Okara Burgers

It's been such a long time since I've updated this blog.  As part of my new year intentions I've stop going to facebook for the month of January, perhaps longer if it suits me, but I've also decided to try and post more regularly here.  I still cook and bake so why not write about it?  I think sometimes we just get out of the habit of things...and sometimes pick up some habits we should let go.  January is the time when we naturally reflect on these sorts of things I guess.  Time to be better, more organized, fitter and smarter people.  Haha, in a perfect world maybe.  I just want to be healthy and happy and be around others that feel the same way. 



Time to post some recipes too I think.  I've been making my own soy milk lately and one of the by products of the process is okara . Okara can be used in burgers, breads, cakes and muffins.  I've been experimenting with great results.  My very first attempt at making something with okara was a slightly modified recipe from the FatFree Vegan Kitchen site.  I'm sure her recipe with no modifications was absolutely wonderful but I always adapt to what's in my kitchen and what I like.  ;) They were fabulous! 

                                                                                             

Okara Burgers

(adapted from this Okara Crab Cake recipe)

1 large stalk celery, finely chopped              
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 large carrots, finely chopped
1/2 orange or red pepper, finely chopped
2 cups okara
1/2 cup old fashion oats
2 tbsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/2 cup cornmeal


I threw all of the vegetables in the food processor and pulsed until everything was finely chopped.  Feel free to do it by hand for a more meditative experience.  :)

Saute in a nonstick skillet until softened, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine okara, vegetable, oats, and Old Bay.  Mix well and set aside to rest for 10 minutes or so.  I took the time to wash the dishes so mine set for much longer then 10 minutes and was a great consistency.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Using a 1/4 measuring cup make about 12 to 16 patties. Very gently coat the patty with cornmeal.

Gently place the cornmeal coated burgers on a  baking sheet that's been sprayed with oil.  Bake 15 minutes. Carefully flip and bake for another 20 minutes. They should be golden and crispy on the outside. 

These go well with all sorts of condiments.  Tarter sauce, ranch dressing, ketchup, mustard, you name it and it tastes great!  I served them with a big green salad and sweet potato fries.  So good!  Thank you Susan for your great inspiration! 

Set an Intention and Follow Your Bliss for 2013

I am strictly against new year resolutions. They seem to be a way of positively not getting the result you want.  Intentions, on the other hand, are just that, intentions.  Intentions  leave a little wiggle room for mistakes and still the ability to move forward. It is a way of aiming your thoughts and energy on what you want, desire or intend and making the right choices to see it through. 

Lots of resolutions have to do with quitting a bad habit, such as smoking, or trying to lose  weight or going to the gym. It takes a while to break a bad habit while creating new and better ones, such as quitting smoking and instead having a green smoothie for breakfast every morning. If you say to yourself “as of January 1st I will no longer smoke and I will have a green smoothie everyday” and do not set yourself up for success by planning, and also realizing that it sometimes takes a bit of time and a few set backs to achieve your goals then you have doomed yourself for failure. On the other hand, if you set your intention on becoming a happier and healthier person and making the necessary changes in your life over the next year to reach that goal you may be met with far greater success. 

Prepare - If you know, for better nutrition, you want to add a green smoothie to your morning routine, check out a few recipes online with ingredients that appeal to you , buy the necessary ingredients, be sure your blender is up to speed, so to speak. Don’t forget to allow your self enough time in the morning to prepare it!

Go as slow as necessary - If you want to quit smoking, realize that for many people it doesn’t happen over night. Consider the patch or nicotine gum to help out in the beginning. Be kind to yourself and if you have setbacks, acknowledge them and keep moving forward.

Weight loss- If your goal is to shed those unwanted pounds, eating a nutritious diet of natural whole foods and adding exercise to your day is the best way to achieve this goal.  Fad diets make work in the short term but changing your mind set to know that your body needs fuel and natural whole foods is what it craves. Stay away from artificial and processed “foods” as much as possible. A plant based diet is a great way to lose weight and not be hungry while maintaining an active lifestyle.

Meditation - Adding twenty minutes of meditation to your day can help you attain all of your intentions. It calms the mind and helps to relieve stress and anxiety.  It lets you be alone in the moment with yourself. You may develop a deeper love for yourself which will allow you to stick with what ever intention you set because you know that you are worth it. 

Ultimately know that you are worth whatever intentions you set for yourself. This is your life. It’s up to you to follow your bliss, make every moment count by doing what makes you a healthier and happier person.