Super Nutrient Kale Lentil Soup

This is a revised version of our family's favorite soup which is very good and I have blogged it before. (see original recipe here: http://www.cancerrd.com/Recipes/lentilkalesoup1.htm ) My KIDS love this soup and REQUEST it often.  Here is what I did today:


Super nutrient Kale & Lentil Soup:
2 large Leeks rinsed and coined
4 whole Carrots (not baby) rinsed and coined
1 med-large Sweet Potato diced
1 cup brown Lentils
12 cups water
1 veggie broth cube
1 teas Mrs Dash no salt seasoning
1 teas Pink Himalayan Salt
1 pkg SOY sausage (I used Trader joe's Chorizo - which is nice and SPICY :)
1 large bunch Green Curly Kale chopped or torn (dont use stems)
1 pkg sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms

Saute leeks, carrots, sweet potatoes in a small amount of water.  Add lentils, seasonings and water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to med-low.  Crumble in soy sausage. Add mushrooms and Kale.  Reduce to low and simmer at least one hour - but the longer you let this stuff bubble away the better and better it tastes!!

chocolate green smoothie

This did NOT sound very appetizing to me when I first read the recipe. BUT I gave it a try - cause I am searching for more whole food, plant based, High nutrient recipes. 

Imagine my surprise when this was ACTUALLY yummy - huh :)

Green Chocolate Smoothie:
(serves 1 - could be doubled)
1 hand-full, baby organic spinach (about 5oz)
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 banana
2 pitted medjool dates (easily found in bulk section)
1 teas unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup light chocolate soy or almond milk

Blend this up really, really well and it comes out a nice milkshak-y consistency.  The dates are very sweet - I may only use one the next time I try this :) 

It's raining THEATER!

Wow - its been a super busy, crazy theater filled life these past few weeks!!

Into The Woods closed last weekend - what a fun show that is!  I had a pretty small part in this production - so I had lots of time to help with building the set and once we opened helping other cast mates with their quick changes and makeup.  It reminded me how much I enjoy those sorts of creative outlets - arts and crafts, building, painting, makeup etc.  I need to find more ways to be creative in my life!

During our second week of production I had the pleasure of directing a Staged Reading for the annual Fertile Ground Festival in Portland.  Its a festival of new works of art (visual, dance, theater, musicals etc) that runs 10 days in Jan every year.  Its a festival that is gaining momentum and every year it is bigger & better!  I am so pleased to have been a part of it!!

I've also had a plethora of auditions in the past couple of weeks.  I auditioned for the musical You're A Good Man Charlie Brown.  I love this show - I played Snoopy in high school and it remains one of my favorite theater memories.  The script was revised and expanded for a Broadway revival in 1999 and has a bunch of new music -  its fantastic!  I got the part of Sally and even though we just started I am having a BLAST at rehearsals so far!

I also got called in to audition for Imago Theater in Portland.  I had sent my resume to this company some time ago - so it was quite a thrill to be chosen for an audition.  I felt it went well - but the style of the theater is very avant guard, whimsical, edgy, experimental and alternative.  Think - David Mamet meets Cirque de Soliel.   (no idea how that is spelled!)  Anyway - I didn't get a call back (yet:) for that show - but I hope to have the opportunity to audition for them again!

Yesterday I had the chance to participate in a singing 'Salon' with some of Portland's finest voices.  Its quite an honor to be included and once you are 'in' on the salons it becomes a 'soft audition' of sorts.  Lots of sharing, feedback and a very relaxed and encouraging atmosphere!  What a neat experience!!  I sang two pieces and it went very well! The gal 'in charge' made a point of saying how she was looking forward to working with me in the future - that is a very good sign!!  This group puts together some pretty fantastic professional Cabaret shows at a very cool venue in Portland.  Fingers crossed!!!

And finally!  I have started teaching an acting class for adults with one of the local community theaters here in Vancouver.  Its the kind of class I have always wanted to teach - and I am having a good time with it!  It is so rewarding to pass on the things you have learned and see others grow in their craft!  Also, I have a potential job offer from a theater school in West Linn (suburb of Portland) and am waiting to hear back on that - so exciting!!  If I get it - I will be teaching weekend seminars for advanced teen actors in the summer - how cool is that?!

So thats all the theater going on right now for me!  whew!  I'd say that was all - but Hannah is still plugging away with the Junior Symphony of  Vancouver and rapidly growing into a find cellist.  She is also now first chair in her school orchestra :)  And Eric is back in the Pit playing guitar for New Century Players upcoming "Hairspray!".  So between the three of us - there is not one day a week without somekind of rehearsal!!

I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Forks over Knives

We just watched this documentary the other night and I cant stop thinking about it!  There was so much information that I had to watch it again - and I even bought the book!  Basically its a preventative approach to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other common killers in North America.

The idea is to focus more (or even entirely) on a Plant-based, Whole foods diet.  Thats it.  No pills, potions, and moderate exercise and sleep.  Basically eat 90% (or more) of your foods from things that are plant-based (fruit, veggies, grains, legumes & nuts) and 10% or less from dairy, fish and meat. 

Since I don't eat much, if any red meat and pork anyway - for me this is a pretty simple and enlightening prospect.  I've been reading so much about the benefits of organic produce and wanting to incorporate that more into our day to day living anyway so this is a good fit!  I highly recommend this documentary - available on Netflicks.

Tonite made a recipe that I have made before (usually using lean ground turkey) but this time subbing in tofu instead.  Everyone (except Thaniel) thought the tofu version was even tastier!  Give it a try!

Tofu & Mushroom Asian Style Lettuce Wraps

(this is enough for 4 hungry adults - you could half or double depending on your needs)

In an electric skillet or Large non-stick pan dry fry:
1/2 med onion diced
1 pkg (about 2 cups) mushrooms diced (I used baby bellas but white button would be fine too)
2 pkgs extra firm silken tofu drained and rough chopped
2 cans sliced water chestnuts drained and chopped
1/2 cup raw walnuts chopped
1 bunch cilantro rinsed and chopped


1 teas chinese mustard
1 tbs (or to taste) chili sauce
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

1 teas hot chilli oil with peanut (optional but good - find this in an Asian grocery)

heat over med until tofu breaks up and mushrooms are cooked through (about 10mins) Mix together mustard, chilli sauce, oil (if using) and soy sauce.  Pour over tofu mixture and stir to combine.

Serve with large green leaf lettuce or iceburg lettuce leaves.  I leave the soy sauce and chilli sauce on the table for anyone who wants it saltier or spicier.

AMAZING. EASY. YUMMY xxxxxx
.

It's beginning to look alot like . . .

My cell phone takes really crappy pictures.  Unfortunately Nathaniel has absconded the real camera as he is really into 'stop motion' recently.  Anyway, you will just have to take my word for it that it looks pretty!  I just love decorating for Christmas - wish I had more money and time to devote to it. But then again - making do sometimes forces us to be more creative :)

Hope you and yours have a warm, cheerful and peaceful Christmas season.  Many blessings!

no-knead bread

yep,  I feel like I am the last person on earth to try this - but try it I did! And it was GOOD!

here's the link - I meant to take my own pictures but it didn't last long enough :) :)

http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Recipe--Knead-Whole-Wheat-Bread-2855780

Candy Chicken?

this is the BEST crockpot recipe for chicken.  ever. 


http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html


my husband and kids have asked for this again and again.  try it!!