Black Bean and Rice Stew

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup water (for sautéing)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, diced
8 button or crimini mushrooms, chopped (used a small can I had)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1-1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon chili powder of your choice

3 cups water
3 cups diced tomatoes (or 2 15 oz cans - I used diced tomatoes with chilis)
2 cups cooked brown rice
3 cups cooked black beans (or 2 15-oz. cans, drained and rinsed)
1 large potato, cut into small cubes (I also threw in some sweet potatoes)

2 teaspoons fresh, minced oregano or ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro or basil

Directions:

1. In a soup pot that is heated to medium-high, add onions and sauté them without water for a minute or two, keeping them moving with a wooden spoon (this draws out the natural sugars). Add a tablespoon of water now and then to avoid sticking and burning. Add the minced garlic and continue to sauté in the same manner for one minute.

2. Add to the pot: the celery, mushrooms, and herbs and spices (cumin, coriander, chili powder), and about ¼ cup of water, which will make the mixture more saucy. Sauté for another 2 minutes.

3. Add the 3 cups water, tomatoes, brown rice, beans, and potato. Cook at a low-medium boil for about 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Add in the fresh herb of your choice, and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve. Optional: garnish with fresh oregano (shown above) or some chopped cilantro or basil.

Makes 8 cups or 4 bowls. 

NOTES: This recipe is from Straight Up Food, and she has lots of notes you may want to read.   I think this made more for me than stated. Mine was spicy...but yummy. I added Tomatoes with Chilis and used spicy sweet potato fries chopped up (only way I have found sweet potatoes here).  I'll make this again.  

For more yummy eats click the recipe tab at the top of the blog. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Shotgun Update

A quick update as I've not blogged for over 2 weeks. 

I flew out 30 Oct to Nashville, TN for the PWOCI 2012 International Training Conference. I served on this year's Leadership Selection Team for the International Executive Board. This was an amazing learning opportunity for me. 

I flew home 6 November. I discovered I had brought an unwelcome bug of some sort home with me and could not get out of bed for a week. 

I got up yesterday. I'm on light schedule...but I am making it back to the land of the living. 

I've got many things on the blog schedule to update: conference, traveling, Christmas Shopping, Couples Retreat, Vegan lifestyle, Adult Gherkin updates, this land I love. 

In the meantime - here's a photo of me taken this a.m. It's true this plant eating lifestyle is agreeing with me. 44 pounds lost. I'm now below my "realistic goal" and only 8 lbs from my "goal" for weight loss in 2012.  I suspect I will reach somewhat lower before this is over, though Michael assures me eventually my body will know it's time to quit losing weight. ::snort::  The thing is there is no "maintenance" plan to this lifestyle....the eating style is the maintenance. That's a nice thing to know. ::snort::  I think if my body doesn't quit losing (which it will) I'd just add back more grains and a few more added sugar items.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cooking Dried beans

 This is the EASIEST way I've found to cook dried beans. Rinse them.  Put beans in a crock pot - add any savory pieces you want  (I usually throw in garlic). Cover with water (at least 2 inches above beans). Cook on low about 8 hours. Sometimes they are done at 5 or 6 hours.  Use what you need. I freeze in 1.5 C bags and when a recipe calls for a "can of beans" I'm ready to go. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Almost Outta Here

What a day! It wasn't smooth or very pretty - it certainly wasn't as efficient as I like - but I'm packed and ready to head out in the a.m.  I had to get labs and the doc hadn't ordered them correctly. I ran errands, came back, they still weren't in. They had me wait for 5 min which turned to 20,  BUT WE GOT IT DONE!!!!! He wanted it done before Halloween and I won't be here on the 31st. In retrospect I really should have done it on Friday - my bad.

I went to make prints I need to take on the plane and had forgotten to load them on the flash drive. ::snort:: A great benefit to all this driving back and forth is I had downloaded quite a few podcasts and I  was entertained.

I'm packed - this may be a record to be packed the night before.  Every decision seems monumental when you've had as many unexpected extended trips as I have....but I finally just decided to throw things in and go for it. ::grin::

Michael showed true love by chasing me down with a plate of stir fry veggies topped with cashews. He told me to EAT...and I realized I'd not eaten today. Oops.

It was great to talk to Jared this a.m. Stacia ran errands with me. Good kids one and all. We're blessed.

I'm off for the PWOC International Training Conference in Nashville, TN.  It will be a full week. It will be a blessed week. It will be a refreshing week.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Jared Today

Stacia and I had fun chatting with Jared this a.m. He was happy to be out of the ICU but disappointed he wasn't able to go home today. I assured him hospitals don't keep tri-care patients without a cause as tri-care is notorious for paying what they think is realistic and not paying the rest. ::snort::

He may get to go home tomorrow.

The boys are planning on moving next weekend.

He's missing more and more work.

He's getting further behind in school.

And he is starting to feel better. We talked about the possibility of not getting a 4. this semester, and possibly going to school for a week or two without work to ease back into full time at work and full time at school. All I could offer was mommy advice...he's an adult and will make his choice.

Praying God grants health and wisdom as he recuperates.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Zander Trains Yuuki

This series of photos is pure fun. Zander attempts to train Yuuki to eat her lunch and leave his alone during our hike yesterday. 

This is MY organic-Vita Cost granola bar! 

I've got my eye on yours.....

Yuuki makes her move

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Oriase Gorge - Fall 2012

We've had ten years of assignments which took us to locations with VERY little fall season.  In AK it lasted about 3 days (maybe it was 2 weeks) and in TX it never really got that crisp, leaves turning color thing where we lived. 

We love the four seasons in Northern Japan. Honestly, winter could be a wee bit shorter - but we love it all.  We decided to drive up Oirase Gorge yesterday and view the fall color....little did we know that the 27th  and 28th were the days the gorge would be closed to automobile traffic. We took the detour which took us to the top of the gorge and we began hiking. It was LOVELY to be able to hike in the roads with nothing to worry about except motorcycles and tour buses. I THINK folks bought tickets and then either hiked up or down the gorge and took the bus back to their starting point. We couldn't read the signs and had no real idea of what the plan was so we just hoofed it. 

We didn't see Americans on the hike - and that's too bad as it is the perfect day to do the gorge. We did find it funny when we were lunching by the "big falls"  tour groups would come by this national treasure and take our family photo instead. ::snort:: Michael said it is probably because we are a large family. I feel like we're a small family these days...but it may have been. 

We did see another couple on our way back to our car....and we found out some friends were up there too....so some Americans got to enjoy the day. 

Here are a "few" photos (culled from over 200 shots).

We stopped at the "top" of the detour to grab a few shots and let Yuuki stretch. It was hard to get people photos and stay on the right side of the barrier - but I attempted it.....

After we saw a Japanese couple hop the barrier, we did too, and Nolan snapped this. 

Arielle stayed near the car with Yuuki

We stopped at a few spots on our way DOWN to the little ferry landing and the top of the gorge. 

This is my "What is he doing now" look

Amazingly clear water

 This is the start of our hike down the gorge

I LOVE the kids' cooperative expressions. LOL 

Would serve them right if this became
the Christmas photo!

 

The manhole covers in Japan intrigue me. I've captured them in several spots. Each has it's own local flavor. 

We stopped here for lunch. Yes. 

Beautiful lunch spot

Hmmm.....come to think of it my sweatshirt is fairly loud for this culture...maybe THAT is why we had so many photos taken. LOL 

Zander was chatting away about Samurai while he did this and many men stopped to take his photo - before I told him, "STAY on the path!" 

Many were off the path for art's sake. Zander was the only sword-wielding Samurai. 

Lots of artists spend the day here

Not sure what this says but the ghost caught my attention

 Back at our starting point!

This was a great day. For any lucky enough to have another fall in Misawa, I recommend  watching for the days the roads are closed and go on up next year. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...