Color on a Grey Day (just a few pics)

Crazy busy day at work today. The rain drizzled on-and-off outside for most of it. Grey clouds. And after facing a stove for most of the day I felt like I needed some air…and color. I took a brief walk and snapped a few photos and thought I’d share. Click it for an enlarged view.

Employee Meal 6.23.11 (Spiced Hummus and Baba Ghanouj with Caramelized Onions)

Hummus and Baba Ghanouj are two of my favorite warm-weather recipes, and the kitchen was steaming today so I made them for lunch. They are so easy to make and at the same time so satisfying. They’re also really versatile and I tend to change the recipes every time I make them. Below are basic recipes for both of these dishes, but with the versions I made today I added caramelized onion and garlic to the baba ghanouj along with a bit of smoked paprika (mmm…I love the flavor and depth smoked paprika adds to a dish like this), and to the hummus–in addition to caramelized onion–I also added a variety of spices; mainly turmeric (hence the yellow hue), but also cumin, coriander, allspice, and a sprinkle of ancho chile powder. I garnished it with fresh and roast vegetables, including roast and marinated eggplant; drizzled the entire platter with virgin olive oil just before serving and ate it with whole grain flatbread. It was so good my mouth waters as I type these words.

Hummus bil Tahina
Yield: 3-1/2 cups
3 cups chickpeas
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup tahini (sesame butter)
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Purée the chickpeas and garlic in a food processor, add the tahini, lemon juice, water, salt, and cayenne pepper; purée another minute or two until the mixture is smooth.
Baba Ghanouj
Yield: 3-1/2 cups
3 medium eggplant
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup tahini
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
Split the eggplant lengthwise and brush them with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Place the eggplant cut-side down on a sheet-pan and roast at 450F for 20-30 minutes or until the eggplant is very soft. Allow the eggplant to cool to room temperature. Scoop out the flesh of the eggplant and discard the skins. Place it in a colander to drain for about 20 minutes. Transfer to food processor along with the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Puree until smooth.

Employee Meal 6.23.11 (Spiced Hummus and Baba Ghanouj with Caramelized Onions)

Hummus and Baba Ghanouj are two of my favorite warm-weather recipes, and the kitchen was steaming today so I made them for lunch. They are so easy to make and at the same time so satisfying. They’re also really versatile and I tend to change the recipes every time I make them. Below are basic recipes for both of these dishes, but with the versions I made today I added caramelized onion and garlic to the baba ghanouj along with a bit of smoked paprika (mmm…I love the flavor and depth smoked paprika adds to a dish like this), and to the hummus–in addition to caramelized onion–I also added a variety of spices; mainly turmeric (hence the yellow hue), but also cumin, coriander, allspice, and a sprinkle of ancho chile powder. I garnished it with fresh and roast vegetables, including roast and marinated eggplant; drizzled the entire platter with virgin olive oil just before serving and ate it with whole grain flatbread. It was so good my mouth waters as I type these words.

Hummus bil Tahina
Yield: 3-1/2 cups
3 cups chickpeas
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup tahini (sesame butter)
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Purée the chickpeas and garlic in a food processor, add the tahini, lemon juice, water, salt, and cayenne pepper; purée another minute or two until the mixture is smooth.
Baba Ghanouj
Yield: 3-1/2 cups
3 medium eggplant
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup tahini
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
Split the eggplant lengthwise and brush them with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Place the eggplant cut-side down on a sheet-pan and roast at 450F for 20-30 minutes or until the eggplant is very soft. Allow the eggplant to cool to room temperature. Scoop out the flesh of the eggplant and discard the skins. Place it in a colander to drain for about 20 minutes. Transfer to food processor along with the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper, cumin and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Puree until smooth.

Grow Your Own…

It is still pretty early in the growing season for Western New York State (and we had a late start) but some things are already coming to fruition. Tonight, for example, I was able to make an excellent green and red leaf salad flavored with herbs (and one single piece of broccoli) that my son and I ate with pizza, which I carried home on a bike. For those who grow a victory garden you know that it’s a lot of hard work and takes time, but you also know the joy it brings. There are plenty of reasons a person should grow their own food (or at least some of it), but to me their is none other greater reason than walking out my front door and picking food that is still warm from the sun (can’t get much more local than that). But still I wait, because it’s only a few more weeks until the tomatoes and peppers come.

Grow Your Own…

It is still pretty early in the growing season for Western New York State (and we had a late start) but some things are already coming to fruition. Tonight, for example, I was able to make an excellent green and red leaf salad flavored with herbs (and one single piece of broccoli) that my son and I ate with pizza, which I carried home on a bike. For those who grow a victory garden you know that it’s a lot of hard work and takes time, but you also know the joy it brings. There are plenty of reasons a person should grow their own food (or at least some of it), but to me their is none other greater reason than walking out my front door and picking food that is still warm from the sun (can’t get much more local than that). But still I wait, because it’s only a few more weeks until the tomatoes and peppers come.

Enough Said…

OK, a couple things. Firstly, this saying is dated by a couple of years (I think), but it’s still more relevant than ever. Click here to see more. That is not my bike or my sign; I found the image here. And also, this is not the sole reason I ride, but it is one reason. If you’d like to see a more accurate reason I ride bikes most of the time watch this short video.

Still Planting…

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts regarding gardening, my vegetable garden(s) are a new experiment each year. In fact they began as an experiment about twenty years ago. I pushed a few things in the ground and was surprised that they grew…and grew and grew. Anyhow that was an apartment and a house ago…the house I currently live in has seen some of my most aggressive experiments yet. But usually by this time I have everything in the ground. Because of the cold and rainy and cold and rainy spring (did I mention cold and rainy?), and other personal things, I was at a late start. I’ve gradually filled in the front yard garden but have yet to begin the one in the rear of the house…worst case scenario I’ll just have one out front this year (egads!). But then again maybe I’ll experiment and plant things late. Anyhow, the garden is finally starting to show signs of growth and their are a few flowers on some of the plants. Here’s a few pictures. To see pictures and previous garden-related posts (with pictures) click here.

Still Planting…

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts regarding gardening, my vegetable garden(s) are a new experiment each year. In fact they began as an experiment about twenty years ago. I pushed a few things in the ground and was surprised that they grew…and grew and grew. Anyhow that was an apartment and a house ago…the house I currently live in has seen some of my most aggressive experiments yet. But usually by this time I have everything in the ground. Because of the cold and rainy and cold and rainy spring (did I mention cold and rainy?), and other personal things, I was at a late start. I’ve gradually filled in the front yard garden but have yet to begin the one in the rear of the house…worst case scenario I’ll just have one out front this year (egads!). But then again maybe I’ll experiment and plant things late. Anyhow, the garden is finally starting to show signs of growth and their are a few flowers on some of the plants. Here’s a few pictures. To see pictures and previous garden-related posts (with pictures) click here.

Cargo Bike Reviews

I recently came across this review of cargo bikes on the website of Bicycling Magazine. I was intrigued because one of the bikes they reviewed was the Yuba Mundo, which of course is the main bike I ride. I didn’t necessarily agree with the reviewers comments of the Mundo (or the rest of the cargo bikes for that matter)…it didn’t seem like it/they were reviewed that well; not in depth enough for what they are built to do and the lifestyle they provide. Maybe I’m just being nitpicky, but then again a magazine like Bicycling is geared more for the road cyclist, tourer, and racer rather than the cargo biker…but then again I may be wrong because I’ve never actually read on cover-to-cover. But, on the other hand, they did have this nice article on their site about the popularity of urban cycling and lifestyle. I’d be interested to hear what other Yuba riders or longtailers thought of the review(s). The below short clip of the somewhat silly cargo bike race was copied from their site.

http://video.bicycling.com/embed/player/?layout=&playlist_cid=&media_type=video&content=4CJYQR3DDDWLRCT0&read_more=1&widget_type_cid=svp

Cargo Bike Reviews

I recently came across this review of cargo bikes on the website of Bicycling Magazine. I was intrigued because one of the bikes they reviewed was the Yuba Mundo, which of course is the main bike I ride. I didn’t necessarily agree with the reviewers comments of the Mundo (or the rest of the cargo bikes for that matter)…it didn’t seem like it/they were reviewed that well; not in depth enough for what they are built to do and the lifestyle they provide. Maybe I’m just being nitpicky, but then again a magazine like Bicycling is geared more for the road cyclist, tourer, and racer rather than the cargo biker…but then again I may be wrong because I’ve never actually read on cover-to-cover. But, on the other hand, they did have this nice article on their site about the popularity of urban cycling and lifestyle. I’d be interested to hear what other Yuba riders or longtailers thought of the review(s). The below short clip of the somewhat silly cargo bike race was copied from their site.

http://video.bicycling.com/embed/player/?layout=&playlist_cid=&media_type=video&content=4CJYQR3DDDWLRCT0&read_more=1&widget_type_cid=svp

Bicyclists Behaving Badly (and my improper response)

Image found here.

Before I begin I have to state a few things in the event you’ve not read this before on this blog. Firstly, while I am a bicycle advocate I am by no means car-free but I am car-lite; sometimes more lite than others…and during the summer months I am nearly car-free. Today in fact is the first time I used my car (pickup truck actually) in more than two weeks; it was raining and I had to pick up my son. I am nearly 50 and have been a bicycle advocate for most of my adult life. This said you can image my reaction to what happened to me earlier this evening. But let me also point out that while I generally do not use curse words on this blog there are plenty of them ahead, thus if you find them offensive please read no further.

I was in my truck with my son nearing the intersection of Elmwood and Summer Streets. We were at a near standstill and I started to creep the truck right a bit to turn into a pizzeria (I’d been cooking all day and wanted someone else to cook for me). In my side mirror I saw a few guys on bikes traveling at breakneck speed in our direction. Elmwood Avenue does not have a bicycle lane and is pretty narrow, but still many cyclists traverse it daily; it is actually one of my favorite routes because often the traffic is so heavy that you can move faster on a bike than in a car. Two of the bicyclists fly past the truck (there were four in all) and as they do they pound on the truck and yell “Share the road asshole!”

Wha?…did this just happen? I spend much of my time telling people the virtues of bicycling (in person or via this blog) and also that in order for cyclists to be taken seriously we have to follow the same rules of the road as cars. And these guys are not only yelling at me to share the road…but they called me an asshole too. My blood pressure instantly went through the roof.

I saw that they had stopped at the intersection about twenty or thirty feet ahead so I pulled up next to them. They couldn’t cross the intersection because of traffic. I got out of the truck and started to walk up to them just as the light changed. I wanted to talk to them…to tell them that I was on their side. OK, I might have lectured them a bit too, but I never got the chance. I started to say that I own a lot of bikes and was an advocate myself when one of the guys turns to me and simply says, “Fuck you.” Another guy gives me the finger and they take off. I was livid. I was so shocked and taken aback all I could muster in response was, “Fuck you too” (what, am I in high school).

I hop back in the truck and begin to follow them…I really wanted to catch them at the next red-light. Now I definitely wanted to lecture them.  They were two cars in front of me and now they pulled out into the middle of the street abreast each other, blocking traffic completely. To my luck a car turned in front of them, causing them to pull over. I went around the cars (and them) and sped up two full blocks and got out of my truck and faced them as they approached. I held up my hand and displayed the peace sign as they approached and yelled out I wanted to talk. They sped up and one guy–as he passed me–actually punched my shoulder; another shouted, “Fuck you, asshole,” which seemed to be his personal mantra. But this time it brought out a side of me that even I don’t like. They had stopped at a light again and I started walking towards them letting out a litany of cursings that embarrasses me still (mostly because I acted like this in front of my son). “Fuck me,” I questioned? “Fuck you, you piece of shit. It’s assholes like you that give bicyclists a bad reputation. Why won’t you talk to me? Are you afraid? You’re not worthy to be on those bikes…assholes.” And with that the light changed; a couple of them gave me the finger and they pedaled away from the crazy screaming middle-aged madman.

So now a couple hours have passed, I’ve eaten my pizza, my son is at a friends house, I’ve had two glasses of wine, and have had time cool off. In retrospect what do I think of it all? Were the bicyclists jerks? Yes, definitely…but so was I. Did the bicyclists behave badly? Without doubt…but so did I. What I should have done was just let them pass…I certainly am not going to change them. But for whatever reason when they hit the truck with their fist it was like pushing a button. This for me was a true lesson of learning (and maybe that’s why this happened). I have written at this blog on more than a few occasions of drivers behaving badly and treating bicyclists like non-vehicles…but this was the first time in my life where I was able to witness through the eyes of a driver what idiots some bicyclists can be (and the even more idiotic behavior it stirs in the driver)…I felt sympathy for car drivers. It is a revelation of sorts.

With the amount of spiritual reading I’ve done and continue to do I should have been able to control myself. But this is just another proof that though a person may be on a spiritual path they are still human and have much work do do (I have so much to do). Any mystic will tell you that it’s not the event itself which causes pain or other disturbance in your life; it’s how you react to the event that is causing the problem…and in this case I reacted just as poorly as the bicyclists.

I know that a few people from Buffalo read this blog, but it’s highly unlikely that the riders I clashed with tonight do. But in the event that you are, this is what I wanted to say to you:

I did see you coming down the road. And I do share the road with bicyclists. I own six bicycles and one truck. I ride bikes every day and drive my truck about once a week…I am fully aware what it is like to be on a bike in traffic. I’m on your side. But with that (riding bikes in traffic) comes responsibility. We have to follow the same rules as car drivers. We have to do this because it is the law but even more importantly so that we are taken seriously and that bikes are viewed as viable and legitimate forms of transport. If you drove a car tonight the way you rode and acted on your bicycles you may have been locked up. You acted very badly, but my response wasn’t much better.  

The below image is the back of a shirt I purchased last weekend at the Allen West Festival. I have not worn it yet but I almost did today. Now wouldn’t that have been ironic.

Bicyclists Behaving Badly (and my improper response)

Image found here.

Before I begin I have to state a few things in the event you’ve not read this before on this blog. Firstly, while I am a bicycle advocate I am by no means car-free but I am car-lite; sometimes more lite than others…and during the summer months I am nearly car-free. Today in fact is the first time I used my car (pickup truck actually) in more than two weeks; it was raining and I had to pick up my son. I am nearly 50 and have been a bicycle advocate for most of my adult life. This said you can image my reaction to what happened to me earlier this evening. But let me also point out that while I generally do not use curse words on this blog there are plenty of them ahead, thus if you find them offensive please read no further.

I was in my truck with my son nearing the intersection of Elmwood and Summer Streets. We were at a near standstill and I started to creep the truck right a bit to turn into a pizzeria (I’d been cooking all day and wanted someone else to cook for me). In my side mirror I saw a few guys on bikes traveling at breakneck speed in our direction. Elmwood Avenue does not have a bicycle lane and is pretty narrow, but still many cyclists traverse it daily; it is actually one of my favorite routes because often the traffic is so heavy that you can move faster on a bike than in a car. Two of the bicyclists fly past the truck (there were four in all) and as they do they pound on the truck and yell “Share the road asshole!”

Wha?…did this just happen? I spend much of my time telling people the virtues of bicycling (in person or via this blog) and also that in order for cyclists to be taken seriously we have to follow the same rules of the road as cars. And these guys are not only yelling at me to share the road…but they called me an asshole too. My blood pressure instantly went through the roof.

I saw that they had stopped at the intersection about twenty or thirty feet ahead so I pulled up next to them. They couldn’t cross the intersection because of traffic. I got out of the truck and started to walk up to them just as the light changed. I wanted to talk to them…to tell them that I was on their side. OK, I might have lectured them a bit too, but I never got the chance. I started to say that I own a lot of bikes and was an advocate myself when one of the guys turns to me and simply says, “Fuck you.” Another guy gives me the finger and they take off. I was livid. I was so shocked and taken aback all I could muster in response was, “Fuck you too” (what, am I in high school).

I hop back in the truck and begin to follow them…I really wanted to catch them at the next red-light. Now I definitely wanted to lecture them.  They were two cars in front of me and now they pulled out into the middle of the street abreast each other, blocking traffic completely. To my luck a car turned in front of them, causing them to pull over. I went around the cars (and them) and sped up two full blocks and got out of my truck and faced them as they approached. I held up my hand and displayed the peace sign as they approached and yelled out I wanted to talk. They sped up and one guy–as he passed me–actually punched my shoulder; another shouted, “Fuck you, asshole,” which seemed to be his personal mantra. But this time it brought out a side of me that even I don’t like. They had stopped at a light again and I started walking towards them letting out a litany of cursings that embarrasses me still (mostly because I acted like this in front of my son). “Fuck me,” I questioned? “Fuck you, you piece of shit. It’s assholes like you that give bicyclists a bad reputation. Why won’t you talk to me? Are you afraid? You’re not worthy to be on those bikes…assholes.” And with that the light changed; a couple of them gave me the finger and they pedaled away from the crazy screaming middle-aged madman.

So now a couple hours have passed, I’ve eaten my pizza, my son is at a friends house, I’ve had two glasses of wine, and have had time cool off. In retrospect what do I think of it all? Were the bicyclists jerks? Yes, definitely…but so was I. Did the bicyclists behave badly? Without doubt…but so did I. What I should have done was just let them pass…I certainly am not going to change them. But for whatever reason when they hit the truck with their fist it was like pushing a button. This for me was a true lesson of learning (and maybe that’s why this happened). I have written at this blog on more than a few occasions of drivers behaving badly and treating bicyclists like non-vehicles…but this was the first time in my life where I was able to witness through the eyes of a driver what idiots some bicyclists can be (and the even more idiotic behavior it stirs in the driver)…I felt sympathy for car drivers. It is a revelation of sorts.

With the amount of spiritual reading I’ve done and continue to do I should have been able to control myself. But this is just another proof that though a person may be on a spiritual path they are still human and have much work do do (I have so much to do). Any mystic will tell you that it’s not the event itself which causes pain or other disturbance in your life; it’s how you react to the event that is causing the problem…and in this case I reacted just as poorly as the bicyclists.

I know that a few people from Buffalo read this blog, but it’s highly unlikely that the riders I clashed with tonight do. But in the event that you are, this is what I wanted to say to you:

I did see you coming down the road. And I do share the road with bicyclists. I own six bicycles and one truck. I ride bikes every day and drive my truck about once a week…I am fully aware what it is like to be on a bike in traffic. I’m on your side. But with that (riding bikes in traffic) comes responsibility. We have to follow the same rules as car drivers. We have to do this because it is the law but even more importantly so that we are taken seriously and that bikes are viewed as viable and legitimate forms of transport. If you drove a car tonight the way you rode and acted on your bicycles you may have been locked up. You acted very badly, but my response wasn’t much better.  

The below image is the back of a shirt I purchased last weekend at the Allen West Festival. I have not worn it yet but I almost did today. Now wouldn’t that have been ironic.