Hungry Man Tested Black Bean Veggie Burger

Black Bean Veggie Burger on Toasted Bun

So my handsome son is home for winter break and has announced that he is eating a more plant based diet - this from the person whom lived to argue vegetarians down about the value of meat,  even though our meat was limited to poultry and fish. I was quite pleased that he has taken the first steps towards more humane and environmentally friendly eating. My uncle likes to tease that me and my dad eat like goats. LOL! One more to add to the herd, I guess. The problem was that my son is very tall and requires some filling food on a college budget and with beginner cooking skills, so I knew veggie burgers were the answer. Being the loving mother that I am, I searched high and low on the web for a simple, budget and man friendly veggie burger recipe. Alas, pictured above is the black bean burger recipe that I felt worthy of this momentous occasion. I added some of my own touches, including, spices, mustard and Worcester sauce.The plan was that we would prepare the veggie burger together, so I could teach him the basics. He had other plans. :(  Being that I was hungry, I commenced to whipping up this recipe on my own. The first hint that this was a success, was the comment, "That smells good". They were quite beautiful, I must admit. After a few bites he exclaimed, "These are really good." Ya Yuh! The final test of a man friendly burger is when the hungry one departs from the couch and the Internet to come into the kitchen and utters these words, "Now how do you make these?" VICTORY IS MINE!!!! It was a great day in my household. We discussed veggie burger basics, variations and eating strategies. I put another batch in the frying pan, while he watched and did the flipping and he ate a second one. That is when you know it's getting real in here....

Hit me up with your favorite vegetarian college food recipes.

 

Eight Budget Friendly Ways to Shop for Fashion, Ethically and Consciously

I read a heartbreaking article in the New York Times about the factory fire in Pakistan, that took over 262 lives in horrific ways (burning, boiling and suffocation). Sounds like something that would have happened in western countries at the time of the industrial revolution, when there were wild, wild west conditions in factories and laborers were the Native Americans. The entire article was basically an indictment of auditing systems that are supposed to be in play by large retailers to prevent these situations, governments that don't give a crap about poor people, poverty, greed and human indifference. I could go on, but in response to a commenter on the article who wanted to know what her options were around putting her money where her values were, I have developed this list of eight ways to shop ethically and consciously with your wallet and still look gooood. Wanna hear it? Hear it goes:

1. Shop Your Closet - clean/organize your closet and find awesome stuff that you totally forgot about! Take pictures of various clothing combinations and store in your smartphone for ideas on those days when you feel you have nothing to wear. This would be a great project for a teenager to do for you. Donate items that you don't, can't or shouldn't wear to a friend or non-profit organization.
2. Catwalk with Friends - have a fashion show with friends featuring some of those clothes from your closet that are still in good condition, but you just don't love anymore (or they don't love you...).
3. Go Thrifting - you will be amazed at what you can find at thrift and consignment shops. Great and unique jewelry, coats, formal wear, amazing shoes and designer fashions for a fraction of the cost of retail. Checkout The Thrifyshopper website for stores near you. Once you experience consignment shopping, your life will not be the same. Even well paid celebrities find vintage and retro clothing add value and zest to their wardrobes. eBay is a great source for thrift, vintage and gently used finds. My son purchased a very nice designer shirt there for $.99! Patagonia, one of the world's most ethical brands, even sells it's gently worn and lifetime guaranteed outdoor wear on eBay. Who knew?
4. Buy Fair Trade - most of us are blessed to have access to some retailers in our communities that sale fair trade goods. There are dozens of shopping sites dedicated to promoting fair trade fashions and even fair trade cities (Chicago). The problem is fair trade can be prohibitive for many of our budgets. It helps to think and shop for long term usage. How can an item be used over multiple seasons and with multiple outfits? Putting my banker hat on, I make a cost per usage calculation ($90/30 uses per year minus the cost of human suffering vs. $25/10 uses per year plus the cost of human suffering, is a pretty good deal to me). The value of eco-ethical shopping sites is that you can often get some really good deals. I recommend, JP Selects, SweatFree Shopping and Eco Fashion World to start. A caveat is that eco doesn't always mean fair trade, so be sure to look for ethical and fair trade in your filters. Another site for great scarves, hats and gloves is Ten Thousand Villages - I volunteer occasionally at the Cleveland store. I often purchase work appropriate dresses, tops and skirts from Revive. If you are in the UK, support African Fair Trade fashionistas by visiting the new Sapelle's online store.
5. Hire an Image Consultant - No really. I invested $50 for one hour with a wonderful image consultant on a color consultation and it was one of the best investments of my life! Armed with a booklet of my optimal colors, I now save time and money by investing only in colors that look great on me and work well together. AICI is the best source for locating an image consultant. If you are in Cleveland, Dawn Waldrop of Best Impressions is the best!
6. Buy Made In The USA - Now I know that there is an argument for supporting imported items as our purchases impact impoverished and disadvantaged people. But at what cost? Enough consumers will continue to purchase cheap imported goods to ensure job security for most overseas factory workers. It is however, essential to be part of a growing chorus of conscientious consumers that send the message with our wallets and our letters, that we can do better. What brands are still made in the USA? Spanx, American Apparel, some New Balance and some Lane Bryant. In addition to one of my favorites, Texture Clothing, Business Week compiled some not so familiar made in the USA brands to consider.
7. Learn How to Sew - easier said than done, but many craft stores and community centers offer sewing classes.
8. Think Minimal - Have a little fun with yourself and do this exercise. You are going on a trip in which you would be engaging in a variety of activities - meetings, partying, gallery hopping, people watching, community service - and can only take 15 items of clothing. What would you take? You may find that you really wear a small percentage of your clothes the majority of your time. So why burden yourself with buying so many clothes when you can keep life simple with 15 items that you absolutely love? You keep it fun and fresh with accessories like scarves and jewelry! I have a skirt that I can wear five different ways, including as a dress. Most of my dresses are worn year round via layering up or down, depending on the season. What would be on your list of 15? 

So there you go. No excuses for not redirecting more of our fashion dollars for the love of strangers. Tis the season!

This is one of my favorite dresses. It is from Texture Clothing and can be worn year round, dressed up or down, is very forgiving and extremely comfortable! I wear it with tights, sandals, sweaters, tees, turtlenecks, blazers, ankle boots, knee high boots, barelegged, you name it. Go to www.textureclothing.com and www.revivestore.com to purchase one for yourself.

Green Christmas Books and Gifts

I browsed through both of these greener Christmas books the other day. "A Greener Christmas" was a little too country and crafty for my tastes, but featured lots of ideas to streamline the holidays and save money. "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas", by Anna Getty, is a better fit for those of you with eco-urban tastes. Anna was featured on a CNN "green your Christmas, segment this weekend.

The last two photos featured, a picture frame and a clutch/makeup bag are from Two's Company and are created from recycled computers. Eco-cool man.

Budget Friendly Organic Fashions

I know that many of you are making out those Christmas and Kwanzaa lists with visions of green in your head. Thanks to my great journalist friend, Chandra, I discovered a green website called Gramicci that features an organic clothing outlet. The clothes featured are competitively priced organic fashion basics. Great way to introduce your loved ones to eco-consciousness and support a budding industry. Start here.

An Eco-Contest Fest For All Interests

Are you a greenie that wants to win some easy green? Greenwala is a green social networking site that seems to love contests. From submitting your green business or workplace to your very green pet photos, there is an eco-friendly contest for everyone! Click here to check them out.

Free Stuff

Kiplinger's Magazine has provided a list of 30 freebies. Having just read the book, "The Scavenger's Manifesto", I couldn't pass up checking out the list. Freebies include:

• Restaurant meals
• Travel Tours
• Places to Stay
• Tech Recycling
• Financial tools and investment advice
• Software
• Video Games
• Birthday goodies
• Movies and Music
• Mobile Apps
• Charitable Giving

Socially Responsible Investing

I finally feel ready to get back in the market again. No, not Whole Foods, I'm still boycotting that place, but the stock market. I'm actually kind of excited because I'm going to be investing with a new attitude! Cautious can describe my new attitude (who isn't after last year), but consciousness is the perfect descriptor. I am going to be a socially responsible investor (SRI) and invest in companies that not only perform financially, but also meet certain employee/community relations, social governance and environmental metrics. The good news is that these types of investments have performed as well as and in many cases better than their peers. The Domini 400 (400 SRI companies) has outperformed the S&P 500 over the years. I plan to speak with my broker about a few mutual funds in this category that are doing well so far this year, Appleseed Fund (35.21% ytd) and Pax World High Yield Bond Fund (27.42% ytd). I will also inquire about Ariel Funds, founded by African American John Rogers, Jr. Click here for details on these popular SRI funds and others. You can go to any bank and ask to speak to an investment officer and there should be someone available to service your needs, even if you are new to investing and have minimal dollars. Don't be surprised though if they are ignorant about socially responsible investments; while SRI's have been around for decades now, and hold assets of $2.71 trillion, some brokers are clueless. So you want to be armed with a little homework. Stick with me this week and I will share my research with you.

Show me the money baby! Hmm. Now, show me how you made it.

Turn Your Restaurant Into an Eco-eatery

Turn Your Restaurant Into an Eco-eatery This is a great story found on Black Enterprise online, about a young black man who is living his green dream. Going green has also helped him to keep overhead expenses low in these tough times. If you are in Maryland, you know have to show some eco-love to this brother.

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Affordable Accessible Green Products

The stainless steel water bottles featured in this photo, were found at CVS for......$3 bucks!

I am finding that eco-friendly and safer products are becoming more mainstream. A common complaint from African Americans has been that these greener and safer products are out of reach financially and geographically. I have noticed over the course of the last year that green goods can now be found at your local drugstore, Wal-Mart, your grocer and even your local discount retailer. This is why it is so important to shop your values, even if you have to cut back elsewhere. At some point the retailers will respond and your preferred products will be more affordable and accessible over time. You have the power to change the world, one dollar at a time - make it rain.

Whole Deals On Good Grub

For some reason, I am addicted to Whole Foods, so I need to monitor my food budget carefully, shopping from a list, buying largest packaged items, food from the bulk bins, eating lots of bean based recipes, buying the 365 brands and planning my menu all keep me on track. I also buy shares from a CSA during the growing season, which saves a ton on produce. Fortunately, the store has also done a great job of educating clients on deals, budget friendly meals and offering coupons. Check out this section of their website for information on money saving meal plans.

More Resources for Budget Friendly Green Goods

We can never have enough resources for finding deals on green stuff. Check out the sites listed on the blog of my fellow Clevelander turned Tacomaian, Green For The Rest of Us, for more money saving opportunities. The list includes to sites for parents.

Can You Eat Consciously/Organically on Food Stamps?

CNN reporter Sean Calleb highlighted the limitations of families getting by on food stamps last month. Check out his blog posts chronicling his attempt to live on a $176 food budget (what a single person would qualify for in New Orleans, LA). At first I was dismayed by his initial food choices early in the month (processed packaged foods), but encouraged that he learned that actually was cheaper and healthier to purchase fresh or frozen foods and prepare for himself. Though you pay in time (planning, preparing and cleaning). Sean received many emails, including one that suggested that we return to growing community gardens. His experience caused me to wonder how much my conscious eating habits would change if I had to rely on food stamps. Here are a few thoughts:

• My diet would evolve around beans -soup, stew, casseroles, fritters, hummus and falafel
• Eggs would be featured more often in dinner entrees via frittatas and omelets
• Breakfast - oatmeal, toast, fruit, eggs
• Would bake my own bread - quick breads for breakfast, yeast breads for lunch/dinner, more cornbread and biscuits and homemade cookies
• Whole wheat pasta with bean or ground turkey/chicken as secondary proteins
• Grow my own produce via home or community garden, freeze and can excess
• Pick fruit and veggies from farms that allow this (freeze and can)
• Buy in-season produce or frozen produce
• Eat more soups
• Drink a lot more water and green tea (loose leaf home brewed) to stay full
• Buy in bulk and purchase concentrated juice products
• Would have to limit organic to "dirty dozen", sale items and buy in bulk when on sale
• Eat a more vegetarian/vegan lifestyle (would have to evaluate cost of protein substitutes like tempeh, seitan and tofu, though I would have to watch the soy given my history)
• Fiber, fiber, fiber...keeps you full and flushes out disease causing toxins

Would you be able to live as consciously or organically? How?

Organic Savings Jackpot!

All of this talk about saving money and my own efforts to trim my grocery spending (which is going well) led me to this organic savings bonanza. This site has coupons for organic foods and shopping tips for saving money on these products.

Eat, be well and save dough.

Black Bloggers Declare February "No Buy Month"

Hello readers! With all of the news about this company laying off 10,000 folks and that company eliminating 15,000 jobs, each and every month, people are starting to get serious about saving money and not buying so much stuff! Oil prices are down because people are not driving as much and are barely shopping. While this is great for the environment, it is playing havoc on our economy (which is why we need to completely revamp via the creation of a green economy-tell your senator to support the green jobs provision of the stimulus). Many bloggers this year are chronicling their journey to spending less money. A couple, including The Frugalista and Afrobella have declared February as "no buy month" (at least for non-essentials). I am impressed with The Frugalista aka Natalie McNeal's start so far, because she featured a vegetarian stir fry meal in one of her first "buy nothing" posts and has decided to fill that shopping time with workout time. Woo Hoo! It is my hope that as people monitor their spending, that they become more conscious about what they do spend, what is the impact on their mind and bodies, their communities and the lives of people that produce those items? The weak economy revealed the inherent weaknesses and flaws in our "gotta have it all now" lifestyles. Hopefully as people take these spending sabbaticals, they will realize that life goes on without having it all and they will find what they are looking for-themselves.

Going Green Can Make You Money

Still waiting on that W-2? Need cash now to buy some hot Valentines Day gifts or to pay your gas bill? Check out this article in Planet Green which features ways you can make money by going green. And you thought you only saved money by going green. Karma baby!

Organic Lifestyle on Sale Now!!

Heads up - now is a great time to get great budget friendly deals on organic household stuff. Sheets, towels, blankets, sofa covers, cookware, cosmetic giftsets, candles and clothing are now available at discounted prices. JC Penney, Target, Whole Foods and Wal-mart are just a few places to find these deals.

Tips for Saving Money on Organic Food

Found this article from a 2004 piece by a Bankrate writer for the Organic Consumers Counsel on how to buy organic food on a budget. Bankrate is a provider of comparative rate information on a number of financial products. Check it out.