vegan winter veggie stew

i don't know about where you are, but it's still pretty wintery in calgary. i know i'm going to have to tone down the slow cooker posts soon, but while it's still snowy and cold here, i'm using it all i can!

i've been feeling really busy lately, but there's nothing i particularly want to give up, either. aside from working a full time job, blogging and making virtually all of our meals from scratch, i'm trying really hard to concentrate on health and happiness. i'm insisting on taking the time i need to be healthy - running every day, making sure i'm eating good whole, healthy food... and i'm trying to make more time for things i love; reading, sewing, and i'm taking a jewellery-making class with the lovely and talented sheryl from notsoseemless!

i love cooking, but it doesn't always win out over the other things i have going on in my life, and this is why i have been using the slow-cooker so much lately. it's so easy to just get up in the morning and spend half an hour throwing everything into the pot, and ending up with a gourmet meal in time for dinner!


ingredients:

2 c butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped (about 1 c)
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 c)
2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 2 c)
1/3 c dried barley (substitute for brown rice or quinoa for a gluten-free option)
1/2 c dried red lentils
1 veggie bullion cube
1 heaping T dried parsley
1 T dried rosemary
1 t dried thyme
1 t dried sage
1 T garlic powder
1 T soy sauce
1 t dijon or other grainy mustard.
2 T flour (i used potato, wheat is fine, or a gluten-free option)
2 T nutritional yeast

to make:

put all ingredients except flour and nutritional yeast in a slow cooker. 

add enough water to cover everything by an inch.

cook on high for 5-7 hours, or until the veggies are soft.

at this point you may need to add a little extra water - barley tends to grow exponentially!

mix flour, nutritional yeast and 1/2 c or so of water. whisk. add to the stew, stir, put the lid back on, and leave on LOW for another hour or two. 

 mmmm!

enjoy!