Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

We had our Pepsi Challenge – a blind taste test using Mexican Coca-Cola and Mexican Pepsi, both sans corn syrup and loaded with real sugar. There’s no doubt – we’re a Coca-Cola family. All three of us who took the challenge – me, my son (not a soda drinker at all) and my husband pickedContinue reading “We're Pretty Solidly a Coca-Cola Family”

Girl Scout dressed in cookie boxes. I’ve been considering getting my daughter into Girl Scouts. I loved my brief experiences with scouting, early on with Brownies and later in middle school, when we did loads of camping. I wasn’t particularly focused on earning badges (though foursquare seems to be rekindling that interest). But I enjoyedContinue reading “Why Aren't Girl Scouts Leading the Charge to Eliminate Trans Fats?”

Today I found my new favorite grocery store. I was on a quest to find lemon leaves and lemon grass. I’m still on the hunt for the leaves. But in the process, I ended up at Tony’s Finer Foods in Riverside and, well, it’s clearly bumped Ultra as my new favorite store for staples. IContinue reading “VFG's Pepsi Challenge”

There is no happier guinea pig today than our little buddy Fluffy.  I’d been worrying about taking him back out of the warm house into the cold garage, even though I knew it was necessary. Sim’s already started having to use his inhaler more often than normal, so I know the Flufster’s presence in theContinue reading “A Healthier Husband and Happier Guinea Pig”

When I started hearing reports that temperatures were about to plummet to sub-zero levels, I knew that it was time to bring our guinea pig Fluffy inside. He’s been outside since the summer and in the garage most of the winter. He’s mostly done just fine. But his water bottle was freezing within a coupleContinue reading “Cold-Weather Features to Keep Our Furry Friend Warm (and Healthy)”

For Christmas, I got a gift that keeps on giving: several bottles of Indiana wine (and a lovely fair trade carrying case to transport them safely home). I’ve already enjoyed one of the Oliver Winery bottles that I’ve tried before. This week, I had the pleasure of uncorking Oliver’s Chambourcin Rose from the winery’s CreekbendContinue reading “Still Unwrapping, er, Uncorking, My Christmas Gifts”

Over the weekend, I noticed on a friend’s Facebook page this video showing a fascinating experiment in Stockholm. Scientists noted that when given an option, pedestrians would choose the escalator over stairs 97% of the time. But, what if taking the stairs was more fun? Watch and see: The video and experiment was from 2009Continue reading “Can Making Things Fun Change the World?”

It’s official, we now all have glasses in our house. No miracles here – except the miracle of modern medicine (and fashion) that makes it possible for four people with terrible eyesight to thrive nonetheless with a little correction from glasses (or contacts). On the fashion side, my Future Farmkids couldn’t look any cuter inContinue reading “And Then There Were Four”

For those of you who purchased an early copy of Anupy Singla’s book, The Indian Slow Cooker, take a look at her blog: Indian as Apple Pie. There are some important corrections and guidance on proportions/technique. I’d noticed the obvious typo in the recipe for Simple Split Chickpea Curry – 33 cups was clearly aContinue reading “Author Makes Important Corrections to Indian Slow Cooker Book”

Turns out my large slow cooker can handle even more food than I expected. Admittedly, I pushed the limits here a bit with this creamed spinach ala slow cooker. This is two pounds of spinach (that’s a lot of concentrated nutrition when all’s said and done); two large onions; 20 cloves of garlic; chili peppers;Continue reading “Just When You Think Your Crock Pot Is Too Small”