Meatless Monday: Fool Proof Rice

Rice can be a great accompaniment to meals that are meatless. I recently met someone recently who claimed  they never mastered cooking rice. I felt compelled to share my fool proof rice cooking method:

(This applies to White Rice, add 10 minutes for Brown)

Ingredients
2 parts liquid to 1 part rice (Typically a cup)
1 teaspoon butter
Pinch salt

Directions

Combine ingredients.
Bring to a boil.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Turn off & remove from heat.

Leave covered to allow all liquid to be absorbed.
Once liquid is absorbed, fluff and serve.

Fool roof!

Mean Girls! Bullying In the Workplace and its Impact on Your Health

My oldest daughter is a junior in high school when she comes home to tell me that she's quitting the soccer team. I'm confused and suspicious. Anne loves soccer and has played every year since the age of 5. After some probing into why she made this decision, I discover that the source of her issues are a couple of soccer teammates who are unhappy about her successfully making varsity. Instead of welcoming her to the team, a key senior player makes a comment implying that she did not fairly earn her position and that she was only on the roster because they needed the diversity.

She tries to let it go and play her position on the team anyway. However, after a few weeks of sabotage (ex. not passing her the ball when it was strategically the best option) and social isolation, Anne quits. I support her decision and agree not to go have a talk with the team coach. But I do advise her that her troubles are far from over. "These same mean girls will grow up and become your co-worker or even worse, your boss. When you've got bill bills to pay, quitting isn't always an option."

Bullying doesn't stop with kids!

Forbes makes an interesting connection between school aged bullies and workplace bullies and finds that "in addition to intimidating their victims, they may spread rumors to tarnish a coworker's reputation, or fail to invite an employee to a key team meeting." The Workplace Bullying Institute estimates that up to one-third of employees may be victims of workplace bullying, "a systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction that jeopardizes your health, your career, the job you once loved. Bullying is a non-physical, non-homicidal form of violence and, because it is violence and abusive, emotional harm frequently results."

While bullying is not limited to one particular gender, men are more likely to be equal opportunity bullies, abusing both men and women. However, women tend to favor bullying other women 70% of the time. Why? Gary Namie, Ph.D and co-founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute explains that "They're often less confrontational when attacked...They tend to turn their backs on bad behavior in a way that men might not."

Raising Awareness

During the month of October, schools and organizations across the country come together to observe National Bullying Prevention Month with the goal of encouraging communities raise awareness about bullying and cyberbullying, its prevalence and its impact on the health and safety of our children. I applaud this effort. However, children who bully other children do grow up and often continue their behavior in other areas of society. I would like to see the campaign expand to include bullying in the workplace.

The impact of workplace violence goes far beyond the individual being targeted. Businesses suffer in both productivity and morale. Families suffer the second hand stress in addition to the economic consequences of a caretaker having to either navigate a hostile work environment or quit altogether.

3 Things You Can Do.

1. Know your workplace policies on bullying and other forms of harassment. 
2. Take responsibility for the energy YOU bring to the workspace. 
3. If you or someone you know is being bullied at work, try to find alternatives to quitting. The Workplace Bullying Institute is a great place to start. 

#MeatlessMonday

Meatless Monday: Orzo

Orzo pasta. Small. Rice shaped. Perfect. This post all about Orzo. Just look at it.

Isn't it lovely? Isn't it wonderful? (Yep, I serenade my good with Stevie lyrics. judge me.) But let's talk about why I love it. 

Orzo pasta is a short cut pasta that is similar to the shape of rice. It's light and fluffy and will become a go-to pasta in your pantry. Below are 5 things I like about orzo. 

1. Orzo is versatile, I've used orzo in soups, salads, casseroles. I've used it hot and old. This little noodle can do no wrong. 

2. Orzo is fairly quick cooking. I've made a pot on the stove in about 9 minutes. I've also made a batch in the microwave, covered in 7 &1/2 minutes. 

3. Orzo is a great change out instead of rice. We eat a lot of rice in our family, so when I'm over rice, I boil up a bot of orzo instead. It's a great alternative. 

4. The small yet, full shape of orzo is perfect for little fingers. Once booked, orzo blooms quite nicely, which helps little fingers pick it up and self feed. I'm all about dishes I can make for all 3 of us, and orzo pasta helps me do the trick. 

5. Shelf stable. Like all pastas orzo is shelf stable, which means I can keep it on hand and drop it in a dish or boil some up as a side for something quick and easy. 

Quick tip recipe: Warm Orzo Salad: Boil up 1 cup of orzo according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.  Chop a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, handful of parsley and a half of a shallot. Toss together with reserved orzo, season with salt, pepper. Drizzle a little Sweet Balsamic dressing. Toss gently to combine. Serve warm and enjoy!

I hope you'll befriend Orzo. It's truly a noodle for any job.

Candace Boyd Wylie is an Indianapolis, Indiana native who believes in the power of a good meal.  She is the Recipe developer, Content creator and Recipe slanger at FoodLoveTog. FoodLoveTog is a food blog that is dedicated to sharing good eats and food for the soul. Candace is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and CWUW supporter. She can be found on the web at FoodLoveTog and at BoydWyliePhoto

Meatless Monday: Sweet Potato Pecan Bread

The Sweet Potato is one of my favorite vegetables. I love that can eat it all year long in a variety of ways.. steamed, roasted, baked in a pie, chopped in a hash for breakfast, the possibilities are endless for the sturdy vegetable. In honor of Fall, I decided to whip up this cake, instead of my usual Banana Nut Bread. I’m so glad I did.. I mirrored this recipe after my Granny’s Banana But Bread, only this one is Eggless and Milk-free. Yep, it is quite possible to bake a moist bread without eggs or milk. I dare you to try it!

Check out the recipe below.

Eggless. Milk-Free. Delightful. This almost Vegan recipe is moist, hearty and full of the flavors of Fall. This one bowl recipe is sure to please!

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Total Time

1 hr 15 min

Ingredients

1. 1 Large Sweet Potato (Cooked and Mashed) ( to yield 1 cup )
2. 1/2 stick of Melted Butter
3. 1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar
4. 1/2 Cup White Sugar
5. 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
6. 1/3 Cup unsweetened Applesauce
7. 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
8. Pinch of Salt
9. 1 and 1/2 Cups AP Flour
10. 1/2 Teaspoon cinnamon
11. 1/4 Teaspoon Nutmeg
12. 1/3 Cup Chopped Pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven to 350
2. In a large bowl combine Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Sugars, Nutmeg, Cinnamon,& Applesauce
3. Stir gently to combine
4. Add Baking Soda, Salt, Melted Butter, Vanilla Extract
5. Add flour and stir well to combine all ingredients
6. Fold in Chopped Pecans
7. Add mixture to a prepared loaf pan
8. Bake on 350 for one hour or until a toothpick inserted in middle of bread comes out clean
9. Let Cool and Serve along side your favorite milk.

Candace Boyd Wylie is an Indianapolis, Indiana native who believes in the power of a good meal.  She is the Recipe developer, Content creator and Recipe slanger at FoodLoveTog. FoodLoveTog is a food blog that is dedicated to sharing good eats and food for the soul. Candace is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and CWUW supporter. She can be found on the web at FoodLoveTog and at BoydWyliePhoto

Meatless Monday: Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad

It's Monday! I'm Candace and I'm here from FoodLoveTog to share a recipe for Meatless Monday.  I know what you're thinking. "The bacon lady does Meatless Monday?" Yes, more often than you think. While I do have my love for bacon, I do recognize that I can not have bacon every single day with every single meal. Going Meatless is an excellent way to curb my bacon addiction. That said, I do have moments where all I'm craving is a giant spinach salad. Enter this baby: Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad with  Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Yes, you can make a delicious salad and your own dressing at home! Try it, it's easier than you think.
The flavors of Fall are all throughout this salad. Sweet Bartlett pears, tangy Pomegranate seeds, chunky blue cheese and crunchy Pecans. The dressing has a balsamic vinegar base, but when matched with sweet and tangy pomegranate juice, it's kicked up a bit. Simple, yet full of flavor.
Checkout the recipe below.

Pear & Pomegranate Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Ingredients 

1 Large bunch of Spinach Leaves for Salad (cleaned and prepped)

1 Bartlett Pear, Seeded and Sliced thinly

1 Handful of Chopped Pecans

1 Handful of Pomegranate Seeds

1/3 cup of Blue Cheese Crumbles

For the Pomegranate Vinaigrette

1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

1/3 cup of Pomegranate juice

½ teaspoon salt

Several cracks of cracked Black Pepper

¾ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

To Prepare Salad:

Add Spinach to large salad bowl

Mix in Chopped Pecans.

Mix in Blue Cheese Crumbles.

Top with sliced Bartlett Pear.

Sprinkle Pomegranate Seeds on top of salad just before serving.

To Prepare Pomegranate Vinaigrette:

In a bowl, combine by whisking Balsamic Vinegar, Pomegranate juice, salt, and fresh Black Pepper.

Slowly whisk in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and whisk until emulsified.

Spoon desired amount over dressing.

Toss gently

Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Candace Boyd Wylie is an Indianapolis, Indiana native who believes in the power of a good meal.  She is the recipe developer and content creator and FoodLoveTog. A food blog that is dedicated to sharing good eats and food for the soul. Candace is a wife, mother, daughter, sister and CWUW supporter.. She can be found on the web at FoodLoveTog and at BoydWyliePhoto

7 Dimensions of Wellness