The Hit List - Waste Land - The Tarot Lady

Not so fun fact: according to the USDA “In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the food supply.” While some of this is due to spoilage, transporting, and bacteria, the average home also contributes to this problem.

As a child of Depression-era parents, not much went to waste in our home. That is a lesson I took to heart as I tend to be a rather frugal (self-anointed) chef myself. That being said, I still waste things on occasion. Usually, it’s fruit and buttermilk.

I rarely buy either because I’ve never been much of a fruit or dairy person (other than cheese). Milk makes me gag (the texture…ewwww) and I tend to forget about fruit until it’s moldy AF.

But with the current pandemic, I’m trying my best to be more mindful that I don’t waste anything.

I purchased some blueberries and buttermilk with the intention of throwing the berries on some oatmeal and using the buttermilk for coleslaw. I forgot about the oatmeal after a day or two…and sadly, the only buttermilk I could find in the store was a big ole half gallon, which meant…I was now the proud owner of dying blueberries and a giant batch of sour milk.

My determination set in. I was not going to waste this bounty, by gum. It was time to tune into my best Marge (mom’s name) vibe and find a use for these products. After digging around on the NY Times app (my new fave thing), I found a recipe for a pantry crumb cake. It called for buttermilk (or yogurt, sour cream, etc.), fruit, and oatmeal. Yes, that oatmeal was finally getting used too.

Problem solved, waste crisis averted, deliciousness ahead.

The crumb cake was uh-may-zing. In fact, my husband said it was the best ever. Given that there were still more berries, oatmeal, and buttermilk on hand, I made two more. I passed out as many pieces as I could to my kids and tenant. Nothing went to waste. NOBODY wanted to throw away that crumb cake, people.

Moral of the story: where there is a delicious crumb cake, there is zero waste.

The crocuses are coming!

Other stuff:

Interesting: Good Looks Ran in the Family. So Did Schizophrenia.

A good reminder: This Pandemic Is Not Your Vacation.

Everyone is doing it now: Alien Sex Club artist John Walter offers tarot card readings over Skype during lockdown.

Learn more about tarot reader Kait Fowlie at my Talkin’ Tarot series.

Loved getting a mention in this post from Always Well Within: 9 Resources That Will Elevate Your Spirit in the Virus Crisis.

I love her: The Apocalyptic World of Daphne Guinness.

Yikes: Zoom is getting hacked!

A fascinating post from The Astro Twins: Plagues, Pandemics & Jupiter-Pluto Conjunctions in History: What Astrology Reveals.

Cosmos has something to say about Venus in Gemini: Venus in Gemini Wants You to Get Experimental.

Over at Honeysuckle Magazine: Poor and Prepared: What COVID-19 Has Taught Me About Poverty.

In the latest Astrology Bytes podcast, Aliza Rose teaches how the 12th house can be your hidden superpower.

Meg Jones Wall is so brilliant: Starting a Daily Tarot Practice, for Seasoned Readers or Curious Beginners.

Speaking of Meg, she joined me this week on Tarot Bytes to talk about scary Minor Arcana cards.

A brilliant post from Kelly’s Astrology: Mars, Saturn, and Covid-19.

Hell yes: Marie Claire wants you to vote.

Also: Refinery29’s guide to the 2020 election is worth reading.

The Brutal Reality of Getting an Abortion During a Pandemic.

I’m always interested in old photos: What New York Looked Like During the 1918 Flu Pandemic.

Chani is so cool: Chani Rising or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Astrology.

Sounds good to me: Why Some Happy Couples Choose To Sleep In Separate Bedrooms.

There’s still time to win a copy of the Star Spinner Tarot.

From Bustle: What 7 Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID Are Really Thinking.

Martha says: How to Support Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Outbreak.

What It’s Like to Be Released From Prison During a Pandemic.

I grew up with typical German fare. Wonder if this book might elevate my German cooking game: Das Cookbook: German Cooking . . . California Style.

Check this out: The Essential Book of Tarot: Discover the Messages in the Cards.

Oh, I like this: Astrology for Mystics: Exploring the Occult Depths of the Water Houses in Your Natal Chart.

I love Robert Reich: The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.

This looks interesting: Create The Future + Innovation Handbook.

DEFO into this book: Planetology.

Looking forward to this reissue: Super Tarot: Interpret the Cards Like a Pro. (Psst…I wrote the foreword!)

Better get this on the ole wish list: Elemental Tarot: Use the Symbology of Fire, Earth, Air, and Water to Help Understand Your Life.

Shaheen Miro’s upcoming deck is a beauty: The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

Coming soon: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading. This is the tarot book I always wanted to write!

Grab your crayons, favorite tarot deck, a big blanket, and The Tarot Coloring Book. Wine optional.

When the world seems to be in a state of upheaval, you need tools to keep your calm. Tarot For Troubled Times is filled with rituals, affirmations, tarot spreads, and energy work – to help you cope, no matter what’s going on.

Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious) spells out all the astrological stuff clearly. If you’re curious about astrology, this is your perfect starting point!

Events:

August 30, 2020: Brushes and Stars. Where: Oakland, California. A full-day of astrology and intuitive painting – and yummy food! Join me and Chris Zydel for a joyful, astrology-inspired intuitive painting experience.

May 2-8, 2021: The Tuscany Tarot Intensive. Where: Italy! A full week of tarot immersion. Due to the Coronavirus, we moved the event to next year. Good news: the dates allow for a few extra seats which means you can join us next year! Yay!