Roasted Garlic & Cauliflower Soup

I never know what to do with cauliflower. So I always stay away from it. The only time I have ever eating cauliflower was on a boring veggies and dip tray.  But mashing it up into a simmering soup with roasted garlic sounds just heavenly to me.  This would be a good warm go to comfort food on a cold and rainy day.

what you will need:
Adapted from Clean start by terry walters

2 heads of cauliflower about 10 cups
4 Tbsp olive oil + some extra for rubbing garlic
1 garlic bulb
1 cup diced sweet onion
2 tbsp mirin
2 tsp of sea salt
4 cups organic vegetable stock
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
ground pepper

1. preheat oven 350

2.place cauliflower in a 9 x 13 baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Cut off top of garlic rub entire bulb with oil and wrap with foil. Place them both in the oven for about one hr and toss occasionally.  Remove from oven and set aside.  When garlic is cooled peel and discard the skins and set aside.

3.Saute onion in one tbsp oil until translucent. Add roasted cauliflower, mirin, garlic, salt and stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 min.  Remove from heat an puree until smooth. you can use a kitchen aid or handheld blender.  Return to heat, stir in one tbsp thyme and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes and allow the flavours to blend.  Remove from heat and stir in remaining oil and then garnish.

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My first riding lesson

I survived my first riding lesson last night it was so much fun.  I learned to walk, jog, saddle up, groom, and learned to control the horse turning left, right and turning around. Also I was taught a few different commands to get her to stop, slow down...etc. I didn't realize how smart horses were. They really are amazing animals. I cant wait for my daughter to get started her class isn't until next week.  She is going to just love every second of this. Once we get through the individual private sessions we will be able to take the classes together at the same time.

Below is a photo of my first time ever on a horse.

  This is Sarah. I'm so happy I had a nice and calm natured horse. 

 I didn't fall off or get scared even once. SO much fun.

My New Escape

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                                                                            Any ideas?

I have been on a little spiritual journey the last couple weeks.  After being in the emergency room in the hospital I have been doing alot of self reflection lately.  I had some pretty scary tests done ( which I'm not going to get into) but I really realized how quickly life can change in a instance, if you don't have your health at its best.  Sadly as well as I was waiting for the doctor to come to my hospital bed I could hear between the paper thin curtains a few people getting horrible life changing diagnosis's.  So sad.  But really this could happen to anyone. Myself.  My family.  Life is too short... so do the things you have always wanted to do.  Things that make you happy. Things that make your heat skip a beat.  I took my daughter this weekend to get her signed up for horseback riding. She is in love with horses this is the most perfect activity I could get her in.

For me, This is something I always wanted to do since I was little and it has always been hidden in the back of my mind that 'someday' I will take initiative to learn to ride.  Now is my chance. I'm doing it!

So with alot of courage...I am starting my first horseback riding lesson this Wednesday night.  I'm very nervous but so excited at the same time.  My daughter will start her lessons in a couple weeks too.  I will be posting the progress throughout my blog. 

What makes your heart skip a beat? What is something that you have always wanted to try?

Quinoa Salad

We tried Quinoa last night for the first time. I Loved it. Hubby-- I'm not sure? He looked at me like I might have been poisoning him with strange weird healthy stuff, but I know that deep down even though he wouldn't admit it to me I think he thought it was not that bad. This will be a must have in my grocery cart each week for sure. If you have never had Quinoa before I suggest you try it. It is very yummy and as a hint of a nutty taste. It is a very tasty and healthy alternative to grains like rice and couscous. You pretty much just treat it like a rice. add whatever ingredients you would normally add to rice and you will be sure to like it. Serve it as a side, or add to soup, salads or stir-fries.

Here is the recipe:

225g Organic Quinoa

2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup diced sweet red pepper

2 garlic cloves,minced

2tsp ground cumin

2tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1/2 tsp salt

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the quinoa. Reduce heat to simmer and cove for 15 min. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 min. Fluff with fork.

In a large frying pan heat oil on med heat and cook carrots, peppers, onions, garlic and cumin for about 10 minutes. Stir in quinoa, salt and parsley.

Serve this salad hot or cold.

 
         We use it as a side to our grilled Mediterranean chicken breast and steam green beans.

Quote of the day

Almond Butter Cookie

• 1 cup natural almond butter
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp  pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp  sea salt
• good quality dark chocolate chunks

Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all the ingredients in a deep mixing bowl and stir really well using a wooden spoon. Add chocolate.  Using your clean bare hands, roll cookie dough into 1-1/4 inch balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Press down slightly using the back of a fork.

Bake for about 12 minutes. Cookies might look under baked but that’s okay it will cook on the pan. Cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes.  Carefully transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!