Black Bean Soup

I wouldn't exactly call today soup weather.  It has cooled some and maybe hit 70 today but it's sunny and gorgeous.  I started soaking the black beans yesterday.  I woke up at 7am.  Popped down to the kitchen and began rinsing the beans to cook.

Cooked on high for about 5 hours in 5 cups of water and 1 cup of stock

Then I added the rest of the ingredients and cooked for about 2.5-3.5 hours more...I went and saw a movie during that time.  Gravity with Sandra Bullock...very suspenseful.

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried black beans (soaked overnight)
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped 
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped 
• 1 1/2 cans of Rotel Tomatoes
• 1 1/2 corn
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt 

After its' done cooking, I used my hand blender and pureed about half of it.  Served it with shredded cheese and sour cream.  

Fall is in the air, time for a favorite -only this time gluten free

I am remaking this recipe
Pumpkin Muffin Cookies

I will be subbing out regular flour for Pamela's Bread Mix & Flour Blend.  With out the yeast it's basically a regular flour substitute.  I'm using organic butter and organic dried cane juice instead of shortening and flour.

These cookies don't last 24 hours in our house so we'll see how they are when subbing our those key items.

Happy Birthday!

It's birthday season in our family.  Sean has requested an encore of last year's birthday.

Linzertorte and Pesto Lasagna

As I reflect on the moments 12 years ago I remember one good moment in that tragic time ... The country united! Political differences disappeared for a short time. I hope we don't have to wait for another tragedy to see our country working together again.

Not winning it in the kitchen lately

So finally our big event is over.  We have other big events coming up but nothing like our event last week.  Basically that combined with chronic back pain equals me being a total loser in the kitchen.  No energy to grocery shop or even be slightly creative....and yet I have no problem buying new clothes and shoes. 

I have a problem.  I need to curb the apparel shopping and step it up in the kitchen once again.

Well...lets hope I'm turning a corner.  Went to the back surgeon and the back does seem to be responding to anti inflammatory medication.  That's a plus...downside is that eventually I will likely need back surgery.  I started yoga again last night and again today.  Hopefully strengthening my muscles will help.

Going gluten free has really thrown me for a loop.  I can get by but it makes meal planning even more challenging than before.  I think I have to start eating meat again which is ok I think.  I've been eating a lot of kale salads that really aren't too exciting to post on this blog.  I think it may be time to give this one up.

Looking forward to more European travel this summer.  Oxford, UK and Germany and of course the old homestead of the Pacific Northwest.  It's a cold and damp place but there is where my family is so that is where my heart is.