{"id":1625,"date":"2015-08-09T19:13:32","date_gmt":"2015-08-09T16:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hbne.co.il\/?p=1625"},"modified":"2019-11-05T13:53:41","modified_gmt":"2019-11-05T11:53:41","slug":"alte-zachen-not-quite-yet%e2%80%8e","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hbne.co.il\/?p=1625","title":{"rendered":"Alte Zachen? Not Quite Yet!\u200e"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"PicMonkey<\/a>
Meet Jack: always on the right<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It has been my experience that bikers, specifically mountain bikers, are \u200ea very down to earth and friendly crowd. I cannot recall meeting a \u200e\u200e\u201cMTBer\u201d (mountain biker) that I did not feel an affinity for. It was my \u200egreat pleasure to meet Jack, our bed and breakfast host, on our recent \u200evacation.\u200e<\/p>\n

I was mesmerized by him; this charming Scottish bloke who was once \u200ea biker himself (a "roadie" no less but we loved him all the same). In a heartbeat I would have adopted him into our \u200efamily.\u200e..<\/p>\n

Hot days have been my playground of late.<\/h2>\n

The heat is all \u200eencompassing. I can\u2019t seem to shake it off of my trail. My travels have \u200etaken me to The Pacific Northwest, The Okanogan Valley, The Big \u200eApple and back home again to my little corner in The Middle East: \u200ehome sweat home. Did I ever tell you that I was never one to sweat a \u200elot\u2026\u200e<\/p>\n

Not so dry these days\u2026\u200e<\/h2>\n

I landed in Seattle on the tail end of an atypical heatwave. When we \u200etravelled north to Vancouver for the unveiling of my mother\u2019s \u200eheadstone, we were met by severe lawn sprinkling regulations. By the \u200enext day the restrictions read: \u200e<\/p>\n

\n

\u200e\u201cDue to unseasonably dry and hot weather, and record low inflows to \u200eour reservoirs, Metro Vancouver has further restricted water use. ALL \u200eLAWN SPRINKLING IS NOW PROHIBITED.\u201d \u200e<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"mom\"<\/a>
An evergreen final resting place<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Seattle and Vancouver are my old stomping grounds. They are \u200ecelebrated as evergreen gems. Hey everyone knows that: \u200e\u200e\u201cVancouverites don't tan; they rust.\u201d Surreal it was to hear about the \u200ewater restrictions.\u200e<\/p>\n

When will this horrific heat release its hold on us?\u200e<\/h2>\n

We took some vacation time to play in the Okanogan Valley. It is a hot \u200eand dry area with weather similar to that of Israel. We made our first \u200estop at a visitor\u2019s information center and were accosted by a vacuum \u200eof stifling red HOT air as we opened our car door. Every day we \u200elearned of yet another forest fire. There too, the pine needles needed \u200elittle encouragement to flame up.\u200e<\/p>\n

The cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me awaited us in the steam baths of New York City. \u200eWe were fortunate this trip. On the eve of our travels to N.Y. a \u200ethunderstorm blew in and out of the area, cleaning the air in its path. \u200eWe were graced with an unusually hot but dry New York summer \u200eheat.\u200e<\/p>\n

At the airport, while waiting for our flight back home, we caught a \u200eweather report on the television screen. We saw a map of The United \u200eStates in full color. From east to west and from north to south it was \u200eshocking hot red!\u200e<\/p>\n

Back at home and still fighting jet lag, I was in the saddle again and \u200eready to take on the heat. We meant to leave at the crack of dawn \u200ebut I only managed to pull myself out the door at 7:30 am.\u200e<\/p>\n

This week was laced with unusually brutal temperatures: I barely left \u200emy air conditioned fortress. This day I knew that leaving the house at \u200ea later time would paralyze any ability I had to deal with the elements \u200eawaiting outside of our doorstep.\u200e<\/p>\n

\n

Not the first time I left with a cloud of dread. \u200e<\/em>
\nYes, I was going to pay dearly for this \u2026\u200e<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Saturday\u2019s ride we broke from habit and chose to ride with a group. \u200eHubby and I joined a band of close to ten testosterone dominant \u200ebombers and little ol\u2019 me\u2026\u200e<\/p>\n

I will be the first to admit that my stead is first rate; my mountain \u200ebiking skills are good and I am generally fit. On this day, however, my \u200eform was decrepitly alte zachen (from the Yiddish: old things)! \u200e<\/p>\n

SMS, SOS – Save Me Swiftly!<\/h2>\n

As we inched closer to our mid braking recalibration point, I plotted to \u200ecall in for help and evacuate the premises. I was feeling ever so dizzy \u200eand nauseous: surely not omens of good fortune\u2026 Although I am \u200eusually one to tough it out, on this occasion I was fully content with \u200emy decision to leave the pack behind.\u200e<\/p>\n

Our break was well welcomed indeed, not so much by the distance we \u200etravelled but by the oppressive biking conditions. Blessed were we to \u200ecome and rest at the foothills of the ancient Zippori ruins and the \u200eZippori Stream complete with its own pool of water which seemed to \u200ebe calling my name: \u201cCome home to me baby\u2026\u201d \u200e<\/p>\n

\"tzippori\"<\/a>
Our haven awaits<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At moments like these there is no hesitation, no self-consciousness \u200eand little regard for the invested threads. There is no time to wade; it \u200eis an all or nothing matter. Complete submersion and submission from \u200ehead to toe it was. No time or thoughts to remove any clothing. In I \u200ewent: I plopped straight down to the pool\u2019s floor.\u200e<\/p>\n

\"pool2\"<\/a>
It's a pool party<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I cannot begin to do justice to the feelings of joy and gratitude that \u200eflooded my very being. From the clutches of Hells Gate freefalling into \u200etemperatures well below 20 degrees Celsius, there was a God in \u200eHeaven! Halleluiah! \u200e<\/p>\n

\"nicer\"<\/a>
Heaven on Earth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I splashed water over myself again and again with childlike glee. We \u200eshared homemade treats with one another and lingered more than \u200eusual. With reluctance but rejuvenated, I dunked my \u201cBuff\u201d (head \u200ecovering) one last time and mounted my stead, joining our group for \u200ethe return ride.\u200e<\/p>\n

Although surely the temperatures had risen higher, we had our own \u200epersonal air conditioning units from head to toe. The hot summer heat \u200efiltered through our wet clothing, treating us to an unexpected cool \u200ebreeze of bliss.\u200e<\/p>\n

Certain I was that I would call in a tow truck to save my battered \u200ebones and I was ok with that. Gone are my superwoman days; I need \u200enot pace myself to the speed of others.\u200e<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n

To be bold is allowing yourself to not always be first.\u200e<\/strong>
\nTo be bold is knowing when to break and recalibrate.\u200e<\/strong>
\nTo be bold is nothing less than knowing when to stop and backtrack.\u200e<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be bold is doing what is right for you at any given moment.\u200e<\/strong><\/p>\n

To be bold is to venture and taste what life has to offer. \u200e<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n
\n

\n<\/blockquote>\n

Some time ago I took a healthy cooking class with a vibrant woman by \u200ethe name of Tziona Melman<\/a>. One of the most important tools which \u200eshe gave me was the power to venture in the kitchen. I am happy to \u200econfess that I have been on a gastronomic adventure ever since. \u200eThank you Tziona for your marvelous gift.\u200e<\/p>\n

For some time I have been cooking up creations in my beautiful blue \u200eceramic crock pot. It is handmade by the talented Laurie Sartani<\/a> from \u200eMerchavia. I love using it on the weekend as a slow cooker. This frees \u200eme and allows me to mountain bike, dance or play with family and \u200efriends. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it is to come home \u200eafter a long day of play and have a hot scrumptious meal ready at \u200ehand.\u200e<\/p>\n

\n

Healthy, Delicious & Easy<\/h2>\n

In general, slow cooking is not only healthier but it bears the gift of \u200esavory tender flavors. There are multiple advantages to slow cooking:\u200e<\/p>\n

\u2666\u00a0Lower temperatures better preserve nutrient integrity.\u200e
\n\u2666 Provides richer and fuller flavors.\u200e
\n\u2666\u00a0A good vessel will conserve heat and is conveniently mobile.\u200e
\n\u2666 Prevents formation of carcinogenic compounds of HCA and PAH \u200ewhen cooking meat.\u200e
\n\u2666 Can be used as a convenient and healthy alternative to fast food.\u200e
\n\u2666 The meal is concentrated in one container. It is an easy cleanup.\u200e<\/p>\n

I am bestowing you with my recipe for this week\u2019s Saturday lunch.\u200e<\/p>\n

I invite you to discover the art of improvisation in the kitchen. Please \u200esubstitute and add in to please your taste buds and palate. Feel free to \u200eshare your creations here.\u200e<\/p>\n

In a Crock Pot \u2013 Slow Cooked Vegan Casserole<\/h2>\n
\"crockpot\"<\/a>
Easy steps from left to right<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To Soak:<\/strong>\u200e<\/p>\n

\u200e2 c dried chick peas
\n\u200e2 c whole risotto (round) rice
\n\u200e1 c dried apricot\u200e<\/p>\n

To Blend:\u200e<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u200e1 peeled and cubed sweet potato
\n\u200e1 cubed zucchini
\n\u200e3 cloves of garlic\u200e
\n\u200e2 c water (can use water from soaked apricots)\u200e
\n\u200e1\u200e\u200f\u00bd\u200f\u200e T whole cumin seed
\n\u200e1\u200e\u200f\u00bd\u200f\u200e T saffron
\nPinch of cinnamon
\nPinch of nutmeg<\/p>\n

Vegetables To Add In:<\/strong>\u200e<\/p>\n

\u200e2 cubed onions (can lightly saut\u00e9) \u200e
\n\u200e8 carrots cut to preference\u200e
\n\u200e~ 6 cabbage leaves\u200e<\/p>\n

\u200e+<\/strong>1 T coconut oil to add in to mixture\u200e<\/p>\n

Soak the rice and chick peas overnight+. I recommend soaking in \u200ewarm water with a bit of apple cider added to the water. They are \u200esoaked to remove phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors. The \u200ephytic acid \u200ewill inhibit mineral absorption. Soaking can increase \u200emineral \u200eabsorption tenfold or more. The apple cider will facilitate this \u200eprocess. It is important to rinse the rice and chick peas well after they \u200ehave been soaked. The dried apricots should be soaked in the \u200erefrigerator. The left over water from the apricots may be used for the \u200emixture in the blender for a slightly sweater taste.\u200e<\/p>\n

In the blender add the sweet potato and zucchini to the water and \u200espices and blend.\u200e
\nAdd the blended mixture to a large bowl with the rice, chick peas, \u200eapricot, vegetables and coconut oil.\u200e<\/p>\n

Mix well and add to greased crock pot.\u200e<\/p>\n

\n

I like to cover my casserole with cabbage leaves. This retains the \u200emoisture and prevents the rice and legumes from drying out. Should \u200eyou wish to prepare meat in your crock pot as well, you may lay the \u200emeat on top of the cabbage leaves. This will provide a barrier and \u200eabsorb much of the meat\u2019s fat.\u200e<\/em><\/p>\n

I like to use risotto rice but any kind of whole rice will work well. Of \u200ecourse, you may choose to work with other legumes as well. Just \u200eremember to soak them. Similarly, you may choose to add or replace \u200evegetables. You may try sweet potatoes, kohlrabi, potatoes, beets and \u200eeven cauliflower, although that will cook to be very soft.\u200e<\/em><\/p>\n

Changing the content of your casserole will require you to rethink the \u200eamount of liquids that you are adding to the pot.\u200e<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Cook at an oven temperature of 100 degrees Celsius or 210 degrees \u200eFahrenheit for about 6.5 hours.\u200e<\/p>\n

Bon App\u00e9tit! \u200e<\/h2>\n
<\/div>\r\n