Category: misc

Personally! – Keeping Healthy Food Simple

Earlier this year I was inspired by the post Five Life Lessons I Learned in 2012 from Kristi at Addicted 2 Decorating .  In her posts she occasionally shares  a glimpse of her personal life including her husband’s health issues and their effort for a healthier lifestyle.

My family has made major changes over the past year toward a healthier lifestyle, but I was determined to do better in 2013!  But I realized if I was going to make this a reality I had to keep my food simple.  I just was not going to make a gourmet meal every night!  Anyone else feel the same way?

So here’s a couple of VERY simple meals I’ve had this week and a couple of tips.

Sauteed Mushrooms & Onions on a Veggie Burger with Steamed Spinach

veggie burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions with steamed spinach

The veggie burger is store bought.  Simple.  Read your labels.  They are not all made the same.  This vegetable burger ingredient label reads like the description of a salad!!   The spinach is fresh and steamed in the microwave for about 1 minute.  That’s it.

healthy sauteed mushrooms and onions

I sauteed fresh mushrooms and onions in vegetable broth, no oil, no butter.  I added garlic and to keep things simple, I use the pre-minced garlic.  Did you know mushrooms and onions have great cancer-fighting nutrients?

veggie burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions

The bun is a multigrain sandwich round lightly toasted in the oven.  I did put a little vegan mayonaise on it for added flavor and moisture.  And I definitely should have added some yummy sliced tomatoes to this.  I also added mustard for a little kick.  I could have left of the veg mayo for sure.

It took about 20 minutes to get this meal on the table for my family.

And the good old standby Peanut Butter & Jelly with an Apple.

pbj and apple lunch

Again not all breads, peanut butters and jellys are made the same, so read your labels!  This is a great meal at home and especially when you are going to be out.  I had one day this week were I was out running errands all day from 9:30 to 5:30 and I packed this lunch to take on the road with me.

I have a what I think is an unusual way of slicing my apples.  I had a friend from Washington State, home of the apple, that makes fun of me for cutting them this way.  She says I’m wasting too much apple, but it takes me seconds.

I slice off the sides. Yes, to me an apple has four sides.  🙂 And then slice each side as thin or thick as I want.  I don’t like biting into apples so this is my quick solution.

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how to slice an apple

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how to slice an apple

I hope your are having wonderful success with your January goals!

Valentine and Six Other Stampin’ Up! Specials – Check them out now!

Enjoy, Julie

Family Sunday: Prayer

Doesn’t this picture just melt your heart? This is my 1-1/2 yo granddaughter Siena kneeling for prayer with her mom and dad. I just thought this was the sweetest picture!  Look at those adorable curls on top of her head and the darling little folded arms and precious little toes curled up underneath her.

Years ago when my son was not quite 3, we went to a birthday party for a friend’s son, and he insisted that we pray before we ate the cake. It was pretty funny and one of my favorite memories from his childhood. (He’s now 21!)

I think there is something extra special about children praying.

Happy Sunday! Julie

creamy vegan broccoli soup

Personally! – A Plant-Based Diet for 2013

Like everyone else on the planet, I have ‘lose weight’, ‘be health’, ‘get fit’ goals for 2013 which includes a plant-based diet.  I also have other goals for 2013 such as financial goals, so one of the new features you will see on my blog is the ‘Personally!’ series.  On Saturday, I’ll post a new ‘Personally!’ update that will include some of my non-stamping thoughts, projects and progress.  I hope you will join in and share your goals for 2013 and your struggles and successes!

Why am I including this on a stamping blog?  Because I’m hoping that we can encourage each other on our journeys to feeling better, being better and loving better!  I think life is a continuous improvement proposition.  So let’s continuously improve together, shall we?!

creamy vegan broccoli soup

For years, I have read about the benefits of a plant-based diet and on occasion I have pursued that eating regimen.  This past year my husband, a long-time Adkins fan and huge meat eater, adopted the plant-based lifestyle with fantastic results.  My daughter and her husband also made the change and look and feel fabulous.  Another friend and husband have made the switch with inspiring results.

For some reason, while I completely and utterly believe in the health benefits of eating wholesome & nutritious fruits, vegetables, legumes and grains, I struggle to make the complete conversion.  But I have had a measured amount of success this year making worthwhile changes to my eating habits and so I’m ready to jump in with both feet and truly give it my all!

Yesterday I made a very healthy Creamy Broccoli Soup!  It was yummy (despite the anemic picture above!)  I followed the recipe found here on allrecipes.com pretty closely with a very few exceptions.

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 5 cups vegetable broth, divided
  • 2 Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 4-1/2 cups coarsely chopped broccoli
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

I used peeled and diced red potatoes because that’s what I had on hand.  And I used garlic sea salt.  Next time I think I’ll had fresh garlic.  I don’t think you can ever have enough garlic!  Also, I simmered it for a lot longer than the recipe suggested.  Plus I made it in the morning and then reheated it for dinner, which worked out great.  Blending cashews into the soup makes it creamy without adding cream and cheese!

For cooking directions, go to recipe link.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2013?  Leave a comment and let’s inspire each other!

Enjoy, Julie

mds happy birthday summer smooches

Stamping Julie: 2012 Favorites

Here are just a few of my favorite projects from 2012.  I hope you will enjoy this 2012 tour!

Summer Smooch Birthday  – I created the background in My Digital Studio!

summer smooch birthday card

Easter Bunny Punch-Out – Love the bunny topper!

easter bunny punch-out topper

 Kentucky Derby Hat card, with detail pictures, and hat tutorial – I had so much fun with these little hats!!

kentucky derby hat card
 Day On The Lake With Lovely As A Tree – I love a great brayered scene!

day on the lake lovely as a tree thank you
 Reason to Smile Butterfly Art Card – Definitely a favorite project, love the big bold artsy butterfly!

reason to smile butterfly art card

Praying for You – I love the soft serenity of the flowers and colors, especially as my heart is broken by the latest Sandy Hook tragedy in Connecticut.

praying for you sympathy card
Speedy Recovery Card – fussier than my usually preferences, but this was fun!

speedy recovery get well card

Keep Calm & Eat a Cupcake Birthday Card – originally designed by my sister I changed out the greeting and absolutely love that bold sentiment with the detailed frame!

keep calm and eat a cupcake birthday card

Owl Occasions Birthday Wish – I had a ball creating this whimsical number!

owl occasions birthday wish
I have a ton of favorite Halloween and Christmas projects, but those are so recent I thought maybe you would enjoy seeing some of my favorites of the older projects.

HERE’S TO 2012!  So excited for the great possibilities in 2013!  I hope you will join me by subscribing to my newsletter , my blog updates and ‘liking’ my facebook page. 

Enjoy, Julie