The Feds seem to be stepping out of the equation with all the other topics floating around, but some of the states seem ready to take up the cause as a way to boost their declining revenues. The formula is a tax fitted to the number of ounces of the drink. Imagine the situation at any of the fast food outlets and then multiply the chaos by the outrage.

Whether you’re talking a penny an ounce tax or the very high 18% figure that is being mentioned the concern is the same. We are a country in the out-of-control department about weight gain, obesity, and increases in diabetes. Those being the primary reasons behind the reemergence of the beverage tax. Some in support of the concept talk about overall economic savings.

The real issue that cannot be lost in the steam roll is who makes the decision about what to eat and drink. The economy is still in bad shape with job losses and high overall unemployment. Inexpensive food and drink options help many people stave off hunger. This is the reality of the times. Fix one issue at a time. One more tax is not the way to go.

Pennies count no matter the size of the beverage.

I’m ready. They’ve got a good lineup.

Did I mention that this promotion has a great price point: $1.50. Hard to beat and certainly not one that should cause any pricing complaints. If this is the new Starbucks, then this is another example of a company that has spent time listening to consumers and responding to purchasing patterns. Until March 14, you can get a passport and each week when you purchase the featured beverage, you get a sticker stamp. A completed passport, 8 stamps, gets you a free pound of your favorite blend. This is my kind of brew.

For a complete list of the featured weekly coffees, visit the website. Before you worry that they’ve eliminated Pike’s Place Roast, allay your anxiety. That pour will be available during the promotion.

In the meantime, shake off the winter blues and get ready to lose the jackets and enjoy your bold blend in the outside shine of a warm spring. I’m hoping.

Non-drinkers gained the most weight, and weight gain decreased as the alcohol intake increased! Those who drank 15 to less than 30 grams daily had the lowest risk of obesity or weight gain. They studied liquor, beer, white wine, and red wine and found that red wine was the most effective in terms of consumption v. weight gain.

Here’s the perfect combination: A diet plan and a glass of wine to help tolerate the stress of dieting!

We definitely need more studies like this even if they seem counter-intuitive. As with all health studies, not all information works for everyone, but there seem to be no shortage of possible studies to match your lifestyle!

Wine, coffee, chocolate: Bring ‘em on.

OK, this is so obvious, what am I getting at? It turns out that lunch may be a critical meal for women. If they have coffee with their meal, they are less likely to get Type 2 diabetes, the most common form often associated with a higher body mass index or being overweight. So if you count calories and think diet soda is the way to go, research says otherwise. In a significant study (70,000 participants) from Brazil that followed women for multiple years, they saw a decrease in Type 2 diabetes most significantly from women who had at least a cup of coffee at lunch. Maybe someone will test Brazilian coffee beans next!

BTW, this is not the only coffee study that linked positive results between coffee and lessening the likelihood of Type 2. This study found no difference between caf or decaf beverages or if the drinker chose to sweeten it or not. LUNCH was the critical discovery!

It is unclear whether coffee needs to be the only drink or if you can end the meal with coffee and be covered, but one fact remains: This is another positive coffee outreach study and maybe the first that targets a meal period.

Off to lunch.

Food labels: The FDA has had a busy week with the various recalls and its announcement that it will be spending more time scrutinizing those so-called healthy food labels. We often grab food with a banner notation indicating its healthy properties. The FDA wants proof that these claims are accurate and not just marketing strategies. They promise to get tough on misleading labels. Time to understand a label and not just give it a quick once-over: Watch for saturated fat and sugar.

In other health news:

–Chocolate: A Harvard study says enjoying a few pieces of dark chocolate daily may lessen the possibility of certain types of strokes.

–Potassium-rich foods: Also related to issues of preventing strokes, foods that are high in potassium (potatoes, bananas, avocados, and leafy greens, for example) helped lower the risk for stroke and coronary heart disease. Sounds like a reminder to eat fruits and vegetables.

–Metal cans and BPA: Several environmental and scientific groups have called for the immediate banning of metal cans for their various health risks. Tests indicate higher BPA levels than originally expected and fears of overall exposure has heightened attention to this issue.

–Dieting. An Israeli study found that weight-loss diets, whether Mediterranean, low-fat, or low-carb, help reverse atherosclerosis. The probable benefit of these diets comes from reduced blood pressure. Great news. The type of diet is not as critical as the fact that one diets!

–Lessen salt intake. Now that’s a shocker! A government study found that billions of health dollars could be saved if salt intake could be reduced by 10 %. They are trying to get the food industry to understand the overall implications and get them to hold back on salting up foods. When dining in we can get a tighter grip on the shaker.

–Milk allergies. A simple blood test may determine if young children are allergic to all milk products or if they can tolerate heated milk. Knowing the severity of the allergy would make it easier in determining the safest foods. The test is not yet available, but it is definitely one to watch.

As with most weeks, it is fun to end on a good news coffee note. Several studies presented at the recent American Heart Association conference found good news in the coffee department! Coffee drinkers had a lower risk of getting heart rhythm problems. Another study found no link between coffee intake and atherosclerosis. The third significant study found that women who consume multiple cups of coffee daily had a lower risk of getting type 2 diabetes!

Healthy coffee or coffee health: Works for me.

So many of these month-long holidays have special promotions built around their celebrations. So many choices; these are just a taste of what’s in store. Check the linked websites for ways to participate.

–National Frozen Food Month. OK, I admit this is an odd one as we spend so much time talking fresh, just-picked, and farm-ready, but there are plenty of consumers who feel unfulfilled with a partially full freezer! The big news here is that both the organic and gluten-free markets have increased their frozen offerings so we are not in total wilderness space!  Check out the chance to win a prize in the Easy Home Meals section.

–National Nutrition Month. The American Dietetic Association uses this month to spread the word on nutrition education and information to help individuals make informed choices whether dining in or out. They also stress the importance of developing solid eating habits and participating in physical activities.

–National Peanut Month. The Southern Peanut Growers is hosting a recipe contest for foodservice employees, “PB&J My Way.” Here’s your chance to submit your favorite twist on the traditional. They are also donating a jar (up to 4,000 jars) of peanut butter to Feeding America for each recipe submitted. Be creative and help feed those less fortunate. That’s a double win. Plenty of great recipes on the site.

If none of these month-long celebrations excite you, pick a day, and you’ll find a food to celebrate. Try March 7, National Cereal Day or wait til the 14th to celebrate the Potato Chip. There’s at least a food a day and an organization happy to give you celebratory ideas.

I need to conclude with a strange one: Caffeine Awareness Month. I personally believe each sip heightens your awareness and that a month-long promotional program devoted to making the public aware of how their lives are quite possibly negatively affected by use and misuse of caffeine is a whole other discussion. If you need to watch the caffeine, this is your month to learn strategies.

Think you know how that plays out in my universe!

If you’re thinking about carrying in to help ease the set-up, then you have some additional homework. In one of the larger, more widespread FDA recalls, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) has been targeted for a Salmonella outbreak. This is a tricky one. First of all, if you follow the “I don’t buy it if I can’t spell it” rule, you’d never have it within 50 yards of your cupbaords or refrig. The problem is far more complicated as it is a pervasive ingredient. You may be surprised by its presence! Scroll through the list and start checking your larder. Almost all of the government agencies that get involved with food safety issues (USDA, CDC, FDA) have information on their sites. Plenty to read.

Popular veggie and spinach dips, some types of potato chips, soup mixes, pre-packaged meals (various tofus), and organic salad dressings are well-defined on this list.

This recall started the week with fewer items, but has multiplied.

Be thorough as this ingredient has become a popular additive. Even some Chinese restaurants list their HVP menus which they have cleverly crafted to increase their dining base. You don’t want to ruin the Red Carpet or miss the weekend festivities.

Lotsa movie competition. Make room.

The leaders of the Chilean Wine Industry call the loss limited which is astonishing. This week’s numbers indicate a financial loss of $250 million (125 million liters), but the industry last year proved itself a strong contender in the international wine world with over a billion liters of wine.  They feel fortunate that the loss is not greater, and, of course express their concerns for the overall devastation that the earthquake caused. This information is, of course, still in the estimation period as the infrastructure at individual wineries has not yet been fully determined. Daily updates have become the norm.

If you are looking for a way to help Chile during this devastation, drink Chilean wine.

Do your part: Support a strong, growing wine industry with so many wonderful, affordable, and delicious choices!

What do you call a 31-ounce drink if its not a Venti Plus? OK, a Trenta. First, we had to learn Starbucks lingo as in short, tall, grande, and venti instead of the tiny, small, medium, and large standards. Now we need to add another word to our vocabulary: Trenta. Super Size Me is accurate. The iced tea and iced coffee size is being tested in just a few markets, one on each coast, Tampa and Phoenix. That’s almost 8-oz larger than their venti!

This is all part of a trend toward bigger sizes in the belief that bigger is better, cheaper, and a deal. Price wars are already in place for the ginormous drink market.

The unsweetened route is the way to go, as it’s reported at less than 5 calories; the sweetened version just under 200.

If this becomes a national rollout, the competitive, super-sized drink market will create one cool summer beverage war.

Iced coffee drinks rock.

Whole Foods has decided to take its healthy message up a notch. Not that this is the first time this year they have focused their staff and customers on strategies to improve their healthy lifestyle, but this time the emphasis is on the Whole Body section of the store (and online) withe the emphasis on edfucating customers with lectures and podcasts to promote healthy energy. The philosophy focuses on an energy boost with good nutrition and smart shopping. BTW, whatever Whole Foods has done recently has positively improved their bottom line: They are a healthier company.

Fresh Direct is making it easier for NY shoppers who are already time-stressed to get on the health bandwagon. The online grocer with its commitment to farm-fresh foods just introduced a free app that’s compatible with the iPhone and the iPod touch to let customers create new orders or modify current ones. New customers will love this incentive as they’ll receive a 15% savings on their first two orders by signing up with the company and then using the app. That works.

Wegmans continues to expand its healthy eating selections under the category of “Food You Feel Good About.” Sub-categories include meals under 500 calories. There are various commonsense tips and strategies (that are worth reminding us) such as fill up half your plate with fruit and vegetables.

Spring’s official start is still 3 weeks away and swimsuit parading is months from then. Take advantage of the promotions, shop smart and join the health brigade. No matter the grocer or the chain, the emphasis is the same: We can all take advantage of strategies to improve our shopping experience and improve our overall health.

The advice is readily available and free. Now it’s up to us to follow it and eat healthy.

What started as a comment turned into a social media Facebook success story: Incredible numbers decided to join up.

I always knew that coffee had a more vocal following; after all that caffeine has to be put to good use somewhere.

Politics aside Coffee Klatches have been around for a long time. It’s hard to describe the current state of the country as being divided between the teas and the coffees or the amount of juiced up caffeine in our spirit, but that seems to be where we are.

Pick your drink and your politics.

I’ll stick with the double espresso.

–Taxing junk food. The discussion goes on as it does with the soda tax. Some new studies indicate that people would pay attention if there were an additional charge placed on this “select” group of items. If that’d be the case, then we might have scored a victory in the obesity battle. At least a first round offensive.

–Memory loss. Now I’ve got your attention! Even though the study was funded by Welch’s Grape Juice, it bears watching. Findings from the British Journal of Nutrition say that Concord grape juice may help individuals with early memory changes. This is not the first such study, or I doubt the last, linking the benefits derived from grape products. If it works with wine, why not the basic grape juice beverage?

–Prices rising. Some grocery stores have decided enough with the reduced prices and multiple offers to get you in the door. They are increasing prices where they can. This is in response to some hopeful signs that companies are noting in terms of inflation numbers. One of the big problems will remain: Will national brands continue to suffer at the expense of in-house labels? Maybe we are just different consumers now, and the stores need to acknowledge that.

–Gluten-Free. The newest entrant in the gluten-free flour aisle is none other than King Arthur Flour, one of the oldest companies selling whole wheat flour. Do you need many more signals how strong and growing the G-F market is? When the big guys get in the space, someone has clearly done his homework. The market definitely expects to see more products. The company’s line includes multi-purpose flour, and seven mixes including chocolate cake.

–Food Rules. Michael Pollan owns the space of for elevating our food knowledge and thinking. His latest book, Food Rules, is literally a thumb-thru guide of quirky observations (”It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car”) and logical comments (”Buy your snacks at the farmers’ market). His thought-provoking comments should  help us select better foods and eat healthier. We’re talking a fast read and a fun purchase for you and those you love. You will have lots to think about and most likely make some lifestyle adjustments.

–Tomatoes. Now is the time to start your seeds. The Florida crop, as the markets can easily attest, has been hard hit. Prices are high and selection is unimpressive. Think spring.

–Coffee. Always a little news to perk you up. Coffee’s benefits are in line to help lessen diabetes (assuming you do not add a cup of sugar to each consumed cup). This latest study focused on Native Americans and uncovered a significantly lower risk of developing diabetes from those drinking multiple cups of coffee.

That’s the way I like to end a week!

Not every restaurant has the high rent problem. Some have solved the dilemma by getting a food truck. Remember this was a strong trend at the end of the decade and continues to be an ever-present one, regardless of the weather.  

Some cities are lined with food carts, and you quickly learn who’s got what and where to find the best hot meal. No matter the competition, the goal is the same: Quality food at affordable prices. Even with a smile!

Time to get onto Twitter and find where some of the mobile ones are hanging out.

These are the little businesses that need our loyalty even if the snow is still piled high along the street.

BTW, the falafel is excellent!

This has truly been a long month of limited outings whether from record snows or unceasing inches of rain. The Coasts have been clobbered, and the spots with normally full outdoor tables have been holding court inside as record lows have walloped the FL sun. Enough about February; what’s to come in March?

It looks as if restaurants have come out of the gate in flying colors with multiple promotions to get us out of our homes. In Washington, DC, The Restaurant Association coordinated a one-week (March 1-7) “Unleashed” deal in the hopes of creating a buzz again as too many people have been stuck at home and not taking advantage of the conviviality of dining in a more spirited space.

Chicago restaurants, at all price points, have banded together and offer any number of food and drink specials via Open Table. This site is a particularly easy way to see who’s offering what during the coming weeks throughout the country. Hey, Minneapolis, get out, you still have til the 5th to enjoy Restaurant Week.

Resorts are getting into the act, too. One of my favorite properties, Meadowood in Napa Valley, has instituted a rain check. If your visit includes a rainy day during your stay from now through April 2010, they’ll give you a complimentary night’s lodging when you stay again before the end of July. It’s been raining a  lot in California. The fields still have their mustard color display, and the restaurant always offers a quiet respite with exciting food.

Regardless of the city, coupons, social media tactics, and the old-fashioned Internet are ready to help move you from the doldrums to the tables. Let’s welcome March by getting out and helping the restaurants stay in business and be there for us when accessibility is even easier.

I’m on my way.

A large number of restaurants have figured out a marketing plan for the day to help drive traffic inside. A free bowl of chili is the way to go! A Washington DC area spot, Hard Times Cafe, has the perfect enticement: Free Chili all day long! Your choice: Texas, Cincinnati, Veggie.

Hard to be a Washingtonian and not think of Ben’s Chili Bowl. No holiday necessary to pop in for their famous half smoke topped with chili or just a big bowl of the hot stuff. Tradition.

If you’re in Cincinnati, a city that has its own food trend, Cincinnati Chili, then head over to one of the Gold Star Chili locations (in Cincinnati and in neighboring states) as they get ready to join the festivities. Cincinnati chili lovers have a sweet flavor profile in their ingredient mix and often just shout-out Chili 5-ways, the works.

Texas chili, on the other hand, skips the beans and adds the firepower with some form of chili pepper.

If you’re snowed in and under, then there are plenty of basic recipes worth making. Have your at-home celebration with a cold brewski and watch the 7,000 hours of the Olympics you taped! Make it your way.

Chili today; spring a’comin’.

In this stressed-out society with the economy still in neutral, we look for ways to entertain and dine out in fun, affordable ways. Sitting down to a tea event is one such way to take a break and breathe a sigh of reality relief. Check out your local, upper tier hotels, or one of the many tea stores that have literally popped up throughout the country for an elegant, fun afternoon.

While you’re cupping and sipping, let’s add another health note to the mix. A lot has been written about green tea and its healthy antioxidants. Another study just demonstrated the power of this pour in staving off glaucoma. That’s a serious eye disease that seems to be lessened by drinking green tea.

A final tea caveat for today: Go for whole leaf teas when you purchase them. That’s the purest form of tea so any benefits one could derive would not be mitigated by a collection of chopped up tea that has lost its potency.

Enjoy the tea party.

With the child choking information working its way through the media yesterday, it is time to take a step back and do some refresher work on eating safely. This time the reference is not food safety, but being careful how we eat, what we eat, and how to be safe eaters.

First the choking issue. This is not what we call “new news,” but it is information that needs to be reviewed. The worst food offenders for young children are hot dogs, grapes, and carrots. They each should be sliced down the middle as big chunks of them in their initial state match a child’s windpipe and can shut it off and within minutes the child can literally choke to death. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to see protective labels prominently displayed on certain foods to make the public more aware of choking dangers.

Public awareness needs to be continued with highly visible campaigns. Of course, the choking issue also needs brightly colored information on packages of toys. We need to be reminded of these dangers and be diligent about our food knowledge.

Allergies are another dining concern. Whenever individuals who have specific food allergies dine out, they need to make certain that the dishes they select do not have any hidden ingredients. So many restaurants are clueless about how a single, unmentioned ingredient in a menu description can alter an individual’s ability to handle the dish. It is always wonderful when wait staff can answer very specific questions by just referring to a single sheet of information. In the case of uncertainty, it is best that they speak directly to the chef to clarify the specifics. No one, waitstaff or diner, should hesitate to ask.

A number of states have passed legislation suggesting food allergy management guidelines for schools. These go way beyond the earliest school roots of suggesting “no peanuts, no peanut butter.” Well-known (Blue Ginger) Boston chef Ming Tsai wants states to become more involved and play a stronger role in outlining allergen responsibilities. He has become a national spokesperson for The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) in the hopes that more restaurants will be involved and educate themselves better about allergens. His efforts helped Massachusetts implement a Food Awareness law for restaurants, and he hopes that food allergy safety laws will be enacted in other states.

FAAN has joined the myriad of organizations that believe scheduling a walk (Walk for Food Allergy Awareness) raises money and heightens knowledge. Check out the site and see if you can get some exercise with this group and spread the word.

Depending on the severity of the allergy, cross-contamination can also be a problem. That is especially true for those who need gluten-free dining. Major restaurant chains, such as Outback Steakhouse, P. F. Chang’s, have separate menus and plenty of  local dining establishments proudly announce that they, too, have gluten-free menus. Yet diners with the most severe forms need to make certain that the food is truly kept separate. The kitchen needs a gluten-free area if it advertises that it provides gluten-free foods. Foods need to be plated separately so that cross-contamination does not occur.

The first rule of eating safely is awareness. We need to be smart and eat smart.

Worry no more. A new product, CoverMate Food Covers are just that: Covers. They may be the perfect solution to storage anxiety. That means they can fit tightly over a bowl, dish,  platter or whatever item is holding leftovers: No need to transfer food to another container. Besides their reusability, they also solve the microwave problem as they are microwave safe and have built-in vents that let steam escape during the reheating process.

To allay the greatest worry, they are BPA, latex, and PVC-free.

No more plastic wrap that promises to unroll easily and not stick to itself. These covers stretch-to-fit.

Food storage and food safety all in one simple marketing tool!

–Here’s a heads up, rather than a look back: IHOP has a special promotion this Tuesday (BTW, have you ever noticed how many one-day food deals there are on Tuesdays?), National Pancake Day. They hope you will enjoy the free pancake short stack (3) and consider making a charitable donation. This is a great two-fer as the company has managed to raise over $3 million dollars in the past few years of the event and would like the figure to reach $5 million. Take advantage and share your advantage.

–As long as we’re thinking pancakes, you might want to visit Bisquick’s Pancake Nation website where you’ll learn about pancake fundraising opportunities and potential grant information. As all states and counties seem to be struggling with budget issues, here’s an opportunity for schools and its organizations to kick start a fundraising effort.

–On the less sunny side of sweet news, there’s a warning from the FDA about Eggo waffles coming from a Georgia plant. The company has not yet responded. This is a watch-and-see situation as we wait to hear from Kellogg that the problems have been remedied at the Atlanta plant.

–This is the week that we had affirmation of a common trend we have promoted: The popularity of locally grown food. Seems a remote thought now with all the snow but a dreamy concept as the days get longer and the fields again produce the bounty we have come to expect. Time for individuals to decide about joining a CSA or starting their home-grown seeds. Have definite proof, spring is on the horizon (March 20).

–A little positive health news to end our round-up: Cranberry Juice is again in the news as a positive beverage to lower blood pressure and help promote a heart-healthy lifestyle of good cholesterol. The new study from Queen Mary University in London shows that those who do not choose an alcohol-based beverage are wise to select cranberry juice for its similar effects.

The week goes on.

Hospitality:

Yes, we understand about shutting off our ringers and plenty of menus say no cell phones, but what about texting or emailing? How do you like eating out with a dinner companion who can’t take his eye off the gadget and his finger from the button?

More often than not the texter or writer is a visible dinner companion. If you are dining alone, then quietly scrolling through emails may make a fine dinner companion. Returning calls or sending long tapping messages does not elevate the experience for anyone: Don’t.

Yes, if you are “ON Call” your situation is different, but for the rest of the universe, it’s time to soak up the hospitality and lose the gadgetry. Vibrate is no better. Hit off or quiet and settle in for a fine dining experience no matter the venue or the price point.

Relax.