Sometimes I eat food that I don't make. One example is South River's "Dandelion Leek Miso" made of deep well water, organic soybeans, organic brown rice,
sun-dried sea salt, dandelion greens, wild leeks, nettle greens, organic sea vegetables,
and koji culture.
Another example is an artisanal chocolate made of [all organic] stone ground cacao, cacao butter, honey, hemp, and maitake mushroom.
But I'd say 90% of what I eat is food that does not have a label. Maybe I should track that to be sure. Who wants to know what I eat every day? Do I?
31 December 2013
16 December 2013
Salad
I made up a salad yesterday that I love.
I used 2 pomegranates, 2 avocados, a bunch of cilantro, and 5 green onions. I dressed it with the juice of 1 lime, olive oil (probably halfish a cup), and Himalayan salt.
I used 2 pomegranates, 2 avocados, a bunch of cilantro, and 5 green onions. I dressed it with the juice of 1 lime, olive oil (probably halfish a cup), and Himalayan salt.
10 December 2013
Bidness Woes
For my business, I independently contract with a company I'll call LatKes. LatKes recently rolled out a new website. On this new site, more of my stats are available to me.
Earlier this year I noted a significant and repeating discrepancy between ostensible income (calculated simply by multiplying [number of students] by [number of scheduled lessons] by [price per lesson]) and my real income. I make a lot less than it looks like I will. It didn't take long to figure out why: cancellations.
I've been, therefore, aware that cancellations are eating up potential earnings (I even took it up directly with one cancel-happy student), but I didn't track them precisely.
Enter the new LatKes site with the new stats.
A whopping third of my scheduled lessons for this year were cancelled. That includes any students who stopped taking lessons and cancelled anything remaining, and the lessons I cancelled when my computer died in September. So it reflects more than just current students and includes my own cancellations. Even discounting those things, easily one fifth of my planned lessons fell through!
I want next year to be different. My problem is that 85% of my clients are through LatKes and I can't change my cancellation policy for them. They have the option to cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
What's an independent contractor to do?!
Earlier this year I noted a significant and repeating discrepancy between ostensible income (calculated simply by multiplying [number of students] by [number of scheduled lessons] by [price per lesson]) and my real income. I make a lot less than it looks like I will. It didn't take long to figure out why: cancellations.
I've been, therefore, aware that cancellations are eating up potential earnings (I even took it up directly with one cancel-happy student), but I didn't track them precisely.
Enter the new LatKes site with the new stats.
A whopping third of my scheduled lessons for this year were cancelled. That includes any students who stopped taking lessons and cancelled anything remaining, and the lessons I cancelled when my computer died in September. So it reflects more than just current students and includes my own cancellations. Even discounting those things, easily one fifth of my planned lessons fell through!
I want next year to be different. My problem is that 85% of my clients are through LatKes and I can't change my cancellation policy for them. They have the option to cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
What's an independent contractor to do?!
01 December 2013
Things and Stuff
I can have a hard time letting go of tangibles.
Once upon a time, what I would do with an item that I struggled with discarding was (1) take a picture of it and (2) tell Roscivs a story about it (3) discard it straightway.
The picture was his idea.
When it came time to process the data card (once it was full) I would keep the picture if I still wanted a picture. This may have happened once or twice, but I can't specifically remember it. Usually by that time I had already let go, realized I was happy without it, and chose to delete the picture.
Now I skip the picture step.
Some things I have held onto until now:
• 20+ lb. of Japanese language learning papers (many of which don't even have R's handwriting on them ... all of which are materials I can't read)
• a sea shell that my childhood penpal Ricki painted and sent to me
• scrapbook papers — e.g., a spate of trite poems that I wrote (by assignment, in response to trite prompts) in 5th grade
What do those things mean to me? I choose to use this blog post, rather than those papers, to commemorate
• how Roscivs was so unusually devoted to and delighted by learning;
• how thoughtful a penpal Ricki was (that shell was her postcard to me from a vacation in Mexico);
• how in 5th grade I was oversaturated with vacuous assignments
I feel better now.
Once upon a time, what I would do with an item that I struggled with discarding was (1) take a picture of it and (2) tell Roscivs a story about it (3) discard it straightway.
The picture was his idea.
When it came time to process the data card (once it was full) I would keep the picture if I still wanted a picture. This may have happened once or twice, but I can't specifically remember it. Usually by that time I had already let go, realized I was happy without it, and chose to delete the picture.
Now I skip the picture step.
Some things I have held onto until now:
• 20+ lb. of Japanese language learning papers (many of which don't even have R's handwriting on them ... all of which are materials I can't read)
• a sea shell that my childhood penpal Ricki painted and sent to me
• scrapbook papers — e.g., a spate of trite poems that I wrote (by assignment, in response to trite prompts) in 5th grade
What do those things mean to me? I choose to use this blog post, rather than those papers, to commemorate
• how Roscivs was so unusually devoted to and delighted by learning;
• how thoughtful a penpal Ricki was (that shell was her postcard to me from a vacation in Mexico);
• how in 5th grade I was oversaturated with vacuous assignments
I feel better now.
27 November 2013
shall i compare thee to a ...
My brother once told me I looked like "The Scream". My first college roommate once told me that my longness reminded her of "something by El Greco", like "Madonna of the Long Neck".
Yesterday Bjorn told me I look like "that painting", the Botticelli Venus.
Does this mean I'm aging well? Does it mean I was standing on an improbably large shell? It can't be that my hair is a different color, because it was wrapped up in a yellow towel turban at the time.
Yesterday Bjorn told me I look like "that painting", the Botticelli Venus.
Does this mean I'm aging well? Does it mean I was standing on an improbably large shell? It can't be that my hair is a different color, because it was wrapped up in a yellow towel turban at the time.
26 November 2013
carefree
I sold my car! I am car-free!!
This is the good life. Living without driving!
I met Bjorn in a parking garage; my vehicle was assigned the space next to his. Now we are a carless family. A good story.
For celebration, I give you "Sampo", the song in the opening credits of Tonari No Totoro.
あるこう あるこう わたしはげんきHere's my translation: 'Walk, walk. I am healthy. I love walking! "don-don" goes the sound.'
あるくの だいすき どんどんいこう
18 November 2013
Let the Thanks Begin
~ Three Thanks ~
I'm grateful for my future-oriented, generous in-laws cutting me a plump check for my Roth IRA. It turns out that they every year fill the retirement funds of their children and their children's spouses. This is "putting your money where your mouth is" if there ever was such a thing.
I am grateful that, through Amazon, I have been connected with someone who wants to own Roscivs' complete set of the Hikaru No Go manga in Japanese. I've felt it was being wasted. I love Hikaru but can't read Japanese. I want it to go to someone who wants it.
I suppose that this person could be collecting manga to line the floors of cages of sad birds whose wings he's clipped, but I am happy to have this opportunity to tell myself the story that these are going to a home that wants them.
I am grateful for the red blanket on my bed.
I'm grateful for my future-oriented, generous in-laws cutting me a plump check for my Roth IRA. It turns out that they every year fill the retirement funds of their children and their children's spouses. This is "putting your money where your mouth is" if there ever was such a thing.
I am grateful that, through Amazon, I have been connected with someone who wants to own Roscivs' complete set of the Hikaru No Go manga in Japanese. I've felt it was being wasted. I love Hikaru but can't read Japanese. I want it to go to someone who wants it.
I suppose that this person could be collecting manga to line the floors of cages of sad birds whose wings he's clipped, but I am happy to have this opportunity to tell myself the story that these are going to a home that wants them.
I am grateful for the red blanket on my bed.
07 November 2013
One door-bell Ding later
We now have two fire extinguishers with agents that extinguish fires of classes A, B, and C. Honestly I didn't know (three days ago, an hour before finalizing my extinguisher order) that there are different extinguishing agents for different fire classes. I didn't even properly know that there are fire classes. I mean, I knew that there's a sciencey art to fires; I knew there are specialists who determine how arsonists light fires and whatnot. I also knew that one should check one's extinguishers periodically to see if they are still good. What I didn't know was that I could naively have bought a limited-use extinguisher that would put out a fire kindled by a napkin but not put on a fire fed by gas. But don't worry, I didn't buy any such thing. I bought two non-dinky fire extinguishers.
It seems odd that by law you have to have fire detectors in your house when you sell it, but not fire extinguishers.
It seems odd that by law you have to have fire detectors in your house when you sell it, but not fire extinguishers.
05 November 2013
New House: Utilities: Garbage
When I called the city to set up our utilities, I selected the smallest available garbage bin (and the largest organic-waste bin). The woman at the city seemed to think that we would be soon asking for a bigger garbage bin.
We have a 20 gallon garbage bin. Garbage is collected every other week. This means our cap on waste is 5 gallons / person / week.
Bin day is Friday. I love watching the truck pull up to the house, extend the claw-hug to the bin, lift it, and empty the contents. I loved it as a kid too.
Moving is a high-waste activity, and our bin is filling up. Will utili-lady be right? Will we want a bigger bin? I guess: not.
I intend to monitor how much garbage (i.e., municipal solid waste, MSW, that what goes to landfills) we produce on a regular basis. Can we produce less than 20 gallons a month? Less than 20 pounds? — I'll have to weigh myself with the garbage to know. I looked up how much MSW the average American produces. The measurements I found are of weight, against which bin volume does not provide a meaningful comparison.
We have a 20 gallon garbage bin. Garbage is collected every other week. This means our cap on waste is 5 gallons / person / week.
Bin day is Friday. I love watching the truck pull up to the house, extend the claw-hug to the bin, lift it, and empty the contents. I loved it as a kid too.
Moving is a high-waste activity, and our bin is filling up. Will utili-lady be right? Will we want a bigger bin? I guess: not.
I intend to monitor how much garbage (i.e., municipal solid waste, MSW, that what goes to landfills) we produce on a regular basis. Can we produce less than 20 gallons a month? Less than 20 pounds? — I'll have to weigh myself with the garbage to know. I looked up how much MSW the average American produces. The measurements I found are of weight, against which bin volume does not provide a meaningful comparison.
03 November 2013
Dx Day
Four years ago, a Tuesday, I got home from an early-morning (9am) doctor appointment. It was partly a pre-natal visit. Life was pregnant with possibility.
After I came home and reported on my visit, Roscivs said I need to go to the doctor, too. He called his doctor. I heard him tell her I've been coughing up blood.
We got nine months of cancer treatment and a death. It looked a lot like this. Our first cancer picture, though, was Roscivs holding a pee-stick pregnancy test positively indicating elevated hCG — only it was his pee, not mine.
Nine months of that, and no baby for us.
Today is a Sunday. I am excited to clean the two bathrooms in my new home. I am okay. I want to be alive.
After I came home and reported on my visit, Roscivs said I need to go to the doctor, too. He called his doctor. I heard him tell her I've been coughing up blood.
We got nine months of cancer treatment and a death. It looked a lot like this. Our first cancer picture, though, was Roscivs holding a pee-stick pregnancy test positively indicating elevated hCG — only it was his pee, not mine.
Nine months of that, and no baby for us.
Today is a Sunday. I am excited to clean the two bathrooms in my new home. I am okay. I want to be alive.
15 October 2013
merry married
I was going to make a simple wedding post, before the wedding, but during its composition I got sidetracked into a(nother) conversation with Bjorn about vowel merging.
Bjorn, being of the New states Jersey and York, finds marry, merry, and Mary to have all different internal vowels.
Here is a post now, post wedding.
For "something old", I had on my person the handkerchief I inherited from my great-grandma. For "something new", the top I wore (which I had not worn before, and which, against all my plans, was white) which had a neckline that allowed for my borrowed something, a choker sent from Luminous. (It was her grandmother's!) For "something blue" I bore the ring (with sapphires) that was my wedding band from Roscivs.
All four items were "old" (even my "new" which, though new to me, I bought second-hand). This is not unexpected. There is nothing new under the sun.
Bjorn, being of the New states Jersey and York, finds marry, merry, and Mary to have all different internal vowels.
Here is a post now, post wedding.
For "something old", I had on my person the handkerchief I inherited from my great-grandma. For "something new", the top I wore (which I had not worn before, and which, against all my plans, was white) which had a neckline that allowed for my borrowed something, a choker sent from Luminous. (It was her grandmother's!) For "something blue" I bore the ring (with sapphires) that was my wedding band from Roscivs.
All four items were "old" (even my "new" which, though new to me, I bought second-hand). This is not unexpected. There is nothing new under the sun.
13 October 2013
New Game New Name
Yesterday I participated in an afternoon of world building, story telling, and character gaming.
I'm not used to the particulars of RPG games, but I have plenty of experience role playing, making believe, and riffing off of others' contributions to the world.
I enjoyed myself.
The platform we're using is Fudge. The game manual available in PDF for free from Grey Ghost Press. Fudge, self-descriptively named, is highly customizable. Bjorn, who's the Game Master (GM), is using it for the first time. It lets him play up the parts he likes and avoid the fiddly bits of D&D that he doesn't like that have deterred him from being GM (or DM).
We mostly expressed preferences and formed world. We meet again in two weeks. Between now and then I shall finish my character sheet. I need to choose a name ...
I'm not used to the particulars of RPG games, but I have plenty of experience role playing, making believe, and riffing off of others' contributions to the world.
I enjoyed myself.
The platform we're using is Fudge. The game manual available in PDF for free from Grey Ghost Press. Fudge, self-descriptively named, is highly customizable. Bjorn, who's the Game Master (GM), is using it for the first time. It lets him play up the parts he likes and avoid the fiddly bits of D&D that he doesn't like that have deterred him from being GM (or DM).
We mostly expressed preferences and formed world. We meet again in two weeks. Between now and then I shall finish my character sheet. I need to choose a name ...
29 September 2013
House Haps
We don't close until mid-October but things are looking great! I thought about blogging more about the house, but then thought, nah, people are going to see it when they're here for the wedding. But not everyone can come to the wedding (like LF, who is due tomorrow with baby FH).
House-buying seems likely to be momentous to the people doing it and ho-hum to everyone else. So if this bores you, let me know what subject you request, and I will write a post on that!
Here are some details about the house, à la the daisy conceit of I Love It / I Love It Not.
paint | I do love the paint in the kitchen (red!). I don't love the paint in the second/back bedroom (pink).
front yard | I love the sour/pie cherry tree. I don't love the lawn.
master bedroom | I love that it has french doors opening out onto the deck in the back yard. I don't love how big it is (it's big).
bath | I love the jetted tub underneath the skylight. I don't love the standard, Western toilet.
kitchen | I love the gourmet Jenn-Air dual fuel range/oven. I don't love the sink situation. Let me explain. The kitchen, like most kitchens, has one sink. That sink is a double sink, one side deep and one side shallow, which is fine. I don't love that it doesn't have two separate sinks. I also don't love that the one sink it has doesn't have a foot pedal.
water feature | I like the sound of the back yard fountain, and I love that you can hear it from the master bedroom, but to LOOK at it is another story; I'll just say, Bjorn calls it "The Puking Cat".
If you are thinking some of this sounds like "what I don't like about a million dollars is that it's not two million dollars", well, that's about right.
House-buying seems likely to be momentous to the people doing it and ho-hum to everyone else. So if this bores you, let me know what subject you request, and I will write a post on that!
Here are some details about the house, à la the daisy conceit of I Love It / I Love It Not.
paint | I do love the paint in the kitchen (red!). I don't love the paint in the second/back bedroom (pink).
front yard | I love the sour/pie cherry tree. I don't love the lawn.
master bedroom | I love that it has french doors opening out onto the deck in the back yard. I don't love how big it is (it's big).
bath | I love the jetted tub underneath the skylight. I don't love the standard, Western toilet.
kitchen | I love the gourmet Jenn-Air dual fuel range/oven. I don't love the sink situation. Let me explain. The kitchen, like most kitchens, has one sink. That sink is a double sink, one side deep and one side shallow, which is fine. I don't love that it doesn't have two separate sinks. I also don't love that the one sink it has doesn't have a foot pedal.
water feature | I like the sound of the back yard fountain, and I love that you can hear it from the master bedroom, but to LOOK at it is another story; I'll just say, Bjorn calls it "The Puking Cat".
If you are thinking some of this sounds like "what I don't like about a million dollars is that it's not two million dollars", well, that's about right.
28 September 2013
last week's foodlight: mushroom+turnip+pickle dice
I made breakfast of bunashimeji in 3 Gs (ghee, garlic, and ginger) and cut-up salad turnips. I served the still-steaming bunashimeji in a bowl over the crisp turnips.
Bunashimeji is one of my three favorite kinds of mushrooms. Black Trumpet and Shiitake are the other two.
When I was a kid, sometimes for lunch we were set free to forage or one of my siblings (or I) was in charge of fixin's. Usually sammich fixin's. Sometimes, especially foraging times, we fought over food (especially if there were leftovers of "lipstick and worms", i.e., spaghetti). But sometimes, especially sammich times, we'd pretend we were at a restaurant, and those times were congenial dining times.
This breakfast was congenial dining too. And it was gourmet and I didn't have to wear pants. It had pickles, too! Cucumber pickles. I forgot that above: chilled lacto-fermented pickle condiment.
Bunashimeji is one of my three favorite kinds of mushrooms. Black Trumpet and Shiitake are the other two.
When I was a kid, sometimes for lunch we were set free to forage or one of my siblings (or I) was in charge of fixin's. Usually sammich fixin's. Sometimes, especially foraging times, we fought over food (especially if there were leftovers of "lipstick and worms", i.e., spaghetti). But sometimes, especially sammich times, we'd pretend we were at a restaurant, and those times were congenial dining times.
This breakfast was congenial dining too. And it was gourmet and I didn't have to wear pants. It had pickles, too! Cucumber pickles. I forgot that above: chilled lacto-fermented pickle condiment.
24 September 2013
house countdown
So, I don't want to be thought of as The Girl Who Cried "HOUSE!", but we put in an offer on a house.
4 is the number of varietals of espaliered apple trees in the back yard... 3 is the number of bedrooms... 2 is the number of skylights....
4 is the number of varietals of espaliered apple trees in the back yard... 3 is the number of bedrooms... 2 is the number of skylights....
08 September 2013
CARGH
I just spent a month's worth of teaching income repairing my car. This really rankles. I am committed to getting rid of it. I want to live without a car.
The only thing I use it for on a weekly basis is grocery shopping. I need to figure out how to do this without a car. My favorite plan for accomplishing this is ... moving.
The only thing I use it for on a weekly basis is grocery shopping. I need to figure out how to do this without a car. My favorite plan for accomplishing this is ... moving.
02 September 2013
Tasty Hasty Victuals
Supper was vegan. And not just any vegan. RAW VEGAN.
This is funny to me.
Extra virgin olive oil (harvested November 2012) and my homemade lacto-fermented salsa (delicious) on zucchini noodles and avocado.
My salsa is so good, I'm sure people would pay money for it. Also, I didn't use a starter, mwaha, haha, BWHAHAHA! I cut the mustard! I am fermentation goddess!
This is funny to me.
Extra virgin olive oil (harvested November 2012) and my homemade lacto-fermented salsa (delicious) on zucchini noodles and avocado.
My salsa is so good, I'm sure people would pay money for it. Also, I didn't use a starter, mwaha, haha, BWHAHAHA! I cut the mustard! I am fermentation goddess!
01 September 2013
abundance
Today I did August's finances, and I made my annual Labor-Day-Weekend–Kiva loan. I am grateful to have work, and even more grateful to have support in my life and work.
I am grateful to Roscivs for having taught me so much about how to deal with money. I am grateful to Peg (my sister) for helping me, after Roscivs died, customize a budget template she gave me, so I could do accounting on software that I can maintain without R. I am lucky.
Here's to the Kiva borrower growing organic cacao.
Here's to life.
I am grateful to Roscivs for having taught me so much about how to deal with money. I am grateful to Peg (my sister) for helping me, after Roscivs died, customize a budget template she gave me, so I could do accounting on software that I can maintain without R. I am lucky.
Here's to the Kiva borrower growing organic cacao.
Here's to life.
30 August 2013
Bloodwork Soundtrack
Results are in. Glucose (fasting) was 76. Cholestorol was 177. Triglycerides 44. HDL 53. LDL 115. Chol/HDL ratio 3.3. All OK.
My numbers are good, but my health is better. I'm alive.
I'm still alive.
The other day we were listening to "Perfect Space" while we cleaned the kitchen and I said "I hope I'm old before I die", and Bjorn said "I hope that I get old before I die", then stopped and said, "I hope that you get old before I die." It's a love song.
My numbers are good, but my health is better. I'm alive.
I'm still alive.
The other day we were listening to "Perfect Space" while we cleaned the kitchen and I said "I hope I'm old before I die", and Bjorn said "I hope that I get old before I die", then stopped and said, "I hope that you get old before I die." It's a love song.
28 August 2013
Apocalyptic Food, pt 3 o' 3
Behold the face in front of the well-oiled, so-far cogs of my no-grain food storage!
♣ canned salmon • canned sardines • canned coconut milk • coconut oil • ghee • tallow • seaweed • raisins • animal gelatin • honey
TA-DA!
Almost all of my process, hard work, and rumination is unenumerated; these three parts are bones; not included are soft, connective, fleshy bits.
I did tons of work to figure out how to have command of a simple process, and this is what I have to show for it, and it's not showy. I feel like this must be what happens to my grandpa. He and my grandma send out a newsletter every month. His part of it usually has such simplified structure that one might think it insulting, yet sometimes (as he states) it took him years to achieve it.
Well, Grandpa, if this is what happens to you, I feel ya.
So. There's no way that I have three months worth of only these foods. And even if I did, it would be a dreary three months. But I have made a very fine start for myself.
♣ canned salmon • canned sardines • canned coconut milk • coconut oil • ghee • tallow • seaweed • raisins • animal gelatin • honey
TA-DA!
Almost all of my process, hard work, and rumination is unenumerated; these three parts are bones; not included are soft, connective, fleshy bits.
I did tons of work to figure out how to have command of a simple process, and this is what I have to show for it, and it's not showy. I feel like this must be what happens to my grandpa. He and my grandma send out a newsletter every month. His part of it usually has such simplified structure that one might think it insulting, yet sometimes (as he states) it took him years to achieve it.
Well, Grandpa, if this is what happens to you, I feel ya.
So. There's no way that I have three months worth of only these foods. And even if I did, it would be a dreary three months. But I have made a very fine start for myself.
26 August 2013
al-Lazeez!
I often make something very yummy and then forget about it (thus not making it again). Well, this one I want to remember, so I am telling you what we had for breakfast today —
Chili powder and garam masala CARROTS coined and sauteed in ghee, with ginger. Then one egg over easy each.
25 August 2013
1 Balanced and Broad, 1 Cute
"Some of My Best Friends are Germs" — Micheal Pollan's essay is the best gut-bug piece yet!
To accompany it, my favorite from Bird and Moon comics.
To accompany it, my favorite from Bird and Moon comics.
18 August 2013
Food Storage part 2 of 3
Part 1
My future food storage system has two primary traits. It is low maintenance in each of three cost categories — energy, time, money. It nourishes my family for ≥ 3 months in The Event (e.g., of a Zombie Apocalypse).
The supporting traits I've identified are familiarity and stability. These each bear up both primaries — minimizing maintenance costs and maximizing nourishment. All food storage candidates satisfy these criteria.
Up to this point, the decisions on including a food are basic — binary. Now they become complex.
When I identify a food that is familiar and stable, next I'll consider its basic nutritional profile. What are the macros and micros? How does it compare with other foods I have identified? Next, is it a hassle to prepare OR consume? Zombies are chasing me, I've lost an arm, and I've run out of spoons. Do I need a can opener for this?
If I end up with dozens of winning foods — more than I have room to store — I can cull by considering other traits. (Comparative cost?) But for now I'll save that energy.
My future food storage system has two primary traits. It is low maintenance in each of three cost categories — energy, time, money. It nourishes my family for ≥ 3 months in The Event (e.g., of a Zombie Apocalypse).
The supporting traits I've identified are familiarity and stability. These each bear up both primaries — minimizing maintenance costs and maximizing nourishment. All food storage candidates satisfy these criteria.
Up to this point, the decisions on including a food are basic — binary. Now they become complex.
When I identify a food that is familiar and stable, next I'll consider its basic nutritional profile. What are the macros and micros? How does it compare with other foods I have identified? Next, is it a hassle to prepare OR consume? Zombies are chasing me, I've lost an arm, and I've run out of spoons. Do I need a can opener for this?
If I end up with dozens of winning foods — more than I have room to store — I can cull by considering other traits. (Comparative cost?) But for now I'll save that energy.
16 August 2013
Emergency Preparedness: Food Storage
It is a good time of year to consider catastrophe.
The other week my dad recommended a certain product to me for food storage. I began doing more thinking about what good food storage items are — for someone with my diet.
The other week my dad recommended a certain product to me for food storage. I began doing more thinking about what good food storage items are — for someone with my diet.
Consideration A: Grains are the staple for food storage as I know it. (Now "knew it".)
Consideration B: Rotation is a primary principle of preparedness; to rotate, store what you eat and eat what you store.
Consideration C: Mine is a diet of animals and vegetables, of no grains, of few pulses or legumes (lentils and limas allowed), of no sugars except fruit and honey.
==
Problem: I cannot realistically rotate something I don't eat, and I don't eat the common storage items, so I can't use the old methods, and I don't know any other way.
But who am I to not do something because I don't know what to do? Not I! Time to make up another way.
I am making two lists, one of traits (what do I want of my food storage items?), another of items so far (what do I already eat with those traits?). I shall post them.
Did you notice that I said "items so far"? SO FAR! I request ideas. Pretty please, with a dried cherry on top.
Consideration B: Rotation is a primary principle of preparedness; to rotate, store what you eat and eat what you store.
Consideration C: Mine is a diet of animals and vegetables, of no grains, of few pulses or legumes (lentils and limas allowed), of no sugars except fruit and honey.
==
Problem: I cannot realistically rotate something I don't eat, and I don't eat the common storage items, so I can't use the old methods, and I don't know any other way.
But who am I to not do something because I don't know what to do? Not I! Time to make up another way.
I am making two lists, one of traits (what do I want of my food storage items?), another of items so far (what do I already eat with those traits?). I shall post them.
Did you notice that I said "items so far"? SO FAR! I request ideas. Pretty please, with a dried cherry on top.
12 August 2013
Lover and Thinker
. . .
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
. . .
And I am not resigned.
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
. . .
And I am not resigned.
29 July 2013
Adventures in Investing
I first heard about Mr. Money Mustache from my friend Cherry. She was pointing out that my thoughts on the deplorable damages of car culture overlapped his.
The second time I heard about him was from Wayde, Roscivs' younger brother.
I infrequent his blog, and the other day I read about a p2p lending business venture that he is experimenting with.
I decided to do something similar with a little bit (less than 1%) of my money. What curiosity I have! What risk I take!
The second time I heard about him was from Wayde, Roscivs' younger brother.
I infrequent his blog, and the other day I read about a p2p lending business venture that he is experimenting with.
I decided to do something similar with a little bit (less than 1%) of my money. What curiosity I have! What risk I take!
27 July 2013
first year pickler
I make my own pickles. Amazing!
Since early spring I have successfully made lacto-fermented pickles* out of radishes and garlic scapes. My other attempts were lemons and carrots, but I lost 'em to mold.
The radishes were DIVINE. My visiting family ate the last of the scapes.
It had been weeks since I set anything up to pickle, but on Thursday, when I was at the Farmers' Market, I found the season's first pickling cukes. I bought some, added pickling dill (read: dill in bloom) and garlic. I hope I'm not sorry I didn't have any grape leaves!
--
* For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about:
• Yogurt is certainly the most commonly known (and the only commonly eaten) lacto-ferment in America. It's basically pickled dairy! However, "lacto" goes with "lactic acid", NOT "lactose". Lacto-fermentation has nothing necessarily to do with dairy.
• "fermented" evokes beer, wine and other things alcoholic but lacto-ferments are not alcoholic.
• "pickles" evokes foods soaked in vinegar, but lacto-ferments are not made with any vinegar.
Since early spring I have successfully made lacto-fermented pickles* out of radishes and garlic scapes. My other attempts were lemons and carrots, but I lost 'em to mold.
The radishes were DIVINE. My visiting family ate the last of the scapes.
It had been weeks since I set anything up to pickle, but on Thursday, when I was at the Farmers' Market, I found the season's first pickling cukes. I bought some, added pickling dill (read: dill in bloom) and garlic. I hope I'm not sorry I didn't have any grape leaves!
--
* For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about:
• Yogurt is certainly the most commonly known (and the only commonly eaten) lacto-ferment in America. It's basically pickled dairy! However, "lacto" goes with "lactic acid", NOT "lactose". Lacto-fermentation has nothing necessarily to do with dairy.
• "fermented" evokes beer, wine and other things alcoholic but lacto-ferments are not alcoholic.
• "pickles" evokes foods soaked in vinegar, but lacto-ferments are not made with any vinegar.
26 July 2013
For Supper
I made an omelette for the first time! 4 duck eggs. It was the purtiest omelette I ever did see!
25 July 2013
A Favorite Website and a Favorite YouTube Video and a Bonus Link
I have been interested in floor play and squatting for the last few months. I've built up to being able to squat for many (20) minutes at a time.
If you're interested, check out Todd Hargrove's Squat Fundamentals no. 1. There's a link at bottom to a 25 minute audio floor play guide. I liked the pretending to be a crab!
This post is brought to you by JoBob out sailing with his dad. I don'tsit on my computer post a lot when he's home, which is most of the time!
If you're interested, check out Todd Hargrove's Squat Fundamentals no. 1. There's a link at bottom to a 25 minute audio floor play guide. I liked the pretending to be a crab!
This post is brought to you by JoBob out sailing with his dad. I don't
24 July 2013
More Gut Reading
"Happy Microbes, Skinny Jeans" is the print article in the July/August print volume of Mother Jones. Here is the online version.
I recommend it.
Currently that ^ page is hosting links to MoJo other articles with the same probiotic / microbe / gut theme. This is Your Body on Microbes, Should You Take A Probiotic? (I'm going to go with yes), Can Antibiotics Make You Fat? (all signs point to yes), Poop Therapy (I would do it if I could find a suitable donor), and Here's Why You Shouldn't Take Antibiotics for a Sinus Infection.
I recommend it.
Currently that ^ page is hosting links to MoJo other articles with the same probiotic / microbe / gut theme. This is Your Body on Microbes, Should You Take A Probiotic? (I'm going to go with yes), Can Antibiotics Make You Fat? (all signs point to yes), Poop Therapy (I would do it if I could find a suitable donor), and Here's Why You Shouldn't Take Antibiotics for a Sinus Infection.
23 July 2013
ketchUpdates
22 July 2013
ATTN: Mona
At the beginning of the month, Jronatron and I took Animal Planet's "Dog Breed Selector" questionnaire. The results solidly indicate that we would be best matched with a Brittany or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
It is highly unlikely we'd get a purebred, but if we did these would suit us best. (I want a dog that is highly affectionate and highly trainable.)
It is highly unlikely we'd get a purebred, but if we did these would suit us best. (I want a dog that is highly affectionate and highly trainable.)
21 July 2013
There Is No Tomorrow, But Only Today
It has been a great couple of weeks.
Two things about today:
(1) It was bring your pet to church day. It was the joyfulnoisiest service I have ever been at. ... I really want a dog!
(2) During sibling book group my brother, Leon, made a case for P. Diddy as today's Shakespeare.
Two things about today:
(1) It was bring your pet to church day. It was the joyfulnoisiest service I have ever been at. ... I really want a dog!
(2) During sibling book group my brother, Leon, made a case for P. Diddy as today's Shakespeare.
09 July 2013
Gulpee
I went, fasting, into the lab this morning to have my blood drawn for routine bloodwork. They sent me away. They found no veins at all, because, apparently, I am dehydrated.
Remember my drinking quandary? (No?) Looks like I haven't solved my problem. In the short term, I've been sippin' all day, trying to get any vein to plump up. No luck so far.
Remember my drinking quandary? (No?) Looks like I haven't solved my problem. In the short term, I've been sippin' all day, trying to get any vein to plump up. No luck so far.
08 July 2013
Gutty and A Beautiful Day
I often spout factoids about the prime importance of the microflora in and on our bodies. I believe what I claim. I've substantiated it behind the scenes, but by the time I mention it in conversation, I don't always have a citation on hand.
I think that this contributes to the perception some hold of me as a gut-bacteria kook. In any case, I'm comfortable with my company. From a book I just finished:
I am like a bird.
But I am not like a bird in that I do not drink my bathwater.
I think that this contributes to the perception some hold of me as a gut-bacteria kook. In any case, I'm comfortable with my company. From a book I just finished:
Jeffery Gordon, Director of Washington University's Center for Genome Sciences, and his team have shown that people of normal weight favor a family of bacteria called bacteroidetes while obese poeple have more firmicutes. His team was able to prove that gut microbes actually contribute to obesity.Speak of chaos theory, I am posting this outside, sitting on a swing in a garden between my apartment and the library. There is a fountain three feet in front of me, and while I've been here, several birds have taken drinks and baths.
I am like a bird.
But I am not like a bird in that I do not drink my bathwater.
07 July 2013
Picking
The Dashes (J's sister's family) were out of town today but invited us go over to pick raspberries. Yum yum.
04 July 2013
Post-Hurricane Rainbow
God don't make no plastic bags.
Happy New Year!
The holiday haps: my parents and one sister are here. The house haps: we sat with the homeowners yesterday and made a counter-counter offer.
Happy New Year!
The holiday haps: my parents and one sister are here. The house haps: we sat with the homeowners yesterday and made a counter-counter offer.
02 July 2013
Awaiting
My parents are flying in today for a visit.
I am going to post every day in July. It's looking like it might be a very very busy month, so most posts will probably be tweety-length.
I am going to post every day in July. It's looking like it might be a very very busy month, so most posts will probably be tweety-length.
01 July 2013
13 June 2013
100 books ago
I am trying to heal from the neuro-gulleys and trenches that my brain made when Roscivs was sick and dying, and after he died: I would — without prompting — think "a year ago today he wasn't even sick ... and look at me now" or "two years ago we were eating out at foobar ... and look at me now".
You might think that this would be comforting. No. It is depressing. When this happens, I suffer, even more than I already was suffering.
It is comforting to me to remind myself that Roscivs was a person who lived wholly in the present and a person who believed comparison is the cause of almost all suffering.
But sometimes looking back is nice. When I am just remembering — not comparing, not despairing.
Today I looked back using Goodreads.
100 books ago I was in Texas, visiting my dear sister Mona and her nuclear family — a husband and two children, my niece and nephew. My nephew turned 5 while I was there. We read the "llama llama" books. It was a sweet time.
You might think that this would be comforting. No. It is depressing. When this happens, I suffer, even more than I already was suffering.
It is comforting to me to remind myself that Roscivs was a person who lived wholly in the present and a person who believed comparison is the cause of almost all suffering.
But sometimes looking back is nice. When I am just remembering — not comparing, not despairing.
Today I looked back using Goodreads.
100 books ago I was in Texas, visiting my dear sister Mona and her nuclear family — a husband and two children, my niece and nephew. My nephew turned 5 while I was there. We read the "llama llama" books. It was a sweet time.
11 June 2013
Returning and Reporting: Dentition Edition
So, if you remember (and at least one of you does, which I know because she prompted a follow-up) I have my unusual, new toothcare protocol and wanted to see what the dentist thought about my oral health. Here is the follow-up: At my recent appointment I asked the dentist how my teeth and gums are looking. He said "very good".
In my experience, that is almost as effusive as a dentist can get. I am satisfied.
Nevertheless, I have altered my regimen somewhat: I bought some xylitol (plain) and I use it ~every other night. Sheesh that stuff is sweet! :P Like, Lisa Frank sweet. x_x
09 June 2013
artifulchoke
I found out what to do with my "baby" artichokes! (The artichokes we received in our CSA were very small. I thought they were just harvested small, but no. It's like how really short adults aren't children.)
I cut them up with this as my guide, and I then sauteed them in white wine vinegar, salt, and ghee. They were quite tasty! I want more of them!
In other news, I actually went to church with Jobabhatron today because the issue from the pulpit was based around Emily Dickinson. I really, really, really love Emily Dickinson.
I cut them up with this as my guide, and I then sauteed them in white wine vinegar, salt, and ghee. They were quite tasty! I want more of them!
In other news, I actually went to church with Jobabhatron today because the issue from the pulpit was based around Emily Dickinson. I really, really, really love Emily Dickinson.
07 June 2013
Pix for Pax
The other day, while Brn and I were walking to get water from the artesian well, we were (rudely, to my mind) visually accosted by the anti-abortionist activists squatting outside of Planned Parenthood.
We often take a route to the well that does not go by PP, but when we go to the library on the way to the well (which we regularly, though not usually, do) our route takes us in front of the PP building downtown. On most days there are no protestors out front, but on weekends without rain, there may well be protestors.
The protestors have the usual things: signs, scriptural admonishments, and — more than I have ever seen before — grisly pictures.
I complained (not for the first time) about their methods: it's in-your-face, fearmongering antagonism. What good could it do? I pointed out that even people who also are against abortion would think it was awful. There was a picture of a fetus and the tag line about throwing it in a garbage. I gave an example of someone I know who miscarried and was deeply distraught over disposing of the fetus.
On our way home, Brn said that there is much in this world that is despicable and hidden. War, for example. Americans and war. We're a nation of destruction and violence, and this is hidden, and it would be better were it not. He would not want someone to object to someone posting pictures of war because they are offensive — war is offensive, and by hiding it America decays in denial.
If someone is dissuaded from war (or, in analog, abortion) because they are shown what it is like, is that bad?
So he came out in favor of the protestors' use of the horrible pictures. Maybe it offends everyone because it is offensive.
I must say, I feel different about the whole thing now.
(Adjunct: cf the photojournalism series "We're Still At War" at Mother Jones)
We often take a route to the well that does not go by PP, but when we go to the library on the way to the well (which we regularly, though not usually, do) our route takes us in front of the PP building downtown. On most days there are no protestors out front, but on weekends without rain, there may well be protestors.
The protestors have the usual things: signs, scriptural admonishments, and — more than I have ever seen before — grisly pictures.
I complained (not for the first time) about their methods: it's in-your-face, fearmongering antagonism. What good could it do? I pointed out that even people who also are against abortion would think it was awful. There was a picture of a fetus and the tag line about throwing it in a garbage. I gave an example of someone I know who miscarried and was deeply distraught over disposing of the fetus.
On our way home, Brn said that there is much in this world that is despicable and hidden. War, for example. Americans and war. We're a nation of destruction and violence, and this is hidden, and it would be better were it not. He would not want someone to object to someone posting pictures of war because they are offensive — war is offensive, and by hiding it America decays in denial.
If someone is dissuaded from war (or, in analog, abortion) because they are shown what it is like, is that bad?
So he came out in favor of the protestors' use of the horrible pictures. Maybe it offends everyone because it is offensive.
I must say, I feel different about the whole thing now.
(Adjunct: cf the photojournalism series "We're Still At War" at Mother Jones)
04 June 2013
This Week's Box
Mmmmm. 13.5 pounds of vegetables.
The season is starting to turn. I can tell from the produce. It now qualifies as "late spring / early summer". No more shungiku ... and the first of the season's garlic scapes, broccoli, and garlic.
I have no idea what to do with the artichokes. They are tiny! Maybe I'll pickle their hearts.
It takes me a long time to take care of the box (metonymously speaking). Bjorn and I walk to get the box (30 minutes = there and back). Then I care for the veggies as necessary (wipe, dry, partition, etc.) before I store them ... that takes at least an hour.
Our fridge is 3/4 full of vegetables; meat, fruit, nuts, and leftovers are relegated to the corners.
Listed pseudo-randomly:
♣ broccoli (ours looks purple compared to the stuff in the store) • snow peas • beet greens (with tiny tiny root beets — these are beets that are being thinned out) • mizuna • garlic scapes • spinach • red mustard greens • arugula • garlic (fresh) • artichokes • salad turnips • bok choy • turnip greens • lettuce • carrots • scallions • chard • beets (with greens) • kale
The season is starting to turn. I can tell from the produce. It now qualifies as "late spring / early summer". No more shungiku ... and the first of the season's garlic scapes, broccoli, and garlic.
I have no idea what to do with the artichokes. They are tiny! Maybe I'll pickle their hearts.
It takes me a long time to take care of the box (metonymously speaking). Bjorn and I walk to get the box (30 minutes = there and back). Then I care for the veggies as necessary (wipe, dry, partition, etc.) before I store them ... that takes at least an hour.
Our fridge is 3/4 full of vegetables; meat, fruit, nuts, and leftovers are relegated to the corners.
Listed pseudo-randomly:
♣ broccoli (ours looks purple compared to the stuff in the store) • snow peas • beet greens (with tiny tiny root beets — these are beets that are being thinned out) • mizuna • garlic scapes • spinach • red mustard greens • arugula • garlic (fresh) • artichokes • salad turnips • bok choy • turnip greens • lettuce • carrots • scallions • chard • beets (with greens) • kale
18 May 2013
Culinary Adventure: Shave the ... Mussels
I just de-bearded mussels! I have probably consumed a mussel before, but not that I can specifically recall. Never before had I prepared one.
This guide by my seafood guru took the potential whattheheckamievendoing?! stress out of the mystery.
There were 3 dead mussels. They are in their grave. The others, alive — and now beardless, sleek — sit unmoored in the fridge. Thank you, little bivalves, for your lives.
This guide by my seafood guru took the potential whattheheckamievendoing?! stress out of the mystery.
There were 3 dead mussels. They are in their grave. The others, alive — and now beardless, sleek — sit unmoored in the fridge. Thank you, little bivalves, for your lives.
15 May 2013
Eat ALL the Kingdoms!
Guess what, people? I eat mushrooms now. I eat mushrooms and I like them.
You gasped, right? It's a shift more radical than my sucking the marrow out of chicken bones, right? Yeah. I know. Now I devour all manner of heterotrophs.
I had long eschewed mushrooms.
Though I didn't try them anew until this month, I'd considered them a lot this year, in the recurring remembrance of Roscivs' widowed aunt, with whom he lived for two years. She loved — loves? — stuffed mushrooms. I want to try stuffing some with crab meat, propers to this shroomy cookbook.
One of the most important things about cooking that I found out by myself was how vital homemade stock is. This cookbook suggested mushroom stock, and I'm so glad it did. I made it yesterday. It's yum yum umami! After I made it I found out there are vegetarian constraints on the dish I'm to bring to a UU book club/pot luck this weekend. This stock will make rich anything I do.
Yesterday Jøthin and I watched Food Fight (our kth food documentary of the year) and in it Alice Waters said 85% of cooking is finding the ingredients to cook with. Meaning not, of course, finding the best water chestnuts for a recipe that calls for water chestnuts, but making recipes out of the best foods around.
I have Waters' book out from the library but I haven't opened it yet — I also have out a dozen other cookbooks. I've changed my approach to cookbooks. Rather than poring strenuously over them to measure their treasure I take away one technique, one tidbit, or one eureka.
11 May 2013
cha-ching + diaeresis
The first 3 weeks of our CSA totaled 28 pounds of vegetables!
I procure the rest of our food (including even more vegetables o_o) at the downtown farmers' market and at the town's food coöperative, of which I'm a member.
I fell in love with the coöp when I learned that to shop there, I was to bring my own containers (weighed and tare weight marked) and fill 'em up. Such had been my dream!
...
The coöp's better than I had dreamed a grocery store could be; it's so much more, so much more awesome than atraditional standard grocery store, and not just because of packaging reduction and reuse. It offers food education classes (see principle #5 of the 7 Coöperative Principles). It has provenance stickers for each produce item, and a special sticker for local items.
I wish I could take all my readers on a tour.
The coöp also relies on member volunteers.
Earlier this week I finished my final training session (a supervised shift) to qualify as a volunteer cashier.
I think that being a cashier is a daring job. It takes chutzpah. I have to be bold. I have to execute. I have to be careful but speedy. I have to handle money. It's a good way for me to do something crazy and new, and it earns me a wee stipend.
Tomorrow morning, I take on my first lonesome cashiering shift! Wish me luck.
I procure the rest of our food (including even more vegetables o_o) at the downtown farmers' market and at the town's food coöperative, of which I'm a member.
I fell in love with the coöp when I learned that to shop there, I was to bring my own containers (weighed and tare weight marked) and fill 'em up. Such had been my dream!
...
The coöp's better than I had dreamed a grocery store could be; it's so much more, so much more awesome than a
I wish I could take all my readers on a tour.
The coöp also relies on member volunteers.
Earlier this week I finished my final training session (a supervised shift) to qualify as a volunteer cashier.
I think that being a cashier is a daring job. It takes chutzpah. I have to be bold. I have to execute. I have to be careful but speedy. I have to handle money. It's a good way for me to do something crazy and new, and it earns me a wee stipend.
Tomorrow morning, I take on my first lonesome cashiering shift! Wish me luck.
09 May 2013
Simplicity, Roscivs Style
My parents have china, and silver, and when I was growing up they used it at least eight times a year (seven birthdays and Christmas). Two (and maybe all) of my sisters have a full set of china, used less than once a year.
Roscivs and I did not get china for our wedding, nor did we ask for it. We were not in agreement about that at first. He said, if I get china, I'm going to use it every day. Huh? Every day? said I. That's ... not what china is for. It's for special occasions.
Turns out that every day is a special occasion. Nobody lives this as much as Roscivs did, and it's why he died so well. He'd spent each day like a golden coin.
You could summarize his position as "buy only what will serve you for the average day" AND "the average day deserves the best".
I have all the special plates I will ever need. One set for every special day.
Roscivs and I did not get china for our wedding, nor did we ask for it. We were not in agreement about that at first. He said, if I get china, I'm going to use it every day. Huh? Every day? said I. That's ... not what china is for. It's for special occasions.
Turns out that every day is a special occasion. Nobody lives this as much as Roscivs did, and it's why he died so well. He'd spent each day like a golden coin.
You could summarize his position as "buy only what will serve you for the average day" AND "the average day deserves the best".
I have all the special plates I will ever need. One set for every special day.
03 May 2013
I'm Going to Pwn Paper
Remember my new month resolutions? January was juicing. Habit acquired! I still juice every morning.
February was zero screen use starting 1.5 hours before bed. Habit acquired!
I got this idea from talking with my narcoleptic sister who read a 40,000 page book on sleep.
Speaking of books, records reflect that I suddenly started reading a lot more books in February; reading books seems to be one of the things I do more when I sit on [sic] the computer less.
I have read so many books this year that GoodReads is prompting me to increase my goal for its "2013 Reading Challenge". Let meexplain sum up:
GoodReads invites its members to participate in its yearly reading challenge. You set your goal and GoodReads puts a progress/status bar on your front page. The challenge is just a motivator/a bragging tool.
I entered 52 books as my 2013 goal. I am already 73% of the way done, which is, as GoodReads tells me, 41% ahead.
I am not going to increase my goal, because I keep hearing Roscivs wising about not retroactively fitting goals to what you have or have not attained.
Yeah, I hear dead people.
March was a glass of water in the morning upon waking. Habit acquired!
As once a runner (which may or may not be like being a King or Queen in Narnia) I have read a lot about the Great Hydration Controversy. Group A aver that one should "drink to thirst"; people who "drink ahead" are, like most house-plants, overwatered. Group ∀ aver that one should "pre-hydrate"; by the time you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated.
For me it is moot. I haven't been able to sense thirst since Roscivs got sick, so I can't "follow my thirst". I am happy with my new habit. With all my new habits!
April was no electric light after sundown/8:30pm. Habit acquired!
Boy am I waking up earlier! And, mirabile dictu, I'm functional as soon as I'm out of bed!
I use 100%-beeswax candles for my bedtime routine.
When I implemented February's habit I had no idea I'd be doing this; Feb's intentional became a stepping stone.
May?
For May I am doing the paper part in the first chapter in the Unstuff Your Life book, which has the BEST. METHOD. EVAR!!! for organization and Simplicity.
This chapter involves radical changes in my paper processing habits. Paper processing is my bête noire. May's work is big. It's so big that it isn't even cut out for me. I have to cut it out myself.
I fancy I'm on my slow way to becoming like unto Winifred, my sister Mona's mother-in-law, next-to-godliness Matron Saint of Org, who "doesn't even have a jumble drawer!!!"
My mom gave me the book for a housewarming gift last year. When Bjórnathrón moved in, we did the kitchen chapter together, and — hallelujah — our kitchen is organized like God's sock drawer!
February was zero screen use starting 1.5 hours before bed. Habit acquired!
I got this idea from talking with my narcoleptic sister who read a 40,000 page book on sleep.
Speaking of books, records reflect that I suddenly started reading a lot more books in February; reading books seems to be one of the things I do more when I sit on [sic] the computer less.
I have read so many books this year that GoodReads is prompting me to increase my goal for its "2013 Reading Challenge". Let me
GoodReads invites its members to participate in its yearly reading challenge. You set your goal and GoodReads puts a progress/status bar on your front page. The challenge is just a motivator/a bragging tool.
I entered 52 books as my 2013 goal. I am already 73% of the way done, which is, as GoodReads tells me, 41% ahead.
I am not going to increase my goal, because I keep hearing Roscivs wising about not retroactively fitting goals to what you have or have not attained.
Yeah, I hear dead people.
March was a glass of water in the morning upon waking. Habit acquired!
As once a runner (which may or may not be like being a King or Queen in Narnia) I have read a lot about the Great Hydration Controversy. Group A aver that one should "drink to thirst"; people who "drink ahead" are, like most house-plants, overwatered. Group ∀ aver that one should "pre-hydrate"; by the time you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated.
For me it is moot. I haven't been able to sense thirst since Roscivs got sick, so I can't "follow my thirst". I am happy with my new habit. With all my new habits!
April was no electric light after sundown/8:30pm. Habit acquired!
Boy am I waking up earlier! And, mirabile dictu, I'm functional as soon as I'm out of bed!
I use 100%-beeswax candles for my bedtime routine.
When I implemented February's habit I had no idea I'd be doing this; Feb's intentional became a stepping stone.
May?
For May I am doing the paper part in the first chapter in the Unstuff Your Life book, which has the BEST. METHOD. EVAR!!! for organization and Simplicity.
This chapter involves radical changes in my paper processing habits. Paper processing is my bête noire. May's work is big. It's so big that it isn't even cut out for me. I have to cut it out myself.
I fancy I'm on my slow way to becoming like unto Winifred, my sister Mona's mother-in-law, next-to-godliness Matron Saint of Org, who "doesn't even have a jumble drawer!!!"
My mom gave me the book for a housewarming gift last year. When Bjórnathrón moved in, we did the kitchen chapter together, and — hallelujah — our kitchen is organized like God's sock drawer!
25 April 2013
Dipster: Installment III
I don't brush with toothpaste any more.
I have not brushed with toothpaste since November 2012. I pull oil every morning for 20 minutes and I brush my teeth with water every night (or, rarely, with oil or baking soda). I floss every night too (a habit I abruptly adopted fervently after Roscivs died).
After I pull oil, my teeth feel as smooth as they do the afternoon after a dentist visit! I like the results.
Yet ...
I have not yet seen the dentist since adopting these oral hygiene methods. I have my biannual visit coming up next month and I wonder what he will say about the health of my teeth and gums. While I do not put first trust in conventional chemical paste and swish methods of attaining or maintaining oral health, I put trust in my dentist's assessment of whether my teeth and gums are healthy.
If my oral health seems to be suffering I will have to find a new method. If not, huzpaz!
I have not brushed with toothpaste since November 2012. I pull oil every morning for 20 minutes and I brush my teeth with water every night (or, rarely, with oil or baking soda). I floss every night too (a habit I abruptly adopted fervently after Roscivs died).
After I pull oil, my teeth feel as smooth as they do the afternoon after a dentist visit! I like the results.
Yet ...
I have not yet seen the dentist since adopting these oral hygiene methods. I have my biannual visit coming up next month and I wonder what he will say about the health of my teeth and gums. While I do not put first trust in conventional chemical paste and swish methods of attaining or maintaining oral health, I put trust in my dentist's assessment of whether my teeth and gums are healthy.
If my oral health seems to be suffering I will have to find a new method. If not, huzpaz!
23 April 2013
Box #1
7 pounds of vegetables! All harvested this morning! Now in the fridge — or my belly. (The shungiku didn't last an hour. It's all gone. I love that stuff.)
Listed by weight:
mustard greens
(a variety that I'm not familiar with ... very long, and light green)
leeks
spinach
salad turnips
chard
lettuce
(red leaf variety)
radishes
shungiku
collards
celery
kale raab
cress
Listed by weight:
mustard greens
(a variety that I'm not familiar with ... very long, and light green)
leeks
spinach
salad turnips
chard
lettuce
(red leaf variety)
radishes
shungiku
collards
celery
kale raab
cress
21 April 2013
Dance of the Veg'table Fairy
Frabjous day!: this week will see us get our first CSA box of the season! Yum yum yummy yum yum!
Same farm as last year :) Last year I was a household of one and ordered a half share and didn't know what to do with it half of the time. This year we are a household of two and ordered a full share and I'll know what to do with it all the time — not because we are two, but because now I am THE VEGETABLE MAVEN.
Some of my favorite, new items last year were ♣ garlic scapes, mustard greens, dill, and chervil.
I fizz with anticipation. It's so fun to wonder what is going to be in our box. This is my kind of gambling!
09 April 2013
Soundtrack: "No Phone" by Cake
I bring you the second installment of how hippie I am: I don't have a cell phone any more. I have a land line that costs me $10 a month from my internet provider.
I really enjoy this change. My six year old cell phone died in August last year, making it easier for me to unplug in this way.
I really enjoy this change. My six year old cell phone died in August last year, making it easier for me to unplug in this way.
07 April 2013
ADHDancer
Yesterday I saw Circa perform. Circa is a troupe that does body/movement art. It was a good performance!
I noticed something in the dancers' profiles: six of seven of them mentioned that (s)he was hyperactive as a child. Unusually so. They stuck out: they didn't fit in.
Today, a friend linked to this Onion article. It's incisive — a satiric incision. I'd laugh if I weren't sick with horrorage over kids really being drugged into behaving conveniently.
I noticed something in the dancers' profiles: six of seven of them mentioned that (s)he was hyperactive as a child. Unusually so. They stuck out: they didn't fit in.
Today, a friend linked to this Onion article. It's incisive — a satiric incision. I'd laugh if I weren't sick with horrorage over kids really being drugged into behaving conveniently.
05 April 2013
To Market To Market to Buy a Fat Fish, Home Again Home Again Cook't in a Dish
Yesterday our farmers' market opened! Today we went! We bought smelt — three whole smelt. I simmered them silly and we ate them up. Yum.
We ate all of them. And I don't mean all three, though that's true; I mean all parts. Fins. Bones. Head. Eyes. Guts. And — because we bought three females — roe.
Here, Mark Sisson recommends "Tiny whole fish with heads and guts", noting "Anytime you can eat the entire animal, you should."
(Guess which three items on that list I do not regularly eat?)
My preparation was inspired by something in The Herbal Palate Cookbook (which was a sore disappointment overall but gave me two great ideas). I used my just-made fish broth and added coconut milk, dried lemongrass, garlic, lime juice, and salt. I used a Thai red curry paste: red chili pepper, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, salt, shallot, spices, kaffir lime. As you can see I fortified some of the flavors.
Near the end I added pencil-thin asparagus and tiny cuts of broccoli florets.
Bjørnatron loved it and I will be making it again for sure. Next time maybe I'll add crab. I discovered source for it locally — conveniently, it's on our walk to the market!
The rest of our haul: 2 bags of nettles, 2 bunches of miner's lettuce, and 1 bunch of chives.
We ate all of them. And I don't mean all three, though that's true; I mean all parts. Fins. Bones. Head. Eyes. Guts. And — because we bought three females — roe.
Here, Mark Sisson recommends "Tiny whole fish with heads and guts", noting "Anytime you can eat the entire animal, you should."
(Guess which three items on that list I do not regularly eat?)
My preparation was inspired by something in The Herbal Palate Cookbook (which was a sore disappointment overall but gave me two great ideas). I used my just-made fish broth and added coconut milk, dried lemongrass, garlic, lime juice, and salt. I used a Thai red curry paste: red chili pepper, garlic, lemongrass, galangal, salt, shallot, spices, kaffir lime. As you can see I fortified some of the flavors.
Near the end I added pencil-thin asparagus and tiny cuts of broccoli florets.
Bjørnatron loved it and I will be making it again for sure. Next time maybe I'll add crab. I discovered source for it locally — conveniently, it's on our walk to the market!
The rest of our haul: 2 bags of nettles, 2 bunches of miner's lettuce, and 1 bunch of chives.
19 March 2013
Spicy Thank You No. 2
I used the Penzey's "Singapore" spice mix two ways, both soups, one lentil and one squash. I liked both soups but wouldn't definitely buy the mix again.
Lentil Soup
--
1) broth
2) lentils
♣) Singapore seasoning: Tellicherry black pepper, lemon peel powder, citric acid, garlic, onion, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, white pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cayenne red pepper
For (1) I used a beef soup bone, cooked it in well water for a few hours, then took out the marrow, meat, and connective tissues that fell off the bone. While I got the lentils started cooking in the broth I pureed the meat and fat with my wonderful immersion blender then added it all back into the soup.
For (2) I used black lentils! I'd never used black lentils before. I soaked them for 24 hours, rinsed them, and then cooked them in the broth.
It was good. It is always good when you use sprouted lentils cooked in broth. I may have added onion, since I add onion to practically everything, and of course S 'n' P. The important thing, though, is the broth/stock. And the lentil-soaking. I would not make lentils without soaking them and cooking them in broth. Homemade stock IS SO GOOD.
Our guests liked it a lot, too.
Nutter Soup
--
1) butternut squash
2) coconut milk
♣) Singapore seasoning: Tellicherry black pepper, lemon peel powder, citric acid, garlic, onion, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, white pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cayenne red pepper
I call this nutter soup because it is so good it's crazy. And because it's butterNut and cocoNut — funny because it has neither butter, nor cocoa, nor nuts in it.
I have never seen the idea to combine butternut and coconut. I don't know why!!? This should be a standard!
The coconut milk we buy is full fat, so there's lots of cream clumped at the top of the can (and said can is BPA free). It doesn't have guar gum added: coconut only!
Now I know what I can make for my vegan friends!
Lentil Soup
--
1) broth
2) lentils
♣) Singapore seasoning: Tellicherry black pepper, lemon peel powder, citric acid, garlic, onion, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, white pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cayenne red pepper
For (1) I used a beef soup bone, cooked it in well water for a few hours, then took out the marrow, meat, and connective tissues that fell off the bone. While I got the lentils started cooking in the broth I pureed the meat and fat with my wonderful immersion blender then added it all back into the soup.
For (2) I used black lentils! I'd never used black lentils before. I soaked them for 24 hours, rinsed them, and then cooked them in the broth.
It was good. It is always good when you use sprouted lentils cooked in broth. I may have added onion, since I add onion to practically everything, and of course S 'n' P. The important thing, though, is the broth/stock. And the lentil-soaking. I would not make lentils without soaking them and cooking them in broth. Homemade stock IS SO GOOD.
Our guests liked it a lot, too.
Nutter Soup
--
1) butternut squash
2) coconut milk
♣) Singapore seasoning: Tellicherry black pepper, lemon peel powder, citric acid, garlic, onion, turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, white pepper, cardamom, cloves, and cayenne red pepper
I call this nutter soup because it is so good it's crazy. And because it's butterNut and cocoNut — funny because it has neither butter, nor cocoa, nor nuts in it.
I have never seen the idea to combine butternut and coconut. I don't know why!!? This should be a standard!
The coconut milk we buy is full fat, so there's lots of cream clumped at the top of the can (and said can is BPA free). It doesn't have guar gum added: coconut only!
Now I know what I can make for my vegan friends!
03 March 2013
Thank You Note, Installment #1
One Christmas gift from my parents last year was a gift certificate to Penzeys Spices. I recently made and received my order. I bought seven items. I'm going to make a blog post for each item after I use it. Thanks Mom and Dad!
Spice Item #1: "Sunny Paris"
♣ components: shallots, chives, green peppercorns, dill weed, basil, tarragon, chervil, and bay leaf
Ante
I selected this one because I thought bJorn would 'specially like it. As it turns out, when I got the package, I arrayed the seven containers for him and asked him to vote on which to use first, and this tied for first.
I love dill, chervil, shallots, and bay leaves. I was intrigued by the green peppercorns. Tarragon, basil, and chives are hit or miss for me.
As
I tried it with zucchini noodles and eggs.
I fashioned the noodles with our newest, fabulous kitchen toy. We've used it many times since acquiring it a month ago. It makes the best veggie noodles I've ever! had (including in restaurants). Yum.
I seasoned the noodles and fried them in melted tiger. Then I took them out of the pan and pan-scrambled some eggs. Sunny Paris is green. This is the closest I've ever come to green eggs.
There was no ham.
After
Tasty! It's great with eggs and znoodles (say that—it's fun). It also goes a fairly long way: I'll get a few uses out of it. (I got the 1/4 cup jar.) Because of the delicacy of chervil, the rarity of green peppercorns, and the difficulty in drying shallots, it's easier to buy than to concoct at home. I'd buy it again!
Spice Item #1: "Sunny Paris"
♣ components: shallots, chives, green peppercorns, dill weed, basil, tarragon, chervil, and bay leaf
Ante
I selected this one because I thought bJorn would 'specially like it. As it turns out, when I got the package, I arrayed the seven containers for him and asked him to vote on which to use first, and this tied for first.
I love dill, chervil, shallots, and bay leaves. I was intrigued by the green peppercorns. Tarragon, basil, and chives are hit or miss for me.
As
I tried it with zucchini noodles and eggs.
I fashioned the noodles with our newest, fabulous kitchen toy. We've used it many times since acquiring it a month ago. It makes the best veggie noodles I've ever! had (including in restaurants). Yum.
I seasoned the noodles and fried them in melted tiger. Then I took them out of the pan and pan-scrambled some eggs. Sunny Paris is green. This is the closest I've ever come to green eggs.
There was no ham.
After
Tasty! It's great with eggs and znoodles (say that—it's fun). It also goes a fairly long way: I'll get a few uses out of it. (I got the 1/4 cup jar.) Because of the delicacy of chervil, the rarity of green peppercorns, and the difficulty in drying shallots, it's easier to buy than to concoct at home. I'd buy it again!
22 February 2013
Hippie-ki-yay
When I was in 3rd grade, my sister Mona was in 6th grade. A boy in her class saw me in the lunch room and told me I looked like a hippie.
I went home and asked Mona and my mom "what's a hickey?" [Sic.]
My mother, suspicious and displeased, asked me why I asked, so I recounted the lunch room encounter. We soon worked out the source of the confusion — or at least, the source of her confusion, because at the end I was still confused about a) what a hickey is b) why looking like a hippie is bad.
Whether Mona knew a) what a hickey is I can't say. (If she did she (like Mom) wasn't interested in clarifying it for me.) I can say with some confidence, however, that Mona was not confused about b) why looking like a hippie is bad: she was mortified that young Mr. White had found my look remarkable and asked our mother if something couldn't be done about my appearance.
Anyway, here is the first in a potential series of how hippie I am.
I never use the microwave: All my food is warmed or re-warmed on the stove or in the oven. I have not used the microwave since August 2012.
I don't have any studies to cite about whether the microwave is bad for your food, but I operate as though it is. (Go ahead. Call me a kook. Or — even better — a cook!) I do believe that avoiding the microwave is a big fat deal in moving away from convenience as the deciding factor in food choices. When convenience is king, health suffers.
In case you were wondering, I received clarification about a) what a hickey is when I was in 5th grade. A girl in my class, Heather Scot, invited all the cool girls into the bathroom and took out a red ink stamp-pad and said let's make ourselves look like we have hickeys. I took the opportunity to ask what a hickey is, and Heather took the opportunity (as I thought she would) to tell me.
I've also figured out some reasons people might have for b) why looking like a hippie is bad, but Jimmy crack corn.
I went home and asked Mona and my mom "what's a hickey?" [Sic.]
My mother, suspicious and displeased, asked me why I asked, so I recounted the lunch room encounter. We soon worked out the source of the confusion — or at least, the source of her confusion, because at the end I was still confused about a) what a hickey is b) why looking like a hippie is bad.
Whether Mona knew a) what a hickey is I can't say. (If she did she (like Mom) wasn't interested in clarifying it for me.) I can say with some confidence, however, that Mona was not confused about b) why looking like a hippie is bad: she was mortified that young Mr. White had found my look remarkable and asked our mother if something couldn't be done about my appearance.
Anyway, here is the first in a potential series of how hippie I am.
I never use the microwave: All my food is warmed or re-warmed on the stove or in the oven. I have not used the microwave since August 2012.
I don't have any studies to cite about whether the microwave is bad for your food, but I operate as though it is. (Go ahead. Call me a kook. Or — even better — a cook!) I do believe that avoiding the microwave is a big fat deal in moving away from convenience as the deciding factor in food choices. When convenience is king, health suffers.
In case you were wondering, I received clarification about a) what a hickey is when I was in 5th grade. A girl in my class, Heather Scot, invited all the cool girls into the bathroom and took out a red ink stamp-pad and said let's make ourselves look like we have hickeys. I took the opportunity to ask what a hickey is, and Heather took the opportunity (as I thought she would) to tell me.
I've also figured out some reasons people might have for b) why looking like a hippie is bad, but Jimmy crack corn.
18 February 2013
hEArT
Things I have made this year that I have never made before:
Rumaki
... sort of: Instead of wrapping chicken liver in bacon, I wrapped chicken heart in bacon. I had a bunch of frozen chicken hearts from the farmers' market and I wasn't sure what to do with them.
The hearts in my freezer were much larger than the ones in my memory. I had had chicken hearts before (Brazilian BBQ) and I remembered them being wee. I cut these ones into three or four pieces before swaddling them in bacon.
It wasn't bad! I mean, wrapped in bacon, what can go wrong?
I think maybe liver would be better f(even though the first time I had chicken liver — a couple of months ago — I didn't like it much). I also think that no matter what offal I used I'd marinade it next time.
Props to LF.
Artichoke
I'd eaten this heaps o' times ... mostly on pizza ... but never prepped it. The heart really is the best bit.
Sea-Cucumber Salad
This is a joke name. Like Dorf Salad. My dad doesn't like walnuts so when my mom made Waldorf Salad she would leave out the walnuts, and my dad called it Dorf Salad.
Until this very year, yea, the year of our good lord 2013, I thought that the "wal" in Waldorf came from "walnuts". I didn't know it was a salad born in the Waldorf Astoria.
Anywho.
No sea cucumbers were eaten in this salad. (I don't know if sea cucumbers are even edible.) Seaweed and cucumbers, however, were main features. The salad's alternym could be Weed Salad.
In keeping with the heart theme in both dishes above ... um ... It was yum and I shall make it again! ♥
Props to this recipe and others like it (to which I made, comme toujours, significant modifications) and this TEDx talk. After we watched it Jorn asked "will you make me seaweed salad?" and I said "yes".
Rumaki
... sort of: Instead of wrapping chicken liver in bacon, I wrapped chicken heart in bacon. I had a bunch of frozen chicken hearts from the farmers' market and I wasn't sure what to do with them.
The hearts in my freezer were much larger than the ones in my memory. I had had chicken hearts before (Brazilian BBQ) and I remembered them being wee. I cut these ones into three or four pieces before swaddling them in bacon.
It wasn't bad! I mean, wrapped in bacon, what can go wrong?
I think maybe liver would be better f(even though the first time I had chicken liver — a couple of months ago — I didn't like it much). I also think that no matter what offal I used I'd marinade it next time.
Props to LF.
Artichoke
I'd eaten this heaps o' times ... mostly on pizza ... but never prepped it. The heart really is the best bit.
Sea-Cucumber Salad
This is a joke name. Like Dorf Salad. My dad doesn't like walnuts so when my mom made Waldorf Salad she would leave out the walnuts, and my dad called it Dorf Salad.
Until this very year, yea, the year of our good lord 2013, I thought that the "wal" in Waldorf came from "walnuts". I didn't know it was a salad born in the Waldorf Astoria.
Anywho.
No sea cucumbers were eaten in this salad. (I don't know if sea cucumbers are even edible.) Seaweed and cucumbers, however, were main features. The salad's alternym could be Weed Salad.
In keeping with the heart theme in both dishes above ... um ... It was yum and I shall make it again! ♥
Props to this recipe and others like it (to which I made, comme toujours, significant modifications) and this TEDx talk. After we watched it Jorn asked "will you make me seaweed salad?" and I said "yes".
16 February 2013
Quilt-t
When we (R&I) announced that Roscivs was dying, my dad flew up to Seattle the very next day. The doctor said it would be "weeks", maybe "months" (for any strangers reading, it turned out to be "days") but my dad ... he wanted to make sure. It's his MO, his motto: Don't put off to tomorrow the important thing that can be done right this minute.
That's why my dad is awesome.
When he arrived, we all (my mom, my dad, my sister Winnipeg, and me and Roscivs) went out to lunch at Wild Ginger — where we always had dinner together when my parents visited. We managed this even though Roscivs was in a wheelchair and even then barely mobile.
At that lunch, Winn offered to make me a quilt out of Roscivs' t-shirts.
I visited Winn last weekend and we started the quilt. With much luck and work, it will be done by his birthday.
That's why my dad is awesome.
When he arrived, we all (my mom, my dad, my sister Winnipeg, and me and Roscivs) went out to lunch at Wild Ginger — where we always had dinner together when my parents visited. We managed this even though Roscivs was in a wheelchair and even then barely mobile.
At that lunch, Winn offered to make me a quilt out of Roscivs' t-shirts.
I visited Winn last weekend and we started the quilt. With much luck and work, it will be done by his birthday.
14 February 2013
Up
My 2 cutest, funnest, bestest piano students brought me Valentines today.
One of them brought me a pipe-cleaner heart-shaped bracelet.
And one of them also (not as a Valentine) brought me a composition of her own, written out (on plain paper she lined herself) — the grand staff (two clefs), a time signature (ok, half of a time signature, but does the bottom number even matter? Nah), unison and non-unison segments, everything!
Its title: "Up and Down". First it went up, then it went down. It rocked.
We have done a little improv together, I taught her to read music, and she works out of my theory books while her sibling has a lesson, but we'd never done notation!
One of them brought me a pipe-cleaner heart-shaped bracelet.
And one of them also (not as a Valentine) brought me a composition of her own, written out (on plain paper she lined herself) — the grand staff (two clefs), a time signature (ok, half of a time signature, but does the bottom number even matter? Nah), unison and non-unison segments, everything!
Its title: "Up and Down". First it went up, then it went down. It rocked.
We have done a little improv together, I taught her to read music, and she works out of my theory books while her sibling has a lesson, but we'd never done notation!
06 February 2013
Live Music
Roscivs and I played violin together when we met. I didn't hear or see him play piano until later.
He was at Aunt Wanda's when I saw him play piano for the first time. He played Bach's Gigue from Partita no. 1. This is a piece where the hands cross over each other a lot. His hands were so attractive.
He didn't play it too fast. His tempo was heartbeat perfect.
He bought a keyboard for us as a surprise gift for the one year anniversary of us getting engaged, and straight away I asked him to play the Gigue for me (although I didn't know it by that name; I called it "the hand cross-over piece" and after he died I had to use this phrase to find a recording of the piece). I took motion-blurred pictures of his hands. I still have them ... in my mind.
I can see him when I hear it.
He was at Aunt Wanda's when I saw him play piano for the first time. He played Bach's Gigue from Partita no. 1. This is a piece where the hands cross over each other a lot. His hands were so attractive.
He didn't play it too fast. His tempo was heartbeat perfect.
He bought a keyboard for us as a surprise gift for the one year anniversary of us getting engaged, and straight away I asked him to play the Gigue for me (although I didn't know it by that name; I called it "the hand cross-over piece" and after he died I had to use this phrase to find a recording of the piece). I took motion-blurred pictures of his hands. I still have them ... in my mind.
I can see him when I hear it.
30 January 2013
30 rocks
Before Roscivs got sick I made "new month resolutions", one per month. To incorporate a new behavior, do it for 30 days. This month I had enough energy and incentive to try a new month resolution again. I am lucky; I made it: for January, I have juiced every day!
Yesterday, in fact, I did a one-day juice fast. I ate only juice. I even managed to make a tasty savory dinner juice.
♣ Dinner Juice: asparagus (4 stalks), bell pepper (1, yellow), bok choy (1, baby), cilantro (handful), cucumber (3, peeled), garlic (1 clove), ginger (0.25 in.), lime (1, peeled), green onion (5), parsley (handful)
For my dear readers who might be :-? or :-7 about this juicing thing, well, I was too. But
a) it is part of the GAPS protocol I'm following
b) St. Pear (my doctor) kept recommending it
c) a friendquaintance (a friend of Roscivs' from Jr. High) started juicing daily (without any particular health need), and then
d) I heard about it from my dearest L. Fractal
and it's totally working for me.
I think it will be easy for me to keep at this. I'm going to maintain my daily breakfast juice and escalate to a juice fast every Tuesday.
I have had more energy this month — more enough to do a new New Month Resolution for February. I haven't decided what.
Yesterday, in fact, I did a one-day juice fast. I ate only juice. I even managed to make a tasty savory dinner juice.
♣ Dinner Juice: asparagus (4 stalks), bell pepper (1, yellow), bok choy (1, baby), cilantro (handful), cucumber (3, peeled), garlic (1 clove), ginger (0.25 in.), lime (1, peeled), green onion (5), parsley (handful)
For my dear readers who might be :-? or :-7 about this juicing thing, well, I was too. But
a) it is part of the GAPS protocol I'm following
b) St. Pear (my doctor) kept recommending it
c) a friendquaintance (a friend of Roscivs' from Jr. High) started juicing daily (without any particular health need), and then
d) I heard about it from my dearest L. Fractal
and it's totally working for me.
I think it will be easy for me to keep at this. I'm going to maintain my daily breakfast juice and escalate to a juice fast every Tuesday.
I have had more energy this month — more enough to do a new New Month Resolution for February. I haven't decided what.
26 January 2013
Moo Goo
My Kiva loan this month was to Bolivian Señora C., who sells bovine gelatin and wants to invest in freezers to protect her product.
I buy bovine (moo!) gelatin (goo!): I buy it from Great Lakes; theirs is made from grass fed cows. I use it to make stuff like homemade marshmallows. This recipe is easy and pleasing. My modifications: I heat it until it looks good (don't own a candy thermometer) and I use a hand mixer (don't own a stand mixer).
I realize that "heat it until it looks good" is not prescriptive or directive in the way recipes usually are. But that's how I cook. I measure with smells and tastes and sounds, not cups and minutes.
I measure, but not with tools that can be shared.
I buy bovine (moo!) gelatin (goo!): I buy it from Great Lakes; theirs is made from grass fed cows. I use it to make stuff like homemade marshmallows. This recipe is easy and pleasing. My modifications: I heat it until it looks good (don't own a candy thermometer) and I use a hand mixer (don't own a stand mixer).
I realize that "heat it until it looks good" is not prescriptive or directive in the way recipes usually are. But that's how I cook. I measure with smells and tastes and sounds, not cups and minutes.
I measure, but not with tools that can be shared.
23 January 2013
Potion #025
♣ Today's juice: I call it Rooty Fruity Green (Plus Golden Coin)! Rooty: rutabaga (1), beet (1), ginger (~1 in.), carrot (1); Fruity: apple (2), lemon (1, peeled); Green: wheat grass (1 oz?), dandelion greens (~12 leaves), kale (½ bunch), mint (~7 sprigs). And an egg yolk (pastured, raw).
22 January 2013
Potion #024
♣ Today's juice was red bell pepper (4), lime (1, peeled), parsley (a handful), cucumber (1, peeled), apple (2), carrot (2). Pepper + lime = pretty tasty.
21 January 2013
Musicings
Friday night I walked alone downtown to the Black Box theatre and took in some jazz — all originals. I enjoyed myself.
I thought about where I want my business to be in a year. My goals: 12.0 teaching hours* a week; T/W/Th; starting at noon. My current position is 8.0 teaching hours a week; M/Th; sometimes starting earlier than noon.
I want to retain at least 3 of my students from now to then. This is not a goal because I don't have a good idea of how to effect it.
Since Friday, in furtherance of my goals, I have
* 1.0 teaching hour is ≥1.5 working hours.
I thought about where I want my business to be in a year. My goals: 12.0 teaching hours* a week; T/W/Th; starting at noon. My current position is 8.0 teaching hours a week; M/Th; sometimes starting earlier than noon.
I want to retain at least 3 of my students from now to then. This is not a goal because I don't have a good idea of how to effect it.
Since Friday, in furtherance of my goals, I have
- started moving my Monday students to Wednesday
- posted expanded (Wednesday) hours with the company for whom I am an independent contractor
- decided I will open up Tuesdays in June (health permitting)
The end.
— * 1.0 teaching hour is ≥1.5 working hours.
16 January 2013
Wintry Day Summary
Today I woke (11am), then I juiced (celery, beet, carrot, apple), then I bundled (-1ºC) and walked (1.5 mi) to my phototx (255 mJ).
I walked home (1.5 mi) with a stop in at the local apothecary to buy bentonite clay and kelp powder. I add these, in rotation, to my nightly baths.
I walked home (1.5 mi) with a stop in at the local apothecary to buy bentonite clay and kelp powder. I add these, in rotation, to my nightly baths.
07 January 2013
Potion #009
06 January 2013
Potion #008
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