why won’t you clean the fridge?

On February 26, 2010February 25, 2010 By Rick McIn food, product endorsements1 Comment

Recall when Bill Gates in 2002 announced he was going to reinvent the refrigerator?

Like most of his other announcements for Microsoft, Bill didn’t deliver. Finally here’s some good news:

… appliance makers like Whirlpool, Viking Range Corp. and Sub-Zero Inc. are tackling the messy fridge problem with a host of new features including souped-up shelves, bacteria-killing devices and better lighting. …

Is your fridge better or worse than this one?

Read more on the Wall Street Journal:

Why Won’t Anyone Clean Me?

Most Americans Tidy Their Refrigerators Only Once or Twice a Year; Manufacturers Try New Ways to Combat the Mess

naked chef wins $100k TED prize

On February 18, 2010February 13, 2010 By Rick McIn food, health & fitnessLeave a comment

I’ve not been a fan of controversial British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.

I find him strident. And not all that amusing.

But I’m thrilled he won the prestigious TED prize for 2010.

At the heart of Oliver’s work is an assault on the obesity epidemic: The CDC states that one in four Americans are considered obese. It is estimated that 43 percent of Americans, or 103 million people, will be obese by 2018. The cost of this epidemic is anticipated to reach $344 billion per year. It currently accounts for almost 10 percent of the yearly US health care costs, and that rate will rise to 21 percent by 2018. WHO’s latest projections indicate that, globally in 2005, approximately 1.6 billion adults were overweight and projects that by 2015, that figure will rise to 2.3 billion.” …

2010 TED Prize goes to Jamie Oliver

God knows he’s passionate. If interested, click over to TED to watch his scary 18min presentation.

I hate plastic, love glass

On February 2, 2010February 2, 2010 By Rick McIn food, product complaints, product endorsements2 Comments

Just one word: plastic.

Increasingly, over the years since watching The Graduate, I’ve come to dislike and distrust plastic. Especially plastic containers for food and drink.

But I love glass storage.

Snapware 18pc Glasslock Tempered Glass Storage Containers 18piece Set with Lids – Amazon

There are a number of companies selling these. All are superior to plastic though they all, I think, still have plastic lids.

I distrust plastic thinking that, once scored, traces of food may be caught in the scratches. Glass is easier to clean and disinfect.

My computer laptop has a glass screen. So does my iPod. And I suspect glass will be replacing granite as the best counter top material.

As a general rule, I try to find alternate materials to plastic.

Just one word: glass.

breakfast at the Galaxy Diner

On January 8, 2010 By Rick McIn food, product endorsements4 Comments

A terrific greasy spoon in Calgary. All you can eat hashbrowns.

GalaxyDiner.com

mmm – Pomegranite juice

On January 2, 2010December 30, 2009 By Rick McIn food, health & fitness1 Comment

I’ve just become a fan of mixing PomWonderful with water. Or, even better, sparkling water.

POM Wonderful, LLC is a privately owned company and brand of pomegranate juice, advertised as one of the most powerful naturally-occurring antioxidants sources. It is sold in distinctive double bulb-shaped clear plastic bottles. Its taste has been described as similar to cranberry juice.

The company was founded by Stewart and Lynda Rae Resnick …, who first became interested in pomegranates after purchasing a farmland property that included 100 acres (0.4 km2) of pomegranate trees in 1987. For the first few years, the Resnicks simply sold their pomegranates, but eventually decided to begin producing and selling pomegranate juice as well. The company first released its pomegranate juice products beginning in 2002. …

Wikipedia

I should be at two with myself

On December 8, 2009 By Rick McIn foodLeave a comment

… from Rockin’ on Facebook:

Kate, upon walking up a mountain near Tapei, shares some Zen wisdom:

“With all the eating I’ve been doing, I should be at two with myself.”

… I feel the same way here at the multi-sport complex in Bangladesh. We are fed constantly. I often have 3 kitchen boys watching my every bite. “Foreigners” are fed special food at each meal.

last meal in Kathmandu

On November 10, 2009 By Rick McIn books, food, hikingLeave a comment

Egg masala dosa, garlic naan and coffee.

The vegetarian restaurant at Pilgrim’s Book House. If you’re into trekking, climbing or spirituality, this is one of the best bookstores in the world.

4576311-Pilgrims_Books-Kathmandu

I picked up a classic, Nepal Himalaya by H.W. Tilman (1952). Some reading to supplement my audio books. I’ll need it during my acclimatization days at altitude.

joys of hitchhiking

On November 5, 2009November 5, 2009 By Rick McIn food, product endorsements, travel4 Comments

I hate hitching.

But, as a hiker, it’s fairly often that I find myself standing roadside with a backpack, trying to look harmless. Attempting to be empathetic with the people in each vehicle that passes me by. Likely I’d not stop for myself.

In Maui two brave ladies from Vancouver picked me up. I ended up spending most of the day with them, touring the island.

One of the ladies was doing travel research for an article to be published in the Edmonton Journal. We stopped first at Alii Kula Lavender Farm, not an attraction I would find or ever hear about if I was on my own. But actually it was very interesting. We even had lavender coffee at their restaurant.

lavender3

The ladies led me to Ichiban Okazuya.

Although this place is a hole in the wall, without any indoor seating, this is my favorite Japanese take out place on Maui. During the lunch rush, you will see locals (usually office people) lined up outside for their plate lunches. …

more reviews on Yelp

Prices are insanely inexpensive for Hawaii, the food authentic and filling. It’s only open 5hrs/day, 5days/wk. We ate outdoors.

Next the ladies took me to several speciality shops (antiques, hand made dresses, local crafts) on Market Street, Wailuku. All were very interesting I’m shocked to admit.

Worse, I’d stayed at Banana Bungalow Hostel on Market Street for 4 days … and never noticed any of the 3 unique shops nor the nearby Ichiban Okazuya takeout. Some traveler I am …

A terrific day all thanks to hitchhiking. I’ve got to be more open-minded about hitching in future. And pick up more hitchhikers too.

Wailuku-map

Run down Wailuku town in Maui is way underrated. I’m very happy I stayed there for my second week. Very few suitcase tourists ever get there.

On August 20, 2009August 19, 2009 By Rick McIn barbecue, food, friendsLeave a comment

From Rockin’

… It’s a day-long corporate teambuilding workshop that teaches participants about championship barbecue in a fun, relaxing atmosphere with plenty of room for socializing.

I think it’s the only event of its kind in the world. …

Barbecue Academy now booking into this fall!

barbecue-teamwork