9 months & Black Bean Burgers

Wedding Count Down: 9 Months!

This is single digits. This means it feels really, really, real. Wow.

In my 10 months post I gave myself a few goals of what I wanted to get done & I think I did a pretty good job:

• still find a band I have found great bands but they are all over my budget.
• still find a videography Done! Once it gets closer I need to watch a ton of videos and pick my style.
• address & mail my save the dates Dropped them off yesterday at the post office
• figure out a honeymoon destination  Now Geoff gets to book it :)
• finalize bridesmaid dresses LOVE them. I may keep them for myself.
• get my body in shape HA I did get back in the gym & had a few good workouts but that's it...

I blurred out the details :)

I even got a few of my DIY projects done. I borrowed Mama Pink Strings sewing machine & went to work. Needless to say we haven't eaten dinner at the dining table in over a week. I also ordered the most amazing initials. I may be more excited to hang them in our house post wedding...

Now for goals this month:

• Order bridesmaid dresses 
• Order my wedding shoes, this may be plural (hope Mama Green Bean isn't reading this on vacation)
• GET A PASSPORT 
• Determine information to go on invitations 
• Still find a band
• Photo booth sewing project
• Finish goodie bag prep
• Get in shape. hahaha. I have a bad feeling this will be every month...

This may appear to be a lot but the only toughie besides the band (any suggestions?)  is getting a passport. I had one years ago & at some point it went MIA. Now I need to figure out the process for lost passports.

All of this listing has got me hungry. Good thing dinner last night (some how) turned out AMAZING.

The idea started when our avocado tree that produced zero avocados last year has grown some of the most amazing avocados this past week. Lots of them.

With publix selling avocados for $2.50 a piece I could be making some money (for more wedding shoes perhaps) but no we are selfish and would rather eat copious amounts of healthy fats, multiple times a day. My method of choice? The spoon. Why eat extra calories when you can eat it straight?

Ok. You can only eat so much via the spoon method before you decide to upgrade. Upgrade to what you may ask? Black bean burgers!

I had extremely high hopes for these burgers. I can't eat many frozen black bean burgers because so many include corn or soy & I can't eat either and they are pricey. Mama Pink String makes very yummy black bean burgers but they contain brown rice which is great but I didn't have any cooked rice & I just wanted beans.

This is what began the "just throw everything into the food processor method". Don't do this. I put the beans in first then added the onion, garlic, jalapeno, carrots,  & flax. I know you are always supposed to process the veg before you add beans and such but I just wasn't really paying attention. After processing, I still had chunks of veg and bean dip consistency. I even contemplated heating it up and calling it a dip but one can only eat so many dips with a spoon. I then proceeded to grind some gluten free oats in the blender and folded them in with spices. That was what it needed. I was so proud. We may have opened a bottle of bubbly to celebrate.

Black Bean Burgers

4 cups cooked black beans, rinsed
1/4 onion
1 glove garlic
1/2 jalapeno
1/2 cup carrots
1 tablespoon ground flax
2/3 cup ground oats, do not process to flour
1 tablespoon cumin
salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Process pre chopped onion, garlic, jalapeno, and carrot until small pieces remain and ingredients are combined.

Add beans, flax and cumin process until beans are broken down. Don't take to a hummus stage but leave slightly chunky.

Transfer to a bowl and stir in the oats and season to taste with salt.

With wet hands form beans into patties and place on a cookie sheet. I was able to make 8.

You can now refrigerate until ready to cook or cook immediately for about 15 minutes or until exterior is crispy and burgers are warmed through.

This may not look like the most appealing burger but are hamburgers very attractive? Exactly. Serve with guac and salsa with or with out a bun and you have a winner. Geoff ate two! He had grilled a bunch of chicken for lunch for the next few days and I think he also did that as a back up plan "just in case". Smart man. But he just ate the burgers. Yay.

Guac to burger ratio 1:1. Alongside the burgers we had my favorite side: baked sweet potato fries. To make just slice sweet potatoes with skin on (wash well because the skin is good for you!), spray with olive oil and season as desired. I seasoned this batch with cumin, chili powder and salt. Bake for around 25 to 30 minutes depending on how large your slices are and be sure to flip halfway through.  Every time I make them, I wish I would have made more. Typical.

Enjoy! This weekend I plan on working in the living room to give a living room Where We Are now.

.live creatively well.
-nicole

More Chickpeas!

When you cook 3 cups of dried chickpeas that means you have a TON of chickpeas to use up.

So far:

Cumin Chickpea Patties

Arugula Basil Pasta Salad  (One thing I learned this week: If I delete pictures from Picasa web albums, they get deleted from the blog. I wont make this mistake again. Bummer)

Lemon Basil Hummus

Whats next?

Chickpea Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing

Dressing:

1/4 cup cilantro

1 clove garlic

1/2 ripe avocado

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon lime juice

s&p to taste

Salad:

1 can or 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas, drained & rinsed

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

1/2 cup green onions, sliced

Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor and process until cilantro is chopped and dressing is combined. Toss will chickpeas, tomatoes & green onions. 

Serve as a side or as a main atop of whole grains or mixed greens. The avocado makes the dressing creamy and the cilantro and lime keeps it light and perfect for summer.

Guess what? I had even more chickpeas remaining :) I promised I didn't use canned chickpeas. I still have a few cans sitting in reserve for when the need of roasted chickpeas strikes. If you have never had roasted chickpeas you are missing out. The first time I had them they were at a Abattoir in Atlanta and they were called ceci peas. Fried Chickpeas with cumin?! Yes please. I actually had the opportunity to work on the build out (interior design) of the restaurant and spent many hours after work with a bowl of ceci peas. They go great with beer FYI :) Abattoir has gotten a ton of press and even though the name means slaughterhouse they have great vegetarian options. All of the veggies are local and many are from the owners farm. Check it out!

 The chief told me to toss chickpeas in olive oil, cumin, and salt and roast in a 425 degree oven until crispy. I have eaten my weight in roasted chickpeas and the blog world seems to appreciate them as well. It always works with black eyed peas. Recipe soon but first a simple, clean the fridge & finish the chickpeas recipe.

Clean the Fridge Grains  & Veg

4 servings whole grains

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup carrots, diced

1 cup mushrooms, diced

1 cup diced tomatoes or cherry tomatoes

1 bag spinach

1.5 cups chickpeas

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon olive oil

s&p  

Over medium, low heat, coat pan with the olive oil and saute onion, garlic and carrots until tender, about 5 minutes.

Cook grains according to package directions while vegetables cook.

Add tomatoes and mushrooms and cook until tomatoes begin to soften.

Add spinach to pan and cook until leaves being to wilt.

Season with s&p.

Once grains have cooked, stir in chickpeas. I added additional tomatoes.

Mix in the vegetable mixture, lemon juice and season with additional s&p if needed.

This is a super simple side dish or main for multiple lunches. You can use whatever vegetables that you may have on hand and whatever grain you prefer.

Enjoy! I am cooking black beans tonight & can't wait for just as many black bean recipes. 

Happy Belated Birthday 6 Petals!

.live creatively well.

-nicole.



I know I say I live for the weekend but I REALLY live for long weekends. The feeling of relaxing on a Sunday afternoon knowing that you still have one more day can't be beat. Life is good.

Geoff's favorite type of food is Mexican and that is 100% ok with me. For him anything wrapped in a tortilla = Mexican but with me it is the spices, the beans (more beans I know) & how easy dishes can become vegan/vegetarian.

I know I said I am going to try to use dry beans but we had a few cans of black beans in pantry & I couldn't let them go to waste :)

Simple Black Beans

2 cans cooked black beans, drained & rinsed (or 3 cups cooked)
3 green onions, diced (or 1/2 an onion)
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 jalapeno, diced (or more if you like it hot)
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (or chopped tomatoes)
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro
Salt  & Pepper to taste

Over medium low heat, spray saute pan with olive oil and saute onion, pepper, jalapeno, and garlic until soft, around 7 minutes. 

Add spices, tomatoes and beans and cook until heated through. Finish with lime juice and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

I enjoyed mine with left over brown rice and Geoff had a "burrito".

During the work week the simpler the meal the better. An additional way I used my home cooked chickpeas coming tomorrow!

.live creatively well.

-nicole. 

Cumin Chickpea Patties

Last night I made my favorite vegan meal that I have ever ate. I didn't feel guilty serving it to Geoff & he didn't even complain that there wasn't meat.
It was vegan, oil free, gluten free, & completely home made. I even made enough to freeze & have for future meals. I will admit that there are times that I make a dish that I have high expectations for and it is a total flop. It finds the trash or dog bowl before Geoff even gets home from work & I promise those recipes will never show face here.

I am still on cloud nine.

It all started here...

This is a bowl of dried chickpeas, soaking in water (over night). Why? Well you can thank Edible Perspective. She has a series she calls "Recipes for Mom" and her most recent was cooking beans. I have never cooked dried beans and I go through many of cans of beans a week. Between the wedding, the house, & life I have decided that I need to save money wherever I can & I have put myself on a budget. Beans were a great starting point.

For around $2 & a borrowed slow cooker (Thanks Mama Pink String!), I made 6 cups of cooked beans. This is about 4 cans and at over $2 a can for organic, no salt added, you can do the math.  I followed Edible Perspective's method but had to cook then for about an hour longer & didn't use salt or oil. I am on the search for Kombu to add next time.

Now back to dinner...

I love anything in the shape of a patty/burger except burgers obviously. The recipes are always easy to double, then freeze and have for many more meals.

Cumin Chick Pea Patties

1 Onion, diced
2 Tablespoons Cumin Seeds
1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
3 Cups Cooked Chick Peas
2 Tablespoons Tahini
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Flax Egg (1 Tablespoon Ground Flax, 3 Tablespoons Water & let Gel for 5 Minutes)
1/2 Cup Brown Rice Flour (or all purpose)
S&P



Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Spray skillet with olive oil and saute onion over medium low heat until softened, around 7 minutes.

Add cumin seeds and cayenne pepper and continue to cook until fragrant, around two more minutes 

While onions are cooking, combine chick peas, tahini, lemon juice, flax egg, and brown rice flour in a food processor. Pulse until a paste forms. Add onions and spices and pulse until combined. Season to taste with Salt and pepper.

Form dough into 12 "patties" and sprinkle with addition cayenne pepper or paprika for color.

Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown on the outside.

Allow to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes to set. Don't allow your fiance to walk in and think they are cookies and grab one off of the plate.

I served the patties along side sort grain brown rice and the most amazing  "creamed" kale. I have never had kale before and it has been on my list to try for a long time. I was slightly intimidated by the kale in the produce section so instead I bought a bag of frozen kale from Whole Foods. Guess what? There was a recipe on the bag that was for vegan creamed kale. I actually had all of the ingredients on hand so I gave it a shot. The cream part was raw cashews, sauteed onion, vegi broth, non dairy milk (I used rice), nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes as well as white miso and nutmeg. I didn't use the miso or nutmeg and it was delicious. You will have to go buy a bag and find the recipe as well. I WILL be buying more.

This is a great recipe to get back on track to eating healthy and trying new ingredients.

.live creatively well.

-nicole

Versatile Blogger Award

Let's just say I have a smile on my face & its because I just adore the blogging world. People are just so darn nice in blogland.

A few weeks ago I participated in the Pinterest Summer Challenge and made my dinning room table benches. One of the fun things about this challenge was not just the fact that I have benches for my table but getting to see what so many other talented bloggers where able to do in just a few short days.

One of these talented bloggers was Jileen at The Overhaul.



She may have won me over with the kilt, or the fact that she lives in the United Kingdom but either way her blog is so much fun. She focuses on DIY & reno of her family's home. Any blog that features a tour of their home makes me so excited. I LOVE to house crash whether it be in person or with pictures. So much fun.

Jileen presented me with the Versatile Blogger Award!

Thank you Jileen! Now the work begins...

Once awarded this fun award, one must:

1. Thank the blogger who presented me with the award. Thanks Jilleen!
2. Share 7 things about ones self. See below...
3. Pass the award along to 10 other deserving bloggers. Yay!

7 Things About Miss Pink String & Green Beans...

1. I was born in "The OC" which when I went to college everyone thought was the coolest thing thanks to Laguna Beach & The OC TV shows being all the rage at that time. Yes the weather is perfect, the people are fake & it is very expensive to live there. Hence #2...
2. I moved to Bakersfield a few years into my life.(map quest it, its pretty much the middle of nowhere but has the 2nd worst air in the US) I can bet that if you are eating a bag of baby carrots they are from Bakersfield...
3. I crave carrots. I always have bags of them in my fridge. I hate cooked carrots though. They can be diced & in a soup or dish but whole or chopped cooked carrots? I won't eat them.
4. I also love pistachios. I can & will eat them until I am sick. Momma Green Bean makes a makes-me-not-want-to-be-vegan pistachio fudge that I ate growing up that I still crave. I need to figure out how to make vegan fudge.
5. I have only left the United States once & that was on a cruise with my family to some awful town in Mexico. Remind me to never go on a cruise again. Unless it is to Alaska.
6. I really want to go to Alaska & Montana & Oregon & Maine & pretty much every state in the US & I hope to accomplish this and do this when I have kids (far down the road... you can stop knitting the baby blanket Mama Green Bean)  Geoff has been to all but 2 states & he is going to one of them in a few months. Not fair.
7. I have a fear of killing bugs. I feel like it is karma. I had a brown widow spider living in my mail box for weeks/months & didn't want to kill it. I finally told Geoff about it & he took care of it. It was huge, brown & had the red triangles. I would post the picture but I like y'all more then that so google it if you must :)

Now for Passing Along the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. 6petals I have talked about this blog (& shop!) quite often. Vintage goods + amazing photo shop skills.
2. M Marie I wish I could do self portraits & outfit posts & get away with it. LOVE her boutique.
3. A Pretty Penny This blog is just too cute & demonstrates affordable fashion. I need to start bargain shopping.
4. A Home in The Making More Room Crashing!
5. Manifest Vegan Chocolate Chip Cherry Brownies that I can eat. Need I say more?
6. Something Old Something New Weddings planned by sisters? Very well done.
7. Edible Perspective Dogs, Doughnuts & Enchilada Sauce.

This maybe isn't 10 but here are 7 that I enjoy to read, find I relate to & want to steal ideas daily. I hope you enjoy!

.live creatively well.
-nicole.

Simple Addicting Cashew Sauce

This weekend was once again spent here....

Watching Geoff save the day. 

As my heart breaks for those up north who were hit by Irene, down in Florida we lucked out big time. We just had some rain, lots of heat, and a good amount of wind. Hence the umbrella flying away.... 

The beach pictures were taken from my iPhone with the Hipstamatic app. I may have found this months after everyone else but it is a fun way to take pictures with a vintage vibe. 

Last week I made a sauce that took a surprising turn to the better. By surprising, I mean I was not sure how I felt about it until I poured it all over my plate & couldn't stop eating it. I have been allergic to peanuts for years (not deathly allergic but highly sensitive to them) and because of this I haven't ever had a peanut sauce. I always see peanut sauces on restaurant menus and all over the blog world and I finally decided I was going to give it a shot but with cashews. 

A trip to the health food store & many licks of the spoons this is what I came up with.

Simple Addicting Cashew Sauce

4 tablespoon roasted cashew butter 

2 tablespoon coconut milk

2 tablespoon maple syrup

2 tablespoon lime juice

2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

hot sauce to taste

Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender. I used my small food processor and it did not get smooth enough. I could still taste the grittiness from the cashew butter. Thin with water to reach desired consistency. 

Serve over sauteed vegetables and Asian noodles. I bought the wrong noodles. Even though, they said brown rice noodles they were 40% wheat flour so Geoff got all of the noodles. 

The toasted sesame oil gives this dish a very unique sweet/nutty taste that is addicting. I wish I would have made more. 

As you can see mushrooms are still making an appearance in my dinners. I am trying. I have found that chopping them very small, sauteing them with plenty of EVOO & S&P, and covering them in a sauce makes them easier to eat. They are still not in my top 10 foods. I hope they will get there. Someday. 

.live creatively well. 

-nicole. 

Where We Are Today: Bathroom

TGIF y'all!

This week has been crazy & I am so ready for the weekend (I am always ready for the weekend, who isn't?)

What is the perfect way to kick off the weekend? With a Where We Are Today update! Remember the Laundry Room update? Well now it is time for the bathroom :)

Before:

You are probably trying to figure out why we would want to gut this beauty? It was a tough decision but it came down to space. My 5'4" self couldn't sit on the toilet (with the seat closed & my clothes on) without my shins on the tub & my elbow resting on the sink. Now picture Geoff's 6' plus frame attempting the same task. Not a chance. 

Now for demo & investigations. My favorite/least favorite part. A total love hate relationship. 

One would have thought that this house had never been updated. Boy was I wrong. 

Below the very attractive, hairspray & dirt covered faux wood paneling was this faux plastic tile. Sea foam green is always a good choice for the bathroom. This demo duty was all mine  & lucky for me the wood paneling was in sheets and only held up with small brads, trim, bathroom hardware & glue. The tiles were only held on by glue and they were not connected to each other. After removing the additional bathroom hardware, trim & decorative items, it was time to tackle the floors. I once again assumed that the linoleum was original. Nope. The bottom of the three was though. I wish I had pictures. There was actually hardwood floor under the linoleum. Most of it was rotten because of water damage but some I saved for patching. 

It was now Geoff's turn. 

Since our home was built in the 1940's the walls are plaster. Plaster is some strong, heavy stuff. I still have nightmares. Geoff used every tactic out there. Sledge hammers, power tools & man strength. Notice the sweat? Ya. It was summer, in Central Florida. Have I mentioned that he is a total stud lately? 

While we were in demo mode we also took out the closet & water heater that took up valuable bathroom space. 

Then I had to remove all of the nails. Hundreds of them. I think I could have sold them for scrap and bought myself something pretty. Something pretty being my swimming pool that happens to be located in my bathroom. 

I measured (twice) and the tub that took me months to find seemed to fit perfect. It didn't seem too big on the internet. Yes the world wide web. Well actually I found it online, priced it online & went to Lowes and flirted bargained with the commercial sales guy to special order it for me at the same price. He did. 

A few weeks later it arrived. When I walked into my kitchen, I wasn't sure if I should jump for joy or start crying.  A minor freak out, a few beers, and about an hour of sitting in it, it was decided that it would work perfect. The bruises on my inner thigh from stepping into on a daily basis may tell a different story (you DO NOT want a picture). The tub sat in the kitchen for months. Literally months, maybe 6. 

Measuring, concrete board, framing, water proofing, insulation, and all of that followed. Not in that order. 

One the room was brought back to a room I could get involved again. We once again decided to go with 6" tongue and groove boards. I HATE drywall.  I agree that it has a place in the construction industry but not in a home that was built 60 years ago that has plaster everywhere else and not when Geoff will be the one doing it. I love the look of the boards. They add a texture and detail that can not be accomplished with drywall. There is a whole lot more room for error. 

The boards went up with only minor problems. Geoff loved the look of the raw boards but I had to explain we live on a lake and not on a mountain. I said he could leave his closets raw. Deal. 

Painting is my job. Painting is something that I always thought I enjoyed. Not so much any more. Renovating a house will do that to you but I love how a can of paint can transform a space. We went with a straight from the can white. 

Now for where we are today. This is really exciting for me just FYI. This is my favorite room. 

Welcome:

I hope you can notice the difference. It is a little more white & a little less brown. 

Ah. Geoff's thrown. A birthday present from Mama Pink String :) 

The ceiling is blue. I never thought I liked blue but it has been a trend. It is amazing that your eyes aren't drawing to the ceiling. It is not over powering at all. I love the added punch of color. 

A white floor mat is a horrible idea. On the search for a new one...

Restoration Hardware lights. These make me very happy. The fact that they were on super sale when we bought them makes me even happier. 

Try taking pictures in a small room that has a mirror and not take a peace self portrait. 

Pedistool sink that was donated to me by my last job. "You uninstall it, you get it" (It was a model & never hooked up to plumbing) 

The original house hardware. Once again, Love. Notice the yellow tinge of the door? We have a solution but its a secret. 

My pony, privacy wall/door stop. 

I am extremely happy with how it turned out. You would have no idea how it used to look & that is the idea. Between the marble tile, subway tile, pedistool sink, swimming pool, hardware, fixtures, & ceiling I can't quite pick a favorite. 

Things I would change:

• Would not have bought a white bath mat (easy fix)
• Would have gone with a darker grout for the floor tile

We still have plenty of work left though. 

• Storage, storage, & more storage. 
• Artwork
• Repaint the door
• More storage
• Repaint the mirror frame

I suppose not too much more to do besides keep it clean. We chose polished nickel for the hardware & I am having the hardest time keeping it clean and getting all of the water spots off of it. Any suggestions?