Author Archives: Virtual Farmgirl

This story about the isolated tribes in the Brazilian rain forest is fascinating…and sad, considering their territory is being threatened by over logging and illegal logging. According to the AP story I was reading, Brazil’s National Indian Foundation thinks there are 68 “uncontacted” groups around Brazil. Only about two dozen have been confirmed. The photoContinue reading “Tribe Threatened By Deforestation”

I had the great pleasure of dining at Le Lan on North Clark Street in Chicago today for lunch. I’m not sure I would have gone there on my own, but I’ll definitely go back. A friend took me and she clearly knew her way around the place. Plus, it was impressive that the hostContinue reading “Le Lan – Mouthwatering Perfection”

Here’s another potential way for us to keep our farm sustainable. Check out Indiana resident Greg Losh who has decided to start drilling for oil on his property. He’s pulling up about three barrels a day. At over $133 a barrel, that could start to add up over a year. Apparently, Losh hasn’t sold anyContinue reading “Hoosier Oil Tycoons? No. Really.”

Loved this story in the Tennessean about a new era of family farming: “from weathered and windblown to young and fresh-faced.” It’s a hopeful piece about how young farmers are embracing the CSAs and small, diversified farming models, even while traditional family farms continue to wane. Farmgirl Nancy VanWinkle put it best: “The reality ofContinue reading “Just What Farming Needs, Youthful Enthusiasm”

The race is on! To keep us energized throughout the full 500 miles, here’s some of what we’ve prepared… Every year, we cut out the 33 drivers in the final lineup and glue them to toothpicks. We usually stick them in plain circuit peanuts, but this year we used them for a platter of ham,Continue reading “IndyCar Fan Fare”

In case you’re undecided about who to root for during tomorrow’s Indy 500, I have three very good choices for you. First, of course, there’s Danica Patrick. She’s in Car No. 7 in position 5!!! High on her Japan 300 win, she’s hungry for a win at Indy. Plus, she’s a Team Andretti Green driver,Continue reading “Girl Power! Three to Root for Sunday!”

A few weeks early, the Oak Park Farmer’s Market at Pilgrim Church opened this morning. We got in line just after 10 a.m. for the famous homemade donuts (sadly not for dieting me). And even though the market was ’round half the size with just a handful of early-bird farmers, the place was packed. TheContinue reading “Early Birds Get the Donuts”

Anyone near Asheville, NC, might want to check out the Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University. It actually looks like a dynamic museum with a ton going on. But for us farm enthusiasts, there’s an added bonus. The museum has added “Hickory Nut Gap Farm Portfolio: Photographs by Ken Abbott” to its offerings, atContinue reading “Picture Perfect Grass-Fed Family Farm”

No joke. We were at the announcement phase of the American Idol finally…And…our DVR said our program was OVER. Right after the envelop was handed to Seacrest. Thank goodness for the Associated Press! And Yay!!! The adult, talented rocker beat out the vanilla male version of Hanna Montana. AP via Yahoo put it nicely: TheContinue reading “Yay! Finally An American Idol I Can Idolize”

If you haven’t read it yet, check out this item from Men’s Health entitled “America’s Unhealthiest Drinks Exposed.” The blog post exposes the sweet but dirty secrets of vitamin waters and supposedly healthy Jamba Juices. The culprit? Sugar. Pay close attention to the Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake (32 oz), rated THE unhealthiest ofContinue reading “Check the Sugar Content on That Vita Water”