Vegan Mofo VI- Day 21: So Where's the Lebanese Delight?*

With yet another change in weather and my current state of yuckiness, I just knew I would have to make soup this week. I already had my grocery list written up but I decided to take a quick flip through one of my recipe binders for a soup recipe that didn't require me to buy too many new items. I passed over one of my favorite lentil soup recipes because I like to only make new recipes during mofo. You never know when you might meet a new favorite, right? I chose another recipe that sounded good and added those ingredients to my list. After the first grocery trip I hadn't found anything I needed for that recipe and I was having second thoughts about it. What if I didn't like it? I would be wasting so much food. Before we hit the next store I grabbed Appetite for Reduction off my shelf and looked at those soup recipes. I was pretty sure I'd only made two of them so the rest were fair game. I quickly decided upon "Arabian Lentil & Rice Soup" since it was what I wanted and it slightly resembled the soupI would have made if not for my "rules" about repeats.

Even though there were some similar ingredients between the two recipes, I vote this one to be my new favorite forever. The other recipe is still awesome, but this one is just a teensy bit awesomer. Maybe it's the carrots, or the rice, the combo lemon zest and lemon juice. I cannot get enough of it. I had a small serving to take a photo before I walked the dog and I had some more when I came home. I would go back for thirds but I want to save some for tomorrow and the rest of the week. I really want to tell my sister how good it came out and share with her, but I am tempted to keep it to myself so I can have more awesome soup. What a dilemma!

*In the recipe intro, Isa mentions how there are so many great Lebanese restaurants in PDX, which makes me think of Mary and Mustafa in the movie Party Girl. I need a huge push to at least apply to a grad program!

sick and tired (vegan mofo day 18)

dear dear mofo's, your girl is starting to get sick and is therefore, quite tired. my niece hasn't been well for a few days now and i have been trying to fight it off but woke up with a sore throat and have had many sneezing fits today. grrrrrrrr.

it didn't keep us down though. we went to a rally against prop 8 hosted by cousin. we were there for about three hours holding up signs, soliciting honks and at times, facing ugliness from the opposition. mostly it was yelling or gesturing but these really great guys decided it would be cool to throw water bottles at us. thankfully no one was hurt and i would say we "won". when we showed up there were far more "yes on 8" people and they had taken up all four corners of the intersection. after about an hour and a half their numbers dissipated and ours grew a bit and we had a great time. my arms are super sore since i don't give them much exercise, but that's okay. i can walk it off tomorrow at the aids walk.

everyone else napped when we got home but i knew i had to make us some soup (so did the carrots and celery that have been in the crisper). i didn't have much to work with so i had to use a simple recipe i was able to find in vegan bites. i made the bean bag soup. i thought it could use a little more kick, but i'm also beginning a cold and my senses are compromised. it has a lot of liquid to it and a good amount of garlic so hopefully it will serve its purpose. keep fighting the good fight!