1 1/2 lb ground beef or chicken
1 medium onion (chopped)
28 oz tomatoes (no sodium)
2 cups water
3 cans consomme (or broth low sodium)
1 can tomato soup (or paste)
4 carrots (or less)
1 bay leaf (or more)
3 celery sticks chopped
parlsey
8 T. barley (or combination of other cooked lentils/beans)
any other vegetables
1/2 tsp. thyme
pepper

Brown meat and onions. Drain and rinse, pat dry. Put all other ingredients in large pot, simmer, covered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

This recipe is from Grace L. and is delicious and easy. Also freezes well.

Posted on March 12th, 2011 by neslyn
Filed under: Soups | No Comments »

If you are looking for a fast and portable breakfast or snack try this:

1 package instant oatmeal (or 1/2 cup quick oats)
In a zip lock bag put any of the following:
- chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans)
- raisins
- chopped dates
- unsweetened coconut
- wheat germ
- flax seed
- pathway
- quinoa
- spices (cinnamon, nutmeg)

If you are staying in a hotel, you can get hot water from the coffee machine, bring a small plastic bowl or just the coffee cup. Put the oats and nut mixture in bowl and add hit water until desired consistency. Most hotels have spoons and sweetener in the room. This is a quick, easy, healthy and cheap meal.

Posted on March 12th, 2011 by neslyn
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I got this receipe from a friend at the YMCA . She actually brought me a sample to try and I really liked it and wanted to share it with you. If you like curry you should try this. Enjoy !!

2 tbsp veg oil, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1 onion finely chopped, 2 green chilies seeded and chopped, 2 tsp ginger finely minced, 2 tsp finely minced garlic, 3/4 tsp ground cumin, 3/4 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp garam masala(opt), 2 tsp tomato paste, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp tumeric, 1 cup diced can tomatoes (fresh are great too), 1/2 tsp salt, 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed, 4 cups chopped swiss chard.

Heat oil med heat and cook cumin seeds until they start to pop(1 min). Add onion & chilies and cook 10 mins or until translucent.Add ginger & garlic. Cook 1 min. Add cumin & coriander. Cook 2 mins. Add garam masala(If using). Cook 1 min. Add paste, cayenne and tumeric. Cook 1 min.

Add tomatoes & salt and cook, stirring until softened. Stir in 1 1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil. Add chickpeas. Reduce and simmer for 10 mins. Stir in swiss chard and simmer until tender. 3 to 4 mins

This makes 4 servings.   The next time I make this I think I will try adding chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal and not just a side.

Posted on February 27th, 2011 by neslyn
Filed under: Lunch | No Comments »

Veggie chilli

1 cup t.v.p. & 1 cup boiling water. Let stand 10 mins.

Add

1-2 tsp cumin, 1-2 tsp italian seasoning, 1 tbsp chilli powder, 1-2 chopped garlis cloves (you can sub garlic powder if you prefer), 1 can black beans(kidney beans are great too), 1 jar spaghetti sauce, 1 can diced tomatoes(spiced ones add even more flavor).

Simmer and add any veggies you like. I use

Onions, mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, green and or red pepper, shredded carrots, spinach.If you like heat add 1 jalepeno pepper or some hot sauce. Simmer until the veggies are soft. Season to taste…….Enjoy !!!

NOTE: Watch the sodium and added sugar in the spaghetti sauce. We would suggest using 1 small can of tomato paste and 1med can of tomato sauce instead( drain 1 can of tomatoes and mash them until smooth instead of the sauce , another option…)

Posted on February 23rd, 2011 by neslyn
Filed under: Full Meals, Lunch | No Comments »

I got this receipe from a friend who enjoys soup as much as I do. It is quick and easy. I hope you try it !!

You will need…

2 tbsp veg oil, 1cup chopped onion, 1 tbsp chopped ginger, 2 tbsp mild curry paste,4 cups peeled and diced sweet potato, 2 cups peeled and diced granny smith apples, 6 cups veg broth, 1/2 cup light  coconut milk.

In a large pot heat oil and saute onions.Stir in ginger and curry paste and saute 1 min. Add the sweet potato and apples and saute 2 mins . Add veg broth and bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer 20 mins or until soft. Remove and puree. Return to pot and add coconut milk (I used the whole can). Simmer for 5 more minutes.Salt and pepper to taste

This is great as is or you can add cooked rice , cooked pasta, cooked chicken or shrimp, veggies or anything else you like.

Enjoy !!!!

Posted on January 23rd, 2011 by neslyn
Filed under: Lunch, Soups | No Comments »