Monday Lunch/Dinner: Meatless stuffed bitter melons and mushrooms soup. 🌱🍄🥣😋❤️

Hello everyone, hope you had a wonderful weekend so far and a great start of the week ! 🤗

Today I made meatless stuffed bitter melons in mushroom slices broth. 😋👍 The recipe for meatless stuffing is the same as I made vegan meatballs: healthunlocked.com/veganfoo...

Bitter melon is known for detoxing liver, kidneys, lowering blood glucose and mushrooms are great to increase our immune system at this time. This is wholesome bowl of soup that filled with chickpea protein and all nutrients essential for our bodies. 😁👍

I just made batch of meatless balls and freeze them ready to cook many dishes at any time. After filling bitter melons with meatless stuffing, just cook all in one pot and let it simmer for 40 mins until bitter melons tender. Add mushroom slices at last to retain the freshness and texture of mushrooms. Just sprinkle some cilantro 🌿and red pepper flakes on top as final dish and enjoy over a cup of tea. 😋👍

As always, be inspired, be joyful, take a picture and Enjoy it! 😋❤️

[Hidden]

Tonight's dinner here was carrot and parsnip soup reheated that I made on Friday which we enjoyed.

Baby is well and enjoyed her haggis today!

We had lunch out today at the pub which we all enjoyed after I had a job interview at 11 so after I had finished we had an early lunch at the pub which we had planned for Friday originally but rearranged it for today instead.

How are you and Sonya and Lucy getting on?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Catgirl,

Your dinner sounds very wholesome and delicious. 😋 I’m glad you had such a great start of the week with fun and good luck on the result of your interview as you already gave your best! 🤗

I’m happy to hear Baby is keeping well and enjoys her treat always.

Thank you we are all doing good over here and the weather is nice with sunshines.

Enjoy the rest of your evening! 😁👍

[Kitten-whiskers Administrator]

Wow! Koko - that is one super healthy bowl of delicousness 😁 You have some amazing fruits and veggies that we don't get over here, are bitter melons really bitter? It looks so good, so great for the body and mind. I have got some exciting blends of herbal teas coming

Hope you are ok 😁

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Awe thank you Debs very much! 🤗

I think someone from the UK did post bitter melons in HE from small farmer markets. 🤔 It is definitely bitter but not like medicinal bitterness. The spice and seasoning from meatless stuffing and the broth balance it out so well. 😋

I love having this soup for detoxing Debs.

What is your herbal blends Debs? Sounds soooo soothing and good. 😁👍

Thank you Debs, everything is okay. Hope you stay warm in this windy and cold weather at this moment. 😊

[Kitten-whiskers Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Glad you were able to balance it out with your lovely meatless stuffing 🙃

It was actually a Herbal Tea Advent Callender - it was half price because its December tomorrow - 24 differen't teas, some of them sounded so interesting - it should be arriving tomorrow 🙃

My new phone arrives today, so if you don't hear from me you can presume that setting it up did not go well 😊

It was freezing yesterday, but thankfully not as bad to day

😀

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Awe Debs I hope you got your Herbal Tea Advent Calendar now and enjoy so much. 😇 I love those Advent Calender in many things they make great decorations. One year I got this Advent Calender from Jo Malone and I love so much to open each day what’s miniature in there, so much fun. 😁

Oooh new phone arrives today too, you are going to be so busy setting up but it feels great to freshen up the contacts and content of the phone. 😁👍

Hope you enjoy the rest of the evening with so much joy and rest. 🤗

[Kitten-whiskers Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I am sure it will be interesting 😁 but I will leave the phone to the weekend - just incase any disasters, I know it sounds a bit strange but I am a little sad to be replacing my galaxy A10 - I really loved that phone but its internal memory is full up and putting in a big memory card has not helped the issues.

I am glad you enjoyed your Jo Malone Calender, I got my mum one for xmas - with a mixture of perfumes - some in really cute bottles with bow shapes - she will like that 😁

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

That’s very good plan to avoid any abruption in case datas transferred encounter any problems. Good thinking Debs. 😇I just had a virtual photos taken uploaded for the bumper damages and everything went well. Technology these days make these things less hassles on our part. 😁

Oh my I’m so glad you got your mom Jo Malone collection too. 😇 I bet for sure she loves it and let me guess her fav is English Pear and Freesia. 😇 Mine had little lip balm hand lotion and cleansing gel, room spray bottles soooo cute. ☺️

My fav of all time is Wood sage &sea salt, and Black Berry & Bay. During winter time I love Nutmeg and ginger but it’s discontinued now. Talking about this makes me excited how scents can elevate our mood so much and no one can do it so well like Jo Malone, perfect choice of gift for your Mom Debs! 😇

[Kitten-whiskers Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Your so right, I am probably worrying over nothing - I am sure it will go smoothly 😊

Mums fav is definately Freesia - spot on Koko 😊

[Hidden in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Just perfect Debs 😇

[ZazenRiver345]

Yes, looks like a very balanced and wholesome soup😁👍. Looks filling and delicious too 😋. Have a good night🙏🤗.

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

GB1 omggggggg!! I missed you im back 🙃🙃🙃🤗🤗🤗

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

Awe feels so good our golden group is here. 🤗❤️ Miss you Joss, hope you are finishing High school great and entering College with success sweetie. 😁👍

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Hey!! Welcome back🤗🙏. What have you been up to GG?

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Drowning in hw lol 🤣 but i had been gone for to long I came back to take my place lmfaooo. Also applyingg to colleges is stressing me out i need to relax so I Rememberr all of you. 🙃 Hbu ?? what have you been up to ?

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Yes its been so long😅. We saved your spot ofc😂. Koko and I will send you peaceful n relaxing vibes😁👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Thank you ! I appreciated 🤗 good vibes only

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Those colleges would be lucky to have you🙏😊. Save a little time to come have fun in the vegan room once in a while with us😁👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

awww I will like I told greatmindfulness my goal before the end of the year is to make something vegan and post my two lovely cats 🤗🤗🤗

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

Awe can’t wait to see your first vegan post Joss 🤗, you will show joss style and we get to be inspired by you. 😇💚

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Hidden]

Yes and her cats too🐱🐱😊

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

I'm good. Very happy, living simply and enjoying life with a special someone😊🙏

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Im so happy for you!! you deserve the best. sending warm hugs (cuz its cold here lol ) 🤣🤗🤗🤗

[Hidden in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Thank you Zazen, look who’s here 😁? Our fav golden girl Joss. ❤️

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I know, glad shes back in town😁👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

💃💃💃 and im ready to party !! 🎉🎉🥳

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

I dont think we've had a party since you left🤔☹

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

duh cuz I am the party 😂😂

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Definitely overdue for a party🎉🎉🎉😁😁😁

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Hidden will get the party going😎

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

We have a few members December birthday so I’ll make 🎂 and we all can celebrate vegan style👍🥳 🎉🎈

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

m.youtube.com/watch?v=UmmGd...(Not working as expected?)

This is how I dance😎

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

oh!! you got some moves!! im ready for this party hoo hoo🎉🎉🎉

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

😂🎉🎉🎉

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

what for dessert the chef need to tell us Hidden

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

Hmmm since it’s cold now, for dessert, shall we have some vanilla green bean pudding and tapioca ? 😋

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Hidden]

yummmyy 😆

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

omg my birthday is in december too is the 5th birthday month buddies 🥳😆😆

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Yours is December 5th?

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

yeppppp!!

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

I will be turning 18 finally !!😆😆

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

I'm the 5th too😂👍🎉🎉

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

wait really omg we are birthday twins 😆😆😆😆😆❤️❤️❤️❤️🥳🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

I'm gonna be 18 too😁

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

What is this are you my actual twin 😮

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Yes this is crazyyyy🤯🤯🤯

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

omg!! we are the golden twins now 🤣🤣🤣

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

No I'm actually gonna be 30😅. Sorry I couldn't help myself. But it is the 5th though 😁👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

we can still be twins tho 🥺 I kinda new you were tricking me

😑 it sounded to good to be true still tho we can have a party

💃💃💃

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

I know it was wrong😬. But we are still b-day twins😁👍🎉🎉. Just not actual twins☹.

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

Your ok I'm just a lil dramatic we are now to be called the B-day Golden twins 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Darklight_465]

Sweeet name😎👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to ZazenRiver345]

I just realized I dont follow u im so sorry I just did tho 😅

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

Darklight_465 and ZazenRiver345 , you both will share a two layer birthday cake 🎂, how does that sound? 😁

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Hidden]

yayyyyyy!! if its bake by you I will eat it all so you might need another two layers cake 😂

[Hidden in reply to Darklight_465]

Already eat with your eyes 😂🤣. I think I will bake one layer is chocolate and another layer is vanilla cake with pink color from dragon fruit powder. I’ll sleep on it. 🤔 One is 👧layer and one is 👦layer. 😁👍👍

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Hidden]

My eyes can´t eat sadly ): but I am still grateful for you!! our amazing baker and cook in our golden group if it wasn't for you who would feed us (but I did see Zazen cooking picture it looked yummy) so im lucky to have you guys food makes me happy

😂🤣🙃

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Hidden]

but before I decide to eat anything with my eyes they need to rest so I will see you all tomorrow. Its 12:23 so... im probably will be grumpy in the morning hugs and kisses to all of yall and it was very nice to meet you Kainan

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Hidden]

Its gonna be sooo good😋👍👍

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds lovely🤗👍

[Kainan Guest in reply to Darklight_465]

Yeah I’m gonna be 30 as well….good god 😅

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Kainan]

whoop whoop so we are all twins now is the golden twin clan now 🤣😆🎉

[Kainan Guest]

Y’all gonna need a bigger cake 🍰

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Kainan]

helloooo!! I dont know you yet but heyyyyy!!! I know your part of our golden group

[Kainan Guest in reply to Darklight_465]

Hi!! Nice to meet you! I hear you are the golden girl of this little group 😂

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Kainan]

yeppp!! I had left but I am backkkk!! I missed everyone ): but now tell me when is your birthday so we can start planning a party

💃🤗🎉🎉

[Kainan Guest in reply to Darklight_465]

Oh good. Mine is in March. Still a ways off

[Darklight_465 Guest in reply to Kainan]

is never to early to start planning!!! 🤗🎉🎉🎉

[Hidden]

Have a good night Darklight_465 , ZazenRiver345 , Kainan . Sweet dreams everyone! 🤗❤️

[ZazenRiver345 in reply to Hidden]

Goodnight all😴. Great party Koko🤗👍

[HungryHufflepuff]

That soup looks amazing, and so beautiful. I had to look up bitter melons. At first glance I thought they were pattypan squash which I used to grow and just love. I tried to grow them here this year, the plants grew and had lots of flowers but no squash developed at all. Very little grows here. Looking at your soup made me smile though it seems I’m very late to the party that followed 😁

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Awe thank you HungryHufflepuff very much! 🤗🙏

I’m having the second day soup now that the broth is so good in this chilly weather. 😋👍

It’s true bitter melon does look like party pan squash or gourd too. Oh wow I wonder how the flowers look like. Hmm sometimes I think it might take a second season for them to give fruits.🤔 I hope they do give out fruits from all your effort soon. 😁👍

We had a little reunion of the golden girl group and it’s US timeline but you can join us at anytime. I joined HU when the pandemic happened and these guys have been my great support. 😇

So we have 2 birthdays on Dec 5, when is yours H.? I’ll plan things out for sure and we can all celebrate. 🥳🎉🎈👍

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

I thought I’d taken some pictures of the patty pan flowers but I can only find one photo on my phone and it’s not a great photo. I’ll try to post it sometime. My birthday is dec 14 so it seems we have a lot of celebrating to do this month, and lots of cake to eat 🎂

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Yes whenever you have time to post your lovely patty pan flowers. 😊

Perfect we shall have birthday cakes 🎂 celebration this month, I’m so excited, it’s gonna be so much fun! 😁👍

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

This is not a great picture and gives no sense of scale. The yellow flower is the patty pan flower. It's a big flower, the size of a large orange. You can see all the buds on the plant. They're big too. They all flowered, I'd meant to take pictures once they'd opened.

Patty pan flower

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Oh that is beautifulllll H., I feel like these flowers are edible. 🤔 The tree looks like it thrives and I hope it does give out fruits for you next season. 😁👍Thank you for showing me, now I know how colorful patty pan plant can give out flowers like this. 😇💚

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

I haven’t heard of patty pan flowers being eaten, but other squash flowers are edible, they’re usually stuffed and I think fried. Personally I haven’t eaten the flowers, though I do like edible flowers, especially nasturtium which I had lots of this year 🌻

[Hidden in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

I think I saw your salad photo looked like a painting with your edible flowers in it. 😇

I love looking at it and absolutely gorgeous, needs to be posted on a separate post here. 😁👍I can’t find edible flowers that big enough to stuff and fry here in whole food market I checked though.

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊