Author Archives: Joe

10 Random Things I saw While Walking in NYC this Past Weekend

I was in New York this past weekend. And whenever I’m in a large city–especially NYC–I love to walk. I had a camera with my (surprise, right?) and snapped a few photos. Actually I snapped nearly two hundred photos, and here are ten of them in no particular order (but I will give brief explanationsContinue reading “10 Random Things I saw While Walking in NYC this Past Weekend”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)…and a quick note

On the bike…two cardboard boxes containing various leftover food items (stuffed shells, Cornish game hen, lemon coconut cake, etc.; one box is actually empty), and two half-gallons of juice, a half-gallon of milk, (more) dog food, and a new pair of flip flops. A quick note…I’ll be away from my computer for the next fewContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#468)…and a quick note”

Crocuses and Lillies…evidence of spring

Despite the cold temps, these plant still manage to push through the damp soil and reach for the sun. Amazing isn’t it? In a few month’s time the crocuses will be a memory and the tiger lillies (two below) will all but have taken over my garden. Urban Simplicity.

10 Quotes from Maya Angelou

The above image of Ms. Angelou receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom was found here. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.” “Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that, the quicker we will be able to treat life as art.”  “My missionContinue reading “10 Quotes from Maya Angelou”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#467), the View from My Handlebars, and a single brief comment

On the bike…two bottles of red wine, a gym bag containing wet clothing, two bags of dog food, and a jar of tahini. The view…more construction at the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus. This is really exciting. Click here, here, or here, if you’d like to read more about it. Urban Simplicity.

Chickpea and Haricots Verts Falafel with Spicy Roast Pepper Taratoor Sauce (Yum!)

So yes, these little vegetarian/vegan nuggets are as good as they look (bet you can’t eat just one). And yes (as usual) they are really simple–exceedingly simple–to make. They are not only a play on the classic falafel and taratoor sauce (chickpea fritters and sesame-garlic sauce), they are actually a variation of an earlier postContinue reading “Chickpea and Haricots Verts Falafel with Spicy Roast Pepper Taratoor Sauce (Yum!)”

Three Quotes and a Short Video from John Fugelsang (for Easter)

“The only way you can cling to both a Bible and a gun is by ignoring Jesus.”“Obama is not a brown-skinned, anti-war, socialist who gives away free health care. You’re thinking of Jesus.”“Only in America can you be Pro-Death Penalty, Pro-War, Pro-Unmanned Drone Bombs, Pro-Nuclear Weapons, Pro-Guns, Pro-Torture, Pro-Land Mines, AND still call yourself Pro-Life.”Continue reading “Three Quotes and a Short Video from John Fugelsang (for Easter)”

Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today (a photo essay)

Firstly I have to say a couple things. Mainly an apology (if these pictures bore you). This is the most photos I’ve posted at one time. But sometimes I simply cannot help myself. I am proud of my beautiful city and it’s long history. Yes, I realize–to my friends “across the pond” who are readingContinue reading “Things I Saw While Riding My Bike Today (a photo essay)”

A Recipe for Spring (whether it feels like spring or not)

So yes it is officially spring, but no–like much of the country–it does not feel like it. Nonetheless, I’m cooking as if it is. This is a really simple and really delicious recipe for stove-top braised asparagus. It’s really just a variation of any of my aglio e olio recipes…but with a couple more steps.Continue reading “A Recipe for Spring (whether it feels like spring or not)”

Ezekiel French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Mango (recipe and pics)

Sometimes it pays off (for my son) to have a professional cook for a dad. French toast is his favorite breakfast and I make it for him every couple of weeks. I’ve posted many variations of this but this particular one is one of my favorites (to see other versions of this,  including more pics,Continue reading “Ezekiel French Toast with Pineapple Syrup and Caramelized Mango (recipe and pics)”

Aerial Ballet…predators looking for food in the city

This is pretty cool (I think)…birds of prey looking for food in the heart of the city. I first posted about these birds last year, when one of them took up residence in a garden where I work. At the time I thought it was a falcon (our city does host does have them…click here,Continue reading “Aerial Ballet…predators looking for food in the city”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#466)…and a very brief comment

On the bike…boxes of food (quiche, dinner rolls, muffins, etc.) on it’s way to a local food pantry. So okay, I generally love the snow, I really do. But (always a but), this is going on a bit too long this year. If you are reading this from the same area of the world inContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#466)…and a very brief comment”

Spiced Fish and Potato Strata (recipe, photos, and directions)

Yes, this is as delicious as it looks. And again–even though it may seem complicated to make at first glance–it is really quite simple. I used spices that I enjoy, but if you have an aversion to heat simply tone them down or omit them all together…it will still be delicious. Strata takes it’s nameContinue reading “Spiced Fish and Potato Strata (recipe, photos, and directions)”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#465), and the View from My Handlebars

On the bike…a gallon of extra virgin olive oil. The view…a murder of crows overhead. Urban Simplicity.

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#464) and the View from My Handlebars

On the bike…two bottles of red wine, a gym bag containing wet clothes, and nearly $40 in groceries. Urban Simplicity.

Pan-Roast Salmon with Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Lemon, and Hot Pepper

Okay…so I know I say this all the time. But this is really easy to make (one step, really) and is as delicious as it looks. The recipe below is just a guide, use whatever seasonings or vegetables you like. There are a couple key things to remember though. One is to make sure theContinue reading “Pan-Roast Salmon with Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Lemon, and Hot Pepper”

More Reasons to Ride a Bike…

Photo found here. As many of you know, I gave up car ownership almost a year ago, but even before that I was extremely car-lite. I simply find that I would much rather get around by other means when possible, mainly biking and walking. With this said, I also consider this part of my exerciseContinue reading “More Reasons to Ride a Bike…”