Nurture

We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it.”
John Lennon quotes (English Singer, Songwriter and Political activist, member of the "Beatles", 1940-1980)


Heart warming story of a zoo keeper who finds a red kangaroo joey abandoned by it's mother. Not being able to reunite the helpless baby, then weighing less than one pound with a head smaller than a mans thumb, the zoo keeper took on the task of being it's Mother. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32008087/?GT1=43001

All things grow with love; animals, children, friendships, romantic relationships... Like John Lennon said, "You can't just accept it then put it in the cupboard... " Who are the people I value in my life? Do they know how important they are to me?

Our culture values getting to the top, being important, celebrities and rock stars. Too often people climb to the top of the ladder only to find they put the ladder against the wrong wall. It is sad to read about top business executives who kill themselves at their desk because of bad business deals, of stars who die surrounded by people who exploit them for their money and fame while they are painfully lonely for someone to love them for who they are. Success is good, powers is great, having money is wonderful especially if you use it to spread goodwill. Most of us will not be rich or famous in the eyes of the world, however, we can treasure the richness of lives surrounded by family and friends.

It has been a cooler than usual summer in Buffalo. Today is chilly, overcast with rain expected in the afternoon.
Here is recipe for warm you home that makes enough to invite others to join your table ;~)


Vegetarian Chili

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon salt
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (4 ounce) cans chopped green chili peppers, drained
2 (12 ounce) packages vegetarian burger crumbles
3 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn

I think of meat as a condiment, saute a bit of ground beef, pork & veal mix until brown,drains well and store in the freezer to add in for flavor and extra protein if you wish.



DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and season with bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook and stir until onion is tender, then mix in the celery, green bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, garlic, and green chili peppers. When vegetables are heated through, mix in the vegetarian burger crumbles. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer 5 minutes.
Mix the tomatoes into the pot. Season chili with chili powder and pepper. Stir in the kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and black beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the corn, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.