Crock Pot Queen

Soooo....I decided to pull out the old Crock Pot and create a fab meal for me and the kids. Now I know how you super-vegans are. Vegetables are best Rare! But, a slow cooker brings such a nice aroma through the house. Winter is here. And I'm putting the slow-cooker back on duty. Here is a great recipe for busy vegetarians...
Zoe's Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients:
3 cups cooked kidney beans, with 6 cups cooking liquid
OR: 3 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed, plus 6 cups water or soupstock
1 cup bulgar or cracked wheat
One 6 oz can unsalted tomato paste
2 Tbsp olive oil
Optional: 1 can crushed or chopped tomatoes
Optional: Hot sauce to taste
Optional: 1 medium red onion, peeled, quartered and diced
1 red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
2 stalks celery, diced small
1 jalapeno peppers, halved, seeded, and minced - approx. 1 Tbsp ((add another for more heat)
1 - 2 Tbsp fresh ginger (2 - 4 thin slices) peeled & minced, OR 1 tsp dried
2 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced (approx. 1 Tbsp)
1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder to make it mild, 1 tsp to make it hot, more to make it fiery
2 bay leaves
1/2 cinnamon stick
2 tsp each: paprika, gr. cumin, coriander
1 tsp each: dried thyme, basil, oregano
1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
1/2 c. minced parsley or cilantro
2 Tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos, or low sodium soy sauce
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Cooking Kidney beans:
1 cup dried dark red kidney beans
Soak 4 hours in hot water, or overnight
Drain, rinse, add 6 cups unsalted water
Bring to a boil, skim foam, cover and simmer 2 hours

Chili Directions:
Add bulgar & tomato paste to kidney beans + cooking liquid or water
Add bay leaf and cinnamon stick
Return to boil, cover and simmer
Preheat sauté pan or frying pan on medium-low and add oil
Prep veggies
Sauté minced garlic, ginger and jalapeno on medium heat for 5 minutes
Add remaining veggies and sauté 5 more minutes
Add remaining spices, sauté another five minutes
Transfer the veggies to the bean + bulgar mix, cook another 30 minutes
Add corn, parsley or cilantro, and braggs or soy sauce to taste
Cook for a few more minutes and serve
Slow Cooker or Crockpot Chili Directions:

Turn an 8 - 10 qt crockpot on high
Add cooked beans, cooking liquid or water, bulgar or cracked wheat, tomato paste, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick to the crockpot
After sautéing the veggies & spices, transfer them to the slow cooker
Reduce crockpot heat to low, cover and cook 4 - 6 hrs
Add corn, minced parsley or cilantro, Braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce to taste. Cover and cook for another 1/2 hr on high heat.

Vegetarian chili is a great vegan meal by itself, or with salad and cornbread. Good with sour cream or parmesan cheese - non-dairy or dairy. You can also use black beans in this recipe, or a mixture of red chili beans & black beans.

N-Joy!

Today is a Beautiful Day. I chose to make it that way. Because for the past few months, I’ve been a wreck. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my good eating habits, I’d probably be overweight and stuck on the couch eating chocolate covered icecream bars and Coca-Cola’s. But today, I decided to change that. For some reason, I woke up and realized how much time I have wasted living a life I don’t want to live. I decided to get back to being me. To not let anyone bring me down. And to continue being a Sexy Vegetarian. On the inside and out.
I started my day out with simple meditation, yoga, and a jog on the treadmill. I want to sell this treadmill, but I might as well put it to good use while it’s there. When I am down, I am not hungry. I lose weight. And basically don’t exist on the planet. But, this morning, I fed myself a healthy breakfast. Oatmeal & Strawberries. For the past few weekes, junk food has been incorporated into my diet. Oh well. Can’t change the past. But at this moment, I am back to being a health-junkie.
　
I know I shouldn’t be complaining. We all got problems!
So what foods will help us survive in stressful times?
I’ve done my research for you.
N-Joy!
　
Asparagus

This green veggie is high in folic acid, which can help stabilize your mood. Folic acid and B vitamins can help keep your mood steady because they're needed to make serotonin, which is a chemical that directly affects mood in a positive way.　
　
Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes can be particularly stress-reducing because they can satisfy the urge you get for carbohydrates and sweets when you are under a great deal of stress. (Good for those who “overreat” when stressed)

Dried Apricots

Apricots are rich in magnesium, which is a stress-buster and a natural muscle relaxant as well. Almonds, Pistachios & WalnutsAlmonds are packed with B and E vitamins, which help boost your immune system, and walnuts and pistachios help lower blood pressure.
　
Canola Oil

Several studies confirmed that people who suffer from depression also have lower levels of the vitamin E. Canola oil is rich in vitamin E. It is a healthier alternative for sautéing foods and vegetables.

Dark green vegetables

Veggies such as spinach and peas are high in folate. It is a substance that has a key role in the production of serotonin. Eat fresh vegetables, because canned versions usually have lower nutritional value. Legumes are also rich in folate.

Chickpeas are rich in iron, vitamin E and fiber. To prepare a simple snack, mix a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas with some minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and olive or canola oil in your blender. You can add salt, pepper or other spices that you prefer.

Apparently, Basil increases circulation, stimulates the sex drive and boosts fertility! It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind. But most curiously of all, its scent is supposed to drive us wild! (That is, if you’re relationship is “suffering” because of stress-related issues)

Stay Positive & Keep Positive People in Your Life & Good Food in Your Belly!

Lots of Love!

"Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night. Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step. Faith soars on high. Doubt questions,’Who believes’ Faith answers,’I’"