V8 Barley Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup dried pearl barley
1 cup rice
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
salt
pepper
dried basil
12 oz V8 juice
water
chives

Directions:
Put about 4 cups water into large pot. Boil and add barley and a few pinches of salt. This should cook for about 30 minutes to soften the barley. Add rice and cook for another 10-15 minutes or so, until rice and barley are al dente, or almost done. Add about 10 grinds of fresh pepper, 3-4 shakes of basil and the vegetables. Add more water as needed or boil it off to create the consistency you desire. More water will be more soup-like, or if you boil more off, it will be a thicker stew. Once you have your desired thickness, stir in the V8 and cook a minute or so more to make sure everything's heated.

garnish with fresh chives, and salt & pepper to taste

PB & Brown Sugar Oatmeal

I created a spontaneous concoction this morning...

3/4 c plain quick oats oatmeal
1 spoonful of brown sugar
1 spoonful of crunchy peanut butter (or smooth)

Put oatmeal in bowl. Add brown sugar, then get your spoonful of peanut butter. Add boiling water, and stir all together with the peanut butter spoon.

Add some banana slices if you'd like!