injured girl food

this isn't my typical recipe post, but it's kinda food related so i decided to post it anyways. the car accident left me unable to cook, and on temporary restrictive diet. both the previous two recipes were actually made back in december (it just took me a while to get them posted). my life started to get a little gloomy when i spent two weeks relegated to the couch sleeping upright, spent tons of money on hospital and mechanic bills, and watched more man v. food than i could possibly handle. that's when best friends show up and save the day! i've known kim for 15+ years, and that doll girl came over and surprised me with a care package to break up all the doom and gloom!

she brought me green tea soy dream - a flavour i had never tried. and yum, i am so a fan! she also brought me two awesome bottles of bolthouse farms smoothies - again, a first for me. the vanilla chai is so awesome and sorta reminds me a little of silk nog. she left me an adorable card as well - who wouldn't be cheered up by that pup? also included were two fiction novels (she's trying to crack my staunch non-fiction stance), and some house dvds...
she's been great friend over the years. she taught me how to roll sushi the first time, and can do an awesome inside out roll. anyways, i just wanted to say thank you, kim! (we are the two with bright pink paper crowns on after a big sushi party).

ps - she often accompanies me on my restaurant review dinners, but i just realized there are no pics of her on there. but that will change. :)

cabbage soup

i got sick this past week. i was hungry all the time, but i wanted something warm, comforting and easy to swallow. oh, and easy to make since i didn't have much energy. i made a cabbage soup that served all my needs.

• 1 pound cabbage, shredded (i use dole coleslaw mix)
• 1 6oz. can tomato paste
  
• 9 cups water
• 1 veggie bouillon cube (i use knorr)
• 1 can stewed tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1/4 cup cajun seasoning
• 3 tablespoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoon onion powder
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1½ cups textured vegetable protein
*(or boca ground crumbles)

in a large stock pot (approx. 8 qt), bring everything but the tvp to a boil. lower temperature to medium low, cover, and let simmer for about 40 minutes. add the textured veggie protein and cook for another 15 minutes. check the water level often and add more water or spices if necessary.
makes about 6 hearty bowls of soup (which equals a lot of leftovers if you are trying to kill a cold).