Why not be different and make it a "green" holiday season???

Try as I might this year, I just cannot seem to get into the "holiday spirit" of being a consumer and trolling the malls, waiting in lines, and stressing out over finding that perfect gift for people. Maybe it's the fact that the holidays seem pushed upon us sooner and sooner each year, making me subsequently rebel so that my disinterest in the holiday gradually increases so much that I wait till a few days before Christmas and then I run around in a mad dash. Maybe I have simply become such a fan of "un-cluttering" my life, that the idea of filling my life and others with more stuff seems so wildly unappealing. Or it could just be my inner hippie consciousness rising to the surface again thinking about everything that is going on in the world. Whatever the reason, I started thinking about previous posts that I wrote on gifts to get a foodie. I wondered if I could still write that post this year. I realized I could, but with a slightly different slant. Here are some beginning ideas that have been formulating in my mind for what to get the foodie in your life this year.

A $12 pack of seeds? $50 to send a goat to a family? $100 to support a woman entrepreneur? Even a gift a little as $20 could irrigate a farmer's land for 2 months! Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change. More gift ideas: https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/all-gifts/
 

 Or spend $20 on a "Foodie's Delight" at Natural Resources Defense Counsel to help grow the local and organic food movement. Keep the foodies in your life happy and healthy with this mouth-watering gift! You’ll be helping NRDC to grow the local and organic food movement and ensure that all of us have access to an abundant supply of healthy, locally-grown food, free of pesticides and other toxins. It’s the perfect way to honor your loved ones’ commitment to delicious food that’s good for us and good for the planet. Check out this and other ideas at: https://www.nrdcgreengifts.org/gifts

It's that time again: gift ideas for the foodies in your life

EAU GOOD WATER BOTTLE WITH CHARCOAL FILTER $4.00 - $20.00

You may be surprised to know that most people in the industrialized world don't have access to high-quality drinking water. For those affected, the simple solution is to buy plastic bottles of fresh, filtered water, but unfortunately these innocuous bottles come with a price you won't pay at the checkout. Every year, over 22 billion single-use water bottles end up in a landfill. This is a global environmental problem, and fortunately, designers Black + Blum have come up with a stylish and simple solution. With a squeeze and a snap, 6 months of great tasting tap water is available at your fingertips. By providing a locking compartment for a tube of binchotan active charcoal in their cork-topped BPA-free bottle, designers Dan Black and Martin Blum have modernized this natural filter used by the Japanese since the 17th century. Binchotan reduces chlorine, mineralizes water, and balances the pH so no additional filtration is necessary for pure, refreshing tap water. Maintaining the charcoal is easy, just remove it from the bottle after three months and boil it for ten minutes. Once you've recharged it, your tube is ready to transform your tap water for another three months. (found at uncommongoods.com)   TREE STUMP CUTTING BOARD $75.00

The graphic marbling of spalted maple adds special charm to this durable cutting board. Made from fallen trees uncovered by artisan Spencer Peterman, the unique appearance of the wood is the result of the tree's natural process of deterioration. The gorgeous cutting board is coaxed from an old tree stump - leaving a natural edge - kiln-dried and given a food safe finish. The unexpected beauty of the wood makes the cutting board a special gift for amateur chefs - as well as a delightful addition to your own kitchen. Handmade in Massachusetts. (found at uncommongoods.com)


TEASTICK $22.00

 A functional everyday item made even more beautiful by simple and smart design, this teastick is made of stainless steel and plastic and features a spring mechanism that reveals a drawer for tea leaves. Place the tea stick in a cup of hot water and let the tea steep through the tiny holes at the bottom. (found at uncommongoods.com)

KITCHEN COMPOSTER $12-48.00

Recycle waste into something wonderful! This unique, odorless indoor composting system ferments and pickles food waste in less than half the time of conventional composting methods using the Japanese method of Bokashi. And don't forget the beginner's guide to composting, which will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the wonderful world of fermentation. Convenient - Stores neatly under kitchen sink for easy access, every few weeks contents can then be buried in your garden. Large Capacity - Holds approximately 5 gallons of food waste. Air-Tight Lid - Ensures an ideal environment for anaerobic fermentation to take place, while controlling odors and deterring flies. Plastic Strainer & Spigot - Placing the plastic grate inside the bucket and then piling food waste on top of it separates the food waste from the liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the bucket. This liquid can be easily drained through the spigot and used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for houseplants and garden. Bokashi - An all-natural compost starter containing beneficial micro-organisms that aids in fermentation. Once the bucket is full, it will take only 10 days to produce a pre-compost product ready to bury in the garden. After planting, the compost will be converted to rich topsoil in about one month. Compost inoculates the soils with beneficial and effective microorganisms which detoxify chemically treated soil, feeds the natural soil ecology, and attracts beneficial insects and nematodes. It also enhances soil fertility and increases plant yield and produce quality. (found at uncommongoods.com)

MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY KIT $60.00

What do you get when you combine food, chemistry and art? You get to deconstruct any dish, to change the look and feel of any ingredient, to impress dinner guests, and to take your tastebuds on an adventure--also known as molecular gastronomy! Turn your kitchen into a food laboratory with this how-to kit that teaches you how to transform liquids, like honey, into jelly-like cubes, spherify chopped produce into flavor-packed beads, or even morph melted chocolate into a delicate powder or spaghetti-like strands. You're only limited by your imagination! So go ahead, play with your food! (found at uncommongoods.com)

CHEESETASTING NOTEBOOK & PEN SET $45.00

Don't put up a stink when you can't recall that bit brie, bleu, chevre, or Swiss at the market! Pair this petite and practical cheese diary and pen with any piece, slice, wedge, or crumble to savor every last detail long after you've finished the final morsel. Designed to be stowed in your bag, purse, or pocket, this streamlined pen and notebook set packs a high-design punch and possess an extra special edge: dried cheddar or a few drops of cow's milk impart the notebook's ink and the pen's resin with its characteristic creamy hue. Fill in the essentials as you delight in every delectable bite, as well as a rating out of five stars, and the texture, from velvety ricotta to grated parmesan. A flavor wheel helps you identify tang, earth, brininess, robust and subtle flavor notes, and more. Once filled, this compact journal holds every ounce of detail from your 33 most recent tastings and serves as an invaluable reference for both connoisseurs and casual nibblers.  Pen handmade with resin tinted and textured with powdered cheese, and cracked pepper by Merrie Buchsbaum in Connecticut. (found at uncommongoods.com)

What to get dad...

Rapidly approaching, lest we forget, is Father's Day this weekend. Sunday to be exact. If the day slipped your mind, or you are still struggling with potential gift ideas as you have exhausted all known possibilities in years past...here are some friendly suggestions from some of my favorite online shops.

BEER MAKING KITS  $15-$40
"After discovering a vintage fermenter in her father's basement, Erica Shea and Stephen Valand researched the art of home brewing and swiftly became self-taught pros. The pair quit their advertising jobs and left for a seven week beer-tasting tour of Europe to train their palates and test the possibility of a business partnership. They returned inspired and ready to launch this do-it-yourself kit, equipped with everything you need to brew up a mouth-watering storm of pale ales, porters or saisons. Yields the equivalent of 12 beers in four weeks. "
Found: Uncommon Goods website

FACE MUG $18

Chomping At The Bite

Put a smile on that mug with a hungry mouth cubby that bites off more than you can chew. Perfect for serving milk and cookies, coffee and doughnuts, tea and biscotti, or your favorite snack-time combinations.
FOUND: Uncommon Goods website

BBQ BRIEFCASE $84

Grill Master

Fire up a feast with this portable, grill-side case of 20 stainless steel utensils topped with heat-resistant handles. Perfect for the on-the-go grill master, this traveling case transforms day trips, parks and backyards with its fully-equipped set of flame-retardant cooking tools. Whether you're flipping kabobs or charring fresh corn, you'll always have the right tool for the job. It's outdoor entertaining in a two snaps of its case.
FOUND: Uncommon Goods website

STAINLESS STEEL BRANCH SKEWERS $20 (set of 2)
Bough Meets Grill

Shish kabobs are branching out! These modern grilling skewers, made from laser-cut, premium brushed stainless steel, have nine individual prongs, perfect for veggies, meat or marshmallows, that balance the entire skewer and make for easy flipping. The design is not only stylish, but also allows you instant access to any piece of food, so there's no need for any more unevenly cooked kabobs. Handle stays cool.
FOUND: Uncommon Goods website

GLASS GROWLER $12.99

A contemporary take on the traditional growler, re-created in glass, with a cork top to keep draughts safe from spills and a handle for easy portability. And this would compliment quite nicely the beer making kit for dad. Infact, you may need a few of them!
FOUND: West Elm website.

ACADIA SLABS $24- $34Organically shaped, richly grained ovals of acacia wood do double-duty as cutting boards in the kitchen and beautiful display and serving pieces for fruits and cheeses at the table or during cocktails. If your father is like mine, and appreciates the art of presentation, then he will love this gift...I think that the choice in naming it a "slab" versus a "cutting board" also has a great level of appeal.
FOUND: West Elm website

 
TEST TUBE SPICE RACK $16.99
Last but not least...Laboratory-style test tubes bring a dash of modern science to the kitchen. This spice rack does double-duty as stylish tabletop display for condiments—salt, pepper, hot sauce, and more—or even as a quartet of bud vases.

 
Hopefully this has inspired you to get your gourmet dad something that he will love. I am very excited about my father's day find this year, but I can't post it because I know he reads my blog. If are curious however, email me, and I will be glad to share. Have a wonderful father's day everyone!

Fun Foodie Finds- "Fred and Friends"

"French Toast" stamps  $7.22

"Salad Tools" for serving $12.00

"Reusable Party Picks" $10.00

"Sink Drain" $7.50

"Splat Stan- Silicone Drink Coaster" $13.99

"Teacup Cakes Cupcake Mold" $16.90

Hope you guys find these as fun as I did! You can find these items by going to www.amazon.com and searching for products by a company called "Fred and Friends." I think the french toast stamps are first on the list! Hurrah! 

Awesome ice cube trays are indeed out there!

I accidentally stumbled upon a website with a recent post about ice cube trays that caught my eye. Boring you say? These ice cube trays are sure to change your mind! Personally I can't decide if I want the Titanic and Iceberg set or the ones that look like dentures. Either way, they are hilarious and will be a good addition to any beverage.

Check out this website for ordering info and other great ice cube trays: http://www.oddee.com/item_96599.aspx

FSA photographs...great gift for foodies

My professor of Intro to American Studies, recently tipped me off to this great resource, and place to get potential gifts for people who enjoy photography. However, this can be taken a step further to include foodies. The resource is the Library of Congress's digital collection of photographs. The ones that I am thinking of are the FSA (Farm Security Administration) photographs that were taken during the Great Depression throughout rural America. 

 There are many wonderful photographs, including the famous "Migrant Mother" by Dorothea Lange available on the site. The coolest part of the site, after you have spent considerable hours getting lost in thought while sorting through the amazing images, is that they are all available for purchase! Yep, you can buy a copy of any of the images that 

you find, on archival paper for under $25.

This is a terrific gift documenting a fantastic project undertaken by some amazingly talented photographers showcasing the resourcefulness, pride, and history of rural American farmers. For anyone who doesn't know about the FSA photographers....it was a government department that sought to document and prove to congress and the public alike the problems experienced by rural farmers and the success that the New Deal programs were having.

During it's existance, the department, run by Roy Stryker, produced a collection of 80,000 photographs. He hired many talented photographers such as Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, Arthur Rothstein, John Vachon, Russell Lee, Marion Post Wolcott and John Collier, Jr.

Certainly, Styker's overarching goal was to create a visual encyclopedia of America, but he concentrated the focus of the photographers on rural worker, many of them migrant farm workers, to show how central agriculture was to the economy.  

To check out the extensive collection of photographs and for ordering info, here is the link to the website: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

And still more gifts for the foodie in your life...

I just thought that I would check out holiday gift buys at one of my favorite stores, Fishseddy which now happens to have a fabulous websites for online shopping. Much easier than my usual trek to NYC to rumage through the stacks of dishes, glasses and flatware scattered casually about the funky store. Here are some of their handpicked selections for gifts under $25 that I thought you might enjoy.



"Steep Up to the Plate Teabag Rest" $5.95



"Artist Palate Cheese Tray $24.95"




"New Yorker" Mugs $10.95 (many other designs)



"Floorplan" coasters $3.95 (many other kinds)

Check out their website for more great finds:  http://www.fishseddy.com/

More gift ideas for the foodies in your life.

Todays first item is because I felt that I left meat eaters out in the cold with my last list. I think this is really nifty. Actually you could probably imprint veggie burgers as well if you really wanted to. As you can tell from the picture, it is for the person who loves to grill. You can brand your burgers or other meats with how they are cooked, ie well, medium, rare, etc. I can see this coming in handy for summer barbaques, or when you just don't want to be bothered with everyone asking you how cooked something is. Just point to the meat! This branding iron will run you $17.95 and is for sale on the website called Find Gift, but here is the link directly to the item so that you don't have to go fumbling around the web. It is: http://www.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-244547/.

A Manhattan Culinary Tour is really an innovative gift that is going to thrill a foodie in your life. While some of the ones that I looked at were over $200 bucks a pop, this one has a very nice price point of $65. Yup, this Culinary Tour is of Chinatown in Manhattan. The three hour tour gets you a lovely walking tour through the culinary culture of the neighborhood, checking out historic landmarks, visiting local markets, sitting down at 2 notable Asian restaurants to dine, observe traditional ettiquette, and making additional pop in visits to specialty food stores for tastings. If you are interested in getting one of these tours for somebody, the name of the tour company is: Xperience Days and the link to their website is: http://www.xperiencedays.com/prodview.asp?idproduct=8419&af=XperienceDays&CK=80.

My mother used to tell me about her trip to Europe and her ensuing love of something called Battenberg cake. It was a cake that was checkerboard with yellow and pink squares of cake covered in marzipan. The origin of the name is not clear, but one theory claims that the cake was created in honour of the marriage in 1884 of Queen Victoria's granddaughter to Prince Louis of Battenberg, with the four squares representing the four Battenberg princes: Louis, Alexander, Henry and Francis Joseph. I have always thought that this sounded like the most fantastical cake in the world. And now I have found a mold that looks like it would make it a cinch to bake! The Checkerboard Loaf Cake Pan costs $14.95 and is for sale at KitchenKrafts.com. The website is:
http://www.kitchenkrafts.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_BP1108_A_c2p_E_hp

This product is something that I wish that I had invented! When I was a kid chopping onions for my mom, I used to cry so badly from it that I would have to leave the room, or put my head in the freezer. I often wore my sunglasses to help. Later in life, I tried to follow Martha Stewarts advice of burning a candle in the kitchen while chopping which was of some success. But now...none of that compares to the new Onion Goggles! Yep, with these shades you will no longer be crying uncontrollably in the kitchen. They cost $19.95, but hey the person who recieves them as a gift will be forever indebted to you. Website is: http://www.kitchenkrafts.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_FP8327_A_c2p_E_hp

Gifts to get a foodie

So, while I am completely shocked at how quickly October flew by, it made me grudgingly wake up to the fact that the holidays are literally right around the corner. This was made even more obvious to me when I stopped by the mall before Halloween and saw that several stores were already decorated for Christmas! This was certainly not appreciated by me. But it did make me think that some of you may be more organized than myself when it comes to getting your holiday shopping done and out of the way early. No black friday madness for you. This year, I may try to turn over a new leaf and do that as well. I thought that I might get this ball rolling with some fun ideas about what to buy for a friend or relative that is a foodie, or to drop hints about what you might want for yourself. By the way, this collection of ideas is just a few of my favorites from the online store called "Uncommon Goods". I will probably be posting some subsequent lists from other places.

I thought that I would start with a useful keychain bottle openers. I like these alot because they are dual purpose. I am not at all adept in using a lighter to open bottles as some of my friends, so I can certainly see a use for a keychain that would be there to lend a hand when called upon. These are made from old street signs (so you are recycling too, yay!) and they cost $16.oo bucks a pop.  

Next, I discovered some awesomely shaped Udon Noodle bowls. They are designed to be part mug, part bowl and to fit nicely into the curve of your palm. Every review that I read about them said that people had so much fun holding them that they were trying to think of more meals that could be enjoyed out of them. They are kind of pricey at $26.oo a piece, but I think that I need one for myself at the very least.

On the not so pricey side, there are the very fun looking wine and food books. They are priced at a lovely $5.oo at the moment. Personally I have a great deal of trouble remembering all the wines that I have tried and liked over the years, so this book looks like a great place to capture that information. Plus the one for the restaurants has a very cool cover of a waiter's order tablet. Nice touch.

The pizza cutter is really a dazzling piece of equipment. It would never pass through airport security though, so plan on having it shipped directly to somebody's house. It is hammered from recycled steel using traditional blacksmithing techniques. It is handmade and is supposed to last a lifetime. I surely would hope so, because this is something worthy of hanging on the wall and admiring when you are not using it. The price runs you $36.oo.


I am not exactly sure how this item works, but I am dying to try it. Supposedly if you have been chopping onions, garlic or anything else that leaves an odor on your hands this is the solution. It's a stainless steel shaped bar of soap. Yup you heard me right. All you do is rub it in your hands under running cold water and voila, the smell will dissappear! This nifty item costs $14.oo and it will never run out, so you shouldn't ever need another one.

 
The Herb Keeper is really a fabulous idea. The basic premise is that herbs that are kept in a bag or even loose in your fridge wilt and die quickly, as we all know. So, why not put them in a glass jar where they can stand upright in water on the door of your refridgerator? For $20.oo, I love it! 

The last gift idea is a slate cheese board. It is made out of reclaimed pieces of slate chalkboards from Franklin Elementary School in Quincy, IL. It has reclaimed wine corks as feet so that it doesn't slip away from you, and it is divided into 4 squares and comes with a piece of chalk so that you can start labeling your cheese at your holiday parties. Delicious idea! This costs $48.oo.

Stay tuned for more holiday foodie gift ideas....

Hello to Spaghetti Sponges!!!

I am all over this new product called Spaghetti Sponges! They were created in Japan and you can purchase them for around $8 which I know is a steep price for a sponge, but here's why they are worth the investment.

1) They last for MONTHS!
2) They do not require you to use any liquid soap!
3) They don't rust or have any gross odors because they dry really quickly after use.
4) No bacteria & mold on them, unlike regular sponges.
5) Save money and the environment.
6) They are super cool- made of peach pits and corn!
7) You can use them to peel skin of vegetables! (The Coarse sponge- made of corn)

To save you the time, I have scouted out a few places to purchase these cool spaghetti sponges. They seem to come 2 in a pak, which mades them about $4.50 a sponge. You can go with the original spaghetti sponge made of corn, or go with the gentler spaghetti sponge which is made of peach pits. Personally, I am really excited to try peeling my vegetables with one of them, cause that peeler is a kitchen hazard and I always end up with scraped fingers.

Original Spaghetti Scrub - Coarse Made with Corn Cobs
Use for - General cleaning, removing stains from metal cookware, kettles, sinks, grills, and peeling the skin off of vegetables
Materials -Corn core powder, cotton, polyester

Original Spaghetti Scrub - Gentle Made with Peach Pits
Use for - General cleaning, removing stains from glass, wood, plastic, high quality nonstick pans, & any other surface prone to dull or scratch
Materials - Peach pit powder, cotton, polyester

$8.95 for a pack of two sponges, either type: VAT19
http://www.vat19.com/dvds/the-original-spaghetti-scrubs.cfm

$8.50 for a pack of two sponges, either type:
Uncommon Goods:
http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/spaghetti-scrubbers

And on top of being environmentally responsible, they are just so cool looking! Sorry old sponge, but your replacement is here!

What the heck is a foodie anyway??

      "A foodie is someone who has a deep interest in food. In addition to being interested in food itself, foodies are also interested in the back story: the history, production, science, and industry of food. As a general rule, foodies are amateurs, rather than professionals working in some aspect of the food industry, and many of them are self-taught. You may also hear the terms “epicure” and “gourmet” used to describe a foodie. Many people have a personal preference for which term to use, with some people reserving “epicure” for people who are very fastidious, and “gourmet” for food professionals. Others find “foodie” derogatory, believing that it is too flip to describe their interest in food. Foodies love food, obviously, and they are usually interested in exploring a wide range of tastes, flavors, and textures. Many of them try to be as knowledgeable as possible about the foods they eat, sometimes even traveling to an area of food production to see how their food is produced. Many foodies study specific aspects of flavor and eating, like wine and food pairings, or the impact that environment has on flavor, with a focus on eating the best-tasting food possible.

     Many foodies are also interested in the personalities in the food industry, such as food writers and notable chefs. They may also be intrigued by food science, learning more about how food performs in the kitchen and why certain flavors and textures appear when they do. Scientific approaches to food and cooking have led to a slew of cookbooks which explain the science behind various steps in a recipe, rather than just giving cooks a set of directions.

     Foodies are often said to be in search of the best flavor, regardless of origin, and many seek out food experiences which they perceive as “authentic,” refusing to look down their noses at particular ingredients. While “foodie” often means “foodsnob” in the ears of some people, foodies may enjoy familiar foods like pizza and chow mein just as readily as they enjoy multi-course meals at expensive restaurants. A foodie can also be very single-minded in the pursuit of an elusive flavor, recipe, or experience. For people who are not quite as obsessed with food as the foodie  community, foodies can seem a bit peculiar, and tensions in relationships and friendships sometimes arise as a result of conflict over food choices. Foodies, for example, can argue vociferously about a choice of restaurant for an hour or more, while non-foodies may be inclined to order delivery and call it a night."

As defined by www.wisegeek.com