Locallectual

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The Equinox Harvest (before I filled up the big enamelware pan with tomatoes)

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Will Food Shortages Make Vegetarians of All of Us?

This is a scary number. The world’s population is on schedule to hit 9 billion by 2050. As the Earth is not getting larger, this means more people taking up more food and less room to grow food. This means more food shortages. And if we continue to experience extreme droughts like the one hitting parts of the US this summer, food shortages are going to become more prevalent.

Right now humans derive about 20% of their protein needs from animal-based products. Based on research by some of the world’s leading water scientists, humans will need to drop this down to 5% to have enough meat to feed the extra 2+ billion people expected on the earth in 38 years. That’s scary, but that’s not all. These scientists believe that IF we drop animal-product consumption down to 5% per person we will have JUST ENOUGH water to supply the world – and that’s with a reliable food trade system in place across the globe.

If you think you’re safe because you’re in a first world country, you’re wrong. 

Read more at Locallectual.com

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Our New Obsession: NOVIS Collection

I want every piece from infant line NOVIS, launched earlier this year by designer Jordana Warmflash. (Best last name ever? I think so). NOVIS Collection is named for Jordana’s grandmother Gwen Novis Warmflash and is timeless and classic while being on trend with the season. And the texturally driven fabrics just scream out to be touched! With demure yet sexy silhouettes, it’s going to be hard to keep gentlemen’s hands off of you. Here’s hoping 

A few of my favorite pieces:

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Mix N Match!!! Britt top and Bryn bottom 💗 @princess_francine (Taken with Instagram)

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More Mandalynn love

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Betty Black

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We love this swimsuit from Mandalynn. Made in Miami, Florida

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New Orleans Goes Bananas…

You know what’s next – B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Did you know you can grown bananas in Louisiana? I sure didn’t, but you can and people are! For years actually – I’ve just been out of the loop on this one. However, most of the bananas New Orleanians grow are either small and ornamental or just good for cooking.

However, that’s all about to change. Read more at Locallectual.com...

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Eating Local Gets Giant

It’s just about that time of year where wives lose their husbands and Sunday afternoons (and evenings) are spent in front of the tv – football season. And there’s an unlikely player taking the field this season – local foods.

Local foods have made a prominent appearance at the New York Giants training camp at the University of Albany. And this is not just a quick run...

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State Parks Next to Go American Made?

Last year, we reported about leaders in Washington attempting to get all goods sold in the Smithsonian’s gift shops to be made in the USA. Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont was joined by other leaders in insisting that the taxpayer-funded museum should do its part to promote American businesses. For the past year the National Museum of American History has had an American-made gift shop. I’m not sure how it’s doing honestly (I can’t find any updates), however something must be working because now the Made in the USA fight is going to National Parks.

Senator John Tester of Montana is pushing...

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Will American Manufacturing Decide the Presidential Election?

It’s Olympics time, and if these Olympics Games have shown us anything, it’s that Americans care about American manufacturing (you heard the one about the Made in China uniforms, right?).  As the Alliance for American Manufacturing reported, American voters see manufacturing as the industry “most important to the overall strength of the American economy” and that strengthening this industry and creating jobs in it will be important to this year’s election...

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Not All Olympic Uniforms Are Created Equal – Team USA Gymnastics Wearing Made in the USA

If you’ve been able to avoid hearing about the “Made in China” opening ceremony uniforms Team USA will be wearing during the London Olympics Opening Ceremony then you may be living under a rock as it’s been all over the internet and television. Even though this is Ralph Lauren’s practice and his company has been making the uniforms for the past few Olympics, the practice has finally gotten under many’s skin.

If you were one of the many it bothered, you can breathe a little easier knowing that Team USA gymnasts, both male and female, will be decked out in Made in the USA uniforms from...

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Support Team USA with American-made Olympic Wear!

Love Team USA? Sure you do! The Olympics makes sports fans out of everyone, let’s be honest. And next week starts 2 weeks of 24/7 sports courtesy of NBC. If you ever read any internet news sites (or the Locallectual blog!), you’ve probably heard about the controversy surrounding the made in China Team USA uniforms from Ralph Lauren. The uproar from consumers and our reps in Washington have gotten RL to promise to produce 2014′s Winter Olympic unis in the US – GOOD JOB!

While sitting on your couch or attending an Olympic party (or at the gym if you’re really feeling inspired), you can support Team USA in an appropriate fan uniform – made in the USA apparel made just for the occasion! By supporting American manufacturing and keeping money in the US, you’re helping supporting our neighbors and our athletes. How do you think our neighbors pay for all those hours of training for their kids?

Here are some great pieces from American producers made just for the Olympic season.

Alex & Ani Team USA bracelets -made in Cranston, Rhode Island

Marine Layer Tops throwback Olympic tees – made in San Francisco Bay area, California

These pieces aren’t specially made for the Olympic season but they’re perfect for cheering on Team USA.

Jack Robie Shirts – made in New York City (PS Jack Robie, can you get your model to CALL ME, maybe??)

Chubbies ‘Merica Shorts – made in San Francisco Bay area and claims to improve every Olympic lift 45x – that’s serious!

Read more at Locallectual.com

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Will Amazon Same Day Delivery Kill Local Retail?

Amazon has been one of the biggest pains in local retail’s butts. They’ve been able to offer lower prices and cheap or free shipping and for a long time, no sales tax. The sales tax battle is changing and not in the favor of Amazon consumers or Amazon (they’re having to start charging tax in many states). However, Amazon is brushing the sales tax dirt off their shoulder and moving on to a new battle – setting up warehouses near large metropolitan centers to offer same day delivery. As Huffington Post put it, same day delivery is “the holy grail” of internet retail, with many start-ups and other retailers failing before Amazon. And if Amazon succeeds? Shopping will be changed as we know it and local retailers will be in trouble.

Read more at Locallectual.com

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The White House announced today via its blog that it’s hosting a Google+ Hangout on Tuesday July 17th at 3 PM EST to discuss the local food movement with women in the movement (cough, cough, where was OUR invite???). Join Jon Carson, White House Director of Public Engagement and Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, along with women across the country who are making a difference

Learn more at Locallectual.com

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Does local honey diminish allergies? It certainly tastes fabulous, but does local honey have the power to stop itchy eyes and scratchy throats?

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(via Tomato Tarte Tatin Recipe | La Tartine Gourmande)

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U.S. wineries uncork Internet innovations The ancient industry makes slow advances into the age of social media by encouraging glass-swirling connoisseurs to chat online and share pictures and videos from vineyards and barrel rooms.

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New Englanders: More Reasons to Eat Local – Lobster Now Cheaper Than Bologna

Yup, that’s right! Get’em while they’re hot! U.S. News and World Report is reporting that a pound of soft shell lobster from Portland, Maine is now selling for roughly $3.79 to $4.99 per pound, which is “less than the per-pound price for bologna.” Lobster are currently in excess this season, so you can get the soft-shell crustaceans (they have a little less meat than the hard-shelled puppies but you don’t need a cracker) on the cheap. Simple economic theory of supply and demand, ya know?

So celebrate, New Englanders, and put some money in your friendly, neighborhood fisherman’s pocket. And ladies, be suspicious of men staying they’re taking you on an expensive lobster dinner!

Need some inspiration? Here are some great lobster recipes from Food & Wine for ya:...

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