Ellen Slattery

Recent Comments

• Why is the Times just now discovering CSAs? (Slashfood)

  Jul 10th 2008 9:18PM RJ, I'd recommend looking for another couple, family members, or neighbors who would be willing to go in on the deal. I know couples who have had the same problem - they wind up with too much food, and feel guilty throwing it out.
  
  You could always put an ad on Craigslist, asking for offers, or put an ad up at shops around town.
  
  Or, perhaps you could arrange an agreement with a local food pantry or soup kitchen, to donate food you don't use.
  
  Also, look around - some farms offer "half shares," for couples just like you.

• Is bribing kids with food really a good idea? (Slashfood)

  Jun 15th 2008 5:38PM Jrsygir1,
  
  I'm not sure if your question was posed to me or Julie, but I thought I'd answer anyway:
  
  No, I do not have children. However, in this case, I'm referring not to how people deal with their own children, but how police in Philadelphia are going about this new initiative. Just wanted to clarify.
  
  Ellen

• The Washington Post in 60 seconds: Pizza and sloe gin (Slashfood)

  Jun 3rd 2008 9:01PM dp - you got it! Way to go.
  
  Ellen

• An answer to that charcoal taste on your burgers (Slashfood)

  Jun 1st 2008 10:46PM Hi Jrsygrl,
  
  Thanks for bringing that up - you're right, you can't buy it from the designer's site. The grill is sold at gourmet supermarkets.
  
  Berkana - I think it's kind of obvious that I meant "no added chemicals," non? Obviously not. I'll be more clear next time, as to not add to the grill ignorance phenomenon that is sweeping our nation.
  
  Peace,
  Ellen
  
  

• Can watermelon help improve athletes' performance? (Slashfood)

  Jun 1st 2008 6:37PM Berklana,
  
  Thanks for your comment. Indeed, I did read that article - but despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, some people still believe that lactic acid contributes to burn and fatigue in muscles during a workout - hence why I wrote "one of the reasons," because I wanted to include both viewpoints.
  
  And Nancy, thanks also for your comment and your kind words. I wrote this post shortly after a run, and I, too, was thrilled to find another natural food that might help my performance.
  
  Peace,
  Ellen
  
  

• All McDonald's locations now sans trans-fat (Slashfood)

  May 24th 2008 1:14PM Sara,
  
  I apologize if I didn't make myself clear. Within this issue/battle of the trans fats in fast food products, the main products that they're working on getting the fat out of is the burgers and fries. Like I mentioned with McD's pies, many of items that come pre-made and pre-packaged (ie: desserts, dairy products like cheese) already have trans fat in them.
  
  The comparison of McD's fries to Wendy's burgers was to make the point that, while McD's continues to talk about removing trans fat, other restaurants are actively making the change.
  
  And Stealth, to answer your question, I think Sara is correct in that respect: I think it's the fatty toppings that are the trans fat culprits, not the burgers themselves).
  
  Peace,
  Ellen

• The Washington Post in 60 seconds (Slashfood)

  May 16th 2008 10:33AM Hi Peabody,
  
  Thanks for comment! As for farmer's markets, it's definitely frustrating when you have to drive longer than necessary to get good, local food. Almost defeats the purpose, non?
  
  You could try carpooling with friends or put an add on craigslist for a ride share to and from. Or you could offset your carbon emissions for about a month's worth of trips at http://www.carbonfund.org/
  
  

• France urging bars to administer breathalyzer tests to patrons (Slashfood)

  May 13th 2008 1:06PM KevJohn - yeah, I agree. I see it as becoming some sort of sick competition, seeing how drunk one can get and still get home, or people challenging one another to see who gets a higher score.

• Chef Ramsay wants to fine restaurants for using out-of-season veggies (Slashfood)

  May 12th 2008 4:47PM oops - I just realized that I was essentially responding to two of my posts in one response.
  
  Please ignore the part about the breathalyzer, which was a response to a different post today. I apologize, my brain is a little fried right now.
  
  Although I guess I accidentally added in the bit about the breathalyzer post because my opinion still stands: I don't drink and drive, and obviously don't condone it, but I also think we should have the freedom to make certain choices in a bar, and I don't think that policing bar patrons is necessarily the answer.
  
  Again, sorry for the confusion - I definitely need a break!
  
  Ellen

• Chef Ramsay wants to fine restaurants for using out-of-season veggies (Slashfood)

  May 12th 2008 4:41PM Alex, let me be perfectly clear: just because I advocate for a certain practice to be legal, does not mean I would actually engage in that practice. For instance, just because I would like the option to, say, eat strawberries in February, doesn't mean I necessarily do, or make a habit of it.
  
  Let me offer you another example: I support the right to free speech, but I'm still allowed be frustrated if a protester insults my lifestyle or gender. I a pro-choice, but, it's not as if I would immediately run out and have an abortion just because I CAN. In general, I support personal choice and personal freedoms, but not so I can run out and abuse all of them, or necessarily even need to use them.
  
  I wouldn't necessarily bring religion into it, but personal freedom is an inherent right, yes. (Of course, I am speaking of the U.S., and obviously there are different rules and policies in Europe). Yes, drunk driving is a horrible thing, and we should find ways to stop it. However, I'm just not sure that invading one's personal rights is the answer. We're adults, and we make our own choices, good or bad. Perhaps if the French government could find an ethical way of administering the test to certain people, the policy would work.
  
  I'm a huge proponent of eating in season, recycling, not driving (I actually don't own a car, and when I do drive, it's a car share hybrid, so your simile was moot), and trying my best to leave a light footprint and live ethically.
  
  But I don't think it's fair to impose my lifestyle on others, including restaurant owners. If it's necessary to make rules from an environmental standpoint, perhaps restaurants could receive incentives for buying local. And in the meantime, we can not patronize their establishments. But I don't want some buffoon like Ramsay telling me what and where I can eat, and when. Rights are rights.
  
  Thanks for reading,
  
  Ellen