I'm in my bedroom in Boston right now listening to NPR reporters talk about a salmonella outbreak that's happening in chicken coming out of California. Some CDC employees are being brought out of furlough so they can work on this. This is scary.
Obviously, being aware about what you are eating and where it came from is something I encourage people to do all the time, everyday. I am literally getting a masters degree in this. People need to be more aware about what they put into their bodies. But I know that not everyone cares, or have the resources to do this all the time. I'd be lying if I said that I did it all the time. I eat more breakfasts at Dunkies than I would like to admit.
But the government is shut down right now. Food inspections aren't being done because staff are being furloughed. Food inspections. INSPECTIONS ON THE FOOD THAT IS IN THIS COUNTRY.
If you trusted the government with ensuring that the food you eat is good. And by "good" here, I don't mean tasty - I mean safe to eat. If you trusted the government with this before (and if you did, please, let's talk about that, I've got some information that you should know) be assured - these inspections aren't happening with the frequency that they were.
So please friends, now, more than ever -
*Buy foods that you know the source of. (I'm not talking about the grocery store here - I'm talking about country of origin)
*Make sure you are cooking foods appropriately and thoroughly. (Sure - rare meat is some people's idea of a good time. But I wouldn't go there if I didn't know the farm that the meat came from.)
*This is the best time to explore local food systems.
*Make sure that you are checking for food recalls/investigations that are happening.
*Educate yourself. The information is out there.
Stay safe friends, I don't want anyone getting sick from tainted chicken...
-Bethy
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
Epic Diamond Road Trip - Day 2, Part 1: Burlington, VT
J and I woke up from our car camping (in the most literal way) and hit the road early. Before we left the rest stop, I snapped a few pictures - one educational, one environmental. Both worthy of a look.
We were just a 15 or so minute drive from Burlington. I was SO excited to show James this city in Vermont that I had been to for the first time in June, and absolutely fell in love with. Once again, it did not disappoint. We just went through the city, got some breakfast, and kept on going. That beautiful country to the north was calling...
For my morning caffeine fix, James and I stopped at Uncommon Grounds, a coffee shop located downtown on Church St. They source their baked goods locally, and the place smells delicious. When I was in Burlington in June, I spent a few hours in there studying. Heaven.
For food, I had a bagel from the Market Basket in Concord, and we stopped in City Market, Burlington's local co-op for cream cheese. City Market has these fantastic little signs in bright neon telling you if the product is local or organic, or both. Honestly, it's refreshing. As most people who are interested in food do, I look at price vs. values claims when trying to decide what to buy. I enthusiastically picked up some local cream cheese without any hesitation or desire to eat the Philadelphia cream cheese that was $.20 cheaper.
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| I learned about the beginnings of the interstate system in 11th grade - one of those kind of random, pretty useless things that Ms. Konrad taught me that has stuck through the years... |
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| "We've got plans for your bottles and cans." If every recycle bin rhymed at people, maybe we would all recycle more... |
We were just a 15 or so minute drive from Burlington. I was SO excited to show James this city in Vermont that I had been to for the first time in June, and absolutely fell in love with. Once again, it did not disappoint. We just went through the city, got some breakfast, and kept on going. That beautiful country to the north was calling...
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| Down the hill into downtown Burlington |
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| I'm pretty sure you couldn't get a more beautiful blend of colors...gorgeous. |
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| Have coffee, have flowers for my amazing friends Erin and Chris, have everything I need... |
For my morning caffeine fix, James and I stopped at Uncommon Grounds, a coffee shop located downtown on Church St. They source their baked goods locally, and the place smells delicious. When I was in Burlington in June, I spent a few hours in there studying. Heaven.
For food, I had a bagel from the Market Basket in Concord, and we stopped in City Market, Burlington's local co-op for cream cheese. City Market has these fantastic little signs in bright neon telling you if the product is local or organic, or both. Honestly, it's refreshing. As most people who are interested in food do, I look at price vs. values claims when trying to decide what to buy. I enthusiastically picked up some local cream cheese without any hesitation or desire to eat the Philadelphia cream cheese that was $.20 cheaper.
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| Breakfast - coffee, bagel, cream cheese. |
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| Caffeine goodness. |
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| Sallying forth to 89! |
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| Part of the awesomeness of the car we rented was the radio that told us what song was playing. |
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| It was the first real pop of fall colors. Just that tiny bit. |
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| Seriously, if you've never been to Vermont, it pretty much all looks like this. Too pretty. |
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| Getting gas in gallons one last time before we had to start buying it in liters |
Next post - Montreal!
-Bethy
Friday, October 4, 2013
Too furious not to post
Ok. So I tried to ignore this. I tried to read this, and be silently a) disgusted and b) sad. To chalk it up to someone who I don't know doing something I didn't want them to do because I didn't think it was good for them. And it sat. And marinated.
And I found myself coming back to this article, and becoming a) more incensed with every moment and b) so so SO sad.
When I was living in Alaska, I worked in a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter for a year. Now, I don't know everything there is to know about abusive relationships, but I do know a lot. Probably more than your average citizen. I've attended trainings and classes about abusive relationships, as well as spending a lot of time being and speaking with women who have endured unbelievable experiences of abuse - both physical and emotional. I have heard stories that made my blood run cold hearing about the power that someone can hold over another person.
Now, I know that you're wondering - where's the food connection? Why are we talking about this?
Well, I'm sure that most of you have heard about the 300 sandwiches lady. (If not - here's an article that should catch you right up.)
I have a few things to say about this. No, scratch that - I have a few things to say to Stephanie Smith.
1. If, in fact, you are serious about this - if you really do feel that a partner saying to you "you've been awake for 15 minutes and haven't made me a sandwich?" in a serious manner, like, he means it - for reals - is ok, then girl, please GET OUT NOW. Relationships take many forms, and every one is different, but power dynamics like this have no place in a healthy relationship. I repeat - this is not a healthy relationship. It doesn't matter if your man cooks the rest of the time or not. It's just. not. ok.
2. If this is not serious - if you're joking about the whole thing, just doing this for a book or movie deal, or came up with this while you were bored one night sitting in front of the TV with your man, I'm sad that you're willing to claim your 15 minutes of fame with something that could be so hurtful as to normalize abusive behavior, and to put it on the internet in such a display. According to the National Council Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women in the United States will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Let that sink in for a second. 1 in 4. If 1,000 people look at your website, that means that 250 have lived through violence by a partner, or are currently in a relationship with a skewed power dynamic. Your insistence of normalizing the interactions that you have with your partner could be harmful on a HUGE scale. You and your partner may think that this is all good and fun and casual, but there are so many women living in relationships where their partners say these things and mean them.
3. I'm really upset that the kitchen is the place where these skewed gender relations are taking place. I'm more upset that sandwiches are the object in question. The phrase "make me a sandwich" is a charged one. To many, it lies on the same plane as "women should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen." It has become somewhat of a joke because of the obvious mysoginistic undertones. Because now, in 2013, we assume that no one would say these things with any seed of seriousness. It feels awful to see these words being acted upon seriously, even if they are not said in that way.
4. I love to cook for others. I love to make sandwiches. When I was living with my ex-boyfriend, I cooked for him often. And yes, sometimes he asked me to make him food. But he never commanded me to do it. And if he had ever put the development of our relationship on the table in exchange?? It's too far, it's offensive to women, it's offensive to people who have been abused, it's offensive to everyone in a relationship who cooks for their partner.
The internet has exploded with comments about this article. Many people are angry. Some just want to eat all the sandwiches that Ms. Smith is making. I'm alright with being angry AND wanting to eat those sammies. They do, in fact, look delicious. But delicious enough to publicize and glamorize a relationship with an unhealthy power dynamic?
Ehh...no.
-Bethy
And I found myself coming back to this article, and becoming a) more incensed with every moment and b) so so SO sad.
When I was living in Alaska, I worked in a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter for a year. Now, I don't know everything there is to know about abusive relationships, but I do know a lot. Probably more than your average citizen. I've attended trainings and classes about abusive relationships, as well as spending a lot of time being and speaking with women who have endured unbelievable experiences of abuse - both physical and emotional. I have heard stories that made my blood run cold hearing about the power that someone can hold over another person.
Now, I know that you're wondering - where's the food connection? Why are we talking about this?
Well, I'm sure that most of you have heard about the 300 sandwiches lady. (If not - here's an article that should catch you right up.)
I have a few things to say about this. No, scratch that - I have a few things to say to Stephanie Smith.
1. If, in fact, you are serious about this - if you really do feel that a partner saying to you "you've been awake for 15 minutes and haven't made me a sandwich?" in a serious manner, like, he means it - for reals - is ok, then girl, please GET OUT NOW. Relationships take many forms, and every one is different, but power dynamics like this have no place in a healthy relationship. I repeat - this is not a healthy relationship. It doesn't matter if your man cooks the rest of the time or not. It's just. not. ok.
2. If this is not serious - if you're joking about the whole thing, just doing this for a book or movie deal, or came up with this while you were bored one night sitting in front of the TV with your man, I'm sad that you're willing to claim your 15 minutes of fame with something that could be so hurtful as to normalize abusive behavior, and to put it on the internet in such a display. According to the National Council Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women in the United States will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Let that sink in for a second. 1 in 4. If 1,000 people look at your website, that means that 250 have lived through violence by a partner, or are currently in a relationship with a skewed power dynamic. Your insistence of normalizing the interactions that you have with your partner could be harmful on a HUGE scale. You and your partner may think that this is all good and fun and casual, but there are so many women living in relationships where their partners say these things and mean them.
3. I'm really upset that the kitchen is the place where these skewed gender relations are taking place. I'm more upset that sandwiches are the object in question. The phrase "make me a sandwich" is a charged one. To many, it lies on the same plane as "women should be barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen." It has become somewhat of a joke because of the obvious mysoginistic undertones. Because now, in 2013, we assume that no one would say these things with any seed of seriousness. It feels awful to see these words being acted upon seriously, even if they are not said in that way.
4. I love to cook for others. I love to make sandwiches. When I was living with my ex-boyfriend, I cooked for him often. And yes, sometimes he asked me to make him food. But he never commanded me to do it. And if he had ever put the development of our relationship on the table in exchange?? It's too far, it's offensive to women, it's offensive to people who have been abused, it's offensive to everyone in a relationship who cooks for their partner.
The internet has exploded with comments about this article. Many people are angry. Some just want to eat all the sandwiches that Ms. Smith is making. I'm alright with being angry AND wanting to eat those sammies. They do, in fact, look delicious. But delicious enough to publicize and glamorize a relationship with an unhealthy power dynamic?
Ehh...no.
-Bethy
Acorn Squash Deliciousness
I know. I need to catch up my blogs to my life.
But, for now, a placeholder.
Has fall gotten to you? Did you pick up a squash at the grocery store because you were caught up with the explosions of fall that happened as soon as you walked in through those doors? Or did you get an acorn squash in your CSA box, and not have a super good idea on what to do with it? Are you intimidated by something that has such a thick skin that you don't eat raw?
Well, do I have the recipe for you...
Now, bear in mind, when I say "recipe," I don't mean 1/2 tsp of this and 2 cups of that. This is what I mean:
1. Wash off the squash.
2. Cut in half (I cut mine lengthwise, but I don't see any reason why you shouldn't cut yours the other way if that's your jam.)
3. Scoop out the seeds and stuff on the inside so you you have a fun indentation to put things in!
4. Make cuts into the squash - 3 or 4 lines diagonally across. (You'll see what I mean when you see the picture). This helps the flavor to seep into the squash, and makes it easier to eat later! You don't have to cut all the way down to the rind, just a shallow cut is fine.
4. Add flavor! I put a little pat of butter, some maple syrup, a sprinkle of raw sugar, and some salt in mine. You can add that, OR, whatever the hell you want. Seriously. Want a sweeter snack? Put some brown sugar in there. Want something savory? Try some of your favorite herbs. I personally think that curry powder makes most things delicious, so maybe next time, I'll try some of that. Do what makes you feel good! I would make sure that you've got some sort of fat (butter, oil, etc) in there, as that is what will make the liquid in the middle that you'll dip the squash into.
5. Put in a pan. Add a cup or two of water in the pan (so the squash halves are sitting in just a little bit of water.)
6. Cover with tin foil. Bake at 400 degrees. I baked mine for maybe 30 minutes? This is definitely something that you can put in the oven and forget about. Do something else. Then after you remember about it, take a look. Poke at the edge with a spoon. Is it getting a little bit soft? If yes, proceed. If no, do some more dishes or whatever, and check a little bit later.
7. Take the tin foil off. Whatever you put in the middle of the squash should be a delicious looking, delicious smelling soup of flavor goodness. Check after 10 minutes or so. Are the edges starting to get a little bit brown?
8. Remove from oven.
9. Procure a spoon.
10. EAT. SWOON. REPEAT. (I mean, I guess you can put it on a plate or something, but let's be honest, I ate mine right off the baking pan.)
But, for now, a placeholder.
Has fall gotten to you? Did you pick up a squash at the grocery store because you were caught up with the explosions of fall that happened as soon as you walked in through those doors? Or did you get an acorn squash in your CSA box, and not have a super good idea on what to do with it? Are you intimidated by something that has such a thick skin that you don't eat raw?
Well, do I have the recipe for you...
Now, bear in mind, when I say "recipe," I don't mean 1/2 tsp of this and 2 cups of that. This is what I mean:
1. Wash off the squash.
2. Cut in half (I cut mine lengthwise, but I don't see any reason why you shouldn't cut yours the other way if that's your jam.)
3. Scoop out the seeds and stuff on the inside so you you have a fun indentation to put things in!
4. Make cuts into the squash - 3 or 4 lines diagonally across. (You'll see what I mean when you see the picture). This helps the flavor to seep into the squash, and makes it easier to eat later! You don't have to cut all the way down to the rind, just a shallow cut is fine.
4. Add flavor! I put a little pat of butter, some maple syrup, a sprinkle of raw sugar, and some salt in mine. You can add that, OR, whatever the hell you want. Seriously. Want a sweeter snack? Put some brown sugar in there. Want something savory? Try some of your favorite herbs. I personally think that curry powder makes most things delicious, so maybe next time, I'll try some of that. Do what makes you feel good! I would make sure that you've got some sort of fat (butter, oil, etc) in there, as that is what will make the liquid in the middle that you'll dip the squash into.
5. Put in a pan. Add a cup or two of water in the pan (so the squash halves are sitting in just a little bit of water.)
6. Cover with tin foil. Bake at 400 degrees. I baked mine for maybe 30 minutes? This is definitely something that you can put in the oven and forget about. Do something else. Then after you remember about it, take a look. Poke at the edge with a spoon. Is it getting a little bit soft? If yes, proceed. If no, do some more dishes or whatever, and check a little bit later.
7. Take the tin foil off. Whatever you put in the middle of the squash should be a delicious looking, delicious smelling soup of flavor goodness. Check after 10 minutes or so. Are the edges starting to get a little bit brown?
8. Remove from oven.
9. Procure a spoon.
10. EAT. SWOON. REPEAT. (I mean, I guess you can put it on a plate or something, but let's be honest, I ate mine right off the baking pan.)
You're welcome.
-Bethy
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