Thankful Thursday

"Within your heart, keep one still, secret spot where dreams may go"

Louise Driscoll

Wordless Wednesday - Two peas on a pot edition

Tofu recipes!

Despite being a vegetarian, I've never been a huge tofu eater. Recently, however, I found 2 super yummy (and super easy) tofu recipes that I've been loving. Here they are!

Southwestern Tofu Scramble

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1 - 14 oz package extra firm tofu, rinsed, crumbled or cubed

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

1 small zucchini, diced

3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed

1 small carrot, thinly sliced

4 scallions, sliced

1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

1/2 cup prepared salsa

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add tofu, chili powder, cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring until the tofu begins to brown, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil to the pan. Add zucchini, corn, carrot, scallions, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Return the tofu to the pan and cook, stirring until heated through, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Top each serving with salsa and cilantro.

This can be served with warm corn tortilla's, sour cream, and guacamole.

Tofu with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Ingredients:

2/3 cup water

1/2 cup peanut butter (1/2 smooth and 1/2 crunchy OR all smooth and add a bit of chopped peanuts)

2 tablespoons rice vinegar or white vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 1/2 tablespoons minced ginger

4 cloves garlic, minced

14 ounces extra firm tofu

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 onion, chopped

1 carrot, thinly sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

Directions:

1. Prepare sauce by whisking water, peanut butter, rice/white vinegar, soy sauce, honey, ginger and garlic in a small bowl.

2. Prepare tofu by draining and rinsing it; pat dry. Slice the block crosswise into eight 1/2 inch thick slabs. Coarsely crumble each slice into smaller, uneven pieces.

3. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add tofu and cook in a single layer, without stirring, until pieces begin to turn golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Add vegetables to tofu and then gently stir and continue cooking until all sides of tofu are golden brown and vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes more.

4. Add peanut sauce and cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes.

Serve over rice or vermicelli noodles.

Thankful Thursday

Some things this week I am grateful for are...


... for quiet moments rocking Levi to sleep, and actually being able to be present in that. Instead of focusing on the laundry or dishes downstairs, or any other of life's demands. Just experiencing the simpleness of the moment. The warmth of Levi's breath on my chest, the weight of his body against mine, the smell of his hair, the calmness of the room, the motion of gentle rocking, the quiet change that happens in his body as I feel him fall asleep, the safety and comfort he derives from the familiarity of me. Mothering is beautiful.


... for the boys having extra long naps on Tuesday.

... for Asher getting some of his pee's in the potty and not all on the floor (yay potty training!)

... for a friend that said, "it's okay to not be good at something you've never done before". I needed to hear that.


... the gladness and pride that fills my heart when I hear Asher say "thank you".


... for running again, and the encouragement and motivation of several friends in that process.

Wordless Wednesday - bedtime story edition

Thankful Thursday Journey

Once upon a time I was a bitter and negative soul who felt often stressed out and incompetent. I didn't see the good things in life, and focused on the challenges and hardships. This made me resentful and jealous. This also created a wall in many relationships and darkened my heart. I embarked on a gratitude journey at that point, with the guidance of a counselor, and it changed my life.

I see myself slipping back into that space many days now, and I don't like how it feels. I feel the longing to experience life gratefully again - to see the challenges realistically, but to see the wonder and blessings in my life deliberately again. And so this idea came to me, and today is the start.

Each Thursday I am going to write a Thankful Thursday post. This may included a quote that struck me, a thought or idea or observation about gratefulness that I had, or a list or photo of things I'm grateful for. I hope this encourages me to be purposeful about living life with gratitude again.



"In our daily lives we must see that it is not the happiness that makes us grateful, but the gratefulness that makes us happy"
Albert Clarke

Wordless Wednesday

Today I am grateful for...

... a bit of a sleep in this morning while Asher spent the night at my parents.


... little Levi cuddled up and resting peacefully on my chest.


... Asher excitedly running to give me a hug when he came home this morning.


... my breast pump (that = freedom for me!)


... a shopping trip to the mall with my mom.


... my birthday money which allowed me to get a great deal on a chic fall jacket and new socks.


... the gift of time that my husband gave me when he texted from home "we're doing fine here, take as long as you need and make the most of it".


... the fact that my husband said this even though things weren't totally fine at home.


... that Asher ate all his vegetables at supper.


... mint Aero chocolate bars.


... Asher's list of thank you's to God at bedtime.


... our new Jesus lullaby song to sing to my boys (thank you to my small group leader!).


... that I get to refer to Asher and Levi as my boys - I love that!


... movie night with a girlfriend.


... friendships.


... the bottle of red-wine that awaits me.

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Halloween edition