arizona – VeggHead BeerCyclist

Mac N’ Fun

Posted on June 27, 2020 by jeffreylatty

Surrounded by an exploding deadly virus and multiple wildfires, the current state of Arizona is close to being hell on Earth.

Comfort food is needed more than ever before. Today’s craving is Mac N’ Daiya!

And leaving recipes alone is not in my vocabulary. Let’s enhance normality. Let’s create character and texture:)

Veggies were lightly roasted before being lightly broiled. A new (to me) Ⓥegan Milk was utilized. Seasoned with Garlic powder, Sea Salt & Pepper, Smoky Tempeh was added to the little Milky mixture. The Mac was barely under cooked, drained and added to the mix with the Daiya ‘cheese’.

The roasted Veggies were added with a little more Ⓥ Milk. This hit the spot:):)

CHEERS.

Daiya Dream Beyond Elotes

Posted on July 29, 2019 by jeffreylatty

Just a pictorial recipe today…

…Cheers

Ⓥlat Aco

Posted on July 3, 2019 by jeffreylatty

Pineapple Juice mixed with Seasonings, Scallions and Instant Mashed potatoes to act as a “Sauce” on a tortilla. This Tortilla with its “Sauce” was topped with Daiya, Avocado, Pineapple and a separately prepared meatless Crumbles, Corn and Garlic. This beastly flat Taco was baked for a bit, but heavy as hell.

CHEERS.

Ⓥotatorito

Posted on May 14, 2019 by jeffreylatty

Happy Monday and Blackjack from the desert valley in Arizona.

Twenty-one days have passed in my Arizona-resident-acclimation.

Things are progressing well.

O’Brien Potatoes were roasted and broiled before being tossed in Earth Balance ‘butter’ and Daiya.

In a separate pot, Pickle Juice, Pepper and Garlic Powder were brought to a simmer. Northern Beans, (Instant) Brown/Quinoa/Wild Rice mixture, Beyond Meat Crumbles were added and heated until the Pickle Juiced infused and evaporated.

After the Daiya melted, the two seperate concoctions were combined with chopped Dill Pickles. Tortillas were warmed. Tortillas were stuffed and folded.

CHEERS.

Arizona Bound

Posted on April 6, 2019April 6, 2019 by jeffreylatty

Happy Spring! Exciting news awaits as it is in the mid 60s here, today, in Northern Illinois.

A little over one week ago, I was hired for a retail position in Peoria, AZ. And within a week, I’ve hired a moving service, signed a lease, gotten a raise and gave a two-week notice. I will not dive into details about my job, but rest assured, I’m in great hands.

A one-way flight and a little packing is all that is left. The excitement is immense and the number of adventures to come are endless being less than 300 km from California or Mexico, just over 500 km from Las Vegas, less than 1,000 km from the Rocky Mountains and roughly 350 km from The Grand Canyon.

#NeverStopExploring

Being a sunshine addict, Arizona is perfect for myself to strive and thrive all year round. Strategically, my residence and workplace are at the center of a trail intersection.

Elote en Ⓥaso (Mexican-style Street Corn) GONE Vegan was simplistic. Corn Kernels seasoned with Hot Sauce, Sea Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder were stirred in Ⓥ ‘cream’ and heated generously. A few pieces of Daiya were tossed in with Ⓥ Crumbles. Cilantro and Scallions were mixed in at the very end. After spooning corn in a glass, Ⓥ ‘sour cream’ topped the tasty corn with Chipotle Powder sprinkled on top. Lime and Radish garnished this Corn fiesta.

CHEERS.

Arizona Travels

Posted on January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 by jeffreylatty

The road traveled to O’Hare Airport, I-88, is not the way to ease the mind and prepare for a four-hour flight westward when flying typically makes one uneasy. I-88 is the definition of Chicago-driving with utter havoc and ever shuffling chaos. Perhaps, letting the anxiety escalate prior to arrival to the airport would calm some down in preparing for flying. And I think it did calm me. Being a cyclist, I can go months without ever being in a vehicle. An IPA, did also, help calm my nerves before flying.

Arizona is an extremely diverse state and, within a week, I experienced most its awesomeness. I’ve earned my MTBing badge by biking, by myself, in Sedona red rocks for the very first time. Riding over wet boulders and rocks on the cliff side did not excite me much, yet, extruded survival skills. I am not ashamed that at certain points, I was terrified, and walked my rental bike.

The Grand Canyon truly is grand. It is literally too awesome to stare at for too long. And due to a partial government shutdown bullshit, the walkways were layered with pure ice. Luckily, there was a safety railing saving hundreds from their plummeting death that day.

Phoenix has millions (like five) of different cactuses that are wonderfully approachable and huggable. One hug and done. Phoenix/Arizona also likes to make my stay longer than planned. Due to horrific wintery conditions in Illinois, my flight cancellation extended my vacation 48 more hours. And years ago, due to an Arizonan monsoon, my flight was canceled. I am a sunshine addict and maybe the sunshine is addicted to me… Or it could be matching energies.

I had a wonderful trip out West. I learned that I enjoy diversity in people and weather throughout one day. I learned that MTBing is extremely difficult. I learned how friendly Arizonans are. I relearned that assumptions do not usually bring closure. I was reminded heights and ice are my worst enemies. And when combined, it is my kryptonite. Arizona restaurants are mostly Vegetarian/Vegan friendly. Arizona beers are OK, but Chicago/midwest beers reign supreme. Currently, in Northern Illinois, it is negative 25 degrees and feels like negative 56.

Stay warm out their, friends!

CHEERS