What did I make?!

(Two posts in two days. Do y'all feel special?)

Matt has had a can of beans since from before we were married. That is, someone he lived with before had the can of beans, and either forgot them or didn't want them, and they were left in our stock of food. Matt does not like beans, or at least only likes them in very specific ways that I have not yet discovered. I've been turning a blind eye to them and just kind of denying their existence, because there's probably nothing I could make from them that he would like, and frankly I'm not much of a bean person myself, and even though I *have* tried refried beans as an adult, it's still a weird texture to me and I just can't get myself to like them.

But then I was sorting through our cans recently and the beans were there. "What do I even do with you?"

In my determination to not let food go to waste and figure out what to do with those darn beans, I resorted to Pinterest to help me in my endeavor. And you know what I came across? Bean desserts! Have any of you seen/heard of this, or even done this yourself?! Yes, people make cookies, brownies, and fudge out of their beans! So, this I determined would be the perfect way to disguise the beans...sugar!!!

However, even those recipes assume you are a health nut.

This is the recipe with which I worked: No Bake Black Bean Fudge Brownies

Almond butter...
Coconut palm sugar...
Coconut flour...
Dairy free milk...
Dairy free chocolate chips and paleo white chocolate chips?!

I have none of the above. I am no hippie. Not that I eat super unhealthy, but I have my healthy things that I like that are available at your everyday, Joe Schmo grocery store, and while some of these may be there, they are not on our weekly list, and quite possibly out of my price range.

Ergo, I made a probably much unhealthier version...
Mix of peanut butter and nutella (I would've used all peanut butter, but I only had 1/4 cup in my jar.)
Regular granulated sugar
Regular all-purpose flour
2% milk (it only calls for the milk if you think that your mixture is too thick at the end, which I did, so I honestly just used a splash)
Regular chocolate chips and mini marshmallows for toppings

I'm actually taste-testing as I type. My thoughts:

• Definitely chocolate-y enough to cover up any residual bean flavor. I think if Matt were to try them, and I didn't tell him they were in here/he didn't read this post, he probably wouldn't realize. I can feel/taste some of the bean skins that didn't get as pulsed/blended in the food processor, but oh well.
• That being said, it's very loosey-goosey and not very well set up. I don't know if that has to do with my switch of most of the ingredients or not, but it's not nearly as pretty/firm as the picture appears in the original picture. After I cut this piece, I put the rest in the freezer...maybe that will help? This had been in the refrigerator for 25 minutes already, so I don't know...
• I'm sure the original would probably make you feel good and healthy about yourself. This is sugar with a bit of a protein boost, sooo...take that how you will. I really just wanted to use up those beans, people.
• Overall Rating with factors of Deliciousness, Presentability, and Easiness: 2.7/5 stars

Luke 6:12-16: Daily Gospel XXV

As Catholics, we have a very relational prayer life. Prayer often arises out of relational issues. I relate with saints that I think can grasp my situations. I ask others to pray for me, though perhaps not as often as I should. Most of all, prayer is to and for a relational God.

Therefore, it should not surprise us, in today's Gospel, that Jesus' prayer through the night ends up being about people and relationships...specifically about forming His Twelve Apostles. Nights when I've prayed hard and long are often about the stuff of relationships. Jesus prayed all night, and we imagine that the communication between Him and His Father will have epic consequences...and it results in the choosing of twelve men to be Jesus' earthly friends. At first it seems such a simple thing to follow such a long prayer time, but as Catholics, we do recognize the extraordinary results of Jesus' night long prayer: a relational Church founded on the relations of twelve men to Jesus Christ.

Relationship is the stuff of prayer because it is the stuff of our Church and of our faith. If we want outstanding relationships in our lives, then we should pray for them as Jesus did: intentionally, lovingly, and knowing that the end goal is beatitude together in Heaven.

Catching up after a long day

Out my window: Dark. Cooler. I need to clean the leaves out of our patio.

Clothing myself in: jeans, a tee, and a hoodie.

Around the apartment: Mostly clean, I need to clear the table and desk of random mail and papers...story of my life.

The hubby: Was not feeling too well the past couple of days...boo!
 
In the kitchen: I got some pork loins on an AWESOME sale, and made brown sugar and dijon glazed loins. They're a bit too tough for what I care for, but the taste is good. On the menu for this next week are stromboli, cheesy BBQ biscuit casserole, and healthy sweet and sour chicken...except honestly from the recipe I don't know what's supposed to be particularly healthy about it, other than it doesn't seem to be overly fried or anything...Matt doesn't care for bell pepper or onion, so I'm going to put some pineapple chunks in instead.

Crafting: *sigh* nothing much lately. After my crazy insane Downton Abbey puzzle, I'm taking a break from jigsaws. My mom came up to visit last week and while perusing an antique store I came across some big flat candle holders that are PERFECT for our big 3" pillar Advent candles. I've been looking for holders so that they don't sit right on the table. I'm going to find some rods to stick through the holders into the bottom of the candles to lend some support...hopefully it'll make our Advent wreath much more elegant/finished looking.

Learning: that I really truly hit my peak energy of the day around 2-3pm, and instead of feeling guilty about it I should just roll with it and fit as much in at that time as I can. I know of morning people, I'm aware of night owls, but I don't have much experience with people who hit their peak energy mid-afternoon. Anyone? It's just frustrating to me because by the time I'm ready to start doing things with my day, that's also when I need to think about putting supper together, so I don't end up getting much done in that way.

Reading: my book of excerpts from Fulton J. Sheen. I forgot what an easy read it is.

Watching: Once Upon a Time season 4...Netflix Veggie Tales (don't judge me...I need some light watching...except I'm not terribly impressed with the Netflix version, it just doesn't seem as genuine as older Veggie Tales)
  
Bringing me joy: good conversations with a friend I hadn't seen in a couple of months, learning the Seven Sorrows chaplet, good quality shaving cream

Thinking about: how to implement change in routine successfully, the difference between spiritual warfare and situational depression,  how little one year olds can fit so much banana into their tiny little mouths

Pictures to share:

This was my crazy 1000 piece puzzle. You probably can't tell, but much of the background was very blended and blurry, so it took quite a while.

I was excited by the curl/wave I got from my braided hair the day before.

Casting cares on God: Song recommendation XXXV

Oy. These past two to three weeks have been rough. A rough second interview left my self-confidence crushed, and it really just affected many other parts of life. I was running some errands one day and this song came on the radio, which is funny because lately I haven't been in the mood for music in the car so my radio is usually off. I don't recall why I had my radio on that particular day, but I'm glad it was. This isn't even a very new song, but it was like I was hearing the words for the first time, and it was just a bright spark of hope.

P.S. Please keep me in your prayers early next week :-)