Article: It's a Rogue World feat. A Trip To An Ancient Roman Civilization: 10.24.24
It's a Rogue World feat. A Trip To An Ancient Roman Civilization: 10.24.24
At Rogue Paq we are explorers, foodies, readers, and aesthetes to our core. Join us for a weekly round up of articles and ideas that inspire us and our designs. This week get ready for an adventure through books, history, cooking, and health!
Our Current Read: The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami
We are in the throws of this gripping story which begins in 1527 and is told from the perspective of the first Black explorer of America, a Moroccan slave whose captors name him Estebanico. He was part of an expedition led by a conquistador named Pánfilo de Narváez. The journey was meant to claim land in what is now the Gulf Coast of the United States, but it quickly turns disastrous (think Shackleton). They face navigational mistakes, diseases, and hunger, which lead to the deaths of most crew members.
*Spoiler Alert* Only four men survive, including Estebanico. Their incredible journey transforms them from proud conquerors into humble wanderers and healers. It is fascinating how Estebanico’s story, a point of view mostly lost to history, shows that Black individuals were vital in exploring the New World. Laila Lalami's novel beautifully captures his perspective, and his ultimate quest for freedom, reminding us that every history has multiple stories waiting to be told.
Read more about this Pulitzer Prize Finalist HERE.
Exploring Roman Samian Pottery
We recently returned from a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and Hexum, England where we traveled in order to visit the ancient Roman archeological site of Vindolanda. We were blown away by the site and their gorgeous museums. Many artifacts are displayed but we felt instantly connected to the past through the pottery we viewed, particularly a type called Samian Ware. This pottery was like fancy tableware for the Romans and was commonly found in Britain. Most of it was made in parts of France and was popular during the first two centuries (the FIRST TWO centuries!!).
Samian pottery has a beautiful red color and can feature designs of animals, gods, and flowers. These pots were made with exquisite craftsmanship—some were thrown on a wheel, while others were created using molds. The pottery tells us so much about the past, and it's even possible to learn about who made it through stamps on the bases. This pottery helps to date excavation sites and even the buildings where it is found.
If you’d like to learn more, visit Vindolanda’s website HERE.
Now that we’ve nourished our minds, let’s nourish our bodies…
Photo by Halfbaked Harvest
Recipe Highlight: Get Cozy with this Pot Roast Recipe by Tieghan Gerard
This recipe uses a beef chuck roast cooked slowly in red wine along with onions, carrots, and fresh thyme.
What I love about this recipe is how easy it is. You simply layer all the ingredients in a Dutch oven and cook it for about three hours. It’s optional but you can pair it with homemade creamy mashed potatoes - the ultimate comfort food.
What you'll need:
Mashed Potatoes
How to prepare:
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Preheat the oven to 325° F.
2. Arrange the roast in the bottom of a large, oven-safe Dutch oven. Season with salt and pepper, then rub with flour to coat.
3. Snuggle the onions, garlic, and carrots around the roast. Mix the tomato paste into the red wine. Pour the wine mix over the roast. Add the broth, bay leaves, and thyme. Arrange the potatoes around the roast. Cover and roast for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until very tender.
4. Crank the heat on the oven to 425° F. Remove the potatoes and place them in a bowl with the butter, milk/cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mash well, I leave the skin on—season with salt and pepper.
5. During the same time, return the roast, uncovered, to the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, until deeply caramelized on top. If needed, add broth/wine to keep the onions just barely covered.
6. Serve the pot roast topped with sea salt, gravy, and carrots. Serve the potatoes on the side. Enjoy!
For the full story visit Half Baked Harvest HERE.
Jess's Pick of the Week
Longtime followers know that I, Jess Cadmus, Rogue Paq's Founder, am also a wardrobe stylist. Here's a peek at what I've been recommending to my clients:
Gucci Loafers in Rosso the color is the IT color of the season plus these classic loafers are comfy, pair well with all of the neutrals we've been accumulating over the past few seasons, easy to walk in, and will keep their value. A great splurge!
We are a cannabis company afterall and endeavor to share the latest news, events, and insights from the industry. This recent article caught our attention…
Cannabis and Prescription Medications
A topic of great interest to us is the relationship between cannabis and prescription medications. It’s important to know that mixing the two can sometimes lead to unexpected issues. For instance, there are nearly 400 potential drug interactions with cannabis, and some can be quite serious.
Certain medications, especially sedatives or antidepressants, can react poorly with cannabis. This can cause everything from increased drowsiness to more severe complications. This is a reminder to emphasize that it’s crucial to talk to a doctor before using cannabis if you’re on medication.
If you’d like to know more, visit Greenstate HERE. Also please talk to your doctor.
It’s all about keeping our health in check while both maintaining our rituals and exploring new things, whether it's in history, fashion, cooking, or wellness.
