In the Kitchen: Veggie Burger Recipe

Today I'm excited to post the recipe to the best meal I've ever created. No lie folks, this burger was delicious! So good, I liked it better than a beef burger. I couldn't believe it. The hubs gave it two thumbs up too, and he's a hard one to please. So, without further ado here's how you make it:

• Heat a 50/50 mixture of cooked quinoa and black beans on medium heat in skillet. You can grease skillet with cooking oil or veggie broth. Broth is more healthy, but oil tastes better :-) I like to use avocado oil.
• Season mixture with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Add mixture to toasted brioche buns. 
• Top "burger" with spring mix, tomato, red onion, and chipotle mayo.

Chipotle mayo (this component is critical to the deliciousness of the burger):

• Finely dice canned chipotle peppers with adobe sauce and add to mayo to taste. These are pretty spicy, so you don't need much to add kick.

Enjoy! I absolutely know you will.

Window Shopping.....

Lately, I've been making an effort to practice gratitude, i.e. being thankful for what I have. I've been amazed at the difference it's making in my life. I've spent a lot less time shopping, feeling discontent, and comparing myself to others.

I really noticed improvement a few weeks ago when the hubs and I went to a fancy open house. The home we visited was large and beautiful--easily magazine worthy. The old me would have hounded and pestered the hubs all weekend about how we need a new bigger house, and how we need to make more money. The new content  me was able to admire the beautiful home we visited, then joyfully go back to our little humble abode. I'm proud of the changes I'm making, they are leading to true peace of mind, which I'm finding to be priceless. What about you? Can you window shop without envy? Are you content with what you have?

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are not content today, there is nothing you can buy tomorrow to change that.” ~Joshua Becker 

In the Kitchen: BBQ and Deviled Eggs with Caviar Recipe

Those of you who follow this blog regularly know I've been trying to clean up my diet. A lot of the dietary changes I've been making include eating more plant-based foods. I still eat animal products occasionally though, and when I do, I try to stick to anti-inflammatory animal products rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Today I'm going to share with you an anti-inflammatory meal I concocted that was very good. It was inspired by some food I had at a Baltimore vegetarian restaurant called LAND OF KUSH. I'd planned to blog about my experience there, but the food was so good I ate it before I could take a picture :-( Ah well, maybe next time. The meal was also inspired by some wonderful deviled eggs prepared for a potluck by one of my neighbors.

So here's how you recreate the meal:

Vegan BBQ:

• Marinade pieces of seitan in BBQ sauce overnight. I use this SEITAN (in traditional) and this VERY DELICIOUS BBQ SAUCE.
• Once seitan is marinated, add 1/2 cup each of green peppers and onions to a skillet and saute with veggie broth on medium heat until tender.
• Next add seitan and desired amount of BBQ sauce to skillet and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook on medium until seitan is heated to desired temperature (note: seitain is precooked, so you only need to heat for warmth)
• I like adding the BBQ to a lightly toasted brioche bun for a sandwich.

Deviled eggs:

• Boil omega-3 enriched eggs
• Cut cooked eggs in half and remove yolks
• Smash yolk with fork and mix 1 tsp of mayo with every yolk. I use Trader Joe's low-fat mayo because it's vegan (though not advertised as such), low calorie, and tastes good.
• Add a small amount of fresh squeezed lemon juice, dill weed, and freshly chopped chives to taste to yolk filling.
• Add yolk filling to eggs whites and top with a scoop of bowfin roe caviar. 

Enjoy!

Around Town: Clark Burger

One of the things I like most about Baltimore is it's amazing food scene. Some of the chefs in this city are ridiculously talented, and in order to partake in their wonderful fare, often times you don't have to spend much money. Case in point, the newly opened CLARK BURGER. For those of you familiar with northern Baltimore, Clark Burger is located right next door to Senator Theatre.

The hubs and I stopped by the other day for a bite to eat, and we both were incredibly impressed. The hubs called it one of the best burgers he's ever eaten....and don't worry vegetarians they offer veggie burgers too! Another serious plus is that in addition to awesome burgers, they also have wonderful fries. I find many good burger places lack tasty fries. However at Clark Burger the fries are clearly not an after thought, they even come with a large variety of creative dipping sauces.

Be sure to check them out if you can!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to wish you all a very very happy Valentine's Day. I'll be spending the day with family, and hugging and kissing the two loves of my life. In the spirit of heart day, I'll leave you with a few very wise words about love.

 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

~ Corinthians 13:4-7

Around Town: 6 Orkney Ct, Baltimore, MD 21212

One activity I really enjoy doing when I get some free time is visiting open houses. There's just something about viewing how others live, and witnessing  Baltimore's fantastic architecture that I find very fascinating. Recently, I stumbled upon a gem of a home not too far from where I live. It's currently inhabited by an elderly woman who's lived there for 40 years, and has maintained the property meticulously. 

There are beautiful distinctive light fixtures throughout the home, including this gorgeous chandelier. The picture honestly does it no justice.

Look at the fabulous vintage stove! It's in perfect working condition. The homeowner uses it every day.

You can snuggle up and read a book in front of the original working fireplace.

The bathroom is covered in wallpaper that might not suite everyone, but has tons of character none the less.  

I was a big fan of the bathroom's light fixtures.

To learn more about the property click HERE. It has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths and listed for a complete steal at $210, 000. I have a feeling it will go for above asking, given it's great condition and wonderful location near BELVEDERE SQUARE. 

What I learned In January

Hi folks. I know it's been forever and a day since I last posted, but I haven't forgotten about you.... I promise. Today I wanted to share with you what I learned in January (or thereabouts).

1) How to get out baby poop stains. It's inevitable every new parent has been there....the moment you meet your match...the stinky icky green baby poop stain. Word on the street is big ones can't be gotten rid of, but I have found the secret. A soak overnight in the sink with a scoop of Oxiclean does the job. Before soaking rub some of the oxi and water over the stain. This also works on that gross breast milk smell that gets into baby stuff.

2) How to keep linens fresh. After washing my linens I keep them in a clean laundry bag and throw in a few bars of  smell good soap. I like to use lavender scented soap by Yardley, because it smells great and is super cheap.

3) My husband is romantic in his own special way. If I had to grade the hubs in the traditional romance department, I'd have to give him at best a D. I mean, he even forgot to get down on one knee when he proposed to me (or more accurately when he stated with ring in hand, "we should get married"). His lack of movie worthy romance doesn't mean he doesn't love me though, and he always finds a way to show it in the most unsuspecting ways. Like at Christmas, when instead of giving me a gift...because he knows I already have too much stuff and don't want anymore... he gave me a good deed. He did something really nice for a stranger in my honor. I teared up a little when he told me about it.

4) Someone actually reads this little blog. Recently, I became aware someone nominated this blog for the Baltimore Sun's annual best new blog award. I am honestly very flattered. I'm glad someone finds this thing useful. Thanks, to whoever you are!

What did you learn this month? To learn from others visit CHATTING AT THE SKY.

(PHOTO: home in Baltimore's Lake Walker neighborhood)

Daily Wisdom #1

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy -- because we will always want to have something else or something more.” 

~ David Steindl-Rast

Around Town: Charlotte Elliot

In the market for a striking antique African mask or some vintage Asian artwork? If so, you should go treasure hunting at Hampden's CHARLOTTE ELLIOT. They have tons of global antiques, out of print books, and vintage clothing & jewelry. If you want to add an extra layer of sophistication to your decor they'll definitely have a piece for you. I feel like a real grown-up whenever I shop there :-) Here are some of their current offerings.

In the Kitchen: Peruvian Chicken Recipe

I first started eating Peruvian chicken a few years ago when the hubs would bring home tasty takeout from a restaurant near his old job. Unfortunately, we now live an hour from the restaurant, so we don't get to eat it much. I decided to stop being lazy and finally try to make my own version. According to the hubs it's better than our Peruvian spot's, and on par with chicken he's had while actually visiting Peru........jackpot! Below is how you make it:

Chicken

• Clean, then season whole chicken (also works well with wings) with equal parts oregano, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin. Make sure chicken is fully covered in spices.

• Cover chicken with fresh squeezed lime juice from two lines. Stuff one half of lime inside chicken cavity.

• Bake on 350 degrees until done (approximately 1:15 mins)

Dipping Sauce

• In a small bowl mix 1 part mayo to 1 part mustard. Use the sauce for dipping the chicken when done.

Sidenote: I'm currently cutting chicken out of my diet, so I use the spice mixture when pan frying salmon in olive oil on medium-low heat, which is also quite tasty.....and anti-inflammatory. If you'd like to try using salmon instead of chicken swap the lime juice for lemon juice in the recipe.

Enjoy!