American Honey - neat

I'm a neat kinda gal... I rarely take ice in my drinks.

Usually I go for tequila - I like that fuzzy feeling it gives me... though i don't like Patron... I'd rather have Sauza.

But tonight I tried went to a place I've been meaning to go to for ages... The Woods (La Brea @ Sunset).

They have a significantly larger selection than at the Burgundy Room - which is my usual haunt. granted it's a dive bar, and it's not supposed to have a huge variety - just large quantities of the standards that the regulars ask for.

I spied a bottle with the word Honey on it... and i asked the bartender, Amy - what was it. She took out a shot glass, poured some for the 3 of us to sample. I was sold. I asked her how she usually serves it.

Neat.

Perfect.

it was destiny.

I have a new favorite drink to order at a new alternate bar...

American Honey - by Wild Turkey.

Very smooth.

I still like the warm fuzzy feeling from tequila... but this one was yummy.

Becoming Orthorexic

Ever heard of the term?

I hadn't until recently. I'm now reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food... and it's opening my eyes to how foods are being marketed and sold...

Terms such as Nutritionism, Edible Food-Like Substances, and Orthorexia are being introduced (not created by him - but totally new to me) & defined in this book...

Basically - Orthorexia is a term that fits me perfectly... I'm struggling with the Right and Wrong choices in Food. I want to enjoy going out and eating with friends... but I hesitate...

The argument in my head is "Where is this food coming from?"... but then i'll counter with "Don't be a bore - just go out and enjoy yourself." ... but then again - what is a good food choice?

I don't want grain-fed beef, beak-less chickens raised in cages... what about fish? Is it wild-caught or farm-raised? and where did it come from?

Remember the Melamine-tainted milk baby formula sold in China? and the tainted Pet food from last year? Well if that didn't raise some red flags about foods from China, maybe this will?

"Let's do Sushi" is a common invite I hear from many friends... but less and less, as they know that I don't like sushi... But that's not entirely true. I used to like sushi very much! But after learning about how contaminated the Eels being raised in China were - and I used to order fresh-water eel rolls all the time - I decided "NO MORE".

Honestly - these Michael Pollan books are changing my life... I really need to buy my own copy of The Omnivore's Dilemma - I only listened to the audiobook borrowed from the library... but I should own it.

Citrus time... analysis coming soon

Apples are fading away...

but it's Citrus time in SoCal.

I'm not the biggest fan of oranges - too acidic sometimes. And I used to hate Grapefruits, but I forced myself to learn to like them. I love Lemons & Limes, but never seem to use them enough even though I buy some almost every week.

Today was a quickie market day. I just returned from Reno this morning - so I popped over to the Larchmont Market to get a few items so I'd have some fresh foods this week.

So this winter, I'll do an in-depth analysis of citrus fruits. The Larchmont market seems to be an afterthought market. Vendors sent by the farmers... but not many of the real farmers themselves. Although the lady I got my persimmons from & who sells delicious looking homemade jams seemed like she was personally involved with her farm.

Last year was the first time I'd ever had a Pommelo.

Mellower than a grapefruit - with a very thick pithy part of the skin. I bought one today. Along with an Oroblanco grapefruit and a ruby red grapefruit, & some Meyer Lemons.

Next week, I'll visit the Santa Monica or Hollywood market to find some vendors with interesting varieties of citrus... to find out what is out there - and learn (and share) about my new discoveries.

Bad Netflix Planning

I currently have 452 entries in my Netflix Q(ueue) - with 24 listings in my "saved list".

The giant bulk of the movies/tv shows sitting in this Q were added about 2 years ago.

Every few weeks, I review the Q to see what's coming up, shuffle things around - perhaps bump something up to the top that is topical, or that I'm in the mood for now rather than later. I also eliminate titles that I've seen elsewhere in the meantime or am just not in the mood for.

But I haven't reviewed my Q for a while... so when I returned from my Xmas trip to Reno, what did I have waiting in my mailbox?

The Killing Fields & Schindler's List.

Happy Holidays?

These are movies I've always known I should see... and always said I'd get around to seeing someday... but at the same time?

No Paper? No Problem!

Wrapping presents... I love doing it. Just give me a stack, and I'll wrap it...

I'm kinda picky when it comes to the paper. Thin cheap-o paper? Ewww - I hate using thin paper. It needs to be a heavier weight paper - one that doesn't just flop over.

But what's a girl to do when she runs out of paper? Especially when she's trying to espouse this new way of living - being Gorgeously Green?


Well, I re-purposed a brown paper Trader Joe's bag, natch! I'd decided a few months ago that once i finish my supply of wrapping paper, I'll use the supermarket bags. My roommate ensures that we have an endless supply of these bags... For the most part, I use my re-usable bags... and rarely go to supermarkets anymore. As a matter of fact - I haven't been to Trader Joe's in over 2 months. However Gina never remembers (or bothers, or cares) to take the red TJ's bags that are right by the front door. As a result, our supply of these paper bags is overflowing out of the closet.



It folded up quite nicely, and was heavy-duty. Now I had a brown paper package - all I had to do was tie it up with strings (or ribbons, rather).


With pretty ribbons dressing it up, who would know that this was a humble supermarket brown paper bag? You could even get a rubber stamp and fancy the paper up with a design... or draw on it. I like the simplicity of this look.

I'm also a sucker for nice ribbons - especially the wired ones. But I have, and will continue to re-use ribbons if I get some nice ones on my presents.

My breakdown... chinese-made goods.

While I try my best to avoid the products that are "made in China" or other southeast asian countries... somethings just are not made in the USA anymore.

I don't know how much longer I can wear my converse. they are completely falling apart and separating where the canvas meets the rubber. also i must avoid wet pavement at all costs (not just puddles... and wet grass? forget about it - my socks will get soggy after 5 steps.

But what other brands of casual sporty shoes can I wear? I don't really have many options... and there aren't many Converse my size at 2nd hand stores... suggestions?

Computers:
I am limited to my connectivity due to the fact that I have a desktop. I am rarely home - and I have so much information that I am asked to access regularly - that if I didn't commit so many random thing to memory - I'd be of little help to those I help. And I like Apple computers. It's taken me a few years to get used to them. I use them at 2 of my jobs... and while I still don't "get" many things - I have really grown to love them.
So I want to get a laptop... a macbook... I don't need the ones with all the bells & whistles... I'm not doing any sound mixing or heavy duty photo editing... Just blogging, online banking, emails, writing letters and creating spreadsheets...

But while they're designed here in the USA... they are all made in Asia. So what are my options? get a used computer... a model that might be as old as this desktop I'm sitting at... or just breaking down and getting a brand-new apple.

And I've totally blown it the past few months... At Target, I got some slippers and a few other items from china... and at Williams-Sonoma as well. It was too late - I'd already walked out when I thought about where it was made.

so if I've already caved in and accidentally bought product made in china, and have plans to perhaps buy a computer made in china (and a printer as well)... is it OK for me to get new Converse?

I don't know what to do anymore.

Apples - a recap

See Canyon Farms - Santa Monica Farmer's Market

I learned quite a bit about apples this year. After a long spring and summer without them, I eagerly awaited their return to the markets.

At the Hollywood market this morning - Lisa & I sampled Fujis and Pink Ladys. I rediscovered that I like Pink Lady apples. Then we got into a conversation with the farmer... about how we all hated apples when we were kids. Why?

The farmer explained that the supermarket apples that we found year round were kept in giant freezers... that's why the inside was always mushy or mealy. And they were specifically raised to have tougher skins (that would then be waxed) to keep the fruit within from spoiling.

That's why we all hate "Red Delicious". who came up with that name anyways? was it propaganda by the government to make us think that those apples were delicious because they were called delicious?

Pink Lady apples have a very thin skin - and the ladies at the stand described it's flavor like that of a jolly rancher. I'm not so sure I'd liken it to a candy - but seriously - those apples are delicious.

So here's my personal recap of the apples I tried this season:

I loved these:
Spitzenberg (early in the season - sept - early october)
Fuji
Pink Lady (later in the season)
Arkansas Black (late oct-mid nov. - 5 week season)

I disliked:
Old-Fashioned Red Delicious - (it wasn't mealy - but the flavor took me back to childhood - to when i hated apples)
Jonagold - same as above
Gala - they're ok - but i'd rather have the others.

The following were pleasing, but didn't stand out like the first grouping above
Criterion (gold skin - no freckles)
Gold Rush (gold skin - freckeled) - this little girl at our Thanksgiving gathering LOVED these.
Enterprise (early season)
Braeburn - I used them in the apple pie - which was very good. (mid to late season)
Muutsu (aka Honeycrisp) - but nothing to leap at. (earlier in the season)

As for the Winesap... they were very starchy but had an excellent flavor - yet not very good to eat fresh. They are highly recommended for applesauce or baking... but I didn't get around to cooking them - so next year i'll give them another chance.. the flavor really was enchanting. (early season).

On a side note: at the market today, I wanted to buy a vegetable - just one since I'm leaving for Reno Tuesday night. Okra was on my mind... but not at the tables... their season is OVER. Just as I learned that I don't hate Okra anymore & actually wanted it again - i have to wait another 10 months or so. Rats!

Sunday Breakfast

Sunday December 21st 2008 - a very cold brisk & crisp morning.
Lisa's Birthday
we went to the hollywood farmer's market
neither of us bought much.

but i had to get persimmons... they're at the end of their season.
Pictured above is the Hachiya - the kind you have to wait till it's completely mushy - otherwise you get that weird tannin dryness and strange caking on the inside of your mouth... it feels as gross as that sounds.

Just Wondering

There are many Hyphenated-Americans... but are there any American-(insert continent/region here)

What are Ex-pats living in other parts of the world called... other than ex-patriots?

Case in point:

Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington just became an African Citizen (of Sierra Leone)

Hello ALL,

Well…as I sit here in the TGMF office completely numb yet elated. I am at a lost for words. Minister Zainab Bangura has phoned me from New York to "officially" tell me that I am now a citizen of Sierra Leone and that I need to send her 2 photos for the Sierra Leone Passport that awaits me in Freetown. I could go on and on about how much that phone call means to me, but I will simply defer you all to the "Recent Work" section on Google's Wikipedia. President Koroma now goes down in history as the "first" African President to issue an African-American full citizenship based on DNA. Congrats to all who have been on this historical journey with me. Mission Accomplished. That said, I'm so moved right now that I am literally wiped out with the gravity of this new reality. Going home to celebrate with my "dual citizenship" with my family…One Love

IW

So is he an American-African now?

American Cars?

Julie sent me an interesting article on the origin of cars - What Makes a Car American?

While I've been on a quest to buy locally/domestically... when it comes to automobiles, I've remained strangely ambivalent to the "Big 3". I actually feel a lot of contempt towards said 3 - especially after the hubris exhibited when the CEOs of said companies went to DC asking for a bailout.

And if up to 85% of the manufacturing is done internationally - then why should i support them... I'd rather go for a Toyota anyway - they make great cars. here, mostly.

I get the whole ripple effect and how their shutting down would be devastating to the U.S. economy... (the factories, the showrooms, the salespeople...) but if the companies were run so terribly all these years, they don't deserve to get bailed out.

My car is really on it's last legs - it's almost 20 years old. I will probably be in the market for a new car (or used - just new to me) sometime this year... but I hardly ever considered a Ford, GM or Chrysler vehicle. ever. They don't move me.

What I'm looking for - fuel economy, low-emissions, good design, reliability, low-maintenance.

I still have a fondness for the Mini Coopers.

On the less sensible side... i've always loved these:

My New Favorite Blog

It's not for the faint of heart. He tells it as he sees it. Says things that I may think, but that I don't really say. Not because I wouldn't say it - but because he has a way of saying it.

Rude Jude Loves You.

Check it out.

And i'm sad to say that one of my recent favorite discoveries in the blog world is ending with 2008. Simply Breakfast. Jen's photographs of her morning breakfasts are so beautiful. she's even published a second book featuring these photos. I'd get them... only I don't really have room in my place for these books... lame excuse - I could always rotate the books on my coffee tables... I have other things ahead of these books on my wish/needs lists... but I'll always keep these earmarked for something to think of in the future.

Changing Seasons at the Market

This post is dedicated to Kim. Thanks for reading, and thanks for encouraging me to get back to taking pictures and writing about my market escapades.

Persimmons are still in season (yay!) but nearing their end (boo).

I still like slicing them up and eating some almonds to start the day.

I've gotten back into drinking PG Tips black tea in the morning... I just bought my second box in 2 months - whereas before this autumn, my stash of tea bags were stale and over 2 years old.

What's not pictured are the ginger cookies that I promptly dunked and devoured prior to the shot.



Despite the fact that I have been promoting the exploration of seasonal foods, the fact that certain things are no longer easily available can be very frustrating!


Case in point: Poblano chiles. Not in season unless they're grown in hothouses. How am I going to make my new favorite and almost weekly recipe of the roasted sweet potatoes with Keffir Lime & Poblano Chiles? Also - I can only find the Keffir Limes in Santa Monica - not Hollywood. But I can usually get the Poblanos at Hollywood... thus forcing me to go to 2 markets.

And this new soup that I made and fell in love with - using Chanterelle mushrooms... next week is the last week for Chanterelles! And they are so darned expensive. $20/lb.!

The apples aren't looking that great anymore - the ones from my favorite apple vendors at See Canyon farms are at the end of their season. The Gold Rush were small, the Pink Ladies (pictured above) were bruised, and I didn't want to get the red apples. But I love that crew: Vinnie cracks me up telling me dirty jokes & stories about Canada & betting on Hockey - and the 2 girls there are funny too. It's such a pleasure to shop there and talk with people who remember you and recognize you. They remember me by now. Their Fujis were still good, and they had mandarins & sapotes (I bought one) & pears. But they are down to 5 varieties of apples when in September they had about 15!

Did you know you can get several different colors of carrots?

I have 2 red skinned varieties here. But neither have red flesh. I wanted the red-fleshed variety for my soup - but a substitution is in order - I couldn't find any.

instead, I have the red-skinned orange carrots, and the "Indigo" carrots - which have a darker red/purplish skin, and a white flesh.

There is a slight difference in flavor - but if you were to blindfold me, I wouldn't be able to detect which was which. but they make for a beautiful presentation!

Here are some Xmas Lima Beans. So-called due to their red and white swirly pattern, I suppose... and the fact that they're readily available in winter.

The title of the soup is "Elegant Barlotti Bean soup with Chanterelles & Chard" but I didn't find the Barlotti beans... However in the notes of the recipe, it said to use the Xmas Limas as a substitute... which I did.

And for yet another substitution, I used the turkey stock that I froze after cooking down the bones of the Thanksgiving turkey - instead of chicken stock. It was so good.

Routines

I like getting into a routine.
I find something I like doing - then I make it a habit.

But when something interferes with the regular patterns, everything gets turned upside down - and I get out of the habit. Or rather... because I didn't do part A, then I can't do part B or C.

Since I haven't been taking pictures lately, I haven't blogged. And instead of thinking about what to write - I've been thinking about how I haven't been writing... which isn't very productive.

Last night, however - I took a walk down memory lane (in a way). It was a reunion, of sorts - it was partial... some of the players were missing... and the location was new...

It was like a time warp - 10 years into the past. It was 1998 all over again... Me & Julie & Kim & Courtney & Rob & Jen & Sarah... We went to The Smell downtown to see our friend Rob (Damage Effect) play - opening up for Babyland (who I hadn't seen play since Al's Bar closed down). We didn't end up staying for Babyland... but we were all loitering outside the club trying to figure out what to do next...

If only Cafe Nova Express was still open... on Fairfax just across from Canter's. That was the natural choice.

That was our routine 10 years ago. It was open til 4am. After whatever it was we were doing, we'd somehow all meet up at Cafe Nova afterward... or just go to Cafe Nova & play cards, drink lattes or chai & snack on Salads or Pizza (i had no dairy issues back then).

Alas, no consensus was reached. Half the group went to Redwood Bar. Julie, Kim & I got wrapped up in conversation, got into the car & drove back to Julie's place & continued talking.

It's rad when good friends who haven't seen each other in years can just get right back into conversation with no awkwardness.