Unicorns & a Hidden Gem

Should I be studying? 
Or should I be eating chocolate and writing this blog?

Is there a right and a wrong? Is there a good and a bad?

Or is it all subjective?

...or am I sleep deprived?

So there's a reason for my craziness. I promise!

I just finished rushing for a sorority. 

Sorority? Morgan? What happened to you? 

No, inner-crazy-dialogue, these things are different @ NYU. People are actually super cool. And it's a penthouse instead of a house, so you know it's legit.

Oh okay, neat-o.

But anyways, through this process I learned about a very nifty place in New York City called 4th Street Co-op. 

Before I tell you all about it. Watch this video from their site. 

& if you don't think it's cool/funny/completely awesome.......well, I'll probably actually understand, but I still think it's all of those things and more.

Anywhoooo--

This is probably an inconvenient time to be writing about this since the Co-op is closed this week...

But after the 8th, you & I must check out the 4th St Co-op. 

How do I describe this magical place?
My Communications class taught me to be direct today... So here I go:


Health food store.
Organic.
Better than Whole Foods.
Very local.
Inexpensive.
Run by non-paid Members.
Ethical.

The 4th St Co-op also does not sell any organic product that is produced by a major corporation.
This includes Tom's toothpaste, Stonyfield Farms Yogurt, etc...

At first my inner-hippie was cheering for this stance. Yay! Supporting the little guy!
But then... I thought about it.

The organic industry is the little guy. It's an effort to replenish our bodies with real, natural, nutritious foods. Is it so bad that large corporations are backing this effort? Don't we want these products to be available to everyone? Not just those who happen to live in more liberal states?

Coming from Wichita, KS, I am so happy to see organic products in Wal-Mart.
I am happy to see Kellogg's buy and spread the Kashi culture.

But that's just plain ol' me and my plain ol' thoughts.
What are your thoughts?

La Vie Sans Cuisine

Now I know how Harry Potter felt when his aunt and uncle trapped him in a room under the stairs. Well...almost.

I'm still trapped in this teeny tiny apartment with...wait for it... no kitchen! 

dun dun dun.

But I'm still coping with life without preparing, measuring, chopping, sautéing somehow. I have been finding ulterior outlets for my crazy craving for cooking... 

First of all, I made my boyfriend watch Food Inc. with me-- his first time, my bazillionth. 

& if (for some bizarre reason) you haven't seen it,
YOU MUST WATCH IT.

It's Instant on Netflix. And if you don't have Netflix yet... then you haven't started living.

The film does an amazing job at portraying the underlying corporate structure behind everything we eat! Not to mention the various bills and subsidies that further enforce this convoluted mess...

In fact, this documentary is the original source from which my devotion to the cause derives.

So you better watch it.

Secondly, I had my first official cooking class this Tuesday (yippee)! 

The first class was on the different ways of preparing meats and vegetables...

I, having cooked for 5-6 years, thought it'd be a bore.

Boy was I wrong!! 

Learning the exact, correct way of doing everything is so empowering! I feel as though I can just start jotting recipes of my own down. 

Plus, I learned how to poach an egg! Something I've never done before. 

& if you've never poached an egg before, you're in luck--

Start by bring water in a medium pot to a simmer. Add a seriously small amount of vinegar (my instructor used the flat cap of the vinegar bottle). Crack the egg into a ramekin (or small bowl). Whisk the water around and create a vortex. Then, pour the egg in. Use a slotted spoon to guide the egg. Walk away for 1-2 minutes. Using the slotted spoon, pull the egg out. Season. 

AND VOILA! A yummy-in-my-tummy poached egg!

As soon as I move into my kitchen equipped apartment...poached eggs all around!

Chicken Two Ways

Hello, I'm back!
...back to New York City, back to Morganic, and back to reality.

I have several perfectly good excuses for being so spotty when it comes to sharing my {M}organic experiences... One of which is that I've been stuck in an apartment that my landlord kindly informed me is the size of his bathroom... but only temporarily ! Thank goodness.

However, I have chosen to share with you my favorite discovery of the summer:

What to Cook and How to Cook it by Jane Horby

This cookbook is perfect for those teaching themselves how to cook {as I certainly am}.

& ..cheesy alert.. There's always more to learn! 

Each recipe is accompanied with a series of pictures showing exactly how to do every single step. It's a book meets blog experience! Completely awesome.

I've made so many fabulous dishes from this book, but my two favs were a convenient duo of chicken breast quick dinners--

Soooo. As the story goes, I bought 4 chicken breasts since there were currently 4 familia member living in the household. But, of course, my bro and pops were busy.... Mom & daughter double nighter!


First night (mom's favorite)-- Cajun Chicken with Pineapple Salsa.

Second night (my favorite)-- Stuffed Chicken Breast wrapped in Bacon

Both were totally affordable, totally delicious, yet totally different!

The first, extremely flavorful and fresh. The second, rich and hearty (plus, made me obsessed with rosemary).

If you're cooking for two and like a scrumptious food--try this duo!!



As for me... I am now officially taking a Food Studies class-- so my relationship with food will continue to evolve... & guess what! It'll all be recorded right here. 
So stick around. I might even be able to relay some of the tricks of the trade I learn 
:)

Summer Treat

Every chance the weather is sunny and I am surrounded by friends I make this dessert.

I made it in Florida during spring break and I made it again in June this summer.

Frozen Key Lime Pie!

yum.

I won't bother showing you how to make it because I snagged the recipe from my idol, Ina Garten. Here it is-- delish!

However, I will let you know that making the pie as advanced as possible (perhaps even the night before) is key because it takes a little while for the pie to freeze.

Also!

I was happy to discover that I already had much of the organic ingredients around the house and therefore, it was a very inexpensive, yet organic, summer treat.

{ And yes, unlike puff pastry, organic sweetened condensed milk does exist. In fact, before making this recipe I wasn't quite sure what sweetened condensed milk consisted of... But it is only milk that is dehydrated and sweetened! Not as if that means it's necessarily good for you...}

So seriously. Go make this uber refreshing, delicious, simple dessert tonight and enjoy it tomorrow!

Cheers

Hello Hilo

I'm back.

I have just recently returned from the most amazing trip to Hilo, Hawaii!

While I was there, I was unable to stay faithful to an organic diet... However, I did not fail to notice (and was actually impressed by) the extensive existence of organic shops, restaurants, and opportunities.

But most what I found most fascinating--

The Hilo Farmer's Market!!!

This was by far the best farmers market I have ever been to. Not only was there a remarkable variety, but everything was so inexpensive!

My favorite find was apple bananas. These look like mini bananas and when you bite into them there is a wonderful synthesis of sweet and tart.

YUM!

Plus, they were only $1 a pound!

This definitely inspired me to go explore more markets here in Wichita...

I can't wait to see what my hometown has to offer

Good Karma

Let me start by saying..

I LOVE GREEN ACRES!

Now, I'll explain--

Yesterday, I went to Green Acres to to shop for the ingredients in my key lime pie (post coming soon). Since I brought my own reusable shopping bag, I was asked if I wanted to enter a contest for a full bag of groceries and a $10 gift certificate. Of course, I jumped on that as quick as lightning! I mean, I never thought I'd win...

But guess what...

I won!

This started to make me wonder...how truly crucial is the usage of reusable bags? I enjoy using them because I love the variety of bags! It's easy to have fun with it.

But I never really understood the impact of single-use plastic bags until now!

Did you know?--

Every year, the U.S. goes through 100 billion single-use plastic bags a year!

&

Plastic bags are the second most common type of ocean refuse next to cigarette butts!

&

Plastic bags are not biodegradable, so they become a toxic threat to soil, waterways, and animals!

(All according to reuseit.com)

Like with so many things, it is easy to constantly consume and toss bags, but it is not sustainable for the environment and planet. By simply keeping reusable bags in the car or next to the door, each of us can make an impact (and maybe even win a contest)!

Join the reusable revolution

There's No Place Like Home...

Hello Kansas!

Last weekend, I drove the 24 hour drive from Manhattan to Wichita.

Woohwee! What a trip! But boy oh boy am I glad to be home.

I suppose I just missed nature too much..

Nonetheless, I definitely do miss the perks of New York City.

Like living steps away from the Union Square Greenmarket where there are nearly 140 sellers of fish, breads, honeys, veggies, and fruits.

Today, I went to the Andover Central Park Farmers Market, which is located 5 minutes from my house by car. Though the quality of the market was excellent, the quantity..eh...there were three stands.

Toto, I don't think we're in Manhattan anymore...

New location, new challenges!

I won't give up hope.

There are many more farmers markets in Wichita that I plan to explore. And if local produce doesn't work out, there is also the locally owned healthy grocer Green Acres.

So, plan on a new organic cooking experience to be posted soon!