Homegrown Smoker Macnocheeto

I have not been to Portland. I have not eaten at Homegrown Smoker. But I have seen pictures. And I have gotten hungry.

Homegrown Smoker is a food cart in Portland that specializes in vegan BBQ. I have read on multiple occasions of the greatness that is the Macnocheeto wrap - baked beans, mac 'n cheese, and soy curls stuffed into a warm tortilla. Here is my attempt to recreate that.


Homegrown Smoker Macnocheeto

• Tortilla
• Steamed kale
• Baked beans
• Morningstar Chik'n Strips, browned
  
• Mac 'n Cheese

Place in tortilla and wrap up. Pretty simple.

Wait a second, you say. Wasn't this supposed to be vegan? What's with the mac 'n cheese? Well, since you asked, here is my own special recipe for vegan cheese sauce.

• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 cups water

Grind the cashews and sunflower seeds into a fine powder in a blender.

Bring the water and carrots to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Add to the blender, and blend everything until smooth.

I hope to try the real thing this summer. But until then, this will do just fine.

2012 Bucket List

Every year, I make a new year's resolution. In the past, I've picked things such as spend more time at home, and be more active. This year, I decided to spend more time doing to things I like doing and less time doing the things I don't like doing. So far, I've managed to stick with it. But I thought that I was missing something. So one day, the idea popped into my head to create a 2012 bucket list. But I didn't want to just make a list of things that I knew I was already going to do. I wanted this list to be a list of things that I want to do, but probably wouldn't get around to. Sort of like a way to hold myself accountable.

I have a lot of fun things planned for the year already.

• Finally go to Portland (and fly for the first time)
• Run at least one Ragnar relay race
• Run my first (and second) half marathon

There are quite a few other things that I'd like to do, but I know I probably won't have time for. Between work, school, and training for these runs, there just isn't enough time in the day. So here is that list - my 2012 bucket list.

• Do some mountain biking. There are some pretty interesting trails in the area even though I live just north of Flatland, USA. It's a shame that I haven't made it out there yet with my bike even though I've run on them many times.
• Refinance. Every month, I put a bunch of money in a paper bag and light it on fire. At least that's what it feels like at 5.375%.
• Run my first 20 miler. I have quite a few friends who are training for ultramarathons and Ironmans. Their training on its own is impressive, and it is inspiring.
  

So get in touch with me at the end of the year to see how I did. I'm hoping that this list will grow.