Recipe Share - Vegetarian - Mushroom Spinach Quinoa Bowl

Are you ready for a delicious, healthy, and simplistic plant-based lunch or dinner idea? I'm going to start sharing more. I've been coming up with the tastiest treats for myself and figure I should share the love. I've never been a huge fan of meat, sticking to mostly chicken and fish. Over the past 10 years or more I would suddenly be grossed out by meat of any kind and omit it from my diet for a while. Lately, I have had little desire for meat, so I'm focused on creating more tasty, nutrient-filled, plant-based dishes.

Quinoa! What is not to love about quinoa?! It has become a staple in my pantry, unfortunately just for me, not the rest of my family. They still dig rice, but I'd choose quinoa over rice any day. It substitutes rice perfectly all while being a super food with all kinds of super powers.

Today's lunch I tossed together based on what I had. I boiled the quinoa in vegetable broth rather than water for some extra flavor and I added turmeric for extra health benefits. Be sure to add some black pepper to help your body absorb the turmeric. I pretty much try to add turmeric to anything I can (especially soups!). It gives it a beautiful golden color and offers too much to get into.You can read about the Benefits of Turmeric here.

So! Quinoa amped up with turmeric and pepper. While those little rascals are simmering away, it's time to chop and saute your veggies. What I had today was mushrooms, red onion, garlic, and spinach. I used avocado oil, my current favorite oil for cooking. I use a lot of coconut oil for all kinds of things, but I absolutely love the avocado oil. It is great for high heat and has no flavor, but who wouldn't want some avocado flavor in your food?

I chopped the mushrooms and onions and added them with minced garlic to my heated cast iron skillet. 

After a few minutes I tossed in a few handfuls of spinach. Don't be shy! They wilt up to be small so throw those handfuls in liberally!

I topped my bowl of quinoa and veggies off with some Himalayan sea salt and added a teaspoon of pesto. Some pesto has dairy in it, so be sure to check labels if you are vegan or you stay away from dairy.

I just made the one bowl for lunch. I have enough left for another meal, plus quite a bit more of the quinoa by itself. I can pop it in the fridge and use it in a soup, salad, or another veggie dish.

Add in whatever veggies you have on hand. Let me know if you try it and what you think!

Quinoa

2 cups Vegetable Broth

1 cup Quinoa

1-2 tsp Turmeric

several cracks from the pepper grinder

Vegetable Saute

1 Tbsp Avocado Oil (or oil of your choice)

3-4 handfuls Mushrooms, chopped

1/4 Red Onion, chopped

1 Tbsp Garlic, minced

3-4 handfuls Spinach

1 tsp Pesto

dash of sea salt

Bring Vegetable Broth to a boil. Add rinsed Quinoa. Return to boil and simmer on low for 15 minutes, covered.

While Quinoa is simmering, heat a skillet with oil to medium to medium-high. Saute Mushrooms, Onion, and Garlic until onions are almost transparent. Add spinach and saute until spinach is cooked but not completely wilted.

Add quinoa to your dish and top with veggies. If you like, add your pesto and mix together along with your sea salt.

Eat it. Enjoy it. Love it.

Dear Little Sister

Little sister,

When you couldn't reach dishes from the cabinet, I would grab them for you. 

When you couldn't pronounce the words right, I would speak them for you. 

When you weren't sure what to wear, I would put it together for you.

When you were in trouble, I handled it for you.

When you were hungry, I cooked for you.

When you were offended, I raised Hell for you.

When you needed a ride, I drove you.

When there was a spider, you killed it. You know how I feel about spiders, there is no way I could help you there.

Tonight I sit with my stomach in knots for you. I sit and worry for you. I sit and think positive for you and conjure up peace for you.

Tomorrow is a big day for you. It's a scary day but, a hopeful and exciting day. I feel like I should be camped out at the hospital for a week in case you need something. I wish I could shoo this thing away. I wish I could call it's mother and tell it off for you. I wish I could ease all your worry and all of your pain. I wish I could drive you away from it and keep you safe from it. I wish I could bring dad to you.

You are strong and brave and been down a long road already. Keep going strong. Finish strong and show it who's boss. I'll see you in a few days.

I love you, Little Sister. I'm in your corner, cheering you on, where I always have been.

Love, 

your Big Sister.

 

Simple is Best - Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas, Caffeine and Freckles readers!

This has been the most simplistic Christmas, ever. I am in love with it.  

I dreaded the holiday as it approached. It brought me down a few times. Way down.

Christmas is a love-hate relationship for me. My husband says I've been like this since my father passed away. He may have a point, but I'm too stubborn to say so. There is so much love going around this time of year that it's hard not to fall into the sadness pit about all the love you miss. The hugs you won't get from the loved ones that aren't here, the smiles you won't see. You gotta feel your sad though to appreciate the happy. 

I hate the rush and the pressure. I hate all the consumerism. I hate the worry. I hate the push to be busy when all I want to do is be free but, this year I have had such a clear view of what I love. 

I love the time with family and friends. I love the expression of appreciation. I love the beautiful lights. I love pulling out the ornaments and the flood of memories and nostalgia that come with them. I love thoughtful gifts and special treats. I love the Christmas tree. I love watching my children's eyes light up at all the magical parts of this time of year. Oh, and I love gingerbread lattes too.

It was last minute mind you  but, usually when I am dreading the build up of something, I end up embracing it fully when it finally shows up. The magic of the Christmas season is all around us.

I always worry about the shopping. This year though, Amazon was a dazzling armored knight.  I ordered most of the gifts, free two day shipping from Amazon. No lines, no driving, I didn't even have to get dressed.

Last night was Christmas Eve, we have spent it with my mom's side of the family every year since I was a little girl. A simple dinner, one gift for each person (we're a small group), a Bloody Mary, and a good time. The cousins played and adults chattered. It was warm and relaxing and we were home before it got too late.

Tomorrow will be my husband's side of the family. A nice dinner, gift exchange, and spending time together. Three days of Christmas. We see everyone with no rush. We don't have to drive far and we still have a full day at home. I'm looking forward to Granny's baked chicken and seeing Auntie Lacy tomorrow.

This Christmas has a few firsts for us. This is the first Christmas we have stayed home all day AND not hosted.

This has to be the best year so far. The kids got up at their own pace. We saw what Santa brought and exchanged gifts. The kids got to play with their new stuff while I made coffee in my robe.  The man took off to pick up the older kids and when they got back it was time for Christmas breakfast. This year was french toast.  

There was no rush, no pressure, no worry. We did our tradition of Christmas letters that they each read aloud to brag about everything we are proud of them for and we gobbled up french toast and juice. Dominique LOVES the letters.

I have beans in the crock pot for our Christmas dinner, tostadas, beans, and rice, plus a whole organic chicken slow cooking away, at my daughter's request. I cleaned up the breakfast mess and randomly took a hot bath. No rush, no pressure. 

I've been slowly sipping on a bottle of vino since noon. I mean I'm using a wine glass and all, but it's slow sippin' and buzz surfing.  My dear friend, Kinisha calls it "The Slow Grind".  Slowly grind on that wine all day. It's a slow, natural feeling buzz. :-) It's a winner. Merry Christmas, Kisha!

The man is checking out his new headset for his game, the kids are riding new bikes, and playing with new toys, the dog is napping, and I'm doing my favorite thing....whatever I want! 

No rush, no pressure, no travel, no worry. I love the music, the wine, the kids, the freedom.I love these new leggings I'm wearing that I found at Old Navy for half off. It's a perfect day.  It feels good to be home. I feel truly relaxed and the chicken smells amazing. It feels like therapy.

Keep the focus on what really matters. Love, shelter, dreams, and ambition.

Happy holidays and Merry whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate to all of you. Soak in the love and carry it into the new year.

-Caffeine and Freckles

 

Spicy Curry Vegetable Soup

It's soup season (my favorite)!

I don't have many vegetable lovers in the house besides myself. Actually, there is only one other than myself. So when I make a pot of this hearty stew-like soup I end up with enough lunches for several days, plus I share some with friends. 

I make this soup quite a bit, however, it never comes out the same as I change up the ingredients a little to keep it interesting.

Last time I added lentils and chickpeas, other times I use white beans or butternut squash. Quinoa is a great addition as well as zucchini and kale. You can make it simple, or a complex variety of veggies. This is the simple version.

I use a lot of garlic! It's healthy and delicious, plus it adds to the spice. I do not measure spices, so let loose and see what happens.  I use a good amount of turmeric.  I love the color and the health benefits. Garam Masala is a strong taste, so you may want to stick with about a teaspoon. The curry is wonderful, just add it to suffice your personal preference.

Here's what went down this time...

2-3 Tbs olive oil

2-3 Tbs garlic, minced

1/2 white onion, chopped 

1 box Vegetable Broth

1 can diced tomatoes in tomato sauce

1 yellow squash, quartered and chopped 

2 handfuls baby portobello mushrooms

3 handfuls of cabbage, chopped
Turmeric

Garam Masala

Curry Powder
Black Pepper
Sea Salt
A pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
A splash of Tapatio

Chop all your veggies and open all your cans to prepare.

Heat the olive oil on medium-high heat and brown the garlic and onion until onions are translucent.

Turn heat to high and add vegetable broth, bringing to a boil.

Once boiling, add tomatoes, squash, mushrooms, and cabbage. Bring to boil again.

Add seasonings and simmer for another 5 minutes or so, just to get all the flavors linked together.

Sometimes I've added a bit of water to the broth (or more broth) when it appears too chunky. I like my soups hearty but, if you like a more soupy soup, use more broth.

The Garam Masala and Curry Powder give this soup a rich Indian style taste.  The beauty of this recipe is that you can add or change any ingredients.  You can even ditch the curry taste and go with a more plain flavor, ditching the spice, or use chicken broth instead.  If you make bone broth, this is a great place to use it!

I like the spice.  I love the chunky vegetables and the healthy spices.

Let me know if you try it. I'd love to hear what items you added or changed.

Enjoy!

Recipe Share - Portobello Spinach Enchiladas (Freezer Meal Friendly)

These enchiladas happened spontaneously a few weeks ago when I needed to use some left over crockpot chicken. 

I decided to make chicken enchiladas and freeze them for another night. 

I also had a ton of baby portobellos that needed to be used ASAP. There are only two veggie lovers in our house so I made one tray of chicken enchiladas and one tray of veggie enchiladas to freeze.

I used whatever I had on hand. I was skeptical about how they would turn out, but was pleasantly surprised this evening when I thawed and baked them for dinner tonight.

Here's what I used:

1 package of Baby Portobellos

Corn Tortillas 

1 can organic Black Beans

1 small can Green Chilis 

1/2 Red Onion

3 handfuls of Spinach

Cumin

Chili Powder

Smoked Paprika

Garlic powder

I probably used some turmeric 

2 small cans of Hot Enchilada Sauce

Garlic Olive Oil

I think those are all the spices I used 😳 It has been a few weeks now, I hope I'm remembering them all.

1. Start off by tossing the mushrooms with oil and garlic powder and placing them on a baking sheet.  I used garlic olive oil. I baked them at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. While they are roasting, cut your red onion into whatever size you prefer and drain and rinse your beans.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the mushrooms, onion, black beans, spinach, Chilis, and seasoning. I don't measure with seasonings, so don't be shy, sprinkle it on, taste it, and add some more if you like. 

3. I try to avoid the microwave when possible, but I typically wrap the tortillas in a damp towel and nuke them for a minute or more so that they are soft and bendy for rolling. While the tortillas are getting bendy 😊, pour enough sauce in your baking dish (or disposable freezer tray) to cover the bottom of the dish/tray. 

4. Spoon about 2 large spoonfuls of the mixture into each tortilla and roll. Place each roll in the sauce covered pan. Once you pan is full, pour remaining sauce over the top to wet each enchilada.

If you are not going to freeze, add cheese and bake in the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

If you are going to freeze, I suggest adding the cheese when you are ready to cook, only because you may want to put them in before they are fully thawed, and you don't want your cheese getting too crispy.

I thawed mine by setting them on the counter for a majority of the day. Easy dinner night!

I served it with rice and I'll be sharing the left overs with a few friends for lunch tomorrow.

What's your go-to freezer meal?

-Caffeinated and Freckled 

 

Recipe Share - Indian Style Chickpeas

I LOVE Indian food. 

I throw curry into just about anything and use turmeric whenever I can to take advantage of its many health benefits.

I threw together this quick dish of chickpeas and they turned out wonderful so I thought I would share. It was the perfect hot dish on a quiet, rainy day. I have read a few similar recipes on Pinterest and decided to add my own touch.

I cheated and used some canned items. I'm sure it would taste that much more delicious with dried chickpeas and fresh tomatoes.

This way is quick and takes just one skillet. I like using my cast iron skillet to add more iron to the food. 

1 can of chickpeas

1 can of diced tomatoes

2 Tablespoons of minced garlic

2-3 handfuls of mixed power greens

Turmeric

Garam Masala

Curry Powder

Ground Cumin

Onion Powder (because I was out of onions)

Sea Salt

Pepper

1. Heat your choice of oil in a pan. I used avocado oil. Add your chickpeas, tomatoes, and garlic. Simmer and stir occasionally until blended well. (Just a few minutes)

2. Add your seasonings. I basically did a dash of each, but went heavier on the curry and turmeric. Continue to stir and heat until most of the liquid (from canned tomatoes) is gone.

3. Add your handfuls of greens and gently push them around so that they heat. As soon as they start to wilt is when I turn my heat off, so that they do not become super wilted.

That was literally it. It was ready to enjoy. 

I was thinking cilantro and ginger would be a great addition to this dish.

You can always make a larger batch, and freeze some for another day. 

Let me know if you try it!

Enjoy!

-Caffeine and Freckled 

The Light

We are light.

We follow light.
We run from light.
We create light,
and extinguish light.

We bathe in light.
We hide from light.
We are inspired by light,
and we are blinded by light.

We cherish light.
We abuse light.
Light burns inside,
and light brightens outside.

Light brings peace.
Light brings fear .
Light is yours,
and what you make of it, dear.

Light is you and I. 

Light is night and day.
Light is ideas, goals, and dreams.
Light is failure, pain, and grief.

Light is your abandoned past,
and light is the open road ahead.

Light brings you home.
Light leads you astray.
Light speaks to you,
and tells you the way.

Light is scary.
Light is real.
Light is dark,
when you refuse to feel.

We breath light.
We drink light.
We dream of light.

Live light.