Alice Austin's most recent work, Box of Happiness, offers a few pearls of wisdom for those who seek happiness: read a map; throw a party; drink coffee; sleep late; plant a garden; travel far; buy shoes. And my own favorite - eat more pie.
Matt Harnack, of Grass Fed Films, explores how individual happiness is magnified when pie becomes a community endeavor. His 12-minute documentary, Pie from Scratch, follows a high-schooler from San Francisco's Mission neighborhood to Pie Ranch in Pescadero, back to school, and ultimately to the Mission Pie shop that he helps to run. Excellent story-telling, with beautiful visuals. Makes me want to visit Pie Ranch, and also to eat more pie.
Pie From Scratch from Matt Harnack on Vimeo.
P.S. If the embedded video doesn't play for you, go to Vimeo to watch it there.
February 28, 2010
February 27, 2010
OysterGate ?
Drakes Bay Oyster Farm is part of the historic in-holdings in the Point Reyes National Seashore; and leases for a handful or farms there are managed by the Department of the Interior.
Point Reyes is truly a national treasure, worthy of preserving culturally and ecologically. The Lunny family, when they bought the oyster company in 2005, took part in that preservation by cleaning up the existing operation and maintaining sustainable environmental conditions there. On their Drakes Bay Family Farms website, they discuss the area's history and ecology, their practices, and the challenges they face. Essentially, everything I look for when I research a food supplier.
Now the Lunnys, and everyone who enjoys their oysters, are in jeopardy of losing this resource, a vital part of Marin's local food movement. The San Francisco Chronicle provided a fair and balanced summary of the situation in May of 2009. Sadly, the situation has not been resolved, despite a public support campaign and the involvement of California US senators.
More recently, supporters pooled funds to create a 4+ minute video, called Oystergate. If you can get past the presentation style (feels like a parody of a 60 Minutes expose), it's an easy way to absorb the history of the conflict between the Lunnys and the Department of Interior.
Point Reyes is truly a national treasure, worthy of preserving culturally and ecologically. The Lunny family, when they bought the oyster company in 2005, took part in that preservation by cleaning up the existing operation and maintaining sustainable environmental conditions there. On their Drakes Bay Family Farms website, they discuss the area's history and ecology, their practices, and the challenges they face. Essentially, everything I look for when I research a food supplier.
Now the Lunnys, and everyone who enjoys their oysters, are in jeopardy of losing this resource, a vital part of Marin's local food movement. The San Francisco Chronicle provided a fair and balanced summary of the situation in May of 2009. Sadly, the situation has not been resolved, despite a public support campaign and the involvement of California US senators.
More recently, supporters pooled funds to create a 4+ minute video, called Oystergate. If you can get past the presentation style (feels like a parody of a 60 Minutes expose), it's an easy way to absorb the history of the conflict between the Lunnys and the Department of Interior.
February 7, 2010
Fish Wednesday
We've been truly blessed these past couple years to have a neighbor who loves to fish and love to share. Along with the fish, he shares stories about catching them, and the rules about size, seasons, and numbers allowed per license. He has strong preferences between types of trout, while I merely like the differences in their pretty skins and strongly prefer that they arrive in my kitchen pre-gutted. I have learned to really appreciate the art of filleting, and anyone who will demonstrate it for me.
Besides the lake-caught trout, we've enjoyed a variety of treats from the SF Bay, such as Dungeness crab. One of my favorites so far is fresh halibut (pictured here).
Although fish caught the same day needs barely any dressing up to be delicious, the gifts of the sea are so lovely they deserve thoughtful preparation. Fish Wednesday, a blog by a friend of a friend, provides some inspiration and very clear instructions. Pam covers both the adventure of finding sustainable seafood for sale (a doable feat in Seattle) and creating lovely dishes. The photos (unlike mine) are always appetizing, showcasing the finished dish.
Although fish caught the same day needs barely any dressing up to be delicious, the gifts of the sea are so lovely they deserve thoughtful preparation. Fish Wednesday, a blog by a friend of a friend, provides some inspiration and very clear instructions. Pam covers both the adventure of finding sustainable seafood for sale (a doable feat in Seattle) and creating lovely dishes. The photos (unlike mine) are always appetizing, showcasing the finished dish.
February 6, 2010
Cooking for One
When I was 18, I met a real live bachelor who cooked. Not a man living alone who heated frozen dinners up, or ate cereal over the sink. He shopped often, buying small quantities of fresh ingredients. And then he prepared them simply but with real care, and enjoyed his creations at the table with a good wine or beer. A good (European) role model.
I think of Gem from time to time, when single friends confide their solo eating habits, and when I have the house to myself for several days in a row. Mostly I put together a respectable repast and serve myself with some care. (I'm more likely to make supper of guacamole and popcorn, or salad and yogurt, on a random night at home alone, tired after work.) But I do notice that I kick my game up a notch anytime I have someone else's palate to think about.
While Europe is by no means uniformly populated with great home cooks, married or single, there still remains a generally more respectful attitude about meals. Lunch and dinner are for sitting down and eating something worth paying attention to, not merely ingesting during a rushed break between activities (or while doing them, in the car or on the computer). If there are friends or family, schoolmates or co-workers to share the meal with, then there is conversation. If not, there is music, reading, or people-watching for company. When company is not present, you treat yourself as the person for whom the meal is served, the recipient of your own care.
I think of Gem from time to time, when single friends confide their solo eating habits, and when I have the house to myself for several days in a row. Mostly I put together a respectable repast and serve myself with some care. (I'm more likely to make supper of guacamole and popcorn, or salad and yogurt, on a random night at home alone, tired after work.) But I do notice that I kick my game up a notch anytime I have someone else's palate to think about.
While Europe is by no means uniformly populated with great home cooks, married or single, there still remains a generally more respectful attitude about meals. Lunch and dinner are for sitting down and eating something worth paying attention to, not merely ingesting during a rushed break between activities (or while doing them, in the car or on the computer). If there are friends or family, schoolmates or co-workers to share the meal with, then there is conversation. If not, there is music, reading, or people-watching for company. When company is not present, you treat yourself as the person for whom the meal is served, the recipient of your own care.
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