Blog

The Earwig: Evil Earbound Egg Layer or Pesky Plant Predator?

Posted in Farms & Gardens on Mon, 07/26/2010 - 7:00am by Amy Boland -

While you sleep, they’re coming for you. These vile creatures of the night live for one thing only: to crawl into your slumbering ear, lay their eggs in your brain, and destroy humanity itself!

OK, OK, not really. Earwigs may be creepy and they are definitely crawly. Earwigs are on my top three “most hated” list because they are fast, they have working pincers, and they get in the house sometimes. But they do not actually seek out human ears, as was widely thought a century ago. (This notion was so prevalent that in 1910, when children’s author/illustrator Beatrix Potter proposed including one in The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse, her publishers forbade it.)

Perenniel Plate Video: Commercial Fishing on Lake Superior

Posted in Out & About on Sat, 07/24/2010 - 8:31am by Daniel Klein -

There are a small number of commercial fisherman left on Lake Superior. I had the pleasure of going out one morning last week with Harley Tofte, who has seen the lake and the industry change over the last 29 years. He operates Dockside Fish Market out of Grand Marais and sells to the local restaurants (including local, sustainable, organic, culinary icon, The Angry Trout Cafe). Watch this episode to see Lake Superior fishing in all its glory -- and how its trout and herring get to your table.

This Week's CSA: A Boxful of Brassica

Posted in Family & Home on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 7:32am by Kristin Boldon -

I was talking with someone at a party last week about how to manage the weekly load of vegetables from the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box. His approach is to identify the vegetables he likes the least, and eat them first.

"Otherwise," he intoned, “there's no hope for them."

Thousand Hills Cattle Co. Provides Realistic Tour of Livestock Farming

Posted in Farms & Gardens on Thu, 07/22/2010 - 7:19am by Angelique Chao -

Opportunities to escape the concrete jungle and get a taste of small-farm life abound in the Minnesota summertime. Whether you’d like to do a basic farm tour, enjoy dinner served up right on the pastures where the food was raised, or even help out with farm chores for a day as part of a “crop mob,” you can find an option that gets your city-slicker self out in the fields for at least a few hours.

Mill City Picnic Fest: Fill Your Baskets with Local Food

Posted in Family & Home, Out & About on Wed, 07/21/2010 - 7:06am by Tracey Paska -

During the lazy, hazy days of summer, it’s easy to find relief from the scorching sun and stifling humidity in air-conditioned shopping malls, movie theaters and restaurants. But after having coped with the real chill of winter just a few months ago, why go into an artificial deep freeze? Instead, embrace the season and enjoy a sunny picnic with a little help from the Mill City Farmers’ Market.

Is It a Good Thing When Big-Box Retailers Sell Local Food?

Posted in on Tue, 07/20/2010 - 7:09am by lee -

A recent story on National Pubic Radio (NPR) entitled Wal-Mart Helps Small Farms Supply Local Food got me thinking. On the surface, the idea of Wal-Mart -- or any retailer, big or small -- making a public commitment to sourcing better food strikes me as a positive thing. According to the article:

The company wants to revitalize small and midsize farms in the U.S. and has begun a program to increase the amount of local produce sold in Walmart stores. The program also benefits consumers, who have access to fresher food, as well as Wal-Mart itself.

That sounds pretty good, right? The article goes on to say that:

July is a Berry Good Time for Nature's Candy

Posted in Health on Mon, 07/19/2010 - 7:23am by Jill Grunewald -

Have you ever had the pleasure of picking berries right from a garden or gathering wild berries in the woods? Berries, with all of their natural, juicy sweetness and beautiful gem-toned colors, are truly gifts from nature. They’re gorgeous and bursting with sweet, earthy flavor. So make haste, as now is the time of year to head out with your basket and sun hat to gather the season’s treasures.

A Small Sampling of Spots to Get Local and Organic in Washington, D.C.

Posted in Out & About on Sat, 07/17/2010 - 7:00am by Elizabeth Roca -

For the first time Simple, Good and Tasty is exploring the local, organic food scene in our nation's capital and the surrounding area. There’s a lot to savor in both restaurants and farmers markets; here’s just a small sampling of notable spots to get a hungry visitor started.

Washington restaurants that offer local, organic meals span the range from formal to casual. Some are good for a special celebration or date night; others are family- and budget-friendly. I’ve included one to fit every pocket and occasion. They’re located in various neighborhoods in and around Washington, and each is accessible by the city’s Metro system.