Love fish? Help keep them around.
April 17, 2011 § 3 Comments
Documentaries are a staple in our household. We watch them as religiously as some families follow their favorite sitcoms or catch up on the evening news. This evening, I finally got around to watching “The End of the Line“, based on the book by Charles Clover with the same title. If you haven’t watched it yet and are one for documentaries, I highly recommend it.
The documentary discusses the fishing industry and focuses on the current state of the health of our oceans – and more importantly, the expected degradation we can expect if we do nothing to change our attitudes and behaviors. Having gone diving in some local waters that have been depleted of ocean life and also others that are protected areas that were teaming with life, I have to say the documentary struck a particularly sensitive cord in me. What a shame if within our generation we saw some of our most beloved fish disappear into extinction and the waters look as barren as they already do in some parts.
Upon finishing the documentary, I went to the film’s website where they have more information about what the average person can do, and updated news links about the fishing industry. They also provide links to other sites that give listings of restaurants (unfortunately, mainly in the United States) according to a sustainability ratings, as well as recommended fish to eat and to avoid – based on current population levels. For a detailed pocket fish guide (PDF) of the recommended fish to avoid and eat, you can download it here.
I’ve included a summary chart of the top ten fish to avoid and to eat below, in case it’s of interest to you. I know it was to me.
Image from fish2fork.com
If you’d like more details about why each of the fish is listed in either the avoid or eat list, you can find the original chart on the The End of the Line website. Just select the fish you’re interested and more content will appear.
“Foodiologie” now live
January 4, 2011 § Leave a Comment
A brief note…
Food has always been a great passion and source of sharing and conversation for me and my family. As a result, my sister and I decided to finally launch a joint food blog that would capture our ideas, observations, tips, and opinions about food. What this means is that I’ll be posting all future posts about food in our new blog, called Foodiologie.
I hope you’ll visit us there.
Happy New Year, and happy eating!
Baby Carrots’ junk food-esque marketing campaign
September 23, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Bolthouse Farms and Crispin Porter + Bogusky have assembled a great satirical marketing campaign for baby carrots in the style of junk food ads. Entertaining and fun. And if that’s not enough, the campaign comes with its very own microsite, and iPhone app that boasts of being “the world’s first ever carrot-crunch-powered video game. Ever.”
Future:
Indulge:
Extreme:
Slowing down
August 15, 2010 § 1 Comment
After a long week and busy weekend, my boyfriend and I wanted a relaxed meal at home, but didn’t feel like cooking or getting take-out. In a stroke of his usual genius, he suggested we have fondue. Truly, a wonderful solution: light preparation, almost no dishes afterwards, a relatively healthy choice, and a chance to catch-up after a hectic week at work for both of us. Were there any down-sides?
One of the best things about fondue is that it forces you to slow down… something we all need a little more of in an instantaneous world.
Pig Roast: A community event
July 11, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Photo credit: © Vivian Chan
Two dear friends of ours are getting married this summer, and as a tribute to them, their community got together to hold a pig roast in their honor. An old family friend hosted the event at his farm. Friends, family, and neighbors from all around came together to both help with the event, and to celebrate the marriage to come. Saying a few words to kick off the feast, the host’s wife congratulated the happy couple, adding that this was the way their small Ontario town wanted to congratulate them. I loved that. To me, it was the perfect personification of the heart and spirit of community. « Read the rest of this entry »
Cool summer desserts for a hot, lazy Sunday afternoon
July 4, 2010 § 4 Comments
Photo credit: © Vivian Chan
It’s the last day of the Canada Day long weekend. The weather’s been hot, humid, and beautifully sunny. It’s the perfect kind of weather that inspires cool, light desserts to go with that fruity beverage on a patio.
Parts & Labour: Parkdale’s hottest new spot
June 5, 2010 § 5 Comments
Photo credit: © Vivian Chan
Last night was the grand opening of Parkdale’s highly anticipated new restaurant, Parts & Labour. Just down the street from Cowbell, Mitzi’s Sister, and the ever delightful Local Kitchen. The restaurant was renovated from an old hardware store, and a lot of the decor keeps that legacy in mind. An entryway that is lined with old car windshields, bar stools that look like huge springs, lights reminiscent of old fire extinguishers, and bar shelving that is styled like those that would be found in a garage. I love that. And it’s something the owners have a knack for doing very well, as we’ve seen in the other hot spots they’ve created: The Social, Oddfellows, and who could forget their flagship industrial design studio, Castor Design.
Bæjarins bestu pylsur: Best hot dogs in Iceland… possibly the world?
May 23, 2010 § 1 Comment
Photo credit: © Vivian Chan
Despite its beautiful waterfalls, powerful geysurs, clear glacial water, and delectable local cuisine – one of the most popular stops for locals to visit in around Reykjavik is Bæjarins bestu pylsur: a hot dog stand close to the harbour.
We biked past the stand on our bike tour of Reykjavik, and I couldn’t help but notice the ever-growing long line-up of people at this quaint little red and white stand on the edge of what looked like a parking lot. “What’s going on there?”, I asked our guide. Turned out she was stopping already to talk to us about the stand… Iceland’s best hot dogs, hailed by some as being also the best in Europe. She encouraged us to try it later in our stay. « Read the rest of this entry »
Best seafood in town: Reykjavik’s Fish Company
May 20, 2010 § 2 Comments
One of the things we’ve found, being in Reykjavik is that there is no shortage of fantastic places to eat. After a long day of diving, we went to check out the Fish Company on a recommendation from our dive guide the other night. “If you want the best seafood in the city, you should go to the Fish Company”, he said. Having dined there, I would say that if you want some of the best seafood in the world, go there. It was incredible. « Read the rest of this entry »
My sister, my hero: Homemade butter and brioche
March 28, 2010 § Leave a Comment
My sister is one of the best cooks I know. Going home is always a treat. Apart from a great time always spent with her – she feeds me unbelievable meals. I gladly partake.
This weekend, she sent me a picture of her latest creation. To her, it was just a simple thing she threw together for a beautiful Saturday morning brunch: fresh brioche and homemade butter. Butter! She made her own butter! I was – and still am – blown away. Time to book a trip home soon.
