oversoaking

I've oversoaked the beans. I put them in water on Wednesday evening and was only able to get to them last night. That's a whole lot of soaking. They came out of the oven this morning very runny and somewhat unpalatable. The seasoning is there and it's great, the aroma's right, it's just I think the taste of the beans themselves has been lost through four days and nights of soaking and occasional rinsing thanks to my gracious room mate.

I still ate the beans and also had a banana and I'm glad I did. I needed the fuel in a bad way. I had a hellish bike to work this morning. Very cold. Too cold. There were moments where I could have laid down and died because of the difficulty of pedalling. That said, it is good to do such hard work. I am still unsure if I will attempt the ride home. Upon arrival at work, I was deadset against the concept of a round trip today, but now I'm not so sure. I do need wheels of some sort tonight.

I am thinking I will have to thicken the liquid for the beans somehow. Possibly add some barley or millet, maybe oat bran.

on track

I'm back on track with breakfasting. I attempted to make another batch of baked beans over the weekend and mistakenly used dry soybeans rather than what I thought were small white beans. My room mate pointed my error out rather too late, just as I had added the molasses and vinegar. So, committed to my recipe, I baked the soybeans overnight. They came out just like you'd imagine soybeans baked in the style of Boston: slimy, greasy, shiney. Yuck. I ended up donating the whole lot to a drop-in centre for the homeless.

I visited my Chinese doctor on Tuesday afternoon and rather than treat me she persuaded me to buy some diet pills. Not the usual diet pills but some herbal magic that:

"-Dramatically increases the metabolic rate, suppresses the appetite, scorches hundreds of fat cells and turn them into energy.
-Burning away years of stubborn stored fat on belly, thighs, buttocks and arms while not sacrificing foods."

and so forth.

The doctor got very upset with me. I have gained a total of fifty pounds since the summer of 2006. That's an average of 2-3 pounds per month. If I keep this up, my middle age spread will be seriously gargantuan. I've been trying halfheartedly but with good intention to halt the weight gain and even lose pounds. I started running in September and consistently continue to increase my distance, time and am also trying to have intense workouts whenever possible. I began to eat breakfast in an attempt to control my appetite. I am taking measures, but they have not been drastic enough even to put a stop to my incredible rate of expansion.

So it's go-time. Dr. Shi made me commit to the pills at a cost of $80.00 and one hour of strenuous activity a day for the next thirty days, as well as a very rigourously sensible protein-rich, low-carb diet.

I had lamb korma for breakfast yesterday. The day before, I had deer chili. This morning I ate a tofurkey sausage and a pile of lettuce and cucumber. The exercise has been surprisingly easy to do because of the energy these pills are making out of the scorching of hundreds of fat cells.

wayside

I fear my breakfasts are in bad decline. I'm not paying enough attention to my bed time lately and therefore am not able to drag myself out of bed on time to prepare a healthy meal in the morning. I'm trying very hard and for the most part have actually HAD breakfasts; they've just been somewhat unhealthy and/or fly-by-night. I am endeavouring to make a breakfast casserole tonight and also put beans in to soak.

passion flakie

It's been a rough ride lately with the breakfasts. I want to keep things together but this past week has been a challenge especially and not strictly in respect of breakfasts.

This morning I packed a bag for my upcoming weekend retreat and chose to shower instead of breakfast. I was still late for the 21. Jumped up and down on the median waving at it like a lunatic as it drove away. I decided I had to have consolation coffee and so weighed the consequences of using a disposable cup for a hot beverage from Shell. As I approached the gas station, an acquaintance of mine cheerfully crossed my path. She was also late and she was also going in for a consolation coffee. We contemplated the chemical pastries together. She decided on a Strawberry Nutri-bar. I selected a Passion Flakie. One of my favourite things to hurt myself with.

It actually turned out to be an extremely pleasant outdoor breakfast with sweet-faced company, showing our breaths to each other in the frigid temperature, stamping our feet together at the bus stop.

She did not hold back her admiration of my Flakie.

smoke

I awoke without any time for breakfast so came into the office and threw a hemp seed nut bagel in the toaster oven and forgot about it. Went downstairs and smelled the smoke. No one else in the office appeared to notice.

I scurried into the kitchen area and the room was hazed right the fuck out. Hopped onto a chair and madly unscrewed the grill to the ceiling fan. Got it plugged in and roaring and closed the door behind me as I departed. An hour later, you can see the kitchen table and chairs and whatnot but man what a reek.

I ate the unburnt half with stolen butter. Drank bad office coffee cut with stolen milk.

It is Pay Day today. I won't have time to make these purchases until probably Sunday or Monday but here we go:

Breakfast Food Grocery List

buckwheat flour
spelt flour
whole wheat baker's flour
cornmeal
english muffins (eggless benedict!!!)
bell peppers
white onions
green onions
tomatoes
corn
beans
soymilk
maple syrup (bāc-un!!!!)
cumin
tarragon
bananas
apples
grapefruits (fucking citrus peels)
yerba mate
coffee

late

I was late in getting up today. Arrived at work 2.5 hours late but full of beans and mini-garlic toasts. I wanted to eat a grapefruit for breakfast too, but I've found I totally loathe peeling citrus fruits and couldn't face the zest and pulp this morning.

Massaged myself to sleep last night with about an ounce of Tiger Balm. I'm dealing lately with shoulder and neck stiffness, muscle pain, congestion in my head, sore throat, tight jaws and swollen eye-sockets, heachaches.

Ever notice how many words the English language has for various pain? Sheesh.

Freezing feet, every night. I think I need someone in bed with me lately to press my cold toes against their calves. Charming thought, isn't it?

I absolutely HAD to bathe myself this morning, not because I was in dire need, simply because I needed hot water on my skin and to wash away a bit of the hurt feelings in my head.

I definitely need to jazz up breakfast.

Breakfast Casserole Serves 4
"Make this luscious dish the night before you plan to serve it."

ingredient list

3 Tbs. olive oil
3/4 cup diced onions
1 to 2 large russet potatoes, cleaned and cubed
1 tsp. dried parsley
3/4 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and chopped
1/3 cup diced zucchini
1/3 cup diced summer squash
3/4 cup diced tomatoes
1 lb. extra-firm tofu
1/2 cup soymilk
2 Tbs. egg replacer
1 1/2 tsp. agar flakes
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground turmeric
2 slices vegan cheddar cheese
1 Tbs. mellow miso

directions

Preheat the oven to 375F.
Lightly oil 4 16-ounce ovenproof casseroles or baking dishes, and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté the onions for about 2 minutes, or until softened.
Add the potatoes and parsley, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes more.
Add the green pepper, zucchini and summer squash, and sauté until just wilted.
Add the tomatoes, and cook until warmed through. Remove from the heat, and set aside.
Put the remaining ingredients into a food processor, and purée until smooth.
Fold together the vegetables and the tofu mixture.
Spoon into the casseroles.
Bake for 35 to 45 minutes.
Remove from the oven, and cool.
Cover, and refrigerate overnight to allow agar to set properly.
Reheat the oven to 375F in the morning, and bake, covered, for 45 minutes.
Serve hot.

The White Pig
Bed and Breakfast
At Briar Creek Road
5120 Irish Road
Schuyler, VA 22969
Phone: 434-831-1416
www.thewhitepig.com

Hmm. "Luscious dish".

Chickpea Scramble Serves 2-3
"My family tries not to O.D. on soy, so I've been trying to come up with hearty, high protein breakfast recipes that don't require tofu. I made this Chickpea Scramble this morning, and it was awesome."

ingredients

1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped white mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2-3 tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons tamari (I use low sodium)
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1-2 tablespoons non-hydrogenated margarine
2 teaspoons Tofutti non-hydrogenated sour cream
1 clove garlic, diced (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

directions

Drain chickpeas and mash in a bowl with the tamari, Tabasco, and nutritional yeast. Set aside.
Saute onion and mushroom (and garlic if using) in margarine for 3-5 minutes on medium heat, covered.
Add bell peppers, chickpea mash, and corn. Cover and cook about 3 minutes.
Add rice, tomatoes, and Tofutti sour cream and stir everything together.
Cover and cook until everything is piping hot.


I'll let you know how it all works out.

moving day

Today I awoke with no breakfast plans. I'm feeling a little bit low. Walked around an art gallery last night with tears on my face, no particular reason. Just feeling blue. Today it is exactly four years since I began my current employment. Time to leave.

Anyway, my friend awoke me by telephone call to ask if I wanted Tim Horton's and a ride. I realized my plans for the day were to help her move to her new apartment. I accepted both.

We drove through the Tim Horton's and placed a $22.00 order. I abhor the drive-through. I think of it as a perfect manifestation of the terrible attitude our culture holds towards good food.

I had an extra large coffee with two cream. I did not have my travel mug with me. Drinking out of paper cups is also something I abhor as I think of it as a perfect demonstration of the terrible disregard our culture has towards our natural resources and our lack of concern about the devastation of our land by way of garbage.

There is an instant caffeine aftertaste to Tim Horton's coffee. Industrial-strength chemical flavour.

When we got to the house, I selected a "bran muffin". As I chewed, I envisioned water being added to powder. Scientists and wageslaves made that muffin.

Terrible breakfast, but the price was right. The cost was astronomical.

yerba mate

I awoke and did a small amount of gussying, bare minimum really. I'm a feeling a little low these days. Ate the beans and bannock. Almost didn't bother to heat the beans up, but was glad to have a piping-hot spoonful when I sat down at the kitchen table for it.

Steeped up some yerba mate. I drink this often. Apparently it's one of the most nutritive plants on the planet. A drink ancient peoples used for gatherings and entertaining. Gives you the same chemical effect as caffeine ie. energy boost, increased concentration, high mental alertness, but is non-addictive and actually improves your sleeping patterns. Also has a "slippery" effect on your guts, so you "go" more, or better. I'll vouch for all of these things except for the ancient peoples stuff. That's just rumours to me.

The taste of a non-sugared/non-flavoured yerba is somewhat disconcerting if you're not into healthy shit and are more used to the over-sweetened crap the western world has brainwashed you into thinking is "normal" or "real" food. I suggest throwing in some raw sugar or honey or maple syrup and a healthy splash of soymilk if you want to make your yerba what I consider "fancy".

One way of making yerba mate delicious and special is preparing Mate Factor's "dark roast" either hot or cold (you don't even have to bring it down from boiled to iced, you can simply steep it in cold water), then blending it with honey and heavy cream. It's a tasty treat and doesn't give you that fur mouth you get from other coffee-creamy beverages.

This morning, like many mornings, I ended up filling up my mug/drinking bowl up 3/4 of the way and steeping my yerba and then at the very last moment before having to leave for work, topping up the last 1/4 with my drinking water to cool it. Then I chug the yerba while putting on my coat and shoes.

baked beans

A fairly luxurious morning. I woke early to the smell of baked beans but stayed in bed and had good stretching and smelling. This is my second batch of beans and I have to say they make a tremendously good breakfast dish. While the preparation is somewhat rigourous and spans up to 36 hours, the results are instant breakfast for the rest of the week and a guaranteed friend-winner.

The first batch drove me insane at 3:00 am as it was baking last week. I'd never experienced such a rich and complex cooking smell and it affected my sleep in delicious, unexpected ways.

Last night the aroma was a little more comforting than alarming and I didn't feel I had to get up in the middle of the night to check on them as they were cooking since I knew the oven was slow and was confident the beans wouldn't burn.

I use two cups of dry pinto beans and I soak them overnight in water. My room mate suggests the soaking water be changed a few times during the process to reduce gaseous output, but that does involve a bit more vigilance on Day 1 and if they're soaking overnight and during the workday, it's hardly possible and I view it as optional.

Day 2 is the fun part. I give the soaked beans a good couple of rinses and put them on the stovetop to cook in my special cast iron pot adding water as it steams off. I always keep the beans covered with water and cook them at the simmering point for at least a few hours, until the skin is coming off just a tiny bit. Once the beans are at this point, I rinse them a few times and set them aside in the cast iron pot (incidentally, this pot has a sturdy wooden handle and a cast iron top - perfect for the baking stage).

Meanwhile, actually during the last hour of stovetop cooking, I prep by finely chopping a large white onion, a large green bell pepper, a few tomatoes and whatever other vegetable I think would be tasty. (Last night I used zucchini and summer squash instead of green bell pepper and tomato paste instead of fresh tomato). I saute this chopped veg in some grapeseed oil until there's a browning effect. Add this concoction to the set aside beans.

I also set a kettle of water to boil during this time in order to pour a cup of it into a bowl containing 1/2 cup molasses, 1/2 cup vinegar (red wine, apple cider, malt, white, whatever you want it to be), a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of chili powder. Mixing well so the molasses is dissolved, I pour it over the beans and give the works a good stir. Then I pop the lid on and throw the pot in the oven at 200-250 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 to 8 hours. Good with bannock and butter.

Red River Cereal - on the run

Today I hit snooze more than ten times. I'd planned to wake up BEFORE 6:00 am (well at 5:55 am) in order to go into work an hour early. All I did on Monday at work was answer the fucking phone and deal with moron-clients so I was sure my boss would come in this morning and say "What did you do on Monday?" and I'd have to say, "meh meh meh, moron-clients..." and she'd half-believe me but totally hate me because there would be no product waiting for her. At 5:55 am I said about this plan, "Well, fuck that" and actually slept a half-hour past my usual wake-up time. Hitting snooze every ten to twenty-five minutes the entire time. Obtuse is what you might call it.

I got up and managed to get the shower thing happening, the gymbag packed, cooked my Red River Cereal, heavily laced it with cinnamon and pecans, ate an apple and my herbs and hit the road. Breakfast accomplished after arrival at work. Pretty gritty.

My boss didn't yell but I did find myself saying "meh meh meh".