Food Cravings…Please tell me why we have them.

I bought these on Friday night! It's now Sunday!

I can’t get enough of the delicious, mini, orange colored Cuties.  I engulfed 5 and thought I only ate two!  The Cutie Zone took over, and I couldn’t stop. Holy Moly, they are delicious. The kids love them just as much, maybe even more!  Little a was in the zone yesterday!  I was laughing as she got up from the couch, peeled and ate one, sat back down and watched a bit of t.v., sat for a few minutes, got back up, peeled and ate one. She then returned to the basket and got another one, peeled that, then sat down to watch t.v.  Then she immediately got up, went to the kitchen, peeled and ate another one and sat down to watch the rest of Spongebob!  What is it about these things!  I know they are delicious, but I often think about food cravings.  Do we have them because our bodies are telling us something?  Are we lacking something that the food is providing?  Like the Cuties, for example, are loaded with Vitamin C.  Am I lacking Vitamin C?  Do I have a cold coming on?  but I feel fine?!  Maybe I devour them because they are just plain delicious. Certain food are just awesome and fun to eat like chocolate cake, peanut butter, ice cream, homemade bread, pizza, pretzels, pretzels dipped in peanut butter.  The list goes on and on.  Food glorious food!

Well, when I think of food, I always (really…,not exaggerating) think of the Red Wigglers and what they eat.  I know they can’t eat the peels.  They are too acidic and will avoid them so I try my best to compost the peels in my tumbler. Now in this case, I wonder why they devour watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkin at such lightening speed.  Is is because it’s so freakin’ delicious or are they lacking something in their diet.  Now, this is where I wish I  could be the worm whisperer.  Hmmmmmmm????

Relationships evolve and so do food scraps!

I’m sorry.   This is not a very good picture.  Most of you are probably wondering why I even included this in my post since it is such a bad picture.  Well let  me explain, and then I’ll get to the “meat” of the post.  Here goes.  I just have trouble blogging if I can’t add a picture.  In my opinion, there’s something about reading a post with pictures.  When I read a post from other bloggers and there are pictures included, I scan those first to see what I’m going to be reading.  It brings the post to life, and it’s a way for me to relate to the writer. Blog posts are like short stories and some are similar to children’s picture books, connecting the pictures to the story.  Another tidbit of info for you, I am also a visual learner and therefore project that into my posts assuming my readers are too! Are you? Hope so! So on to the reason for this post!

This picture is so vague!  I could be writing about the car, the lampost, or the building.  I am not the best picture taker…photographer..(photographer sounds so professional). Any way, I took this picture in July and the purpose was to remember the name of the building, Discovery Park so I could call them and set up a meeting.  Discovery Park, as it is mentioned on it’s website, is a senior (58-80ish year old), affordable housing community. Last July, I had the opportunity to speak to the residents and share my interest in vermicomposting.  We chatted about the food scraps and the benefits of composting.  The residents were wonderful and fun!  One in particular, Suzy, was really interested in the process.  She and I talked for a bit after the meeting and set up a time for me to collect her food scraps. I have been collecting her food waste for 5 months, and she also got her neighbor to jump aboard!  So I visit Discovery Park Lodge once a week and my worms get some extra treats.

Weekly collections have truned into weekly visits.  It’s human nature.  As time goes on, relationships evolve.  In my mind, she is no longer the “lady I have to get food scraps from”.  She is Suzy, a friend I need to visit.

SunChips Compostable Bag Weekly Update #3

Just a quick update today!  Two posts in one day is tough for me!

Data and Observations:

Pretty cool stuff is happening to the piece of the bag that ripped away from the bigger piece of the bag…see, I can’t write two posts in one day.  My brain can’t take it.  Everything comes out jumbled.  Take a look at the picture.  The silver glow on the inside of the piece is fading and the blue outer color is being exposed.  Looks like a layer is breaking down.

The temperature in the bin is about the same from last week, 42F.  The outside temperature has fluctuated from about 20F-40F.

That’s about it!  no big whoooop!

A glimpse into my wacky brain! (There is some substance to this post though)

Books! Books! Books!  The library is filled with them, of course, and so are the bookstores.  Nothing new with that statement, right?! On Monday, I went to the library to do a bit of composting research and came home with a few books. Looking at my selection this morning kind of scares me.  It is proof that I am really confused with where I am in my life.  I checked out 6 books.  They break down like this…oh by the way, I am not putting them into any particular order.  Well that’s not all together true.  My brain is categorizing them as I am typing, and I am getting distracted because I can’t concentrate as I type this…geez!  (Close your mouth, close your brain, just type!) Here goes….

  • 2 composting books found in the kid’s section…but I think they are great for all ages. The only ones I’ve read so far!
  • 2 composting books for adults found in the non fiction adult section. They look boring!
  • 1 non fiction book about an Amish schoolteacher.  What the heck was I thinking?…hilarious
  • 1 fiction book about raising a teenager!…Help! just kidding…no really.  Help I remember how sassy I was to my dad!

I know exactly why I read the kids’ books first.  They look fun.  One is illustrated and the other has photos.  The images drew me in instantly.  The info is well written and easy to understand.  Well of course, Laurie, they’re kids books.  I love kids books so much and encourage all of you to read some more often.  Composting can be intimidating, especially composting with worms.  One of the two books actually “touches” on the topic.  They both explain the importance of composting and the benefits it provides for you and the planet. I highly recommend these two children’s books and will have a link to the amazon store if you can’t find them at your local library or bookstore.

I will try my best to read the other “adult” composting books soon.  No really, I will try!  I do love the title of one, Let it Rot! but it looks too long, and there aren’t many pictures so I think I am going to skim through it.

Now on to the other 2 books!  The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall and Teen 2.0 by Robert Epstein, PH.D.  Just the titles crack me up.  They should be linked together.  I am laughing as I am typing this!  How about this title…

The Bridge of Peace for your Teen or The Bridge of Peace away from your Teen or The Bridge of Peace to your Teen or how about this  plain and simple…I NEED to take a ride on The Bridge of Peace

The purpose of this post was to recommend the children’s books, but Hey, Sorry  I got carried away and come to think of it. ……..My brain feels a lot better.  I am ready to start the day!  Woohoo a laxative for the brain!

Beef Stew for the crew

Here’s my first true cooking post.  I have a few foodie posts on the blog, but this one is a bit different.  I am adding the recipe and some step by step images.  I love beef stew and enjoy making and eating this fabulous, hearty dish on cold days.  Today is a perfect day for stew.  We are expected to get about 3 inches of snow on top of the snow that fell last week.  I think I made too much and plan on inviting my favorite in-laws over.  I do hope they come and save me from over eating.  Plus, I love their company!
The stuff you need from the store and your pantry!

  • 2 lbs of Beef Chuck
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of oil
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 celery stalks
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cubes of beef broth
  • 1 can of tomato paste
  • 2.5 quarts of water
  • 1 bag of frozen veggies mix (peas, carrots and corn)
  • a handful of fresh green beans
  • a bag of egg noodles

An UPDATE: Today is Wed.  I started this post on Tuesday and thought I would finish it Tuesday Night!  I had really good intentions.  I planned on taking pictures of the finished stew atop a heaping bed of egg noodles.  But Ya know what?  I FORGOT!  I was soooo overwhelmed by the smell and was tooooo dang excited to eat it!  ooooooh, the things that excite me these days, Red Wigglers, the pH value, recycling cans, peanut butter, food and gin and tonics!

My favorite in-laws came for dinner, including Yvettskies visiting from La La Land.  It was a bunch of fun, and Max serenaded us with some Christmas music on the piano.  By the way, the stew was AWESOME!  and as you can see, I still need write a full foodie post!  Till next time…..