Two recipes in one day? Yes, because I am pregnant and loving food right now! LOL! I have also been craving homemade tomato soup. I posted a similar recipe on my recipe blog this summer, but I don't have any garden fresh tomatoes with which to make this delicious soup in the middle of winter. So, I decided to improvise. The results, I have to say, were amazing. This is a wonderful soup, so flavorful, and a great way to get veggies in your kids!
Tomato soup
4 (28 oz.) cans of whole tomatoes
8 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. plus 2 T. olive oil
4 c. water
1 t. basil
2 t. salt
1 c. whipping cream
1 onion, diced
a pinch of red pepper flakes
Drain the whole tomatoes and reserve the juice for another use. You can freeze it and use it in vegetable soups, chili, or in a stuffed cabbage sauce. Chop each tomato in half and gently squeeze out the seeds. Place the tomatoes, cut side-up in two 9 by 13 baking dishes. Sprinkle the minced garlic over, drizzle on 1/4 c. olive oil, sprinkle with a tiny bit of salt, and roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.
Saute an onion in 2 T. olive oil, until soft and translucent. Add the roasted tomatoes and 4 c. of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes. Add 2 t. salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Puree with a hand blender until smooth. Add 1 c. of whipping cream and 1 t. dried basil (or can use fresh).
That's it. I will serve this with quesadillas made on whole wheat tortillas, for dipping.
This soup is incredible! Roasting the tomatoes makes all the difference and it is so much easier than working with fresh tomatoes because you don't have to mess with the skins.
Enjoy!
In Christ, Laura
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Dinner Tonight--Wheat Berry Enchiladas
Now that I am feeling better, I am enjoying cooking again. I have posted this recipe before, but I thought I would post it again. It is a recipe that Cameron and Jonas request all the time. It is delicious and so healthy. You should try it! :) You can actually buy wheat berries in the bulk food section of any health food or specialty stores, or at Whole Foods, but also Walmart carries big bags of wheat berries! I cannot recommend a grain mill enough! It is so worth it!
Wheat Berry Enchiladas
2 c. wheat berries
8 c. water
2 c. Garden Sauce (recipe to follow)
whole wheat tortillas
1 onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 t. oregano
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. cumin
1 T. lime juice (I used lemon juice because I didn't have lime)
4 c. chopped fresh spinach (could use kale)
4 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 c. salsa
1-2 c. cheese, I used colby-jack
Cook the wheat berries in about 8 c. of water.Cook for about an hour, until berries soft (they will still have a slight bite to them) and water is evaporated. Meanwhile, make your Garden Sauce (recipe to follow). Next, saute onion, peppers, lime juice and spices. Add in wheat berries, beans, and 2 c. Garden Sauce. The mixture will be soupy/thick. Spread about 1/2 c. salsa in a 10 by 15 pan. Spoon 1/2 c. wheat berry mixture into each tortilla, roll up, and place in baking dish. Cover with salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Garden Sauce
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 c. carrot, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1 c. mushrooms, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. tomato paste
1/4 c. flour
1 c. red wine
6 c. water
2 T. soy sauce
1 t. thyme
salt and pepper
3 bay leaves
Saute onion, carrot, and celery until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic. Add tomato paste. Cook 10 minutes until mixture is browned, stirring constantly. Stir in flour, cook 1 minute. Pour in wine, scraping bottom to loosen browned bits. Add water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, simmering for 45 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve. Discard solids (or retain for another use). Add 2 c. to wheat berry mixture and freeze rest for another dinner.
Enjoy!
In Christ, Laura
Wheat Berry Enchiladas
2 c. wheat berries
8 c. water
2 c. Garden Sauce (recipe to follow)
whole wheat tortillas
1 onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 t. oregano
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. cumin
1 T. lime juice (I used lemon juice because I didn't have lime)
4 c. chopped fresh spinach (could use kale)
4 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 c. salsa
1-2 c. cheese, I used colby-jack
Cook the wheat berries in about 8 c. of water.Cook for about an hour, until berries soft (they will still have a slight bite to them) and water is evaporated. Meanwhile, make your Garden Sauce (recipe to follow). Next, saute onion, peppers, lime juice and spices. Add in wheat berries, beans, and 2 c. Garden Sauce. The mixture will be soupy/thick. Spread about 1/2 c. salsa in a 10 by 15 pan. Spoon 1/2 c. wheat berry mixture into each tortilla, roll up, and place in baking dish. Cover with salsa and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Garden Sauce
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 c. carrot, chopped
1 c. celery, chopped
1 c. mushrooms, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. tomato paste
1/4 c. flour
1 c. red wine
6 c. water
2 T. soy sauce
1 t. thyme
salt and pepper
3 bay leaves
Saute onion, carrot, and celery until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic. Add tomato paste. Cook 10 minutes until mixture is browned, stirring constantly. Stir in flour, cook 1 minute. Pour in wine, scraping bottom to loosen browned bits. Add water and remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, simmering for 45 minutes. Strain mixture through a sieve. Discard solids (or retain for another use). Add 2 c. to wheat berry mixture and freeze rest for another dinner.
Enjoy!
In Christ, Laura
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Feeling Great!
Woo-Hoo! I am feeling SO much better and am even LIKING food again! So happy. I still get pretty queasy after 4 pm, but during the day I am feeling normal again. As I am typing this, Semaiah and Tru are napping, Cameron has the 5 older kids at the dentist (yes, he is super-dad!) and I have made lunch (homemade spinach-broccoli soup) and dinner (Lahmajoon--Turkish pizza) and I am sitting here eating a bowlful of homemade salsa. I am loving this part of pregnancy! Food is so good--I really think that once morning sickness is done food tastes amazing during pregnancy--and I am feeling the baby kick, reminding me of a tiny little being who is always with me. It took me many pregnancies to actually enjoy being pregnant.
Honestly, I didn't really and truly enjoy being pregnant until Semaiah. I think that God changed my heart when I finally submitted to Him and His purpose for me and fully realized how much of a blessing pregnancy is. I understood that this is what God created my body to do and it was not my right to decide what I would do with it, but entirely up to Him, because I am to present my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). That meant that every wave of nausea, every ache in my back, painful ligament stretching, and swollen ankles was designed by my Creator to make me more like Him! I had a choice to try to race through this pregnancy, in my mind always looking forward to the end or I could enjoy the present, the experience of being pregnant, this GIFT. Really, I am not guaranteed another pregnancy, I am not even guaranteed a healthy baby, or a baby who will live, as we almost lost our sweet Katria soon after birth. God taught us so much through Katria and we are so thankful that she is with us and that because of her we now have 4, almost 5 more blessings! Every moment, every day is to be treasured, every kick, every complaint turned into praise and thanksgiving for life. And what a privilege that I get to be used as the vessel with which God will bring forth this new life!
So, as I pass from morning sickness into the tranquil second trimester soon, I am rejoicing! We will soon find out whether we are having a boy or a girl and I am so excited! We always find out ahead of time. That's just my personality. I am really not one for surprises. Cameron always does the ultrasound with just us and our children in the room. It really is a special time for them to be involved in because they are not there at the birth. We all get to find out together. For many weeks now, I have been thinking that this little one is a girl. Just as with my other girls, I have wanted sweeter things, salads, fruit and could not tolerate meat. With my boys, I wanted meat and spicy food. This time, I am craving blueberries! However, just recently, I have wanted salsa--spicy, fresh salsa. For me, that was a classic craving when I was pregnant with my boys. So, who knows? We are already talking about names and already have a few choices nailed down.
I would love to hear from you! If you are pregnant--when you are due, and what you are craving. Or, what you craved specifically when having a boy vs. a girl. Please leave me a comment so that I can get to know you! :)
In Christ, Laura
Honestly, I didn't really and truly enjoy being pregnant until Semaiah. I think that God changed my heart when I finally submitted to Him and His purpose for me and fully realized how much of a blessing pregnancy is. I understood that this is what God created my body to do and it was not my right to decide what I would do with it, but entirely up to Him, because I am to present my body as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). That meant that every wave of nausea, every ache in my back, painful ligament stretching, and swollen ankles was designed by my Creator to make me more like Him! I had a choice to try to race through this pregnancy, in my mind always looking forward to the end or I could enjoy the present, the experience of being pregnant, this GIFT. Really, I am not guaranteed another pregnancy, I am not even guaranteed a healthy baby, or a baby who will live, as we almost lost our sweet Katria soon after birth. God taught us so much through Katria and we are so thankful that she is with us and that because of her we now have 4, almost 5 more blessings! Every moment, every day is to be treasured, every kick, every complaint turned into praise and thanksgiving for life. And what a privilege that I get to be used as the vessel with which God will bring forth this new life!
So, as I pass from morning sickness into the tranquil second trimester soon, I am rejoicing! We will soon find out whether we are having a boy or a girl and I am so excited! We always find out ahead of time. That's just my personality. I am really not one for surprises. Cameron always does the ultrasound with just us and our children in the room. It really is a special time for them to be involved in because they are not there at the birth. We all get to find out together. For many weeks now, I have been thinking that this little one is a girl. Just as with my other girls, I have wanted sweeter things, salads, fruit and could not tolerate meat. With my boys, I wanted meat and spicy food. This time, I am craving blueberries! However, just recently, I have wanted salsa--spicy, fresh salsa. For me, that was a classic craving when I was pregnant with my boys. So, who knows? We are already talking about names and already have a few choices nailed down.
I would love to hear from you! If you are pregnant--when you are due, and what you are craving. Or, what you craved specifically when having a boy vs. a girl. Please leave me a comment so that I can get to know you! :)
In Christ, Laura
Friday, February 10, 2012
Surviving Morning Sickness
Did I say I was feeling better? Well, you can delete that from my last post. LOL! For some reason, morning sickness has decided to make a repeat visit this week. It is not as severe as in the beginning, but it is still not much fun.
I have been thinking about the topic of "surviving morning sickness" because I know that a lot of women worry about how they can have more babies and do just that: survive morning sickness. Well, I have been through this 8 times now and from experience, you do just that: you survive. I can pretty much guarantee that when I have morning sickness, my family will go into "survival mode". What this means is that we do what it takes to get by, to get through each day, meeting each need as it comes up. I don't worry about the next day, or even the next few hours, instead I take each moment as it comes and I do what it takes to get through those moments.
Here is what our family does to get through the give or take 12 weeks of morning sickness:
We stick to our general routine but slow way down. Typically, I like to keep a tight schedule in the morning, up until lunch time, so that we can get done what needs to get down--chores, breakfast, hygiene, school--in order that we can enjoy more unstructured time in the afternoon. We read, pursue hobbies, socialize and run errands during the afternoon. Well, when I have morning sickness we follow our routine, but not a timed-schedule. I sleep in a little later. School might start a half hour later. We may not cover every subject every day, and that's okay. That's the beauty of homeschooling.
We keep it simple for meals. In the beginning, my children love what this means! Boxed cereal for breakfast? Convenience foods for lunch? Great! After a few weeks, however, my children are ready for me to return to cooking. I am at the point in my pregnancy in which I am cooking again. However, my children were ready for me to resume my kitchen duties before my stomach was ready. This is where forethought is necessary. Let me elaborate: Soon after I have a baby, my children begin to talk about the next baby. I am quick to remind them that it is a lot of work for mommy to have morning sickness and fatigue and that it means they will have to pitch in and help out. My children all heartily insist that they want to help out, that they will gladly help out, that they can't wait to help out. However, it is easier said than done. So, I make sure that during the times when I am not pregnant I train my children to do chores, to follow directions, to obey, and to work cheerfully. I also have encouraged my children to learn to cook and bake. Then, when I become pregnant and start to feel sick I remind my children that this is the time when I need them. They all step up to the plate, sometimes with general reminders, and have pitched in. They have all helped out preparing lunch and dinner. Not only is this not a chore for them, they love it and are so proud of their accomplishment! In this way, I have truly seen how morning sickness has been a blessing, teaching my children how to be mature, helpful, and diligent. It has also shown them of what they are capable! For example, the other day Elyse (age 6) wanted to make something. I handed her a recipe for blueberry muffins and told her to make them so that we would have breakfast for church the next morning--and she did it! With very little assistance from me, Elyse made muffins on her own!
When I have morning sickness, I am humbled and have learned to let go of my expectations for my house. It stays generally clean, but not up to the standards I usually keep. I have learned to be okay with that. I have also been humbled when my body often revolts against my usual health-nut habits and craves french fries and cheeseburgers and loses the desire to exercise in favor of sleep. Every time, I have worried that I will permanently detest food and never want to workout again and each time has proved me wrong. So, I have learned to be okay with a short-lived diet of whatever-sounds-good-at-the-moment and that there won't be permanent damage if my children eat cereal for breakfast or peanut butter and banana sandwiches. This is just not a reason to not have another baby.
I really do feel for those mothers who throw-up for weeks and weeks. While I experience all-day sickness with no relief, I am not plagued with the threat of dehydration and an inability to move from a prone position. However, I know women who do it, who suffer through this type of morning sickness and still allow God to plan the size of their family. From what I have gathered, these women follow some of the same guidelines as we do--their family is in survival mode, they keep things simple, and their children get a great education in how to manage a home, just like mine, and are better for it.
The last thing we do to survive morning sickness is keep life simple by cutting our social down to a bare minimum. We don't entertain and we don't go visiting. It can be difficult to feel cooped up for a few months, but it is only a few months and we know that once I am feeling better we will once again have playdates and friends for dinner.
Morning sickness is one of the trials of pregnancy that can be one of the most difficult. It is my least favorite part. It knocks me off my feet every time. However, I have now begun to see the benefits of it, especially for my children. They know the price we must pay to have another baby and yet they welcome it! It blows my mind. They are eager to help out and pray for me continually. They encourage me and remind me that it won't last forever. Morning sickness has served to knit us closer together as a family because everyone must pitch in and do his or her part and then some in order for us to function. But, that's what a family is for, isn't it? I hope that one day my children do the same for each other when they experience their own trials. The body of Christ functions as a whole and when one part is unable to do its job, the other parts must work harder to keep things going. And that is what I liken our family to--the body of Christ on a smaller scale. God intended us to live in families, to experience this kind of closeness and bond, this dependence on one another. No other time does a family experience this dependence more acutely than during a "crisis". These times, while difficult, can be such a blessing as they draw us toward one another. Yes morning sickness is a trial, but in that trial there is great blessing and reward.
In Christ, Laura
I have been thinking about the topic of "surviving morning sickness" because I know that a lot of women worry about how they can have more babies and do just that: survive morning sickness. Well, I have been through this 8 times now and from experience, you do just that: you survive. I can pretty much guarantee that when I have morning sickness, my family will go into "survival mode". What this means is that we do what it takes to get by, to get through each day, meeting each need as it comes up. I don't worry about the next day, or even the next few hours, instead I take each moment as it comes and I do what it takes to get through those moments.
Here is what our family does to get through the give or take 12 weeks of morning sickness:
We stick to our general routine but slow way down. Typically, I like to keep a tight schedule in the morning, up until lunch time, so that we can get done what needs to get down--chores, breakfast, hygiene, school--in order that we can enjoy more unstructured time in the afternoon. We read, pursue hobbies, socialize and run errands during the afternoon. Well, when I have morning sickness we follow our routine, but not a timed-schedule. I sleep in a little later. School might start a half hour later. We may not cover every subject every day, and that's okay. That's the beauty of homeschooling.
We keep it simple for meals. In the beginning, my children love what this means! Boxed cereal for breakfast? Convenience foods for lunch? Great! After a few weeks, however, my children are ready for me to return to cooking. I am at the point in my pregnancy in which I am cooking again. However, my children were ready for me to resume my kitchen duties before my stomach was ready. This is where forethought is necessary. Let me elaborate: Soon after I have a baby, my children begin to talk about the next baby. I am quick to remind them that it is a lot of work for mommy to have morning sickness and fatigue and that it means they will have to pitch in and help out. My children all heartily insist that they want to help out, that they will gladly help out, that they can't wait to help out. However, it is easier said than done. So, I make sure that during the times when I am not pregnant I train my children to do chores, to follow directions, to obey, and to work cheerfully. I also have encouraged my children to learn to cook and bake. Then, when I become pregnant and start to feel sick I remind my children that this is the time when I need them. They all step up to the plate, sometimes with general reminders, and have pitched in. They have all helped out preparing lunch and dinner. Not only is this not a chore for them, they love it and are so proud of their accomplishment! In this way, I have truly seen how morning sickness has been a blessing, teaching my children how to be mature, helpful, and diligent. It has also shown them of what they are capable! For example, the other day Elyse (age 6) wanted to make something. I handed her a recipe for blueberry muffins and told her to make them so that we would have breakfast for church the next morning--and she did it! With very little assistance from me, Elyse made muffins on her own!
When I have morning sickness, I am humbled and have learned to let go of my expectations for my house. It stays generally clean, but not up to the standards I usually keep. I have learned to be okay with that. I have also been humbled when my body often revolts against my usual health-nut habits and craves french fries and cheeseburgers and loses the desire to exercise in favor of sleep. Every time, I have worried that I will permanently detest food and never want to workout again and each time has proved me wrong. So, I have learned to be okay with a short-lived diet of whatever-sounds-good-at-the-moment and that there won't be permanent damage if my children eat cereal for breakfast or peanut butter and banana sandwiches. This is just not a reason to not have another baby.
I really do feel for those mothers who throw-up for weeks and weeks. While I experience all-day sickness with no relief, I am not plagued with the threat of dehydration and an inability to move from a prone position. However, I know women who do it, who suffer through this type of morning sickness and still allow God to plan the size of their family. From what I have gathered, these women follow some of the same guidelines as we do--their family is in survival mode, they keep things simple, and their children get a great education in how to manage a home, just like mine, and are better for it.
The last thing we do to survive morning sickness is keep life simple by cutting our social down to a bare minimum. We don't entertain and we don't go visiting. It can be difficult to feel cooped up for a few months, but it is only a few months and we know that once I am feeling better we will once again have playdates and friends for dinner.
Morning sickness is one of the trials of pregnancy that can be one of the most difficult. It is my least favorite part. It knocks me off my feet every time. However, I have now begun to see the benefits of it, especially for my children. They know the price we must pay to have another baby and yet they welcome it! It blows my mind. They are eager to help out and pray for me continually. They encourage me and remind me that it won't last forever. Morning sickness has served to knit us closer together as a family because everyone must pitch in and do his or her part and then some in order for us to function. But, that's what a family is for, isn't it? I hope that one day my children do the same for each other when they experience their own trials. The body of Christ functions as a whole and when one part is unable to do its job, the other parts must work harder to keep things going. And that is what I liken our family to--the body of Christ on a smaller scale. God intended us to live in families, to experience this kind of closeness and bond, this dependence on one another. No other time does a family experience this dependence more acutely than during a "crisis". These times, while difficult, can be such a blessing as they draw us toward one another. Yes morning sickness is a trial, but in that trial there is great blessing and reward.
In Christ, Laura
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Great Resource!
I got this for Christmas and have listened to it already and cannot recommend it highly enough. It is SO encouraging, convicting and thought-provoking. If you are able to, I strongly urge you purchase it. It is also available at Vision Forum. I listened to it in the car during the past few weeks and now that it is over, my children keep asking for me to play it again! LOL!
In Christ, Laura
In Christ, Laura
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Feeling Better
I am 11 weeks now and feeling SO much better! My nausea is now very minimal, although I still don't want to eat most things, namely meat. Hmmm . . . that usually means it is a girl, for me. I don't know if it was the milk thistle or the B6 I am taking, but things are looking up! Now if only I could get rid of this nasty cold. I am also feeling much more energetic and can't wait to start working out again. I am going to try to run this pregnancy now that we have a treadmill--at least as long as I can.
I am looking forward to my in-laws coming to visit today. We have not had anyone over since Christmas day! Anna has made some brownie biscotti and is now making some chocolate chip cookies. She is my little baker. And (should I tell you this?) my mother-in-law asked what she could bring for dinner and I told her I wanted frozen pizza! Sounds SO good to me! I know, so not good for me, but that is the first trimester. Whatever sounds good.
Praise God for feeling better!
Here are some tidbits from our life recently:
~Anna turned 11 and got her ears pierced! Her and her "best friend", Naomi, got it done together. Naomi's mom and I went to high school together. We didn't know each other in high school--I knew her older sisters, but I ran track and cross country with her husband. It has been fun to get to know each other and fun for us to watch our daughters' relationship develop.
~Jonas and Elyse started archery. Yes, our little Elyse loves archery (are you surprised?).
~Anna, Katria, Elyse and Haven began their homeschooled ballet class again. This is a ministry to the local nursing homes. So much fun for them.
~We got some beautiful molding up around our living and dining room windows. It is gorgeous. A friend of ours did it.
~Anna and Jonas had a ski lesson and went skiing for the first time. They had a blast!
~The children went roller skating with the homeschool group to which we belong. Semaiah was SO adorable on her skates and is so brave!
~Tru is getting so big. He is cruising all around and it won't be long before he is walking! He is so cute!
~We had to get a new dishwasher when our old one "broke"--the heating coil became detached and melted a hole in the bottom of the dishwasher!
~We are getting ready for a visit to NC! Can't wait to see friends!
In Christ, Laura
I am looking forward to my in-laws coming to visit today. We have not had anyone over since Christmas day! Anna has made some brownie biscotti and is now making some chocolate chip cookies. She is my little baker. And (should I tell you this?) my mother-in-law asked what she could bring for dinner and I told her I wanted frozen pizza! Sounds SO good to me! I know, so not good for me, but that is the first trimester. Whatever sounds good.
Praise God for feeling better!
Here are some tidbits from our life recently:
~Anna turned 11 and got her ears pierced! Her and her "best friend", Naomi, got it done together. Naomi's mom and I went to high school together. We didn't know each other in high school--I knew her older sisters, but I ran track and cross country with her husband. It has been fun to get to know each other and fun for us to watch our daughters' relationship develop.
~Jonas and Elyse started archery. Yes, our little Elyse loves archery (are you surprised?).
~Anna, Katria, Elyse and Haven began their homeschooled ballet class again. This is a ministry to the local nursing homes. So much fun for them.
~We got some beautiful molding up around our living and dining room windows. It is gorgeous. A friend of ours did it.
~Anna and Jonas had a ski lesson and went skiing for the first time. They had a blast!
~The children went roller skating with the homeschool group to which we belong. Semaiah was SO adorable on her skates and is so brave!
~Tru is getting so big. He is cruising all around and it won't be long before he is walking! He is so cute!
~We had to get a new dishwasher when our old one "broke"--the heating coil became detached and melted a hole in the bottom of the dishwasher!
~We are getting ready for a visit to NC! Can't wait to see friends!
In Christ, Laura
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