In Which I Admit to Not Having Cleaned Out a Certain Cupboard in a VERY Long Time
After an off-site discussion about throwing out expired foods and spices at regular intervals I claimed that my record for longevity was the the 2008 can of pumpkin pie filling I threw out last year during the Great Canned Goods Sweep.
Until I discovered the ancient tins of baking powder the other day. Ok, so I don’t bake. I’m not even sure what the proper use of baking powder actually is. And these were tucked way in a back corner of a top shelf.
In my household (as in many households) there is one person who likes to keep things and one person who likes to throw things away. As there is a genetic Scot in the house I’ll let you draw your own conclusions. Hint: He also has been known to bake pies. So I asked him if these are still “good” and you know what? Dr. Google said yes. The baking powder efficacy test says to add a teaspoon of powder to 1 cup of hot water. If it fizzes it’s still the shizz. And believe it or else, the stuff in both cans still fizzes, so they must be viable. In fact, they’re practically heirlooms, and who can easily toss one of those?
According to Wiki, in a weird bit of cultural appropriation from 1899:
Calumet baking powder took its name from the French-derived, colonial-era word for a Native American ceremonial pipe, given to the lands now known as Calumet City, Illinois. Wright's company adopted a stylized Indian wearing a war bonnet as its trademark.
Which makes perfect sense, right? Besides, it’s pure. And besides, nothing says light fluffy biscuits like an Indian in a war bonnet.
And it’s not just an heirloom, but an allegory as well for you Jack Nicholson fans:
Cans of Calumet Baking Powder were used as props in the larder scenes of the 1980 film, The Shining. This detail is noted early in the 2012 documentary Room 237, as the catalyst for Bill Blakemore's theory that the film is an allegory for European settlers' genocide of Native Americans.
As for the origins of Clabber Girl (based in Indiana, also circa 1899):
The Clabber Girl name brand comes from the word "clabber", a synonym of sour milk. In the early 1800s, people mixed clabber with pearl ash, soda, cream of tartar, and a few other ingredients to make what we know today as baking powder.
In defense of my pantry habits, I am really good at rotating spices, because flavor actually matters.
How long do you keep foodstuffs in your cupboard?
What do you want to talk about today?
RSVPS
1. idlemoments, organizer (kosmail her to connect)
2. RickNelsonmn (can carpool)
3. slapshoe (can carpool)
4. Thutmose V
5.
MAYBEES :
Judeling
angry marmot
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Garrett
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WOMAN'S MARCH NYC 2017
Footage compiled from the 2017 Woman's March on New York City, directed by Joan Brooker, with support from the SVA community.
Organizers, remember to choose a place to meet in advance and that cell phone service will shut down before the events get started. Consider a sign to hold up above the crowd for people to find you with. Check with your local march organizers to find out what materials are not permitted, such as balloons or sticks.
NEW YORK RSVPS
1. joanbrooker, organizer (kosmail her to connect)
2. belinda ridgewood
3. gchaucer2
4.
MAYBEES :
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LONG ISLAND RSVPS TO RALLY AT THE INTERSECTION OF RT. 112 AND 347 IN PORT JEFFERSON STATION AT NOON
1. grannycarol, organizer (kosmail her to connect)
2.
MAYBEES :
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RSVPS
1. EagleOfFreedom
2. Bleeding Blue
3. DoingBusinessAs
4. momomia
5. ptressel
6. Kay3295
7.
MAYBEES :
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Netroots Nation 2018