Because Arabic music is sexy. Period.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Cheese, Cheese, Glorious Cheese
It's the number 1 reason I will never be a vegan...and thank God for it! The most recent newsletter for Goop.com is dedicated to the most heavenly of all treats...cheese!It comes at the perfect time as I'm looking to indulge in summer picnics, outdoor film screenings, wine festivals and the like. In order to do so, I need to know how to put together the perfect cheese plate and this newsletter tells you how!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Here's the New Food well...Plate!
I supposed the intent of this revision to the traditional food pyramid, in the form of a dinner plate, is supposed to make people consider the portion of their meals which should be designated to specific food groups. If you go to www.choosemyplate.gov you can click on each different group and find more information relating to servings, what types of products/produce each refers to and other information. I don't really think the visual will change the way most Americans eat because honestly, we need one big health/nutrition class.
They started cutting such programs from schools to make room for teaching us about abstinence (as if the only concern - if it's even a concern at all for those with sense - for a growing person is their reproductive health!) when I was still in school so I really hope the current generation of youngsters are getting more of a holistic education relating to health class. I suppose the greatest issue I have is culling through all the information out there, which now includes the information on USDA.gov, to find out what to do with items from each food group to not become too repetitive but also to choose the best of the bunch and turn to other sites to learn to cook, prepare, etc. the food. So perhaps what we need is a health and cooking class. Where the hell was Jamie Oliver when I was in secondary school??!!
All hoopla aside, here's the new Food Plate...
They started cutting such programs from schools to make room for teaching us about abstinence (as if the only concern - if it's even a concern at all for those with sense - for a growing person is their reproductive health!) when I was still in school so I really hope the current generation of youngsters are getting more of a holistic education relating to health class. I suppose the greatest issue I have is culling through all the information out there, which now includes the information on USDA.gov, to find out what to do with items from each food group to not become too repetitive but also to choose the best of the bunch and turn to other sites to learn to cook, prepare, etc. the food. So perhaps what we need is a health and cooking class. Where the hell was Jamie Oliver when I was in secondary school??!!
All hoopla aside, here's the new Food Plate...
New Food Pyramid Debuts Today
It makes sense that I would start reading the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans report released by the USDA the day before a new food pyramid is to be released by the same agency with the help of First Lady Obama. I sincerely hope that this pyramid will make sense and find a way to tie in the many recommendations set forth in the guidelines.
The food pyramid has undergone a number of changes since I was in primary/secondary school. But it's always been a color-coded puzzle to navigate that allows for cheating like pretty much ever other 'plan' out there. Even as we've been told what amount was recommended per day, etc. the pyramid has always implied that these handful of things are good for you therefore, eating them is good for you - recommended amounts are just that - recommended. People can always decide to fill their plate with meats, potatoes, and other goodies they like and only pay cursory attention to the rest. I think that's been the problem. These recommendations don't really say much about portion control, ways to make these suggestions, etc. Also, there are many different varieties of food pyramids out there - from the USDA's pyramid to ones to address the needs of women, children, breastfeeding women, people with specific illnesses, etc. As in many other things, there is an information overload with little consistency beyond recommending more fruits and vegetables. But when there are debates ranging from classrooms to work cafeterias over what constitutes a vegetable - i.e. is a potato still a vegetable if it's been deep fried? - the ability of people to make conscious and informed decisions is equally up for debate.
I know what vegetables look like but don't ask me to cook them...pretty much lost there. The new pyramid reportedly looks like a plate and is more about the all important issue of portion control over recommended servings. Serving size delusion is what's killing Americans and leading to obesity. Our fast food, super-sized way of life is the problem. I cannot wait to see the new Pyramid and how it fits in with the 2010 guidelines.
Some examples of current food pyramids:
The food pyramid has undergone a number of changes since I was in primary/secondary school. But it's always been a color-coded puzzle to navigate that allows for cheating like pretty much ever other 'plan' out there. Even as we've been told what amount was recommended per day, etc. the pyramid has always implied that these handful of things are good for you therefore, eating them is good for you - recommended amounts are just that - recommended. People can always decide to fill their plate with meats, potatoes, and other goodies they like and only pay cursory attention to the rest. I think that's been the problem. These recommendations don't really say much about portion control, ways to make these suggestions, etc. Also, there are many different varieties of food pyramids out there - from the USDA's pyramid to ones to address the needs of women, children, breastfeeding women, people with specific illnesses, etc. As in many other things, there is an information overload with little consistency beyond recommending more fruits and vegetables. But when there are debates ranging from classrooms to work cafeterias over what constitutes a vegetable - i.e. is a potato still a vegetable if it's been deep fried? - the ability of people to make conscious and informed decisions is equally up for debate.
I know what vegetables look like but don't ask me to cook them...pretty much lost there. The new pyramid reportedly looks like a plate and is more about the all important issue of portion control over recommended servings. Serving size delusion is what's killing Americans and leading to obesity. Our fast food, super-sized way of life is the problem. I cannot wait to see the new Pyramid and how it fits in with the 2010 guidelines.
Some examples of current food pyramids:
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Playlist Joint: Back Down South
Because this song reminds me of growing up down South, living down South, loving the South and the country. Sometimes you just need a slow jam to add to the mix for a cooldown jam.
Currently Reading: 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans
As someone whose career and life is guided by policy - especially the policy adopted and set-forth by the government - I figure the first step towards increasing my nutrition literacy is to start at the source. So, on my last day off following the Memorial Day holiday. I'm reading the USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.I look forward to seeing what they set forth as the basic needs for Americans - especially since I believe this study/report focuses on the guidelines for adults. More information can be found here: http://www.mypyramid.gov/guidelines/PolicyDoc.pdf. These guidelines are required by law to be updated every 5 years. From the table of contents the breakdown of information shows a comprehensive examination of food/exercise requirements. I'll post my thoughts after I've finished reading the 112 page document!
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