Autumn…

It may not officially be autumn but it sure feels it…and I like it. The fall season has always been my favorite season…cool days and crisp nights. And there’s something about the death of summer and all that it offers that puts me in a contemplative state. But as I’ve gotten older I’ve been enjoying this time of year less because I know what is directly behind it…frigid winter and tons of snow. It–the snow–is not here yet, so for now I’ll just enjoy these beautiful autumn days (and it’s great weather to bike in…no sweat).

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#354)

A plastic dough bucket, an old canvas book bag containing books and other items, a large paper bag containing two loaves of freshly baked bread, and a smaller paper bag containing two pints of still-warm curried vegetable stew.

Broccoli, Crispy Tofu, and Chicken Stirfry

This is one of my favorite stirfrys…traditionally it is made sans chicken–with just the broccoli and bean curd–but my son likes meat so I added it to the recipe; I like it this way, too. This is easy and nutritious; it’s a recipe–or variations of it–that I make somewhat frequently and have posted it a couple times prior (click here and here for more photos and directions)…and when I’m feeling lazy I order it as take out (click here). It made it tonight for dinner and served it over brown rice. The difference in the recipe below is that I first poached boneless chicken thighs in broth, then used the broth in the recipe and to cook the rice. Anyhow, it’s simple to make and as delicious as it looks.

Broccoli & Bean Curd with Ginger, Garlic, & Hot Peppers
Yield: 4 servings

4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 heads broccoli, cut into florets
12 ounces firm tofu, sliced into
1-inch pieces
1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
1 small onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, julienned
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
1-1/2 cups chicken broth

In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix to dissolve the cornstarch and set aside. Par-cook the broccoli in boiling water, then drain it and cool it under cold running water.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Carefully add the tofu and cook it on both sides until golden brown. Remove the tofu and transfer to absorbent paper. Carefully pour most of the oil into a separate pan (or other safe container), leaving just enough oil to stir fry in. Heat the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they begin to caramelize. Add the garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. Sauté for another minute or two.

Stir in the chicken broth; bring it to a boil, then stir in the soy-cornstarch mixture. Bring it to a simmer, then add the broccoli and bean curd. Stir and toss it to evenly coat it with sauce. Continue to heat the pan just until the broccoli is heated throughout.

Broccoli, Crispy Tofu, and Chicken Stirfry

This is one of my favorite stirfrys…traditionally it is made sans chicken–with just the broccoli and bean curd–but my son likes meat so I added it to the recipe; I like it this way, too. This is easy and nutritious; it’s a recipe–or variations of it–that I make somewhat frequently and have posted it a couple times prior (click here and here for more photos and directions)…and when I’m feeling lazy I order it as take out (click here). It made it tonight for dinner and served it over brown rice. The difference in the recipe below is that I first poached boneless chicken thighs in broth, then used the broth in the recipe and to cook the rice. Anyhow, it’s simple to make and as delicious as it looks.

Broccoli & Bean Curd with Ginger, Garlic, & Hot Peppers
Yield: 4 servings

4 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 heads broccoli, cut into florets
12 ounces firm tofu, sliced into
1-inch pieces
1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
1 small onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, julienned
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 teaspoon crushed hot pepper
1-1/2 cups chicken broth

In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix to dissolve the cornstarch and set aside. Par-cook the broccoli in boiling water, then drain it and cool it under cold running water.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Carefully add the tofu and cook it on both sides until golden brown. Remove the tofu and transfer to absorbent paper. Carefully pour most of the oil into a separate pan (or other safe container), leaving just enough oil to stir fry in. Heat the pan and add the onion and bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they begin to caramelize. Add the garlic, ginger, and hot peppers. Sauté for another minute or two.

Stir in the chicken broth; bring it to a boil, then stir in the soy-cornstarch mixture. Bring it to a simmer, then add the broccoli and bean curd. Stir and toss it to evenly coat it with sauce. Continue to heat the pan just until the broccoli is heated throughout.

The Present is Now

Today was one of those days…you know what  I’m talking about. Everyone has them once in a while. Crazy stupid busy at work, and I was annoyed and annoying. But this evening–after work and after a brief steam and swim at the health center–I sat under the grapevines in my backyard and pondered. I ate grapes and drank wine (ok, I drank more wine than I ate grapes), and watched my pugs wander around and sniff each other. I also admired not only how beautiful the grapes looked, but also how all the ridiculousness of the day really doesn’t matter. What does matter is the here-and-now. But sometimes it is so difficult to be present. The present is all we really have, and it’s usually pretty good.

The Present is Now

Today was one of those days…you know what  I’m talking about. Everyone has them once in a while. Crazy stupid busy at work, and I was annoyed and annoying. But this evening–after work and after a brief steam and swim at the health center–I sat under the grapevines in my backyard and pondered. I ate grapes and drank wine (ok, I drank more wine than I ate grapes), and watched my pugs wander around and sniff each other. I also admired not only how beautiful the grapes looked, but also how all the ridiculousness of the day really doesn’t matter. What does matter is the here-and-now. But sometimes it is so difficult to be present. The present is all we really have, and it’s usually pretty good.

9.11

I had planned on writing a long post on the remembrance of the tenth anniversary of 9.11, and have tried a couple times, but I end up deleting it. The words, after re-reading them, end up sounding trite, self-centered, selfish.

The loss on so many levels transcends words for me, but at the sake of sounding hokey, I’ll say that my thoughts, prayers, and love go out to those who were lost–and especially their friends and families–but also for our nation and the world as a whole.

Peace.

.

9.11

I had planned on writing a long post on the remembrance of the tenth anniversary of 9.11, and have tried a couple times, but I end up deleting it. The words, after re-reading them, end up sounding trite, self-centered, selfish.

The loss on so many levels transcends words for me, but at the sake of sounding hokey, I’ll say that my thoughts, prayers, and love go out to those who were lost–and especially their friends and families–but also for our nation and the world as a whole.

Peace.

.

A Dog’s Life

That’s Maxwell (on the right) and Franklin (on the left); brothers from separate litters; Maxwell is older by about ten months. Here they are enjoying that sweet sunny spot on a Saturday afternoon…much in the same way they do every afternoon. They were sleeping when I approached them and looked up at me with a look like, “Yes, can I help you? Why are you waking me?” Shortly after this photo was taken I left for work…to rush around a hot kitchen for most of the afternoon and evening to earn money to buy food and pay for pet care. So the question arises…who’s really in charge here? I’m joking of course (mostly); I love these little guys and enjoy sharing their pictures; they bring me much joy. But seriously…who is in charge, I can’t help but wonder sometimes?

A Dog’s Life

That’s Maxwell (on the right) and Franklin (on the left); brothers from separate litters; Maxwell is older by about ten months. Here they are enjoying that sweet sunny spot on a Saturday afternoon…much in the same way they do every afternoon. They were sleeping when I approached them and looked up at me with a look like, “Yes, can I help you? Why are you waking me?” Shortly after this photo was taken I left for work…to rush around a hot kitchen for most of the afternoon and evening to earn money to buy food and pay for pet care. So the question arises…who’s really in charge here? I’m joking of course (mostly); I love these little guys and enjoy sharing their pictures; they bring me much joy. But seriously…who is in charge, I can’t help but wonder sometimes?

24 Hours of Reality

“History will not judge us by how much economic growth we achieve in the immediate years ahead, nor by how much we expand material consumption, but by the legacy for our grandchildren and their grandchildren,” he said. “We are consuming what is rightfully theirs by sacrificing long-term progress on the altar of immediate satisfaction. That is hardly responsible behaviour. There is an urgent need for all of us to concentrate our efforts on sustaining, nurturing and protecting the Earth’s natural capital and, moreover, reshaping our economic system so that Nature sits at the very heart of our thinking.”
Prince Charles

“24 Hours of Reality will focus the world’s attention on the full truth, scope, scale and impact of the climate crisis. To remove the doubt. Reveal the deniers. And catalyze urgency around an issue that affects every one of us.”
Al Gore

24 Hours of Reality

“History will not judge us by how much economic growth we achieve in the immediate years ahead, nor by how much we expand material consumption, but by the legacy for our grandchildren and their grandchildren,” he said. “We are consuming what is rightfully theirs by sacrificing long-term progress on the altar of immediate satisfaction. That is hardly responsible behaviour. There is an urgent need for all of us to concentrate our efforts on sustaining, nurturing and protecting the Earth’s natural capital and, moreover, reshaping our economic system so that Nature sits at the very heart of our thinking.”
Prince Charles

“24 Hours of Reality will focus the world’s attention on the full truth, scope, scale and impact of the climate crisis. To remove the doubt. Reveal the deniers. And catalyze urgency around an issue that affects every one of us.”
Al Gore

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#353)…plus a comment and a short video

$119.78 in groceries from two separate stores (click the photo for a larger view).

I always enjoy the comments I get when I’m riding the Mundo, particularly when it’s loaded. I’m sure other cargo bikers hear much of the same, especially here in North America where bikes like this are not that common. The most frequent comment–a question, really–is, did I build the bike. But there are plenty others. Tonight, for example, I had stopped to take this previous photo and I left the bike unattended as I stepped into the street to snap the picture. I saw a guy out of the corner of my eye walking up to the bike. I wasn’t worried about theft because it was loaded as you see it and it would have been no easy task to zip away quickly (especially if you are unaccustomed to a bike like this). I took the photo and walked back to the bike. The guy says, “Man…that  is one big ass bike.” Thanks, I told him…it’s built to carry stuff. “I mean it,” he said, “that is one big ass bike.” He asked me more about it as he walked around inspecting it like it was an alien ship from another planet. Then, as he was squatting down looking at the rear carrier, he looks up at me and says again, only this time really emphasising his words, “Maaan, this is one…big…ass…bike.” He then asked me if I would sell it. Umm..no, but thanks. I directed him to the Mundo website.

This next part–the below 20 second video clip–is sort of a response or continuation of yesterday’s post (where I was feeling annoyed, saddened, and disgruntled being stuck in a pickup truck in a traffic jam). It’s  just a short 20 second clip of my commute to the grocery store this evening (two stores, actually). After reading the previous post  and watching the below video I’m sure you can figure out which trip to the store I enjoyed more. But then again, I’m likely preaching to the choir.

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#353)…plus a comment and a short video

$119.78 in groceries from two separate stores (click the photo for a larger view).

I always enjoy the comments I get when I’m riding the Mundo, particularly when it’s loaded. I’m sure other cargo bikers hear much of the same, especially here in North America where bikes like this are not that common. The most frequent comment–a question, really–is, did I build the bike. But there are plenty others. Tonight, for example, I had stopped to take this previous photo and I left the bike unattended as I stepped into the street to snap the picture. I saw a guy out of the corner of my eye walking up to the bike. I wasn’t worried about theft because it was loaded as you see it and it would have been no easy task to zip away quickly (especially if you are unaccustomed to a bike like this). I took the photo and walked back to the bike. The guy says, “Man…that  is one big ass bike.” Thanks, I told him…it’s built to carry stuff. “I mean it,” he said, “that is one big ass bike.” He asked me more about it as he walked around inspecting it like it was an alien ship from another planet. Then, as he was squatting down looking at the rear carrier, he looks up at me and says again, only this time really emphasising his words, “Maaan, this is one…big…ass…bike.” He then asked me if I would sell it. Umm..no, but thanks. I directed him to the Mundo website.

This next part–the below 20 second video clip–is sort of a response or continuation of yesterday’s post (where I was feeling annoyed, saddened, and disgruntled being stuck in a pickup truck in a traffic jam). It’s  just a short 20 second clip of my commute to the grocery store this evening (two stores, actually). After reading the previous post  and watching the below video I’m sure you can figure out which trip to the store I enjoyed more. But then again, I’m likely preaching to the choir.

http://www.youtube.com/get_player

The Tao of Calvin

First off, I don’t necessarily agree with everything the dad in this cartoon says–at least not to the extreme–because I still own a gas-powered vehicle, but I don’t use it that often. Tonight was the first time I used my truck in more than two weeks (emergency school supply run for my teenage son). I thought we could just zip to the store and be back in time to prepare dinner (about 5 miles / 8km each way). What a mistake. We went during rush hour and traffic was heavy to begin with but then we got stuck in a stand-still because of road work. My blood pressure immediately sky rocketed; I was not a happy camper…it’s amazing how miserable that makes a person (it does to me) feel. All I kept thinking was I wished I were on a bike. Anyhow, and at the very least, I thought this cartoon was funny.