vudeja (the weblog) (whole enchilada) http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ en-us mark@vudeja.com Copyright 2008 2008-03-05T22:34:49-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 Twitter in Plain English http://www.vudeja.com/08/03/twitter I'm a huge fan of Twitter and can be followed here twitter.com/mhegge. As in any social networking tool, the service is only as good the number of people you know on it and I've found it difficult at times to... 1423@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ twitter.com/mhegge. As in any social networking tool, the service is only as good the number of people you know on it and I've found it difficult at times to describe exactly what twitter is and does as it seems to be many things to many people. Public IM, microblogging, or just a simple tool to broadcast your status to friends and family. Roll the tape.

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]]> Etcetera 2008-03-05T22:34:49-08:00 No-Frills Kitchen http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/no-frills-kitchen "Like cookbooks, kitchen equipment is a talisman; people believe that buying the right kind will make them good cooks. Yet some of the best cooks I’ve known worked with a battered batterie de cuisine: dented pots and pans scarred beyond... 1414@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/
"Like cookbooks, kitchen equipment is a talisman; people believe that buying the right kind will make them good cooks. Yet some of the best cooks I’ve known worked with a battered batterie de cuisine: dented pots and pans scarred beyond recognition, an old steak knife turned into an all-purpose tool, a pot lid held just so to strain pasta when the colander was missing, a food processor with a busted switch. They didn’t complain and they didn’t apologize; they just cooked."
Times food columnist Mark Bittman, aka The Minimalist, outfits a kitchen with the basics for less than $300. While I'm totally guilty for spending more than $100 on my Henckels Santoku knife, the rest of our kitchen is fairly minimal, which is bound to happen with a tiny space like ours.

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]]> 2008-01-26T09:18:18-08:00 Vegetable Tempura http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/vegetable-tempura Masako's vegetable tempura with carrots from our garden.For the last few weeks I've been working on and off a vegetarian diet and constantly amazed how many meals you can put together without meat and it has yet to be a... 1413@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ Vegetable Tempura
Masako's vegetable tempura with carrots from our garden.For the last few weeks I've been working on and off a vegetarian diet and constantly amazed how many meals you can put together without meat and it has yet to be a problem finding vegetarian grub for lunch downtown. A few favourites would include Souped Up which server at least one vegetarian and sometimes vegan offering daly, and I'm totally hooked on the simple yet delicious black bean burritos from IMHO one of the best eateries in Victoria, Hernande'z Taqueria. Both of which are located in St. Andrew's square between View and Yates street.

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]]> Food and Drink 2008-01-26T09:15:57-08:00 Our Feed Has Moved http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/new-feed Please take a second (because you rock so hard!) and update your link to my RSS Feed and if you're reading this site for the first time (you also rock!) take a second and subscribe. The good folks at feedburner... 1412@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ RSS Feed and if you're reading this site for the first time (you also rock!) take a second and subscribe. The good folks at feedburner rock as well!

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]]> Meta 2008-01-25T19:48:06-08:00 10-Minute Cooking School: Sin City Breakfast Tacos http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/sincity-tacos I'll have to get up a bit earlier to make the tortillas from scratch but I'm determined to make the Sin City Breakfast Taco this weekend.... 1411@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/

I'll have to get up a bit earlier to make the tortillas from scratch but I'm determined to make the Sin City Breakfast Taco this weekend.

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]]> Food and Drink 2008-01-25T19:24:16-08:00 Muji Bento Box http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/muji-bento-box I picked up this bento box from Muji last winter while in Japan. It looks small but I never seem to go hungry when bringing this and a piece of fruit on the side, and on the days when I... 1410@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/
I picked up this bento box from Muji last winter while in Japan. It looks small but I never seem to go hungry when bringing this and a piece of fruit on the side, and on the days when I need a bit extra I pack my stacked thermal kit (not the same one but close) that holds rice, miso soup, meat and veg in their own separate container. It packs more than enough food then again weighs as much as a large infant so I'm reluctant to lug it to work everyday.

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]]> Food and Drink 2008-01-25T19:21:33-08:00 Bacon Scarf http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/bacon-scarf Red and white scarf resembling marbled fat. On the scarfs reverse side, the colours are inverted making it a leaner cut of bacon. $35 from Shopsin's General Store.I love bacon. Salty, smoked, striped with marvelous fat. Doesn't get much better... 1409@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ Red and white scarf resembling marbled fat. On the scarfs reverse side, the colours are inverted making it a leaner cut of bacon. $35 from Shopsin's General Store.I love bacon. Salty, smoked, striped with marvelous fat. Doesn't get much better than that. Bacon's just one of those things that makes everything taste better, like melted cheese, and according to Masako, soy sauce, but I tend to disagree with that one.

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]]> Food and Drink 2008-01-25T19:18:45-08:00 Pizza Margherita http://www.vudeja.com/08/01/pizza-margherita Pizza Margherita is becoming a regular favourite at our house. The basic sauce consists of fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Topped with mozzarella, parmesan, field mushrooms and fresh basil from our garden. I find not... 1408@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ pizza margherita
Pizza Margherita is becoming a regular favourite at our house. The basic sauce consists of fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Topped with mozzarella, parmesan, field mushrooms and fresh basil from our garden. I find not adding any grease producing meat as topping makes the cheese brown earlier than it should so to fix that drizzle a little olive oil on top of the pie before putting it in the oven.

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(erik on Feb 23, 2008 9:50 PM) That looks wonderful...

]]> Food and Drink 2008-01-25T19:16:00-08:00 The World of Golden Eggs http://www.vudeja.com/07/12/world-of-golden-eggs While walking through HMV the other day I stopped to watch this hilarious clip from MTV Japan's The World of Golden Eggs. Unfortunately I don't think the entire series is subtitled. Update: all of season 1 and 2 can be... 1403@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ The World of Golden Eggs. Unfortunately I don't think the entire series is subtitled.
Update: all of season 1 and 2 can be found online here.

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]]> Japan 2007-12-18T20:12:42-08:00 Introducing http://www.vudeja.com/07/08/jinbei Masako's first complete jinbei with "Toshiku" labels. A few more pics in the flickr set here. We've all but decided to use Etsy for selling online especially since Shopify changed their plans to flat monthly rates. Since I haven't... 1391@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ Jinbei Masako's first complete jinbei with "Toshiku" labels. A few more pics in the flickr set here. We've all but decided to use Etsy for selling online especially since Shopify changed their plans to flat monthly rates. Since I haven't posted any news of this before Masako is making, and soon to be selling, traditional Japanese outfits (Jinbei) for children.

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]]> 2007-08-26T22:04:29-08:00 New Bike http://www.vudeja.com/07/07/bike Farewell Victoria Regional Transit System. You've been good to me the last two years, been mostly on time, clean buses and friendly service, but it's just not going to work out. I can no longer justify the almost $60... 1384@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ Farewell Victoria Regional Transit System. You've been good to me the last two years, been mostly on time, clean buses and friendly service, but it's just not going to work out. I can no longer justify the almost $60 hit to my monthly pay for the Pro Pass when I spend less than 30 minutes riding the bus each day. I picked up a new commute bike today at Reckless. They were clearing old stock and I got a 2006 Marin Muirwoods for half price. The commute shouldn't take more that 15 minutes and since I don't waste 10 minutes waiting for the bus each morning that's time I could be spending at home with the kids.

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]]> Personal 2007-07-27T21:02:32-08:00 Delish http://www.vudeja.com/07/07/delish I just started writing Delish, a new food based weblog to, among other things, help document my journey towards becoming a better cook. I'll be posting reviews, links, and other culinary bits and pieces I find worthy. And apologies for... 1380@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ Delish, a new food based weblog to, among other things, help document my journey towards becoming a better cook. I'll be posting reviews, links, and other culinary bits and pieces I find worthy. And apologies for the bland site design, I'm just getting used to Wordpress.

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]]> Food and Drink 2007-07-23T00:13:32-08:00 Spicy Thai Basil and Lime Tiger Prawns http://www.vudeja.com/07/07/spicy_thai_basil_and_lime_tiger_prawns .flickr-photo { border: solid 0px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Spicy Thai Basil and Lime Tiger Prawns, originally uploaded by mhegge. So far this has... 1376@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ .flickr-photo { border: solid 0px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

Spicy Thai Basil and Lime Tiger Prawns, originally uploaded by mhegge.
So far this has been my favourite summer recipe. Yaki-Onigiri (background), which has replaced potatoes on the grill in our house, grilled red peppers and spicy Thai basil and lime tiger prawns. Optional (not pictured) Corona with lime.

For the marinate; 1/4 c lime juice, 1/4 c fish sauce, 1-2 minced clove garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1-2 finely chopped red chilies with seeds removed, and a handful of fresh basil and cilantro. I finely chopped the herbs but ended up giving it all a spin in the food processor in the end.

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]]> 2007-07-16T19:55:23-08:00 New House http://www.vudeja.com/07/06/new_house .flickr-photo { border: solid 0px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } DSC_3630.jpg, originally uploaded by mhegge. We're finally unpacked and our house is starting to feel... 1364@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/ .flickr-photo { border: solid 0px #000000; } .flickr-yourcomment { } .flickr-frame { text-align: left; padding: 3px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

DSC_3630.jpg, originally uploaded by mhegge.

We're finally unpacked and our house is starting to feel like a home.

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]]> 2007-06-23T23:02:08-08:00 Yamanote Song http://www.vudeja.com/07/05/yamanote-song A little song I ripped from a tape of NHK children's programing to help you remember the stations on the JR yamanote line.... 1363@http://www.vudeja.com/nuse/
A little song I ripped from a tape of NHK children's programing to help you remember the stations on the JR yamanote line.

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]]> Japan 2007-05-08T21:23:58-08:00