The World On A String

The Phoebe Way of Life

2011-08-09T21:06:00.000-04:00

The world is getting very complicated and corrupt. I prefer things more simple. I think we can all take notes from our Friend Phoebe. For example, one of my most memorable Phoebe moments is where we see her running in Central Park. She does not run or jog as the social norm. She runs like a child, arms soaring, path crooked. She is a free spirit. I have ran like this more than once in my adult life, and every time I do, I think I should do it more often. It is exhilarating! I also love her for her innocence. She's never seen the true ending of Old Yeller and is appalled when it is finally revealed to her.

If you're not a Phoebe fan, perhaps the old saying "Ignorance is bliss" or the famous words of Pablo Picasso will speak to you: "It has taken me a whole lifetime to learn to draw like a child."

There is something to be said for child-like wonder, innocence and naivety. I am going to practice embracing my inner child. See ya later alligator ;)

The Truth About Chocolate

2011-05-24T17:57:00.000-04:00

I am a HUGE chocolate lover. I have to have it every day. I recently attended a class on how chocolate is made. It's kind of scary... Apparantly the majority of the chocolate producers buy cacao beans in bulk from South American and/or African farmers. When the farmers harvest them in such large quantities, they throw all the beans together, including rotten and moldy ones. Ewe. Even worse, after the cacao beans are fermented, they need to dry for several days to weeks. Because there are so many beans in each batch, farmers need a very large place to lay the beans out to dry. Where do they lay them you ask? Why on the road of course! Beans will stretch for miles on the side of the road where they are left to dry with the bugs, dirt, sticks, leaves, and animals.

I always wondered if what they say is true that on average there are 60 or more insect fragments per 100 grams of chocolate. Now I wonder how there can't be more... Oh well, can't win them all. I still love Nestle chocolate.

Soup or Salad? Soup!

2011-05-19T12:32:00.001-04:00

Dining out used to be hands-down my favorite activity. I like to eat and I like to eat good food. Trying new things is exciting for me, but I'm not about to try bugs. That's right, bugs. In the past month alone, I have been served bugs in my food at three different restaurants in three different cities! Disgusting! My first encounter was at a very nice restaurant. I ordered a spinach salad with my dinner. It looked delicious. How deceiving. After I ate a few bites, I saw it moving. Out from under a spinach leaf crawled the biggest moth I have ever seen. It looked more like a bumblebee. I about lost my stomach contents right there. Then the manager had the audacity to tell us that, unfortunately, this can happen as the spinach comes pre-washed in a large bag. Pre-washed. Meaning, they do not wash their produce themselves! Who knows what could be living in there. I was appalled that a nice restaurant like that one does not take the time to wash their produce. Unbelievable...

Two weeks later I ate at another restaurant closer to home and had a ladybug in my salad. The scary thing about this is that it was on the underside of a lettuce leaf and I just so happened to turn it over before I ate it. Imagine if I hadn't. *Shudder*. This restaurant too admitted that their lettuce is sold to them as pre-washed. So again, no bother washing it. The last encounter I had was an unrecognizable bug in my mojito. Mint leaves! Again, not washed.

I urge you to BEWARE! Restaurants nowadays (and maybe never) do not wash their produce! So if you're asked if you want soup or salad with your dinner, go with the soup.

Hats off to the Brits

2011-04-29T12:37:00.000-04:00

Love the British. Really do. Ever since I was little, their style has intrigued me. Finally got to spend some time in England a few years back. Love the high tea, crude humor, love their films and books. Crumpets and scones! And, oh, the accent... one of my favorite past times is speaking with a British accent, and doing it well I might add. And in all seriousness, wanker has to be one of the greatest words of all time. Followed closely by knickers, he he he. So of course I've been following the Royal Wedding. Traditionally I love the big crazy hats with all their feathers and flowers. Well today the Brits did not disappoint! But is it me or are these hats getting a little bit peculiar? This one in particular has me scratching my head. I don' know if this can even be called a hat. More like a hideous cry for attention or a desparate attempt to take the attention off something else. Either way, hats off to this gal, literally.

Chinese Anyone?

2011-04-19T15:57:00.001-04:00

So I was doing my weekly grocery shopping the other day and I saw the owner of the local chinese restaurant there. I was stunned to see that she had La Choy in her cart. Seriously?! That one threw me a little. But hey, the crab ragoons are not going to eat themselves, so regardless, I'll be in her restaurant to bear the burden. I wonder if Mario Batali eats Chef Boyardee?...