OFF THE RECORD: This Actor Turned Author is Truly Inspiring

Friday I had the priviledge of interviewing the author of a new vegan diet & lifestyle book for a national magazine.

The book excerpts her publisher sent me were inspiring, and speaking with this author was great fun. I love interviewing people and finding interpersonal connections. In this case, our love of food and passion for health unites us.

If the woman's name was Jane Smith, I would have been excited about the interview. However, the author of "The Kind Diet", forthcoming from Rodale press this fall, is Alicia Silverstone. With all the crazy stories about Hollywood “stars-run-amok”, it's refreshing to meet someone so down-to-earth and committed to helping others. Her breakout movie role may have been the starring role in "Clueless," but Alicia Silverstone is anything but.

Off the record: I’m Obsessed with food

I love food!
I love harvesting it at my friend’s farm, and gathering it in the wild and at U-pick places. I love preparing it, eating it, and sharing it with my family and friends.

I can discuss ingredients ad nauseum, and I view the act of creating new recipes as an artistic endeavor. I have so much fun playing with food that my loved ones say it’s hard to pry me out of the kitchen. My daughter says I’m not myself without a blender in the house, so after the last cheapo blender broke; I finally treated myself to a Vita-Mix.
(When UPS delivered the big box, and I opened it to find my fancy new blender, it was like Christmas all over again!)

I also love writing about food, so it makes perfect sense many of the magazines I write for are food industry publications. From seed to sip, I cover it all and love every minute of it. Visiting produce importers at the Boston market terminals for the fall 2008 issue of BLUEPRINTS was a thrill, and I’m looking forward to writing a feature about the Boston produce industry later this year.

My latest article in FRESH CUP, one of a few publications targeting professionals in the specialty beverage industry, was perhaps my most exciting assignment to date.

I conducted the research in Nicaragua, and among other things, I tried a RAW coffee bean. (I’m convinced that raw coffee could be the next big beverage craze… but I digress.)

I’ve spent the last few weeks focused on blueberries, for two upcoming articles in FARMING: the Journal of Northeast Agriculture, and GROWING MAGAZINE. Blueberries are my favorite fruit, so this research was especially fun. I spoke with blueberry farmers and with researchers who are working diligently to help growers strengthen their crop.

I am committed to covering stories that are uplifting, and I am committed to using my words to foster peace. (You may be wondering how FOOD is connected with peace… more on that later.) Toward that end, you’ll see my seed research column and other work again coursing toward people who are empowered and empowering, and toward events that promote healing and foster peace. I’ll be focusing on things like organic food and agriculture, healthy people making healthy lifestyle choices, and creative solutions to promote environmental health. I love the publications I write for, and am excited to continue providing my editors and readers with news they can use to create the life they want.

Off the Record: Lambs Lying with Lions

As the saying goes, "When lamb and lion lie down together, joy and wonder never cease." While listening to the radio this evening, I was struck by the sense that lambs and lions are indeed beginning to do just that.

I've always been a fan of Marketplace, which airs on my NPR station weeknights at 6:30. However, I haven't tuned in for a while. Imagine my surprise when I listened in tonight and the left-leaning economics-for-idiots show produced by American Public Media announced it's latest supporter: Monsanto.

To my ears, that was the most interesting part of the broadcast, that is until Kai Ryssdal introduced the story about the bill awaiting a Senate vote that would give the FDA authority to regulate tobacco. This bill, which already passed in the House, is supported by Phillip Morris. Listen to Sarah Gardner's report here:

Off the record: lambs and lions may indeed be lying down together, but I'm not exactly sure these unions will create either joy or wonder.
What do you think?

Off the Record: Journalists Need High Speed

Off the record: I have a need for speed.

So do many other folks these days. That's why, on Tuesday May 26th, Massachusetts Governor, Deval Patrick visited my small town to discuss an issue of great importance to independent journalists like me, home-based business people, and students: the need for speed.

Of course I'm referring to High Speed internet, which, believe it or not, is very difficult to access in rural communities like mine. The majority of households and businesses here run on dial-up!

Before the governor's arrival, I was interviewed by ABC, Springfield's Ray Hershel. Off the record: Hershel's coverage is succinct and clear. I'm very pleased with the report overall, as it highlights the most important aspects of the issue.

Of course, the part of my interview that was left on the cutting room floor was the part where I explain WHY I'm interviewing people via email. My first choice is always to interview people face-to-face. However, time and distance do not always permit this.

For example, when I interviewed the cutting-edge Indian artists, Thukral & Tagra, for Anokhi magazine, email was the only way. The magazine was not going to send me to India for the interview, and the time difference between locations made a phone conversation untenable. Hence, "Everyday Thukral & Tagra: a hot commodity" was the result of internet communication.

Off the record: if not for my Sprint broadband card, my job would be a lot more difficult.

Off the Record: Trash = Cash

This week I was fortunate to attend a meeting that MA DEP held for professionals in the recycling business community. DEP’s intent was to inform folks about the financial opportunities available to businesses engaged in solid waste recycling and re-use.

The room was packed. Presenters from BDC Capital, the MA Small Business Development Center at Clark University, Mass Development and the USDA Rural Development office shared information about available loans and grants of up to $500,000 to help revitalize, grow or create businesses engaged in recycling and reuse. The possibilities are so numerous it’s astounding. Recycling has gone far beyond paper, plastic and glass. This includes compost (yard scraps, food waste, etc…), textiles, and electronic components that do not contain hazardous materials. USDA is even funding LAND reuse.

It was truly inspiring to see how many people in both government and in the private sector are engaged in this issue. After the meeting, I spoke with several individuals who agreed to interviews. There is a wealth of story material here, and as far as I know, I was the only journalist at the meeting! I’ll post in-depth coverage of the meeting and the opportunities presented there at Conscious Cow in the next few weeks. (Of course, I’m also excited about the possibilities of selling these stories to high quality publications.) Since the business owners I spoke to agreed to let me visit their facilities and shoot their operations in action, I anticipate having some fun and fascinating videos to share at Conscious Cow this summer.

It seems these businesspeople really are living the triple bottom line concept of people, planet, and profit.

Off the record, the bottom line is: trash really does equal cash.

Off the record: what’s your marketing strategy?

Off the record, one of the great things about writing for magazines is that some of the editors send me free issues each month. I’ve really been enjoying Coffee Talk magazine lately, because each issue features a great column, called “Smart Marketing”. Written by Lisa Olsen, this column offers practical advice for business owners in all industries, not just hospitality and specialty beverage.

This month’s column is particularly interesting and useful, as it focuses on internet marketing. Many business people and artists I know are just learning how to use the web to generate more revenue as well as an increase in foot traffic to their street locations. If you’re an entrepreneur, I highly recommend you check out Lisa’s column. After all, whether you’re just starting out, or well established, there’s never a bad time to think about creative marketing. Find this article online in Coffee Talk's May 2009 issue.

Off the Record: How to Get Money to Make Art (Without Winning the Lottery)

Off the record, my friend Mira is one cool woman. She writes, she paints, she's fun to hang with, and she offers one sweet blog for artists of all sorts. I get her updates regularly and visit Mira's List to catch up on the latest grants and funding available for writers. You see, I'm all about empowerment, and that's what Mira's List offers.

"Finding Money for Your Dreams" is my favorite post thus far. It's both inspiring, and chock-full of important and practical tips. It's a long read, but if you're an artist, it's well worth the time to check it out. Reading "Finding Money for Your Dreams" reminded me of some important steps I needed to take, and inspired me to act immediately.

http://miraslist.blogspot.com/2009/04/finding-money-for-your-dreams.html

Until next time...