Algerian Tomato Soup with Cous Cous & Chips Made Out Of Beans - Stop The Madness!

I have two posts today...be sure to scroll down...there is a LOT more to come!  But for now...it's SOUP TIME!  Algerian Tomato Soup with Cous Cous to be exact!  Here's what's in this soup!

1 C of Cooked Cous Cous
1 Onion
5 Cloves Garlic
1/4 tea Cayenne
>2 tea Coriander
1 tea Curry
1 tea Cinnamon
2 Cans of Diced Tomatoes with liquid (in blender)
4 C Water
4 tea Wildtree Vegetable Bouillon
4 tea Lemon Juice

This made a HUGE Batch of Soup!  I really liked the kick to it and I really liked the Tomato-y Goodness!  It's something I would make again!  I liked this soup WAY better than the Algerian Carrots from earlier this week!  

 Another thing I wanted to mention in this post is I've been on a Bean Chip Kick lately!  I'll start off with these UNSALTED ones from Beanfield's!  They are Bean and Rice Chips and they are delicious!  I have many of their other flavors to share with you in the coming weeks, too!

Here's what their website says about these chips!
 

Great Taste First
At Beanfields your snacking enjoyment comes first–that's the whole point of snacking! So we make sure our chips are delicious. They're made with black and navy beans and long grain rice, and cooked in high-quality safflower or sunflower oil, giving them a great taste and distinctive crunch.

4 Grams of Complete Protein and Fiber
Beanfields chips give you important nutrition your body needs. A one ounce serving has 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber—twice as much as most other tortilla chips, corn chips, or potato chips. Beanfields are tasty snacks you can feel good about giving your family!

All of our Corn Free Bean & Rice Tortilla Chips are verified to be free of any genetically-modified organisms (non-GMO) and have received the prestigious Non-GMO Verification awarded by the Non-GMO Project!

As for my thoughts on their NO SALT Flavor...they are great!  I'm not usually a fan of salt so this is right up my alley!  they are a little drier than the other flavors but you can really taste the bean in the chips this way and I really like that!

The Bean/Rice Combo provide a nice texture an wholesomeness to it!  They are sturdy and thick and a good dipping chip!  See if you can find these WINNERS in your area!  They are WORTH it!

Raw Wednesday, Core Goals, Ninjas, World Foods

Last week I reviewed a product from Core Foods and today I'm going to do the same!  I have another one of their flavors to share with you!  Today it's their Raw Cashew Cacao.  As you can see to the left the contents...and following this...the 'jist' of their product description!

Nourishment for the Enlightened.

A High-Fiber Vegan Meal for toning and weight management.
We carefully mix 5 fresh organic plants to pack all 13 amino acids, high plant fiber, and essential fatty acids into one balanced meal on the go. That's all. We never use candy ingredients. Take your nutrition as seriously as your practice--get to the next level be eating like a Defender.
Make CORE part of your daily routine! Sign up for recurring delivery and get free shipping!
This food is FRESH. Store in your freezer for maximum life and flavor. Take anywhere for up to 1 week.

Now...specifically writing about their Raw Cashew Cacao Bar...I found it to be even more filling than the Almond Raisin one I reviewed last week!  I will say that the cacao tastes like the "darkest of dark" chocolates I have ever tried and that could have something to do with it for me, personally.  You know how Dark Chocolate tends to be bitter...and "bitters" usually help you feel "full" and "quicker", well, I totally agree with that in this case!  Even though I could feel my hunger level being fulfilled as I ate the meal replacement bar - I found myself enjoying the "dark" flavor more and more as I continued to eat it!  The Cacao is the more prominent flavor in this specific bar, tho.  The Whole Oats and Cashews did help break up that dark chocolate or cacao taste and the spices and raisins were subtle but appreciated as it contributed to the overall nutritional benefits and experience!

The thing that really shocked me about this one is how VERY full I felt after eating it!  I almost couldn't even finish it!  I felt like I ate a HUGE meal!  I did notice how important it was to follow this one up with the water afterwards, tho!

Eventho I was very full and satisfied with the flavor, the full stomach, and the nutritional benefits - I wasn't 'as' hyper as I was with the other one I previously reviewed...which was probably ok considering just how MUCH energy I did have that day!  But I am NOT saying it didn't provide me with a good deal of energy, still, because it did!  My mind was very focused on my tasks at hand and I was able to flow thru them at an altered rate.  I was determined to get my tasks done and well!  This helped get me thru the day as I was unable to break for lunch!

I enjoyed the "dark chocolate" comparison in this one - when needed - I think I like the overall flavor for 'everyday' consumption of the Almond Raisin just a tad more.  Next up in the near future is the Banana one!

In other news...

It's Raw Wednesday...and I don't have a picture of the Fruit Smoothie I made this morning but here is what I did...Strawberry, Mango, a little Pineapple, and Chia Seeds.  They were all frozen.  At least it's better than nothing, eh? 

As I have mentioned before - several times I have a few different Ninja Systems.  I have the Large stand-alone as well as the system and accessories. 

Since I can't spend $300 or more on the Vitamix - I really think this is the next best thing for the money!  It IS a high-speed blender and the blades go almost all the way up the middle. 

I noticed, too, that you don't need to add as much liquid as you do with other blenders,,,to keep it moving, that is.

Overall I would certainly say I am a Ninja Fan!  Maybe someday when I win the "lotto" I will get a Vitamix! LOL  Seriously, tho, I got a great deal on these - I ended up getting BOTH the large one AND the system and accessories for a total of about $60.  I bought the large one first and then bought the system afterwards.  I like having multiple blenders to choose from - and I have a space just for them in my kitchen.

 And now for some World Food!  I made some Algerian Carrots!  Here is what I did:
1 Pound of Carrots
3 T Grapeseed Oil
1/2 tea Cinnamon
1/2 tea Cumin
3 Cloves Garlic
1/2 tea Thyme Leaves
1 tea Lemon Juice
I loved the way this smelled but might tweak it a bit for next time.  I think I would use less Lemon Juice and Cinnamon and more Garlic!

This next dish isn't Algerian but it's Tunisian!
Tunisian Style Greens and Beans!

2 T Grapeseed Oil (I used Basil Pesto Flavored)
1 Onion
3+ Cloves Garlic
1 tea Coriander
1/4 Crushed Chili Flakes
2 C Chopped Spinach
2 C White Navy Beans (I was out of Chickpeas)
1 C Diced Tomatoes & Liquid
1/2 C Cooking Liquid from Beans and/or Water

This made a HUGE batch!  I will be eating it for DAYS, I am sure!  This is somewhat gently spiced.  I tend to enjoy foods that are REALLY flavorful...this was a bit more bland than I expected but it was still tasty!  Can't go wrong with more Garlic! You know how I LOVE it!

I do have a few other things to blog about but I will hold off until tomorrow!  Have you ever had foods from Algeria or Tunisia?  If so...what?

Juice Time Tuesdays, Lush Nuts - Original, Sprouting Kits, Near Future Plans

The Juice Guru is starting up Juice Time Tuesdays and you can read more about that here.  I will be doing my own version of Juice Time Tuesdays and blogging about it!  Since I didn't have enough Fresh Produce to do juicing this morning I am doing a Smoothie instead for this evening as a snack/dessert.  I'm thinking something with Berries and maybe Mango!  I will be posting the Aftermath tomorrow!  BUT...hopefully more organized for next Tuesday!

Since I had such a lengthy post yesterday I wasn't able to tell you about my very first experience with Lush Gourmet Foods YET...until today that is!  I received a nice package from them yesterday and inside were samples of their nuts!  I decided to kick things off with their original flavor.  I have to say I LOVE their website!  It's straight and to the point!  Check it out! 

All of their flavors and flavorings for their product line are vegan (among other wonderful things just take a look at their About Us Tab) so I don't have to worry about what's in them!  YAY!

This original flavor is the BASE for all of their flavors (and then they just build it on from there!)  As for the original flavor and the base flavor I REALLY love the flavor!  It's sweet with just a little bit of salt!  Perfect Ratio of flavors here and does WONDERS for the midday munchies attack I was having yesterday!  Just a nice-sized handful is all you really need to satisfy you!  They are absolutely delightful and I can't wait to try the other flavors!

 Another thing I am going to be doing and SOON is this Green Sprout Kit!  I received it last week and read up on it last night!  I think the whole kit is an AWESOME idea!  A perfect all-in-one product!  I don't want to get too ahead of myself YET because I do want to do a more involved review and soon!

Tonight I will also be starting in with at least 1 Algerian Food dish and post the pic and recipe tomorrow!

I have been catching up on a few projects, too, and hope to post about them very soon!  LOTS in the works just quite incomplete at the moment!  But it surely doesn't mean I haven't been busy! 

My mood has been a good one lately - I am very happy with the changes in my diet and the results I am seeing everyday!  I hope to start exercising again, gently, as I feel my foot/leg/calf/arch issues are on the up-swing! 

"See" you tomorrow!  Comment, today, I LOVE chatter!