Author Archives: Joe

The Times They Are A Changing…

I’ve posted this short video before but recently came upon it and it seems as fresh as when I first saw it, so thought I’d re-post (for those who may not have seen it initially). I originally came across it at the excellent Toronto based blog, The Urban Country. It’s only a minute long andContinue reading “The Times They Are A Changing…”

Broccoli and Bean Curd

Broccoliand Bean Curd with Ginger, Garlic, and Hot Peppers Yield:4 servings 4tablespoons soy sauce 1tablespoon cider vinegar 1tablespoon sugar 2tablespoons cornstarch 4heads broccoli, cut into florets 12ounces firm tofu, sliced into 1-inch pieces 1cup vegetable oil (for frying) 1small onion, sliced 1red bell pepper, julienned 2cloves garlic, minced 1tablespoon minced ginger 1teaspoon crushed hot pepperContinue reading “Broccoli and Bean Curd”

Consider the Wing

(The following recipes and portions of the text have previously appeared in both Buffalo Spree and Artvoice). In the same way that New York Stylepizza is known simply as pizza in Manhattan and French fries arecalled fried potatoes (pommes frites) in France, chicken wings inWestern New York are of course simply wings, not “Buffalo-Wings.” ByContinue reading “Consider the Wing”

Five Photos of Snow and Cold

As mentioned in a previous post, we got a good taste of winter last night and today…frigid temperatures and a fair amount of snow. I wasn’t out a great deal–just enough to enjoy it–but I did snap a few photos. Even though the above photo was the last I took I chose to place itContinue reading “Five Photos of Snow and Cold”

Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This is by far one of my favorite seafood/tomato sauce recipes. It’s easy to make and really delicious…and it has an interesting history also. To read more about it’s origins, the reason certain ingredients are included, or to see photos of it being prepared, click here. (And no, to some of the squeamish readers whoContinue reading “Shrimp Fra Diavolo”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#398)…and a few comments on my city-boy quadrathlon

Things on the bike (below photo)…$69.32 of groceries. A few comments…The photos are in chronological order of my ride today and the day itself. Last night the temperature plummeted to sub-freezing and we’ve also gotten a significant amount of snow…only the second time this winter. This is usually the norm for this part of theContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#398)…and a few comments on my city-boy quadrathlon”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#397)

A canvas bag containing a camera, cell phone, and a book. Five boxes (one is a box-within-a-box); one of which contains two hand-cranked pasta machines (on the front rack), and the other four are empty (need them for some things around the house). Urban Simplicity.

Kibbeh (Lebanese Meatballs)

Kibbeh is a Lebanese recipe that comes in many shapes and forms, but if you’ve ever discussed food with a Lebanese person you know that the discussion always comes back to kibbeh. I’ve mentioned before that I myself am Lebanese-American (half, actually, on my dad’s side) and grew up eating this dish. It is basicallyContinue reading “Kibbeh (Lebanese Meatballs)”

Five Quotes from Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass    February 1818 – February 20, 1895 “I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” “It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We needContinue reading “Five Quotes from Frederick Douglass”

Beauty in the Mundane: Five Photos of Vegetables, Ground, and Sky

The above photo, “Five Baby Carrots,” is an image of a few of the carrots I’ll be serving as part of a crudité tomorrow…carrots come in a lot of amazing colors (beautiful aren’t they). The next three photos are things I saw on the ground while walking: “Lone Acorn in the Evening Sun,” “Bent Grate”Continue reading “Beauty in the Mundane: Five Photos of Vegetables, Ground, and Sky”

Middle Eastern Lentil Soup

This is by far one of my favorite soups. It’s simple to make, delicious, nutritious, and the variations are seemingly endless. Listed below is the basic recipe but you can add any number of your favorite ingredients to make it a meal-in-itself. The recipe below, for example, is vegetarian but this is equally delicious withContinue reading “Middle Eastern Lentil Soup”

Four More Photos and a Few Words About Them

The sky tonight is/was incredible…or more specifically, the full moon in a crystal clear sky was incredible. And as I gazed at it I couldn’t help think of all the people in the northern hemisphere that could see this very same orb in the sky just as I did. Anyhow, the picture above shows theContinue reading “Four More Photos and a Few Words About Them”

Five Quotes from Bob Marley

6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981 “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery.None but ourselves can free our minds.”  “Wake up and live”  “I don’t stand for black man’s side, I don’t stand for white man’s side, I stand for God’s side.”  “Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?”  “Who areContinue reading “Five Quotes from Bob Marley”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#396)…and a quick comment

Things on the bike (above)…A gym bag full of wet clothes, a 4lb bag of dog food, and 3L of red wine. Below is a self-portrait of sorts…I took it yesterday as I coasted past a particularly reflective stretch of windows in an office building downtown. I wasn’t going to post it (never really caredContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#396)…and a quick comment”

Back to the Basics: Ezekiel Bread

“Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself.”—Ezekiel 4:9 (NIV) Regular visitors to this blog know that I like to make my own 100% whole wheat bread, but also that Ezekiel Bread is my favorite (and though I don’tContinue reading “Back to the Basics: Ezekiel Bread”

A Few Things I Saw Today

I’ve used this comparison before but have to mention it again…you see a lot more when on a bike than in a car but you see ten times that when you walk. Because, like a car, when you ride a bike you have to stay in control–or at  least keep the bike in control lestContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw Today”

Five Photos of Wood

I took these while splitting logs for a fire tonight…funny thing is, I never got around to lighting the wood stove. Nonetheless, interesting patterns (I think). Beauty in the mundane…this, I’m beginning to realize, is what’s really important to me. Or, at the very least, it’s what keeps me focused on the present moment (which,Continue reading “Five Photos of Wood”