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Posts Tagged trends

Yes, Wine, Please

Mar 9

Posted by admin in alcohol, news

What a good week for health studies that match my profile. Women, rejoice, today the news is about wine. Now that I have your attention, you’ll be able to get into that swimsuit after all. According to the Brigham & Women’s Hospital (Boston) study, women who drink moderate amounts of wine have a lower risk of becoming overweight and obese than their non-drinking compatriots. Over 19,000 women were followed during a 13-year period.

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!riedeltarget

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.

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Starbucks Doubles Up

Mar 3

Posted by admin in beverages, coffee

Whenever a conversation turns to obesity numbers, one food group gets a big shout-out, a negative one, the super-sized drink market. Since customer demand often dictates product roll-out, or at least it seems there’s a connection, big turns out to be better. Look 7-Eleven figured that out a long time ago with the success of the Slurpee. All the fast food guys have cups the size of an infant’s skull, and now Starbucks is testing the truly large concept.

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.icedcoffee

Iced coffee drinks rock.

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Eating Healthy

Mar 2

Posted by admin in health, lifestyle

Something happened on the roll-up to the month of March. Maybe it was the unusual weather extremes that plagued all parts of the country. Maybe it was the bad economic news and the long list of woes affecting the general population. Whatever the exact cause, one fact is clear: All the healthy eating kick-off promotions that are normally part of the January lifestyle alerts went nowhere. February was a long month of a blur, and now look where we are.

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.principle3_Large

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.

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Tea’s Too Weak for Many

Mar 1

Posted by admin in beverages, life

Ever wonder about the strength of a caffeinated beverage? There are those who believe tea is too weak; tea drinkers are not hyped enough. Last week The Tea Party people made headlines. This week a new  group popped up with gusto! Coffee and its kindred beverages that are given a caffeine boost are making headlines with the recent launch of the Coffee Party.

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.cup

I’ll stick with the double espresso.

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Food News: Wrap It

Feb 28

Posted by admin in coffee, gluten-free, news

It’s that time again; the time we look back and see all the stories we did not write about. Here are some of the highlights:

–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.food rules

–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!

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Support the Little Guy

Feb 27

Posted by admin in food universe, life

The wind is howling. The snow is still piled up, but the little guy is hanging out there waiting for you.

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.  IMG00761

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!

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Tea Party Leaves

Feb 24

Posted by admin in dining out, food universe, health

OK, got ya at the newly resurrected “tea party” language. That usage is of different importance; mine is of a true tea party with a beautiful spread of little sandwiches and sweets and a lovely floral cup and saucer presentation. Does not have to be that particular place setting, but the look is important, it lends dignity to the event. If you have never hosted a tea party, or even attended one, nothing is more trendy now: The good old fashioned food and beverage one.

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.teafairmont

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.

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Dangerous Foods

Feb 23

Posted by admin in food universe, gluten-free

blue-gingerWith 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.

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A Simple Food Cover

Feb 22

Posted by admin in food, news

As we all try to save money in any number of ways, we are always on the lookout for new products that might solve a simple problem. We consider plastic wraps wasteful and fear using them in the microwave (for good reason). We buy storage containers and then spend useless minutes searching for the accompanying lids, only to discover they do not fit as tightly on the second or third pass as they originally did. Aluminum foil is another expensive covering that increases environmental waste.

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.foodcover

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!

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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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