Beautiful Earth!

Hello friends! It's been exactly a year since I started this blog. It's been both a very freeing as well as a grounding experience! Thank you to all those who have read my posts. 

Happy 1st Anniversary!!

CREAMY CORN SOUP for the chilly days!

Here is a chill busting, grounding soup recipe that will also warm your souls!!

     

Ingredients                                               

                                                                           

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (12 oz) frozen corn

1 medium size Russet potato

1 cup chopped zucchini

1 medium size onion chopped

4 cloves of garlic

1 Serrano pepper chopped 

1 cup vegetable broth or water

½ cup coconut milk

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Method

Heat the oil. Add the garlic, onions and potatoes. Saute them until they turn light brown. Now add the corn, zucchini and serrano pepper. Saute for 4-5 minutes on medium high. Add the broth, salt and pepper and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and cook covered on medium low until potatoes are cooked. Stir in the coconut milk and cook for about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the soup cool (maybe an hour or so).

Once the soup has come to room temperature, puree it in a blender until smooth. You can also sieve the soup to get a smoother texture. Serve the soup warm garnished with cilantro. 

Brussel Sprout - A Tiny Cabbage!

Many of you will agree with me on this - Brussel Sprout is NOT appealing - in taste or smell!! But did you know that it is one of the healthiest veggies around? Here are a few of the reasons it is a Hero!

1. It is very high in sulfur-containing substances called Glucosinolates (also found in kale, cauliflower, and broccoli ) that impart the pungent smell and taste. Along with a high concentration of vitamin K - these protect the body from a state of inflammation. And as you should know that long-standing inflammation in the body serves as the basis for diseases like cancer.

2. It is rich in Antioxidants like Vitamin C and Manganese which fight the bad guys - free radicals and protect the body from cancer.

3. It is also rich in Fiber which not only supports digestive health but also lowers cholesterol.

4. Believe it or not, it also provides Omega 3 fatty acids. So good for the brain and heart!

Here's a very simple and healthy recipe that I would like to share with you. 

Stir Fried Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients

1 12-16 oz frozen package Brussel Sprouts 
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (if you like it hot)
Salt n Pepper to taste

Method

Microwave the Brussel Sprouts as directed. Empty and drain the sprouts. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Just as the oil begins to heat, add the cumin seeds and as they start crackling, add the sprouts to the pan. Turn up the heat to medium-high. Remember, they are already cooked in the microwave! So all they need is a good coat of olive oil and that charred roasted look. Shake the pan a couple of times. Turn off the heat and serve them hot and sizzling with a dash of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper.
Snack away!!

Acrylic Roses

On a lazy afternoon, my daughter and I decided to paint some roses in acrylic using the same colors!! What better way to spend some time together - the quiet hum of the ceiling fan, sunlight streaming down from the blinds, our paint brushes swirling the colors.....and of course the blanket of heavenly calm around us....

Enjoy the roses🌹🌹

             

Roses

Hello again!! It's been almost two months since my last post! And half the year has already gone by. But life gets busy sometimes...right? So this morning I woke up early and decided that I had to create something. I pulled out a picture of a bunch of roses I had taken a few days ago and water painted them. Hope you like the finished piece. 😊

                            

Desert Gem Cactus

Yesterday during an early morning visit to Sprouts, I was pleasantly welcomed by an array of cacti in rainbow hues just outside the store. I couldn't help but click a few pictures. These are called Desert Gem cacti for their jewel tones - emerald green, topaz pink, sapphire blue, fire opal orange and amethyst purple! They are easy to grow - don't need much water. Just put them in a bright spot and jazz up your living space🌷

An Affirmation for Everyday