Caribbean Black Beans with Mango Salsa over Brown Rice

1 Large Onion, copped (1 ½ cups)

3 Garlic Cloves, minced or pressed

1-2 Tablespoons peeled, grated or chopped fresh ginger ( I used maybe a teaspoon of powdered ginger)

½ teaspoon ground allspice

3- 15 ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup orange juice

Pepper, to taste

Mango salsa (recipe follows)





1. In a non-stick saucepan, stir-fry onions and garlic in a small amount of broth, water, wine, or other liquid for 5 minutes, until onions begin to soften. ( I used white cooking wine and it was amazing!)

2. Add ginger, thyme, and allspice and stir-fry 5 minutes more, until onions are very soft. ( I kept adding the wine as it would evaporate)

3. Stir in beans and orange juice and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Mash a few beans with back of spoon for thicker consistency. Add pepper and serve over brown rice topped with mango salsa and crisped corn tortillas ( I used chips)



Mango Salsa


*I don’t like Mangos so I used peaches instead



2 medium-size ripe mangos, peeled and chopped (I used 3 peaches and didn’t peel them)

1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

1 ripe tomato, chopped

Juice and zest of one lime

½-1 small fresh chili (jalapeno or other chili of your choice), minced, or hot pepper sauce to taste ( I didn’t do this)

1 Tablespoon or more of chopped cilantro



Mix all ingredients and allow to stand for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend



(Recipe taken from Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease by C. B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D.)

"Mommy, I have a baby in my tummy too!"

Katherine has very dedidedly told me and Micah that she has a baby in her tummy too.  Every night she prays for my baby and then asks me to pray for hers.  I do.  Katie is insistent on the fact that both of our babies are going to be girls and that their names are Esther.  I'm thinking that she has been watching that episode of Veggies Tales a lot lately.  Not sure where else that could have come from....

Anyway, a few nights ago while I was tucking her in for bed, she said,
"Mommy, I need some scissors (which she used to call cut-ees)." 
"Why Katie?" I asked her. 
"Because I want my baby out.  I need some scissors so I can get her out." 

Ummmm.... not sure where she learned that all babies come out by c-section but apparently she thinks hers needs to. 

I then went on to explain that she does not need any scissors to get her baby out and went on to tell her in basic three year old language how the baby comes out when it is time.  She was fine with that and then choose to keep her baby in her tummy.  I'm glad. 

I love it when she comes up to me at random times throughout the day to rub my belly and talk to the baby.  She always wants to know what he or she is doing.  My usual answers include:  sleeping, growing, hanging out, etc.  Works for her.

I'm glad that Katherine has decided to go on this journey of pregnancy with me.  Should get interesting when my belly gets big.  Hopefully she won't think she needs to grow a belly too...

Food....is it possible to change 28 years of habit?

This week marks the end of 28 years of food habits.  Well at least it's a start to breaking some habits.  First of all, after a lot of research by my husband, he has discovered that it is the animal protein, not the fat that is the most potent carcingenic around.  Scary.  And the fat is pretty much like all other fats and that is what causes obesity and heart disease.  Fact in point: I was watching a documentary just last night on Dave Thomas, founder of Wendys.  In his late 50's or early 60's he suffered a massive heart attack.  At the age of 69 he passed away from liver cancer.  All during this time he dealt with unhealthy obesity.  Hmmm... that's interesting.  After doing all this research and then learning about his health problems, it falls into line with what he ate all the time.  Meat & animal products.  Now, I'm not blaming Mr. Thomas or trying to make a point through condimnation.  I'm just merely using it as an example.  During his lifetime I don't think any of this research was available anyway. 

I went to the doctor the other day to hear the baby's heartbeat and get some blood work done.  While I was waiting for my turned to get stabbed with a needle ( I hate needles) I looked around and saw with whom I was in company.  It was a few obese people scattered among some frail and sick elderly people.  I thought to myself, I don't want to be that way.  I don't want to spend my life sick and going to and from doctor's appointments trying to fix my ailments through drugs and medicine.  (I'm not saying anything is wrong with medicine btw). 

Did you know that 70 % of weight loss is diet related? 

So, hopefully I have you curious enough to maybe do some of your own research.  Here are some resources to help you begin your journey to a healthier lifestyle. 

1.  The Engine 2 Diet by Rip Esselstyn
2.  Prevent & Reverse Heart Disease by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr., M.D.
3.  The New McDougall Cookbook by John A. McDougall, M.D., & Mary McDougall

When Micah's dad had a heart attack a number of years ago, he went on the diet for two years that Dr. Esselstyn recommends and it totally reversed his condition.  And his cholesterol dropped significantly. 

Research for yourself.  Save your life. 

Veggie Shreds

Today was a new adventure for my family.  Since going on this whole "vegetarian" lifestyle I have yet to let go of my cheese...until tonight.  I have really been wanting pizza lately but was facing the whole cheese delima thing.  While at the grocery store early (yes, early- 7am early) this morning I found in the mock meat & dairy section this new item called Veggie Shreds.  Apparentily it is an alternative to cheese.  What the heck- I bought some.  After making very yummy, gluten & dairy free crust I added my pizza sauce and then came the time to put the cheese on.  Okay so I chickened out.  I mixed the Veggie Shreds and Sargento's Mozzerella (it was on sale- how could I resist???) cheese together and put it on my pizza.  The result?  A quote from Micah, "I think this may be the best cheese pizza I've ever had."  SUCCESS!!!!  I'm a fan of Veggie Shreds ( mixed with cheese of course!)  =)