Washington, DC: Julia Childs' Kitchen

This is my last post on my recent trips to Washington, DC. Saving the best for last, I say. After our walk through the National Sculpture Garden my friend LMH and I ran into the Natural History Museum to gawk and peer at Julia Childs' kitchen!

The little blue kitchen was packed with cooking paraphernalia and trinkets. It felt lived in, and used, exactly how a kitchen should feel in my opinion. I loved the table in the middle of the kitchen, cuz it reminded me of my own childhood kitchen where the kitchen table was where we did craft projects, cooked dinner, and did homework.

Reading: All for Love

All for Love: A Romantic Anthology by Laura Stoddart. I had to buy this lovely book for a friend's bridal shower. The illustrations are so unique and the quotes fitting for all kinds of romantic situations.

Under the Weather: Natural Medicine Cabinet

I have been sick this past week and am slowly recovering. I should be back to regular posting mid-week. No, I don't have swine flu. I did have strep throat that turned into a nasty cold with coughing and congestion. I have had to restock my natural medicine cabinet. Here is what I cannot live without when I am sick.

My Natural Medicine Cabinet:

Vitamin C - I take twice my daily dose when I'm sick.

Olbas Cough Syrup - I grew up on this stuff and it is the only cough syrup in my house.

Throat Coat Tea - Also something I grew up with and it really helps.

Singers Saving Grace Soothing Throat Spray - If you have a soar throat this is a quick fix that does not taste too bad.

Lemon juice + hot water - this was my standard but TAB kicked it up a notch with the addition of honey. I've been living off this stuff. Check out this amazing kettle/teapot combo called ONE!

Amy's No Chicken Noodle Soup - by far the best chicken noodle soup at WF, believe me, I did a thorough taste test this past week.

Ricola Cough Lozenges - in any flavor. these are good!

photo credit: Tea for two by design_ski

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll is one of my favorite books. Tweedledum and Tweedledee are two identical twins who have opposing view on most everything. Historically references to the twins have been used to characterize polor positions on an issue.

Why do I bring this up? Well Bob Dylan has a song from is album Love and Theft titled Tweedledee and Tweedledum, lyrics here. B. Dylan also has a new album out titled Together Through Life, check it out here.

My favorite stanza from Tweedledee & Tweedledum:
Tweedle-dee Dee and Tweedle-dee Dum
All that and more and then some
They walk among the stately trees
They know the secrets of the breeze

photo credit: Wikipedia here

Weekend: In Defense of Food

This weekend I finished reading Michael Pollen's newest book, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto. The book is packed full of good information on eating well, eating balanced, and the history of FDA regulations on "food" labels. One of the points that Pollan brings up in the book is that Americans don't enjoy or value food as much as people in other countries. He cites that American spend 10% of their monthly income on food (MI) while Italians (Spanish and French too) spend closer to 17% of their MI on food and are far healthier than we are. I spend about 15% of my MI on food. Now that made me feel better about my costly CSA box from J.R. Organics Farm.

Another tip from Pollan: when buying beef you want to look for pasture-finished, not just "grass-fed", as it means the cows were fed grass in the feed lot too. Since we saw the above picturesque cows-grazing-in-the-pasture last weekend coming back from the desert, it seemed like the perfect illustration for this post.

Check out Pollan's website for a good list of links. I particularly like the Eat Well Guide where you can put in your zip code to find nearby farmers' markets, co-ops, green caterers and restaurants. There are 14 farmers' markets within 10 miles of my house!

Now if I can only figure out what kind of eggs to buy: organic, free-range, vegetarian fed, or grain fed? At the moment I always go for organic. Here is an interesting article on storing, washing, and keeping eggs.

photo credit: TEB 03.22.09 near Julian, CA

Fun Stuff: A Homemade Life

My friend O'Malley sent me something in the mail that totally cured my Monday Blues. He was lucky enough to be able to attend one of Molly Wizenberg's book events for her new book, A Homemade Life. I had spoken to him before the event and expressed my disappointment that there was not going to be a book event in San Diego. It was such a wonderful surprise to find a postcard sent from O'Mally but with a personalized message written by Molly. It truely made my day. O'Mally and Molly, THANK YOU!

I have not gotten a chance to pick up Molly's new book but I hope to get a copy soon. I'm on the wait-list for my public library.

A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table
by Molly Wizenberg of Orangette

Find Molly's book events here.

Inspiration: Cozy Reading Nook

I need a cozy reading nook today!

photo credit: Geometric Pattern in Living Etc. March 2007, found via Apartment Therapy post Roundup: Reading Nooks

Weekend: Alice in Wonderland

I'm reading admissions applications this weekend. I hope to amazed, dazzled, and wishing that I had gold stars to give out. Have a good one!

photo credit: One by Grace's Tophography

Goodnight Bush: An Unauthorized Parody

Need a little bedtime reading and do you love the classic Goodnight Moon? I picked up this unauthorized parody at Gulliver's Books in Fairbanks. Goodnight Bush is a must read but be forewarned that my 5-year old niece did not think it was as entertaining as the original :-)

I have a new morning coffee combo: silk soy eggnog in my little bit of espresso (Nicaragua roast from Alaska Coffee Roasting Company). Add a dusting of vanilla powder (gluten- and wheat-free from Authentic Foods) and suddenly the morning is looking much brighter.

photo credit: Cayenne 12.01.08

Be Green: Eat Locally

Sunday morning is for the Farmers' Market!

Being green is all the rage right now and I hope it is not just a fad. Eating locally is a good way to reduce carbon emissions from produce transportation and support the small local farmers in your area.

In our house we are members of a community supported agriculture group, Be Wise Ranch, and we shop weekly at our neighborhood farmers market. We try not to eat fruits or vegetables out of season but that is easy because we live in southern California. Since my hometown is Fairbanks, Alaska, I completely understand just not having an option outside of shopping at the grocery store where lettuce is flown in from California. Look for a farmers market near you at the USDA website and if you reside in San Diego you can find a farmers market every day of the week.

I highly recommend delving into some reading on eating locally. I recently finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, with Steven Hopp and Camille Kingsolver. The book is a journal of their successful year of eating locally. Their website has recipes, information about seasonal vegetables and some good online resources to help you eat locally. For a larger perspective on how large corporate farming works and what it means to be a small, organic farmer I suggest reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan. M. Pollan has also compiled a nice list of links on his website about eating locally.

photo credit: Jpimages | Dreamstime.com