archive
13.7: Cosmos And Culture
It's Time To End The Turkey-Tofurky Thanksgiving Food Fight
November 26, 2012 Do vegetarians and vegans think they are better than everyone else? Do omnivores wrongly think they are being judged by their meatless friends and relatives? Commentator Tania Lombrozo says that, while some on both sides are just self-righteous and annoying, many people are ready to put aside their misconceptions and sit down at the table to feast as equals.
The Two-Way
Happy Thanksgiving, Or When Turkeys Strike Back
November 21, 2012 From all of us at The Two-Way, here are two funny videos to help you kick off your holiday weekend.
The Two-Way
How Did Thanksgiving End Up On The Fourth Thursday?
November 21, 2012 Why not on a Friday? And why not the last Thursday? There is an explanation. But you have to go back to things decreed by presidents Washington, Lincoln and Roosevelt (FDR, that is).
It's All Politics
Will Your Family Squabble About Politics This Thanksgiving?
November 21, 2012 "People who have any brains" will avoid dredging up politics during the holidays, says one psychologist. But in our highly polarized era, family gatherings offer the chance for rare encounters with people who don't already share our partisan leanings.
The Salt
Could Nate Silver Predict How Good Your Pumpkin Pie Will Be?
November 19, 2012 Scientists have come up with an algorithm to guess how many stars a recipe will receive online. By building "social networks" for ingredients, the algorithms also reveal how we mix and match spices, make dishes more healthful and customize flavor profiles.
The Salt
A Dash Of Latin Flavor On The Thanksgiving Table
November 15, 2012 Chef Jose Garces' parents are immigrants, and while they embraced some traditional American Thanksgiving dishes, they also served Ecuadorean food, like humitas and quinoa soup.
The Salt
Storm-Battered Food Banks Struggle To Help The Hungry
November 13, 2012 Some charitable organizations that were in the path of Superstorm Sandy were left in as bad shape as their clients. With Thanksgiving around the corner, they wonder how they will feed the storm's victims and the poor.
The Salt
Wild Turkeys Gobble Their Way To A Comeback
November 11, 2012 They run. They fly. They block traffic. Wild turkeys, which have become a nuisance in some places, bear little resemblance to the supermarket varieties that grace most Thanksgiving tables.
The Salt
Where Turkey Is The Guest, Not The Entree
November 23, 2011 WRVOAt a farm in upstate New York, the only worry turkeys have around Thanksgiving time is which dishes they want to dig their beaks into. They're the guests of honor at a feast honoring the birds. Sponsors pay $30 to keep the turkeys happily fed and far from the slaughterhouse.
Shots - Health News
How To Avoid A Thanksgiving Trip To The ER
November 23, 2011 Plumbers and emergency room doctors have plenty of business come Thanksgiving. An ER doctor has some useful tips for steering clear of her and her colleagues over the holiday.
The Salt
Heritage Turkeys: To Save Them, We Must Eat Them
November 23, 2011 Heritage turkey breeds would be extinct if people didn't raise them. And farmers won't raise them if people don't eat them. Breeds like the Narragansett that were close to extinction a decade ago are making a comeback as people choose to go with the darker, gamier meat.
The Two-Way
Obama Quotes O. Henry On 'Purely American' Nature Of Thanksgiving
November 23, 2011 The short story writer once wrote that Thanksgiving is the "one day that is ours ... the one day that is purely American." President Obama this morning urged Americans to "remember what that means."
The Salt
Oyster Ice Cream: A Thanksgiving Tradition Mark Twain Could Get Behind
November 23, 2011 Oyster ice cream may be more traditional fare than many of the dishes we serve for Thanksgiving, says chef José Andrés. He's showcasing American food history in his collaboration with the National Archives. But modern diners can appreciate this briny treat, too.
13.7: Cosmos And Culture
Top 5 Reasons To Give Thanks For Being Primate
November 23, 2011 With other primates, we humans share everything from a grasping hand to a propensity for cultural tradition to joyful feelings at reuniting with loved ones.
The Salt
When Thanksgiving Means Making Reservations, Not Turkey
November 22, 2011 For most people, Thanksgiving means dinner at home. But 14 million Americans eat their turkey and stuffing in restaurants. And many of them say they love the chance to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends, without having to clean the oven and stuff the bird.