Vegan Diaries - Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwich

 I have been doing some cooking experiments the last couple of months (RT will graciously accept prayers and maybe a free meal or two).   I have been pretty lucky with the majority of the meal finds.   

I tested these Greek Style Chickpea Sandwiches (a couple of times) and they turned out to be quite tasty!   The chick peas are seasoned and baked in the oven for added crunchiness.  The hummus adds flavor and also keeps those chick peas from falling out onto your plate.  And, wow, what can I say about that tzatziki sauce except that it's awesome!  

Here's the recipe:

Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwich

for the chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, drained

1/2 TBSP olive oil

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp garlic powder

"Tzatziki"

1/4 cup plain vegan yogurt*

1/8 tsp peeled, grated cucumber

1 clove garlic

1/4 TBSP dill

1/2 tsp lemon juice

Toppings:

1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup cucumber, quartered

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 TBSP olive oil

Garlic hummus

feta cheese

pitas*

instructions:

Oven 400F.

Combine chick peas and seasonings in bowl.  Mix until well covered.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone liner.  Place chick peas on baking sheet and place in oven for 20 minutes.  Check chick peas, flip over and bake for another 10-15 minutes so they are almost crunchy.

While the chick peas are baking, make the "tzaziki."  Mix all ingredients in bowl and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

To serve:  spread a spoonful of hummus on center of pita or tortilla (this is to hold the chick peas).  Top with the veggies and tzatziki.  Feel free to add feta and/or lettuce.

This recipe makes 3-4 sandwiches.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*I used a vegan style mayonnaise

*If you don't have pita's, try using a tortilla.

These received a thumbs up all around. 

If you make these Greek Style Chick Pea Sandwiches, let me know in the comments.

Enjoy!

Fasting

  Fasting is when you refrain from eating and or drinking.  Sometimes this is done as a religious observance, an illness or health concerns (allergies, etc).  And sometimes you just want to inflict the pain upon yourself  fast for personal reasons.  

RT was on one of his health reviews, rambling about things that he would like to try.  Of course, while I was present for this discussion, I wasn't fully present (in other words, I wasn't listening).  During his ranting  tirade  health discussion, he mentioned fasting.  I chimed in, to show my support and that I was listening, that he should go for it.  In fact, I would join in on this fasting event.  I volunteered, thinking that this would never happen and he would never take me up on my offer to fast with him.  Of course, I was wrong.  RT decided that we would be doing a liquid diet "starting tomorrow."  By liquid, he meant water only.

Now, I'm not against fasting.  I've done it before, no problem.  But, I had some good leftovers that I was looking forward to eating.  How did I get myself into this situation?  Why did I agree to this torture  experiment?  

I decided that I would remain positive throughout the torture  experience.  My yummy leftovers will be my prize if I survive.

My day started out normal with my 3-4 mile walk.  When I came home to grab the dog for a quick walk I was greeted by RT telling me about his hunger pangs.  I continued by getting through my "To Do" list.  By noon, RT was dying  STARVING and I agreed to his idea of a glass of vegetable juice.  I was able to pull RT through  We survived until our 6:00 pm deadline.  My leftovers were waiting there at the finish line.  Funny thing is, I still did not have a huge appetite.

Since this experience, we have tried to duplicate our success.  Unfortunately RT  one of us is always starving and our fasting time ends.

Have you tried fasting?  

International Clothesline Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week we are celebrating the relationship with our clothes for International Clothesline Week.

International Clothesline Week is designed to encourage people around the world to dry their clothes naturally by hanging them on a clothesline.  Since the sun's power is free, think of the efficiency and cost savings of hanging your clothes out to dry.  It's also a great for the environment and your clothes!  

A clothesline can be strung between a couple of trees, attached to a fence or they do sell free standing clothes dryers.  You can even hang your clothes to dry inside your home. 

By hanging your clothes you can extend the life of those garments.  The dryer is great to use when you need something in a hurry.  But, friction in the dryer and over heating causes a breakdown in the fibers of your garment.  

Oh, and don't forget about that fresh scent you get when your sheets were hanging outside to dry! 

I do a lot of clothesline hanging.  I live among tall people and have to hang a lot of clothes so the dryer doesn't take of any of the length.  I love hanging clothes outside, unfortunately our area doesn't allow outdoor clotheslines.  I do use some of the outdoor furniture as a makeshift clothesline.  

How to observe the week?

Hang a clothesline and hang your clothes out to dry.

There are some contests around the world like, 

longest clothesline

most colorful clothesline

youngest helper

most unusual clothesline

You can also use this as some additional exercise, with all of the bending and hanging.  Toss in a few lunges and you are good to go!

You can also participate on social media.  Just use #Clotheslineweek *

*Check instagram under that hashtag.  There are a couple of cool photos. 

National Pet Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week we are celebrating the relationship with our pets for National Pet Week. 

The relationship between us humans and our pets have changed over the years.  For thousands of years dogs have provided protection and companionship while cats helped rid homes of mice.  

For some of us, things have changed a little over the years.  While some of our pets still "work" around the house, they are also our favorite companions.  Their greatest asset is friendship and love.  And, let's face it, pets are great therapists!  They listen to all of our problems and, most importantly, do not judge us.   They don't ask for much in return.  Our only job has been to love and care for them.

How to celebrate the week?

Check with your vet to make sure your pet is up to date with all of their shots.

Check your pet's toys.  Toss out the damaged ones.

Exercise your pet.  That could be a nice long walk or a game of fetch.

Surprise your pet with an extra treat.  Maybe buy some new treats or toys.

You can share your pet love and stories on social media using #NationalPetWeek (I have a few here on the blog, just search My Weird Dog).

 In our house we don't have a day or week celebration for our pet.  The world revolves around  Pippen gets celebrated Every. Single. Day. 

Χριστός Ανέστη

  We are celebrating Greek Orthodox Easter at our house.

Xristos anesti

ek nekron,

thanato thanaton patisas,

ke tis en tis mnimasin zoin xarisamenos

Christ is risen

from the dead,

having beaten Death by [his own] death

and having given the gift of life to those in the graves.

Christos Anesti. (Χριστός Ανέστη)  (Christ has Risen)

Alithos Anesti.  ( Aληθώς ανέστη!)  (He has risen indeed)

Kalo Pascha!

National Pooper Scooper Week

 This year I am posting about the fun National Weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Pooper Scooper Week!

This holiday was put into place to educate pet owners on the importance of cleaning up after their dogs.  I did a little research and found that aPaws (The Asssociation of Professional Animal Waste Specialist) estimates that dogs produce 4.4 billion pounds of waste per year.  That amount could cover over 900 football fields with twelve inches of dog poop!  Thats a lot of shi#!   By the way, aPaws was formed in 2002 when a group of people got together and decided they wanted to go barefoot without having squishies between their toes.  They suggested having a National Pooper Scooper week in 2008.

With Spring here, and the snow gone, we find many of the droppings that were left behind from winter.  This is a great time to clean up your yard from those droppings or hire a professional to do it for you.  Dog waste pickup is a booming business.  There will always be poop to be picked up.  I know we have a lot thanks to Pippen...  

How to celebrate the week?  Make sure you pick up after your dog does his business (or hire someone to do it for you).  You can also follow #NationalPooperScooperWeek on social media for collection tips and tricks.

I guess you know what I will be doing this week.....

April Fool's Day

 I know I'm writing about National Weeks this year, but I thought it would be fun to do a little research on April Fool's Day.  

April Fool's Day is celebrated on April 1st and is a great day to play practical jokes on friends and/or family.  Some of the classic April Fool's jokes include:  caramel covered onion and a fake dog poop in odd locations.  

The trick to pulling off a good April Fool's joke is all in the planning.  You have to be the first one to pull the prank that day otherwise the person will be on alert for other tricks.  Some tricksters will go to great lengths to fool others.

I did a little digging to try and find out the history of the day.  I mean, April Fool's Day was such a classic day when I was a kid.  How did this day come about?  

Some believe that when they made the move to the Gregorian Calendar, moving the first day of the year to January 1 (as opposed to April 1) that those who celebrated on April 1 would be called April fish and pranks would be played on them.

There are others that believed it is due to how Mother Nature plays tricks on us during this time of year with the weather.  I can see that with the weather we have been having here lately.  One day it's 68F and sunny and the next day it's 32F and snowing.  

Apparently, there is a reference in Britain in 1776 in a written publication about a custom of making fun of people on the first day of April.  It references this day as the ending of the 8 day feast and the first day of the new year.

How to observe the day? 

 

Bring on your best gags and practical jokes.  

Make sure your pranks are harmless.  

Be sure to be a good sport.

Laugh and have a good time.

And share on social media with #AprilFoolsDay