Protecting oil in "Far-off-istan" - Amory Lovins speaks to a roundtable audience at Southface.

Download sound clip of Amory Lovins

 As part preface to his keynote address at the Southface Visionary Dinner, the co-founder, Chairman/Chief Scientist at the Rocky Mountain Institute, fielded questions on renewable energy and the like from a select audience of who's who in sustainability in Atlanta. Mr. Lovins is promoting his new book "Reinventing Fire" and there is a reference to that in the 4:40 minute sound clip. The question was posed by Saba Long of the Saporta Report (http://saportareport.com/blog/2012/09/reducing-u-s-dependency-on-foreign-oil-is-a-national-security-issue/), and her question was: Rather than making this about renewable energy, how are you pitching this to conservatives as this is about national security rather than saving the planet. His response centers on his work with the US Defense department and is keen on how the fully-burdened cost of oil will drive efficiency.

School lunch paradigm shift

I'm glad to see that Decatur City Schools are making a little headway in shifting what is served for school lunch. I need to survey my junior to see what is his fave lunch - he may miss those tots.

Top Ten Menu Elimination and/or Change items 

1. Chocolate milk – eliminate in K-3 and propose a phase out for grades 4 and up
2. Muffins - eliminate highly processed products, could replace with healthier versions
3.  Pancakes, waffles and french toast - eliminate highly processed products, could replace with healthier versions
4. Chips – eliminate highly processed and/or fried chips, replace with healthier (baked) chips
5. Chicken Nuggets – eliminate highly processed products, replace with healthier versions
6. Shrimp Poppers/Fried Fish – eliminate pre-fried products, could replace with non-fried version, if available
7. Dried Potatoes, Tater Tots/Potato Triangles – eliminate highly processed and pre-fried products
8. High Sugar Desserts – eliminate 
9. Peanut Butter: with hydrogenated oil and sugar – replace with product without added oils
10. Highly Processed Cheese (i.e. cheese sauces, American cheese, etc) –replace with real cheese

 Foods/Items USDA No Longer Allows as of Fall 2012
                 (except previously allocated commodities)
          (1)   Canned fruit wheavy syrup
          (2)   Margarine
          (3)   Trans Fats
Items/Food Stuffs Removed from Menu by Allison Goodman as of  Fall 2012
          (1)    Salt-free Seasoning
          (2)    Sugary Cereals
          (3)    White Bread (Toast, Buns, Sandwich)
          (4)    Pizza with White Bread Crust
          (5)    Sugar Glaze
          (6)    Milk with High-fructose Corn Syrup