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Hotels Elevate the Food Experience

Jun 20

Posted by admin in beverages, coffee, Economy, news, Starbucks, tourism, travel

We have spent a lot of time talking about high food prices and equating that to the continual stalemate of economic progress: The reality of doom and gloom. Yet, another indicator has emerged from the doldrums. This time the specific focus is on the travel industry. Hotels that were giving away rooms not that long ago are now more inclined to raise prices and offer pluses to lure you inside. Travel has always been a strong indicator of economic growth, and with the uptick in business travel, leisure has started to fill rooms, too.

What special benefits can hotels offer to distinguish themselves? That is an ongoing industry, marketing question. Hyatt jumped up to the plate with a Welcome Credit. Depending on the number of nights, the monetary reward could be as high as $150. A guest should have no problem enjoying spending the money on the property. Hello, steak dinner.

If you’re Vegas-bound, you have the universe of selections as hotels are tripping over each other with good deals as their economy still lags. Once you settle on a property, take a stroll down the Strip and dine to your heart’s content as a whole coterie of big-deal chefs continue to wine and dine the visitor. It seems no end is in sight as to the restaurant potential in Vegas. Corby Kummer finds that the food now matches the hype! Jose Andres followers take note: The famous chef continues to research and study the history of foods. His latest education turns his palate to Chinese food. Washington, DC, which feels a certain hometown national pride over Andres’s food empire, will readily welcome a good Chinese restaurant, or two.

Let’s not forget coffee. In-room coffee service has been heavily scrutinized, and criticized, for its questionable cleanliness standards. Hotels have fought back with lobby coffee partnerships that promise a respectable cup of coffee. Marriott Hotels have various coffee partnerships depending on the brand. Newer or refurbished Courtyards offer Starbucks in the Bistro, and the higher-end properties (JW Marriott, Renaissance) may have taken coffee to a new height: An Espressamente Illy., a true coffee experience. The logic is quite simple: Keep the money in the property rather than watch guests stroll down the block and return to the hotel with someone else’s cup.

Sure small refrigerators and minibars stocked with a guest’s pre-ordered items (Hilton) are popular, but what’s better than good food and a great cup of coffee? OK, a lovely wine, but that’s not really been a hotel’s downfall. So pack your bags and take a hotel holiday or a mini-vacation. It is summer, after all.

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Trouble in FoodLand

Jun 13

Posted by admin in Administration, coffee, Environment, FDA, food, food universe, healthy eating, news

Maybe it’s the extreme heat gripping parts of the country or maybe it’s just that time of the year when the ducks get lined up properly and months of research come rushing out the gates. That’s where we are in the food world.

I challenged Congress (the House) when they came up with the money-saving notion of switching to styrofoam cups in their cafeteria. It seemed like a backwards step then as environmental issues needed to be considered. Now several months later the formaldehyde/styrofoam study has come out, and it validates much of what many of us have believed for a long time. Skip the styrofoam.

The same goes for food on pesticide lists. For a number of years there have been lists of fruits and vegetables that should be considered safe and those that should by default move into the organic purchase pile. There have always been some obvious ones such as the berries which hug the soil. (If you crave strawberries, consider organic).  It was common knowledge that if you could peel it, you could remove many of the invading pesticides. Not so fast, Jones.

The report from The Environmental Working Group points a rather strict finger at a fruit that is readily available and well recognized by most: The Apple. It tops the latest list of fruit-invaded pesticides. Apples have had other issues in the past with spraying, but the common belief has been that you could wash the apple well and solve the problem. This report discredits that philosophy.

So what is one to do? It is true that organics have an increased presence in most grocers and markets, but as we well know, the price for switching from the regular produce aisle to the organic one can greatly increase one’s food bill. Not everyone is a candidate for organic shopping. We want variety, and the apple has often been the mainstay of packed lunches and a go-to snack.

According to the report, the apple has some company that gives pause to summer purchases: Cilantro was tested for the first time, and the herb ranked highest in overall pesticide infusion. Its position gives it the unenvious title of having the most unapproved pesticides in any product since the guide was first started in 1995! Not a good position to be in.

Here are the rankings of the 53 fruits and vegetables from the “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides. Celery is probably pretty happy as it no longer tops the Dirty Dozen; it dropped to 2nd place! Celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, lettuce and greens (kale and collards) are the vegetables most likely to retain pesticide contamination. As for those on the Clean Fifteen, (The vegetables least likely to test positive for pesticides), they found onions, sweet corn, asparagus, sweet peas, eggplant, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms. As for the fruits that score the best, those with the least pesticide residue, think avocado, mango, pineapple, watermelon, and grapefruit.

Just a week or so ago, the USDA introduced The Plate and took the Food Pyramid out of our lexicon. The plate is stacked in favor of fruits and vegetables. A little irony there, as we need to put the safest fruits and vegetables on the plate; not just any fruits and vegetables!

Timing is everything. Don’t forget your reusable container for coffee!

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Someone’s in the Kitchen with Uncle Sam

Jun 10

Posted by admin in Administration, beverages, cooking, Economy, FDA, First Lady Michelle Obama, gardening, healthy eating, news, USDA

Not quite the Dinah song, but clearly a spirited shout-out to the National Archives for putting together a phenomenal exhibit, “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” The answer quite simply is that everything we know about food in this country has some piece of history attached to it and the exhibit underlies the strong connection.

In the past few years since the Obama Administration took office, it seems that food has become a major player in the national conversation. We have talked about the White House Garden, the commitment to getting people to Move off the couch and be aware of their food intake. Obesity has been a major topic of concern as has the School Lunch program. Yet, so many of these discussions have their roots in much earlier times. It is impossible to speak of food safety legislation today without thinking about the letter Upton Sinclair wrote President Theodore Roosevelt.

Our current obsession with food, chefs, and food trends is nothing new. Buying local and supporting the farmer has deep-seeded, yes, it’s true, roots in our country’s agricultural history. You’ll be able to study the past while reflecting on how so much of what we believe today parallels our government’s earliest commitments to food safety. No need to make this sound so serious, as the exhibit focuses on all the aspects of our food culture.

What this exhibition hall is filled with it the how the Federal government’s programs intersected with our lives whether we are referencing food safety regulation or tracing the early paths of those we affectionately call “agricultural pioneers.” Besides enjoying the numerous posters from the collection including the already popular “Vitamin Donuts” or “Uncle Sam Says , Garden to Cut Food Costs.” My initial favorite, “Eat the Carp” includes the advice, “The muddy taste can be washed away.”

Trust me, you’ll have fun exploring the original records (“Eat More Cottage Cheese“) that explain the history of our country through its food supply with an emphasis on four distinct influences on our food environment: Farm, Factory, Kitchen, and Table.

Check out the event calendar as numerous additional programs and speakers have been lined up to supplement the standing exhibit. The exhibit opens today and continues through January 3, 2012. You need to know that date as you’ll want to go more than once!

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Time to Refocus Your Geometry: Pyramid Death

May 31

Posted by admin in Administration, First Lady Michelle Obama, food universe, gardening, healthy eating, lifestyle, Michelle Obama, news

Just as color alerts became a confusing part of our daily routines, the food pyramid chart has confounded “new” thinking about food and is about to die a natural death. As in, it will be removed from the visual universe of what we should eat. It is high time the icon was put aside into the annals of food history. Yet, what will the new look say about our food when all is revealed on June 2? The pyramid becomes history, and the plate details the new food visual.

Not just any plate, but one that has been approved by the First Family. A plate that says, less is better but what constitutes less will be unveiled in stages. We have become a full plate society from our parents earliest admonitions to finish your food to dining out and expecting full plates brimming over with food. Oversize restaurant portions were supposed to imply monetary value but instead helped contribute to our obesity numbers.

The President and the First Lady exemplify their commitment to exercise and good eating habits. The White House Garden has been a huge success and farm markets continue to expand in close proximity to the White House. At the same time some of the nation’s top chefs have contributed their time and expertise to improving the school lunch program. Logically, the next step is to take the tired pyramid of foods and replace its message with one that stresses vital health information. This is a more active focus that demonstrates the importance of being active and eating healthy. In addition to the USDA, other government agencies will help drive the important message.

Making the plate a thing of beauty with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables is a natural starting point. After all we are in the heart of the growing season and product availability. Grocers are competing with farm stands to show that locally grown food can be readily available to all shoppers.

Eating healthy has new rules and as a nation the time has come to step up to the plate and move into a healthier position. We welcome the pyramid retirement party.

It’s time to set up a healthy plate.

 

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Men Finally Get Their Java Jolt

May 19

Posted by admin in coffee, health, lifestyle, news

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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Vegetable Anarchy

May 17

Posted by admin in Administration, First Lady Michelle Obama, food universe, healthy eating, news

It’s hard to believe that a single vegetable can be the arch enemy of the cafeteria line. We’ve talked plenty about the high caloric count that seems representative of the school lunch program. Jamie Oliver created a Revolution around it and top chefs have joined First Lady Michelle Obama to create front page awareness of the startling and disturbing childhood obesity numbers. Can one food, a vegetable in fact, the lowly potato, mash up such emotion?

According to the USDA, the blame rests with the potato, and the Department wants to cut back its prominence in the school lunch program. Irony of ironies: The Agriculture Department has identified the white potato as its top villain, but the Idaho Potato Commission just received top marks from the American Heart Association for the spud’s benefits. Who’s the villain?

Let me think about that. Is one food responsible for the rise in obesity, diabetes, or heart-related issues? Can there be a negative super-food? Potatoes, even white potatoes, can be served in a number of ways–schools are making adjustments to the fried mentality. Rather than blame one food or one color of food, let’s concentrate on the reality: Overeating is the arch enemy, and we CAN do something about it. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of childhood hunger issues. The School Lunch Program (which for many youngsters now also includes a breakfast tray) is important and in more cases than we want to count, may be the primary sustenance for a significant part of the population.

We can cut back on fried foods and try to introduce additional vegetables into our diets, but remember not everyone’s food budget has the same monetary input. Oliver drew attention to the fact that many of the children and the parents in his test community had no familiarity with fresh vegetables. We can make changes, but we do not need to point fingers at the simple spud. It is not the root cause of the problem! The potato industry has, of course, galvanized its members with a strategic program: Keep Potatoes in School.

Sure the sweet potato appears as the potato survivor, but the school lunch program needs continual, additional re-imaging. The focus must be greater than just delivering the potato its death knell.

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A GF World

May 6

Posted by admin in FDA, food universe, gluten-free, health, news

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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Garden Dreamin’

May 4

Posted by admin in FDA, gardening, news

On the East Coast, in the mid-Atlantic region, there’s a small rule of thumb: Admire gardeners but do not give in and plant before Mother’s Day. Yes, the region has been known to have a late frost or in gardening parlance, a crop killer! What happens when Mother’s Day pops up early on the calendar? Yes, it’s still the 2nd Sunday of May, but this year it’s the 8th. In 2006 it was the 14th! Those extra days are ground warmers. What’s a tomato lover to do?

Plant but acclimate and look at the 10-day forecast. Most of the gardening centers still have warning signs out about late frosts. Most likely these signs came out of the closet after the unexpected, and unnecessary, 80 degree days in early April! Tomatoes take time and full sun so as we move later into the month, the ground and the plants will be most appreciative. The sun will be do its job, too.

If you’re still in the wondering stage, remember what you grow, you control. A Salmonella tomato warning should probably be the final encouragement to become a gardener. Seize the ground: This is your year.

If you are still hesitant, check out your local farm markets or see if there is even a final short share in a CSA–be local. Support local or be your own locavore.

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Yes, I Know What the Calendar Says

Apr 21

Posted by admin in Environment, news

Friday, April 22, is officially Earth Day, but why not make a personal pledge to make everyday an Earth holiday?

Whatever the words or the products, every little act becomes significant. The impact is huge.

Respect our world and make a difference.

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Every Day is Earth Day

Apr 21

Posted by admin in Environment, news

Now that Google Earth can track our most minute location, we need to understand how small our world really is. How we must take charge and be responsible inhabitants. As we are attacked on a daily basis by a range of enemies such as BPA or pollution, it’s nice to turn our attention to companies that are introducing small changes in their product lineup. The kind of changes that have a big impact.

You already know my fondness for the Sodastream product, the instant carbonation machine that has upped my water consumption and moved me completely away from other carbonated products. The company has taken the next step and shown its energy independence and concern for the environment. The original bottle has a long life of usability, but the company’s newest introduction moves them close to zero-footprint packaging.

With the recent introduction of the Bio Bottle, their flavor packaging is eco-friendly as they now can reduce the environmental impact of their syrup containers.  The soda packaging decomposes at a faster rate than conventional plastic.

So as you raise your reusable bottle today, the official celebration of the Earth, recognize that every positive action benefits us all. Every change in this direction is a positive.

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