Author Archives: mannashton
Cooking as a cure for creative block?
(Warning: This post is too long. It has profanity in it. And pizza. Fucking get over it.) It has a been a rough week. The cause: an assignment that I should be able to turn around in a jiffy, but … Continue reading
High-fat food worsens asthma symptoms
If you have asthma, pass up the Happy Meal. A new study from the University of Newcastle in Australia finds a fatty, caloric fast-food meal makes it harder for asthmatics to breathe. Even worse, the high-fat fare renders albuterol, an … Continue reading
The new Dirty Dozen
Is organic better than conventional? That depends on what you mean by “better.” Maria Rodale, author of Organic Manifesto, led the panel discussion “Why Organic Matters” at last month’s Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, Calif. Thus far, she noted, … Continue reading
Avocados, like buttah!
Avocados have been on my mind lately, though, of course, I welcome any excuse to eat them. This current obsession started a few weeks ago with late-night dinner at a swanky pan-Latin eatery in downtown Los Angeles. I ordered “Tortillas … Continue reading
Got my goat
Here’s my trend prediction: Goat meat is ready to go mainstream. I’m not the first to make this forecast, but I hope it’s true this time. Of course, goat already is mainstream in much of the world, from Latin America … Continue reading
Beyond breakfast: steel-cut oats
Like, well, just about everyone else, as soon as the calender flips to a new year, I renew my pledge to eat better. As in more of the healthy stuff–whole grains, fish, fruits, and vegetables. A recent project got me … Continue reading
Sustainable sippers, part 6: Tequila
Although produced in Jalisco, Mexico, 4 Copas Tequila is made from organic blue agave plants in a “green” distillery and certified organic by the USDA. Available in blanco, reposado, and anejo styles, 4 Copas also produces certified-organic agave nectar–a preferred alternative … Continue reading
Sustainable sippers, part 5: Ah, sake
American producers are making some mighty fine versions of the traditional Japanese rice wine, including SakeOne Momokawa certified-organic line and Takara Sake’s Sho Chiku Bai Organic Nama. As with grape wines, offerings range from those made with organic ingredients–organic rice and/or … Continue reading
Sustainable sippers, part 4: Mix with care
If you use expensive organic spirits in a cocktail, be sure the other ingredients are organic, too. Organic spirits generally don’t belong in a neon-green apple-tini, says Square One Vodka founder Allison Evanow. “Don’t shop for your mixers in the … Continue reading
Sustainable Sippers, part 3: Vodka and gin
Vodka and gin are two examples of small producers using organic ingredients to craft first-rate spirits. Some examples include vodkas from Square One,Highball Distillery, and Vodka14. Juniper Green Organic London Dry Gin and TRU2 Gin are among the organic gins. What makes it … Continue reading
