FRESH the movie | New thinking on what we’re eating.
July 2nd, 2009As politicians take the school-lunch debate to new lows, perk up with berry ice cream | Grist
July 2nd, 2009
A few years ago I was asked to serve on the Wellness Committee that was being formed by the Iowa City School District, under a federal mandate to improve the health of school children. Having made lunch every morning for my kids because I’d seen the “food” they were served
in the cafeterias, I was pleased to have the opportunity. The result of my nearly two years of banging my head against the brick wall of district bureaucracy was the living example of the old Upton Sinclair line:
“It is difficult to convince a man of something when his salary depends on him not understanding it.”
Admittedly my goals were lofty—not just removing junk food from menus and machines, but also bringing in lots of fresh local produce and planting gardens at the schools. The progress that we did make was indeed positive, if minimal. We produced a set of guidelines that called for more healthy options, and for shutting off the vending machines during lunch (an admittedly pointless activity that any child could work around).
via AS GOP politicians take the school-lunch debate to new lows, perk up with berry ice cream | Grist.
Beer is about your community | press-citizen.com
July 1st, 2009Anyone who reads the columns knows me to be a wine lover, devotee, aficionado, fan, fanatic or freak, but hopefully not a wine snob, as I have little patience for them. I love wine for its convivial nature more than anything else; it is a celebration of life, sealed in a bottle. It brings friends and lovers closer together, and toasts New Year’s and the dearly departed with equal grace. It is reminiscence, romance and reconciliation rolled into one.
Beer is a quite different, but no less honorable libation. It is the beverage of choice of the common man, the farmer, the worker and the soldier. Thus has it ever been:
via Beer is about your community | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.
More summer refreshers | press-citizen.com
June 24th, 2009Gosh it’s hot.
No surprise there, of course. It’s June. It’s Iowa. It’s hot. But what is a wine drinker to do on such sweltering summer days?
One easy answer is the one I told you a few weeks ago: Make some sangria. There are many alternatives, though, from particularly refreshing white and even red wines to the wine cocktails normally reserved for brunches or special occasions.
via More summer refreshers | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.
Food book catches eye of human rights group | press-citizen.com
June 23rd, 2009All people should be able to get enough food to feed themselves and their families, according to the Universal Declara-tion of Human Rights.
That designation was enough for the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, or UICHR, to name “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year in Food Life” as its book for this year’s One Community, One Book project.
The One Community, One Book project, which runs from mid-September to mid-November, encourages people to read and discuss a selected book to develop a “greater community awareness of human rights issues” in the area and beyond.
via Food book catches eye of human rights group | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.
Langhorne Crossing wine has that zing | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen
June 23rd, 2009Every so often you open a bottle of wine, pour it in a glass, swirl it around and sniff, and you get that sudden zing through your salivary glands that tells you right away you’re probably going to really like this wine. Such was the case with the latest offering from Langhorne Crossing, an Australian label that has blended Verdelho with some Riesling and a touch of Chardonnay.
Langhorne Crossing takes its name from nearby Langhorne Creek and is produced and bottled by Bleasdale Vineyards. Founded in 1850, Bleasdale is owned and operated today by the fifth generation of the Potts family. Their winery is classified by the National Trust and is listed on the State and National Heritage Registers. Visitors there are eager to see the old press. Constructed of red gum (the tree, not the candy) in 1892, the press is still in use today.
via Langhorne Crossing wine has that zing | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.
From grass to grill, a Midwestern farm struts its stuff—and dishes up delicious lamb chops | Grist
June 12th, 2009
The chefs of “Lambstravaganza.”
The best part about my work with Slow Food USA is getting to experience new people, places, and especially great foods. Such was the case this past weekend as I traveled to join the members of Slow Food St. Louis for their fourth annual “Lambstravaganza” at Prairie Grass Farms just outside of New Florence, Mo.
Prairie Grass Farms is in the capable hands of its third generation of Hillebrands. Dave Hillebrand runs the farm now, having inherited it from his father and grandfather before him. There they used to raise primarily row crops, but Dave took an interest in chickens—and eventually in his grandfather’s sheep. Today he and his family raise about 700 lambs a year on their 520 acres, all of it on scrupulously-cared-for prairie grasses (hence the name).
via From grass to grill, a Midwestern farm struts its stuff—and dishes up delicious lamb chops | Grist.
Writing about writing about wine | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen
June 4th, 2009It’s been said that writing about food is like dancing about architecture — sure you can do it, but you’ll never convey the essence of the real thing. True enough I suppose, but judging by the quantity of food and wine magazines and Web sites available, there’s a whole lot of dancing going on.
via Writing about writing about wine | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.
Clean Plate Club heads to Devotay | HooplaNow
May 17th, 2009
Hopelessly devoted
The Linn Street area in Iowa City is a wealth of dining experiences. The more I explore (yes, I’ve gotten even braver since my last trip), the more I find to love in downtown Iowa City.
Devotay is consistently on local “best-of” lists and I’ve heard their name bandied about when discussing great places to eat in Iowa City. So with all the hype, I expected a bit of snobbery upon going in.
Making wine without growing your own grapes | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen
May 13th, 2009These days you don’t even need a winery to make your own wine.
No, I’m not talking about those kits you can buy to ferment grape juice in your garage. In Napa, “custom crush facilities” are providing state-of-the-art tools for winemakers to practice their craft. One such facility is the Laird Family Estate, and one such winemaker is Peter Franus.
via Making wine without growing your own grapes | press-citizen.com | Iowa City Press Citizen.