50-Word Story: On the Christmas Bus

He resented boarding the bitter 5:24am bus. But after watching the driver’s kid sleep uncomfortably nearby, and lending his phone to a yellow-eyed man who, through tears, called in late for work again, he realized that spending two hours at his warm desk job on Christmas morning wasn’t so bad.

Veggie Stew

Veggie stew for a cold, wet day

After a spell of warm weather here in St. Louis (70+ degrees in December!?), today turned cold and damp, which is usually my cue to pull out the crock pot and throw in whatever I happen to have handy.  This turned out pretty well and the cayenne pepper made it warm without being hot.

Ingredients

4 cups - vegetable broth
2 cans - fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 can - black beans (drained/rinsed)
1 can - red beans (drained/rinsed)
1 large sweet potato (peeled/diced)
3 large carrots (peeled/chopped)
4 stalks of celery (chopped)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup frozen peas
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne 
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp turmeric

Combine prepped ingredients in a crock pot and cook for at least 3 hours.  Easy-peasy.

Makes about 8 servings, 200 calories/serving.