Let's play Attention to Detail! We give you a close-up clue and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston. So where have you seen this logophonetic lettering?
Here are some hints:
This object is more than 340 years old.
It was found in a scrap pile and brought to Boston.
Years later the original owner declined taking it back and gave it to the City of Boston.
For us, meal planning becomes far easier when the local farmers market swings into town with an evolving selection of seasonal food. Our food selections for the week start at the market. We call it our “walk-the-market, chat-with-farmers, buy-what-looks-great, and plan-for-what’s-coming” method of shopping. We visit one or more farmers markets a week.
If this walk-around, scout-the-best-system doesn’t suit you, consult a seasonal vegetable chart available from a site like www.farmfresh.org. There you can enter your zip code, select the harvest calendar, and see a full-season chart of what’s expected to be fresh each month. If you combine this with social media updates from your favorite farms, you can plan your meals from your desktop.
Star of the Day!
When asparagus appears on farm stands, we plan meals around that short-lived, local season. Yes, we can buy asparagus other times of the year. But, while nice, the asparagus that appears in the mass market just doesn’t compare to what sprouts from rich Hadley, Massachusetts soil.
In season we tend to eat the freshest crops we can find, as simply as possible. This might mean steamed asparagus with hard boiled eggs and a hollandaise sauce on the side. At other times of year, the star of supper might be tomatoes, corn, or Brussels sprouts.
Watch the Sales
Sometimes we plan our week around something we found on special when we shopped, or at a good price because of a seasonal supply at our fishmonger or butcher shop. In winter we watch for sales on organic vegetables and fruit.
The price for the Faroe Islands salmon (above) was exceptionally good. Penny bought enough for two portions for one meal and leftovers for another. She sous vide cooked our Faroe Islands salmon to 115 degrees and then seared it in a blazing hot pan.
The leftovers became part of our salad bowl-for-two the next day.
Look at Your Schedule
There are weeks when Penny will have time to cook a few meals and weeks when her schedule means that there will be a bit of cooking and a bit of takeout to get us through some busy days. Shopping and cooking take time. If you try to cram both into an already full week, you’ll only add stress to your life.
Most cooks have a handful of meals they make all the time without a formal recipe in sight.
If you are ready for a change in routine or if you have a special occasion, pull out a cookbook or visit a favorite food site and find a variation on one of your family favorites.
If your beef meatloaf is met with yawns, find a recipe that uses a different meat, spice, or glaze. Instead of your usual lasagna, find one that features a new vegetable, sauce, or cheese.
Here’s where it’s important to know which cookbooks, websites, and resources will give you well-tested recipes that work the first time you follow them. Food sites that include recipe testers’ comments along with the recipe are favorites around here. Two sites we trust are www.Epicurious.com and www.LeitesCulinaria.com.
Some cooks accomplish meal planning on the run by standing in front of the open refrigerator and seeing what’s on hand. Others plan a week by having special days like meatless Monday or Sunday roast. You may write out the week’s plan on a blackboard or ad lib around what you found in the marketplace.
All these forms of meal planning are great, especially if, by the end of the week, you and your family have had a nutritious, balanced diet that included a lot of whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
For us, meal planning becomes far easier when the local farmers market swings into town with an evolving selection of seasonal food. Our food selections for the week start at the market. We call it our “walk-the-market, chat-with-farmers, buy-what-looks-great, and plan-for-what’s-coming” method of shopping. We visit one or more farmers markets a week.
If this walk-around, scout-the-best-system doesn’t suit you, consult a seasonal vegetable chart available from a site like www.farmfresh.org. There you can enter your zip code, select the harvest calendar, and see a full-season chart of what’s expected to be fresh each month. If you combine this with social media updates from your favorite farms, you can plan your meals from your desktop.
Star of the Day!
When asparagus appears on farm stands, we plan meals around that short-lived, local season. Yes, we can buy asparagus other times of the year. But, while nice, the asparagus that appears in the mass market just doesn’t compare to what sprouts from rich Hadley, Massachusetts soil.
In season we tend to eat the freshest crops we can find, as simply as possible. This might mean steamed asparagus with hard boiled eggs and a hollandaise sauce on the side. At other times of year, the star of supper might be tomatoes, corn, or Brussels sprouts.
Watch the Sales
Sometimes we plan our week around something we found on special when we shopped, or at a good price because of a seasonal supply at our fishmonger or butcher shop. In winter we watch for sales on organic vegetables and fruit.
The price for the Faroe Islands salmon (above) was exceptionally good. Penny bought enough for two portions for one meal and leftovers for another. She sous vide cooked our Faroe Islands salmon to 115 degrees and then seared it in a blazing hot pan.
The leftovers became part of our salad bowl-for-two the next day.
Look at Your Schedule
There are weeks when Penny will have time to cook a few meals and weeks when her schedule means that there will be a bit of cooking and a bit of takeout to get us through some busy days. Shopping and cooking take time. If you try to cram both into an already full week, you’ll only add stress to your life.
Most cooks have a handful of meals they make all the time without a formal recipe in sight.
If you are ready for a change in routine or if you have a special occasion, pull out a cookbook or visit a favorite food site and find a variation on one of your family favorites.
If your beef meatloaf is met with yawns, find a recipe that uses a different meat, spice, or glaze. Instead of your usual lasagna, find one that features a new vegetable, sauce, or cheese.
Here’s where it’s important to know which cookbooks, websites, and resources will give you well-tested recipes that work the first time you follow them. Food sites that include recipe testers’ comments along with the recipe are favorites around here. Two sites we trust are www.Epicurious.com and www.LeitesCulinaria.com.
Some cooks accomplish meal planning on the run by standing in front of the open refrigerator and seeing what’s on hand. Others plan a week by having special days like meatless Monday or Sunday roast. You may write out the week’s plan on a blackboard or ad lib around what you found in the marketplace.
All these forms of meal planning are great, especially if, by the end of the week, you and your family have had a nutritious, balanced diet that included a lot of whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
When we come across the same interesting information twice in one week from two different sources, it quickly becomes a research topic for a future column. In this case, it was a story in The Bark by Karen B. London, PhD, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, reminding us that illness in an older pet can go unnoticed and untreated if we assume the symptoms we are seeing are simply signs of age.
Harris is in full play mode after his recent dental treatment. (Photo by Laurie Thomas)
This was followed by a friend’s report that two of her not-so-old cats were acting livelier and eating better after scheduled dental work was completed. Fortunately she had found the problem in a regular checkup and the little guys were treated quickly.
Frequent Checkups
Your veterinarian may recommend you bring in an older dog or cat for more frequent checkups and tests. These exams should also include screenings for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease, failing vision and hearing, and cancer that are statistically more likely to occur as your pet gets older.
These visits may include blood counts, chemistry screens, and urinalysis. Be sure to ask if your pet needs any breed-specific tests.
Before the visit is a good time for you and other caregivers to really think and prepare to report any changes in routine, nutrition, and behavior. It can be very important to ask your dog walker or cat sitter to share this kind of information with you on a regular basis.
Many dogs and most cats are extremely good at hiding weakness and illness. We need as many humans picking up cues as possible. While you come in contact with your own pets, professional walkers and sitters have seen far more symptoms and helped families through far more medical issues.
Even a young dog like Poppy has her lazy days, but if a pattern appears, it's time to look for a reason beyond growing up or growing old.
With our last two Westies, increasing the frequency of checkups was never at issue because their allergy problems made them frequent visitors to their medical team. But, with our healthy little Poppy, we will have to keep a careful watch as she ages because she doesn’t have any ongoing concerns that bring her in for immediate care between annual checks.
Your dog may be acting appropriately for his breed or the symptoms below could be signs of pain.
Symptoms of Pain
Some things that we think of as old age can also be signs of pain. Changes in appetite, routine, getting up slowly, heavy panting, grumbling, and being a bit grumpy can happen as pets age, but these are all signs of pain as well. If a dog changes her sleeping position, has more accidents in the house, doesn’t want to play, avoids jumping up on a chair or sofa, you should make a note of the behavior and report it to your vet.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
When we come across the same interesting information twice in one week from two different sources, it quickly becomes a research topic for a future column. In this case, it was a story in The Bark by Karen B. London, PhD, a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Certified Professional Dog Trainer, reminding us that illness in an older pet can go unnoticed and untreated if we assume the symptoms we are seeing are simply signs of age.
Harris is in full play mode after his recent dental treatment. (Photo by Laurie Thomas)
This was followed by a friend’s report that two of her not-so-old cats were acting livelier and eating better after scheduled dental work was completed. Fortunately she had found the problem in a regular checkup and the little guys were treated quickly.
Frequent Checkups
Your veterinarian may recommend you bring in an older dog or cat for more frequent checkups and tests. These exams should also include screenings for conditions like diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease, failing vision and hearing, and cancer that are statistically more likely to occur as your pet gets older.
These visits may include blood counts, chemistry screens, and urinalysis. Be sure to ask if your pet needs any breed-specific tests.
Before the visit is a good time for you and other caregivers to really think and prepare to report any changes in routine, nutrition, and behavior. It can be very important to ask your dog walker or cat sitter to share this kind of information with you on a regular basis.
Many dogs and most cats are extremely good at hiding weakness and illness. We need as many humans picking up cues as possible. While you come in contact with your own pets, professional walkers and sitters have seen far more symptoms and helped families through far more medical issues.
Even a young dog like Poppy has her lazy days, but if a pattern appears, it's time to look for a reason beyond growing up or growing old.
With our last two Westies, increasing the frequency of checkups was never at issue because their allergy problems made them frequent visitors to their medical team. But, with our healthy little Poppy, we will have to keep a careful watch as she ages because she doesn’t have any ongoing concerns that bring her in for immediate care between annual checks.
Your dog may be acting appropriately for his breed or the symptoms below could be signs of pain.
Symptoms of Pain
Some things that we think of as old age can also be signs of pain. Changes in appetite, routine, getting up slowly, heavy panting, grumbling, and being a bit grumpy can happen as pets age, but these are all signs of pain as well. If a dog changes her sleeping position, has more accidents in the house, doesn’t want to play, avoids jumping up on a chair or sofa, you should make a note of the behavior and report it to your vet.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
This summer I've been taking tai chi training at MGH's Benson-Henry Institute. It is one more move forward in my healthy living program. Friends will tell you that I'm recommending Tai Chi, and especially this particular program, for anyone who has thought about exploring ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and strengthen their bodies.
Why Tai Chi?
My fascination with this form of mind/body exercise began years ago when I would walk in the Boston Public Garden and watch Asian men and women, young and old, practice this ancient art.
In September I added a morning walk to my daily routine. Most days the highlight of that walk is the time I spend in the Public Garden.
Each morning, in the warmer weather, this group of women gather at the Swan Boat landing and work out together.
Why the Benson-Henry Institute?
I've been a long, longtime follower of Herbert Benson, MD, and his research into mind body medicine. I took a Relaxation Response class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of his books and audio books.
When I decided to take tai chi training, I felt assured the staff there would be of the highest caliber and the training would be focused on goals that would fit my needs.
The next set of classes will not be scheduled until fall, but there are resources available online for meditation and to learn more about the other programs they offer.
I recommend that you contact them now by email and tell them what program you would like to join. I did and they let me know when registration opened for the classes.
This summer I've been taking tai chi training at MGH's Benson-Henry Institute. It is one more move forward in my healthy living program. Friends will tell you that I'm recommending Tai Chi, and especially this particular program, for anyone who has thought about exploring ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and strengthen their bodies.
Why Tai Chi?
My fascination with this form of mind/body exercise began years ago when I would walk in the Boston Public Garden and watch Asian men and women, young and old, practice this ancient art.
In September I added a morning walk to my daily routine. Most days the highlight of that walk is the time I spend in the Public Garden.
Each morning, in the warmer weather, this group of women gather at the Swan Boat landing and work out together.
Why the Benson-Henry Institute?
I've been a long, longtime follower of Herbert Benson, MD, and his research into mind body medicine. I took a Relaxation Response class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of his books and audio books.
When I decided to take tai chi training, I felt assured the staff there would be of the highest caliber and the training would be focused on goals that would fit my needs.
The next set of classes will not be scheduled until fall, but there are resources available online for meditation and to learn more about the other programs they offer.
I recommend that you contact them now by email and tell them what program you would like to join. I did and they let me know when registration opened for the classes.
Occasionally, Penny will follow a recipe from a new cookbook to the letter, to be sure her results are the same as the author. It's a good way to test the reliability of the instructions. But, sometimes, there is no way for us to enjoy the recipe as written because of an allergy to an ingredient or because we would have to shop for a few items before we could try it.
Sarah's recipe was dressed with a toasted walnut sauce which would not work with one of our allergies. But the combo of arugula and figs was certainly worth exploring.
This salad was not just delicious, it was spectacular! What's more, it will become a model for salads that can keep us eating healthy all summer long. We'll combine one tangy seasonal green with one ripe and luscious fruit and some dabs of creamy cheese and top with a dressing that will bring out the best in that combination.
Occasionally, Penny will follow a recipe from a new cookbook to the letter, to be sure her results are the same as the author. It's a good way to test the reliability of the instructions. But, sometimes, there is no way for us to enjoy the recipe as written because of an allergy to an ingredient or because we would have to shop for a few items before we could try it.
Sarah's recipe was dressed with a toasted walnut sauce which would not work with one of our allergies. But the combo of arugula and figs was certainly worth exploring.
This salad was not just delicious, it was spectacular! What's more, it will become a model for salads that can keep us eating healthy all summer long. We'll combine one tangy seasonal green with one ripe and luscious fruit and some dabs of creamy cheese and top with a dressing that will bring out the best in that combination.
or ad lib around what you found in the marketplace.
from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
class with him many years ago and have kept up with his work at Harvard and MGH and read a number of 
from here to support this site!
