Veggies for Lent - Review of our first week

OK, so it was more like 4 days, but still. We got ourselves started with 40 days of Veggies, and things did get better after the first night. Here's a synopsis of our first few days' dinner efforts. It's been important to us that all meals are easy and quick to prepare and fairly inexpensive. This lifestyle needs to be sustainable.

Day one, Ash Wednesday

Pancakes. As I noted that day, there were no veggies to be found, but no meat either. For day one, which included a teething sick child, I call that a success.

Day two, Thursday.

Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas. Our own recipe.

Mix one can corn with one can black beans (both drained). Add juice of 1/4 - 1/2 lime, and 1/2 tsp. cumin. Add some cilantro and a pinch of salt. Taste and adjust seasoning to preferences.

Spray nonstick pan with cooking spray and heat to medium high. Place tortilla in the pan, spoon bean mixture and some of your favorite mexican cheese into the tortilla, and top with a second tortilla. Once the bottom tortilla is brown and the cheese begins to melt, flip to brown the other side. Alternatively, spoon the mixture onto half of the bottom tortilla and fold it in half. Then flip when the bottom is brown.

Slide finished quesadilla onto a plate and serve with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or your own favorite Mexican food toppings.

Day three, Friday. 


Meat Friday. We went out for dinner to celebrate this, and the fact that our family had attained health. I enjoyed a crabcake sandwich, the Bean had chicken fingers, and the Husband had a great big hamburger. Noms.

Day four, Saturday.


My new love is crockpot soup. You chop up the ingredients, throw them in the pot, push the button, and go on your way. Come home at the end of the day, and the house smells awesome, and your dinner is ready.

Saturday, we had vegan Minestrone, a recipe found in The Vegan Slow Cooker, one of our new favorite books. This meal was a reprise of the one I cooked for my friends last weekend at the farm. I forgot to document it this Saturday, so I am re-sharing the photo from that weekend. The results were similar and wonderful.

So far, so good. The food has been fun, delicious, and easy. I can't wait to tell you about this week! Two days in, and I'm already drooling.