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Summertime Barbecue, Vegan, and Gluten-Free Recipes: Cookbooks to Stay Cool

Jul 16

Posted by admin in cookbooks, cooking, gluten-free, health, vegan | 1 Comment

It’s hot. Unbearably hot, and the kitchen seems to be at its broiling point. Simple solution: Start the grill and heat the coals. Take the heat outside and solve the barbecue craving. We’ve come a long way from simple burgers and dogs to a new cookbook, Wicked Good Barbecue from two Northern guys who showed the southern entrants at the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue Competition that they could cook. They traveled south after numerous New England and New York state wins.

Andy Husbands and Chris Hart came up with a whole cookbook of recipes to move you from indoor stir-fry to outdoor solace. Name your protein and watch how it becomes transformed on the grill. There’s “Hickory Smoked Beef on Weck,” which uses a beef chuck shoulder roast.

For the Brisket aficionados, there’s their 1st place, “American Royal, Beef Brisket. ” They take you step-by-step starting with a 16-18 pound untrimmed whole brisket. You’ll learn to trim it, find the delicious flat side, and use the rub recipes and the marinade before you add the sauce that turns this almost unmanageable slab into finger licking goodness. Plenty of beef rib recipes and the other obvious protein players, chicken, fish, and pork. Maybe the book’s greatest strength is in its pictorials and tips to turn the simple, as an ear of corn, into a cheesy grilled veg.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats cookbook by Allyson Kramer which solves numerous allergic issues whether the cook or diner is classified as G-F or Vegan or just an individual who wants to control several food issues. Here you can follow a plant-based lifestyle and at the same time eliminate the gluten. The book begins with the essential logic: How to have a pantry that meets gluten-free and Vegan needs.

You’ll learn about gluten-free flours and which are adaptable for which recipes. Then there’s the egg, dairy, and honey substitutions that make going Vegan an easier process. Whatever the route, the instructions are clear to keep you in more of an allergy-free food environment. What I like most about this book is the ease of preparation that helps  eliminate the gluten and move toward a plant-based lifestyle. Name a meal part and you’ll find plenty of recipes to turn a standard favorite into one that meets dietary needs.

Having guests over has become complicated as every individual seems to be on a different planet in relation to foods that are acceptable and those that are on a “watch list.” Following the guidelines in this cookbook makes everyday cooking and entertaining easy.

 

 

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Is Wheat Killing Us?

Sep 14

Posted by admin in food, food universe, gluten intolerant, health, healthy eating, lifestyle | No Comments

Health foods and health fads. Fad diets and weight-loss programs. Those are all strategies we undertake to come to grips with eating behavior and habits. Now along comes a book that throws many of our recent theories into a topsy-turvy state. We thought it was good to eat whole wheat bread. We believed we were doing our bodies a favor with going for the multi-grains.

Wheat Belly by William Davis throws us a curve when he says that our blood sugar is getting a spike from our increased use of whole wheat bread. Wait, it gets more frightening: Eating 2 slices of whole wheat bread is equivalent to drinking a can of sugar-sweetened soda. Wait. This was not the intended consequence.

Sugar was something we were trying to avoid as elevated blood sugar leads to a whole category of diseases such as diabetes. Davis goes on and details how wheat creates the visceral fat layer that is responsible for an increased risk of breast cancer. Were we not moving the family to whole wheat products, assuming they did not suffer from a gluten intolerance or even Celiac, for positive health results? Now all of a sudden we are out in left field having been advocates for a less than healthy path for our families.

The problem quite simply is that the wheat we eat today is not the wheat of earlier times.  In Davis’s words, the wheat has been “hybridized,” basically, overbred or, are we overbread? That process raises blood sugar and kicks up insulin levels. This resembles a sugar rush as one is often hungry within a few hours and the taste itself has an addictive quality, much as all sweets we savor.

Switching to whole wheat products created a conundrum: You thought you were doing something wonderful for your body but instead you were complicating matters and creating negative, rather than positive, results. One cannot help but ask if the number of people who now recognize that they are gluten intolerant are responding to this wheat intake.

The ultimate point is that wheat for whatever reason increases visceral fat (belly fat) which is associated with a range of negative health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. The cover of the book strikes the message with its stacked bagels which of course are fattening in and of themselves but Davis says, “Lose the wheat. Lose the weight.”

We know for a certainty that visceral fat has negative health consequences. Likewise diabetes numbers continue to spike. This may be the approach: Eliminating the wheat may be the simplest diet plan to follow.

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Riding the Popularity Bandwagon–The G-F Driver

Aug 15

Posted by admin in gluten-free, health, lifestyle, news, shopping | No Comments

Who could have imagined a year ago that Gluten-Free products would top the popularity charts. This is not a trend but a reality of marketing. G-F products, of course, are needed by those with celiac disease but have become a preferred choice for many other individuals who recognize how much better they feel when they eliminate the flours that cause distress. Grocers, restaurants, big chains, and even small cafes have figured out how they can capture some of this market.

The Bloomberg Businessweek issue for August 15-28 has a great cover shot for the “Popularity Issue” and inside awards its top spot to the Gluten-Free Diet which they say is being driven by those with celiac disease and the 15% of consumers who purchase these products and “help create a $2.6 billion market.” What has happened has occurred with an ease that often does not accompany most product rollouts which can be slow and focused on test markets. Now, big name manufacturers are vying for space alongside the stalwart G-F leaders such as Bob’s Red Mill and Udi’s. When you see 2 loaves of Rudi’s G-F multigrain bread at Costco you see a sea change, and a price drop. Let’s see, 2 loaves at the big box for about half the cost of a single one at the regular store!

The race is on.

More grocers are demonstrating their understanding of the growing numbers by integrating the G-F product line rather than isolating it into a small corner of the store. Sure shelves are often still marked with flip signs indicating a G-F product, but even that has somewhat lessened as consumers recognize the product labeling with the GF symbol. We’ve talked plenty about how obvious products are now quick to boast of their new popularity status. Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire Sauce remains my best go-to example, but the Chex family should not get excluded from their big bold banners. Wait, now Rice Krispies has the bold banner.

If you think you’ve seen a lot of GF products at the grocers and been passed GF restaurant menus, you’ve barely scraped the surface. Who wouldn’t want to be part of this impressive marketing action?

Not a trend, but a lifestyle choice with a wide arena for traditional companies to make the jump into the G-F universe! Expect to see more such gotcha labels.

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GF Regs Re-Open for Comment

Aug 4

Posted by admin in Administration, FDA, food recalls, gluten-free, health, news | No Comments

It is a tad ironic to mention on one hand how the phrase “Gluten-Free,” or GF as it is listed on many products, has become mainstream knowledge. Yet, the other hand frantically waves for attention as the FDA has extended the comment period for 2007 regs on labeling food “gluten-free” for an additional 60 days. Wait, 2007 regs are not yet finalized and put into law? What is wrong with this picture?

Let’s see where to begin. How about chronologically? As in this is August 2011 and comment submission materials are now due in early October! Have we not wasted 4 years in trying to figure out how to help individuals who are by illness, as in Celiacs, in need of certified foods? The FDA says we are only talking about 1 % of the population that struggles with Celiac. I struggle with that low percentage for it hardly seems a day passes without more attention to this illness. Celiac research paints a different picture, a more startling numeric: 1 in 133 American people has Celiac, according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

How about the people who are gluten intolerant? That number is certainly growing. The FDA focus is only on the US, but we know some countries, such as Ireland, have taken the lead on product identification and restaurant preparedness. Sure, more restaurants in the states are offering gluten-free menus and increasing their range of selections, but what about the security issue? Everyone needs to be certain that what is labeled or described as GF, truly has zero gluten.

Individuals who cannot tolerate gluten continue to struggle with dining out choices as they fear the separation of foods may not be tightly monitored. These are not whimsical fears. They are life-and-death matters.

So what happened to the “new” FDA that was promised to be a more responsive agency? Seems it is still buried under mounds of paper and limited in its roll-out of important mandates. What can a foodservice professional or a consumer do? React; respond within this extended deadline. Go to www.regulations.gov, and submit a comment. Follow the link.

As concerned consumers and food professionals, we cannot let this comment period slip away and allow mounds of paper to be ignored. We’ve had enough of that. GF and gluten intolerance deserve better attention and protection. Now.

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Potatoes Getting Mashed Up Again

Jun 24

Posted by admin in food, food universe, health, healthy eating, lifestyle, news, USDA | No Comments

I know, I know, it should come as no surprise to me or anyone that potatoes, in all forms, are the villains of the food universe. They have been beaten up by the South Beach diet folks, and the school nutrition people chimed in recently, but a large-scale food study probably added the extra topping. Even my beloved baked got scathed in this study.

Let’s cut to the chase. In a Harvard study entitled, “Changes in Specific Dietary Factors May Have Big Impact on Long-Term Weight Gain,” the potato ( in all forms, with fried leading the list) tops the chart of offenders. This study says it is not just a matter of how much we eat but specifically what we eat that will determine our future body frames! We are not talking about a small study or one over a short period of time; rather an examination of three major studies encompassing results over 20 years. That in itself is impressive: A true clarion cry or calorie headliner!

What changes need to be made in our diets to digest the conclusions. First off, yes, the potato, needs to be reduced (eliminated) or we will continue to rock the obesity numbers. Very sad reality. On the other hand, the love of nuts continues to be a positive. Well-known cookbook author Susan Herrmann Loomis may help you discover some new uses for nuts.

Sure, everything in moderation, but grabbing a handful of nuts over the small bag of chips proves a healthy decision. Yes, fruits and vegetables have overall high scores. Let’s hear it for the new USDA plate!

Yogurt scores well, too, and makes it into the slimming column. Another interesting takeaway from the study is that getting less sleep, less than 6 hours, proves a weight-gaining decision. Go for fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and yogurt. Get 8 hours of sleep, and you’ll be following the right approach to lessen weight gain.

I begin now: Major lifestyle changes ahead since there’s never been a potato I haven’t liked!

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Men Finally Get Their Java Jolt

May 19

Posted by admin in coffee, health, lifestyle, news | No Comments

Coffee news; coffee research. Big difference between mere news and research studies uncovering the health benefits of coffee. Yes, health research makes plenty of news items, but sometimes the research is so thin it barely deserves a headline. Not so for these last few coffee nuggets.

It was not that many months ago that women got a great pass on their coffee consumption. Now men have their day at the Java shops with a significant study detailing the benefits of 6 cups of coffee staving off prostate cancer. The specific details are worth stirring around:

–Study involved almost 50,000 men.

–Six (6) or more cups of coffee produced a 20% drop in prostate cancer (the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the US). When compared with men who avoided coffee all together, the risk decrease was 60%.

–Even those who drank only 1-3 cups daily demonstrated a 30% lower risk of getting prostate cancer.

Coffee, often maligned, has gained new respect in the health community. Do not lose sight of the fact that coffee, because of its antioxidant properties, has brought positive news to those with Parkinson’s and diabetes. Plenty of studies moving coffee into the plus column!

Coffee may prove to be the beverage darling of health studies! Hot or cold: Coffee rocks. Today I’ll deal with the humidity with my espresso over ice. Thank you.

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A GF World

May 6

Posted by admin in FDA, food universe, gluten-free, health, news | No Comments

It’s hard to believe that food labeling laws are proceeding at a crawl of a snail’s pace. Or not proceeding at all, depending on whom you ask. GF labeling Legislation was supposed to be in place three years ago (I love the line from the piece that describes the time period as the equivalent amount of time it took to build the Tunnel between France and Britain.) Some manufacturers have taken advantage of the increased marketing opportunities for labeling a product gluten-free. Shameful, but true. With the increased attention and awareness of Celiac Disease (May is National Celiac Awareness Month) and of finding significant numbers of individuals who have discovered they are gluten intolerant, it is devastating and dangerous that these protective laws have not been enacted.

We are not talking about a trend unless we are referencing the increased shelf space for GF products. Rather this is a health issue that needs attention in the current environment. This past week there were numerous outreach programs to call attention to the numbers of individuals affected by the disease. Will all of these efforts help? Possibly one of the most powerful benefits will mean that more people will be tested for this type of diet and many will feel better if they make the switch to a GF lifestyle. Not a trend; a healthy reality.

What can manufacturers do? Continue to examine product line and make certain that all the safety precautions have been applied to ensure that the labeling is accurate. Just this week Barbara’s Bakery, the cereal manufacturer, added to its GF lineup. Why not have Puffins Multigrain? Freezer options continue as well with Glutino expanding its pizza lineup with multi-paks. What happens if you are time-starved but crave a complete Italian entree, then Caesar’s GF linup works wonders. You have numerous freezer choices including manicotti, shells, lasagna, and gnocchi. Add your favorite sauce, and you’re covered!

Choices abound. Read the labels carefully and make certain your specific health and allergy needs are met. In the meantime, let’s hope that the FDA gets moving.

 

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Wine Limits

May 2

Posted by admin in alcohol, health, wine | No Comments

OK, now that I have your attention and your anxiety has been elevated to that of attention-getting, what’s all the talk about limiting wine consumption? Turns out according to a report from the American Heart Association that there’s been a tendency to overdrink red wine! I know, it’s shocking!

Seems that all the good news about how red wine can help drive good heart-healthy numbers had respondents saying they consumed many more than the recommended two drinks a day limit. After all, if one glass works, why not enjoy yourself and indulge seems to be the thread. Overdrinking or over indulging leads to other issues and seems to negate the wine benefit! Of the 1,000 adults polled, only 30% knew there were limits to consumption. Really! How odd, limits!

The limits get narrowed into discernible amounts: Two (4-ounce) drinks for men on a daily basis and one for women. Drinking in greater quantities may diminish the heart-healthy benefits and increase blood pressure. Did I mention obesity?

Wine studies can be rather comical as a recent one acknowledged wine drinkers with multiple, as in 4-5 drinks daily, had fewer tremors as they aged. Call me cynical but regular daily consumption in that quantity may make one wonder if they were able to recognize a tremor as their consumption level was so significant!

I like a study that favors wine consumption as much as the next vinophile, but excess is excess. You’ll know by morning!

Common sense should play a role in any of our food or beverage decisions. It is hard to believe we need a study to confirm that there are negative risks to overindulgence!

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The Healthy Cups of Coffee

Mar 11

Posted by admin in beverages, coffee, health, lifestyle, wine | No Comments

As with wine, my favorite finds are the health articles that discuss the benefits from the beverages. Today is no exception. The latest study from Sweden reports on the beneficial effects from drinking more than a single cup of coffee daily. The focus is on women without a history of cardiovascular disease. Findings clearly support a 22 to 25% reduction in the possibility of having a stroke. The lead researchers followed more than 30,000 women (from 49 to 83 years old) for 10 years. The single nor occasional cup does not produce these results.

It should be noted that the research indicates that women who do not drink coffee or have very limited coffee consumption are more likely to have a stroke. Other factors such as smoking, weight, and alcohol consumption did not affect the overall benefit women gain from daily, multiple cups of coffee. Researchers did not separate out the caffeinated from the decaffeinated drinkers, but Sweden is well known for its strong coffee brews so the authors doubt the number of decaf drinkers would significantly affect the data.

This study follows on the heels of an earlier one from Israel (The Heart Institute of Sheba) that found that 3 cups of coffee a day is good for you and protects against heart attacks and is good for the circulatory system. What is interesting about this study’s findings is that both individuals who have suffered heart conditions and those free of disease benefited from the caffeine dosage. People who have shied away from coffee for fear of a spike in their blood pressure and pulse rate might start to enjoy those multiple cups.

These studies support my overall philosophy that coffee has strong benefits and that days of diminished consumption help no one, especially those with whom you come into contact! Keep healthy, enjoy good coffee in beautiful cups.illyrehberger_143x130

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The Goods on Coffee

Feb 3

Posted by admin in coffee, health, news | No Comments

Love the days where the health news about coffee lives in the positive column. Today’s one of those days. Name your tonic. OK, let me help.

Women do better with regular coffee than if they decaffeinate. We are talking about mental health, and the ability to handle stress. Yes, it’s true we can become overcaffeinated and be robotically productive, but in general drinking regular coffee means better situational responses for women than for men. OK, score another one for women and for coffee! Our brain power goes up with our consumption. Maybe we need to keep the numbers in check, but you get the point. The same UK study concludes that men do worse on memory tests after the coffee consumption than women. Slow down the inter-office friction and offer men decaffeinated coffee.

How about the diabetes and coffee link? That’s an important health discussion that seems to improve with coffee input: Lower diabetes numbers for those who drink coffee. That’s good news and again it seems women are the beneficiaries of this multiple cup approach to life. Men did not fare as well in being protected from diabetes. Women who had four cups of coffee daily were less likely to get Type 2 Diabetes, the most common form. The authors recognize that more research to uncover the complete causal relationship is still necessary, but the findings continue to support earlier reports.

No matter the report, one fact is certain: The morning cup of coffee works wonders especially in our frigid climes. Take out the china and treat yourself!fortessatn_HBW-00-531

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