Edamame Hummus

Posted on February 29, 2012 by the2beths

So, I’ve always liked hummus. I just have this weird thing about it’s texture. I like to dip crackers, pita, or pita chips into it, but not vegetables. I don’t know why. It’s not a flavor thing, it is definitely something with texture.
Until now.

I thought I’d try this edamame hummus, even though it was green. And I haven’t turned back. I love it with everything. Even vegetables.
But I like it best with crackers, pita and chips!
Here’s a picture. You should try it.

Also, just thought I’d pass along something delicious I had last night for dinner. I went to the grocery store to get something to eat after tutoring last night. It was late, and I wanted something quick…with no meat.
I was looking in the frozen food section for a pizza with no meat. I could only find plain cheese. No veggie. Now that I think about it, maybe they had a special Lent pizza section that I was missing.
*kidding*
Anyway, I ran into this delicious Private Selection Fire Roasted Vegetable Pizza that didn’t have a terrible ingredient list, and was only 5 points for a serving – a large serving.
Here’s a pic of the box and the pizza. I added a bit of goat cheese to mine, because I love goat cheese.

I hope everybody has a great night.
I live in Ohio and it is almost 70 degrees out!! UNSEASONABLY warm.
And sunny.
I think it is making everybody a bit more cheerful.
Off to tutoring…
-Beth WA

Tofu Fried Rice

Posted on February 27, 2012 by the2beths

Grr. For the first time since I’ve been blogging, I lost a whole entry. It was this entry.

I had to be mad for 2 hours (and do school work) before I attempted it again.

Ok, let’s see what I remember. I know I started it off talking about last night’s dinner. The vegetarian stuffed peppers. They turned out very well. They were spicy, flavorful, and filling. They tasted great with the mashed potatoes I served them with, and there was plenty leftover.
I was able to have one for lunch today, and my husband will be able to have one tomorrow night when I am working at my part time job.

Tonight I made this Fried Rice that I make often, with every vegetable I have in the house in a pan with fresh garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and a bit of brown sugar. Then, I add brown rice. BUT, today, I added tiny cubes of extra firm tofu.
This is my 4th attempt at cooking tofu, and my most successful.
Since I am getting used to the texture, I think the tiny cubes helped a LOT. I wish I would’ve done that to start with. I think it helps the adjustment period with tofu.

Anyway, it felt good to eat so many veggies and fruits today, and I had way more energy. I also stayed in my WW points plus, which is the first time since I went to Vegas.
I’ve been a total wreck loose since then, and I am already feeling better with a day of success behind me.
Now, I just have to get back to the gym.
Cross your fingers I make it tomorrow night after tutoring.

Well, I will leave you with a picture of tonight’s dinner. Yummmmy.

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers

Posted on February 26, 2012 by the2beths

So, part of the reason I have up meat and chocolate for Lent is to help steer my diet so that I was incorporating more fruits and vegetables. This was a huge fail when on Friday, I went out to dinner with my parents and got fried shrimp. (I did get broccoli as my side item…I had that going for me.)

Anyway, I was following the letter of my law, not the spirit of my law.

And then Saturday wasn’t much better. My husband’s parents came over for dinner at their favorite greasy hamburger place across the street from our house. I opted for grilled cheese and fries. I hardly ate any of the fries -and in my defense, the only salads they have are with iceberg lettuce, or tuna and mayo.

So, today, I am determined to change the course of my Lent.
My husband and I started the day with a 45 minute drive to the closest Trader Joes. It is a very small Trader Joes, and I found a few items that I had seen on blogs and wanted to try – namely honey sesame coated almonds – but wasn’t convinced that it was worth the 45 minute drive. There is a Whole Foods that is 50 minutes away that I absolutely love, so next time, I will probably go there.

And now, I am at home, about to embark on about 4-6 hours of school work, but first I got our dinner in the crock pot. I am making a recipe I found for Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers. (Red Peppers were $1 at the grocery store!!! SCORE!!)

Here is the recipe I am using for Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers.

I changed the recipe a bit just because I didn’t have the exact ingredients. I used a combination of sharp and regular cheddar cheese. I used brown rice instead of wild rice. (This is the change I think I am going to regret.) And I poured some red enchilada sauce over the top of them after I got them in the crockpot.

Here are the “before” shots! I will let you know how the “after” shots turn out, as well as if my husband liked them. The last recipe experiment I made he did not care for (and neither did I!). In fact, after we ate dinner he said, “I am going to need a gallon and a half of water to get this taste out of my mouth.”
Yikes.
And this is from a man who has only once before told me he didn’t like what I made, and when he did it was very tactfully done.
So, that gives you an idea of how gross this recipe was.
I can’t even talk about it.
It’s the Voldemort of recipes.
It shall not be named.

Anyway – here are the before pictures.

Just one Question.

Posted on February 23, 2012 by the2beths

Is Nutella considered chocolate?

The sinners are much more fun, right?

Posted on February 22, 2012 by the2beths

I mean, if Billy Joel said it, it is definitely true.
No, no, I didn’t cheat on my Lenten sacrifice…yet. Actually, I was feeling pretty good about it last night and into this morning. I was feeling over confident, proud of myself for having this planned out, and for blogging about it.
Then, I get to church and the whole homily is about not telling people what your Lenten sacrifice is, as you are supposed to pray to yourself, and not make a big to-do about it.
SHOOT.
I messed that one up.

As the priest continued to explain this, I was slinking down further and further into my pew, feeling like a major heel.

But, luckily, Jesus is cool and forgiving, so I think he understands. And I am sure he loves my blog. I think he is one of our daily readers.
Him and my mom.

I hope everybody is having a great Wednesday.
I am really looking forward to the weekend already.

We have had no snow days this whole school year, and let me tell you, it blows.

xo,
beth wa

Hey party people!!!

Posted on February 21, 2012 by the2beths

So, the Beths are Catholic. We both went to Catholic School growing up – that’s actually where we met. I still teach at the school where we met. We both are still practicing Catholics as adults. We have the guilt to prove it.

Anyway, the reason I am bringing this up is that tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. Lent is a period of renewal for Catholics. We are encouraged to make small sacrifices to remind us of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. We are encouraged to also do good deeds as well. It’s a time to try to de-crowd your life, and become centered.
I usually try to pick a sacrifice that is something that will be good for me as well. For instance, this year I am giving up chocolate during Lent. It is time. Not a day goes by where chocolate isn’t in my diet. It’s getting out of hand.
I am also giving up meat. Blerg.
I have been trying to cut down on my meat intake a lot, but this will be absolutely no meat at all for 40 days. I am using this experience to try so many of the vegetarian and vegan recipes I read about that sound delicious.
I don’t think I could ever be all the way vegetarian, or vegan, but I know I can become mostly plant based. That’s the goal for me anyway.

So, as I get started, I can’t wait to try some of the recipes from Meatless Mondays over at Budget Cooking Blog. They always look so delicious!!

Have a great evening.
xoxo
Beth WA

the perfect gift

Posted on February 6, 2012 by the2beths

Buying gifts is something I love to do – but ONLY when I have the perfect idea in mind. This does not always happen at the opportune times, like Christmas and Birthdays. In fact, this is something that rarely happens at Christmas and Birthdays. And if I was one of those organized people who bought things when they saw them, and saved them for the holidays, I would be a step ahead of the game.

But, why ruin my rep?

You may be wondering what got me on this topic…well, I have the perfect gift for Beth FS. I know she will love it. That is the key to a good gift – knowing a person well enough that you can get them a gift you know they will love.
And right now I am so excited to get it to her….Can I wait until Saturday when I have the next plan to see her?

Probably not.

I will post it once she sees it.

Well, I have it to her! Yay. And she loved it.
You see, Beth FS has been loving on Friday Night Lights for months now. I had watched seasons 1 and 2 when they were originally on, then stopped watching it because I didn’t like the mid to late season 2. She explained to me that this was during the writers’ strike, and I had to give it a chance.

Now, I can’t stop watching it. I am totally and completely in love with Dillon Football. More specifically, Tim Riggins and Coach Taylor.
Anyway, I picked this out for her on the interweb.

Beth WA

Strawberries and Bananas

Posted on February 4, 2012 by the2beths

I had the best breakfast this morning. I made something that every single time I make it, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it, and it is super easy and 1 WW Points Plus. So, why don’t I make it more often?!?!

I made oat pancakes (1/3 cup Krusteaz pancake mix, 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup or so of water, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, with chia seeds on top), but that is not the exciting part. Although, they were delicious.

It was the topping. Frozen Strawberries and sliced banana in a pan with a teaspoon of Splenda brown sugar, a sprinkle of sugar, a speck of butter, and a dash of honey. (I know you don’t normally describe “dash” honey, but you know what I mean.) I just warmed that in a small skillet, so it carmelized, and warmed, and became even more delicious. I put this in my pancakes with a dash of maple syrup, just to get a maple flavor that I love with pancakes.
It was satisfying, delicious, and it only took about 7 minutes.
I will say I used real butter in the strawberries and as a topping on my pancakes. I think it makes a real difference. I used VERY LITTLE, but enough to make the difference that real butter makes.

Yummo.

I am enjoying this lazy Saturday morning watching “The Good Wife” DVD’s I got from Netflix, and reading magazines, cutting coupons, and reading blogs in google reader.
At some point, I am going to try my new workout video and equipment. Kettlebells. Bob Harper Video. I am excited to try it, but not excited enough to end my lazy Saturday morning early.

Here is a picture of my breakfast. It ain’t pretty, but it sure was DELICIOUS.

-Beth WA

Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans, part deux

Posted on February 3, 2012 by the2beths

So, I am making these for dinner tonight. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas and I can hardly wait! I loved the combination of sweet potatoes and black beans the last time I made them, and have since tried them several different ways.
I am going to show you the pictures that Fannetastic Food posted, and then I will take pictures of mine when I make it tonight.
I’ve been at school for lots of hours this week for an Open House, Science Fair, and just general work, and I am EXHAUSTED – and I still want to make these for dinner tonight if that tells you how excited I am to try them.

Then, after that Beth FS and our friend Amy are coming over to hang out in our pajamas and drink wine and spirits. And then I am sleeping in until forever.

Well, have a good afternoon. Here are the pictures from Fannetastic Food…

Okay…here are mine! And they were delicious. They tasted so fresh. The only changes I made were that I put a little bit more cheese on it and I used whole wheat tortillas instead of spelt. And the only change I will make the next time is more sweet potatoes. The recipe calls for one, and I would probably use two.

the2beths

Discussing life, point by point…

Monthly Archives: February 2012