It has been a long pause on the blog. Off late that seems to be norm than the occasional break. Since many of you asked what was going on, I thought I will do something that I have never done before – share what’s going on in life with all of you through my blog. In addition to having many many blessed days with a lot of laughter and sunshine, we have had a few days that took a lot of faith and courage to go through.
We met with an accident involving multiple automobiles and icy roads in the spring of 2013. Thankfully there were only minor injuries to people, major injuries to cars. Technology makes it possible to get out of an accident that totals your car and you leave with just your wits injured. Got to be thankful for that.
In the early summer a couple of weeks later, someone decided to not stop at the traffic lights. I have no idea why I decided to stop at the traffic signal that clearly was RED. So the lady ended up rear ending my car. You would think I would have learned my lesson and just ran the lights.. oh no.. I had to stop at the red light so she could just run into me!
Now here is the interesting part- this was the accident that actually left me injured and not the multi-car all over the news, interstate blocking one. Hmm! Interesting. So anyhow, I am still nursing the injured rib from this accident and apparently they sometimes take more than a few months to heal. It’s been a long road to healing but I am on it.
Soon after this, a very dear and close friend was diagnosed with Cancer. The words that shatter you from inside had been spoken. It was just two years ago that my Dad had fought a battle with Cancer. He did it with dignity and much courage. He beat the devil. My friend battled it too – with a lot of Courage, dignity and grace. And she beat it too. It changed her for ever, it changed me for ever.
The countless talks we had were always about how to beat it and never ever about “why me”. They were always about “what next”. Being around her and seeing her deal with the system and disease made me realize I had more growing up to do & more gratitude to show.
And then in early fall there was the case of the husband getting very ill suddenly one night and scaring the daylights and all lights out of me. And the subsequent surgeries on his jaw, the testing and retesting for tumors and all that medical jazz. We got through it. With a lot of faith and a lot of courage.
We had faith, we fought and we live on.
I hope you will keep my family and friends in prayers. Prayers of Faith, Hope, Grace and Warmth. I am sending the same prayers your way – I pray you keep faith, have hope, are blessed with grace and tender warm love.
I also have this really quick, delicious and healing bean and quinoa chilli recipe for you to try. Gather your friends and Family by the fire place and eat this comforting vegan chilli .
Stay Blessed !
Ansh
Bean and Quinoa Chilli
Ingredients
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can garbanzo beans
- 1 can navy beans
- 1 C quinoa
- 2 C flame roasted green chili or any brand you like
- 4 C vegetable stock
- 2 C water
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 2 black peppers crushed
- 1 clove
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 2 tbs chopped cilantro
- olive oil to finish
- Chopped - kale tomatoes, avocado and other toppings (optional)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the beans
- Rinse the quinoa
- Put the beans in a large pot along with the quinoa, vegetable stock, water and the rest of the ingredients
- Bring it to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and cover and cook for 30 minutes
- Check for consistency. If you like the chilli a little thicker, then let it cook uncovered for a few more minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Mix in the kale or any other toppings and add a little olive oil if you like and eat up.