Molasses Bonanza

In an attempt to incorporate iron into my diet, I went on a molasses cooking spree today:

1) Shoofly Pie (I made mine crustless)
2) BBQ Lentils


Both recipes were successful, but the pie was a bit too sweet, even for me. I'm gonna try it again another time with just 1/2 c. Xylitol. For this first time, I used 1/2 c. Xylitol + 1/2 c. brown sugar -- way too much sweetness. I didn't use any crust, just layered the crumb mixture and molasses mixture and baked for about 45 minutes -- I plan to eat this with plain yogurt for breakfast.

The BBQ Lentils are really really good (halved the recipe). I did not use 16 oz. tomato sauce (didn't have any) -- and the ketchup I used was Melindas Habanero Ketchup (which I think really helped give it a better flavor). My version is really flavorful and strong, so I'm going to try it over plain quinoa for work lunches.

Best Baguette

I'm trying to make a better effort at exploring food around Portland -- this weekend I tried Best Baguette (Beaverton location). I got the #14 (Pork Roll & Fried Egg Banh Mi), and I was hoping to break out of my comfort zone, thinking that a pork roll must be something really weird. It just looked like cold cuts to me, and this was not a scary sandwich at all. Very mild in flavor, and good. I want something spicier next time, though. Sandwich prices are awesome -- $3.25.

The Vietnamese iced coffee was really intense and delicious. While it looks like a large drink, it's actually mostly ice in the cup, and very little of the coffee/milk (which is fine by me, it would actually be too much beverage, otherwise).


The only weird thing about this place was that it seemed really popular with very regular looking white people (not hipsters). I guess banh mi is the new cheeseburger in Portland.

Working on being a Portland stereotype

I've had poor circulation and lower back pain at varying times and intensities for years now, but I know nothing is wrong with me in terms of thyroid levels or anything else that is testable by Western medicine. So, I decided to try a naturopathic "doctor" since I wanted acupuncture and the place I found is considered in-network by my insurance.

D. gave me a a detailed run-down about the various pseudoscientific methods they would use (e.g. pulse readings) and herbal homeopathic up-sells they would push on me. And, I even owe him lunch, since he accurately predicted they would have a bamboo fountain as part of the decor (check, they did).

While the fake-doctor did spout some junk about holistic wellness and wanting to know personal life stuff to check on my emotions, at the same time she did have valid recommendations for me (I need more iron in my diet, fish oil & Vitamin D supplements) -- and the acupuncture experience is very relaxing. And it's certainly more pleasant to see a doctor (albeit not an MD) in a non-hospital setting, where there's no one coughing up their lung or antiseptic-looking equipment around.

I am pretty confident I'll be able to maintain some scientific distance from the hokeyness of seeing a naturopathic doctor (I ignored the 2 homeopathic recommendations she had for me), and overall I am viewing this as a general therapeutic experience like going to a beauty spa.

But if anyone sees me slipping into believing in horoscopes or seeing people's energies...or buying crystals...please shoot me.

February Workouts

Su	M	T	W	Th	F	Sa
		(1) 4 mile treadmill run	(2) 20 minutes bodyweight workout	(3) 30 minutes hills on treadmill + 10 minutes bodyweight	(4) Nothing	(5) 4 mile run
Nothing	3 mile treadmill run	25 minutes bodyweight exercises	3.5 mile run	Nothing	Nothing	3 mile hill walk/jog
Nothing	3.5 mile treadmill run + 15 minutes bodyweight	Nothing	3 mile treadmill run + 15 min bodyweight	40 minutes bodyweight exerices	Nothing	3.5 mile run
Nothing	Nothing	Nothing	Nothing	3 mile walk	40 minutes weight workout	Nothing
2.75 hilly run	2 mile uphill walk + 25 minutes light aerobics