"O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in thy presence, in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour. . .
I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
the, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails."
(from Valley of Vision)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
What is Hope?
It is in this winter season that it seems so many of the older people in my life have passed on. I also know the disease statistics for our country and indeed, see them lived out around me as loved ones have heart attacks and cancer and other mysterious ailments. We pray, and we hope.
We hope for a favorable outcome, generally. But Christ is our hope. Today, Sunday, I rest my hopes firmly on Him. I think about Christmas, one week away, and am filled with awe at the child in whom we put our confidence and his miraculous birth.
Elisabeth Elliot puts it this way:
"Did I not tell you," Jesus asked, "that if you believed, you would see the wonder of what God can do?" Here is the clue to the lesson: It is faith he is looking for, a quiet confidence that whatever it is he is up to, it will be a wonderful thing, never mind whether it is what we have been asking for.
The usual notion of hope is a particular outcome: physical healing, for example. The Christian notion, on the other hand, is a manner of life. I rest the full weight of my hopes on Christ himself, who not only raised the dead but was himself raised, and says to me in the face of all deaths, "I myself am the resurrection." The duration of my suffering may be longer than that of Lazarus's sisters, but if I believe, trust, flee to God for refuge, I am safe even in my sorrow, I am held by the confidence of God's utter trustworthiness. He is at work, producing miracles I haven't imagined. I must wait for them. The Book of the Revelation describes some of them. The intricacies of his sovereign will and the pace at which he effects it ("deliberate speed, majestic instancy") are beyond me now, but I am sure his plan is in operation.
I don't know, when I'm asking for something here on earth, what is going on in the innermost shrine of Heaven (I like to think about it, though). I am sure of one thing: it is good. Because Jesus is there. Jesus loves me. Jesus has gone into that shrine on my behalf. The hope we have is a living hope, an unassailable one. We wait for it, in faith and patience. Christ is the resurrection and the life. No wonder Easter is the greatest of Christian feast days! No wonder Christians sing!"
We hope for a favorable outcome, generally. But Christ is our hope. Today, Sunday, I rest my hopes firmly on Him. I think about Christmas, one week away, and am filled with awe at the child in whom we put our confidence and his miraculous birth.
Elisabeth Elliot puts it this way:
"Did I not tell you," Jesus asked, "that if you believed, you would see the wonder of what God can do?" Here is the clue to the lesson: It is faith he is looking for, a quiet confidence that whatever it is he is up to, it will be a wonderful thing, never mind whether it is what we have been asking for.
The usual notion of hope is a particular outcome: physical healing, for example. The Christian notion, on the other hand, is a manner of life. I rest the full weight of my hopes on Christ himself, who not only raised the dead but was himself raised, and says to me in the face of all deaths, "I myself am the resurrection." The duration of my suffering may be longer than that of Lazarus's sisters, but if I believe, trust, flee to God for refuge, I am safe even in my sorrow, I am held by the confidence of God's utter trustworthiness. He is at work, producing miracles I haven't imagined. I must wait for them. The Book of the Revelation describes some of them. The intricacies of his sovereign will and the pace at which he effects it ("deliberate speed, majestic instancy") are beyond me now, but I am sure his plan is in operation.
I don't know, when I'm asking for something here on earth, what is going on in the innermost shrine of Heaven (I like to think about it, though). I am sure of one thing: it is good. Because Jesus is there. Jesus loves me. Jesus has gone into that shrine on my behalf. The hope we have is a living hope, an unassailable one. We wait for it, in faith and patience. Christ is the resurrection and the life. No wonder Easter is the greatest of Christian feast days! No wonder Christians sing!"
Thursday, December 15, 2011
November, in Photo Review
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| L (6) with cousin Kerri |
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| Cousin Rachel |
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| M (18 months) |
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| T (4) riding 2 wheels |
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| A FAMILY Thanksgiving |
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| Our Family at Maymont |
On Calcium
When I posted about our experience at the doctor's office earlier this week I was in a hurry and didn't have my resources at my fingertips. I don't like to throw out my thoughts without some good support and I know that the question of calcium absorption may bother some people. (I am a Midwesterner, remember; I grew up in dairy, corn, and beef country. It may be difficult to believe that our children typically do not drink milk.) We try to put our money and effort into eating as many plants as we can.
Here is an excerpt from Wendy Campbell (a nurse I enjoy learning from):
Here is an excerpt from Wendy Campbell (a nurse I enjoy learning from):
"Even calcium in milk results in only about a 30% absorption into the bloodstream and it’s questionable as to how much of that actually makes it into the bone. The controversies over other negative aspects of dairy products i.e. the hormonal, pesticide and antibiotic content as described in books like “Don’t Drink Your Milk” by Frank A. Oski, M.D. is also an issue for many.
The highest absorption rate for calcium seems to be best achieved from green leafy vegetables at 50 –100%. This, again, is due to the synergy of action of a variety of minerals, trace elements, vitamins, enzymes, etc. working together to help “potentiate” or “enhance” the absorption. With this potentiation of action, less is needed of one isolated nutrient when working in combination with other nutrients."
Here is what Carol Watson (Registered Nurse and Naturopathic Doctor) has to say:
Here is what Carol Watson (Registered Nurse and Naturopathic Doctor) has to say:
"Doctors who study calcium now understand that the amount of calcium absorbed depends on its interaction with other dietary constituents. In other words, the absorbability of calcium is mainly determined by the presence of food constituents. One study (taken from a research article written by Robert Theil, Ph.D., N.D.) found that whole food calcium is 8.79 times more absorbed into the blood than calcium carbonate and 2.97 times more than calcium gluconate. Another study found that calcium in whole foods raised serum ionic calcium levels yet calcium carbonate did not raise these levels at all. When serum calcium levels drop, calcium leaves the bone—so, absorption of calcium is better for bone health. Animal products, as well as, dairy products and foods that leave an acid residue (all cooked, “dead” food) actually “leach” calcium from the bones, to neutralize this acid! So, is milk really a good choice for calcium? NO, the pasteurization process destroys a critical enzyme needed to assimilate calcium!!"
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Impressive
Let me not forget that I need be humble toward aforementioned pediatrician.
During our conversation about R, M (who was on the floor) said "potty." Clearly. I glanced at him while Dr. kept talking to me.
"Potty." M said again. I nodded at him- and the Dr.- and internally begged M to wait just a minute.
"Potty!" M exclaimed again.
"Excuse me. I really need to take him to the restroom." I interjected.
"Is he saying 'potty'?" the Dr. asked, incredulously. He looked down and probably noticed that M had an underwear band sticking out of his pants.
"Yes." I said, knowing that I needed to take M immediately. "I need to take him." At least I already knew where the restroom was- we'd been there once already and so had two other Curtis kids.
I told the Dr. we would be right back, picked up M, and vaguely saw something fall out of his pants and onto the floor. (yes! oh, yes.)
We made it to the bathroom (late) and yet still had most on the potty. I put fresh unders on M, we washed hands, and returned to the Dr.
He was quite impressed, I think.
During our conversation about R, M (who was on the floor) said "potty." Clearly. I glanced at him while Dr. kept talking to me.
"Potty." M said again. I nodded at him- and the Dr.- and internally begged M to wait just a minute.
"Potty!" M exclaimed again.
"Excuse me. I really need to take him to the restroom." I interjected.
"Is he saying 'potty'?" the Dr. asked, incredulously. He looked down and probably noticed that M had an underwear band sticking out of his pants.
"Yes." I said, knowing that I needed to take M immediately. "I need to take him." At least I already knew where the restroom was- we'd been there once already and so had two other Curtis kids.
I told the Dr. we would be right back, picked up M, and vaguely saw something fall out of his pants and onto the floor. (yes! oh, yes.)
We made it to the bathroom (late) and yet still had most on the potty. I put fresh unders on M, we washed hands, and returned to the Dr.
He was quite impressed, I think.
To the Very Nice Doctor I Saw Today
To the Very Nice Doctor I Saw Today:
Thank you for your concern and interest in my children. I appreciated that you looked my children in the eyes and talked to them during their well-check appointment. I was glad that you weren't as distracted as I was by an 18 month old driving a truck around the floor while the 8 year old regaled you with the stories behind his various mishaps, stitches, etc. You were polite, thorough, and personable. I liked that a lot. As a bonus, we thought your office was well stocked with toys and books and the decor was the best I've ever seen in a medical practice.
You may not have noticed, however, that I was quite nervous, even sweating, as we talked about a few things. I have strong convictions about medicine and food; I'm probably not the kind of mom you want in your office. Yet, I didn't say much to you. You see, I don't like conflict and I really don't like to go against authority figures (you!). On a few issues I did raise my questions but you didn't seem to believe that I could know what I was talking about. I was tense. And we didn't agree. And I'm not sure I can come back into your office knowing how I will feel during each visit when we disagree.
You want my children to drink more cow's milk. They don't drink any right now. You are concerned for their calcium. I'm not; they eat lots of vegetables and I think calcium is more bioavailable in whole food than it is in dairy products. You think they should use calcium supplements. I will not use calcium supplements because they have been shown to actually leach calcium from the very bones they are supposed to be protecting.
You think we should fully vaccinate all of our children and ought to come in as soon as possible to push them through the process. I expressed that we did not want to proceed with the full prescribed battery of vaccines. There were a few vaccines I mentioned not wanting to give to our children. You told me that they were safe vaccines and that I ought to hedge my bets by protecting my children as soon as possible.
We have never given our family flu shots. You think we should. I expressed that the flu shot may not even protect against the flu strain that will be passed around this year. While you did agree that this may be true, you think it is still much safer to get the vaccine than to have the flu ("for a week"). If I had come to the appointment better prepared, I may have shared with you that "the truth is that flu shots, even in the best case the industry can come up with, really only prevent the flu in 1.5 out of 100 adults." You said it was still better to get the vaccine. I said that we are putting our money and effort into nutrition and prevention.
Today I didn't come to your office armed for combat. I'm just a mom, after all, trying to do what I think is best for our family, seeking wisdom from the Lord and following my husband's leadership. In so many ways I was pleased with our experience today. I'm not sure, however, that I can feel good about continuing a partnership with you when our values and decisions are easily dismissed and I am hesitant to divulge too much information about what we are/are not doing. In truth, I'm a little scared of you (even though you were very nice). What will you do when I fail to follow your advise? What will I do when I need a pediatrician and can't find anyone closer/available? Maybe I'll pluck up my courage and gather up my children and compile my resources and visit you again.
Thank you for your concern and interest in my children. I appreciated that you looked my children in the eyes and talked to them during their well-check appointment. I was glad that you weren't as distracted as I was by an 18 month old driving a truck around the floor while the 8 year old regaled you with the stories behind his various mishaps, stitches, etc. You were polite, thorough, and personable. I liked that a lot. As a bonus, we thought your office was well stocked with toys and books and the decor was the best I've ever seen in a medical practice.
You may not have noticed, however, that I was quite nervous, even sweating, as we talked about a few things. I have strong convictions about medicine and food; I'm probably not the kind of mom you want in your office. Yet, I didn't say much to you. You see, I don't like conflict and I really don't like to go against authority figures (you!). On a few issues I did raise my questions but you didn't seem to believe that I could know what I was talking about. I was tense. And we didn't agree. And I'm not sure I can come back into your office knowing how I will feel during each visit when we disagree.
You want my children to drink more cow's milk. They don't drink any right now. You are concerned for their calcium. I'm not; they eat lots of vegetables and I think calcium is more bioavailable in whole food than it is in dairy products. You think they should use calcium supplements. I will not use calcium supplements because they have been shown to actually leach calcium from the very bones they are supposed to be protecting.
You think we should fully vaccinate all of our children and ought to come in as soon as possible to push them through the process. I expressed that we did not want to proceed with the full prescribed battery of vaccines. There were a few vaccines I mentioned not wanting to give to our children. You told me that they were safe vaccines and that I ought to hedge my bets by protecting my children as soon as possible.
We have never given our family flu shots. You think we should. I expressed that the flu shot may not even protect against the flu strain that will be passed around this year. While you did agree that this may be true, you think it is still much safer to get the vaccine than to have the flu ("for a week"). If I had come to the appointment better prepared, I may have shared with you that "the truth is that flu shots, even in the best case the industry can come up with, really only prevent the flu in 1.5 out of 100 adults." You said it was still better to get the vaccine. I said that we are putting our money and effort into nutrition and prevention.
Today I didn't come to your office armed for combat. I'm just a mom, after all, trying to do what I think is best for our family, seeking wisdom from the Lord and following my husband's leadership. In so many ways I was pleased with our experience today. I'm not sure, however, that I can feel good about continuing a partnership with you when our values and decisions are easily dismissed and I am hesitant to divulge too much information about what we are/are not doing. In truth, I'm a little scared of you (even though you were very nice). What will you do when I fail to follow your advise? What will I do when I need a pediatrician and can't find anyone closer/available? Maybe I'll pluck up my courage and gather up my children and compile my resources and visit you again.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Again, Find Joy
Oh, the story seems to be the same week after week. I want to be thankful. I'd like to have a joyful, happy spirit. I do want my children to know I love this life. But my complaints are subtle and my standards and ideals unattainable. All of a sudden I know that my words have been hasty and short, that I have left wounded hearts behind me as I attended to the next ("more important") thing. Remorse billows in my spirit and in the same breath I vow to do better and I quit because it's too hard.
What hope is there for a sinner like me? Trying to shepherd these precious ones and knowing my insufficiency, yet trying to hide what I lack with what I do. Is it really as simple as pausing to give thanks? Has there been any true transformation of this crusty, selfish soul or am I hoping that a "thankful for" list can cover over my deep ungratefulness?
The truth is ugly and yet I still need to give thanks. I'm called to this. And the transformational work is up to Him. And I'm praying to be more willing.
So thankful for. . .
861) Handwritten letter from the 10 year old to his FL friend
862) All of the dishes done (put away even!)
863) Christmas cards from loved ones, connecting our hearts even over great distances
864) Feeling beautiful after a haircut
865) Vanilla Black tea
866) Shoes that fit L that she wore without complaint
867) T waiting for The Lawyer to rejoin our game of Uno before he would take his turn
868) Free books! For learning and learning and learning. . .
869) Tart cranberries bursting in a mouth
870) Warm comforter straight from the dryer to the bed
871) The Lawyer: "don't ever divorce me. It'll be a big mess. Or have a child out of wedlock; that would be bad, too."
What hope is there for a sinner like me? Trying to shepherd these precious ones and knowing my insufficiency, yet trying to hide what I lack with what I do. Is it really as simple as pausing to give thanks? Has there been any true transformation of this crusty, selfish soul or am I hoping that a "thankful for" list can cover over my deep ungratefulness?
The truth is ugly and yet I still need to give thanks. I'm called to this. And the transformational work is up to Him. And I'm praying to be more willing.
So thankful for. . .
861) Handwritten letter from the 10 year old to his FL friend
862) All of the dishes done (put away even!)
863) Christmas cards from loved ones, connecting our hearts even over great distances
864) Feeling beautiful after a haircut
865) Vanilla Black tea
866) Shoes that fit L that she wore without complaint
867) T waiting for The Lawyer to rejoin our game of Uno before he would take his turn
868) Free books! For learning and learning and learning. . .
869) Tart cranberries bursting in a mouth
870) Warm comforter straight from the dryer to the bed
871) The Lawyer: "don't ever divorce me. It'll be a big mess. Or have a child out of wedlock; that would be bad, too."
Sunday, December 11, 2011
From Lynchburg to Richmond
Six months in Richmond has allowed me to look back on our time in Lynchburg with greater appreciation. I've also had time to discover some great things about living here.
Lynchburg: everything is about 15 minutes away
Richmond: everything is about 30 minutes away
Lynchburg: mountain views
Richmond: forest views
Lynchburg: $35 haircut
Richmond: $50 haircut
Lynchburg: local honey
Richmond: "local" seafood
Lynchburg: no real connections with farmers
Richmond: connections with several family-run farms in Amelia
Lynchburg: amazing bike trails (Black Water Creek), but needed to drive to them
Richmond: great bike trails in our neighborhood; we just leave the house and have an adventure
Lynchburg: Ms Ruth (our elderly neighbor) and other wonderful neighbors
Richmond: wondering if people live in the houses on our street
Lynchburg: health food store and Amish store (for bulk items)
Richmond: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
Lynchburg: great friends who invested in our family, let us do life with them, and grew with us for 5 years
Richmond: new friends who invest in us and allow us to be part of their lives, even when it's messy
Lynchburg: everything is about 15 minutes away
Richmond: everything is about 30 minutes away
Lynchburg: mountain views
Richmond: forest views
Lynchburg: $35 haircut
Richmond: $50 haircut
Lynchburg: local honey
Richmond: "local" seafood
Lynchburg: no real connections with farmers
Richmond: connections with several family-run farms in Amelia
Lynchburg: amazing bike trails (Black Water Creek), but needed to drive to them
Richmond: great bike trails in our neighborhood; we just leave the house and have an adventure
Lynchburg: Ms Ruth (our elderly neighbor) and other wonderful neighbors
Richmond: wondering if people live in the houses on our street
Lynchburg: health food store and Amish store (for bulk items)
Richmond: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
Lynchburg: great friends who invested in our family, let us do life with them, and grew with us for 5 years
Richmond: new friends who invest in us and allow us to be part of their lives, even when it's messy
Monday, December 5, 2011
Weighing Moments, Gifts
These days just seem to be slipping past so quickly. I have fleeting thoughts of things I'd like to post, ideas that I want to flesh out in words, but by the time I sit in the quiet of the evening the thoughts have been lost in the background of the day. I take quick peeks at some of my favorite blogs (without even the time to read a full post!); after reading the words of women I admire I have even less to say. Then, I retire to Scripture as the night unravels and, lost in wisdom, I find I have nothing to say at all.
Oft on my mind recently is the fact that I amnot now an "older" woman. My children are in grade school while the young mothers I'm around have preschoolers and babies. I've been married for over a decade. I'm the age of the women who were influential in my life when I was a teenager and young mom, the wonderful women who paid me to watch their children and then shared freely with me their wisdom. I feel like I am still the one who needs to learn, the babysitter. . . and not the mother responsible for all of these people.
All of a sudden I'm taking a long look at my life and realizing that it's past time for me to discover my passion and purpose and apply myself to the purpose God has given me. (Obviously the Lord has blessed me with a family and that is my primary sphere of influence and service right now. I'm wondering how to best apply the strengths He has endowed me- through this season and into the next and the next. . . ) I don't feel young anymore but sense a weightiness and gravity to the time that is here- and passing.
We have been having conversations about these big life choices: where to live, how to serve others, what is required of us, what we hope for our own family. We still feel very much in transition, even though we like where we are there are elements that chafe.
Nearly all of our extended family lives in IL, more than 14 hours away by car. As we age, they age, too. The years for our children to spend with their grandparents are passing, and now there are cousins and aunts and uncles that we miss, too. Our hope for our own family is to stay close and to continue doing life together well past the time that the children move out and begin their own families. Is it too much to hope and plan for this when we aren't living it ourselves? We also feel a responsibility to care for our elders and serve them as they invested and served us in our youth. And so, we wonder.
The time isn't right for us to make any moves or even any decisions. There aren't options to consider and opportunities haven't been presented. We are just thinking and praying.
In these thoughtful days I'm thankful. I will keep counting God's gifts, turning this gift-counting into a habit, into gift-thinking.
847) Wheat kernels from IL, pouring from bags into buckets. Pouring through pudgy hands and spilling golden from one hand to another.
848) Gift of venison to come. Thanks for good hunting!
849) T and M playing in the bathtub, laughing and throwing a wet washcloth at each other.
850) Amazing properties of plants, of oils, of micro nutrients!
851) Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead- inspiration!
852) Gift of clothing. We prayed for clothes for L and received two dresses!
853) Quiet evenings of books, Jesse tree, and candles
854) Things to look forward to: a gathering of homeschooling mothers
855) Bags and bags of leaves from the front yard
856) Delight over M's communication. Everyone smiles when he puts two words together: "Bye, O" or adds new words. Tonight it was "rice" and "salsa."
857) Sunshine on the trail where there was shade before. Even mellow winter sunshine is a gift!
858) Boisterous children's voices lifted in song ("Blessed Assurance!")
859) Wondrous promises for me, even from the beginning. He, knowing what was to come, made a way for me through His love, through the years. . . an amazing story.
860) Holding The Lawyers hand as children chatter happily around us.
Oft on my mind recently is the fact that I am
All of a sudden I'm taking a long look at my life and realizing that it's past time for me to discover my passion and purpose and apply myself to the purpose God has given me. (Obviously the Lord has blessed me with a family and that is my primary sphere of influence and service right now. I'm wondering how to best apply the strengths He has endowed me- through this season and into the next and the next. . . ) I don't feel young anymore but sense a weightiness and gravity to the time that is here- and passing.
We have been having conversations about these big life choices: where to live, how to serve others, what is required of us, what we hope for our own family. We still feel very much in transition, even though we like where we are there are elements that chafe.
Nearly all of our extended family lives in IL, more than 14 hours away by car. As we age, they age, too. The years for our children to spend with their grandparents are passing, and now there are cousins and aunts and uncles that we miss, too. Our hope for our own family is to stay close and to continue doing life together well past the time that the children move out and begin their own families. Is it too much to hope and plan for this when we aren't living it ourselves? We also feel a responsibility to care for our elders and serve them as they invested and served us in our youth. And so, we wonder.
The time isn't right for us to make any moves or even any decisions. There aren't options to consider and opportunities haven't been presented. We are just thinking and praying.
In these thoughtful days I'm thankful. I will keep counting God's gifts, turning this gift-counting into a habit, into gift-thinking.
847) Wheat kernels from IL, pouring from bags into buckets. Pouring through pudgy hands and spilling golden from one hand to another.
848) Gift of venison to come. Thanks for good hunting!
849) T and M playing in the bathtub, laughing and throwing a wet washcloth at each other.
850) Amazing properties of plants, of oils, of micro nutrients!
851) Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead- inspiration!
852) Gift of clothing. We prayed for clothes for L and received two dresses!
853) Quiet evenings of books, Jesse tree, and candles
854) Things to look forward to: a gathering of homeschooling mothers
855) Bags and bags of leaves from the front yard
856) Delight over M's communication. Everyone smiles when he puts two words together: "Bye, O" or adds new words. Tonight it was "rice" and "salsa."
857) Sunshine on the trail where there was shade before. Even mellow winter sunshine is a gift!
858) Boisterous children's voices lifted in song ("Blessed Assurance!")
859) Wondrous promises for me, even from the beginning. He, knowing what was to come, made a way for me through His love, through the years. . . an amazing story.
860) Holding The Lawyers hand as children chatter happily around us.
Super Black Bean Soup
I've had this recipe since O was a baby! Over time I've adapted it, doubled it, and used it as a soup or a dip. Making this reminds me of clipping it from a magazine when I was a new mom (nine years ago!). I made it for a family get together in IL with that first baby on my hip and it still makes me feel good to make it today. A few of us thought it was a little spicy when I made it this week, but overall it is still a good standby. We often have this with cornbread or tortillas.
Souper Black Bean Soup
24 oz black beans, cooked (3 cups or 3 16 oz cans)
1 and 1/2 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
24 oz salsa (we like chunky, medium heat spicy)
1 lime
3 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup plain yogurt (optional)
1. Place half of beans with broth in blender; cover and blend until smooth.
2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in a little bit of EVOO. Cook 4-5 minutes until onion is tender. Add cumin and red pepper.
3. Add blended bean mixture, remaining beans, salsa, lime juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 20-30 minutes (until flavors meld and beans are tender). Stir in cilantro before serving. Top with yogurt, if desired.
Serves 6.
Souper Black Bean Soup
24 oz black beans, cooked (3 cups or 3 16 oz cans)
1 and 1/2 cups chicken (or vegetable) broth
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
24 oz salsa (we like chunky, medium heat spicy)
1 lime
3 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup plain yogurt (optional)
1. Place half of beans with broth in blender; cover and blend until smooth.
2. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in a little bit of EVOO. Cook 4-5 minutes until onion is tender. Add cumin and red pepper.
3. Add blended bean mixture, remaining beans, salsa, lime juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally for 20-30 minutes (until flavors meld and beans are tender). Stir in cilantro before serving. Top with yogurt, if desired.
Serves 6.
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