Travel
Esther Swaty
Moving to Austin, Texas

It’s hard to believe I from Seattle in Austin, Texas on August 8, 2019 and now I’ve almost been here for two weeks. In a way it feels like so much has happened and so little at the same time. The story of how my partner and I ended up in Austin is long and short.

Moving to Austin, Texas
Learning, Social Media
Esther Swaty
Today’s Citizens Must Equip Themselves For The ...

Today, data and algorithms have influence over everything from our democracy, to our homes, to our work. We are in an era of seemingly unlimited technological progress and the speed of innovation requires citizens to be engaged in non-partisan learning and discussion. We don’t have to know everything but we need to know enough to think critically and ask questions about the technologies being developed, as well as be able to hold accountable the individuals and organizations creating them.

Today’s Citizens Must Equip Themselves For The Technological Future

Organic

Book Review: Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden

Ever since reading Dan Barber's book The Third Plate I have been passionately exploring the world beyond merely eating organic. Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden is absolutely perfect for Pacific Northwest readers who want to take the next step beyond eating organically to consuming food that is geographically and seasonally based. Did I mention that Joshua McFadden actually worked for Dan Barber's Blue Hill restaurant prior to becoming Chef/Owner at Ava Gene's in Portland? No wonder I loved this book so much!

I have tested out several of the recipes from the book and my family and friends thoroughly enjoyed them. While I initially received a galley in order to review the book,  I just purchased it because I am planning to cook from it tonight. Tonight I will either be making the Pan-Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Salsa Verde, Avocado, and Seared Squid or the Cream of Celery Soup. The ultimate sign of a great cookbook to me is one that you know you will keep returning to season after season. 

Also, if you feel like you might need a little inspiration before delving into a cookbook like this, I would highly recommend the movie Haute Cuisine about a feisty Chef who prepares geographically based meals for a French President.

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Why Should You Consider Eating Seasonally And Locally?

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I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a conscious consumer in a fast fashion, fast paced, fast everything society. While it can be easy to identify a single area we are passionate about, it can be more challenging to put all of our habits and patterns under the microscope of examination. Honestly, it can be downright uncomfortable. We live in a "you be you" society of individualism and seem to think if we keep pretending everything isn't interconnected then maybe just maybe the illusion will hold for a bit longer.

Let's be real. Something needs to change, a lot of things need to change. But change can be overwhelming. Where do we start when we live in a city and not everyone has access to a farm? I recently had a client incorporate a living wall into their restaurant which can be a great place to start, this blog features some ideas which are inspiring me to take action. #babysteps