Vegan/ recipes

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Vegetable Stew

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Vegetable Stew- hearty and filled with the best veggies fall has to offer!

My love affair with the slow cooker continues! I held off on buying one for a while because I wasn’t sure how versatile it would be. I was wrong! I make everything from applesauce to oatmeal to stuffed peppers to chili in mine. Slow cookers are so simple and convenient- just add ingredients and set the time. There’s no watching or stirring necessary!

Now that the weather has finally turned cold, I’m in total soup-mode. When it comes to soup, the thin ones never cut it for me. I like tons of veggies, beans and a minimum amount of broth. This recipe features all three!

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Vegetable Stew

This Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Vegetable Stew is hearty, delicious and nutrient-packed! The recipe makes a generous quantity so it’s ideal for meal planning. It can be served over rice or eaten as a traditional stew. You can customize this recipe to your liking by substituting veggies and spices.

Slow Cooker Vegan Lentil Vegetable Stew

Servings

Ingredients

5 Celery stalks chopped
3 Carrots chopped
1 15.5 oz Can chickpeas drained & rinsed
1 14.5 oz Can Diced tomatoes
1 Small yellow onion diced
1 Acorn squash cubed- skin removed
1 cup Dried lentils
2 cups Cauliflower florets
6 cups Low sodium vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Turmeric
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Bay leaf

Servings

Ingredients

5 Celery stalks chopped
3 Carrots chopped
1 15.5 oz Can chickpeas drained & rinsed
1 14.5 oz Can Diced tomatoes
1 Small yellow onion diced
1 Acorn squash cubed- skin removed
1 cup Dried lentils
2 cups Cauliflower florets
6 cups Low sodium vegetable broth
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Turmeric
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Bay leaf

Instructions

Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or until the vegetables are tender.

Looking for more vegan slow cooker recipes?

Slow Cooker Vegan Black Bean Pumpkin Chili

Slow Cooker Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup

Slow Cooker Vegan Coconut Quinoa Curry

November 11, 2019 By ginamichele

DIY

Thanksgiving Dessert Table and DIY Decoupage Centerpiece

Thanksgiving Dessert Table and DIY Decoupage Centerpiece- an easy way to get your table holiday ready!

Thanksgiving is in a few shorts weeks and I can’t wait! I love decorating for the holidays and Thanksgiving is no exception. This year I decided to make the dessert table the star of the show, with a little help from Stop & Shop!

Thanksgiving Dessert Table

The holidays can be a hectic time, so I’m a big fan of one-stop shopping. Stop & Shop has a large selection of everything you need to throw a memorable Thanksgiving dinner. I managed to find everything from plants to holiday decor to the most delicious, freshly-baked desserts at my local store. Stop & Shop also has an array of food storage and cleaning supplies for when the festivities end.

This holiday, Stop & Shop is offering the ultimate deal for pie-lovers:

3 Pack of Pies for $11.99 – The bakery department will be offering a 3-pack of pies for $11.99 this season!

Whether you’re a guest or a host for Thanksgiving, these pies are the perfect buy!

One of my favorite features that Stop & Shop offers is order online for in-store pick-up or delivery. As a mom with two little ones, this is the ultimate convenience! There’s no navigating the aisles with an infant and a 4-year-old. My order is neatly packed up when I arrive.

Easy Decoupage Centerpiece

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make a show-stopping holiday centerpiece, I’ve got you covered! You can give any wood box or planter a festive makeover by decoupaging on tissue paper.

Supplies needed:

Wood box or planter

Tissue paper

Modge Podge and paintbrush

Brush a thin coat of Modge Podge on to the wood. Press the tissue paper down, working your way around the bottom and the opposite side of the box. Let dry.

Brush a coat of Modge Podge over the paper and let dry.

One easy way to make sure your floral centerpiece looks great is to vary the heights.

First I started with kale plants on the sides.

Then I added two Celosia plants to the center to break up the height.

Finally, I added some pom pom mums to pack a punch of color.

You can re-use this centerpiece for Christmas by replacing the plants with evergreens.

Thank you to Stop & Shop for sponsoring this post- Thanksgiving Dessert Table and DIY Decoupage Centerpiece.

November 9, 2019 By ginamichele

Free Knitting Pattern

Flat Knit Slouch Hat Knitting Pattern

Flat Knit Slouch Hat Knitting Pattern- a beginner-friendly pattern with a textured, marbled design.

If you’re new to knitting switching from single point to circular needles can seem daunting. The majority of hat patterns use circular needles so you won’t have to sew a seam. Circular needles can be tricky to wield if you’re a beginner knitter accustomed to straight needles. In my years of creating patterns for this blog, I’ve come across two distinct kinds of knitters: anti-seam sewing and anti-circular needles.

This Marbled Slouch Hat Knitting Pattern is knit flat so it’s perfect for those who like to avoid circular needles.

This hat features a ribbed brim, slouchy shape with a simple textured pattern.

Flat Knit Slouch Hat Knitting Pattern

Needles: Size US 7 single point knitting needles

Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in Toasted Almond (1 skein)

Gauge: 4 inches = 18 sts.

(note- hat is worked flat and then seamed)

Cast on 81 sts. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch.

Next row: Knit across row, increasing 5 stitches evenly along the way. (86 sts)

Next row: Purl.

Stitch Pattern:

Row 1 (Right Side): *K3, P2; repeat from *, end K1.

Row 2: Knit across.

Row 3: *K1, P1, K1, P2; repeat from *, end K1

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *K2, P1, K1, P1; repeat from *, end P1.

Row 6: Knit across.

Work in the 6 rows of the stitch pattern until the piece measures 9 inches from the cast-on edge. End with row 6.

Shape crown:

Next row: *K3, P2tog; repeat from *, end K1. (69 sts.)

Next row: Knit across.

Next row: *K2, P2tog; repeat from *, end K1. (52)sts.

Next row: Knit across.

Next row: *K1, P2tog; repeat from *, end K1. (35 sts.)

Next row: Knit across.

Next row: *P2tog; repeat from *, end K1. (18 sts.)

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Pull through remaining stitches. Sew side seam.

Looking for more Free Knitting Patterns?

Beginner Thick & Quick Hat Knitting Pattern

Leftover Yarn Scarf Knitting Pattern

Chunky Swirl Hat Knitting Pattern

November 8, 2019 By ginamichele

Vegan/ recipes

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash- hearty, delicious and filled with all the flavors of fall!

Every time I go to the local farmstands I stock up on winter squash. My go-to is butternut squash, but this time I figured I’d try the acorn squash. Acorn squash has a slightly buttery and sweet taste. It’s perfect for stuffing with rice and vegetables!

Acorn Squash is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges on its exterior and sweet, yellow-orange flesh inside. Thanks to its’ mild flavor, acorn squash pairs well with both sweet and savory flavors.

Acorn squash is rich in nutrients, such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. It also packs many beneficial plant compounds, including carotenoid antioxidants.

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash

This Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash is easy to make and it requires minimal ingredients. First, the squash is halved and the seeds are removed. Next, it is brushed with olive oil and cooked for 40 minutes. Then the chickpeas and Brussels sprouts are brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and roasted. Afterward, they are tossed with cooked wild rice and scooped into the halved acorn squash. Finally, a drizzle of maple syrup the dish.

Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash

Servings

Halves

Ingredients

2 Acorn squash halved
2 Cups Wild rice cooked
1 Can Can chickpeas drained & rinsed
2 Cups Brussels sprouts halved lengthwise
Maple syrup
olive oil
Sea salt

Servings

Halves

Ingredients

2 Acorn squash halved
2 Cups Wild rice cooked
1 Can Can chickpeas drained & rinsed
2 Cups Brussels sprouts halved lengthwise
Maple syrup
olive oil
Sea salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Half the acorn squash and clean out the seeds. Brush with olive oil. Place on a lined baking tray and cook for 40 minutes or until insides are tender.
On a separate lined baking tray, spread out the chickpeas and the Brussels sprouts. Drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes.
Combine the chickpeas and Brussels sprouts with the cooked wild rice and scoop into the acorn squash. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve.

Looking for more Vegan recipes?

Easy Vegan Pot Pies

Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

Slow Cooker Vegan Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili

November 6, 2019 By ginamichele

Free Knitting Pattern

Easy Kids Sweater Knitting Pattern

Easy Kids Sweater Knitting Pattern- beginner-friendly!

Hand-knit sweaters are wonderful, but they’re often a pretty big undertaking. Many patterns use small needles which make the knitting process slow-moving. This Easy Kids Sweater Knitting Pattern uses US size 8 and 9 knitting needles which makes this sweater a relatively quick knit! This pattern is beginner-friendly so it’s the ideal knitting project to work on while you binge-watch Netflix.

This hooded sweater features a relaxed shape with ribbed hem and cuffs.

For this pattern, I used Premier Anti-Piling Everyday Worsted. No knitter wants to see their hard work turn into a pilled mess, so I was excited to try this yarn. Guess what? No piling! I even threw this sweater in the washing machine and it came out pill-free! Premier Anti-Piling Everyday Worsted comes in a rainbow of colors ideal for adult, kids and baby knitting projects.

Easy Kids Sweater Knitting Pattern

Yarn: Premier Anti-Piling Everday Worsted in Admiral Blue (7 skeins)

Needles: Size US 8 single point, Size US 9 single point knitting needles, size US 8 circular, 16 inch

Guage: 3 inches = 8 sts

Size: 4-6 years

Sweater Back

With smaller needles, cast on 64 sts. Work in K1, p1 ribbing for 1 1/2 inches.
Change to larger needles. Work in Stockinette stitch until piece measures 17 inches from the beginning or desired length. Bind off.

Sweater Front

Work same as Back until piece measures 15 1/2 inches from beginning, ending with a WS row.

Shape Neck

Next Row (RS): Knit 24 sts, join 2nd ball of yarn and bind off center 16 sts, knit 24 sts.

Working both sides at the same time with separate balls of yarn, bind off 2 sts at each
neck edge once, then decrease 1 st at each neck edge every other row twice 20 sts for each shoulder. Work even until same length as Back to shoulder. Bind off. Sew Front to Back at shoulders.

Sleeves (make 2)

With smaller needles, cast on 32 sts. Work in K1, p1 ribbing 2 inches.
Change to larger needles. Work in Stockinette stitch, inc 1 st each edge of every 4th row 14 more times 60 sts.

Work even until Sleeve measures 13 inches from beg or desired length. Bind off.

Hood

From RS with larger needles, pick up and knit 52 sts around the neck, starting at the right side of the neck and leaving center 14 sts free.

Purl 1 row, inc 10 sts evenly spaced – 62 sts. Work in Stockinette stitch for 10 in. Bind off. Fold the top edge of the hood in half and sew closed.

Front Edging
From RS with the circular needles, pick up and knit 79 sts around the front edge of Hood.

Work in K1, p1 Rib for 1 1/2 inches rows. Bind off. Sew edges together at the center of the neck,

Finishing

Mark 7 1/2 inches down from each shoulder seam. Sew sleeve seams. Sew the sleeves to the body between these markers.
Weave in ends.

Looking for more Free Knitting Patterns for Kids?

Kid’s Basic Beanie Knitting Pattern

Kid’s Chunky Swirl Hat Knitting Pattern

Kid’s Easy Hooded Cowl Knitting Pattern

November 2, 2019 By ginamichele

Free Knitting Pattern/ Featured

Easy Ear Flap Hat Knitting Pattern

Easy Ear Flap Hat Knitting Pattern- a beginner-friendly pattern for the perfect fall hat!

It’s finally cool enough to start wearing knit hats and I couldn’t be happier!

This Easy Ear Flap Hat Knitting Pattern is knit in the round, using 2 strands of yarn at the same time. Doubling up the yarn is one of my favorite easy ways to add texture and interest to an otherwise simple design. If you’ve never tried knitting with two strands at once, don’t worry- it’s easy. You just have to make sure that knitting through both loops when you make a stitch.

The front flap and ear flaps are knit after the hat is completed. The stitches are picked up and knit, so you don’t have to stitch any pieces on separately.

This hat knits up fast thanks to the super bulky yarn and large needles!

Easy Ear Flap Hat Knitting Pattern

Yarn: Loops & Threads Cozy Wool in Harvest (1 skein), Caron Cakes in Buttercream

Needles: Size US 15 circular, 16 inch, size US 15 Double Point

Gauge: 2 1/4 inches = 4 sts in stockinette stitch

Size: Women’s one size

Using both strands of yarn at the same time, cast on 40 sts. Join together and place marker.

Work in K2, P2 ribbing for 17 rows.

Shape crown:

Switch to double point needles when necessary.

Round 1: *Knit 2, P2tog, Knit 2, Purl 2; rep from * around (35 sts)

Round 2: *K2, p1, k2, p2; rep from * around.

Round 3: *P2, k1, p2, k2tog; rep from * around – 30 sts

Round 4: *P2, k1; rep from * around

Round 5: *K2tog, p1; rep from * around (20 sts)

Round 6: *K1, p1; rep from * around.

Round 7: *K2tog, P2tog; rep from * around (10 sts)

Round 8: K2 together around (5 sts)

Break yarn, leaving long tail. Pull through remaining stitches. Pull to tighten and weave in ends.

Front flap:

From the Wrong Side, pick up and k 15 sts along the cast on edge.

Rows 1-9: Work in Garter Stitch.

Row 10: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (13 sts)

Row 11: Knit.

Row 12: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (11 sts)

Row 13: Knit.

Bind off.

Ear Flap #1:

Right side- beginning at the edge of front flap, pick up and knit 10 sts.

Rows 1-9: Work in Garter Stitch.

Row 10: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog – 8 sts.

Row 11: Knit.

Repeat rows 10 and 11 until you are left with 2 stitches. Bind off.

Ear Flap #2:

Pick up and knit 10 sts along the other edge of the ear flap.

Repeat as for Ear Flap #1.

Ear Flap Ties:

Cut 6 strands of yarn (3 of each color) 4o inches long. Thread through the bottom of the ear flap. Fold in half and braid together. Knot ends and snip to make even.

Repeat for other ear flap.