blogsNH - Lakes Region - Comments

The Funny Thing Is

Bill Bunker — Thu, 8 May 2008 11:50:50 -0400

The funny thing about the present fuel crisis is the following.

Clinton and McCain want to roll back the gas tax which would be about 45 cents on fuel for the three months of the Summer.

Opponents argue that this would save the "average" person about $75.

When fuel was $3.12, no one was complaining or calling it a crisis. Over the last two months, it has climbed in price to $3.55-$3.60, which is by all measures the same amount the roll back of the gas tax would be...45 cents.

Now if you do the math, that means that over two months the gas increase has cost the "average" person $50.

Over 8 weeks that is an increase of $6.25 in their weekly gasoline bill. Heavy commuters aside, it seems to me that is not alot of money. Anyone who is anxious about the increase should be able to find a way to shift the burden and save $6.25 elsewhere.

Long commuters are the ones that would be most affected.

The second half of that story is that some politicians are saying that we would ONLY save $75. That tells me that those same politicians can not care much that we have ONLY spent $50 more over the last two months if we were an "average" person.

Americans feel entitled to certain things and I am not sure why. Fuel and health care are front and center.

Terri is correct that we do not need to drive monster vehicles. The ones that give me the biggest anxiety are the four wheel drive Dodge RAM trucks that many of the contractors and their employees drive 100 miles an hour on the interstate. These guys drive like they are shielded like a tank and as if they are invincible. There sitting on the back is strapped a ladder and nothing else in the truck and most of the time no passengers.

The speed and offensive driving aside, they are flushing fuel down the toilet!

American way of life

Terri Oberg — Wed, 7 May 2008 09:07:09 -0400

....that is essentially what it boils down to. We are a country made up of spoiled children. We have become a nation of people who like the freedom of just hopping in our cars and driving where ever we wish to go, from around the block to the pizza joint to cross country to visit friends or explore some wondrous place.

I am as guilty as the next guy. Until gas prices started sky rocketing, I thought nothing of making more then one trip into Concord in one day (a 15 + mile round trip each time). Trains went the way of the dinosaurs because they weren't as convenient as hopping in the car. There are schedules to keep, one would have to plan their trip to Boston around the train schedule. How much more convenient is it to just come and go when you want and/or need? Who wants to share a ride with strangers when we can go in the solitude and comfort of our own cars? New Hampshire is growing by leaps and bounds from the influx of people wanting to experience that solitude and comfort.

This is the mentality of the country we live in. I mean, seriously, do we really need to drive a vehicle that is nearly the size of a small house? Until I start using a bicycle to get around, walk to the pizza joint to get dinner and sell my S.O.'s big truck and boat I won't be complaining about the rising gas prices.

I remember the gas shortages in the 70's. That's when car companies started producing smaller, "compact" cars. I remember my Dad getting a Vega and calling it "the bug" because it was so much smaller than any other car they'd ever owned. Now it would be considered a mid-size car by today's standards. We are a nation that waits until there is a crisis that effects our way of life before we demand changes be made. This spike in gas prices is no different.

Also, those countries that have been around for so much longer then us, have an infrastructure that won't accomodate our big, gas guzzling vehicles. There is more then one reason they drive minis and find other modes of transport. There are plenty of times I think simpler is better. There are even times I think some of God's other creatures are smater then we are because they aren't raping and mutilating Earth; they just take what they need and leave the rest alone.

Donations

Susan Sherrouse — Tue, 6 May 2008 10:42:32 -0400

Tracy;

I was involved in numerous organizations back in NH, and we would always try to donate to the homeless or needy. The restrictions placed on donors and what they wish to donate can be restrictive. We tried to donate plates of sandwiches which were left over from a large fund raiser. They would not accept them, because they were not individually wrapped. The same logic applied when we tried to donate a large turkey dinner. Again, not individually wrapped portions. Unfortunately, it's easier to donate clothing than food.

I'm not defending the organizations which try to feed the homeless and those in need. However, from their perspective, some times they don't have the space or refrigeration to house some donations. The people who work the food kitchens are often volunteers who work one to two time per week, and the organization needs to make the food preparation and distribution follow a process that is easy, and that every one can learn quickly.

This is a huge issue, and one that deserves everyone's attention, even if our current fuel price crunch dies off. We need to be accountable as individuals for what we eat, and what we throw away. And it wouldn't hurt our schools to install a sense of giving-back to the community through working at a food bank.

Susan

More food for though

Bill Bunker — Mon, 5 May 2008 16:12:21 -0400

Here is some food for thought for restaurateur's, cafeteria operators (including schools) and others in the retail food business.

Tracy, the cost of a meal prepared by a restaurant is around 25%-35% of the sale price. Imagine if 10 local Concord area restaurants donated $100 worth of food each to the food bank or charitable organization every week. That is $1000 in dollar value of food but it would cost a food establishment only about $30 per restaurant.

There have to be at the very least, 100 eateries. So five times per year each establishment would donate food and it would cost each of them $300 to do so. Rotating turns would result in a variety of food and a good press story as well.

This builds good will and it is tax deductible. Their real cost after taxes might be $200.

That would certainly take care of a large part of the hunger at food pantry's and kitchens around the area.

Tracy, you should organize this. What is $200 spread over 52 weeks....Just $4 per week. That might be a nice project for you to work on. I believe there would be those who would say they could not afford it but a coalition of food establishments feeding the hungry would be a unique and outstanding initiative.

Just a thought if you wanted to pursue this I would be willing to help you do the math.

PS

Tracy Merriman — Sun, 4 May 2008 17:18:48 -0400

Bill,
I forgot to thank you for the works, past and present you do for the the homeless/hungry. Although nowadays, being hungry doesn't have anything to do with being homeless, yet about trying to keep your home and feed your family!!! This I feel is affecting every class...this is where I believe that politics does play a very important roll! You are the man to bring up the effects that seem to have hampster wheeled us as a nation...that's what you are good at:)

Tracy M

Bill, I knew you'd be the

Tracy Merriman — Sun, 4 May 2008 17:08:17 -0400

Bill,
I knew you'd be the first to reply and I am sure glad you did! It is a shame to think that food pantries would reply to a donation by saying, "our clients are sick of bagels". Yet, you bring up a good point! Are those who are homeless or starving really that bad off? When I lived in Miami Beach years ago, I noticed a huge population of homeless (why not, it's warm most of the year and Florida is home to many homeless)anyway, I was living on nothing (just enough to pay the rent, really) but I fed the homeless whenever I could. None of them ever complained when I baked them the same bread everyday or gave them bologna for a week. They appreciated it and some of them gave me items in return. To this day, I still have a quartz crystal on a braided twine rope that I recieved from a man named Cal. When I would take my dog for a walk, any number of the homeless would see me and walk with me, just for company. Some afternoons I'd hit the beach and again, any number of the homeless would sit with me and chat for hours. They appreciated what I did for them yet in the end, I appreciated them more. Eventually it would seem that my young adult dream of being on my own and living in a paradise like Miami beach would fall short....before I could fall completley out of control, it was my homeless friends who convinced me to leave and go back to my family no matter what caused me to leave them in the first place. There I was feeding and looking after them, yet it was their advice that sent me home...and never have I experienced the sense of nothingness that they live with everyday. I am forever in debt to them, and whether they have survived or not, they are always in my heart. That story is the biggest part of me that drives me to pay it forward!!!!!!
When a pantry complains about repatition than they are being greety. Ask any homelesss person if they would eat bagels for a week and I bet they say yes!!!! Thanks Bill for the complements on the blog...this is going to be my lifes works...I have spent years deciding who I was and why I was here...I know now...you all haven't seen the last of me in the fight on hunger!!!!!

Tracy M

Some Food For Thought

Bill Bunker — Sun, 4 May 2008 16:44:04 -0400

Tracy,

Nice blog and not one that I would necessarily have a political spin on. I can, however tell you some good stories about wasted food.

In the food industry there is a tremendous amount of food waste from over produced food that does not sell to food that is just not quality enough to serve to the public in the end.

I have been involved in many donations over the years and many roadblocks are initiated by many of the groups involved.

I remember working for a bagel company and we took our leftover bagels (about 120) per day to several food pantries. It reached a point with one kitchen that she called and asked if we had anything else to offer because her 'clients' were getting sick of bagels. I had to chuckle because we had bread and she did not want anything to do with bread products.

I have also run into roadblocks with donating obsolete inventory which a restaurant would no longer use on it's menu. A few years back I had large containers of pickles and olives and a food pantry manager asked: "what could I possibly do with that kind of food". Thoughts raced through my head like: "if someone is hungry enough it might be an added feature to their meal."

I experienced the same situation in donating used goods and a friend of the family had some handcrafted brand new items that she made and was told by a pantry that they only accepted sealed brand name items.

Finally, I worked for a popcorn company a while back and we tried to donate that. Once again, the food pantries did not want it.

My personal opinion was that they were being picky. I would imagine that they would probably not refuse that kind of food today.

Another company I worked for we put together care packages once per week and donated about $100 retail value of food to charity every week.

With my present company we have a program for my clients take to churches and they make meals for charities. Recently one client built meals at her kitchen for single moms through a church. It was good PR for her and it fed lots of single moms.

Your blog points out to the majority of us who are fortunate to have enough food to be thankful and to help out.

I would urge restaurants and other food operations out there to donate their leftover staged food and even donate $100 retail value of food to pantries. It would take a handful of them to help out and make a huge impact.

Good blog Tracy...no politics to mention although I appreciate your deference on that point.

what luck!

Terri Oberg — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:17:36 -0400

If only you had posted this one day sooner. My youngest and I baked chocoloate chip cookies on Saturday (a new recipe I was trying), and I was sorely disappointed in them. Naturally, my kids are always begging for them, but of all the stuff I bake (and get rave reviews on), these little devils more often get the best of me! I am rarely satisfied with the end result. It hasn't always been a big deal because my children love eating the raw batter anyway, and my daughter actually likes her cookies rock hard. Next time I attempt to conquer this recipe, I will try out yours.

Thank You!

Susan Sherrouse — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:01:01 -0400

Oh, you have been a great help! I never would have though of rice flour in a million years!

I'm ok with the Splenda, and since it's a deritive of the actual sugar, I'm not having any side effects. I've used Stevia before, but it's rather hard to get down here in Texas. There are not the good independent co-ops and health food stores like in NH, we only have Whole Foods.

Thanks again!

Susan

Flattering!

Tracy Merriman — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:57:55 -0400

How flattering Bill! However keep in mind that this recipe, as much as I pieced and patched, is not my own. Dang, the Internet and Google!!!...I was able to discover quite swiftly that this recipe has already been done by others. What exactly do you need a chocolate chip cookie purveyor for, if you don't mind my asking? I am a stay at home mom, and can bake as many cookies as you will ever need. Just name your price!!!!!!!!!!!

Tracy M

Strangely Enough

Bill Bunker — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:47:32 -0400

This week I am going to be meeting with a chocolate chip cookie purveyor in New York who will be supplying my company with a fantastic chocolate chip cookie (101 mini chips in every cookie.

However, I will take this recipe along to corporate headquarters as well, Tracy!

Nice Job....Bill

Wow!

Tracy Merriman — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:50:39 -0400

Wow Susan! Bless your little intolerant self!!!! I could never in a million years relate to your dilemma, and at this point I am unable to point you in a direction that will provide all in one, no dairy, no sugar, and no white flour recipes. I do have a cousin who has Williams Syndrome and he is a Celiac as well, so recipes for those types are available in an abundance (just Google "Celiac recipes").

As for sugarless, well I am unfortunately not the person to ask. Sugar free ingredients like Splenda make me very sick. I suffer from severe migraines and other non-mentionable side-effects of the stomach variety when I consume Splenda. I can not and will not endorse Splenda products, because I know too many people who have suffered for it. However, have you ever tried Stevia? That is a product that I have yet to find any negative effects from nor have I found any conspiracy articles (like brain cancer etc) related to it.

As a rule most recipes that call for white flour can be substituted with wheat's and rice flours. Use sugar substitutes at your own caution. As for lactose intolerance, well, a friend of mine swears by almond milk, however, it contains some sugar. I will start poking around for you and see what I come up with. In the mean time, Google celiac recipes and substitute the sugars according to you dietary needs.

Tracy M

Yummy, Yummy!

Susan Sherrouse — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 16:33:06 -0400

I love your cookie recipe Tracey!!!

I'm hoping that you can help me. Recently had to make some modifications to my lifestyle. I'm blessed with being lactose intolerant (I knew this was going to happen one day!) and I have other health concerns which prevent me from consuming any enriched white flour, enriched white rice and plain old white sugar. Thank heavens I enjoy whole grains!

Do you know of any websites which have recipes which do not have the enriched white flour, and sugar, or ways to substitute whole grain flour and Splenda or honey? I'd greatly appreciate it!

Wonderful Tool

Tracy Merriman — Thu, 6 Mar 2008 07:52:13 -0500

TR,

Yes, SuperCook is a great tool to have, for anyone really. I love to cook and have hundreds of cook books not too mention a favorites file of recipe websites. SuperCook is linked to almost every recipe site I use anyway, so it makes the task of searching up recipes so much easier. Kind of like one stop shopping! These days we all want fast and simple. You are right, there are a lot of websites out there geared to do just that.

In a recent search to help my son improve his study habits, I found a great website called EasyTestMaker. The site allows me to create tests for him based on the tests he brings home from school. I can save all of his paper tests from school and make one large test to help him prepare for the end of the year. This site is free however they do have a Plus Package that costs $14.95 a year. I haven't had the need for the premium package and all of our needs are being met for free. Also, while trying to bring up my sons spelling grades, I realized how much he loves word finds, so , you guessed it...the web offers many sites that will create word find puzzles with any words you choose to use. My son has received 100% on his last two spelling quizzes. The Internet gave me the easy tools I needed to become a proactive parent in my child's education:)

I am looking forward to the ones you will recommend over the next few weeks.

Tracy M

Great Timing!

TR Daggett — Wed, 5 Mar 2008 18:36:55 -0500

Tracy this is amazing. I just finished posting my latest blog entry and at the end I mention that over the next weeks I'm going to be talking about helpful web sites people use in their daily lives. When I was done I logged out and started reading the other new posts. Joe's ski trek with friends, and then your post.

For me, web sites like the one you mention are one of the excellent things about the Internet. Being a single guy I do all the cooking, and I tend to have the same things over and over. It gets old fast. Being able to get ideas and suggestions for new meals, and new ways to use what I have on hand so easily through the Internet is great.

I've used other sites in the past when I couldn't remember how to cook something and it wasn't covered in the few cookbooks I've accumulated over the years. These days almost any question a person might have can be answered via the Internet. Although sometimes, calling a friend or relative is good too.

Unfortunately I can't call my mother any more. She was such a wonderful cook for all the traditional New England meals. Growing up in Maine and working at a coastal resort in her youth taught her well. Every time I make fish chowder I can't help thinking about and comparing it to hers. She's now in the late stages of Alzheimer's and living in a rehab hospital in Western Mass. and I miss being able to call her and ask how different foods I remember from my childhood are prepared.

A web site is no replacement for calling Mom, but it sure is a nice alternative.

Thanks for the great post!