“Leaving The Atocha Station”
No writer is free to renounce his political moment but literature reflects politics more than it affects it, an important distinction.
Ben Lerner was 24 years old when he traveled to Madrid, Spain on a Fulbright Scholarship in 2003. A recent graduate of Brown University with a B.A. in Political Theory and an M.F.A. in Poetry, Lerner may have chosen Spain because of its troubled past – many poets writers, and artists were murdered, jailed, or forced into exile during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) – or because the country offers a unique perspective on politics, fascism, and terror – all of which make Spain a rich playground for those in the arts. Read more 
Sweetie Beans Many Cake Cake Mix
Sweetie Beans Many Cake Cake Mix is a gluten-free and vegan blend of ingredients – primarily white rice flour, sugar, tapioca starch, potato starch and potato flour – that serves as a base to make truly delicious cakes. Several months ago at a convention for health products, I was drawn to a booth with a crowd of people vying for samples of a variety of large sheet cakes – chocolate, spice, vanilla, and more. Read more
Kelapo Coconut Oil Cooking Spray
All-natural Kelapo Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Cooking Spray is one of the newest alternative cooking sprays on the market. Made with one ingredient: unrefined cold-pressed organic extra virgin coconut oil, Kelapo Cooking Spray is a surprisingly healthy and delicious alternative to vegetable oil sprays, butter, and margarine. With no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, and no soy (for those who prefer a pure coconut oil spray), Kelapo Cooking Spray is convenient way to coat pans and cookie sheets to keep food from sticking to the cookware. Read more
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries and Walnuts
Brussels Sprouts are irresistibly good when pan roasted on the stove and paired with dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, caramelized shallots, and a light mustard dressing. Inspired by a recipe by Josh Feathers of Blackberry Farm, I adjusted the recipe to reflect my preference for dried cranberries, homemade caramelized shallots (jarred onion jams also work well if time is a factor)*, and citrus champagne vinegar. The dish can also be made with fresh apple slices, depending on your preference (below are pictures of both with and without fresh apple slices). Read more
Bella di Cerignola Olives
During the holiday season, there is no better time to enjoy one of nature’s most perfect foods: the Cerignola Olive whose real name is the Bella di Cerignola Olive. Grown in the southern province of Puglia, Italy, the Cerignola Olive is named after a town of the same name, a place known for its cathedrals, red wine, and very special olives. Abnormally large, the Cerignola Olive is sometimes referred to as the “beginner’s olive” because of its mild and smooth taste, but fans of Cerignola Olives remain a loyal group long after their first taste. Read more
Bell Stone Toffee
Novi, Michigan is the home of Bell Stone Toffee, a company dedicated to making scrumptious pecan toffee from a recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation since the 1880’s. Made of four ingredients – butter, sugar, chocolate, and pecans, Bell Stone Toffee is made fresh and shipped within days to ensure toffee lovers enjoy this treat at its freshest. With no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavorings, Bell Stone Toffee is everything toffee should be: buttery, crunchy, sweet, and slightly salty – with the top covered in milk, dark, or white chocolate (your choice) and covered in chopped pecans. Read more
Amy’s Holiday Cookie Collections
Amy’s Cookies of Brooklyn, New York makes fabulous cookies and during the holiday season, this star cookie maker creates exquisitely hand decorated cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes: sleighs, snowflakes, ornaments, gingerbread, winter caps, mittens, sweaters, and more. The cookies are wrapped, on a bed of brightly colored raffia in a beautiful box (or two) tied with a grosgrain ribbon. The six themed holiday cookie collections range from $45-$68 plus shipping and can be ordered on-line at www.amyscookies.com.
Byrne and Carlson Palets des Fleurs
Byrne & Carlson opened up its doors 14 years ago (1999) in a historic brick building on State Street in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, just a few blocks from the Memorial Bridge (the bridge that separates New Hampshire from Maine). The company was founded with a commitment to make chocolate and confections in small batches by hand using only the finest ingredients. Read more
Askinosie Peppermint Bark
Springfield, Missouri may be the birthplace of Route 66, but the town is also the home of Askinosie Chocolate, a small batch, bean to bar chocolate manufacturer who sources 100% of their cocoa beans directly from farmers throughout the world. Although the company specializes in single origin chocolate bars (whose beans can be traced to the source), Askinosie also makes a truly scrumptious peppermint bark of single origin dark chocolate, buttery white chocolate, and all natural crushed peppermint candy. Read more
Bamboo Utensils by To-Go Ware
We have bento boxes, thermo pots, soup carriers, sandwich carriers, cupcake holders and more so why has so little attention been given to non-disposable utensils on-the-go? Maybe because plastic utensils are so readily available and because so few of us are accustomed to carrying around our own flatware. Read more
Paddock Post 