So much to blog about, so I hope I remember it all. First of all I want to offer a moment of silence and reflection in memory of 911. It still brings tears to my eyes when I see some of the recap from the day. (insert a one minute pause in reflection of this day). That is all I have to say about this right now. I am sure many of you understand the sentiment.

Today I  am beginning another cleansing vegetable broth fast. I will be fasting on broth only for 3 days and then having vegetables with the broth for the next two. We have had lot’s of family gatherings lately, which means lot’s of bad food. And as always, when I eat bad, my stomach let’s me know all about it. Fasting is such a positive thing for the mind and the body. For me it signifies renewal. My body is clean inside, which helps renew my spirit, my resolve, my motivation. I will be spending some time today meditating and trying to stay away from the television as much as possible, which is hard because I can be a bit of a news junky sometimes.

The air is beginning to change outside and the days are getting shorter, signifying the beginning of fall and a craving for comfort foods. This weekend I made green bean casserole with mashed pototoes. It was so good. My green bean casserole recipe is one of my favorites and one that I will definitely be making for the holidays.

Here is the basic recipe:
3-4 cloves garlic
1 package mushrooms
2 tbsp canola butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cups rice milk
2 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
4 cans green beans
French fried onions
4-5 potatoes
½ cup rice milk
½ cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp canola butter
½ teaspoon pepper

Cut up potatoes and put in water and bring to a boil. Cook potatoes until soft. Mash potatoes add 2 tbsp canola butter, ½ cup vegetable broth, ½ cup rice milk, salt and pepper and mash until smooth. In a iron or stainless steel sauté garlic and mushrooms in canola butter. Add flour and create a rue. Add rice milk, vegetable broth, salt and pepper and cook until the consistency of a cream soup. Open green beans, drain and put in a casserole dish. Add mushroom soup mix and 1 cup French fried onions. Top casserole with mashed potatoes and cook in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes. Top with another cup of French fried onions and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

I promise, if you serve this to omnis they will absolutely never know that there is no dairy in this.