In 1962 a book called Silent Spring was published. Written by Rachel Carson and originally published as a series of three articles in the New Yorker, the book discussed the effects of insecticides and pesticides on songbird populations. Her book helped spur a movement that led to environmental legislation. Silent Spring celebrates its 50th anniversary. Written during a time when mainstream America was largely unconcerned and/or unaware of environmental issues Silent Spring became a New York Times bestseller and was published in 24 countries, selling 500,000 copies. Rachel Carson lit a spark that grew into a fire when the first Earth Day took place and that fire is growing still. The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, was created to increase public awareness of global environmental issues. Approximately 20 million people participated. Senator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin) was the force behind Earth Day. He was an environmentalist who witnessed the destruction... Read the Rest →
In 1962 a book called Silent Spring was published. Written by Rachel Carson and originally published as a series of three articles in the New Yorker, the book discussed the effects of insecticides and pesticides on songbird populations. Her book helped spur a movement that led to environmental legislation. Silent Spring celebrates its 50th anniversary. Written during a time when mainstream America was largely unconcerned and/or unaware of environmental issues Silent Spring became a New York Times bestseller and was published in 24 countries, selling 500,000 copies. Rachel Carson lit a spark that grew into a fire when the first Earth Day took place and that fire is growing still. The first Earth Day, April 22, 1970, was created to increase public awareness of global environmental issues. Approximately 20 million people participated. Senator Gaylord Nelson (Wisconsin) was the force behind Earth Day. He was an environmentalist who witnessed the destruction... Read the Rest →
Saffron: expensive and exotic. The saffron crocus produces the world’s most costly spice. Saffron is expensive for good reason. It takes approximately 70,000 saffron crocus flowers to produce 5 pounds of stigmas which are the deep red tips that collect pollen grains within the crocus flower. The 5 pounds of stigmas then must dry in order to produce 1 pound of saffron. Because the stigmas are so delicate they must be harvested by hand and this must be done on the same day that the crocus begins to open. Today, most saffron is harvested in Iran or Spain. However the origins of the spice come from Greece or Mediterranean areas in the vicinity around the Bronze Age. The spice, like most spices, traveled trade routes to the Indian subcontinent around 500 BCE. It traveled via Arab merchants to Spain and by Crusaders who introduced it to France and England. Saffron’s... Read the Rest →
