Spring Broccoli?

If you have never heard about "Spring Broccoli" you are not alone, I never had either. But there waiting there in my garden when I went out to get the soil ready for planting my vegetable seeds was a broccoli plant full of florets ready for the picking. The first of the year I went out to the garden to pick, what I thought was, the last of the fresh broccoli. But with our mild winter the plant did not die as usual during the winter. I may not add broccoli to what I consider "spring vegetables" but this year my family had the unexpected joyed of home-grown broccoli for a spring dinner.

Welcome to Meatless March

If you already go Meatless congratulations, March is celebration YOU!

If you still enjoy meat regularly here is your chance to explore some new and flavorful foods as well as improving your health. Did you know that by Cutting back on animal protein you can lessen your risk of heart disease, cancer, & obesity? Its true that studies show that these major health issues and many more health problems are more prominent in people who consume animal products regularly.

Do you think that this is just a fad that some people go through for a short period in their lives? The numbers of vegetarians are consistently growing not only for their own personal health but also for the health of our planet. In fact you may of heard of some...Pythagoras, Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Confucius, Buddha, Gandhi, Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Natalie Portman, Carrie Underwood, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Lindsay Wagner, Ted Danson, Bob Barker just to name a few.

Why don't you give it a try, start with just one meatless meal a week.

So, you are now sure if you will like the taste? Here is a meal that you will never miss the beef in.

CHILI
2 cups TVP flakes
2 Tbs. ketchup or tomato sauce
2 cups boiling water
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
Jalapeno pepper or pepper of your liking (optional)
2Tbs. chili powder
2tsp. cumin
2tsp. oregano
½ tsp. cayenne
2 28oz. cans of tomatoes, chopped
2 16oz. cans red kidney beans with liquid
2 cups of frozen corn

Pour the boiling water over TVP, add the tomato sauce and let stand for 10 minutes. In a large pot sauté the onion, garlic, and peppers in olive oil then add in the seasonings. You can add as much heat or as little as you like.

Add in the TVP to the pot and blend it all together well. Put the tomatoes and beans into the pot also and simmer for 45 minutes. Add in the frozen corn and cook for another 15 minutes. Serve with warm corn bread and a salad.