When we first found out we were pregnant, baby Iris was only 5 weeks along...Now we have 5 weeks to go till she [is supposed] to arrive! It's hard to believe that in that short amount of time, a life has been formed inside of me. A brand new life that is part Luis and part me. What a miracle!
Over the course of the last 30 weeks, we have begun and continued the preparation process of adding a new person to our family. This has included purchases, large and small, conversations about how and what we will do if Iris does_______[fill in the blank], talking to the dogs about how they will no longer be the numero uno babies, birthing & CPR & baby care basics & breastfeeding classes, lots of doctors appointments, cleaning, baby showers, a change in diet, and all the hormonal and emotional changes that a mom and dad-to-be go through. And so now what do we do with the last 5 weeks??? It's hard for me to understand what it is I'm actually preparing for - actually I think it's impossible, for anyone to ever understand what they're preparing for when the 1st baby is on its way. I feel excitement, anxiousness for labor and delivery, curiosity around how this will all "go down" especially with the timing and Luis' work schedule and family being in town for the holidays. So many unknowns that I can't control are attempting to drive me crazy - I know God has His plan which is the best plan; I will focus on letting go of control and letting baby Iris arrive in whatever way God desires.
Yesterday was a very exciting day at the doctors office. I was "checked" for the first time and yep, her head is down. She is preparing for her arrival which is so exciting! I'm not dilated (which is good because we want Iris to stay in the oven for a few more weeks at least), but the doc did say that means "she should fit through!" Ha - that sounds pretty funny but is great news. It is so bizarre to know and be able to feel the different parts of her body - it is the most real and unreal experience I've ever had.
We can't wait to meet this new person and show her off and teach her and learn from her. Iris Papyrus (as her Daddy calls her) is going to change our world in just 5 weeks.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Two Trimesters
Wow, I can't hardly believe we are down to the last trimester before baby Iris joins us.
It has been an interesting two trimesters beginning with morning (ALL DAY rather) sickness, anxiety, excitement, nervousness, paranoia to a growing waistline, tummy flutters, bigger butt, gas, heartburn, a barely there belly button and now, best of all, a very active baby moving about enough for Luis and me to see from the outside.
It is such a bizarre thing to try and prepare for something you can hardly comprehend... soo...We're bringing a real human being into the world and we have to take care of her...all the time...forever... OH, and the way she enters the world is rather uncomfortable. :) What a concept! What a blessing!
One of the best and worst things about being pregnant - the unsolicited advice. I have always been up for hearing the tips and tricks of being a good parent. I enjoy peoples' diverse opinions and learning about all the different paths you may take. Where the advice seems to gets a little obnoxious...(I'm sorry men)...with men...older men I should say. I'm not sure what makes someone think it's a good idea to say "It's all down hill from here." "You're life is over." "Well, you did it to yourself." WHAT PEOPLE? Seriously, think twice. :) I do have to laugh though. People are funny.
So now that this little human is blinking her eyes, growing hair, sleeping and waking at regular intervals and doing somersaults, her coming is becoming more and more real. Luis can't get enough of her (by way of my stomach). I think Daddy's nickname of 'Iris Papyrus' will stick around for the long run. It's so neat to watch his excitement and watch him bond with her even though she's not yet arrived - I don't think he's going to put her down once she's here. :) Her Daddy loves her so much already!
ME - All I want to do is sit and watch my stomach bounce around. I poke at her and it seems like she knows and pokes back. I wonder if she knows my voice.
I can't wait till she's here. Two trimesters down. One to go and then it's showtime.
It has been an interesting two trimesters beginning with morning (ALL DAY rather) sickness, anxiety, excitement, nervousness, paranoia to a growing waistline, tummy flutters, bigger butt, gas, heartburn, a barely there belly button and now, best of all, a very active baby moving about enough for Luis and me to see from the outside.
It is such a bizarre thing to try and prepare for something you can hardly comprehend... soo...We're bringing a real human being into the world and we have to take care of her...all the time...forever... OH, and the way she enters the world is rather uncomfortable. :) What a concept! What a blessing!
One of the best and worst things about being pregnant - the unsolicited advice. I have always been up for hearing the tips and tricks of being a good parent. I enjoy peoples' diverse opinions and learning about all the different paths you may take. Where the advice seems to gets a little obnoxious...(I'm sorry men)...with men...older men I should say. I'm not sure what makes someone think it's a good idea to say "It's all down hill from here." "You're life is over." "Well, you did it to yourself." WHAT PEOPLE? Seriously, think twice. :) I do have to laugh though. People are funny.
So now that this little human is blinking her eyes, growing hair, sleeping and waking at regular intervals and doing somersaults, her coming is becoming more and more real. Luis can't get enough of her (by way of my stomach). I think Daddy's nickname of 'Iris Papyrus' will stick around for the long run. It's so neat to watch his excitement and watch him bond with her even though she's not yet arrived - I don't think he's going to put her down once she's here. :) Her Daddy loves her so much already!
ME - All I want to do is sit and watch my stomach bounce around. I poke at her and it seems like she knows and pokes back. I wonder if she knows my voice.
I can't wait till she's here. Two trimesters down. One to go and then it's showtime.
Monday, May 30, 2011
2 Pink Stripes
Well, I'm writing this on the morning of Friday, May 6. Unfortunately, I won't be posting it until after May 15... will understand in a moment.
So about 2 1/2 weeks ago (4/19) I did something; something that was exciting and emotional and frightening all in one. I peed... Yes, that's what I said, I went pee. But it wasn't just any old pee. It was on a little white stick. Do you follow me?
To back up a little, Luis and I have had the on and off "baby fever" ever since wedding bells rang. It sort of came in phases. I would be baby crazy for a bit and then it was his turn. Back and forth; back and forth. We knew at that time, a baby would not be a good idea because of Luis' school, budget, etc.
Well, in March conversations began to get a little more serious and as the days went on, we were really considering if it was the "right time." April arrived, and we decided "yes" it is! Luis will be out of school now by the time a baby arrives, he got a job at University Hospital which means a second, consistent income, we're very happy in Northside - even looking at a house; things just seemed to fall into place. We decided on no more prevention - God would choose the right time. Under the assumption that these things can take some time, we went along as normal...maybe a little more pep in our step, but nothing drastic.
Well, about 2 weeks later was 4/19 and that thing that arrives for women every month had not yet arrived... Hmmmm... "better swing by Walgreens" I thought.
So I got home to show Luis my purchase and he wanted to waste NO TIME. "GO! Go now! What are you waiting for!!!!"
That's when I did it. I peed... And afterwards I ran to the kitchen to pace for the recommended time of 3 minutes. Luis sat here on the computer as if nothing was going on.
"Ok, it's got to have been 3 minutes. Go look!" I told him. And secretly I just knew it. Before I ran back to the kitchen I saw the ever so faint SECOND strip appearing and knew.
I followed him in to the bathroom...I think he screamed...I can't remember for sure. But there they were - 2 pink stripes. All I know is he had the biggest grin on his face and believed that I somehow arranged this and it was a joke! HAHAhahaha! For some reason all I could do was laugh. I suppose it was a nervous, anxious, excited, freaked out laugh! Luis was so excited! And so was I!
Finally today, May 6th, I go to the doctor for confirmation. It's annoying how they make you wait till ~6-8 weeks before they want to see you. So, in the meantime, we have kept this a secret! We did tell a few close friends fearing that if we didn't we might actually explode. But we wanted to wait till Mother's Day to tell our families...specifically our mothers. The reason for the wait till May 13th is that my Mom isn't coming down till then. We aren't celebrating Mother's Day until she's here.
So now our big secret is out. So now we wait...and prepare...and deal with the side effects of a human growing inside me...
Baby is due on Christmas. What a perfect gift.
So about 2 1/2 weeks ago (4/19) I did something; something that was exciting and emotional and frightening all in one. I peed... Yes, that's what I said, I went pee. But it wasn't just any old pee. It was on a little white stick. Do you follow me?
To back up a little, Luis and I have had the on and off "baby fever" ever since wedding bells rang. It sort of came in phases. I would be baby crazy for a bit and then it was his turn. Back and forth; back and forth. We knew at that time, a baby would not be a good idea because of Luis' school, budget, etc.
Well, in March conversations began to get a little more serious and as the days went on, we were really considering if it was the "right time." April arrived, and we decided "yes" it is! Luis will be out of school now by the time a baby arrives, he got a job at University Hospital which means a second, consistent income, we're very happy in Northside - even looking at a house; things just seemed to fall into place. We decided on no more prevention - God would choose the right time. Under the assumption that these things can take some time, we went along as normal...maybe a little more pep in our step, but nothing drastic.
Well, about 2 weeks later was 4/19 and that thing that arrives for women every month had not yet arrived... Hmmmm... "better swing by Walgreens" I thought.
So I got home to show Luis my purchase and he wanted to waste NO TIME. "GO! Go now! What are you waiting for!!!!"
That's when I did it. I peed... And afterwards I ran to the kitchen to pace for the recommended time of 3 minutes. Luis sat here on the computer as if nothing was going on.
"Ok, it's got to have been 3 minutes. Go look!" I told him. And secretly I just knew it. Before I ran back to the kitchen I saw the ever so faint SECOND strip appearing and knew.
I followed him in to the bathroom...I think he screamed...I can't remember for sure. But there they were - 2 pink stripes. All I know is he had the biggest grin on his face and believed that I somehow arranged this and it was a joke! HAHAhahaha! For some reason all I could do was laugh. I suppose it was a nervous, anxious, excited, freaked out laugh! Luis was so excited! And so was I!
Finally today, May 6th, I go to the doctor for confirmation. It's annoying how they make you wait till ~6-8 weeks before they want to see you. So, in the meantime, we have kept this a secret! We did tell a few close friends fearing that if we didn't we might actually explode. But we wanted to wait till Mother's Day to tell our families...specifically our mothers. The reason for the wait till May 13th is that my Mom isn't coming down till then. We aren't celebrating Mother's Day until she's here.
So now our big secret is out. So now we wait...and prepare...and deal with the side effects of a human growing inside me...
Baby is due on Christmas. What a perfect gift.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Christ Is Risen
The celebration of Easter is a celebration of Christ rising from the dead after dying for our sins. We are now forgiven...saved...
What a glorious event. The most important to my life. So how have I become numb to this "holiday"?
On Monday evenings I have a small group with two other ladies. The question was asked this past Monday, "How are you feeling about Easter this week?" I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't thought any more about Easter except for what Luis and I would be doing and who we would "celebrate" with. I was quickly taken back and saddened by my response. We realized that it has been fairly easy to forget, or look past, what Jesus was going to go through the week leading up to his resurrection and what the resurrection has done for us. We were all distraught at this finding. We decided we would focus on Jesus' last week of life this week.
Except for maybe in middle school, I don't recall learning much about the last week of Jesus' life, or reading about it on my own for that matter. So this week I focused on the gospel of Mark and a fantastic tool my bible provides with a day by day timeline of the week of Jesus' death. I also attended the "Holy Week Experience" put on at Crossroads church.
The one thing that stands out so vividly is that when Jesus is hanging on the cross, he cries out "Father, why have You forsaken me?" It was brought to my attention this week that when Jesus was dying on the cross, he was temporarily separated from God. This is because God is perfect and all holy and at that moment, Jesus was bearing all our sins. And so, not only was Jesus in antagonizing pain, but he was separated from any spiritual comfort that God, his Father, provided.
This has been a hard thing for me to comprehend. And honestly, through it, I am even more amazed at God's love for me.
It is important to look at the entire week before Jesus' death and resurrection. This week I focused on even the small details of this week and I am in awe of God's love. I am thankful.
Don't be numb to this week of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die." John 11:25-26.
What a glorious event. The most important to my life. So how have I become numb to this "holiday"?
On Monday evenings I have a small group with two other ladies. The question was asked this past Monday, "How are you feeling about Easter this week?" I am embarrassed to say that I hadn't thought any more about Easter except for what Luis and I would be doing and who we would "celebrate" with. I was quickly taken back and saddened by my response. We realized that it has been fairly easy to forget, or look past, what Jesus was going to go through the week leading up to his resurrection and what the resurrection has done for us. We were all distraught at this finding. We decided we would focus on Jesus' last week of life this week.
Except for maybe in middle school, I don't recall learning much about the last week of Jesus' life, or reading about it on my own for that matter. So this week I focused on the gospel of Mark and a fantastic tool my bible provides with a day by day timeline of the week of Jesus' death. I also attended the "Holy Week Experience" put on at Crossroads church.
The one thing that stands out so vividly is that when Jesus is hanging on the cross, he cries out "Father, why have You forsaken me?" It was brought to my attention this week that when Jesus was dying on the cross, he was temporarily separated from God. This is because God is perfect and all holy and at that moment, Jesus was bearing all our sins. And so, not only was Jesus in antagonizing pain, but he was separated from any spiritual comfort that God, his Father, provided.
This has been a hard thing for me to comprehend. And honestly, through it, I am even more amazed at God's love for me.
It is important to look at the entire week before Jesus' death and resurrection. This week I focused on even the small details of this week and I am in awe of God's love. I am thankful.
Don't be numb to this week of Jesus' life, death and resurrection.
"I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die." John 11:25-26.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
In the Spirit of Budgets
A monthly budget, it seems pretty straight forward, right? ... ... ... WRONG!
Luis and I are huge advocates of Dave Ramsey and his lessons on paying off debt, savings and priorities when it comes to budgeting. Unfortunately, although I am an advocate, things aren't any easier when it comes to the monthly budget and the multiple allocations for our fixed amount of income.
I have and use an extremely straight-forward template. There is a line item for all of the necessities as well as the options; and I am to fill in the determined amount for each item, every month. Yes about 90% of the items are fixed (or rarely/slightly change) including: rent, electric, tithing, groceries, gas, insurance, Urban Active membership and any other monthly bill we pay. The problem arises with the optional items; entertainment, clothes, home maintenance...those are the main items that stand out in my mind, but there are others.
So why is it so difficult when 90% doesn't change? Ya know, the more I think about it, it's not the difficulty of determining the "right" amounts for each field, but rather the discipline in actually obeying those "right" amounts. Because, once I type them in my little excel sheet, press 'save' and begin the month, things are "set in stone"...yes?
Let me first let you in on a little secret...it may shock you...Luis is the FREE SPIRIT in our budgetary relationship. Shocking, right!?! :) For the most part, he cares to have little to no involvement in the monthly budget assignments. And those months that he gets the itch to put in his two cents...well let's just say, that scenario is not nearly as smooth. So, in being the free spirit, he has the ability to wipe out any recollection of a budget when he really wants something; or when I really want something for that matter. Every now and again, I do get the urge to just say "Screw it. I'm ready to spend that money we don't have!" and Luis will be like "Sweet!" On the other hand, when Luis is saying that, I am able to quickly bring him back to reality.
I often tell him to quit making me be the 'bad guy' in our budgetary relationship. If people ask us out to dinner around the 28th of the month and we have no more money in our 'entertainment fund' the answer should be no...technically. Well Luis is a yes man, and so if he says yes and then I say "babe, we're fresh out of money for the month," well then I'm the bad guy. See how that happens? We're working on that. (Let me also say here that Luis' yes man and free spirit tendencies are also a few of the reasons I love him so much.)
So what's my point? Discipline. And our world has made it so easy to avoid discipline with money at all costs because now we can charge it and pay it back later. At least that is how it's suppose to work. Let me just say, it rarely does. Because it is out nature that once we get a little, we want more and the vicious cycle begins.
And so, we are working on paying off debt and enjoying life with what we have now. Dave Ramsey says "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else." Hopefully that 'pays off'...see what I did there. ;)
Luis and I are huge advocates of Dave Ramsey and his lessons on paying off debt, savings and priorities when it comes to budgeting. Unfortunately, although I am an advocate, things aren't any easier when it comes to the monthly budget and the multiple allocations for our fixed amount of income.
I have and use an extremely straight-forward template. There is a line item for all of the necessities as well as the options; and I am to fill in the determined amount for each item, every month. Yes about 90% of the items are fixed (or rarely/slightly change) including: rent, electric, tithing, groceries, gas, insurance, Urban Active membership and any other monthly bill we pay. The problem arises with the optional items; entertainment, clothes, home maintenance...those are the main items that stand out in my mind, but there are others.
So why is it so difficult when 90% doesn't change? Ya know, the more I think about it, it's not the difficulty of determining the "right" amounts for each field, but rather the discipline in actually obeying those "right" amounts. Because, once I type them in my little excel sheet, press 'save' and begin the month, things are "set in stone"...yes?
Let me first let you in on a little secret...it may shock you...Luis is the FREE SPIRIT in our budgetary relationship. Shocking, right!?! :) For the most part, he cares to have little to no involvement in the monthly budget assignments. And those months that he gets the itch to put in his two cents...well let's just say, that scenario is not nearly as smooth. So, in being the free spirit, he has the ability to wipe out any recollection of a budget when he really wants something; or when I really want something for that matter. Every now and again, I do get the urge to just say "Screw it. I'm ready to spend that money we don't have!" and Luis will be like "Sweet!" On the other hand, when Luis is saying that, I am able to quickly bring him back to reality.
I often tell him to quit making me be the 'bad guy' in our budgetary relationship. If people ask us out to dinner around the 28th of the month and we have no more money in our 'entertainment fund' the answer should be no...technically. Well Luis is a yes man, and so if he says yes and then I say "babe, we're fresh out of money for the month," well then I'm the bad guy. See how that happens? We're working on that. (Let me also say here that Luis' yes man and free spirit tendencies are also a few of the reasons I love him so much.)
So what's my point? Discipline. And our world has made it so easy to avoid discipline with money at all costs because now we can charge it and pay it back later. At least that is how it's suppose to work. Let me just say, it rarely does. Because it is out nature that once we get a little, we want more and the vicious cycle begins.
And so, we are working on paying off debt and enjoying life with what we have now. Dave Ramsey says "Live like no one else, so you can live like no one else." Hopefully that 'pays off'...see what I did there. ;)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Cincinnati Spring
Good Morning to you.
I just have to say that spring in Cincinnati is the absolute best. Not that I have experienced it in many other locations, however, it's the people here. We embrace it immediately.
As we know, the winter in Cincinnati is brutal. And it seems to me, this past winter has been more brutal than the rest. Actually, in all honesty, every winter seems worse than the one prior. Maybe that is just me hating winter more every year....?
However, Cincinnati does not wait for extended periods of nice weather in order to jump on it. If there happens to be a 50 degree, sunny day in the middle of January, and snow is still on the ground, people are out, enjoying the day.
And THAT is the enthusiasm that makes Cincinnati springs fantastic. It is March 19th and the past three days have been perfect. March 17th, as you know was St. Patty's Day, which also gave us a big jump start. The outside patios of bars and restaurants were packed until late evening. AND as a bonus, daylight stays around for a while! Luis and I sat outside at Christy's and as it was bright and sunny at 6:30pm, we reminisced of the darkness beating me home after work just weeks ago (I normally get home at 5:30pm)... that was depressing.
So last night, I left the bedroom door open as it can be arranged to stay extremely dark in my room for all day if I so choose. Doing so, this morning, I was pleasantly woken up with streams of sunshine from the kitchen windows. What a wonderful way to wake up on a Saturday. I have to say, I love the house I currently live in and the kitchen is my favorite room. Two windows and a back door opening up to the yard make for a very bright, happy, welcoming location. Windows are also one of my favorite things.
And so, I must state the obvious, God is a genius. Bringing out days that are so undeniably beautiful, that can't help but to just liven people up; it's contagious. Thank You, God for spring, long days, beauty and a rejuvenated energy.
I just have to say that spring in Cincinnati is the absolute best. Not that I have experienced it in many other locations, however, it's the people here. We embrace it immediately.
As we know, the winter in Cincinnati is brutal. And it seems to me, this past winter has been more brutal than the rest. Actually, in all honesty, every winter seems worse than the one prior. Maybe that is just me hating winter more every year....?
However, Cincinnati does not wait for extended periods of nice weather in order to jump on it. If there happens to be a 50 degree, sunny day in the middle of January, and snow is still on the ground, people are out, enjoying the day.
And THAT is the enthusiasm that makes Cincinnati springs fantastic. It is March 19th and the past three days have been perfect. March 17th, as you know was St. Patty's Day, which also gave us a big jump start. The outside patios of bars and restaurants were packed until late evening. AND as a bonus, daylight stays around for a while! Luis and I sat outside at Christy's and as it was bright and sunny at 6:30pm, we reminisced of the darkness beating me home after work just weeks ago (I normally get home at 5:30pm)... that was depressing.
So last night, I left the bedroom door open as it can be arranged to stay extremely dark in my room for all day if I so choose. Doing so, this morning, I was pleasantly woken up with streams of sunshine from the kitchen windows. What a wonderful way to wake up on a Saturday. I have to say, I love the house I currently live in and the kitchen is my favorite room. Two windows and a back door opening up to the yard make for a very bright, happy, welcoming location. Windows are also one of my favorite things.
And so, I must state the obvious, God is a genius. Bringing out days that are so undeniably beautiful, that can't help but to just liven people up; it's contagious. Thank You, God for spring, long days, beauty and a rejuvenated energy.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Vegetarian Italian / Italian Vegetarian
Life is good. Food is good.
Italian and Indian seem to be the easier routes in making a substantial vegetarian meal...substantial being the constant challenge. Without that big, [nasty] chuck of meat (j/k)...what do I use to fill the plate besides rice and bread? Let me first just say that eggplant is awesome. Awesome tasting, an excellent replacement for meat and so simple to cook. Beans, potatoes and diced tomatoes are also a saving grace.
Let me share a few Vegetarian Italian recipes that I have tried recently and Luis and I have enjoyed.
Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:
1 eggplant, cut into 3/4 inch slices
8 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces ricotta cheese
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
4 cups pasta sauce
Additional Ingredients Sarah adds:
1 zucchini chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
mushrooms chopped (doesn't matter if they are canned or fresh)
Any color peppers you might have on hand chopped
Even a few tomatoes chopped if you so desire
(If you haven't noticed, I always add any extra veggies I might have on hand)
Now it's time to start cooking.
First, sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices with salt. Place slices in a strainer, and place a dish underneath to capture any liquid that will sweat out of the eggplant. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix in egg and basil.
Rinse the eggplant in cold water until all salt is removed. In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Place one layer of eggplant in the pan, brown each side. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices, using additional oil if necessary.
In skillet, saute any additional veggies you are adding as well.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, evenly spread 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce. Arrange a single layer of eggplant slices on top of the sauce, then arrange additional veggies. Top the eggplant and veggies with 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layering process until all the eggplant, veggies and cheese mixture is used. (Do not worry about perfection). Pour remaining sauce on top of layers, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake 30 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until sauce is bubbly.
ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o allrecipes.com.
Eggplant Mushroom Tomato Casserole
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 large Onion diced
1 clove Garlic pressed
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper diced
1/4 pound Fresh Mushrooms thinly sliced
3 large Tomatoes diced
1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 medium Eggplants diced
1 tablespoon Seasoned salt
1 tablespoon All-Purpose flour
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
(feel free to add additional veggies; zucchini, red/yellow peppers, etc.)
Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium low heat. Add onions and sauté a few minutes. Add garlic and green bell pepper and sauté. Add sliced mushrooms, continue to sauté a few minutes. Add diced tomatoes, chopped parsley, pepper, and thyme. Simmer 2 additional minutes. In large non-stick skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add diced eggplant and seasoning salt. Sauté until lightly browned. Stir often. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in flour carefully with spatula. Return skillet to heat. Add tomato mixture. Simmer 2 minutes. Spoon mixture into greased casserole dish (8-inch x 8-inch). Sprinkle Parmesan (and/or mozzarella) cheese over top. Bake 35 minutes. ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o eggplantrecipes.net.
Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon salt
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained (I did not have this, but think it would be a delicious addition)
3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chile peppers. When vegetables are heated through, reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.
ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o allrecipes.com.
Italian and Indian seem to be the easier routes in making a substantial vegetarian meal...substantial being the constant challenge. Without that big, [nasty] chuck of meat (j/k)...what do I use to fill the plate besides rice and bread? Let me first just say that eggplant is awesome. Awesome tasting, an excellent replacement for meat and so simple to cook. Beans, potatoes and diced tomatoes are also a saving grace.
Let me share a few Vegetarian Italian recipes that I have tried recently and Luis and I have enjoyed.
Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:
1 eggplant, cut into 3/4 inch slices
8 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces ricotta cheese
6 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
4 cups pasta sauce
Additional Ingredients Sarah adds:
1 zucchini chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
mushrooms chopped (doesn't matter if they are canned or fresh)
Any color peppers you might have on hand chopped
Even a few tomatoes chopped if you so desire
(If you haven't noticed, I always add any extra veggies I might have on hand)
Now it's time to start cooking.
First, sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices with salt. Place slices in a strainer, and place a dish underneath to capture any liquid that will sweat out of the eggplant. Allow to sit for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix the ricotta, mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix in egg and basil.
Rinse the eggplant in cold water until all salt is removed. In a large skillet, heat 4 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Place one layer of eggplant in the pan, brown each side. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices, using additional oil if necessary.
In skillet, saute any additional veggies you are adding as well.
In a 9x13 inch baking dish, evenly spread 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce. Arrange a single layer of eggplant slices on top of the sauce, then arrange additional veggies. Top the eggplant and veggies with 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layering process until all the eggplant, veggies and cheese mixture is used. (Do not worry about perfection). Pour remaining sauce on top of layers, and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.
Bake 30 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until sauce is bubbly.
ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o allrecipes.com.
Eggplant Mushroom Tomato Casserole
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 large Onion diced
1 clove Garlic pressed
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper diced
1/4 pound Fresh Mushrooms thinly sliced
3 large Tomatoes diced
1 tablespoon Parsley chopped
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Thyme
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
2 medium Eggplants diced
1 tablespoon Seasoned salt
1 tablespoon All-Purpose flour
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
(feel free to add additional veggies; zucchini, red/yellow peppers, etc.)
Preheat oven to 375 F. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium low heat. Add onions and sauté a few minutes. Add garlic and green bell pepper and sauté. Add sliced mushrooms, continue to sauté a few minutes. Add diced tomatoes, chopped parsley, pepper, and thyme. Simmer 2 additional minutes. In large non-stick skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add diced eggplant and seasoning salt. Sauté until lightly browned. Stir often. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in flour carefully with spatula. Return skillet to heat. Add tomato mixture. Simmer 2 minutes. Spoon mixture into greased casserole dish (8-inch x 8-inch). Sprinkle Parmesan (and/or mozzarella) cheese over top. Bake 35 minutes. ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o eggplantrecipes.net.
Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon salt
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chile peppers, drained (I did not have this, but think it would be a delicious addition)
3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chile peppers. When vegetables are heated through, reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.
ENJOY!
Original recipe c/o allrecipes.com.
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