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Digging Out

So we have been busy digging out a major snow storm in the Northeast. 

Outside of Grace we had over a foot.  We even had to cut our New York buying trip short due to Winter Storm Benedict.  (Check back for info on our trip to NYC) Perfect weather to make some soup and snuggle up in some Sheepy Fleece with a fab movie or a wonderful book.  Tonight I made this great Roasted Vegetable Soup from The Fig's Table by Todd English and Sally Sampson.

This rich vegetable soup gets the intense flavor from the roasted vegetables. 

2 to 3 parsnips, peeled, if desired, quartered lengthwise, and chopped
4 carrots, peeled, if desired, quartered lengthwise, and chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
1 head savoy cabbage, quarted and cut in eights
8 fresh plumb tomatoes (you can use canned if not available) 
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
2 celery stalks finely chopped
2 cups cooked white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
6 cups Chicken Broth (low-sodium if canned)
1 bunch leaf spinach
Shaved Parmesan Cheese for garnish

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Place the parsnips, carrots, onion, cabbage, and tomatoes in separate piles on a large roasting pan and drizzle with 1 Tbsp oil, Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
Place the pan in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes, checking occasionally and removing any vegetables as they become brown.  Do not allow them to burn.
Place a large stock pot over medium heat and, when it is hot, add the remaining oil.  Add the garlic and celery and cook until they are golden, about 3 minutes.
Roughly chop the cabbage and tomatoes and add them to the stockpot.  Add the remaining vegetables, beans, and Chicken Broth.  Bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. 
Add the spinach.
Serve immediately, garnished with the shaved Parmesan cheese or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.

I served with some great crusty whole grain bread...mmmm. 

Resolution

According to Websters,

1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made

2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

 

Every year, I guess I privately resolve some things at the new year, a few of my faves over the years have been:

1. Eat healthier

2. Read more

3. Try new recipes

You get the idea, well usually I do not "formally" make my expression.  Perhaps this is where I have gone wrong.  Well either way, 

I am resolving to blog more.  

We have so much to tell you all about and what a perfect way to get the info out...if only I could master the ever elusive bandit...the big T...TIME!

How do you all find more TIME to do things you want to get done?  Cause isn't that what it is all about?  I just picked up a copy of this magazine and they have a feature titled, 4 Weeks To You Best Self.

I know sounds very Oprahish ( I just made that word up)...who on a side note just launched her new network and there seem to be some pretty great shows in the works...anyway back on topic.  So this mag, which is actually a Martha publication, has a four week plan to cleanse out the bad and reshape the new.   "If you have been eating, drinking, and making a little too merry, have we got the cure for you!", sounds about right.

So this weeks goal - Pare Down and Purify...some of it attainable, some of it a little more difficult.  In addition to cleansing your diet, they also talk about detoxing your mind.  Interesting thought.

Day 1 Begin a week-long media fast: No TV, and cut back on online time.

Hmmm..perhaps this could help in my finding more time.  I do not watch a ton of TV, but every little bit helps right?  Sorta blows that whole Oprah new network thing..well I guess that's what DVR's are for. Lets see what happens..sorry Matt Lauer, no Today Show to start my day today.  Check back tomorrow for an update on my progress and to see what my goal is for Day 2.  

So what are your resolutions and how do you stick to them?