Latitudes Magazine – Darfur, Greenland and More

by Erik Olsen on

I really, REALLY like this new magazine
called Latitudes. I’ve blogged about it before, but they have a new issue
out that is equally stunning, if not superior to the first. The problem with the magazine is that the whole thing is in
Flash, so I can really link to any of the stories in it. The site pops of a big window and you have to navigate the
stories by clicking at the bottom of the page. Oh, and make sure you select the English version, unless, of course, you
speak Italian, because the magazine is Italian, though there is an English version.

Anyway, this month’s issue has some truly amazing imagery of Darfur,
Polynesia, Paraguay, Spain and Greenland (the island images are particularly good). The magazine focuses more on photos
than text, so the dyslexic and reading-challenged among us (or just the lazy) will have a very easy time off it. I’d
like to link to all of the stories here, but you should take the time to open the magazine and take a look. And take
note of some of the small surprises in the magazine. Some of the images actually move.

Become an Expert on Tamales

by Adrienne Wilson on

After reading this little 101 on Tamales I guess it would be
quite unfair of me to say I don’t like tamales without having tried them all.  Chocolate
tamales, sweet tamales with pineapples and raisins, basic beef tamales, Jesus’s 30 minute chicken tamales and much more
can all be found on Gourmet Sleuth.  If this were the Mexican version of Forrest Gump, I’d be Senor Bubba
telling you about these tamales, but it’s not and I’m not. And really who on Earth creates this many
tamales?  Variety is great, but whoa!

This piece on the Mexican corn husk filled treats is packed full of
information. Gourmet Sleuth even takes us to school with
historical facts about the process of “nixtamalization.” To keep it simple, it can be described as processing field
corn with wood ashes.  It helps to soften the corn for easier grinding and helps in digestibility. This
dates back to pre-Columbian (before Columbus) Mexico. 

If you still haven’t had your fill of facts here then I suggest you check out the site.  I actually read
through a lot of the information and I feel like a Tamale Genius, though I probably couldn’t make them right.

Your Inner Gatsby

by Erik Olsen on

Speaking of luxuries beyond the reach of mere proletarians…or for
those on a weekend binge with someone else’s credit card…

Travel company Voyana has
a catalog of experiences that will
transport you around the globe engaging in fun and frolic at great expense. Their Flights of Fantasy Private Jet
Collection will have you drinking champagne at the North Pole, waltzing in Vienna, quaffing Caipirinhas at Carnival and
soaring over Victoria Falls in a private plane while getting a foot massage from a Swedish model (OK, I
exaggerate).  For around $194,000, you can soar around the globe for 45 days in a specially-adapted Airbus
A319.

The Color of Your Pee

by Erik Olsen on

Some long-time gadling readers might wonder if we have a bit of a
scatological fascination with pee. Not true,
but when nature calls, you do have to pick up the phone, and there have been some pretty interesting stories about
doing number one.

For example, over at Divester, I posted about
the important things you can learn about the state of your health merely by checking the color of your pee. This
article actually features a color chart wherein
you can determine your level of hydration, a matter of no small importance to everyone from hikers to divers.

The article actually goes deep into the physiology of dehydration and makes for a superb read. At the very least I’ll
bet it will get you to head out to the store pronto to get your hands on a bottle of Poland Springs.

Recipe: Make Escargots

by Adrienne Wilson on

The Food Network online has a world of amazing global recipes, fine cooking ideas, and great clips from some of their delicious food programming. I like to stop by at least twice a month to find something new to cook up in the kitchen, though my time has been quite limited these days. However, when I finally do get some time back, I won’t be preparing this Escargots a la Provence found here. I stumbled upon what seems to be a very pleasing dish for snail lovers by reading some fun food facts on the traveler’s food paradise found in Provence, France. I’ve never really been a fan of the dish, but I’m told I probably didn’t have it cooked right the last couple of nose-pinched attempts I made. In any case for those that do love the once slithering creatures cooked to perfection, try this recipe at home.

Everything else on the site sounds absolutely mouth watering especially the mention of lavender scents making appearances in many dishes from ice cream to roast chicken. Now, that will take me to Provence for sure. Yum.