Life Changing + Simple Split Pea Soup

You know something? Blogging has seriously changed my life. It’s been almost a year since I’ve started blogging, and while my blogging “style” has evolved considerably along the way, the friends that I’ve made and people I’ve come into contact with are invaluable. I’ve made new friends in real life, I’ve gotten reconnected with old friends, and I have countless “internet friends” who I know I would instantly bond with if we were to ever meet “in real life”. To each and every one of you that takes the time to read what I write, and to those of you who pause to leave a comment – thank you. Your sweet words mean the world to me. The past year has been a crazy year for me, no where close to where I thought I’d be, and honestly – blogging has been the only constant in my life.

Every time I sit down and consider sharing something more heartfelt and/ or more emotional and more “real” to what’s going on in my life, I always second guess it. “Will this turn readers away?” “Will no one care and just think I’m a silly whiner?”. No. (Well, I’m sure some people do, but they don’t comment, so thank you). I’ve found instead, people offer support, love, advice, and anecdotal stories from similar situations they’ve been in and have been bettered from.

Anyway, all that sappiness to say thank you and it means the world.

On to the food!

Lunch was a sweet potato with some Earth Balance and cinnamon, alongside a tasty salad (romaine, spinach, avocado, carrots, cucumber and salsa).

Another delicious Honest Tea:

Tropical Mate! In all honesty on the Honest Teas – they’re hit or miss with me. It just so happens that the most recent ones I’ve tried (Pearfect White Tea and the Tropical Mate) are pretty tasty. My favorite is the Black Forest Berry – love that one!

Afternoon snackage included some unpictured Quaker crack and almond milk. Yum! Perfect fuel for my indoor sweat sesh.

• 250 jumping jacks
• 200 butt kicks
• 100 crunches
• Medicine Ball ABC’s (essentially squats and frontal and lateral raises)

It worked and in-between all that I was able to get dinner together.

Such a simple soup – Simple Split Pea Soup.

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced and crushed
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 Tablespoon tomato paste
• freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt
• 2 cups split peas (measured dry)
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 4 cups water
• splash of white wine (about a 1/4 cup)

In a large pot, saute the onions in the EVOO until translucent. Add the garlic. A minute later add the celery, carrots, tomato paste, black pepper and kosher salt. Cook over medium heat for around 10 minutes. Add split peas and the liquids. Cover and let simmer at least 30 minutes, or until split peas or tender. When soup is done, puree 3 cups of the soup in a blender or food processor. Add back to the soup, stir, serve and enjoy.

It was simple and delicious! Want to know what took it over the top though? Those CROUTONS! I just sliced a ciabbatta roll very thinly, spread some Earth Balance on it, and crisped the bread up on a griddle. These turned out so delicious, whether sopped up with soup or crispy by themselves.

Alright friends, this concludes day 2 of the Vegan Venture! All is still going well and I honestly haven’t missed dairy or meat in the slightest so far. If anything, I’m craving a greater variety of vegetables. Now I have some jazz to take care of, so I’ll see you tomorrow morning!