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Posts Tagged food

Opening Day: Let’s Hear it for #44

Apr 5

Posted by admin in President Obama, news

Nothing like Opening Day of the baseball season and the final evening of college basketball–a real sport-filled day with so many food options. Baseball grabs the day’s early headlines as excitement surrounds the Big Day. With all the weeks of spring training, nothing prepares you for record crowds like having the President of the United States ready his pitching arm to throw out the first pitch. President Obama continues a tradition that dates back 100 years, and the Washington Nationals are ready for his appearance.president

The Nats meet the Phillies in what promises to be not only a good game on the field, but one the concessionaires will truly enjoy. There are some new foods gracing the corridors. Let’s start with one of the city’s top food destinations, Ben’s Chili Bowl, a must-visit for newcomers with several locations at the Park. For the traditionalists, there are no shortage of burger, hot dog, and pizza possibilities and then a carb world away are a few places that list “healthy options.” Somehow a baseball stadium and healthy options used together in a single sentence sound like a work of science fiction, but that is old school. Now there are choices including hummous, gluten-free pretzels, and even grilled chicken sandwiches minus the bun!

Ice cream stands will probably experience long lines to match the weather. Last year it was coffee stands that were doing a brisk business as the temperature was more fitting for an indoor sport. Not this year. It’s a sunscreen experience.

Other days; other parks. The healthy food option seems to be a sign of the times. When the Nats visit the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, vegetarian options lead the field. The Park earned the title as top vegetarian choice for baseball dining. Maybe this was the tie-breaker: A crab-free crab cake sandwich! Hmm.

Can’t wait to hear that famous magical phrase,  Batter Up as #44 throws out the first ceremonial toss.

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Happy Easter

Apr 4

Posted by admin in lifestyle

The chocolate study from earlier this week means you can have a good time with chocolate Easter eggs. Just don’t eat a dozen! Whether you buy them or make them, they’re easy to rationalize: They’re good for our overall health.valrohonaeastereggs

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Happy Passover

Mar 29

Posted by admin in news

Tonight is the first night of Passover. The time for a true spiritual, ritual dinner: The Seder. As more people celebrate this holiday, the special meal and ceremony have become celebrated in many different settings. It’s all about tradition.

Happy Passover.

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International Food Round-Up: Gluten-Free Guide

Mar 26

Posted by admin in gluten-free, lifestyle

MetsIf ours is a fusion food world, then we need to know which foods are best for those who want to taste specialty dishes when they travel or in their home environs. Not everyone needs a gluten-free lifestyle, but more attention is being focused on simpler diets and fewer grains. Besides resorting to the caveman approach, there are options for the adventuresome.

Mexican, Thai, and other nationalities have plenty of choices Here’s a start: A masa-based Pupusa. The El Salvadoran dish or the version from Honduras is quite simply a delicious choice, a corn pancake-like dish filled with meats, cheese, or beans, similar to the more common Mexican tortilla. Rice noodles that work their way into Pad Thai is another simple solution. Being gluten intolerant may enable you to be more of an adventuresome eater, one with an interest in dishes from other countries, those that use more rice or corn than heavy gluten-laden wheat flour.

Some new snack foods are coming into the market that will please the G-F group. If you’re planning on visiting the Mets this season, they’re ready for you at the beautiful new Citi Field. Kozy Shack puddings are gluten free and now the company is sponsoring a G-F food cart that will be easy to spot and take the worry out of baseball dining.

Batter up.

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Healthy Changes: The Time is Now

Mar 25

Posted by admin in health, news

The American Heart Association released an interesting survey. They found that people are just not interested in giving up their favorite foods. No matter how much money was offered they (40%) wanted to have their pizza, cupcakes, and mac ‘n cheese. The AHA wants to help people find healthier food choices. They’ve set up an online nutrition site with tips on shopping for food and dining out. Wait there’s more, they’re setting up a Twitter site with giveaways for creative recipes that demonstrate smart food substitutions to improve the nutritional quality of a dish. For instance, a suggestion might be adding shredded carrots to meatloaf. I assume they mean start with a less fatty ground beef.37785-inter-full

With the newly passed health bill, the mystery of a calorie count will be removed form a guessing game. Calorie postings are part of the new program. Panera Bread announced sometime ago that it would be posting calories. In New York City, calorie posts have been required from businesses that had multiple locations (Starbucks, for one). Under the new law, any chain with at least 20 outlets will need to post. We can be certain that this type of in your-face information will have a positive outcome; at least it will make people think twice about some dishes that are the equivalent of a whole day’s calorie requirements!

The other food topic receiving increased attention is salt. More companies are taking a stand and reducing the sodium count of their products. The snacks owned by Pepsi (Frito-Lay, for example) will come under the reduced sodium count during the gradual reduction over the next five years. it would be grand if they considered reducing calorie counts in these same foods at the same time. Kraft (Oreos, for example) has a similar plan in the works. Both of these companies, both industry leaders, plan gradual changes so that consumers do not balk at the taste differences.

As a nation we are suffering from obesity and its many dangerous end results. At the same time, we cry out that regulation from any front is bad. This time our health as a nation depends on assistance from multiple sources if necessary.

We are out of control.

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Can a Brit Change America?

Mar 22

Posted by admin in First Lady Michelle Obama, health

foodrevIt’s intriguing to think of the concept: British chef Jamie Oliver (of “Naked Chef” fame) comes to America and takes a peek at our food ways. As he comments in the opening preview of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution,” Pizza for breakfast. I’ve never seen anything like this.” Mind you, he was in Huntington, WVA, a city the CDC  labeled  the Unhealthiest City in America, not a positive banner headline!

His goal is to create lifestyle changes that reverse the devastating health statistics surrounding early death and severe obesity.  Without giving too much away, let me say his welcome did not resemble a cuddly, warm, open-arm reception. He was laughed at, viewed as a threat, and generally undermined, if that’s possible to do to the the delightfully entertaining Oliver. The kitchen staff at the first elementary school scoffed at what they considered an intruder; after all they had been there for decades doing the same thing. When they showed him how they make mashed potatoes, with potato pearls, he struggled to hold his composure.

His goal is simple: Effect the lives of the community and bring about healthy changes. He’s working with families and introducing them to foods that are not processed, deep-fried, and come out of the freezer section. Challenges are in every corner, for the students who are asked to choose between a home-cooked chicken lunch v. a slice of pizza–you know who wins! The lunch ladies, as he calls them, can barely hide their resentment and disgust. They admit that they said he could try to set up his school guidelines as he has done in the UK, but they emit skepticism.

Enough of this first episode. Recognize that he is tackling the very issues First Lady Michelle Obama has so eloquently addressed. His goal is to have schools, administrations, families and in general, the US think about the food that goes into our bodies. In this blog we’ve talked plenty about nutrition and childhood obesity; let’s hope that Jamie’s Kitchen becomes a model for how we can change the nutritional guidelines of school lunch programs and help families learn how to shop for foods that are not laden with lines of ingredients.

As they say, check your local listings for upcoming episodes.

As an aside, maybe the biggest irony of the show was the commercial for a fast food restaurant that talks about giving you more for less. They obviously never received the Jamie Oliver memo!

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Child Nutrition: Good-for-you Foods

Mar 19

Posted by admin in First Lady Michelle Obama, food universe, health

Schools continue to get whacked for their slow-paced progress in updating the foods and quality of the lunchroom experience. With ever-increasing numbers of children going hungry and the overall increase in obesity, it is time for the USDA to take charge of this program and make the schools responsible for proper implementation.

Children should not be held hostage for being participants in a program they need. Nor should they be given less than standard fare. With First Lady Michelle Obama headlining issues about child nutrition, the campaign for healthy school meals has gained front-row prominence and now needs to be able to deliver success.

A Congressional committee, part of Senator Blanche Lincoln’s Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, provides for the establishment of national nutrition standards consistent with the list of appropriate foods sold on school grounds. With a budget of $4.5 Billion for funding child nutrition standards, the USDA will be able to move forward in getting harmful products out of sight and improve the items in the school lunch line. The Act also provides for an expansion of after-school meals for at-risk children for a meal, not just a snack. For the first time it appears that the USDA will be able to impact the foods in line with nutritional standards and see that high fats and high sugars are items of a bygone period that should never have existed in the first place. It is shameful that regulations which govern what can be sold on school grounds have not been updated in 30 years!LetsMove-Small

With the cooperation of companies such as Coke, Mars, Nestle, and Pepsi, schools will be able to move children forward into healthier eating behaviors. Some of these companies have already taken steps to remove targeted items from school vending machines. It takes this type of cooperation from food companies and overall food industry players to impact the needed changes. Since over 2/3 of the states have limited or non-existent food nutrition standards, this type of Congressional action comes none too soon. With the expected passage of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Bill, junk food will remain in the junk pile and not in the lunch line.

Out of sight; out of mind. We have wasted years and calories. The time has come.

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Green Bagels Tomorrow

Mar 16

Posted by admin in gardening, lifestyle

It’s funny about certain holidays; everyone wants to participate. St. Patrick’s Day is one of those holidays. Today you rest; tomorrow you party. It’s that kind of day and very few food establishments want to be left out of the festivities. Bagel stores have their signs up announcing the green bagel selection for tomorrow. Just heard from one of the local chili places saying they didn’t want to miss out on the fun. See what I mean. Don’t worry your favorite cupcake shop is adding an extra shift to make plenty of green ones (maybe a good day for a Key Lime cupcake). There’s always Irish Soda Bread: Check out the recipes at All Recipes and find one to make everyone smile. sodabread

Naturally the bars and pubs are ready and some will be pouring green beer to make the day an especially memorable one. Plenty of corned beef and cabbage to round it out.

Here’s a big garden tip: If you live in the mid-Atlantic, tomorrow is a perfect day to plant peas. Nothing greener or sweeter when they’re ready. Just watch the ground and try not to step on the wet soil, use a plank or a board to avoid squishing down the ground further. The weather’s ready for that first crop of spring.

Go green: A good day to add an environmental thought to the food mix.

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Food News Wrap

Feb 21

Posted by admin in beverages, food universe, news

Think that Sunday mornings take on a special new meaning as I do my weekly round-up of info we didn’t have time to discuss fully  this week. Today is no different. So much news. So many topics.

–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.pancake

–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.

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The Power of Gluten-Free

Feb 15

Posted by admin in gluten-free

We know that gluten-free products are literally increasing exponentially. Grocers are devoting more shelf space to this important category, and chefs are becoming more knowledgeable how to help the customer who needs a gluten-free menu. Nor are all baked goods stuck in the freezer section as more bakeries are making inroads into this important space and supplying grocers with breads with a longer shelf life.

Of course, if your needs are most strict as with celiac disease, then your requirements are quite different from those who just have a preference.  Dining out can pose a greater challenge, but there’s major improvement without the hassles of just a few years ago.

On the corporate scale, look at companies such as General Mills which have heavily advertised, front of label, their gluten-free line. Rice Chex and Corn Chex, two of the company’s long-standing cereals, now boast their special G-F properties. That’s great news as these products are readily available, and it means you can continue to make the popular Chex Mix as long as you add G-F pretzels such as those by Glutino.

If you follow strict guidelines, then ask stores you regularly shop for their G-F list. Many, such as Trader Joe’s, have quite an extensive product line, and having a printout makes shopping much easier when you know in advance what they carry. Some stores do a fabulous job having label tags that draw your eye to a product that qualifies.

If you are better off without gluten, so-called gluten intolerant, you’ll notice an increase in the number of familiar, everyday products that now list the fact that they are G-F. Study the two labels in the accompanying image and note that the one on the right touts the fact it is Gluten-Free: An important marketing tool. With “Gluten-Free” on the ingredient list, they have expanded their marketing base. Whether they have always been free of gluten or not, there’s a true advantage, a potential new customer base, in spelling out that your product is G-F.

If you look at the ingredient breakdown, you’ll notice they now also identify themselves a having 0 mg of Cholesterol. (Even though they have always been listed as a zero fat product, they want the zero cholesterol specific spelled out, too). Another marketing wave?

The breadth of product choices makes shopping in this category significantly easier than it did even a year ago as G-F product launches continue to increase.

Welcome aboard.

lea & Perrins

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