Comments (0)

By Shanna, March 21, 2010 11:43 am

Here’s hoping spring has sprung!

Comments (1)

By Shanna, March 2, 2010 3:35 pm

at 1:47 pm today a local tv cutie made my day…by retweeting me.

was he sure pimping his article about shamrock shakes? sure.
did I mind? no.

Marcus, you can tweet or retweet me anytime!

___________
Oh and if Mickey D’s was only picking on the shamrock shake, then I’d be more upset, but it seems all the shakes got spiffed up with whipped cream & cherries…and frankly they need to go back to focusing on the triple-thick more than the extras.

Comments (0)

By Shanna, October 13, 2009 8:37 pm

I love, love, love working with Galavanting — I’m excited to see that over the past year my responsibilities and involvement have increased. The more I get involved with writing and editing, the more I realize my need to improve, take-it-up-a-notch (or a few). I’m confident in my understanding of the language but my typing is lazy.

If you know me even a little, you know that I also xoxo Chicago and I’m thrilled to bits to start writing regularly for Gapers Block. I officially got the welcome email today, which means the pressure is on to start really performing in my writing. Kinda scary. I’m not even sure if I have a defined voice yet as writer —should I be admitting this? maybe not, but if I’m anything I’m honest.

I already have a listing of posts I want to write…now if only I can figure out Moveable Type.

Comments (0)

By Shanna, September 30, 2009 1:12 am

Green. Sustainable.

I attended Chicago Gourmet over the weekend. The word gluttony seem soft compared to the amount of food, wines, and spirits I indulged in (all in a days work!)  As I was making the rounds on Saturday, I heard those buzz words being dropped by everyone. the fish was sustainable (hmm not organic?) the produce was organic, anytime you paused to investigate a product, the vendor would quickly point out it’s “green” qualities – whether it was organically produced, a sustainable farmer, or even locally grown – considering the quantity of yum yums I ate and drank, I’m sure I’ve completely off-set my carbon foot print.

These sizzling hot  buzz words are tossed around like pennies in a pond – almost mindlessly. Which is curious to me since the philosophy is to prolong a better quality of life. Life of ourselves, lives of others, animals, better quality of plant life and earth – to have a healthful existence. I know these merchants are just simply giving me the spiel that sells.  The most interesting discussion happened during a tasting & panel discussion called “Green Wine-making, Why it Matters”.  

Each attendee had six wines – 3 reds and 3 whites each were an example of a certain type of farming philosophy or practice – organic, sustainable, bio-dynamic.

I am frequently take when these words are used as cheap talking points, a marketing ploy to lure people in.  And let’s face it. I’ve fallen for a ploy or two. Every industry seems to be grappling with that going green means to them.  I’ll admit I don’t much about bio-dynamic farming and I’ve read a bunch since and it seems old-world meets mythology.  

The panel consisted of  master sommeliers Fred Dame, Alpana Singh, Serafin Alvarado and Fernando Betata. The panel was well balance (just like a good wine). Fred was outspoken and had a very realistic view about wine-making business – it is a business.  Serrafin joked he wears green underwear and would discuss the impact of going green. Fernando and Alpana maintained a middle-of-the-road attitude.  

Organic, sustainable, being green doesn’t always mean better (and it doesn’t mean worse). These labels are just that – labels we slap on everything to set it apart, to make a distinction, but the label isn’t doesn’t provide absolute proof of superiority.  Wines – organic, sustainable, or bio-dynamic – should be evaluated the same as any product.   As for businesses, they are investing in themselves, their product, employees, and their consumers — the organic label comes with a heavy certification price tag and rules & regulations.  It’s a choice. It’s a commitment. But it doesn’t mean better.

________________________________________________________________________________

I am no wino, though I am sorta a winette – I’m infatuated with being a sophisicated wine drinker, but I’m not there yet.  

Comments (0)

By Shanna, August 7, 2009 3:17 pm

I can already feel a new nickname creeping in.

Some people call me Banana because it rhymes with my first name and for whatever reasons a lot of people mispronounce my first name as Shauna, Shannon, Sheena, Shayna – so the yellow fruit has provided me with a great lil way to help people remember how to properly pronounce my name.  Oddly (ironically?) I don’t like bananas unless they are baked nicely into a muffin with walnuts!

However, I feel within the twitterverse I may end up with another nickname – bug & box lady.

check out the posts:  How-to Check a Hotel Room for bed bugs, BugZip review, and Debbie’s behind the scenes at TBEX.