- November 2010 Archives
More on U.S. factory farms
Check out this fantastic Factory Farm Map developed by Food and Water Watch. You can break it down by state and by animal just to see how factory farming has grown in your area over the last 10 years or so.
Heart of the City Market - San Francisco
I recently took a much needed vacation to California and traveled from Palm Springs to San Francisco along the Pacific Coast Highway. The trip was stunning, the company fantastic and the food scene? "Wow!" is all I have to stay about that. I have a few posts coming about the things I saw and the things I ate but my first post is about one of the fantastic farmers' markets I got to visit.
Balancing Thanksgiving decadence
The time has come - American Thanksgiving. In a few short hours (after a long, preemptive run), I'll be on the plane to Atlanta to join my family for the most decadent of holidays. As previously mentioned (and assumed if you know me at all), there will be Bourbon. There will also be a lot of specialties my Canadian buddies might not be familiar with. The Washington Post created an awesome little interactive infographic to help you understand what's about to go down.
Coca-Cola is not a public service
Coca-Cola is trying to position itself as some sort of African public service again. JEEZ! Sometimes folks like Marion Nestle say it so much better than I ever could. "Sales of Coke and Pepsi are declining in the United States. What better way to protect sales than to foist these products on the poor populations of emerging economies. We need to be exporting health, self-determination, and democracy, not sugary drinks. For shame!"
Gift that keeps on giving - Windowfarms
Remember months ago when I went on and on about how cool Windowfarms are? Well, apparently I am a taste maker, as they seem to be expanding in leaps and bounds and getting quite a lot of attention for their work.
The pear tree has landed
Remember when I wrote about the pear tree we were getting? Well, it's finally here! On Wednesday, two student workers from GreenHere arrived bright and early with my tree and mulch. Within 20 minutes the tree was in, and they were walking me through it's care. Our tree will need deep root watering 2 or 3 times a week until first frost, and over its life, will need pruning for optimal fruit production and health.
Breaking up with Walmart
I've been thinking about Walmart again. Walmart is like a bad date that you revisit again and again in your mind (you know, the date where the guy served you live-boiled lobster with ZERO side dishes, then acted as though nothing was out of the ordinary when his ex-girlfriend repeatedly phoned and left messages on the answering machine threatening to come over and kill both of you?), even though you know deep down that they just suck - end of story.
GE salmon and the FDA
Oh, FDA, why won't you just do your job? I have not met one person who argues in favour of AquaBounty's GE salmon (Genetically Engineered). Why would they? It's MESSED UP! The worst part is that the FDA is so afraid of the truth of the matter, they refuse to fully investigate the evidence and warnings from scientists.
I don't think you're ready for this jelly
So, I've been cracking open some of the canning. And while most has been lovely (the fig preserves, peach and poblano salsa and the red and green salsas especially), some has been a little disappointing. I seem to have over salted both the dill pickles and bread and butter pickles, and now I fear for the fate of the beets and red onions.
How to hide veggies from your family
I am counting down the days until the week of American Thanksgiving. This lil' southern girl has been working her fanny off lately (hence fewer blog posts - but don't worry, I'll be back on track soon). The bright spot on my horizon is a visit to Atlanta, Georgia for Thanksgiving to meet my new baby niece, cook up some down-home dishes, and consume a little (or maybe a lot) small-batch bourbon.
USDA pushes cheese
If I'm not careful, I'm going to slip back into the dark place - the "everything is deeply f***ed" mindset. I don't like to be there, as I'm generally a very hopeful, optimistic person. However, thinking about the USDA pushing cheese consumption on an obesity-ridden American population makes my pre-ulcer condition flare up.
Shana is saving seeds
This summer I planted scarlet runner beans along our back chain-link fence. I wanted something to grow up and cover the chain link (the bane of my existence) and they fit the bill. They are easy (a favourite for children's gardens for this reason), have nice red flowers and produce some food.
B.C. and Ontario food production
I admit it - I'm an absolute sucker for publications, television shows, films - just about anything that showcases what folks are doing to solve complex social problems. Some might say I'm, um... hopeful and positive. No cynicism at Casa Melanie allowed! In this vein, The Tyee has a new series running on Thursdays and Fridays that educates, stimulates and inspires: Growing the Local Bounty: Reports from Farmlands In Flux in Ontario and B.C.
PepsiCo and potato water
Walmart and PepsiCo may look a little like Halloween horrors to you, but it's worthwhile to follow what corporations like these are up to. Now and again, they roll out some interesting ideas. PepsiCo is the latest Bogeyman to step up to the sustainability plate.
