It’s been a ridiculously long time since I’ve last made a post I’m sure anyone passing by would think I’m bored – but, honestly, I’m not, I’m just on vacation. In this blog I wanted to offer another glimpse into my version of eating healthy and I thought “what better way than with photographs”.

I remember how hard it was in the beginning to cross over into a less-meat more-vegetable diet. Grocery stores don’t make this easy because what you’re accustom to and craving is texture. So, when the only soy meat you can find is either over-priced veggie burgers and silken tofu that has no business being on the shelf sold as a meat substitute one is left to wonder how you can survive. Well, the truth is what you’re looking for is not available at your local grocer for unknown reasons except that maybe you haven’t requested they buy what you want.

The only tofu I’ve ever found to be dense enough to enjoy is Wildwood Super Firm Tofu. Reason being is that when the tofu is made it is pressed for a much longer period of time so as to get most of the water out.  There isn’t any need to have to drain this tofu either as it’s vacuumed sealed with little water already.  The end result is more dense like cheese, which, in my opinion helps as I can easily cut out meat and cheese with this texture.

This is a simple taco recipe.

  • Slice the tofu a quarter of an inch thick or less.
  • Mix 2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon no-beef in 3/4 cup water (you can use less as this will be on the salty side)
  • Smash one piece of garlic
  • Teaspoon of Onion powder (or fresh onion)
  • Teaspoon of Peanut or Olive oil
  • Teaspoon of Cumin

Place tofu in shallow pan of this mix and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then broil on 500 for 5 or so minutes on each side – just enough time to dry the surface.

I use this recipe for almost any type of dish I want to make with tofu as it yields the best results for quickly infusing flavor into the tofu. If you wish to fry the tofu with what ever it is that you’re cooking you can always marinade the tofu overnight.  Wildwood Super Firm Tofu doesn’t fall apart like every brand I have ever tried.  Believe me I’m not getting paid to push Wildwood Super Firm Tofu but I would like to start a trend of more dense tofu.

Enjoy!

 

When I first sat Mollie down to photograph her she quickly huddled to the floor and coward.  I quickly thought “what can I do to make her feel more comfortable?” and then it hit me… “Mollie want a treat?”.  I barely got the words out as Mollie stood up, tilted her head questioningly and *Snap*.  The cutest portrait of Mollie was taken.  So how do I get Mollies attention now that she’s used to the camera? Same thing.  “Mollie want a treat?” Yes, I gave her a treat right after snapping the photo…  It would be cruel not to.  Although she looks really serious in the photo.

 

I love the honesty we get from animals.  I wonder at times when people believe creatures to be soulless and somehow less deserving of respect than humans.  Although I shouldn’t wonder too much considering the number of suicides we’ve seen lately from bullying.

Pet Portraiture can be an area of concern.  I’ve seen animals dragged into a studio and treated like an elephant in a circus.  On that same note I’ve seen children dragged into my studio and treated like those same elephants.  We must remember that we can always try and try again to capture a respectable portrait but if we’re going to beat it out of someone or something than why would someone want a portrait in the first place? This photographer has never allowed abuse in his studio for the sake of profit and never will.

I’ll take my foot off that soapbox and replace it with this photo.  The epidemy of love and respect.  As she learns that the camera won’t eat her.

Oct 102010
 

My two little children.  If there’s one thing these two will experience more often than feeding it will be me with a camera.  This weeks theme is the lives of my babies.  What perfect composition these two have. :p

 

We’ve been thinking about adding a new member to our family for about a year now.  So glad we did.  This little kitten has been such a cutie.  She’s so well behaved and cuddly.  I’m not used to having a cat that wants to use it’s litter box or simply being polite and group minded.  This is a nice change compared to a few other pets I’ve had in the past.

I’ve named her Erin after Erin Gray the actress.  Just something about the cats stare that reminded me of Erin Gray.  Anyway, we felt the need to get another pet for the sake of Mollie who I felt was not appreciating life as much.  So, the idea was to complicate things for her to force Mollie to appreciate all that she has again.

The first few hours was great, Mollie really liked the kitten until she realized the cat wasn’t leaving.  Mollie’s been guarding her food bowl ever-since.

Btw: Scratching posts actually work!

Oct 042010
 

I’ve taken the weekend off but now I’m back to the blog.  I should share a few recipes but I don’t have time to photograph while cooking.  This weekend was pretty busy as we purchased a new dinnerware set from Bed Bath and Beyond here in Clearwater.

Our reason for purchasing this set was for entertaining guests.  We’ve had such a busy year and only ever made time for family to come over.  I thought it would be nice to entertain friends this holiday season.

As you can see from the photo the mess we had to deal with and I must say it was all worth it.  The set was Everyday White and so far the quality is top notch.  It’s actually better than I was hoping to purchase but I figured after this many years it’s time to go beyond the cheap stoneware sets for $50.  I will do a full review of this dinnerware after a month of use.

Tomorrow… I’ll write about the new family member. :)

 

What an incredible movie.  What usually happens when a book or television series is turned blockbuster movie is disappointment.  Not this time, no, M. Night Shyamalan has done an incredible job retelling my favorite Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar the Last Airbender.

Like the cartoon the movie will  be divided into 3 parts.  The first has been water, the second will be earth where we’ll meet a new addition to the Avatar team Toph.

The scenery is stunning; although at times it seems the movie is playing out too quickly.  I’m used to movies like Lord of the Rings with longer landscape sweeps and pans.  The Last Airbender seems to want to rush through these types of scenes.  Let’s hope they slow things down a bit for the next movie.

Another thing I found annoying and perhaps it’s just us American English speaking folks is the mispronouncing of names.  Aang is pronounced ong.  Very annoying and I don’t care if someone believes Aa is an O sound.  No one says Oran they say Aaron.  Am I pushing it?

I can’t say enough how great the kids were in this movie.  They truly felt just like their cartoon counterparts.

Although there was much less comedic relief in this movie it should be noted that Shyamalan stayed true to even the type of humor the cartoon embodies.

I’m under the impression this is Noah Ringer’s first acting role.  If so he’s done a truly amazing job portraying Aang.

Real 3D wasn’t amazing in this movie.  It did make a difference but I can’t say it’s necessary to watch the movie in 3D.

I could also add that the movie could have been longer.  Really, when will Hollywood learn that when I go to the movies I want it to be an event.  The theater isn’t a larger version of my television it’s suppose to feel epic.

Jun 132010
 

I’m not really the type of person that likes to take vacations.  It isn’t that I don’t know what to do, it’s just that I like to work and being involved but sometimes it is necessary to recoup your mind and step away from things including your home life.

This past week I have explored (a little more anyway) the Suncoast Trail, Dunedin, Ybor City (because of a Birthday) parts of Palm Harbor and finally saw the end in Tarpon Springs.  I was sad when I reached the end actually.  I wasn’t sure if there was just another section that continued down the road or if the Suncoast Trail really ended right there.

That’s my sad bike that I’ve had to had the bottom bracket serviced and two flat tires on this journey.  If you look closely on the back tire you’ll see I pulled out one of the tubes I had to replace so i could grab my phone for a picture.  The sum of my journey was to find some sort of end and this is it.  Two red signs on aluminum post with nine reflectors each.  Each telling me not to go flying 20 mph into a ditch (if I’m lucky) or the road just ahead.

 

As a child we had a beautiful picture hanging on our mantel of Norway.  Which can be partially seen on my About Page in the first picture on your right of my sister at the piano light by candle light (and a large bay window but that’s a secret).  Anyway, point being I’ve always known it was a beautiful country but the people there must be a little off.

I can’t imagine the fear the Google Earth’s Street View Driver experienced when he was chased down by these two Norwegian Men in wetsuits.  Apparently the driver was going about his business as usual when these two men sitting in what I think to be the entrance to a parking lot.  I’m curious as to why they needed the umbrella.  I mean the wet suites make sense but an umbrella?

Thankfully the chase ended without the driver getting speared by the locals as the vehicle Google Earth employs was fast enough to get away. Speaking of, I’ve never seen the Street View vehicle before until, just down the street from those two crazy guys was a mirror.

To see this on Google’s Street View:
View Larger Map

 

On my way into the office today I decided to listen to the radio.  I rarely listen to the radio but I forgot to charge my phone last night and found my Android G1 dead.  Which means no Pandora Radio.  Flipping through the stations I came across an interpreter retelling peoples stories from Haiti.  It’s in my nature as a scientist not to concentrate on the emotional aspects of life but rather the logical flow.  Naturally I’m inclined to believe that every living creature is a source of energy and sometimes the energy of the earth requires it’s energy back.  It hurts to have our energy taken though.  Sometimes it’s physically painful, sometimes emotionally painful.

Continue reading »

Jan 222010
 

Anyone who knows me can attest I am a coffee snob.  Now, most people drink Robusta Coffee.  Comes in a can, red or blue, tastes like tire marks on a road and after a few cups you convince yourself it tastes good.  Then we smell Star Bucks and think “wow, that smells better than my morning brew”.  Everyone who’s had Star Bucks Coffee can’t possibly say it’s horrible, but, to those who swear by it…  Continue reading »

 

Nosy neighbors can be such a pain but I’ve actually got a pretty cute nosy neighbor I don’t mind peeping through my windows. Continue reading »

 

It finally warmed up yesterday in the Tampa Bay area.  So, I went for a walk, then a bike ride, then some tennis, and ended at sun set with a nice 30 minute run.  I couldn’t have had a better day. Continue reading »

 

Last year my Brother and his Girlfriend Rachael suffered a great loss when their baby Douglas Mead died.  Doug fought long and hard to win his life but in the end his strength just wasn’t enough.  I went to visit my Brother as soon as I could get away from my work.  Although it had been many months after Doug’s death I could tell they were still in pain. Continue reading »

Photographer Tampa, Clearwater, Saint Petersburg, Florida © 2009-2011 Strobist Seth Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha