Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tales of Kale
In my search for kale-centric pasta dishes for tonight's dinner, I stumbled on this article, "How I Learned to Love Kale" and thought I'd share. Enjoy and eat more kale!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"The kale makes the meal"
I just had a very delicious week of kale eating. Highlights were my pear kale smoothie (scroll down a bit for it) , and the lemony chickpea kale stir-fry that Jocelyn and I made the other night. Super easy, light, delicious, healthy, and awesome for summer. Here's some kale talk that happened during our meal:
Danne: "What did you say again? I want to put it in my post"
Jocelyn: "I don't remember"
Danne: "Yes you do, you just don't want to be on the internet"
Jocelyn: "I said, the kale makes the meal. It's like a PSA for kale, ok?"
So, Jocelyn said it best, the kale makes the meal.
In other kale news, I wrote to Bo, the Eat More Kale guy and he sent me a bunch of bumper stickers for free. Thanks Bo, you're the best! Let me know if you want one, I have a few leftover.
Danne: "What did you say again? I want to put it in my post"
Jocelyn: "I don't remember"
Danne: "Yes you do, you just don't want to be on the internet"
Jocelyn: "I said, the kale makes the meal. It's like a PSA for kale, ok?"
So, Jocelyn said it best, the kale makes the meal.
In other kale news, I wrote to Bo, the Eat More Kale guy and he sent me a bunch of bumper stickers for free. Thanks Bo, you're the best! Let me know if you want one, I have a few leftover.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Hail to kale!
To kick off July, here are a few facts about kale:
1. Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods there is.
2. It has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
3. It’s a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
4. Studies suggest that the phytonutrients in kale may actually help the liver neutralize potentially cancerous substances.
5. Kale is a cool-weather crop—frost actually makes it taste sweeter and more flavorful.
6. Research has shown that kale consumption is linked to improved mental function as you age.
7. During World War II, the cultivation of kale in the U.K. was encouraged by the Dig for Victory campaign. The vegetable was easy to grow and provided important nutrients to supplement those missing from a normal diet because of rationing.
7. There are several varieties of kale known commonly as: curly kale (pungent flavor with delicious, bitter, peppery qualities), ornamental kale (mellow flavor and tender texture) and dinosaur kale (slightly sweeter and more delicate taste than curly kale).
9. Kale can be kept in the refrigerator for several days, although it is best when eaten within one or two days after purchase since the longer it is stored, the more bitter its flavor becomes.
10. Both the leaves and the stem of kale can be eaten.
So, as my kale sistah Jess says: Eat (or drink) more kale!
Sorry Jess, I had to do it haha
1. Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods there is.
2. It has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
3. It’s a good source of Dietary Fiber, Protein, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Folate, Iron, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
4. Studies suggest that the phytonutrients in kale may actually help the liver neutralize potentially cancerous substances.
5. Kale is a cool-weather crop—frost actually makes it taste sweeter and more flavorful.
6. Research has shown that kale consumption is linked to improved mental function as you age.
7. During World War II, the cultivation of kale in the U.K. was encouraged by the Dig for Victory campaign. The vegetable was easy to grow and provided important nutrients to supplement those missing from a normal diet because of rationing.
7. There are several varieties of kale known commonly as: curly kale (pungent flavor with delicious, bitter, peppery qualities), ornamental kale (mellow flavor and tender texture) and dinosaur kale (slightly sweeter and more delicate taste than curly kale).
9. Kale can be kept in the refrigerator for several days, although it is best when eaten within one or two days after purchase since the longer it is stored, the more bitter its flavor becomes.
10. Both the leaves and the stem of kale can be eaten.
So, as my kale sistah Jess says: Eat (or drink) more kale!
Sorry Jess, I had to do it haha
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Eat More Kale
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with kale: The love part being more wishful thinking (I really wish I loved kale), and the hate part being more of the truth (I really don’t like it that much). Recently though, I discovered the kale chips from Prana Café in Newton and I’m obsessed. I find myself buying bunches of kale each week at the farmers market and making them in huge batches at home. While I’m happy that I finally found a way to enjoy kale, there’s still a problem: the chips are really the only way I can tolerate it. After seeing the millionth “Eat More Kale” bumper sticker the other day, I decided that it was time to lent it out and really embrace kale for the wonderful gift from nature that it is. I've officially declared July “Eat More Kale” month and by the end of the month I’d like to not only have eaten kale every single day, but also to have discovered new recipes and ways to prepare it so it can become a part of my regular diet.
Suggestions anyone? I’d love to get some good recipes prepared before the month starts.
Suggestions anyone? I’d love to get some good recipes prepared before the month starts.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
M1
Are you back yet? How was it? What was your project? What were the other people like? How was Belfast? Was it what you expected it to be? To answer everyone’s questions:
1. Yes, I’m back!
2. It's definitely up there on my list of “best experiences of my life”.
3. To sum it up: We did a “blitz” project focused on using hair booms to clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which culminated in an outlandish booth at a local event called, The Good Life Festival. We wore red jumpsuits with “STUFF IT” spray painted down the leg, stuffed human hair into panty hose, gave over 25 haircuts to willing participants, crafted snazzy buttons made out of hair (they’re not nearly as disgusting as they sound), made Evan sit in a kiddie pool filled with fake oil dressed up as a BP executive, and had a letter writing station so people could write to their congressmen. Here's the video that Ben Barry was kind enough to make of the event.
We were all fairly convinced that we’d continue with the oil spill theme for our final project but when we learned of the sudden death of David McLaughlin, an artist, craftsman and collector whom we had met days prior to the festival, we unanimously decided to switch gears and create a project in his honor and memory. Inspired by David’s incredible home, a converted cannery in Liberty, Maine, and his philosophy of reusing what others discarded to give new life to otherwise unwanted materials, we developed “100 Hammers”, a collaborative project in which participants are shipped a hammer from our collection of 100 and then use it to create an art piece, in whatever form that may take. The artwork is then shared on our website and auctioned off to benefit a local charity. I will post as soon as our site goes live.
4. My fellow M’ers were incredible. Half expecting a group of pretentious designers with their own agendas, I was relieved to meet a bunch of talented, down to earth, dedicated, hilarious, hardworking, and passionate people. Our group dynamic was exceptional and we proved to be a prolific and dedicated team. We laughed and cried (sometimes laughing until we cried), ate and drank, worked and played, and just did absolutely everything together for the 2 weeks that we were there. I was, and continue to be, inspired and motivated by each and every one of them and am thankful to have so many awesome, new friends.
5. I’m pretty sure that Belfast is the best town in America. Delicious, local, organic food abounds, there’s a pretty hip art scene (considering it’s northern Maine), bars have outdoor bonfires to sit around (go to Three Tides if you ever make it up that way), the scenery is beautiful, the community is incredible (with one of the guys in my group remarking “I’ve never felt like I was a part of a community until I came here”), just an A+ all around. If I can’t handle the long winters I’m at least having a summer house there.
6. In one word, yes. It met my expectations and then surpassed them. I couldn’t have anticipated what M taught me about design, about myself, and about life. In my application essay I ended it by saying “So, when it comes down to it, why am I applying for Project M? Because there isn’t enough time in life to spend your day doing something that doesn’t quicken your heart.” I remember thinking to myself a few times that even as mentally and physically exhausted as I was, there wasn’t one thing in the world that I’d rather be doing. To me, when you’re in the moment, and truly living from your heart, that’s the whole point of everything. Thank you Project M for reminding me that this is possible.
I’ll be posting more as soon as I sort through the 3,000 photos and 10GB of video that I have (seriously) and I will let everyone know when 100 Hammers launches. Check out this article that was written about us in the Village Soup if you didn't see it already on my Facebook page.
One last thank you to everyone who donated to my M fund. It was such a hugely positive experience in my life and I literally couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
1. Yes, I’m back!
2. It's definitely up there on my list of “best experiences of my life”.
3. To sum it up: We did a “blitz” project focused on using hair booms to clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which culminated in an outlandish booth at a local event called, The Good Life Festival. We wore red jumpsuits with “STUFF IT” spray painted down the leg, stuffed human hair into panty hose, gave over 25 haircuts to willing participants, crafted snazzy buttons made out of hair (they’re not nearly as disgusting as they sound), made Evan sit in a kiddie pool filled with fake oil dressed up as a BP executive, and had a letter writing station so people could write to their congressmen. Here's the video that Ben Barry was kind enough to make of the event.
Project M North 2010 from Ben Barry on Vimeo.
We were all fairly convinced that we’d continue with the oil spill theme for our final project but when we learned of the sudden death of David McLaughlin, an artist, craftsman and collector whom we had met days prior to the festival, we unanimously decided to switch gears and create a project in his honor and memory. Inspired by David’s incredible home, a converted cannery in Liberty, Maine, and his philosophy of reusing what others discarded to give new life to otherwise unwanted materials, we developed “100 Hammers”, a collaborative project in which participants are shipped a hammer from our collection of 100 and then use it to create an art piece, in whatever form that may take. The artwork is then shared on our website and auctioned off to benefit a local charity. I will post as soon as our site goes live.
4. My fellow M’ers were incredible. Half expecting a group of pretentious designers with their own agendas, I was relieved to meet a bunch of talented, down to earth, dedicated, hilarious, hardworking, and passionate people. Our group dynamic was exceptional and we proved to be a prolific and dedicated team. We laughed and cried (sometimes laughing until we cried), ate and drank, worked and played, and just did absolutely everything together for the 2 weeks that we were there. I was, and continue to be, inspired and motivated by each and every one of them and am thankful to have so many awesome, new friends.
5. I’m pretty sure that Belfast is the best town in America. Delicious, local, organic food abounds, there’s a pretty hip art scene (considering it’s northern Maine), bars have outdoor bonfires to sit around (go to Three Tides if you ever make it up that way), the scenery is beautiful, the community is incredible (with one of the guys in my group remarking “I’ve never felt like I was a part of a community until I came here”), just an A+ all around. If I can’t handle the long winters I’m at least having a summer house there.
6. In one word, yes. It met my expectations and then surpassed them. I couldn’t have anticipated what M taught me about design, about myself, and about life. In my application essay I ended it by saying “So, when it comes down to it, why am I applying for Project M? Because there isn’t enough time in life to spend your day doing something that doesn’t quicken your heart.” I remember thinking to myself a few times that even as mentally and physically exhausted as I was, there wasn’t one thing in the world that I’d rather be doing. To me, when you’re in the moment, and truly living from your heart, that’s the whole point of everything. Thank you Project M for reminding me that this is possible.
I’ll be posting more as soon as I sort through the 3,000 photos and 10GB of video that I have (seriously) and I will let everyone know when 100 Hammers launches. Check out this article that was written about us in the Village Soup if you didn't see it already on my Facebook page.
One last thank you to everyone who donated to my M fund. It was such a hugely positive experience in my life and I literally couldn’t have done it without your help. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
M Blog
I'll be blogging about my personal experience with Project M when I return in a few weeks, but you can view the blog that we're keeping as a group documenting our process here. There's not too much on it right now but it'll definitely be filling up more each day. We're working on a Twitter account too so I'll post that info when I have it.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
M Fundraising
I'm leaving in less than a week for Project M and am getting really pumped (and honestly, a little nervous). I wanted to take a second to thank everyone who donated to my M fund. I'm up to $1,225 and can't express how wonderful it's been to see how happy friends and family have been to help out. And a last call, if anyone is interested in donating and hasn't yet, you can still do so from the PayPal link in the last post.
Love you all, check back in May for M updates!
Love you all, check back in May for M updates!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Project M!
I'm very, very excited to announce that I'll be participating in this May's Project M session in Belfast, Maine. For those of you who aren't familiar with the project or didn't receive my fundraising email, here's a brief summary of what it's all about:
It was started in 2003 by designer John Bielenberg. After seeing architect Samuel Mockabee (where the M originally comes from) speak about leading architecture students to work on projects centered around the concept of “design for the greater good”, he was inspired to bring the idea to the graphic design world. Seven years later, he runs multiple 2-week Project M sessions a year, helping young, creative thinkers to see that their work can have a positive and significant impact on the world.
At the beginning of each session, M’ers arrive with no idea what shape their project will take. They work collaboratively to explore the local community to get a sense of how they can use their skills as designers to produce a project that will bring forth positive change in the area.
A few examples of how past Project M sessions have impacted cities and towns around the world:
• Helping to provide safe drinking water to over 100 families in Alabama
• Bringing communities together by turning abandoned lots into parks in Baltimore and Detroit
• Incubating a social-enterprise company, NADA, that produces low-cost bike frames and targets young people to get on bikes and out of cars in urban environments
• Laying the groundwork for an organic garden and local farmer’s market in Connecticut
• Creating awareness and providing a creative outlet for Icelanders during its economic collapse.
I'm so, so excited about this and have been dying to participate forever so I couldn't be happier. The only tricky part is that the project isn't funded by a corporate sponsor but by the individuals who apply so I'm trying to raise $2,000 in the next 3 weeks. If anyone can help in any way it will be sincerely appreciated. I set up a donations page through PayPal, so if you'd like to make a donation you can do so by clicking the donate button at the bottom of this post.
Thanks so much! I will most likely be blogging about the experience too so make sure to check back throughout May.
It was started in 2003 by designer John Bielenberg. After seeing architect Samuel Mockabee (where the M originally comes from) speak about leading architecture students to work on projects centered around the concept of “design for the greater good”, he was inspired to bring the idea to the graphic design world. Seven years later, he runs multiple 2-week Project M sessions a year, helping young, creative thinkers to see that their work can have a positive and significant impact on the world.
At the beginning of each session, M’ers arrive with no idea what shape their project will take. They work collaboratively to explore the local community to get a sense of how they can use their skills as designers to produce a project that will bring forth positive change in the area.
A few examples of how past Project M sessions have impacted cities and towns around the world:
• Helping to provide safe drinking water to over 100 families in Alabama
• Bringing communities together by turning abandoned lots into parks in Baltimore and Detroit
• Incubating a social-enterprise company, NADA, that produces low-cost bike frames and targets young people to get on bikes and out of cars in urban environments
• Laying the groundwork for an organic garden and local farmer’s market in Connecticut
• Creating awareness and providing a creative outlet for Icelanders during its economic collapse.
I'm so, so excited about this and have been dying to participate forever so I couldn't be happier. The only tricky part is that the project isn't funded by a corporate sponsor but by the individuals who apply so I'm trying to raise $2,000 in the next 3 weeks. If anyone can help in any way it will be sincerely appreciated. I set up a donations page through PayPal, so if you'd like to make a donation you can do so by clicking the donate button at the bottom of this post.
Thanks so much! I will most likely be blogging about the experience too so make sure to check back throughout May.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Everything in moderation
Miser March ended up being a lot harder than I anticipated. In theory, sticking to the budget that I had set up for the month was perfectly reasonable; there was even a little money leftover each week for unnecessary expenses, win! What I didn’t (and couldn’t) account for though was unexpected expenses, and for whatever reason, March had a lot of them. I was reminded again how important it is to have money saved and felt thankful that I had been good about this when I was in a better financial situation. Anyways…
Even though I couldn’t be as stingy as I set out to be, I did manage to pick up some good money saving habits. I’m addicted to comparison shopping now and I finally jumped on the buying in bulk bandwagon. I make the extra effort to go to the cheapest gas station, I signed up for Keep the Change so I can at least put a little money away, and I really think twice before whipping out my credit card for an impulse purchase. I definitely slipped up a few times and some of the habits I tried to make quickly went out the window, but the month definitely made me more mindful of my spending and kicked me back into miser mode.
What I did determine though, is that even though saving money is great, paying for convenience is totally worth it sometimes. Holding down a squirming Fanne to clip her nails, haggling a price for car repairs at 5 different shops, and paying half the price to get my hair done at a beauty school are all things that I’m not really interested in doing. To me, it’s worth the money to save the stress when I can afford to do so.
I thought a lot about money and happiness too, especially after finishing up The Happiness Project, which I mentioned back in February. In her chapter about money, Gretchen wrote “If money is to enhance your happiness, it must be used to support aspects of life that themselves bring happiness to you”. Sure, money alone doesn’t buy happiness but it can definitely help to support it. Living miserly is great for saving money, but I can definitely say that I felt happier in months where money wasn’t constantly occupying my thoughts. Going out to dinner with friends, taking photography classes, and traveling might not be “necessary” expenses but they make me happy, so to me it’s totally worth the money.
So, as my dad would say, “Everything in moderation”. It’s good to know how to be thrifty, but it’s also important to not be too strict about it when you don’t have to be.
Even though I couldn’t be as stingy as I set out to be, I did manage to pick up some good money saving habits. I’m addicted to comparison shopping now and I finally jumped on the buying in bulk bandwagon. I make the extra effort to go to the cheapest gas station, I signed up for Keep the Change so I can at least put a little money away, and I really think twice before whipping out my credit card for an impulse purchase. I definitely slipped up a few times and some of the habits I tried to make quickly went out the window, but the month definitely made me more mindful of my spending and kicked me back into miser mode.
What I did determine though, is that even though saving money is great, paying for convenience is totally worth it sometimes. Holding down a squirming Fanne to clip her nails, haggling a price for car repairs at 5 different shops, and paying half the price to get my hair done at a beauty school are all things that I’m not really interested in doing. To me, it’s worth the money to save the stress when I can afford to do so.
I thought a lot about money and happiness too, especially after finishing up The Happiness Project, which I mentioned back in February. In her chapter about money, Gretchen wrote “If money is to enhance your happiness, it must be used to support aspects of life that themselves bring happiness to you”. Sure, money alone doesn’t buy happiness but it can definitely help to support it. Living miserly is great for saving money, but I can definitely say that I felt happier in months where money wasn’t constantly occupying my thoughts. Going out to dinner with friends, taking photography classes, and traveling might not be “necessary” expenses but they make me happy, so to me it’s totally worth the money.
So, as my dad would say, “Everything in moderation”. It’s good to know how to be thrifty, but it’s also important to not be too strict about it when you don’t have to be.
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