Artichoke Heaven
Very nearly tempted the other day to buy a Jerusalem Artichoke plant, but decided against it, thinking it would be too hard to grow. Michele Knaus, new gardener, but experienced chef, shows how success with these exotic plants can be a reality, and also how to make delicious and versatile Artichoke Pesto. For anyone has never tried this beautiful vegetable, it’s definitely worth investigating. The taste is unforgettable. Thanks to the brilliant filmwork of Rebecca Gerendasy from CookingUpAStory, this is an easy to follow cooking lesson. For the recipe, read on:
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Makes about 2 cups 2-4 people
Recipe courtesy Michele Knaus, EatLikeAChef.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
2 comments November 1, 2008
Mini Farms & Urban Backyards
Urban farming makes sense in so many ways,
and pays back the people who take the trouble
with it many times over in a myriad of beneficial ways. Two women
from Portland, Oregon take the initiative, do the hard work and
reap the rewards with their backyard farming enterprise.
This is another brilliant uplifting story filmed filmed by Rebecca Gerendasy
of CookingUpAStory, a rich resource to follow in planning your
own sustainability commitment, however small, starting from
your own backyard.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
2 comments November 1, 2008
Sustainable Jam
Join Marge Braker from Preserve.com, filmed by Rebecca Gerendasy
of CookingUpAStory, for an interesting tutorial on making small
batch jam. The wonderful thing about this method is the range able
to be enjoyed and developed from small portions of fruits, which
can tend to be expensive in large quantities. It also allows for a variety
of flavours according to different tastes. A huge boon to this method
is its sustainability component, lasting up to a year in the larder! Enjoy!
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
3 comments July 15, 2008
Commercial Sustainability
Great, practical short interview with the owner
of the Bijou Cafe in Portland, Oregon,
on the matter of commercial composting,
particularly concerning the food industry.
This film is another from the brilliant CookingUpAStory,
produced by Rebecca Gerendasy.
It’s easy to see that with a little creative thinking,
composting in commercial places
can become a reality.
Sometimes it’s simply just a matter of
spreading the word, and
changing the perception of something from can’t do, to can do.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright CookingUpAStory, 2008.)
9 comments June 1, 2008
Green Roof and Wall Resource
A mail subscription only resource, but certainly worth subscribing to,
the “Living Architecture Monitor” makes both encouraging
and high quality reading.
The Spring 2008 issue provides some great stories on how buildings,
historical or modern, can be transformed using green wall
and roof techniques in urban places.
Enquiries about subscriptions can be made to:
http://www.greenroofs.org/ directly.
(image courtesy Caroline Nolan, greenroofs.org, copyright 2008.)
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
8 comments May 7, 2008
Real Food Logic – Part Four
The final in a series on food by Rebecca Gerendasy,
director of CookingUpAStory films, consider the views
discussed in Part Four of a dialogue and talk by
Michael Pollan about his latest book on real food and the logic of
it, as opposed to some modern scientific substitutes.
This dialogue concerns the feedback from the book,
and the various outcomes resulting from its
discussion and circulation. There is also some
author discussion on what his focus and intention was
in publishing this work.
“In Defense of Food” is valuable reading for anyone
interested in keeping vital foods “whole”. It’s linked
in the sidebar, on Amazon. This is an interesting topic,
as good nutrition concerns everyone, offering
some real food logic.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright cooking up a story, 2008.)
2 comments May 7, 2008
Earth Day!
Wishing everyone around the globe a happy earth day.
Google is all dressed up for the occasion, and here are
some links from around the world, about what is happening
on this day:
And a most positive link just submitted by Rebecca Gerendasy of
CookingUpAStory that will amaze!
Also on the same theme,
a brilliant article by Fred Gerendasy, Rebecca’s partner in film
on the same idea: SkyVegetables – A Brilliant Notion.
Have a great one, wherever you are.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
5 comments April 22, 2008
Real Food Logic – Part Three
Further on in a series on food by Rebecca Gerendasy,
director of CookingUpAStory films, consider the views
discussed in Part Three of a dialogue and talk by
Michael Pollan about his latest book on real food and the logic of
it, as opposed to some modern scientific substitutes.
Focussing on real food, and the reasons for eating which
include cultural and pleasure aspects so vital to nutrition
and well being.
“In Defense of Food” is valuable reading for anyone
interested in keeping vital foods “whole”. It’s linked
in the sidebar, on Amazon. This is a fascinating discussion,
as good nutrition concerns everyone, offering
some real food logic.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
(copyright cooking up a story, 2008.)
3 comments April 21, 2008
Green Roof Reality
In this linked article from Caroline at greenroofs.org, it’s plain to see
the value of green roofing ideas, and good evidence for
their usefulness. Some of the benefits listed are the decrease of pollution
and storm runoff, which are definite positives. If you have ever
been caught in a sudden city deluge you will appreciate this!
Green Walls and roofs
are becoming something real.
For a take on residential green roofs, this link was
supplied by Joanne, of a quirky woodland style
home with a totally green roof in Wales, UK.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
10 comments April 16, 2008
Vertical Garden Store and Green Roofs
In addition to the post regarding vertical gardens on walls in urban areas…thrilled to see a very stylish example on the Firth’s eco conscious store in London adopting the idea. Learned about the store, Eco Age, on treehugger.com which is a great resource for all things green and emerging! As can be seen from the photograph of the exterior of the store, the upper story is clothed in a very calming green, beautiful to see in the city.
WorldGreenRoof.org shows other examples of greenery being incorporated into building design on roofs. Featured on the link are some stunning photographs, expanding on this brilliant idea.
(copyright Monika Roleff 2008.)
8 comments April 7, 2008
