Vegan Mole with Tofu

I have always loved Mole. It's that spicey-chocolatey sauce from Mexico. I decided to try the one that comes in a jar.
It was so easy!! 

I first fried the tofu and set it aside. I made sure to let the water drain from the tofu before cooking. I placed a plate on top of tofu, with a can. Not too heavy, just enough weight to gently squeeze the liquids.

Then I sauteed some red onions in some grapeseed oil. Once they were nice and soft I added the mole and 1 cup of water. I simmered the sauce for 5 minutes and added the tofu. Cooked together for about 15 minutes and allow the sauce to reduce. 

I made mexican rice on the side.
Mexican rice - saute some onions on med low, once soft, add the rice (1 cup). Saute the rice (ready when it is translucent), and add 1 finely diced tomato, a can of tomato sauce, and 2 cups of water. Stir. Cover, simmer, and don't look at it for 20 minutes.

Voila, dinner in 30 minutes. 

Immune Fortifying Soup for Colds and Coughs

The kids and I were down for the count this past week. As soon as the kids began sneezing I started fortifying our immune system. I made a garlic veggie soup with garbanzo beans for us to eat all day long. Eating the same thing gives our digestion system a break. I also had us take elderberry syrup and probiotics everyday. I was diffusing Young Living Thieves blend of essential oils as well as oregano, ginger and lemon essential oils. I also drank tea with Thieves, Oregano and Ginger Vitality oils.

We were well within 3 days from start to feeling better. Kids were up and running around by the 3rd day and I was able to avoid getting hit with a cough. Going forward we will definitely fortify our immune system instead of pacifying the symptoms with cold and cough medicine. This round, I did both. The goal is to have an iron clad immune system, which is built with food.

Garlic & Veggie Soup

Ingredients:
10 garlic bulbs, 7 minced and 3 diced
1 lg leek (or lg red onion), diced
1 package of mushrooms, chopped
¹/² cup of carrots, sliced
¹/² cup of broccoli, chopped
¹/² cup of cabbage, chopped
1 can of garbanzo beans
1 tsp thyme, oregano, cumin
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp oil of coconut (or your preference)
4 cups of veggie broth and 2 cups of water or 6 cups of water

Optional:
Oregano, Lemon Vitality oils
Coconut amino acids
Cilantro
Jalapeno


Directions:
Saute leeks in oil on medium low heat until fragrant.
Add the 7 minced garlic to the pan and stir for 1 minute.
Add thyme, oregano, cumin followed by the mushrooms and stir until golden brown.
Add carrots and broccoli and stir for 2 minutes.
Add the 3 diced garlic and stir for 1 minute. 
Add cabbage, garbanzo beans, and bay leaf.
Add veggie broth and/or water and stir.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce to low and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
If using the vitality oils, add at the end to the entire pot of soup. 2 drops of Lemon, and 1 drop of Ginger.

Serve immediately with optional toppings. This is great for freezing and meal prepping!

Let me know if you make this immune fortifying soup.

Recipe for Grounding and Calming the Mind

As some of you know, I have succumbed to the world of plants. More specifically, essential oils. I started exploring the oils intensely as of October, last year. Since then I've found a few oils that light my spirit all the way up, and one of those is Frankincense.

Frankincense is a resin made from the Boswellia Tree. It has a sweet, warm aroma and considered a Holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used for thousands of years.

Considered the King of oils, Frankincense may support concentration, emotional balance, calming anxiety, immune system, healthy skin, wrinkles, scarring, and improving spiritual connection and with meditation. It has also been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

This month's Self Care recipe is for grounding and calming the mind and emotions. Frankincense is naturally a calming and grounding plant, which allows one to connect with Spirit, in meditation.
I recommend diffusing Frankincense essential oil 5 minutes prior to sitting down to meditate. I like to use stones and crystals as well. For this recipe I recommend using Black Tourmaline, which is an excellent stone for spiritual grounding and protection. Hematite is another good stone to use for grounding and protecting. A third option is Tiger's Eye, and this stone focuses on grounding and energizing. Pick a stone or crystal that resonates with you and your spirit.

If you are new to meditation, fear not, sitting and observing your breath is an excellent meditation practice to start.
Sit in a comfortable position, ensuring your back is straight.
Take a deep breath in through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
Take 5 deep breaths in the same manner.
Then, imagine bright, golden light enveloping you with every inhale and exhale.
From here, imagine your root chakra, or tailbone, extending roots towards Earth, like a tree.
Imagine your roots going deep into the dirt, past all the layers until the roots reach the Earth's core.
Visualize the roots connecting to Earth's core.

Take 3 deep inhales and exhales.

Imagine now that your crown, or top of the head, is growing big branches extending to the sky, all the way to the very top of the sky, overlooking all below. From this place, connect the root and crown, like a circle, and within the circle is you, enveloped in golden, bright light.

Breath into this space for 3 deep breaths. Exhaling what no longer serves you, through your nose.

Once you are ready, open your eyes and take a moment to return back to reality.

Please let me know how this went for you and if you have any questions at all email me.

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