My Valentines Meal Recipes

For Valentine's Day, If you are looking to splurge while feeling A-mazing, I've settled on the perfect menu. We'll start with a small cup of black-bean soup, then have a kale salad with fresh orange wedges and sliced almonds, organic long-grain brown rice with steamed broccoli and lean chicken, and a nice tall glass of water. After dinner, I'll pour another glass of water and reach for a box of...

Black Bean Soup

• 3 cup Black Beans, sorted & rinsed (It's great to pre-cook BB and store in freezer, so you don't have to use canned)
• 6 cups Water
• 7 cup stock, or homemade broth from cooking chicken breasts/thighs
• 1 Tomato cut in pieces
• 2 cups Celery, chopped
• 1 Carrot, large chopped
• 1 Onion, large chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 tsp Basil
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Marjoram
• 1 1/2 TBS Lemon/Lime juice

Soak Black beans in 6 cups of water overnight in large pot. Drain the soaking water and refill pot with 7 cups chicken/vegetable broth and cook for 2-2 1/2 hours until beans are soft. When beans are soft, add celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, basil and marjoram. For a sharper flavor add the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to taste. Salt & Pepper to taste. Add diced tomato after beans are soft. Then remove the bay leaves and blend soup in a food processor or blender if you prefer. Return soup to pot and reheat and serve garnishing each bowl with 1/2 Tbsp of Vegenaise (instead of sour cream) and 1/2 tsp chives or green onion tops! YUMMMMM! p.s I also like to add a teensy bit of avocado on top.

Seriously, my salivary glands are dripping!

Chicken

I like cooking my Chicken on our indoor grill, only adding a bunch of herbs and spices. If I cook on the stove, I'll add a bit of olive oil to each side of the breast and then add the herbs for a yummy taste. I also like to boil my chicken and shred it, adding it to soups or salads. Delectable

The herbs & spices I like to cook my chicken with are basil, rosemary, a pinch of pepper and real salt and a bit of freshly squeezed lemon or lime! MWAH!

Rice

If you need a sauce for your rice or chicken, add SALSA!!!! It is low calorie, and good for you while giving much needed flavor. My favorite rice is Basmati rice...Scrumptious!

Kale

I like to lightly steam my kale, or eat it raw and fresh by slicing it up in small strips and adding it to other greens (spinach, romaine, dandelion). I top the salad with fresh orange wedges (squeezing the rest of the orange onto my salad as the dressing) and garnish with lightly browned sliced almonds on top. SLuRP!

Can Valentines GET any better!? I know It's still a couple weeks away, but you've GOT to prepare/pre-plan for these type of events.

AND for dessert!....

Seriously, Don't these recipes make your mouth water and lips smack?!!!!!

Now I need a creative plan for a fun valentines day activity. This is the first year I've had a kid (which I don't want to leave with a babysitter). I need some inspiration. Any ideas?