Curried Broccoli and Sweet Potato Soup

Curried Broccoli and Sweet Potato Soup

(From The Diabetes Choice Cookbook for Canadians, 2002, Pg 48)

I sure enjoy making and eating a good soup. This one is quick to make; high in fiber; and a good source of Vitamin A and C.

Ingredients

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 ½ minced garlic

1 ½ cups chopped onions

1 tsp curry powder (or more if you like)

4 cups chicken stock (add more stock if too thick)

4 cups broccoli florets

3 cups peeled diced sweet potatoes

2 TBSP honey

(I use gluten free ingredients)

Directions

• In a large saucepan heat oil over medium heat.
• Add garlic, onions and curry.
• Cook for 4 min or until onions are softened.
• Add vegetable stock, broccoli and sweet potatoes. Bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 min or until vegetable are tender.
• Transfer soup to food processor or blender. Purée. Add honey and serve.

I sometimes add soft tofu just before pureeing – for extra protein. Once served, I add a little ground flax seed to my bowl.(Flax seed is high in fibre; healthy fats and antioxidants).

Brown the onion, garlic and curry.

Add Stock, Sweet Potatos and Broccoli

Puree.

Freezes well.

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Smile Today

When I’m out, I like to engage in conversation with people I don’t know. I try to be kind and say something nice. It’s such a simple way to let people know they’re valuable. For instance, I talk to people in the grocery story; I’ll compliment a woman if I like her jewelry or coat; I’ll start a conversation with someone about a book at the library. The easiest way of all to show people you care is to give a smile.  Let’s smile at everyone we see today. As Mark Twain put it, “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.”

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Furniture – Consignment & Second Hand Shopping

I really like to pay attention to how I spend money and I encourage you to do the same.  I could spend a lot on decorating the home, if I were not careful. Over the years, I’ve begun to acquire a few furniture pieces through  consignment or second hand. For me, furniture consignment/ second hand shopping keeps the cost of upgrading down and therefore savings up. Read on to learn about a few successful purchases I have made.

While browsing around a furniture consignment store a few years ago  my husband and I found a brand new  ‘Snuggler’.  It was the perfect replacement for our existing well used love seat.  We located the same piece in the manufacturers store for much more. We saved about 1600.00.

With fewer of us around the table,  I began looking for a something smaller.  I found the perfect glass top bistro type table online for $20.00.  Were I to purchase this new, I would have paid over 100.00.

 If you are not furniture consignment/second hand shopping, I urge you to consider this. You will be amazed at the quality you can find at a good price. If you’re successful you’ll be able to keep your hard earned money for something else like: retirement savings; child’s education; or a vacation. A word of caution – you need to plan and have patience.

P.S. Consignment stores are a good place to find art and accessories for the home.

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At Home Hair Care

No matter how we feel about our hair, we want it to be healthy, look good, and require little maintenance.  After reading a few books, and researching online, I have come up with a routine that works well. 

Cut hair every 3 months. Trim bangs at home in between cuts when needed – about every 3 weeks.  Use trimming scissors  – not household scissors.  They’re under 20.00 at your local pharmacy. (Search youtube for a bang cutting demonstration)

Color hair every 3 months – if need be.  If you’re not comfortable, use a professional. I use  a color close to my natural ash brown color for ease of maintenance.

Touch up your roots every 8 weeks at home. Using a semi – permanent works well.

Wash hair using Sunsilk Hydra TLC shampoo and conditioner – this contains amino acid and keratin. It is very gentle on the hair and the color stays in longer. I have being using it for 2 years now and it is very gentle. My hair color  fades very little.

Wrap wet hair in a turban and allow to dry almost completely before styling with a blow dryer or straightener.

 Consider giving one of more of these tips a try and you will not regret it. Have a nice day. Linda

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100 Joys

I heard a story of a lecturer who showed a piece of paper with a blot on it to a group of businessmen. He asked the audience what they saw. They responded ‘a blot’. The point is that often times we notice the flawed and miss the joys in life. This week, I’m paying attention to the joys in my life – particularly the ones I overlook.  When I began, I was hoping to notice 25 in a few days. I put a blot on a page and began recording around it. On the first day of this practice, I observed 26 things I’m thankful for.  I’m now aiming for 100.  As I am writing down my blessings, the blot is becoming less visible. Why don’t you start recording your blessings today? You’re outlook will change – mine has.

Here are a  few from my list:

–         Naps

–         Healthy lungs

–         Bird tracks in the snow

–         Clean fresh laundry

–         Doctors

–         Brisk air

–        An Invitation

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