SRC Reveal: {Sweetly} Serendipity

Happy April SRC (Secret Recipe Club) reveal day my sweet little darlings!

"Sweet little darlings" is particularly apt today. This month for SRC I was assigned the blog {Sweetly} Serendipity - "for the love of sugar, happiness and serendipitous occasions". Of course!

Taryn is a master baker (haha) - something I have yet to accomplish. While I do call myself a chef, I still don't consider myself a baker because if flour or sugar or yeast are involved, more often than not something goes terribly awry. Cooking on the other hand - I got that shit down! Well, usually.

Her blog is loaded with all things sweet. And if the recipe I chose to make from it this month - Arborio Rice Pudding - is any indication of her talents... Well... Taryn - you go open that bakery. Because you are fucking fantastic.

Things I did not make but probably should include:

• Lemon Ricotta Pancakes with Berry Sauce.
• Double Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes. 
• Lemon Cream Cheese Sticky Buns.
• Stone Fruit Tart.
• And not sweet but equally fantastical...Homemade Grilled Pizzas.

* I did make a slight adjustment to Taryn's recipe. Rather than make the rice in a separate pot, I just cooked it in the milk itself.

 

Arborio Rice Pudding
(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

4 C Whole Milk

1/2 C Sweetening Agent (white sugar, organic cane sugar, or likely even honey).

1/4 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

1 Vanilla Bean, split and seeds scraped out

1 C Arborio Rice, uncooked.

1/4 C Raisins.

1 Tbsp Butter.

1 Orange, for zest.
Pinch of Fine Sea Salt.

What to Do:

In a medium sized saucepan, bring the milk, butter, sweetening agent, cinnamon, raisins, vanilla bean and seeds to a light boil, stirring gently but constantly to avoid burning.

Once hot, add the rice. Stir well. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and simmer for around 30 minutes, stirring often. Taste around the 25 minute mark. You want the rice el dente - not crunchy but soft; soft but not mushy. The consistency should be looser than risotto - if it's too dry for your preference you can add a little more milk if necessary.

Add the orange zest and a pinch of salt. You may want to add just a touch of zest, taste, and add more if necessary. That's some strong shit! Stir well, remove vanilla pod, and remove from heat.

 Scoop into bowls, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve. If you don't eat it all, this re-heats very well the next day (or two!) with a little more milk over medium heat in a smaller saucepan.

Eat.

I was assigned this month to {Sweetly Serendipity} - what were the chances? About 1 in 50, I think. To see what she made from my blog, click here.

 

This post is linked up with The Hearth & Soul Blog Hop via The 21st Century Housewife; Tasty Tuesdays; Tuesday Talent Show; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Whole Foods Wednesday; Cast Party Wednesday; Frugal Days & Sustainable Ways; Tastetastic Thursday; Full Plate Thursday; Simple Lives Thursday; Fight Back Friday; Fresh Bites Friday; Seasonal Celebration Sunday

Film Friday: Good Green News

This is what we need to do.

Some of you are lucky enough to live in your own rural homesteads - lucky bitches. You can grow, raise, and coach all the food you want. But most of us live in cities. And that's why urban farming/gardening is so important. So is involving young people. Really young people. Because it's their experiences and frameworks that are going to shape the future of food. 

Am I suggesting commandeering their brilliant little minds and brainwashing them into a new way of connecting, growing, and eating? Yes. In a sense. Why not?

For this week's Film Friday I've posted a video I found on  City Farmer News a while back. I think it's perfect timing though with the Spring season upon us - the weather is getting better, people want to get outside, and growing food in urban centers falls right in line with that.

As urban farmer Ilana Labow says, we need to focus on four big things:

Beauty.

Community.

Food.

Think.

I'm down with that.

 What do you think about Labow's four principles? Additions? Subtractions?

What does your city do to promote ethical, sustainable, and sovereign food ways? What can you do? 

What factors factor into your participation (or non-participation) with local food?

 

 This post is linked up with Fresh Bites Friday; Fight Back Friday; Seasonal Inspirations; Seasonal Celebration Sunday.

My issue with Foodgawker (and similar sites)

Okay so here's the deal... I have an issue.

I may be shooting myself in the foot with this, but I. Have. An. Issue.

...with Foodgawker (and similar sites). No wait. It's with Foodgawker. I've had none of the following problems with similar sites. This is a Foodgawker rant.

For those of you who don't know what Foodgawker is, essentially it's a food porn website where people can upload images they've taken of shit they've made and have posted to a website, creating a space - albeit a very limited space - on which you can promote your blog.

Seems like a good idea right? Sure. In theory. But the way this site determines whether or not your photos get accepted irks me. Hence: I have an issue.

For Foodgawker your photos have to be very specific. The lighting has to be just right, the positioning of the food has to be manipulated just so, the depth of field has to be outstanding, and so on and so on and so on. And even then, depending on who receives your photo on the other end, it may or may not be approved based on a very subjective view of what counts as a decent photograph. I've submitted multiple pictures that are absolutely no different than other images I've seen on that site and been turned down. What the fuck? 

I even read in an interview with the founder of Foodgawker that if at first you don't succeed, submit again. So I did. And the reason I was turned down a second time? ....because I had already submitted that photo previously. Again I ask: What. The. Fuck?

Mrrrraaarrrrrhhhh!! Anger and frustration! That's right! Anger and frustration!

Now, there are classic techniques of photography that make photos appealing to the eye. Totally. I get that. Sure.

But, food is meant to be experienced! I want to see the textures, and the colors, and the cracks and personality and love. I don't want my pictures to look like everyone else's. Their food and their experiences aren't my food and my experiences. I don't want to craft my craft according to very limited, industry specific standards that sell my vision short.

Conformity is boring. Sameness is boring. Repetition is boring.

Perfection is Boring.  

Do you hear me Foodgawker?? Perfection is boring! I think your resource could be very useful but why not establish some hard guidelines regarding submissions for your site? Or if you have guidelines, be a little more upfront with them? Or not be such snobs about the "quality" of the pictures you accept. Because it is snobbery.

I have submitted 37 photos... And 4 have been accepted. See? 

Four. Out of 37. I know I'm taking good pictures. Just because they don't fit into someone's snobby narrow definition of what food photography should look like doesn't mean they shouldn't be seen. 

....I guess that's why I have this blog. I'm making my own space. Heck! Let's extend this conversation to life - make your own space! If you don't agree with something, or it doesn't work for you, or something else feels right - without sounding like a Nike ad (because we all know how evil Nike is and if you don't, you should google that shit) - just do it. Look and live and love freely! Be magical! And whimsical! And different! And irresponsible! And make mistakes! Don't fit yourself into a narrow definition of what is right or beautiful or sexy or proper or whatever the current cultural norm is. Just don't! Instead, do your own version!

Wow, that rant got away from me a little bit, didn't it?

....Even after all this, I'll probably still submit my photographs to their site. Let's face it - when they do get accepted, it's great traffic for my blog. But I'm not changing my photography for them. If I happen to fall into the right photograph, score. But otherwise, I'm gettin' my freaka' on. Ow! Ow!


End rant.

What do you think about Foodgawker? How do you feel about regulation of the arts? Do you think we need a standard to be upheld? Or does that limit possibilities?

Or... How do you defy the "norm"? Yeah! How do you make your own space? How do you negotiate the "norm" and your truth? Could I be any more cheesy?

 

This post is linked up with The Gallery of Favorites via the 21st Century Housewife.

Smashed Flat Chicken with Prosciutto & Sage

A simple post today.

For about the past month I've been sick. Cold. Food Poisoning. Cold. Flu. Cold. 

I'm not kidding. I've had about a day or two between each of them. 

I do tend to get ill at the end of every school term and I'm thinking that because this was the final school term - which is kind of a big deal - that my illness must need to be a big deal as well. 

Either way, it's balls. Big fat balls. I'm sick of being sick! Luckily I have John around to make me soup, refill my hot water bottle, steep me some tea, and stroke my dirty, un-showered hair. I don't know what I'd do if he wasn't around.

So today is a simple post. A quick little "hello" and a quick little recipe that I threw together at some point during the last week between second cold and flu. I don't make a lot of chicken usually but I kind of surprised myself with this little ditty - it was moist, flavorful, simple and fast. 

That's just how I roll - fast. Oh yeah.

And if you didn't get to it this weekend, swing by April's website - the 21st Century Housewife - and check out my guest post, The Place Where I Live.

Smashed Flat Chicken with Prosciutto & Sage

(printable recipe)

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breasts (approx 8oz per breast).

6 Slices Prosciutto.

Handful of Fresh Sage Leaves, some kept whole & the other half roughly chopped.

1 C Dry White Wine.

Juice of 1 Lemon.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper.

What to Do:

Pat dry the chicken breasts with some paper towel. Season well all over with and pepper. You won't need salt because prosciutto is very salty on it's own. Place the whole sage leaves on top of the breasts and wrap carefully with the prosciutto.

Now lay a piece of cling film on the counter. Put the wrapped chicken on it and cover with a second piece. Flatten the crap outta it with a rolling pin or meat mallet. You want each breast to be 1/2" thick. Make sure the meat is the same width bashed all over so it cooks evenly.

Heat a pan (I always prefer cast iron) over medium heat with a Tbsp of oil. 

When hot but not smoking, add the bashed, prosciutto wrapped chicken. Cook 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan, set on a wire rack, and cover with aluminum foil to rest for 5-10 minutes.

As it rests, return the pan to the stove and carefully add the wine, lemon juice, and chopped sage leaves. Simmer and allow the wine to reduce by about half - make sure to scrape up any bits left in the pan. Those have lots of flavor! Season with salt and pepper.

Once the liquid has reduced, strain through a fine sieve. When serving, spoon a Tbsp or two over the chicken along side some of Jaime's roasted cauliflower & some fresh Spring veggies.

Eat.

How do you deal with being sick? What makes you feel better? Blech.

 

This post is linked up with The Hearth & Soul Blog Hop via The 21st Century Housewife; Tasty Tuesdays; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Whole Food Wednesday; Cast Party Wednesday; Frugal Days & Sustainable Ways; Simple Lives Thursday; Full Plate Thursday; Tastetastic Thursday; Fresh Bites Friday; Fight Back Friday; Seasonal Inspirations; Seasonal Celebration Sunday.

Guest Post @ 21st Century Housewife

Happy Saturdays my darlings!

I know, right? I don't ordinarily post on a Saturday. But today is a big deal. Well, where I'm posting is a big deal anyhow.

You can come find me today @ The 21st Century Housewife. I'm guest posting "The Place Where I Live" - the best sites, eateries, and places to stay in Victoria.

Come say hello to April - she's kind of awesome. And by kind of, I mean super incredibly intelligent and gorgeous and her blog is always a treasure to read. That being said, you'll also find information there about frugal living, moving tips, restaurant recommendations, information about the home, women's issues such as the right to work within as well as outside the home, body image, and fun things like makeup and hair ideas. In essence, a whole 'lotta stuff on being a 21st Century Housewife!

That's right. April's got the whole package. She IS the whole package. 

I hope to see you all there - talk to you Monday.

Where do you want to travel? What would you like to see on your adventures? 

What does being a 21st Century Housewife mean to you?

 

Film Friday: death of all that is good and living

Okay, the title of this post might be a bit dramatic.

...But it got your attention, didn't it? 

This week's Film Friday is a little bit about death. Not humans though. Or zombies. Though I would like to post more about zombies. But unless I can figure out how to make a human intestinal casserole, I don't think it would fit very well into the context of this blog. 

No, my friends, the death I am talking about today is that of my living garden. Last year I dug up 3 massive plots in my front lawn - did I mention I don't own the yard but rent, by the way? - to plant vegetables. The neighborhood went crazy for it. In a good way. People would walk by taking photographs, giving us high fives, thumbs up, and words of loving encouragement.

Did I also mention I live in the hippie mecca of Canada? 

It was fruitful. I learned a lot. And I was stoked to put those lessons and some new techniques to work this season.

But then.... I didn't have work for 4 months. No work = no money. How can I afford to buy seed, dirt, compost, lime, etc... without a job? I need to focus on being able to pay my $400/month minimum payment on my Visa bill before I can run out and blow a couple hundred on growing stuff....

...don't worry Dad. I don't use my Visa anymore and it's only there for emergencies. The massive limit on it is the result of 4 years of university student status. Now I need to focus on paying that off...

So: no garden this year. Luckily we have the farmer's market and our CSA to keep our veggie crisper full. I'm saddened by this and so for this week's Film Friday, I'm posting last Spring's video that I made of my garden half way through the growing season.

To my productive, beautiful, nourishing, living garden... I'll miss you.

P.S. make sure to swing by tomorrow... I'm doing a stellar guest post at a to-be-announced blog... And she's kind of a big deal ;)

Do you have space to grow your own food? What are you planting this year? What's the one thing you wish you could grow? Are there things you're missing out on because of the economy right now?

 

 

This post is linked up with Fight Back Friday; Foodie Friday;

Send Something Good Link Up

Good morning lovelies!

It feels good to get back to blogging. I've felt a little out of sorts and out of touch over the past couple weeks but things are getting good. I think I'm transitioning from worn-down-angry-tired-student-person to happy-energized-optimistic-happy-life-type-person. 

Speaking of happy life type person, how about some happy life type stuff? Send Something Good has exploded this time around! Gentri, kaitlyn & I are being put. to. work. We're seriously looking at the biggest package swap ever! Today, I'm taking a slight break from food - blogging about food, that is. Not eating it - to bring you a collection of the finest package pals around! 

via isavirtue

One of the wonderful participants came up with a great idea yesterday and we thought, "heck! Why not??" So..... Today we're hosting a pre-package link up!

Essentially, we have two options. We can either share in a post the types of activities, material things, or general life stuff that we love. You know, the kinda stuff that makes us giggle and warm and fuzzy inside. Or option two, if a wish list isn't really our thing, just connect the latest post from our blog. I'm not an overly materialistic type of girl, and I figure if my pal takes the time to look over my blog and read some posts, they'll get a good feel for what I may or may not be into.

I.E. I have an "ethical" food blog and value good, whole, natural, real food and wine. My pal probably doesn't want to send me a case of kraft dinner....though that little gem does come in handy on days after I've had too much wine the night before.

Both options are fun ideas and will allow all of us to check out each others blogs, find out some juicy details about our secret package pal, and say hello to one other. Let's use this as a way to connect with people we otherwise might not. Let's have some fun!

Last time I was paired with Amy - and I was stoked with what she sent. It was like she knew me or something. Paper products, a book that looked kind of dorky (and by kind of, it had a giant sword on the front. It turned out to be a pretty stellar story though), fancy handmade decorating things. Plus she's a super awesome rad chick... Even if she is from Utah (JK, JK). 

I'm sure my new pal will be just as awesome so I'm gonna leave it up to her innate intelligence, serious good looks and general awesomeness to figure it out. I have faith in her.

In the meantime though, feel free to stop by any of the linked up blogs and say hello. These chicks are rad!

P.S. Don't forget! Those who are taking part in Send Something Good can get specialized wrapping and gifts @ kaitlyn's Etsy shop - use the promotional code: SENDSOMETHINGGOOD and receive 20% off your purchase!

For those not participating go check out her shop out anyway - she makes cool shit!

 

CSA Week #10

Yesterday was kind of a big day for me.

Career wise. Courage wise. Awkward wise. Independence wise.

I actually ventured outside the house (read: came out from my computer) to meet with the manager & chef of a local restaurant to conduct an interview & take photos for a magazine I'm writing for.

I've interviewed people in the past...

...but it was always via email. To actually sit face to face with someone was a little scary. How was I supposed to act? How chatty should I be? How did they view me? Was I unprofessional? Does "professionality" matter? Were my questions trite and stupid? Did I wear the right thing? Who am I to conduct and interview and write an article? What if I look silly taking the photographs? Can I really make a living doing this? Is writing a front for actually being unemployed? How can I ever make any of this work? 

But I figured, wing it sister. Fake it till you make it!

And I did.

And they were lovely. 

And I'm still alive to tell about it.

Go figure.

Something else that worked out okay yesterday? Our CSA box. Saanich Organics is giving us a run for our leafy greens, I'll tell ya that much! Our boxes lately have been lots of greens, lots of root veg. But a new addition this week - a cucumber from SunTrio Farm! Mamma what! Cucumbers = Spring = the end of root veggies.... eventually. 

This week we got:

• Our usual big 'ole bag of braising greens.
• Bunched greens (look like collards maybe?).
• A handful of Chives - they're starting to flower!
• 1 Long English cucumber.
• Parsnips.
• Beautiful sprouting brassicas (reproductive part of the kale plant).
• Bag of pea sprouts.
• Frozen strawberries.

So it's clear that humans scare me. What scares you or makes you step outside your comfort zone? What's something you've wanted to do but have lacked the courage? How can we encourage each others courage? 

 

This post is linked up with The Hearth & Soul Blog Hop via The 21st Century Housewife; Tasty Tuesdays; Slightly Indulgent Tuesday; Tuesday Talent Show; Whole Foods Wednesday; Tastetastic Thursday; Full Plate Thursday; Simple Lives Thursday; Fight Back Friday; Foodie Friday;

CSA Week #9

Research? Done.

Essays? Done.

Studying? Done.

Final exams? Done.

Undergrad degree? Done.

Fuck yeah.

Now I'm going to work a few days, cook a lot of food and I'll get back to you next week. But for today, let's see what good things I got in my box. haha.. I'm sorry. I'm 12, apparently.

This week we got:

•  6 Beets - some big some very small.
• 1 Massive bag of braising greens.
• A Bunch of other greens - collards, maybe?
• A Nice handful of fresh chives.
• Some leeks.
• A Whack of small parsnips.
• Pea shoots.
• Frozen blueberries.
• A Bag of dried beans.

Doesn't it feel good to finish something??  

What have you done that you're most proud of? Are there things you wish you'd finished but haven't? Do you have difficulty finishing things or are you go and get 'em kinda folk?

Bear with me...

This is my week for final exams. I know I've been a bad blogger, tweeter, writer, friend, etc... But this. is. it.

I'm studying my little bum off and healing from my bout of food poisoning I had over the weekend. Nothing like a little raw oyster bacteria to get the learning juices flowing! ....that may have came out wrong... haha - so did that one! I'll stop with the bathroom humor.

So in the meantime, be patient with me. I may or may not post more this week. Regardless, starting next week I'll be back with all kinds of shiny new recipes, rants about why I think we're eating wrong (or correctly) and fresh Spring dreams of chickens, gardens, and big fat glasses of wine. It's a hard life, isn't it?

For now, live juicy" and check out these little ditties to occupy yourself:

• Send Something Good!
• Speaking of "bears".... How bout some gorgeously fantastical Bear Soap?
• Look forward to this.
• Did someone say Summer? I just picked this bad boy up and will start reading next week. So excited for fun reading.
• I'm hungry. Meal suggestions?
•  This lady can kick your ass. She's whipping mine. 
• Into feeling inspired? Need permission to nap? Or maybe you just want to feel bad. You can do all that here.

See you all soon. Wish me luck!

 

Send Something Good! (formally known as package pals)

Hello lovelies!

I have something kind of big for you today. You are about to experience something profound. And very exciting. Do you remember this? Well, it's happening again.... And this time, we're takin' names. You are about to experience the largest blogger postal swap that you've ever set your pretty little eyes on. Seriously. It's going to be epic. No - legend.......wait for it...... Dairy! Legendary! 

For now though, I'll let my good friend gentri lee, the creator of this project take it from here!

introduction

"I couldn't be more excited about this project. It's going to be a blast! But before I get into that, I want to explain where it came from... Some of you may have heard of a little project called "Package Pals". Last fall a blogger from Germany and myself exchanged packages. They were filled with our favorite treats - treats the other blogger had always wanted to try from our own country, plus some other goodies that were specific to our country. When I posted about it on my blog, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. 


The reaction was AMAZING! Everyone wanted their own package pal. So the very next day, Package Pals was born. Over 50 bloggers signed up, I gave them partners, asked them to get to know each other, and then send a box filled with goodies. I was blown away by the creativity. People sent items like: Fry Sauce- a Utah favorite, Sea Shells from the California Coast, Seeds from the state flower of Michigan, home made Maple Syrup from Canada, and so much more! We all had such a great time and everyone couldn't wait for the next round... 


But I was exhausted. It was no easy task, there were bumps along the way, and now that I am in school, I do not have the time it takes to organize another round. A month or so ago I received an email from Kaitlyn. She and Kristy had both participated in the first round, knew my dilemma of not having time (or the technical skills) to pull it off myself again, and had a lot of great and new ideas of how to run it this next time around. 


I was THRILLED, and "Package Pals" become the "Send Something Good" project! (Lets face it, Package Pals wasn't the best name to begin with. haha! Remember, I brought this project to life in less than 24 hrs) They both have the exact qualities and abilities to make this project be what I know it can be. So with new ideas, direction, and a fresh new name, "Send Something Good" is ready to launch! A big thank you to Kaitlyn and Kristy, this wouldn't be happening without them.

It's going to be a little different this time around. Instead of having a "partner" it's going to be round robin. Everyone will have a different blogger that they're assigned to "get to know" kind of like a secret sister. Read their blog, find out their interests, email back and forth, but don't tell them WHY. When shopping for your blogger, take into account not only their interests, but things that are specific to your area of the world. 


This project is ALL about bringing us together, making friends all over the world, and learning something new about somewhere you've never been. This doesn't require you to spend a lot of money. Get personal in what you include in your package. Maybe a favorite book that you don't mind passing on, a necklace you made, a package of seeds from your favorite flower, or a friendship bracelet! You also don't have to have a blogger from a different country. I know that can get expensive. So just specify your preference when you sign up. 


To sign up, read the fine print below, and then email sendsomethinggood2012(at)gmail(dot)com. you are also welcome to purchase send something good products from Kaitlyn's shoppe at 20% off with the discount code SENDSOMETHINGGOOD. They're the perfect addition to your "Send Something Good" package. :) The first week will be the best time to purchase, it might not reach you in time if you wait. This is going to be an AMAZING project, I can FEEL it! Don't forget to spread the word! "

dates & deadlines 

sign up deadline: april 11.12
opt out deadline: april 12.12
addresses assigned: april 16.12
photos due: april 29.12
mailing deadline: april 30.12
send something good reveal/link up: may 28.12

the fine print

in order for this awesome project to run smoothly, and to make sure everyone has a great time - there's a couple things to note:

one | email your blog address, your full name and your full snail mail home address to sendsomethinggood2012(at)gmail(dot)com. don't forget apartment numbers, street directions (N, W. etc.)

two | those who sign up will have until one week after the project is announced (april 5.12-april 12.12) to opt out (should you change your mind or find you will not have the time) once this time has past, we will consider you committed to the project.

three | if you opt out after april 12.12, this will be very sad. but more importantly, if you opt out at a later date, or don't send in your pictures by the deadline (april 29.12) or don't mail your parcel by the deadline (april 30.12) you will leave a blogger orphaned! *tear...

four | if a blogger should become orphaned for the above reasons, you promise to be open to the idea of sending another parcel out of the goodness of your heart. we hope this doesn't happen, but if it does, we will sent out an APB (mass email) and politely beg for someone to pick up the orphan and send them something good!

five | if you are planning a move in the next two months, it could get tricky because your parcel could technically arrive anytime in april or may. if this is the case, we would prefer that you wait until the next round of this project.

six | ideally you are a blogger, with a blog. that way, whoever gets your name will be able to learn about you through your online space. in addition, you will be able to link-up on reveal day (may 28.12) when we all share our something good parcels! if you still want to participate, but you don't have a blog, or an updated blog, please also include with your contact info five things about yourself and five types of material things that you love.

seven | once your assigned address and blogger has been sent to you (april 16.12), take a few days to get to know them through their blog! don't tell them that you have their name, it will make for a fun surprise! ;) you can also use this time to purchase great "send something good" themed items at shop.isavirtue.net

eight | please send photos of your wrapped items and wrapped parcel to sendsomethinggood2012(at)gmail(dot)com by april 29.12. this is simply motivational and will confirm that you are all set to mail your package. you may also send your photos earlier than this date :)

nine | there is no monetary minimum or maximum in which to spend on your parcel. you can re-purpose household items, make something by hand, purchase special trinkets or re-gift something that you think would better suit your assigned blogger. get to know your blogger and try to send them things that they might like, but you can also share things that mean something to you, or things that may not be available in their location! 

Challenge accepted! - let's have some fun, maybe a laugh or two, connect with some new people, score some cool shit, and do this thing!