Turkish Coffee

It all started 2 months ago when my husband and I went to a hookah bar downtown. The bar had a 1 drink minimum in addition to the hookah and I don't drink alcohol. So we ordered Turkish coffee and Persian tea. I actually don't like coffee but I was curious so I gave it a try.......instant obsession. The texture of the Turkish coffee was more like hot chocolate and it was full of rich flavor...mmm.

For the next few weeks, I kept craving Turkish Coffee and talking about it to everyone and anyone who would listen. So to feed my new obsession, I purchased an Ibrik (copper pot), glasses and Maatouk's Brazilian Arabica coffee with cardamom. Yay!

Sahadi (for coffee)
187 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11201-5696

The Oriental (for Ibrik and glasses)
170 Atlantic Ave
Brooklyn, NY

Baha'i Temple

I've been extremely busy between work, travel and marathon training. However last week's conference was in Chicago so I was able to visit the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, IL over the weekend. It's been 5 years since I last saw it in person.

I felt blessed to be able to read during the devotional service on Sunday. Both my husband and I enjoyed gazing at the temple and reflecting on its beauty and spiritual energy.

Then I proceeded to the bookstore where I got lost in the intellectual and spiritual wonders available for 30+ minutes. In the end I settled on a few keys books :)

If you are ever in the Chicago/Wilmette area.....
The Baha'i House of Worship
100 Linden Ave.
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-853-2300

Extremes of Poverty and Wealth in the US

"But if conditions are such that some are happy and comfortable and some in misery; some are accumulating exorbitant wealth and others are in dire want -- under such a system it is impossible for man to be happy and impossible for him to win the good pleasure of God. (Abdu'l-Baha, Foundations of World Unity, p. 41)"

It seems every week I come across an article outlining how the gaps between rich and poor keep widening in the US. The richest 20% in America own 85% of the wealth. It truly is sad and unjust.

Reading this article Blacks' economic gains wiped out in downturn, the extreme difference among racial lines is also clear. "By 2009, the median net worth for white households had fallen 24 percent to $97,860; the median black net worth had fallen 83 percent to $2,170.....for every dollar of wealth the average white household had, black households only had two cents."

I am glad I belong to a religion with central tenets against extremes of poverty and wealth. I urge everyone to “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

Tempeh Maple Bacon sandwiches, my new favorite quick lunch

In general I don't like tempeh. I've tried it numerous times and the only time I liked it was when I tried a sandwich with tempeh bacon. So I decided to try Tofurky's Smoky Maple Bacon Marinated Tempeh. You just saute the slices in oil for 2-4 minutes for deliciousness. Add some vegenaise on toasted bread and it's done (or add some tomato and lettuce for added measure).

I like it so much I made it for lunch 3 times this week. Then I quickly went to whole foods to buy another package. Mmmm.

Shindagin hiking/camping weekend

My husband, Busu (our dog) and I traveled up north to Ithaca, NY. We went hiking then camped in Shindagin national forest. I was a little nervous about carrying a pack for a long period of time but luckily it was not too bad. The hike was beautiful. Busu, our Italian Greyhound/Whippet/Jack Russell dog loved every minute of it. Shindagin allows dogs to be off the leash so she was running up all the hills looking back encouraging us to keep up.

We had cold burritos for lunch. Then heated up some Smart Dogs for dinner over the fire my husband brilliantly made.

It was a cool experience to go to bed and wake up with the sun. Getting up at 5:30 am to all the lovely bird singing and the spring water in the background.

Happy Fourth of July!