Using Real Food

In attempt to eat healthier, I plan to include various recipes and links to healthy websites from time to time! Ever since our third child started suffering from severe food allergies, we took a good look at our lifestyle of eating and have taken baby steps to better health. We are slowly using less processed food and we're using more the real stuff. We try to buy organic as much as we can. Thinking that we've always been healthy eaters, we're learning more and more about what we're putting in to our bodies. So here's the first recipe that I'd like to share. I have yet to try it but it looks amazing!

Spicy Three-Bean Soup with Tortilla Strips
1 onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
a handful of dry chile peppers
4 c. vegetable broth (or bone broth)
4 c. cooked beans (I used pinto, kidney, and black beans)
1 1/2 c. tomatoes, pureed (canned is fine)
3 T. chile powder
2 t. Mexican oregano
1 t. coriander
1/2 t. cumin
1 bunch of spinach, chopped

8 tortillas, sliced
2 avocados, diced
2 limes, quartered
shredded or crumbled cheese of choice, or plain yogurt, to serve (optional)

Preheat the oven to 375.
Brush a baking pan with olive oil.
Arrange the tortillas on the pan in a single layer and sprinkle with salt.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until lightly browned and crispy.

Heat 2 T. olive oil in a soup pot.
Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking.
Add the peppers and cook for another 5 minutes while stirring.
Add the broth, beans, tomatoes, and spices.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
Season to taste with unrefined salt.
Turn off the heat and remove the peppers.
For a mild flavor, discard the peppers and blend about a third of the soup,
then return the soup to the pot and reheat.
For a spicy flavor, blend the peppers with about a third of the soup,
then return to the pot, combine, and reheat.
Add the spinach and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the greens have lost much of their volume.
Finish off with a squeeze of lime and serve with another lime wedge.
Serve topped with the crispy tortilla strips, chunks of avocado, and cheese or yogurt.

The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown

In this biography of Reagan, Mary Beth Brown captures the beliefs held by one of America's most beloved presidents, Ronald Wilson Reagan. Brown did an exquisite job presenting Reagan's thoughts and beliefs from throughout his life beginning with his parent's roots. The reader gets an insider's view as to how Reagan was raised and the influence of Reagan's mother, Nelle. Nelle was an optimitic, devoted mother who spent many hours instilling faith qualities in her son, Reagan. Not only will the reader enjoy bits from Reagan's childhood, but they will also read about his near-death experiences, beginning with the day he was almost assasinated during his presidency.

On this day, Reagan experienced God's hand watching over him as he was so close to death when Hinkley shot him as he passed from a hotel to the car. It's amazing to read this story and hear the details. Reagan very easily could have been killed but through circumstances planned by God, he was kept alive and without being alive, Reagan wouldn't have done the great things that he did.

Moreover, this book is full of wonderful stories and is written beautifully. I feel that I have learned so much more about this man who's influenced America. And I learned a lot about his faith in an up-close and personal manner. This would make a great gift for those who admire this man and it's also a testament of faith for those who are new to Christianity as it shows God's greatness in one man.

***This book was given to me for free from Thomas Nelson's book reviewer program!