rss
  • June 2011 Archives
rss
30 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Shana Hillman

Frugal food for the days ahead

By Shana Hillman


Two things are happening in my life right now which are informing this post.  First the project I've worked on for the last seven years is coming to a close.  My hours were first cut back and then eventually I was laid off.  I'm totally at peace with this, I knew going in it was project with an end date and despite a few extensions I knew all good things eventually must come to an end.  I can't say I'm not a bit freaked out about what's coming next and worrying about money. Luckily we had the foresight to buy a house further out from the downtown core that we could afford if one of us (preferably not the Hubs) lost our job.  It still won't be easy and there will be a considerable amount of watching our pennies but it's doable until I find the perfect new project to sink my teeth into.

 
29 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Phillip

City of Toronto: one step back?

By Melanie Redman

I always loved dancing the Two-Step - mostly because it feels a lot like life, with two steps forward and one step back. Here's yet another example of Toronto taking a step back. I just came across a press release from the Toronto Environmental Alliance that makes me not only sad, but poised to start writing and calling City Hall. If you care about supporting local food, you should do the same.

 
26 June 2011
Photo courtesy Shana Hillman

Fresh from the garden - Swiss chard

By Shana Hillman


I can't get enough Swiss chard.  It is one of the first vegetables I remember growing and craving.  My parents had a huge vegetable garden and my mom made a small garden off to the side for us to have a garden of our own.  I'm certain that it was the act of growing my own and helping plant, tend, harvest and preserve from the big garden that made me love and appreciate vegetables.  I used to beg for a second helping of my mom's chard.  I'm not sure if it reveals more about my age or our economic situation but my mom used to serve chard steamed with lots of butter, a sprinkle of salt and a dash of white vinegar.  Fresh lemons and limes either weren't readily available at our small town IGA then or were just deemed too expensive by my Dad and we were already splurging eating all that butter!  But the white vinegar was just delicious all the same - you should definitely try it.

1 Comment
 
24 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Glen Bowman and Flickr Creative Commons

Forward thinking

By Melanie Redman

It's been a somewhat frustrating week here in Toronto. The mayor's crew wants to TAKE OUT bike lines. Yes, take them out. At a time when we need everyone to have their future planning hats on, so many folks insist on sticking their heads in the sand. On the flip side, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer once again proves that politicians can make positive change. What's he up to? He's turning public school roofs into integrated green spaces. 

 
22 June 2011
Photo courtesy Shana Hillman

Wordless Wednesday from the garden

By Shana Hillman


The garden continues to amaze.  Even when things go "wrong" there is beauty.  My arugula and mustard greens are bolting which means their times are coming to an end and I won't get another harvest before they turn really bitter and/or go to seed.  I had hoped to make a few more batches of my arugula pesto to freeze but life got in the way and I am kicking myself now.  However the flowers themselves are stunning and I've just read that bees especially are attracted to white and yellow blooms so the bright side is their flowers will attract more pollinators to the rest of the garden.  

 
19 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Skinnyde

Virtual farming?

By Melanie Redman

These days as I pound the warming downtown pavement, I must admit to having a little farm envy. I'm romanticizing the farm life. I even wore my Iowa farm apron last night while making dinner. And wouldn't you know it? I just came across an online project that allows average city-dwelling folks to get a taste of the farming life from the, um, comfort? of our computers! The only problem is the farm is in England, but that doesn't matter much online...

 
18 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Shana Hillman

Preserving the tartness of spring

By Shana Hillman


I have a thing for rhubarb.  I love it in cakes, crumbles or crisps and just simply stewed down into a compote which I eat over thick Greek yogurt or even with slices of plain pound cake.  My rhubarb is huge and has been throwing up alien looking flower stalks left and right this year.  I don't remember it doing that last year so like with basil I'm just cutting them off and hoping I can stretch out the season a bit longer.

 
16 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Glen Bowman and Flickr Creative Commons

Newest addition to the Hillman farm

By Shana Hillman

I have a problem.  I keep buying and acquiring plants for the yard and have almost no space left.  It's a sickness and I just can't help myself.  I take plants from friends, I buy them on sale at the Home Depot and corner stores and I even drag home the plants neighbours split and leave at the end of their walkways with little signs saying "free please take me".  First off as a new homeowner my current long-term garden plan is a lot of "throw as much in as possible and see what thrives and what doesn't" and second this girl cannot pass up a deal.

4 Comments
 
07 June 2011
Photo courtesy of Flickr and Steve took it

Italians fight water privitization

By Melanie Redman

It's that time of year again. The heat starts to creep in, and if you're like me, fantasies of early morning and late night swims in crystal clear lakes and rivers abound. It's also time for the now annual Canadian Water Summit here in Toronto at The International Centre on June 14th. As mentioned many times previously, I believe Canada has a real opportunity and obligation to lead the globe in guaranteeing water as a human right. If you're one of the 466,155 Italians living here in Toronto, you need to start thinking about water right now, as Italy will soon have a nation-wide referendum on issues relating to the management of water, and you'll want to have a voice in that.