But boy are they good. I had no idea. I have just discovered how delicious this unsightly vegetable can be. In my mind beets were those weird, red jelly slices that are served at Thanksgiving. I have since learned those are cranberries, non the less beets remained an item I would not think twice about passing up on the vegetable aisle. By forgetting to opt out of them in our CSA box I inadvertently ended up with a drawer full this week. I went to my friend Jenny about what to do and she passed on this quick, easy, and irresistible recipe. Here it is straight from her:

Mix 1/3 C olive oil, ¼ C balsamic vinegar, 1 Tbs honey and a few chopped shallots (or red onion—I never have shallots around the house)
Peel the beets and cut them into large, bite sized pieces.
 
Drizzle some of your vinegar mixture over the beets, tossing to coat.
 
Place two large squares of foil on top of each other (so you have two layers—this will prevent the beets from leaking all over your baking sheet). Place a pile of beets in the center and then wrap the foil up around them to create a packet. I usually do more than one packet—maybe fit a total of 2 cut up beets per packet.
 
Place the packets on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees for around an hour—until the beets pierce easily w/ a fork.
 
They are delicious plain this way, but I love to put them in a salad w/ goat cheese, avocado, and toasted walnuts. Use the leftover vinegar mixture as dressing.

There ya have it. I hope you too will experience the joy of beets this week!

Jonathan in 2000 distributing rice in Southern Madagascar

Importing rice costs 70% more than the locally produced rice. The government of Madagascar is currently working with NGOs and other governmental organizations to increase productivity with improved farming methods and better transportation to get the rice to market.

Yet more rice will not solve the problem of malnutrition in Madagascar. Although rice does provide some calories it is devoid of many essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. Work is being done to improve the crop profile. For example sorghum, which disappeared during droughts in the 1990s, has been reintroduced. Compared to rice, this grain has a higher nutrient content and can survive through hotter, dryer weather. Much work is needed in the agricultural and economic infrastructure before the Malagasy people are free from malnutrition.
(Info adapted from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations)

Fun Fact



The Malagasy language has the same letters as the English alphabet minus the letters C, Q, U, W, and X. The word "Madagascar" is not in the Malagasy language since it has a "C". The Malagasy spell it Madagasikara. The name came from the European explorer, Marco Polo, who never went to this area of the world and probably confused it with the town of Mogadishu in Somalia. The Malagasy people actually have several names for the island including Nosin-dambo, Izao tontolo, or Ny aninvon'ny riaka.
(Info from www.wildmadagascar.org)

Oliver is three weeks old and counting. It is amazing how someone so small can have such a BIG impact. Every inch of our lives is impacted by Oliver. This is most felt in the wee hours of the morning when we used to participate in this wonderful ritual called sleep. I hear that somewhere down the road we may become acquainted with this old friend again.
We are grateful for all the friends that have gathered around us in this time of transition. Meals and baby-holding are most appreciated.

Here are some pics from Oliver's latest and greatest adventures:

Here is Oliver's first field trip into the gorgeous Alaska Wild with his parents. We are pretty sure he had the time of his life. This is Turnagain Arm, the part of Cook Inlet that surrounds Anchorage. He stayed cozy and warm, and fast asleep, during this adventure.

Oliver Quincy Casurella
7 February 2008
6:37 am
8 lbs 13 oz (4 kg)
21 inches

We are so excited about this new addition to our family. It felt like a long time in coming (40 weeks and 3 days), but Oliver is finally here and well worth the wait!

His days have been full of eating and sleeping and occasionally looking around to check out this whole new world. He is truly amazing and we are so blessed by his entrance into our lives.

The transition into parenthood has been a lot of work but thankfully we have had the help of Grandma Stuart. She has been cooking, cleaning, changing diapers, and helping in any way she can.

Click here to view Oliver's first album, "Operation Oliver".