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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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The Archivist and The Chef

May 16

Posted by admin in Administration, cooking, food, food universe, History, restaurants

What a great story line: An archivist walks into a restaurant and says he likes to cook. The chef responds, I like history! Welcome to the world of David Ferriero, the Archivist for the National Archives and the world of award-winning chef, Jose Andres. The two atypical paths have come together in a joint effort that will combine the food history from the Archives collection with the restaurant acumen of recent James Beard Outstanding Chef recipient Andres.

Now a little background. The National Archives is the Nation’s repository of history, and the impressive food collection is a vital piece of that history. They have culled their materials to create an exhibit which will open June 10, 2011. “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?” will showcase 85 original records which trace the origins of the programs and the legislation aimed at the food supply and reflect the effects government programs have had on our food choices and preferences. Visitors will have an opportunity to examihttp://www.allbeforecoffee.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=8289&action=edit&message=10ne letters, diaries, photos, and maps from the collection. The Exhibition will focus on four broad themes: Farm, factory, kitchen, and table.

Then there is the world of internationally recognized Spanish chef Jose Andres who makes his home in Washington, DC and is the master of the restaurant scene with his restaurants under the creative arm of his ThinkFood Group. Andres will serve as the Chief Culinary Advisor to the exhibit. He calls himself a “cook and a storyteller,” and his most humble story, apropos to this exhibit, is his own personal success and achievements in his adopted country. Andres’s passion for food and how it can teach us to understand nations and history will become evident in the July 4th opening of his newest endeavor, America Eats Tavern. It is no coincidence that this pop-up 6-month restaurant will be on 8th Street within view of the Archives and in the Cafe Atlantico space which will move to  a new home.

Andres believes that chefs tell a story and that this restaurant, opening in collaboration with the Archives exhibit and in partnership with the Foundation for the National Archives, will expand food knowledge for all visitors. This unique, first-of-a-kind partnership will open the eyes of visitors to understand our nation’s past and project them into understanding the importance of food in our culture and our heritage.

Different titles; different jobs: One Nation of Food.

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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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Wine Limits

May 2

Posted by admin in alcohol, health, wine

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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A Good News Round-Up

Mar 29

Posted by admin in beverages, Environment, food universe

Just saw that after almost two years of testing, the California based chain restaurant group, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill is all about composting and sustainability. We’re talking more eco-friendly plates, made of wheat byproducts, so G-F people, do not ingest! They’re also using unbleached burrito and taco wrappers. All good news.

Now we just have to teach people how to dispose of their various waste materials. Have you ever seen the way people line up at Whole Foods when they try to dispose of their containers? The way they study the possible receptacles, (trash, compost, and recycle) makes you wonder if companies need to keep a video playing above the disposal areas! You Tube video in the works!

Continuing the eco-theme, have you seen the nifty lunch and snack bags from EcoBags? They are just what we all need  for our snacks and picnic lunches. It is going to feel like a real Spring pretty soon. Be patient. The bags make recycling super simple: Nothing to throw out and a handy, attractive container to use and reuse.

And for our beverages, it’s time to be reminded about the Hydro Flask. We’ve had enough worldwide discussions about the waste from plastic water bottles, no matter how many times the companies reduce the plastic. Carrying this BPA-free fully insulated container enables you to begin with your morning coffee and then switch to a cooling water beverage. Hot stays hot and cold, cold. You know the drill, but what makes these handsome containers impressive is their double insulated wall. Never lose sight of their give-back program: You designate the charity and 5% of the gross gets donated through their partner program, FivePercentBack.

For the record, I have both the EcoBag and the Hydro Flask and give them both regular workouts! Trust me on their usability and feel good characteristics!

The math on all these programs is simple: We are helping save our planet, one action at a time. Earth Day is still several weeks away, but no single day should be our sole focus.

 

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The Healthy Cups of Coffee

Mar 11

Posted by admin in beverages, coffee, health, lifestyle, wine

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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Plastic Foam Cups: Seriously?

Mar 1

Posted by admin in Environment, lifestyle, washington post

In one giant move backwards, the smaller cafeteria at the US House of Representatives is abandoning plans to use enviro cups and going back to the old ways: Polystyrene. That’s the official name for what is commonly the trademarked foam cups, the plastic foam ones. Pardon me, but have we not learned anything about damage to the environment or just the whole concept of recycling? What kind of message is this Darwinian approach suggesting? Nothing good.

As the country moves toward greater acceptance of composting, recycling, separating materials, it moves away from products that do not fit into this mold. Instead of leading the nation forward in progressive steps, this is a regressive movement clouded under the aegis of cost. Let’s pass the cup and help Congress understand what the rest of us are doing.hotcup

Shame on them for trying to save money by spending future dollars on unnecessary clean-up. The current cost argument does not suffice. Maybe the specific approach had inefficiencies, but the concept was strong. Going backwards has little appeal. It’s sending a negative message. Sure there are ways for Congress to show the world how it is saving money. Yet,  if the country is working on environmental solutions for drinking cups and containers (and there are many companies that would willingly supply), then a chance to model the approach would be better for everyone than to undo a program that has proven long-term beneficial value.

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Going Mainstream: Gluten-Free

Sep 21

Posted by admin in food universe, gluten-free

So much has been written and talked about recently how the G-F lifestyle is the new approach to eating or dieting. The dieting claim was quickly dismissed, but there are still those talking about the energy boost from eliminating gluten from one’s diet. Of course, there are those who need to eliminate gluten, those with Celiac Disease and some with other auto-immune issues. Their needs are not trendy nor lifestyle driven, but medically sound responses to health issues.

G-F as a mainstream discussion! Whew, who woulda figured that! For some, substituting G-F bread/starch products does the trick, and the new energy high and stomach relief are accurate signals that a simple food-driven switch proves valuable. If you study the grocery aisles, you’ll quickly realize that markets, even small ones, have figured out they need to stock at least some of the newly-found bounty of product choices. Product growth has clearly been documented, and seems to be prevalent throughout the shopping experience and no longer limited to a small section of an aisle. Some stores make it easy either by tag identification (Whole Foods) or by providing a master list (Trader Joe’s) of these products. Just wait as the product numbers continue to grow and more people find relief from G-F foods.

Every once in a while a book finds its way to my desk and is so chock full of information that it needs a major mention. From the author of the 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes comes a more manageable tome entitled 100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes. Carol Fenster’s latest book makes the switch over to G-F an easy, understandable transition. For those already following this approach, the recipes and alternate suggestions make cooking fun again. No longer does an adherent have to skip pies, cakes, or pizza. All the details are well-written and easy-to-follow. For those new to a gluten-free existence or those looking to substitute parts of their meals, they have an almost immediate understanding of how to make changes. Challenges can quickly be eliminated and become solutions.9780470475836.pdf

BTW, have you noticed the increase in restaurants serving G-F dishes? How about the pizza parlor getting in on the bandwagon! That makes dining out an ever more approachable existence.

For those who have struggled with recipes or finding the right foods, so much has changed. The growth in the industry has proven itself a mainstream contender.

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Chefs to the Rescue

Jun 4

Posted by admin in First Lady Michelle Obama, healthy eating

With all the talk about childhood obesity and the dire straits of the school lunch program, the abysmal situation has taken a positive turn. Let’s backtrack a little. The First Lady has been an active, vocal spokesperson for getting our youth off the couches and onto the playgrounds. Michelle Obama has talked repeatedly and eloquently about the obesity problem in this country; that it is killing our future. She demonstrated the importance of fresh foods with the planting of the White House Garden and with her frequent leadership conversations about the importance of eating healthy and being healthy. Look at the Let’s Move program for a start or go thru the archives of this blog to see her commitment to these important issues.

Then there’s Jamie Oliver, the Brit who came across the Pond to teach us how to make changes to what he believes is the killer school lunch program. His Revolution spurred numerous school systems to consider bringing in more local foods and evaluating the foods that currently comprise what our children are given often for breakfast and again at lunch. Many systems are probably breathing a collective sigh of relief that summer recess is almost here; that they have time to make some of the changes that will eventually be mandated.

Then there is the combination effect: The USDA, The White House under the leadership of assistant chef Sam Kass (former personal chef for the family), First Lady Michelle Obama, and the near 1,000 chefs nationwide who have already signed up to contribute their skills and knowledge to the Chefs Move to Schools initiative. Many of these chefs have already visited schools neighboring their restaurants and in other neighborhoods throughout their cities. Recognize the importance of this step. Chefs by nature are very generous in their participation to end hunger (SOS, City Harvest) and in turn they are good fundraisers as their causes often attract members of their community who can put money behind their campaigns.Chefs_Best_Header

Changing the National School Lunch Program has its initial limitations as the Federal Government has been stuck with a third world monetary commitment of under $3 per child per lunch. As Oliver found as he did his quick tour of school cafeterias and brought celebrity attention to this issue, some schools are limited in what they can do as their equipment is minimal while others have what he called impressive kitchens filled with equipment that is not being used to its fullest.

Now what can these busy, hard-working creative chefs accomplish? A lot. Major changes. Just their presence in the schools, their trips to Capitol Hill, and their visibility in the communities can spearhead a campaign to bring about change. With the First Lady championing all aspects of the healthy food campaign, combined with the national prominence of these industry leaders, we will  see changes in the way the school lunch program exists.

We are talking action.

Thanks, Chefs for lending your expertise to this most important food issue.

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A New Healthy Twist

May 18

Posted by admin in health, lifestyle, Wii

How about this combination: The American Heart Association and Nintendo! Frustrated by the alarming obesity numbers and the lack of exercise among our population (AHA research found 70% of respondents say they never exercise and 40% say they find it boring), the Association and the game company formed a strategic relationship to help get people moving. Active-play video games are the focus as the emphasis is to create a multi-tiered approach to a more active lifestyle.

Nintendo has the very popular WiiFit Plus and the Wii Sports Resort games which will form the basis for this program to get people active. The benefits of moving and exercising are well-known, but accessibility often proves a deterrent. The new campaign is nintendoheartcalled “Get Informed,” “Get Empowered”and “Get Active.”

Research indicates the average person spends more than 8 hours daily just sitting down. That is about to change if this partnership has its way. Later this year they will jointly host a summit of leaders from a variety of fields to find ways to create synergies and benefits of active-play video games and physically active lifestyles. Beginning this summer they will host an information website with a component (www.activeplaynow.com) to help people conduct personal assessments of their lifestyle. Speculation abounds that a new Wii Sensor will be available to measure pulse rates.

Any approach we take to help us get off the couch and on our feet has to be given serious attention. Combine the acitivty with a heart-healthy diet, and you’ve got a winner.

I’m a gamer–Check out the tennis ball machine!

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