adventure – Page 7 – VeggHead BeerCyclist

Xmas Feast

Posted on December 27, 2015December 29, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I might’ve been guilty of forcing family members to enjoy a taste of Veganism this holiday season. I did make sure it would be super tasty. This was my second Tofurky Veggie Roast made in the last month. I had already come up with an idea before actually reading their instructions/recommendations. I was glad we were on the same page.

I made two different feasts a couple of weeks apart. Both being very similar, the first being a trial. It took me quite a few minutes to make sense of my notes, but I think I got it. I think we’re good. Let’s go!

The only mistake was not being sober enough both instances to take a decent picture. My tastebuds, however, took a few amazing photographs.

Trial Xmas Feast ingredients:

ⓋraⓋy or GraⓋy
Tofurky Veggie Roast, thawed
Veggies
A beer or two to help the brain to think freely

ⓋraⓋy or GraⓋy ingredients:

Chipotle/Chili/Paprika seasonings
Fresh Garlic/Turmeric, minced
SeaSalt/pepper/Sage/Savory
NutritionalYeast/LiquidSmoke/BrownSugar
Oil/BalsamicVinegar
Water
Onion/Celery/Carrot/Mushroom/Radish, super diced
Serrano, deseed or not for more spice, super diced

GraⓋy grooⓋiness:

Heat oil and add Turmeric & Garlic and slightly brown.
Add super diced Veggies and stir for 10 minutes.
Season, add Balsamic Vinegar/Liquid Smoke and cook for a few more minutes before adding water.
Simmer and cook down before blending for smootherness.

Veggie Mix ingredients:

Brown Rice, dry
Carrots, baby
Celery, chopped
Onion, sliced or diced
Potato, chopped
Lightlife ‘Sausage’ & ‘Beef’, torn
Raw Cashews, smashed
SeaSalt/Pepper/Fennel/Rosemary
Broth/BalsamicVinegar
Lentils, dry

Mix. And don’t worry about getting those Cashews too smashed. They can hold their own.

Use a casserole dish and fill with Veggies. Make Veggie Roast fit in the middle of Veggies and cover with GraⓋy. Save GraⓋy for afterwards, also.

Very tasty and a job well done; deserving some tinkering for a Xmas meal.

Xmas Feast ingredients:

GraⓋy
Tofurky Veggie Roast, thawed
Veggies
I refrained from a deliciously good beer until party time, but be my guest!

GraⓋy ingredients:

Broth, veggie of course
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP/Paprika/ChiliP
Fresh Garlic/Turmeric, minced
Oil/LiquidSmoke/NutritionalYeast/BrownSugar
Soyrizzo
Serrano, deseeded or not, diced
Cilantro, chopped
Mushroom, super diced
Carrot, super diced
Celery, super diced
Onion, super diced
Bell Peppers (green,yellow,red), super diced

I wanted to go with a mexican warmer Gravy, cooking down all of the flavors for some time before blending.

Veggie Mix ingredients:

Brussels Sprouts, sliced
Potato (Sweet and Russet), chopped in-skin
Carrot, baby
Onion, sliced or diced
Salt/Pepper/Rosemary/Fennel
Broth
Beans (I used Northern), undercooked
Brown Rice, dry
Tofu, extra firm
Vegan ‘Bacon’, sliced

Mix. Same as my Trial Feast, let this baby cook and intensify its wonderful flavor.

Couldn’t be happier of the Xmas Feast’s results.

I hope y’all had a wonderful Christmas! Onto the new year!

Ⓥ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

LBⓋ 11/10 Roasted Potatoes

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

LBⓋ = Low Budget Ⓥegan

MERRY CHRISTMAS, y’all!

Good food, good beer, a bit of time on my CROSSMAS bike (2014 TREK CrossRip aka HULKRIP) and not to mention quality family time is the perfect balance of greatness for I to strive this holiday season.

My sisters were mentioning that I need to write a cook book. I failed to mention all of you wonderful people that I annoy and torture with my deafening words and blinding pictures on WordPress. I will, however, take it into consideration.

It is oftenly easy to get ahead of yourself (myself) and experiment with food. Which is great, but not the best thing to do with family as your test bunnies unless you do not like them. There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple. I made Roasted Potatoes and a mastered experimental dish that I’ll get into another time. I will seriously not be climbing into the casserole dish with all of that glorious food consuming space waiting to be embraced inside of my tummy. Apologies for any misleads. I have an idea for bread, but decided to hold off and do that concept as a project just for myself. Crafting your (my) Ⓥ experiments before sharing is ideal. And it pans out. Happiness and joy to follow. Nothing is more satisfying (to me) than showing off a successful experimental dish you (I) constructed.

LBⓋ 11/10 Roasted Potatoes ingredients:

Red Potato (15) @ $2.49 = $0.17 per serving
Sriracha (96) @ $2.97 = $0.04 per serving
Balsamic Vinegar (32) = $0.10 per serving
Seasonings: Salt/Pepper/Oil/Rosemary/Basil = $0.08 per serving

Potato Process:)

Chop potatoes and from a decent distance, throw into large mixing bowl;)
Add everything except Basil and mix.
I put on baking sheet and wrapped with foil.
I baked for 60-75 minutes before removing foil and broiling slightly to finish.
Garnish with Basil and transfer to be made presentable.
At a whopping $0.39 per serving, this is a simple no-brainer for a side dish.

Happy Crossmas!

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 🙂

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

Illinois Brews & Baseball

Posted on October 14, 2015October 15, 2015 by jeffreylatty

Congratulations to Cubs fans everywhere. Congratulations to Cardinal fans in Illinois for seeing a truly stellar team this year in the Chicago Cubs take away their pride. Since 1876 the Chicago Cubs have won 1197 games against STL and the Cardinals have taken 1147 from the Cubbies during regular season play. And in the all-time post-season the Cubs are 3-1 against STL. According to Wikipedia.

I’m very excited to see and try many Illinois brewed beers and creations. For me, anyways, true local brews give you a sense of untouchable refreshmentism before even considering the smell, taste, feel or notes. Perhaps that is due to the freshness, but I believe it’s more along the fine lines of a thing called pride! Like rooting for your local high school football team, it may not be the best, but damn it, you’re happy to see it and experience it.

Breweries come and go, bought out and sold out. There are craft breweries now directly competing with the (has-been) big dogs Miller and Bud. I want to concentrate on the Illinois breweries who are not selling out. All of this information is from Wikipedia. Apologies if any info is incorrect.

My first favorite Illinois brewery:

Big Muddy Brewing opened in 2009 in Murphysboro, IL.

My go-to Illinois brewery:

Revolution Brewing out of Chicago since 2010.

Mead:

Wild Blossom Meadery – Chicago, IL.

Most versatile arsenal Illinois brewery:

Destihl 2007 Normal, IL.

Super local Illinois Valley breweries:

Radium City
Starved Rock Brewing

Most impressive Illinois brewed beer:

Tighthead Irie IPA- Mundelein, IL 2011

I was watching the Cubs on Monday night and wanted some easy quick (Vegan) food. I tweeted Jimmy John’s, half inebriated. And with their awesome help, I was able to conclude and acquire a Vegan delivery. Their bread is not Vegan. I paid $18 for two lettuce wraps that were delicious and not so much filling. I was impressed with how well Jimmy John’s interacted with me via twitter and did not cower like a company that puts beef fat into their fries and probably soda. That was the first time that I have ordered out in quite a few months.

Try some Illinois brewed beers or mead and try some Illinois baseball! The Cubbies are something else this year.

Chili EⓋolution

Posted on October 10, 2015October 11, 2015 by jeffreylatty

I finished this blog this morning spending two hours on it only for WordPress to fail and erase a huge chunk of data. So, I went for a ride.

Friday Morning Ride

I’ve been making kick-ass Chili for at least (well documented) five years now. It has only truly been documented a few times, but I mastered my style of chili probably ten years ago I just never knew it until around 5 years ago. I used to make this kick-ass DIP (for chips) using nothing but chicken and actual veggies working in a restaurant kitchen. You know, against the rules kitchen food, to feed the staff. And from there after plugging the concept in with chili type ideas, my style of Chili was born.

I cannot believe I had the mindset, at more than one points in the past, to keep my cheffing secrets, secrets until they made me millions. I have now forever retired from a kitchen that I do not own. Might as well share and help someone develop their own style.

October is kind of a HUGE month for me. The month includes or almost includes:

Trek HulkRip 2nd Birthday (Sept 22nd)
Trek Darth Vader 1st Birthday (Oct 30th)
1000 Vegetarian Day (Oct 26th)
100 Vegan Day (Oct 16th)

When your own personal well-being is healthy and you truly feel well, it makes life much easier. I feel when healthier than not, stress levels are down and energy levels are up.

Since making a Vegetarian lifestyle change, I’ve noticed extremely better health vitals and weight loss without a true workout routine, other than cycling. Every time that I donate blood (Double Red Cell), I am assured my once moderately high blood pressure is still low. My gym is adventure. My gym is outdoors.

Chili Secrets:

Use Vegetables instead of powders
Use lots of Vegetables
Chop everything yourself, don’t be a lazy ass
Marinate on lowest of simmers for hours
Drink a good Beer

It shouldn’t necessarily be about ourselves as it should be about the animals, about the environment and truly realizing and comprehending the bigger picture. There is an impact bigger than just one person, cutting out meat/dairy or even just consuming less.

Chili ingredients (2009):

Ground Turkey, eewwwwww
Bell Peppers, diced
Hot Peppers, diced
Onion, diced
Salt/Pepper
Water sometimes Chicken broth
Beans
Corn
Tomatoes, stewed, diced or chopped (can)
Cilantro, chopped
Cheddar Cheese, gross

I’ve made different variations through the years. Creating a creamier sauce with adding Cheese until last year. I made Lentili without butter or oil and almost Vegan. I think I added Cheese that wasn’t completely Vegan.

Ever find an artist (music band) that makes you super excited after you find out the length of their discography to listen to. And only an eighth of their music is what you want and the rest is garbage. I really appreciate good bands that can stay consistently different through the years. Not sounding the same on every album, but not changing their roots either.

mewithoutyou

Yam Lentili ingredients:

Garlic, diced finely
Onion, diced
Celery, diced
Carrot, diced
Hot Peppers – Jalapeño, Serrano, Poblano, Chipotle (in Adobo), diced
Bell Peppers – Green, Red, Yellow, Orange, diced
Veggie Broth, splashy
Tomatoes, deseeded & chopped
Day, mmmmmm
Kale, chopped
Cilantro, chopped or frozen cubes 🙂 lots
SeaSalt/Pepper
Parsley, chopped
BalsamicVinegar/Sriracha/Sugar
Sweet Potato, chopped and baked on parchment paper
I think I added Mushrooms, sliced
Lentils, Red (split) & Green 🙂

I ain’t here to give cooking lessons. Use your imagination and have FUN! I did also make kick-ass Vegan Corn Bread. Seriously, play with your food!

Ⓥ Cream Corn ingredients:

Corn, kernels
Cashew ‘Milk’
Earth balance, ‘Butter’
SeaSalt/Sugar/ChipotleP/Onion&GarlicP/NutritionalYeast
Balsamic Vinegar
Flour
Onion, diced
Parsley, chopped
Corn Meal
Parsley, chopped

I just mixed everything together, covered and set out for a good hour.

ⓋornBread ingredients:

Balsamic Vinegar & Sriracha
Flour & Sugar
Corn Meal
Poblano Pepper, just a little & diced
Cilantro, diced
Baking Powder & Soda
Ⓥ Cream Corn

Simply mixed together and baked.

Lentili Colcannon ingredients:

Yam Lentili
Potatoes, red & russet roasted
Cashew ‘milk’
Daiya, mmmm
Onion, diced
Jalapeño, diced
Garlic, diced
Corn
Parsley & Cilantro, chopped finally finely
Grape Tomatoes
SeaSalt/Pepper/BalsamicVinegar/Sriracha
OnionP/GarlicP/Sugar

Balls & Strikes:

I dry roasted and did not add any oil. I used one pan with PARCHMENT PAPER:) Added things at different times because not all veggies roast in the same time. I then mixed everything together and topped with Yam Lentili. I did not roast the Grape Tomatoes. I heated them up in the Cashew ‘milk’.

10.07.15 I’m taking my love for Chicago-style dawgs and Vegan lifestyle to another level tonight as the Chicago Cubs play the Pittsburgh Pirates in a wildcard matchup. The Cubs, not being in the post-season since 2008, are a stellar team this season.

10.08.15 The Chicago Cubs won and Jake Arrieta threw a complete game SHO (shutout). Jake has shown a poise that I’ve never seen from a Cubs pitcher. His confidence and simply his persona on the mound sometimes gives me goosebumps. The Chicago Cubs acquired Jake (and Pedro Strop) from the Baltimore Orioles on July 2, 2013 for Steve Clevenger and Scott Feldman. At the time I was sad to see Feldman go, but heard both Arrieta and Strop had potential. Arrieta pitched well the remainder of 2013 and 2014. He went 14-7 with a 2.81 ERA (Earned Runs x 9(innings in a game) ÷ IP (Innings Pitched)). And his numbers are in for 2015 with a whopping 22 wins to only 6 losses. Having the best stats ever after the all-star break. Baseball has been around since the 19th century. Baseball has been a game for a few minutes.

I have created the Ⓥ Jake Arrieta’s. Ⓥ=Vegan. I made five of these monsters being strong, consistent & extremely healthy. The Ⓥ Jake Arrieta is a friendly neighborhood Char Dawg.

Chicago-style Relish ingredients:

Tomato, deseeded and diced
Cucumber, deseeded and diced
Onion, diced
Hot Peppers (Poblano & Jalapeno), deseeded and diced
Celery Seed
Celery Salt
SeaSalt/Pepper/ChipotleP/OnionP/GarlicP
Poppy Seed

MIX 🙂

Since being close to 100 days Vegan, my body has skyrocketed to amazing well-being and health. I’m going to live for 300 years. And I think that I am shrinking while still being very strong. I can ride a bicycle so much better and faster. My energy level is through the roof. And I feel AMAZING.

Ⓥ Jake Arrieta a Ⓥegan Chicago-style Lentili CharDawg ingredients:

Chicago-style Relish, mmmm
Buns, bigger the better
Daiya, mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Vegan Hot Dog (I use Lightlife Smart Dogs-JUMBO), charred
Mustard, organic 🙂
Lentili, mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Chipotle Powder, mmmmmm

Extra Innings:

Cut the ends of your smart dogs to keep from blistering.
Bake/Broil until your level of char or you patience allows.
Add already warm Lentili and Daiya and broil.
Broil Buns if desired, I’m a char-head.
Top with Chicago Relish, Organic Mustard and Chipotle Powder

I also came up with a salad concept of Roasted Veggies mixed with Romaine and Lentili as the ‘dressing’. It was good. I made Sweet Potato chips with my first batch of Ⓥ Jake Arrieta’s, but I was a little too tipsy to take a decently good pic. Hopefully today is much better with the art of photography. I also made three Dawgs a little different, yesterday. I feel like I’m forgetting some stuff. DAMNIT.

The Cubs play STL in a best of 5 NLDS and I’ve been saying all season that if the Cubs want to win big, they have to be able to destroy STL. And they can. Go CUBBIES & Happy Friday!