Things & Red Pepper Corn Chowder #Vegan #Dairyfree

How is everyone?  All is fine here - I just have been in a - for lack of better words - little "lull"; you know just part of life, right?!

Time here seems to just fly by - please tell me that everyone is feeling like this.  How can it already be April? I love spring but at times it all just runs a little too quickly for me; it probably has always been as fast but I never paid as much attention to it.  My hair keeps getting more grey strands and the girlies are growing by - as you say - leaps and bounds.  No longer are they little girlies, but big girls…Wow!!! It is all good and I am certainly not complaining to see our girlies grow into little ladies.  Now please do not tell them that I referred to them as little…especially Mia Rose would be super upset :)

We have had another visit to our metabolic clinic, another blood draw, and Alena - now that she has turned ten - has had her first bone density scan.  Our visit was - as usual - great; the fantastic news is that new guidelines will be coming out allowing a lot more cheeses and casein will be okay. I cannot wait to see them..both of the girls GALT levels were good {YAY} however the Vitamin D was off the chart as in off the chart low :(.  That certainly was not the result we wanted to see but we are boosting Vitamin D with daily drops and another draw next month will {fingers crossed} show increased levels.  

The result of the bone density level was not as expected and it really did throw me for a loop questioning myself…I was so surprised because both girls eat quite a bit of cheese, Alena drinks at least two large glasses of fortified Chocolate Almond Milk everyday, takes a supplement and still the bone density was not were it should be.  The metabolic clinic however told us that they were not surprised since the Vitamin D level is so low.  The good news is that there another ten years to build up Alena's bones.  So boosting Vitamin D, more {soon} cheeses, and running {Ron started to take both girls with him} should bring us there.  Fingers crossed…

Now are you ready to hear about some delicious Red Pepper Corn Chowder?  Courtesy of delicious frozen corn, you are able to bring summer to your table anytime of year now.  I made it on a particular grey, cool, and rainy - albeit spring - day; it certainly brightened everyone's mood plus it is super easy, quick, and satisfying.

Red Pepper Corn Chowder

• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, cleaned and diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced
• 1 - 2 large red pepper(s), seeds removed and diced
• 4 C diced potatoes  
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 5 C water {or more}
• 1 vegan bullion broth
• 1/2 untreated lemon; zest & juice
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• Green onion diced for garnish

1. Heat olive oil in a large stock pot.  Add onions, carrot, and celery together with a pinch of salt.
2. Sautee until onions begins to turn translucent.
3. Add pepper and sauté for another minute or so.
4. Add potatoes together with the corn and stir it all up for another minute
5. Add water, as well as the bullion cube.  Bring to a slow simmer, and cover.
6. Simmer for about 20 - 25 minutes until potatoes are soft
7. Using a hand blender, puree the soup to desired consistency.  When blending be very careful not to burn yourself as the liquid will splatter.
8. Add lemon zest, together with lemon juice and pepper. Adjust salt to taste.

Garnish with diced green onion; serve with a large side salad and some crusty bread!