a beautiful phenomenon

This isn't a video about food, but it sure is food for the soul.

What a beautiful phenomenon: When someone believes in us, it helps us believe in ourselves.

I hope this video inspires you to act outside of your comfort zone; thinking of others first. It sure did for me. One small act of kindness can change a life. You never know who's watching you, and you never know when one smile or hello or one brilliant idea (as seen in this video) will alter the course of a human life. And in the end, we are all just as important and equal to our Creator.

Lish's Scrumptious Vegetarian Tacos

These tacos were absolutely delicious. Garrett and I both really enjoyed this recipe (as in no leftovers!). I will definitely be making them again in the near future. They are full of a variety of vegetables and I added beans for some sustenance and protein. A filling meal; healthful, and without the cost of organic meat! It's a very simple recipe and can be thrown together quickly.

2 garlic cloves

1/4 of a small white onion, chopped

1 can white beans; drained

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 poblano pepper, chopped

1 cup frozen corn

2 roma tomatoes, cubed

4 green onions, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

whole wheat tortillas

Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 2 teaspoons olive oil, and add poblano pepper, chopped white onion & garlic cloves.

Saute until fragrant, 2-3 minutes; add can of beans, bell pepper and corn.

Cook until corn is warmed and soft, 10 minutes or so.

Add tomatoes & green onion, stir and then add the lime juice and balsamic.

Cook just to warm the tomatoes and green onion; then serve immediately in whole wheat tortillas with fresh cilantro, a dalop of sour cream and avocado slices.

These tacos can easily become gluten-free or dairy-free for anyone out there with food allergies. Simply omit the sour cream dalop for dairy-free and use corn tortillas for gluten-free.

As a side note:

If I had had any leftoever, I would've turned it into chicken enchiladas later on in the week. For that, just boil & shred chicken breast, mix shredded chicken into the leftover vegetarian taco filling, and put into tortillas with a bit of cheese and cook at 350 for about 25 minutes. I don't cover my enchiladas with red sauce until the last 7-10 minutes of baking. I like crispy enchiladas; not soggy, mushy blah tortilla.

Here is a simple red sauce for your enchiladas:

1 - 28 oz can fire roasted tomatoes (muir glen)

2 garlic cloves

handful of cilantro or parsley

1/2 of a medium onion or 1 small onion; yellow or white

2 teaspoons chile powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

dash of cayenne, or more if you like heat

Put all ingredients in a blender and puree until you have a smooth sauce.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to your and yours!

While I have your attention: New Product Alert!!

Organic Valley has produced hazlenut & vanilla flavored half & half creamers for your coffee.

The hazelnut is fantastic, and really adds some great flavor. Pick up a pint, give it try and leave them your feedback on their facebook page. They value customer feedback.

Organic sheets for healthier sleep!

I recently found these sheets at my local Target store, and really like them. The thread count is high enough that they don't feel cheap, they do not pile, and are pretty wrinkle resistant if promptly dried after washing. Also, I think they are competitively priced.

Organic Sheets? Yes, I know some of you may be rolling your eyes right now. Remember, your skin is a porous membrane, absorbing everything with which it comes in contact. Consider the following; let us assume you spend an average of 7.5 hours each night sleeping. Lying with your skin and face (cheek/mouth/nose) in direct contact with the sheets on your bed. That is 2,737.5 hours per year, or consolidated; it is the equivalent of 114 days. Imagine the impact of 114 days of your life spent lying on chemical-laden or chemical-free material. Which would you choose?

Sleep is defined as a heightened anabolic state, accentuating the growth and rejuvenation of the immune, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems. So, while your body is working to rejuvenate and recooperate from the day, it is also dealing with the man-made chemicals residing in all of your non-organic sheeting.

Here is an excerpt on bedding & sleep provided by www.stopeatingdietfoods.com :

Most cotton sheets, unless flannel or organic, are treated with formaldehyde so as to reduce wrinkling. This can cause health problems, especially since the sheets and pillowcase are right next to your head where you breathe in the formaldehyde while you are sleeping. These formaldehyde treatments are designed to stay impregnated in the sheet and resist coming out even with many trips through the washer and dryer. In addition some sheets are made from synthetic materials, which release chemicals that you will breathe while sleeping on them.

The company they recommend for purchasing organic bedding is called Shepherd's Dream, the leading wool & organic bedding company in the USA.

If there is any single household material item that you might consider purchasing organic, I would recommend bedsheets. Also, when you purchase anything organic, it is a statement to the commercial industry that you support organic farming (hurray!). Organic farmers have an interest in sustaining American families' health and the earth, which is why they go through the additional work of farming organically. It requires more effort in all aspects, but turns out a much higher quality product. Better for the human body, and better for the earth. As a consumer, each purchase you make is a statement. Keep that in mind every time you reach out to choose a product at the store.