Ⓥegan Comfortisms

Posted on by jeffreylatty

  
Vegan comfort food might not be as readily available as say fast food or other animal product junk. It is, however, easy to create with help from great non animal products. Any Vegan ‘junk’ food is healthier and Better for the world than animal base junk food.

  
I’ve been a big fan of Apple Music the last couple of months and I decided to check up on some bands that I have not been keeping track of in the recent years like I used to. One of the bands that I have been keeping track of since day 2 is deftones. I’ve been purchasing albums since 1997. They are single handidly my favorite band and have been since probably 1998. Their first album, Adrenaline, came out in 1995. And it would have been one of my first albums ever purchased. If I remember correctly, this would be my first five CD and Cassettes:

  1. The Doors – Greastest Hits
  2. Ozzy – The Ozzman Cometh
  3. Limp Bizkit – Three Dollar Bill, Y’all
  4. Rage Against The Machine – Evil Empire
  5. Deftones – Adrenaline

  
I’ve learned over the years that in order to gain use out of your ingredients, you’ll (me) have to plan around bulk ingredients. And as I’m blogging these (all over your face) there is an overlap of ingredients. Use it or Lose it! I came up with a Ⓥlattaco, grilled apple ampersand The Post-Apolacalyptic Zombie Butcher VeggHead.

   
   
Just today I used Apple Music to check up on the band Korn and their new music. They really went downhill after Follow The Leader. Deftones have kept themselves very good and still make very interesting music and they appear to continue to. And because of this, I’m going to share a favorite song off of every album.

  1. FIST
  2. Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
  3. Knife Party
  4. Deathblow
  5. Simple Man
  6. BEWARE
  7. Beauty School
  8. ROSEMARY

  
I really hope at least one music lover that has never experienced deftones took at least five minutes to click on one of the above links to enjoy. Now onto the food. I was impressed with the look and the simplicity of a grilled apple, but it wasn’t as tasty as I was hoping.

   
   
Ⓥlattaco ingrediets:

  • Whole Wheat Tortilla, Grilled on one side
  • Hummus
  • Guacamole, spicy 🙂
  • BrownRice/Lentils/SpiltPeas/dicedNonGMOfrozenGrilledEggplant:) cook in below seasonings
  • Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicAmpersandOnionP/ONEBayLeaf/ChiliP w/ water to cook above ingredients in
  • Daiya, ‘Cheddar’ & ‘Mozzarella’ mmmmmmmm
  • Fishless Filets, baked and sliced
  • Seitan, Chipotle Seitan 🙂
  • Onion, grilled for garnish
  • Fiesta Pico De Gallo w/ Pineapple, strained

  

Rocket Science:

  • This is a Taco Cookie, Flat Taco or better yet an open Quesadilla. It is very easy and very tasty! Smear the living shit out of the already grilled side of Tortilla with Hummus and Guacamole.
  • Generously, but carefully, place a layer of BrownRice/SplitPeas/Lentils/GrilledEggplant
  • Cover with both types of Daiya, Seitan and Fishlessness’
  • Place in nonstick pan and cook over low-medium heat while covering to murder and melt that Daiya
  • Garnish with grilled Onion and Pico De Gallo on top:)

  
I’ve been trying to come up with a name for this monster sandwich. And like many great Craft Beers, this sandwich deserves a unique and basically dark and disgusting name. It only took a couple of minutes of concentration. It has been named The Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Butcher VeggHead. I feel that is a name that confidently names this beastwich.

  
  
Vegenaise Upgraded ingredients:

  • Vegenaise, mmm
  • Mustard, organic
  • Cucumber, diced without seeds
  • Onion, diced
  • Tomato, diced and strained

MIX

  

The Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Butcher VeggHead ingredients:

  • Buns, multi-grain Ciabatta
  • Boca, Vegan
  • Daiya, ‘Cheddar’ & ‘Mozzarella’
  • Grilled Eggplant, NonGMOProjectVerified if possible
  • Seitan, NonGMOProjectVerified & Chipotle
  • Onion, Grilled then sliced
  • Hummus
  • Guacamole
  • Sugar/SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicAmpersandOnionP/ONEBayLeaf/ChiliP w/ water to cook above ingredients in
  • BrownRice/Lentils/SpiltPeas/dicedNonGMOfrozenGrilledEggplant:) cook in below seasonings
  • Grilled Eggplant
  • Pico De Gallo, Fiesta w/ Pineapple
  • Potatoes, grilled
  • Sriracha, cock saucy and splashy
  • Vegenaise Upgraded, mmmmmm
  • ChipotleP

   

   
Survival to sanity:

  • Either toast or grill inner sides of Ciabatta Bun and save for later consumption.
  • Pan fry Boca and after flipping add Daiya, Grilled Eggplant and Chipotle Seitan. Cover and lower heat. Dash of Chipotle Powder on top:) 
  • Heat BrownRice/Lentils/SpiltPeas/dicedNonGMOfrozenGrilledEggplant
  • Grill Potatoes and Onion
  • Hummus on bottom Bun and Guacamole on top Bun (inner, inner Vegan DINNER of top and bottom)
  • Once everything is ready, build the masterpiece of death (LIFE)
  • From the floor it goes (architecturally) bottom Bun, Hummus, BrownRice/Lentils/SpiltPeas/GrilledEggplant, Vegenaise Upgraded, two Boca patties with greatness melted on top, Grilled Onion slices, Pico De Gallo w/ Pineapple, Guacamole and the top Bun.

   
    
 A deftones song, You’ve Seen The Butcher, my fandom of Vegan Zombie, my partial WordPress name VeggHead and the scary darkness of Post-Apocalypse helped mosh pit into the name of the beast which I did eat.

  
Happy Monday! Happy 50th Blog to me. Thanks for the likes and follows! Stay healthy, my friends! And have fun!

Labor Day Mayhem

Posted on by jeffreylatty

  
The thing that I miss most about not being Vegetarian and even not being Vegan is, I think, that gross euphoric sense of accomplishment of consuming something that took time off of your (my) life. I believe I’ve been trying to recreate that sense with Veganism, but any way I go about it, Veganism is super healthy without that sick feeling. Even Vegetarianism provides that sense that ultimately contributes to obesity and copes with horrible days.

  
I’ve been Vegan for over two months and this Monday (Labor Day) brought myself urging for that disgusting sense that would make a bad day, good? I had the worst ride of my life.

  
I lost a screw to one of my cleats to one of my cycling shoes right off the bat and I also was stranded with a flat tire and a failed patch kit in BFE. I chose to be dropped off 60 minutes from home and ride home in round-about fashion. I had a gravel climb that made me stop and change my auto-pause speed to 2 km/h instead of 12 on my Garmin Edge 1000. 

  
That climb also made me want to quit cycling forever. And that was part of an oncoming gravel ride later this month. Being labor day, most assholes didn’t have to work and were all driving around like assholes. I had to cross a bridge over a bigger sized river with no freaking shoulder. I took the wrong way on a highway without a shoulder where it was super busy. I had to backtrack and I saved my life by walking back on the nonexistent shoulder.

   
 I found a really cool area of rolling gravel roads and obtained that flat. I believe it was a pinch flat… And made sure to bring tools, but when i was ready to use my patch kit, the glue was all dried up. I had to walk (of shame) with a bicycle on my shoulder for 90 minutes before I could even get service where I could call to be picked up in the closest town. 

   
 The entire time I was pissed that I used my only spare tube in order to replace a slow leak in an old tube putting different tires on and keeping tubes in my (now off) road tires and dreamed of justifying the day by crushing a cheese pizza.

  
I brought just enough water and two Smart bars and was eventually picked up.

  
It’s set in stone that I’ll be Vegetarian for the rest of my life. Not so much with Veganism (yet). I did not crush a cheese pizza, but made a big batch of chinese-style noodles and a Vegan Mayhem sandwich. I found squeezable ginger that had me super excited until I saw the bullshit preservatives added. I still had to buy it.

I was so hungry and exhausted that I had energy to make a huge batch of Vegan Ramen. Noodles are Vegan, seasoning is not.

  
Ⓥegan Ramen ingredients:

  • Ramen Noodles, seasoning discarded
  • Potatoes, diced and boiled (or roasted)
  • Broccoli, fresh or frozen florets-blanched
  • Garlic, minced
  • Ginger, minced
  • Soy Sauce, Vegan
  • SeaSalt/Pepper
  • BalsamicVinegar/Sriracha
  • Vegetable Broth
  • Peanut Oil
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Sunflower Seeds, shelled 

Chopsticks to mouth:

  • Cook Ramen slightly undercooking, draining and leave separate seasoned with Soy Sauce and Sriracha.
  • Cook Potatoes and blanch Broccoli and leave aside.
  • Add Oil/Garlic/Ginger and sauté for a couple of minutes before adding everything else and mixing.

  

    Vegenaise Upgraded ingredients:

    • Vegenaise, mmm
    • Mustard, organic
    • Cucumber, diced without seeds
    • Onion, diced
    • Tomato, diced and strained

    MIX

      

    Ⓥegan Mayhem:

    I then panfried two Vegan Boca patties and a Ciabatta bun (insides down). I put the two patties on the bottom bun and added noodles without any Broccoli and put a scoop of Vegenaise Upgraded on top and broiled for three minutes.

      
    It was tasty and still healthier than anything animal based. Perhaps I didn’t achieve that early death feeling, but I honestly didn’t need it. My ride was horrible, but I took a few good pictures, rode in the rain and wasn’t hurt in any way. #RideOn

      

    Ⓥloggings

    Posted on by jeffreylatty


    I had some horrible news last night. After deciding to ride my only day off this week, I wanted to attempt another live blog. I’m not too sure if I’m totally feeling it today. I’m gonna go about this as a draft. And then let my blog explode on everyones face at once, if it works out alright.


     It’s 10:00 am central time and I’ve missed my original departure time of 10:00. I’m ready to go, though. Apologies for that unconscious rhyme breeze from me’s. It’s 10:15 and I’ll be on the bike by 10:30.


    It’s 10:52 and I’m in a great small town of Utica, Illinois and it’s getting hot, my feet are going numb again, and my back is sore. Ever since I switched to clipless peddles, my feet get numb and hurt. To counter those effects, breaks are needed with walking and stretching. It could very well be the cleat position.


    Due to a poor state and incorrect priorities, a washout has been ruining the I & M Canal for years. And because of that washout, I just had to basically almost commit suicide taking a busy Dee Bennett speedway to surpass the stupid washout. I’m talking cars going 60-70 mph in a 55. There’s sometimes a small shoulder, but usually not.


    After murderous Dee Bennett Rd, I decided to not ride as big as I had dreamed. I also swallowed a bug while on Dee Bennett Rd. It is never fun riding 30 ish km/h and confusing yourself with regurgitating or swallowing this damn bug in your throat while pedaling and trying not to swerve and get hit by a speeding vehicle. I washed it down with water and rode on. #RideOn


    In 2011, I was traveling home via Amtrak and read that my last grandfather had passed two days before christmas…. In 2015, i found out my paralyzed uncle who is a doctor of psychology passed by reading also on Facebook. I hate Facebook. I hate most of my asshole Facebook friends and they probably hate me. I was convinced to delete Facebook until my cousin added me today, throwing my plans completely. My new plan is eventually unfollow everyone. I’d like Facebook more if I could decide more what I have to view. I do not wanna see 100 kids before their first day of school. I do not wanna see lame jokes that people find super hilarious. I want Facebook to go back to my early twenties. Be funny, be crazy, be sexy.


      
     I rode to Ottawa, Illinois. I decided to pickup a couple of beers and attempt to go through the washout. The Dee Bennett Rd completely destroyed my ride as it almost does my life every time that I am on it. I picked up a Fresh HopWired IPA by 8 Wired Brewing Co. out of New Zealand. I’ve had a few of their beers in the past and all have been better than good. And same deal with this one. Unfortunately, other countries cannot top most of the USA’s IPAs. We have it figured out. I also picked up a Trade Winds Tripel by The Bruery. Trying to get back onto the I&M Canal, I was going to make a left turn, so I was awaiting my turn in the middle of the road (my lane) and a truck behind me started honking at me.. A bicycle trying to go left on the left hand side of the lane?


     I flipped that asshole off. When riding on the right side of the road especially turning left with traffic behind you, is an accident waiting to happen. Cars try and hurry by cyclists instead of slowing down. It is our duty as cyclists to put ourselves in danger in trying to get vehicles to notice us and slow down. THEY DO NOT LIKE IT, usually.


     Passing Buffalo Rock, basically the last point of upkeep and civilization moreover, was a feat on its own without even talking of the washout. One, it was muddy. Two, the bushes and grass were overgrown. And three, there were numerous trees down. Trying to ride through those conditions are almost impossible, confusing and tedious. I say confusing because I’d rather ride than walk my bike. Having clipless peddles and shoes on are not very convenient in that situation. I had my left unclipped basically the entire time to be ready to stop because of all of the debris. I found a stretch of clear path and itching to peddle hard, I fully clipped in and rode for a good minute. It was 12:44 and I ran into another downed tree and I slowed almost completely, went to put my left foot down and climb over probably the 20th downed tree and BOOM, I was still clipped in.


     I walked through the washout and continued on. I was all muddy, bloody and thirsty. I cracked open the IPA and continued walking, tree hurdling and drinking. A jogger passed me and said, “maybe they’ll fix it one day”, I replied “I doubt it….” That was most of my riding experience. I did BYOL!


    Bring Yo Own Lunch = #BYOL

      
    I chose to bring Nuts and Ⓥurritos.


    Last week I made a Mexican concoction and have been slacking to consume the massive pot. I’m going to try my best to remember what exactly is in it. It is very good, just haven’t been exactly in the mood for it lately. Tomorrow, I plan to make Vegan Burgers out of the remaining concoction. I have been totally listening to this band, Native, lately. They are so good.

    Native (live)

    I actually took this video on 10.19.12 in Dekalb, Illinois via iPhone 4S.

    Yesterday I learned that “&” had a freaking name.


    Mexican concoction ingredients:

    • Brown Rice
    • Lentils
    • Split Peas
    • Potato
    • Carrot
    • Scallions
    • Cilantro
    • Eggplant, iThink
    • Onion
    • Japonica Rice
    • SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP/Cayenne
    • Parsley
    • Pinto Beans


    Things that PISS ME OFF:

    • Police patrolling a park via car/SUV
    • Vitamins that contain LACTOSE?? WTFFF? (What The Fucking Flying Fuck)
    • Dogs that uncontrollably bark, should not be allowed outside without owner presence.


    I basically overcooked everything a bit because I knew I was gonna make Veggie Burgers. If police are going to enter a park where vehicles are not allowed, THEY NEED TO GET OFF OF THEIR FAT ASSES AND HOP ON A BICYCLE. And I would’ve never thought that I would have to check ingredients in Vitamin C in being Vegan.


    Ⓥeggie Burger ingredients:

    • Mexican Concoction
    • SeaSalt/GarlicP/OnionP/Pepper
    • Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar/PeanutOil/Honey/Broth
    • Go Veggie! “Cheese”, non-dairy
    • Corn Starch


    This time around I cooked these patties at 250 degrees F for 12-15 minutes before upping the temperature to 325 degrees F for another 10. I usually love the burnt flavor, but for these the texture is not good when overcooked.


    As for these Ⓥurritos I made for BYOL Friday, here we go.


    Ⓥurrito ingredients:

    • Mexican Concoction, heated with Seitan, Broth and Corn
    • Iceberg Lettuce, chopped
    • Cilantro, finely chopped
    • Scallions, finely chopped
    • Sunflower Seeds, shelled obviously
    • Guacamole
    • Sriracha
    • Tortilla Shells, Large

    Easiness:

    Mix everything up and wrap burrito-like. Grill both sides and wrap in foil and enjoy. Unfortunately, I did not capture any photos of the finished product. Not sure what I was thinking. (I actually just found a pic of a similar Ⓥurrito that I made)


     This was the start of my Facebook status, letting people know that I was gonna be deleting. Not sure what I’m gonna do.

    -Unfortunately, my love and respect for animals does not carry onto most humans. Most of you are fucking horrible people and complete assholes. Not to say that I am not in that same group. As a species overall, we fucking suck. I do not care for most of you and most of you do not care for me. I’ve finally got big enough balls to peace out of this Facebook world that is basically a disease anyway. Social media is great and I still love it, but Facebook is no longer for me. I am in no way suicidal, but Jesus fucking Christ, this feels like social media suicide.-


    It’s almost September. Have a good Week! Enjoy life as best as possible while taking good pictures! And seriously, go for a bike ride:)

    Ⓥegan ZZA

    Posted on by jeffreylatty


    My favorite days are when I have time to create awesome food and have an outstanding ride on one of the bicycles. Today, being Monday “Fonday”, I made pizza, took a nap and attempted a ride. I only made it 7 km.


    And I think it was because I read the temperature at 26-27 degrees Celsius and the wind blowing at 8 km/h and it was hot as shit and windy as shit. I need to stop checking the weather before I go and ride. Maybe just the radar. Or maybe I need to man up. Whatever the case being, I was not feeling a bigger ride today.


    But, I made PIZZA. I am a pizza addict surviving life. The last time that I had pizza was June 22, 2015. That was before my Veganism lifestyle. Before my Veganism, I had the first of the month being my pizza day. And now, my pizza day is annually August 10, being Vegan Pizza Day.


    I chose to make BBⓋ Tempeh, Roasted Ⓥeggie, Ⓥicago-Style Hot Dawg, Ⓥaco, MexiⓋano and Ⓥediterranean.

    LISTENER


    I just enjoyed a Arcadia Ales’ Sky High Rye and checked it in on Untappd for the 91st time, being the most in Untappdiverse. Not sure if I’m proud of that or not. It’s a delicious beer, though. I am currently listening to 3eb. Third Eye Blind might be my favorite feel-good band. And now I’m enjoying a Schlitz. I wish that I could find 16oz cans of Schlitz. I’ve only seen them at The Castle Theater in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.


    Pizza Dough ingredients:

    • Flour
    • Dry Active Yeast
    • Veggie Broth, warmed for yeast
    • Nutritional Yeast
    • SeaSalt/Sugar/GarlicP/OnionP
    • Rosemary, which I was out so I used Oregano, slightly crushed
    • Fennel Seed, slightly Crushed
    • Oil

    Let rise and impatiently use, like I always do.

    Pizza Sauce ingredients:

    • Crushed Tomatoes
    • Sugar
    • SeaSalt/Pepper/GarlicP/OnionP
    • Vegetable Broth

    BBⓋ Tempeh Pizza ingredients:

    • BBQ sauce, vegan and I found this Whiskey Kicker, that was delicious
    • Tempeh, sliced smally, but not too tiny just to chicken slice size ewww chicken
    • Pizza Dough
    • Pizza Sauce, with a splash of BBQ sauce
    • Daiya, white and yellow mmmmm
    • Red Onion, julienne sliced
    • Cilantro, chopped for garnish which I forgot

    Toss Tempeh and BBQ sauce lightly keeping that Tempeh whole slices. Sauce the pizza with a little BBQ and Pizza Sauce, put some Daiya (it’s expensive, go easy) Red Onion and Tempeh. Garnish with Cilantro and ENJOY. It’s so good.

    Roasted Ⓥeggie Pizza ingredients:

    • Pizza Dough
    • Pizza Sauce
    • Daiya, whiteness greatness
    • Potatoes, red
    • Turnip, peeled if wax coated(LAME if waxed)
    • Corn, I used canned corn
    • Onion, reddish purple
    • Peppers, yellow, green, orange and red(my red pepper had fuzzy mold growing on it)

    How’s it Gonna Be

    I found a truly hilarious movie on Netflix last year called Awful Nice. I repeatedly watched it and watched it again last night. Also, this annual Pizza Day is stretching into three days…. Oh, well. I’ve also been blogging these words for the same three days. Here’s a sum of the movie I think is unbelievably funny.

    Awful Nice Preview

    And now that I’ve mentioned Netflix, I’ll have to mention a few others. As of the 15th of 2015 August these are on Netflix. From 1991, Ed O’neill and Ethan Embry deliver this now 24 year old classic. JUST WATCH IT.

    Dutch Preview

    Another is The History of Future Folk. A feel-good movie that is very well put together. Future Folk Preview

    And lastly, I just watched this last night (8.14.15) as it was just put on Netflix this week. I first was introduced to this comedian years ago when you was on The Daily Show talking about myspace. He has had his own show with his own style of comedy on Comedy Central that I found hilarious.

    Demetri Martin: Live (At the Time)


    Ⓥediterranean Pizza ingredients:

    • Tofu, firm
    • Spinach, present
    • Onion, white and julienned
    • Tomato, roma julienne sliced
    • Artichoke Hearts, canned whole sliced
    • Kalamata Olives, cut long ways
    • Daiya, white and yellow
    • Pizza Sauce
    • Pizza Dough
    • Sriracha, cock sauce
    • Balsamic Vinegar
    • SeaSalt/GarlicP/OnionP/DillWeed

    Backflips:

    • First, infuse your Tofu with SeaSalt/GarlicP/OnionP/DillWeed, Balsamic Vinegar & Sriracha. Get your dough stretched and put on pan. I sometimes like to fold the dough over to make a thicker crust.
    • I topped Pizza Sauce, Spinach, Daiya, Tomato, Onion, Olives, Artichokes & Daiya. I could’ve baked for 5 minutes longer, but I was impatiently hungry.

    Perfect Situation


    Monday night, I made two pizzas somewhat tipsy. Hence, the picture quality. They were made well, just not perfectly. The two styles of Pizza were the Ⓥicago-Style Dawg Pizza and The MexiⓋano-Style Pizza.


    Ⓥicago-Style DawgZza ingredients:

    • Pizza Dough
    • Pizza Sauce
    • LightLife Smart Dogs, sliced and grilled
    • Sauerkraut, drained
    • Onion, red and julienned
    • Tomato, roma and julienned
    • Cucumber, diced
    • Daiya, mozz-style
    • Scallions or Mustard, for garnish

    Hurdles:

    • Get everything chopped/sliced/grilled and ready. Dough is ready with some sauce, just add toppings and Daiya and garnish how you’d like. This one is a treat.
    • Only Hunter Pence uses ketchup on DAWGS, dog. GO CUBBIES. That sweep against the SFGiants was HUGE.


    Schlage


    Ⓥexicano Pizza ingredients:

    • Pizza Dough
    • Pizza Sauce
    • Tempeh, chicken-like sliced
    • Daiya, orange and white
    • Black Beans, rinsed and dried
    • Corn Kernels, rinsed and dried
    • Cilantro, chopped for garnish
    • Scallions, sliced for garnish
    • Cayenne/Pepper/Sriracha/ChiliP/GarlicP/OnionP
    •  

    Triathlon:

    • Mix Cayenne/Pepper/Sriracha/ChiliP/GarlicP/OnionP with Tempeh softly leaving Tempeh intact.
    • Top Pizza Dough with Sauce, Daiya and toppings.
    • Bake and Garnish with Scallions and Cilantro. Apologies for the picture quality.

    Jon from Vegan Zombie


    AvocadoNaise ingredients:

    • Acocado, peeled and chopped
    • Vegenaise, mmmmmmmm
    • Cilantro, finely chopped
    • Scallion, sliced
    • Lemon, juice

    Mix while not trying to consume all on the spot.


     Ⓥaco Pizza ingredients:

    • Tempeh, crumbled
    • Tofu, crumbled and infused (see Ⓥediterranean (above))
    • Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar/Cayenne/Turmeric/GetchaSum!/Cumin
    • Black Beans, rinsed and dried
    • Corn Kernels, rinsed and dried
    • Daiya, orange-mmmmmmmm
    • Daiya, white-mmmmmmmm
    • Pizza Dough
    • Pizza Sauce
    • Iceberg Lettuce, chopped finely
    • Onion, red-julienned
    • Tomato, roma-julienned
    • Olives, black-halved
    • AvocadoNaise, tasty!


    Wheelies:

    • Preparations before hand is easier. Like always…
    • Mix already infused Tofu with the crumbled Tempeh and infuse that with eventually infused Sriracha/BalsamicVinegar/Cayenne/Turmeric/GetchaSum!/Cumin, BUT do not get confused
    • I went Pizza Dough, Pizza Sauce, Beans, Corn, Tempeh/Tofu, orange Daiya and then baked.
    • I cut the pizza when finished baking.
    • I topped the already topped finished pizza with Lettuce, more Beans and Corn, the white Daiya, AvocadoNaise (plopped in center), Tomato and Onion nicely around the AvocadoNaise, and to top it completely off, Black Olives around the perimeter of the AvocadoNaise or beginning of Mount AvocadoNaise.


    They might be considered foothills, but I’m not too sure. Eat and enjoy with a stack of napkins or hand/face wash station nearby. Better yet, it wouldn’t hurt to have an eye wash station close by either. Depending on amount and time of Ⓥaco Pizza, it can get super messy. Clean up and #RideOn!


    Saturday CookFest

    Posted on by jeffreylatty

    VeggHead BeerCyclist    3.29

    Began:   0800   Finished:  1013

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    Tags: Netflix, food, cycling, music, vegan, vegetarian, recipe, safety, story, Strava, pics, photo, storm, beer, craft
    Title: Saturday CookFest
    Daily Ride: Taking the weekend off
      
    With the cold and windy spring weather lately, I’ve been commuting everyday to work. I took last Friday off and yesterday (Saturday) and most likely today off of the bicycle. It’s been too long (8 days) since a 20+ km ride. I try and make my commutes longer, but staying in town usually persuades my internal mind-thought on shorter rides because of lack of space and my lack of tolerance for riding in multiple circles. 
    I did KOM one all-time segment and multiple 2015 KOMs, which doesn’t mean much, but it’s a nice way to look at it. I’d like to claim that I still ride super hard in town pretty damn well. People probably think I’m crazy in this small twin city community because sometimes you have to be in the middle of the road (still on the right side) in order to turn left, because asshole drivers like to pass you three feet away from a stop sign or stop light creating a dangerously awkward situation. And at stop lights, I stop directly behind cars, rarely off to the side. 
    You have to fight back when riding in traffic and not cower and give vehicles their way. You basically have to put yourself at risk. Sometimes you’re gonna get hurt, because most people suck at driving and get confused especially around cyclists. 
    I was actually forced into an accident by a vehicle in 2013 where I then was life-flown 60 miles away because of brain swelling and trauma. The bicycle helmet, from Bontrager, saved my life. It wasn’t damaged much more than a huge divot, but the emergency personnel had to cut my clothes off of me, including the helmet. With the receipt ,my story of the incident and my damaged helmet mailed to the Trek/Bontrager headquarters in Wisconsin, I was awarded a fresh helmet at no cost. I’m not going to get into this ordeal much, but just a little Strava #ProveIt for any possible readers. 
    Earlier this week, I added The Angriest Man in Brooklyn to my Netflix ‘My List’ after seeing it is a 2014 Robin Williams film before his passing. Like 98% of the entire world, Robin’s sudden passing last year was truly more upsetting than any other celebrities’ death and was, to me, taken as a family loss. 

      
    I grew up with Robin Williams in various films and he has always put a smile to my face. RIP, Robin Williams. #RideOn
      
    The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, is a dark humor drama/comedy with a great cast. It brings you on a roller coaster journey of emotions. And because of his passing months after the release of this film, has me contemplating his death and life literally the entire film. I’m not going to spoil the flick. 
      
    At the end, with himself talking about his exact tombstone years, has me speechless. And then later on jokes that Henry “hates bicycles”. Unfortunately, brilliant. 
    I came across an amazing hardcore band Code Orange Kids or, I guess, now Code Orange. And with my technology difficulties and funds difficulties it’s easy to hear their music just not keep their music. Very hardcore. Most people would find it ugly and disturbing music. 
      
    Last week, I bought a T-shirt. It enticed me brain with little sharks and vast blueness, not to mention the little pocket with…. Just blue. Anyways, I figured a large would size me up right. I’m not super fat, but because of my mostly German and Russian heritage, I’m husky. I then, after purchase, realized it was a British company and didn’t think much of it until I tried this work-of-art onto my work-of-art body. And it was uncomfortably small and tight. 
    My brain instantly bubbled and popped and I had this thought that the British had created this hilarious and elaborate joke, by creating millions of T-shirts one size too small while claiming a size up, proving and mockingly stating that the USA is fat. I then swapped it for an XL and all is cool in that spool turning and burning in my skull. Possibly, the L shirt displays the correct sizing for the rest of the world and because I’m used to the USA and we are fat, maybe our sizes are bigger to keep our confidence up and our sizes fitting? I’m ready for a beer. 
      
    No beer before breakfast…
      
    Yesterday, I did a little shopping and a lot of cooking. I have food for days. I bought this wild rice because of the inappropriate situation in my pants when this Rice was discovered on the shelf. And then when I saw the NonGMO Project Verified label, I let out an uncontrollably loud and awkward moan while making a decent mess in my pants. I will forever owe my heart to this brand of wild rice! 
      
    I made Stuffed Poblanos, Roasted Almonds, Cheesy Zucchini and Stuffed Eggplant Linguine. Everything was very good and I’m blessed with vast leftovers which I can play around with today. It all took me a little over four hours, taking my time and sampling a few beers that I purchased. About an hour into cooking, I was confused and thought it was Friday and became disappointed that I’d need to turn my Vegetarian planned food into Vegan food (which is not difficult) to keep my streak of #VeganVriday going strong. Silly me, it was Saturday. And I’ve already successfully completed a #VeganVriday without consciously thinking about it. 
    Your brain knows things that you don’t really think you know.
      
    Roasted Almonds ingredients:
    -Good Oil
    -SeaSalt/Pepper/Paprika
    -Rosemary
    -Whole Almonds
    -Garlic, sliced 
    -Shallot, diced & julienne sliced
    -I added Crushed Rep Pepper
    Super easy, just mix and bring Garlic slices and julienne Shallots to top and roast 20 minutes or so
      
    Cheesy Zucchini ingredients:
    -I used dairy Cheese, but non-dairy “Cheese” is much cooler. 
    -Zucchini, halved longways
     (Quartered,if using oval dish like I did, to fit in awkward goalie areas) 
    -Roma Tomatoes, deseeded & diced 
    -Shallot, julienne sliced
    -Oregano
    -Good Oil
    -SeaSalt/Pepper
    -Garlic, diced
    -Fresh Basil, sliced
    Organic Basil is amazing
    -Cheese or “Cheese”
    I used Cabot Sharp Cheddar and Shaved Parmesan
    Oil dish lightly and add zucchini, not stacking. Lightly brush zucchini with oil and season. Add Garlic, Shallot and then Cheese or “Cheese” with Tomatoes on top -bake for 25 ish minutes and garnish with Basil
      
    Stuffed Poblano ingredients:
    -Wild Rice
    -Brown Rice
    -Cilantro
    -Celery, super diced
    -Carrot, supper diced
    -Zucchini, diced
    -Garlic, diced
    -Onion, diced
    -Serrano Peppers, sliced
    -Sesame Seed Oil & other Oil
    -Fresh Ginger, diced
    -Water, super sliced!
    -SeaSalt/Pepper/Cayenne
    -Poblanos, cut top off and save, deseed also
    -Cheese or “Cheese”
    -Balsamic Vinegar
    -I garnished with alfalfa sprouts
    Heat oil, sauté Ginger & Garlic. Add Onion, Celery and Carrots with a splash of Balsamic Vinegar and Sesame Seed Oil after a few minutes. Add Zucchini and sliced water. Put desired Wild Rice in and bring to boil. Then cover and simmer after 20-30 minutes add Brown Rice and make sure there is correct density of sliced water. Add Serrano slices at anytime with generous Cilantro and simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes. You might have to strain before filling Poblanos. I invented a aluminum lasso in the past for making Stuffed Habaneros in order to keep them standing. 
    I attempted this again with the Poblanos. It was more difficult as the Poblanos are not as uniform as the Habaneros. I put four into a taller bowl and then used the aluminum lasso at the top. I filled the Poblanos with the dry Rice and added Cheese and baked until cheese was melted. I now feel that cutting the bottoms of Poblanos would be easier and just dicing them and adding to Rice along side Serrano, I also baked the tops of the Poblanos. Bake to desired doneness and garnish with Sprouts or anything you’d like. 
    FIRST SPRING STORM!?!? BRB
      
    I am an amateur storm chaser. I thought it was coming a little faster. The wind definitely picked up. Probably a good amount of rain, maybe some snow? I’m hoping for some thunder and lightening that I wouldn’t be able to see because it’s 0941. Here comes the rain. 
      
    I did get to witness an inland hurricane down at SIUC with my roommate on the porch. I’ll have to dig up a few pictures.
      
    Just a little rain for this weak-sauce “storm”… 
      
    Stuffed Eggplant
      
    BackBurner Ragu Mari ingredients:
    -Oil & Balsamic Vinegar
    -Garlic, diced
    -Carrots, duper sicedly
    -Celery, super diced
    -Onion, whole & then diced
    -Tomato Paste
    -Chopped Tomatoes, canned or do it yourself
    -SeaSalt/GarlicP/Sugar/Pepper
    -Oregano
    Cool down for at least two hours…
    -Linguine, cooked Starch not rinsed
    -Eggplant, thinly sliced longways
    -Good Oil
    -SeaSalt/Pepper/Oregano
    -Cheese or “Cheese”
    -Fresh Organic Basil, whole leaves or sliced
    -Parsley, fresh tree trunks removed 
    Have your Mari ready for ya. Lightly oil both sides of Eggplant & season. Lightly roast for 12-15 flipping once. Add Cheese or “Cheese” or nothing…Whatever airs your tubes. Bake just a little longer and melt whatever is on there. If nothing added skip that ordeal. Roll up eggplant and securely stab through the Rolled up Eggplants heart because why do you think we have Vegan or Vegetarian lifestyles…We hate PLANTS and also Eggplants have like 10 hearts that you should’ve allowed in each slice that you prepared. I used a lasagna pan and added a little Marinara as a base and then I carefully placed the Murdered Eggplant rolls onto the (Bloody) Marinara, while you painted an outline around the bodies and you’d #BetterCallSaul for contributing in this movement & destruction of a crime scene. You can only call Saul (Jimmy, as of now still) on Monday nights 10/9 c. 
      
    I splashed a little more blood on top of the Delicious Eggplant massacre and threw some cheese on them. Baked until cheese was melted. They were Cheesy and stingy Eggplant slices, anyways. I laid Linguine on a bed added some delicious Mari and then not one, but two Stuffed Eggplant rolls. I garnished with ridiculousness. Sorry, Basil and Parsley and enjoyed with an AWESOME Stone Enjoy By 4.20.15 DIPA. #Prost to your outstanding weekend! 
      

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    VeggHead BeerCyclist      3.24

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    Tags: Apple, technology, music, food, recipe, vegan, vegetarian, Strava, food, beer, craft, amc
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    Daily Ride:  Yes
    I have not posted in ten days, I think. I’m sure it doesn’t bother anyone. I had a slaughterhouse thumb injury making vegan gyros over confidently chopping romain lettuce. And due to my somewhat recent MacBook Pro unable to charge, I’ve been relying on my iPhone 6, its Notes and the wonderful Copy/Paste tool. And without, for me, a fully functional left thumb, texting/iPhone blogging isn’t very easy. I guess I could of voice-texted, but I’m a geek not a nerd and I’m crazy, but not that crazy.
      
    While I’m talking about my MacBook Pro misfortunes, I’d like to mention one of the greatest things ever in iTunes Match. Also, I love the autocorrecting texting my phone does when texting apple products. 
      
    iTunes Match is an iCloud based music storage that holds like 25G and improves any low quality music with iTunes quality music. It bends you over for only $25.00 a YEAR. And since my MacBook hasn’t turned on, I’d have little access to my music. But, because my music in iCloud I have access to it in numerous ways! It rocks. 
    I updated my Strava app this morning. I turned off my auto update setting on my phone. And now Strava allows you to upload photos directly through Strava instead of Instagram. That is exciting and I’ve been waiting for that since creating an Instagram account just for Strava  purposes. 
      
    I haven’t been cooking as much lately as Spring is upon us here in Northern Illinois. EXCEPT for yesterday. It snowed a bike helmets worth. I’ve been spending more time outside riding and hiking. 
       

     

    All the way from Georgia was this lovely waxed topped beer, Happy Ending Imperial Stout, that I enjoyed yesterday. It escaped the zombie apocalypse and it better call Saul. It was very enjoyable and should go to trial and will probably be guilty of deliciousness. I hope to catch up on my AMC shows today after work. 
      
    I had a dream the other day/morning/night. I do not remember the exact rotational position earth was to the star, our sun. It was a nightmare really of myself eating BAY LEAVES…. 
      
    Hopefully tomorrow I’ll go over a few Vegan dishes I’ve made. Gotta get ready for work soon.