Tag Archives: Food

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#K-cup Math

A selection of Tazo teas

A selection of Tazo teas (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’m from a family of mathletes, people who think having a good time at the beach is calculating how many grains of sand there are. I missed the math gene just as I missed the music gene. And yes, I am aware there is a correlation between math and music aptitude.

Today, I was forced to use my math skills, not for fun, but for the good of the grocery budget. I am rather fond of Tazo Zen K-cup tea. Knowing that it is more expensive per serving than plain green tea, I was looking for the best value. I purchased a box, then traveled to another store, where I found it on the shelf but 3 dollars cheaper. This is where the math came in. The first box had 16 cups, the second only 10. The mathletes among you will have done…well…the math. With K-cup boxes size does count.

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Organic Wellness, the County Effect

Colors of Prince Edward County

Colors of Prince Edward County (Photo credit: mlaudisa)

I just returned from a quick trip to Prince Edward County with someone who had never been. Seeing one of my favourite places through her eyes made me realize that I have never written about the Wellness aspect of a County visit. If your getaway dreams include organic foods, yoga classes, and sunset swims, then the County has everything you need.

Thyme Again Gardens is a B&B and working organic farm that offers special events for people who take their personal wellness seriously. If your better half is a golfer, a wellness package combined with two rounds of golf is par for the course. July 28 and 29:

Join Yoga Instructors, Holisitic Nutritionists, and Organic Farmers for an inspiring weekend.

Eating and sleeping well are byproducts of a visit to the County. Enrich the unavoidable with lessons from experts.

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#K-cup Guilt

My circle of acquaintances includes many folk who have spent a lifetime saving the planet, or at least portions of it. They have educated me to understand that every personal choice has a global impact. Through their examples I am learning to make Earth-friendly decisions. But sometimes I fail. The resulting guilt takes the edge off a beautiful day.

Five K-Cups

Five K-Cups (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Octogenarian‘s need for a modicum of  independence is as important as her pill regimen. That independent feeling keeps the flame alive within her. To that end I seek solutions to age-problems that allow her to continue her routine, yet keep her safe. Boiling water in a kettle for tea has become an issue. The kettle is too heavy when filled with water, and she doesn’t have the mobility to move from the sink to the kettle’s base when the kettle is full.

Purchasing Keurig‘s K-cup beverage brewer has solved the problem. I fill the reservoir in the morning, and she can make herself a tea or coffee any time she wishes without risk. Mission accomplished.

However, it doesn’t take much thought to realize that producing a piece of plastic garbage every time a coffee or tea is made is not a good thing. Therein lies the guilt. I have chosen to enhance the Octogenarian’s quality of life – and keep her safe – rather than save the planet.

The new CEO of Shell, the Netherlands based oil company, has chosen to stop all Arctic drilling. That is a decision that will benefit the planet. I am certain of this and applaud Shell’s leadership. Yet…there will be negative consequences. Less revenue entering the economic stream of the Far North; less grants for not-for-profit projects – are two that come to mind.

Doing the right thing is always a compromise. Every choice has a consequence. Even the best choices have negative consequences. Just as Great Big Sea sings, I wanna be consequence free.

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#FoxShop – the Epilogue

The phone rang this afternoon. A charming young man [Think Blaine Anderson at his preppiest] expressed his concern and puzzlement. He said, “It appears as if we shipped a ticket to you for the cancelled venue. We didn’t want to confuse you. The Woodbridge venue has been cancelled.”

Just like that, communication was clear. Life was simple. I hadn’t received the incorrect package – so I asked what to do with it should it arrive. He simplified that problem too. With one short call – the conversation didn’t last more than 4 minutes – the problem disappeared. Proving, once again, human intervention will never go out of style when it comes to customer service.

I got my Glee back!

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Brewing a batch of English Pale Ale and other Art Forms

Diagram of Brewing Real ale. (With text)

Image via Wikipedia

Nephew #2 began brewing a batch of English Pale Ale. He expects to produce about 50 bottles that will be ready for sipping in November. Nephew #3 captured the event with his camera, and assisted when called upon. Their mother, grandmother and I – we just got in the way.

When I suggested that he could pick up a few cases at the beer store and save a lot of time and effort, he pointed out that I could buy earrings or a painting or take everyone to a restaurant for dinner. I was chagrined, having missed the point. Brewing beer is art as much as craft. I stand corrected.

The kitchen is off limits for 24 hours. Step Number 2 of the process is a thorough cleaning of all surfaces. We aren’t permitted to contaminate the proceedings. What is step 1? Open a home brew, I was told.

Nephew #2 let me sniff his bottle of stout – beer is no longer on my list of consumable items. Smelled good enough to drink! I know I’m missing something, because I tried the still cider they made – delicious.

The ladies toured the Nasher Gallery in Durham before the brewing began. The gallery displays pieces from Duke University’s vast art collection. Really helpful people. Intimate size. Beautiful building. And the most amazing selection of Soviet propaganda posters from 1914 to the sixties. The theme was female workers. Wonderful.