Does This Exist: Digital Typewriter

I would like something so that I can write digital content, but I don’t want to have a standard screen.  I stare at a monitor for work 8-10 hours a day, and when it’s writing time, I’d prefer to have a different interface.  Any ideas?

Best Band Name Award

Goes to:

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Moosewood Cookbook Recipes Pantry List

I’ve been talking about using a pantry list, so  I thought it would be a good time to share the pantry list I’ve been inspired from.  This comes from one of Moosewood Restaurant’s cookbooks, Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home: Fast and Easy Recipes for Any Day.  In the back of the book the provide a pantry list to help ready recipes on a whim.  This is a great cookbook and restaurant if you happen to be looking for either.

Beans (Dried or Canned)

• butter beans
• black turtle beans
• black-eyed peas
• chick peas
• field peas
• red kidney beans
• cannellini (white kidney beans)
• lentils (red, brown)
• limas
• navy or pea beans
• pigeon peas
• pintos
• split peas (green, yellow)

Grains

• bulghur
• buckwheat groats
• cornmeal
• couscous
• grits
• millet
• quinoa
• rice (Arborio, basmati, brown, white)

Nuts and Seeds

• almonds
• cashews
• hazelnuts
• peanuts
• pine nuts
• walnuts
• sesame seeds
• tahini

Pasta

• Asian-style (rice, soba, and udon noodles)
• Italian-style (long and thing, short and chunky)
• flavored
• whole-grain

Spices and Dried Herbs

• allspice
• annatto
• basil
• bay leaf
• black pepper
• cardamom
• cayenne
• Chesapeake Bay seasoning
• coriander
• cinnamon
• cloves
• cumin
• curry powder
• dill
• fennel
• five-spice powder
• garam masala
• marjoram
• mint
• mustard seed
• nutmeg
• oregano
• paprika
• rosemary
• saffron
• sage
• tarragon
• thyme
• turmeric

Canned Goods

• artichoke hearts
• capers
• coconut milk (unsweetened)
• olives (black, Calamata, Spanish)
• pimientos
• roasted red peppers
• salsa
• tomato juice
• tomato paste
• whole tomatoes

Condiments

• chili paste or chili oil
• Chinese fermented black beans
• curry pate
• fish sauce
• fruit spreads
• hoisin sauce
• soy sauce
• Tabasco or other hot sauce
• vinegars
• wasabi

Miscellaneous

• dried fruits (apricots, dates, raisins)
• dried mushrooms (porcini, shiitake)
• fresh garlic
• seaweeds (hijiki, nori)
• sun-dried tomatoes
• vegetable bouillon (cubes or powder)

Wines and Liqueurs

• Chinese rice wine
• dry red and white wines
• liqueurs (amaretto, Grand Marnier)
• Marsala
• mirin
• sherry

Refrigerated Items

• cheeses
• fresh ginger root
• miso
• seitan
• tofu
• yogurt

Frozen Foods

• black-eyed peas
• lima beans
• pizza crust
• puff pastry
• tortillas
• tempeh

What do you think?  What’s it missing?  What’s not neccessary?

The Corner Office : Happy Hour Update

Back when I did my original review of The Corner Office, their happy hour was truly a thing of beauty.

Two martinis I absolutely loved (The Buzz Aldrin and Grape Ape) for just $5, as well as a full “Tom Turkey Club” for the same great price. Sadly, both of those drinks have faded into memory, and the Tom Turkey happy hour special is now only 50% as good (they cut it back to 1/2 sandwich).

Still, I heart The Corner Office. The vibe always feels inviting; there are usually hot servers/hostesses about, and the addition of $1 PBR drafts, AND $5 burger sliders to the mix are welcome ones. If you’ve never been, now’s the perfect time, especially considering they’ve standardized the schedule.

It now runs DAILY (7 days a week, boo-yeah!):

5-7PM

and

10-Midnight

iPhone Headphones Backup

It’s a sad day to realize your iPhone is in your pocket but your headphones are in your apartment. Perhaps I need multiple backup headphones like I have multiple backup power cords… At least I have portable wordpress.

Cash’s Goodbye + Bloody Mary Secret Code

It’s been a helluva ride aboard the Urban Monarch express. Like all good great things though, I knew it would someday come to an end. That ’someday’ turns out to be the end of this week. Don’t expect me to get all sappy on you just yet; (wait till Friday, 4PM for that, suckas) you’ve still got 5 days worth of Cash-tastic posts to enjoy here on UM.

After that? Don’t worry.. I won’t be far. In fact, my new home on the world wide web will feature all the hedonistic, irresponsibly tasty content you’ve been enjoying here, along with some new surprises. Greg and I remain great friends, but realize that after two fun-filled years ruling the Urban Monarch kingdom together, it’s time to divide and conquer.

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Love The Song, Hate The Video: The Knife - Heartbeats

the knife - heartbeats

Noon

I don’t really have anything to say.

Make A Million Dollars In Denver

Step 1:  Open a comfy, down-tempo, chill-out after-hours pad within short walking distance of Beta Thursday thru Saturday night.
Step 2:  Charge $10 cover and $5 for bottled water.  Trust me, they will pay it.

Podcast Review: TED Talks

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, but its scope is much broader than that. The heart of TED comes from not its acronym but its slogan, “Ideas worth spreading.” I find myself adhering to the motto and spreading ideas myself to friends and visitors. Sharing both messages I identify with as well as messages that were new to me, it is truly an agent for change.

The podcasts offers a few segments per week in 20 minute or less video clips (and audio I guess if you’re into that). The best part though is that all the podcast archives are available to download, not just the last dozen.

Two of my recent favorites are:

• Jonathan Haidt: The real difference between liberals and conservatives
• Ann Cooper talks school lunches

TED Podcast

Any readers also avid TEDsters? What are your favorite TED talks?

Megan Fox : Are You Kidding Me?

Longtime UM favorite Megan Fox is gracing the covers of both Maxim and GQ this month.  In perusing a friend’s copy of the Maxim issue, I was amazed to see one of her (many) tattoos, on her lower stomach no less; “Brian”.

As in Brian Austin Green, her longtime boyfriend/fiance/whateva.

As in this guy:

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Jean Length

I once heard that the perfect fitting jeans should gently brush the floor as you walk. Well, now my gently brushing jeans all have hems that are escaping the rest of the leg. I end up with stirrup like straps that need cutting off. File this with “jeans with holes,” in the stupid fashion ideas folder.

Overheard In Denver

I said some really mean things to him.. at one point, I told him I hope he has a seizure

-Sobbing woman on the 16th Street Mall shuttle aka ‘the greasy pole’

Why I’m Using Google Chrome Right Now

 

 

My online banking keeps freaking out Firefox.  Admittedly, it’s the bank’s crap ajax implementation that’s robbing my memory.   For whatever reason though, Google’s Chrome is handling it a lot easier.  I still need firefox for everything I do in my 9 to 5 life (my work requires the firefox plugins), but for personal browsing, it’s Chrome all the way.

What’s Going On With Goldfrapp Shows?

Catching up with my good friend Glenn last night about his experience this past weekend at San Francisco’s “Treasure Island” music festival (featuring Goldfrapp and Justice amongst others) I was shocked.  He said that the crowd’s reaction to her set was lukewarm at best.

Greg reported a similar muted response when seeing her earlier this year @ Coachella.

What the hell is going on here?  I would be out of my mind at a Goldfrapp show, dancing my ass off and no doubt singing at the top of my lungs.

Is there something I’m missing?

Latest Posts Link

Ask and you shall receive!  Reader and good friend Thomson suggested that the front page widget area “Latest Posts” have the title linked to the blog page.   It was a really good idea, so we updated the site.

Do you have a way we can change the site to make it easier for you to use?  Let us know.  Email tips@urbanmonarch.com.

Camping For Beginners

“You can’t be serious.”

This was the response from almost everyone I know when I told them I was going camping for a good friend’s birthday. It was somewhat of a shock to my system as well. Prior to this past weekend, my experience with camping was limited to several amazing trips in a high school friend’s luxury RV. Between the bunk beds with down comforters, satellite television, fully stocked kitchen and shower, we weren’t exactly ‘roughing it’. This time around, when Zach mentioned honest to goodness tents and ‘really, really warm clothes’, I knew I was in for an exciting time.

I was also in for an education. For those of you who’ve spent more than the occasional afternoon in the woods, much of this may seem like common sense. For anyone who considers themselves “camping impaired” (like me), hopefully it will prove helpful for your next trek outdoors.

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Questions: Why isn’t there an LED Light in My Fridge?

I think I left my fridge slightly open last night.  I woke up this morning to discover the mozzerella cheese I left on the top shelf a little translucent and a little gelatanous.  After investing the rest of the items in the fridge, they all seemed relatively cooler than their top shelf counterparts.  Playing with the door I began to realize how warm that light bulb gets.  Why isn’t this an LED light?  Less heat, less energy, practically infinite life…

Urban Monarch Reader Wrap-up

One of the goals for Urban Monarch v2.0 is to create a sense of community amongst our readers. What better way to get some insight into what UM fans are all about than a retrospective of two years worth of polls?

Some surprises?

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Cooking From a Pantry

My philosophy with cooking and grocery shopping is to shop just for what you need and shop often.  I usually glance in the fridge, see what I have, ask what I want, and visit the grocery store shopping list in hand to buy what I need to make it happen.  Living just a few blocks from a Whole Foods, which is not a coincidence, makes frequent shopping trips practical.

This weekend I had a minor food revelation.  While perusing lightly through a Moosewood cookbook, I ran into an appendix section, Pantry Items.  A list of non-perishable items that the prepared chef should have on hand to make quick easy meals on a whim.

I think this may be the route to go.  I know of a few things, like canned beans and tomatoes, that I always wish I had when the time comes.  I’m contemplating re-adjusting my routine to accommodate a pantry list.  When something on the list runs out, re-purchase.

Anyone else maintaining a well stocked pantry?  Is it worth doing?

Ashlee Simpson Is Hot

There, I said it.

PS: Am I proud of it? No.

PSS: Obviously, I’m talking pre-preggo Ashlee.

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