#simplesojourns

⠀ Minestrone Soup⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ One of our favorite meals, especially during cold winter months, is a big bowl of homemade minestrone soup. Chock full of colorful delicious vegetables, with a bit of pasta tossed in, minestrone soup is filling and a meal in itself.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ It’s easy to make and even easier to adjust to your liking.⠀⠀ Add more of your favorite vegetable(s) or other substitutions to your liking.⠀⠀ Follow our recipe, or use it as a guide and make it your own soup.⠀⠀ Have fun with it and most importantly…⠀⠀ Enjoy!⠀⠀ ⠀⠀  Ingredients:⠀⠀ * 1 1/2 cups dry pasta – cooked al dente ⠀⠀ * 2-3 tablespoons olive oil⠀⠀ * 1 onion sliced and diced⠀⠀ * 1 stalk celery sliced and diced⠀⠀ * 1 medium zucchini sliced – slice like discs and then each discs in half⠀⠀ * 1 large grated carrot ⠀⠀ * 2 – 3 cloves garlic sliced and diced⠀⠀ * 14 ounce can Italian green beans⠀⠀ * 4 ounce can of tomato paste⠀⠀ * 14 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice⠀⠀ * 30 ounce can of drained kidney beans⠀⠀ * 30 ounce can of drained great northern beans⠀⠀ * 8 cups vegetable broth⠀⠀ * Sprig of fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried⠀⠀ * Sprig of fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried⠀⠀ * Small sprig of fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried⠀⠀ * 1 or 2 bay leaves⠀⠀ * 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder⠀⠀ * 1/2 teaspoon onion powder⠀⠀ * 3 – 4 cups fresh spinach⠀⠀ * Salt and pepper to taste⠀⠀ * Fresh grated parmesan cheese or Vegan Parmesan ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Directions:⠀⠀ * In a large stock pot, sauté onion, celery for 3 – 5 minutes. ⠀⠀ * Add zucchini and carrots. Sauté another 3 minutes.⠀⠀ * Add garlic, green beans, tomato paste and gently stir until mixed.⠀⠀ * Add diced tomatoes with juice, kidney beans and great northern beans. Stir well.⠀⠀ * If you’re using fresh herbs tie them together. ⠀⠀ * Add herbs and spices.⠀⠀ * Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover with lid and simmer 40 minutes. ⠀⠀ * Remove fresh herbs that are tied together and the bay leaves.⠀⠀ * Add fresh spinach and simmer 30 minutes.⠀⠀ * Serve in bowls with 1/2 cup cooked pasta. ⠀⠀ * Garnish with grated parmesan cheese.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ #MinestroneSoup #Vegan #Vegetarian #recipe #SimpleSojourns #forkyeah #dailyfoodfeed ⠀⠀ https://simplesojourns.com/minestrone-soup/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CFX1PLintJg/?igshid=y80hok7gtd7t

⠀ I like handbags! It’s true! I like how a handbag can totally change up what I’m wearing. ⠀ And I love @UrbanOriginals Luxury Vegan Leather handbags. ⠀ Not only are their bags everything I want, but they’re vegan too. ⠀ Just like me! ⠀ ⠀ I love that my new ‘I Need You’ handbag is PETA certified vegan leather. ⠀ And more importantly for me, it’s made with eco conscious fabrics and low chemicals. ⠀ That’s imperative because I suffer from severe MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). ⠀ ⠀ The versatility of the unique handles and the cross body strap make this bag ready to go with anything I wear!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ‪#urbanoriginals #fashion #fashionover40 #vegan #ecofriendly #sustainable #earthfriendly ‬#crueltyfree #handmade #ethicalfashioninitiative #fashionover50 #fashionover60 #australiandesign #ethicalfashion #petaapproved #sustainablestyle #simplesojourns⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/B71UFVIHoCG/?igshid=jbx1gjm72zqm

⠀ Vegan Pumpkin and Coconut Mousse⠀ ⠀ The recipe makes two servings which is perfect for @DavidCrismon and me but it’s easy peasy to double the recipe for a family of four. 👍🏻⠀ ⠀ Ingredients:⠀ * 1 cup organic canned pumpkin⠀ * ½ cup plus 2 teaspoons *coconut cream, divided⠀ * 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon agave syrup, divided⠀ * 1 teaspoon plus a pinch of ground cinnamon, divided⠀ * ¼ teaspoon ground ginger⠀ * ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg⠀ * pinch of salt⠀ * 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Directions:⠀ Make The Mousse:⠀ * In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, coconut cream, agave syrup, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and pinch of salt. ⠀ * Divide mousse between two jars, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate a minimum of 2 hours or overnight.⠀ ⠀ Make The Cream Topping: ⠀ * Just before serving, stir together the remaining coconut cream, remaining agave syrup and remaining cinnamon.⠀ ⠀ To Serve:⠀ * Place a small dollop of the topping on each jar of mousse and garnish with toasted coconut.⠀ Enjoy!⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ‪#vegan #pumpkin #recipe #Christmas #HappyHolidays #pumpkinrecipe #Christmasdinner ‬#SimpleSojourns #recipefortwo #veganfood #easyrecipes ⠀ ⠀ http://simplesojourns.com/vegan-pumpkin-and-coconut-mousse/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B6OvLH4g9AU/?igshid=10lctbodnhkna

~ Gratitude ~ A few days ago I was sharing with my 15-year old granddaughter the admiration I have for President @RussellMNelson. She's not very familiar with this mighty man. So I shared with her the faith I have in him for his wisdom and inspired leadership, especially during the current pandemic. Not only is he a Prophet of God but he's also a retired world renowned cardiac surgeon. President Nelson issued an invitation to share gratitude on social media. Of the many things on my Gratitude list is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My faith in the truthfulness of the Gospel has brought me much happiness. It's also given me strength to get through burying two children, surviving a devastating divorce, and getting out of bed when I seemingly didn't have the strength to do so on my own. I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and what it stands for with all my heart. #GiveThanks #TheChurchOfJesusChristOfLatterDaySaints #SimpleSojourns https://youtu.be/tlcILxGmVrI https://www.instagram.com/p/CH4AXX_Hwas/?igshid=1rqqyczstd0zg

⠀ The San Diego Temple of @churchofjesuschrist is one of my all-time favorite places on the planet.⠀ It recently reopened after being closed for almost 8 months. What a gift it is to see it light up the sky once again.⠀ The temple is a landmark in the San Diego area and is stunning to see, day or night. ⠀ ⠀ #SanDiegoTemple #LaJolla #SimpleSojourns #TravelBlogger #SouthernCalifornia #SoCal #SanDiego #architecture #houseofthelord  #nothingisordinary #californiacaptures #TheChurchOfJesusChristOfLatterDaySaints (at San Diego California Temple) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGkj3v8HexU/?igshid=1bo6mf546bn7j

⠀ Halloween is a big thing at our house.⠀⠀ From the decorations to the costumes to the delectable treats, we celebrate Halloween with imagination and gusto! ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ I think you'll love our step by step tutorial on how to make the fun Oreo Mummy Cookies that are ever so popular and crowd pleasing. ⠀ 🎃👻🎃👻⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Ingredients:⠀⠀ * Oreo Cookies⠀⠀ * White candy coating or vanilla almond bark⠀⠀ * Small candy eyeballs⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Instructions:⠀⠀ 1. Melt the candy coating according to package directions giving special care not to overheat the candy. If the candy coating is overheated, it will be too thick. You can add 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening to help thin the candy but do not add any other type of liquid as the candy will seize and harden.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 2. Resting the cookie on a fork, spoon candy coating over the cookie and then tap the fork against the side of your bowl to remove excess candy coating.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 3. Add the candy eyeballs while the candy is still wet. Place on waxed paper to dry.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 4. Pour remaining candy coating into a disposable piping bag. Snip the end of the piping bag and drizzle each cookie with candy coating.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 5. Allow candy coating to harden. If necessary, cut any excessive candy coating that overlapped the edge of each cookie using a sharp knife.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Placing in the refrigerator may cause the cookie to soften.⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ 7. Happy Happy Halloween and Enjoy!⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ‪#Halloween #OreoMummyCookies #HalloweenRecipe ‬#HalloweenTreats #SimpleSojourns⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGSwuQTnXUb/?igshid=5dz3a4ipra8y

⠀ Mums in a Pumpkin!⠀ ⠀ Did you know fall is my favorite season of the year?⠀ I love falling leaves, ⠀ back-to-school apples,⠀ everything about Halloween,⠀ and counting my blessing the whole month of Thanksgiving.⠀ ⠀ In Southern California we miss a distinct change of seasons but we’ve found an easy way to bring gorgeous fall colors right into our home.⠀ How about these mums in a pumpkin?⠀ Don’t they say fall in a big huge way?!⠀ ⠀ An easy peasy DIY project and oh so festive!!⠀ Easy peasy! So quick and easy you can have them all over your front porch and house.⠀ ⠀ Supplies:⠀ * One pot of mums⠀ * One pumpkin that's a tad bigger than the pot the mums are in⠀ That's it! That's all you need. ⠀ ⠀ Instructions:⠀ * Carefully carve the top off your pumpkin, making the opening large enough for the pot of mums to fit into⠀ * Clean the insides out of the pumpkin⠀ * Put the potted mums, pot and all, into the pumpkin⠀ ⠀ Voila! ⠀ That's it! ⠀ Happy fall everyone!⠀ ⠀ #Harvest #Halloween #Thanksgiving #DIY #SimpleSojourns #Fall #Autumn #OnTheBlog #Crafts #LifestyleBlogger #FrontDoor #Lifestyle #HomeAndGarden⠀#Pumpkin #Pumpkins #flowerpower #naturehippys_ #naturehippys #nothingisordinary #popyacolour #abmlifeiscolorful #acolorstory #bhgflowers #choosejoy #flowerstagram #flowerlover #livecolorfully #pocket_flowers⠀ ⠀ https://simplesojourns.com/mums-in-a-pumpkin/  ⠀ https://www.instagram.com/p/CGDaKQdHIMy/?igshid=63rqal50u2rd

⠀ Easter or Springtime M&M Cookies⠀ ⠀ I love spring. ⠀ I love the pink blooms on our fruit trees. ⠀ The brightly colored flowers in our garden. ⠀ The trees are beginning to grow their green leaves and the weather is starting to warm. ⠀ It’s a new beginning for the earth.⠀ ⠀ Our Springtime M&M Cookies are quick and easy and oh so good! ⠀ You can also switch them our for different holiday by using different candy. ⠀ Just follow your heart!⠀ ⠀ Ingredients ⠀ ⠀ 2.5 cups of flour⠀ 1 teaspoon of baking soda – we use Rumford Aluminum Free⠀ 1 cup of butter – we use vegan Earth Balance Sticks⠀ 1.5 cups of organic sugar⠀ 1 flax or chia egg or hen egg⠀ 1 teaspoon of real vanilla extract⠀ Pastel M&M – We use Unreal Organic Candy⠀ Directions⠀ ⠀ 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees⠀ ⠀ 2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until completely smooth. Then, add in the egg and vanilla and mix some more.⠀ ⠀ 3. Add the flour and baking soda to the mixing bowl and mix together.⠀ ⠀ 4. Place rounded cookie dough balls on a cookie sheet. I prefer stoneware sheets.⠀ ⠀ 5. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.⠀ ⠀ 6. Remove from oven and place the M&M’s on the top of the cookies while they are still warm. ⠀ ⠀ #vegan #vegancookies #recipe #simplesojourns #Easter #Eastercookies https://www.instagram.com/p/B9U5KZpHwsu/?igshid=1vrhfeb984hzn