The Place Where We Live

I just read  that the word “locavore” has received the esteemed honor of being the New Oxford American Dictionary 2007 Word of the Year. The word is defined as “a person who endeavors to eat only locally produced food.” It was coined about two years ago by four San Francisco women who popularized the idea of the 100-mile diet.

Check it out: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2007/11/localvore.html

“Because you are reading this…chances weigh in favor of you having Michigan beer already as an important part of your beer purchase decisions…Now how about the food you eat?”

- Rex Halfpenny, Editor, “Michigan Beer Guide”
(Click here for more of Rex’s thoughts on food, beer and community)

Next to local food, local beer is another topic that I get pretty excited about. I’ll be the first to admit that at this point in my life I’m probably, overall, much more conscientious about my beer purchasing decisions than I am about my food decisions. But, as you know,  over the past six months or so Kevin and I have been trying to make a deliberate effort to eat more locally and sustainably produced food. There’s actually a term for this movement that seems to be really be catching on: slow food. The Slow Food International website defines the movement as :

“[A]broad cultural shift away from the destructive effects of an industrial food system and fast life; toward the regenerative cultural, social and economic benefits of a sustainable food system, regional food traditions, the pleasures of the table, and a slower and more harmonious rhythm of life.”

This past Thursday, these two beautiful worlds of local food and local beer happily united at “Drink and Think,” a slow food and craft beer dinner hosted by Slow Food Detroit.

(more…)

I didn’t make it to the annual Christmas tree lighting and festival down in Loranger Square this past Friday night. The truth is, I’ve NEVER made it down to the Christmas tree lighting. I always say I want to go but, honestly, I just can’t get into Christmas until after Thanksgiving.

If they held it next Friday, I’d be much more inclined to go. I love that initial pang of Christmas anticipation (before the usual stress kicks in, of course) I get the day after Thanksgiving. And, while I boycott the whole “Black Friday” mass-consumption-holiday-kick-off-frenzy I’d be willing to reconsider and opt-in for some downtown Monroe shopping and festivities on my day off next Friday.

Is it just me or does anyone else out there think they should wait and hold the tree lighting the day after Thanksgiving? The same goes for the parade.

Someone told me that both used to take place the weekend after Thanksgiving. If so, why did they change it? Is this just another example the Christmas season creeping up earlier and earlier? If so, I don’t like it.

But the Monroe Farmers Market is still doing well.

Did you know that the Monroe farmers Market is open year round? I guess I always knew this in the back of my mind. However, until Kevin and I started making a conscious effort to buy local produce when possible, I never paid that much attention to that fact 

It’s only open on Saturdays now from 6 a.m. to noon (it’s open on Saturdays and Tuesdays from June through October). They’ve also moved their farm stands into the building and of course, there are fewer farmers with goods to sell. However, when I was there today…the first time I’d been since early October (Kevin had been going on Tuesday mornings)…I was surprised at how much fresh local stuff you can still get in mid November! Carrots, onions, red, green and hot peppers, apples, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, tomatoes and of course  butternut, acorn squash and pumpkins. Probably lots of other stuff that I am forgetting.

It makes me realize I should take advantage of it while I still can. I don’t know what I’m going to do come January!

I just finished the most delectable cookie that I bought today from Cakes by Stephanie here in Monroe. It was a fluffy,  pumpkin spice cookie with cream cheese frosting topped with chopped walnuts. It was so soft and moist it was almost like a mini pumpkin cake.

 I came across Stephanie’s cookies by chance. A friend of mine got married last weekend. She is from Bellville and her wedding was in Canton. However,  having  sampled one of Stephanie’s cakes at a bridal show, she decided to go with them for her wedding cake. 

 At the end of the reception last Saturday night my friend asked me if I’d be willing to return the cake stand during the week, since she’d be off on her honeymoom and since I already live in Monroe. “No problem!” I said.  Well…guess what? I forgot I even had the cake stand in my car until I opened my trunk LAST NIGHT.

Panicked, I rushed the cake stand back to the bakery this morning. All is well and my friend will get her deposit back!  And of course, while I was there I got to see and smell all of the other delicious baked goods they make.  So I went for the pumpkin cookie (I’m really into all things pumpkin right now).  I bought Kevin a peanut butter cookie with a crumbled reese’s peanut butter cup on top.

It’s almost a shame that their name is “Cakes by Stephanie” because they do so much more than just cake! And now I’m glad that I know. Or maybe I’m not… this could be dangerous.