on busy-ness and black beans

Read this opinion from the New York times.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/30/the-busy-trap/

If you're feeling busy this summer, it will encourage you to change your outlook and embrace your in-look.  At least that's what it did for me.  If you imagine me standing on a soapbox as you read, it is sure to greatly enhance your experience.

In other not-busy news, since Eva has gone gf, we have gathered a small following of other gf eaters.  So this one is for them, and for you on a budget, and for you non-meat-eaters (yes, they do exist), and for you gardeners.  So its really for all yahl......

Black Beans and Rice

1 medium onion, chopped
1 or 2 small peppers - red or green - chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cans tiny diced tomatoes, drained (I used a 2 cup bag of already cooked, diced ones from the freezer)
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. marjoram
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 chicken bullion cube
1/2 c. chopped cilantro

Saute the onion, peppers, garlic, and carrots in EVOO until tender.  Add the rest of the ingredients.  Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.  Serve it over rice.  Top it with shredded cheese or sour cream if you want.

It looks like a lot of spices, and that's because it is.  I really like that about it.  And how often do you get to use marjoram?  Fun.  (Yes, I do not get out much.  Recall my non-busy soapbox.)  Its full-flavored.  And the self-love you feel when most of this, including the herbs comes out of your garden is really pretty great.

Happy eating and couching and not-busying.