Sit Down Before the Fact as a Child

SIT DOWN BEFORE THE
FACT AS A LITTLE CHILD,
BE PREPARED TO GIVE UP
EVERY PRECONCEIVED NOTION,
FOLLOW HUMBLY WHEREVER AND
WHATEVER ABYSSES NATURE LEADS,
OR YOU WILL LEARN NOTHING.

~ Thomas H. Huxley

Of Note: Food is becoming a problem. In several countries around the globe, rising food prices are creating social unrest and instability. Two entomologists from Wageningen University in the Netherlands have suggested that a cure for food insecurity might be found in eating bugs. Yes, those six legged creatures we usually like to eradicate from our homes, yards and gardens. These insect proponents tell us that we need an alternate supply of protein other than meat, and insects provide a source high in protein, B vitamins and minerals and low in fat. As we look toward a more sustainable future, other reasons surface as well. Consider this. Ten pounds of feed equal one pound of beef but six pounds of insects. They produce less waste including greenhouse gas emissions, use little water compared to their 4-legged brethren, and like to live stacked up in crowded conditions. Besides that, they can be raised in urban areas, including a garage. We could eventually go to our insect growing box and extract dinner. Insects have actually been eaten for thousands of years, and we get some every time we eat peanut butter or chocolate. The two professors provided a recipe for Crispy Crickets so we could see for ourselves how tasty insects were: preheat the oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Strip the antennae and wings from 20 - 30 clean, frozen adult crickets or 40 - 60 cricket nymphs. Spread the stripped crickets on a lightly oiled baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake until crickets are crisp, about 20 minutes. Yield: one cup. These can be used in salad or combine in a Chex Mix for added protein. Bon appetit! More enticing recipes are available in The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook by David George Gordon. Who knows, we could be on the cutting edge of the next big food movement.

Today's Weather Report: The wind is howling, and we are preparing for a winter storm to hit at any time. The question is the amount of snow we are to get. 12 miles south of here a foot is predicted; 7 miles north, 3 inches. That leaves us almost square in the middle so who knows. We will know more when we awaken in the morning. Minneapolis is supposed to get 18 inches or more. They have really gotten bombarded with large amounts of snow this winter. Not here in the northwoods, and we would have welcomed it. The Birkie cross-country ski race is next weekend, and the foot of snow, if it materializes in Hayward, will be a godsend. The 40 degree temps we had last week really reduced the snow, and the organizers were getting worried. No more.