Check this website out and be inspired!
http://www.salon.com/food/francis_lam/2011/03/30/durian_taste_test
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Attention Explorers!
For this weeks blog assignment Julie and I would like you play around more with "The Meaning of Food" website. Interact with TWO of the three sections (maybe the Food and Literature or the Edible School Yard) and in addition read the following article on the Western Diet (http://www.npr.org/2011/03/24/132745785/how-western-diets-are-making-the-world-sick?sc=fb&cc=fp).
Please make some comments on it for the "class blog" discussion!
See you on Thursday :)
Please make some comments on it for the "class blog" discussion!
See you on Thursday :)
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Meaning of Food discussion Q's
Happy Monday to you all!
We'd like to hear your thoughts on a few of the themes that were presented in the first few sections of the "Meaning of Food" PBS video series.
What would you choose to be your last meal? Why?
What have you discovered on the Meaning of Food website?
See you Thursday!
We'd like to hear your thoughts on a few of the themes that were presented in the first few sections of the "Meaning of Food" PBS video series.
What would you choose to be your last meal? Why?
What have you discovered on the Meaning of Food website?
See you Thursday!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Fresh Start
Hello Friends,
Today we will be starting to watch the PBS mini series "The Meaning of Food." There is a fun and interactive website that I'm including in this blog post. Play around with the website and check out the neat features (but don't watch the videos because that's what we'll be doing in class).
http://www.pbs.org/opb/meaningoffood/
I'll see you all in class!
Today we will be starting to watch the PBS mini series "The Meaning of Food." There is a fun and interactive website that I'm including in this blog post. Play around with the website and check out the neat features (but don't watch the videos because that's what we'll be doing in class).
http://www.pbs.org/opb/meaningoffood/
I'll see you all in class!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Great opportunity to use what you've learned!
Julie and I had a student from last year's Dignitas section who sent us the following email. I think it's rather applicable to our class' direction!
Dear student,
Last year I published Food Rules, a short book offering 64 rules for eating well. Food Rulesstruck a chord with many people, who found that it helped them navigate what has become a treacherous food environment, whether in the supermarket or restaurant.
Many of the rules were submitted by readers, and since publication I have received a number of excellent new ones.
So I’ve decided to publish an expanded edition, with additional rules and also illustrations, which the painter Maira Kalman has agreed to create. I hope you’ll consider contributing to the new book.
What are some of your food rules? I’ll pick my favorite three rules from within the Slow Food network and give those people signed copies of the book. Let me know your food rule here:
Thanks in advance for your help,
Michael Pollan
PS - the deadline for submission is February 27th. Don't forget to forward this email to your friends so they can share their food rules too!
Community Day reflection paper PROMPTS
Greetings! I hope you all enjoyed the Community Day festivities. It is such a neat thing that our school has put together and you should be proud of the work that you contributed. The following is the prompt for the reflection paper and a link to a short video called "The Story of Stuff." Please watch the video and write a short reflection on it (to post on the blog) afterward. Let me know if you have questions about anything!
In the past couple of weeks, you have helped raise money and prepare food for the College's Thanksgiving in the Spring event, watched "Waging a Living," and met with the executive director of the Damiano Center. Now it's time to reflect on these activities. In a brief paper (3 pages or so) that you will turn in at next week's class, please respond to these questions:
1. What work did you do to contribute to Thanksgiving in the Spring? Describe your experience, how you felt about the work you were doing, who you shared the work with, etc.
Is the event something you support the College doing? What does the event contribute to those we feed? What does it contribute to those who feed them?
2. What did you know about people living in poverty before you saw "Waging a Living" and discussed poverty in Duluth with the executive director of the Damiano Center?
What do you know now? What are your reactions to the information presented?
3. Here are some quotes about individuals making a difference. Consider your experiences/opinions/feelings about service to others and respond to one of them.
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can." ~Sydney Smith
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." ~Edmund Burke
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." ~Mother Teresa
"Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him." ~Albert Schweitzer
THE STORY OF STUFF: http://storyofstuff.org/
In the past couple of weeks, you have helped raise money and prepare food for the College's Thanksgiving in the Spring event, watched "Waging a Living," and met with the executive director of the Damiano Center. Now it's time to reflect on these activities. In a brief paper (3 pages or so) that you will turn in at next week's class, please respond to these questions:
1. What work did you do to contribute to Thanksgiving in the Spring? Describe your experience, how you felt about the work you were doing, who you shared the work with, etc.
Is the event something you support the College doing? What does the event contribute to those we feed? What does it contribute to those who feed them?
2. What did you know about people living in poverty before you saw "Waging a Living" and discussed poverty in Duluth with the executive director of the Damiano Center?
What do you know now? What are your reactions to the information presented?
3. Here are some quotes about individuals making a difference. Consider your experiences/opinions/feelings about service to others and respond to one of them.
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do." ~Edward Everett Hale
"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little - do what you can." ~Sydney Smith
"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." ~Edmund Burke
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." ~Mother Teresa
"Wherever a man turns he can find someone who needs him." ~Albert Schweitzer
THE STORY OF STUFF: http://storyofstuff.org/
Monday, January 24, 2011
Article for this week
Sorry I didn't post a place for you to post your answers from the NYtimes article. If you haven't already, please post your response under this entry. If you already have posted, copy and paste onto this entry.
Thanks and see you Thursday!
Thanks and see you Thursday!
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Meaning of Food
Hello and happy final week of break to you all!
This semester will be really fun and Julie and I are excited to get started! We will be reading a neat book that is paired with a PBS DVD series called "The Meaning of Food." Please order the book on amazon or whatever other textbook service you prefer. I believe you can buy it cheap these days! We typically don't ask the bookstore to carry it, so it is up to you to obtain the book.
Enjoy this week!
Julia
Monday, December 13, 2010
FINAL PAPER!
Dignitas: You Gonna Eat That?
Final Paper
Due on or before noon, December 20th.Please bring your paper to my office, Tower 4143. If I am not in, please feel free to leave your paper on my desk (the one next to the window) OR in the mailbox on the wall outside the office door.
You will be evaluated on the following: The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your essays. I will be looking for insights, demonstrations of critical thinking and successful attempts at making connections with our readings, presentations, viewings and discussions.
Your essays must be grammatically correct, spell-checked and thoroughly proofread. Points will be deducted for poor grammar, misspellings and punctuation errors.
Only questions 1 and 2 will be graded. Question 3 asks for an honest and open reflection on your first semester.
How long? My answer is “However many words it takes to thoughtfully and thoroughly answer the questions.” I am looking for answers to each question that are at least a couple of pages, but not more than four pages.
Questions:
1. Consider “Food Rules.” Which one or two rules do you plan to or already have adopted? Why? Which one would you personally find most difficult to incorporate into your life? Why?
2. What do you think is the most important thing you have learned in our class this semester? How did you learn it? Why do you consider it the most important?
3. Reflect on your overall first semester experiences at St. Scholastica. What have you learned about yourself? What has been your best decision this semester? What decision do you most regret?
Final Paper
Due on or before noon, December 20th.Please bring your paper to my office, Tower 4143. If I am not in, please feel free to leave your paper on my desk (the one next to the window) OR in the mailbox on the wall outside the office door.
You will be evaluated on the following: The thoroughness and thoughtfulness of your essays. I will be looking for insights, demonstrations of critical thinking and successful attempts at making connections with our readings, presentations, viewings and discussions.
Your essays must be grammatically correct, spell-checked and thoroughly proofread. Points will be deducted for poor grammar, misspellings and punctuation errors.
Only questions 1 and 2 will be graded. Question 3 asks for an honest and open reflection on your first semester.
How long? My answer is “However many words it takes to thoughtfully and thoroughly answer the questions.” I am looking for answers to each question that are at least a couple of pages, but not more than four pages.
Questions:
1. Consider “Food Rules.” Which one or two rules do you plan to or already have adopted? Why? Which one would you personally find most difficult to incorporate into your life? Why?
2. What do you think is the most important thing you have learned in our class this semester? How did you learn it? Why do you consider it the most important?
3. Reflect on your overall first semester experiences at St. Scholastica. What have you learned about yourself? What has been your best decision this semester? What decision do you most regret?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Saints Hats!
Hi ya from the UP (Upper Peninsula Michigan for those of you who haven't heard of that before)!
This has nothing to do with food, or our class for that matter. However, I wanted to get the word out that I'm selling some Saint Scholastica winter hats for I believe $24 a piece. This is my ski coach's adorable little guy sporting the hat. They are super warm and would be great additions to your hockey fan gear! Let me know if you want one!! I have plenty for everyone!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Thanksgiving Assignment
There are a lot of New York City Thanksgiving traditions. For example, a lot of New Yorkers don't buy the frozen Thanksgiving turkey. They prefer to buy the bird live and then push it in front of a subway train. - David Letterman
Dignitas: You Gonna Eat That?
Reflection Paper
DUE Thursday, December 2
This assignment asks that you be an anthropologist at the Thanksgiving table. Consider what foods are present on the table. What do they represent? Mean? To whom? Generations? Genders? People who “married in?”
Where did they come from? What do they say about your family? Your culture?
What happens at the table? Who sits next to who? How long does the meal go on? What do people talk about?
As part of this assignment, do at least ONE of the following:
1. Help shop for and/or prepare some of the food—DO IT!
2. Interview older relatives about the dinner and/or the meanings of food in their past and current lives—DO IT!
3. See your grandmother’s favorite cookbook and discuss it with her—DO IT!
As you write this essay, reflect on your reading, our class discussions and presentations and other experiences you’ve had this semester thus far. Seek connections!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Slow and Savoring
"Forget love, I'd rather fall in chocolate." -Anonymous
The assignment for this week is to practice savoring (and write a blog entry about it). Whether it be a favorite food, the outdoors, or your physics homework, the goal is to slow down and relish in the flavor or experience that it brings. This can be a very positive addition to your student life as it is essentially an excuse to relax from the business of school and work. Put your heart into this assignment and really tell a story of your savoring attempt. I guarentee that if you incorporate this into your life on a regular basis, you will learn to appreciate the small things much more!
Have fun!
The assignment for this week is to practice savoring (and write a blog entry about it). Whether it be a favorite food, the outdoors, or your physics homework, the goal is to slow down and relish in the flavor or experience that it brings. This can be a very positive addition to your student life as it is essentially an excuse to relax from the business of school and work. Put your heart into this assignment and really tell a story of your savoring attempt. I guarentee that if you incorporate this into your life on a regular basis, you will learn to appreciate the small things much more!
Have fun!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Project Research
"Welcome to the Church of the Holy Cabbage. Lettuce pray." ~Author Unknown
Attention all! Whitney has asked me to post a few questions for YOU TO ANSWER in regards to her Food Rules project. Please answer these before Friday. I'm sorry we didn't have a blog question this week. I'll be sure to come up with one for next week.
Attention all! Whitney has asked me to post a few questions for YOU TO ANSWER in regards to her Food Rules project. Please answer these before Friday. I'm sorry we didn't have a blog question this week. I'll be sure to come up with one for next week.
1. How long is your longest meal of the day?
2. When do you typically take longer than two hours to eat?
3. Do you care more about taste of food or the appearance of food?
See you tomorrow!
PS- Let me know if you have problems registering tonight!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Botany of Desire
"There is a lot more juice in grapefruit than meets the eye." - Author Unknown
I apologize for my lackadaisical approach to the blog recently. I'm sure you all understand what it is like to be swamped with stuff to do.
Last week we viewed a portion of the documentary about Michael Pollan's book "The Botany of Desire." I found it fascinating the stories about potatoes and how the potato culture is crucial for existence. Whether they are grown for McDonald's restaurants all over the world or simply for survival in indigenous environments in the Andes, potatoes are a necessity.
Here is your question:
Early Peruvians adapted to nature in their attempts to domesticate potatoes. More recently, cultivators have sought to control nature, rather than allowing it to control them. What are the long-term implications for the two approaches to farming? Is one way inherently better than another? How about in the short-term? For the poor? For local communities? For global food systems? Overall?
Have fun!
I apologize for my lackadaisical approach to the blog recently. I'm sure you all understand what it is like to be swamped with stuff to do.
Last week we viewed a portion of the documentary about Michael Pollan's book "The Botany of Desire." I found it fascinating the stories about potatoes and how the potato culture is crucial for existence. Whether they are grown for McDonald's restaurants all over the world or simply for survival in indigenous environments in the Andes, potatoes are a necessity.
Here is your question:
Early Peruvians adapted to nature in their attempts to domesticate potatoes. More recently, cultivators have sought to control nature, rather than allowing it to control them. What are the long-term implications for the two approaches to farming? Is one way inherently better than another? How about in the short-term? For the poor? For local communities? For global food systems? Overall?
Have fun!
Monday, October 11, 2010
This Thursday's plan
"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." - Fran Lebowitz
Happy Monday to you all! I wanted to let you know what Julie and I have planned for this weeks class. Due to the questions and concerns that I've received from several of you, we decided that it would be wise to have an in-class work day. We will also be starting advisement (choosing classes for next semester). Please bring your materials for your presentation (research, ideas, questions) and have an grasp on what courses you might want to take (whether your major requires it or not) next semester. After looking at my schedule for the week, I found that my only free night is Wednesday. If you really want to meet with me outside of class to discuss your project let me know. If not, let's just meet in class on Thursday.
Have a magnificent day!
Happy Monday to you all! I wanted to let you know what Julie and I have planned for this weeks class. Due to the questions and concerns that I've received from several of you, we decided that it would be wise to have an in-class work day. We will also be starting advisement (choosing classes for next semester). Please bring your materials for your presentation (research, ideas, questions) and have an grasp on what courses you might want to take (whether your major requires it or not) next semester. After looking at my schedule for the week, I found that my only free night is Wednesday. If you really want to meet with me outside of class to discuss your project let me know. If not, let's just meet in class on Thursday.
Have a magnificent day!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Food Advisory Commitee
To all who want to make a difference ON CAMPUS....go to this meeting! We've had students in the past attend and who have felt heard by the campus "food-planning" authority. This is the message that was in the "student bulletin/announcements."
- The Food Advisory Committee will meet on October 12 from 4-5 p.m. in Tower
2611. Please feel free to attend if you have any suggestions or ideas on
improving food service on campus. Managers from Food Service will be on hand
to answer all your questions.
I think there are monthly meetings so if you can't make this one, I figure out when the next one will be.
"Do you have the balls to change the world?!"
"It's important to begin a search on a full stomach." - Henry Bromel
I hope everyone has had a chance to research a little more about Monsanto and other Food Inc. prompts. I'm sure the movie "rocked your world" in a sense and made you really think about your role in the food industry. Julie sent me this link to a rather interesting article. Read it and be prepared to contribute to discussion. Post what you think you will do to change the food system. Maybe it's your favorite suggestion from this article or maybe you'll be inspired to create your own idea. I'm excited to see what you have to say.
http://www.grist.org/article/food-do-you-have-the-balls-to-really-change-the-food-system/
I sent out an email about details for Thursday's trip to the co-op, but I'll summarize here as well. We will meet at the school bus-stop (between Tower and 3rd floor entrance to Science) at 11:20am on Thursday. We will return on a bus scheduled to arrive at CSS by 1:50pm. If you have class conflicts, let me know! Maybe someone could drive if there are problems with scheduling. See you at Community Day tomorrow! Remember, this is required if you aren't already participating at another location!!!!
I hope everyone has had a chance to research a little more about Monsanto and other Food Inc. prompts. I'm sure the movie "rocked your world" in a sense and made you really think about your role in the food industry. Julie sent me this link to a rather interesting article. Read it and be prepared to contribute to discussion. Post what you think you will do to change the food system. Maybe it's your favorite suggestion from this article or maybe you'll be inspired to create your own idea. I'm excited to see what you have to say.
http://www.grist.org/article/food-do-you-have-the-balls-to-really-change-the-food-system/
I sent out an email about details for Thursday's trip to the co-op, but I'll summarize here as well. We will meet at the school bus-stop (between Tower and 3rd floor entrance to Science) at 11:20am on Thursday. We will return on a bus scheduled to arrive at CSS by 1:50pm. If you have class conflicts, let me know! Maybe someone could drive if there are problems with scheduling. See you at Community Day tomorrow! Remember, this is required if you aren't already participating at another location!!!!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Seed to Supermarket Questions
Shocking right? Thought soy was really healthy...maybe not when it's being genetically modified by a multi-national corporation. For this week, find some background information on Monsanto. What does their website look like? What do websites opposing Monsanto look like? Write about what you find.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Who is at fault?
"The only man who is really free is the one who can turn down an invitation to dinner without giving an excuse." - Jules Renard
After viewing the selected chapters of Food Inc. on Thursday, I was struck with a buffet of emotions. How sad is it that a little boy (and many other children) have died after eating a hamburger in a popular chain restaurant! How horrific are the jobs of the workers who handle tainted meat on a daily basis! For this question post (sorry it's coming so late) I want to see some emotion in your responses. What do you truly feel about America's food industry? Show me by answering these questions...
1) Keith Ludlum in the film says, “They have the same mentality toward workers as they do toward the hogs.” What do you think of this statement? If it is true, how might that influence the treatment of both workers and hogs?
After viewing the selected chapters of Food Inc. on Thursday, I was struck with a buffet of emotions. How sad is it that a little boy (and many other children) have died after eating a hamburger in a popular chain restaurant! How horrific are the jobs of the workers who handle tainted meat on a daily basis! For this question post (sorry it's coming so late) I want to see some emotion in your responses. What do you truly feel about America's food industry? Show me by answering these questions...
1) Keith Ludlum in the film says, “They have the same mentality toward workers as they do toward the hogs.” What do you think of this statement? If it is true, how might that influence the treatment of both workers and hogs?
2) Whether or not you think illegal immigration (or the influx of undocumented workers) is a problem, how is illegal immigration connected to the food we eat?
Try to touch on both "sets" of questions, but instead of just answering them to answer them, leave a response that might ignite a good discussion for class. We will be going through a few of the responses right away on Thursday.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Recipe from last week's snack!
"Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat." - Socrates
For all of you eager beaver bakers...this is a link to the blog where I found the "Pumpkin Irish Soda Bread" recipe. It's a great fall, comfort bread (and if any of you are really curious/ambitious, you can come over to my place sometime and bake more bread)!
Buen Provecho!
http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com/2010/09/pumpkin-soda-bread/
For all of you eager beaver bakers...this is a link to the blog where I found the "Pumpkin Irish Soda Bread" recipe. It's a great fall, comfort bread (and if any of you are really curious/ambitious, you can come over to my place sometime and bake more bread)!
Buen Provecho!
http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com/2010/09/pumpkin-soda-bread/
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