What's for dinner?

What's for dinner?
It's time for me to start thinking of healthy eating habits. I'm back to USANA shakes, but really the family can't eat those with me and they still expect something on their dinner plate.
I found this recipe on my diabetes online cookbook. It's still cold here and this sounds like a good warm meal.
Bon Appetite!!
Tuscan Bean Soup With Spinach Recipe
Diabetes-Friendly
Nutritional Info (Per serving):

Calories: 169, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 608mg, Dietary Fiber: 8g, Total Fat: 3g, Carbs: 22g, Sugars: 4g, Cholesterol: 14mg, Protein: 13g

Exchanges: Vegetable: 1.5, Starch: 1, Lean Meat: 1

Carb Choices: 1

Recipe Source:

More Diabetic Recipes

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 2 h

Rest Time: 1 h

Total Time: 2 h 30 mins

Ingredients

8 ounce(s) beans, white kidney, dry

6 cup(s) water

1 pounds beef, crosscut shanks

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper, black

1 tablespoon oil, olive

3 medium onion(s), chopped

3 medium carrot(s), chopped

1 cup(s) fennel wedges

2 teaspoon garlic, minced

12 ounce(s) ham hock

1 tablespoon bouillon, beef, instant granules

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon thyme, dried, or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme

2 teaspoon rosemary, fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

14 1/2 ounce(s) tomatoes, diced, undrained

4 cup(s) spinach

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Rinse beans. In a 4 1/2- or 5-quart Dutch oven, combine beans and 6 cups water. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. (Or place beans in water in Dutch oven. Cover and let soak in a cool place for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.) Drain in colander; set aside.



2. Sprinkle beef with the 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper. In a 4 1/2- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook about 5 minutes or until brown, turning once. Transfer to a plate.



3. Add onions, carrots, fennel or celery, and garlic to drippings in Dutch oven. Cover and cook about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Return beef to Dutch oven; add drained beans, 6 cups water, ham hocks, bouillon granules, bay leaf, dried thyme (if using), dried rosemary (if using), and the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Stir in undrained tomatoes. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 30 minutes more or until beans and meats are tender.



4. Remove ham hocks and beef; let stand until cool enough to handle. Remove meat from bones. Cut meat into bite-size pieces; return to soup. Discard bones and bay leaf. Skim off fat. Stir in spinach and fresh herbs (if using). Heat through.

Be healthy, be happy, live well,
~Jean
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com

Human Poor Life Exhibit

Hello,
I need your help. I need you to vote!!
Many of you know that I am an artist. Recently I became a member of the ArtsCanyon Arts Gallery. It is on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144730115539102&closeTheater=1

This months theme was "Human Poor Life" we were asked to create a painting about, hunger, poverty and the homeless. A very meaningful theme to say the least. It was a theme that many of us felt strongly about. Our artists come from around the world.  Their lifestyles and talents are reflected in their paintings.
I invite you to stop by ArtsCanyon Art Gallery and see what our very talented artists have painted for the theme "Poor Human Life"
Please take sometime to look over the artwork and  vote.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wix.com%2Fartscanyon%2FArtsContest01&h=7936c
Thank You,
Be Inspired,
~Jean

No Time To Waste

How do you start your day?

Smile, breathe deeply and start your morning slowly. Coffee please.
I like to get up early and have time to write in my journal, use my essential oils and meditate.
This gives my body time to prepare for the day ahead.
My knee is bothering me and I have to make an appointment to see someone about it. Learning to embrace my new life of not being 100 percent physical and active has been hard. Daily the struggle is here. Some days are better than others. But always I know I am better than others but not as good as I once was. I don't want to waste time feeling bad about what I have to do to keep going. I want to take my energy and move it to what really matters. That's a huge question. What really matters?
I live through my paintings or is it that my paintings are showing my life. Either way I believe they are recordings of who I am. They're the life spirits of all the things I want to be and dream to be.
There is no time to waste. No Time To Waste....
What does that mean to you?
Be Inspired,
~Jean
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com/

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!!
Yes.....It's Spring....
This is what spring looks like where I live.

Yes it looks a lot like Winter!!!

But I am hopeful, spring will come and soon I will be playing in the soil and planting flowers and grass and trees.

The days are already longer and that makes me happy.

Jax and Sassy watch me flip through the pages of the seed catalogs and have requested "Cat Nip" to be planted in the "Garden" Where do they come up with this stuff

Happy Pink Saturday,

Be Inspired,

~Jean

http://www.jeanhartartwork.com

Huge Give Away

HUGE GIVEAWAY COMING!!!






I am soooo excited to announce, Everyone who comes to my blog site in the Month of March and leaves a comment will be placed in the treasure box and at the end of March I will pick one person to receive a

HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!!

Be inspired,

~Jean
http://jeanhartartwork.com/

Bring back my Creative Self

Today is the 3rd day of Spring and I'm not sure I'm feeling it!!

Spring has always been a time for new beginnings for me. It's when the snow melts away and the soil is wet and dark. It begs to be played with, turned over and planted.
I also feel it is a time for women to look at their selves and to see what needs to be overturned, played with and what new seeds need to be planted.
I found this wonderful quote on a friends facebook wall. I don't think he will mind if I use it here. I think it is something we all need to hear.

Start now and embank on your journey. Its never too late to believe in yourself.

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are. ~Malcolm S. Forbes

I love quotes, and poems and reading from inspirational people. Often I will take a poem book and randomly turn to a page and find just the right words I am needing to hear. Have you ever done that?
It's cool when it happens.

 When I was a young girl I had an imaginary friend. I took her everywhere with me. I talked to her, we played all day and she was my best friend. Her name was "Good Girl". Did that mean I was not? Oh, I'm not willing to go there. ... But during my young girl-child years I was creative, I was inspired and I could occupy myself for hours with art projects.
It wasn't until years later that I realized that not everyone talked to themselves. Or even liked to spend to alone with oneself. As I got older my ability to act spontaneously was fading and acting as I was expected took it's place. Even taking art classes became harder to let loose and express myself. I wanted my work to be liked, to be accepted, and I learned it was dangerous to paint outside the lines.

Last winter I ventured outside and I looked at the snow and I felt my creative self come back. I grabbed ahold of Good Girl. I told her to get her snow boots on we are going outside to play in the snow!!! And play we did!! We ran, we dragged our feet and before I knew it I had made a labrinth in my backyard. A very large and big walking labrinth What came out of that day was my creative spirit. All the words, images, experienced and yes expectations of a lifetime came out that day. The belief that something was fundamentally wrong with me or women is so woven into the entertainment of Western civilization that how can we possibly be okay.
Last night I watched a movie, "The Stepford Wives". Bingo.....No there is nothing wrong with wanting a beautiful home, tasty well prepared food, but we do not want to be exactly like others. Fitting In in it's self required us to change ourselves at the very expense of our sanity, health, and pride.
I have brought back Good Girl to me, and together we will find what works for us. How we create and what we like and who we will become.
I think it is a good thing.
Be Inspired,
~Jean
Jean Hart Artist
http://www.jeanharartwork.com/

Human Poor Life Exhibit

Here is my paintigs for the
Human Poor Life Exhibit
Sit back and enjoy,
~Jean

Photo album generated with Smilebox

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday!!
Happy Birthday to my two kitties,
Jax and Sassy....1 year old today.
Here's a little story about how I came to having these really cute kittens.

Many of you know I have been in the process of redoing and reorganizing my studio. In my attempt to keep everything in its place and tidy I have made several trips to the dump! I have passed on as much artwork, supplies, and books as I can to make room for new works of art and visions. At this time I also asked the universe for a little gift.

I wanted a cat for my studio and my husband said "no, we have two cats." I brought each one into the studio and asked them if they would like to stay here and be my "studio cat." Each one looked around and promptly left for the outside world. So than I said I want a "kitten" and will get one in spring when kittens are born. Again, Kerry said "no!" Well not more than two days later a small beautiful gray and white cat shows up in my garage, and she's pregnant!!! I brought her into my studio, two days later she had five kittens so not only do I have a studio cat but studio Kittens. Isn't the Universe wonderful????
Be Inspired,
~Jean
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com/

"Carved In A Tree" Magnets from Zazzle.com

"Carved In A Tree" Magnets from Zazzle.com
Fine Art designer magnets to stick on your fridge or cabinet.

Mandalas In Motion Posters from Zazzle.com

Welcome to me online store at zazzle.

Mandalas In Motion Posters from Zazzle.co m

Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday



Healing Card, green stairs



Good Morning,

Do you remember when I got these beautiful healing cards for my birthday?

I thought that today I would share one with you.

This card is the "Wander where there is not path."

There's no time like the present to "get lost." Realize that a path has many expressions: exploring creativity, indulging intuition, pursuing a relationship. Choose one, and get lost on the pathless path today."

I suppose that is another way of saying let things take their natural course trying not to force results.

I'm going to the health fair today and plan on giving blood! Of course, that action seems at odds to this card that would have me perform an action empty of intention. So sad to say I am not that enlightened yet.

I would love to say that each morning, I meditate for 15-20 min, everyday, eat only the best and healthiest meals, and exercise to exhaustion, but that would be untrue. Those are my intentions. Those are the things I would do everyday if life ran on a perfect hour to each day.

When I first got these healing cards I thought I would pull one each day and do their task. But that seemed to be too much for each day so I try to do it once a week. Here is where I would tell anyone listening. There is so much to learn; exploring creativity, intuition, relationships, on and on it goes.

My feels know is try to set one or two intentions each day. Have patience with yourself and be kind.

So have a good day and I will see you on the pathless path someday.

What does a pathless path look like to you?

I'd love to hear how you felt about today's healing card.

Be safe, be healthy, be inspired,

~Jean

http://www.jeanhartartwork.com/

What is your favorite part of the day?

What is your favorite part of the day?

I Love the morning, it has so much potential and magic yet to come.
My mornings start early, around 5 - 6 a.m.
I mostly work from home, except for the days I substitute teach and than I'm just up and going.  Luckily for me, my studio is one of the bedrooms I have converted to an art studio. So there's never any excuse why I'm not painting or creating artwork.
But before I go into the studio I spend the first hour in meditation, writing and reading.  Actually this could take anywhere between one hour to three hours. But I'm ready to start the day by 9 am.




Spring Wild Followers

 Getting outside to greet the day is important.  I have learned this mostly from my cats.
They can hardly wait for me to get up so they can go outside and see who's been in their yard!! But I learn that being excited about the new day is pretty cool. Counting my blessings and be grateful is really a great way to begin the day.
With warmer weather on it's way, I'm hoping to do alittle more walking outside......haven't really started that yet.
I wish for you to have a wonderful magic new day.
Be Inspired,
~Jean
http://jeanhatartwork.com/

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras!!!
So what are your plans?
I love the colors, the festivals, the fun...the beads!!!
This year I will be trying out some new recipes. Although Cajun food is spicy I'm sure I will find something interesting to whip up in the kitchen.

I did this painting to represent women who wear different masks though out their lives.  But it fits the Mardi Gras theme.

Last year I was celebrating Mardi Gras with an engagement party for my daughter Sarah and her fiance Steve. It was so much fun.
I made a traditional cinnamon loaf cake. You put a diamond ring in the dough and who ever gets the ring in their piece of cake will have good luck through out the year.

Have fun.
Let me know what your plans are?
Be inspired,
~Jean
http://jeanhartartwork.com/

What's on my Easel

Challenge Human Poor life


"Seeking Answers"
30" x 24"
Acrylic
Original painting by
Jean Hart
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com/
When looking towards to world and seeing the devastating conditions everywhere one can only hope to pray for its servival. Past that, in each corner of the painting I have reflected some of the areas that need to be researched. Look towards outer space for the future, the oceans for food, global warming for clean air and the most basic of all resources the soil. So if the world had political stability, environmental quality, hunger and poverty could be fought against now by learning to use are worlds lands better and restore our soils

Thank You,
Jean Hart Artwork
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com/

Pink Saturday

Pink Saturday!!!
Look at this cute little pink nose. Next month I will be having a birthday party for my little kittens, they will be 1 years old.

I have been painting and painting this week. Here are the paintings I submitted for the poster.
"Every Woman" is the one they picked for
"The Vagina Monologues"

Enjoy,
~Jean
You may have to click it twice to get passed the advertizing, sorry about that.

Customize your own photo album

Question?????

How are you doing on your new years resolutions??????

It's March, and it's time to check in on that list you made in January.
Well, lets just take a look and see.
My list went something like this:

• Get creative
• Get healthy
• Get Zen!! ( not really sure what I meant by that)
• Get courageous
• Get inspired
• Get out of debt
• Get Rich ( ha, ha, ha,)
• Get thin (again, ha, ha,ha)
• Get involved

Good intentions. The best of intentions. The best news here is that I'm still working on them. Not an easy list now that I have seen it again.
What I can mostly say about lists is, don't try to understand them, don't put too much pressure on yourself about them and try to stay focused.
I think the real meaning of this list is to see what is it I was thinking at that moment when I thought all those things needed to be changed or attempted. There lays the truth about ones life. It's easy to get lost in overthinking and planing. So when you go back and revisit your list, release the need to feel defeated that some of your list has fallen away. Try instead to understand why you thought you needed to put it on the list in the first place.
What was it you wanted to learn?
I would love to hear from you.
Be inspired,
~Jean
http://www.jeanhartartwork.com