Happy New Year!

The best thing about starting a new year is being able to reflect back on the previous year and look forward to the new year with what would you do differently?  A fresh start!  I like to set intentions not resolutions.  Resolutions are always broken, but with intentions you have some wiggle room.  Just like in yoga class, at the beginning I set my intention for the class. What will be the focus in class that day?  Sometimes it is getting better at a pose I have been struggling with or if I have a stressful day it is just focusing on my breathing to relax.  Whatever my intention is I try to stick with it for that class and it allows me something to focus on.  So, here are my intentions for 2011:

• Almost Vegan:  I have been vegan/vegetarian for the past 2.5 years now.  I always start out the year strong sticking to being vegan, but halfway thru the year I begin to falter and then stay vegetarian for the balance of the year.  So, why do I choose to be vegan?  For me, it is mainly health reasons.  I simply love the way I feel when I eat vegan.  Yes, the environmental and animal issues are important, but the main reason is health.  So, I decided to approach this year with a little different mind set.  I am not going to stress the small stuff!  I mean it's not like I am allergic to dairy...so, if my family want to go out to eat at a restaurant and I get a little butter in my meal, no biggie.   So, that is why I am calling myself..."almost vegan."
• Exercise:  Being off work this past week has allowed me to slow down and focus on myself a little more. I have been going to yoga and/or the gym daily and it feels awesome.  I am committing to staying focused on exercising.  I will not come home from work and veg on the couch every night.  I will remember how great I feel about myself when I take care of myself and that means sticking to yoga class.
• Saving $$:  This is a no-brainer, I think we all want to save more money.  I will not become seduced by commercialism trying to convince me that I need materialistic possessions to make me happy.  I will not waste time on the week-ends being herded thru shopping malls using my hard earned money on over priced crap from China.  I will use my precious week-end time to connect with my family and friends.
• Environment:  This year I want to do more to protect the environment.  Recycling is easy, but what can I do that is not so easy.  I want this to be more of a focus for my family this year.  I know there are tons of way we can improve our lifestyle to be more environmentally friendly, we just have to take the next step.  This year I am committing to taking that next step! 

Looking forward to a fresh start in 2011!  

An Awesome Day

Yesterday was a great day!  I didn't do anything fancy, just had a nice relaxing day.  Started the day by sleeping in...love it when I can just wake up naturally...no alarm clocks.  After enjoying a cup of coffee I piddled around the house for a bit and then made the boys an easy lunch.  After lunch I started a pot of soup for dinner.  I chose soup because I got this gorgeous red pot for Christmas and have been anxious to use.

While the soup was simmering I went to a yoga class.  Lately I have been so busy and haven't been making time to take care of myself.   I forgot how much better I feel when I do yoga.  After yoga class I came home and took a shower and put a deep conditioner in my hair...it has just been so dry lately.

The soup for dinner was awesome..it was a new recipe I found called "Vegan Southwest Chipotle Soup".  It was super easy and super yummy.  The hubby loved it and was upset there wasn't more leftover.  After dinner the boys played with their new Xbox while I opened a bottle of wine and chilled on the couch watching a "girlie" movie!

Vegan Southwest Chipotle Soup Recipe
*adapted from loveveggiesandyoga.com

1 can of vegetarian baked beans
1 jar of picante sauce
2/3 cup of water
diced carrots - I used 1 large carrot
diced potatoes - I used a handful of new potatoes, but could use 1 russet potatoe
1 tbs chile powder
1 tbs chipotle seasoning
1/4 cup ketchup
salt to taste

Combine all ingredients together in a soup pot and bring to a boil.

Let simmer for 3-4 hours to let the flavors combine and the veggies soften.  Then serve...

Can top with cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips or enjoy by itself.  This soup was very filling and flavorful.

Home for the Holidays

Just got home from a visit with my parents down in South Texas for the holidays!  Enjoyed good company, good food and good conversation.

Max and his cousin having a good time opening presents!

Family photo - 4 generations together!

A cute country snail...

Max being silly on the front porch!

Max and I making "cheesy" faces!

Cool old beer sign...see my Mom's house in the back...

This is downtown on a busy Monday.

Our visit was short and sweet, but it was great to see everyone.  Thanks Mom!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  The past few weeks have been very hectic for me.  I am a corporate worker bee in the retail industry and this is the busiest time of the year.  Very long hours and stressful times, which make it very difficult to really enjoy and appreciate the season.  This year we hosted Christmas at our house and I was really excited to have everyone over and enjoy some good food and good company!  We had a wonderful time!  The kids opened their presents and had an awesome time playing with their new toys, while the adults ate yummy food and enjoyed each other's company.

Max on Christmas morning with his super sized stocking!

The adults playing a gift exchange game...it was a blast!

Brownies

The other day while I was at work and Dad was outside mowing the yard, our 10 year old son decided to make brownies....from scratch.....by himself!  He started by googling brownie recipes and then got started. The first batch did not turn out so well, luckily he tasted the batter before baking.  Since it tasted a little salty, he went back to check the recipe.  He realized he put 1/4 cup of salt instead of 1/4 tsp...oops!  Upset, he went outside to tell Dad.  Dad being very supportive of his ambitions (and wanting to eat brownies for desert) encouraged our son to try again and then left him alone to do it himself.  Our son needed to do this on his own to be a great learning experience and to have the satisfaction of his accomplishment!  The second batch turned out much better!  The brownies were a little dense and more cake like, but for a first timer a great success!

Mess from first attempt left in the sink!

Close up of mess...notice all the chocolate....EVERYWHERE!

Empty bowl from second batch, licked clean!

The finished product...it was so awesome to see how proud our son was of his first baked creation!  I guess watching those episodes of Top Chef is sinking in.  Next step...dinner!

It Really is a Zoo Out There!

It really can be a zoo out there!  At work today there was a bobcat with her babies in the picnic area outside!  It was so cute (looking thru the window, of course).  Check it out!

I know it is really hard to see...picture taken thru the window with my iphone.

Hatch Chile Peppers

Hatch Chile Pepper season is coming to an end.  But , boy have we enjoyed some  great recipes using the peppers.  Hatch Chile Peppers got their name from where they were first cultivated...Hatch Valley, New Mexico.  The pepper has a very short season of only six weeks, which usually begins mid-August.   These peppers are considered the best pepper grown in the U.S.  These peppers have a great flavor are usually mild to medium, which is just perfect for us!

The peppers are long and curvy.  They taste great raw, roasted or thrown in to your recipe.

This is a recipe my husband made.  Green Lentils, Hatch Peppers and Veggie Stock thrown in a pot for awhile.  While, it doesn't look great, the flavor is awesome!

Cooking some peppers with some black beans and onions.  Throw this over some rice for a quick and yummy meal.

Delicious veggie enchilada's with Hatch peppers, of course!

Even threw some peppers on my pizza along with sun dried tomatoes.  The sweetness of the tomato with the heat of the pepper was the perfect combination.

Last night I made roasted veggie quesadilla with Hatch peppers and they were delicious...sorry no picture. 

There are so many things that you can add these peppers to, takes up the flavor a notch.  Hope you are enjoying the pepper season!