tatecrofts, Author at The Retro Press

Why did the chicken cross the World? – Andrew Lawler

21Jun

By tatecrofts1 Comment

Culture, History, Reviews

Why did the chicken cross the World? – Andrew Lawler

With a name alluding to the all-time favourite joke category of my young self, this book immediately drew my attention as it played on a question I had no idea how to approach, let alone answer. Written by journalist Andrew Lawler, 'Why did the chicken cross the world?' poses a novel dilemma that many would find puzzling. Is this a joke book? a cookbook? a rhetorical question used to prompt intrigue? The answer, I was soon happily surprised to find, was both none and all of the above. With a wealth of information that would overwhelm the comedically small chicken-brain, this book is ideal for anyone looking to dig their teeth into the riveting life, complex biology and tumultuous history of the basic chook. At a glance... Lawler works to unearth the nested reasons that humans ha...

16Jun

By tatecroftsNo Comments

History, Sustainability

Just Vanilla?

As someone with no sense of smell (a condition known as anosmia) vanilla had always seemed like a cop-out on the countless other delicious desserts more richly decorated with colour and texture. Take away the famously decadent scent and what's left? Regardless, I have since come to love its simplicity (especially when paired with milo!), and the world revolves around vanilla as the staple ingredient of more than 18,000 market products. However the majority of these products are actually flavoured with synthetic vanillin, the chemically engineered artificial cousin of vanilla which is 20 times cheaper and probably 200 times easier to produce! Finding 'true' vanilla Natural vanilla stems from the vanilla orchid native to Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Arguably first...

6Jun

By tatecrofts4 Comments

Culture, History

To Breakfast & Beyond

Exploring the history of breakfast Undoubtedly the best part of the morning, the pinnacle of a reason to wake up, and the perfect way to start your day - is breakfast. The eager stomach drives the routines of many people, and the morning meal has become a staple in the typical modern day. But when did breakfast actually begin? What did people eat before cereal and avo toast? Can we even imagine a time when our mornings weren't centred around the comforting brands of Kelloggs, Quaker Oats, or even Vegemite? Historians and dieticians alike have been intrigued by the breakfast dilemma, morphing from a traditionally religious event where families would 'break' their 'fast', to a health phenomena promoted within our age of advertisement as 'the most important meal of the day!' Today, wh...

28May

By tatecroftsNo Comments

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Welcome to The Retro Press!

a space for reading, thinking, learning, exploring... and much much more! Since first deciding to create this site, it's been a real struggle to pinpoint exactly how the content, style, and purpose would all come together. This is because - and it has become a personality trait at this point - I am so so eager to learn about EVERYTHING that I wanted to make sure this site has space to grow and adapt as we explore the world together. My interests include everything from history to meditation, overarchingly linked by the patterns, beliefs, and events which underpin our actions as humans, in response to our environments, and with a particular future in mind. So essentially, if it helps us broaden our minds, showcase different perspectives, or inspire us towards a better, more peaceful ...