Tuscan Garbanzo Bean Soup

I love it when I find an amazing recipe on the back of a can.  I’ve made this again for a hearty healthy simple winter time meal. Hummus lovers, you will love this.  Even if you do not like beans, this is sure to make you feel warm inside.  Enjoy!

From Bush’s Garbanzo Beans

1 cup of medium pasta shells, (cavatelli) I used a tricolor spiral pasta

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small white onion, chopped

6 garlic cloves, sliced

2 tsp of dried rosemary

1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes

1/2 cup of julienned sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained

1 medium carrot

2 cans of Bushs reduced sodium garbanzo beans, drained and divided

2 tbsp of pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to directions.

At the same time in medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat and add onion, garlic, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Add 2 cups water, garbanzo beans (save 1 cup) tomatoes, and carrot and bring to boil stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer for 7-10 minutes. Puree in blender or food processor and return to pan. ( I added another 1/2 cup water to make it thinner).Add beans and pasta to saucepan and heat through. ( I added another 1/2 cup water to thin) Ladle into bowls and top with cheese and rosemary, or extra pasta if desired.  Makes 6 servings.

Feed Your Spirit 10 Day’s in the Word Challenge

Connecting to our spiritual selves can lead to life long happiness and longevity. Whether its growing in your relationship with God and His purpose for your life, meditation, or personal reflection, focusing on our soul’s need for truth and peace is a necessity for living a fulfilled life.

All you need is for this 10 days’s in the Word is a desire to connect to your spiritual self and a bible.  We will be centering on scriptures that feed our spirit  – our heart, soul, mind, and body.

Especially during the holidays, the true spirit of Christmas can get lost among the shopping and parties. We will focus on God’s word each day, and I will be merely sharing what the holy spirit has put on my heart for you to hear. We will dedicate about 12 minutes each day. This will be an email and private facebook based, as well as I will be using my conference call # to record some of my messages. 605-475-4700 code# 351619#

Combine your commitment to feed your spirit by helping to feed others.  Your donation will be given as a donation to Community Helping Ministry, who provides: Emergency non-perishable food pantry, Pantry for personal hygiene and household cleaning items, Shower services for homeless individuals, Some financial assistance for utilities, housing, transportation, etc.
http://arlingtonumc.blogspot.com/p/community-helping-ministry.html.

***We will begin this study on Saturday, December 12th.   Group forming now.  

1. Email Kim@trimwithkim.com to  be added to our email list.

2.  Click link to donate.  You can make this donation in person or via paypal.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=XUKV6HTR9AKWC

Healthy Recipe Substitutions

If you have been on a journey to improve your eating habits, and influence the habits of your family and those around you, Cudos!  Changing lifelong habits of eating, cooking, and socializing around food can take up to a year or more as you try different ways of cooking, preparing meals, celebrations and holiday traditions, and trying new recipes.  

Looking for some easy simple tips to get through the holidays?  Check out this – A guide to ingredient substitutions by the Mayo Clinic –  one of the leading organizations in the country for health care.

What is important is that you give yourself this time to develop these new habits, while practicing perseverance and consistency.  It may take longer for your family or friends to accept your healthy changes, and that’s ok, as you may find that you may encounter snickers, a request to defend your new found healthy life, or even down right obstinate behavior and blatant nonacceptance.  However I encourage you to stand your ground for your health and your life.   You do not need to throw out Grandma’s recipes, but perhaps you can make some minor substitutions that carry over to your daily meal prep and planning.