The Future of Food is in Crisis

In an open letter last week, 153 top Nobel Prize and World Food Prize laureates sounded an alarm about the dangerous consequences of the world’s current approach to climate action and food system change.

It’s not just the effect of climate change on food production. It’s the effect of climate change plus soil degradation plus problems with aquifers that are supplying irrigation water. … We’re going to be seeing the effects of all of these factors combined.”

The letter focuses on big-picture solutions to be undertaken by national and global policymakers, but there are local, grassroots efforts that can be put into place in our communities today. 

Top of the list: Prioritize local, seasonal, and Indigenous foods as and when you’re able.

A deeper understanding of what food grows in our communities, and when it’s in season, will go a long way toward strengthening local food systems and making them more resilient. Getting connected with and supporting farmers in your area helps create a sustainability framework that prioritizes local food and elevates local communities in the conversation. 

When in doubt, ask a librarian

Mexican Mocha Syrup

Mexican Mocha Syrup

Cocoa powder

Vietnamese Cinnamon

Turbinado sugar

Cayenne pepper

Vanilla extract

Espresso coffee

Blend the powdered ingredients together in the bottom of a small sauce pan. Add vanilla and espresso and whisk over low heat until combined.

Store in a glass container in the refrigerator. Add to coffee, warmed milk, or any recipe you choose. In coffee, it makes an excellent pick-me-up, and helps cut through brain fog. Use with decaf espresso to energize without the jitters.

Nota Bene: the dry ingredients can be mixed and stored on their own for blending with coffee on the go. The cocoa powder needs a bit of agitation to blend, so leave room to stir.

The Enlightenment of Thi

Here's Thi's rhapsodic waxing on his method to make tea. (And because the universe is like this, his name is pronounced tee).  Please note: I have never done this. Nothing near it. This sounds like the recipe for enlightenment with tea as a happy byproduct.

My method of making tea makes most serious tea drinkers wince: I chop up some fresh ginger and toss it in the strainer with two tablespoons of black tea (usually organic fair trade from frontier) and pour boiling water over the whole mess. I don't remove the strainer and drink it as it gets stronger. My pot holds about two large mugs.

I like my tea strong and sweet, but with a depth. I use unrefined sugar (raw, organic, fair trade because there is too much slavery still in the world) and once I found the difference in flavor I was hooked and I use raw sugar as a straight substitute in all my baking. This is a bonus because regular refined white sugar crashes my system even in small amounts. I go through 50-100 pounds of sugar a year so I buy it in 50 pound bags to keep it affordable, about $1.30/pound. Same with tea: I can't imagine a day without tea. I buy it wholesale 5 pounds at a time. This makes it about $13/pound, meaning I spend about $20 a month on tea (full disclosure: thesis months see twice as much).

As Thi says, you can go down a serious rabbit hole with tea. I say find what works for you. There's a particular leaf and method that is your personal combination and that's what's kind of great about tea and also about sharing tea. Having a cup of someone's daily brew is like getting a window into their mind-space.

 

Thursday again, already.

Wow, I'm tired.

A friend came up from North Carolina to take me to Floyd to pick up the yarn (remember that time that we almost got into an argument about Jesus?), and we listened to live music while we were there. Then we ventured forth to an Airbnb retreat so that I could focus on sorting through my thesis and get some overdue rest while he sorted through some issues with his construction crew. The trip south was filled with music as we traded songs via Bluetooth to the stereo -- the internet is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. We took turns choosing songs; the singing got more and more relaxed; by the time we crossed the North Carolina border, my shoes were off and I was belting out 90s folk songs as if no one was watching, his only commentary to harmonize in beautiful fashion. I got to meet his friends Kathi and Tim, who are absolutely lovely folks. I'm looking forward to having dinner with them again in the near future. It has been too long since I was on the road.

On the way back through Virginia, we passed two different surprise cemeteries, a treason carcass, and a house with lightning rods. (Remember that time we saw the hawk?) We had an early dinner and lovely conversation (remember that time that we almost got into an argument about what it means to act in love?) with my friend Robert before finally getting to Roanoke, where I slept like a baby after a good soaking in the tub. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love my tub? Absolutely adore it.)

This morning I was moving slowly -- headaches and such -- but finally got in gear enough to print out what I have assembled to date for the memoir, such as it is. It's missing quite a bit, most of which is the Rockstar Philosopher Origin Story of 2019, including head injury (my superpower is love and peace, for real -- who knew?? I'm kind of tickled). It's roughly 240 pages. I'll be spending such time as I have over the next month cutting and tweaking and writing the missing bits. There's a final piece or three that might not go in. But such is the nature of final rough drafts, and mine is due February 24th.

This afternoon I had lunch with a friend from Meeting House. We had a lovely chat and also some deeply spiritual conversation. I feel loved and heard and enriched.

The calendar is getting packed.
I haven't even added a beach trip yet.

Publishing. It's like that.

I submitted an abstract for publication.
Fingers crossed.