#weekend bookmarks

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmarks, Juneteenth Edition

Today is Juneteenth, a 155-year-old holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19th, 1865, more than 250,000 enslaved people in the Confederate-controlled state of Texas were finally liberated — two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation — when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas bearing news of the federal decree.

Although it still does not have federal holiday status in the U.S., June 19th is as of this year a state or ceremonial holiday in 47 states and the District of Columbia, and is gaining recognition around the world as an important date on which to reflect on Black history and the lasting impact of slavery, to celebrate the achievements of formerly enslaved people and their descendants, and to further educate ourselves about systemic racism and the ways in which we can work toward equality and justice. Here are some bookmarks shared by our team.

1. Juneteenth Strawberry Soda by Tatanisha and Derrick of This Worthey Life. A traditional drink on Juneteenth is Strawberry Soda with fresh strawberries. Check out this recipe by husband-and-wife blogging duo Tatanisha and Derrick Worthey. It even calls for Strawberry Lemonade (how convenient! But don’t feel pressured to use ours...) Some minor adjustments if you’re looking to make it less sweet: use sparkling water instead of lemon-lime or strawberry soda, and use any sweetener you like in the homemade strawberry syrup. Click here for the recipe.

2. The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth by Tsione Wolde-Michael, the Writer/Editor for the Office of Curatorial Affairs at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and a Doctoral Candidate in History at Harvard University.

3. Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience – Deepen your understanding of and appreciation for Juneteenth by joining this free virtual event hosted by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The event runs all day Friday and Saturday. Here’s a preview of what’s included:

“On this day we are bringing the Museum to you through presentations, stories, photographs, and recipes from the Sweet Home Café.

We hope you join us to:  

Listen to Lift Every Voice and Sing sung by renowned vocalist Rochelle Rice  

Discover how to trace your ancestors in a workshop presented by the Robert F. Smith Explore Your Family History Center  

Enjoy presentations about the history and significance of Juneteenth  

Hear a tale that celebrates the wisdom of the elders as told by acclaimed storyteller Diane Macklin”

4. Juneteenth Is a Reminder That Freedom Wasn’t Just Handed Over by Brianna Holt for The New York Times.

5. The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison (1970), a seminal work of American fiction that devastatingly and beautifully captures how anti-Black racism permeates (and in the case of 11-year-old protagonist Pecola Breedlove, can poison) lives. This is the first novel by one of the late twentieth century’s most celebrated authors and the winner of the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature.

6. The Heart of the Uprising in Minneapolis – An in-depth piece written from within the protests in Minneapolis about how “residents who have been on the front lines for George Floyd are finding their lives—and their city—transformed,” by Luke Mogelson for The New Yorker.

7. A Photographer on the Front Lines of Philadelphia’s Protests – Also in this week’s New Yorker, “Twenty-nine-year-old Isaac Scott captured the early days of intense confrontation—including clashes with the police—and stayed for the more peaceful days that followed.” Here is an example from this powerful photo essay.

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmarks, Antiracism Edition

On Monday we said that a first step in fighting systemic racism is to listen, to understand how we got here, and to learn how we can do better, not just this week, but every day for the rest of our lives. We wanted to take a moment to share some of the resources that we have found helpful.

There is a great deal of work required to get to an antiracist future, and we recognize that we are benefiting from the efforts of those who have already dedicated years to this urgent cause. We thank you with our whole hearts.

Please do not hesitate to send us your comments and suggestions at [email protected].

With love,

Team Greenhouse

1. Resources to Support Black Communities

Compiled and generously shared by Brittney MacKinnon, a member of our team, this document contains:

Resources for learning

Canadian mental health services

Resources for supporting black owned businesses in Canada and the US

Canadian and US victim support services

Canadian social services

US bailout funds

2. Antiracism Resources

Adapted by Good Good Good from the Antiracism Resources Google Doc compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein, this list includes:

Articles to read

Podcasts to subscribe to

Books to read

Resources for white parents to raise antiracist children

Films and TV series’ to watch

Organizations to follow on social media and donate to

Videos to watch

Other resources

3. Some Instagram Accounts to Follow

@mireillecharper @candicebrathwaite
 @makemothermooddiverse @privtoprog @galdemzine @theconsciouskid @goldinggirl617 @tamikadmallory @blklivesmatter

4. Additional Reading / Looking / Listening

Maintaining Professionalism In The Age of Black Death Is….A Lot by Shenequa Golding on Medium

Why You Need to Stop Saying “All Lives Matter” by Rachel Elizabeth Cargle for Harper’s Bazaar in 2019


31 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance and 10 Tips for Reading Picture Books with Children through a Race-Conscious Lens by EmbraceRace

“The World is on Fire:” Artists Respond to the Protests Compiled by Antonio de Luca and Jaspal Riyait for The New York Times

Descend into the Particular by Malcolm Gladwell, Revisionist History Season 4 Episode 7

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmark

A weekly roundup of Greenhouse’s digital reads.

“Make superfoods taste like a shake” | The Toronto Star The Toronto Star reviewed our first ever cookbook, The Greenhouse Cookbook, and decided to prepare our famous Rococoa smoothie. Much to the reviewer’s shock, superfoods like maca, raw cacao, and natural almond butter are available at a local Bulk Barn. It’s as simple as combining these ingredients for a chocolatey smoothie like no other.

Currently watching: Kids in Love Our friend Preston Thompson and his co-writer Sebastian de Souza penned this coming of age British drama, directed by Chris Foggin, and staring Will Poulter and Cara Delevinge. The film, set in London, has finally arrived on iTunes Canada, and we’re reeling with excitement.

“Cooking Lessons” | The California Sunday Magazine In this longform piece, The California Sunday Magazine profiles acclaimed chef Daniel Patterson, who, along with business partner Roy Choi, has sought to shake up the fast food space with his newest venture, Locol. Located in Watts, California, the restaurant’s ambition was to be a space where neighbourhood locals would have access to delicious, fresh, and nutritious foods—without any dogmatic or superior messages of health. Locol would employ local workers in its kitchen, many of whom reside in nearby community housing projects, and would infuse new life and positive attention into the neighbourhood—without the air of gentrification such a project could easily carry. The Cal Sunday profile looks at the difficult journey of such a venture, and the conflicts, both expected and unexpected, of race, nutrition, health, culture, and class in the business’ first year of operation.

“Turn Negative Thinkers Into Positive Ones” | The New York Times In the second of two columns on positive emotions, The New York Times highlights research from Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a psychologist from the University of Northern Carolina, whose work suggests the “accumulating micro-moments of positivity… over time, [can] result in greater overall well-being.” Dr. Fredrickson’s work helps to demonstrate how repeated positive moments, even if brief, can help protect against stress and depression, and can foster mental and physical health. Her team also found that meditation centred around compassion and kindness resulted in an increase in positive emotions in participants over a six week period, and even improved function of “one of the main nerves that helps to control heart rate.” Such findings suggest that skills for “self-generating positive emotions” can be learned, and can have positive impact on one’s health.  

“Garb age: Looking good can be extremely bad for the planet” | The Economist Global clothing production doubled between 2000 and 2014, reports The Economist. Yet with the ever increasing trend cycles of fast-fashion companies like Zara and H&M, this growing output has environmental consequences consumers are beginning to recognize. The publication highlights the most obvious concerns. Many new fabrics are creating using materials sprayed in harmful pesticides or are treated with chemicals in the garment making process. Large scale clothing production also requires large volumes of water and is responsible for growing greenhouse gas emissions. What is more, the fast turnover of new collections also means consumers are keeping their apparel only half as long as in previous decades, leading to concerns about textile waste.

-GHJC

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmark

A weekly roundup of Greenhouse’s digital reads.

“How a Pacific Island Changed From Diesel to 100% Solar Power” | National Geographic National Geographic profiles the island of Ta’u in American Samoa, which in November 2016 shifted its entire energy generation from diesel fuel to solar. The $8 million grid consists of over 5,000 solar panels, with energy stored in 60 large batteries that could power the island for up to three days without any sunlight. The grid was funded by the U.S. Department of Interior and the American Samoa Power Authority, and was installed by Tesla-owned SolarCity. As National Geographic reports, the project did not radically change the lives of the island’s 600-some inhabitants. However, this is precisely its great success. Solar power allows island life to continue as usual—in fact, perhaps better than usual, without the reliance on outside (and unpredictable) deliveries of diesel fuels. More importantly, it offsets about 110,000 gallons of diesel. Such benefits are not lost on the locals, who are energized to live more sustainably, and provide an example to global communities about the potential of clean energy. 

“A New Book Tells the Story of the Iconic Inkblot Test” | Science of Us Science of Us delves into the history behind the famous Rorschach inkblots, as further explored in Damion Searls’ new volume The Inkblots. The iconic ten images, designed by Hermann Rorschach between 1917 and 1918, remain a subject of fascination even one century after their creation. What is more, they remain a creditable psychiatric tool—one that can be used as evidence in court or by insurance companies, and remains as “well-supported as any other personality test” under scrupulous peer review.

“Thank You, Toronto” | The Players’ Tribune In mid-February the Toronto Raptors welcomed former Orlando Magic player Serge Ibaka to the organization, trading the power forward in exchange for a first-round draft pick in 2017 and Terrence Ross. While Ibaka has been welcomed enthusiastically, the trade also meant the city had to say goodbye to its former slam dunk champion. Ross too, was unexpectedly asked to bid farewell to the city where his NBA career began as a rookie. Writing for The Players’ Tribune, Ross’ heartfelt goodbye is a sincere tribute to not only the entire Raptors organization, but also to the city of Toronto, and to the entire nation of Raptors fans throughout Canada.

“Truffle Hunting Is a Sickness” | Munchies by Vice Vice contributor Craig Cavallo profiles Natale Romagnolo, a fifth-generation trifulau (that’s a truffle hunter, FYI) who has been collecting truffles in Italy’s Piedmont region for half a century. Piedmont is a gourmand’s delight: nebbiolo grapes (AKA the vines behind Barolo wine), Campari, panna cotta, and Nutella all find their origins here. And for four months each year, the area also produces some of the most sought-after truffles in the world. Case in point: two truffles, together weighing 2.5 pounds, were sold here for 100,500 euros in 2016. Vice speaks with the seasoned trifulau on the addictive allure of the truffle hunt.

“Quinoa Unraveled: Scientists Map Crop’s DNA” | Modern Farmer Gluten free, protein- and amino acid-rich, and fun to say and to spell, quinoa has enjoyed a long moment as wellness world darling. Fear not: The superfood’s moment does not seem to be coming to an end any time soon. Besides its nutritious profile, the grain can be grown in poor soils, at high altitudes, and in less than ideal conditions, marking it as a potentially vital food source for feeding growing global populations. As Modern Farmer reports, scientists from Saudi Arabia, the United States, The Netherlands, and Australia have worked together to sequence the DNA of the entire quinoa genome, which stretches about 1.3 billion nucleotides long. Ideally, breeders will be able to use this information to improve the super plant to an even more super degree.

“Hail Caesar!” | The Globe and Mail As part of their Canada 150 celebrations, The Globe and Mail series “Great Canadian Innovations” explores Canadian people, products, and discoveries that changed the world. In the field of mixology, there is perhaps no cocktail more decidedly Canadian than the Bloody Caesar. The Globe examines the drink’s history, first mixed by Walter Chell at the Calgary Inn in 1969. While some have wondered if the invention was purely Chell’s or if the drink’s earliest origins do in fact lie in Canada, the cocktail is undeniably the country’s most popular mixed drink. The paper estimated an estimated 418,947,000 Caesars were consumed in Canada last year. That’s about 12 for every Canadian citizen. Cheers! 

-GHJC

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmark

A weekly roundup of Greenhouse’s digital reads.

“Super Size: The Dizzying Grandeur 21st-Century Agriculture” | New York Times Magazine In this captivating photo essay, photographer George Steinmetz gives viewers startling access to the industrialized food system in the United States, which, as the publication notes, is “all the more remarkable for the fact that so few large food producers are willing to open themselves to this sort of public view.” Steinmetz’s work sheds light on the massive, indeed “dizzying,” scope of many farming operations—from the Ocean Spray receiving and processing yard, the largest processor of cranberries on earth, to Gary Gobbler’s Iowa turkey farm facility and Grimmway Farms’ Malaga facility, one of the largest carrot growers in the world. The photos give an incredible vantage point on the food systems nourishing our continent, but also invite viewers to critically question the environmental and ethical impacts of such operations.

“Are Root Vegetables the Root of Civilization?” | Saveur It’s October, and as many Ontarians know, that means root season. We relish seasonal tubers and bulbs, using every opportunity to cook with the hearty produce, and it seems we’re not the only root lovers. In fact, Saveur contents, “Put simply, the root may very well be the root of organized society.” The publication explores the ancient history of roots, which provided a “superb combination of sugars, starches, mineral salts, and vitamins” for our early ancestors, with “fewer hazards than hunted game.” Today, the comfort food still prevails, providing its own benefits to modern chefs and eaters.

“Poland’s New Solar-Powered Bike Path Glows Bright Blue at Night” | EcoWatch A Polish illuminated bike path was just unveiled for nighttime cyclists near Lidzbark Warminski in the Mazury Region. The track was created by TPA Instytyt Baden Technicznych in Pruszkow and stretches 100 meters long. It glows blue at night thanks to “blue luminophores, a synthetic material that emits light after being charged by the sun.” The path offers an environmentally friendly solution to nighttime cycling safety concerns, ‘charging’ in the day from the suns rays, and emitting light for a full ten-hours at night—with no additional energy supply required. Developers have also begun to look for ways to make the path more cost effective so that it may be adapted in other areas.

“Please Allow These Goats to Pick Tarot Cards for You” | Modern Farmer First there was Goat Yoga, and now there’s Goat Tarot Card Readings. Yes, Modern Farmer confirms, it’s a Thing. Heather Champ runs the blog Goat Guidance, with the help of her five Nigerian dwarf goats (and the occasional assist from one of her 21 chickens). Every day, Heather spreads a stack of tarot cards in front of her flock, and allows the first interested animal to select a card. A friend then reads the card for Heather and her blog’s followers. Our morning horoscope suddenly looks dreadfully dull.

“Scientists find that bees on sugar behave optimistically” | Quartz “Bees, it seems, have feelings too,” reports Quartz. The publication highlights a recent study published in Science which compared “the behaviour of bees who received unexpected rewards to those who did not.” Researches found bees that had been unexpectedly rewarded with nectar were more likely to react positively to facing new challenges, as compared to bees that had not. Scientists credit this response to the release of dopamine after the bees received the unexpected sweet nectar surprise, suggesting bees “may have evolved to get positive feelings from the sugar they need to survive.”

“Humans Won’t Live Ever Live Far Beyond 115 Years” | The Atlantic The Atlantic reports on new research from Jan Vijg, Xiao Dong, and Brandon Milholland of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. After studying demographic data, the trio believes the human lifespan may have a hard ceiling at around 115 years. The oldest recorded lifespan was that of Jeanne Louise Calment, who died in 1997 at 122 years of age. The general consensus since Calment’s death has been that the average human lifespan is increasing steadily, but this new research suggests there may be a hard limit to these increases—a “ceiling that is probably hardwired into our biology.” While an estimated 1 in 10,000 may live beyond 115, it’s an uncommon occurrence and unlikely such individuals will live much beyond that age. The findings have already drawn criticisms from other researchers. As The Atlantic points out, we have yet to see the full impact of improved sanitation, hygiene advances, health care, and vaccinations on individuals born after the 1930s, suggesting the compiled research to-date may not be enough to declare such an age cap.

-GHJC

[ghjco]

Weekend Bookmark

A weekly roundup of Greenhouse’s digital reads.

“How Many Calories We Burn When We Sit, Stand, or Walk” | The New York Times Stand-up desks stand aside? Not quite, but The New York Times points out that standing while at work may not serve as a suitable weight-loss technique. A new study from the Journal of Physical Activity and Health conducted an experiment to study the amount of calories participants burned in a stimulated office setting, with groups sitting, sitting and standing, and sitting and walking. The result was that participants who stood while at work did not burn a significantly higher amount of calories than those seated for the duration of the experiment. Still, as the Times concedes, stand-up desks can help with blood sugar control and to alleviate back and shoulder pain. For weight management, office workers might turn to treadmill desks—or good old-fashioned exercise if your office manager won’t approve the equipment upgrade.

Pineapples Could Be the Secret Weapon in the Fight Against Superbugs | GrubStreet As New York Magazine’s Grub Street reports, Australian scientists have discovered enzymes in pineapples have been found to cure diarrhea in piglets, “reducing reliance on antibiotics for treating the condition, and consequently also reducing the drugs’ presence in the human food chain.” This admittedly gross but good news could prove useful for humans as well, as one of the scientists involved believes the pineapple enzyme might also be helpful in treating humans. This is especially noteworthy in the face of antibiotic-resistant superbugs like E. coli.

“A Week of Salads” | Goop The fine folks over at Goop have whipped up seven delightful salads that are perfect for summer meals. From buckwheat soba noodles, to lettuce cups and blackened shrimp, Goop’s recipes incorporate traditional and out-of-the-box ingredients for mouth-watering plates. The salad roundup, made up of “mostly fresh-veggie-based fare” is meant for eaters of all proclivities and allows for plenty of substitutions and customizations, too.  

“Crushed It: The easiest (and fastest) way to peel garlic” | Tasting Table As Tasting Table reports, garlic can be a “double-edged sword.” True, it’s a flavourful ingredient that elevates most any meal, but after preparing a garlic-heavy dish, kitchen chefs are “left with hands that smell strong enough to keep vampires at bay.” Well, this is no longer the case. With their quick and easy trick to peel fresh cloves of garlic, cooks can use as much of the ingredient as their heart desires, without fear of lingering scent. (Although more vigilance may be necessary to defend against now unthwarted vampires.)

“Sweden Opens World’s First Electric Highway” | EcoWatch In sustainability news, EcoWatch reports Sweden has become the first country to employ electric power for heavy transport. A 22 kilometre stretch of highway connecting Oslo, Norway to Gävle, Sweden was developed by Siemens with overhead power lines like a tram system, “providing electricity to hybrid trucks.” This will allow the trucks “to operate longer between charging.” When the trucks are not on this highway, they will run on biofuel as hybrid vehicles, cutting 80 to 90 percent of fossil fuels, and aiding the county in the goal to operate a fully fossil fuel-free fleet (say that ten times fast, we dare you) by 2030. Next for Siemens—a stretch of road in California.

-GHJC