This is it: retail giants make the ethical choices they make not (just) because they believe in it; it happens when the customer makes those choices for himself. They aren't going to stock their shelves with organic yogurt and locally grown produce and grass-fed beef for the sole purpose of standing behind what they believe in; they make these choices because the customer himself makes a personal choice, demands the product, and contributes to the profit.
It's up to us to make change happen. Visit a farmer's market today, pick your own peaches, grow a basil plant on your kitchen ledge, spend that extra hour indulging in a home-cooked dinner instead of heating up a microwaveable one, know where your food comes from, choose organic and local and from-scratch rather than processed when you can and if your pocket allows.
Preachy EV! But still, give it a shot with me :)
30 September, 2011
26 September, 2011
*1104 - make out room
Seriously? "Make Out Room" in purple and silver sparklies? Love it. (No, I did not venture in. I know I should've. Darn.)
*1103 - eye contact
How can one think it was a good idea to build the toilets of two adjacent apartments facing each other via an enormous window, such that if you leave the window cracked by accident you may by accident gaze into the eyes of a topless man hurrying by or an enraged woman who then slams their window shut as you yourself sit on the potty? THEY HAVE SEEN ME SITTING ON THE POTTY. Imagine that!
OMG THE DUDE JUST OPENED HIS LIVING ROOM BLINDS AND IS GAZING AT ME THROUGH THEM RIGHT NOW. It's like he knew I was thinking about him. Obviously we have made eye contact about three times and he has since closed the blinds in a hurry--no morning sunlight for him today, whoops. Why does our bathroom open up to theirs and our kitchen look into their living room? What sort of awkward building design is this?
HAHA.
The potty scene has happened at least five times to both D and I (the window needs to be cracked at least sometimes for bathroom ventilation, it's only healthy, yes?)--we conclude that our neighbours hate us and we swiftly but silently scuttle past their door whenever we leave the building to avoid any form of contact.
Thank goodness we're escaping in a week to our ... New Apartment. Yes, it's finally happening and I cannot wait!! :)
OMG THE DUDE JUST OPENED HIS LIVING ROOM BLINDS AND IS GAZING AT ME THROUGH THEM RIGHT NOW. It's like he knew I was thinking about him. Obviously we have made eye contact about three times and he has since closed the blinds in a hurry--no morning sunlight for him today, whoops. Why does our bathroom open up to theirs and our kitchen look into their living room? What sort of awkward building design is this?
HAHA.
The potty scene has happened at least five times to both D and I (the window needs to be cracked at least sometimes for bathroom ventilation, it's only healthy, yes?)--we conclude that our neighbours hate us and we swiftly but silently scuttle past their door whenever we leave the building to avoid any form of contact.
Thank goodness we're escaping in a week to our ... New Apartment. Yes, it's finally happening and I cannot wait!! :)
*1102 - dork dream
I dreamt that every 100th and over visitor to my blog gets entered automatically into daily sweepstakes and giveaways, not sponsored by me.
If that were true, I would be visiting this space very much more, ha!
I love having dorky dreams on a daily basis, unless they involve Excel spreadsheets, which happens far more often that I would like it to happen.
If that were true, I would be visiting this space very much more, ha!
I love having dorky dreams on a daily basis, unless they involve Excel spreadsheets, which happens far more often that I would like it to happen.
25 September, 2011
*1101 - ouch.
No more dance majors at Cornell
It makes me really sad to think of the brilliant staff I have worked so closely with, who changed my mind and hence my life, who are no longer able to share their knowledge and passion with students who need it.
"Only staff"? Really?
It makes me really sad to think of the brilliant staff I have worked so closely with, who changed my mind and hence my life, who are no longer able to share their knowledge and passion with students who need it.
"Only staff"? Really?
24 September, 2011
23 September, 2011
*1098 - three-week evaluation
Yes, Cornell's great and Ithaca's gorge(ou)s with its rolling cornfields and autumn colours and rushing waterfalls and gatherings of hipsters and the farmers' market and WEGMANS and all that but after three years of living in the (beautiful, no doubt) boonies and I am feeling just so ... relieved? Comfortable? In my own skin? ... back in the heart of a bustling city with all the above in the close vicinity and much, much more. And yes, Boston was great but I think San Francisco suits me so much better. It's only been three weeks but I think I am going to like it here, very much.
*1097 - mish mash of foodie shots
This was our first meal in San Francisco, at a wee little restaurant just across the road, because we were sleepless, exhausted, and could walk no further than five steps to food, and it was endorsed by Yelpers, so ...
Poc Chuc, Latin American / Mayan cuisine. It was delish and I love Yelp. I really do.
And then weeks (A week? Days? The next weekend? Oh wait, we've only been here three weeks? How can that be possible? Really?) later, after we had stuffed ourselves with aforementioned brunch buffet and champagne on a cruise, we scavenged through our teeny little fridge and pulled together just enough ingredients to make (from scratch, of course) birthday burgers!
My deconstructed bun-less burger because I wanted more but didn't have space for a whole other burger and eating two whole burgers sounds so gross but having a whole burger and then a fake deconstructed bun-less burger that is almost a salad is not too bad.
I don't follow a recipe or measure anything but this is what it was, vaguely, and it can never go terribly wrong! For the patties: ground beef (80%, you can't go too lean or it won't be juicy), minced garlic, minced onion, minced cilantro optional, salt, pepper, handful of breadcrumbs, an egg to hold it together. I didn't even have my herbs with me (they're still in boxes) but a splash of everything that smells good would work. Squish with bare hands and cook thoroughly in a pan. (As much as I love rare meat and raw anything, ground beef is the most bacteria-laden of all, so it should always be well-done. So says the Hotelie. Trust me.) And for the burgers: toasted buns with melted cheese, chipotle ranch, squirt of ketchup, thick slices of roma tomatoes, spinach, avocado slices, and our favourite--a few twists of bacon.
I just typed all that out so that D will read this, get hungry, and make burgers for me the next time round.
;)
And maybe one more set of photos while I'm on a roll ... another one of those indulgent breakfasts. French toast again because it's so easy to make, topped with nutella and caramelized bananas (this is a combination that can NEVER go wrong), and an indulgent drizzle of maple syrup.
It is clear to me that I need to do more exercise apart from the very occasional yoga session and my long, slow walks while carrying weights whenever I end work early (that is, shopping in the city while dragging my laptop bag about).
Poc Chuc, Latin American / Mayan cuisine. It was delish and I love Yelp. I really do.
And then weeks (A week? Days? The next weekend? Oh wait, we've only been here three weeks? How can that be possible? Really?) later, after we had stuffed ourselves with aforementioned brunch buffet and champagne on a cruise, we scavenged through our teeny little fridge and pulled together just enough ingredients to make (from scratch, of course) birthday burgers!
My deconstructed bun-less burger because I wanted more but didn't have space for a whole other burger and eating two whole burgers sounds so gross but having a whole burger and then a fake deconstructed bun-less burger that is almost a salad is not too bad.
I don't follow a recipe or measure anything but this is what it was, vaguely, and it can never go terribly wrong! For the patties: ground beef (80%, you can't go too lean or it won't be juicy), minced garlic, minced onion, minced cilantro optional, salt, pepper, handful of breadcrumbs, an egg to hold it together. I didn't even have my herbs with me (they're still in boxes) but a splash of everything that smells good would work. Squish with bare hands and cook thoroughly in a pan. (As much as I love rare meat and raw anything, ground beef is the most bacteria-laden of all, so it should always be well-done. So says the Hotelie. Trust me.) And for the burgers: toasted buns with melted cheese, chipotle ranch, squirt of ketchup, thick slices of roma tomatoes, spinach, avocado slices, and our favourite--a few twists of bacon.
I just typed all that out so that D will read this, get hungry, and make burgers for me the next time round.
;)
And maybe one more set of photos while I'm on a roll ... another one of those indulgent breakfasts. French toast again because it's so easy to make, topped with nutella and caramelized bananas (this is a combination that can NEVER go wrong), and an indulgent drizzle of maple syrup.
It is clear to me that I need to do more exercise apart from the very occasional yoga session and my long, slow walks while carrying weights whenever I end work early (that is, shopping in the city while dragging my laptop bag about).
22 September, 2011
*1096 - quote of the day from yoga class
No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
– Samuel Beckett
– Samuel Beckett
21 September, 2011
*1095 - something to learn from
Oh so cliched, but when this passed through my inbox was an astonishing coincidence in the light of what's been happening too recently ...
Learning to unlearn.
Learning to unlearn.
17 September, 2011
*1094 - wise words from D
Omgosh it's been so long since this blog has been updated...aiyoh-yoh!
Here are some pictures of San Francisco, taken whilst traversing the bay on a fabulous champagne brunch-birthday extravaganza:
D's first blog post, 20:47, September 17, 2011
-
And EV interjects to add this photo which D failed to select as worthy, because it was one taken by accident but turned out to be kind of dreamy and cool too:
Here are some pictures of San Francisco, taken whilst traversing the bay on a fabulous champagne brunch-birthday extravaganza:
D's first blog post, 20:47, September 17, 2011
-
And EV interjects to add this photo which D failed to select as worthy, because it was one taken by accident but turned out to be kind of dreamy and cool too:
12 September, 2011
11 September, 2011
*1092 - induction
In an induction cooker, a coil of copper wire is placed underneath the cooking pot. An alternating electric current flows through the coil, which produces an oscillating magnetic field. This field induces an electric current in the pot. Current flowing in the metal pot produces resistive heating which heats the food.
I need to get me some cast iron (ok maybe not, I can barely lift the ones we have back home) or magnetic stainless steel pots/pans!
I need to get me some cast iron (ok maybe not, I can barely lift the ones we have back home) or magnetic stainless steel pots/pans!
*1091 - two breakfasts
My breakfasts are nicer and prettier and probably yummier when there's someone to eat them along with me. As are all my other home-cooked meals. Here are two of them:
Multi-grain french toast with stewed peaches, butter, organic maple syrup, and mimosas ;)
A simple omelette--tomatoes, onions, and provolone with a few slices of fresh avocado.
A simple omelette--tomatoes, onions, and provolone with a few slices of fresh avocado.
09 September, 2011
*1090 - L'Espalier
Definitely the fanciest meal we've ever had together--at L'Espalier in Back Bay, Boston. Highly recommended if you are trying to impress, and highly recommended not to wear a casual summer dress and flats / polo tee, as we were decked out in ... no matter though, we were still treated like royalty.
Worthy of a picture alone: the BUTTER. I wish I could serve myself fresh whipped butter in perfect dollops on a little square porcelain plate every morning.
My appetizer: heirloom tomato salad, chevre panna cotta (savory! nice surprise), and a balsamic reduction
His appetizer: chilled melon soup with shrimp and a dollop of ... foam (obviously, I was not paying too much attention to his selection because I was too thrilled about my tomatoes)
My main course: salmon, polenta, ratatouille, and flower petals that I nibbled on
His main course: roasted pork loin, sweet corn muffin/pudding, red pepper puree
Our dessert #1: strawberry mousse, lychee foam, olive oil and raspberry balsamic vinaigrette (not sure about the foam, and foam in general, on the few occasions I've had foam in my food ...)
Our dessert #2: we preferred this one--mango sachertorte, mango "fluid gel" to quote the menu if I recall correctly, amaretto cream, and some amazing pebbly stuff that looked innocuously like graham cracker crumbs but tasted like heaven
And this was another one of our Boston Restaurant Week meals :) Great opportunity, if you are discerning and pick your restaurants right, for us mere mortals to taste some of the more exquisite stuff we don't often get to taste!
My appetizer: heirloom tomato salad, chevre panna cotta (savory! nice surprise), and a balsamic reduction
His appetizer: chilled melon soup with shrimp and a dollop of ... foam (obviously, I was not paying too much attention to his selection because I was too thrilled about my tomatoes)
My main course: salmon, polenta, ratatouille, and flower petals that I nibbled on
His main course: roasted pork loin, sweet corn muffin/pudding, red pepper puree
Our dessert #1: strawberry mousse, lychee foam, olive oil and raspberry balsamic vinaigrette (not sure about the foam, and foam in general, on the few occasions I've had foam in my food ...)
Our dessert #2: we preferred this one--mango sachertorte, mango "fluid gel" to quote the menu if I recall correctly, amaretto cream, and some amazing pebbly stuff that looked innocuously like graham cracker crumbs but tasted like heaven
And this was another one of our Boston Restaurant Week meals :) Great opportunity, if you are discerning and pick your restaurants right, for us mere mortals to taste some of the more exquisite stuff we don't often get to taste!
*1089 - What have you been saying about your situation?
When you feel the pain in your body, don’t say of the Lord, “God wants me sick to teach me to trust Him more.” Instead, say, “Lord Jesus, I thank You that by Your stripes I am healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
While trying to make ends meet, don’t say of the Lord, “The Lord keeps me poor to keep me humble.” Instead, say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
And if you have an intimidating boss at work, don’t say, “The Lord is my patience, I will endure.” Instead, say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
- Pastor Price
Be positive, trustful, unfearful, and we'll reign over our situations.
:) Little snippet of the morning!
While trying to make ends meet, don’t say of the Lord, “The Lord keeps me poor to keep me humble.” Instead, say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
And if you have an intimidating boss at work, don’t say, “The Lord is my patience, I will endure.” Instead, say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6)
- Pastor Price
Be positive, trustful, unfearful, and we'll reign over our situations.
:) Little snippet of the morning!
05 September, 2011
*1088 - and here we are
In San Francisco!!
Our first homecooked meal: spaghetti in vodka sauce.
Guess which plate was the Asian's and which plate was the ang moh's.
Tired but very, very happy :)
Our first homecooked meal: spaghetti in vodka sauce.
Guess which plate was the Asian's and which plate was the ang moh's.
Tired but very, very happy :)
01 September, 2011
*1087 - 3 am
Tonight's the night. I'm sitting crouched on the floor with what remains to be squished into my suitcases sitting in little piles around me. The butterflies only began today--nervous, but in a good way!! Big Move of my life #3.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)