Turmeric Ginger Carrot Soup

IMG_8806There is a joke about Vermonters, that all we talk about is the weather. Well, it's kind of true. But to our defense, we get a lot of weather, and it's always changing and intense and both lovely and crazy and all over. So yeah, we talk. A lot, about the weather. And on that topic, I am trying so hard not to complain, but honestly, I am getting a little sick, both physically and mentally from all of these  super, to freaking cold temperatures. Yesterday the high was 0 ( which was at like 2 in the morning)  and factor in the windchill, the temp stayed at like 25 below. It f**king sucks. I can't  stay outside for too long or else I will probably die. The dog  is having a hard time making it around the block before he gets ice paws, and the mister, well he even started wearing gloves (he wears a sweater all winter and never gets cold…..he is officially cold)

 And not only is the cold keeping us all indoors, but its making us all borderline sick. We both have been fighting something for the past few week. The headaches, stuffy nose, chest congestions. The puppy is getting super dry skin and gave himself a hot spot. BLAh!! Ok, enough! No more complaining

Because  I do really love the winter and all the pretty snow!!!!

But we are feeling kind of sick so to make us feel oh so much better, a fantastic, super tasty, healing, good for me, good for you, soup. Turmeric ginger carrot… oh man. Made with lots of ginger, turmeric and garlic and finished with a drizzle of raw honey. This soup is exactly what we need. All ingredients scream.. FEEL GOOD, BE WARM AND COZY! Almost everything in it has antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties. The veggies are hearty and heathy and just eating soup helps to keep hydrated. And the best part..it tastes so freaking amazing. 

So whether  you are feeling a little mah, or just a little hungry.…this soup is where it's at!

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Lots of chopped up carrots, a small onion, a little bit of cauliflower I had left over and a small beet. If you don't have the cauliflower and or a beet, just use  ares pepper or another 2 carrots.. no biggy. 

Then we have the fresh ginger ( you can use powdered) turmeric and garlic.  All the good healthy spicy and yummy stuff. 

IMG_8747I accidentally spilled the turmeric on the counter..but it kind of looks like I might have done it on purpose… yeah, let's go with that.  Chop the garlic and he ginger into    chunksIMG_8761And toss into the pot to warm and activate. Just a little toasty toast. 

IMG_8765And the veggies are roasted and tender and smell so good.  It took a lot of will power to not eat the whole pan right there.

IMG_8798I added the roasted veggies and 3 cups water straight into my pot  with the spices because I used an emulsion blender. If you are using normal blender, add the veggies, the toasted spices and the water to the blender and blend until smooth. Then transfer to a pot.

IMG_8832Pretty much all blended together….(I left a few big chunks in there to snack on while I was waiting to eat serve…I was really hungry) and let to simmer for a little longer...

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And now ladle into a bowl and get ready for a fantastic finish… drizzle a spoonful of raw honey into soup…….so so good. You could add the honey before serving, but heating it kills all the good antibacterial stuff so that's why we wait. Then  I sprinkle some chopped kale and chives. (do it if you want, but not necessary)

Now enjoy. Let the warmth wash over you and feel all those good spices helping to fight the good fight to keep you well and all the yummy to satisfy your hunger.

And lets hope for some warm (above 0!!) weather!

-C

Turmeric Ginger Carrot Soup

Ingredients

  • 5 large carrots
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 small beet*
  • quarter head cabbage ( or a cup of frozen)*
  • 2-3 teaspoons  turmeric 
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh  ginger (1/2 teaspoon if using powdered)
  • 4-6 cloves garlic
  • salt pepper
  • raw honey (omit if vegan)

* If you don't have or want to use beet and or the cauliflower, you can use a red pepper, a small sweet potato, or just use a few more carrots. 

Chop all veggies into similar sized chunks and toss into a lightly oiled pan or on a baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.  Stick in oven at 425 for about 30 minutes or until all veggies are fork tender. 

In a large soup pot or dutch oven, toss chopped garlic, ginger and the turmeric and place on medium heat for a few minutes to activate the spices. Add the roasted veggies and 3 cups water to pot (if using emulsion blender) and blend until smooth. If using a blender, add the toasted spices, roasted veggie and 3 cups water and blend until smooth then transfer to a large pot or dutch oven. Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat down to  simmer and let cook for an addition 10 minutes. 

When ready to serve, ladle soup into bowl and drizzle a spoonful of raw honey into soup. Garnish with fresh chopped kale, chives, cabbage or whatever you want. (or nothing is good too)

Oatmeal Fresh Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

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It hasn't stopped snowing, the temperature is dropping fast (it's getting to the point the dog doesn't even want to be outside) and the mister is busy hand shoveling three long driveways. So I figured that in between all the laundry folding, plant watering , and all around sitting on my butt  that I am doing  INSIDE, that  I would be so super nice and crank the stove up and make my love some cookies.I love making cookies, especially when I have chores to do. I think part of it is that cookies are baked in batches which breaks up the chores and gives a sort of rhythm to things. Plus everything is nice when the house smells like cookies.  I was going to make chocolate chocolate chocolate cookies, but realized that I didn't have cocoa powder, so I went with fresh cranberries (I just scored a pound of organic cranberries for 89 cents!) coconut flakes and chocolate chips. Plus I wanted to make them oatmeal because the mister likes oatmeal and oatmeal makes the cookies a little more hardy. (We need hardy when the temperature dips below zero)The verdict….. chewy, soft, slightly sweet oatmeal, bittersweet chocolate, nutty floral coconut, and the zing and pop of the fresh cranberries. He told me to hide them… hide so he will stop eating them….. because they be amazing!

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The base of this cookie….We are using regular old fashion oats and flour.  Salt, baking soda and baking powder.  Vanilla, chia seeds in hot water, coconut oil  white and brown sugar…. You know, all the cookie stuff.  Then all the goodness.. Chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and fresh cranberries. Goodness.Oh yeah, and they are vegan…if that matters to you.Warm the coconut oil and mix with the white and brown sugars. Then add the chia seeds soaked in hot water.  Stir until nice and silky smooth.In goes some more stuff.  I just dumped all the dry right on in that bowl and mixed it up nice and nice.Chopped the fresh cranberries into chunks… One at a time……Just kidding, I actually laid a cutting board on top of the cranberries, applied a little pressure and sliced through the cranberries.. Does that make sense? I hope so, because its is much easier and faster and the cranberries don't all roll away.The chopped cranberries, coconut flakes and the chocolate chips go in to be mix all up. I used my hands to form the balls and gave each mound a little smoosh, but not completely flat.  Then into a preheated 375 degree oven for about 13-15 minutes or until a nice golden brown.A cup of hot coffee and a plate of warm cookies… I am the nicest, right! (After his nice cookie rest I proceeded  to do a little nagging, so the day evened out)So today is probably a great day for everyone to make cookies. It's freezing out,  its saturday and well, just cause. You might even be looking for a great recipe to make for that big party your going to.You should make these cookies. Have a Fantastic Weekend!!!-C

Oatmeal Fresh Cranberry Coconut Chocolate Chip Coookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup old fashion oats
  • 1 1/4cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon chia
  •  4-6 tablespoons hot water
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cranberries
  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 375To start, take the chia seed and soak them in the 4 tablespoon hot water for a few minutes. Then in a large bowl, mix together the white and brown sugar with warmed coconut oil. Add in the gelled chia seeds and vanilla and stir until silky and combined. (the warm chia seeds will help everything mix together nicely) Now mix in all the dry. I start with the oats, dump on flour, toss in the baking powder and soda and salt. Mix until fully combines. If the dough seems to dry, add in another tablespoon or two of hot water. Chop the fresh cranberries into halves or smaller and dump them, the coconut and chocolate chips into the bowl of dough and mix.Using a scoop, spoons, or your hands, make little balls and place on a cookie sheet, giving each ball a little smoosh. Into the oven for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.Remove and cool on rack.Eat a few and hide the rest for later.

Mountain Pillow

IMG_6343 Soft huggable mountains…..happy all over!

It started last month when I decided to make cool shaped pillows for all the little littles in family. (they all got fruit or veggies shapes…so cool. I wish I took some pictures)  I needed to make a bunch so I went a bought this humongo box of stuffing  thinking that I would end up using most of it and maybe have a little left over to make myself a pill or two. Oh man was I wrong. Those hug boxes could stuff a hundred pillows…the stuffers of stuffing really stuff those boxes stuffed!  Now I had this giant box of stuffing and a bunch of extra fabric so I just figured that I'd make everyone in my family a pillow.  I didn't want to make the any more food shapes but still wanted to do something fun and pretty and huggable. …and then it came to me,  A mountain! I mean, who wouldn't want to hug  a mountain? 

So I made all the adults in my family a mountain for Christmas. (I am so nice).  A couple of weeks went by, I had a little extra time and thought, "I should make a mountain pillow for me!"And if you are anything like me (super awesome), one mountain is just not enough and  you will make an entire mountain range of pillows…… Mountains all over!  

This pillow is so easy, no fuss, and can be made any size you like. I made mine on the smaller side, but if you have the fabric and the stuffing, why not go big? Do what feels right to you. 

And I have to add, these pillows are really great gifts… I am thinking maybe a lovely Valentines day mountain? Doesn't that sound fantastic?

What you will need:

  • Sewing machine.(you can hand sew but machine is much much faster)
  • Two pieces(or one piece folded in half) of fleece* for the mountain
  • One small piece of fleece in another color for the mountain top
  • Needle
  • Thread
  • Stuffing

Note: You can use other fabrics, but fleece is more forgiving because it had a little stretch, plus it soft and cuddly.

IMG_6294To start, take you main color of fleece and cut into a mountainy triangle shape. You can go tall and skinny or short and fat….. any shape you want.  If you feel like you need to make a paper template and use that to cut, go for it, but I don't think you really need to.

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 Next, take the contrasting color fleece (the peak) and cut a large square.  Line up with the top of the mountain peak underneath.

IMG_6301Cut the piece for the peak in a jagged  up and down pattern. Place right side up onto the base  of the mountain and trim away excess fabric.

IMG_6312Using the zig zag stitch on your machine, sew the jagged edges of the mountain peak right side up onto the right side of the mountain. Go slowly, but don't worry about making  it perfect, just make sure to sew over all the jagged edges. 

IMG_6324Now turn the two pieces right sides facing in on each other. Change the stitch on you machine to a straight stitch and sew around the perimeter of the mountain, leaving a small hole in the bottom.

And make sure to check your seams!

IMG_6326Fold it right side out and stuff it. I started with little bits of the stuffing in each of the corners, then filled in the middle, it makes it easier to fill.

Once you are happy with your stuff job, thread a needle and hand sews the hole shut.IMG_6368

 A  soft, huggable, and oh so grand mountain. 

I know, so fantastic…one is just not enough. And if you have gone to the trouble of pulling out the sewing machine, you might as well make a bunch. Just do it!

Have fun making a mountain range! 

-C

Coconut Filled Chocolate Heart Whoopie Pies!!!!

IMG_7529  All I want to do is make everything into hearts and turn everything pink…Is that a problem?

I'm going to admit it, I am one of those girls that love Valentines day! And no, I don't love it for the flowers (although I do love flowers..but never roses..yuk) No, I don't want a box of candy or the silly store-bought cards. I don't want to get all gused up and go out to dinner, and I definitely would be pissed if the mister bought me any jewelry. What I love is a day of spending time with my lover. We always take the day to do something special together, and for each other, and to be happy…...and there is always hearts involved. I love hearts. 

 I want to spread that loving love love feeling because no matter what your love situation is during this holiday..we should all be happy and spread love to each other and to ourselves… And what better way to spread happy and love then with a pretty heart shaped baked good?  Chocolate because almost everyone is into chocolate. Coconut because I can't stop eating whipped coconut cream and pink coconut sprinkle because that's what make me happy. (I am a little obsessed with sprinkling things) These little hand-held pies of love are  really easy to make and always a big hit, especially with the little ones.(I am thinking they are perfect for a Valentines Day school party)  And yes, they are vegan so you can share with all your vegan friends! 

So in the spirit of the coming Valentines Day holiday….Lets make WHOOPIE!!!! (pies)

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 Flour, baking soda and powder, salt  and cocoa powder. Soy milk with  vinegar. Vanilla, coconut oil, and chia seeds jelling. Brown and white sugar…. you know whoopie stuff.

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The dry in one bowl… sugar and all the wet in another. 

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All the whoopie stuff mixed together and scooped into a large zip top bag. So fancy with my bag…a real pro here!

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Snip the tip of the bag, do a little squeeze test, and have at it. squeeze hearts onto a lightly oiled baking sheet or use a piece of parchment paper.  

You might get a little  frustrated if you are trying for perfect. I was for the first two batches,  but once I stopped trying to hard, I really got into how cool some of the hearts came out. Embrace the funky lop -sided hearts, because any heart is a good heart.IMG_7406So lovely. Shadow hearts while the whoopie hearts cool.

IMG_7468Whoopies all paired up

IMG_7532Stuffed with a generous dollop of whipped coconut cream ( a cold can of coconut cream whipped with a splash of vanilla and a tad bit of sweetener)  and sprinkled with my home-made beet dyed coconut sprinkles…..

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Are you happy now? Because I know that I couldn't stop smiling when I was making these… they are just to cute!

A couple bits of advice… Try to assemble before serving.. I was trying to put them together  while a punch of kids were trying to eat them. Things got a little messy and sprinkles ended up everywhere. Also, The coconut cream should stay fairly cold, so my suggestion is to make the hearts and fill only when you are going to serve them. Or if you want to make far in advanced, cover and refrigerate to keep from coconut cream from melting….But other than that…

Have fun making Whoppies!

-C

Coconut filled Chocolate Heart Whoopie Pies

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cups cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup  soy milk or milk of choice
  • 1 Tablespoon  apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Chia eggs ( 2 tablespoons seed mixed with 6 tablespoons warm water)
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup  brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375

To start, make chia eggs( chia seeds in water) and add the vinegar to the milk. Let both sit for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda,baking powder, and salt. 

In a large bowl, mix together chia eggs, sugars, and coconut oil. Add in dry ingredients and mix while slowly adding in the milk and vinegar mixture until fully combined.

Scoop Mixture into a large ziplock bag or piping bag. Clip tip and gently squeeze out heart shapes onto a lightly oiled or parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake each batch for 8-11 minutes, or until a toothpick come out clean.

Let hearts cool completely on a wire rack. Pair up like sized hearts and fill with desired amount of *coconut cream. If your feeling festive, dust sides and or tops of cake with sprinkles

* To make coconut cream, refrigerate a can or coconut milk or coconut cream for at least 4 hours. Open can, drain liquid and place the  remaining coconut cream in a large cold bowl. Beat with a splash of vanilla and 2 tablespoons of the sweetener of your choice. …. (careful because this stuff is super addictive)

Now share.. and watch how happy everyone is when they receive a heart shaped whoopie pie!! That's love!

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