Meatless Monday

SOL Day 21

I guess when the brain is blanking for something to write, there's always meatless Monday recipe to share!  Here is one of my favorites!  It's a healthy and delicious alternative to a burger.  If you don't like the sweet potato part, go ahead and put it on a regular bun.

Black Bean Burger with Sweet Potato Bun

Ingredients
2 large, fat sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into eight 1/2-inch rounds
3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for oiling the grill grates
Kosher salt
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/3 cup finely diced pepper Jack cheese
5 tablespoons stone-ground cornmeal
1 large egg white
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 lettuce leaves


Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Brush the sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoon of the oil, and sprinkle with a large pinch of salt. Lightly oil the grill grates. Arrange the sweet potato rounds on the grill, cover with the lid and cook until there are nice grill marks and the potatoes are tender but not mushy, 8 to 12 minutes per side. Set aside to cool completely. (These "buns" can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days.)

Meanwhile, mash the beans and corn in a medium bowl until the beans form almost a paste. Add the cheese, 3 tablespoons of the cornmeal, the egg white, scallions and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Form the mixture into 4 patties about 1/2 inch thick. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes up to overnight.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium heat. Put the remaining 2 tablespoons cornmeal onto a plate. Dredge both sides of the patties in the cornmeal. Cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the skillet to the oven, and bake until the burgers reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 5 minutes.

Brush 4 of the grilled sweet potato slices with some of the mayonnaise. Put the lettuce leaves and burgers on the remaining 4 slices, and sandwich together.

Did She Really Think That?!

SOL Day 20

As I sit here writing, the words, Did she really think that?!  keep circling over and over in my brain.  Before I go on and explain, let me give some background information.  My niece Lyndsey whom I adore has a cat named Kiki. Kiki, has shared her thoughts on my blog a few times.  Unfortunately, Lyndsey lives in California so when she travels I'm not able to take care of Kiki. She recently found a great gal to watch Kiki, but unfortunately she was having surgery and could not watch her on this most recent trip.  The service sent a young gal over as a replacement.  Each day of  I text Lyndsey to hear the "report"on how Kiki is doing.  Kiki is special needs, so she sometimes needs a lot of care.  Anyway, this morning I received the text below from Lyndsey:

This picture is of Kiki on Lyndsey's bed. Please understand Lyndsey closes the bedroom door when she is away because she is not allowed in there when Lyndsey is not home.

 Now mind you the space under her bedroom door is maybe a half inch.  I promise I will get to the explanation in a minute . . . I texted Lyndsey back and said, "does she really think she slithered under a closed door?!?"  Does she think Kiki has magical powers! Honestly, as much as I couldn't believe she thought this, I have to admit I did get a chuckle out of it!  Of course my first thoughts were of Kiki stuck in the bedroom without her food or litter box, but Lyndsey assured me it was probably only about 10 hours . . . Still a long time, but she was fine.
Now for the explanation:
Lyndsey had a friend go in to her apartment to look for something she thought she had misplaced.  Her friend did not notice that Kiki had gotten into the bedroom and closed the door behind, leaving Kiki stuck in there. NO magic, no big mystery . . . So unfortunately, Kiki will not be making the TV circuit with her magical powers!

Love My Saturdays

Sol Day 19

If you have read any of my slices, you know I am a retired teacher from the Chicago area now living in New Mexico.  Since retiring, I made a promise, to work out 6 of the 7 days.  To help make this happen, I joined a fitness club.  Each day I take a pretty intense one hour class with some of the most motivating instructors I've ever experienced.  Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays classes starts at 8.  Although I'm an early riser, these mornings are not quite as relaxing as the other days. Usually a quick cup of coffee, check email, and out the door. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the classes start at 9. I love the extra hour to leisurely sip my coffee, read a few chapters of a book and check email before running out the door. But on Saturdays, the day I take off to let my sore . . . old muscles rest up there is no need to rush out the door at all! Sipping my coffee in the sunroom, leisurely watching the day come alive!  Ahhh Saturdays . . . I just love them!

Sunsets

SOL Day 18

Beautiful sunsets are quite common in New Mexico. Last night's, well take a look for your self!

Nature's canvas, exploding with hues of red, orange and yellow

Breathtaking, amazing, awe-inspiring

Colors so vivid, impossible to recreate

Breathtaking, amazing, awe-inspiring

A day comes to an end, with renewed hope for tomorrow

Breathtaking, amazing, awe-inspiring

Unexpected Conversation

SOL Day 17


Yesterday I went to a consignment store in town to try and sell some clothes I don't wear anymore. I've been to this store maybe 4 times since moving here almost 2 years ago.  The owner is a woman my age, and as she checks out the clothes, we've shared small talk about fun things to do in New Mexico, working out, trips etc.  Today however, as she was going through my clothes, I simply asked if she had any trips planned.  Quite unexpectedly she began sharing some very personal things with me that ultimately have caused she and her second husband to separate. It seems the majority of their problems stem from the fact that he is an alcoholic, somewhat abusive and how there is a huge riff between him and her family.  We talked for almost an hour, I listened more than I spoke, because sometimes I think people don't want your opinion, they just want to think out loud.  I was glad I was there for her today, because obviously she just needed to talk. I walked out of the store, hoping that her deep faith will help her through this, and if they are meant to be together, they will be together in a healthy relationship.