Weird Stuff We Eat

Over here we've been running an experiment since summertime. See if you can guess what it is.

black rice and small white beans, purple potatoes, tiny Chinese cabbage with garlic

spinach, romaine, arugula leaves, big bean sprout, tomato, red cabbage, carrots, garbanzo beans

barley and big white beans, sweet potatoes, green beans

romaine leaves, tomato, cilantro, corn, black beans

brown rice and black beans, green beans, carrots, leeks

broccoli, tofu, penne in pesto

curry: peas, carrots, red pepper, tiny Chinese cabbage, small white beans and red rice

white beans, barley, sweet potato and spinach with garlic

black rice and tofu, broccoli, snow peas, carrots, red pepper, zucchini

a couple kinds of beans, penne, spinach, tomato, leek, basil

taro soup, white rice, soy beans and bamboo shoots, Chinese leafy green

white rice, smoked tofu, broccoli, hot pepper

1. Chinese leafy green  2. smoked tofu with bean sprouts and hot pepper
3. barley porridge  4. broad beans with small white beans

tofu, green beans, peas, carrots, corn, tomato, basil

Well, any idea?

For the sake of efficiency, nutrition and frugality, we've been getting our protein from beans and tofu, rarely eating meat at home. It happened gradually, somewhat unintentionally, the outcome of a few principles:

1. Can I buy it within walking distance, and cheap? 
2. Is it nutritious?
3. Can I prep and cook in less than 30 minutes? 

Actually another factor was, in summer we'd go to market in the morning and want to stay outside to play rather than take our hunk of pork directly home to the fridge. I stopped buying meat and then we were free to roam for hours.

Now for some blips about meals at our home. I recommend The Tofu Secret.

I never plan meals. 
Each week I get groceries twice at an open air market and load our fridge and cabinets with vegetables, fruit, grains, beans, tofu. Supper time rolls around, I open the fridge match some things together for a meal.

Made possible by...

I'm blessed because my husband is easy to please and grateful for whatever I place before him, my kids love vegetables, we can buy fresh produce every day.

Bean-Related
We have a grain store nearby that sells about ten varieties of dried beans out of bins. A slow-cooker makes rehydration so easy. Bean-eaters can experience issues with gas. Drew does. It's not so bad though.

The Tofu Secret
We're lucky to have a dozen varieties of tofu available. But we mostly just stick to two kinds, frozen tofu and smoked tofu. Have you tried to cook with tofu before but found it too squishy, breakable in the pan? This is the secret: put it in the freezer it for about 24 hrs, thaw and cut as desired. You'll find that it's now a strong, cohesive yet soft texture, and can withstand your stir-frying. It's the perfect substitute for cubed chicken breast.

My goodness, all this healthy eating!

Well, we also consume our fair share of hot dogs, french fries, cookies, chocolate donuts, etcetera.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

snowfall recalling a hundred winter childhood memories

hard rock music written for the Lion; I feel His ferocity and potency

meeting neighbor's new baby

crunchy snow, snowballs, kids eating snow, slip-sliding on ice

winter discomfort and inconvenience, chances to learn joy when I dislike my situation

electricity

soft little toddler face snuggled against mine