Bean Soup

I haven't forgotten about my food storage recipe quest. I adapted this recipe from a cookbook called Cooking Light. My kids even ate this one.

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 cup dehydrated celery
2 Tbsp. dried onion (more or less to taste)
1/2 jar real bacon pieces
1 tsp. garlic powder (or use canned tomatoes with garlic)
1 tsp. parsley
1/2 tsp. basil
1 chicken boullion cube
salt and pepper to taste
4 cups water

combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until celery is tender.

Add 1 cup whole wheat pasta, such as elbow macaroni or small shells. Raise heat and boil until pasta is tender.

Book of the Week: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
This book is one man's musings on why some people are very successful and others are not. He draws from a bunch of studies and real-life stories. I can't say that I completely agree with everything he says, but the book definitely gave me a lot to think about. In fact, I found it fascinating. Right after I finished Outliers, I ran out and got another of his books from the library. I'll let you know how that one turns out.

Book #2: Stolen Innocence by Mary Ann Broberg
We read this for my Ward Book Group. It's a true story about a 12-year-old girl, Jan, who was kidnapped and brainwashed by a family friend. The book was written by Jan's mother. You get to have the perspective of the kidnapped girl, but also of the family at home. I couldn't put it down. I just had to get to the happy ending. But along the way, I wanted to smack every single character about 12 times. They did so many stupid things! I did learn a little bit about keeping my own kids safe. And I discovered a deeply-buried violent streak. I really really wanted the mother to torture this guy and find out where the daughter was. Maybe I've been watching too much 24.

So, 2 books that I couldn't put down. No wonder I haven't been blogging. I'd better go dust my house now.