Soup Series: Spicy vegetable soup

Making vegetable soup is seriously simple. A few steps and you're on your way to a serious nom nom nom session. First, you pick  your favorite veggies. Then, boil your water. Next, chop said veggies, add Sazon and let those vegetables cook down to a delicious, nutritious, satisfying soup. I'd like to share what ingredients I used to make the soup you see pictured below :-)

What you' ll need:

broccoli

 celery

 carrots

 cabbage

 scallions

 crushed red pepper flakes, to taste ( I used 2tsp)

black pepper, to taste

1 packet Sazon (Goya)

7 or 8 cups of water

Instructions: 

• In a large stock pot bring water to a rolling boil
•  as water boils chop/dice veggies into bite sized pieces 
• add Sazon packet to boiling water and add veggies
• season with pepper and red pepper flakes
•  allow veggies to cook down for an additional 20-30 minutes on a low heat setting or until they reach your desired texture

This soup makes a great start to a meal, a good snack to tide you over until your next meal, or served with salad and perhaps some garlic bread makes for an entree.

Enjoy!

That's my 2 cents!

- Kimba

Simple Sunday: Mushroom, broccoli and cheddar mini quiche

Good Morning Friends,

I hope you've all had a fabulous weekend. Thanks for stopping in today. I'd like to share a quick recipe for Mini Quiche. So yummy, packed with veggies, full on flavor.  I'm sure you'll enjoy!!! A few minutes of prep and under 10 minutes in the oven... Ready, Set, GO!!!

Mini Mushroom, Broccoli and Cheddar Quiche

What you'll need:

4 eggs

1/2 cup skim milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup diced mushrooms

1/2 cup diced broccoli

1/4 cup white onion

3 strips of cooked bacon *optional

(if you don't add bacon add a dash of salt to your egg mixture) 

tbsp olive oil

skillet

cupcake/muffin tin

cooking spray

Note* Recipe yields 9 mini quiche

Instructions:

•  Pre-heat oven to 350
• In a large pan, saute broccoli, onions and mushrooms in olive oil.
• while veggies are cooking, crack 4 eggs into large mixing bowl. 
• Add milk and mix with fork. Don't scramble eggs, just mix them slowly with fork.
• Turn off heat on veggies, let them sit for 2 minutes
• add cheddar cheese to eggs, then quickly blend in veggies and bacon
• pour mixture by the 1/4 cup full into cupcake tin that has been sprayed with cooking spray
• bake for 7-8 minutes until cheese is nice and gooey/bubbly.

Remove from oven, gently loosen edges with butter knife, and enjoy!!! 

 * Note: I served my mini quiche with baked biscuits and fresh fruit.

That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Spicy Roasted Eggplant Dip

Hello Friends,

Thanks for stopping by for another Simple Sunday. Here is a quick yummy recipe for a spicy roasted eggplant dip. YUM! Four ingredients and you're on your way to a delicious treat!! ENJOY!

What you'll need:

1 small or medium eggplant

1/2 cup sour cream (a little less if your eggplant is really small)

1 tbsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 450 degrees
• cut your eggplant in half length wise.
• roast your eggplant for about 30 minutes
• Scoop flesh and place in heat resistant blender
• blend on puree
• once creamy, add garlic, crushed red pepper, and sour cream
• Blend once more.
• ENJOY!!!

That's my 2 cents!!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Happy New Year!!!

Hello Friends,

I hope you've all had a fabulous holiday season. Welcome to 2012. With the new year, comes new opportunities, new ideas, and new challenges. (Both good and bad) May God send his blessing your way as you continue to grow this year.

 Speaking of growth, every year  people make new years resolutions... I giggled to myself as I went for a walk around Jamaica Pond this morning. It was more crowded than usual... Partly because it is 55 degrees in January... but, I couldn't help but wonder, how many people at the pond were only there because they made a resolution to lose those last pesky few pounds????

I think people put a lot of pressure on themselves to accomplish goals that aren't realistic. Or, they make the mistake of comparing themselves to unrealistic people, ie; celebrities. I mean, If I could have a personal chef who makes cardboard taste like brownies, I'd be thin too!!

Let's look at a simple way to get healthy, together. One word... BREAKFAST. People, would you try and start your car if it had no gas? NO! So why do you try and start your day without breakfast?

Here is a super simple, delicious way to start the day.

 Yogurt, granola, and fruit breakfast

 

What you'll need:

1 tsp Honey

 half a Banana

half an apple, diced into small pieces 

1/2 cup granola cereal

1 cup plain or vanilla yogurt

Instructions:

Simply layer your mug ( I use a clear mug because it's cute, the better your food looks, the better it tastes! Just saying) with the items listed above, drizzle the honey on top, and enjoy!!

Each spoonful will be filled with healthy goodness.

Starting your day with a healthy breakfast, can help you accomplish whatever resolution you've made for yourself this year. (Unless your resolution is to starve.) Your brain and body need fuel for the day. So get up, have breakfast and power toward the goals you have set for yourself!!!

Hope this recipe finds you well!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Night Cap Anyone????

Hello Friends,

Happy Sunday, I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend.

It's time for me to check in with another Simple Sunday.
Are you ready for this?????
Spiked Hot Cocoa! Two words, YUM and Yum!

What you'll need:

Hot Cocoa Mix

Peppermint Schnapp's

Marshmallow

Simply Make your hot cocoa according to the instructions... Add as much Schnapp's as you like! HA. Top of your beverage of with some yummy marshmallow, or whipped cream, and enjoy! ;-) 

Super Simple, but makes for a great treat...

Bomb.com ;-)

That's my 2 cent's!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Dry Skin Solution...

Sunday is slowly winding down, as is the fall season. With the changes in weather, many of us may find that our skin is becoming extremely dry. Well, for today's Simple Sunday, I'd like to share a skin treat that is sure to combat winter's drying effects. The whipped Lemon Coconut Shea Butter Skin Treat  that I'm going to share with you today is great for keeping skin and hair full of moisture.

Just because the days are becoming shorter and we are losing sunlight, doesn't mean our skin and hair have to lose their glow!

*****Lemon Coconut Shea Butter Skin Treat *****

What you will need:
40 drops- lemon essential oil , for a yummy scent
1/4 cup coconut oil, for moisture                      1/8cup vegetable glycerin, for moisture
8 oz of raw Shea butter, for moisture
Hand mixer
Bowl

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, blend Shea butter and coconut oil until creamy. 
• Add lemon oil. Whip again. (about 30 seconds)
• Add vegetable glycerin
• Whip your mixture until it has the same consistency as frosting. (yum, but don't eat it!) 

Once you have blended your skin treat you can simply place the bulk of your whip back into the original Shea butter container. Keep in mind, it won't all fit as you have added oils, and air (via whipping) You can use any airtight container that you have laying around for storage. I had left over containers from  November Natural's Night. I placed the overflow in to those containers.

While packaging up my Lemon Coconut Shea Butter Treat, a brilliant thought came over me. (That doesn't happen often people!) I can package this up and give it away as part of x-mas gifts! SPOILER ALERT!! hahahahah.

Anywho, I hope this skin recipe works wonders for you! Let me know. While you're at it, why don't you share what your current favorite winter skin remedies are!


That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Fun with Turkey day leftovers.

Happy Sunday!

I am officially at the crossroad where Thanksgiving weekend ends, and the work week begins.Today, I'd like to check  in with another SIMPLE SUNDAY, where doing something simple makes a huge impact! Below I'm sharing a super simple and delicious way to polish off the rest of those leftovers from Turkey day.

Note: Leftovers should  typically be kept for 3-5 days depending on the item.***

 Turkey Day Turnover

 

What you'll need:

Leftovers ie; turkey meat, stuffing, and cranberry sauce

crescent rolls

The sweetness of the cranberries blends so well with the savory mixture of stuffing and turkey. Once you add the buttery roll, this turnover is sure to please.

Instructions:

• unroll your crescent rolls by 2 (leave two triangles connected) onto a cookie sheet
• Layer your roll with turkey, stuffing,(I was lucky, I had Momma's homemade cornbread stuffing! Yum. )  and cranberry sauce

• Fold the sides of your crescent roll over and pinch opened ends closed with a fork

•  Bake in oven on 375 for 13 minutes. Your roll should be golden brown and the leftovers will warm up nicely! (no strange microwave texture.) 
•  Remove from oven and ENJOY!!! (I know my family did!)

****Here is the food safety fact sheet that is available on the USDA's website.

Storage Times For Refrigerated Foods
NOTE: These short but safe time limits will help keep home-refrigerated food from spoiling.

Storage Times For Refrigerated Foods
Ground Meat, Ground Poultry, and Stew Meat
Ground beef, turkey, veal, pork, lamb	1-2 days
Stew meats	1-2 days
Fresh Meat (Beef, Veal, Lamb, and Pork)
Steaks, chops, roasts	3-5 days
Variety meats (Tongue, kidneys, liver, heart, chitterlings)	1-2 days
Fresh Poultry
Chicken or turkey, whole	1-2 days
Chicken or turkey, parts	1-2 days
Giblets	1-2 days
Bacon and Sausage
Bacon	7 days
Sausage, raw from meat or poultry	1-2 days
Smoked breakfast links, patties	7 days
Summer sausage labeled "Keep Refrigerated"	Unopened, 3 months; Opened, 3 weeks
Hard sausage (such as Pepperoni)	2-3 weeks
Ham, Corned Beef
Ham, canned, labeled "Keep Refrigerated"	Unopened, 6-9 months; Opened, 3-5 days
Ham, fully cooked, whole	7 days
Ham, fully cooked, half	3-5 days
Ham, fully cooked, slices	3-4 days
Corned beef in pouch with pickling juices	5-7 days
Hot Dogs and Luncheon Meats
Hot dogs	Unopened package, 2 weeks; Opened package, 1 week
Luncheon meats	Unopened package, 2 weeks; Opened package, 3-5 days
Deli and Vacuum-Packed Products
Store-prepared (or homemade) egg, chicken, tuna, ham, and macaroni salads	3-5 days
Pre-stuffed pork, lamb chops, and chicken breasts	1 day
Store-cooked dinners and entrees	3-4 days
Commercial brand vacuum-packed dinners with/USDA seal, unopened	2 weeks
Cooked Meat, Poultry, and Fish Leftovers
Pieces and cooked casseroles	3-4 days
Gravy and broth, patties, and nuggets	3-4 days
Soups and Stews	3-4 days
Fresh Fish and Shellfish
Fresh Fish and Shellfish	1-2 days
Eggs
Fresh, in shell	3-5 weeks
Raw yolks, whites	2-4 days
Hard-cooked	1 week
Liquid pasteurized eggs, egg substitutes	Unopened, 10 days; Opened, 3 days
Cooked egg dishes	3-4 days

 
 That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Breakfast Muffins

Hello Friends,
 Hope your weekend has been wonderful.  Today I'm coming to you with another super simple idea. I'm feeling a little greedy so here is a recipe I'd like to share with you.

Breakfast Muffins

What you'll need:

Biscuit mix

3 eggs

1/3 shredded cheddar cheese

3 tbsp milk

5 cooked breakfast sausage links

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• preheat oven to 350
• prepare biscuit mix according to package (or use pre-made biscuits) 
• on a floured surface, roll biscuit dough out into a circle. Circumference should be just a tad larger than muffin cup.

•    press dough down into tin making sure sides rest just outside the muffin cup
• scramble eggs with milk salt and pepper. set aside.
•   dice sausage
• fill tin with scrambled eggs, then sprinkle in sausage and cover with cheese.
•  Bake in oven on 350. 
• Check after 8 minutes. Allow to cook until egg is firm and biscuits are golden brown.
• TIP: Do not overfill biscuit with egg. Once biscuit rises, egg will overflow! 

(Believe me, I learned the hard way!)

    

Served with yummy diced fruit, a simple and delicious breakfast!

plum, white nectarine, and Asian pears.

Get in that kitchen and get to work. 

Minimal effort delicious results!

ENJOY! 

That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba

Simple Sunday: Sangria

Hello All!

Happy Sunday, hope you all are having a fabulous weekend. 
This morning I decided that each Sunday, I will post about something that is super simple to create/do, but has  a wow factor/ huge impact. So, for my first Simple Sunday, here is a super quick and yummy White Wine Sangria recipe! Hope you'll enjoy. Actually, I know you'll enjoy it!

What you'll need:

2 bottles of Chardonnay

1 cup of Lemon Lime Seltzer water

1/2 cup sugar

lemons

oranges

raspberries

strawberries

blackberries

(You can really use any fruit you love) 

Punch bowl or other cute container for your beverage

Instructions:

• Using chilled wine, pour 2 bottles of Chardonnay into your bowl.
• add 1 cup of seltzer and sugar. Stir
• Slice your lemons and oranges into wedges or circular slices
•  add your beautiful fruit to the bowl and watch as people gasp at its beauty!

Tip: Leave an ice bucket on the side, that way you will not water down the flavor of your yummy drink as ice melts ;-)

ENJOY! 

That's my 2 cents!

-Kimba