Pot Luck

The Bunny People are up in arms (4.00 / 5)

because the New York Times printed a story about urban farmer Novella Carpenter giving a class in Brooklyn for $100 on how to slaughter and prepare rabbit. It featured live rabbits. Me? I'm not going to complain to the Times for printing the article, but I realize that putting on that class is vastly more profitable than raising and slaughtering the rabbits oneself.

By the way, somewhere in the series of bunny eating NYTimes articles was a video of a small New York State commercial rabbit producer. They're place was spotless, but the bunnys were crammed into European factory-style hutches. The adult breeders are the ones with the crappy life. They're fed those small bunny pellets (includes corn & soybeans), no hay, get no exercize and will likely have short lives due to dental problems or bladder stones. But at least their place is clean.

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by: Crider @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:13:20 AM UTC

I thought that "Don't Tell the Kids" title in the Times was funny (4.00 / 5)

and getting a photo a rabbit that seemed to know wht the article was about was even better.

But today's Hometown paper took the cake. The 'Topless' snow lady in New Jersey was finally covered up after getting some frosty looks.

Who did these crazy people from Rahway, N.J think they were? You can't show a naked lady in a family community.

Finally after a visit from Rawway's Finest, justice was served. I love the fact that after the neighbor harassment that the cops had a hard time taking seriously, the creators of the naked snowlady picked a bikini top and sarong to mask their crime.

Sometimes art can be so ephemeral.

By Monday, warmer weather had melted the snowlady from a D cup to a C cup and it was taken down.

But the story is a keeper. There is a poll there to decide Nanny state gone wrong, or righteous family values? "No. It's a double standard. No one gives naked snowmen any grief!" gets 74% of the vote and 26% are going with "Yes. The big-curved sculpture needed some cover."

The Daily News story was pretty good and made all the points I would. I guess kids in Rahway will need to wait until their twenty-first birthday for a visit to the Metropolitan Museum.

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by: Eddie C @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:26:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Culture in Rahway... (4.00 / 4)

Believe me, Mayor Kennedy's (I can't believe that guy's still mayor there!  20 years now!) idea of "culture" in Rahway is bulldozing the old downtown near the train station (he's almost accomplished his goal) and making Rahway completely indistinguishable from any of its crappy suburban surroundings.  

Quite a shame, since Rahway actually has (or had) quite a bit of history packed into its small urban core.  George Washington was "entertained" there a few times!  The Merchants and Drovers Tavern on what is now St. Georges Avenue / NJ Route 35.  Give him a few more years, and maybe he'll turn the colonial cemetery there into a WalMart...

Heh, Rahway was one of the towns where we knew of a package store that sold us beer when we were like 19.  I had a few friends who lived a half mile away from the place near the Linden border, and we spent many late 1990's Saturday nights hanging around there.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:53:56 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

20 years in American politics... (4.00 / 4)

George H.W. Bush was still a new president when James Kennedy first ran for Mayor of Rahway!

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 04:00:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Interesting in the article (4.00 / 3)

that they say that rabbit is becoming more and more popular. I think I have every bunny for the next two litters sold already, if momma bun is a good momma.

She kindled last evening, looks like 7 bunnies, some black and some white. I'll see how good a mom she is. If she winds up not being a good mom, it'll be the stew pot for her.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

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by: JoanneRigutto @ Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 10:24:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Congratulations! (4.00 / 2)

7 is a big family. Is there a chance you could post a photo or two now and then of them?

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by: Crider @ Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 21:10:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

No, unfortunately (4.00 / 2)

she didn't take care of the bunnies and they all died.

This is her first litter and I've had rabbits do that before. Sometimes they do better on the second litter and sometimes not.

I'm going to giver her a month, then breed her again. If she doesn't take care of the second litter, she's for the stew pot and I'll buy another doe.

Normal people scare me.... But not as much as I scare them.

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by: JoanneRigutto @ Sun Mar 07, 2010 at 00:06:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Another growing recall... (4.00 / 5)

I mentioned the recall of Kroger-brand onion soups and dips due to salmonella concerns the other day, well this recall is going much further than just that -

An unfolding recall of products containing a commonly used food flavoring ingredient because of potential contamination with salmonella could ripple through the entire food industry, experts say.

"Deja vu all over again", as Yogi Berra would say...

An FDA statement says the affected products include soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips and dressings. The FDA has posted a list of recalled foods at foodsafety.gov.

The flavoring is hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or HVP, made by a small number of companies. The HVP involved in the recall was made by Basic Food Flavors of North Las Vegas, Nev.

"It's widely used. It's a fairly inexpensive flavor enhancer," says Don Schaffner, a professor of microbiology and food safety expert at Rutgers University. He has been consulting with companies all week about how to deal with the recall.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:33:28 AM UTC

List of recalled products... (4.00 / 4)

From foodsafety.gov -

Dip products:  Follow Your Heart, Great Value, Johnny's Fine Foods, Oak Lake Farms, T. Marzetti.

Dressing and Dressing Mix Products: Follow Your Heart, Trader Joe's

Pre-Packaged Meal Products: Follow Your Heart

Snack and Snack Mix Products:  Tim's Cascade Snacks Sweet Maui Onion Chips and Onion Rings

Soup Mix Products: Castella, Homemade Gourmet

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:45:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Geep Harm is on the DKos Rec list with this (4.00 / 4)

In Before you buy groceries, read this there is this point;

Because HVP is used in so many products, consumers can expect to see rolling recalls over subsequent weeks and months, as we saw during the pet food crisis of 2007.  Consumers therefore need to take the initiative to protect their health by carefully examining labels on any processed foods they purchase and any already on  pantry shelves.  Keep in mind that the federal government's 'food safety' strategy serves the profit-making interests of industry, i.e., issuing narrowly focused recalls based on test results.  Consumers, however, need to take an opposite approach, avoiding  the consumption of all suspect products until proven safe.

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by: Eddie C @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 05:18:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Now that was a really bad missed key (4.00 / 4)

Not Geep Harm but Deep Harm.

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by: Eddie C @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 05:24:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

heh...Eddie, I was at work & (4.00 / 4)

missed the diary...wondered who Geep Harm was.  Deep Harm, I've read.  LOL!

Thanks for the link.  I'll have to check it out.

Isn't HVP a soy product manipulated to simulate meat in things like veggie burgers?  Or am I confusing it with something else?

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 06:35:07 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Textured Vegetable Protein... (4.00 / 4)

TVP is what you're probably thinking of.

Textured or texturized vegetable protein (TVP), also known as textured soy protein (TSP), soy meat, or soya meat is a meat analogue or nutritious meat extender made from defatted soy flour, a by-product of extracting soybean oil. It is quick to cook, with a protein content equal to that of the meat it is replacing, and contains no fat.

Regardless, the stuff still scares me.  Which is why I'm with Jill, in that if I want to eat meat I'll eat meat.  If I want to eat vegetarian, I'll eat whole grains and beans and vegetables, etc...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 06:48:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bitford (4.00 / 4)

(I think it was Bitford [sp?]) did a story in the NYT a few years ago about veggie burgers...and yes, he made them from beans & grains.

Yeah, you're right, I was confusing HVP and TVP.  I think I used to use TVP sometimes for vegetarian chili.

As for veggie burgers...although they can be fun, I'd really rather have falafel.  There was this guy who made the best falafel-in-pita sandwiches near our offices in Midtown...

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:01:42 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mark Bittman? nt (4.00 / 3)

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:13:27 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I do use tvp..in veggie chilli (4.00 / 2)

My food world is getting smaller and smaller because of reflux.Don't know if its reflux and wheat allergies, but I am back off gluten. I do like meat once in a while so when I feel like it I'll buy organic grass fed and eat a burger.As far as fake meat  I do like the meatless meatballs from Trader Joes.

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by: LeeN @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 21:32:19 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Connections... (4.00 / 4)

That's the way they all go these days.  The PCA peanut butter recall last year started out as a small local thing, too... until it became one of the largest food contamination scandals in world history.

Amazing that nobody 'in power' seems the least bit interested in doing anything about this, isn't it?  I wonder why that is?  

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 05:27:31 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yeah, and pb (4.00 / 4)

actually is not that prone to stuff.

I mean, I've made it.  All you need is peanuts (preferably raw so you can roast them to your own taste), some salt, and a food processor.  Put it in a clean, leftover pb jar, and it's fine.  My favorite commercial brand -- Smucker's Natural -- advises refrigeration once the jar has been opened, but really, I don't bother.  It could go rancid...but I never have it around that long.

Salmonella is NOT something I worry about, either with Smucker's or with my homemade version.

FWIW, before the GOP succeeded in destroying all oversight of business, these massive food recalls just didn't happen.

A few years ago it was sprouts: and we used to buy sprouts at the supermarket: nobody ever got sick.  Of course there was always a concern about salmonella in eggs/poultry -- that's why you want well-done poultry -- but things like pb?  Nah.  Or tomatoes/lettuce/spinach?  NOT.

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 06:45:45 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Ah yes . . . . (4.00 / 4)

just in time for the 3yr anniversary of the PFR of 2007. Also when I gave up all processed foods in protest since my pets were raw fed . . . . It was a small protest since I didn't use many processed, so I had to extend it to major corps etc . . . . still happily boycotting.

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by: nycstray @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 05:32:53 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

2007 Pet Food Recall (4.00 / 2)

Wasn't a Las Vegas company central to that case? The importer, perhaps?

Not that my question is relevant to anything, you just jogged my memory buttons.

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:17:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yup (4.00 / 2)

and they are back in biz importing more sh*t into the country . . . .  

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by: nycstray @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 23:45:58 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi, Jay! (4.00 / 3)

New computer seems to be running fine.  Wow, it's quiet in here without my old hard drive making bad noises & the fan on to keep the place chilly.  I don't even have to wear sweatshirt & denim jacket to keep warm: b/c it runs in a normal apartment!  I no longer have to freeze to be online!

Yay!

But the real reason I came to your open thread is to ask:

How do I change my password at Soapblox?  I forgot my password here & at dd & I'm not going to remember the auto-generated ones at all.

Also, if you have any advice about downloading Firefox 3.1, please let me know.  This machine came with ff2 & while it runs okay, I miss a few features from 3...but all I could find in a Google was how to download the Beta version.

My old machine was running ff 3.1.7, I think, and I really liked it.  So if anybody here has a link to that download page, please, let me know.  I ran into trouble when I tried to upgrade to 3.5 so I'm a little leery of 3.6.

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 06:54:36 AM UTC

Hi, Youff! :) (4.00 / 3)

Re: changing passwords - if you still have access to the original email address you used to set up an account at any SoapBlox site, you should be able to reset your password.  If you get logged out, just go into "set up a new account" (or something like that) and there should be a "forgot your password?" link.  Click on that, and the system will send you a new temporary password to the email address you used to set up your account.  After that, you can log into your account and go into your settings to change the password to something you'll remember.

Also, if you no longer have access to that email address I can change your password for you here at Locavore.

Re: Firefox - Sorry!  I use Firefox myself, but I'm really not too savvy about such things.  I'm unfortunately the last person you want to ask about tech support / advice, heh...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:03:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Where is this (4.00 / 3)

"Settings" thing?  I have already gotten new temporary passwords for here & dd (it's the same email account at both & yeah, I remember it) but when I go to my page, I don't see a "change password" option.  Or even a "settings" thingie to click on.

Sorry I'm so dumb about computer stuff.  What is obvious to the computer generations is counterintuitive for me.  You kind of have to spell it out:  like, c-a-t.  Y'know?

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:11:51 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Click on your username... (4.00 / 3)

You can click on your username on any comment you've made, or you can click on "Youffraita's Page" in the box at the upper-right hand corner of the page.

Then you're gonna be on a page where you'll see 4 tabs labeled "diaries", "comments", "ratings" and "profile".

Click on "profile".

Then just below that, you'll see 4 more tabs labeled "account info", "comment prefs", "display prefs", and "email & password".

Click on "email & password".

From there, you'll be able to change your password to whatever you want.

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:22:26 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Jay, the site (4.00 / 3)

keeps telling me that my current password is incorrect.  I even went back to the email from Orange Clouds (yes, I know it was computer-generated) to check.

I tried it as an O and and a 0...the site won't let me change my password!

(Yes, I am easily frustrated: this is why I do not play well with software.)

It is probably also why I couldn't remember my dd password: If I'm on a new (used) computer or have had to reboot everything & therefore don't have Firefox remembering everything for me, I'm lost.  Unless it's one of "my" passwords: I have a few, they are longer & more complex than the computer-generated ones, but I can remember them.

grrrrrrr

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:44:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh, and Jay? (4.00 / 3)

DD won't let me change my password, either.  My "current password" is incorrect.  Same as here.

Probably I am doing something wrong.  I can't figure out what it is, though.

Is there an administrator here (or there, for that matter) who can reset my password to something I can actually remember?

Or do I have to go through this Kabuki every time I upgrade Firefox?

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:55:52 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't understand this thread. (4.00 / 1)

The discussion is conducted by user Youffraita, person id. 368 - you must be logged in, right?

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:22:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

ah, sorry. (4.00 / 3)

I understand.

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:25:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I can do it for you here... (4.00 / 3)

Send me an email, and I'll reset your password here for you to whatever you want.

I'm not quite sure why it isn't working for you?

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:49:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I don't understand it either, Jay (4.00 / 3)

It is weird.  And since it's on TWO Soapblox sites, I begin to think the problem is with Soapblox.

Email coming.

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 10:05:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

password (4.00 / 1)

I have never tried this and I don't know if it works, but can you copy-paste the password from the original email to the input box? Just curious.  

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 08:35:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

P.S. (4.00 / 3)

I'm a touch typist.  I still regard the IBM Correcting Selectric III as the best typewriter ever made...I only wish typing on a computer were as easy.

If that makes me an old fart...well, I AM!  ;-D

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found. -- Calvin Trillin

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by: Youffraita @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 07:16:25 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Eric Massa (4.00 / 1)

Massa To Resign

Huh? Wha? Eric Massa says he's resigning because he used bad language? Is that a historical first?

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by: count @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 21:41:09 PM UTC

Ned Flanders for New York! (4.00 / 1)

Heh...

"The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks." - Christopher Hitchens

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by: JayinPortland @ Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 03:41:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Used a sexually derogatory word. (4.00 / 2)

Apparently Massa called a male staff member a fag. That's a bit more serious than the previous claim of "salty" language. Unless this kind of thing is a regular occurrence with Massa, education might have been a better route than resignation.

It seems likely to me that the reoccurrence of his cancer, combined with the ethics complaint about the homophobic name-calling, was just more than Eric Massa wanted to deal with now. The return of his cancer is very serious; likely fatal. I can understand his decision to pack it in and devote his remaining time to his family.

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by: caseyOR @ Sat Mar 06, 2010 at 06:38:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]