Tag Archives: urban simplicity

Ezekiel Bread

(If you are coming upon this post via a search engine you can find an updated version of this recipe here.) I eat a lot of bread; I always have. I eat bread virtually with every meal, and thus I feel that I am living proof that bread does not make a person fat. IContinue reading “Ezekiel Bread”

Unplugged Earth

I read somewhere recently (though I can’t remember where) that up to forty percent of your household electricity usage can be accredited to things that aren’t even turned on…you know, all those little blinky lights and clocks on your electronics that you don’t even notice. With that said, imagine how much electricity consumption we wouldContinue reading “Unplugged Earth”

Mini-Cargo Bike

I rode my Dahon today for the first time in a few months…it felt good. It was such an odd feeling after riding “the Mule” and the Yuba all winter. The Dahon, with it’s short wheel base and 20″ wheels, feels almost like a sports car (was I going thorough a mid-life crises when IContinue reading “Mini-Cargo Bike”

First Day of Spring

It is the first day of Spring today…and that’s what I was thinking about as I rode my Yuba home from work today (it has been a long cold winter). As I approached my house the little dot of yellow in this photo literally stopped me in my tracks. It’s in the front yard ofContinue reading “First Day of Spring”

Put It In A Pot And Boil It

Soup to me is the ultimate one-pot meal…simplicity at its best. It’s a method that has been used to cook foods for eons…since we humans first figured out how to cook food in a leak-proof/fire-proof vessel over a live fire (some of the earliest vessels were dried hollowed-out gourds, and even dried animal’s stomachs). InContinue reading “Put It In A Pot And Boil It”

Pasta Fra Diavolo (variation)

Pasta Fra Diavolo is one of my all-time favorite pasta dishes…probably because I love any type of pasta with tomato and seafood. The name, fra diavolo, translates from Italian as “brother devil.” There are numerous theories on it’s origin, but the two most common are that it was named after an Italian monk who “wentContinue reading “Pasta Fra Diavolo (variation)”

The Awsomeness of Utility Bikes

It’s been relatively pleasant in Buffalo lately…by that I mean not much snow, though it has been bitterly cold for the past week again. Anyhow, it was a brilliantly sunny day and I rode my Yuba Mundo to work, and then rode my teenage son home on it…cutting the walk time down by at leastContinue reading “The Awsomeness of Utility Bikes”

Friday Night Fish Fry

Some readers of this blog may already know that I cook professionally; I’m the chef of a private women’s club. Normally, I don’t present photos or recipes from my work life on this blog because this is about my (sometimes inept) attempts of simplicity in my personal life; but like many people, my work andContinue reading “Friday Night Fish Fry”

Lent

I came across this quote recently and thought I’d share it. It’s by Bernard Dupaigne, Professor at the Museum of Natural History in Paris (Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle), and author of The History of Bread; the quote is from his book. “Bread is an object of unparalleled worship and decorum. It embodies the full cycleContinue reading “Lent”

Bike Racks

I was in Toronto this past weekend, and as usual was impressed with the city for many reasons: its multiculturalism, it’s friendliness, it’s vibrancy and cleanliness, but mostly it’s robust bike culture. Toronto is a mere 100 miles from Buffalo and the climate is pretty much the same…snowy and bitterly cold much of the winter.Continue reading “Bike Racks”

Easy (and Delicious) Homemade Carnitas

Carnitas are a type of slow cooked meat, which is usually made with pork but can also be made with beef. It can be cooked either by roasting it slowly and pulling the meat (like you would with a BBQ), or by simmering it and shredding the meat as the liquid evaporates. I chose theContinue reading “Easy (and Delicious) Homemade Carnitas”

Snow, More Snow, a Peeve, a Link or Two, and Few Other Things

OK. I know I live in Buffalo, NY. I am fully aware of its reputation for snow, but enough already…it has been snowing for the past 24 hours. It’s not been full throttle–if it were rain it would be labeled as a drizzle–but it has been non-stop. Here’s a couple of photos; first daytime, thenContinue reading “Snow, More Snow, a Peeve, a Link or Two, and Few Other Things”

Car Walking

Here’s a not-so-secret, secret: as much as I proclaim the many benefits of riding bikes and walking I still own a vehicle. It’s an old one (I’ll give you a hint…it’s older than my teenage son), but I still have one. And this winter I’ve been using it more than usual (is it the frigidContinue reading “Car Walking”

Yet Another Pizza (and loaf of bread)

If you’ve read any of my previous ramblings you’ve probably surmised by now that I like to make bread and pizza. Leavened dough products, in my opinion, should really be listed in their own food group. Pizza is a great way to utilize what you have in the fridge (or freezer). Unfortunately, I believe peopleContinue reading “Yet Another Pizza (and loaf of bread)”

Snowy Ride on the Mule and Kidnapped Snakes

I love hauling stuff on bikes…it gives me such a sense of accomplishment, of satisfaction. For various reasons I haven’t been on any of my bikes for a few days and was determined to ride one today. Our meditation group met at at our church tonight, which is only about a mile from my house,Continue reading “Snowy Ride on the Mule and Kidnapped Snakes”

Whole Wheat Pizza with Multiple Layers of Flavor

As is often the case with me at dinner time, I’ll remember that I need to go grocery shopping. At any rate, I made this pizza for my son and I using ingredients that were on hand…and it was great. It’s simple to make, and you really can use whatever ingredients you have. This isContinue reading “Whole Wheat Pizza with Multiple Layers of Flavor”

Yuba Ride

The above photos are actually re-posts from this past summer/fall (and yes, that is corn growing in my front yard…for the newcomer to this blog you can see more about my front yard corn here). I was inspired to re-post them after coming across the below video. It’s an interview with Benjamin, the founder ofContinue reading “Yuba Ride”