MYP Blog

Story People

Enjoy a lovely inspiration from our friends at StoryPeople created by artist Brian Andreas.

Visit the StoryPeople website to see all of their whimsical offerings: www.storypeople.com
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Curried Beets, Cabbage & Carrots

"I recently made this dish and had forgotten how tasty it truly is. I happened to have the exact ingredients as someone dropped off vegetables to my door. it included a large cabbage and both red and white beets. I also included some red cabbage. Already had the carrots so voilá. It was a riot of color and tasted so good, I posted it on @theveggiequeen1 on Instagram. It is on page 96 in my cookbook, "The New Fast Food", which I splattered with the juices from the recipe. Oh well..! 😂

This combination of seasonal vegetables elevates simple ingredients to another level. It’s true vegetable alchemy.

-- Jill Nussinow, "The Veggie Queen"
CURRIED BEETS, CABBAGE & CARROTS
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
1 minute high pressure; quick release
2 minutes high pressure; quick release
  • 1 tablespoon oil (optional)
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 to 6 small beets, scrubbed, tops removed, cut in half and sliced to equal about 2 ½ cups
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons (or more) curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1/3 cup vegetable stock or broth
  • 3 to 4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 1 medium head cabbage, cut into chunks about 2 inches, to equal about 6 cups
  • Juice of 1 lemon and pepper, to taste
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker (Instant Pot) on saute or medium heat, if using. If no oil, heat the pot and add the onion and saute for 2 to3 minutes. Add the beets, ginger, curry powder and cumin seeds and saute 1 more minute.

2. Add the broth, lock on the lid and bring to high pressure for 1 minute. When time is up, quick release the pressure.

3. Open the lid carefully!

4. Add the carrots, cabbage, salt and more liquid if necessary (I did not need any more). Lock the lid back on, be sure that your pot is on sealing. Bring to high pressure for 2 minutes. Do a quick release. Open the lid carefully.

5. Add the lemon juice and pepper, to taste.

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© 2021 by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. Reprinted with permission.
Adapted from "The New Fast Food" by Jill Nussinow. Photo by Jenna Henderson.
Want more great recipes? Visit Jill's website, theveggiequeen.com/
Follow Jill on social media:
Instagram  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest

StoryPeople

After our most recent e-blast in which I introduced StoryPeople, one of our faithful Zoom students emailed me the following:

"Thanks for the link to StoryPeople! A friend sent me their cards many years ago & I found one that I always remembered on their site. (Image below) Very fun & poignant messages."

I invite you to check out their website: www.storypeople.com
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Story People

Today it is my joy to introduce you to StoryPeople, colorful and whimsical art pieces with thoughtful sayings created by artist Brian Andreas.

I have been a fan of StoryPeople for many, many years, having purchased my first piece in Los Gatos, CA. Soon after, my husband Joe bought a piece for himself, and I have given StoryPeople pieces as gifts to many people over the years. And now it’s time for me to share Brian Andreas’ StoryPeople with you. I invite you to check out their website: www.storypeople.com
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Chickpeas Italiano

"Chickpeas or garbanzos are one of my favorite beans and here they get the Italian treatment. It’s important to thoroughly cook the beans before adding the tomatoes. I always recommend a quick-soak for beans."

-- Jill Nussinow, "The Veggie Queen"
CHICKPEAS ITALIANO
Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS
12 minutes high pressure; natural pressure release; 5 minutes stovetop cooking or cooking on sauté.
  • 1 1/2 cups dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), pre-soaked (soaked overnight or quick soaked) and drained
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil(optional)
  • 2 medium onions, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh oregano or 3/4 teaspoon dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups chopped fresh or canned tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped basil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Heat the olive oil in the cooker over medium heat or on saute in your electric pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot).

2. Sauté the onion for 3 minutes. Add 3 cloves of chopped garlic and sauté another minute.

3. Turn off sauté and add the beans, broth, 3 tablespoons chopped basil, oregano and bay leaf. Bring to high pressure over high heat.

4. Lower heat to maintain high pressure and cook for 12 minutes or set your electric cooker for 12 minutes. Let the pressure come down naturally.

5. Remove the lid, tilting it away from you. Remove the bay leaf and add the tomatoes. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the tomatoes break down.

6. Remove 1 cup of the bean mixture and pureé in a food processor or blender.

7. Return to the pot with the olive oil, remaining garlic, basil and parsley.

8. Stir in the vinegar and then add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over pasta, zucchini noodles, cooked greens, cauliflower rice or whatever you like!

TIP: If you use canned beans, use 2 cans drained and follow the beginning steps in a saucepan on the stove with just 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or broth, as those beans are already cooked. Continue with the recipe.
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© 2021 by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. Reprinted with permission.
Adapted from "Vegan Under Pressure" by Jill Nussinow (Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt). Photo by Jill Nussinow.
Want more great recipes? Visit Jill's website, theveggiequeen.com/
Follow Jill on social media:
Instagram  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest

Powerful Thoughts

by Cathy Cassetta, 500 RYT

If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never have a negative thought." -- Peace Pilgrim

"We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care what you think. Words are secondary. Thoughts live; they travel far." -- Swami Vivekananda

You know when you’re upset your jaws tense? Or your shoulders hunch up and get tight? Or when you’re dreading a conversation and you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach?

Well, that’s the mind talking to you through your body. It’s that mind-body-spirit connection. And that connection happens all the way into our innermost cells. What and how we think truly does influence the health, size, shape, and growth of our cells, among other things.

Curious about all that? Want to know more about how our thoughts can change our cells? Read Dr. Bruce Lipton’s fascinating book The Biology Of Belief: Unleashing The Power Of Consciousness, Matter & Miracles. It’s a relatively easy-read. Spoiler alert: He does get into a bit of quantum physics. You can always skim through those sections if they're not for you.

Alternatively, another book that is an amazing and astounding true-story account of how our thoughts influence our cells is A Change of Heart: A Memoir by heart and lung transplant recipient and former dancer/yoga teacher Claire Sylvia, written with William Novak. Bruce Lipton references Claire Sylvia’s experiences in Biology of Belief, which is where I heard of it. This one is an easy and very compelling read that is the length of a novella. Both books are eye-openers that have helped me on my journey to heal my body and understand the mind-body-spirit connection. I recommend both books.
If you read either of these books, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please email me at cathy@myyogaplacepalmsprings.com. I also welcome any questions you may have about my journey or about any aspect of yoga or tap, so email me those too! Namaste
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Why do you do yoga?

Why do you do yoga?
by Cathy Cassetta, 500 RYT
For myself, my yoga journey started as a way to heal my body naturally of the osteoporosis I’d developed through sleep deprivation, poor diet, work/life imbalance, and too much sitting! Yoga is, indeed, helping me to heal my body, along with cleaning up my lifestyle. A bonus to all these changes: I’m gaining back some of the height I’ve lost. This August I will gratefully and gladly celebrate being on the planet in this body of mine for 71 years! My goal is to live to 100 in a healthy body that is connected to a vibrant mind and joyful spirit. Yoga is going to help me get there! And so are Dottie’s weekly tap classes (Did you know: bouncing and heel drops encourage bone health? That’s why we offer the tap classes; plus they’re incredibly fun!). It is my joy now to share with others what I’ve learned about the body and how yoga can help us regain and/or retain our health.

Why do you do yoga? I would love to hear from you about your own yoga journey. If you’d like to share with me why you do yoga, please email me at cathy@myyogaplacepalmsprings.com. I also welcome any questions you may have about my journey or about any aspect of yoga or tap, so email me those too!
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Potato Vegetable Salad w/Mustard-Tarragon Dressing

"Adding corn and tomatoes to potato salad makes it something special— colorful and bright—as does the tarragon dressing. If you can get potatoes in different colors, it makes this dish even more impressive."

-- Jill Nussinow, "The Veggie Queen"
POTATO VEGETABLE SALAD w/MUSTARD-TARRAGON DRESSING
Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS
3 minutes high pressure; quick release
  • 1 medium onion, sliced into 1/4-inch thick half rounds
  • 1 1/2 lbs fingerling or other small potatoes, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3/4 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen (not thawed) corn kernels
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plain or lemon flavored, or aquafaba
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon rice, champagne, or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons cashew butter, tahini, or olive oil
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Heat a stovetop pressure cooker over medium heat, or set an electric cooker to sauté. Add the onion and dry sauté for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and stock. Lock on the lid, bring to high pressure, and cook for 3 minutes. Quick release the pressure. Remove the lid, carefully tilting it away from you.

2. Add the corn, lock the lid on the cooker, and let sit for 1 minute. Transfer everything to a bowl and cool for at least 15 minutes.

3. While the potatoes are cooling, combine the lemon juice, olive oi or aquafaba., mustard, vinegar, and cashew butter in a bowl and whisk well. Stir in the tarragon.

4. Add the cherry tomatoes to the potatoes and then add the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5. Let the potatoes sit for another few minutes for flavors to blend. Garnish with parsley and serve.

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© 2021 by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. Reprinted with permission.
Adapted from "Vegan Under Pressure" by Jill Nussinow (Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt). Photo by Jill Nussinow.
Want more great recipes? Visit Jill's website, theveggiequeen.com/
Follow Jill on social media:
Instagram  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest

Cabbage & Red Apple Slaw

Cabbage and Red Apple Slaw
Serves 6
This simple salad is a favorite for many. The leftovers are equally as delicious.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 pounds green and/or red cabbage, finely shredded
  • 1 red, or other colored, apple, grated
  • 1 large carrot, grated
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2-3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Quarter the cabbage, remove and discard the central white core.

2. Shred the cabbage by cutting very thin slices along the length of each quarter. You should have about 6 cups. You can use the shredding disk of the food processor for this.

3. Place the shredded cabbage in a large bowl. Toss in the carrots and apple

4. In a small jar, combine the maple syrup, vinegar, mustard and salt. Shake vigorously and pour over the cabbage. Taste and add more vinegar if desired.

5. Refrigerate for at least half an hour before serving.

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© 2021 by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. Reprinted with permission.
Adapted from "Vegan Under Pressure" by Jill Nussinow (Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt). Photo by Jill Nussinow.
Want more great recipes? Visit Jill's website, theveggiequeen.com/
Follow Jill on social media:
Instagram  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest

Orange-Scented Beets

Yes, it’s citrus time which is why you will see oranges, and other citrus fruits, featured in my winter recipes. Citrus is high in Vitamin C which helps keep us healthier. It’s not so amazing that Mother Nature has a plan which is offering food that we need when we need it.

I have so been enjoying this recipe that I have made for more than 20 years and still enjoy. I make it in the pressure cooker but it could be made by roasting the beets, or even buying the packages of precooked beets (yes there is such a thing), and then cooking them in the orange vinegar liquid. These beets taste great on top of any salad or eaten as a side dish. Beets provide nitric oxide which is good for your blood and good for your heart. I chose this recipe because it is Valentine’s Day month but I encourage you to open your heart every day of the year.
ORANGE-SCENTED BEETS
Serves 4
Cooking beets has never been easier. They become so tender in the pressure cooker that you don’t even need to peel them if you don’t want to. It’s best to use young beets that are no more than 3 or 4 inches in diameter as they are most tender and even the skin becomes edible in the pressure cooker.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 pounds beets (about 3 to 4 medium)
  • 3 large strips orange peel
  • 2 teaspoons grated zest
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (1-2 oranges)
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Sucanat or brown sugar (optional)
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 scallions, sliced
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Scrub the beets. Remove the stems and tails and cut in half. Lay cut-side down and cut into ¼-inch slices.

2. Combine the orange zest strips, orange juice, and vinegar in a pressure cooker. Add the beets. Lock on the lid. Bring to high pressure; cook for 3 minutes. Let the pressure come down naturally for 7 minutes, then release any remaining pressure. Remove the lid carefully, tilting it away from you. Insert a knife into the beets to be sure that they are cooked through. (If not, put back on to pressure for another minute or two.)

3. Remove and discard the zest strips. Stir the Sucanat, if desired, and mustard into the beets.

4. Remove the beets from the cooking liquid and transfer to a bowl. Let cool for at least 5 minutes. (At this point, you may chill the beets in their liquid for a day or two; mix in the grated zest and scallions just before serving.)

5. Mix the grated orange zest and scallions into the beets. Pour the liquid from the cooker over the beets.

6. Serve hot, warm or cold.

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© 2021 by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. Reprinted with permission.
Adapted from "Vegan Under Pressure" by Jill Nussinow (Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt). Photo by Jill Nussinow.
Want more great recipes? Visit Jill's website, theveggiequeen.com/
Follow Jill on social media:
Instagram  •  Facebook  •  Pinterest