Suspension

Attention All,

This blog is currently in a state of suspension due to time constraints.

Please feel free to view any the of the 411 posts that have been published over the years.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

No Mas Blogging

No more blogging for a while.

After having poster 411 blogs I'm burnt out on what is called social media. It all seems so 1) self indulgent 2) a stupid waste of time.

I started this stupid blog to chronicle losing weight. I lost 45 pounds, and I've kept it off. I still need to lose another 20 pounds,  but I don't that I can accomplish that goal.

I feel physically healthy. Most of the aches and pains I had are gone.
I love to exercise. There's not much else to say besides the fact that I think social media is insipid, at least for me.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Fools Day

That's me, without a beard. The biggest fool of them all.  Have a wonderful day. Play a trick on someone. The fool is the only person who could tell the king to go to hell. What a wonderful job.

That's it today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Spring planting

This week I was planning on planting my spring veggies and herbs, but it is cold today. I'm going to pay a visit to my friends at Sunnyside Seedlings, and get my herbs and spices.

These folks can be found at the Lake Merritt farmers market every Saturday or just stop out at the farm in Richmond. That's all I have in the world of food today.

Time to plant. Time to grow.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Funeral + What's For DInner + Weekend

The funeral for my dear old friend Jimmy Nolan was the best best service I have ever attended. The boys choir of St. Vincent De Paul in the City were world class. The was was packed. A testament to a good man.

I had no blog today or no desire to create one then I got the call from the wife.The one that comes everyday with a frequently asked important question, what's for dinner?

Tonight my response was to suggest going out to eat, so I don't have to work at preparing a meal. The next question of course is, what do you want to eat?

That seems like a ridiculous to me because anyone who has been with me for 25 years should know the answer. It would be pizza of course. It's always my answer. It's really all I want to eat, and chocolate. "A salad would be fine dear, and a walk with the dogs."

Pizza brings me to my next subject which is it's spring time, and that means it's time to crank up the Forno Bravo pizza oven in the back yard. Lovin' my oven continues. I am itching to cook some pies.

Off to visit friends in the forest this weekend.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

 

Quinoa Tubbouleh

Geri made this dish last week, and no exaggeration,  it's just about the best thing I've ever had in my life. I know I'm on a mid-eastern thing right now. It's so healthy and the flavor is great.

This salad with some roasted chicken, humus, and a little toasted peta bread, and you don't need anything else. Maybe a little dark chocolate

and almonds, or some fresh fruit for dessert, and it's complete.

This is my recipe for the week. Geri got this from somewhere else, and here it goes around again with our additions. Make this, eat this regularly, and you'll live longer.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Quinoa Tabbouleh

Ingredients;

* i cup cooked quinoa

*1/2 tsp kosher salt

*2 tablespoons fresh lemon

*1 clove garlic

*1/2 cup EVOO

*fresh ground black pepper

*1 English cucumber cut 1/4 pieces

*1 pt. cherry tomatoes, halved

*2/3 cup flat leaf parsley 

*2 scallions thinly sliced

*large handful of Kalamata olives

*1/3 cup fresh cut mint leaf

Instructions;

Cook quinoa and fluff up with a fork...keep it fluffy OK. Spread the quinoa on large baking sheet, let cool (there is a recipe in an old blog)

In a medium mixing bowl whisk the lemon, and garlic. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Then add in the salt and pepper.

Transfere the cooled quinoa to a large mixing bowl and mix in 1/4 cup of dressing.

Add the cut and diced veggies, tomatoes, scallions, herbs and drizzle the remaining dressing over the mixture.

You're good to go. 

Zatar , Climbing That Mountain, Good Jim Nolan RIP

Saturday night we went to dinner at Zatar in Berkeley. Zatar is spelled several different ways, and it's name refers to a mixture of spices that is commonly used in mid-eastern cooking. It's the med-eastern version of herbs of Provence. These spice include; sumac, thyme, roasted sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano and corse sea salt.

This restaurant is located at 1981 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. The cross street is University. This tiny little cafe has been serving great eclectic mid-eastern food for twenty years. Many of the herbs and other ingredients that are served are grown at the home of the husband and wife team who own the restaurant. The food here is superb. One of my favorite mid-eatern restaurants in the Bay Area.
Go. We've never called for reservations and always get a table.

That mountain that looms to the east of me has plagued me since I started riding a bicycle again. It got a little smaller this weekend. The top of Skyline Drive, at Grisley Peak, in the Oakland hills it is 1500 feet. This Sunday Geri and I made it up the second leg of that mountain. We have one more tough leg to go. My bike is back at the shop to get tweaked to reconfigure to my body.

My old boss and friend Jim Nolan of Nolan Brother's Painting,  San Francisco, died this last week. This was a kind, gentle, sweet, talented, husband, father, grandfather, and all around stand up human being. He was a devoted husband to his wife Daisy, his four children, and his two grandchildren. I worked for these guys 20 years ago when they first started their business. He will be sorely missed. He was 53 years old.  RIP  Jim. This world is cruel. The veil is thin.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Marke Food/Not War

Corned Beef

The best way that I ever cooked cooked beef was just like this. I put the brisket a large stock pot of hot boiling water and reduced it to a simmer for 20 minutes.  Then I took it of the water and finished it off in the oven at 350 degrees, cooking the meat at 15 minutes per pound. 

In the case of the 4 lb. brisket it was 20 minutes in the stock pot, and 40 minutes at 350 degrees in the oven.  Cooking it in the water is like giving it a bath from the brine, and it sears the exterior of the meat.  This produced a brisket that was 150 degrees internal temperature. In other words, it was perfect. 

Let the meat sit for another 20 minutes before trimming the fat, and cutting it against the grain of course.

That's the recipe I promised.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Jerry Brown Against Pot + St. Patty's DInner + Salute

Jerry Brown has come out against legalizing marijuana in California. Brown said that people need to be more focused today because the world is a scary place to live,  and people shouldn't go around in a stoner haze.

No wonder this man never made it as a Jesuit Priest. He has to be one of the most dour uptight people I have ever met in my life. Obtuse is a great way to describe Jerry. Potential Asperger's patient is another. Moonbeam never suited him, and might be an insult to a hippie who goes by that nickname.  Gavin Newsom, the Democrats version of Gumby, who's positioning himself for Jerry's job, has wisely come out in favor of legalization.

That's exactly why people are getting high Governor i.e., because the world is a scary place. We want to forget about the sorry state of the world. When was it not a scary place? This man lived in Oaksterdam.

Most people in America think that California is full of liberals, or people who call themselves liberals, but it's bullshit. The very same initiative was  handily voted down the last time it was on the ballad four years ago. The people who currently grow and sell pot don't want it legalized because it will become cheaper, so they didn't promote it's passage. The medical marijuana people are getting rich off it not being legalized.

You would think the 30 year old, we invented cool, liberal hipsters would come out in droves and vote for legalization of marijuana. These are the very same people who are starting families. They are also the people who put helmets on their children when they're playing on the grass, and carry a bottle of  hand sanitizer with them at all times. God forbid their delicate little geniuses would ever spark up a dube.

Conversely in the last election who came out in favor of legalizing pot? Answer, the Mormon Church came out in favor of the marijuana initiative because it was made by the hand of god for our use. Praise the Lord and Joseph Smith, I couldn't agree more. So was barleycorn and yeast. Yeast floats around in the air.

It would be much cheaper to let people get high than to incarcerate them for committing crimes to get drugs, but the prison system is big money, big money.  Jerry Brown is always saying that California can't afford to keep all these prisoners in jail. Jesuit scholar you say? Priest like? Every party needs a pooper that's why we invited you, party pooper, party pooper. People doing prison sentences for pot, for getting high,  please. Is that the tolerance the Catholic Church taught you in seminary school Father Brown?

This is a man in dire need of the medicinal benefits of marijuana himself. Maybe he's like someone who is anti-gay person because he's afraid that he/she is actually gay themselves, and they have to fight back those strange impure urges they get must fight back. Quit fighting Jerry, and light the fuck up. Free your mind, and your fake liberal white ass will follow. Jerry was one of the people who inspired the political terminology "green fascist",  back in the late 70's.

That is my rant for the week. I can't say how much I've disliked this man over the years. "Oh, Jerry, Should we spray the med fly or not spray the med fly?"

I always hear people say, if everyone just voted Democratic instead of Republican it would all be better. No kidding? California is run by Democrats. One look at the sorry state of the sate of California and you might rethink that statement. My problem is that they're all the same to me, and I'm tired of choosing the lesser of two evils.

I promise I will post a recipe for something related to corned beef, and Saint Patty's Day, before the weekend comes. I cooked a 3.9 pound brisket, at 350 degrees, and it took about an hour to reach an internal temperature of 150 degrees. I let it cool for 25 minutes and it came out the way I like it, medium/medium rare. I did use a brown sugar glaze, and served it with red and yellow fingerling potatoes, and sauteed cabbage,. Geri picked up some Irish cookies at the bakery, and served them with mocha fudge ice cream from Lorde's.

Our friend Buzz and I did our toast, as repeated from his father-in-law, Johnny Gallagher,  to the Irish, "When the good lord made the Irish he didn't make much, but what he did make was a damn sight better than the Dutch."

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Motrin + Victoria's day + Food/Drink + New Bike + St. Patrick's Day

I thank the gods for modern medicine. The 800 milligram Motrin knocks out the back muscle problems. I feel extremely fortunate that the pain I experienced last week wasn't anything connected to disks and nerves.

Saturday was declared Victoria's day, my sister-in-law, for no particular reason at all. We went for a bike ride. The last time Geri and I tried to do that with Vicky she fractured her wrist. I'm happy to report that it worked out better this time.

We started Vicky's Day by stopping at the Lake Merritt farmers market. I spoke to Jess who works for Sunnyside Organic Seedlings about getting my starters of veggies and herbs to plant this year. It's early in California to plant, but it's time to plant. You can't argue with the weather. It's always there, no matter where you go. I bought Vicky a ring that we both admired at a jewelry stand.  We got some fruit and peddled our asses over to Jack London Square, along the water and over the Fruitvale draw bridge to the flatlands of Alameda.

We cycled all the way to Alameda, and rode all over the place. Victoria, our queen for the day,  has never been to the city of Alameda, go figure. We had cappuccinos at the Alameda Market Place on Park Blvd, one block before the Park Blvd. drawbridge.  The coffee shop there is run by a Persian man who makes the best coffee drinks in Alameda. This market has something for everyone; a deli, charcuterie, meat, fish and poultry, wine, beer, and great produce section. They got it all.

I Rode about 25 miles on my new Jamis commuter bike. After quite a bit of tweaking of the seat position, handlebar height, placing of lights, bells, and whistles I think I got it dialed in. I've got a new saddle on order that has chrome spring shock absorbers.  It's a real compact bike with 27 gears. I like the lower gears. I feel I now have a bike that I can tackle these Oakland hills.  It's a different machine than the one I've been riding. If I had my way I'd have a few more bikes, but then the dogs wouldn't have any place to sleep.

Victoria's Day ended up with dinner at the Slow Club, in the city, and a show. The meal at the SC was wonderful. I haven't been there in 20 years. It's reassuring to know some restaurants have survived.  I broke my fast for Lent and had two Manhattans. They were perfect. I love the open kitchen at the Slow Club. The waitperson, Savannah, is one of Vicky's art students.  The opening act at the theatre was, singer/song writer, Virgil Shaw, who is her old friend from her Humboldt school days. It was truly her day, which ended with a full moon.

Today is St. Patrick's Day. If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, I love the Irish. I married an Irish girl. San Francisco is a very Irish town, in the extreme. If you can't find a free meal in an Irish Bar on St. Patty's Day you haven't been around town long.

When I make my cabbage for the corned beef I par steam it and finish it off in a hot sautee' pan with olive oil, salt, pepper and caraway seeds.

My other tip for cooking corned beef is to regulate the heat. Remember this is not a thick piece of meat. Take it out at 138 or 140 degrees. I prefer to bake it in the oven with a honey mustard glaze. At 350 degrees it should only take about an hour to cook a 3 pound piece of meat. There is nothing worse than tough corned beef. It doesn't even make good hash.

Looking forward to lunch Ron.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Slow Club...2501 Mariposa Street, San Francisco CA

Land For Sale/Weekend

These weeks keep flying by. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I plan on riding my new bike as far as I can.

Anyone want to buy 80 flat ares of the most beautiful high dessert land you've ever seen?

Here it is below. Only 1 hour north north of Gerlach, Nevada, home of the Burning Man festival, held each year in August. The property is situated at the north east tip of Lassen County  in lovely Surprise Valley.

It has a 3500 sq. foot steel barn with a concrete foundation. The property is fenced, but need repair mainly on the north side. There is a large pond, 75 feet in diameter, 9 feet deep, stocked with fish, and an artisan well, 160 foot deep. The area is abundant with natural hot springs, hunting, and fishing and wildlife. It is also frequented by artists, rock hounds, equestrians, hikers, and photographers alike.  The best star gazing you ever seen. There is no street light pollution here. Redding is 150 miles to the west and Reno is 120 south.  

This property is off the grid, but can easily be tapped for solar and wind power. Surprise Valley has 300 days of sunshine a year on average, and the wind can blow like crazy. You could be completely self sufficient if you choose to. The closest gasoline is 30 miles away to the north in Cedarville, but you can get fuel and natural gas delivered if you have on sight storage. 

To the west is the Warner Mountain Range, and to the east is the Hayes Mountain range, and to the north Fandango Pass. Across the Hayes Mountains to the east is the old Oregon trail. Wild horses roam this area on BLM land. If you are looking for solitude this place has it in spades. 

There are four towns in Surprise Valley. To the north is Ft. Bidwell, Lake City,  Cedarville, the largest, in the middle, and Eagleville to the south. There are three lakes in Surprise Valley; upper, middle and lower. These fill up with water during the winter months, and are dry in summertime.   

This land is perfect for cattle, or cultivating hops, organic hay, sugar beets, potatoes, and certain varietals of grapes, such as Merlot, grow well in high altitudes 

Why am I selling it. I need the money what else.

Also, it is long enough in length, one half mile, to put a runway for an airplane and the barn makes for perfect storage.

See the photos below.

That's it today. 

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Warner Mountain Range Looking West

Geri, Kahlua (R) and Frida (L) at our Yurt

The Pond Looking North

 Barn, Yurt Platform and Outhouse
Looking East

85' Airstream & Warner Mountains

Yesterday/ Today/ New Bike

Yesterday I got the cracked tooth fixed. and then I ordered and devoured a shaking beef sandwich from the Vietnamese take out joint across the street. It's on Ocean west side of 19th. 2.5 joint rating.

Today I go to the doctor to hopefully get some back relief.

This is what getting old involves. Multiple doctors visits in a five day span of a week. You kids stay in shape, and most of all don't get old.

My new bike has arrived, and is being assembled. I'm excited of course. I pick it up tomorrow, but I might not be able to ride it because of the back. Lovely. I haven't ridden in over a week and I feel like a fat blob of an old man.

This reinforces my theory that blogging leads to increased episodes of whining. I'm thankful to have a doctor I can see when I have the need, and that I can have another bike to ride.

Pizza tonight. Pity food.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Bad Back, Cracked Tooth, Trouble, Trouble, Trouble

My back is shot, and I have a crack front tooth on top of the back pain. When trouble comes, in often comes in spades.

This is the price of old age. These problems come with the territory, and there's nothing anyone can do about it, but tough it out with Aleve and Mary Jane for pain,  alternating ice and heat.

It's off to the dentist I go for the cracked tooth.

Who knows when the back will repair itself. I've already had one surgery on it. Maybe it's time for surgery number two.

This time I injured the back by carrying Kahlua, the dog that died last week, up a flight of stairs. In the words of the my mother Mary, "No good deed will go unpunished." and it hasn't.

Oh yeah, the washing machine is broken. That's two in that last 16 years.

My woman left me
My mule went lame
Lost me money in a poker game
Wind storm came just the other day
Had a house, blew it away
Having so much trouble
So much trouble
So much trouble, bout to lose my mind

That's it.

Life is what happens in between  meals.

Peace,

Make Food/ Not War

Weekend Update + Back

A fine meal was shared by friends on Saturday evening. Afterwards we had dessert outside by the  fire with decaf coffee.

Because of persistent  lower back problems there was no exercising this weekend. There was a minimal amount of spring cleaning as well. I can't ride my bicycle because of the back. When it goes out, everything that involves physical exercise and endurance is put on hold. Ice, heat, ice and heat, plus Aleve and visits from Alice for pain relief.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Make Food/Not War

Here Comes The Weekend, Time Change, Spring Cleaning

Guests are coming for dinner tomorrow night, and it will be a cheese fest with baked ziti, Italian sausage, and sauteed peppers, onions and garlic bread. I used Asiago, Pecorino, Parmigiano, Mouzarella, and Ricotta, I made a turkey marinara sauce for the ziti.  For dessert we have  Zanze's cheese cake from San Francisco. We are having grilled asparagus for vegetableI picked it up after I went to the dentist this Wednesday.

It is time to move ahead an hour this Sunday. Spring has sprung and I'm trickled pink about it. We didn't have much of a winter, so I can't complain about the weather. Another hour of day light will be greatly appreciated. It will be time to get the pizza oven heated up again, and the herbs and vegetables in the ground.

Spring means spring cleaning, and we will be working on that all weekend. A girl's work is never done. Geri keeps complaining that the house smells like dog piss, and that's because it does. That and cat vomit. Thanks god for the old hippie recipe, incense.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Kahlua ... The Last Of The Old Guard

Kahlua, shown here, was one of my clients for the last 13 years. Her owners, Peter and Joe, had another dog, Miles, before her. I took care of him also.

They asked me to check in on her the other evening, and I found her at the bottom of the stairs, laying her a pool of her own urine.  I cleaned her up then carried her up the stairs, but her legs were shot. She could walk. She tried, but just kept falling down. Before it had been her hind quarters that no longer would support her. Now her front legs were gone. She hadn't eaten her breakfast.

I tried to standing her up 5 or 6 times, but she kept falling down. I phoned Peter, and he texted back that he thought it was her time. I agreed.  I laid down with her, and told her how much I loved her. We kissed. I told her she was a great dog, a lovely faithful friend,  that I would miss her terrible. I told her all her old friends would be coming to see her soon, Bacchus, Che, Tucker, the whole gang.  Her old pals from doggie day care would be there waiting for her, and all the cats that had passed through her home over the years too. She was tired, and she was ready to leave this world.

When Kahlua was at our home I never locked the back door of our house or set the alarm. This was the queen of watchdogs. I think she bit 4 people at our place over the years. If she didn't know you, sorry for you.

She is the last of my old dogs that I've cared for over the last 16 years. She had a great life,  and wonderful people who loved her and gave her everything a dog could ask for.

What a dog. Love you Kahlua.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Smoking Egg Carton + Lent

The other morning I was making my usual breakfast, poached eggs and a potato pancake. This seems to be the only thing I've tried that gives me enough energy to sustain me till later in the day. If I eat cereal with fruit I'll be hungry in an hour.

I had the potato pancake cooking in a fry pan. The water for the eggs started to boil and I added a little vinegar to the water. I had the egg carton on the stove, and after I cracked my eggs into the boil water I put the carton back in the fridge.

About a half hour later Geri says, "I smell something burning."
She opened the fridge and lo and behold the egg carton was on fire.
Apparently I had placed it too close to the stove burner. Good thing I didn't eat and run. I could have burn the joint down.

Lent is here and although I am not religious in any sense of the word, it's a good excuse to give something up for the next 40 days, and that something will be alcohol.  I had two margaritas with dinner last night.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Parkway Theatre And The Oscars

The Parkway Theatre did a GREAT job of putting on a wonderful Oscar show, BRAVO. The food spread was actually pretty  good. The pizza still needs work, but the selection of cheeses, and the fruit plate was excellent. Thank you Parkway.

Out of the 13 Oscar picks that I made I think I got 9 right. Gravity took home the most Oscars,  all for technical skills, such as editing, sound mixing, visual effects, etc. I'm not trying to minimize these accomplishments. Shooting a movie is one thing, but putting it together is a whole other part of the process, a very important part of the process. Half of the time when we watch a movie we are unaware of the sound, the music, the editing or the effects, but what would a movie be without these things? Boring, is what it would be.

In terms of acting I wanted Amy Adams to win, but Cate Blanchett was my second choice. Matthew McConaughey took home best actor, and Jay Leto took home an Oscar for best supporting actor. I got it right with the best supporting actress also, and best picture as well.

There was a woman there who took home two Oscars. One for production design, and one for hair and make up, on two different movies. She now has 13 Oscars. Enough for a football team, and two extras in case of injuries. That's a wow!

Thank you again Parkway Theatre.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Oscar Picks

Ah, the glitter, the glamour, Joan Rivers and the Fashion Police. It will all be there Sunday evening at the Academy of  Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards aka, the Academy Awards, the Oscars, in Los Angeles, California.

In some cases I picked an alternate selection, and I didn't make an predictions for animation, best music score,  foreign film, short film category, or documentary.

That's it for this week. Write back you Monday.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Oscar Picks;

- Best Picture - Twelves Years A Slave - American Hustle

- Actress in a supporting role -  Lupita Nyong'o - Jennifer Lawerence

- Actor in a leading role - Matthew McConaughery - Chiwetel Ejiofor

- Actor in a supporting role - Jared Leto  "Dallas Buyers Club"- Barkad Abdi "Captain Phillips"

- Actress in a leading role - Amy Adams - Cate Blanchett

- Cinematography - Gravity

- Directing - 12 Years A Slave- Steve McQueen - Martin Scorsese

- Costume design  - The Great Gatsby

- Film Editing - Gravity

- Makeup and Hairstyling -Dallas Buyers Club

- Music - The Book Thief - John WIlliams

- Best Picture - American Hustle - 12 Years A Slave

- Writing- (Adapted Screenplay) 12 Years A Slave, John Ridley
                The Wolf Of Wall Street, Terence Winter

- Writing - (Original Screenplay) American Hustle Eric Warren &
                 David O. Russell, Dallas Byers Club Craig BOrten and
                 Melisa Wallack

Tuna Fish + The Academy Awards

My sister-in-law, Victoria,  is a great baker, an award winning baker, and a damn good cook to boot. Two of the skills that she can add to a long list of things she is proficient at. She makes her tuna fish with grated carrot, and finely chopped kale. I add; diced onion,  celery, mayo, mustard, and black pepper. The carrot adds sweetness to the mixture and the celery, kale, and onion give it crunch and texture.

My wife would eat tuna fish 5 days a week, with avocado and tomato on top, if she had her way. Howard Stern is reportedly a serious tuna fish freak.

The Oscars are coming up this Sunday. I love the movies. I despise the cult of celebrity that everyone seems to crave these days. I can understand wanting to be an actor, but why would anyone want to be followed by cameramen everywhere they go?  Geri and I have watched almost every movie that is in contention for an Oscar this year with the exception of the Judi Dench movie, and the Sandra Bullock movie. So,  I'm at a small disadvantage.

Friday I'll give my picks for best actor, supporting actors, etc. and my reason for those picks. Monday we'll see how my picks stacked up to the academy's choices.

Because we don't have a television anymore we have booked seats at the Parkway Theatre in Oakland which I slammed a year ago in a review about their food. Maybe it's improved in the last year. I will review of the Parkway food as well.

That's it today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Tuesday 1-25-14 No Blog Today

No blog today. I have nothing to say.

That's it.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Weekend Update + Meet In The Middle...Lebanon Kansas

I did a lot of cycling this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, which conveniently transitions me to the next point of this blog.

Just before Christmas I approached the town of Lebanon Kansas about sponsoring a national gathering for cyclists each summer. Little did I know they would like the idea. Now I'm working with them to try and put it together for the first weekend in August, 2015.

The name of the event is called, "Meet in the Middle." Lebanon Kansas is in the dead center of the USA, population 225 people.
The idea is for people who are cycling across the US to meet in Lebanon where we'd have one big wing ding for 3 days.

Looks like I'll be going to Lebanon soon. I love small towns.  I love wheat fields,  and the wide open road.

That's it for today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Advice + Chocolate Chip Cookies + Have a Great Weekend + Vladimir Putin Is Gay

Frida and I went for a doggie walk this afternoon with my friend Alison Blumberg, and her dog, Connor. She is a health-supportive chef/holistic health coach.  Her knowledge of food, her background in the culinary world, and most of all her realistic approach to eating, and knowledge of the body is nothing short of brilliant. I did mention her cooking, which I'll repeat, is dynamite.

Her website is very informative, and explains her simple no gimmicks philosophy, and approach to living a healthy life though making smart choices. Check her out if your in the Bay area, or anywhere for that matter.

Alison mentioned she is looking for clients who are serious about getting over the hump, which is what I call the wall. Will power my friends. Seriously, she rocks.

Alison Blumberg, at  http/www.cookshift.com, 510 903-1005,
email: Alison@cookshift.com

Geri made chocolate chip cookies for her book club, of which I think I ate 7 or 8. Weak as water I am. How serious am I about getting over the hump/the wall?

I've always said that people who are the most anti-gay are actually gay themselves. I think Vladimir Putin is at the top of the list. Come out Putti boy, and show your true colors, you old queen.

No blog tomorrow.

That's it today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Tuesday 2-18-14

Our little dog Westy went to the vets this morning for minor surgery. He had a viral growth on his inner left ear. I felt so bad leaving him off there.  He knows Dr. Braun is a great guy, but he shakes every time I bring him there. Because he had surgery he couldn't eat anything this morning and the poor little guy was starving.

I truly hated this dog when Geri first rescued him from the arms of a junkie woman. She was trying to sell him at the grocery store down the street. Now I love him, and I can't live without him. That's how it goes sometimes with love. How could you not love that face.  He's Mr. Personality.

Also, an old family friend, Josh Eppel,  died in a motorcycle accident this last  Friday. Josh owned Drew's Meat on Church Street. Our deepest sympathy go out to his son, our old friend Val, and all those saddened by his passing.

Another friend, Lon,  in Santa Rosa, passed away of natural causes.

RIP everyone.

It appears we've hit a little rough patch lately. Let's hope it better.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Weekend Update + People Pass + Presidnets

We had a lovely St. Valentine's dinner at our good friend Erwin's who made a lasagna that was out of sight. Everything was first rate, as usual.

Geri and I went to my dear friend Mike Fabiansen's funeral this Saturday. There were a lot of old friends to see, and a lot of, Fabe,  stories to recount. Mike was a man who didn't live long, but he packed a lot of life into his 62 years.

We were roommates back in 85/86. He had a nice house we called., The Emerald Palace, in the hills of El Granada. Man did we party in that place. The reception was held at the restaurant Mesa Luna in Princeton Harbor,  where he lived. The food was excellent with an open bar just the way Mike would have wanted it. His sister Joanne did him justice.

We had another old friend, Josh Epple,  pass away unexpectedly this Friday. He was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was the owner of the Drew's meat market on Church Street in San Francisco. I know he will be sadly missed as well.

In the immortal words of the late/great Cab Calloway, "Life goes on with me." Ain't it the truth.

The presidents I like the best are the dead one. I need more of those.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Love Day + Michael Fabiansen RIP

Yes, it's here again, Valentine's Day. They say, whoever they are, that love enters through the nose. I think it enters through the mouth, and then goes  directly to the heart.

I'm still in love with my wife. Yes, we have days when we both want to go our separate ways, but somehow we work it out. In the end there is love.

She said it was the hair on my arms that attracted her to me. She took a chance on me because I had a dog,  Lonesome.  He was a handsome boy. Geri figured if i had a dog I couldn't be all that bad.

I wrote a song about how I met Geraldine recently. We were at a coffee house in Glen Park, San Francisco, called "A Nice Little Place To Eat." It's located on the east side of the four corners of Diamond and Chennery Streets. I also wrote a short story about it recently as well. So, our relationship with food goes all the way back to when we first met.

The first line of the song goes;

I looked up from my coffee
And I say you sitting there
That's when I said to myself
Well, what have we got here

I was hit by what us Italians call il fulmine', the thunderbolt,  the day I first laid eyes on her. I went home and told my roommate Buzz, "I saw the girl I'm going to marry today."

For better or for worse
In sickness and in health
For richer or poorer
Till death do us part

Tonight is dinner with friends in the city with my instructor from culinary school and friend Erwin. There will be plenty of love to go around tonight, and wonderful food.

Have a great weekend. Call, email, or text someone you love, and tell them you care about them, why there's still time.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Love & Food

P.S. Michael Fabiansen RIP...you were loved by many of which I am one.

Thursday 2-13-14

Today is my best friend  Joe's daughter's birthday, the beautiful and talented Sarah Chase. Sarah reads this stupid blog so Happy Birthday Sarah, for the second time today. Geraldine and I love you. Oh, to be 27 again, and know what I know now.  My two pieces of advice are, "Run away from convention & find something to write about."

Joe would be very proud of you and your brother.

It was a spectacular sunset of orange and scarlet with a full moon for a backdrop. A beautiful day indeed.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Steak + Buffalo and Helicopters

I marinated some  London Broil steak that I cut into 1/2 strips with fresh ginger, teriyaki sauce, shot of Worcestershire sauce, fresh garlic, crushed  black pepper, 1/2 shot white wine, and Chinese 5 spices. I'm going to let that sit for a couple of days. Thursday night I'm going to saute the stake in a hot skillet with peanut oil, and serve this with some quinoa, chopped green onions, and grilled asparagus which are in season early. Love asparagus.

I've been eating ground Buffalo the last two days. My market decided to stock it again, and I love it. It's $12.00 a pound. It is extravagant, but it is the holy temple that I call my body.  It is so clean you can totally taste the difference and my body likes it. It's totally clean.

I got a nice cycle ride in. Overcast skies, with some sun, and helicopters flying around looking for car-jackers. Another pleasant day in Oakland actually.

That's it for today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

  

Fasting, No Fasting

I never did begin the fast this weekend. I'm going to take another run at it this coming weekend. Geri and I have a 35 mile bike ride scheduled Sunday, so we'll see how well that pans out. Food is essential when you're cycling.

Speaking of cycling I haven't done any since the rain began, and I'm starting to feel fat. So, instead of spending more time on this stupid insipid blog I think I'll hit the stationary trainer and say ta-ta for now.

That's it for today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Fasting Time Again

I need to clean myself out after the holidays and vacation.  I'm going to go on a juice fast starting Sunday till Thursday morning, and begin anew.

I have nothing else to write about. The rain falls, and it does feel like winter again.

That's it for today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Late Winter + Exerecise

A late winter is better than no winter. It piddled all day long today. When the weather is like this I wait for breaks in the storm. Then I throw the dogs in the truck and run for the trail to get them their walks. Miserable dog, miserable life.

The prediction is for rain, in some form or another, for the rest of the week, including this coming Sunday, which transitions me nicely into the next paragraph.

I set up the bike exerciser in my studio today, and I'm going for a fantasy ride tonight after dinner, which is spaghetti #12 with red sauce, Italian chicken sausage, and broccoli.  If I don't keep up my exercise level I'll just get fat again.

That's it today.

Life is what happens in between meals.


Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Editing

I realize that blogging, or writing anything for that matter, is a very difficult in deed. First of all, your stuck at a desk, or in a coffee house,  sitting down. The only physical activity is the movement of your hands on the keyboard, the electronic firings of your brain, and rapid movement of the eyes. It's harder on the body than I ever though possible.

Writing is difficult, but editing what you have written is really the challenge in the creative process. Each day I try to turn out something of a blog. Naturally, some blogs are better than others. Many are just plain boring, I can see you shaking your heads yes,  but I crank them out because it's all the process of discipline writing.

When I go back the next day after producing a blog and re-read it I'm often floored and embarrassed by the glaring errors that I've put out to the world.

This is a confession blog. I know I make a lot of mistakes. Please try to read past those mistakes to the content of what I'm trying to convey. Thank you for your understanding and patience. I don't get paid to do this, and I don't have an editor. When I ask my wife to read and edit something I've written there's still numerous inaccuracies. The last thing she wants to do after working in a hospital all day is be an editor.

I try and make blogs short, concise and to the point. Some blogs, such as the one I wrote yesterday are long, and full of mistakes. Having dyslexia only compounds the problems of my writing.

To all you editors out there I have a deep respect for your skill. The editors are the real power behind the creative process.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Back from Maui + Seahawks + Strange Things + Philip Seymour Hoffman

We are back from Maui, and it is cold in the Bay Area. I realize that I slept much deeper in Hawaii. It must be from the lack of cat dander, or the lack of cats all together.

The Seahawks routed the Denver Bronco's in the Superbowl yesterday. I was calling it the Super Bong since both states have recently legalized marijuana. I would have bet on the Broncos myself if I was a betting man. I was rooting for the Seahawks mostly because I love the city of Seattle. I'm just a northwest/northeast kind of guy.

We didn't watch the dame because we were in flight path over the Pacific ocean. We got one update from the captain in the cockpit at halftime. Seattle gave Denver a hell of a shellacking if I do say so. I think maybe Denver was over confidant, smoked too much hash oil before the game, and never did get their act together. Tripping.

Just before I started this blog today I was doing some research on the computer, and I heard these loud thuds in the front of the house. The dogs starting barking in unison at whatever had occurred.  Of course, I got up, and went out to see what all the commotion was  about. When I opened the door I found two birds lying on the front porch. One was dead, it's neck broken, and the other was in the throes of death. I picked it up gently, and held it until it's tiny life passed in my hands.

I was pacing nervously trying to figure out what the hell had happened. There was blood all over the floor, and then I glanced at the window. The one facing westerly on the front porch to block the wind from the ocean. That's what they had flown into. A splatter of blood covered the window. Then I saw a third bird, still alive, between the aluminum decoration and the screen.

I quickly got the bird free of the door, and held it. This one's neck was strong, and it was struggling to free itself from this unwanted encounter. I outstretched my arm over the bow of the porch so it had unobstructed freedom to fly. I opened my hand, it flapped it's wings, but could not take flight. I lightly closed my hand around it, and stroked it's crown. There was blood on my left hand, and more on the porch screen door. Still, I had hope for this one.

The bird was stunned, and in shock, but it was upright. It's wings were not broken, and it was alive. I held it for five minutes, trying to give it strength from my body to live, saying, "Please, please." It didn't bleed anymore. I looked at it closely and said to the bird, "Your in natures hands now."

I placed it on one of the slats of the trellis that covers the walkway at the top of the front steps. It held it's ground, it's dark eyes surveying the world for more trouble. There was nothing else I could do. I went about  cleaning up after the other two birds, and wiping up the blood. I kept an eyed the survivor as I carried on with my tasks.

I went into the house to get some paper towels, water and a cloth to bury the two birds, and when I came back it was gone. I checked all around the grounds in front of the house, and I couldn't spy it anywhere. Did it live?

These birds appeared to be some member of finch breed. They were grey, black beaks with white lines, yellow feathers on the breasts and the tips of their tails, as well as the smaller feathers of the wings. Very beautiful.

Is there any meaning in these things that  appear to be happenstance? Are they omens, signs? No one knows, do they?

Before this all happened I had gone to visit my friend Michael in the hospital. He is very derpessed.  He said, "My other two roommates have died, I'm number 3." Then he said, "I want to die."

After I returned home from visiting Michael I had put up a sign that we had made in Hawaii. A gentle soul by the name of Tom designed and constructed it out of sandalwood. The letters of the words were sketched onto the hardwood, carved out, then sandblasted, painted ivory, and the whole sign was varnished 3 times. The message read, "Be Good Or Be Gone!"

Wherever you are, Philip Seymour Hoffman, I hope you are no longer in pain. The world has lost a very talented man. RIP.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Aloha Maui

Aloha is much like Ciao in Italian. It means hello and goodbye. So, we say goodbye to Hawaii till next year, hopefully. One never knows what the future holds. We can hope.

Tonight we will eat fish.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Upcountry + Art + Wine + Beef + Photos

We rented bikes again and drove in a traffic jam, road work, to the upcountry and rode on the Kula Highway,  from Rice Park in Makawao, to the winery near Ulupalakua.

The interaction here with other drivers weather it be in a car or on a bike is much more courteous  than in the 48 states. We stopped at a famous local place called, Grandma's Coffee Shop in Kula. We had a coffee cake that must have been 6,000 calories, and sucked down more calories with some fruit juice. All the locals go to Grandma's. 

We stopped at the Keokea art studio owned by a wonderful man named Sheldon and his dog who's Hawaiian name I can't pronounce. The dog looked like quite a bit like Che. That was the hook. Shelodn's art is wonderful and free. Coincidentally he just happened to grow up in Connecticut like your's truly.  Another hook.  

Geri and I both zoned in on one painting in particular. We have very similar tastes in art. We know what we like, what we don't like, and we both like the same thing. I spent a goodly amount of my time with the dog. We left to finish the first leg our of leisurely cycle ride for the day down to the winery.

The weather was sunny with pillow case clouds shrouding the top of the Mt. Haleakala.  The same mountain we cycled down yesterday. The view on the  north-west side ride was breath taking.  At the  Ulupalakua Winery, and ranch we tasted their white wines, one sweeter, one dryer and one sparkling. I liked all three. A nice crisp fruity wine on a sunny day can't be beat. But, can't drive and drink. There is no shoulder to speak of on this road. One slip of the wrist and you're road toast.

The Ulupalakua Winery has a 5000 head of beef cattle ranch further upcountry than where the winery is located. They sell the beef exclusively on the Island of Maui. They refer to it as, Maui's winery and Maui's beef. 

Their Jersey cows are raised on local grasses, no chemicals, no drugs. I was going to buy some jerky, but it was ten dollars for 3 ounces. They sell their very own BBQ beef burgers there. Locals were eating there. There's a couple of pictures of the neighborhood boys down below.

The humidity was high today, close to 75 degrees with a east-west wind. It cushioned us on our way down so I didn't have to use my breaks to often. Well, what goes down must go back up. That's always the fun part of the cycling.  We were also upcountry, 3,000 feet above sea level, and I was feeling it.  The hills weren't steep, they just never stopped. But, we did have the wind at out back.

By the time we got back up to Grandma's we were beat. Geri had said to herself all the way back, "If I make it back up there I'm buying that picture."  I was thinking the same thing.

We made a deal with Sheldon, and the deal was done. Our Hawaiian original will replace my ugly nude above the headboard of our bed, and I think we burnt off that coffee cake from Grandma's cycling back up the .

Leftover pasta for dinner tonight, and if the weather holds I'm going for another ride in the morning before I have to turn the bike back in. Tomorrow is our last full day in Maui. Dining out. 

If I was going to live in Maui I'd live up country.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

  

  

Photos from Maui

Food is an aside on vacation. We were driven up here on this mountain and then we biked down. Maybe we peddled about 15 minutes. Tomorrow we rent  bikes a really ride. 

Peace….

Crater the size of the city of San Francisco

Rain + Cycling + Cafe Cafe + Photo's By Geri

Well, it's early and we are going up a 10,000 foot mountain, and it's raining. The worst that could happen is I could get wet, freeze, catch pneumonia, and die. The cycle touring company has rain gear for people. I wonder if it's snowing up there? That would put the kibosh on our  grand excursion for sure. I'll let the world know later. Cancelled…too rough up on the mountain…rescheduled for Thursday, which could rain.

If you are in Lahaina and you crave your European acquired taste for coffee i.e., espresso, cappuccino etc. Cafe Cafe on Lahainaluna street, right Front Street is the place for you. Run by a former resident of the former Czech Republic the food and hot drink can't be beat. He also rents Vespas by the day or the week. We walk down there everyday and it's a nice round trip hike about 3 miles and back from our little apartment. Heather makes a great ham and steamed egg, yes, my favorite method for scrambled eggs,  on a fresh croissant. The breakfast bagel dishes are great also as you can see by the photo.

We try to stay off Front Street as much as we can, but if you live in Lahaina it's almost impossible.
There are some wonderful surprises, but you have to search them out.

Photos of the scenery are by Geraldine.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Lahaina Bay

1/2 bagel sandwich at Cafe Cafe

Vespas under wraps

Great Pizza In Maui

One place to get great pizza in Maui is find out where Outrigger Pizza Company is setting up their mobile pizza unit that day. And I did find out by calling their toll free number: 808 870-7133.

They are set up in a parking lot at the Azeka shopping center in Kihei, Maui, which was quite a drive from where we are staying.  The traffic on Maui moves slow, very slow. Learn to live Aloha. Outrigger sets up there each Tue. and Friday from noon to 8:00 PM. I must stress that it was well worth the drive. I'd do it again.

The guy working the pizza oven today was Shawn. It just so happens he worked for people I know in San Francisco. I ordered two pizzas. The one I ate there was a plain NY 3 cheese pie, and the other pie was  a pesto, garlic, cherry tomato pizza. I was going to save the pesto pie for tomorrow, but I have to admit that I ate it when we got back to the apartment, after we had some gelato. It was my dessert, after dessert. Thank you Shawn, great job. This pizza company gets 3 fat joints rating from the Old Hippie Chef. That's as good as it gets. I love to write in the 3rd person.

Another fellow Italian east coaster I met from Buffalo told me about another place to get good NY pie only 3 blocks from out apartment, so maybe I can get over there and do a review about it.

Tomorrow we get driven 10,000 feet of a mountain, look into a crater,  and then get to coast all the way downhill like real tourists on bicycles. It's not quite like being on a cruise line, but sort of moving in that direction. Someone shoot me if that happens, or I'll just do it myself.

That's it for today. I rained all day, in memory of Pete.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Outrigger Pizza Co. Maui, Hawaii

Chef Shawn…the dough man

The Sky Is Crying (Pete Seeger) Nudity In Lahaina

Pete Seeger is gone from this earth, and today, here in Maui the earth is showing it's respect by raining.

This is the man who stood up to the US government and the House on Un-American Activities. The man who was banned from television for 17 years because he was branded a communist.  The man who cleaned up the Hudson River. The man who taught our children how to sing, and a whole generation how to believe in hope. Pete was the man.

He was a force of nature, and a spirit that comes along not often in one's lifetime. Ride on Pete.

Nudity is outlawed in Hawaii yet Geri caught these somber figures in a shop window in Lahaina flaunting the conventions of society and the state statutes. How dare they? A young boy went right up, and defiled these poor mannequins. What is happening to the youth of today I ask you?

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Trade Winds and Barbara (Not Phyllis Diller)

The trade winds in Maui blow east to west and north. The locals say that it is particularly rare for these winds to blow in the opposite direction. The storm they had last week blew west to east. If you look at the palm trees in the reproduction below you can see they are bowed in the line headed due west.

They also say it stirred up a load of crap at the bottom of the ocean, and there is now staph on the beaches. That didn't stop us from sitting on the beach today for a couple of lazy hours reading, actually reading a book, not a magazine. I finished a book yesterday, and I started another small one today. I also had the binoculars on today and I saw a ton of whales breaching out in the harbor. It was quite a matting show.

No, that's not Phyllis Diller in the photograph down under. On our way home last night from our evening stroll I said to Geri, "Get a shot of the bay." Just as she was taking the photo the woman shown here stepped into the frame.  Geri got a great shot of Barbara,  now a resident of Maui, formally of Australia.

In the words of Phyllis Diller, "My photographs don't do me justice, they look like me." I know how you feel honey.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Maui...Cycling + Meals + Jimmy and Dustin + Ma'La

We are settled into our little apartment here in Maui. It takes a while to get use to the constant sound of ocean at your door. The humidity in Hawaii reminds me of growing up back east, and I miss it. I love to sweat. Even living close to the ocean in Oakland the air is dry. California is mostly a dessert.

A storm blew in yesterday afternoon, and as of 9:00 am this morning it's still raining. If we came all this way for the rain it was worth it because it's been about 10 months since we've seen any amount of rain in the Bay Area.

We had our first home cooked meal last night of pasta with tomatoes, roasted garlic, broccoli,  olive oil, Italian chicken sausage, and Romano cheese.

Geri and I rented hybrid cycles yesterday then rode up the coast to this small private beach we went to last year. It's a 35 miles trip up and back. These bikes have 27 gears which makes it a lot easier than my single sprocket steel 10 speed.We picked up a head wind coming home, but it was manageable. The words Hawaii and wind are synonymous with one another..

We've seen whale breaching,  toucans toucing, and tons of turtles humping each other. The photo below is of Dustin and his dad Jimmy, the owners of the beach we go to up north. Jimmy's family has owned this land forever. He lives out there with his son Dustin who took up wood carving to stay out of trouble. Jimmy's so cool. He told us he's been divorced for 17 years, and raised his four kids by himself. He said, "Being divorced is the best thing that ever happened to me."

One last entry. We had our first meal at our favorite restaurant MaLa on Front Street in Lahaina. I got the Kobe beef burger, and it was cooked to perfection as usual, BUT whoever cooked it didn't let it rest. One bite into the burger and my plate looked like someone had poured beef stock into it.
We will go back and when we do I'm going to 1) complain 2) tell them how to cook  it.

Jimmy & Me

Dustin the carver

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Maui Bound...Aloha

It's time to follow the trade winds west to Hawaii again with the Humpbacks.  Off to adventure in a land called Honilli. I wish Pete Seeger was there. My mind is full and I need to empty it. It is not on blogging.

I have been off my food game since the bloody holidays, and I need to get more intimate with vegetables. Thankfully, I'm going to the right place. I know a great market in Maui that we can cycle to where we can pick up all sorts of fresh organic fruits and veggies.  Our motel has a little kitchen, and our favorite food hangout in Lahaina is a short lazy stroll down the road, smack dab on the water of the Asian Pacific. Whales will be breaching, and there won't be no need, for no preaching.

I did succumb to bringing the laptop. I have to admit it that I too have caved to the beast of the 2100 century. That means I might put up a blog or a couple of photos while we are there if I feel ambitious, yeah.

I hear that people rob folks when they blog about their vacations on the internet. That's why we hire a house-sitter whenever were on holiday.

My old hillbilly buddy from my first, and only, year in high school will be camping here bouts with the critters. Oh yeah, and he's armed, and he's unpredictable. You'd be much luckier if the dogs got you first.

That's it.

Life is what happen in between meals.

Aloha,

Make Food/Not War

Mind On Maui + Springtime In Oaktown + Mint & Movies

My mind is on Maui and resting my weary bones by the warm trade winds of the Pacific. Of course we have plans of cycling, hiking, walking, and  snorkeling to name just a few.  I am going to take two days and do nothing but watch the wind blow, and a palms sway, while I read a book. What a fucking concept.

We're staying directly across from Larry Ellison's island, which always seems to be shrouded in clouds. No man is an island Lar. Sorry, could help myself.

There is an abundance of plant matter sprouting up all over the East Bay. Just in our little patch of the planet the Rosemary bushes are in full azure bloom. The pink jasmine is budding, Iris are popping out of the ground, and it's not even February yet. Nature is acutely confused right now, and rightfully so. This is Palm Springs California weather, not Northern California.

We have a bucket in the bathtub to catch shower water. And we have a bowl, and a two gallon Kelly Moore bucket in the kitchen to catch water for the plants out back. Just doing this alone will ensure that we have our green leaf garden in the spring. All the plants in the  front of our home are drought tolerant, mostly succulents.

The mint is back in season also. Mint tea at 3:00.

Two recent foodie movies I watched were: Toast, and Today's Special. Toast is the better of the two, but I like Today's Special also. It tugs at the heart strings. Toast is based in a true story. Both are worth checking out.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

49ers + Wk. End Update + Smog + Drought

I hate to say another grim prediction of mine came true, but it's a fact. The 49ers blew it again. I can't say more about the game because we don't have television set, and typing in Seattle Seahawks v.s. 49ers playoff game gave me no results at all. If you watched the game you know the details. The 49ers are not as good as they think they are, obviously.

I broke the alcohol fast I've been on since my birthday, almost 5 months this time. I'm back on the wagon again. I don't like it. I had 2 and half glasses of IPA beer. I think me and alcohol are done for good. I almost got sick to my stomach when I decided to complete the experience by smoke a cigarette. Another brilliant life decision on my part.

Geri, myself and our good friend Charlie went to the De Young museum to see the David Hockney exhibit. It's an amazing body of his recent work which included: water colors, still lifes, landscapes, portraits, and self portraits in all sorts of mediums. The work he did with video was my favorite. It closes today, so seeing it in San Francisco is out of the question.

The drought is offical. The water reserves are at their lowest levels since 1977. You youngsters won't remember way back when because you weren't even born. It wasn't good. I was living up north in Redding California, and lake Shasta reservoir was down to 100 feet. As the water receded dead bodies kept appearing all over the place. Dexter or the Mafia?

My plea to you is to conserve water. Put a bucket in the shower. If it's yellow it's mellow. If it's brown flush it down. If you've got small leaks in the faucet put a bucket under them, or call the plumber. Please conserve. No water, no food, no life. It's really that simple. We have no idea how long this drought will last.

The smog and pollution are insane. You can't see the hills of San Francisco from the hills of Oakland.

Maui this Saturday, and it comes just in time. I am burnt out, and need to recharge my batteries, and start anew.

I will not bore you anymore with the details of my daily existence.
You're welcome.

That's it.

Life is what happens in between meals

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Fried Bologna + High Winds + Guy's Grocery Games

It's that time of year again, fried Bologna time. Every year at the beginning of the year I buy myself some Bologna, this time Bore's Head, cut thick, and I make myself a couple of sandwiches. It's a yearly indulgence that I don't deny myself. I used Rudy's spelt bread for the sandwiches.

I once did I video on fried Bologna. When we grew up these were a staple in our home. I've seen a bunch of videos on this sandwich. I use Rudy's white bread and fried Bologna, that's it. The meat has to be cooked so that it's charred black around the edges. If the Bologna doesn't bubble up in the middle you got yourself some inferior Bologna.  There's no mustard, mayo, celery salt, you read right, cheese wiz, goat cheese, lettuce or tomato, god forbid. Just Bologna and white bread. It's one of my top ten best sandwiches of all time. Hey, it's only once a year, moderation.

High winds hit Oakland today again with a vengeance. I decided not to ride my bike to work for fear of getting blown into traffic. As the day progressed the gusts died down. So, my ride got skunked by the wind.

I got an email from a producer working with Guy Fieri at the Food Network. She was chumming the internet looking for contestants, and came across my web site, and thought I would be a good candidate for his show, Guy's Grocery Games.

First of all I hate contests. I'm not good at them, I never win. So, why play? Why would I get my knickers all in a twist so I could go on TV, and look like an idiot? I can do that just fine right here, and with a lot less people looking at me.

I'd have to go to LA, which I don't mind actually, but I'd lose work, which means it would cost me money. That's assuming they chose me in the first place. I'm sure they have a screening process. You get all jacked up excited that you're going to be on the Howdy Fucking Doody show, then they tell you to fuck off. Some suit might not like the beard, of the cut of your jib, and there you have it. You're out before you were ever in. As Chuck Berry said, "Too much monkey business for me to be involved in."

If I had the money I'd start an alternative food network. One that taught people how to eat right and exercise. Of course there's no money in that, is there? Is someone already doing this? The internet is the future of entertainment.

That's it for today. Keep the faith.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

  

Wednesday Jan. 15th Cycling + Bette's Diner + Gluten....the enemy?

Geraldine and I cycled over to Bette's Diner in Berkeley for lunch today. I got the Reuben sandwich and Geri ordered the Cobb salad, minus the bacon which I had them put on the side, for me or course. I did a whole review on Bette's Diner which I've been to many times. Go early, it's always slammed.

We stopped over at Book Inc. when we were over there. Our friend Jerry Wyman had a show there recently in the back hallway of the book store. He does a show there every year, and then invites his friends. Then we can all  choose a photo that we like.  Jerry orders a print to be made, has it framed, and it's our present.

While at Books Inc. we spotted a book we have been talking about getting titled; Grain Brain, by David Perlmutter MD. The general premise of the book seems to be a) anti gluten, b) high fat, which is very popular these days. Of course, who's doesn't want better brain function?

Dr. Perlmutter lays out the hard facts that gluten creates inflammation in the body, including the brain. I can affirm this. When I started my weight loss program/ life style change in November of 2012 I cut out bread completely, and the pain in my legs and feet went away almost immediately.

The other claim he makes is one we already know also which is that cholesterol is necessary for the function of the brain. The brain uses 25% of all the cholesterol in the body, which is essential for cell reproduction.

I have only begun to read this book, but I like it already. Gluten turns to sugar, and I believe that sugar is the enemy of the body. I also believe in Mr. Traccaro's, my nutrition teacher from culinary school, theory of all things in moderation. A Mediterranean diet, and lots of exercise, and how can you go wrong?

A visit from Alice B., and lots of sex couldn't hurt a body either. Is sex good for the brain? Maybe that's further along in the book.

After our vacation to Maui  at the end of the month Geri and I are going to try out his theory for one month. My score on the test in Dr. Perlmutter's book was higher than Geri's, so apparently I'm in better shape than her. And she wanted to add that I can make it up hills faster on my 10 speed steel frame bike than she can on her 24 speed aluminum cycle.

That's it today.

Life is what happen in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Brooklyn v.s. Oakland + 49 ers v.s. Seahawks

My sister-in-law Victoria is in Brooklyn for an art showing she had last week. She called this morning raving about Williamsburg, and how everyone is so friendly and life is so "easy" in NYC. Right.

Give me this weather anytime over living with 10 million people.  Five minutes from here and I can be in the redwoods. Today it will be in the 70's in Oakland. It brought to mind a saying we had when we were growing up, "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there."

Everyone knows the East Bay is the best place to live  in the USA. I want to move to every place I visit also, but I don't. They do have Tony's pizza now.  Oh  right, Tony's is a S.F. transplant too.

Speaking of SF, the 49ers have been kicking ass. I'm going to go out on a limb again, and make one of my predictions. Remember I said it would be a dry winter in California. Remember I predicted the 49ers would lose the Superbowl 2 weeks before it was played.  I'm predicting that the 49ers will lose to the Seahawks this Sunday ending their bid for another Superbowl appearance. As always I hope my prediction is wrong.

If was a betting man, which I'm not,  that's where I'd put my money. In order for the 49ers to win Sunday against the Seahawks, which has become a big rivalry over recent years, they have to clean up their act. Watch those penalties boys.

They can do it, but I don't think they will. Some odds makers are giving the Seahawks only a 2 and half point spread advantage. Should be a great game, and a good day to take a bike ride while everyone is watching it.

That's it for today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Windy City + Restaurant Workers Organize Article + Pot Pie Review

I took off riding this morning with the intention of huffing it over to Piedmont, but it was so windy I peddled back home. I almost got blown off the bike several times. The wind gusts that were hitting me had to be 70 miles an hour. Debris was all over the road. Trees were down.

There was a great article in the SF Chronicle by Joe Garofoli about organizing restaurant workers.  This article tells the story of Saru Jayaraman, the principle organizer behind the movement for better working conditions, wages,  and benefits of food service workers.

Last year, Jayaraman wrote a book on racism and sexism in the restaurant workplace. "Behind the Kitchen Door" has received national attention. The organization she formed is called Restaurant Opportunity Centers United.  There is a branch of ROC right here in Oakland. "Hell hath no furry like a woman's scorn", as my mother always said. Ride on sister. Read this article people. Support the workers.

I was at the Temescal farmers market this Sunday and I purchased three pot pies by Pot Pie Paradise and Deli's owner and chef, Theresia Gunawan. These are the best pot pies I've ever had,  besides mine and Geri's of course. I was going to say, "That goes without saying", but it doesn't. If I don't promote me, who will? You. I don't think so.

My friend Darren was making his daughter Riley one of these pot pies last week when I stopped over, and that's how I came to meet Theresia. Simply wonderful. The crust is flakey and covers the entire pie, top and bottom. The insides are succulent and all natural ingredients.I'll see you again, Theresia, and thank you.

You can find these delightful creations at the Temescal Framers Market each Sunday or 3522 Arden Rd. in Hayward, Ca 94545 or
tele. 510 781-4994.

That's it today.

Life is what happen in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Geri's Bike + Rocky Road (true food junkie confessions)

Geri bought a new bike that I've been riding during the week while she's at work. It's the old marriage vow I took a quarter of a century ago that went something like,  "What's mine is mine and what's yours is ours." It is works both ways, for both partners.

I love this bike, which is made by Giant. It has a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano gears, disk brakes, big tires that grip the road well, and I sit up higher than on my steel street bike. This bike is an on/off road bike.  Best of it  has two lower gears than my street bike. It just sail along smoothly.

I was riding up a hill next to a school in our hood. This young Arab girl, with a headdress, maybe 10 years old, was watching me the whole time. When I finally reached to where she was standing she said, "Yeah, yeah, I like what I see." I saw her again this morning, and we gave each other high fives.

I climbed a long hill I had scaled before. It's maybe a half mile gradual slope. The first time I tackled this hill I had to stop twice before I made it to the top. This time I did it without stopping. Having those extra three lower gears makes a world of a difference to me. I still have a long way to go before I'll be in peak shape.

I have a new 2014 Cannondale 24 gear touring bike coming that's on back order. It won't be here till late March, and it will be a bad ass cruiser. In fact the bike is called, the Bad Boy. You try to get away, but you keep getting sucked back in.

I had a sugar jones last night after our evening walk. To quell the overwhelming desire to saturate my body with sweetness I bought a pint of Hagen Das Rock Road, and a chocolate bar with nuts and sea salt.

I finished the chocolate bar first, and then told myself I'd just have a little of the ice cream.  My sweet tooth was not yet completely satisfied yet, just a couple of bites. Right. The next thing I knew I was tipping the container, and scraping the bottom with my spoon.

I can't seem to kick this sugar jones I picked up over the holidays.
I'm going to ride over to the farmer's market this Sunday, and buy a huge bag of organic carrots and that's going to be my sugar treat for next week. When I get the urge for a glucose rush that will be my go to treat along with some nuts. We'll see how that shakes out.

I don't even want to calculate the amount of calories. Junkie guilt fills my brain.

That's all for this week.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Thursday Jan. 9th

I have a craving for pasta. What else is new right? Specifically spaghetti. I'm going to get some Brussels sprouts, and dried tomatoes and make a simple sauce using olive oil parsley, fresh garlic, crushed red pepper,  kosher salt and Pecorino cheese. I can taste it now.

I'm going to make a nice salad with red bell pepper, kale, cucumber, avocado, lemon and olive oil or maybe I'll make a yogurt based dressing for a little variety.

So, that was the plan early this morning and I went to lunch with my friend Buzz, Ohgane Korean BBQ at 3915 Broadway,  510 594-8300. Rocking bad ass Korean food, and a full bar. Lunch is very laid back. No dinner tonight.

That's my tip for the day.  No pasta this week.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Tue. Jan. 7th

I forgot to blog Monday and I forgot to post this last night . The weekend was as predicted, lots of cycling and Friday night dinner at Piasano's in West Berkeley.

The service was a little slow at Piasano's in the beginning, but improved to the point of being very good.  The food was well prepared. We got kale salad and Brussels sprouts for an appetizer. The entree's were excellent, and the desserts as well. The cappuccino was prepared perfectly.

I don't like doing restaurant reviews. Do I feel qualified enough to be a restaurant critic? Yes, but I think reviews are stupid.  Got to a place. If you like it, go back. Would I go back Piasano's?  Maybe, but most likely not. It's not a destination spot for me, but the experience was well worth it.

Piasano's gets 1 1/2 joints.

That's it. I've got nothing else to say today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War

Friday + Weeeknd + Movie review + Pisano's + Storyboard P.

Tonight our good friend, Jerry Wyman, a photographer,  is having an art opening in Berkeley at Book Inc., and then we are going to dinner at Pisanos's restaurant. I've never been there, but I'll do a short review on Monday of how we liked it. It's some dribble to write about.

This weekend will be more of the usual. Running around on wheels and heels, be it the case, two or 4. I'm going to take a shot at climbing Lincoln Ave. hill today, but on Geri's 21 speed. We'll see. It's supposed to be 70 degrees here in Oakland today.

Hope you are all  having fun in the snow back east. If you want to know why I live out West I think the contrast between the weather back there today, and the climate here today says it all.

We saw the Martin Scorsese movie Wolf of Wall Street on new year's day. If you have no idea that your money is being managed by greedy white collar scumbags who have absolutely no conscious or moral compass, you should see this film. The cinematography, the soundtrack, and the editing are amazing even if the outcome is rather predictable. Leonardo is just brilliant.

It is educational if you are naive enough to believe that the people who are in control of these institutions are anything but incompetent
criminals in $2,000.00 suits. If you somehow trust these people you need to check your brain for grey matter, or lack of it. Why anyone would aspire to work in the world that is portrayed in this film is beyond me. America's finest?

Last but not least, there is a great article in the latest New Yorker about an artist named Salim Muslim, who goes by the street name of Storyboard P. He is a street dancer and choreographer. Read the article and watch the videos/ interviews of him on YouTube. This cat really is one of America's finest. Wow.

That's it for this week.

Write back at you on Monday.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food/Not War





 

2014 Goals

It's a busy year already, and it's only just begun. Of course there is no guarantee I'll survive this year. I'm hoping I do, and if I accomplish everything on this list it will be a great year indeed.

Yesterday I outlined those goals, and today I'm going briefly to focus on one specific goal, that of losing 20 pounds by May 1st, also known as May Day.

I say briefly because why waste so much time on it? Either I do it or I don't. It's time to put this away for good, and move on to the next big thing, whatever the hell that may be.

If we break it down it's one and one quarter pounds of fat a week. That's no different than the plan I had before. the same plan that got me to lose 45 pounds.

I will weigh myself at the beginning of each month, and assess my progress or lack of progress. I'll be eating lots of veggies, cutting down on sugars, saturated fat and starch, plus exercising my pants off. Right now I'm still 210 pounds.

I cycled 20 miles today so that might help a little bit.

I'm going to take a nap.

That's it today.

Life is what happens in between meals.

Peace,

Make Food.Not War

Peace,

Make Food/Not War