Labor Day is on a Monday, Still Want to Make it Meatless? (Healthy Holiday Recipes)

 I can't lie. After July 4th weekend, I felt a little carnivorous for a while. And I was feeling a little runned down among other things. I did a food diary on myself and I saw I was consuming more meat than I had before that weekend. So a few weeks ago, I decided to go "meatless before dinner except for Mondays. Right now on Mondays, I don't eat meat at all. Yes many times, I participate in "Meatless Monday". Whenever I do it on a consistent basis, I see gains in my energy & decreases in my weight. Well, Labor Day is coming up. Labor Day is always on a Monday. Well, I've pulled a couple of recipes & tips to help stay meatless on this holiday Monday. 

Grilled Eggplant Sandwich (Recipe found HERE)
Ingredients
• 1 large globe eggplant (about 1 lb), sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch thick rounds
• Salt
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 large beefsteak tomato
• 1 medium red onion
• 10-12 fresh basil leaves
• About 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 6 small burger buns
Directions
1. Line a large tray with paper towels. Lay out the rounds of eggplant on the tray in a single layer. Salt generously on both sides. Let sit while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Cut the tomato into 1/4 inch thick slices. Cut the red onion into 1/8 inch slices. Pour the two vinegars and a teaspoon of olive oil into a flat container such as a casserole dish. Sprinkle with a little salt and stir with a fork to combine. Lay the onions and tomatoes down in the container and turn to coat with the dressing.
3. Prepare your grill for high, direct heat. Make sure the grates are clean, and close the lid.
4. Once the eggplant slices have been sitting for at least 15 minutes, pat them dry with more paper towels. Use a pastry brush to paint them on both sides with olive oil. Lay the slices on the grill and grill them for about 3-4 minutes per side with the lid closed, until nicely browned. Remove from grill. Lightly toast the burger buns on the grill, for about 30 seconds to a minute, just enough to get lightly toasted.
5. To build the sandwich, set out your burger buns. Put two or three rounds of eggplant slices on top of the bottom bun. Then add a tomato slice and some red onion. Add a couple slice of the fresh mozzarella and top it with some basil leaves.


And before you add fries to that burger, try this side dish.

Lemon-Marinated Vegetables (LINK to the Recipe)
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup olive oil or cooking oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh basil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
• 12 ounces baby carrots with tops, peeled and trimmed
• 2 red and/or yellow sweet peppers
• 1/2 pound mushrooms
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Directions
1. For vinaigrette, combine oil, lemon juice, basil, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in a screw-top jar. Cover and shake well. Set aside.
2. Cook green beans, covered, in a small amount of boiling water in a large saucepan for 4 minutes. Add carrots and cook, covered, for 8 minutes more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
3. Cut shapes out of the sweet peppers, using a star-shape cutter. Place the green beans, carrots, sweet peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a bag set in a large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over vegetables.
4. Seal bag, and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours, turning the bag occasionally to distribute vinaigrette.
5. To serve, bring to room temperature. Drain vegetables; arrange on a platter.

If these don't wet your appetite, here are other foods you can eat on Meatless Monday the Labor Day Edition

• Grilled Fish
• Portabella Burgers
• Black Bean Burgers 
• Vegan Skewers 

And countless of others.


Need some Tips for a Meatless Cookout (Found in this ARTICLE)

• Kabobs are a BBQ staple that make the perfect meatless entree. Add tofu cubes, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, roasted potatoes or just about any other vegetable that strikes your fancy
• Turn up the creativity and make delicious, smoky pizzas right on the grill. All you need is pizza dough, sauce and your favorite vegetables thinly sliced or pre-grilled.
• End the meal on a healthy note: include a tray of fresh fruit, a parfait or homemade smoothies.

Well, however you decide to celebrate Labor Day, I hope it is a safe say. Meatless or Meaty, let's keep it healthy as possible. Have a Happy Labor Day!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

How I Feel About That Necessary Evil Called "The News"

And before anyone says, "That's why I don't watch the news",  know that those of you who don't, are the people don't ever know it was going to rain, get hot or cold this afternoon. So, go over there & sit down please!!!

Can we humans get our crap together for like a good solid week and do nothing wrong. Just one week. Even the entertainment stuff is making me frown. But I Must watch this stuff because I refuse to uniformed.

Dear The News,

If you had a face I would punch it!!!

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Oh Yeah, I Didn't Do a Blue Bell Blog

I just finished a peach before I typed this post. Summer time signals lots of fresh fruit & ice cream for me. Well this summer I've had lot of fresh fruit but no ice cream. I have no good reason why I haven't talked about this issue but I am now. 

Yes, I am a part the masses of Blue Bell fans in the United States. I am a Texan. I may not be the biggest football fan. I've never seen or drank Alamo beer. But you take away my Blue Bell and I am very cranky. I know the people who have Never tasted Blue Bell Do Not understand the freak out when Blue Bell was recalled. 

Blue Bell Ice Cream lives on a  pedestal here. Intellectual Diva (ID), her sister & I were talking last week about the missing ice cream at the wedding activities last month on a Facebook post about the recent Blue Bell activities.

They are classic examples of Blue Bell ice cream fans. ID does not live in Texas but when she comes home, she will have to get her some Blue Bell. Well, she revealed that she wanted Homemade Vanilla dixie cups at the wedding. I added I overheard out of town guests say there was no ice cream for the cobbler at the BBQ. And I just chuckled because they had No clue. Her sister said there wasn't going to be any other ice cream there but Blue Bell. "It's very serious." And It Is!!!

Yes, we have a local ice cream shop called Braum's and it is good.

But I've lived life without it when I lived in Southeast Texas a decade ago. I chose to live there so being without Braum's was a choice. This is the first time I have lived without Blue Bell. And it was not my choice.

I will admit it has been an interesting Summer for my household when it came to desserts. If you know me in offline land, you know the oven is not turned on in my house once the High temperature reaches 85°. Baking is a no-no. So, we rely on frozen treats in the summer for dessert. We've had to lean heavy on the Non-Blue Bell frozen items we eat.

Yep, we've have consumed a lot of popsicles, sherbet & gelato. Mostly the popsicles because sherbet & gelato are very pricey to eat frequently, especially gelato.

I really love the Sea Salt Caramel but it doesn't love my wallet. Sherbet is only pricey in my house because nobody like the same flavor. I'm not a fan of Orange. My mother dislikes Raspberry. My grandmother is not a fan of Peach or Lime. So, I have to buy at least two flavors. This Blue Bell recall (Oh I'm not a fan of Blue Bell sherbet LoL) did let me fulfill a craving. I got to make some Annual Day (Frappe' or Ginger Ale-Sherbet) punch. It is a childhood favorite of mine.

It takes me back to the days at my foundation. If we had refreshments after 3:00 service and they had that drink, I was so happy. I could care less about the cookies & sandwiches. My grandmother's Mission sister, Aunt Doll knew I love that drink so by the time I was a teenager, she would pour me up a big glass like she would herself. I told you all before, I could do no wrong in her eyes. 

Well, we now have a date for when the beloved Blue Bell to return to some of the shelves.

The man in the video is correct, the saints have been praying. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is in the second round. That's fine. I'm letting the crazies go first. I refuse to push & shove for some ice cream. I love it but not that bad. A little indulgence is not worth the frenzy SOME will turn it into.

Oh what are my favorite flavors?

Homemade Vanilla

Dutch Chocolate

Tin Roof

Pecan Praline & Cream or Mexican Praline (I taste no difference)

Moo-llennium Crunch

Peaches & Homemade Vanilla (Only fruit ice flavor I like)

What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below. And anyone reading this and you still do not understand the upset about ice cream. I want to you to sit back an imagine them recalling Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts or all Apple products. Now do you understand?

 As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Men Who Cook (Attractive Characteristics to OUTSPOKEN_DIVA)

One day I am going to buy those kind of aprons for my husband. I refuse to be the only person in my marriage that cooks. I don't mind cooking 85% of the time but my husband must know how to & be willing to cook.

People that know me in offline land know it puzzles me adults that don't know how to cook. Funny part is the gender I mostly know that don't know how to cook are Women. I can't name one man in my life that can't or couldn't cook. If there is one, I don't want to know.

My Grandfather

My grandfather could cook. My great uncles was a much better cook than my great aunts. My dad would cook when my mom was worked late according to my sister. All my male 1st cousins can cook. That is what one does for a living.

Bestie Boo

My Bestie Boo, (He's my best friend & I'm one of his boobies) L.J. can throw down in the kitchen. He and I are always gabbing about what we are cooking and trading recipes. Football Nerd could cook too. One of my good ex's used call me all the time for recipes before he got married. He called so much I made him a folder. Matter of fact I went to his home and taught him how to make pasta salads & broccoli-rice casserole. Even the leader of the bad ex list made me a cheesecake. It was Jello No-Bake but he made it. So, I really don't understand the attitude that Cooking is Women's Work  I don't know for it to exist. Cooking is Everyone's Work. If it is not, how did you eat before I married you? Who provided you with meals when we were dating?

Now, a man doesn't have to cook like G. Garvin (Eye Candy List Member) Tyler Florence (Former Eye Candy List Member (Married)) , Aaron McCargo (Almost Eye Candy List Member(Married)) or any famed chef. Many of us don't cook like that. That is why they have shows so they can show us how to make meals we don't know how to make. Hey, Tyler Florence taught me how to make a Thanksgiving turkey. It just need him to know how to make at least

5 breakfast dishes

3 non-sandwich lunches

7 dinners

15 basic dishes is not a lot of recipes to know how to prepare. 3 meals a day for 7 days a week equal 21 meals a week. Man who can cook tells me

1. He know & uses his basic math & reading skills. People need to those to follow a recipe. Most recipes are not created for the single person. He has to know how to reduce that recipe to fit his needs.
2. He may know how to invest his money. It is cheaper to cook than to eat out. Convenience is expensive. Also he owns more than just salt, pepper, steak sauce, ketchup, mustard & hot sauce to season his food. 
3. He may have an idea what he is eating. Unlike foods purchased from the grocery store, restaurants do not have to disclose ingredients, calories, fat, or additives in your meal.
4. He may be making healthier choices. Now, this is a big may be. I hope his 15 dishes don't only come out of a can or be microwaved. That's not cooking that is warming up.
5. He can teach me about the things he likes & dislikes. Maybe I don't know how to make his favorite dish, It would such a great bonding experience to learn how to make it. 

So, hats off to the men that cook!!!

No woman wants a man that could Not take care of himself before she met him. Cooking for yourself is a part of taking care of yourself. Parent if you are not teaching your children, as in daughters and sons how to cook, you are doing them a disservice. Now, off to clean the kitchen. Everybody is fed in my home. I told you I don't mind cooking most of the time. I mind cooking all the time.


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms