Vegetable Soup

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Recipe: The best vegetable soup ever, no kidding
Mark Bittman, New York Times columnist and author of "The Food Matters Cookbook"
Ingredients
3/4 cup olive oil, more or less
2 onions, peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch parsley, washed and chopped, thick stems discarded
2 or 3 cabbage leaves, chopped
1 bunch chard, preferably white, washed and chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 to 4 cups cooked white beans, like cannelloni, with their liquid if possible
Preparation
Put about a third of the olive oil in the bottom of a deep pot and turn the heat to medium.
Add half the onion, carrot and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until they soften, which takes about 10 minutes.
Add about half of the remaining oil and repeat the process, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go.
Add the remaining oil with the parsley, cabbage and chard and cook, stirring occasionally, until everything is softened but not browned.
Add the tomato paste and stir.
Mash the beans so that they're about half mashed and half more-or-less whole. Add this mixture to the pot, along with any bean cooking liquid and enough water to make the whole mixture stewy but not watery.
Continue cooking, tasting and adjusting the seasoning as necessary, until all the vegetables are very tender and the soup is hot. Serve hot or warm.
Serving Size
Makes about 10 servings

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September 1-- A New Beginning!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

I am tired of failing to work my plan! It's been a challenging two months of being sick and having all of my family home for my son's wedding, changing jobs, losing a dear friend that I worked for and starting two new jobs. The excuses need to be put back in the drawer and a new plan has to be implemented. I have composed a list of my goals for the month and will check back in at the end of the month to tell how I did. I made them do-able goals. Since I've been out of the practice of going to the Y since my water aerobics instructor had to quit my goal for strength training is very minimal.


September 1, 2010
Goals

1. Stop emotional eating, especially at night.
2. Exercise aerobically 3 x a week
3. Track food
4. Track water
5. 50 situps a day
6. go to the y and do strength training at least 1 x a week
7. read my Bible daily; including a Proverb a day

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Lowest lows and highest highs

Friday, August 06, 2010

Sometimes we are called upon to do difficult things that we think are beyond our abilities. Today was one of those for me. I was asked to eulogize the man I cared for over the past two years. He was my hero and had a huge impact on my life. What complicated the request is that our 5 children are home from all parts of the USA for our oldest son's wedding. The rehearsal dinner is tonight.

We just got home after the service. It was an honor to talk about this man that has taught me so much. It was hard when my emotions took over and I cried but the emotion was genuine and I feel like I honored this amazing man.

So thankful for friends who stepped in to help with the prep work I had planned to do myself for the dinner.

Off to the dinner, to rejoice with my family, glad for a few minutes to sort out my emotions.

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My Most Unforgettable Character--Gene-- His Life Lessons for Me

Saturday, July 24, 2010

What an emotional week this has been! For the past month I have dreaded Tuesday when I would be losing the job I've loved. I have taken care of Gene, an 89 year old man with Parkinson's Disease for the past 2+ years. He has been such a source of inspiration to me as I've seen him fight his disease with grace and strength and very little complaint! This while I was trying to learn to eat more appropriately and exercise regularly to lose weight and improve my health.

When I didn't want to exercise I would think of Gene and his response when I would ask him daily if he would like to exercise. If he was feeling weak or poor he would say, "we'll see what we can do." He would then proceed to give it his 100% even under trying circumstances. This spoke volumes to me as I was in the process of learning to exercise regularly and learning to stop asking myself, "do I really FEEL like exercising?" I now don't ask that question, instead I just do it! After making exercise a priority and feeling the very positive results of it, I know that I will be very satisfied that I did exercise. I'm even at the point where I LOVE the process of it.

My heart is full of gratitude for Gene and the lessons he's taught me. I delighted in telling him that he was my hero and that he taught me how to just do it no matter if I wanted to or not!

He's not adjusted to his move to assisted living yet. His daughter called and asked if I would come in to exercise with him a few times a week. I'm so happy to do this as I know without the exercise he will be in a wheelchair soon. I miss him so much already. I am so grateful for his many examples on how to live a graceful life that is a blessing to others.

Gene is truly my most unforgettable character!

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70# in the rear view mirror

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

I'm literally shocked that I've lost 70#! The journey began April 2009 on my own after my doctor told me I was going to be a diabetic. I tried to exercise and eat better. I think I lost about 12 pounds until August when the program my doctor signed me up for started on diabetes prevention. To get into the program I had to agree to 1)track my food daily and 2) weigh myself daily. I was upset on both accounts, but to be part of the program I had to do it, so I did!
After a month, I was into it and looked forward to watching my progress.

Spark People came along for me when my program was winding down and I was in panic mode about how I could continue to lose weight. It has been so much more than I would have dreamed or even hoped it could be!

I have a mini goal that I've been working toward since April for my son's wedding August 7th. I am 7# away from that. I don't think I will reach it, but even if I don't I've been chipping away at the 20# goal I made in April.

I've been surprised by my determination to walk wherever possible even when the weather is challenging. It was a pleasure to learn that every week just walking to and from work is 20 miles! The walking is very enjoyable and the time passes quickly.

I learned last week that the job I have caring for an elderly man with Parkinson's Disease in his home will be ending next week as he moves to assisted living. I'm very sad about this change for him and for me!

He's taught me so much about determination and just doing what you have to do no matter how hard it is! Every morning and evening during the week I exercise with him, even when he's having a bad day, when asked if he's ready to exercise he tells me, "we'll see what we can do!" His legs hardly work anymore, but when we do our exercises it's like he's a new man. I will miss him so much. A few months ago, in the middle of exercise he turned to me and said, "don't you realize I'm almost 90 years old? That's OLD!" I will miss him and his great sense of humor!

It's with a grateful heart that I blog this morning, realizing if not for Spark People I would not have gotten to this point in my weight loss journey. Without my spark friends encouraging me along the road, I would not be here, without the Lord I would not be where I am today. He gave me the tools at just the right time for me to use them and have success. I thank the Lord for his mercy, grace and kindness in my life!

Have a great day fellow sparkies!

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