VSK in SLC

I read in the City Weekly that Vegan Soul Kitchen author, Bryant Terry, was coming to speak in Salt Lake City in January. I knew I had to go. I love Bryant’s cookbook and have made at least a dozen of the recipes. I love his message: 1. Start with the visceral (growing, cooking, and eating food) 2. Move to the cerebral (comprehending / pondering our choices and their relation to the lives we live) 3. End with the political (collective action to bring about collective changes). He gave an inspiring lecture and finished it by making the entire audience collard greens with citrus and raisins.

La Caille

My handsome, talented husband entered a design contest for the owners of La Caille restaurant. His entry was rushed as it was one more thing piled onto his very full plate. And he still won 2nd place. His prize included a scholarship and dinner for 4 at La Caille. Saturday, January 22, 2011 we went with my parents. We had a wonderful time. I could really enjoy this good life. When the waitress brought the bill (not to be paid, just to be gawked at) I realized this good life comes with a price tag, and one I could never afford.

Recovery from Illness

I think when any illness arises, it is a message telling us to slow down. That is probably the #1 prescription: Rest. Sleep, read a book, stop your constant doing. I always give up on coffee and exercise when I am sick. Coffee will wake you up and also dehydrate you a bit. Exercise does the same. To really heal, you need to sleep and hydrate. In the early stages it is good to drink as much herbal tea as you can. Homemade broth-y soups are great. I believe in the magic of chicken soup, but veggie broth is also healing. Your broth could include mushrooms and as many onions (or onion family members) as possible. And, finally, the magical radish is a powerful healer. This little veggie alkalizes the body. It breaks fevers. It clears the body of excess mucus. It gets rid of heat. Eaten regularly, radish can prevent the common cold and other viruses.

Bibimbap, or, a Mixed Meal with Friends

My friend Taeyoung came over last night and showed us how to cook the traditional Korean dish, bibimbap. Literally translated, it means mixed meal. The night began with a shopping trip to 2 different Asian markets. We brought the ingredients back and got to work. It is quite an undertaking and could be made many different ways. Your basic ingredients are short grain rice, vegetables, egg, and seasonings (probably miso and chili paste).

You can go gourmet or simple from there. Here is a glimpse of our version: *Cook white sushi rice in rice cooker (we made 6 cups) *Sautee sliced carrots with salt, pepper, and garlic *Combine sliced cucumber with diced red onion, vinegar, chili paste, and paprika *Saute zucchini with salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika *Boil soy sprouts just until soft. Drain and add garlic, paprika, diced green onion, cayenne, salt, and pepper. *Saute fresh oyster mushrooms (yum!) and shiitake mushrooms(yum!) with sliced leeks, salt, garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and balsamic vinegar. *Steam some spinach. *Steam some eggplant and sprinkle with paprika and cayenne. *Softly fry some eggs (so the yolks will break when everything is mixed) *Top with special sauce: miso, garlic, chili paste, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, green onion, and rice vinegar.

*Also, Taeyoung prepared traditional Korean meat dish called bul-go-gi. Very delicious! I will definitely be trying out some of these seasonings and cooking methods. I also purchased some wakame and nori from the Asian market which I hope to incorporate into more of my meals. Seaweed gives us important vitamins and minerals from the ocean. In addition to a mixed meal, we had a mix of good friends and family: Fredy, myself, Taeyoung, Ben, Elizabeth, Tom, Sam, and Stephanie. Food tastes better when you have someone to share it with.

Immunity Boosting Potato Soup

So... I wanted to clean out the fridge and I had some potatoes, onion, and broccoli. I thought a little, searched a little, and came up with this delicious, creamy soup. It can be made vegan super easy although mine was not. (I was also using up what was in my pantry). Try this yummy winter dinner.

1 Tbsp. ghee (for vegan use olive oil)

1 yellow onion, diced

2 red potatoes

2 yukon gold potatoes

2 Tbsp. dried parsley (or herb of choice)

2 cups water

2 cups organic chicken broth (for vegan use veggie broth)

dash of salt

pinch of fresh ground black pepper

broccoli

Sautee onion in ghee until it is fragrant and soft (about 5-10 minutes). Add diced potatoes and sautee another 5 minutes. Add broth and water. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer. Add seasonings. (I just thought red pepper flakes would be yummy and warming). Simmer 20 minutes. Puree in batches. At the very end, add chopped broccoli. I didn't want to cook the broccoli too much and end up with mushy, gray looking stuff. I also didn't want to dice it all up and make a mess so I left long pieces in. This is personal preference. I served mine with left over corn muffins (had chili on Sunday) but it is really good on its own or with toast.

*Note: red potatoes are great for building the kidneys. Onions prevent all kinds of disease. And everyone needs to eat more green foods. I found recipes that called for flour or cream or butter, but this soup turns out super creamy and comforting without any of that junk. *

Shhh... Secrets to a Happy Life

-Whatever you feel the world is withholding from you- give that

-Greatness is an illusion. Life is made up of moments and each moment is very small.

-Make peace with each moment. Make peace with difficult moments in order to get out of the difficulty. What you resist, persists.

-Become friendly with your life exactly as it is. Right... now.

-There is sacredness in our difficulties if we allow for it.

-Stop looking for grand spiritual practice- your life is your spiritual practice.

-Remember, you are life. You are not separate from life. Begin to see the interconnectedness of all things.

-No matter how active we are, our state of consciousness creates our world. No amount of action can compensate for this. What you do is always secondary, who you are is primary.

-Its not what you do, but how you do it, that counts.

- In our modern world we know much about doing and almost little about being. What we don't realize is that it is the "being" that gives our "doing" meaning.

-People become very unhappy when they are focused on the surface of their lives. Even intelligence, without connection or depth, becomes destructive.

-Finally, how spiritual you are, how happy you are, has nothing to do with what you believe and everything to do with your state of consciousness. Be present now. Be at peace. Who you are will radiate and (the best part) you don't have to worry about it!

-Now go out and have a great week.

Curry Noodle Soup

No photo, but very warm, yellow, and spicy!

1 onion
1-2Tbsp. coconut oil
4 small garlic cloves
1/4 cup chopped cashews
1/2 carton of button mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen shittake mushrooms
1 cup frozen peas and/or carrots
1 package Asian whole wheat noodles
3 cups broth
3 cups water
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. sri racha (or sambal)
1/2 tsp. ginger
sea salt to taste
juice of 1 lemon

Saute onion in coconut oil. Add cashews and garlic. When golden and fragrant, add broth, water, spices, and veggies. Bring to a boil. Add noodles. Simmer 7 minutes. Squeeze lemon over the whole thing. Ladle into big bowls and slurp it up!!