Food & Drink

From Point A to You

What a deflated party balloon it was—filling up an online shopping cart only to get a denial: "Do not pass GO, do not collect your wine." At some point, you've probably made the same sad discovery I did several years ago: wineries cannot ship to individuals residing in Mississippi. Well, not legally anyway. Prohibition still exists in this state, at least when it comes to the issue of direct shipping for wine.

[Green Eats] Food For Thought

"No MSG."

[Green Eats] Giants Dominate Organics

If you think the farmer-in-the-dell wearing Birkenstocks and singing "Kum Ba Yah" owns that organic brand you're so fond of, think again. According to "Organic, Inc.: Natural Foods and How They Grew" (Harcourt, 2006, $25), half of all organic sales come from the largest 2 percent of farms. In other words, the same food industry giants pushing trans-fats and high-fructose corn syrup on an unsuspecting public own many well-known organic brands.

[Green Eats] Eat your Veggies!

While most of us agree that organic produce is healthier in general simply because it is grown without enormous amounts of pesticides, it's not always easy (or cheap) to buy organic. So what fruits and vegetables present the most danger, and where can you save your money?

[Green Eats] Eating the Rainbow

Summer is fast approaching, and everyone is rushing to fit into that itsy-bitsy bikini. That means it's time to eat healthier. Swimsuit season is my motivation—as I told a friend, "I don't care how much I weigh; I just want to look good in a bikini!" Here are some tips and strategies I've used that will help you not only shed pounds but also feel healthier. As a bonus, many of the ideas are also Earth-friendly.

You Did What to the Hen?

Through all the springs of my youth there was a common strain: grilling, cooking out, barbecuing. Whatever your jargon, cooking with fire evokes the coming of the vernal equinox. I don't know why, but it seems men always want to cook out.

Pour For Flavor

I'm thrilled to see the many great beers that are becoming available in Mississippi. Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat, for example, is spring in a bottle. I will warn you, though, that you may have a hard time finding it in your local stores because I have been buying all that I come across.

Strong To The Finish ‘Cause I Eat Me Spinach

Spring is finally here, and it has gradually gotten warmer. In addition to causing my allergies to flare up and adding to my desire not to go to work, Spring's arrival has brought on my craving for salads, particularly spinach salad.

Is It Safe, Yet?

The 2006 bagged spinach E. coli outbreak ended Oct. 6, 2006. The Food and Drug Administrationtraced all infections to fields owned by Natural Selection Foods in California, but they don'tknow (or aren't saying) what caused the outbreak; media speculation ran from deer to field hands.The total infected was 204 people in 26 states; 103 required hospitalization and three died.

You Cook, I Cook, We All Go Out to Eat!

As a new resident of the Jackson area, I am in awe of the masses who seem to go out to eat every single night. Don't get me wrong, I do it as well, but why?

Oatmeal Never Tasted So Good

In northern England's county of North Yorkshire lies the city of Tadcaster. The Old Brewery at Tadcaster is, fittingly, the country's oldest beer brewery; this is where the Samuel Smith brand is brewed. I celebrate Samuel Smith's entire catalog. But, this week Oatmeal Stout takes center stage.

After All These Years

On shelves on the wall behind the cash register, at least 100 old toy cars hover over numerous signs. The sign directly behind the cash register reads:

A Match Made in Hollywood

A successful match of two things you wouldn't necessarily think would go together is even more satisfying for being unexpected. The first person who dipped pretzels into chocolate or put pineapple onto a pizza was probably quite pleased with the result. Sometimes it happens with wine—either through a pairing of food and wine or through the winery itself. Witness the Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery, now renamed Rubicon Estate.

Drinking Like The Irish

Many years ago, my mom took a pilgrimage to Europe with two of her college friends. In Ireland, they walked half the day, searching for the house where my great-great-grandmother grew up. They found it, as well as its very skeptical current owners. They let my mom look through the house and offered her a shot glass of whiskey. All my mom and her friends really wanted was a glass of water, but apparently Irish hospitality calls for whiskey shots.

Spring Forward

If Irish drinks make you think of gray skies and winter winds, you might find yourself searching for a beer that is perfectly suited to outdoor barbecues and get-togethers. Allow me to spare you the trouble of searching and introduce you to Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier.

Ellington