don't just stand there, bust a move!

So I wanted to change my blog template b/c I was bored with the current one, and so I found a great one that I really felt could potentially be a lifer, went to upload it, it failed, and I lost my list of blogs I like to read and I'm pissed and now can't even get the pink and black fun old one back. Does anyone know how to fix this? All the "help" sections didn't work!

Anycrap,

In trying to find my old favorite reads, I came across a fabulous new blog called FatFree Vegan Kitchen, and one of the first recipes on the page was for a Pumpkin Black Bean Casserole. Clearly this woman's blog was designed for me! Here's a pic of her masterpiece with the recipe below:



Pumpkin and Black Bean Casserole

1 1/2 cups cooked black beans (or one can, rinsed and drained)
1/2 cup corn, fresh or frozen
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder (or other mild chili powder)
1/8 - 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder (to taste)
15 ounces canned tomatoes, drained and liquid reserved*

1 pound pumpkin (about 1/2 one small pumpkin)

3/4 cup soymilk or other non-dairy milk
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika
1 tablespoon tahini (optional)

In a large bowl, combine the black beans with the next 8 ingredients and set aside.

Cut the pumpkin in half. Set aside one half for another use and peel the other half. Cut it into very thin slices about 1/4-inch thick and 2 inches long.

Preheat oven to 425F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with canola oil. Lay one-third of the pumpkin slices in the bottom of the dish, and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Cover with half of the bean mixture. Repeat layers with another third of the pumpkin and the remainder of the beans. Finish with the final third of the pumpkin slices.

In a blender, combine the reserved *tomato liquid (about 1/2 cup) with the soymilk and remaining ingredients. Blend well and pour over the pumpkin. Cover tightly, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for 20-30 minutes, until sauce is thick and bubbly and pumpkin is tender.

*If you prefer to use fresh tomatoes, use one cup of chopped tomatoes and substitute 1/2 cup of water for tomato juice in the sauce recipe.

Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 296 Calories (kcal); 4g Total Fat; (11% calories from fat); 19g Protein; 53g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 463mg Sodium; 13g Fiber. Weight Watchers 5 Points / Core (without tahini).



I am VERY excited to try this out.

In other news, I went out in Hartford tonight to a special presentation of local breakdance and DJ talent with Caroline, one of the fabulous first years who's from the area so is totally hip to all the fun events and places to go around here. It was at this really cool space: www.realartways.org

Here's how the movie and performances were described, I couldn't have said it better myself:

To kick off our run of Planet B-Boy, we're presenting a showcase of local hip-hop dancers and music.

Following the performances they showcased a film (Planet B-Boy) on the art of breakdance.

“[Director] Lee makes a spirited and persuasive case for break dancing, not only as an art form of strength, beauty, discipline and instinct, but as a means of transcending caste and culture.” Ann Hornday, Washington Post

Planet B-Boy tells the story of international groups in a world dance competition. An American dancer in Vegas looks for his big break; a Korean son seeks his father’s approval; a twelve-year-old boy in France confronts his family’s racism. All three groups meet in Germany, at the “battle of the year” finals, with crews from 18 nations vying for the title of World Champion. Incredibly absorbing and at times hilarious, it’s the kind of movie where you pick your favorites and root for them until the last frame.

Here's some videos I found online of some of my favorite scenes:
This video showcases b-boy talent around the world in front of national landmarks, etc.:


This video is of Koreans (who apparently came out of nowhere with their b-boy talent and put everyone else to shame with their technique). It was noted how all Korean men HAVE to serve in the military, they do not have a choice, so before they serve those who dance give it their all for one last hoorah. Here's a powerful video symbolizing the divide between North and South Korea in the form of dance. Imagine if instead of shooting and killing we battled off in dance. The world would be a much better, and more physically fit place:


Some of the "greatest hits" from past Battle of the Year competitions, and breakdancing as a whole:



Moral of the story: I want to be a b-boy. It was so inspiring how through the art of dance it brought all cultures, ethnicity, and ages together. Women are SEVERELY underrepresented however, which they never explained or mentioned once. The France crew had 1 female, THAT WAS IT. Come on ladies, we can have the same passion and commitment to this emotional, musical, and athletic artform!

ps I just came across this ridiculous posting in a blog that Crissy reads, on a woman rebutting the blog owner's claim that candy corn is the superior Halloween confection, when she feels it is indeed Mellowcreme Pumpkins that afford this status. (Seriously, it's probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen, and no I didn't write it though I wish I did since I wholeheartedly agree with this woman haha). See some of her comments below. She also included many ridiculous pictures. I selected my favorite for your viewing pleasure:

* There's simply no delicate way to state it other than to say Candy Corn is a Conehead. Do you really want to associate yourself with a piece of candy whose claim to fame is a resemblance to a washed-up vintage Saturday Night Live character?
* Candy Corn is skinny. They say never trust a skinny chef--I say never trust a skinny candy. Even considering Candy Corn's unbecoming "junk in the trunk", you'd still have to eat at least three of them to equal one of me.
* Seeing green: There's a lot of value put on being "green" in society these days. Well, do you see a trace of green on Candy Corn? No way. I'm the only confection in this mixed bag of candies to contain green. You know what that means? I'm practically a vegetable! Clearly I'm the healthiest choice, not to mention I have a more visually pleasing palette.
* The press agrees: According to Serious Eats, Candy Corn is "the fruitcake of halloween candy" and one of the 10 worst Halloween candies to give out. While some of you may argue that my ingredient list is the same, I don't see any pictures of Mellowcreme Pumpkins on that list, so clearly I am a confection of a higher caliber.
* I've inspired poetry: for a case in point, check out the beautiful poem "Ode to a Mellowcreme Pumpkin" by McPolack, Inc. Here's an excerpt:

Oh, sweet, sweet mellowcreme pumpkin...let's get together tonight in front of the Gilmore Girls
Where I will feast upon you until I very nearly hurl
They don't put nearly enough of you in the Brach's Autumn Mix.

Have you ever seen a poem about Candy Corn? Well, have you? William Wordsworth would surely agree, I am the superior candy.