Writing – Page 7 – VeggHead BeerCyclist

ⓋLT Science

Posted on December 27, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I’ve been vigorously trying to construct the perfect ‘blt’ever since finding Sweet Earth ‘Bacon’ in early December for the first time. It is a great product and will continue to purchase it. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that any ⓋLT is not perfect unless I have made my own Vegan bacon or Seican. I have a recipe map already made up, just need to pull that trigger and kill some plants! I truly hate plants and hope that they all die.

A ⓋLT (Vegan BLT) is common sense and easy to make and configure. I did make Vegan Island Dressing.

Vegan Island Dressing ingredients:

Vegenaise, mmmm (64) @ $9.98 = $0.16 per serving
Cucumber, deseeded & diced (4.5) @ $0.70 = $0.16 per serving
Radish, diced (7.5) @$1.19 = $0.16 per serving
Celery seed = $0.05 per serving (probably less)
Seasonings: GarlicP/OnionP/Paprika/Salt/Pepper/Sugar = $0.05 per serving
Shallot, diced (4.5) @ $0.72 = $0.16 per serving
Sriracha (96) @ $2.97 = $0.04 per serving
Balsamic Vinegar (32) @ $2.97 = $0.10 per serving

Prep, Mix & Spread. For roughly 88 cents per serving and for the number of servings you can have, the punch in the mouth of flavor compared to cost is unreal. Making a Vegan BLT with Vegan Island and pairing with a nice (local) IPA hits the spot so hard.

The only things that I can recommend for awesome VLTs are:

Use fresh Veggies
Use good Bread
Toast the Bread
And prep your own Veggies
Use your imagination 🙂

CAUTION:

ⓋLT pictures and adaptations to follow…

I’ve also found it better to use the Vegan ‘bacon’ right out of the package. I hope everyone takes pride in the Quality of their pictures as much as I do. QUALITYoverQUANTITY. Have fun & be healthy! Happy SUNDAY!

Battle

Posted on December 27, 2015 by jeffreylatty

Many folks say that things happen for a reason. Prove it on an astronomical level and disprove that shit just happens. There is a huge difference from cause and effect and fate, basically being the difference of air and water between all living beings.

Tonight’s ride attempt was a fail. Hence, my battle. I am not a prancy-everything-has-to-be-perfect, cyclist. I am a grinder and a true sport. I got off of work early today to follow that with having a beer with my boss. I decided to ignore the wet atmosphere generously dampening my world and suited up to hop on the Fat Bike. I, first of all, encountered a flood I was not going to ride through. I unclipped left and couldn’t unclip right and immediately noticed that I lost a screw.

The Elements and Technology hit me hard. Using the Fat Bike and my one free foot for balance on a damp slight slope was not easily achievable for first to get my foot out of my Bontrager cycling shoe and two to then remove my shoe from the Crank Brothers Eggbeater pedal to better protect my cold foot from the cold wetness. I threw in the white flag and walked the bike home. I am thankful for this happening close to home. I am thankful for bringing beers.

I have lost a battle, however, I will win the war.

#RIDEON

2015 Cycling

Posted on December 22, 2015December 25, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I’ve been riding bicycles pretty regularly since 2009. Where the cycling relapse, in college around and about Southern Illinois, begun and I have been evolving into a decently average bicyclist since.

EⓋolⓋe –

verb (used without object), evolved, evolving.

to come forth gradually into being; develop; undergo evolution :

The whole idea evolved from a casual remark.

Biology. to develop by a process of evolution to a different adaptive state or condition:

The human species evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal.

I’ve made many Gran Fondo’s, metric centuries, imperial centuries and mudfulness’ towards becoming a better cyclist. Why not have a hobby that menatlly and physically stengthens you. Why not obtain and flourish a sense of adventurism.

Remember when you were a child and you actually remember how enjoyable your days were? Have you ever experienced a sobering permi-smile joy as an adult? There is an ongoing group of peers who (including myself) have had that same childhood sense while riding a Fat Bike. A Fat Bike is a massive sand, snow, creek venturing MTB (mountain bike) machine. In this group I had the first Fat Bike. It may have been low end, but it worked for a few kilometers. Now, I’ve ridden with almost ten differently owned FATBIKES. It is unreal in the snow. UNREAL IN THE SNOW.

I’ve been concentrating on the mental aspect of cycling rather than the physical demands for years. At work, on a walk, in the pool, just anywhere, I try and bring myself to breaking points. I want to have an unbreakable mind. I put myself through extremely aggitating scenerios that I will not prematurely specifically blog all over your face.

I did a Gran Fondo (110 km) Fat Bike ride and it was mentally draining.

Fat Bike Hike

What’s next? 🙂

Be happy. Be adventurist. Be healthy. Live and challenge yourself.

iGeek

Posted on December 17, 2015December 17, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I feel (not sure if it is true or not) I am modest when it comes to things that I’m talented with. I am not a super hero, otherwise I would not have a surplus of blog material without a blog motive. You know, when you subconsciously map a recipe for an idea of blogging and then go about your lifestyle creating awesome material to write about and then find it difficult to catch up and to find motivation to publish.

I have noticed different moods for my brain that is better at dealing with different activities. I do like to write, but not all of the time. I’ve been doing my own style of writing since high school. It might have been an abundance of horrible poetry, but it wasn’t all garbage. Random writing has been a staple of my lifestyle for some time for whatever life brings. Coinciding with writing is playing Chess. I tend to want to write and play chess more in the winter during less climately inviting conditions are presently outside. When I am more active outside, I don’t like to write or play chess. I may have just madeup the word “climately”.

I watched Searching for Bobby Fischer in 1994-95. I started playing Chess in fifth grade homeroom at age 11, in 1996. I continued to play chess until present day where I play Chess With Friends, a mobile Chess app, everyday. I have lost matches many of times and to me, that is the best way to learn.

My all-time winning percentage on Chess With Friends is 70% and I believe I started in 2009-2010. I am in no way a Chess grandmaster, just a dude that is decent at Chess.

I refrain from considering myself a nerd. I am a geek, a person who likes nerdy things, but can still party like a rock star.

To me, there is not a better game out there that at the same time prepares your mind for the biggest game, life. It’s never too late to take up a new game, lifestyle and/or hobby.

“If you woke up and didn’t learn anything today, why the fuck did you wake up?”

Work hard. Play harder.

(not sure why I cannot remove ‘food’ from this category)

I & M Canal’s Issue

Posted on December 14, 2015 by jeffreylatty

The Illinos & Michigan Canal united the East Coast to the Gulf of Mexico with easier access as of 1848. According to Wikipedia, since 1964 eight engineered canal locks were designated a National Historic Landmark.

I’ve been getting to know this historic path extremely well since 2012. I documented a ride in September, 2012 that did not show any signs of a washout. I only documented aftermath of a fire that burned a field. And I have experienced and taken at least one decent bicycle ride via I&M Towpath that was washout-free. I remember this individual ride because of pictures and it was my contemplation process of ending a relationship. Without any detours or hazards, it was a free-thinking and relaxing ride.

In September the following (2013) year, was my next documentation of the I&M Canal. The towpath and I became close from then on. Ever since 2013 the same washout has been between Utica, IL and Ottawa, IL like one side is Mexico and the other the U.S with neither claiming the territory resulting in ultimate neglect..

Starved Rock State Park

There has been washouts along the Illinois & Michigan Canal, but have been fixed. There has been a near washout along the Hennepin Canal and even that has been fixed.

And then.

Hennepin Canal

The most West part of the I&M Canal does contain a rich Irish and Polish heritage equalling a poor catholic culture with a life involved around hefty drinking and vices.

Illinois Valley History

Furthermore, The I&M Canal provides immense opportunities for various activities from walking, running, adventurism and cycling. To pass the washout in and concludes risking injury, breaking the law, taking a high traffic road, and/or traveling extremely out of the way defeating the purpose of a worry free environment in which to roam.

I have heard IDNR has projected the project at a cost around $300,000.

Local businesses have offered to fund and construct permanent results only to be turned down. I’ve had about enough of this hazard/annoyance/apathy/lack-of-government-help

There has even been rumors of the BEAUTIFUL Starved Rock park to be promoted to a National Park. How is this neglect possible just outside of this unique beauty?

Just hoping for a miracle. Please share.

Happy Monday!

LBⓋ 10/10 CHILI

Posted on December 8, 2015 by jeffreylatty

My mother, the wonderful angel she is, made Vegan Chili for me the other night. It was nothing spectacular other than her kindness and simplistically comforting Chili flavor. I decided to try out block Daiya for the first time and prepare Chili ‘Cheese’ ‘Steak’ Fries. I also included a Chili recipe within my Low Budget Ⓥegan concept.

Last night I purchased a used, but basically new FAT BIKE as most components were not used except for wheels and frame. It has been nicknamed Arrogant Bastard.

I often come across things on Netflix that are popular and OK, but not very good in my opinion. I sometimes continue to watch them because hunting for something you feel like watching is the entirety of the battle. And then I came across this and the war has been victorious!

Real Rob

Low Budget Ⓥegan Chili 10/10 ingredients:

Celery, diced (13) @ $0.39 = $0.03 per serving
Onion, diced (5) @ $0.80 = $0.16 per serving
Carrot, diced (12) @ $0.84 = $0.07 per serving
Sweet peppers, diced (2.75) @ $2.50 = $0.91 per serving
Stewed Tomatoes (6) @ $2.19 = $0.37 per serving
Tomato Paste (5) @ $0.58 = $0.12 per serving
Broth (4) @ $1.98 = $0.50 per serving
Dry Pinto Beans (13) @ $1.12 = $0.09 per serving
Dry Kidney beans (13) @ $1.16 = $0.10 per serving
Dry Black Eyed Peas (13) @ $1.52 = $0.12 per serving
Corn, canned (3.5) @ $0.50 = $0.15 per serving
Seasonings: GarlicP/OnionP/Paprika/Salt/Pepper/ BrownSugar/Cayenne = $0.06 per serving
Saltines (30) @ $1.78 = $0.06 per serving

Approach:

I decided to cut out the use of any Oil for this Recipe.
I pre cooked Beans together for 60-75 minutes.
I chopped all Veggies and strained Beans and Corn.
Add Tomatoes and Paste. Fill Paste cans with Veggie Broth and add all ingredients with remaining Broth.
Add Pasty Broth and Season
Bring to boil, cover, simmer and periodically stir
GO FOR A FAT BIKE RIDE IN THE WET AND COLD AND COME BACK AND ENJOY!

It may be a bit deceiving at a whopping $2.74 per serving for this Chili, but the amount of serving are plentiful.

The block Daiya ‘cheddar cheese’ did not melt as I thought it would, but was extremely tasty!

Chili ‘Cheese’ ‘Steak’ Fries ingredients:

Potatoes, sliced and grilled (20) @ $2.99 = $0.15 per serving
Vegenaise, mmmm (64) @$9.98 = $0.16 per serving
Spinach, sliced (12) @$2.99 = $0.25 per serving
Chili, mmmm = $2.74 per serving unless MOM makes it for you 🙂
Daiya ‘cheese’ (7) @$5.95 = $0.85 per serving

Barrel Rolls:

Grill Potatoes
Slice Spinach and Daiya from block
Place Potatoes on plate and bake with heated Chili and Daiya.
Add Daiya and Vegenaise 🙂

LBV 8/10 BBⓋ Eggplant

Posted on November 30, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I am so impressed with this BBⓋ Eggplant concept that I will be redesigning it with a few upgrades at a later date. These two sandwiches were amazingly delicious. They were also cheap and easy like the hooker I’ve always dreamed of…. 😐

In all seriousness…

Low Budget Ⓥegan 8/10 BBⓋ Eggplant ingredients:

Eggplant, grilled and chopped (8) @ $1.78 = &0.23 per serving
Brown Sugar (227) @ $1.50 = $0.01 per serving
Ketchup (47) @ $2.24 = $0.05 per serving
Salsa (22) @ $2.48 = $0.12 per serving
Seasonings: Salt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP = $0.05 per serving
Rye Bread, grilled (16) @ $2.89 = $0.19 per serving
Liquid Smoke (8) @$1.48 = $0.19 per serving

For the taste and cost, this is a no-brainer easy lunch or snack inside the Vegan lifestyle. It calculates to $0.84 per serving.

Cross Country Ski Trek:

I used an awesome pan that is non-stick. I heated that pan and threw the chopped Eggplant in and tossed ’em around a bit.
I seasoned with Salt/Pepper and then Liquid Smoke.
After obtaining a bit more color, I added the Salsa, Ketchup, Brown Sugar & Seasonings and reduced heat.
After a few minutes, turn off heat and letlive.
Put on bread and I now recommend cutting in half.

CHEERS to the 50 followers I have as of today! Feel free for any input or suggestions or dares. It keeps me going (because I’m hungry), but to influence others with ideas and to have an audience is the best motivation. I wish people would survive off of their own cooked meals and I wish fast food would deplete and Cows Wouldn’t Fart So Much.

They deserve to fart, just not be raised just for slaughter and farts. Murder is bad. Meat is Murder.

LBⓋ 7/10 POTATOES

Posted on November 30, 2015November 30, 2015 by jeffreylatty

More of just a side, these are absolutely an economical and delicious way to eat ⓋEGAN.

Low Budget ⓋEGAN 7/10 POTATOES ingredients:

Potatoes (20) @ $2.99 = $0.15 per serving
Salt/Pepper = $0.05 per serving
Sriracha (96) @ $2.97 = $0.04 per serving
Balsamic Vinegar (32) @ $2.97 = $0.10 per serving
Oil (128) @ $5.49 = $0.05 per serving

These potatoes are super cheap at $0.39 per serving. And an outstanding side or snack.

The most complicated thing to figure out is cutting. Either slice one way or slice both ways for a nice french fry style baked potato. These are also good without any ingredients.

Slice potatoes and bake for 1.5 hours.
Mix ingredients and spread over top of Potatoes.
Broil for 10-15 minutes and serve.

BREAKⓋAST

Posted on November 30, 2015December 3, 2015 by jeffreylatty

There are most likely numerous things I do miss about a carnivorous and non-Vegan lifestyle, but, for some reason, I miss that sickening full feeling the most. And the subconscious connection between comfort-food and that sickly full atmospheric pressure is in the back of my brain as I’m still attaining to retain that damn sensation.

The conclusion was creating an awesome ongoing process of constructing Ⓥegan food that is extremely good for you that will never provide a sick-full ambience, like chasing a water-like mirage for 100 kms in a sand-boiling-into-glass desert. After months and months of scientifically creating food ideas like Einstein with an apron on and like Einstein riding a bicycle, there IS NOT a way to be engulfed by that death euphoria without torturing, murdering and consuming animal flesh or animal dairy products.

I will never in my life eat animal flesh ever again. So, it is settled. I do still enjoy creating and consuming Ⓥ “comfort-food”, but I will never experience that deathly ill susceptibility. I will only have an energetic, healthy and LIFEFUL consciousness and how is that a bad thing.

One fact that bothers me is Albert Einstein, the brilliant scientist, believed in vegetarianism his whole life, yet only practiced a vegetarian lifestyle at the conclusion of his life. For someone so smart, why did it take him so long..? I’d truly enjoy asking him that question.

I’ve recently noticed a trend of mothers posting cute pictures of their children and calling them “hams” on various social media platforms. I am biased being Vegan and haven’t stuck a fork in ham for well over three years, but I find it disturbing. All that I can think of is the torture and murder involved in preparing that “cute” dead animal flesh for the holiday. Why is that becoming a fad? I hope for the sake of quality of life that I am not the only one that has noticed and been bothered by this. Maybe I am overthinking this, but felt an urge to shed some light on this. If anyone can explain the reasoning behind this, I’d greatly appreciate it. I can only think of ignorance.

Penguins Kill Polar Bears

A newly found artist, Penguins Kill Polar Bears, are a post-rock scottish foursome that are talented and loud.

CHECK ‘EM OUT

PenguinsKillPolarBears

I am also gonna, from now on, keep track of prices most of the prices in relation to their serving sizes. LBV is still not finished, also. (Low Budget Vegan)

BREAKⓋAST ingredients:

Tofu, extra firm (6) @ $2.98 = $0.50 per serving
Eggplant, chopped (8) @ $1.78 = $0.23 per serving
Spinach, sliced (3.5) @ $2.98 = $0.86 per serving
Shallot, sliced (6) @$0.72 = $0.12 per serving
Portabellini, sliced (3.5) @ $3.99 = $1.14 per serving
SEASONING: SeaSalt/Pepper/FennelSeed/ DillWeed/Oil = $0.07
Lightlife ‘sausage’, crumbled (7) @ $4.99 = $0.72 per serving
Lightlife ‘beef’, crumbled (7) @ $4.99 = $0.72 per serving
Rye Bread, grilled (16) @ $2.89 = $0.19 per serving
Earth Balance (30) @ $4.99 = $0.17 per serving
Tortilla, warm – for burrito (8) @ $1.25 = $0.16 per serving
Potato, diced (20) @ $2.99 = $0.15 per serving
Garlic, minced (27) @ $2.99 = $0.12 per serving

This is definitely not the cheapest meal, at $4.43 per serving, it is well worth it for health and general life benefits. And depending on quality of vegetables, it can cost more. The spinach and Mushrooms are ridiculously expensive for the servings. Not 100% sure those were the serving sizes, but still way more than I normally want to spend.

I do not feel like going into much detail on how I made this. It’s pretty simple. I think I broke my toe last night and I’m going to attempt to ride tonight! I, also, am going to buy a Fat Bike tonight!!!

It’s been quite a few months since I rolled a FATTY!

Happy THURSDAY! Enjoy a good BEER

EZ Chinesey II

Posted on November 23, 2015November 23, 2015 by jeffreylatty

In the past, before my Veganism, before my Vegetarianism, I was somehow convinced there was an unwritten rule that only certain foods were acceptable to eat in the morning. I tell ya what…. Chinese food at 0930 is the freaking way to start a day.

A theory I’ve been toying around with for a while is that my tastebuds are still and have already evolved. Brussels Sprouts, Thanksgiving and I have a fairly new, yet repetitive, history. In 2011 on Thanksgiving, I attempted consumption of Brussels Sprouts and was completely disgusted and quickly forced the vegetable out of my mouth.

In January 2013, I became a full-on Vegetarian and my life has never and will never be the same. I’ve toyed around with Vegetarianism before 2013, but finally pulled the trigger after viewing VEGUCATED on Netflix. Which to this day, is still on Netflix. And, honestly, Vegucated influenced my push to have a Vegan lifestyle.

Vegucated Trailer

On Thanksgiving 2014, I prepared two dishes of brussels sprouts. The one was carnivorous and the other was herbivorous. I did not eat any of the dish with pig flesh. The meatless dish did involve dairy, but gave me a new love for Brussels Sprouts. I now love various different vegetables that I used to despise, ultimately proving my theory of palate evolution.

It is in my subconscious to need Brussels Sprouts in me around Thanksgiving time.

LBⓋ 6/10

Low Budget Ⓥegan EZ Chinesey II:

Ramen Noodles (non-Ⓥegan seasoning packet discarded) (24) @ $2.18 = $0.10 per serving
Brussels Sprouts, oven-roasted face down (9) @ $2.68 = $0.30 per serving
Salt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP = $0.05 per serving
Sesame Oil (10) @ $3.48 = $0.35 per serving
Balsamic Vinegar (32) @ $2.97 = $0.10 per serving
Sriracha (96) @ $2.97 = $0.04 per serving
Soy Sauce (30) @ $1.88 = $0.07 per serving

Roast the brussels sprouts. In the meantime, slightly undercook Noodles and strain. Wipe out any remaining water in the pan. Put on low heat and Add Sesame Oil, Sriracha, Balsamic and Noodles. Add Seasonings and Brussels Sprouts. Add Soy Sauce and stir generously. At $1.01 per serving, this is extremely affordable and even more extremely delicious.

My sister asked me to make Brussels Sprouts for this years Thanksgiving. It will be an epic Jurassic battle between the Herbivorous and carnivorous Brussels Sprouts as I’ll be preparing both unless I just go with the delicious Ⓥ Brussels Sprouts all together. 🙂

Also, I’m digging this new WordPress app for OS X.

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