August 19, 2009
Not only did Jack bring me lunch today as a surprise (With flowers AWWWW), he also brought me my choice of ham vs roast beef sandwich from Petes.
“Awww, Jack, I can’t.. they have to be local.”
“Guess what!”
It turns out that only the smoked meat at Petes isn’t local! YAY! Real, delicious ham! And pickles. Jack hates pickles. He is weird that way. But he is also the best boyfriend ever!
August 19, 2009
Day two of the project. So far, so good.
Jack and I had dinner last night, and we discussed my new idea. He had lots of questions about it, and together we hashed out the rules and the definition of this new word.
So, in the strictest sense, a localtarian could be someone that eats ONLY local food. However, much like vegetarianism, there are tiers of strictness that one can follow. If I was going to be a strict localtaian, I would eat nothing that came from outside Nova Scotia. This raises some issue as we cannot produce certain foods here due to climate, etc. If I was to become a strict localtarian then I would never be able to eat a banana, or an olive, or use olive oil, or have certain cheeses.
While some people are more than willing to go that far, and I applaud them for their choice, I cannot. While I wish I could get everything local to reduce packing, shipping, etc, I realize that this is impossible. Right now, I would say 90% of my food shopping IS local, and good for me. But if there is a wonderful olive grove in say, I dunno, Italy, that is earth friendly and doing their part, then I have little problem supporting them the same way I would a farm down the street from me. It’s not their fault we can’t make it here and they have to ship it.
Jack also wanted to know how the rules change if I’m traveling. Yes, they would. Then I will try to eat food local to wherever I am. If I can’t get ANYTHING, then I will have to make due.
Last night was my first time at a restaurant since decided this plan, and I was pleased at how much I could still eat from the menu. I had a meatless pizza (not a shock, I do that anyway), but now I could not have a bite of Jack pizza, which had prosciutto.
Which, now that I think about it, maybe I could have had a bite of. Is NS able to make prosciutto? I must research.
Basically, this means I can never eat fast food again. Well, anything meat related from them anyway. Which sucks because OMIGAWD I WILL MISS YOU WENDYS, but on the other hand, hello Health town. Also, I can always go to the rad North Diner in Bedford which has local cheeseburger, right down to the bun. Thank GOD for them!
I’m lucky to live in Nova Scotia. We have a ton of local food organizations here, as well as lots of Chefs who cook local and local only. And we have access to seafood, thank God. Though I may need to have different rules for seafood…
Oh, and I’m trying to figure out where I can GET local poutine, Matt. Technically, the gravy would need to be from local beef. Or from a bullion cube, I suppose.
I’m going to start photographing my food (YAY!) but for now, here’s a breakdown of what I’ve been eating and where it came from:
Breakfast: Glass of C Boost from Boathouse farms (Not local, but a worthy company to support), one slice of whole wheat bread (local), spread with peanut butter and jam (both local)
Work meals: Sandwich made of the aforementioned bread, PB, and Jam, homemade Risotto, apple (local), grapes.
August 18, 2009
So guess what crazy scheme I’m following now
(You mean other than actually updating? Shut it.)
I’m becoming…. a localtarian!
(Dramatic Pause)
I also hope to coin a word. Yes, a Localtarian! As in someone who will only eat meat if it has been raised locally. Why the change? Well, I don’t eat a lot of meat anyway, but when I do I love it. I gave serious consideration to going veggie, as I believe it makes a better impact on the environment. Still, I know my limits. I cannot give up cheeseburgers.
Oh Cheeseburger… you make my life worth living.
And so, after much thought and consideration, I have decided to go local. I already try to get as much food as I can locally, and this is just the next step. By eating meat with an origin I can trace and follow, I will be able to limit myself from the scary meat that we know is out there in the world. I will also be encouraging my hometown, and giving money to those companies who truly deserve it.
Anyway! Off the soapbox! I’ll be following my efforts here, so you can point and laugh, or try out the localtarian way on your own.
This also gives me an excuse to photograph my food…..
June 15, 2009
Ok, some light housekeeping first! I’m a big loser nerd and have way too many webpages. For my photo goodness, other than Puki stories, please check out my LiveJournal. Every so often, I’m going to put up fifteen random shots that I’ve taken of animals, people, or the outdoors. So if you like photography, and want to make fun of my lameness, feel free.
Hey, anyone play GaiaOnline? Cause… um.. I totally don’t. That’s for like… babies… *cough*
Anyway, on with the show! No picture today, but just image Bill Murray looking all downtrodden. The other night I finally got around to watching Broken Flowers, which I was excited for. The plot sounded entertaining, and Bill Murray is awesome. How could this go wrong?
…Oh Indie Flicks… why do I trust you?
June 4, 2009
Bum Bum BUM!!!! (Now with resized photos so that everything is seen, and hopefully not cut off! Stupid wordpress layout rules!)
Cornelia: Ok, I think I have everything… Grocery list, wallet, coupons… Hannalore can take her own DVDs back, so I don’t need those…
May 27, 2009
Every so often, it happens. You pick up the latest book by a well-loved author, eager to lose yourself in its well-known characters, and clever plot structures. However, as you continue to read, you realize something bad. You realize something is wrong here, but you’re afraid to admit it yourself. Maybe you put the book down, thinking it’s you, not them. You’re too tired, too distracted… but no. Sadly, you have to admit what’s real, and accept it.
The writing is bad, and the book sucks.
This is what happened to me last night, while reading the latest Laura Childs that I found in the library, “The Silver Needle Murder”
The tea has been overbrewed, my friends... drain the cups and move on.
May 25, 2009
When we last stopped by the dollhouse, Hannalore had been dragged out of bed to greet the new day, much to her annoyance. Now that the sun is out, the threesome head outside to hold their first BBQ of the season.
May 24, 2009
And so, to celebrate, it’s time to return to the dollhouse!
Cornelia: Hannalorrrrre!! Wake up!!!
Hannalore: nrrrg, gerroff….
February 19, 2009
Dear Chris Brown,
One word for you: Over. As in “What your Career is now”. Because of all the things you could have done, all the bad choices you could have made, you pick the one that you never bounce back from. Domestic Violence.
And don’t give me that whole, “Hey, what about Bobby Brown and Tommy Lee” thing, because I ask of you, What ABOUT Bobby Brown and Tommy Lee? When was the last time you heard anything awesome about them?
Smile while you can, you idiot.
This is serious business, Chris. You do know that, right. This isn’t like crashing up a car, or getting caught with coke in the bathroom of a club. This is pretty much the only thing you can do when famous and see the inside of a prison cell. You chose to beat up a musical sweetheart. You beat up Rihanna.
Are you kidding me?! You put THIS GIRL in A HOSPITAL BED!? Oh Man, run for the hills, Chris.
I MEAN ARE YOU INSANE?! She’s sweeter than candy! She’s a musical icon, and she’s only had like, three point five albums out! She weighs as much as ONE of my thighs! For God’s sake, she started a CHARITY FOUNDATION! She helps people find BONE MARROW DONORS!
You are totally, totally dead. And I don’t just mean like, in terms of music. Because as far as I’m concerned, you never really had that going for you. I mean, that “Kiss Kiss” bullshit? Please. So boring. Go back to making music with Lil’ Mama. Wait, I take that back. That’s actually not my advice for you. My advice is to run to Mars, or to get your ass in jail post haste. Because as much as jailbirds hate woman beaters, there’s another man you need to fear more than them right now. May I introduce you to… a Mr. Jay-Z?
He is coming for you, Chris. Coming fast.
Jay-Z is gonna take your punk ass out. You may ask why Jay-Z would possibly care about Rihanna’s well being. Well, fun fact! Jay-Z pretty much discovered her, and he’s very much a fan. He’s already made a few threatning remarks about Chris, and I say Sick ‘em Jay-Z! Sick ‘em! We’ll all look the other way. Y’know, when we’re not cheering.
No love,
~Shannon Hilchie
PS: Don’t even bring up that sad ass “apology statement” you gave. We already hate you. Don’t pour salt in the wound. Enjoy life while you can.
February 15, 2009
Ok, so I love books, we all know that. I’ll read practically anything, but I do have a few fave genres. Foodie mysteries, teenage trash, 80′s YA novels, and anything about the Depression. Oh, the Depression. How I love you.
Yes, this is kind of a timely post, I suppose. While I hope we don’t end up in that situation again, I find it fascinating. People banding together, getting through the difficult times, finding distractions and joy in anything and everything. Plus, I love food descriptions, and children’s Depression writings are usually full of them. Two of my favourite books of all time are A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and The Booky Trilogy. Booky being WAY cooler because it wasn’t as dire, and it was set in Toronto! Go Canada, Go!
I first discovered the Booky Trilogy in grade six, where I loved the books so much I read them over and over. My teacher read them aloud to us, and I adored them. After that, I rediscovered them at a flea market years later and eagerly bought them all. I lost one book, but by then they were redone in a one book set. With an extra brand-new chapter! HURRAH!
So fancy my shock and delight when I learned that CBC had actually made not one, not two, but THREE movies of these books! OH MY GOD, people! I’m going to watch the third one tonight, and I am SO excited! Plus, there’s another one on the way! Oh, please don’t suck, PLEASE! I’m so excited!
Bonus video linkage! Cooking with Clara: A fantastic lady in her 90′s who cooks up the food she made when she lived through the depression, as well as telling stories about her life. Guys, I love this woman!
