Crossover Cookbook: Herbivoracious

by on 16. May, 2012 in Featured, Food

From the immensely popular vegetarian food blogger Michael Natkin comes his new cookbook bearing the same name as his blog: Herbivoracious.

After a week of recipe testing, one non-vegetarian Savvy Factory writer was pretty much convinced she could take on a meatless lifestyle (if it wasn’t for things like BBQ pulled pork, sirloin strips, fried chicken, well, you get the picture).

Nonetheless, the recipes in Herbivoracious were easy to follow, didn’t involve a crazy grocery store ingredient scavenger hunt—common in vegetarian cookbooks—and best of all, were inventive and delicious.

The cookbook features 150 recipes, about half of which are new, plus dozens of vegan and gluten-free recipes. The Savvy Factory especially likes Natkin’s breezy, not-at-all-preachy style. We also appreciate the introductory chapter with suggestions on how to build a pantry of seasonings and sauces to make meatless dishes pop. The final chapter, with recipes for sauces and condiments, like onion chutney, tarragon béchamel and Indian Sichuan pickles, are perfect for vegetarians and carnivores alike.

Read the blog or buy the book at Herbivoracious.

Email This Article Email This Article

(No) Budget Travel

by on 24. Apr, 2012 in Featured, Products, Travel

Author Michael Wigge

For anyone who’s dreamed of traveling the world, but thinks a large bankroll is needed, think again.

Michael Wigge—journalist, comedian, documentarian and world traveler—tells would-be globetrotters how he got across four continents and 11 countries in 150 days without a dime in his new book: How  to Travel the World for Free: I did, and you can, too!

From Europe to Antarctica, he traveled 25,000 miles relying on his ingenuity and the kindness of strangers. Certainly not everyone would consider hitchhiking, dumpster-diving, working as a deckhand, a butler and a pillow fighter (among other odd jobs), to be part of the world journey they imagine.

No matter. The book is an entertaining read and gives a sense of hope about how most people really are decent if you only just ask for help. In conjunction with the book, Wigge’s award-winning, travel documentary series, of the same name as the book, starts airing this month on PBS and on local access television stations in 70 markets across the U.S.

For more information, visit How  to Travel the World for Free.

Email This Article Email This Article

Fan Favorite

by on 06. Mar, 2012 in Featured, Kids

Peabody Essex Museum

The Mandarin Oriental, Boston hotel and the Peabody Essex Museum are hosting a free day of activities at the posh hotel on Saturday, March 10 focused on Chinese culture.

The seemingly unlike organizations are tied together through a fan which the hotel uses as its logo and is in the museum’s collection. Both the museum and the hotel have a shared Oriental heritage.

At the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the public is invited to the hotel’s Oriental Ballroom for a variety of hands-on activities and entertainment. Ongoing events include making a folding fan or paper lantern; tasting an assortment of teas; and seeing a demonstration of Chinese brush painting. At 11:30 a.m., storyteller Li Min Mo will share tales about Chinese culture and discuss Tai Chi, as well as demonstrate some moves. At 1:30 p.m., the Gund Kwok Asian women Lion Dance Troupe will perform the lion dance, traditionally danced during Chinese New Year.

Visit Mandarin Oriental, Boston or Peaboday Essex Museum  for more information.

Email This Article Email This Article
Older Entries »