Not just coffee

Archive for October, 2009

Sweeeeeet

Oct 22

Posted by admin in chocolate, news

Love a day when most of the news gives into our sweet tooth. It’s fitting that the mood of unemployment and layoffs has a sweet sidebar. We want to take care of ourselves and soothe our worries. What better solution than a sweet snack or dessert? I’m clueless.

First off the Mars Snackfood folks have big plans to soften the blow. Consumers talked; the company listened, and many of the treats from bygone years are back, or will be real soon. Here are a few taste-teasers: I’m talking about the 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp Bar (at just 170 calories, but not available til January), and the Milky Way Simply Caramel Bar (also January). Then the winning cherry chocolate combo, and my personal addiction in this line: M&M’s Wildly Cherry Chocolate Candies (December). Now we’re talkingmmcandy good news.

Wait, there’s more. You know how difficult it is to figure out if you want a scoop or a soft-serve. That’s no longer a problem. Baskin-Robbins has solved the decision-making with its new Double Header Cone.Price is a sweet treat, too, as most stores will sell this for $2.22. The biggest problem now is figuring out the combo you like best! Not too serious.

This is what I call a good news day!

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Accuracy in Labeling

Oct 21

Posted by admin in food, news

That whole concept of reading an accurate, honest, non-misleading, information-packed label has me intrigued. After all I have covered the various iterations of new labels, smart labels, smart choices, call it what you want: The information is only a partial telling of the story.

Now the FDA, you know the group, the guys that have been slow out of the gate, has promised their diligence and their response time will be improved. How this applies to labels is really quite simple: The front (Front of Package, FOP) will need to be accurate and reflective of all important information. Look, Coke made a similar announcement not that many weeks ago. One company, albeit a rather large significant food world player, took the step. Why not the agency that is responsible for information and for policing accuracy?

The FDA announcement wants to have companies move from a voluntary FOP approach to a single set of nutritional criteria that spells out fat, sugar, and calories on the front of the package. The problem is the announcement comes with the phrase, “an 18-month study.” Why is this part necessary? Are we not aware that shopping time is precious and front labeling catches the eye quicker. jello

We need to know what is in the product, in plain and simple English. Maybe companies will even rethink how many ingredients are really necessary to make a purchased food. Hmm.

The process will take time, but the important take-away is that changes are a brewing. The goal is information, complete and total, on the front of the product. Visible. Kill the misinformation or lack of information.

I want to see it.

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Starbucks in the Victory Lane

Oct 20

Posted by admin in coffee, Economy

It’s almost impossible to miss the outpouring of Starbucks ads centered around the new instant superstar, the Via. At least the company hopes that this will be star quality (this product has been touted for over a half a year now).

viaThe ads show an upbeat flair matching the belief that there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding the intro. Besides seeing it already in full display at Costco, it’s receiving attention from end-of-season campers who feel they have solved one of their biggest fears–no hot coffee. Of course, they could just follow Billy Crystal (“City Slickers”), and grind their own tentside.

There’s also news that the early clock cleaning reports from both McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts may now be a piece of past history. The only negative news lately is that some songs have not been promoted as heavily as artists would like. Not everybody’s complaining.

As Starbucks sales continue to improve, we might be able to use that piece of news as an economic barometer: Is the economy back on track to support our caffeine habit?

Love it, as the ads say,”A product you can get through TSA.”

As long as airlines still offer hot water, we’ve got a match.

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Wine Not

Oct 19

Posted by admin in health, news, Pairings

corksThe wine industry has managed to have a stellar year despite some strategic changes. Many restaurants decided to rethink their Reserve lists, grocers and wine stores increased their specially priced wines, AKA the under $10 bins, and consumers became more adventuresome in their selections than maybe they were a year ago. With all the adjustments, the wine industry survived with a relatively strong year. Maybe not the sparklings, but the rest of the industry.

Here are other facts to sip:

Health articles that speak volumes about the heart-healthy benefits of red wine positively impact consumption. There’s a possible spike in grape juice consumption, too, as it possesses the same ingredient, resveratrol. How about the impact of resveratrol on fighting off viruses. Right now with the fear of the devastating effects of the flu, the Italian study could not be better timed. I’m starting to feel really healthy.

With all the employment anxiety affecting so many of us, how about the study that suggests red wine helps with digestion. Now we’re talking pairing: a good dinner and a glass of red wine. This has true promise.

Sure some wineries have not survived aspects of the downturn, and the Julia Child/Robert Mondavi food center, (The American Center for Wine, Food, & the Arts, COPIA in Napa) is up for sale, but as far as an industry, many US regions are reporting strong sales. Wines from South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand  are strong contenders for a re-tailored wine budget. It looks as if France is back in favor as the world’s number one wine producer, taking the crown from last year’s winner, Italy.

Wine tastes and budgets are all over the map. Maybe you’re drinking more Malbec than Merlot now than you were 2 years ago, or more Beaujolais than Bordeaux, but you’re enjoying the swirl. Some patterns could be in flux as big bonuses are back again on Wall Street. Maybe some of those redefined New York restaurants are rethinking their tailored-down lists. Time will tell. I hope those days of wine and roses are left to the novelists.

So many wonderful wines.

Raise your glass high and enjoy the bouquet while your heart, digestive system, and virus-fighting agents smile at your beverage selection.

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Delicious Fall

Oct 18

Posted by admin in lifestyle

AvoSpaNot just Delicious Apples, but all apple varieties excel at orchards and farm stands at this time of the year. Personally I’m in love with the Fuji, but there are so many to try. It’s like welcoming the first fruits of spring rather than ending a season.

Last year was not the most plentiful for the pumpkin crop; fortunately, this year is one of bountiful sizes, shapes, and colors. Why not try cooking pumpkin? This is a wonderful way to welcome the season and have a warming, hearty and healthy vegetable. Save the funny-shaped white or the giant orange one for the end-of-the-month fun.

As long as we are in the pumpkin family, then we should be thinking about the other members of the winter squash family that are ready for cooking. Before you get too elaborate, remember to scoop out the seeds, season with salt, and cook at a low oven temperature for an easy homemade treat. Each of the varieties varies a little in taste and color, but brings so much to the table. The spaghetti squash adds some fun as its stringy inside can double as a pasta look-alike.

Then there are the avocados. As we move further into fall, the price comes down as they become more plentiful, whether smooth or gnarley-skinned. You can think guacamole, fajitas, or just enjoy them for their almost sweet, beautiful green color that enlivens the plate.

Maybe it’s just time to move from harvest to the soup line as the early cold chill should have us putting the seasonal bounty intro any number of vegetable soup variations. Whether you’re thinking of a Fagioli soup or getting ready to simmer lentils, don’t forget the most basic, hearty vegetable-laden minestrone.

Any of these foods works wonders for warming the house and body from the early seasonal chill.

Add a crusty, artisan bread or any fresh-baked variety warmed to perfection, and you have an instant winner.

Easy.

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Bits and Bites

Oct 17

Posted by admin in lifestyle, news, Starbucks

I love when the news focuses on ideas that get a second look. We comment about something and address its key issues, but when it gets further inspection, then we have accomplished a great deal.

Here’s a good one: The Connecticut Attorney General is investigating the Smart Choices program. This program received initial high praise, but after further inspection, there were questions. This is the product group that affixed so-called healthy nutrition information on packs giving certain foods the go-ahead. Foods like Froot Loops and mayonnaise roused the CT office. Yes.

How about all the attention on Starbucks and its high pricing policies. They came out of that tunnel and are now aggressively promoting the nationwide launch of their instant, yes, instant, paks of coffee. Via has already been positioned on the end caps at Costco. Expect big sales numbers for this product from that marriage: The Big Box and the Instant Darling.

Maybe the best news is the direction the government has taken in the realm of food safety. With one focused site we have half a chance of knowing what’s gone wrong within minutes of the first reports. No longer do we have to search for hours. foodsafetybasics_lgThey have food storage charts and food handling information: All pertinent data to insure food safety. As long as the site remains as it’s intended: A proactive information service, we will all be in a better place.

All the bits and bites come together with two final thoughts for now. The success of various cities’ restaurant weeks has spawned an offshoot: Delivery Week in New York City (Oct 19-31). Imagine other cities with strong neighborhood food delivery services will consider the concept. The price is certainly right for the appetizer, entree, and dessert: Lunch, $12.09; Dinner, $20.09.

Grocery stores continue to find strategies to keep prices in competitive balance as new markets open and challenge the old standbys. Grocery wars whether between Amazon and Wal-Mart or locally-based shops help consumers meet their budgets. Specials, double coupons, and affordable recipes need to continue.

Even on this the 4th straight day of dark, cold, gloomy, depressing rain, there are some positive newsworthy items to digest.

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Coke Fights Back

Oct 16

Posted by admin in beverages, health, news

All that talk about calories, soda taxes, nutritional campaigns against sodacane, and bad-mouthing sugar has the Coca-Cola Company in a hyper-creative mood. They just announced an introduction of a 90-calorie, albeit smaller can, of Coke by December for several East Coast markets, with a national rollout by spring. Great holiday stuffer!

Do we really need 16 or 20 ounces? That is the question they have decided deserves a resounding NO, at least a sense of not all the time! Be happy with a smaller can and fewer calories is their new modus operandi. Wait there’s more.

The company seems to be making moves in the direction of pure cane sugar and away from high fructose corn syrup; after all, that is the basis of their already popular soft drink during the springtime Passover holiday when corn products are not allowed in the Jewish diet.

So the question is why can’t they make that sweet, non-fructose, product year round? Turns out they do in Mexico and lots of Mexican cafes and markets throughout the country have it for purchase. The New York Times piece started another whole soft drink buzz about the virtues of the more natural soda. Check it out; this naturally sweet product is not that hard to find–try Costco!

Stop the presses: Pepsi wants a cup of that action. They plan to bring back Pepsi Throwback starting at the end of December.

Natural sugar is gaining the attention it deserves. BTW, the natural lineup is not just limited to namesakes Pepsi and Coke but goes deeper into the product line.

We will be healthier from all these re-bottling efforts.

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The Smarter Grocery Store

Oct 15

Posted by admin in grocer, news

It seems like we’ve been telling grocers that things have to change, and they have just realized we mean business, in every sense of the phrase. Prices were too high; deals were limited. Now we’re being inundated with mailings from every market within miles of our zip code telling us their prices have come down and whoa did we see the special offers!

These marketing changes are a direct result of what they’ve learned from surveys and studies. In a recent study fresh_salsait was found that consumers believe they have cut back effectively but still not enough. They plan to spend even less on groceries this coming year. Price remains the strongest determinant of a purchase. In a poll of over 6, 000 people, almost 40% said they spend less at the grocers than they did 12 months ago and almost 80% said they would happily switch products for a better price.

In a survey conducted by Wegmans, they learned that almost a third of respondents said they are preparing more meals at home and relying less on take-out and restaurant meals. To help shoppers figure out the actual cost per serving, the East Coast grocery chain added that information to their list of readily available recipes.

Whole Foods continues to add coupons and specials; concepts that were less prevalent a year ago. They’ve even added a section called “Three Under $3.” Pretty impressive.

More coupons, more specials, more discounts: Welcome to the grocer who plans to survive!

We’ll keep talking.

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Non-Alcohol Based Sanitizers

Oct 14

Posted by admin in health, news

The market for non-alcohol based sanitizers seems to grow daily; OK, make that hourly, with all the attention on flu-like symptoms, and actual flu illnesses, that are now being recorded in all 50 states. Here are a few to consider.

Suds makes a pump hand sanitizer that kills all manner of germs upon contact. Besides the obvious areas of current concern, it’s a great product to spray onto cutting boards that have come into contact with poultry. It can provide an extra layer of protection prior to washing or before adding the kitchen boards into the dishwasher.

Attention seems to be moving toward sprayers as then no one needs to come into contact with any part of the container. Purse-size or briefcase size sprayers are becoming more readily available. Here’s a product that says it works for several more hours than similar, but alcohol-based sprayers. Another, maybe more subtle, advantage to this type of purchase.

Another approach: Hand sanitizer wipes that are easy to store and have readily available.

The list goes on; the season is young. Many of these products have been around for quite some time, but the market is getting flooded with the newbies. Read descriptions carefully. It’s time to consider what you want the product to accomplish. So many of these have a long list of what they kill. Your goal may not be to kill E. coli but just the germs and the bacteria of the current influenza outbreakvaccinebottles.

Get the flu shots and then be vigilant.

You want to have the right sanitizing solution.

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Time to Buy the Thermometer: Burger Problem

Oct 13

Posted by admin in food recalls, health, news

This just in: San Diego Meat Company has recalled ground beef patties for possible E.coli. They were sold and distributed to several restaurants and two caterers.

If you have big party plans or thinking of going out for a burger, it’s OK to ask the question: Who supplied your ground beef?

Home cooks need to consider the thermometer purchase–color is not a sufficient indicator of properly cooked beef.

taylorthermometerBe safe.

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