It's already November! I was planning to write a blog post yesterday, but it was past 12.30 AM when I finished grading. Final exams are exactly one month away. Then.....winter break ! 💃💃💃
I'm not sure why, but lately I cannot concentrate enough to read anything. I don't even have an e-book on my iPad anymore. I guess it is because I'm tired of staring at a screen. I've been on the computer at least 8 hours everyday. 😔
So, after classes I spent time cooking and crocheting.
I made falafel! The recipe is from Judee at Gluten Free A-Z Blog. They are delicious. Because I love cumin and greens (parsley and cilantro), I added more of each, but used 2 1/2 cups of chickpeas. I fried them in coconut oil. Thank you Judee!
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| Homemade falafel |
The soup of the week was lentil soup. 😀
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| Lentil soup |
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| Papaya mallung |
Yesterday I worked a little bit in the yard. I weeded a flower bed, and dug a hole to plant the guava. I also hung an air plant (Tillandsia) on the oak tree. A friend was trimming his oak trees and found it on a trimmed oak branch.
Eight hours a day! That would make me tired and wanting to do something practical too. Your mallung sounds really nice.
ReplyDeleteGrading everything online takes more time. I prefer paper assignments, but now all my classes are online, so I can't escape longer hours on the computer. :(
DeleteSounds like you are really busy, Nil. I bet you are looking forward to winter break! What a dramatic looking sky! Such lovely colors! The falafel and the papaya mallung look good! Hope the rest of this week goes well for you. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless. I really am looking forward to winter break. Though there won't be any trips this time. :)
DeleteI hope you and Dancer are doing well. :)
It sounds like you need a break from so much screen-based work, Nil. You must be looking forward to your Winter break. There are only 5weeks until school holidays here and we can't wait!! Meg🙂
ReplyDeleteThose 5 weeks will fly, Meg. Even this morning I looked at the calendar and counted days. The last two final exams are on Dec 4th. I can't wait. :D
DeleteBusy days as always.....you'll be glad of winter break.I'm wondering what legumes you eat for breakfast, and would you have rice with your papaya mallung.....it looks delicious.!
ReplyDeleteNanette, I eat mung beans, chickpeas, and black eyed peas. I boiled it and then sautéed with onions, green chilies, curry leaves, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, salt and grated coconut. Sometimes I add a bit of curry powder, chopped tomatoes etc.
DeleteYes, I have papaya mallung with rice. :) I eat rice at least once a day. Hehee
Mmm your breakfast legumes sound so tasty....I like something savoury for breakfast. Hee hee me too, eating rice every day ❤
DeleteYou sound busy! I hope you find the energy to enjoy reading again soon. Have you thought of listening to audiobooks? I spend as much time on screen as you do and don't have the energy to read but I really enjoy listening to someone else reading for me. The falafel you made look very delicious, I might look up the recipe. I don't like cilantro but there are many other greens things that could be used instead. I am thinking of celery greens, do you think that might work?
ReplyDeleteI tried listening to audio books, Christina. But if I try to listen while doing something else, after a while I concentrate on the task and completely miss the book. I'm not a very good multitasker. :)
DeleteI think any type of green would go well in falafel, as long as they are finely chopped. Once I saw a falafel recipe with kale. :)
It seems that cooking gives you great comfort & a change from screen life. How cool is that air plant being gifted to you. I don't think I've ever seen one growing out naturally.
ReplyDeleteI heard that people pay $50-60 for big air plants like this one. I didn't know they were that popular. :)
DeleteYour falafel looks really good, Nil. It's such a great dish. There is a sandwich shop here that will make you a falafel sub sandwich. Delicious. I know you are looking forward to winter break, it's not too far away now.
ReplyDeleteThe other day I stuffed a pita bread with falafel, lettuce, onion and tomato, and had it for lunch. It was really good. I haven't had falafel sub sandwiches, and they sound delicious.
DeleteHope you and Bailey are doing well, Belinda.
The falafels look so good. I followed the link and had a look at some of her other recipes ... her red lentil soup recipe is so simple and I will definitely give that a try as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you haven't been reading lately if you are spending eight hours a day on the screen due to work. You work very hard and long hours ... I bet you are really looking forward to the winter break!
Take care xx
I've tried several recipes from Judee's blog and they all turned out really well. :)
DeleteOh, I can't wait until winter break. I just want to sleep 8 hours straight without having nightmares about online labs. LOL
I am amazed you can spend 8 hours in front of a screen. I think my eyes would fall right out of my head. Your cooking always looks so delicious. I hope these next 5 weeks fly by for you.
ReplyDeleteMy eyes are already suffering. At the end of the day I have blurred vision. 😣
DeleteI really need a break, very soon. 😊
I have a friend whose mom is from Syria and I have used her falafel recipe in the past, but am always looking for another. I will have to try these. Your sky photo is breathtaking! Enjoy the countdown to winter break!
ReplyDeleteI’m sure every one has a slightly different version of falafel recipes. 😊 Once I saw a recipe that used kale.
DeleteOh I’m eagerly waiting for winter break. 😁
Hi Nil, Your falafel looks delicious. I love falafel. Thanks for the link to the recipe. You sound very happy. I'm glad you got to work in the garden.
ReplyDeleteYes, Stephenie it feels good to be able to work outside. I’ve been working inside for too long. I feel like I’ve abandoned the yard.
Deletei have tried and tried to like falafels but somehow they just never hit the spot for me:( one day ... sounds like you are busy as we all will be as it gets close to christmas. keep safe
ReplyDeletesherry
Hehee I like anything with chickpeas in it. :)
DeleteYou eat very healthy! I don't like reading since I've had to wear bifocals! (I guess that's not a good excuse!) Andrea
ReplyDeleteI find it difficult to get used to glasses. So I use reading glasses only when it's absolutely necessary. But I guess it's not good for my eyes. :(
DeleteCertainly with your class work schedule, Nil, it can be hard to find time to enjoy a book. But, winter break is coming and you may then find some time to relax, but then you will most likely also be doing work on the next term, a vicious cycle. Lentil soup is a favorite and already on the soup to make soon list for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm so waiting for winter break, Beatrice. I have to make videos for a course that's going to be completely online next semester, but I really want at least one week without any school work. :)
DeleteNil,
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that you tried my falafel recipe and liked it! Your falafel looks even better than mine! Thanks for linking to my website. I really really appreciate it. Your landscape sunset is so beautiful and a pleasure to look at. I don't think anyone realizes how many hours a teacher has to work after they are out of the classroom. I'm retired 10 years now from teaching high school. Hope you get some time to rest.
Judee, thank you again for your recipe. I plan to make them again very soon. Maybe I'll try baking it next time. :)
DeleteI've never tried falafel, might have to to because that looks and sounds absolutely deeeeeelicious! The schools here just finished up their first trimester (it was two semesters when I was in school)... my DIL Amanda is the head dietary for the district and she says everything is so crazy with the pandemic, teachers and admins are having such a hard time with everything extra they have to do. You are in our prayers as you go through these days, Nil!
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