Chow: Leaving a Massive Tip – When Should You Leave More Than 20%?
I say A) when the service has been outstanding or B) when your sit-down dinner bill comes to less than $15 or $20. I always feel bad leaving less than $4 for an evening waiter.
Forkable: Save Money – Cater Your Own WeddingFaboo step-by-step guide to the formerly unthinkable: planning, cooking, and serving your own wedding dinner. Seriously, this is phenomenal, and the money saved is huge. (Thanks to The Kitchn for the link.)
Generation X Finance: The Pros and Cons of Joining a Local Food Co-op
So, here’s the deal: joining a co-op will most definitely land you lots of good food, but it won’t necessarily save you any cash. In fact, you might pay more for your good intentions. Gen X ponders whether the expenditure is worth it.
Jezebel: Do You Have a Secret Culinary Life?
A.k.a. What funky stuff do you eat by your lonesome? Last I checked, there were 393 comments, so it’s a bit of a hot topic.
The Kitchn: Fast, Healthy, and Cheap Breakfast Ideas
Neat little comment thread about the most important meal of the day. If anyone can identify what’s in the picture, I’m all ears/eyes/tongues.
The Kitchn: Grill Out – 21 Good Grilling Tips, Recipes, and Ideas
Do you like fire? Do you like putting food into fire, and then eating that food? Excellent. The Kitchn can help.
Money Saving Mom: Once-a-Week Frugal Food NightGuest poster Amy Ellen is generally a pretty frugal mom, but once a week, she takes it to warp speed, spending less than $1.50 on a dinner for six. Here, she explains how she does it without resorting to paper shavings. Good stuff.
Money Saving Mom: What to Do When You’re Tired of Couponing
Crystal says: share the load, simplify your system, and for the love of Pete, put it aside if you’re overwhelmed. The $0.50 discount on yogurt will still be there when you get back.
New York Times: New York City – Feeding the Children
Gothamites, hear this: most likely, your kids are eligible for free breakfasts and lunches this summer. Winnie Hu has details.
New York Times: 11 Health Myths That May Surprise You
In what’s essentially a book review, I’m already shocked at a few busted myths: you DON’T lose most of your heat through your head, cracking your knuckles WON’T give you arthritis, and sugar DOESN’T make kids hyper. I might have to read this now.
Newsday: Egg, milk prices seen biggest drop of any major foods
Egg prices plummeted 18%, while milk saw a 22% drop. Is it just me, or do egg prices fluctuate more than oil prices? Also, the man in the picture is the happiest milk-pourer I’ve ever seen. I would order coffee from him.
San Francisco Chronicle: ‘Certified Organic’ May not be 100%
Food politics genius Marion Nestle settles the “What qualifies as organic?” question once and for all, dagnabbit.
Saveur: Types of WatermelonIt’s almost seed-spitting season, everybody! This year, why not try one of the 18 (yes, 18) fabulous varietals described by Saveur? If the Sugar Baby doesn’t tempt you, surely the Extazy will. Oh, and be sure to check out the slideshow.
Start Cooking: 12 Cool Summer Soups
I know some people think cold soups are freakier than a Tim Burton movie marathon, but this recipe rundown might change your mind. When in doubt, go gazpacho. (Thanks to Casual Kitchen for the link.)
US News and World Report: TV Ads Trigger Mindless Eating
Great googly moogly. The header says it all: “Kids watching food commercials consumed 45 percent more snacks, study shows.” Furthermore, “That increased amount of snacking would lead to a weight gain of nearly 10 pounds a year, unless it was countered by decreased intake of other foods or increased physical activity.” Yowza.
Washington Post: We Have a Bad Feeling About Our Food
One last review of Food, Inc. (I promise), in which the author especially hits on the film’s theme of transparency. Worth a gander.
(Photos courtesy of VIP Corporate Events, Digital Grin, and Oregon State.)
