The Weekly Smile for the 14th of September, 2020 #weeklysmile

68 Replies

Hi! There were a few things to smile about this week, but I am going to use a strange one – chili. OK, those of you who have been reading my blog for a while may have seen this one before.

First, for those who didn’t see the earlier post on it, I belong to a CSA. That is “Community Supported Agriculture”. What that means is that I buy a share in a local (organic) farm in the winter. The farmer uses all of the seed money from the members who buy shares to support themselves as they get the fields ready, etc. During the summer I receive a basket of local produce every week. After giving share holders the choice of that week’s crops, the farmer sells the rest at local farm markets, etc. It is a great way to support local agriculture.

The last few baskets have had a lot garlic, onions, peppers (including several hot varieties) (a lot of peppers this year!), onions and tomatoes.

All that is needed is to soak some dried beans and…

I chopped up and stewed quite a few tomatoes as the beans soaked. I then sauteed garlic, onions and hot peppers and added it to my stewing tomatoes. Then came all types of spices. Finally the beans. i did add a little tomato sauce and a smaller amount of salsa. Plus Tabasco sauce. Yum. As this cooked I added other fresh ingredients.

The next day, as it was still slow cooking, I was talking to a neighbor. Another friend rode by on an electric bike and stopped to talk. We soon got to cooking project and I mentioned the chili. The first friend asked about coriander. Of course I used some. Fresh from the garden? Next thing you know, we are in the garden collecting herbs.

So I add a lot of fresh herbs (I had some from the CSA) and, best yet, fresh coriander, which I ground up on my own. Fresh coriander is strong…

And so, a little over 36 hours after starting, I finally had some homemade chili created with the freshest ingredients imaginable.

Yep, it was as good as it sounds! I left some out, but froze the majority of it. I will be able to have chili a couple of times a week for a month. And then it will be time to make it again ;)

My smile this week is making, and eating, vegan chili using mostly fresh, locally grown ingredients.

What made you smile?

****

Come on, I’m sure you smiled at least once last week.  Why don’t you share it?  I hope you can join in!

Here is list of “rules” and guiding ideas.  If you don’t have time to read it right now, just remember that this is an exercise to spread positivity.  Don’t smile about the misfortune of others.  Don’t smile in a way to excludes others.  Make sure a 12 year old can read it.

To join in, write a post to share your smile and then leave a comment on this post with a link to your smile.  Or, if you prefer, do a pingback to this post (pingback = have a link from your post to this one) (Note – pingbacks have been very inconsistent – please leave a comment :) ).   You can post any time until next Sunday evening (to be simple, I will say midnight GMT, which is 7 PM Sunday for me).   Next week I will compile all of the Smiles and do a separate post of them on Monday morning just before the smile.  (I will shoot for around 7 AM EST).

68 thoughts on “The Weekly Smile for the 14th of September, 2020 #weeklysmile”

  2. Pingback: The Weekly Smile Recap 9/14 – 9/21/2020 | Trent's World (the Blog)

  3. Pingback: Had so many smiles this week I haven’t had time to share | Change Is Hard

  4. Pingback: Virtual Tea Party – and Trent’s Weekly Smile (flowers and coffee too) – priorhouse blog

        1. trentpmcd Post author

          I talked to my dad shortly after it was done and he mentioned that he was making chili. His = brown some ground burger, add the beans and prepackaged spices, simmer together for a little while and server. Not quite the three day prep for mine ;) yeah, most people use meat, but my chili is a great way to have a high-protein non-meat meal if you want to cut down (I eat meat, but have cut down quite a bit(.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
          1. Prior...

            Hi Trent – well I have added a lot of fatty meat to my diet for the nutritional value (we might differ on the views about this)
            And did you know that sometime around 2013 my son won at the chili cook off -? And his recipe – kind of like your dad’s but then my son added four different types of meat – carnivore’s delight – but he was so proud even tho it was what your dad does – add this and that –
            And yours / wel oh my goodnesss – it sounds like such a flavorful dish – with layers that the judges form “chopped” would comment on! And it sounds so fresh and alive with extra immune boosting qualities !
            —
            And in the last handful kf years I have really come to appreciate (and can taste the difference) with all the freshness you are talking about
            Chill with some chili

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply ↓
            1. trentpmcd Post author

              It is funny that your son won using the simplest of “recipes”… I’m sure it was good! My cooking is odd – tonight, I made “salad dressing” for my mixed greens and kale and chard (fresh from the CSA farm) – I squeezed a lemon in the bowl first to gather seeds, finely chopped (minced?) onion, garlic, three types of pepper, radishes and herbs into it. Put in a little spice. Added olive oil. Mixed well and microwaved for 45 seconds. lol. yep, that is a typical Trent salad dressing for a typical evening ;)
              I have gone down to very little meat, but I still eat it. I do eat more dairy fat – two or three times a week I have cereal using whole milk and eat whole milk Greek yogurt. That doesn’t included cheeses… I think reduced fat milk is stupid because 99% people get that exact same fat back in some processed food, only in a much less healthy form.
              Anyway, I know you research health and nutrition, so I’m sure you have your reasons for higher fatty meats, but everything I’ve seen says to go more plant-based. Of course humans need some nutrients from animals, and I believe that if you -have- to get specific nutrients from supplements because of your diet, there is something wrong with your diet. I do understand the ethical side, which is different, but from a nutrition side…
              I’m going to have to break the next container of chili out of the freezer on Monday – I’m out.

              Liked by 1 person

              Reply ↓
              1. Prior...

                Good idea to freeze the chili and have it in batches-
                –
                Well my opinion on the whole “plant-based” movement is that there is a lot of misinformation and brainwashing –
                And I am against most cereal as a dead food – and because grains are so hard on the gut – they just seem a good choice.
                –
                But it comes down to “is it working for ya?” Because if so – then keep doing what someone is doing –
                If they are feeling well and disease free
                If they are sleeping well and have a holistic sense of balance – then by all means keep doing what they are doing.
                —
                However – in my experience – people have massive GUT issues from years of antibiotic overuse – from food void of enzymes and vitamins – and from eating from a box – using Teflon – having sugar throughout the day – and then the way corn syrup and chemical “vegetable oils” and “canola oils” hurt the GI – well people are not able to get vitamins from food.
                So even if spinach and other veggies had a decent amount of vitamins (grown organically like the way your co-op does) many folks will not be absorbing much because of intestinal health.
                –
                And so it takes cleaning the GI (for many) and then supplementing to rebuild the terrain.
                I only know this first hand because I finally believed it enough to try it for my wellness (thanks to a man named Mr Common Sense) and this mix if vitamins minerals and glandular from a brand called “logos vitamins” out of Georgia!
                The way I anticipate it is that some of the vitamins I will ha e to take for the rest of my life – but lost I can wean from – especially as I eat food that feeds my cells, my brain, and I am a fat Bruner – (not a sugar burner)
                Sorry to ramble – but whew – such an important topic!
                I also heard folks should eat meats for their blood type – and what really pisses me off is that meat had become the “bad guy” over the years and people are confused and dumbed down –
                –
                Thanks for exploring this with me this week

                Liked by 1 person

                Reply ↓
                1. trentpmcd Post author

                  I’m not going to respond to all of this, but a few quick things. I am not against supplements, but I think they are over used and I don’t get a diet that every person that is on it -has- to have supplements or they will die. There is something wrong there, which is one reason I will never be a complete vegan. On the other side, a big problem with meats is the amounts of steroids and antibiotics in them. Organic meats are harder to come by and more expensive than organic fruits and veggies! I don’t eat all organic meat, but I do when I can. I don’t know if there has been a time in my adult life I have felt as good as I do now, but there are a lot of variables in that one! My entire family is very sensitive to chemicals in our food. I think a lot of people are, they just don’t understand that is what is doing it. And, as you mentioned, the sugars and such.
                  Anyway, a good chat. Hope your weekend went well :)

                  Liked by 1 person

                  Reply ↓
                  1. Prior...

                    Hi Trent – sorry if you felt you had to reply to all of it – I was just writing from my heart and even a short reply would have been fine (even a “thanks for the comment” would have sufficed!
                    And I think a lot of us have accumulation that needs to be envied from the body and that is partly whet leads to allergies and sensitivities
                    ((And it shocked me that such gunk and junk is allowed in our food supply)$
                    And closing thought – to repeat an earlier thought – if what someone does is “working ” for them – then keep doing what they are doing!!
                    And with you – you share enough photos where I can get a general feel for your face (ha! With and without turtlenecks) and you look healthy – eyes don’t have dark circles and you have a healthy skin glow ((in my very humble opinion))
                    So keep doing you and enjoyed the chili, chill, and neat chat!!

                    Liked by 1 person

                    Reply ↓
                    2. Prior...

                      And Trent – I just realized that my tone and content might have sound argumentative of challenging – and so sorry for that (no reply
                      Needed either) but whew – I was thinking about it and I think I I just feel so comfortable with you I started typing like we were just shooting the breeze – but it was quite opinionated – yikes
                      And I have a yoga friend i spend time
                      With – she is a vegetarian and I never so freely share my views on meat and all that – out of respect – and she sees us gobble up
                      Our meats (and salads of course) and “knows” how we advocate for good meats – but I always watch my delivery out of respect – and so again – my apologies for any strength or tone in my sharing here!
                      And wishing you a wonderful
                      Day

                      Liked by 1 person

                    3. trentpmcd Post author

                      No need to apologize :) I read it as you meant, just friendly conversation. And I’m glad you feel comfortable enough talking to me that you can do that. I was actually laughing when I posted that last comment :D

                      Liked by 1 person

      1. Prior...

        Can you delete the other one and thanks for fixing it! I had a separate post for the weekly smile but when I came to putting the flowers in the post it really was the smile of the week and it felt so “fitting”to link it there – thanks for getting the right link T!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓
  6. Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Who doesn’t like chili … and vegan: thumbs up. I love the idea of everything being fresh. I’ve developed a lot of allergies so I make everything from scratch. My farmer’s markets are now open. YAY … fresh is always better. Enjoy while the veggies abound. Have a great day … Be Safe
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Fresh is always better. I sometimes have issues with chemicals they use in foods, so organic and farm fresh work best for my body. And the chili was/is great ;) Thanks, Isadora! I hope your week is going well :)

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply ↓
      1. Inside the Mind of Isadora

        How did you find this co-op for freash vegetables. There are a few farmers who have been trying to get back to the weekly farmer’s market but they haven’t begun yet. The vegetables in the super markets spoin quickly due to their being frozen when delivered. I’ve been growing some herbs for seasoning and teas. It’s a lot of work but worth it. Enjoy your Chili when the days get a little cooler. Yes, I’m having a good week. Thanks …

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓
        1. trentpmcd Post author

          If You Google “Community Supported Agriculture”, you will see the name of my town… One of the first two CSAs in the US was started here. Because of that, it has exploded in this area and there are quite a few. It would be impossible to support large scale agriculture here, and a small family farm is very hard to sustain, so it is the perfect model for this region. Most of the grocery store veggies here aren’t bad, and there is a wide variety, but no denying farm fresh (and organic – I am very sensitive to chemicals) is the best. The chili was great :) Hope your weekend is going well.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
  7. SHL2

    I love creating my own recipes and adding more of what we love. Freezing chili, soups and beans are good ideas to have some for later. The more spices the better. Lots of people are making a white chili we have not tried that one yet. I like freezing homemade tomato sauce then I have it ready to go for Italian dishes if you freeze in 1 gallon ziplocks flat they do not take up much space and they thaw out quickly.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      “Adding what we love” is a great way to cook, and I agree, the more spices the better, particularly where things like chili are concerned. I typically eat all of my chili in just a few weeks, but something, I think the fresh garlic, starts to smell a little off after just a few days, so I freeze it even if I know I will be getting it out in just a week or two or three. The gallon ziplocks are a good idea for space.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. Natasha

        Look forward.

        My DH and I are big farming fans and it’s our dream to have our own post retirement. I wish to work in wildlife and conservation and he wishes to farm. And I love gardening too! So yeah 😊

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓
  9. dprastka

    What a wonderful smile! I Love chili and to make it vegan even better. Yummy!! My daughter is vegetarian or trying to be and does a good job. My doctor says I should be eating a plant based diet, ugh, easier said than done. So I’m just trying to cut back on meat when and where I can. That’s so cool you have a CSA, wish we had something like that close by to where I live. I’ll research it, but I don’t think we do. I’m smiling thinking of Chili! May need to make some this week. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I’m not vegan or vegetarian, but I do have vegan days. I try to stay plant based as much as possible, but I do like dairy and have to occasionally have meat or fish. Of course, vegans have to take supplements since some nutrients can only come from animal sources. But the chili was very good! Hope you are having a great week :)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
  11. Rowena

    I had an interesting cause for smiling this week. Have you ever pulled apiano apart and looked inside? We should’ve done this years ago. However, we finally gave up on trying to re-home our piano as is and decided to dismantle it and keep the bits we like, give a friend the choice of the rest and it’s looking like there won’t be anything left over for council clean-up.
    Well, we still have a way to go. However, we removed the keys last night. I had to admit that was very strange. Initially, they were laid across the kitchen table in order and it did look pretty weird, a bit like laying out a skeleton (not that I’ve ever done that myself. However, I have watched many episodes of Bones over the years. We were hoping to be able to remove the frame with the strings still in situ. However, that’s not looking likely. There’s still a lot of work to be done so it’s not gone yet, but there’s been good progress and a most intruing investigation as the dismantling continues.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I have seen pianos in various states of being dismantlement, but have never done it myself. Do have an idea of what you are going to do with the big metal part that the strings mount on (can’t remember the name – harp?) or the soundboard? I’m sure it is interesting! Hope the investigation keeps you smiling for a while :)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. Rowena

        My friend Neil is taking most of the piano, but I’m keeping the keys and the pedals. I’m wanting to making a sculpture of my grandmother out of piano parts. This probably sounds like heresy but the piano was her life, but not her only life.
        I managed to get out and find some waratahs growing beside the road out in our local national park. They’re our state floral emblem and they’re so beautiful, magestic and red. I’ll be posting some photos.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓

  13. Pingback: An After School Snack | Colline's Blog

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      For some reason I go for these alaberate things, and they are usually off of the top of my head, so they are a little different every time. Typically i put other veggies in my chili, like corn and sometimes a touch of squash, but this is a little more traditional. Cooking in the crock pot, it made the entire house smell great :)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      The small town I live in is home to one of the first CSAs in the US, the oldest still operating. That’s not the one we use, but it there are a few here – this part of the country is awful for large scale agriculture, so this is a way for small family owned farms to make it. I am pretty far away from the fires, so no worries for me – the hurricanes are a little scarier, though they are very far away from me at the moment, so… Hope you are doing well.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  16. Pingback: The Weekly Smile 9/14/20 | Nut House Central

    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Are there fires in Idaho now or are you getting smoke from Oregon or Washington? The fires are just so awful this year – I hope you can continue to keep that smile that they don’t get too close to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
      1. bettylouise31

        We are getting smoke from all3 states and it is bad at time. There are fires in Idaho. The latest is in Northern part of state that is burning close to a small town. There are few in the wilderness areas that they let burn.The Boise area is not endanger as there are enough fire departments.Boise always get smke in July.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      The freezing does seem to take away from “farm fresh” to a small degree, but it is a great way to do, particularly when I cook a lot! (OK, it was farm fresh when I cooked it). It is good, and convenient to do it that way.

      i know I read it already, but I’ll stop by in a few minutes :)

      Like

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      To me, chili is beans ;) I do think they use beans in Tex-Mex style chili, but didn’t realize they didn’t in the deep south. Funny, as a kid I hated beans, but now I make my special chili a couple of times a year and love it. And this is good :)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      Thanks, Robbie. I am not a vegan, but I do try to get as much of my diet from plant sources as possible, so having the vegan chili is a great way to do it as it is very nutritious. (I eat a lot of dairy, particularly cheese, an occasional egg (not including what is baked into stuff) and meat or fish about once a week.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
        1. trentpmcd Post author

          Growing boys are always hungry… :) I do try to keep a healthy diet. It takes some thought, but that is getting easier over time. There is a lot of research out there, much more than even a handful of years ago.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply ↓
    2. trentpmcd Post author

      Oh, I forgot until answer answering another comment – Most chili uses a lot of meat, usually ground beef. In fact, 90% of the time I see chili, ground beef is the top ingredient, then beans. So when I said “vegan chili”, that is to differentiate it from the typical ground beef chili.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓
    1. trentpmcd Post author

      I had played with chili in the past, but it has really been the last two years that I have been making it regularly. I am using a slow-cooker (crock pot), so the house smells like chili all day as it cooks. CSAs are great – one of the first ones in the US started in my town and now there are several. Since it is hard to do large scale agriculture in NH (corn, soybeans, etc are strictly out), the CSA is a great way for small, family farms.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  22. Pingback: As Summer Fades – Poetry, Short Prose and Walking

Express Yourself

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s