Because my gf works later hours than me, I end up doing over 90% of the cooking. I have consequently gotten better at it. Over the years I also got better at cooking merely because I love food so insanely much, that being able to cook what I liked myself provided obvious utility, so I put some small amount of effort into it. I find it often enjoyable, and many times a chore, and while my ability to marinate a steak is infamous rather than famous, I've gotten quite a bit better over the years. I am no cgod, but I get by.
I've always heard how indispensable a great set of knives are in the kitchen, but I never payed it much mind, as I was making do with whatever I had lying around. Recently, after much research, I purchased these: http://www.everythingkitchens.com/wusthof-classic-ikon-studi...
Holy shit. After using these I feel like I've been cutting meats and vegetables with a spoon my entire life. The difference is insane. The only thing I'm annoyed with is the fact that it took me this long to realize what a lot of other people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen consider obvious. I smile every time I use them.
So what about you Hubski? What tools do you use in your daily life that you would never do without again?
Another thing I use often is something I thought I'd never wear. A fanny pack. Yep, that's right a fanny pack. When I go running (about 3 times a week) I bring my phone with me to use the GPS to track my distance and speed and to listen to music. At first I was just putting my phone in my pocket and it would clang around and was really uncomfortable and annoying. Then I started holding it in my hand while running and dropped it twice. Finally I decided to buy this pocket that straps around your stomach and holds your phone. It is tight enough fitting that you don't even realize you are wearing it. It's pretty awesome and I can't imagine not having it while I run. But, technically it is a fanny pack. Next stop... mini van.
I won't say anything now, but I'll be bringing your fanny pack up at the Hubski meetup about 4 beers in.
Tonight I sautéed some shallots in butter then added some tempe and minced jalapeño. I combined the tempeh with some black beans and salsa and put it between two tortillas with some cheese. I topped the quesadillas with a cold salad of romaine, tomatillos, cherry tomato's, jalapeños, lime juice, lemon juice, salt, pepper and a dash of sugar. It was a really refreshing meal. I took this photo because I've been trading vegetarian recipes with zmagma. ecib, if you have any to share I am all ears. Love trying new things.
Rewriting the submission forms and process is the next big item on the todo list. I'm going to try to find a way to make it easier and more clear. I want to retain the detail I have, but it seems to confuse a lot of people.
I used to use it for making lists, schedules, even diagrams. Once I learned what it was REALLY for... I use it every day and I would be lost (at work) without it. The cool thing is, I have only scratched the surface of what it can do. Nerd... I know.
And again - I don't claim to be any kind of Excel expert - it has just become an invaluable part of my workflow. I use it every day, and in a weird way - I have come to really love it and appreciate it.
I loved working with an axe, but for several years after I got it I rarely had the opportunity. Occasionally a friend would ask me to help split wood (which isn't really what it's for, though it does it spectacularly). About a year and a half ago I joined a fledgling eco-village here in town and suddenly I've had opportunity to use it pretty frequently. I helped them clear the land with it and break down the trees we felled. I've used it at home in my own garden when I've needed to do any sort of rough wood carving or shaping. It does spectacularly well. I haven't sharpened it even once since I got it 4 years ago, and I can still shave with it. It hasn't seen a whole ton of use during that time, but it has seen enough to make that astonishing. As I've used it, my initial fondness for the axe as a tool has developed into a deep love for it. When I've got the time and money I'm thinking about getting some other kinds of axes (such as a smaller carpenter's axe). I'm seriously thinking about building a log cabin style shed just using axes as tools, just to see if I can do it. Also, because it's so much fun to use em!
I suppose it would be tough to live without my phone, but I'd survive. I'm not sure what I have that is indispensable. I guess I need at least one computer. Hubski would suffer otherwise.