Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Easy Holiday Appetizers

I’ve had many comments from readers who thought the idea of knowing how to prepare one easy appetizer really well was a great idea. It’s that time of year when we’re invited out and it’s nice to take something along to share. So, I sat out to make a list for us with the rule being that I can’t link to a recipe. Rather if it’s truly simple, I can explain it in a few words and you can replicate it.

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Holiday Prep Ideas

The holidays are upon us. In part, I’m disgusted. The big chain grocery store has put up Christmas decor before Thanksgiving. There’s no need to rush unless of course we’re pushing for record retail sales. For some the holidays bring a certain measure of stress – a certain measure of how can I possibly get everything done and make this seem effortless like it was in my youth. First tip, this is not our youth.

Original image by D Sharon Pruitt - flickr creative commons

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Ways to Save Water

Hy*po*na*tre*mia. As I understand it, the condition arises when too much water inside the body causes tissue to swell. Because our cells maintain a certain sodium content, excess water outside of our cells begins to draw sodium from within the cells in an attempt to re-establish the specific concentration. As more water gathers, the sodium concentration decreases and creates this condition. It occurs from drinking too much water. Actually, that’s not an accurate diagnosis and we are not drinking too much water but in a world where 38,000 children die weekly from unsafe water, we are wasting too much.

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Reasons to Become a Vegetarian

“Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.” Albert Einstein

 

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Ideas for Poetry to Enjoy

As another tribute to National Poetry month, I’m offering up ideas of places to start in order to “taste” poetry. I hope you’re moved to grab one  and give it a try. And in full disclosure, let me admit to pirating a few choices from the lovely list compiled by Nancy Pearl and given out in her interview with NPR earlier this week.

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Things to do with a Few Extra Minutes

My conference call ended 5 minutes early.  A neighbor called to say that she’ll pick my son up from baseball practice.  The casserole is in the oven a bit earlier than I’d planned.  Each one of these situations has freed me for the next few minutes – I have precious unexpected downtime.  From my earlier post this week, my son’s prioirty list caused me to think about visible reminders. Granted some of it is in the giddyness of realizing that I’m finally getting through to him!  But what do we do and how do we prioritize when we find an unanticipated few minutes?  Here’s my short list that you can modify, add to, or delete.

 

 

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Tammy’s Top Ten (t3 report) Books on Food and the Food Industry

Some of you have asked about my inspiration for Community Supported Agriculture. Here is my suggested reading list of books about food and the food industry.  Some light and lyrical and some with stark depictions of slaughterhouse waste. Regardless, they will change the way you view your next meal.

1. Coming Home to Eat by Gary Nabhan.  This is where it began. When I heard Gary’s interview on NPR in 2001, I was immediately drawn to his philosophy of eating locally. Though I’ve still never supped on roadkill, Nabhan inspired me to harvest mesquite trees, eat tepiary beans, and pick cactus fruit.  And in keeping with local preference, he’s an Arizona guy.

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