CREAMY TOMATO SOUP

Easy & Yummy!

found on silk.com; (comments & pics by me below)

·         1 Tbsp olive oil

·         1/2 medium onion, diced

·         1-2 cloves garlic, chopped (I used 3)

·         1 tsp salt

·         1 (28-oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained (I use Muir brand)

·         1 cup vegetable broth

·         1 bay leaf (I used 2)

·         1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I used 1 t. dried basil)

·         1 tsp fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme

·         1 cup Silk Original soymilk

·         1/4 cup Silk Original Creamer

·         Fresh ground pepper 

• 1. Heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a 4-quart stockpot.
• 2. Add the onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes.
• 3. Add the garlic and sauté an additional 3 minutes.
• 4. Add the salt, whole tomatoes with juice, vegetable broth, bay leaf, basil and thyme. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to crush the tomatoes.
• 5. Remove the bay leaf; add Silk, Silk Creamer and a few grinds of fresh pepper.
• 6. Purée soup in 2 batches in a blender until smooth and creamy (use caution when blending hot soup).
• 7. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• 8. Return soup to pot, heat gently and serve.

Voila! Enjoy on a cold wintry day!

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

A vegetarian for 40 years & still going... 

Well it is a celebration - 40 years ago I was coming down the escalator at the Frankfort Germany Airport. I realized it was my birthday. "How can I make this day special?" I vouched that this day, I would become a vegetarian.

40 years later I can tell you this decision made the world of difference in my life, physically, mentally, emotionally & spiritually. Refining my diet has never been more important to me than it is today.

Each day I strive to eat more raw food - wholesome food that you would find in God's garden. I try to prepare my own meals rather than purchasing a prepared meal from the store - the less processing the better.

I gave up dairy products about 20 years ago. There's plenty of alternative 'milk' products to choose from such as whipping cream, sour cream, cream cheese & yogurt. Trust me - making even a small change in your diet will make a difference.

Peace & Love,

Your fellow truth-seeker....

   

PUMPKIN PORRIDGE

So why try pumpkin porridge? Because it's good for you! When I met my husband I was surprised to learn he was eating this for breakfast at least 5 days out of each week. Since he's slim & trim I decided he must be doing something right and joined him one morning. At first I had to notify my taste buds to adjust to the simplicity of the flavor, but then... I'm addicted!

Living in northern Utah during this time of year you crave hot/warm drinks & meals, pumpkin porridge fits the bill. Easy to make, low in calories & nourishing:

Dish out a serving of canned pumpkin (if you can, use freshly steamed pumpkin). I eat about a cup.

Pour in almond milk or any other plant-based milk. Just takes 1/2 cup to become creamy.

Drizzle in 1 heaping (or not) teaspoon of molasses (organic is always better). We use this sweetener for this meal because molasses is highly alkaline, which your body prefers.

Sprinkle in a dash of cinnamon (good for leveling out blood sugars).

Top with crushed nuts. (I've tried many, but crushed roasted peanuts has been one of my faves, as are walnuts & almonds too.)

Microwave for 1 minute, 35-40 seconds depending on how hot you like it.

Enjoy

Benefits:

1. A few years ago when I was working with dogs, I learned to serve them 1/2 portion of canned pumpkin and 1/2 portion of dog food to help dogs slim down. I filed this in my brain until recently.

2. If you are constipated, this food will regulate you. 

3. Since any orange food is filled with vitamin A & E, this squash actually helps your skin to rejuvenate.  

4. It's just plain yummy!

Special note: If you're not quite used to eating simple foods, this dish might take a bit to get used to - but oh the rewards!!!

Peace,

Marcy Hope Williams

   

SWEET POTATO SPICE CAKE WITH HAZELNUTS & CANDIED GINGER

This is the most decadent cake I've ever made and yet, the cake itself is fairly mild in flavor. This is also the first time I tried vegan cream cheese, which I'm happy to report - I love! It's been decades since I've enjoyed cream cheese frosting, now the story changes.

I was also surprised that somehow the candied ginger zing mellows out once combined with the cream cheese & hazelnuts. Overall I received super reviews from friends & family and the cake was gone in one night!

I finely diced the candied ginger (instead of the long strips shown above) which created I think a more decadent final look of the cake. Also I used a white sweet potato, but I think next time, I'll try  a yam as shown above.

Cheers! 

This cake is similar to carrot cake—grated sweet potatoes make it moist and rich. The cake can be made up to three days ahead, but frost and garnish it within 12 hours of serving.

Cake

·         ½ cup raisins

·         3 cups all-purpose flour

·         1 Tbs. baking powder

·         2 tsp. baking soda

·         1 tsp. salt

·         1 tsp. ground cinnamon

·         ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

·         ⅛ tsp. ground cloves

·         ¾ cup vegetable oil

·         ½ cup dark brown sugar

·         ½ cup sugar

·         1 cup plain almond milk

·         2 Tbs. lemon juice

·         1 medium sweet potato, peeled and finely grated (3 cups)

·         ½ cup finely chopped candied ginger

·         ½ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

Topping

·         1 8-oz. pkg. vegan cream cheese

·         1 Tbs. agave nectar

·         ½ tsp. vanilla extract

·         ½ cup finely chopped candied ginger

·         ½ cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

1. To make Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 10-inch round cake pan with cooking spray.

2. Place raisins in small bowl, and cover with boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes, then drain, and set aside.

3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in bowl. Whisk together oil, brown sugar, and sugar in separate bowl; whisk in almond milk and lemon juice.

4. Stir flour mixture into oil mixture with spatula until thick batter forms. Fold in sweet potato, candied ginger, hazelnuts, and raisins. Pour batter into prepared pan, and bake 1 hour, or until toothpick inserted in center of Cake comes out clean. Cool pan 10 minutes on wire rack, then unmold Cake onto wire rack to cool completely.

5. To make Topping: Whisk together cream cheese, agave nectar, and vanilla in bowl until smooth; spread over cooled Cake. Decorate top of Cake with candied ginger and hazelnuts.

November 2013 p.70 Vegetarian Times

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/sweet-potato-spice-cake-with-hazelnuts-and-candied-ginger/

My version