It's just a 'stew' kind of day...

I'm not a huge fan of the Today Show, but I do like to check out their cooking segments. They tend to coordinate with the seasons, which sometimes helps me get out of a cooking rut (you know the one when you make the same 5 things over and over and over again). I often run out the door right after I see a recipe that I like to gather the ingredients and try it out that night. It happened again this morning.

.

Today, Ellie Krieger demonstrated two yummy, comforting recipes for a heart healthy segment. This appealed to me because it's snowing outside and I love to cook warm, hearty meals in weather like this. Also, Krieger is a nutritionist and she talked about how these recipes are heart- and cholesterol-friendly. Who wouldn't love that?
I made it to the store before the weather turned horrible and I was looking forward to cooking dinner all day long. After spending 2 hours cleaning the kitchen, I proceeded to destroy it again to make Krieger's Aromatic Beef Stew with Butternut Squash. I wouldn't have thought beef would be included in a heart-healthy recipe, but it's all about moderation. I only used a pound of stew meat for 5 people. Enough to get the idea, but definitely not meat-heavy.

This stew just made me smile. It was full of flavor and a little spicy. It gave my stomach a big ol' hug -- much needed on a day like today. Oh, and it was EASY to make. Promise.

Recipe: Ellie Krieger's Aromatic Beef Stew with Butternut Squash

Ingredients
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound stew beef (round or chuck), cut into chunks
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound peeled cubed butternut squash, cut into 1[1/2]-inch cubes (about 2[1/2] cups)
One 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
One 8-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cups cooked whole-wheat couscous
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes
4 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

Preparation
Far from your run-of-the-mill beef stew, this one transports you to another land with a unique combination of everyday ingredients. In it tender beef is nestled with chunks of sweet butternut squash in a rich Moroccan spiced tomato sauce. That exotic inspiration continues as it is served over fluffy couscous and topped with crunchy almonds. It’s just as easy, if not easier, than the same-old stew, but so much more rewarding.

Heat the oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat to a plate, leaving the juices in the saucepan. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 6 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 additional minute. Return the beef to the pot and stir in the squash, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, cumin, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the beef is tender, 30 to 35 minutes.

Spoon the stew over the couscous, and sprinkle each serving with almonds and parsley.

No, kids, life is NOT fair. Deal with it.

My 6-year-old is on a "life is not fair" kick. If you're a mom of a child that can talk, you know what I'm talking about. It doesn't matter what we do, somehow circumstances leave her feeling inadequately equipped to handle the situation. She always wants more (or less depending on the 'thing' in question) and compares her lot to whomever happens to be in the immediate vicinity.

If her brother happens to land in the seat in front of her favorite bowl, you guessed it: "It's not fair." If her sister's favorite song comes on the radio and I cannot magically instruct the DJ to play hers next, "That's not fair." If she has to clean the shower and her (3 year old) sister has to wipe down the counter, here it comes: "This is sooo not fair!" You know what? She's absolutely right. It's NOT fair....and it never will be.

Clearly kids are born with the inane ability to distinguish inequality, especially when it comes to something that they want more/less of. It's human nature. Still, the reality is that life is not fair. It never was and no matter how much you cry and scream about it, that truth will remain.

I realize that in between my generation and my kids' generation is a generation of kids that grew up with the false assumption that life is fair. Subsequently, they feel entitled to....well, pretty much everything. I realize this is not a popular statement, but most people in the aforementioned "middle" generation would be shocked to know that they do not have a right to a job, to health care (at least under the federal government), to a house....just by virtue of breathing. They do have a right to acquire those things...if they have the means to do so.

I hope to teach my kids that they will gain that for which they are willing to work. Work requires effort and sacrifice and it's not always fun...still, it is required. Perhaps they will be surprised to realize that their perception of their quality of life is in direct proportion to their ingenuity, effort, education and implementation of their vision.

I want my kids to know that we succeed and fail on our own accord. Contrary to what some think, the fact that life is not fair is what makes this country the greatest, most exceptional country in the history of countries. Someday, I hope they will celebrate the fact that life is not fair rather than whine about it. That someday feels pretty far away right now...