photo – Page 4 – 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

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!

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.

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

Blushing Ⓥ Linguine

Posted on November 6, 2015 by jeffreylatty

Back Burner Ragu Marinara ingredients:

Celery, finely diced
Carrot, finely diced
Onion, finely diced
Garlic, diced
Balsamic Vinegar
Veggie Broth
Tomato Paste
Chopped Tomatoes, canned or fresh (deseeded)
Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/Cayenne/GarlicP/OnionP

Steps:

Cook Garlic, Celery, Onion & Carrot before adding everything else.
Simmer for hours, stirring.
I used Brown Sugar this time and I put a splash of Liquid Smoke

Blush Sauce ingredients:

Cashew ‘Milk’, mmmmm
SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP/Cayenne/Turmeric
Nutritional Yeast/Sugar
Back Burner Ragu Marinara

Boil & simmer for 30-45 minutes.

Blushing Ⓥ Linguine ingredients:

Blush Sauce, hot & ready
Linguine, undercooked
Green Pepper, julienne sliced
Mushroom, sliced
Onion, diced
Parsley
Basil, sliced
Daiya, slices mmmm

Science:

Sauté Veggies and add Blush Sauce.
Undercook Linguine and drain to be completed in Blush sauce.
Plate Blushing Noodles and top with Blushing Veggies and Daiya slices.
Broil for two minutes and finish with herbs.

ⓋLattyDaddys

Posted on October 31, 2015November 11, 2015 by jeffreylatty

Vegan LattyDaddy’s are Vegan patties that are perfectly architected like imperfected Cincinnati’s Belgian Abbeys.

No need for Condiments. A LightLife LifeLine. A menace to society. How can one Vegan patty be so flavorful and still hold its own against heat?

Japanese beetles are not The Beatles with a Japan-like accent, but here in the midwest of the United States of America to ensure our Windows are sealed correctly.

Seitan ingredients:

Vital Wheat Gluten
Rosemary/FennelSeed, crushed
Corn Meal
Cayenne/Thyme/Turmeric
Tomato Paste
Broth
SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP
BayLeaves/Celery/Onion, for cooking in
Non-Dairy Cheese Cloth

411: Mix wet ingredients together and mix dry ingredients together and then mix wet and dry together. Form into a loaf and put into wet ‘Cheese’ Cloth and bake in Lasagna pan two hours flipping halfway in Broth. Remove from cloth immediately and store, add color or use!

WildTurkey 101 BBⓋ sauce ingredients:

Chipotle Adobe, chopped/mixed/liquified
Liquid Smoke
Garlic/Onion/Serrano, diced and roasted or roasted and chopped
Brown Sugar
Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar
SeaSalt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP
Tomato Paste
Broth
Wild Turkey 101, after a few sips 🙂

Shots:

Bring everything to a boil and simmer for hours.
Strain or do not strain, depending use.

ⓋLattyDaddy patty ingredients:

Seitan, diced
Tofu, firm
LightLife ‘beef’ & ‘sausage’, chopped
Brown Rice, cooked
Black Beans, cooked
Pinto Beans, cooked
Lentils, cooked
WildTurkey 101 BBⓋ sauce, mmmmmmm
Sunflower Seeds, roasted
Cauliflower, diced & roasted
Eggplant, diced & roasted
Shallot, diced & roasted
Broth, Veggie DUH
Mushroom, sliced & roasted
Garlic, minced & roasted
Parsley, chopped
SeaSalt/Pepper/OnionP/GarlicP/Sugar
LiquidSmoke/Cayenne/Turmeric/NutritionalYeast
Instant Mashed Spuds, binding agent

Mix together. I let sit before forming patties. I normally would’ve roasted the patties, but I actually ran out of Parchment Paper and pan-fried the patties with very light oil in a non-stick pan.

ⓋLattyDaddy ingredients:

ⓋLattyDaddy Patty
Daiya, Daiya slices melt extremely perfect 🙂
Green Pepper, sliced and pan-fried or roasted
Tomato, sliced
Buns, bigger (gourmet) & toasted on insides
Vegenaise, mmmmm

Trick or Treat:

Toast buns and set aside.
Roast or pan-fry ⓋLattyDaddy patty and put Green Pepper slices under Daiya & melt.
Lather Vegenaise on inside of Buns and put together.
Put together without condiments. Place Tomatoes in there somewhere.
I baked halved Potatoes on a cast iron skillet for the side.

I find myself talking to beer store clerks/cashiers more and more. I think, unconsciously adapting them as my “bartender” as I don’t go to bars much anymore because they cannot upkeep their varieties of good beers to my beer guts demand. I don’t dwell of any issues going on in my life, just basically hired friends forced to bullshit with me. 🙂

Drink a Bicycle and go Ride a Beer. Have an extremely safe and outrageously FUN Halloween!

Ⓥegan Pasta

Posted on September 30, 2015September 30, 2015 by jeffreylatty

Yesterday was my very first experience buying, cooking and consuming Earth Balance Vegan ‘butter’. It was extremely enjoyable and I’m officially now a lifelong customer. Along with Vegenaise, Earth Balance is better than animal-based dairy. SERIOUSLY. It could be the evolution of my palate, but serious tastiness anyway you consume these wonderful plant-based products is a no brainer.

Saturday night, immediately after work, I went for a ride via towpath to drink some beers and make a small night out of it. I noticed the super moon and was extremely impressed with the visuality of a normally immensely dark (death metal) towpath. I still used my light, but would’ve been fine without my NiteRider Lumina 700. When the moon casts shadows, you (me) know its close to our earth. For the second time this year, I completed a (my) local bars Hall of Foam where you get your name on a plaque for drinking 50 different beers. It was a great night! (Warning: not all in one night)

Here in northern Illinois, it has been unseasonably warm this September. And yesterday was the first Fall-like day this year (2015:). Chili (and Soup) season is HERE! Last night, after work, I had to make a buttery pasta with the amazing Earth Balance. I decided to make a Mexicano (Ⓥ) Pasta and I’ll just go ahead and call it Mexicano Ⓥasta.

Mexicano Ⓥasta ingredients:

Earth Balance ‘butter’, mmmmmmmmm
Garlic, minced
Carrot, sliced small longways
Onion, (red) diced
Sweet Potato, WITH PEEL ON (try it!) chopped
Oil/BalsamicVinegar
SeaSalt/Pepper/ChipotleP/Cayenne/C.R.P./Paprika/FennelSeed
Cilantro, I used frozen cubes
Kale, frozen & NONGMOProjectVerified
Corn, kernels
Tomato, grape sliced
Rice, Jasmine & cooked
Lentils, cooked
Radish, sliced
Mushroom, sliced
Eggplant, chopped
Squash, Zucchini & chopped
Angel Hair pasta, cooked al dente & not rinsed
Thickening agent, instant mashed potatoes

T minus ______ until blastoff:

Added a bit of Oil to heated pan and sautéed Garlic with Carrot, Sweet Potato, Onion & Eggplant while cooking Jasmine Rice and Lentils on another burner.
I added seasonings, Corn, BalsamicVinegar & Zucchini, covering for a few minutes.
Once Rice/Lentils are done, I strained and added with Earth balance ‘butter’, Cilantro, Tomato, Radish & Mushroom, covering on a simmer.
I cooked Angel Hair (Capellini for those Italians:) al dente and strained. If you’d like, a little Oil on pasta…
I added a few pinches of instant mashed potatoes as a thickening agent and served over plated pasta!

I couldn’t stop eating this pasta. Not literally, but just about. I might eat the leftovers for breakfast!

I hope everyone is having a great week! I also hope no one witnessed any crazies during this Super Moon.

And go Chicago Cubbies! Happy Wednesday!

I also made Sweet Potato Chips 🙂 (to be mastered)