago instilled a wish inside me to follow the vegetarian ways of life. It is much better on the environment, the animals and the world.

4. This decision will further my want/need to pursue gardening.

Number two: Kick the refined sugar, flour and what have you.
We'll see how this one goes. For some reason sugar has been the ultimate hardest thing for me to let go, and it is addictive as hell. While I have periods of no-sugar I have not given it up for more than a couple weeks. I'd like to at least go a month greatly reducing refined/processed foods in my life and see what happens. I figured this would be a necessary pairing with my choice to be a vegetarian because many vegetarians eat sugary, processed, white bread products to keep awake because they may lack protein.

Number three: Get back on the treadmill.
My 12 times a month to the Y have looked more like me stopping by and laying in the hot sauna for 20 minutes and then calling it a workout. I need to get my body moving. I always feel better when I do.

Number four: Take more public transportation.
I am going to try taking more PT to school (baby steps). So when I attend classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, I will try my best to take PT or carpool. I talk about being environmentally conscious and I'd like to incorporate this piece more in my daily habits.

Those are the some things I am going to really work on in addition to school and life in general. While it will be challenging for me, I am excited at the prospect of feeling more energized and in line with my beliefs/principles.

Food, Inc.

Do you like scary movies? Whether you do or don't, Food, Inc. is an astonishing movie that paints the picture of what our food production/processing has become in America--down right scary. This movie impacts anyone who eats in America...(so everybody). Therefore, all people must, must, MUST watch this movie, chances are it will change your life. I know I will never look at a chicken breast the same after learning more about them. Yuck! Let me just recommend that you don't watch the movie after a day of eating lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and then a dinner consisting of a big chunk of pork schnitzel. Oops. I rarely eat meat, but of course on the day I watched Food, Inc. I indulged twice.

Last year I saw King Corn which is an eye-opener about the overproduction of corn and the abundance of corn hidden in our food and diet. I made lots of changes to my diet after viewing this movie and I didn't think I needed to see Food, Inc. because I knew it shared a similar message. However, I am so glad I saw Food, Inc.! If I had to choose between only seeing one of those films Food, Inc. has a greater impact. The movie provides images of the production of meat and arresting information that really woke me up for good to the disgusting culture our farmers have had to adapt to in order to make it within the meat industry. It also touches on some of the corn issues that are addressed in King Corn. The movie also provides more motivation to join the organic and grass-fed movement. After watching those poor animals and the condition of the food we are eating I have officially vowed to not eat another piece of meat unless it is grass-fed or locally produced. I'm serious about it this time. Now I will call in an order to The Grass Fed Cattle Company when I have a hankering for a chunk of meat. When I want some eggs for breakfast, Farmer's market here I come! Otherwise its abstinence for me.

Moral of the post: Seriously, GO. RENT. IT. NOW. Heck, buy it so that when your future children want to watch something ridiculous from the old times or learn from history, they can see what messed up times their parents lived in. The movie at least gives me hope that each and every day we are getting closer to waking up collectively, I have no doubt one day this nation will finally wake up and realize that we've got it all backwards and we're doing all the wrong things and need to start changing. We're getting there...slowly.

Here is a link to the trailer, (the trailer doesn't do any justice to the movie, the movie is way better, but I wanted to provide some multimedia/visual to get you rolling and reeling like me).

Have you maybe seen Food, Inc. or are already on board with its message and want to do something about it? Go to www.takepart.com/foodinc to learn ways you can make a difference.

Here is a sneak peek list of ten ways you can change our food system:
1) Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.
2) Eat at home instead of eating out.
3) Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
4) Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
5) Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week. (Or more than one day...)
6) Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
7) Protect family farms; visit your local farmer's market.
8) Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
9) Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
10)Demand job protection for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.

Eat out a lot? Make better choices about where you eat. Here is a link to restaurants that are local/organic in the twin cities.