The Cats Out of the Bag: Tuscan Cat Stew is Off the Menu

Famed Italian TV personality and chef Giuseppe "Beppe" Bigazzi is under fire for his love of “gatto in umido,” which is plainly translated into English as cat stew. Bigazzi hosts the popular late-morning chef program “La Prova del Cuoco,” where he made his admission. The network has suspended Beppe indefinitely amidst outrage from local and international animal rights groups.  Some are even calling for legal action against the host for inciting cruelty to animals.

The cat stew, like most other modern dishes using domesticated or nuisance animals, traces its roots back to the famine and poverty-stricken time immediately following WW2. Reeling in the wake of the Nazi occupation and Mussolini’s reign, Tuscans had to forgo the delicacies of their cooking in favor of more readily available fair e.g. cats. As life retuned to normalcy in antebellum Tuscany the dish fell out of favor and was quickly replaced with traditional Tuscan culinary delights such as bistecca alla fiorenta and cellentani alla boscaiola. Nearly all Tuscans see cat stew as a piece of history, not as a menu item.

Beppe disagrees. He stated that the stew wasn’t a way to stave off starvation, but rather as "one of the great dishes of the Valdarno." He even offered up culinary advice, mentioning that the cat should be left in a rapid stream for three days. His co-host (and cat lover) Elisa Isoardi tried in vain to change the subject. Reportedly during a break Beppe refused to apologize, expecting that “racist” environmentalists would be outraged. Beppe did later back peddle, claiming his comments had been misinterpreted, and that the whole idea was a “complete folly.”

Tuscany has a long tradition of culinary expertise extending well beyond daytime cooking programs. The Tuscan countryside is home to many of the finest wines, meat, recipes, and olive oils that the world has to offer. With fresh ingredients and home-made cooking, the food in Tuscany is truly a joy. Master Chef Carlo Innocenti even welcomes guests into his home, offering classes on how to prepare his family recipes. The meals are then shared over tall glasses of wine, courtesy of his son and sommelier Romeo. Tuscan meals must be experienced to be understood as they must come complete with the perfect wine pairing and tales about life lived the Tuscan way.

Tour operators and locals alike welcome guests to Tuscany year round. Visitors come for a variety of reasons including viewing the architecture, to appreciate art and sculptures, and of course Tuscan cooking and wine tours. Tuscan Way, found at http://www.tuscanway.com offers unique trips into the heart of Tuscany. Guests have a range of options, from staying in Carlo Innocenti’s home, perched atop a hill next to the town castle, to staying in rustic Tuscan villas surrounded by rolling meadows and vineyards. Before booking a trip to Tuscany it is highly recommended that you speak to the folks at Tuscan Way. They have the resources and capabilities to deliver a truly memorable experience. Buen Provecho!

Tourists considering a food and wine trip to Tuscany should contact Tuscan Way. They can be reached online at http://www.tuscanway.com or by phone at (800) 766-2390.

Energy Efficient Light Bulb Information Guide: What You Need to Know.

We all know that energy efficient bulbs are great for lowering energy costs, minimizing your environmental footprint, and reducing time spent on maintenance and replacing bad bulbs. However, after that things become a bit tricky. There are many different energy-efficient bulbs that use different technologies to run longer, cleaner, and using less energy. Reference the below guide to determine which technology is best for you:

CFLs: Compact fluorescent lamps, better known as CFLs, are leading the charge for screw-in replacements of incandescent bulbs.

Pros: CFLs use about 75% less energy and last ten times longer than the incandescent bulbs which they replace. Generally, this adds up to $30 in savings over the life of the bulb. Many CFL bulbs are built as screw-in replacements for old bulbs, meaning no modification is necessary to use them.
Cons: All CFLs contain a small, trace amount of mercury. Used and unbroken bulbs should be taken to a qualified recycling center. Broken bulbs should be fully cleaned up and disposed off while the room is well ventilated. For more see http://www.epa.gov/hg/spills/#fluorescent

LEDs: LEDs, or light emitting diode bulbs, are clusters of individual units which are grouped together for bright, clean light. Depending on the wavelength used in the diode they emit a desired tone, ranging from clear bright light to dark blues and purples.

Pros: LED light bulbs operate at a very cool temperature. They last between 50 to 100 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Further, since there are no fragile filaments or tubes they are very resistant to heat, cold, and shock.
Cons: High start up costs. LED bulbs do sell at a premium compared to CFLs. Of course, this is made up by an increased efficiency and lifespan, but the high cost can be a barrier to entry for business and homeowners.

HPS bulbs: High pressure sodium lamps are primarily used for flood lighting applications such as street lights or in large spaces including parking lots or garages. They are a type of sodium vapor lamp which are used heavily by indoor gardeners due to the color spectrum they emit being favored by plants.

Pros: Less light pollution than mercury-vapor lamps. HPS bulbs are great for locations where color rending is important. They are also very efficient, generating about 100 lumens/Watt. Indoor gardening.
Cons: Price and heat. Also, most HPS bulbs emit a tinted light which is generally not suitable for office or home use.

Traditional incandescent bulbs: Incandescent bulbs are the oldest of the modern wide-spread lighting technology still in use. A filament is heated, which generates both heat and light. These are being outlawed in many states and are being replaced by more energy-efficient technologies.

Pros: Cost of bulbs.
Cons: Most of the energy used is wasted as heat as opposed to light. Incandescent bulbs have a short life and are not energy efficient.

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For guidance on purchasing energy efficient bulbs call the folks at Superior Lighting, Florida's light bulb experts. They can be reached on the web at http://www.superiorlighting.com/ or by calling (800) 432-7995.

Light My Fire: Energy Efficient Mood Lighting Sparks Valentine’s Day Passion

Chocolates? Check. Flowers? Check.  Energy efficient light bulbs… Check? 

As lovers make their Valentine’s Day preparations they must be sure not to overlook the lighting in their home. Nothing ruins the mood like a bare 80watt incandescent hanging from a string. Lighting technologies have come a long way, and Superior Lighting is here to help ensure a memorable night. Create the perfect ambience for that special time with your loved one. Some great products to help set the mood:

The first step is using inexpensive dimmer switches to control the brightness of your lights. Set the perfect tone by installing them in the dining and bed rooms. Reduce glare and dim your lights to that perfectly level of brightness that just screams romance. Newer energy efficient CFLs even have dimmer varieties.

For a bigger purchase, easy to install chandeliers are a great buy. Blend energy efficient bulbs with old-world ambiance for a new feel to an old room.

LEDs are most known for their long life and energy savings. Did you know they also offer far more options than old incandescent bulbs? Superior Lighting offers a wide range of cool, energy efficient LEDs including colored Christmas lights, creative shapes, and festive patterns. Regular white/clear LEDs can be given new life as inexpensive lenses are offered to give basic lights a new glow.

The big ticket item on our list:  iColor tiles. These colored LED light tiles replace your current wall or ceiling tiles. They provide a blank canvas for anything from solid colors which can be changed at the flip of a switch to swirling patterns or even medium resolution video. Call Superior Lighting for more about this innovative product. Just imagine the look on your partner's face when the bland bedroom walls are replaced by romantic colors or even scenes from your favorite love story.

We hope the above list helps make this Valentine's Day one to remember. For any questions about them, or lighting in general, it is recommended that you call the experts at Superior Lighting, Florida's light bulb experts. They can be reached on the web at http://www.superiorlighting.com/ or by calling (800) 432-7995.