All posts by Munchkin

Amusing, Belize, Food, Our Products, Plants, Soap

What’s Happening?

Munchkin.Sitting.DownHello Everyone!!  I have not been so regular with writing  the Blog lately due to…the weather of all things!  It has been dull with thick grey clouds which block the sunlight.  When it gets like that I just feel, “Ugh!” and Gnome reacts with, “Oh, dear!!”  and then we start a fine merry-go-round of ranting and complaining!

Munchkin.Another.Funny.Shot

Thank goodness the sun is out today and the mood has lifted.  I feel more inspired to write about our usual Munchkin and Gnome activities.

We have been making a marathon run of soap.  This takes the whole day with mixing and pouring in the morning and cutting (Gnome) and polishing (Munchkin) in the evening.  It is a good activity to do when you want to stay out of trouble!

Our Soap.
Our Soap.

Gnome started a mini project to grow watercress:

Hydroponic Watercress.
Hydroponic Watercress.
Preparing Watercress Cuttings.
Preparing Watercress Cuttings.

And I made lotus paste mochi balls today!

Lotus Paste Mochi Balls.
Lotus Paste Mochi Balls.

Yum!!  These were the mochi balls that I had promised Gnome for Chinese New Year which he didn’t get because I decided, rather inconveniently, to go on a diet plonk in the middle of Chinese celebrations.  I am feeling a bit happier about my weight so I made the belated mochi balls to celebrate a good day together!

Amusing, Belize, Pets

How Many Zazen Duckies Does It Take To Change A Light Bulb?

Together.PointingAnswer: None.  Zazen Duckies carry their own light.

Zazen Duckies.
Zazen Duckies.

Yes, the Zazen Duckies are meditating under the dappled shade of the kenip tree.  They have even made a nesting spot out of old century plants…completely ignoring the modern luxury nests built to international ISO quality standards.  The Duckies are doing are it “the organic way.”

Oh, what’s that funny noise….

“Oi!!  WEEEE WEEEEE!!! What about us??!  Has Mayor Gnome forgotten about us?!!”

Oi What about Us?
Oi What about Us?

Mayor Gnome’s reply:

“Personally I don’t think any of you have a clue about spiritual intent but I am willing to give you a chance.  Mayor Gnome always gives chances…get ready for the big move to the Zen Garden!”

Mayor Gnome Shows Grace.
Mayor Gnome Shows Grace.

“…oh, and by the way, I contacted George Lucas…you can’t change your name to the Jedi Piggies.”

The Piggies:

“Can we change to the Ewok Piggies instead, then?”

Ewok Piggies?
Ewok Piggies
Belize, Food, Plants

Pacaya Season Ending Soon.

Food.MunchkinHello Everyone!!  We’ve really enjoyed them this year.  Pacaya Palm are the inflorescences of Chamaedorea tepijilote.  Below are my gallery of pictures:

Fresh Pacaya From Market.
Fresh Pacaya From Market.

You just need to peel and then boil them for up to 20 minutes:

Boiling Pacaya.
Boiling Pacaya.

And this is how we ate them this year.

Mmmm…dipped in egg and deep-fried (Thank-you Isabel for the tip).

Deep-Fried Pacaya.
Deep-Fried Pacaya.

Cooked with Chinese Pork Soup:

Chinese Pork Soup with Pacaya.
Chinese Pork Soup with Pacaya.

The extra bits make a great garnish for my baked lentil and shitake mushroom dish:

Pacaya Garnish.
Pacaya Garnish.

More Pictures:

Peeled Pacaya
Peeled Pacaya

Sheer simplicity with a dollop of our own peach palm miso:

Pacaya with Peach Palm Miso.
Pacaya with Peach Palm Miso.
Amusing, Belize, Pets

Looking For Love.

Another.Munchkin.Ugly.MonsterOur Goosie has finally given us permission to place an ad for him in this  Lonely Heart’s post.  His long term partner died three years ago of death-by-doggie and he now thinks that it is time to seek a new partner.

Let's Riot!!
Let’s Riot!!

Goosie is looking for a longterm female goose for fun, chaos and good times.  Also considering starting a family.

He has kindly given us his profile:

Name: Martin AKA Evil Goosie

Star Sign: Aries

Likes: Likes to peck small animals and children.  Likes to play “pinch the dog leg.”

Dislikes: People and dogs…actually has a disdain for all living things especially if cute and fluffy.

Food: Likes all yellow things including bananas, corn and velveta cheese.  Claims he is vegetarian but steals and eats chicken feet.

Political Allignment: Strong Anarchist tendencies.  Likes chaos,destruction and mayhem.

Religion: Discordianism.

Favourite quote: “Kill, Crush, Destroy.”

Favourite Film: Fight Club

Relevant Medical History: Wart of Evil removed.  Otherwise Fertile.

All applicants must be Geese.  Please send two passport photos with application.

Amusing, Belize, Elixirs, Our Products

Elixir Tasting With Dandelion Chocolate.

Liqueur.Tasting.TogetherOn Monday evening we had an Elixir Tasting with Dandelion Chocolate, a company from California.  Greg D’Alesandre heads the group every year at Cotton Tree Lodge.  This year’s tasting was much the same with general fun, laughs and disruption (of course!) from Greg.  We attempted a “controlled brawl” under medical supervision (Ha-Ha!).  😉

Here are some pictures (sorry the “flash” on my phone is quite non-existent).

Elixir Tasting With Dandelion Group.
Elixir Tasting With Dandelion Group.

This is Greg intensely scrutinising an Elixir:

Greg From Dandelion.
Greg From Dandelion.

The Elixir Tasting was a success.  Our gauge was the general noise level and Drunken “I Love You, Guys!!”

The Cacao Fruit Elixir was of great interest to everyone since the group are here specifically on a chocolate tour.  Greg kept on murmuring  about a Fireball Whisky and Ginger Ale all through the tasting.  Apparently he thinks that the Lemongrass Elixir goes very well with ginger ale.  And the Fireball…hmmm…not sure if that was just an obscure comment about the cacao liqueur?!

Cacao Fruit Elixir.
Cacao Fruit Elixir.
Belize, Food

Banana And Coconut Flour Patties.

2 Comments

Together.EatingWe are making our own banana flour and coconut flour on the farm.  Gnome had charged me with the responsibility of making something “yummy” with these ingredients.  He actually scolded me and said,

“I know it is actually easier to use wheat flour because you know what to do with it.  But you need to get used to using all these other flours that we make on the farm.”

Gnome.Glasses.Shot.Another

I replied with a sheepish smile,

“I suppose you’re right.”

Munchkin.Upset

And so I sequestered myself into the kitchen and got busy with the Gnome challenge.  I came up with Banana and Coconut Flour Patties:

Banana and Coconut Flour Patties.
Banana and Coconut Flour Patties.

This recipe is gluten free as I used eggs and cornflour as the binding agents.  These spicy patties contain tumeric (yellow ginger), chilli powder and white pepper which add a nice “kick” to the taste experience.  I think they turned out rather nicely!  This isn’t the end of the challenge though…I still need to come up with more recipes!!

Amusing, Belize, Construction, Farming, Pets, Philosophy

Zen Duckie Coup Is Ready!

Together

The Zen Garden is ready for the Zazen duckies  and they are just in time for a Full Moon Meditation.

Happy Duckies!
Happy Duckies!

What perfect timing!  The duckies wish to thank Mayor Gnome for his superb workmanship and stamina.

Mayor Gnome.
Mayor Gnome.

The Duckie Monastery is defined by specially chosen rocks and every single rock in the centrally placed pond was hand-picked and laid down by Mayor Gnome himself.  Within the grounds century plants have been placed at each corner and there is a  beautiful south-facing kenip tree which will provide dappled shade for meditation in the afternoon.

Zen Garden For Duckies.
Zen Garden For Duckies.

The duckies are very pleased and are ready for their 12 hour marathon meditation:

“We are ready to contemplate the meaning of life.”

Belize, Farming, Fermentation, Food, Our Products

Just A Thank-You.

Munchkin.More.EatingIf you follow our posts, you may have realised by now that we enjoy the creativity and inventiveness of harvesting and processing our own food.  Peach Palm Miso was borne out of a fusion of an Asian preservation technique with a farm grown ingredient.   I would like to give a special Thank-you to Julian Obererlacher of Itz’ana, Placencia for his resourcefulness in using our Peach Palm Miso as an ingredient in his menu.

Another Thanks to Enrico Cordenons for providing us with the Itz’ana Menu as follows:

WEDNESDAY 17 FEBRUARY, 2016
 
Sweet/spicy soup of Belizean vegetables with masa
King Estate Pinot Gris 2013 (USA – Oregon)
 
Poblano pepper stuffed with arugula, lentils, Caves Branch ricotta and parmesan
Zolo Malbec 2014 (Argentina – Agrelo Valley)
 
Snook, Casa Mascia Peach palm miso glaze, coco yam puree, grilled zucchini Itz’ana garden chinese greens
Crimson Fetzer Pinot Noir 2012 (USA – Napa Valley)
 
Banana loaf, chocolate, peanut cream, belizean rum caramel, purple basil 
Mayan hot chocolate or Local Rum (Belize Punta Gorda/Placencia)
It is inspiring to see a preference and a confident boldness in using local ingredients.
Itz'Ana Picture.
Itz’Ana Picture.

We have Peach Palm Miso for sale within the country.  Please check out The Apothecary for more information.

Belize, Medical Related, Saving Money

Further BNF Clarification.

Munchkin.BossieThanks to everybody that has offered to purchase and send us a BNF.  We appreciate your thoughts.  However, I think that this means that I need to further clarify my request…

The great BNF is the Bible of British trained doctors and when you are in the system, you have a copy in every bag, one in the glove box, several older editions lying around at home and even one in the toilet.  And they are all free (the way socialised medicine is “free!”). Each new edition of the BNF comes out every 6 months and has a lifetime, as it travels through the social system, starting with a ward or a doctor and passing down the hierarchy of various health professions.  My sister (an audiologist) used to come to visit me just to rifle through my book cases for old copies of the BNF.

So as you can see, you are either the type of person who does not have a BNF in their life (This is not who we are looking for) or you are surrounded by them because of your involvement with the system (this is who we are looking for).  There is no need for somebody to purchase a copy for us…this is an exercise in prolonged recycling… We are asking for the people who are “in the system” and have lots of copies everywhere to send us one.  And it does not have to be the latest edition…just better than 5 years old, which is what we have…though you will be acting cheeky sending us one that is four years old!! ;P

Old.BNF

Belize, Medical Related

Can Somebody Send Me a BNF?!

Munchkin.Feeling.Rightous

If you have stopped to read this post, the chances are that you know what BNF stands for which means that you might be a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or some sort of health-care practitioner.  I have an old dog-eared 2011 edition of The British National Formulary which is the definitive British publication providing information on the use and prescription of medicines.  For a medical doctor living in the middle-of-nowhere in Belize, this book is an essential.  If you are able to send me a later edition please email me at dra.tsang@gmail.com.  Your help would be very much appreciated!

Old BNF.
Old BNF.