Tag Archives: urban simplicity

Allentown at Night.

If you’ve been to this blog before then you know a few things about me. One is that I live in Buffalo, New York, and another is that I reside in Allentown, which feels–to me–like a village within the city. You also likely know that I really enjoy my neighborhood. Often eclectic, somewhat grimy atContinue reading “Allentown at Night.”

Moules Marinière!

I’ve posted this recipe before but not in a while. It is really delicious and so easy to make…quite literally put everything in a pot and place it over a fire. Anyhow, I made a large pot of these at work this evening (a scoop of them is pictured straight from the pot) and thoughtContinue reading “Moules Marinière!”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#496)…and nice conversation with another cyclist

On the bike…two bottles of red wine and a gym bag full of wet clothes. When I was riding to work yesterday morning I stopped at a traffic light waiting to make a left turn (no, this is not an image of that time–I don’t carry bottles of wine to work with me–this was laterContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#496)…and nice conversation with another cyclist”

A majestic building à l’heure bleue, and another really useful thing for a bicycle…

I’ve posted about a few of these things prior, but tonight the conditions were simply optimum. I had come home from a meeting with our meditation group and then sat on the front porch with a glass of red wine. The sun was just setting and there was not a cloud or breeze in theContinue reading “A majestic building à l’heure bleue, and another really useful thing for a bicycle…”

Kibbet Batata with Broccoli Cheddar Hashwa and Lentil Salsah

This is a contemporary version (fusion?) of traditional Lebanese kibbeh (pie or patties made with meat or vegetables and bulgar wheat). Most often this is made with meat (and sometimes eaten raw), but there are plenty of vegetarian versions out there as well, and this is just one of them. The vegetable recipes are usuallyContinue reading “Kibbet Batata with Broccoli Cheddar Hashwa and Lentil Salsah”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#495) and a brief comment…

On the bike…Slightly more than $120 in groceries. I was shopping at a local grocery store yesterday. It’s not my favorite store but it is the closest to my house; this is mainly the reason I go there (but they do have good prices on produce). And one of the things I like about thisContinue reading “Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#495) and a brief comment…”

Fourteen Bean, Grain, and Legume Bread (a meal in every slice)

I’ve posted this recipe some time ago but it is so easy to make and so delicious that I thought I would re-post it. This is really a variation of my Ezekiel Bread recipe (click here or here) but somewhat simplified in that you boil the beans all at once rather than in stages. AndContinue reading “Fourteen Bean, Grain, and Legume Bread (a meal in every slice)”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#494)

A cardboard box containing 3 freshly baked loaves of Ezekiel Bread (variation). A double portion of arroz con pollo. A camera bag with an extra camera and zoom lens. A book bag with a few books. An empty dough rising bucket. Urban Simplicity.

Some may call me a dreamer (but I’m not the only one)…

Anne Frank was born 84 years ago today only to have her precious life cut short a mere 15 years later. Just imagine what she and countless other visionaries may have accomplished. My solace is that I am still moved by their actions and words long after they are no longer on this physical plane.Continue reading “Some may call me a dreamer (but I’m not the only one)…”

The View from My Handlebars…Undulatus Asperatus

I find this stuff fascinating.  Clouds, stars, atmosphere… you get it. Anyhow, I saw these cloud formations as I pedaled to the health club tonight. They look really good in the photos but in real life they were breathtaking. They quite literally stopped me in my tracks a few times (when I took these photos).Continue reading “The View from My Handlebars…Undulatus Asperatus”

Black Bean Cheddar Burgers (Yum!)

Yes these are as good as they look, and of course they are easy to make also. If you’ve ever wanted to make your own meatless burger this is a good one to try. And also, as usual, this recipe is simply a guide. Change the beans, seasonings, etc., to suite your person liking. AndContinue reading “Black Bean Cheddar Burgers (Yum!)”

A Few Things I Saw (and contemplated) While Riding My Bike Yesterday…

Yesterday was one of those days. And I don’t know why. It was one of those days where the sun was shining and it was beautiful out but still I felt shrouded in melancholy. It’s odd when this happens. Out of the blue. But it did and I don’t know why. I have everything IContinue reading “A Few Things I Saw (and contemplated) While Riding My Bike Yesterday…”

Five (or seven) Quotes from Nelson Mandela

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up toContinue reading “Five (or seven) Quotes from Nelson Mandela”

The Holstee Manifesto via Lifecycle…

You may have seen this before (the Holstee Manifesto), or at least variations of it. Well, this is another one, this time put to video with music and bikes. While I do find the manifesto really inspiring, parts of it are not that practical (how, for example, could a single working mom quit her jobContinue reading “The Holstee Manifesto via Lifecycle…”

Things That Can Be Carried on a Bike (#493)

Slightly more than $30 in groceries. A gym bag with wet clothes. A 16 pound bag of dog food. Urban Simplicity.

Farfalline with Asparagus, Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Saffron, Garlic Confit, and Fontinella

This is a continuation of a previous post regarding garlic confit…here’s an example of a recipe in which I used it. I made this for staff lunch at work yesterday. At first glance this may look complicated but it is really very simple…and really delicious. Other than the chicken broth this recipe is meatless butContinue reading “Farfalline with Asparagus, Tomatoes, Chicken Broth, Saffron, Garlic Confit, and Fontinella”

Confit d’ail

The French name for this two-ingredient but flavor-packed recipe translates simply as preserved garlic, but what it is in the literal sense is garlic that has been slowly simmered in olive oil. And this has many great outcomes. The most obvious is that it removes the garlic’s sharpness (but I like that, too). It alsoContinue reading “Confit d’ail”

Things That Can be Carried on a Bike (#492)

A cardboard box full of leftover hors d’oeuvres and dipping sauces on their way to a local food pantry. Urban Simplicity.