Author Topic: Food that is Life Blood  (Read 675 times)

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Nation of One

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Food that is Life Blood
« on: October 21, 2018, 05:27:50 pm »
Steel Cut Oats (Traditional slow-cooking style)

2 cups of water to a boil, 1/2 cup of steel cut oats, turn down heat to low, slow cook for 30 minutes.

Add some raisins and sugar, let it cool off for a minute, then make the Will to Live smile, one precious spoonful at a time.

 ;D
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

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raul

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2018, 07:36:41 pm »
Hentrich,

Thank you for your recipe. I can only prepare easy things. Enough to survive. I read that a
man can live without food longer than he can live without sleep. 

I cannot take honey because of diabetes but they told me that honey produced by bees as a food is the best natural source of energy for man. Also a healthy man has about 141,000 calories stored in his fat tissue and 24,000 calories stored in his muscle mass, he can live for sixty days without food.

Take a siesta.
 

Holden

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2018, 05:20:19 am »
Herr Kasper,

In general vegetarian food is cheaper & so is  plain food(thus I  am  excluding everything oily  and  sweet  ).This  is what one  may have:
1.Lentils/beans: Lentil  is a generic term  there   are  many kinds of lentils. No dearth of variety there. Pretty  cheap.
2.Flour:  I mean  real wheat (unadulterated )flour, multi  grain flour is also fine.One need  to make  sure that bran and germ has not been taken out. Put a little bit of water in  the flour  (in  a bowl),knead it(just give  it a  few punches). Put the kneaded dough on  rolling  board(very cheap),and  then  roll  it with a  rolling pin.Put  the flattened  bread  on a griddle for  half  a minute - your bread is ready.
(Whole process  takes  about  5 minutes)

3.Spices & Vegetable:Gets lots of spices in power form- turmeric ,cumin,coriander-you get the idea.In powder form ,if   possible. Add a bit  of each of them  in  boiling water-add  some   chunks  of cabbage,cauliflower, potato& you are good to go.

If you are partial of rice-then  one may choose brown rice-it keeps  hunger at  bay for a very long time.

These  food items would   cost  a  man ,at most, a  few dollars a   day.
Also,  one may cook  the food himself as ordering from outside is  very costly.

Plus, please  take one  multi-vitamin  pill  a  day and   one spoonful of flax   seeds.
Cheap.Healthy.The cooking process   takes only minutes.

Take  care.
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

Nation of One

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2018, 02:00:32 pm »
Much appreciated Brother Holden.  I have placed the powdered spices on the master-list and I will pick up real wheat flour specifically for the flattened pan bread.

Cabbage is a very good suggestion.  I will add it to spiced water with some potatoes.

Thank you for sharing with me your simple but life-changing (for me) strategy.  I will introduce this into my diet.

My mother has stomach troubles so she will not be able to join me in the cabbage meals, but I am definitely looking forward to trying that out in the boiled water (with tumeric, cumin, and coriander).

I am also going to stock up on the real wheat flour.  Even if the Mother does not eat appreciate it, I myself am enthusiastic about it.  When I was out West, a Native friend of mine (JR) taught me how to make "pan bread," and I used to get a 10 pound bag of flour and make my own bread, cooking it in oil. 

I am glad to be able to help my mother, but my father had once complained to me that my mother was "high maintenance".  My father, on the other hand, needs very little.  He does not care about what clothes he wears.   He dwells in the basement of an old house my sister and her husband have rented for many years, sleeping on a sofa.   He's lived with them for a couple decades now, ever since losing everything from a second wife not paying the government their taxes, that is, the government took all he had saved.   A very tragic life.  He may secretly understand why I live as I do.   

When I lived alone for so many years, I managed to feed myself alright.  Sometimes I would just eat spinach.  Other times I would eat liver for breakfast or cook a whole chicken in the middle of the night.

Now, as I will be purchasing most of the food, I am at liberty to experiment.   I just have to have patience with my mother.  Tonight she is cooking Polish Kielbasa and buttered noodles.   She enjoys pork loin, chicken, fish, meatballs, meatloaf.   I have to confess that I too am quite the carnivore.   My sister, as you may know, is a strict vegetarian. 

The more teeth that get removed from my jaws, the more inviting something like cabbage becomes.   I know I am going to return to eating a lot of spinach.   We both really like spinach, but my mother likes "well rounded meals."   Maybe I will make garlic spinach soup more often.

I really am looking forward to picking up some real wheat flour!

Life is sad, but simplifying the diet might make living a lot less complicated.

The thing is, we are small-boned twerps, but twerps with appetites.

« Last Edit: October 24, 2018, 07:53:33 am by {{}} »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

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Holden

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Food
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2018, 01:11:59 am »
I  am glad  you like the  suggestion.I  don't think Basmasti  is  worth it.Too  refined.No  nutrients.Empty  calories. Just a  step away from  being  sugar.
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
-van Gogh.

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #5 on: October 25, 2018, 12:49:20 pm »
I am eating fresh cauliflower and cabbage boiled in water (with turmeric powder).  This makes a great lunch as my mother cannot eat cabbage or cauliflower (irritable bowel syndrome plus gastritis  :P), and we usually do NOT eat lunch together (only dinner meal).   When I am up early (before 6AM), as I have been the last few mornings, I prepare a pot of Steel Cut traditional style oats.  I introduced this to my mom who said she does not like oatmeal.  She must have only ever eaten Rolled or Instant.  She loved the Steel Cut slow-cooked oatmeal, and it is a great way to begin the day.    Eating the oatmeal in the morning will encourage us to eat eggs as a dinner meal (like in Dostoyevsky's novels) as we both love eggs [lots of protein]. 

My sister makes "egg wraps," and when I told her about my desire to start making flat bread with the (unadulterated) whole wheat, she said that that would serve well as a wrap for the egg-wraps should I wish to experiment.   She suggested "King Arthur" brand.  When I was picking up the cabbage, cauliflower, and tumeric, I grabbed a bag of wheat flour, and I intend to adopt your customary way of preparing bread today, when the stomach (the Will) gives the command.

Thank you for taking my request for suggestions seriously, for my well-being will surely be nurtured by following your way of eating (to some extent).  This may have saved me from eating a couple hot dogs that may have been in the refrigerator a week too long.

I will balance all the vegetables (for lunch) and grains (for breakfast) with a little "beef liver" for dinner.   Liver is not expensive at all, and, even though it may seem gross, I get the feeling it is good for my heart and my brain.   I don't know.
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2018, 10:54:19 am »
I made the flat bread in a pan with the wheat flower.   I added a little virgin olive oil and cooked it a little longer to make it more crispy.   I may add the oil to the flour with the water next time.

I'm a beginner, so I will have to experiment until I get it right.

I added a couple scrambled eggs, then also a little sliced raw cabbage, onions, ketchup and mayonnaise and with aluminum foil, made a "wrap" or "roll" as described by an attractive woman from India on ZooTube.   :P  Very easy on the eyes as you (Holden) say.   ;D

For lunch today, Herr Hentrich will be serving left-over liver and onions wrapped in roti (or chapoti?).  It's a new day.  This old dog is learning new tricks.


Thank you, Holden.  I genuinely value your sound advice.   One day soon I may be filling the flat bread with apple butter, raisins or prunes, and peanut butter!   Ah, the joy of simplicity.

In a sense, we are now breaking bread together.
« Last Edit: October 26, 2018, 11:41:28 am by {{}} »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2018, 02:27:30 pm »
Good news:  I put a brand of tuna fish (inexpensive at Aldis  [German store in the USA]) that The Mother normally doesn't like inside the wheat flour flat bread - and she liked it.


This wheat flour idea is going to have an impact.   It seems like such a little thing, but, no, it is great.


I also appreciate the independence I feel when using just enough flour for one ball to be flattened and heated on the pan, rather than just reaching in a bag for a slice of bread.

Some might say I have too much time on my hands, but I like the ritual.   Thanks again, Holden. Maybe you know me well enough to understand how much I would appreciate this.


Also, the cabbage and cauliflower combination boiled with turmeric powder (and red pepper flakes) goes down easy and fills me up.   I just don't feed it to The Mother.  It's a lunch.


Oh, and now I better appreciate the phrase, "a fistful of flour." 

Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Holden

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2018, 02:25:16 pm »
One thing which I  forgot  you  mention earlier  is  curd.  One  could  have  it  with  the  flat bread.
La Tristesse Durera Toujours                                  (The Sadness Lasts Forever ...)
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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2018, 03:52:24 pm »
I was looking into the process of making my own curd, but it looks like I may be better off substituting just store-bought cottage cheese.  I tried it, and it is smooth.

Maybe cream cheese too, when I have it.   I am looking forward to treating myself to a little smoked salmon next month.  I'll wrap the flat bread around it.

I was able to track down Cumin and Coriander, as well as the Tumeric - a good price: $3 per bottle (sale).

Unfortunately, the cauliflower was over $4 for one head, so I only got the cabbage this time.  Liver on sale for less than $2 for good sized slabs.   The Mother had a rough time with the liver last night, but I've been eating the leftovers today, and I plan to finish it all (sliced up into manageable chunks to compensate for few teeth).

I don't mean to bore you with such details, but, besides the math exercises and programming, meals are the focus.  It's not that I enjoy eating so much as fending off the appetite which always returns.  I've always been fascinated with this process:  sleeping, eating, shiitting.  It is sobering to wrap my mind around the fact that this is what life really is, not the narrative portrayed in films, novels, and in our very own heads.

We are just weird creatures in an arbitrary galaxy at a given space-time.   All the words and ideas human cultures come up with to describe this reality are myths.  Even science is a kind of myth.   A high school "philosophy" and "English" teacher used to tells us, "Myths explain reality."    In this sense, he told us, "myths are real."

So, when I refer to some story as mythological, I mean to say that it attempts to explain something REAL with allegory.  The allegory itself does not represent anything factual, but does attempt to expose some kind of TRUTH. some kind of lived experienced reality.

The Native (North American Aborigines) used to have these stories about the Trickster, who would represent something similar to the Christian Devil, but not at all so sinister and "evil" as the Christian version.

Anyway, they would say that "The Trickster is hungry all the time."

It explains a great deal to me.  All of us, as animal life, will be hungry all the time.

Fortunately for us, we are not "HORN-Y all the time."   Although I have heard that human organisms, due to the immense size of our brains, are far more sexual than many animals.  This may contradict the traditional imagery which associates sexuality with primordial and base drives.

I know these reflections overlap with your Augustine (the sex maniac) thread, but I wanted to mention the Trickster, and to note the lack of sinister "evil" in this aboriginal "devil".   The Trickster makes a lot of mistakes and suffers the consequences of hubris or other little defects.  He's comical, not horrific. 
« Last Edit: October 31, 2018, 09:51:41 am by {{}} »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Silenus

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #10 on: November 04, 2018, 12:21:25 pm »
Holden & Hentrich,
  I have to sincerely thank you for the "pan bread" recipe.  Long story short, I have recently left another job and am waiting it out in "the room" another month before taking off to Virginia to work on an organic farm for a month or two.  About 20 hrs of work in exchange for room and board, no monetary exchanges (maybe I'll write a poem called "To Have Done With The Judgement of Money"... ;)).  Then, (hopefully) I'll have another gig lined up in the state so i can stretch my thumb by the highway with a destination in mind.  I am working this out through an organization called WWOOF.   
  Anyways, here I am with very little money, and the Pan Bread of the Solitary Pessimists came to mind last night.  Today I bought the flour, olive oil spray, 18 eggs, and 16 servings worth of pepperoni, as well as coffee, for a total of $16 and change.  The bread came out wonderfully on the skillet; I cooked two eggs and put that along with a few pepperoni slices on it and had myself a nice "breakfast pizza," if you will.  Again, I appreciate the simplicity and sound advice.
  The woman I have recently taken to subsists herself -in these cold months- solely on pancakes for breakfast, boiled root vegetables & rice for lunch and dinner.  A vegan and an antinatalist to boot.  :)
  It is nice to know that I am reducing myself to necessity.  Little comforts, such as pre-rolled packaged cigarettes will be out the door from now on; it is time for pouches and hand-rolling. And yes, the never-ending feeding process- a bitchh, a humbling bitchh...
  Time to continue to "contemplate the beggar" and the "sanctity of sloth." Tomorrow I take all of my spare change to the bank in exchange for "the cheese."  Oh well!
 
Be well Holden, Ibra, Hentrich, Maughan & Raul.




"And the strict master Death bids them dance."

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2018, 10:21:06 pm »
I am also grateful to Holden for having the cognizance to mention the wheat flour.

Also, I have really taken a liking to cabbage, cauliflower, and potatoes boiled in turmeric, cumin, coriander powders (plus a sprinkle of chopped red pepper flakes).  This is very easy on the exposed gums, requiring a minimal amount of chompers.

I saw something about an under-the-sea hotel in the Indian Ocean somewhere.  It's about two hundred thousand dollars for 4 nights.  I know that the thought of spending (or even having) such funds to "blow" seems almost vulgar; and yet I can't help but suspect that there is some poetic justice in the humble delight we might experience upon discovering an inexpensive meal that we can incorporate into our minimalistic lifestyle, when we consider that gorging on lobster tails, shrimp, and maybe even snorting co-caine or having access to other mind numbing chemicals may set into motion an unsatiable appetite which demands more and more just to break even psychologically.  It's mind boggling that there are moments when I genuinely feel "my cup is overflowing," when I behold the books, notebooks, and computers I am blessed with at the moment.   Knowing how greatly I adore a collection of forgotten math books, and realizing that there are those who may be so much more miserable than I am, who have access to immense wealth, gives me some insight into those lyrics in some songs which sing about "the kind of thirst one experiences when one's well is full is the kind of thirst that can never be quenched."


A black woman once told me that I have "a great abundance of inner wealth."  Another woman, also of the darkest Africoidal variety, told me not to feel bad at all that I was "alone," and that I seemed "whole and complete" regardless.   This all may sound corny to those business types who go by the philosophy, "Money talks, bullshiit walks," but there is some kind of hilarious truth in it, I mean, this idea of inner wealth.   There may be some things that money just can't buy.  Again, it sounds like folklore or things people without money in the bank tell themselves to make themselves feel better; but, damn, I think I have experienced this kind of phenomenon myself in my own life.

What I am trying to say is, one way to get through this life that may seem to be not worth living is to appreciate the small comforts available to most of us, not reserved for the uber-rich.


Senor Raul advises us to endulge in naps.   When I first began taking naps, it felt almost "sinful" - such delight right there for the asking ... all that is necessary is to be free of care and worry.


How one reaches such a state of equanimity may be a highly personal matter.   


Some people must get their best sleep at work (while getting paid).   ;D
« Last Edit: November 05, 2018, 11:19:10 pm by {{}} »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Silenus

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2018, 11:36:16 am »
Hentrich, in one of your posts you wrote about how it was kind of nice to "break bread" with the "down & out" in one of the churches serving free meals.

On my way here to the library, I was invited into a church for a free breakfast.  They do it every Saturday morning.  There were a few of us in there and we had humble servings of eggs, toast and sausage.  Strong coffee, too!

A woman sat at the table with me, she must have been in her mid to late 60's or so.  She must have been a regular as she asked the woman who was serving us if she could have her "usual" extra links of sausage to take home to her canine companion.  I wanted to ask her about her, but I couldn't work myself up to it.  Part shyness on my end, but I also did not want to step on any toes and risk hurting any pride she may have in herself.  She seemed a bit anxious.

What is one to do?  Sometimes it's best to "break the bread," remain quiet, and wish someone well for the day. 

I know we all share the same feelings about the G-word and "His" followers.  But it's important to, at the very least, remember the charitable compassion recommended by Mainlander, Schopenhauer, the Christ & the Buddha figures.  I suppose I'm talking to myself here a little bit, as I have been dealing with strong misanthropic feelings as of late. 

I think what I'm trying to say to myself is: LOOSEN UP!  I have to begin to take more understanding along with me; in that, yes, while the human-animal is a greedy and deceptive creature, should we always be so ready point the finger and blame, on a case-by-case basis?  I would like to understand that it is human nature to act this way, and we just cannot help it sometimes; you, me or the guy next door.

A very tough undertaking, I must admit.

Take care.


"And the strict master Death bids them dance."

Nation of One

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2019, 12:02:40 pm »
It's a long time since I "broke bread" with so-called "strangers," but there was a time in my life when such meals/gatherings were the highlight of my days and weeks.   In fact, my gravitating towards community "free meals" may have had something to do with the local police in given areas associating me with all those I gathered with.   Sure, often it was in such settings that I would meet up with a few "trouble-makers" and proceed to "get my drink on."


While searching for a relevant John Trudell video to help me articulate a response about "ITS," I was distracted by the pretty face (painted in traditional Native manner) of a Midori Takata (the person who originally posted the Trudell speaking video), and one of the videos she links to caught my attention, one about making bread from scratch.  I am going to try it soon.

It's funny.  Attraction to a pretty face led me to an attraction to fresh homemade bread.  The very things Schopenhauer claimed that keep this entire world running in circles:  hunger for food and the sexual impulse.  It's all right there, never changing.   It's interesting to observe our own behavior.  I may try this with wheat flour or plain flour, or, as suggested by the sharer of old school wisdom in the video, mix in a ratio that suits my 'flavor'.  Not today, but soon, as soon as all the bread I picked up from the "Dollar Store" gets transformed into my poop.




By the way, I just gave that song 'Lift Him Up' another listen, and this time I enjoyed the harmonica.   I must be in a receptive mood ...
« Last Edit: February 10, 2019, 12:26:20 pm by Kaspar the Jaded »
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~

Nation of One

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Re: Food that is Life Blood
« Reply #14 on: March 12, 2019, 08:26:52 pm »
Quote from: Holden
Flour:  I mean  real wheat (unadulterated )flour, multi  grain flour is also fine.One need  to make  sure that bran and germ has not been taken out. Put a little bit of water in  the flour  (in  a bowl),knead it(just give  it a  few punches). Put the kneaded dough on  rolling  board(very cheap),and  then  roll  it with a  rolling pin.Put  the flattened  bread  on a griddle for  half  a minute - your bread is ready.
(Whole process  takes  about  5 minutes)

I calmly made some of this bread today and it came out well. I had used a little extra olive oil.  There was left over salmon in the fridge.  I stuffed the crisp yet soft flat bread with cold salmon, some lettuce, and mayonnaise.

The procedure was spontaneous and natural.  there was no "sliced bread," and my body went into action, frying the pan bread.   Thank you for these important instructions.
Things They Will Never Tell YouArthur Schopenhauer has been the most radical and defiant of all troublemakers.

Gorticide @ Nothing that is so, is so DOT edu

~ Tabak und Kaffee Süchtigen ~