Flickr Foto Friday

Carrot Cookies
Originally uploaded by myfeasts.

Now...a word about one of our advertisers....

They look too cool....gentlereaders...start (flame) your mixers!

FlameKA.com

I make artisan bread. I have burned 3 PRO 600 KA mixers in warranty which were all replaced. I am THEMAN @ FlameKA.com. But my mixers were plain. I wanted my mixer flamed but didn't have the money for an airbrush job. I knew life could be unfair but that didn't stop me from getting flames.

...We came, we saw, we baked some bread. But whatever your specialty know we feel your pan. We once had mixers that weren't Flamed. But now they envy us. Come. Join us. Flame it up!

Too cool! Check them out! Flame it up!

(Looks like you can go shopping for these flames on eBay, too!)

2041

Beagle dawn
Originally uploaded by divide & concur.

an amazing adventurous seafaring expedition of awareness and teaching about the challenges and opportunities faced by inhabitants of this big blue marble.

The Voyage for Cleaner Energy is a worldwide lecture series and sailing expedition by Robert Swan and his team at 2041. The purpose of the voyage is to increase awareness about environmental issues related to climate change and inspire young people to lead the way in implementing practical, viable solutions.

The Voyage for Cleaner Energy will commence on April 8th, 2008 in San Francisco, California and will take Robert and his crew around the world to the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. Over the next five years Robert will journey to the U.S., Russia, Europe, China, and India, talking with university students, corporate executives, and government officials about their roles as leaders in tackling climate change and accomplishing sustainability.

Along the way, our ‘2041’ yacht will sail along the coasts and across oceans- powered solely by renewable energy- as a moving symbol of our global mission. At each port of call our team will demonstrate the use of solar, wind, and bio-fuels as affordable alternatives to carbon-based fuels. The ‘2041’ will carry students, civic leaders, and business representatives on each leg of her journey, further opening the lines of communication between individuals, companies, and communities around the world. - 2041.

And, why yes, they do have a chef on board who is following their mission of sustainability!

Meet Hannah Huntley.....

Hannah graduated from Humboldt State University in the Redwood country of Northern California with a degree in Recreation Administration and a double minor in Business Administration and Peace and Conflict Resolution. She then lived in Malawi, Africa where she served as a Peace Corps Volunteer for 2 years. In Malawi, Hannah helped facilitate nutrition clinics with local health workers for women and their mal-nourished children. She also taught sign language to the deaf children and their teachers from the surrounding villages. A nature lover, she was fortunate to live at the base of beautiful Mt. Mulanje which she traversed and summited multiple times while in Malawi. Her dream is to spend her time on the water and the mountains promoting environmental awareness and sustainability through Ecotourism.

Hannah is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies/Ecotourism in San Francisco, California, hopefully bringing her one step closer to accomplishing her dream. Being a crewmember on the Voyage for Cleaner Energy is an incredible opportunity for her. She gets to promote organic foods, farmers markets, bio-diesel, renewable energy and other sustainable methods of living all while sailing the seas! 2041 Voyage Team

Now...if you think you have challenges of finding organic, local foods nearby your house, think about the challenges that Hannah faces in various ports o'call around the world!

When I spoke with her yesterday on the boat, she said that she was looking forward to shopping at our local Farmer's Market on Tuesday. She says she does her homework and plans ahead to shop for provisions at each stop. She says that she tries to go all vegetarian, but there are some who get on board who need to have their meat on occassion and she tries to accomodate them.

Follow their adventure on their blog...here. They will soon be on their way down the coast to go through the Panama Canal, which apparently has a "traffic jam" of boats needing to pass through.

Flickr Foto Friday

giant strawberry cake
Originally uploaded by debbiedoescakes.

Giant Strawberry Cake...gotta love it.

It's strawberry season...in more ways than one. The Strawberry Festival is coming this weekend!

Happy Belated "Blogiversary"

to The Ethicurean! They've been "chewing the right thing" for two years now! Congrats!

King Arthur Flour

has a blog!

Flicker Foto Friday

Letter "A"- Al Alligator
Originally uploaded by twinsline7.

SHAME on Top Chef

for using Monk Fish and Chilean Sea Bass on last night's episode. Those are two types of fish that we should avoid using because of overfishing and mercury contamination.

The Bad Buzz On the Bees

They're busily buzzing off....

A survey of bee health released Tuesday revealed a grim picture, with 36.1 percent of the nation's commercially managed hives lost since last year.

Last year's survey commissioned by the Apiary Inspectors of America found losses of about 32 percent.

This is the second year the association has measured colony deaths across the country. This means there aren't enough numbers to show a trend, but clearly bees are dying at unsustainable levels and the situation is not improving, said vanEngelsdorp, also a bee expert with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.- AP via SFGate

It also seems they, like humans, need clean air to thrive.

Air pollution impedes bees' ability to find flowers. Air pollution interferes with the ability of bees and other insects to follow the scent of flowers to their source, a new study suggests. Their findings may help explain the current pollination crisis. - WaPo

Haagen daz "hearts" honeybees. They think we all should, too.

Bad Year for Cherry Lovers

I am particular about my cherries. I absolutely LOVE the cherries grown in Wisconsin, especially the "Montmorency" cherries. For baking...and just plain eating. They are tart, juicy and plain delicious. And, unfortunately, it looks like we're going to face higher prices due to Mother Nature playing havoc with the weather and water supply.

Door County fruit growers say last year's drought combined with an unusually large crop could result in fewer cherries this year.

Richard Weidman of the University of Wisconsin Peninsular Research Station says early signs show 25 percent to 50 percent fewer buds on cherry trees there. Weidman says trees were weakened last year when an unusually large crop coincided with a drought. The lack of moisture also made it harder for trees to get nutrients during the winter. - Chicago Tribune

I really enjoy the cherry products from Country Ovens. Seems they even have a blog, too....Cherry Chat! Check out their Cherry De-Lites....hey are De-Licious! And stop by their blog and give them a "hello!"

Cinco De Mayo

Cinco De Mayo
Originally uploaded by Southernpixel.

Celebrate!

Tragedy

on the first Saturday in May.

We don't know what Eight Belles means on a horse farm, but in nautical terms "eight bells" marks the end of one's watch shift. - USAToday

Such a heartbreaking end to what should have been a glorious day.

Gentlepeople...

start your muddlers...IT'S DERBY DAY!

MINT JULEP

For richer bourbon flavor, try a higher-proof bourbon such as Wild Turkey 101-proof or Wild Turkey Rare Breed (108 proof). Another variation uses Cuervo Black Medallion. Whatever recipe you use, be sure to use crushed ice, and serve this drink extremely cold, with frost on the glass.

You may want to start with a glass that's spent time chilling in the freezer. Don't forget to serve with a straw for sipping.

8 to 10 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig, for garnish
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/2 ounces bourbon
Sparkling water
Crushed ice
Twist of lemon peel, for garnish
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Chill a (tall) Collins glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Combine the mint leaves, sugar, 1 ounce of the bourbon and a splash of sparkling water in the chilled glass. Use a spoon or wooden muddler to gently crush (muddle) the mint into the mixture.

Add a handful of crushed ice and stir vigorously. Add the remaining 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon and a splash of sparkling water. Fill the glass to the brim with ice (tightly packed), then use a bar spoon or knife to agitate the mixture until frost appears on the outside of the glass. Garnish with the mint sprig and lemon twist, and dust the top with confectioners' sugar. Insert a straw and serve immediately.

Flickr Foto Friday

Chocolate white chocolate chip cookie and vanilla bean ice cream sandwich with chocolate chip trimming
Originally uploaded by TowerGirl.

oozing goodness.....

More Ice Cream Shop News....

On Wednesday, April 30, 2008 from 5:00-10:00 PM, ice cream lovers across America will have an opportunity to enjoy their favorite Baskin-Robbins flavor for only 31 cents* while paying tribute to local Firefighters.Your support of 31-Cent Scoop Night will help Baskin-Robbins fulfill their generous pledge of $100,000 to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

For more information about 31 Cent Scoop Night or to find a Baskin-Robbins near you, please visit:
www.baskinrobbins.com

Happy 30th!

Ben & Jerry's!
I can "Imagine Whirled Peace"....and a free scoop o' the good stuff today, too!

You Are Phish Food Ice Cream

You've been described as gooey and fudgey. Sorry.

What Flavor Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Are You?

Dine and Dish has moved

into a delicious new space on the internet(s.)

Spoon Gelato is now open

The Gelateria next to the Granada Theatre is now open and serving up some terrific tasting gelato from Gelato Bar in Studio City.

The artisanal product is custom made by Allessandro Fontana, an expert gelato maker from Venice, who taught Gail and Joel the nuances of the best Italian gelato. Gelato Bar’s frozen confections are made daily in small batches; each flavor contains 65-70% pure product (i.e. pistachio, chocolate, fruits) as compared to most other varieties, which often contain only 30% product. Gelato deceivingly has a much lower fat content than conventional American ice creams and due to its lower temperature, richer flavors can be achieved.

The Fig Marscapone gelato is delish. There's nothing "plain" about their Vanilla, it is really "beany" and terrific tasting. The Arancia Rossa (Blood Orange) and Tutto Bosco (Mixed Berry) sorbettos are really refreshing especially on these hot days.

The only downside to my experience to Spoon, was the young girl who rang up my order. The stench of cigarette smoke on her clothes and the fresh taste of gelato really didn't go together.