h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I know its all getting out of hand, thanks for the loggerheads web site by the way. Just been into liverpool for provisions, actually a bit more chilled out than usual, as in work had an indian head massage which was really good if short as it was for children in need and due to the amount of people requesting it they had to rush to fit everyone in. It was very relaxing and would like to try it again with a bit more time.
Actually was in the ciy centre to pick up a tachometer to attach to my new compass but they had not received it from the suppliers, i hope it sounds like i know what i am talking about the truth is probably in the negative.
Will have to go now as stomach is rumbling will speak to you soon
XX

I've never had Indian head massage. Sounds really relaxing. I've had Reiki a few times - that was weird. Pleasant but very weird. The first two times it was from a very experienced master and I felt (both during and after the session) like I was in a protective bubble - totally protected and loved. The other times were from friends and, although I felt changes in energy levels - I didn't get the same bubble sensation. We did a bit about energy fields in Tai Chi on Wednesday - I could feel a warmth when our teacher had a go at doing a 'push' behind me when I stood with my eyes closed. But didn't feel it when my partner had a go at doing it. It's fascinating stuff.
xx

You are right it is fascinating, i remember our teacher in Tai Chi telling us about a time when he was practising in his back garden. Normally he would have worked on the Sunday but it being a bank holiday he had relaxed and was going through his routine when unknown to him his daughter, who was four had joined him and was watching her father soon she got bored as four year olds are want to do when he came out of a turn into a push manueovre his daughter fell off the wall and started crying that her dad had pushed her. From anybody else i would have been sceptical of this story but our teacher was not the type to tell tales, he said that because he had not worked his body had built up chi energy.
The Reiki sounds very good i can think of quite a few times when i could have done with a protective bubble around me its something i would like to look into more closely probably after the walking course has finished.
Dont really want to bring the C word up but work mate has been going on about it all day i suppose your lot have got you harassed about what they want, she was telling me how many presents she has got in already and i was trying to tell her it was not festive unless you were running around like a mad person on the night before. With that cheery thought i will finish.
XX

My children haven't really mentioned it yet. But my in-laws came round this afternoon asking what they can get for them. I really haven't a clue - I don't even know what I'm going to get them. I'm usually quite organised but I don't feel all that motivated yet this year. Maybe it's because of having been away. I'm am starting to feel that, with all the poverty I saw in Peru, I'll be scaling down our festivities a bit this year anyway. I wonder if the children will notice..........

I know what you mean, i know things have to move forward but spending obscene amounts of money is ridiculous. I have a feeling the children might notice but i am sure they will understand if you explain things.
With the nature of work i will be having just three days off for christmas and the new year so festivities will be short and sweet here(just getting my moan in early) but the likes of third world countries put everything into perspective.
And on that unusually serious point.
XX

I don't know if they will notice that much actually - we'll see. Finances are going to be a bit stretched anyway with the amount I'm having to spend out for the Yoga course. We don't go over the top on food usually - last year we had lasagne, roast potatoes and home made rolls - a very carbohydrate based meal - but it's what the children wanted. I'm not sure what we'll have this year - it'll be my first vegan Christmas - yours too I guess.
Back onto food again - we never get very far away from it do we?!
xx

I think simple is how christmas should be, i have been having vegan christmases for a few times now as i have been eating mock duck(i do not think you would like it, it is made from 100% gluten) i quite like it but will fingers crossed be making something for myself.
Had to mention the lottery show which main prize was a week in Peru including visiting macchu picchu of course(Peru keeps on recurring as well as the food and it still brought me out in goosebumps, thats the country and not the food!)
Thanks for the best wishes for tomorrow i will tell you all about it on Monday, take care till then
Love Ian
XXX

I look forward to hearing all about it - have fun.
Love Jan
xxx

Well i survived, no only joking had a really good day will tell you all about it very soon. Thanks for the messages will be definitely listening to Radio 2 tonight and that Iceland trip seems very tempting, i dont know why but Iceland has always appealed. You will be receiving a fuller e mail about the trip very soon(Its payback time)

I love reading your messages (payback time indeed!)
I've always had a bit of a thing about Iceland too - I guess from the Geologist point of view it's fascinating - land in the making and all that. And I really love cold places - I've always wanted to go to Alaska for some reason. Maybe Acorns will do a trek there someday!
This is getting really confusing chatting in 2 places (at least) - and anyone lurking on this conversation will be totally thrown! Makes life more interesting I suppose. I find e-mail easier than this really - so may migrate more in that direction - if you don't mind. Perhaps I'll carry on putting the recipes on here (I owe you the lentil shepherd's pie!) because that would be useful for other aspiring vegans - and the other stuff can move to e-mail. What do you think?
xx

Who said that, only joking, yes that is perfectly alright by me. I definitely could do with a few more recipes and if anyone else gets confuse it serves them right!!
XXX

As promised - Lentil Shepherd's Pie. Quite simple really but nice and warming for this time of year.

Again - I'm not sure on measurements. Are you cooking just for you? (Have I asked you that before? Told you the most useful 50% of my brain cells were the ones to go first!)

Try about 4oz of red lentils - just cover them with water (it's difficult to take it out if you put too much in once it's got all sloppy - but easy to add a little more if it starts to dry out), bring to the boil and then turn down to simmer for about 10 minutes - until they are soft and have absorbed most of the water.

Meanwhile - peel, cook and mash as many potatoes as you'd like to have for a topping to the pie. Lots is nice. I like to add some Soya Dream when I'm mashing it to make it really creamy - and sometimes a little drizzle of olive oil to make sure it goes nice and crispy. You may like to add salt too, if you're used to having it.

While all that's going on - finely chop a medium onion and peel and grate a medium carrot. Fry the onion gently in a little olive oil until it softens and then add the carrot. Make up some stock with about 1-2 tsps of that Bouillon powder stuff (did you find some?) or probably about half a normal vegetable stock cube (are they vegan? - I don't use them) - with about 1/3 - 1/2 pint of boiling water - sorry to be so vague!(Again, be careful not to use too much liquid at first - it may be trial and error getting the quantities right first time you make it.) Pour the stock in with the onion and carrot - add freshly ground black pepper and/or any herbs you are partial to that seem right (thyme may be good) - put a lid on the pan and simmer gently for about 5 minutes just to soften the carrot a bit. Then add the lentils to the veggie bit - or the other way round if you feel so inclined. You may need to either simmer it a bit longer or add a little more water to get the right consistency (it has to be viscous enough to support the mash!) Then transfer it to an oven-proof dish and top with the mashed potatoes. Place under a hot grill or in the oven until golden brown. I know it's another lot of pulses, but it is really nice with baked beans! And some HP sauce kind of livens it up. If these quantities make too much - it will keep to have reheated the next day. (Or for supper if you can't wait that long!)

Having said it's quite simple - this makes it sound a bit complicated. Sorry!
xx

Thanks again for the recipe i really must recipricate and give you a recipe idea. In answer to the questions in the recipe i do have some bouillion gravy and no i do not use vegetable stock cubes i suspect there is something non vegan about them but not quite sure what it is(sorry if that is not very clear). I will give it a go very soon just been out for provisions and bought some lentils so there is nothing stopping me now. The recipe i am looking at for you is Nasi Goreng which looks too simple so i will be the guinea pig(no comments please) on this one.
TTFN
XXX

Doesn't Nasi Goreng usually contain egg? Or is there a vegan version?
The lentil shepherd's pie would be a good one to tackle over the weekend - assuming you have 2 hours to spare I somehow managed to make that sound really complicated but it's one of those meals I do really frequently (usually singing to myself - and chatting away to Johnnie Walker. He's a really good listener you know.........) It's amazing how difficult it can be to describe something that you do without thinking much about.
xx

Quickly taking advantage of brother still imbibing, Nasi Goreng i think contains fish and eggs but this version the ingredients are:
2 onions
2tbs vegetable oil
2tbs tomato ketchup
2tbs tabasco sauce
340grams cooked rice
1 small cucumber
Fry the onion till brown add the sauces and mix in well then add the cooked rice and stir fry till heated through then dice the cucumber on top and serve, since you have sneaked the recipe out of me, be it on your own head if you choose to try it!!
Will give the lentil shepherds pie a try tomorrow before doing it large tomorrow night.
XX

Sorry just had a thought is a medium carrot one that knows what is to become of it?
XX

Interesting thought - I suspect it may.
If mediums (media?) and fortune tellers really know their stuff - wouldn't you think they would all have cleaned up on the lottery by now?
xx

Nearly missed the Nasi Goreng recipe there - just zoomed straight to the last reply and couldn't see the one before on my screen - luckily scrolled up just in time.
Are you sure there's nothing else to Nasi Goreng? Sounds as though it could do with some other input. Time to experiment I think.
How's the shepherd's pie going? Be warned - it's very difficult just to eat a little of it. Do you think it's the right sort of meal to have just before going out dancing?
xx

Just thought i would message you here to keep you on youre toes!!
The recipe book does suggest peanuts and stir fry vegetables but i suppose it is a meal you could really experiment with. I know what you mean about the shepherds pie i did have an idea half way through to leave some but that was swiftly forgotten, also i did have it relatively early so after a quick relax i was raring to go!!
Quickly wanted to mention the foresight centre in liverpool city centre which runs various courses it makes me laugh because i cannot help imagining the lack of prospectuses as they must know how many pupils that will join and how many will drop out! I seem to remember a newspaper astrologer picked out the lottery numbers quite recently but that is only one in over ten years so that must be statistically quite likely to occur.
XX

I'll experiment with the rice thing and get back to you on that one. It will probably end up being more like a risotto. But who cares what it's called as long as it tastes good!
(So you thought you could catch me out by posting messages in different places, huh? I'm not ready to hand my detective's badge in that quickly!!)