Good Read... and Soup Night Results

For those of you who are interested, we had a great Soup Night on Sunday. You can read all about it on the Burp! blog.  Hope more of you can make it out to the next one, which will be on Sunday, March 28th!

Also -- Peef sent me an article this morning that I think it worth a read. Jeffrey Tang from The Art of Great Things writes about The Case for the Low-Risk Start  -- which talks about some alternative to the infamous "leap of faith" most people think of when someone says "do what you love."  Some really great thoughts here about taking it slow and being deliberate about your choices.

Let me know what you think!

The Big Hurrah! And Something to Read

First -- the BIG NEWS. Peef is employed!! (And just look at him -- who could resist?) He got a job and started this week. He's been too busy to post the news, but I thought it was too awesome NOT to share. That said, I'm going to let HIM post the details as he sees fit.

On another note, I glimpsed something fun today while I was poking around the Internets. It's a great article about Milwaukee that appeared in Air Tran's in-flight magazine, GO. Fun trivia and great information about all the cool stuff that's going on in Milwaukee.

Very recently, someone commented to me that only two kinds of people dislike Milwaukee -- those who have lived here all of their lives and those who have never been here. And it's really true. Familiarity breeds contempt, as they say -- and people who've never left the city won't appreciate what they miss when they leave. On the other hand, people who've never been to Milwaukee can't imagine that we're something more than a rusty old industrial town that smells like cheese.

Of course, some of us know better.
Milwaukee is really one of the better kept secrets of the Midwest.

Read it here: On the Town -- Milwaukee

Honestly -- it's validating for those of us who live here and LOVE our city. It might also be inspiration for those of you who haven't visited, but really should.

Something I Read Today: Alternatives to bottled water

We've been trying to cut back on bottled water at our house for quite some time. There are all sorts of reasons to do this... the environment being a really big one.

We know why people love bottled water. It is is ever-so-convenient. And habits can be difficult to break.

BUT, I found something that might help. Amy's got a really great list of viable alternatives to bottled water on her blog. Including an option for people who love to drink SPARKLING water (something I never thought about).

And trust me, these things really are do-able.

The only place I'd depart from her wisdom is with regard to the Brita pitcher recommendation. If you look into Brita, you'll find that the filtering process is only marginally useful (and really only filters out chlorine taste/odors when it all comes down). So, I'd recommend an alternative. We use a PUR pitcher, which is effective for water in our particular area. But, depending on your water conditions, I'd recommend a bit of research in that area.

Something I Read Today: Growing Better Tomatoes

If you're interested in raising vegetables, you'll find some interesting stuff at Grow Better Veggies, a site that promotes biodynamic approaches to vegetable gardening.

Their advice on growing tomatoes is really fabulous, although I'll warn you that they recommend putting a whole BUNCH of stuff into those planting holes. We stopped short of the fresh fish heads. But, we are taking a bunch of her advice to heart.

I know this post is coming a bit late for some (after all, it's mid-June), but I also know that quite a few of you haven't quite gotten your gardens underway this year, due to lots of inclement weather. Plus, with all the news about salmonella in the grocery store tomato supply, growing a few of your own might not be a bad idea at all. So, I'm sharing. If nothing else, you can stow away the good info for next year's garden!

Something I Read Today: Pre-Grilling-Season Tips and Cheesy Bits

Spring has (mostly) sprung here in Wisconsin, but the temperatures are still resisting the rise above 60ºF. We've hauled out our trusty Weber grill for the season, but still find ourselves opting for indoor cooking methods most of the time.

Some of you might know that Mark Bittman isn't always my favorite chef. His tendency toward simplicity (often at all costs) makes me squirm a bit. And he always seems to be pointing out things that seem rather obvious to the likes of me. However, I have to hand it to him. He makes some good points in his recent article about "oven options" when it's not quite grilling season.

I'm especially intrigued by the recipe for mock tandoori chicken -- which is sure to get some oven time at our house.

I also ran across a review of one of my favorite cheeses (Oregonzola) over at Vanilla Garlic. So, I thought I'd share. Lots of good cheesy foodie bits there.

Something I Read Today: OK, two things

So, we've been contemplating getting tickets to see Bon Iver when he comes to the lovely Pabst Theater in August (since it's a $10 show, this is almost a no-brainer... but we like to make thoughtful decisions). We've been interested in him since we heard him on NPR last year, and found out that he's from Wisconsin. Just read this article about him today.

Also happened upon an interesting article about personality tests for cats.

Yeah, diversity in reading is good. :)

Something I Read Today: Top 12 Foods To Eat Organic

I came across this article on msn.com today, The Dirty Dozen: Top 12 Foods to Eat Organic

Sure enough, it's a reiteration of lists that have come before. But, I thought it was a nice update (and a solemn reminder that the pesticide levels have NOT decreased in lovely things like peaches, strawberries). The addition of meat and dairy to the standard list of produce is an important one, I think, since both involve fats that retain a high level of pesticides & other nasties. Coffee is another one that hasn't appeared on other lists I've seen.

The list, in brief:

1. Meat
2. Dairy
3. Coffee
4. Peaches
5. Apples
6. Sweet Bell Peppers
7. Celery
8. Strawberries
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes
11. Potatoes
12. Tomatoes

I also thought this list was a nice reminder of the fruits/veggies that are less risky. Buy these if you can't find organic:

1. asparagus
2. broccoli
3. brussels sprouts, cabbage
4. eggplant
5. kiwi
6. pineapple
7. raspberries

Something I Read Today: Article about Anthropologie

I found this article while surfing around today for something else. And I found it pretty interesting.

I don't think we have an Anthropologie yet in Milwaukee (though things seem to be cropping up here every day). But, I've been meandered in the store in Seattle, and I believe there was also one in Iowa City (or another place where I lived once... apparently age has destroyed a few of my brain cells that control vivid memory).

I totally agree that Anthropologie is an experience more than anything. And it's one of the few places that seems to do a pretty fine job of marketing itself to me (despite the fact that I'm probably on the lowest end of their income scale). So very UNlike the Abercrombie & Fitches of the the world, which actually SCARE me more than anything.

If you ask me, more businesses really need to start taking cues from the likes of them (and Starbucks, for that matter). This is the sort of creative energy that I see taking retail into the future.

Something I Read Today: Forbidden Fruits

I ran across this article from the NY Times yesterday, and took it home to read last night.

I was attracted to it, in part, because it's written by a farmer -- and I was interested in his point of view.

I'm now wondering if this is one of the reasons why our friends, living in Fargo, can't find a decent farmer's market in their area. Maybe the farmers can't afford to grow (and sell) local fruits and veggies in the first place...

*growl*

Something I Read Today: For the Young Who Want To

Marge Piercy always seems to speak to me.
This is another good one I ran across today in my meanderings.

For the Young Who Want To
Marge Piercy

Talent is what they say
you have after the novel
is published and favorably
reviewed. Beforehand what
you have is a tedious
delusion, a hobby like knitting.

Work is what you have done
after the play is produced
and the audience claps.
Before that friends keep asking
when you are planning to go
out and get a job.

Genius is what they know you
had after the third volume
of remarkable poems. Earlier
they accuse you of withdrawing,
ask why you don't have a baby,
call you a bum.

The reason people want M.F.A.'s,
take workshops with fancy names
when all you can really
learn is a few techniques,
typing instructions and some-
body else's mannerisms

is that every artist lacks
a license to hang on the wall
like your optician, your vet
proving you may be a clumsy sadist
whose fillings fall into the stew
but you're certified a dentist.

The real writer is one
who really writes. Talent
is an invention like phlogiston
after the fact of fire.
Work is its own cure. You have to
like it better than being loved.

Copyright 1980, Middlemarsh, Inc. from THE MOON IS ALWAYS FEMALE Alfred A. Knopf, New York

Something I Read Today: Food Haikus!

Peef pointed me to yesterday's entry on Omnivoracious.com
Yes, it's Michael Pollan again (yes, he's the very happy bald guy in the picture). But, this time he comes complete with food haikus!!
Like this one:

Earl Butz
Liked his corn
In cups

And this one:

Worm bin
Daily food scraps
Happy worms

I LOVE happy worms!!

Something I Read Today: Common Sense

OK, I'm a little bit insulted.
Apparently, we all need someone like Mark Bittman to tell us all about kitchen basics.

Check out this article in the NY Times.
I'll give him that these are common myths (and probably prevalent). But, that's all I'll give him.

Anyone who has tried his/her hand at guacamole knows that putting the avocado pit in the guacamole doesn't keep the dip from browning. You'll really only try that "trick" once.

And don't get me started on the semantics when we start saying that a microwave "bakes" anything...

Some of you may know that I am NOT Mr. Bittman's biggest fan by a long shot. So, feel free to disregard my criticism if you feel I'm being unusually harsh. I probably am.

Something I read today: Food Meets Politics

In light of the Wisconsin Primary, I thought these political summaries from The Kitchn were somewhat appropriate.

What do each of the 2008 presidential candidates have to say about food, agriculture, organics, sustainable farming and other key issues in today's food economy?

Hilary Clinton
Barack Obama
John McCain

Something I read today: Perseopolis

So, I was reading throught the predicted list of Oscar nominees today, and checked into a few movies I've not seen.

In doing so, I stumbled upon a movie that I absolutely must see: Perseopolis I hope this movie gets the accolades it seems to deserve.

Incidentally, I also stumbled upon a new band today. Another Cynthia.
They're from Portland... and they appear to be pretty good. And they're self produced, which is cool.

Something I read today: Average is the new Awesome

The pressure is off.

Finally, I can live my life without stress to BE MORE (probably a good thing, since it's Friday... and I simply CAN'T be any more anymore anyhow).

Those of you who know me can probably imagine that I'm having a hard time saying that without my tongue placed firmly in cheek. But, this article did get me thinking about the pressures we place on ourselves to be exceptional. And I might be coming around.

A part of me is truly refreshed by the idea that a bit of mindfulness goes a very long way... so I thought I'd share.

Something I read today: An Omnivore Defends Real Food

In following the hype surrounding Michael Pollan’s latest book, “In Defense of Food", I read this New York Times piece.

Pollan's thesis is simple: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
I don't think that one can really disagree with that premise. It's simple. To the point. And it gets at the heart of what we need to do to eat for health (and for the environment). Admittedly, I'm a bit of a hedonist when it comes to cooking and food, so the "not too much" part is my biggest downfall. But, I digress.

That said --I'm not sure I'll be buying the book.
I've not yet read "In Defense of Food;" but, having read quite a bit about it already, I'm starting to wonder if the information it contains is just more recycled bits. Take for instance Pollan's article "Unhappy Meals" which appeared last January in the NYT.

Something I read today

This article from the Utne Reader was posted over at Deb's Lunch the other day. Intrigued by the sub-header (Why Michael Pollan Makes Me Want to Eat Cheetos), I printed it off and gave it a read.

The article is well conceived, and Julie Guthman (UC-Santa Cruz) presents a good argument against the "tone" of Michael Pollan's book. Her point that "fat people bear the weight" when it comes to public conversation about food and food policy is well taken. Pollan's book does seem to suggest that WE are fat because we are too stupid to eat the foods that would keep us thin.

Dr. Guthman also cautions the latest "food movements" against an anti-regulatory approach to food politics... the sense of apolitical privilege that tends to oppress.

Got me thinking.
And so, I ask: Are we, as locovores, a bunch of smug, self-righteous (and PC) idiots? No, we don't have to be. In fact, I'd argue that it's vital that we NOT be.

One of the biggest things I've struggled with, when it comes to my support of "local" and "organic" is that it's a difficult topic to discuss without coming off as completely judgmental. It's also become an increasingly difficult topic as organic farms get BIGGER and more industrialized. It's a tough thing. For me, this is a very personal issue in a great many ways -- those of you who know me probably know that. Lately, I've been pondering the issues of availability and access when it comes to organic food, and it's leading me to some pretty interesting reading. Food and social justice, it seems, are inextricably tied... and it seems Pollan, in all of his wisdom, seems to have neglected that small truth.

Something I read today: What Would Michael Pollan Eat?

As someone who was intrigued and challenged by The Omnivore's Dilemma, my head turned when I came across this article in the SanFrancisco Gate this week.

The question of "What would Michael Pollan Eat" had me chuckling at first glance. But, while the article isn't particularly humorous, it's a great reminder of some keys for "real" eating (like the carbon footprint we make when we eat meat).

I thought you, too, might enjoy.

PS
Another soup hint. #2 is NOT vegetarian.

Something I read today: Marge Piercy

Marge Piercy poem: Each Day, One More

What can they do
to you? Whatever they want.
They can set you up, they can
bust you, they can break
your fingers, they can
burn your brain with electricity,
blur you with drugs till you
can't walk, can't remember, they can
take your child, wall up
your lover. They can do anything
you can't stop them
from doing. How can you stop
them? Alone, you can fight,
you can refuse, you can
take what revenge you can
but they roll over you.
But two people fighting
back to back can cut through
a mob, a snake-dancing file
can break a cordon, an army
can meet an army.

Two people can keep each other
sane, can give support, conviction,
love, massage, hope, sex.
Three people are a delegation,
a committee, a wedge. With four
you can play bridge and start
an organization. With six
you can rent a whole house,
eat pie for dinner with no
seconds, and hold a fund raising party.
A dozen make a demonstration.
A hundred fill a hall.
A thousand have solidarity and your own newsletter;
ten thousand, power and your own paper;
a hundred thousand, your own media;
ten million, your own country.

It goes on one at a time,
it starts when you care
to act, it starts when you do
it again after they said no,
it starts when you say We
and know who you mean, and each
day you mean one more.

From The Moon Is Always Female, by Marge Piercy
Copyright 1980 by Marge Piercy

Something I read today: Freeganism

I thought this statement about Freeganism written by No Impact Man was thought provoking.
If nothing else, it gets you thinking about how MUCH food we waste each day here in the U.S.

Be sure to watch the CNN clip he posts to his site.