This version of minestrone is both vegan and gluten-free. Kale and quinoa add both texture and heartiness to the soup. It will take you 15 minutes to prepare the ingredients. The cook time is 55 minutes. This recipe will make about 6 to 8 servings. If possible, use a large stockpot to make this soup in. Dice the onion, carrots and celery. Add the olive oil to the pot and heat it over medium-high heat.  Add the vegetables and sauté them until they're soft. It will take about 5 minutes. Slice the green beans into one inch segments and dice the zucchini and red bell pepper. Add them to the pot and sauté for about 2 minutes.  Add the minced garlic. Continue cooking for an additional 60 seconds. Measure out and add the parsley, rosemary, thyme and granulated sugar. Season with salt and pepper (to taste). Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium.  Allow it to simmer for approximately 20 minutes. Simmer it uncovered. Pour the dry quinoa into the pot. Cover it and cook the soup for another 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the cover and add the beans, chick peas, kale and lemon juice. Do not replace the cover. Cook for another 5 minutes.  You’ll know it’s ready when the kale has wilted. Remove the pot from the heat. Before you pour it into bowls, let the soup cool slightly. Garnish each bowl with vegan parmesan cheese. Serve the minestrone warm with crusty garlic bread (optional) and additional vegan parmesan. Consider substituting the quinoa with gluten-free pasta for a different textural experience. Vegan parmesan may be hard to find in some areas, but you could try substituting it with vegan sharp cheddar instead.  Another option for cheesy richness would be to sprinkle nutritional yeast on top of each bowl before serving. Feel free to also add any fresh herbs or seasonal vegetables that you like to the recipe, as well.
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One-sentence summary -- Gather the ingredients. Heat olive oil in a saucepot and sauté the vegetables. Cut up the zucchini, green beans and red bell pepper. Pour in the vegetable broth, water and crushed tomatoes. Add the quinoa and remaining ingredients. Allow the soup to cool down. Try some vegan variations.


Remove the brine from the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Do not pour hot brine over the raw eggs. Doing so could cause the egg shells to crack.
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One-sentence summary -- Cool the brine.


This can limit sensory stimuli for your child. Some autistic people prefer to have their backs to busy areas, while others prefer to have their backs to a wall (to avoid surprises). Let your child choose which side they'd like to be in. Especially in an unfamiliar place, an autistic child may attempt to run away (especially if stressed) or simply wander away, distracted by the novel surroundings. Keeping a close eye on your child will help lessen the likelihood of this occurring.  Seating can prevent eloping. In a booth, have your child sit next to the wall, with other people in between them and the restaurant. People in between them and the exit will prevent eloping, and make them easier to catch if they start running. Notice signs of stress. If your child is getting overwhelmed or ready to run, a five-minute walk in the parking lot may help. This way, your child can have a much needed break, while supervised by an adult for safety. If you know your child is hungry, order an appetizer immediately—this will lessen the chance of a meltdown occurring. Make sure that the appetizer works with your child's sensory issues. A lot of autistic children have no interest in lingering after a meal. Leaving quickly is the best plan, and will make things a lot easier on both you and your server if you have to leave abruptly.  If other children eat more slowly than your autistic child, have something for the child to do. Maybe they'd like to play with a tablet, or take a walk outside with an adult who has finished eating. Get takeout boxes if you need to leave early. That way, you can finish the meal at home. If you are afraid that your child may spill their drink, ask the waiter for a kiddie cup for their drink. Or, bring a sippy cup or other such drink container from home.This will help avoid a huge spill if your child drops their drink or knocks it over. You may hear other customers call you a "bad parent", or roll their eyes at you, but as hard as it may be, it is important to simply ignore them. They may not know enough about autism to realize what your child is going through. Plenty of children, autistic and otherwise, have screaming episodes in public places. It's not fun, but it's normal. This doesn't reflect negatively upon you as a parent. This does happen, so if you or your child notice that the order is missing something, or something is wrong with it, flag down your server. When they take it away, if your child gets upset, explain to them that something was wrong with it, so they are going to fix their food and it will come back. Many autistic children have sensory issues, and a sprinkle of cheese may be as disgusting as if the meal were charred to a crisp. If your child does not like the dish, tell your server. They will most likely be aware that your child is autistic (inform them politely if they are unaware), and they will allow your child to pick a new dish, or have their dish prepared a different way if needed. Whether it be with some simple words of encouragement, or through a tangible reinforcement if your child enjoys receiving them, be sure that you give your child some sort of praise if they made it through the entire restaurant visit.
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One-sentence summary -- Ask to be seated in a quiet corner, or next to a wall, preferably in a booth. Keep a close eye on your child at all times. Pay attention to when your child is hungry. Ask for the check immediately when you receive your entrees. Know your child's tendency to spill things. Ignore any comments or looks you may get if your child has a meltdown. Be prepared if your child's order goes wrong. Be prepared if your child does not like their food. Praise your child for a job well done if they made it through the entire meal.


Ultimately, while you may leave some “secret admirer” notes, you don’t want to go too long leaving notes without letting them know who you are. Whether it be in your first note, second note, or a few notes later, you need to give them an idea of who you are. You can do this several ways:  Simply write your name at the bottom of the note. Give them some sort of clue about who you are. Approach and tell them you’re their special note writer. The best way to take your relationship to the next level is to start to hand them notes directly. This is especially true if you know they're receptive to your flirtations. In the end, they might hand you a note back. After you've left a few notes, you should ask them if they’d like to do something with you. Ultimately, going on a date – or just hanging out – is the next logical step in your evolving relationship. Suggest:  Going to the movies. Taking a walk after school. Getting a bite to eat together. If you get the sense that the person doesn’t enjoy your notes, you should stop immediately. You might be able to sense this from how they look when they get a note, from the comments they make about it to other people, or you can ask a friend to inquire about it. Ultimately, if they aren’t interested in the notes, you should stop immediately.
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One-sentence summary --
Let them know who you are, if they don't already. Pass them a note. Ask them if they want to do something. Stop leaving notes if you think the person doesn’t like you.