I've tried a number of vegetarian chili recipes with countless permutations, combinations, etc. I've had some success and some struggles, but this recipe at epicurious is my favourite one so far. I'm not sure what it is exactly... maybe it's just the right amount of earthiness in the coffee grounds, but it just tastes like a chili should with an ideal KICK of spice.
Of course, tweak the proportions as you see fit. When I made it, I halved everything, but also added a can of red kidney beans and some corn too. I'd also recommend adding some jalapeños.
Anyways, give it a shot! Here it is again.
29 December 2012
28 December 2012
on christmas
4½ days... my most brief Christmas vacation ever. Such is life in residency, I suppose. I should be thankful I was a) able to go home over the break, and b) I had my time off over Christmas. Without a doubt there will be a few years in the future where I won't be so lucky.
Definitely felt too short. It was nice to see my family and many close friends, but there was no chance to have time for everyone I wanted to see. Our family is very fortunate to be able to afford to exchange gifts; I sometimes think about the contrast in emotions around Christmas if this were not the case.
One of the most unusual feelings I have in a year usually occurs around December 25th by around 10 PM. By this time, most gift exchanges, dinners, parties and masses for Christmas have all ended, and just like that the festive feeling is over. Sure, lots of relatives and family is likely still around but that sort of spirit you get with Christmas quickly zips to thinking about Boxing Day, then New Years. The Christmas songs come to a sudden halt. Nobody wears red and green anymore.
It's kind of funny because it seems every year the build-up seems to start a bit earlier. This year, it basically usurped Hallowe'en a few days before that was even done. And despite the slow rising action, its dénouement is almost non-existent.
And with that said, I see myself reflecting on 2012 and what it has brought me (oi vey, it was a lot), and also on what 2013 might have in store. Hey! I think this year I'll start my own set of predictions and see how it holds up for next year. I've never done this before. Suddenly, I'm strangely excited.
To come...
- some sort of 2012 musical wrap-up in my world
- Josh's duodenum's predictions for next year
- some vague attempt at being insightful
Definitely felt too short. It was nice to see my family and many close friends, but there was no chance to have time for everyone I wanted to see. Our family is very fortunate to be able to afford to exchange gifts; I sometimes think about the contrast in emotions around Christmas if this were not the case.
One of the most unusual feelings I have in a year usually occurs around December 25th by around 10 PM. By this time, most gift exchanges, dinners, parties and masses for Christmas have all ended, and just like that the festive feeling is over. Sure, lots of relatives and family is likely still around but that sort of spirit you get with Christmas quickly zips to thinking about Boxing Day, then New Years. The Christmas songs come to a sudden halt. Nobody wears red and green anymore.
It's kind of funny because it seems every year the build-up seems to start a bit earlier. This year, it basically usurped Hallowe'en a few days before that was even done. And despite the slow rising action, its dénouement is almost non-existent.
And with that said, I see myself reflecting on 2012 and what it has brought me (oi vey, it was a lot), and also on what 2013 might have in store. Hey! I think this year I'll start my own set of predictions and see how it holds up for next year. I've never done this before. Suddenly, I'm strangely excited.
To come...
- some sort of 2012 musical wrap-up in my world
- Josh's duodenum's predictions for next year
- some vague attempt at being insightful
22 December 2012
Back home
it's strange the sense of familiarity home brings. I arrived late tonight/this AM and everything about my childhood/adolescent/early adulthood house brings an odd sense of comfort.
Even the weather produces a similar effect. Contrasting it with the miserable slush and snow/rain puke I experienced in Ottawa (or maybe I was just miserable), I found the straightforward cold of -20 C rather... comforting too.
Also, check out my old classmate's new blog. If you meet him in person, his ego would seem as big as his shoe size which is probably 13-14, but he's a great writer, sort of a nice guy, and he's in Kampala right now on elective. Makes me miss the thrills and chills of travel, immersion and experiencing expat life.
Even the weather produces a similar effect. Contrasting it with the miserable slush and snow/rain puke I experienced in Ottawa (or maybe I was just miserable), I found the straightforward cold of -20 C rather... comforting too.
Also, check out my old classmate's new blog. If you meet him in person, his ego would seem as big as his shoe size which is probably 13-14, but he's a great writer, sort of a nice guy, and he's in Kampala right now on elective. Makes me miss the thrills and chills of travel, immersion and experiencing expat life.
06 December 2012
Dusting off some neglected artists
The other day when I was making my morning mix I realized my library had become more full of artists I've enjoyed in the last 3-5 years. While I still like listening to them, it made me a bit sad I had neglected some more classic artists that played a bigger role in my life when I was younger. It's time to bring back a few of these guys...
- Oasis
- Depeche Mode
- AC/DC
- Soundgarden
- Miles Davis
- John Coltrane
- Travis
- Foo Fighters
- N*E*R*D (ie "In Search Of...)
- Weezer
- The Who
- Sam Roberts
- Matthew Good
- The Smashing Pumpkins
- R.E.M.
It's been a while...
02 December 2012
01 December 2012
New mix: Wake up!
A new playlist for all of you... for best results, listen to it in the mornings or when you need an injection of energy :)
Features the likes of Oasis, The Who, Passion Pit, Alex Winston and Cults
Features the likes of Oasis, The Who, Passion Pit, Alex Winston and Cults
26 November 2012
If a tree falls...
Time for some free-writing...
Post-call day (day off after a 24-hour or overnight shift)! I'm sitting at home after a workout and my limbs feel similar to jelly, satisfied after a relatively healthy lunch. It's 15:48, what to do? I've already caught up on Walking Dead (can't wait for the mid-season finale), drinking some fresh ground and brewed coffee. For some reason, Kid Cudi is hitting the spot at this moment. I couldn't really tell you why. If James were here, he'd insist I play "Make Her Say"... he's obsessed with that song.
I'm not really sure who reads this on a sporadic, semi-regular or a creepily regularly basis but I sometimes wonder. Obviously this is a post rich in deadwood, but lacking in conciseness. Are people frustrated reading this? Can this considered a frustrating post if nobody reads it?
Let's go with some rapid-fire thoughts:
- There is a cupcake beside me but I think I'll enjoy it after I take a shower.
- I am sad my other friends who have blogs have not kept up... it makes Google Reader a lot more boring.
- I would be willing to bet money the NHL season is lost. Not many of you would take me up on that bet because it is looking more obvious. I have been thinking this for the past month... so maybe if I said this earlier there would be a much more lively discussion. Anyways, the NHL and the players are making their bed.
- I think I steeped this second cup of coffee for too long. Whoops.
- Yesterday when I was on call for family med/obstetrics I heard about a terrible case about a newborn who is braindead. I wish I could write more about it. Sometimes medicine is brutal.
- The song I want any of you who are still reading to hear is "Ride" by Lana del Rey. She has gone through some rough patches as her fame increases (SNL, some nasty rumours) but you can't deny this is an awesome track. I feel that she maybe sings a bit too low for her range in some parts, but man she has a haunting voice.
Post-call day (day off after a 24-hour or overnight shift)! I'm sitting at home after a workout and my limbs feel similar to jelly, satisfied after a relatively healthy lunch. It's 15:48, what to do? I've already caught up on Walking Dead (can't wait for the mid-season finale), drinking some fresh ground and brewed coffee. For some reason, Kid Cudi is hitting the spot at this moment. I couldn't really tell you why. If James were here, he'd insist I play "Make Her Say"... he's obsessed with that song.
I'm not really sure who reads this on a sporadic, semi-regular or a creepily regularly basis but I sometimes wonder. Obviously this is a post rich in deadwood, but lacking in conciseness. Are people frustrated reading this? Can this considered a frustrating post if nobody reads it?
Let's go with some rapid-fire thoughts:
- There is a cupcake beside me but I think I'll enjoy it after I take a shower.
- I am sad my other friends who have blogs have not kept up... it makes Google Reader a lot more boring.
- I would be willing to bet money the NHL season is lost. Not many of you would take me up on that bet because it is looking more obvious. I have been thinking this for the past month... so maybe if I said this earlier there would be a much more lively discussion. Anyways, the NHL and the players are making their bed.
- I think I steeped this second cup of coffee for too long. Whoops.
- Yesterday when I was on call for family med/obstetrics I heard about a terrible case about a newborn who is braindead. I wish I could write more about it. Sometimes medicine is brutal.
- The song I want any of you who are still reading to hear is "Ride" by Lana del Rey. She has gone through some rough patches as her fame increases (SNL, some nasty rumours) but you can't deny this is an awesome track. I feel that she maybe sings a bit too low for her range in some parts, but man she has a haunting voice.
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