BostonZest

WBUR's Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section. 

Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

Nice work WBUR!  

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

Make it Easy to Eat Tangerines and You Will!

This time of year, Boston Organics is keeping us supplied with lovely tangerines. (These even came with  leaves attached.)

When I peel a bunch and put a bowl of segments on the kitchen counter, we eat more of them. This is good for our healthy eating goals and gives us a dose of natural vitamin C. 

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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The Salt Pig and the Spoon

Some of you noticed the Chinese soup spoon in our salt pigs in our "Kitchen Habits of Good Cooks" post. Yes, in addition to using these handy spoons to slurp noodles and as tasting spoons at the cooktop, we also use them to keep our salt clean and dry. 

The large salt pig holds kosher salt and takes a full size Chinese soup spoon. The small pig holds flaked Maldon Sea Salt and a tiny China spoon that came with a mustard pot. 

When we need salt, we use the spoons to scoop and transfer the salt to our palms for sprinkling. If the cook's hands were wet or messy, that spoon goes into the sink for washing. This prevents cross contamination and keeps the salt dry. 

When Penny went looking for a salt pig to include in this piece, she found reviewers who complained that the opening was too small for their hands. If you use a spoon, that's not a problem!

We also use our collection of Chinese soup spoons to assemble and serve one-bite hors d'oeuvres. They're an all around handy addition to even our tiny kitchen.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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Professional Boston Fire Department Organized January 27, 1678

On this day in 1678, Boston took the first steps that evolved into what we know today as the Boston FIre Department.

According to the Boston Fire Historical Society:

"The first paid (call) municipal fire department organized. Thomas Atkins is the first fire chief, aided by twelve assistants. The first fire engine purchased and a building provided to house fire engine. The engine, imported from England, was lodged in a shed on town land on Queen (now Court) St., near the (then) prison."

The photo is of the Vendome Fire Memorial on Commonwealth Avenue Mall.  

We sometimes get questions about our cameras. Here are the answers.

This Canon PowerShot G15 camera will give you what you need to take stills and video of your celebrations. Canon's G series is our all-time favorite for everyday cameras. We own the G10 and G11. They're a little bigger than the compacts most people use, but let you shoot with automatic settings or easy-to-use manual controls that please the many pros who use them as second cameras. And, if you are ready to turn pro, follow our lead. Ed Shoots with the Nikon D7000 Digital SLR to and Penny uses her Nikon D600.

 

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Writers: Penny Cherubino

Photograph: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

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The Tale of Teddy and the Stick

Teddy is not the typical dog you think of when you picture a dog chasing a stick and carrying it with pride. Admit it, when you think of dogs and sticks, doesn't a big old Lab come to mind?

As you can see, Teddy is a bit smaller than a Lab, but he has a big heart and a good dose of attitude!

  

He was totally engaged in a game of toss the stick, capture it, and prance around holding his prize. 

Teddy says, "Don't you dare come near my stick!"

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

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"Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food" from Orion Magazine: Our Friday Link

A recent article "Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food" in Orion Magazine came to my attention on Mark Bittman's twitter feed. 

This is a semi-long read but it's worth your time, if you care about local food and supporting the farmers and food producers who maintain your local foodshed.

As I read about the infrastructure needed for local food to take the next growth steps, I heard the stories that my favorite farmers and food producers have been telling me for years. 

It's important for those of us who advocate for local food production and distribution to read and reread the solid information Rowan Jacobsen has presented in this piece. As Mark Bittman said...

And, while you're there, take a look around the Orion site. Like me, you may want to add it to your favorite way to follow great information about how humans interact with their world. 

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Screenshot from Orion Magazine

10,000 Steps Inside the Prudential Center & Copley Place

One way to achieve your 10,000 steps a day goal in these cold temperatures is to do your walking inside. Some of you may opt for a treadmill but I like to stride the corridors of Boston's Prudential Center and Copley Place. 

(With today's weather we're featuring this post from our archives.)

As you can see, so do many others. This corridor that links the Boylston Street entrance of the Prudential Center with a bridge to Lord and Taylor has been much busier the past few days.

Palm trees, tropical plants, and the glow pouring through skylights make it seem warm and welcoming in winter. (Even when you spot a snowman in the garden outside.) 

The Prudential Center has created a map to show you the mileage for various paths through the complex.

You can either Download the Prudential Center Walker's Guide or pick up a copy at the Information Booth.

Copley Place is connected to the Pru by a bridge across Huntington Avenue. They don't have a walking guide but your fitness tracker or pedometer will tell you when you are near your goal.

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Words: Penny Cherubino

Photo: Penny Cherubino ©2014

Screenshot: Courtesy of the Prudential Center