Black Bean Burgers

Good morning everyone! Thank you for all the comments on meat verses no meat yesterday! You all are so insightful and I think we all basically feel the same way. Meat should be bought responsibly, as much as possible, which is why when I get back from vacation I will be buying up a whole bunch from Whole Foods. (Like some of your suggested!) I feel bad sometimes that Danny is getting gypped from eating meat at dinner most nights of the week; then I think about how it cuts carbon emissions when you reduce the amount of meat in your diet and I don't feel as bad. 


Yesterday I went to the gym after school to hit up a quick session on the elliptical. I caught some of Jessica Simpson's, The Price of Beauty and watched some of Ellen. The Price of Beauty seemed really interesting, she was in Paris learning about what beauty means to them, which is confidence. I only saw about 10 minutes of it, so I can't really give a full report. And then I watched the beginning of Ellen. Did anyone else see this? I was laughing so hard at the gym with the blind folded musical chairs. 


When I got home I did some yoga stretching and then cooked dinner. It was quick, but I was pretty impressed with it. I decided to make vege stuffed red peppers and some black bean burgers.  I had a recipe from Aviva at The Scramble, which she so nicely sent me.  I didn't have all of the ingredients, since I'm emptying out my cabinets this week so I improvised. I thought this may come out like my last flop, but it didn't!

Vegan Black Bean Burgers!
adapted from The Scramble.com


Ingredients

15 oz. canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup diced tomatoes OR 1 Tbsp. tomato paste or salsa (I used diced tomatoes)
1/4 red onion, minced (1/2 cup) 
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
2 tbs of flax seeds, in 2 tbs water (let sit for 10 minutes)
1/4 cup dry polenta
sea salt and pepper
5 Mary's Gone Crackers, crumbled up OR 1/4 cup whole grain breadcrumbs

Mix ingredients in food processor until chunky. Form into about 6 patties. Preheat a pan on medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cook patties on each side for about 6-7 minutes. 

Obviously I ate WAY more than this..

I need to start packing for our vacation asap. The lists are flowing. What are your essentials for vacation packing?? Have a great Thursday, 2 days till the weekend!! 


And a special CONGRATS to my sister who got a 2nd interview for an internship with MTV this summer. Let's keep our fingers crossed she gets it!!