This is the yummy soup recipe I promised a while back. It is definitely fit for company...served with warm corn tortillas or bread....and a nice green salad!
I love making soup and the soup season is definitely here!
Here it is, taken from Firehouse Foods (thanks, Tenisha and Jason!)...=)
2 TBS vegetable oil
2 1/2 lbs beef chuck steak, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium white onion
3 cloves garlic minced
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes
6 cups beef broth (I used Better than Bouillon and water)
1 bay leaf
1 TBS dried Mexican oregano
1 lb red potatoes, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
2 ears corn, shucked and cut into 1 in. thick rounds (I used frozen corn!)
1 zucchini, cut into matchsticks, 1 in. long (I omitted this..my hubby's not a fan)
1/2 head green cabbage, cored, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro ( I used a bit more, and didn't really measure)
Salt and pepper to taste
You could add come white beans to it too...especially if you omitted the meat.
It also suggests serving it with raw diced onion, cilantro sprigs, lime wedges, and fresh, warm tortillas.
Heat the oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat; add the meat and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, and oregano. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 1 1/2 hours, partially covered.
Stir in the potatoes, carrot and corn; continue to cook for 30 minutes. Add the zucchini, cabbage, and cilantro; cook for 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and season to taste with sal and pepper. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and pass the cilantro, lime wedges, and tortillas at the table.
I sign up to receive these health newsletters through Mercola.com and actually read about every third one....but today the title peaked my interest and I thought that it would be relevant to share with you all...since it tis the season for such things!
It's regarding the flu vaccine, it's contents, death rate statistics, and alternatives to getting the shot. It's a video so you don't have to read...just listen and let me know what you think!
This, by the way, is NOT intended to make anyone feel guilty or judged by me if you do choose to receive the shot...I'm just learning about these things myself and appreciate a perspective that is not cookie cutter to mainstream media and medicine. SO please don't feel offended, but rather free to express your opinion.
Just a few photos to catch y'all up...nothing exciting to report. We did have a wonderful time playing "hooky" together...got lots of sleep, good conversation, cooked together, watched "Iron Man", went out for breakfast, had lots of fun at the wedding in Seattle, and indulged in some yummy food and dancing at the Space Needle reception. It was energizing...though we were so ready to pick up the kids Sunday afternoon! We're dealing with some behavioral issues with Josiah...and it's really tiring. I'm trying so hard to deal with it calmly and without emotion, but sometimes I get so mad! The terrible twos were not so bad compared to the tremendous threes!
This photo of Gracie was not staged...she climbed up all by herself and was so proud...Josiah on the other hand was freaking out...concerned for her safety! Don't worry, we took her off before we started it up!
Another cute one....that hair....!
Here he is...Mr. Trouble himself...he has this laugh...you know he's being mischievous...but it's so contagious!! He is so much fun....
I love this one....it needs no explanation!
This is me at the wedding....a bit disheveled and getting tired, but had so much fun...
I've got to go rescue the pumpkin bread from the oven, pick up an awake little, girl, and get crackin on dinner!
Today I'm....
-Perfecting a homemade pinto bean recipe...
-Watching my kids be very industrious in the backyard...by emptying the bag of grass from the lawn mower....and then putting it back in. =)
-Cleaning the house for our Community Group tonight...last time we had 27 in our little living room....I'm hoping for a few less this time!
-Checking my friends blogs...and being really thankful that they have blogs.
-Harvesting the last of the tomatoes for the season...
-Drinking lots of water....
-Savoring the sunshine and airing out the house...
-Listening to classical music blare throughout the house...Pandora is the best, if you haven't discovered it yet!
-Preparing a longer more pensive blog....
-Rejoicing and thankful for a wonderful Savior, husband, children, and community.
-Looking forward to passing the kids off to the in-laws for a few days with my Hubby this weekend. We have a wedding in Seattle and the reception is semi-formal...at the Space Needle!!
Congratulations to dear CASS...they welcomed their son Henry into the world on September 30th! Check out her blog for a precious photo!
Also, congrats to Bethann...their number three blessing is baby Ezekiel....she has no blog to show off pictures, but if you know her, you'll probably see some soon.
Who's next....??
The sickies are gone, and our favorite time of the year is here....Days are still warm and the nights are cool, leaves are falling and changing color, and the kids now think that because it's dark it's ok to go to bed at the normal time.
Time for pumpkin bread and apple cider.....(our favorite is the spicy cider from Trader Joe's)!
Today was just another day in paradise...my children fought but also shared voluntarily and gave each other kisses, my son helped me happily all morning with loading laundry, folding clothes, "mopping" the floor, and making "healthy" cookies....I have an existent energy level, and I already know what we're having for supper.
Just don't ask about my day yesterday!!! It's a good thing we don't give up on the hard days...then days like this wouldn't feel so grand!
Hugs to all of you....
