SimpleSolutionsDiva.com

Month: November 2014

A Thanksgiving Thought . . .

THanksgiving Thought photo

 

TIME

Time moves quickly. Like a snowball rolling downhill, time builds momentum – growing in importance each passing second, minute, hour, year. For me, this year is the pivotal year that I need to soak in the love, gratitude and togetherness while I can. Why?

BECAUSE MY 1ST BORN BABY IS GOING OFF TO COLLEGE!

Don’t get me wrong; I am not upset with it, just more amazed that we (the whole family) are at that point in our lives so quickly. It is the march of time AND life, and I am thankful to be able to enjoy every minute of it.

Granted, it feels like I just brought her home from the hospital two weeks ago, and now, we are looking at colleges together, sending her off for her first college semester this summer.

This is CRAZY! How can I be that old? How can SHE be that old?!

I am keenly aware that this is one of the last holiday seasons where we will be assured that our girls will be spending the holidays with us. In a few more years, we will probably have conflicting college schedules, possible plans to go home with roommates (or boyfriends!) for Thanksgiving. Eventually, the reasons for not getting together will be because of new jobs, distance, and – someone get me the tissues – spending holidays with the new in-laws!!

Mid-life crisis aside, I know that this is such a good thing! I’ve done all that I can to give both my girls confidence, courage and a sense of security within themselves, to prepare them for the adventures their lives will bring them. (I will say, secretly I hope they will want to include me in some of their adventures!)

This year at Thanksgiving, I will soak it in. I am thankful that my family is whole, together, and enjoying life. Yes, I am very thankful this year. Though I can’t stop the snowball of time from rolling, I WILL jump on top of it, dig in my hands and feet to hold on, and enjoy the ride all the way.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with those most important to you! And if you can’t be with them, enjoy those you are with!

Simple Solutions Diva & Family - Just ignore the tight grip she & her husband have on the girls!
Simple Solutions Diva & Family Just ignore the tight grip she & her husband have on the girls!

Simple Holiday Survival: The Easy Way To Clean Silverware

Welcome to the FIRST Simple Holiday Survival Tip for 2014! For the next six weeks, I will feature a tip that will save you time during the holiday season!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and for many of us, that means pulling out the good china and silverware to set the table. I can pretty much count on my silverware being tarnished – and I really don’t enjoy cleaning silverware.  I thought there had to be a better way,

WELL, I could not believe how easy this tip was until I tried it myself! And check out the before and after:

Silverware before after

Simple Holiday Survival Begins Saturday, November 22, 2014!

It’s that time of year again! The third year of the series, Simple Holiday Survival! Every Saturday for the next six weeks, I will feature a video tip that is sure to make your holidays a little easier!

You can also search our database for all of our past Simple Holiday Survival Tips by searching that word in our search bar, or just by clicking the link below!

Check Out The Diva’s Simple Holiday Survival Tips

So sit back and enjoy your holidays this year!

Slider SImple Holiday Survival Tips

Meatless Monday Recipes for A Cold Winter Day

Screenshot 2014-11-10 07.12.34A few Meatless Monday recipes that are perfect for the cold weather! I found both of these recipes on Fitness Magazine’s website (Click Here to see their top 10 vegetarian recipes).

Chipotle Vegetable Chili

Chipotle Vegetable Chili, photo from FitnessMagazine.com.
Chipotle Vegetable Chili, photo from FitnessMagazine.com.

This Meatless Monday recipe features healthy and yummy ingredients like kale, black beans, and butternut squash!

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1/2 pound parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 3 cups peeled, seeded butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 Tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 26 – ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, diced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable stock
  • 2 cups chopped kale
  • 1 15 – ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a medium stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook 3 minutes. Add the parsnips, sweet potato and squash; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder and cinnamon; cook 1 minute.

Add the tomatoes, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, and vegetable stock. Partially cover and simmer 20 minutes. Mix in the kale and stir until wilted. Add the black beans; stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste; serve.

Curried Vegetable Stew With Couscous

Curried Veggie Stew With Couscous, photo from FitnessMagazine.com.
Curried Veggie Stew With Couscous, photo from FitnessMagazine.com.

The warm and sweet taste of curry pairs so well with chickpeas! I love this as a perfect meatless Monday Meal!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 2 zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup green beans, cut into 1/2-inch diagonal pieces (You can use frozen green beans as a shortcut!)
  • 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes (You can also use canned, stewed tomatoes – I use low sodium version)
  • Cooked couscous (I use Near East Couscous – cooks up in 5 minutes!)

Directions:

Stir spices, salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons of the water together in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cilantro and spice mixture. Cook, stirring, 1 minute, or until onion begins to soften.

Add cauliflower, zucchini and green beans; cook 2 minutes. Add 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water; bring to a boil. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are just tender.

Stir in chickpeas and tomatoes; simmer 5 minutes more. Serve with couscous, if desired.

© 2015 SIMPLESOLUTIONSDIVA.COM Designed by The Web Design Chic | ADMIN LOGIN