The Gastrocast

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I am all for excluding Trans-Fats from the global diet, but I think this may be going too far. Creating laws and rules and limits is not the answer to truly changing the way a nation eats. Granted, tackling corporate greed and abuse of consumer confidence is a good thing, targeting the KFC’s and McDonald’s of the world will also bring down the little guys in the restaurant business without touching the real culprit–the Global Corporate Agribusiness Machine.

Without this machine there would be no cheaply derived, vegetable sources of fat. There would be no excess of calories to load foods up with to help use up over-abundant commodities. WIthout this machine our diet might be a bit more balanced.

And what does all this do for the consumer? Sure you help rid them of nasty trans-fats in their diet, but do they understand why? Do they care? Should they? By simply regulating away something there is no education involved. If no one learns why their diet is bad then they cannot make a choice for something better. If no one knows they are being used as an experiment in using up excess Corn, or Soybeans, or whatever than they cannot make a choice for something better.

But I am sure beyond this, what is foremost on eaters minds and at the boardroom table is how will this affect cost. For the financially challenged, who largely rely on the cheap trans-fat laden foods for the bulk of their diet, will the regulations and change mean an increase in the cost of their ridiculously cheap meal? For the CEO’s, will it mean their Christmas bonus will be $25,000 lighter and profits will be cut into? It really shouldn’t matter,

Instead of sitting in councils trying to legislate fat away, the time and money being wasted would be better spent teaching people the value of nutrition, the true cost of cheap foods, and in helping narrow the cost gap between Government Subsidized Crops and locally raised, healthier foods.

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This week’s Show is here. We talk about what’s going on in the garden, how cold its getting, jobs past and present and we make Chicken Blanquette.

Flickr Photos

Music: Trickertreat by Lenkei

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This is me cooking Paella and promoting local foods at the San Juan County Fair way back in August:

As you can see, I often cook in remote, bizzare or otherwise difficult circumstances. Not to fear. I love it all. This scene was recorded live in Gastrocast #73–in case you missed it. Next time I agree to do this sort of thing though, I really think it should be caught from more angles. . . .

Many thanks to Lovel and Boyd for making this possible.

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A short little video about making falafel with a neat little press doohickey.

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My sentiments exactly.

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Sorry for the lateness of this week’s show. Catering happens.
Hopefully it is a worthwhile wait, though.

In this week’s show we talk about filming for television, life on Podchef Island, and we conclude our exploration of Wartime Food and Gardening. Then we turn our attention to making Falafel using a Falafel Press sent in by a listener.

Video to follow soon.

This week’s show was sponsored by The Kitchen Garden Company

Wiggly Wiggler’s Podcast Epidsode #53 talks about wartime nettle use. One of my all time favorite podcasts.

Flickr Photos

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As you all probably know I am a one position voter. I don’t vote along party lines–I vote on issues.
This year one issue trumphs every other one, for this one issue will decide all others–seriously.

It may seem a small thing to you if you don’t have animals, or aren’t a farmer and don’t know any. But it does matter to you if you eat food or intend on being a free citizen in America with you Constitutionally Granted Rights intact. Trust me. If the National Animal ID System gets put in place the way the USDA and all involved intend–it’s not about what they SAY, but what is INTENDED–it will be a dark day for everyone. Not only is NAIS a precursor for REAL ID, but also component of Agenda 21 and the final death of North American Sovereignty. We will no longer be a free people if we allow our Government to tag, track and enumerate our animals, our property, or our time. This is about control. The sort of control we don’t want.

Click on the photo to see a larger version. This is a partial list of the Washington State Candidates and their position on NAIS. Those that are Pro are very pro, towing the party line. Those that are Anti, understand the implications. Those that are on the fence are either unwilling to commit a position, don’t understand the issue and why it matters to them, or don’t want to be bothered. This list is partial and will be updated soon.

So, if you are in Washington, please have a look at this list. Familiarize yourself with this important issue–NAIS–and let it help you chart your voting course. It isn’t easy. I am not in favor of incumbents on the whole. If they haven’t done any good by now, they probably won’t. However, if they have a clear stance–what ever party they are for–then that should be reviewed. Other, independant candidates should be given an equal chance. Hopefully this November 7th they will.

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. . .lest ye be labeled a Noxious Weed. This article in Capial Press got me started off this morning on what was otherwise a piss-poor beginning to the day. Just what makes a Noxious Weed, Noxious? The word Noxious was defined as:

       injurious to physical or mental health; "noxious chemical wastes"; "noxious ideas"

      undesirable, troublesome, difficult to control or eradicate

So don’t judge the weeds, lest you become one–a poisonous entity spreading malcontent and dis-harmony without knowing why. Instead, research the whys and wherefores behind anything which doesn’t quite make sense or that you’ve never heard of before. Question any program which uses your tax dollars to charge you or cost you more money in the long run. Take a stand against the noxious weed lobby–by demanding less rules for a local food system. An easier time for small farmers. More farming diversity–hence biological diversity–ergo less weeds. Control, and weeds, are in the eye of the beholder. Take care which is being controlled–the weeds or you.

      

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A short film about hand making pasta:

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This week’s show took 2 takes to produce. Filled with talk about the weather, life and the wartime garden. Also we cook a war time apple pie recipe.

Links:

Quince Paste Photos

Quince pectin

Peter talks about the war and here

Flickr Photos

This episode of The Gastrocast was sponsored by The Kitchen Garden Company

The book we’ve been looking at is: