A few years ago Awesome Guy and I went to Holland for a big 'ol convention: Dance Fair. He's a music producer and this was quite the big-to-do. So, while he was off giving presentations and schmoozing, I hobnobed a bit myself and then went on a culinary adventure. I'll talk more about the trip in a different post, as we had a great time.
But, as I was hunting down me-friendly-food I was struck by the quality and vibrance of the food. Walking around in the local market was amazing! The vitality of the produce was incredible- and it definitely had an effect on the locals. Everyone was radiating that inner beauty which can only be attained by consuming top quality produce, which was EVERYWHERE!
On every table with every meal was a pitcher of water stuffed full of fresh mint sprigs, and often raspberries as well. Ever since my first sip of it, I have been hooked! There's frequently a pitcher of the stuff in my fridge since then. I highly recommend it! Here's how to do it and also a bonus infused water recipe that I learned about from my local hospital:
Mint infused water from Holland
Get a big 'ol pitcher of water and fill it with as much fresh mint sprigs as possible. Refrigerate until infused.
Raspberry infused water from Holland
Add as many raspberries (lightly rinsed) as possible to a pitcher of water. Refrigerate until infused.
You may even get a pitcher going with raspberries and mint, which is also divine!
BONUS RECIPE!!!
Follow the above directions, but use cinnamon sticks and cantaloupe for the infused water.
The great thing is that you can get several pitchers out of one batch by just adding more water
Since experiencing the mint raspberry water, I am seldom without a pitcher of it ...or two.
ENJOY!
Friday, June 8, 2018
Monday, June 4, 2018
The secret to a great Ruben
I have an unusual talent for making damned good approximations of cheap Chinese takeaway and the coronary special from your local greasy spoon. I make said food for carnivores and vegans alike, and boy do I make a damn good Ruben.
The secret is in the sauce for sure and I get the best results from using the veganaise pesto mayo. Here's the recipe, feel free to make yours with critters:
Kick ass Ruben
Get yo'self two slices of some good kosher rye bread. Spread some butter or equivalent (earth balance) on both sides. Place in a pan until golden brown.* Flip 'em and add sauce on one side, cheese or equivalent on the other side, then load up on light life bacon (that you pre-cooked), and some sauerkraut. Assemble the sandwich. Heat on either side until golden brown, warm throughout, and nice and melty.
If it's done on both sides but not gooey yet, pop it in the microwave until the cheese melts.
* About now is the time to make the sauce:
Pesto mayo (or plain)
Ketchup
Relish
The secret is in the sauce for sure and I get the best results from using the veganaise pesto mayo. Here's the recipe, feel free to make yours with critters:
Kick ass Ruben
Get yo'self two slices of some good kosher rye bread. Spread some butter or equivalent (earth balance) on both sides. Place in a pan until golden brown.* Flip 'em and add sauce on one side, cheese or equivalent on the other side, then load up on light life bacon (that you pre-cooked), and some sauerkraut. Assemble the sandwich. Heat on either side until golden brown, warm throughout, and nice and melty.
If it's done on both sides but not gooey yet, pop it in the microwave until the cheese melts.
* About now is the time to make the sauce:
Pesto mayo (or plain)
Ketchup
Relish
'New pain' and definitions
Just came back from an appointment with some folks at the pain management center at my local hospital. I actually saw the PA, so I listed it as 'New Pain and friends' on my calendar. The PA was great, and although I left without chemical enhancement, this was the first time I came away from a visit with hopes of an actual plan. That was awesome.
It seems like there's two extremes with such appointments-- either a big'ol script or lots of eval only to be shuffled off to somebody else. Then it's pretty much wash, rinse, and repeat. I frakking hate that! I get it if you don't want to send me on my chemically-enhanced-merry-way. I also get that I'm a complex case. Furthermore more, I understand the restrictions put on pain meds and the fact that they can burn out your dopamine receptors over time. I like those receptors and want to preserve them as much as possible.
This visit was so refreshing because there was a mutual understanding of what may help, what has helped, and what needs to happen to have a plan in place. We also discussed what my options are if the plan needs to be adapted and what limitations I might face from their end. This office is willing to send out notes to my other docs so that nobody is left with their dicks in the wind.
One of the things we discussed was Topomax. I have been on it in the past, but had to d/c it because it made me wig out. There was another med that helped with that problem, but my insurance no longer covers it and the black market won't take my kidney. I'm glad it came up though, since I may end up on it again at some point and wanted to know more about managing that side effect. The conversation went something like this:
New pain PA: So, was one of the medications you tried in the past Topomax?
Me: Yes, but it made me hardcore wig out.
PA: Like, anxiety? Or any racing thoughts?
Me: It made me extremely irrational.
PA: Gotcha...umm I'm just trying to think of the best way to put that in my notes...
Me: Batshit?
PA: (giggling) Yeah. In medical speak
It seems like there's two extremes with such appointments-- either a big'ol script or lots of eval only to be shuffled off to somebody else. Then it's pretty much wash, rinse, and repeat. I frakking hate that! I get it if you don't want to send me on my chemically-enhanced-merry-way. I also get that I'm a complex case. Furthermore more, I understand the restrictions put on pain meds and the fact that they can burn out your dopamine receptors over time. I like those receptors and want to preserve them as much as possible.
This visit was so refreshing because there was a mutual understanding of what may help, what has helped, and what needs to happen to have a plan in place. We also discussed what my options are if the plan needs to be adapted and what limitations I might face from their end. This office is willing to send out notes to my other docs so that nobody is left with their dicks in the wind.
One of the things we discussed was Topomax. I have been on it in the past, but had to d/c it because it made me wig out. There was another med that helped with that problem, but my insurance no longer covers it and the black market won't take my kidney. I'm glad it came up though, since I may end up on it again at some point and wanted to know more about managing that side effect. The conversation went something like this:
New pain PA: So, was one of the medications you tried in the past Topomax?
Me: Yes, but it made me hardcore wig out.
PA: Like, anxiety? Or any racing thoughts?
Me: It made me extremely irrational.
PA: Gotcha...umm I'm just trying to think of the best way to put that in my notes...
Me: Batshit?
PA: (giggling) Yeah. In medical speak
Monday, May 28, 2018
Rhino skin
Sometimes, neuropathy is a blessing in disguise- I no longer experience afterburn. I have a bad habit of accidentally boiling my hands. Hot clear fluids and neurological issues don't mix well. I have a lovely collection of scars to prove it. But then there's the thing that happens when you really cook your hands good. It's the state between a second and third degree burn that doesn't blister. You know, rhino skin. I earned myself a nice pachyderm patch of it on my whole left thumb. Thanks a lot oatmeal
Botox round 2
Seems like since the Botox it's been a little easier to cut off the migraines before they get super ugly. I mean they still keep me from doing much and I'm still a slave to my bucket, but I'm still thoroughly enjoying less eyeball stabbing. One of the things that isn't helping is the limited quantity of the rescue meds. Like, I get it since they are RESCUE meds but seriously! You try having a migraine every day for nearly two years and then get back to me. Every patient is different and that really needs to be considered.
So, the injection process itself was fine. I did bleed a bit this time and was slightly unnerved by the squelch of the last shot, but again- no big deal. I am however dreading paying brioche again. The whole process is stupid. The nice desk lady agrees with me.
So, the injection process itself was fine. I did bleed a bit this time and was slightly unnerved by the squelch of the last shot, but again- no big deal. I am however dreading paying brioche again. The whole process is stupid. The nice desk lady agrees with me.
Giving Directions
When you say something is located 'south', it is important to distinguish whether it's 'south left' or 'south right'
Thursday, May 17, 2018
So I just got a toaster
Yup. Finally got a toaster of my own! One thing that never occurred to me though, was that the bread slots are not universally sized. I found this out by trying to shove my rye bread in the stupid thing. There was too much bread and not enough slot.
I thought the problem could be solved a few different ways:
1) go back to making toast in the oven or frying pan like a normal human
2) set toaster to low and flip the bread around
3) cut one piece of bread in half and toast the halves
Well...some how I managed to fuck up either method 2 or 3. I forgot which one. Basically, my blind ass wound up wedging the bread on one side between the heating element and the slot where bread is supposed to go.
I thought the problem could be solved a few different ways:
1) go back to making toast in the oven or frying pan like a normal human
2) set toaster to low and flip the bread around
3) cut one piece of bread in half and toast the halves
Well...some how I managed to fuck up either method 2 or 3. I forgot which one. Basically, my blind ass wound up wedging the bread on one side between the heating element and the slot where bread is supposed to go.
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
The gypsy cab
I had to take two buses to get to school as a teenager, and have a few interesting stories about those times. There was this guy--'They call me Geo!'--that drove a white geo gypsy cab. He would go around the bus terminal singing:
'Take a gypsy cab! It's cheaper than the bus.
The other drivers hate me, cuz my rates are cheaper than theirs!
I'll take you anywhere you want to go!'
Everybody knew this guy. I never took his cab, but I think my mum still has the business card somewhere.
'Take a gypsy cab! It's cheaper than the bus.
The other drivers hate me, cuz my rates are cheaper than theirs!
I'll take you anywhere you want to go!'
Everybody knew this guy. I never took his cab, but I think my mum still has the business card somewhere.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Silly wabbit!
My not-officially-adopted family lives around the block from me, and were kind enough to watch Voltaire for me while I was in Montauk. After I picked her up, it seemed like she was acting weird and I figured it was since I just brought her back home. I asked my friend if she had any trouble with the bun, and received a report of a well behaved rabbit.
I didn't think much of it until I went back to check on Voltaire, and found a spider by her cage. After I got rid of the thing, I checked her for bites. She was fine, and then suddenly back to normal. I had no idea rabbits could have a dislike for spiders.
Then again, we are talking about the bun that throws hay and newspaper on her head.
I didn't think much of it until I went back to check on Voltaire, and found a spider by her cage. After I got rid of the thing, I checked her for bites. She was fine, and then suddenly back to normal. I had no idea rabbits could have a dislike for spiders.
Then again, we are talking about the bun that throws hay and newspaper on her head.
Seals, shoes, and cream cheese
So, my friend (who is an awesome guy!) and I recently went out to Montauk. My family has been going out there for several generations and has managed to find a reasonable route without much traffic. We did the trip on only a couple hundred bucks. Can't argue with that price tag.
Since Awesome Guy was doing the driving, I felt like he was pretty much in control of when we set off. I did my best to warn him about which times and routes were ideal, and then just kinda waited for us to leave. We ended up heading out quite late in the afternoon, and arriving in Montauk rather late that night.
What's a poor insomniac to do just before midnight with a whole fishing village to themselves? Why, wander down the beach of course! So, I set off on my solo wobble down the shore expecting to find horseshoe crab carcasses like when I was a kid. The moonlight was washing out my vision, so I was going up to all the round dark things that I thought could be crustaceans.
I didn't find any. Just big rocks. That is, until I stepped on a rock and it made a funny sound. Kinda like a whimper. I had never encountered a whimpering rock before, so I poked it again. More whimpering. I was stumped and figured I had stepped on something that was under the sand, when I was startled by movement directly in front of me.
I looked up, and directly at a seal. I didn't want to stick around since I had no idea if the thing was sick or injured, so I tore outta there as fast as a blind-wobbling- insomniac can across wet sand. I texted Awesome Guy the highly descriptive message, 'Dude! There's a seal!' Just in case my corpse was found mauled on the beach.
When I got back to the hotel room, I described what happened and that I was gonna go call the wildlife folks. After a few attempts at finding a 24hr hotline manned by a live human, I explained my find. I'd never seen a seal in Montauk before, but figured that if the thing wasn't off course the wildlife agencies probably still tracked their migration. The thing didn't seem obviously hurt, but it wasn't moving much either and they can bite.
I went back around dawn and the seal was still there. He (she?) didn't really move, but was lifting its head. I stood and watched it a little, not really wanting to bother the poor thing. But how often are you just walking along and then suddenly inches away from a 3ft long fuzzy torpedoe with puppy dog eyes?
I waited a bit, then popped off to Naturally Good for some breakfast. It's a neat little health food joint that's open early with a me friendly menu. I got the bagel deluxe with almond cream cheese, and was blown away. I was halfway through before realizing that it was in the 'not date food' category and that I had sprouts up my nose and avocado all over my face. Satisfied and smelling of onions, I went back to the hotel to wear the rest of my breakfast in relative privacy.
Awesome Guy wasn't quite awake yet, so we chilled a bit before I went out to Jhon's for waffle fries. I have no idea if they're officially on the menu or not, but I've been ordering them since I was a kid.
After indulging in fries, we headed out to the beach.
The seal was still there and I spoke with some people that said it had been there since at least the whole day before. Since people were walking right past the thing, I went over to take a picture.
After the photo op, I went back to Naturally Good on a cream cheese quest.
I managed to find two tubs of the magical stuff. It's made by Kite Hill and is the best cream cheese alternative I've ever come across. While waiting for some lunch, I ordered an iced latte with almond milk and very much regret not bringing back a gallon of it. That coffee was ace.
After lunch on the beach, I decided to head to the huge three floor super store that sells the most amazing assortment of things. My best bug net and first book of mad libs came from there. I picked up a weird tradition of setting off snakes on the beach as a child, but the store didn't have any. I got some of the snaps that look like cigarette butts instead. They also had shoes for $7.00. Two pairs came back with me. At some point, the seal either got picked up by the tide or the authorities; he was gone by the time we set out for our next wander.
Since Awesome Guy was doing the driving, I felt like he was pretty much in control of when we set off. I did my best to warn him about which times and routes were ideal, and then just kinda waited for us to leave. We ended up heading out quite late in the afternoon, and arriving in Montauk rather late that night.
What's a poor insomniac to do just before midnight with a whole fishing village to themselves? Why, wander down the beach of course! So, I set off on my solo wobble down the shore expecting to find horseshoe crab carcasses like when I was a kid. The moonlight was washing out my vision, so I was going up to all the round dark things that I thought could be crustaceans.
I didn't find any. Just big rocks. That is, until I stepped on a rock and it made a funny sound. Kinda like a whimper. I had never encountered a whimpering rock before, so I poked it again. More whimpering. I was stumped and figured I had stepped on something that was under the sand, when I was startled by movement directly in front of me.
I looked up, and directly at a seal. I didn't want to stick around since I had no idea if the thing was sick or injured, so I tore outta there as fast as a blind-wobbling- insomniac can across wet sand. I texted Awesome Guy the highly descriptive message, 'Dude! There's a seal!' Just in case my corpse was found mauled on the beach.
When I got back to the hotel room, I described what happened and that I was gonna go call the wildlife folks. After a few attempts at finding a 24hr hotline manned by a live human, I explained my find. I'd never seen a seal in Montauk before, but figured that if the thing wasn't off course the wildlife agencies probably still tracked their migration. The thing didn't seem obviously hurt, but it wasn't moving much either and they can bite.
I went back around dawn and the seal was still there. He (she?) didn't really move, but was lifting its head. I stood and watched it a little, not really wanting to bother the poor thing. But how often are you just walking along and then suddenly inches away from a 3ft long fuzzy torpedoe with puppy dog eyes?
I waited a bit, then popped off to Naturally Good for some breakfast. It's a neat little health food joint that's open early with a me friendly menu. I got the bagel deluxe with almond cream cheese, and was blown away. I was halfway through before realizing that it was in the 'not date food' category and that I had sprouts up my nose and avocado all over my face. Satisfied and smelling of onions, I went back to the hotel to wear the rest of my breakfast in relative privacy.
Awesome Guy wasn't quite awake yet, so we chilled a bit before I went out to Jhon's for waffle fries. I have no idea if they're officially on the menu or not, but I've been ordering them since I was a kid.
After indulging in fries, we headed out to the beach.
The seal was still there and I spoke with some people that said it had been there since at least the whole day before. Since people were walking right past the thing, I went over to take a picture.
After the photo op, I went back to Naturally Good on a cream cheese quest.
I managed to find two tubs of the magical stuff. It's made by Kite Hill and is the best cream cheese alternative I've ever come across. While waiting for some lunch, I ordered an iced latte with almond milk and very much regret not bringing back a gallon of it. That coffee was ace.
After lunch on the beach, I decided to head to the huge three floor super store that sells the most amazing assortment of things. My best bug net and first book of mad libs came from there. I picked up a weird tradition of setting off snakes on the beach as a child, but the store didn't have any. I got some of the snaps that look like cigarette butts instead. They also had shoes for $7.00. Two pairs came back with me. At some point, the seal either got picked up by the tide or the authorities; he was gone by the time we set out for our next wander.
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