Cooking dinner in our house always seems to become a family event and I am not upset about it at all. :)  I believe that cooking is a great way to bond and have a little fun as a family.  Hannah loves helping and learning about recipes and cooking.  Not only is cooking a great skill for her to have but it is also really good practice for using fraction and math skills.

I usually set Hannah up to make the meals side dishes.  It allows her to prepare and execute the entire recipe… and eat her hard work.  I usually give her free range to what she thinks would work well with the dinner and give her a little guidance.  She is really becoming quite the chef.
Side dishes really can make a meal, here are a few really easy and healthy side dishes that anyone can make.

Roasted Rosemary Potatoes

Ingredients-
•    1 ½ lbs. red potatoes, cubed in 1 inch pieces
•    1 tbsp. olive oil
•    1 tbsp. chopped rosemary…(from my herb garden :D)

Instructions-
•    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
•    In a bowl mix the potatoes, olive oil, and rosemary.  Toss until the potatoes are coated and spread on the baking sheet. 
•    Roast for about 40-45 minutes until the potatoes are browning and season to taste.  Enjoy!

Perfectly Sautéed Mushrooms

Ingredients-
•    3 tbsp. olive oil
•    3 tbsp. butter
•    1 lbs. button mushrooms, sliced
•    1 clove of garlic, minced
•    1 tbsp. red cooking wine
•    1 tbsp. teriyaki sauce
•    ¼ tsp. garlic salt
•    Pepper to taste

Instructions-
•    In a large saucepan on medium heat, heat the olive oil then stir in the mushrooms, garlic, cooking wine, teriyaki, garlic salt, pepper, and better.  Stir until the mushrooms are lightly browned, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5-8 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Enjoy!

Spinach Soufflé
Ingredients-
•    1 egg
•    1/3 cup milk
•    1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
•    1 tsp. crushed garlic
•    2, 10 oz. packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained.

Instructions-
•    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
•    Whisk together an egg, milk, cheese, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Fold in the spinach and pour into a small casserole dish.
•    Bake for 20 minutes and enjoy!

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie

Julie

A couple years ago my husband and I met a couple staying at a bed and breakfast near our home.  My husband and I were having coffee and they asked to join us.  Our simple cup of coffee turned into a day of adventure.  They were from the Caribbean and in California for a vacation.  It was so fun getting to know them and doing things we do all the time with a set of fresh eyes.

After meeting, we kept in contact through Facebook in case we were ever in the same area again.  They came back to California this past week for a business conference and we opened up our home to them.  It was great seeing them again, and as a thank you they cooked us their favorite dinner.

Caribbean food is so delicious.  After dinner I begged to get the recipe, it was so good.  They were kind enough to share their favorite recipes with us so we will be able to transform our meals into a paradise.

Here are two of the Caribbean recipes they shared, and I promise they are to die for.


Creole Rice Pilaf

Ingredients-

• 1 ½ tsp. olive oil
• ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
• 1/3 cup minced shallots
• ½ cup sliced scallions
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 ¼ cup diced plum tomatoes
• 1 ½ cup short-grain brown rice
• 3 ½ cup vegetable broth, boiling
• ½ cup chopped fresh coriander
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 2 tsp. Bragg liquid Aminos

Instructions-

• Heat oil and crushed red pepper in a saucepan on medium heat for 1 minute.  Add the shallots, scallions, and celery and cook for about 3 minutes until adding the mushrooms and tomatoes, and cook 2 minutes before adding rice.  The entire mixture for 2 minutes while stirring.

• Add the boiling broth, coriander and thyme into the saucepan and bring to boil.  Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 45 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.  Stir in the liquid aminos and enjoy!

Caribbean Style Sofrito- this makes 6 servings, they like to feed a crowd! :D



Ingredients-

• 1 green bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch cubes
• ½ orange bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch cubes
• ½ yellow bell pepper, cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 5 tomatoes, cored and chopped
• ½ bunch of green onions, chopped
• ¾ bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 fresh tomatillos, husks removed
• ½ cup chopped garlic

Instructions-
• Put the green, red, orange, and yellow peppers, tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, tomatillos, and garlic into a food processor or blender and pulse or blend to make the your desired consistency, either chunky or smooth. Season lightly with salt.

• Enjoy!
Hope these recipes can transport you to a Caribbean escape in your kitchen!

Go green and stay keen,

Julie

This afternoon both Hannah and Liam are a friend’s house so I am making my husband some vegetarian sushi!

We love sushi so much, it is difficult to make it while the kids are home because they think it is “weird.”  They don’t know what they are missing out on  :D

My husband is doing some yard work so I am going to surprise him with it and some soup for dinner.  I can’t wait.

Vegetarian sushi is delicious and fairly easy to make.  Here are the sushi and soup recipes that I like using when we finally get to indulge.



Ingredients-

• 2 cups short grain or medium grain rice
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 package of roasted seaweed sheets
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced into long narrow strips
• 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced into long narrow strips
• 1 avocado, removed skin and sliced into long narrow strips
• 1 block of cream cheese, sliced into long narrow strips
• Soy sauce and wasabi for dipping and garnish

Directions-

• Cook the rice as to package instructions and let cool.  Mix the rice vinegar and salt in a small bowl and pour over the cooked rice.  Use your fingers to mix the rice and mixture together.
• Place the seaweed sheet, shiny side down, on the sushi roller and spread sticky rice evenly across.  Leave a one inch tab of seaweed on one edge.  Place carrot strip, cucumber strip, cream cheese, and avocado across the rice bed.
• Dab the exposed tab of seaweed with wet fingers and use the sushi roller to roll your roll making sure you are using enough pressure to keep the rice sticky.
• Cut your roll into small pieces and Enjoy!


Ingredients-

• 4 cups water
• ½ cup chopped green onion
• ½ cup chopped green chard
• ¼ cup firm tofu, cubed
• 3-4 tbsp. white miso paste
• 1 sheet or ¼ cup nori, cut in large rectangles

Directions-

• Place water in a medium sauce pan, bring to low simmer then add nori and simmer for 5-7 minutes more.
• Place the miso paste into a small bowl, add a little hot water and whisk until smooth.  Add to the soup and stir so it doesn’t clump.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes.  Add salt to taste if desired and enjoy.

This recipe can be used with a variety of vegetables and you can add and take away spices or sauces to create your unique roll.

It is going to be a delicious dinner!

Julie

This summer Hannah took the initiative and joined our library’s book club and fun summer classes.  She loves reading and learning and didn’t want to stop over the summer. I am lucky to have two wonderful proactive kids.

Today after I picked her up from the library she told me she is doing a project to show kids that “being a vegetarian is cool and fun.”  I couldn’t be more proud of my little girl.


Of course I helped her come up with some ideas.  She wanted to make a “fun facts” poster and bring in a vegetarian snack to share.  Her idea is that if the kids see how happy and fun she is because she eats some vegetarian meals, maybe they will want to try and have their parents try too.

Although some of the facts seem obvious, she chose them on how they will relate to other kids.

1. People become vegetarian for all different kinds of reasons.
2. There are all different kinds of vegetarians.  One might better suit you than the other.
3. Many animals are vegetarians and you are caring for animals
4. It is good for the world and nature around us.
5. There are many restaurants that offer vegetarian options.
6. Meat is expensive, having a plant based diet helps save money
7. The world is nearly ¼ vegetarians.
8. By not having meat in the freezer you have more room for ice cream.  (Hannah’s Favorite)
9. You can buy almost all your food at the farmers market
10. You learn how to cook better and more delicious food

She is making a really cute collage of her favorite fruits and veggies with the lyrics to the Meat Free Monday song too.

On Friday before she goes to the library to present her poster and song we are going to make Almost Raw Cookie Dough Balls to share with the other kids.  Here is our easy and fun recipe.

Ingredients- 
• 1 cup oats
• 1 ripe banana
• ½ cup grated dry coconut
• 3 tbsp. maple syrup or agave syrup, your choice
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• ½ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions-
• Add oats into a food processor and pulse for 20 seconds to break them down a little.  Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and pulse until fully combined.

• Stir in the chocolate chips and refrigerate for 10 minutes to slightly harden.  Roll dough into balls then place back in the refrigerator for 1 hour.  Enjoy the doughy goodness!



I love how Hannah always jumps to challenges and loves sharing her lifestyle with her peers.  I hope that maybe Hannah’s passion will inspire you to try a few vegetarian meals a week.

Go green and stay keen,

Julie