Food Network goes local?

Okay, this one is for my blogger and buddy, Shana Hillman. Though I must admit I have never watched the Food Network, I'm assuming many of our readers do. For those of you who do, you can join Shana in jumping for joy at the prospect of the Food Network implementing a policy to source local. 

Why we're fat

Well, the thing is, I'm not fat. I could be, if I hadn't developed a taste for vegetables and exercise to balance out my love of double bacon cheeseburgers. I should set the record straight, in that, I love all people and think focusing on size is pretty ridiculous. However, I want folks to be healthy and able to live lives free from pain. Obesity generally impedes this freedom. And if we Americans love anything, it's the WORD freedom! 

Robbing Peter to pay Paul

Lately it seems like we're bombarded with short-sighted solutions to really complex and important problems. Early this morning, I was catching up on some reading in The New York Times, and caught a little more about what is happening concerning the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act in the U.S. Folks are calling the proposed solution, "Robbing Peter to pay Paul." 

Goodbye Summer, hello Fall

(Note: This post was written a few days ago, hence the first day of Fall reference.) Today was the last official day of Summer - tomorrow the first day of Fall. Summer went out with a bang too - highs between 26 and 28 with brilliant sunshine - a good show for all.

Sick food movement

If you know me, you know I'm pretty darn sensitive. Maybe I've mentioned before that my mom once wrote on my application for summer camp that, "Melanie is very, very sensitive. You must be careful of her feelings." Of course, when I snuck a read of the application, I burst into tears. It makes sense, then, that when I'm reading about food security issues my heart often hurts. I just read a piece on AlterNet that makes my heart hurt, my head hurt and my tummy hurt. It's about the "Sick Food Movement," and folks, it's horrifying.

Buy local, share local

I'm rarely star struck (okay that's not entirely true - early in my career, I was an assistant at a large performing arts venue here in Toronto, and once was charged with being the handler for Mikhail Baryshnikov during a press junket - I was a bumbling, stuttering mess around him, but to his credit, he was very nice to me, despite my rampant foot-in-mouth disease), but I was super excited to hear Anna Olson was going to be making a personal appearance at the CNE. So, I had to plan our annual trip around her appearance, and get my cookbook signed!

Food resistance

Even in job interview settings, when folks ask me what my biggest professional challenge is, I can easily name that I am not so good with authority. I also consider this one of my greatest assets. It's why I choose leadership positions professionally, and why I love to host the dinner parties. So, naturally, resisting the food authorities resonates with me.

Fig preserves two ways

My favourite cheese shop sells jars of fig jam - it's a lovely accompaniment to goat cheese, nutty aged cheddars and gouda. It also makes the world's best grilled cheese, with one of those cheeses and some prosciutto. Sadly it costs $5.75 for a tiny jar and I can't stomach that expense. Luckily, living in Corso Italia has its benefits, as at this time of year our fruit markets have been loaded with small crates of fresh figs ranging in price from $6.99 to $10. I recently brought home two such crates (each holds 12 or 13 plump figs the size of a large plum) - one in black mission figs and the other of smooth green Kadota figs.

Because you can

This summer I have been obsessed with canning and preserving. I love the idea of saving some of the fantastic produce I've gotten at the farmers' market as well as the fruits from my own gardening adventures. And while I'm on a diet these days (all that pancetta catches up to people) the time I'm spending in the kitchen working on preserves means I'm still indulging my desire to cook and be around food but it's all relatively good for me. Plus come the holiday season I'll have a basement full of hostess gifts at the ready!

Stronger regulations for antibiotic use

We all have opinions about what constitutes important historical moments. Some lean toward the mechanization of household tasks, others are more interested in innovations in human flight, or in the preservation of food. When I think about transformative historical moments, I can't help but remember the day that I realized I had moved from a B cup to a C cup.

A rose by any other name...

Monsanto meets Blackwater (cringe)

Luxury water? Um, no thank you.

Examine the image above. I'm sure you've developed sideways reading powers over the years, so no complaints - look at it! Now tell, me folks, what does Ron White imagine "Luxury Water" to be? 

Alcohol first aid?

Today is my first day of a little cleanse, inspired by a couple of friends who are even keeping table wine at bay for a while to optimize health and balance. Given that little admission, I found this little piece on BBC News even more compelling. The British Red Cross is thinking of teaching children alcohol first aid. Yep.

More goodness from Edible Radio

I've said it before - Marion Nestle is a hero of mine. Not only is she a food policy maven, but she's a damn good writer and blogger to boot! Nestle's book, Food Politics, was my introduction to the complexity and importance of food policy. Edible Radio, one of my favourite things to listen to while I prepare dinner and sip vino, recently had Nestle in the studio.

CBC Radio explores the meat question

My girl Katrin sent over a fantastic 3-part series from CBC Radio that explores the conundrum that is the decision of whether to eat meat or not to eat meat. Most have a strong opinion on one side or the other of the argument, but a hand full of us weigh the arguments on almost a daily basis. And, just when I think I'm full-on vegetarian again, I stumble into Sanagan's Meat Locker and have them ring up some local beef!

Avoiding Big M

I know I've mentioned it before on Folks Gotta Eat, but in case you missed it, I grew up with the spectre that is Monsanto around every corner. I had family members who worked there, and the farmers around us were all beholden to Monsanto in one way or another (something of a "company store" relationship).

Mistakes - I've made a few...

Overall, I'm wildly pleased with my garden - it's amazing what full sun, some free city compost  and water will do. But, I have to admit a lot of the success so far is due in equal parts to dumb luck and a hot sunny summer. I have a wild jungle of tomato plants and kale, I haven't had to buy any fresh herbs since early June - hell I even have a tomato plant I didn't plant growing from the compost pile as a bonus!

CBC's The Main Ingredient

Everything under one roof

Oh, Grist, what a fine online environmental magazine experience you are. Once again, you've introduced me to something new. However, I'm not sure if this one is an Idea to Grow, as something about hydroponics makes me feel icky. The project is known as Acropolis, and the folks behind it seek to grow, produce and sell food all under one roof. 

Requiring permits for urban ag

There is a Libertarian living inside of me somewhere, whispering in my inner ear. I was just reading a piece about Pittsburgh's efforts to regulate city agriculture (beekeeping, community gardens, and raising chickens) by requiring permits for these activities. That's when my inner Libertarian started SCREAMING!