The coffee did add some texture. The cookies grew on me a bit. But I was a little disappointed with the chips. I guess I expected more salt. (This reminds me: I put peanut butter and maple syrup on vanilla ice cream last night and it was fantastic.) Anyway, I agree that I like a wide margin between my virtuous snacks and my naughty snacks. If you are into naughty snacks, you should give the compost cookie a whirl.

I surely did caleb bo baleb. I am sure there was a little jelly essence condensing on my window panes. I am glad I am not the only one who has experienced jelly “do over” mode. Home-made grape jelly really is eye-popping, though-- totally worth it.

@drfugawe, We used to call ourselves “Deli Dogs” and “Kitchen Cats.” And fighting like the proverbial cats and dogs was precisely what we did at times. In part, that was because most people who worked the counter were college students and those who worked the line were not. There must be a way of making more of what we learn about class and experience during those early jobs.

Gourmet went on a trompe l’oeil rampage too: http://www.gourmet.com/diaryofafoodie/video/2008/02/209_trompeloeil_preview

I have been eating venison for about twelve years now and though I struggled initially to find recipes for the meat (because I was unaccustomed to preparing meat in general), I am now a great fan. My favorite is still pan fried quickly on top of a green salad and roasted french-fry cut potatoes, a recipe I first encountered in Belgium.

Thanks for reading!

Sadly, I am a chronic undercooker. It’s a joke in our household: “If Joan says the potatoes are done, wait ten more minutes.”

You’re hitting the nail on the head, as I believe you already know. Please keep hammering. From your friend who lives near farms (and farmers!) and also struggles with the “feed the bulldog/do things the right way” conundrum.

_Eating Animals_ made a big impact on me as well. Though I am still eating venison, wild caught local fish and locally raised bison and chicken, I continue to tip the balance toward vegetarianism (I have to admit I am too mentally lazy to touch veganism, so far...). I have had the discussion about the morality of eating non-human animals with myself so many times, I have to chuckle every time I wonder about it. Yes, we have canines; yes, we need protein; those facts suggest meat eating is defensible. Nonetheless, the energy and imagination devoted to creating healthy vegetarian meals is admirable. And people who actually think about where their food comes from are vital to the more sustainable world so many of us pine for. So I support you fully in your work (because it is work) and when I hear people defending some form of the status quo, I can’t help but feel they are reacting to feeling threatened or judged by vegetarians. I know that I have felt that way in the past. Good luck in your quest.

I like the phrase “wild kitchen.” I did not find any morels this year, but did get some fiddleheads. The nettles were there, but I sort of ignored them, for reasons I can’t explain.