Our common nature is a musical journey with Yo-Yo Ma and me, Ana Gonzalez, through this complicated country.

We go into caves, onto boats, and up mountain trails to meet people, hear their stories, their poetry, and of course, play some music, all to reconnect to nature and get closer to the things we're missing.

Listen to Our Common Nature from WNYC, wherever you get podcasts.

It's Lynn Rosetta-Castor with the splendid table.

Music table.

Today we're taking a look at the science of seduction, how the aromas of certain foods can set off all sorts of interesting reactions.

Our guest is researcher Dr. Alan Hirsch.

His discoveries may radically change romantic dinners. Would you believe men cannot resist the scent of pumpkin pie? Forget the Chanel.

Jane and Michael Sturt are in Salt Lake and root beer heaven at Hire's Big H. Wine Maverick Joshua Wesson says Surrah is going to knock Merlo off its feet.

Writer Calvin Trillen advises us on Marital Bliss and the Dinner Table,

and we have a report on the Museum of Burnt Food.

All this and your calls coming up on the splendid table.

But first, this.

Hi, it's Lynne Rosetta Casper with Kitchen Chronicles,

where knowledge is power and cooking is pleasure,

a practical guide for nourishing ourselves and the people we care about.

This past weekend, I made a batch of ginger snaps.

I wanted to try a new recipe from a book that came out recently.

It occurred to me how easy it is to personalize most cookie recipes with your own flavorings.

Here's what I mean.

This ginger snap recipe was going for real spicy ginger flavor.

So it called for the usual ground ginger plus grated fresh ginger root.

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