Urban Simplicity

The above image was found here. This post is proof of two things: (1) good and wholesome bread is simple to make, and (2), you can add nearly anything to the dough (within reason, of course) and have truly delicious and unique results. If you've been to this blog before you know that I like to bake bread, and that I do it often and with different flavorings; some of them unorthodox. This, I'll freely admit, is one of the oddest, but the resulting bread is not only beautiful but also delicious. The idea for this bread began, oddly enough, when I reached into the back of a cooler at work and knocked over a small bucket of water that also contained raw, diced beetroot...yup, you guessed it, beet juice everywhere. Anyhow, I had forgotten the beets were in there (obviously) and as I was mopping up the magenta-colored liquid I had the brilliant idea (ok, maybe it's not brilliant) to make bread with them. And after weighing and shaping the loaves I found myself with a small portio…

It was a chilly ride to the grocery store tonight, only 3 miles round trip but it was still cold...26F (-3c).  Brrr...

If you've been to this blog before you know that I love one pot meals...they're easy, super-flavorful, nutritious, make great left-overs, and the best part is there is only one pot to wash. This is a variation of the basic chicken-and-rice or arroz con pollo recipe. In this recipe I used boneless chicken thighs, brown rice, and spinach because I like their flavor, and turmeric because it is so good for you...plus it gives whatever you cook such a beautiful color. Anyhow, here's how to make it.

Dust chicken thighs with whole wheat flour, patting off any excess flour. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or low-sided pot. Add the chicken and brown it on both sides, then remove it to a plate.


In the same skillet add a diced onion and a few whole chilies (I also added diced carrot simply because I had it on hand). Cook the onion and chilies for a couple minutes then add a couple cloves of minced garlic and a teaspoon or two of ground turmeric.


Add a cup of rice; stir it to coat…

This is a follow up to the previous post where I commented that the weather predictions were, as they often are, hype...well I stand corrected. After a few lightening bolts and thunder crashes I looked out the window and saw snow (and yes, I went out in the street in lounge pants and slippers to snap this photo). Buffalo has always been known for it's winters ever since the Blizzard of '77 (click here to read about the October storm of 2006, click here to see a list of some others)...but we still recieve far less snow than many other American cities (but we still always seem to get the press). Click here to see what other cities get in regards to snow and cold (we don't even make the list). None-the-less, it is part of our city's heritage and I think everyone gets a little excited when the first snows come (after we get over the minor depression and denial that our beautiful summer and fall is gone for a couple seasons). If you're from this area you are so used to …

A canvas book bag containing pens, pencils, books and other things.
A live poinsettia plant.
A paper bag containing three plastic containers which contain a pint of orange -ginger beef, turmeric rice pilaf, and shredded vegetable salad with sesame dressing.

I had planned on riding the Mundo to work this morning, but then heard the weather report calling for lake effect snow. I should know by now not to believe the hype...the news, and many people for that matter, really like to hype the weather and it ends up being just that...hype. At any rate, it snowed a bit, but not much and I could have ridden the Mundo after all. But it's not really a problem as I've been enjoying riding my winter bike again as well.

I've also been enjoying using the new front rack for smaller loads such as this. I've really become accustomed to the fact that the rack doesn't turn when the front wheel does...it really keeps the load, and ultimately the entire bike (and me) more stable. But …

A canvas book bag containing, among other things, books, pens, mechanical pencils, and a day planner (and yes, you can see by the wetness of the bag that it was raining--my least favorite element to ride in--tomorrow it is supposed to be snow again).
A loaf of whole wheat bread.

It's the first time I actually carried bread on the somewhat new Bread Platform. There's a recipe for it below; to see photos on how to make it click here or here.

100% Whole Wheat Bread Makes 2 loaves 6 cups whole wheat flour, divided 2 1/4 cups water, divided 1 cup plain yogurt 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup honey 3 teaspoons instant yeast, divided
Separate the ingredients in two bowls using this ratio: In one bowl combine 4 cups of flour, 1 1/4 cups water, along with all of the yogurt and salt. Stir it just until combined; cover with plastic wrap and set aside. In a second bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups flour and 1 cup water with the olive oil, honey,…

A reader of this blog sent me this link to a collection of blog posts on ways to simplify your life (thanks Andrea). It's a nice collection of posts and must have taken a while to gather and put together. I like #16, a link to Zen Habits, which I visit frequently, and also #13, An Evening with Oil Lamps. My only questions are (1) why bicycling is not listed until #10 (at least it made it in the top ten) and (2) why Urban Simplicity did not make the cut. None-the-less, it's a good collection of links and worth visiting. Click here to go directly to the list.

I came across this short clip at  Bike Man Dan's blog. It's only a couple minutes long but really fun to watch...incredible really.

Three miles (round trip) to do an evening errand...still not used to the cold yet, but it was invigorating none-the-less. Beautiful and refreshing too...the air feels so clean.

A partial set of ratchet wrenches (aka socket wrenches) that I recycled (salvaged) on my way to church this morning...and yes, I'll even pick things out of people's trash on my way to church (if it's something really good).

Image found here