Jerusalem Artichoke a.k.a. Sunchoke

On a quick trip to our farmer's market on Sunday morning to by our favorite organic brown rice, we stopped by the one and only organic veggie vendor at our market. Since it was late, late morning their few tables were mostly empty save for a few bins of potatoes and Jerusalem Artichokes. I have never eaten a Jerusalem Artichoke. Never even seen one. I'd seen the name before but that's about it. After learning from the vendor that they are super easy to cook and great in soups we grabbed some. After all, we were planning on making soup.

We don't regularly patronize the Sacramento farmer's market on Sundays partly because there are not many organic farms that come here. There are, on a good day, about 5 but most of them sell one specific item. Rice (and almonds and almond butter). Apples. Oranges. When I said earlier we have one organic veggie vendor, I'm referring to one who sells a variety of vegetables. I'm sure if I took the time to talk with some of the farmers I'd maybe learn that they use organic methods but just aren't certified. But it's usually so crowded (another reason we don't regularly go) that I feel like a pinball in a pinball machine as I bounce off of people walking through the dang place which leaves me feeling not too chatty. So, we only go when we are on a mission for something specific. Get in. Grab it. Get out. Ding, ding, ding. Wizard Bonus!

Our favorite brown rice is one of those mission items. It comes from Massa Organics which isn't too far from Chico, CA and from where some of our relatives live. I'm so thankful they make the nearly 2 hour trek to Sacramento when they do. I wasn't too fond of brown rice until I tried theirs and now I'm hooked. I don't know what it is that's different about theirs but it's damn good.

The Jerusalem Artichokes ended up being good also. They are easy breezy and delicious. Simply wash with a scrub brush (no need to peel) then chop and cook. To me they taste EXACTLY like the heart of a cooked, fresh artichoke. The best part! And without having to deal with all the artichoke leaves! So, if you haven't tried them before, buy some the next time you see them (or seek them out). C'mon, live a little.

~ Monica

We have a new bike shop in town owned by the guy who owns a food-delivery-by-bike business here in Sacramento. He has been participating in Second Saturday Art Walk. We went tonight and he had these vintage touring bikes on display.

It was difficult getting pictures of the entire bikes because of the crowd of people but you can get the gist.

The owner offers bike valet, a safe place to leave your bike while patronizing the nearby restaurants and coffee shop (next door). He carries (and plans to only carry) local, handmade cycling caps, and bags including some Carsick Designs panniers. He has some big plans for his space and wants us to be a part of it which is super exciting. He is a big fan of bike touring and is talking about organizing touring classes to get more people involved.

It's 2011

I don't care so much for New Year's celebrations (excessive drinking, gunshots, and illegal fireworks that misfire way to close to my house for comfort) or New Year resolutions. Every day is the beginning of a new year, really. Why wait to lose weight or save money or pay off debt until the New Year? Is it easier to measure time by starting something new on Jan. 1? Is it easier to look back on the previous year and be proud of accomplishments and think about ways to successfully accomplish the goals not achieved?

I do agree with the act of setting resolutions and a deadline to accomplish them. The thirst to learn and grow is extremely healthy and I hope my thirst is never quenched. My issue with New Year's resolutions is that people set themselves up for failure. People are pressured to set goals for themselves because that's what you are suppose to do, rather than being motivated from deep within. Another aspect to accomplishing a goal, in addition to setting a deadline, is taking the time to create a plan that addresses exactly what needs to be done to make it happen. I have a feeling isn't getting done by many New Year's Resolutionists.

To be forthright, I've never set a NYR and I can't recall ever knowing anyone that has, or at least that let me in on their secret. So maybe my take on NYR's is all a story I've made up to make myself feel better about the fear of failure and going against the norm.

One little word with so many different meanings....

res·o·lu·tion (rĕzˌə-lo͞oˈshən)

noun

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.
4. A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as the U.S. Congress.
5. Physics & Chemistry The act or process of separating or reducing something into its constituent parts: the prismatic resolution of sunlight into its spectral colors.
6. The fineness of detail that can be distinguished in an image, as on a video display terminal.
7. Medicine The subsiding or termination of an abnormal condition, such as a fever or an inflammation.
8. Law A court decision.
9. a. An explanation, as of a problem or puzzle; a solution.
   b. The part of a literary work in which the complications of the plot are resolved or simplified.
10. Music
    a. The progression of a dissonant tone or chord to a consonant tone or chord.
    b. The tone or chord to which such a progression is made.
11. The substitution of one metrical unit for another, especially the substitution of two short syllables for one long syllable in quantitative verse.

Carsick Designs

We will have a booth at the Bazaar Bizarre in San Francisco this weekend, selling panniers, backpacks, and tool bags.

Autumn bike commuting can be done

One thing I love about bike commuting is experiencing the transition from one season to another. I know winter is coming when I no longer wear my shorts and short sleeved shirt on my morning commute. I've learned that having the right tools for the job makes all the difference. When it comes to winter bike commuting for me that means long johns, wool socks, a wool long sleeved under shirt, my home made head band to cover my ears (made from the sleeve of a 2nd hand merino wool sweater) and some sort of wind breaker or rain jacket, depending on the weather. Or one of Brian's merino wool button ups that I've taken a liking to this year.

Wool has won my heart only within the past few years. I grew up hating wool. Having sensitive skin, just the thought of it made me itchy! But I've grown to love merino wool for active wear. It's warm when you need it to be and cool when you need it to be. It breathes and doesn't stink like synthetic active wear does. I do get a little itchy from the merino wool but it's only slight and it's only when cooling down after being hot and sweaty. And for me, the advantages far outweigh this little irritation that soon passes. If you are reluctant about wool as I was, start with something small, like socks to try it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

There have been quite a few occasions when I've thought "that would be a great picture" while commuting on my way to work. I've thought about carrying my camera with me but I'm usually running late so it's best that I don't. Brian took the camera with him this week. Here are a few pics he took.

beautiful sunrise on a chilly, foggy morning commute

even though traffic isn't so bad, riding is more fun than driving

checking to see how visible the bike is

A cyclist stopped Brian and asked about his green lights. The guy told Brian he was really noticeable, easy to see. They are two Down Low Glows from Rock the Bike and can be found at www.rockthebike.com. Another place to get similar lights is Bike Brightz, www.bikebrightz.com.

Let's help each other not be afraid of the dark and cold.

Our new tiny home. On wheels

Brian and I went and picked up the Sportscoach yesterday. I have to admit I was uneasy about it all week. I kept asking myself "Are we making the right decision?" "Why are we buying a motorhome again?" "Is this going to be a money pit?" Our whole plan is to make our life simpler, less complicated, less cluttered with stuff, and I wonder if this is going to hinder that plan. Then, on Friday, I looked at pictures I had taken of it, and I was excited about it.

The moment I saw it yesterday I became excited again and those questions disappeared. What's the point on dwelling on them? It's too late. We bought it. It's ours. I have to remind myself that this wasn't a spur of the moment decision. We've been leading up to this for the past couple of years. Living full time in our coach and traveling is going to be a more enjoyable life than spending our days going to jobs that we don't like in order to pay for our home that is too big for us, and to pay for the useless 'stuff' we've managed to fill it with. A home that we don't get to enjoy because we spend our time working to pay for.

The seller and I took care of the paperwork while Brian attached the windshield wipers we had purchased on our way up to get it since the forecast called for rain. $35. And so it begins.

Brian was super nervous about his first time behind the wheel of a motorhome. He drove it for about 10 minutes on a test drive last week but this was going to be a 45 minute drive, on the freeway, in the rain. He did great and got us home safely. He parked it on the street, turned it off and opened our gate to back it into the back yard. When he went to start it again, it struggled and didn't start. Sounded like a dead battery. I thought "Oh great! Here we go. We just bought a piece of junk." Turns out it was a loose battery cable and Brian got it into our yard like he'd done it a hundred times before.

Here are some pics. We will be doing some remodeling because we feel that some of it is "god awful" so stay tuned for the upgrades.

The couch folds down into a bed.

The captains chairs swivel around and the little table is removable and there is a larger table to be put in its place.

"10-4 big buddy". Yes, we have a cb.

Yes, that is a built in blender! There are other gadgets offered for it online like a food processor and coffee grinder. 

The bathroom. Which will be getting a makeover.

Lots of built in storage and a walk way next to the bed which was a plus for me. Part of the counter folds  up and makes a vanity. I don't plan on using that but it's a cool feature. I WILL be using the built in hamper though.

The bar with the door closed

The ice maker

The bar with the door open. All mirrored inside.

We've Come to a Conclusion

Brian and I have spent the past couple years doing some soul searching and making some positive changes in our lives. Even though many things have changed (ride our bikes more, make healthier choices when buying groceries, no more tv to name a few) many things have stayed the same (same jobs, same house, same rat race). We've had numerous discussions about how we are not happy with our way of life. We feel like we are missing out on so much. We work 5 days a week and try to squeeze in some amount of real "living" on our two days off. The scales just don't balance out and we are working on tipping them. We've had many ideas on how to do this: We've thought about buying a rural piece of land and farming; we've talked about moving to Portland, OR; we've considered bike touring for an indefinite period of time; we've been intrigued by the thought of living in an eco community.....but there was always a feeling of reluctancy with each of our ideas, until.....

In July, on our way home from a camping trip to Buck's Lake we started up this discussion once again and came to a conclusion that we both felt comfortable and excited with. We decided to travel for an indefinite period of time in a self contained vehicle. After doing some research we decided on converting an old school bus. We actually did buy a bus about a month ago but got our money back after the DMV told us the title was suppose to be destroyed along with this bus. This got us thinking more realistically about all the work and money involved with converting a bus and we shifted gears and started looking into motorhomes. Long story short, we put a deposit on a motorhome this weekend. If it passes smog, it's ours and we'll drive it home next weekend. It's a 1983 Sportscoach. We are planning on doing some renovations just to make it our own. Here is a picture of the outside. More pics to come once it's ours.