Black Eyed Peas

Traditionally black eyed peas are eaten on New Year's Day for prosperity. We have been observing this tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.
Some type of green is usually eaten as well, to insure financial stability and fortune.

The kind of BEP's I grew up eating, were full of pork(usually ham hocks) and the greens were typically cooked to death.
Here's my version. Still full of flavor, but with more texture and nutrients.

1 carrot diced
1 stalk celery diced
1/4 large onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 large bay leaf or 2 small
1tsp poultry seasoning
5 cups veggie broth
8oz bep's (presoaked overnight per instructions on bag)
1 medium sweet potato or 2 small cut into bite size chunks
1 bunch of kale de-stemmed, washed and sliced
2tbl olive oil
*salt and pepper to taste





Saute 1st 6 ingredients in olive oil for about 5 minutes.
Add broth and beans to pot. Cover and reduce heat to simmer for about 1 hour.
Add in sweet potatoes and kale and continue to cook for 15 minutes or until beans and sweet potatoes are desired tenderness.
Salt and pepper to taste
* Amount will vary depending on which type of veggie broth you use.
Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes before serving.

I serve this over brown rice with cornbread or corn muffins.
Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Another year is upon us! 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days and billions and billions of moments are left behind.
Each moment passes so quickly.

As I reflect upon 2009 and look forward 2010, I'm overwhelmed with how grateful I am to be here at this very moment.
Even in the bleakest of times, we all have something to be thankful for.
I am thankful and most grateful for love. I have it in abundance.
We all do, but in harder times, it's more difficult to see it.

The love I've given and received is what carries me on to 2010.

Please share with me your thoughts on the New Year. What are you most grateful for and what are you looking forward to?

Cookie Exchange

Every year for the past 3 years, we have had a cookie exchange at work.
I try to come up with a new vegan cookie each time. This time, I was so buisy working on other projects that I neglected working on a a recipe until the night before!
I decided to do a different spin on a chocolate vegan cookie I usually make and raid my spice cabinet for a chai spice cookie.
Here's what I came up with.

Chocolate Almond Cookies
(makes about 4 dozen)

4c unbleached flour
1c cocoa powder
2tsp baking soda
1/2tsp salt
1 1/2c coconut oil
2c vegan sugar or sucanat
1/2tsp vanilla extract
1/2tsp almond extract
4tbs ground flax seeds
1c almond milk
whole raw almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together first 4 ingredients
Cream together remaining ingredients, except almonds
Mix dry into wet ingredients until well combined
Roll into balls, flatten and put 1 almond in the middle of each
Bake for about 6 minutes

Chai Spice and Coconut Cookies
(makes about 3 dozen)

2 1/2c unbleached flour
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp cardamom
1/4tsp ground ginger
1/4tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp ground cloves
1tsp baking soda
2/3c coconut oil
3/4c coconut powder
(be sure to purchase the kind without casein, for a pure vegan cookie)
1/2c almond milk
1c vegan sugar
4tbs corn starch
1/2c shredded coconut

Mix together first 7 ingredients
Cream together next 5 ingredients
Mix dry into wet ingredients until well combined
Roll into balls, flatten and sprinkle with coconut
Bake for about 6 minutes

Soy Aromatherapy Candles

The holidays are well upon us and I wanted to put together something useful with a homemade touch for family and friends. With baby on the way, frugality is of the utmost importance, so I decided to use what I already have. I allowed myself a couple of outside supplies. I had been holding on to some fruit jars for awhile and decided to put them to use. Looking at them gave me the idea to do a citrus aromatherapy candle.
I made these in the microwave, but you can use a stove top as well.

soy wax
essential oils- I used sweet orange, lemongrass and grapefruit.
http://andeverything-in-between.blogspot.com/2009/04/essential-oils-vs-synthetic-fragrance.html
wax dye
wicks and wick tabs
jars

*Before I start melting my wax, I position my wicks into my jars and hold them into place with chop sticks. They sell wick holders, but you can also use whatever you have on hand.
*I also make sure that my jars are clean, dry and warm. This makes for a more uniform look to the outside of the candle.

Melt wax according to specifications. Some need to be heated in a double boiler an some are o.k for the microwave.
Remove from heat and add essential oils.
Next add dye if you are using it.
Mix with a whisk very well to incorporate oils and dye.
Pour into jars.
Let the candles cool and cure for at least 24 hours.
Trim your wicks to about 1/4 of an inch.
Approximately 5c of wax chips melts ino 20oz of liquid wax
For every 40oz of wax I melt, I use 50 drops of essential oils and 3 drops of dye.
For a stronger scent and color, use more EO's and dye.



After letting the candle cure for a couple of days, I tied a recipe card around the neck using ribbon and lace. I combined these candles with my homemade granola to make holiday gifts.