Andrea Bocelli

This is a very touching video...get your Kleenex!

Souper Sunday- Rustic Red Kale and White Bean Soup

This recipe comes from Susan Voisin- Fat Free Vegan Kitchen
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/02/rustic-red-kale-and-white-bean-soup.html

It sounds delicious and would you even think its vegan? I thought I'd ease in to this!!! Look at those nutritional facts! Low fat, low cal, and good fiber and protein! This is a good soup for the cold winter months!

Rustic Red Kale and White Bean Soup

You can substitute any other leafy green for the kale, but if you’re using quick-cooking greens such as spinach, allow the soup to cook for 25 minutes before adding the greens; then add the greens and cook just until they’re done.

1 bunch red kale (or use any other green available)
1 large onion, chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (or about 5 “ice cubes” of frozen basil)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes
1 15-ounce can cannellini or other white beans
4 cups water
pinch red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Optional serving suggestions:
Balsamic vinegar and soy parmesan

Prepare the kale by removing the thick parts of the center rib and discarding them. Slice the leaves thinly. Measure out 4 cups of kale for the soup; save the rest for another use.

Mist a large, non-stick pot lightly with olive oil. Sauté the onion and celery until the onion begins to brown. Add the garlic, and sauté for another minute. Add all the remaining ingredients, and allow the soup to simmer, adding extra water as needed, until the kale is tender, about 30-60 minutes, depending on the kale. Taste the soup and add more basil, if necessary.

Serve the soup, stirring a few drops of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of vegan parmesan into each bowl, if desired. Makes about 6 servings.

Each serving contains: 152 Calories (kcal); 1 g Total Fat; (5% calories from fat); 9 g Protein; 30 g Carbohydrate; 0 mg Cholesterol; 258 mg Sodium; 7 g Fiber

2011 wrap up!

2011 was a great year! Here is a little peak into my life of 2011...and hopes for 2012!

I was accepted in GWU Family Nurse Practitioner program in early 2011

I started looking for apartments and was completely blown away by apartment prices!

I accepted a job so I could pay rent!

Getting a nursing license in DC about killed me! (both emotionally and financially!)

I officially moved in May. I cried my eyes out saying goodbyes to nursing friends of 4 years. It was a bittersweet time for me.

I was sick for the first month of so being in DC...after going through allergy testing and going on allergy shots I am alive and well again!

It turns out to be a really small world! Two girls I work with I went to college with! It's nice having familiar faces around!

The BF and I are enjoying dating in the same city vs across a few states!

I survived my first semester of grad school and came out with two A's!!!! It wasn't easy but do-able!

For 2012-

I hope to get my migraines under control...possibly by a vegan diet? This was defiantly be hard for me but I hope I can do it!

Continue doing well in school.

The BF and I are taking dance lessons!

I plan to continue using coupons when I go grocery shopping.

But, I also hope to save more money!

Go to some Washington Nationals games!

I want to get out more and experience this awesome city I live in!

I also want to make time to get back home to visit with family and friends.

Looking ahead-

It's been a few weeks since I've blogged (I do apologize!)...I finished up my first semester of graduate school and took a well deserved break from being attached to my computer daily!

As 2011 comes to a end I am excited to take on 2012! 2011 has been a great year but I am even more excited to see what 2012 has in store!

I'm blogged before about Vegan diets before- this is something I'm going to really try again for 2012. I don't really eat much meat to begin with but my real downfall will be cheese! Why am I doing this? In attempts to control my migraine headaches! I'm also cutting caffeine! (Kill me now) Vegan diets have been shown in research to help control symptoms! Dr. Barnard with PCRM here in Washington, DC actually has a research study being conducted on migraines and vegan diets!

For the vegan diet there are four food groups- fruits, grains, vegetables, and legumes! http://www.pcrm.org/health/diets/pplate/power-plate

Dr. Barnard suggest these be your grocery basics-

Fruits

Bananas Apples Berries (fresh or frozen) Raisins

Vegetables

Broccoli (fresh or frozen) Spinach (fresh or frozen) Lettuce Carrots

Cucumbers Canned tomatoes Marinara sauce

Grains

Rolled oats Loaf of bread (high-fiber or pumpernickel) Brown rice Quinoa Whole wheat pasta

Legumes

Soy, rice, almond, or plant-milk of choice Black beans (canned or dried) Garbanzo beans (canned or dried) Dried red lentils

Frozen edamame

Condiments

Apple butter Balsamic vinegar Cinnamon MustardSoy sauce

If you're scared you will not be able to get your calcium, iron, etc from this diet, I strongly encourage you to read Dr. Barnard or Dr. Fuhrman's books regarding these diets. You may discover that you'll be healthier eating vegan than your current diet.

While some vegan recipes contain a lot of scary and complex ingredients, I'm a girl on the go and I just don't have time for that. I'm going to play by the rules, but provide recipes via this blog that are easy vegan recipes! You may just decide for yourself that you like them too!!!

A few vegan blogs to check out:

http://www.thechubbyvegan.com/p/about-me.html

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/

http://veganlunchbox.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for next week's vegan recipe!!!

J

Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America

Earlier this year, I heard from a friend about this wreath laying project at Arlington National Cemetery. I got a group of friends together and we went out and helped out with the project this year! Below are some pictures!

Hopefully next year there will be enough sponsorship for every gravesite to have a wreath. This year they fell short of their goal. Wreaths are $15 and every wreath has to be sponsored!

There were soooo many volunteers, Peter and I were thrilled to finally find a truck that had wreaths!!!

Our group- my eyes will never be open for pictures!!!

Very touching link:

"Thousands of military and civilian volunteers laid 100,000 donated holiday wreaths on headstones at the cemetery. Donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, the wreaths are now part of a 20-year tradition of decorating and honoring the graves of soldiers, sailors, Marines and guard members who served their country."

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/11/1703755/wreaths-across-america-121011.html

Stay tuned for next year!!!

Nursing Advisory! Nonoxynol-9

NURSING ADVISORY!!!

The topic of Nonoxynol-9 came up in my nursing discussion tonight and this chemical is scary!!! It is a spermicide found in condoms and lubricants. I know many of you are monogamous and condom-free but many of your friends may be using these condoms not knowing they are being exposed to this scary chemical.

After all, what the heck is nonoxynol-9 anyway?

Nonoxynol -9 supporters love it because it helps prevent pregnancy if a condom fails. But, some women and men have an allergy to this chemical causing itching, rash, infections, blistering, and sometimes as severe as anaphylactic shock!

If you choose to use these condoms, you can only use them once a day and you should know the risk! Consider your self educated! Read up!

Trojan has four different ones on the market now as do other brands...so be careful!!!

Spread the word to your friends!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonoxynol-9

Almost a month since!?!?!

Geez, I just realized it's been almost a month since my last post!!! September 8th was my last blog entry and that one was not even a good one! Man I need to step it up!

Just wanted to touch base with let you know what I've been up to!

This is my first semester of my FNP program (Family Nurse Practitioner) and it's kicking my tail. It's a lot to juggle with working 12 hr days at the hospital too. I'm sure in a semester or two it'll be old hat...but for now it's taking awhile to get use to! So on my days off, you can find me with my head in the books or typing away on Blackboard!

I also have started RCIA- Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. It's a education program for the Catholic church. My program meets weekly on Tuesday nights until Easter.

Through all this craziness I still find time to cook, hang with the BF, clean (well that's not entirely true), and enjoy all DC has to offer! I love this Fall weather we have right now! I bought a pumpkin and a mum that has made my apartment a little more homey.

Happy Fall!!!

Jancie