nyc wine & food festival

We're going to the New York City Wine & Food Festival tomorrow! How and why, you ask? I'll give you the long-winded version. I've teamed up with the ShopRite Potluck blog to share recipes and tips for creating delicious meals on a budget. You know I love my CSA deliveries, farmers markets and co-ops, but I know that a lot of folks still head to the grocery store each week to stock their kitchen. I joined the Potluck blog to create recipes and menus that can help link people of all incomes and backgrounds to healthier food choices. 

To be honest, I've been completely surprised by the quality and variety of ShopRite imported and specialty products. My area hasn't had a ShopRite store in a long time, but now that ShopRite is back in the picture with the grand opening of their Niskayuna store, I'm pumped. I've had the pleasure of tasting quite a few of their products from their new Specialty Imported Pasta to their Mango with Peach Salsa and, my favorite, ShopRite Hazelnut Spread. I'm genuinely excited to see what else the new Niskayuna store will offer and what other natural and healthful ingredients I can get my paws on. (Yes, I know the Hazelnut spread isn't exactly a health food.)

What does this have to do with the NYC Wine & Food Festival? Well, for the fourth consecutive year, ShopRite is the presenting sponsor of the festival and the Grand Tasting, which is a two-day crazy event full of the best food and wine in the city. We're telling people about the Potluck blog, and we'll be stuffing our faces with food and wine. Yup, yes, sounds lovely. So Chris and I will be hopping a train to the Big Apple to pig out and stalk celebrity chefs. I really wish we got the Food Network so I would be better able to positively identify all of the famous TV personalities. Just going to have to play it by ear :)

From the press release:

The Grand Tasting Presented by ShopRite is part of the New York City Wine & Food Festival hosted by The Food Network, Food &Wine and Travel and Leisure magazines. As one of the Festival’s most popular attractions, The Grand Tasting will not only showcase ShopRite’s premier line of limited edition specialty products, but will also offer attendees signature dishes from the city’s most respected restaurants and world-renowned wine and spirit makers in a deliciously designed two-day gastronomic experience.

You can read about what I'm most looking forward to in the new ShopRite right here. Feel free to chime in, leave a comment and check back for new recipes, reviews and cooking demos. Like 'em on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Chris & I will be getting back in time for me to scoot over to the second half of the 3rd Annual Local Harvest Festival in Washington Park! From Scratch Club is making their debut festival appearance-- we'll be sharing recipes, samples and a food swap intro so stop by the booth from 11am-3pm.

banned book week

I'm an avid reader. So avid, in fact, that Chris and I have sometimes joked that it's my not-so-secret bad habitat that could ruin us. As in, "Well, Christine's a great gal but I just couldn't handle her reading all the time. She hides books, stays up all hours of the night... she neglects friends and family. I really think Christine has a serious problem." I blame my parents. Actually, I blame my entire family tree. Coincidentally, Sister posted this link yesterday on "How to get your kid to be a fanatic reader". I have vivid memories of bringing our backpacks to the library so we could manage to carry home all of the new books we checked out.

Gratuitous cute kid picture. We were born to read.

This week is Banned Books Week. It is a national celebration of the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment. It was launched back in 1982 in response to a ridiculous surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Yep, people are still challenging and trying to ban books. Today. In 2011. In the United States. That blows your mind, right?

From the American Library Association:

Intellectual freedom- the freedom to access information and express ideas, even if the information and ideas might be considered unorthodox or unpopular- provides the foundation for Banned Books Week. BBW stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them. [...] Imagine how many more books might be challenged- and possibly banned or restricted- if librarians, teachers, and booksellers across the country did not use Banned Books Week each year to teach the importance of our First Amendment rights and the power of literature, and to draw attention to the danger that exists when restraints are imposed on the availability of information in a free society.

Among the most frequently challenged and banned books in recent years are the Harry Potter series (J.K. Rowling), Twilight (Stephenie Meyer) and The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins). Good old-fashioned Young Adult fiction. I'm not ashamed to say that I've read each of these series. I read so much non-fiction that sometimes I just need to relax with a little teenage sci-fi. Is that so wrong?

Lest you think it is all about wizardry and vampires, have you heard of these obscure and wildly controversial books?

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
• Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger 
• To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
• Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck 
• The Color Purple, by Alice Walker

Yep, and those were on the most challenged books in the last decade. Not just 50 or 60 years ago, but from the period 2000-2009. You may also be interested to know that Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickled and Dimed is on that list. Why? Challengers say that it presents a biased view of capitalism. Do you know the premise? The author takes a behind-the-scenes look into the lives of America's working poor. She takes on low-wage jobs in various communities and describes the difficulty of subsisting on poverty-level, service sector wages and the lack of support for low-wage workers in this country. Biased? Only if you mean that her "bias" is that of an average, low-income American. Of someone who works two or three jobs just to keep a roof over their head, who earns too much to receive public benefits but not enough to survive, who struggles to afford childcare and food and health services. I guess I call it reality, not bias.

A few other personal favorites from the frequently challenged book list are: any and all Judy Blume books (especially Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret), Beloved (Toni Morrison), Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson), Slaughterhouse-Five (Kurt Vonnegut) and The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini).

I will say that, if you are a parent, I'm totally down with making sure your kids are reading age-appropriate material. Having just finished the whacked out trilogy The Hunger Games, I'm not so sure how comfortable I would feel if my pre-teen was reading it. That storyline is insane. Insane. It's a parenting decision, and that's valid. To challenge the very existence of the book, though, to call for it's removal from public libraries, to argue that it ought never to have been written... that is censorship, pure and simple. It's an attempt to take away the freedom to write, the freedom to read and learn and the freedom to make your own decisions. To call for censorship in public libraries, which in many communities are relied upon more by lower- and middle-income readers, is to perpetuate gaps in education and achievement. When you take away the rights of certain people to read certain books, you disenfranchise entire communities and prevent the spread of knowledge.

Celebrate Banned Book Week by picking up a copy of your favorite banned or challenged book and revel in the freedom you have to read it. Better yet, go support your local public library for standing up to challengers and for protecting the freedom of speech. Have you read this declaration of support for intellectual freedom? Hallelujah.

fundraiser for amanda

There's another fundraiser over at From Scratch Club and I'd like to tell you about it. A long-time FSC contributor, Amanda, recently lost her house in a fire. Amanda, her husband and their three young daughters were able to escape with literally the clothes on their backs as the fire swept through.

(Amanda's three daughters in the kitchen! Photo from one of her posts on FSC.)

Amanda was the generous host for the Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking party & mini food swap last spring. (It's worth noting that this party was where I first officially met the From Scratch Club and was the inspiration for our now-thriving food swap community!) After the pickling & fermentation demo this month, I had a chance to chat with Amanda and other FSC peeps over drinks and I was struck with how upbeat and awesome she was. I don't know Amanda well, but in that short time I was totally blown away by her strength and ability to carry on and create as much stability for her family as possible. She's also an avid runner, and I always marveled at the group runs she posted through the Albany Running Exchange at some unholy early morning hour. That's a tough cookie.

In addition to the farm fundraiser, FSC is hosting a fundraiser to help Amanda and her family through this transition. And there are gift baskets! Oh, there are gift baskets! With your donation, you are automatically entered to win one of these goodies:

• a signed copy of Kate Payne's Hip Girl's Guide to Homemaking;
• a set of custom canning labels by Kaela of Local Kitchen Blog;
• a basket full of "swap" goodies... homemade canned things, jams, baked goods, etc, or;
• one of my demi-aprons (!) with other assorted kitchen things.

That's right, you can get your paws on this Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Reversible Demi Apron! Made with love by yours truly. Surely you remember these aprons hanging around now-on-hiatus Etsy shop? 

Click over to the fundraiser and give a little, will you? All of the info and details are over there and feel free to comment here, there or email me if you have any questions. The fundraiser runs through October 15 and gift basket winners will be announced on the 17th.

the pickle bandwagon

So, I'm not really surprised that I used the only recipe in the world that calls for brown sugar in a bread and butter pickle. What did I think it would look like?! Could I not foresee that these sliced cukes would be sitting in a dark brown liquid?! Ick. Zero points for presentation. Incredibly, these taste fine. If you like bread and butter pickles, that is. I guess they are controversial in the pickling world, right? I want to get it right out on the table that I'm not a huge pickling person. I don't love them. If we are out to lunch and my sandwich comes with a dill pickle, by all means, it's yours. But for someone who isn't in love with pickles, I sure do try them a lot. All the time, it seems. I'm so curious how everyone else in the world swoons over these fermented vegetables (and other things) that snap and pop and release a vinegary explosion. Everytime someone near me swoons over how awesome a pickle is, I try it in the hopes that maybe I just haven't tasted the right one yet. But... no. I gave these bread and butter pickles a shot only to see if I preferred them to a crunchy dill. Meh. They are fine. Tucked away in a sandwich, they are not offensive. But straight up, out of the jar? Not yet. Which is too bad, because I'm hanging with a group of peeps who make some really killer pickled and fermented food. I would have so many awesome pickles at my disposal, if only I wanted them. Last week I even went to that Pickling & Fermentation Demo hosted by FSC with the lovely author Kate Payne up at Spoon & Whisk in Clifton Park. (She has good small-batch pickling tips here & fermentation tips here.)

Whilst on vacation in Portlandia, I made my host Al some fridge pickles using this Food in Jars recipe. I've been told they were good. Recommended by one out of one doctor. I'll keep trying to jump on the pickle bandwagon, but I can't make any promises.

Unrelated, but do you have summer produce leftover that you need to use up? Try these super-simple Locavore Veggie Fajitas. Marinade veggies and toss them all in a skillet. Hold onto summer just a little bit longer. Full recipe here.

inside the cooler, weeks no. 14-16

We have some catching up to do with my cooler sneak peeks, eh? Here are the past three weeks of CSA deliveries, quick and dirty in one convenient post. Week 14 was all the way back on the 1st of September. Look at those gorgeous cherry tomatoes. I thought of doing a whole post on them and their colorful diversity, but decided against it. You're welcome. And look at that Siamese twin summer squash? You can't tell as much in this photo, but it was the craziest squash. I also thought about doing a separate post on this cute conjoined pair but, again, reason and sanity got the best of me. We hadn't been going through our cucumbers fast enough, so I snuck a few of them into my checked luggage to haul out to Portland for pickle-making. Because I am the sort of houseguest that will make you ciabatta and fresh dill pickles, if that is your kind of thing. All I ask in return is a reasonably comfortable place to sleep, a veranda with a view (if possible) and the freedom to have vacation drinks and snacks without judgment.

Week 15! Colorful peppers! This delivery came while I was away. Chris had been waiting all season for some colorful bell peppers, so I'm hoping this cooler full of them made up for my absence. Somehow I'm sure it did. We used the chard and some of the onions in quiches, including a ton of mini-quiches that I brought to the last Albany food swap, which we hosted Locavore-style.

Finally, week 16. I had no idea we could still get fresh raspberries! Treat! Those are already gone, of course. We were both pleased to see a bag of spinach, as that has become one of our favorite leafy greens. And more cucumbers! Ay. I shall have to better develop a taste for pickles and put to use some of the skills I picked up last week at Kate Payne's Pickling & Fermenting demo. (Head here for a great recap of the event!) I still never told you about my jar of bread and butter pickles. I don't... I just don't know if you want to see them. Maybe I'll do a post on pickles for people who aren't super in love with them but are trying really hard to jump on the pickled foods bandwagon. Sounds exciting. Lastly, look at that little bag of Benjamin Buttons in the corner of the cooler. I'm not sure if I'm alone on this one, but I really love those things.

From Scratch Club is hosting a fundraiser for Denison Farm (Schaghticoke, NY) and Kilpatrick Family Farm (Middle Granville, NY), two of the biggest certified naturally grown farms in the area. Both farms suffered substantial crop loss during Tropical Storms Irene & Lee. I am a member of the KFF CSA and frequent customer at Denison's stand at the Troy Farmer's Market. They put food on my table and on the tables of so many in the area; please support them by heading over to From Scratch Club and donating. You will be entered to win the most incredible gift baskets I've ever seen-- a "grilling basket" featuring sustainable, ethically-raised meat from West Wind Acres, a basket with homemade pancake mix and tons of cute kitchen stuff, and a "swap basket" filled to the brim with incredible homemade treats that have been cooked, baked, canned, jarred, preserved, etc. by the ladies of FSC. More info about the farms, the gift baskets and the fine print can be found here.

my new job

I don't usually talk about my work here because, you know, there are lines to be drawn when sharing things with the world and my day-to-day work is generally off-limits. But since you've already heard about my new employer a bit around here, I wanted to let you know: My new job is with our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate! I am transitioning from long-time volunteer and board member to staff person and looking forward to it. The opportunity presented itself and sometimes you need to make the change, right?

Maybe you've heard of Habitat? (Hint: here, here, here, here, here & here.)

PS- No, I was not hired to work on the construction site. They have more sense than that.

portland postcard... books & a vacation round-up

When I wasn't busy running for wine, wandering into magical hair studios or exploring town, I spent a bit of time right here on Al's patio. Some days, I ventured further out onto his building's shared "eco-terrace". I just chilled. After a few days, I gave into the temptation of Young Adult popular fiction. It was bound to happen. I had packed only serious spiritual find-your-path sort of books and just couldn't make it through a perfectly good vacation week without diving into a juicy page-turner. Have you read The Hunger Games? I'll admit that I'd only heard bits and pieces about it, noticed it at the airport bookstores (a sure sign of a fun vacation read) and then saw it at the top of Powell's Fiction Bestsellers list. That was enough to convince me. I bought myself a copy and summarily read it over the next few days, barely tearing myself away to get to MusicfestNW. The book is so good. Get over the fact that it is technically in the Young Adult section. Just get over it. It doesn't matter. It's fun, suspenseful and thought-provoking. It's also super-disturbing, so don't say I didn't warn you.



After alternating between reading on the patio and watching the U.S. Open, we did get out to see some great bands in downtown Portland and then grabbed food and drinks at Andina, a Peruvian restaurant with the best atmosphere of any eatery I've ever visited. Throughout the week I took a bunch of classes at Yoga Pearl, including my first-ever heated Vinyasa class, during which I basically melted into a whimpering puddle on my mat. And to think that the room was only heated to 95 degrees instead of the scorching 105 degree temps in a standard Bikram class. Blech. I believe it was after this very class that I rewarded myself with The Hunger Games purchase.

It was a wonderful week with a great friend and perfect host, with uncharacteristically gorgeous weather and with time well-spent in a city of books, beer and bikes. Good thing I got this trip in when I did, because I start a new job this week. That's the big news! Tease tease tease, I'll fill in the details tomorrow.

Catch up on my other travel postcards and see more photos on Flickr:

• surprise! i'm in portland
• portland postcard... a haircut
• portland postcard... puff pancakes & food carts
• I wrote about the local foodie scene in Portland as part of this month's NOFA-NY Locavore Challenge over at From Scratch Club. Check it out here.

portland postcard... puff pancakes & food carts

From our nine-mile walk. A view of downtown from one of Portland's many bridges. What are those on the left? HOUSEBOATS. I found the houseboats. I always find the houseboats.

A puff pancake with berries, of course.

I visited the food carts again. In a demonstration of incredible restraint, I did not go back to The Whole Bowl. Instead I got about four servings of chana masala for $6.50. Deal of the century.

Farmers markets!

I'll pop back in for one more postcard and a round-up early next week and then I've got big news to share with you. But first, I'm soaking in the last bit of my summer vacation at MusicfestNW: Markéta Iglová of The Swell Season and Iron & Wine tonight, then The Antlers and Explosions in the Sky tomorrow night. Woot!

portland postcard... a haircut

Before I left New York, I stumbled across the website for a whimsical, magical little hair studio and thought that since I was due for a haircut anyway, I might as well add a bit of whimsy to the whole ordeal. I made an appointment at Holiday Hair Studio. Robin, the lady behind this one-lady hair studio, has transformed a cute little trailer into a seriously magical and adorable hair studio.

And yes, she also gave me a really good haircut, so it's worth the hype. I get nervous now with the pixie cuts; one slip of the scissors and you can have yourself a real freakin' disaster. We listened to some tunes and she snipped away while I soaked in the magic of this tiny salon.

It has a smaller kitchen than we do. I like that in a place. Ok, so it's a trailer-turned-hair-salon, but the kitchen is still smaller and that's what counts.

Thanks, Holiday Hair Studio :)

surprise... i'm in portland!

Yup, I'm in Portland, Oregon right now. I know I just told you a cool travel story, so forgive me for this. The timing of these posts make it look like Chris & I are ultimate jet-setters, but there was really a bit of a time lapse between his trip and when we told you about it. So don't hate. I'm in Portland, of course, visiting the Doc and finally taking a summer vacation! In a dramatic departure from my visit at the same time last year, it is sunny and hot here this week. As in, it's supposed to reach 95 degrees tomorrow. Everyone laughed when I said I was packing my swim suit. LOOK WHO'S LAUGHING NOW.

I will likely pop in here a few more times this week with little postcards. I intend on doing some sunning, some reading, some yoga (I brought my mat as a carry-on :), some eating, some wandering and a healthy dose of just hanging out. I'll also be kicking it at local farmers markets and making tasty Portland dinners for a Locavore-style vacation.

First up: we ran the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon Relay Sunday! You may be noticing a pattern about the type of races I'm signed up for lately; this one ended with a big wine tasting. This year I've run races where they gave me either a box of cookies, beer or wine at the finish line. Now I really can't imagine signing up for one where you just get a water and pat on the back. Al & I split the half marathon distance and trotted along a gorgeous race course in perfectly crisp weather. The wine tasting at the end almost made up for our 4:15am wake-up call.

Then yesterday, we accidentally took ourselves on a nine-mile walk along the Willamette River. Any suggestions for Portland-area fun that does not involve running or walking for hours? I've got a streetcar pass and the keys to Al's car, so I'm extremely mobile and will have lots of time on my hands while he's working at the hospital. Otherwise, you can find me at Powell's, Voo Doo Doughnuts or out on the eco-terrace of Al's building :)

tales of a food journey, part two

Continued from Tales of a Food Journey, Part One... 

What was in Nova Scotia, you ask? Chris went to volunteer at a few organic farms! A food pilgrimage, if you will. We'd been researching farm volunteering for some time now, and for Christmas I bought him a membership to WWOOF Canada-- a chapter of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. They hook up organic growers with interested volunteers. In return for their help, volunteers are provided with food, lodging and the inside scoop on organic farming. Chris divided his time between two farms in Nova Scotia, hitching a ride with a half-baked lumberjack from Alberta who drove with a road soda to get from the first to the second.