The idea of eating healthy and balanced meals goes back to the beginning of modern time. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) produced multiple publications beginning in 1894 to educate the American public about good, healthy eating, dietary standards and food composition. The food groups have changed many times, but the concept of a balanced…
Each of us has a special recollection of our mother’s, grandmother’s, or other relative’s cooking. We can talk about that memory at length and how we yearn to taste a special recipe from the past that invokes such intense feelings. We also have our own particular eating habits which determine how each of us expects…
The theory of food combining is based on the fact that each type of food requires different lengths of time, different enzymes and different pH balances (the degree of acidity or alkalinity of the digestive juices) for proper digestion. Some foods, like nut and seed proteins, require an acid environment. Other foods, such as starches…
No matter where we are living currently, our ancestors had migrated at one time or another. This can be a very exciting aspect of a multicultural society, as immigrants, anxious to learn what their new land has to offer, bring their own cultures and traditions with them. This diversity of tradition is especially apparent during…
New labeling laws give insight into what types of fat we’re eating and food companies are taking this information to heart. U.S. Government regulations that took effect Jan. 1 require food labels to disclose the amount of trans fat in processed foods. In an era when food companies are working harder than ever to woo…
For many of us, this is the time of year to fire up the grill and enjoy the flavor of barbecued foods. But depending on what you throw on the grill — and how often — you might be putting your health at risk. Research suggests too much grilled meat, chicken, even fish, might increase…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports: In 1957, the average fast-food soda was 8 ounces and a theater serving of popcorn was 3 cups. Today, average take-out sodas range from 32 ounces to 64 ounces and a medium popcorn is 16 cups. The next time you order curry, you may be doing a favor for…
In recent years, wide varieties of rice have made their way into grocery stores around the world. It is a staple in the diet of well over half the world’s population and for many of those people, it is a majority of their daily food intake. In Southeast Asia, rice is such an important part…
Wouldn’t you love some ME time? Many moms these days are just too busy. Many work full or part-time, and even those that stay at home have a variety of responsibilities that take up much of their time. Cooking, cleaning, chauffeuring, errands, a spouse, and children all vie for precious time, leaving little, if any,…