juice

This is a warming and filling vegetarian soup with a little "spice". The measurements are relative since I just threw things in as I thought of them.  Play around with the measurements to see what you like :) Ingredients olive oil 3-4 gloves garlic, minced 1 brown onion 2 leeks 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon coriander 1 teaspoon dried thyme a pinch of dried chilies vegetable broth 1, 8 ounce can diced tomatoes 1 cup quinoa 1, 8 ounce can lentils, rinsed and drained  - (I usually use dried, but couldn't find them at the moment) Saute garlic, onion, and leeks in olive oil on low heat for about 5 minutes.  Stir in spices for another minute or two.  Add vegetable broth (I just added water and threw in 4-5 teaspoons of broth powder) and turn up heat a bit.  Stir.  Stir in quinoa.  Add diced tomatoes and stir.  Bring to a boil.  Turn down heat and add lentils.  Simmer for another 15 or 20 minutes (until quinoa is done). ...

12/27/13 First, I want to apologize for the absence of posts in the last month.  Who would have thought December could be such a busy time!  ;) A few weeks ago, my two lessons of rock n' roll dancing paid off at a rock n' roll dance put on by the instructors.  A skirt was the suggested attire and that made it easy, having two of them in my wardrobe to pick from.  Sonia looked right out of American Bandstand in polka dots and folded lacy socks.  Anna (Sonia's cousin) rocked a homemade 50s dress that sat perfectly around her tiny waist. In the past couple months I've learned the Aussie terms for a bachelor and bachelorette party: a bucks' or hens' party, respectively.  A bit cuter, and a bit easier to say... We found a common place on the dance floor with the company of a 50-year-old and above crowd.  The main difference separating, namely Anna and I, from them, was their ability to rock and twirl as if on the set of Happy Days.  With just ...

11/28/13 Today's weather was a semi-drastic change from yesterday's sunshine and warmth; of course, not unexpected.  What was unexpected was a supposed case of food poisoning brought upon one of my housemates.  Most of us can relate to the loss of food and sleep that accompany stomach illnesses.  Is it only Americans who gravitate toward the herbaceous and subtly savory warmth of chicken (noodle) soup during these times of fatigue and discomfort?  It wasn't until late afternoon that I adhered my calling to make a chicken (noodle) soup.  The reason for the parentheses around the noodle are attributed to the way my mom started making it after I abandoned gluten.  Who would have thought that the noodles do little justice to the charming satisfaction of this simple liquid casserole... I had the base recipe filed in the "home" drawer of my mind, but with a package of rice noodles aging in the pantry, I traveled through the endless Google images for "chicken ...

We are literally surrounded by things our brains may never comprehend.  Our neighbor’s expertise may be as foreign to us as the syllables dancing from the beaks of rain forest birds thousands of miles away.   We've  heard them on the Discovery channel, but what are they saying?  I've  seen them rolling over miles of dirt, as I lift a finger to keep the dust out of my car.  The closest I have gotten to farm life were the animals at county fairs. My affection for country life is admittedly superficial, outweighed by city living.  However, I have not a true understanding of either as  I've  always straddled the stream between, jumping out on both banks… a puppy surrounded by new faces. Who  didn't  have a farm friend growing up in southeast Wisconsin?  The perfect places for bonfires and capture the flag.  I  didn't  have to travel 9,777 miles to take a sip of this physically demanding life-s...

Written Nov. 12 And so I find my mind all over the place.  Struggling to write down all the details and wishing I had one of those mini-tape recorders to place on all the tables I share with good company. Last night was one of these tables.  Our Monday night Bible study was another time of reflection, education, laughter, wine, and oh so sweet treats.  I had picked up a honeydew melon and some strawberries running errands with Sonia earlier in the day, thinking I would throw together a simple fruit salad to compliment all the other sweets that night.  I tend to pick cantaloupe (or rockmelon, as they call it here) mainly by smell and color.  Honeydew is a bit more confusing for me and my purchase proved I need some work on identifying the ripest individuals.  I give myself a little slack with only a few to choose from, all looking identical on the outside.  Fortunately, Sonia suggested we make dark chocolate-dipped strawberries for the group an...

A few things I have been meaning to mention... Another spectacular soup, with a little kick -->  http://souvlakiforthesoul.com/2008/06/lentil-soup-with-chickpeas-and-quinoa * I used brown/green lentils, but it would be fun to try the red ones next time! A few more Aussie things (and my understanding of them): "good on ya" - I believe this means something real similar to, "good for you," but I have heard it where I think "you're welcome" would go... "chook" - a chicken "ta" or "cheers"  - An informal "thanks" "biscuit" - A cookie, but not a real rich, desserty type "lollies" - candy "crook" - not well/ill "bloke" - fellow/dude Also, fruit salad is more of a after meal treat than a complimentary side salad. I suppose it's important to note that Warrnambool is only one city in all of Australia.  In that case, I should be careful not to gener...

I have the rest, or some of the rest, of the previous post waiting impatiently for your attention.  Sonia and I spent the day together yesterday and showing her my blog was a grand idea.  I think she got quite a kick out of the descriptions I've made so far of the juicy details of her Australian life.  I also appreciate her editing my mistakes... Thanks Sonia! *** Yesterday, the 11th of November, at the 11th hour, we recognized Remembrance Day by attending a brief, yet touching, ceremony at Flagstaff Hill.  We said a prayer, listened to beautiful singing and trumpet playing, and commemorated those who served in World War I.  Bright bouquets of flowers were placed at the foot of a proud angel statue, positioned above two plots of red poppy adorned white crosses.  The layout reminded me of the memorial day presentation in Echo Park in my hometown of Burlington.