Don't ever say you dont have time for a good healthy meal.....

I admit it.. I am extremely lazy sometimes... That would be the reason I have not written anything on here in over a week... I get it all in my head and when I try to write it down I get extremely overwhelmed ( I get so brain-foggy sometimes, must be the MS I think, I cant remember anything sometimes and everything is a jumble) and keep trying to make it perfect on the page and then I walk away and talk myself out of it... for days. and days. I have to start thinking outside of myself and how much I can help people with my thoughts, and knowledge. And I have to remember that I don't want to be the servant who wastes my "talents" all because I am afraid. Thanks for growing with me through this.

Anyway, I want to share a great recipe I made tonight for dinner ( I actually ate half of it for lunch it was so yummy) Do you ever just want to heat up something from a can just because you so don't feel like cooking? I was feeling that today.... I was tempted to buy a can of tomato soup for lunch...weird I know. But I actually came across a recipe for a homemade tomato soup and I will NEVER buy canned soup again. This took me about the same time it takes to heat up the store bought kind ( I don't use a microwave, I'll link to an article at the end of this that will make you think twice about it too) and it was way way more delicious. I would love for you to give it a try and tell me what you think.... my hubby thought it took all day to make - score! He is the first critic I have to get past! lol

                  Roasted Tomato-Garlic Soup with Orzo and Basil

Ingredients:

1 24 oz jar of your favorite roasted garlic pasta sauce

2cups water

1 cup low-sodium veggie broth

2 TBSP EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

1/4 tsp dried rosemary

1/4 tsp dried thyme

I also added some marjoram and oregano to make it more Italian feeling

1/2 cup orzo pasta ( I used the little stars, I thought they were cuter lol)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves

(I have my little plant in the windowsill, I love the smell of fresh basil!)

Instructions:

In a medium pot, bring the pasta sauce, water, broth, oil, and seasonings to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the orzo/pasta ( if you want you can add long grain rice instead but it will take a few  minutes longer to cook)

and add half of the basil, boil stirring often until the pasta is tender yet firm to the bite (al dente)

(takes about 8 minutes or so)

Serve hot and garnish with the remaining basil.

I made quesadillas with whole grain tortillas, spinach, avocado, roasted red peppers and some rice cheese melted.... perfect together!



Here is the link to the article about why a microwave can be so dangerous... something to think about.Microwave ovens the curse of convenience

In the coming days I am working on trying to revamp some of our favorite holiday treats to give them a new healthy twist and to make them vegan and so delish nobody will ever know, hopefully I will have a few appetizers, and a few desserts to bring to some of those upcoming holiday parties. And I have a vegan pumpkin pie recipe and some pumpkin bread if you have leftover pumpkin you just don't know what to do with!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and now that December is upon us let's remember the true meaning of the season as we move forward the next few weeks.....

Hope you enjoy the soup! =)