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

Spelman Cuts Ties With Cosby

I told you guys months about Spelman College suspending professorship endowment money donated from Bill Cosby and his charities. (Here's the Blog Post). I told you guys I would be paying close attention. Well this week, they made it official and discontinued the Cosby endowment. You can read the New York Times  & USA Today and get news coverage.

I'm not shocked. When the 2005 court disposition documents were unsealed and it revealed he had obtained Quaaludes "with the intent of giving them to young women he wanted to have sex with," I knew then that should be the nail in his coffin for who ever was trying to give him some benefit of the doubt. Spelman at that point had just "suspended" the money so they were still giving him a little hope of belief. Then the admission of having the drugs to give to ladies he wanted to sleep with had to have been the point where they said enough is enough.

Now, we shouting "Black Lives Matter" & "Say Her Name" because of police brutality running rampant in the country. And we should. But we also need to stand up to folks that are harming us in other ways.

Sorry, but what Bill Cosby admitted to is dangerous. Even if the women knew they were taking the drugs. Even if he gave them the drug but didn't get to have sex with the women. Even if he never gave anyone any pills. Just the his mindset of what he wanted to do with the drugs is menacing. Quaaludes were prescription drugs that were legally used as a sedative for relaxation. But folks started misusing them because of their possible side effects that can include drowsiness, dizziness, increased sexual arousal (aphrodisia), and paresthesias (the numbness of the fingers and toes). I don't care if everybody was doing it. Bill Cosby knew that was wrong in the 1970's, just like he knows that it was wrong now

Who wants money from somebody who thinks/thought that was okay to do? . Well, Spelman College does not. I can't imagine what the board went through making that decision. If you think funding for public, private, & charter schools is baffling, think about funding for universities & college . Faculty see a mere fraction of the tuition & fees that paid. I think I read when tuition was increased by an average of 72%, faculty salaries only increased by 2.1%. That's what many of the endowments granted pay for. I've seen professor fight to be able to be the one to teach both summer sessions because of the pay. Oh and I went to & graduated from state funded schools. Spelman is a historically black, liberal arts women’s college that is privately funded. I hope no one lost their job. I hope a course or courses was/were not cut because this controversy.  But right is right. I pray that they are blessed with funding from sources that match their mission & moral standings. Spelman like its motto had to make "a choice to change the world". Trust me somebody in the world is impacted by this. Spelman, A Historically Black, Liberal Arts Women’s College decided not to take money from a man who at least had plans to give a women drugs so he could have sex with her. *slow clap*

Oh yeah a side note. Just because Bill Cosby obtain Quaaludes in order to screw women he liked doesn't mean Sagging pants is okay. Pull Your Pants Up!!1

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

My Weirdest Random Facebook Friend Request

Okay like everyone else after I wake up, talk to the Lord, contemplate my life and day, & get ready for the day, I check the net to find out what I missed while I was sleep. Lo & Behold did I got a random friend requests on Facebook, today.

Truth be told some of these
"Mutual Friends" also

Like most people the random Facebook friend requests I get are some random guys looking to date or screw me or kidnap me to sell me into sexual slavery (Sometime along with an inbox message. Oh those are really funny). I don't use Social Media as a dating site (It's for the people who know my biological name in offline land, that I want to be social with,) so all of them get denied. Crazy part is as bad as I dislike them, I always click on the profile to see what I can see before I deny them Facebook friendship. This one today had to be by far the weirdest one yet for me

I was expecting a face that more than likely belongs to someone of foreign descent or some geriatric sugar daddy (Yeah the "Bapti-Costal" look brings the deacons & trustees to the gate. LoL) for his profile picture. I'm a plus size woman there are some men I know I attract, whether I am attracted or not. This time I didn't get a face. I got this.

I'll protect the stupid.
(This Time)

What the heck? He has the unmitigated gall to make this is profile picture. I was so perplexed that he tried it. Does this actually work for him? Is there any woman this desperate & gullible to accept & meet this man. Do I want to know the chick that hits accept? No One can be this dumb. All I could do was screen shot this stuff. and get ready for the day. I had a client in an hour and my FB activity had nothing to do with them.

The person Facebook says
 I may know
(I don't)
will be protected.
They had nothing to do with this.

If you know Mr. Osaruyi, tell him to STOP!!!

That profile picture is not cute. He is Not fooling me. And I will pray for anyone that is fooled into being his Facebook friend. This is one of the reasons why I deny All random Facebook friend request. Too many dangerous weirdos in the world to let into mine. But I know I'm preaching to the choir. What was your weirdest social media friend request? Leave it in the comments below.

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

Darla Neugebauer!!!

Okay if you are not caught up go read THIS and then come back.

*tuh*

In my opinion, that diner owner should not be sorry. I am ever in Maine, I will be stopping into her diner. After 15 minutes, I would've yelled at the parents. I'm sorry but children do not learn how to behave in public if you allow them to go crazy. If they don't feel well, stay home. That is Not fair to others trying to eat, shop, ect in peace.

Three things I Hate, Yes Hate for children to do in Restaurants, Planes & Stores.
1.Irate Screaming
2. Running Around
3. Kneeling in a chair 

I'm not saying that children should not be allowed to dine at restaurants. I just think they should not be allowed to run a muck in public.  I'm not saying you should vigilante smack any & all unruly children. That is going to far. I actually don't talk to the children of strangers. After I survey the situation (The child might have special needs or the child is screaming because the parent disciplined them, in which I understand & say nothing) I speak to the parent(s). Recently in a Big Box store, two children kept running in front of everyone's carts causing a ruckus. Finally I turned to the parents or adults they were with and said, "This is how your kids are going to get knocked the heck out off. They are running in front of everyone causing problems." I walked off not worrying about their reactions. I just know those little girls were not running around anymore. 

And this is not a race or culture issue. In my black family, I have a younger cousin who kneeled everywhere she ate. One family event, I made her sit on her bottom and I never said it again. Even my nephew has to be told to stand where I can see him from time to time in the store. So before someone say that it's that race or that race let stop you, Every Race of Children acts up in public from time to time. It is up to the Adults to help them to behave properly.

That is one of the reasons why I am Not a parent. Parenting, in my opinion is the raising the next generation to be viable citizens of the world. That is a daunting task. And letting a child scream for almost an hour at a restaurant is not leading her to be a good inhabitant. Ignoring cries also says those parents are selfish people also. They were not being fair to the other diners or the owner. The diner owner didn't curse at the child. She didn't even put them out. *slow clap" to Darla Neugebauer. Yes, it is easier when somebody else does it. But you did it and I respect you for it. 

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms