Black Bean Burgers with Mango Avocado Salsa

These black bean burgers are so wonderful. They come together so quickly so they make a wonderful weeknight meal. Plus, you bake the patties so there is no standing over the stove flipping.



The patties are super creamy and delicious and go perfectly with the mango salsa. These were great reheated the next day for lunch. Make them, you will love them!

Black Bean Burgers with Mango Avocado Salsa

2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, divided
3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup panko
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 medium jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
2 large egg whites
Cooking spray
1 1/4 cups chopped peeled mango
3 tablespoons chopped shallots
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, lightly toasted
6 green leaf lettuce leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place black beans in a medium bowl; mash with a fork. Stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro and the next 7 ingredients (through egg whites). Shape bean mixture into 6 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. Arrange patties on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, carefully turning once.

Combine remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, mango, and the next 4 ingredients (through minced garlic) in a medium bowl. Place a patty on bottom half of each hamburger bun; top each with 1 lettuce leaf, 1/3 cup salsa, and top half of bun.

Adapted from Cooking Light

shutter help

One thing that John and I can't wait to add to our house is shutters. However, there are 2 types that we are trying to decide between. That's where you come in. I need your opinion on these 2 shutters. I feel like the first one is a little more modern and updated while the second one is the classic shutter you see on all houses. Keep in mind that even though our house was built in 1967 we are wanting to update it and make it look more modern and well, not grandma's house.

So please leave a comment and let me know which one you like!

Do you like the modern, Raised Panel Shutter.....



Or do you like the classic, Louvered Shutter...

Thanks friends!

wordless wednesday - where the hammock will go

thursday's thoughts

1. We are going to look at our house again today! Our realtor set up a time for us to go by again without the sellers being there so we can take lots of pictures, measurements, and dream. Keep your fingers crossed that there are beautiful perfect hardwood floors under the carpet!

2. My mom is coming in 2 weeks to help me pack. I can't believe I have to start packing again. And so soon. But I am beyond excited!

3. The weekend my mom is coming just happens to be mother's day. Do you think she will mind if my gift to her is the privilege to help me pack? I kid. :)

4. My mother-in-law is coming in town this weekend. Although she won't be able to see the inside of the house, we can't wait to drive by to show it to her.

5. We are still trying to teach our soccer team that they are in fact a team. And not to steal the ball from each other. During games. They are precious little kindergarteners and just get so excited.

6. We close on our house in less than a month and move 1 MONTH FROM TODAY!

7. 1 year ago yesterday John met the pastor of our church for the first time. Crazy that our journey to Victoria started a year ago!

8. I'm dreaming all things house all the time. Paint colors, furniture, bedding (I want new bedding for the master and we also have another guest room to create), flooring, landscaping, DOGS! I CANNOT wait to get a dog! I have waited for SO LONG and John always said that when we have a house and a backyard we can get a dog.

9. When is it acceptable to stop cleaning until we move? 1 week, 2, 5 weeks? ;)

10. Question time: Where are good places to find, door knobs, cabinet hardware and outdoor furniture without breaking the bank?

happy friday!

Happy Friday!

John and I have a busy {but oh so fun} weekend planned. Gala tonight, soccer game in the morning {fingers crossed the rain holds off}, baby dedication for friends, then lots of house shopping. Sunday we are hosting a end of class party at our house. John has been teaching a class all semester and we are ending it with a FIESTA! I have lots of yummy Mexican dishes planned. It will probably be the last bash we have in our sweet little duplex. I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures this weekend.

The inspection went well yesterday. The house is in really fantastic shape considering she is 43 years old.

the picture was taken with my iPhone while i was driving 70 mph down the highway. the south texas wildflowers are just gorgeous right now. i LOVE the blankets of yellow, blue, red, purple, pink and white.

Have a lovely weekend friends!

thursday's thoughts

*first of all, tomorrow is FRIDAY! Can I get an AMEN?

*second of all, Happy Tax Day!

*I'm planning on going by Starbucks with my travel mug to get a free cup of joe and our local Chick-fil-A is giving out free chicken sandwiches if you got their text. Free lunch Thursday!

*We have our inspection this afternoon! And we close on our house a week from Saturday!

*Tuesday John and I drove by on our lunch break and saw the SOLD sign had been put up. So amazing!



*I made the most incredible salad on Monday night. I'm still thinking about it.

*We have been doing so much "research" on paint colors, furniture, decorating, etc. I say research lightly because it is actually a lot of fun. I think we have decided on a paint color for the "great room" which includes the kitchen, family room, dining room and formal living room. Not 100% sure.

*I am really looking forward to this weekend. Friday night we are going to a gala for an incredible organization here, Saturday we have our second soccer game and a baby dedication and then the plan is to head to Home Depot to look at paint, light fixtures, shutters, flooring, etc., do a little furniture shopping. Can't wait!

Celebrating Eppers 2.0!

My sweet friend Ashley is expecting baby #2 or as her hubby likes to call him, "Eppers 2.0!!!" Oh almost a month ago now (see I'm SOOOO behind on blogging!) I headed over to Houston for Ashley's shower.

Friday night when I arrived Eppers 2.0 was having a little party in Ashley's tummy. It was so much fun to feel him kicking away. He's a strong one!


Saturday at the shower. Ashley and Anna are both preggers and having boys! Those 2 will be the sweetest cousins and have so much fun!


Moms and daughters!


And the Big Sister! Sweet Izzy is going to be such a precious big sister!



She loved helping mommy open presents.

That night we headed out to do some shopping and grab dinner. It was a GORGEOUS day!





We cannot wait to meet Eppers 2.0!!!!!!

Our First House

I finally have some good news to report on house hunting!!!!!



We made an offer and they accepted!!!

We are so thrilled and cannot wait!!

I am so thankful for the Lord's provision through all of this. It has been stressful to say the least. We have looked at, gosh, probably almost 50 houses it seems like.

This house went on the market Tuesday. We saw it Wednesday morning. Made an offer, they counter offered a little and we said YES!

It is still so surreal that we are actually BUYING A HOUSE! Last night we were making our list of things we want to do to update the house. (The house was built in 1967!!!) SO MUCH FUN!!!



My favorite things about the house are the HUGE backyard with HUGE trees! John can't wait for a hammock.

Covered patio perfect for outdoor entertaining! Large kitchen that is open to the family room! HUGE laundry room!

I can't wait to share more! Homeownership....HERE WE COME!

list

-John and I are coaching a kindergarden soccer team. We've had 3 practices and our first game is Saturday. It is so much fun and I think we are actually doing a pretty good job! Our team name is the Fighting Irish!

-Last night I made 3 desserts. Mississippi Mud Cake, Pecan Praline Bundt Cake and Lemon Bars. No, I'm not pregnant. I will, however post the recipes soon.

-Dreyer's Coconut Bars are my current favorite sweet treat. Amazing and only 2 points!

-I clearly wasn't using my brain when I made out our weekly menu this week and went grocery shopping on Saturday. We have had something literally every night this week which means no cooking. But that just means I won't have to shop too much for next week!

-I feel like our lives are not slowing down at all. I thought they were but they are actually speeding up. And I have a feeling the next several weeks are going to be insane.

6:17 am

It is 6:17 and I am on my way out the door for work. So early.

We have a huge event for work today that I have been planning since, literally, my first day there on August 31.

I am excited about today but also looking forward to tomorrow.

A day off.

I really think that once today is over I will be back to my regular blogging self. Work is so incredibly busy that I come home and don't even want to think about blogging.

Even though I want to. I really can't do it.

I'm also sort of in shock that today is the first day of April.

Where in the world has the time gone?

Happy April Fool's Day friends!