Weekend

So everyone in my house is asleep and I planned on heading to bed with B but I just can't seem to motivate myself to wind down when our room is 150 degrees (slight exaggeration, I'll admit). I love 90 degree weather when I'm standing in a pool cradling a margarita, on vacation cradling a margarita or riding through the jungles of Hawaii in a topless Jeep cradling a margarita .... theme here? but when I am cradling a 5 month.old and my condo is 100 degrees that's just stupid.

Seattle is not prepared for this kind of heat- we are 65 degrees and hazy kinda people. I'm not complaining- I love the sun and the heat but I can't stand sleeping in a muggy bedroom and that's what I'm going to get for the 2nd night in a row. Blugghh-Oh! This is supposed to last through Wednesday so we'll see how I fare. I may end up cuddled up on my couch next to the window AC that only cools our living room. One room. :( boo.

As I muddle over this third world problem I am in the process of editing pictures from Isla's 1st swim today at my Aunt and Uncle's pool. She loved it and she donned a leopard print suit my Aunt got her which still makes me giggle. baby says rawwrrrrr..... !!

As I melt over images of this little lady.....she literally stops my heart.... I'll put on my big girl pants and head to my sweltering bedroom. I see more pool time in our future... (like tomorrow :)

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!

xoxo.
S


PS- I couldn't be more in love with this little face.

Meatless Monday: Dad's Fried Rice

Hi Friends!

When I was growing up my Dad was known for his Fried Rice. Keep in mind this is the Americanized version of fried rice...his version has bacon and egg in it. We vegetarianized his recipe with tofu and more veggies. I love this dish with veggie spring rolls you can toss in the oven.

Enjoy!

____________________________________

Dad's FAMOUS Fried Rice

Ingredients:

-Tofu (diced)
-Broccoli (quartered)
-Peas (frozen)
-Onion (diced)
-water chestnuts (diced)
-mushrooms (sliced or diced - your preference)
-4 cups cooked brown rice (or white if you prefer)
-2-3 eggs
-soy sauce
-oil

-In electric skillet cook diced tofu in oil.
-Add mushrooms (I prefer shitakes but use what you like :), peas, chestnuts and cook until brown
-Add 4 cups cooked brown rice
-Add desired amount of soy sauce (I add it through the cooking process- just watch out because it can get too salty)
-Mix 2 or 3 eggs (depends how eggy you want it) with a little bit of milk -- just like you're making scrambled eggs. whisk together. Pour over top of rice mixture and cook.
-When egg is cooked -- serve with chow mein noodles for crunch.

If you want to go the meaty route--just use bacon in place of tofu and the bacon grease adds flavor to the veggies cooking (no oil necessary when cooking veggies). This is a fun recipe to add new ingredients too--try what you like- it's really hard to mess up!

Unique Plus

If you're anywhere NEAR Kirkland stop into Unique Plus kids boutique on Kirkland Ave. They're going out of business and have EVERYTHING in the store (from the shelving to the English/Chinese kids books) 50% off! It's cash only and they're open 10-5:30. They're staying open for a limited time so get on it!

There are so many good deals! I've made two trips and I put myself on restriction from setting foot in there again because I can't help myself! gahhhhh- such a sucker for sales! Check out just a couple of the cute things I got I.Baby :)

 Organic sweater- She can pop that collar this Fall ;)

 I can't wait to get her in this with her big diaper. So cute! They have one-piece versions too!

 PJ's! A lot of their stuff is European brands and/or organic fabrics. Many of the sizes run 0-3, 3-6,6-9,etc so they can really fit in the clothes for quite a while. This is a 6-12 and she should be able to wear it for awhile.

 gahhhh....you stop :)

They have lots of SUPER CHEAP toys for kids. I grabbed 2 of these eco-play doughs for (wait for it)....$1.65 each. Just stop. They also have finger paints, crayons, markers and lots of play dough. Natural nail polish as well! 

Ok, are you sold? Now. go. 

kthanksbye. 

Bridging the Gap

So the other night we had dinner with a longtime friend and his family. He is B's friend from grade school- they practically grew up together! He moved to Bali almost 7 years ago .... fell in love with the place (which I hear is not hard to do :) and also fell head over heels for his lovely wife :)....which equals them making Bali their permanent home. They had a Daughter last May and we have been eager to meet her! When he called to say his job was relocating them to Seattle until December we were thrilled!  

Let me just preface this by giving you the spoiler now...I humiliated myself within 30 seconds of seeing them. That's real.

We met at a local restaurant and mind you we had only met his wife once...two years ago before they were married. We walked into the restaurant and had hugs all around....I wasn't even thinking that in Indonesia they kiss on each cheek so when she kissed my cheek I thought "oh, that was sweet" but when she went for the other one and we ended up nose to nose in a very awkward 'stand - still' moment (those are the MOST AWKWARD) I wanted to bury my head. Fail S! She kindly covered for me and kissed my other cheek.

I should probably also mention that I'm terrible about understanding people with broken English. Terrible. B's really great (which I've determined is a perk from his work!) and usually helps me get by but when I'm on my own I'm hopeless. I'm always like, "I'm sorry, I missed that" or "sorry" and lean in with my ear closer ...like that's going to help! hopeless! We all chatted and I tried to chat with her but it was a bit of a strain solely because of the language barrier. At one point she was admiring Isla, looked at me and said "breastfeeding?" I nodded yes and she said, "that's the best for your baby if you can do it" and then she proceeded to tell me how her Daughter's immunity was built by breastfeeding and we talked about parenting and the differences in Bali. This was the second time in a week where a woman I didn't know well asked if I was breastfeeding Isla and it broke open the conversation. It became the "Harley Wave" for Mom's I meet.

Breastfeeding?
Slight nod
Knowing smile..... (and the conversation takes off)

In that one instant I loved this woman I barely understood.

I realized on this night, as I watched her swoon over my Daughter and hold her close, that no cultural barrier could make us not understand each other as Mothers. I didn't need words to see the love she showered on her Daughter or the devotion she held to our longtime friend (we are so happy he found such love!) Sometimes just watching someone is the best way to go. Eventually the words will come and hopefully a little sarcasm too--but for now, we will remain mamas and aunties to each others babies....and hopefully we pour a foundation to a 'dear friendship.' I would very much love that.

Meatless Monday

I'm all about finding new and creative ways to use all the veggies from our Full Circle box and garden. You can make this as a side dish or a main course with a salad or bread. It's very herby- but really yummy. There are a lot of variations you can make as well....check it out ;)

Zucchini Herb Casserole

Rated: Submitted By: DebiMcG Photo By: homeschooler3 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes Servings: 6

"Celebrate summer with this quick casserole made with zucchini, herbs, cheese, and rice."

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup uncooked long grain white rice 2/3 cup water 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 pounds zucchini, cubed 1 cup sliced green onions 1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/4 teaspoons garlic salt 1/2 teaspoon basil 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomatoes 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Combine the rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes, until rice is tender.
2.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a shallow 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
3.	Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the zucchini, green onions, and garlic 5 minutes, or until tender. Season with garlic salt, basil, paprika, and oregano. Mix in the cooked rice, tomatoes, and 1 cup cheese. Continue to cook and stir until heated through. Transfer to the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
4.	Bake uncovered 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Original Link: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/zucchini-herb-casserole/

Mom Tidbits #5

Yesterday I was in Starbucks in a decaffeinated haze when I snapped my head around after hearing a familiar squeak. I came to realize I am now like one of those well trained dogs who responds to a clicker when I hear Sophie the Giraffe's familiar squeak. oh the joy. 

what's your baby trigger? 

short supply?

As some of you may know I had been battling short supply issues lately with nursing. Isla is still eating every two hours and by the end of the day she just wasn't getting enough to be satisfied before bed. When I pumped to find out what she was getting, it was barely an ounce. eek!

I was able to use some of my frozen milk and have tried EVERY way possible to increase milk supply. I know it's different for every nursing mom but these are the things that worked and didn't work for me- If you read nothing further just print the recipe at the bottom. It's awesome- read on.

1. Let baby nurse frequently, offer both sides, check technique- check, check, check. All good here!

2. Fenugreek- I took the vitamin supplement and noticed a slight difference. I know for one of my girlfriends this made a sudden impact but I didn't have dramatic results.

3. Pump to stimulate more milk production- This did work positively and I still do this in the morning (if Isla wakes up anytime after 5am that is :) I'm usually full in the morning and she only wants to eat on one side before falling asleep with a full tummy. I then get up and pump the other side which is usually 3-4 ounces. I use that milk at night if I'm low! It works well :) You can also pump when there's not actually milk coming out to stimulate your body to think that the baby needs milk at those times.....just pump both sides for the same amount of time.

4. Brewer's Yeast- All of these put together paved the road to my success but Brewer's Yeast did help significantly in my case. I did research on this product and bought this one from Amazon. I read lots of reviews and for how pricey this product is I wanted it to taste good and mix into food well. I have had a lot of luck with this brand and product! I have mixed it into smoothies, salad dressings and cookie dough. I will say--don't expect that this is just going to evaporate into other items- it adds crunch and a little flavor but it's good. Even if you're not nursing this product is considered a super food and really good for you- Hubby likes to enjoy it with me :) After trying Milkmaker's Cookies and seeing a positive change I decided to find a Lactation Cookie Recipe online. Yes, this is a real thing. I made the one below and they were super delish and I've had positive results. Now- I'm not saying to eat a dozen cookies but they may help if you're having similar issues, as I am. They are also a nice gift to a new mom or to a client from a Doula/Midwife.

Lactation Cookies Recipe – Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or margarine (for a healthier option, use coconut oil instead which is super good for you!)
• 1 & 1/2 cups brown sugar (if wanting to reduce sugar, you could try just 1 cup)
• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal (can be found at any local health food store)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional, for flavour)
• 2 cups plain flour (for a healthier option, try substituting with coconut flour, either half or all)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups oats, thick cut if you can get them
• 1 cup or more chocolate chips/sultanas/almonds/macadamia nuts (optional, whatever takes your fancy)
• 2-4 tablespoons of brewers yeast (this is the magic ingredient – not to be confused with bakers yeast or any other yeast)

IMPORTANT! Do not substitute the brewers yeast for any other products or yeasts… that’s the ingredient which makes them work, along with oats. Nutritional yeast and bakers yeast is different. If you don’t notice much of an increase the first time or if you need to increase your supply even more, add more brewers yeast.

Lactation Cookies Recipe – Method

Preparation time is around 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 180C.

• Mix together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes.
• Cream (beat well) margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well.
• Stir flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to the margarine mix. Beat until blended.
• Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips.
• Add to margarine mixture. Stir in oats then chips.
• Scoop or drop onto a greased or lined baking tray. Because the dough is a little crumbly, it might be easier if you use a scoop.

Bake for 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies. This recipe makes heaps – depending on the size you make, you could end up with 5-7 dozen. Cut the recipe in half if you want much less, or make the full amount and either freeze some, or bake half into cookies and save half for cookie dough.

Source: http://www.bellybelly.com.au/breastfeeding/breastmilk-supply-increase-breastmilk-lactation-cookie-recipe#.UcVEaBaOhXI

If you're interested in more variations and info on this recipe and the ingredients check out the source above. There's lots of good info there! 

Enjoy!

xoxo- S

PS- And seriously, in none of these work call your OB for a recommendation to see a Lactation Consultant. The one who did my consultation during my first week with Isla was the key to my breastfeeding success.

ALSO!

When I was looking for advice on my situation a friend who's a Doula sent me info on finding donation milk from other moms. This FB page is an awesome tool and can be a good option while you're figuring out your own milk supply.

https://www.facebook.com/hm4hbWA

5.months&counting

Today is our little lady's 5 month birthday!

She's growing like crazy and I love seeing her fun little personality come out. So many things remind me of myself and so many of my hubby, B. This has been such a fun month from seeing her realize her feet are ticklish to watching her start to notice our dog, Stella. She now plays peek-a-boo and gives out coy smiles. She recognizes people and loves to play on the floor. Yes, her feet are usually in her mouth and our condo is covered in drool but we couldn't be happier! She's our little joy!

Happy 5.months sweet girl!

XO
S

Museum of Flight

We spent Father's Day at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. B and I have been wanting to visit for awhile - especially after they put the shuttle trainer on view. They let Dad's in free for Father's Day so it was kind of a no-brainer! It's also super big with lots of things outdoors to look out (although you do need a separate ticket to get close) so it was perfect for a nice day.

A couple tips to make your visit easier! Especially with little ones :)

1. I preferred to use the Ergo or carry Isla through the museum. There are elevators available so strollers are A-ok! but the Ergo was a lot easier and faster to get through exhibits and crowds.

Ps- if you don't have an Ergo, seriously go get one! They're so easy to get baby into when you're 'on the go' and they're so easy on your back for longer periods of time. I'll do a full review on these at a later time :)

2. Food and Drinks aren't allowed in exhibits. Please note that Starbucks Americano in my hand that I had to dump. It completely.broke.my.heart. Swill your double shot before you go in!

3. You can find a coupon for a regular adult admission here if you download their coupon book. Kids 5 and under are free :)

4. Make sure you check the rules on the website if you want to see a specific exhibit. For the shuttle trainer there is an age requirement and you need to leave your kilt at home. Be warned :)

 ps- this is not the shuttle trainer- just a cool exhibit photo :)

5. This is a teaching museum and they have so many wonderful things for kids from the Lego tables to the Kids area with lots of things to see and touch. I can't wait to take our Littles when they're older!

6. There are separate tickets to see the big planes outside up close and personal as well as the shuttle trainer and several other exhibits. Check out all the info before you go so you only pay for what you have time for. It's a big museum so multiple visits may be necessary!

7. Take lots of pictures and always LOOK UP! The best stuff is over your head :)

Enjoy!

S

Meatless Monday

This is a family favorite and what I'll be making with our halibut tonight. Try it- so yummy!

Photo by: Photography: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Risotto with Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, and Basil

Cooking Light DECEMBER 2003

• Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 4 1/2 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil, divided
• 2 cups chopped leek
• 1 1/2 cups Arborio rice or other medium-grain rice
• 1/3 cup dry white wine

• 1/4 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 5 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, finely diced

Preparation

1. Place vinegar in a small, heavy saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook until slightly syrupy and reduced to 1 tablespoon (about 4 minutes). Set aside.
2. Bring the broth to a simmer in a medium saucepan (do not boil). Keep warm.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add leek; sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Add rice; 
4. cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, and cook 1 minute or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. 
5. Stir in 1 cup broth; cook 5 minutes or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 25 minutes total). Stir in half-and-half, salt, and pepper; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in tomatoes, basil, and cheese. 
6. Place about 1 cup risotto evenly into 6 shallow serving bowls, and drizzle each with 1/2 teaspoon balsamic syrup and 1/2 teaspoon olive oil.

Dads.

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there!

A very happy FIRST Father's Day to my Hubby, B.

Isla is SO lucky to have you! There is nothing as sweet as watching you with our girl.

hands down. nothing.

From those first moments, four short months ago....you couldn't keep your eyes off of her (and who could blame you?!!)......

......to today. We love you B.Daddy! :)

and now a brief message from I.Baby.

That.is.all. xoxo.

S&Isla

Britax B.Agile Stroller & B.Safe Carset Review

So, I've been wanting to review my stroller +carseat combo for awhile but wanted to have enough time bonding with it to do a fair review. Now is the time!

When we were researching strollers pre-Isla we had a very strict 'must-have' list including:

1. Must be compact for our small space (1300 sq. foot condo-eek!)
2. Must be a Car seat + stroller combo (never wake a sleeping baby!)
3. Must be safe.

We checked out all the fancy models and even though I was in love with the Uppababy model I really wanted to stick to the car seat + stroller combo.  Even though the bassinet is so cute I couldn't find the room to store it- maybe with baby #2 when we have a house?!!! I liked the Britax brand and had heard really good things about their strollers online. The Britax I see everyone with is the BReady model. It's big...with big wheels...really sturdy and if I had room for it I may have gone that route but we needed the compact version and I wanted it to be light enough that I could easily toss it in the back of my SUV. I should mention here that I tried the 4Moms Origami stroller and it was REALLY heavy. There was no way I could toss it in my car comfortably. It is super cool that it pops itself up and my Cousin, the small business owner :), tells me that 4Moms is coming out with a lighter version. YAY!!!

We ended up going with the Britax B.Agile Stroller and the B.Safe car seat .

Both models got awesome safety and consumer review. The best part was both are available on Amazon for under $300 TOGETHER! steal!

A little side note: If Amazon says they're on back order you can order them anyways- I did that assuming it'd be a couple weeks and they came within 3 days.

Here's my Pros and Cons list on the combo:

Pros: 

- REALLY light and maneuverable. I was complimented at Starbucks about how well it "cornered" - I felt like I was driving a Cadillac.

-Material is very durable. I have probably spilled 14 Americanos on it already and it's in perfect shape. It cleans up beautifully!

-The hood on the carseat and stroller overlap to cover for an impromptu rain shower (which is SUPER HELPFUL in Seattle!)

- Super compact and SO EASY to fold up. I've caught people with mouths gaping on multiple occasions after I pop Isla's seat into the car and fold the stroller in one motion- you push a button and pull up. Super easy!


Cons: 

- The handle doesn't extend and for tall people like me that makes a difference. It only really bothers me on long walks or when I have a bag attached. My hubby (who's 6'2") doesn't seem to mind it.

-The storage bag on the bottom is a weird angle. It realistically can fit a toy, blanket and some diapers. I hear this is a common issue with strollers. With the Mommy Hook (below) I don't have issues with it too often.

- It can be a bit squirrely if you don't have a tight grip on the handle....this is a side effect of it being so light.

- There is only a full raincover (that I could find) for the stroller without the carseat (when baby hits that  1 year mark) so if you live in a super rainy area this one may not be right for you. I will say, living in Seattle rain, I've never had a problem with it.

Recommended Accessories: 

1. Britax Head & Body Support Pillow (love this name- ha!)

In the beginning Isla was a little slumpy in the carseat and I didn't like stuffing blankets around her head (Hello SIDS) so I bought this Britax newborn positioner. It worked great! Isla was born in January so the fuzziness of it was great. If you have a warm Spring or Summer baby you may want to find a lighter weight positioner. 

2. Britax Stroller Organizer. 

I highly recommend purchasing this organizer at the same time as the Stroller/carseat. I LOVE this thing and it's saved me on multiple occasions. I walk at least 3 times a day--with one car that's just life--and the cup holder is perfect for my iced water and americano. The compartment in the middle has a magnet closure and holds quite a bit--I throw in my keys, wallet, an extra doggie bag and my phone. The only draw back to this is that sometimes the cups don't sit perfectly square but it's smarter to order your tall drink in a grande container anyways so it never bothers me. 

Please also notice.....it holds a bottle of pinot. Just please. Go get it. 

3. The Mommy Hook

Ok, I know that this thing just looks like a big carabiner but seriously it is the MOTHER OF ALL CARABINERS. It has saved me on multiple occasions. I load up so much stuff on this thing it would blow your mind but it's the only way I can get my errands done with one car and possibly a dog in tow. The only caution is to make sure the carseat is on the stroller preloading otherwise the stroller will tip. Been there. done that.

All said and done....I love this Stroller + Carseat combo and would purchase it again in a heartbeat. It's a total steal, so safe, so durable, compact and versatile. I can't say enough good things about it.

obviously..... I'm a big fan (that thing is like Isla's chariot!) :) 

Emergency Kit Updating

So....when Hubby took his GeoSciences credits at the UW and shared what could happen with the BIG earthquake our area will eventually have at some point it scared the pants off me! I put together a 3-day EQ kit based on the FEMA's Website. If you don't have one you should throw something together- just saying! Or at least have an emergency plan in case you're separated from your spouse/kids. Last weekend I realized I had not added baby supplies to our kit. As you can see- Isla and I got to work :) 

FEMA's recommended Baby items are:

For Baby:

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications
• Moist towelettes
• Diaper rash ointment

The link above also has good advice for what to include for pets and printables to put together an emergency plan with the docs you'll need.

Happy Kit updating! 

Meatless Monday

I had to post this after L made it for me last Wednesday- super yummy and perfect for a warm, summer meal (hopefully alfresco!) :) Enjoy!

Taco Salad With Pinto Beans and Avocado

Yunhee Kim

Serves 4

Hands-On Time: 15m

Total Time: 15m

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon  olive oil
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 2  cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cumin
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2  15.5-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed
• 1  head romaine lettuce, leaves torn (about 6 cups)
• 2  ounces  queso fresco, crumbled, or grated Cheddar (about 1/2 cup)
• 1  avocado, sliced
• 1  cup  store-bought fresh salsa
• sour cream and tortilla chips, for serving

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion has softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the beans and ¼ cup water and cook, tossing occasionally, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Top the lettuce with the bean mixture, queso fresco, avocado, salsa, and sour cream. Serve with the tortilla chips.

Tip

Queso fresco is a fresh Mexican cheese with a bright, mild flavor; it has a crumbly texture similar to Feta. You can find it in many supermarkets in the Latin-food section. 

Nutritional Information

Calories 279; Fat 13g; Sat Fat 2g; Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 818mg; Protein 12g; Carbohydrate 33g; Sugar 5g; Fiber 13g; Iron 3mg; Calcium 143mg

Mom Tidbits #4

My "mom remix"- you know, the kid songs you string together to lull the little one when they're in meltdown territory....what's yours? 

Twinkle Twinkle

She'll be comin' round the mountain

Zippdy-do-dah

I wanna be like you (Jungle book)

A whole new world (Alladin)

L.O.V.E (L...is for the way you look at me)

and I round it out with .... Kumbaya

Mom Tidbits #3:

I love that even though everyone wants to see Isla - she's always most popular ;) - she is always most excited to see me. No one else who meets me flaps their arms and squeals- that reaction is reserved just for my girl. It's the best :)

Meatless Monday

Hi Friends!

I thought I'd start a new series and post my favorite vegetarian recipes on Sunday night just in case you are brave enough to do a "Meatless Monday!"

 As most of you know I've been a Vegetarian for over 17 years! I love my lifestyle- I'm super healthy (and had a super healthy vegetarian-eating pregnancy!) and it's not hard, which comes as a shock to most people. There are SO MANY healthy vegetarian options out there now. It was really hard when I was young and trying to not eat meat - I think I lived on salad shakers throughout high school. Restaurants and grocery stores are so much more diversified now. Being a Veggie has encouraged me to expand my diet and the foods I try- who knew I'd ever find so many ways to eat tofu, or sample seitan or even puree veggies into sauce. Give meatless Monday a whirl- I'll ease you into it with this "like-meat" dish :)

I love this recipe- in fact I made it tonight! Hubby found the meat version on www.allrecipes.com- (seriously love that site!) and we adapted a vegetarian version that's super yummy! I make this full batch for the two of us and freeze the leftovers. It will keep for a quite a while and is perfect for reheating on a rainy day when you don't feel like cooking. You can do the meat version if you're not brave enough for the veggie version I suggest. I also serve it with crusty bread or naan (I just got the Archer Farms one from Target- yummy!) and a glass of wine- duh!

ENJOY!

PS- that photo doesn't do this dish justice- ignore it!

Lentil and Sausage Soup

Rated: Submitted By: ANGCHICK Photo By: Jayperk Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 3 Hours Ready In: 3 Hours 15 Minutes Servings: 10

"Lentil soup flavored with sausage and herbs. Serve with Romano cheese sprinkled on top of each serving bowl."

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage 1 large onion, chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 1 tablespoon chopped garlic 1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils, rinsed 1 cup shredded carrot 8 cups water 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 2 bay leaves 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried basil 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 pound ditalini pasta (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Place sausage in a large pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Add onion, celery and chopped garlic, and saute until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, water, chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with garlic powder, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lentils are tender.

2.

Stir in pasta, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until pasta is tender.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2013 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 6/2/2013

VEGETARIAN ALTERNATIVE: 

Use Field Roast Sausage instead of Italian Sausage. You can buy them at most grocery stores next to the tofu. They come in a bunch of flavors. I've used the Italian and used the Apple tonight. The chipotle is also SUPER yummy in mexican food. I use organic vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
EASY!

The actual link (if you're blind like me :): http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?recipeID=45426&origin=detail&servings=10&metric=false