Lily the Bear

Thanks to my Aunt Peggy I found out about this website. My new favorite place to go. What a great idea, they placed live web cams in different places such as a few eagles nests, a falcon nest, and my favorite Lily the black bear's den. She just had a baby cub in January but I haven't yet seen her yet. This got me interested in black bears and how they mother. I saw a few videos of mama bears and their cubs and it is such a beautiful site to see the mama bears taking care of the baby bears, they are really great mothers. It's no wonder it is a known fact that if you come between a mama bear and her cubs you're in for it. I would react the same way if some unfamiliar thing came in between my kids and I. They are very gentle creatures and I have no idea why anyone would ever want to hunt or harm these animals unless you live in the woods and this is your source of food and warmth.

Ryan is home!

On Monday evening Ry got back into town from visiting his family in NY. We are so excited to have him back, I think Eoin is most excited.

Eoin is very lucky to not only have a daddy but also a best friend.

One of my favorite things to do is to watch them play together.

The night Ry came home I'm pretty sure Eoin told hiim he loved him at least 10 times, and that is being modest. Eoin looks up to Ryan so much and he wants to be just like him in every way possible, he even wanted to sleep with no shirt on the other night because that's what daddy does. It makes me so happy to know that my son has such a great role model in his life. So we are relieved to have him home, things get a little crazy every once in a while with a 4 almost 5 year old and a 7 month old. We owe my mom somethin' really nice for all that she helped me, Eoin and Emmi with while he was gone. Since Emmi still doesn't drink out of a bottle or sippy cup, I still need to take time to nurse her. That makes it hard to also take care of and entertain Eoin.

My dad helped a little bit too by taking Emmi for baby buggy rides and stuff.

So mom, dad...thanks.

I made this vegetarian/vegan chili last night and I thought it was delicious. A recipe from Cooking Light magazine inspired me, it is pretty similar I just changed a few things.

t=tsp, T=tbls
2 red peppers-roasted or I guess you could get the jarred ones, they aren't as good though
Olive Oil
1 medium yellow onion chopped
2t ground cumin
1/2t crushed red pepper or more if you want it spicier
1t paprika
1/2t salt
4 garlic cloves roughly chopped
2 C organic veg. broth
about 1/2 butternut squash cubed
28oz. can diced tomatoes
15 oz. can pinto beans
15oz. can cannelini beans
15oz. can black beans
scallions for garnish

-Cut Peppers in half lengthwise, remove seeds and core. place skin side up on sheet tray covered in foil. Broil in oven on hi until skins are black. When skins turn black place peppers in a ziploc bag or in a bowl covered in plastic wrap for about 10 minutes or until skins are loose. Remove skins and chop peppers
-Saute onions in olive oil
-when onions become tender add everything up to and including garlic
-saute until garlic is fragrant
-Add peppers, broth, squash, tomatoes
-bring to simmer and cook 20 minutes
-Add beans and simmer for another 25 minutes (at this point I placed it in my slow cooker and turned it on low for about an hour)
-garnish with scallions and serve with cornbread

Enjoy!
-

P.S. I'm loving these guys right now and for a good laugh click here

Book Report

I just finished this great book called In Defense Of Food An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan. I suggest everyone read it. There are a lot of important and interesting things in this book about food. It really made me   think, is it food that I am putting into my body, or merely just a food product? One interseting study they talked about in this book was a study done in 1982 involving a group of 10 overweight, diabetic aborigines living in settlements of Australia. They participated in an experiment to see if temporarily reversing the westernization they had undergone might also reverse their health problems. Since leaving the bush 2 years earlier all 10 of them developed type 2 diabetes and were showing early signs of heart disease. The Aborigines returned to their traditional homeland, an isolated region. They had no access to store food or beverages; they had to rely on foods they hunted and gathered. After 7 weeks in the bush, all had lost weight, their blood pressure dropped and all of the metabolic abnormalities of type 2 diabetes were either greatly improved or completely normalized.

     I think that it is very important to eat healthy. I notice such a huge difference in not only my moods and energy level, but also Eoin, when we eat processed foods. I also think that there is enough scintific evidence to prove the fact that our diet can lead to so many health problems, physical and mental. Other than just plainly eating whole foods, there are some other simple rules to go by:
 1. Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.
2. Avoid food products containing ingredients that are A) unfamiliar, B)unpronouncebale, C) more than 5 in number, or that include D) high fructose corn syrup.
3. Avoid food products that make health claims.
4. Shop the peripheries of the supermarket and stay out of the middle
5. Get out of the supermarket whenever possible (shop at farmers markets, do CSA)
6. Eat mostly plants, especially leaves (choose organic)
7. You are what you eat eats too (pertaining to what the cow, chicken, pig eats. Choose grass fed or pastured)
8. Eat well-grown food from healthy soils
9. Eat wild foods when you can
10. Eat more like the french. Or the Italians. Or the Japenese. Or the Indians. Or the Greeks.
11. Regard non-traditional foods with skepticism (soy products instead of tofu)
12. Don't look for the magic bullet in the traditional diet (the foods in traditional diets all work together to form a powerful symbiosis)
13. Have a glass of wine with dinner
14. Pay more for your food, eat less (quality over quanitity)
15. Eat meals (stop snacking)
16. Do all your eating at a table
17. Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does
18. Try not to eat alone
19. Consult your gut (when you are full, stop eating)
20. Eat slowly
21. Cook, and if you can, plant a garden

I would like to add my own rule:
If it says sugar-free, diet, or low fat on it. Don't eat it! I may not be a scientist or a nutritionist but I truly believe that the chemicals they use to make diet products will cause cancer.

Let's all make good choices about what we are putting into our body and our children's body.

by Ryan

My mom's friends from high school took her to her radiation treatment today. They had been planning to do this for a while, and mom had a great time seeing them. For me, it was great to spend some quality time with my grandparents, Michelle, Darrin, Zoe, and Ethan today. We hit the road at 11am en route to South Bay, in Clemons, NY for some ice fishing. Grandpa has taken me ice fishing since I was a wee lad, and occasionally we actually catch some fish. There's something to be said about the comradery of the experience that makes up for catching no fish. I told grandpa that we were fishers of men, and he was also impressed with my latin. He decided to repeat the sign of the cross over each one of our tip-ups. As he would say, "in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit," I would repeat, "In nomine patris, et filii, et spiritus sanctum." Perhaps we should try praying in Italian next time... Regardless, it was great to brave the cold and learn just that much more about life.

On the road to Clemons via Putnam

4-wheel drive is a necessity to get up Michelle and Darrin's driveway

Darrin towed the shanty onto the ice so the kids could have a refuge from the cold

Driving out on the ice

We drilled 8 holes with the auger to no avail

Darrin & Michelle's house as seen from the ice. (Camera in full zoom)

Zoe was awesome today. She would have stayed out on the ice all day if she could.

We then returned to eat a great dinner provided by one of mom's friends. We watched the olympics, and Shaun White take it home for team USA. Another great day in the north country. PEACE

Who's with me?

As soon as I saw the cover of the book "A Walk in the Woods" I knew it would happen. I am completely intrigued once again with hiking the Appalachian Trail. I don't think that I would be able to be a "thru-hiker", one who starts in Georgia and hikes until they finish in Maine, but I think I would want to be a "section-hiker". Take a few weeks each year and hike sections of the trail. I must confess a few things though. I am nowhere near being a professional hiker or even a hiker for that matter. I think the last hike that I went on was like 6 or 7 years ago and it was just a day hike up a small mountain. I have never hiked with a 40 pound pack, done an overnight hike or even made food in the woods. I wouldn't really know what to do if I ever got approached by some wild animal such as a bear. I am afraid of the woods at night. I probably am not in good enough shape to even do a section. I have absolutely no equipment or clothing for something like this. In spite of it all, something about being out in the wilderness and walking from Georgia to Maine really interests me. I figure after the first couple days I would get the hang of it. I hope to do my first section in the next 5 years. So this leaves me with one question, who's with me?? I'm serious.

Beef Stroganoff

by Ryan

For those that do not know, the actual purpose of my stay in the north country is to spend time with my mother, Wendy who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing radiation therapy for 33 days. After radiation, she will be doing chemo treatments until May 3rd (a day before her birthday). We all feel that an ideal birthday present will be to not have to go through this anymore. She is doing very well considering the circumstances.

It is great spending time with family. I had a chance to visit with my grandparents, Peg and Elliott, as well as my lil cuz Liam. Enjoy the pics!

Seeing this truck on the road really made me feel at home.

The best way to drink a stewart's coffee is 1/2 Hazlenut, 1/2 French Vanilla, Half & Half, with the GOOD lid, and sipped through a red stirring straw. Sometimes it's good to be picky.

It's really nice to see some snow! Here's a view of the back yard at my mom's new house.

This is my mother Wendy relaxing at home.

This is my Aunt Mary's son, Liam. We had a great time playing trains together.

My grandparents had their kitchen completely remodeled which consisted of knocking out a wall. I couldn't believe I was in the same house. It looks like a kitchen out of a magazine.

Mom and Grandma in the kitchen. Grandma was making her famous beef stroganoff and strawberry shortcake. Thanks grandma, it was great!

Grandpa in the kitchen. Can't wait to hit the ice tomorrow and catch some dinner!

Here's the stroganoff.

Eating popcorn now and watching LOST. See you on the ice tomorrow!

Single Motherhood

While my husband is off brewing beer and visiting breweries, I am playing single mother of 2. I have to say for any single mother out there, I don't know how you do it. Thankfully we live with my parents and my mom has been "playing Ryan" all weekend. It is so hard because once one goes to sleep the other needs attention so it is really like you don't ever get a break. For those of you who know Eoin, you know that he is a VERY strong willed individual (a great quality in my opinion) which makes it twice as stressful. We are managing to make it though, but are counting down the days until Daddy gets home (7). So ok I admit it, I can't do it all myself. For those of you who have kids and either don't have a partner or have one but they work a lot or play a lot or whatever may be the case, I have a newfound respect for you. Everything is going well though, I make it sound worse than it really is, I am just being dramatic.

I found this video/song and love it!
I am reading this book right now and recommend it to everyone who has an interest in the food that they eat.

Have a great day everyone!

Hoppy Trails from the ADK's!

by Ryan

So I have arrived to the northcountry and spent some time with Gregson & Rachel in Albany before trekking to Ti to see my mother. We brewed some beer and visited some damn good breweries: Brewery OMMEGANG, The Cooperstown Brewing Company, & Brown's Brewery. Here are some photos of the brewing process:

First you take a hop, ideally several hops

You're not looking at pea soup. These are hops decomposing in water.

These beer ingrediants will stink up your house for at least a day

The malt is added to the mix. REALLY sticky stuff! Don't spill!

Here's the finished product ready to be transfered to the Ale Pail and then bottled

This is done by way of gravity and a hose so as not to disturb the consistency of the beer.

The bottles are sanitized, stacked, and ready to be filled with life's elixir.

We recycled used beer bottles. Naturally not all of the bottles made the cut. Notice the tiny white speck at the bottom of the bottle. Spiders think that beer bottles make a great place to lay eggs. Needless to say, every bottle is checked thoroughly even before the sanitizing process begins.

After the beer is bottled, it is then capped with this nifty capping device.

I had a great time learning how to brew beer. I have left out many steps for time's sake, but it's a glimpse into the brewing process. These finished bottles are then stored in a dark environment for a given period of time (30+ days) depending on the type of beer.

We decided to be schooled even further in the brewing process by the good folks at Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown Brewing Company, and Brown's Brewery:

Ommegang is a traditional Belgian Brewery making the finest quality Belgian Beer known to mankind. Alright, that's like my opinion, but it happens to be correct.

The Brewery is a reconstructed traditional Belgian farmhouse.

Nice silo thingy outside Ommegang

Best bathroom at Cooperstown Brewing Co

Outside of Brown's Brewery in Troy, NY. Here's a cool history lesson. Did you know "Uncle Sam" was from Troy, NY. What was that wikipedia? OH!:

"A businessman from Troy, New York, Samuel Wilson, provided the army with beef and pork in barrels during the War of 1812. The barrels were prominently labeled "U.S." for the United States, but it was jokingly said that the letters stood for "Uncle Sam." Soon, Uncle Sam was used as shorthand for the federal government."

Needless to say, Uncle Sam is the iconic, fictional, local hero of Troy. Here is "uncle sam's" gravestone in Troy:

Cool gargoyle drinking a beer at Brown's

Alligator Alley

by Ryan

Hello Blogosphere! It's Ryan, the last gunslinger. I'm here searching hither and yon for the man in black. This is my very first blog post and is only a test. Do not change your screen resolution. Here are some test pictures from my trip across Alligator Alley yesterday. More to come from the frigid, desolate North country.

Speaking of desolate, the Big Cypress Preserve was devoid of much wildlife, save for a collection of egrets and vultures- most likely picking the remains of chilled alligator carcasses. The cypress trees were mostly dead as well. I apologize, but I wasn't able to snap any photos of fauna as I was speeding down the alley.

Natural Products

Not only am I on a natural cleaning product kick, I am also on a natural personal care product kick. First of all I don't know why I ever used chemicals to clean with, there are natural products that work exactly the same without doing damage to your skin, lungs and who knows what else. I tried vinegar and water to clean the bathroom with and guess what, it works. Who knew? I also went and purchased this new soap and let me tell you it is so much better than the fake stuff. I feel cleaner, my skin is soft, and it is all natural fragrance. Ok maybe I am a little behind on the natural product boat, but hey at least I caught on eventually.

Connecting to a Deeper Reality

We can learn a lot from the Buddist religion on how to be a better person and live our lives to be more fulfilled. There is an ancient practice known as the Four Mind Changers. It helps us turn our hearts and minds to Dharma (truth and reality) and away from worldliness, confusion, and ordinary habits. Even though I do not officially practice buddhism I think that reflecting on these 4 basic thoughts will help keep me grounded in reality and conscious of what is truly important.

1. "I have been blessed with a life in which I can do many things to further my own happiness and the happiness of those around me."

2. "Life is short; there is no time to waste"

3. "The journey through life isn't supposed to be easy; It's supposed to be real"

4. "Our karma is the one thing we carry with us always"

                                                                    Emmi reflecting