Wordless Wednesday Cary, NC

Lighted Fountain in Park at corner of S. Academy St. and Kildaire Farm Rd. 

Cary, NC is one of the south’s fastest growing towns and voted one of the best places to work and live in the country (Money Magazine). We visited there in the fall, and I'm finally able to post about it now.

I was so excited about going on the trip, that the night before I didn't sleep that well. Then, with fully packed airplane cabins during our connecting flights, we were anxious to land, stretch, and walk around.

My husband and I were grateful the downtown area, where our boutique hotel, the Mayton Inn, was located was only a quarter hour drive away from the airport. 

The Mayton Inn, in downtown Cary has custom built furnishings to reflect the feel of the 1920's, and environmentally responsible and green technologies were incorporated during construction and have been in place since it opened.

More About the Mayton Inn

Cary was a fun place for us to visit, because we spent quality time with family, had meals at delicious vegan friendly restaurants, and found great walking and recreational areas. 

We also discovered unique shops and things to do and see.

The revitalized downtown area has welcomed a fresh crop of new businesses, and is home to the Cary Arts Center and public library. Lovely homes, shops and restaurants, and street art line the brick walkways, with plenty of greenery interspersed.

Thanks for coming along with me to Cary, NC.

The quote for today follows: 

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” 

― Terry Pratchett, A Hat Full of Sky

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Before you go, please remember to comment and reshare. Have you been to this part of NC? Please let me know what you think you'd enjoy in Cary. If you're a native, what's your favorite place to hang out.

I appreciate the visit and hope you'll visit my blog again.

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Gluten free Vegetarian Chili that's Fast, Flavorful, and Protein Rich

The multilayered flavor of this vegetarian chili comes from basic pantry ingredients including vegetables and spices. This dish is simple and inexpensive to make, gluten free, vegan, and loaded with plant-based taste, protein, and fiber. Feel free to leave out or add additional vegetables or seasonings, and know any beans you like fit in well. The recipe is adaptable and forgiving so relax and have fun in the kitchen. 

The way this dish is set up now, it yields 4 large or 6 moderate servings. It contains approximately 10 g of protein in every portion, and makes great leftovers too. 

Ingredients

·       1 medium organic red onion, chopped

·       1 large organic red bell pepper, chopped

·       2 medium organic carrots, chopped

·       1 4 oz. can organic mushrooms chopped

·       1 ½ cups organic frozen corn kernels (defrost in refrigerator for a few hours)

·       4 squirts Braggs Liquid Aminos (or 2 tablespoons gluten free low sodium soy sauce)

·       2 large or 4 small cloves garlic chopped

·      3 tablespoons chili powder

·       2 teaspoons ground cumin

·        a few sprigs fresh oregano

·       1 small can (15 ounces) organic diced tomatoes with juice (I used fire roasted tomatoes)

·       1 can (15 oz.) organic black beans, drained

·       1 can (15 oz.) organic mixed beans, drained (the mixed beans I selected contained kidney, black, and pinto beans)

·       1 can (15 oz.) organic kidney beans, drained

·       ½  to 1 jalapeño pepper (use gloves to take out the seeds and cut in half, then chop fine) Omit this ingredient, if you like a milder chili or increase the amount if you like it hot)

·       1 cup water

·       1 bay leaf

·       1 to 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice (use the juice you like best)

·       Garnishes can include: sliced avocado, guacamole, corn chips, scallions, radish, red onion, gluten free vegan cheese, nutritional yeast. 

What to Do:

      1.  In a large Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot, put in chopped red onion and sauté dry over medium heat until soft (about 2 minutes). Add chopped garlic, red bell pepper, carrots, mushrooms, and stir. Continue to sauté  without oil by  adding a drop of water to fry pan. See more by clicking this link and going to step 2 (directions for browning onion and garlic without oil).

2.   Add chili powder, cumin, and a half to a whole (depending on how hot you like it) jalapeño pepper finely chopped. Stir until fragrant, which should take approximately 1 minute.

3.    Add three cans of beans, water, and bay leaf. If you'd prefer to use cooked dried beans, see how to prepare dried beans.

4.  Stir in canned or cooked dried beans to combine and let the mixture come to a simmer (covered). Add the diced tomatoes and juice. Cover and continue cooking, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25 minutes. Add corn kernels and lemon or lime juice and cook 5 minutes more. Correct seasoning by adding salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Remove chili from the heat.

Gluten Free Mixed Bean Chili (Topped with Radish and Onion), Salad with White Bean Dressing, and Quinoa/Corn Chips

Serving Suggestion: This dish is hearty, filling, and tastes great. Place chili in colorful dishes and serve with sides of guacamole, salsa, and steamed brown rice. If you want to keep it real simple, mix cooked brown rice, salsa, and guacamole into chili for a flavorful meal!

Spicy Mixed Bean Chili and Brown Rice, Topped with Guacamole

Why not try this recipe too? Colorful-Tasty-Tucson-Tacos.

Please Note: I write and publish topics of interest for those who want to create and maintain a healthier lifestyle. My Website is www.nancyandreswriter.com. To see information about my writing services, details about the interactive self-care journal, Colors of Joy: A Woman's Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss, and health tips and ideas visit often.

The quote for today follows:

Margaret Cousins, novelist. "Chili is not so much food as a state of mind. Addictions to it are formed early in life and the victims never recover. On blue days in October, I get this passionate yearning for a bowl of chili, and I nearly lose my mind."

Do you eat beans often? What are your favorites? Do you have a go-to chili recipe you'd like to share? Please let me know by commenting in the space provided below.

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Halloween Edition Wordless Wednesday

Please Stay Safe and Have Fun This Halloween

The quote for today is: 

When black cats prowl and pumpkins gleam,

May luck be yours on Halloween.    ~Author Unknown



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Walk with Me in Tucson

I moved to Tucson from the east coast in 2001 and am thrilled I did! During the winter months of December, January, February, and March, I breathe easy and appreciate not having to shovel snow or walk in slush.

Here in my city, one that's surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, I dash out for a hike or walk in a sweater or light jacket, sweats, and my athletic shoes or hiking boots. I'm good to go.

On one day's hike, here are a few things I saw. This beautiful Palo Verde Tree.

I also saw a saguaro, prickly pear, and basked in the beauty of a perfectly clear blue sky.

On to another day, as I strolled along in Downtown Tucson, I saw this vista. It's a picture that captures one area of the city, showing one section of the Catalina Mountains in the background.

On the third day I saw this humongous figure on the University of Arizona Campus. Isn't it a neat sculpture?

On the fourth day I saw this...

It's a decorative screen gate in front of a residence. I love the scroll work. Tucson is home to many exceptional craftspeople, iron workers, and metal artists. I don't know the name of the artist of this one, but I love it.

No matter where you walk or hike in Tucson, there are interesting or beautiful things to see. Walking is a cheap exercise that can even be thrilling. All you need are a good pair of walking shoes, comfortable clothing, a sunhat and sunglasses, some time, and an adequate supply of water to keep hydrated.

Do you walk outside for exercise, entertainment, to run errands, and/or to learn about new places and things? Please share your comments about that with me below.

Walking is one of my favorite pastimes. Even when I'm grumpy at the start, breathing in fresh air, a change of scene, and mild temps lift my spirit and energize me. 

Walking grounds me to mother earth, gives me a sense that my Higher Power is with me, and introduces me to new sights. Walking also refreshes my perception of places I've visited before.

Walking often calms an overactive mind. 

Walking allows creative juices to flow.

Walking reduces stress and relieves aches and pains from sitting.

Walking briskly gets blood pumping and lungs oxygenated.

Walking without a specific destination in mind is a way to stay present and live in one moment at a time.

Walking outside provides a dose of natural Vitamin D from the sun, and is an element that helps prevent depression and promotes sound sleep.

How often do you walk outdoors and what tricks or tips do you use to get yourself going? At times, I need extra motivation to stop what I'm doing to walk. You know, those sticky times when I'm glued to my seat at my computer, and think I have too much to do and too little time. 

Please comment below with motivational ideas, tips, tricks and comments about walking. How many of you readers have ever visited Tucson and how many of you are locals? Sure would love to know more about you and your willingness to exercise outdoors.

My parting picture is of cowgirl Nancy A, outdoors at Trail Dust Town. What a hoot!

The quotation for today is:

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." Audrey Hepburn. Read more at: brainyquotes

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Tips to Energize Your Life!

You're Invited to a Presentation by Nancy Andres, Author of Colors of Joy: A Woman’s Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss. It's a fun way to “try out” Self Care Practices that increase joy in daily living.

Where: Natural Grocers, 7220 E. Broadway Blvd., corner of Broadway at Kolb, Tucson. 520-885-6000.

When: Monday, Dec. 7 between 12 noon- 1 PM

What: Interactive activities, self-development skills, and time after the workshop to see and purchase Colors of Joy, the woman’s self-care journal. Colors of Joy expands and enhances techniques you’ll learn during this workshop.

Details: The workshop is free, but seating is limited and on a first come first serve basis. Open to adults only.  www.nancyandreswriter.com.

Come on down and enjoy this fabulous self-care party. 

Arizona Daily Star Info About the Workshop

Wishing all my readers a Joyous Holiday Season and Many 

Blessings in the New Year.

Joy to the World from Nancy A @ obloggernewbie.blogspot.com

The quote for today follows: "Self-care is a 

privilege only you can grant 

yourself." Nancy Andres

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Cauliflower Steaks: Vegan Taste Temptation

Cauliflower Steaks: Vegan Taste Temptation

I'm always on the lookout for new ways to serve veggies. The recipe that follows is one I've recently created, after seeing a cauliflower steak recipe on Susan Viosin's blog Fat Free Vegan Kitchen

This is my original recipe, a fun way to put cauliflower, a power-packed cruciferous veggie, into family meal planning. See how easy it is to entice even the most veggie-phobic eater, by assembling this meat-free main course dish that's eye-appealing, economical, and loaded with good taste and goodness. 

*Roasted Vegan Dijon/Lemon Cauliflower Steaks Supreme *

  

Ingredients:

1 large head of organic cauliflower rinsed and prepped (see steps 1, 2, 3)

2 Tablespoons fresh squeezed organic lemon juice

3 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast (fortified with B-12)

2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard (preferably organic)

2 cloves garlic, grated fine

salt and pepper to taste

2 T Braggs Liquid Aminos (optional Ingredient)

Sliced Organic Tomato for garnish (do not put into coating mixture)

What to Do:

1. Shop for cauliflower at your local farmers' market or green grocer. If you're a home gardener, pick cauliflower out of your home garden. Select as large a head as possible. To assure you're getting the freshest organic cauliflower available, look for a head that is creamy white, with densely packed blemish free florets. Examine the leaves closely, and if they are green instead of white, you'll get a cauliflower that is top notch. This means it will be loaded with nutrients, and tastes sweet instead of strong, as older ones tend to do.

2.Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut leaves off the head of  cauliflower , but keep the center core intact. Place cauliflower on a cutting board, stem side down. Slice the head in half (top to bottom), straight down the middle. On either side, make slices that are 1/2 in. thick and place them on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment paper. 

3. Cut as many steaks as possible. You'll know when to stop when the cauliflower pieces start to crumble. Coat each steak with a mixture made from the remaining ingredients. Place slices of tomato on top of steaks and cook all together. Use loose pieces in your salad or bake them alongside the cauliflower steaks (coat loose florets with Dijon lemon mixture as well).

  

4. The crumbled pieces will take less time to bake than the steaks. Taste test everything (what fun!). When each piece is slightly browned and the cauliflower is cooked to your liking, turn off the oven. We enjoy crispy, crunchy cauliflower steaks at our house, so I cook them for 5-10 minutes on each side.  If you like your cauliflower well done, cook the dish for a longer amount of time. Loose pieces take about 10 minutes total to cook. 

5. Serving ideas are plentiful. Combine with whole grains, green or orange veggies, or a combination of those you like. 

Health Benefits of Cauliflower: "One serving of cauliflower contains 77 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It's also a good source of Vitamin K, protein, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, fiber, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese." See more at Dr. Mercola's Website

For a super plant-based meal, one that's packed with deliciousness, make Roasted Vegan Dijon/Lemon Cauliflower Steaks Supreme. It will fill your belly and warm your heart.

Have you made any Cauliflower Steak recipes? How did they turn out? Did you know cauliflower was so nutritious? Are you willing to try out this recipe and see how it's received at your house? Please let me know what you think of my recipe. If you can, link to this post on social media to share the love.

Before I go, I'd like to tell you something personal about myself you may not know. I have been successful in breaking free from a cycle of negativity I saw modeled early on in life. In fact, I wrote and published a book to help others overcome the challenging task of letting go of deeply held beliefs and opinions about themselves and learn (practice) life skills that promote happier, healthier lives. 

Colors of Joy: A Woman’s Guide for Self-Discovery, Balance, and Bliss is a 12 week journal program that uses colors, affirmations, journal writing, and reflection to support and encourage us as we learn to love and approve of ourselves and others wholeheartedly. Pick up a copy for you and a friend. It makes an attractive gift for your BF and a special treat for you. If you are willing to enhance your life, order it right now by clicking on the link to My Website or ordering it at Amazon Books.

The quote for today follows: "Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education." Mark Twain

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