Eggplant is in season. As a family that eats locally and seasonally that means that we must embrace eggplant. And while I really enjoy this dense meaty vegetable, I have a very hard time selling it at my dinner table. This past week, my curry with eggplant had the guys leaving skid marks in the driveway on their way to In and Out Burger.
The Inspiration
Posted by Tammy on September 26, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/09/26/eggplant-and-five-freedoms-of-the-first-amendmen/
and the houseplants, just imagine it – chatting with a dracaena deremensis in dracaena deremensisese. Ok, maybe that’s going a bit far but there is some compelling new research that supports becoming more friendly with the animals and the plants.
flickr.com/photos/royalty-free-images/139142408
Posted by Tammy on September 5, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/09/05/humane-treatment-of-animals-talk-to-plants/
“I can see white flowers blooming on the tops of the evergreens.”
The observation came from my 92 year old Grandmother. Last weekend was my turn to visit her as I attempt to do with some regularity despite the 800 miles between us. It’s a wonderful bonding experience and I try to accomplish a few chores like cleaning a closet shelf that’s hard for her to reach or stocking up on grocery items. Friday night when my son and I arrived, she greeted us with fresh sweet corn and Colorado’s Palisade peaches.
flickr cc Muffet
Posted by Tammy on August 26, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/08/26/kids-chores-appreciating-grandparents/
With the ever expanding plethora of iphone apps, my kids are often downloading something. There are some very useful things like the app that adds a tip and splits the check by 33 diners and very cool things like the ocarina. Recently, they stumbled upon fatbooth. It allows one to take an ordinary mug short and add weight to it and I must say, the finished product is quite believable.
Posted by Tammy on August 17, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/08/17/childhood-obesity-ten-10-recipes/
Let me reveal a character flaw. I hate it when I have a great idea that I don’t act upon and later discover that someone else has done it with success. Darn you Jim Killeen! If you don’t know Jim, he’s the author and actor of a new documentary called Google Me.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/119970/google-me
The film documents Jim’s adventures as he locates others named Jim Killeen. I recommend it. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on July 17, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/07/17/what-the-geekbunny-a-boccia-star-and-agrigirl-have-in-common/
I had a meeting about 90 days ago with a knowledgeable woman who specializes in placing people on Corporate Boards. She works with individuals to build their resumes, coaches them on the types of opportunities that would make them more attractive candidates and ultimately puts them in touch with the networks where Corporate Board of Director searches take place. It’s a fascinating field and a growing need as corporate America ages and the need for succession planning takes place at all levels. We had a great meeting and while I don’t see myself seeking a role on a Corporate Board in the short term, it’s an interesting long-term prospect. As we concluded our meeting, I asked her for a realistic assessment; In 5 – 10 years would I be a viable candidate for a Board of Directors? Her reply?
My Oldest Son shows off his feminine side
Yes, you can definitely be a strong candidate. You’re different from most women I meet. You’re confident like a man.
Whoa! (more…)
Posted by Tammy on June 20, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/06/20/confident-like-a-man-fathers-day/
You already know that Natalie Goldberg’s Writing Down the Bones is a favorite book of mine. In it she speaks of filling spiral binders with her words consistently – one notebook per month. She writes that her efforts to get her thoughts on to paper actually translate to greater mental health for herself. I began blogging as a way to get myself to write more consistently and while it has done that, I also find myself spending an inordinate amount of time reading other blogs, commenting and analyzing traffic stats.
Sushi Ina's food journal
My friend Preston, a personal trainer, recently suggested that I begin writing something else down on a consistent basis. He recommends that I start keeping a food journal. All I have to do is write down what I eat all day long and add a few other ancillary comments about how I’m feeling after each meal or snack. That’s simple enough since I’m a healthy eater and of course I’m easily drawn in because it sets up a structured framework for me to operate within. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on May 30, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/05/30/keeping-a-food-journal-weight-loss/
It’s probably no surprise that my kitchen sports a healthy cookbook collection. I love the colorful images and flavorful descriptions. I have those specializing in regional cuisine (Louisiana, China the Beautiful, A Spanish Village), restaurant collections (Coyote Cafe, Greens, Manhattan Chili Company), food themes (Vegetarian Nights or Raw Food) and those describing individual specialty foods like Waffles, Pizza or Ice Cream.
Cookbook Corner in My Kitchen
I also have a pile of favorites stitched together by various school groups or women’s organizations such as Harstine Island Cooks or Seasoned with the Sun. Today as I’m flipping through the pages of the Silver Palate Good Times, I’m smiling at the occasional kitchen splatter and the comments that I’ve scratched in the margins over the years. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on May 23, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/05/23/performance-feedback-employee-engagement/
There’s no denying that I’m a morning person. I love to rise early and if I’m well rested, it’s easy to do. Waking before the sun. Sneaking into the kitchen. Turning on the espresso machine and lighting a candle. It’s one of the quiet times in our busy household. I can spend a few silent moments reading and remembering what I’m thankful for. Or I can take a walk during the time when the sky is the most amazing. Those moments really ground me for the entire day and I’ve come to depend on them. When I skip my morning ritual, I really miss it and I feel out of sorts. It’s one more form of structured framework that I live within and benefit from.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/naturalmom/ / CC BY 2.0
Posted by Tammy on May 16, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/05/16/early-morning-ritual/
Here in the desert the days are teetering between hot and cool. Just when I think summer temperatures are here, a cold front blows in and puts me back in sweaters. Growing up in Colorado, springtime was a bit different. I watched for the first crocus to lift it’s head against the late spring snow and my grandmother would announce that it was time for spring cleaning. Spring cleaning wasn’t just dusting and running the vacuum. It was the deep cleansing that eliminated winter cobwebs and sometimes sent a pile to the thrift store.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayr/ / CC BY 2.0
I have to admit that I haven’t kept up the ritual but when I do, it’s deeply satisfying. I love the feeling of having an organized closet or a clean car. It’s so nice to purge unused items that have collected over the past months or even years. I think it causes me to sleep better. (more…)
Posted by Tammy on April 27, 2010
https://agrigirl.com/2010/04/27/spring-cleaning/
A wife, a mom, an executive, a certified leadership coach and a breast cancer survivor. I love learning and I love to write and I'm often fascinated with the life lessons that come from my kitchen. Focusing on community-based Placemaking is the way that I work towards creating a healthier planet.
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