Link Juice: TEA

TEA

My cooking companion site www.theemptyspoon.com has just posted a three part series on the basics of proper tea brewing. Avoiding all of the big words normally associated with organic products, I will simply state that a tea brewed well is both delicious and nutritious. I love sitting down with some Coldplay and reading some heart warming book about puppies or philosophy, or puppies in philosophy (a fascinating subject!).

So why aren't you drinking extravagant and wonderful loose leaf teas? Because you haven't read this yet.

Also don't fail to check out Alton Brown's "Good Eats" episode on tea. By the by, this show deserves its own post, it is charming, access able, and brilliantly informative.
--"True Brew" part one, part two

Keep Breathing
Nathan Bihm
6:36 AM- Southeast Texas

Yerba Matte

It is awesome.
Yerba Matte is a tea sort of, and a coffee sort of. Think if green tea on steroids had a baby with espresso, and the baby was ridiculously healthy and completely woke you up without giving you a buzz or jitters.

Yerba Matte takes an industrial leaf blower to that fog that rests just inside your skull and leaves you bright, chipper, and ready to punch a live grizzly bear right in the jaw.

 http://www.guayaki.com/ -- Guayaki is the only brand I trust as of yet, although www.ebay.com ussualy has good quality tea for much cheaper, if I come across a brand I trust I will recommend it to you.



P.S. Tomorrow I will put together a much needed tutorial on how to do tea right (disclaimer: It does not involve lipton, sugar, or tea bags...)

Keep Breathing
Nathan Bihm
12:50 AM - Southeast Texas

LINK JUICE

BELOW 

A clever blogg post about easing some of life's annoyances, and appreciating your life a little bit more. Enjoy!

http://lifehacker.com/5781093/top-10-solutions-to-real-lifes-most-annoying-problems

FOOD: Brussel Sprouts

IT IS TIME...... TO COOK!

Brussel Sprouts

awwwwww yeahhhhhhhh!!!  

What are they you ask!? They are neat little cabbages that hold little flavor on their own, but when sautéed in butter, olive oil and garlic, and then finished with salt, pepper and (insert Italian esq herb here; eg thyme, basil, oregano, etc.) they develop an interesting and delightful texture (slightly firm, tiny little cabbage leaves flake apart in mouth) and store all of that buttery garlicy goodness in-between their leaves.

They are healthy, easy to cook, and generally an over all food win. Go for it.

INSTRUCTIONS:
You need to go on an epic quest of gathering, be sure to return to your homeland with these mighty items:

Hardware:
1 sauté pan- fancy
1 stove- go gas or go home
1 knife-  Chef's knife, you need no other knife... EVER

Software:
2 handfuls of brussel sprouts (they are usually sold by the box, if so, one small box)
4 or 5 cloves of crushed garlic (break apart garlic, crush with flat of blade, peal, enjoy garlicy wonderfulness)
2 tblspoons of butter (REAL butter not that crap that comes in a bucket)
2 tblspoons olive oil (normal olive oil, virgin will do if it's all you have)

THEN:

Cut brussel sprouts in half
heat pan over medium heat with butter olive oil and garlic in it
when butter is all melted and foamy and the garlic is filling your household with its godlike aroma add the brussel sprouts cut side down down and let them sit there for about 7 minutes (don't flip them).

After 7 minutes start testing the little guys, poke them with your fork, chew on them a little. You want them to be tender and fall apart in your mouth, and you want the cut side to look a little browned and fancy. You don't want them to be bitter hard little half cabbages, nor do you want them to be a congealed mass of cabbage and butter. Firm and flaky is key.

Now you could top them in Parmesan cheese, throw them with pasta, or engorge yourself upon them like a fat kid in candyland. The choice is yours.

Serve them to your lady/gentleman friend to impress them with your exotic taste in vegetables. Peas and broccoli are for chumps.


Keep breathing
Nathan Bihm
9:24 AM - Southeast Texas

Music: Hugh Laurie

Wait.. Music? Yes that's right, the illustrious, wickedly talented Hugh Laurie has jumped from the British sketch comedy show "A bit of Fry and Laurie" to the dark brooding drama "House MD" to creating a blues album called "Let them talk".

Blues in general is extremely fun to listen to, and is a wonderful way to really make the most of the times when one is dragged down emotionally for some reason, like if they are cheated on, or lose their job, or fall incredibly ill. Blues will help life them up.

On the album he is singing and playing piano, it is quite like hearing his character "House" play music which fans of the show (like me) will be delighted to hear. Check it out on grooveshark
or down below.

Have fun revelling in a little blues,
Keep Breathing
Nathan Bihm
7:41 PM- Southeast Texas

Music: Joao Gilberto

He sings soft Portuguese songs to the tune of a single acoustic guitar. Put your feet up and cuddle with some one, or maybe watch a sunset, or maybe drive into a sunset while cuddling with someone. Whatever you choose to do it is better experienced with Mr. Gilberto playing in the background.       Enjoy-

Keep Breathing
Nathan Bihm
1:09 AM - Southeast Texas

Intellectualism VS Happiness

I just spent a lovely week and a half with my girlfriend, and had plenty of time to think of things I enjoy. Ironically she has gone back to school so I am not quite at my happiest, but a bit of pain is a part of being alive.

ANYWAY- about being an intellectual wang

This post can be summed up in one sentence- I do not take advice from unhappy people that tell me I should be living my life differently.
In addition, I try very hard not to criticize those who are enjoying life by calling them idiots, when I am wallowing in boredom or depression or some other mental funk.

There is nothing wrong with being a jock and being happy, there is something wrong with being smarter than everyone else and letting that fact get in the way of your enjoyment of life.

Keep Breathing
Nathan Bihm
12:13 PM- Southeast Texas