Foods To Thaw You Out

 The temps around the country have been monumnetally cold. Some areas like New england have even reached minus numbers. Wit this brings hypothermia and frostbite. Don;t panic with these. There are foods that hedlp for a  good thaw.]

What is hypothermia and is it connected to frostbite? Hypothermia is a condition that happens during very cold temps although it could even happen in forty degree Farenheit weather. it starts when a person becomes wet either from sweat, rain, sleet or snow.A person can become confused and exhausted with uncoordinated hand movements and slurred speech. Frostbite can happen with it.This is where body parts freeze due  to frigid temps and the  affected areas turn red. The skin could also change color from a healthy pink to a whitihs or gteyish yellow. There is also a firmness to the flesh as well. If both are extreme then head to your local hospital's ER where both can be treated right away. If it's relatively mild then the first thing to do is remove the person's wet clothes and then get them warm. frostbite victims should not be walking. DO NOT place the person by a fireplace, radiator, heat lamp or stove for warming. Heating pads are out too. They cause more harm than good. Also do not rub or massage frostbitten areas either. Again this can cause more problems. Wrap the person in a dryer warmed beach towel or blanket.

What about a warming drink. Alcohol is an absolute taboo!!! It could even cause hypothermia surpringly. What happens is that it may temporarily provide a feeling of heat and warmth thanks to explanding blood vessel. That feeling passes quickly when blood vessles constrict back to their normal size. Do have a big cup of hot cocoa on the ready. This will not only warm the affected person but also ptovide a much needed dose of sugar.It's also a comfort food which will be welcomed too. You can also try sweetened  decaf hot teas and coffees. If they're hungry then a cup of hot soup is necessary. It's easy to open up a can and microwave it.  What about just plain water? You could boil it and have the person drink it like any other hot drink.If they're hungry then break out the chocolate.It's an energy rich food that raises body temps as well as providing a burst of energy There are foods to eat during these wintry times to stave off hypothermia too. Eat more bananas, whether plain or as dessert with chocolate syrup. As bad as it's supposed to be for you a little red meat is good ofr these frosty times. Have a steak or hamburger every now and then. Sweet potatoes and butternut squash also raise body temps too. Think of them mashed or cut into wedges and air fried for a tasty side or snack. 

Frosty times bring about serious problems. Mild cases of hypothermia and frostbite can be treated with a good hot cup. Also eat temperature raising foods too. Keep yourself and your bisy warm and toasty when those arctic  temp aarive.

Lent And Giving Up

Today is Mardi Gras if you're in New Orleans and Carnavale if you're in Europe and South America. It's a night of wild drinking and feasting - because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. It's Lent and that means giving up the drinks and foods we love. Or will we?

Lent is the period of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Easter. It's always a time of giving up.  The practice started centuries ago as a way to extend the amount of vital products such as meat and dairy for the community. Some Christian religions like the Greek , Russian and Coptic Orthodoxy have strict fasting days when only vegetables are allowed. Everything else, from eggs to wine, meat to fish are strictly forbidden. The Catholics have relaxed the fasting rules tremendously and only two days , Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are restricted to total fasting. Then there's the practice of giving up one food or habit that you love. Many go for the first , not wanting to cut back on cigarettes or alcohol. Some do go dry for Lent, which is relatively easy. There are mocktails, made with fresh juice and seltzer and non alcoholic ciders and beers. Yet it can be hard, especially after a long hard day or week. A lot of people are into a glass of wine a day. It relaxes them, and helps them get through a rough period of hard work and bratty kids.It would be hard to give that up especially if someone does have a difficult life.

If you thought giving up a margarita or a Pinot Grigio for forty days is hard, then feel sorry for those that give up anything sugary.We're hardwired to eat sugar since our Neanderthal days. It was our way of discerning what was safe for us to eat (namely  naturally sweet things such as  non-poisonous berries and fruits). Yet unlike alcohol, sweet , sugary things are all around us. Can we really walk into our grocery stores and completely ignore those displays of freshly baked cupcakes and cookies? What about the cookie or candy aisle that's like an altar to our food desires? Lent is a good time to give those up and head on to the fruit section. An apple is just as sweet and satisfying as an Oreo, yet, there's something about that cookie and others that make us feel happy - especially after a rough day. The same philosophy with candy. Yes, those blueberries are fun to pop into our mouths but so are M&M's. Can we give up those? Maybe  - but not for forty days. Ice cream is another food to give up. You can, there are ways around it, namely having Greek yogurt with honey or maple syrup mixed in. This is a really good sub and healthy for you too. Still, it's a hard sell, especially with the wide variety of tempting iced treats out there.

Can we stick to our Lenten promises? The only answer is try.The best bet is see how long you can do it. Maybe you can this year.

A Can Of Wine And Thou

A loaf of b read, a can of wine and thou - wait - whaattt??? A can of wine? Yes, there's a trend now that has this fermented grape juice being popped into pop top cans. Before oenophiles turn their noses in the air, there is a lot of benefits to canned wine.

Eric Asimov pondered this in his weekly column, The Pour in today's New York Times Food section. It started with couple Gina Schober and Jake Stover talking about their wine loving friends who enjoyed an active life. Their fondness went hand in hand with hiking , biking and boating, activities that get laden down with heavy bottles.There had to be a lighter way to transport the drink - why not in cans. Husband and wife then started Sans Wine Company in 2016, dedicated to making good California wine and putting it into convenient lightweight cans. The couple does have experience. Mr. Stover was a vineyard manager who had made wine and had the necessary connections to find desirable vineyards with available grapes. His wife worked with a wine brokerage and knew how to market and sell wine. They used grapes from a single vineyard that had organically grown varietal breeds. These cans are not meant  to join wine cellar collections. They're meant to be imbibed the day they're bought so oenophiles can take advantage of their freshness  and deliciousness along with being thirst quenching. The next step is bringing back wine coolers with organic wine mixed with organic grape juice.

One of the things that's most appealing (at least to this environmentalist) is that it leave almost zero waste.They are kinder to the environment than glass and easier to recycle. As for shipping, they are lighter and require fewer packing materials. There are other benefits to them as well.  Cans are lightweight and easily portable. They can be used where glass is not appropriate such as pools, beaches, rock concerts and sporting venues. They're perfect for backpacking trips  Restauranteurs like them because there is zero waste of the alcohol. Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder Colorado serve single serve sparkling wine and a prosecco like sparkling wine without having to dump out leftover wine. The prices aren't so bad. Cans of reisling and carignan are both fifteen dollars while a 2017 can of  2017 Napa Cabernet goes for twenty-five dollars. Union Wine Company in Oregon sells 375 milliliter cans in a four pack for twenty-eight dollars. Not bad for a picnic at a concert or enjoying a sunset dinner on the dock. The only problem would come with underage drinking with teens and tweens guzzling the stuff like it's soda.

Wine in cans? It will be popular once it's out there. People will like the portability and ease of wine in lightweight cans. It's a sip in the right direction.

Andrew Zimmern Culinary Supernova

The food world has many stars - namely chefs who became celebrities or became their own brands. Then there is Andrew Zimmern - the star of The Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods". He is a rock star , garnering fans as he goes on some wild foodie road trips. Yet he's as approachable as the guy next door.

Kin Severson,a regular contributor to The New York Times Food section interviewed along with followed this supernova of a true foodie and chef. For those who are not  familiar with him, Chef Zimmern has an interesting hour long food show "Bizarre Foods" on The Travel Channel. He is an affable guy, think of your neighbor or office buddy trotting around the world and eating the strangest and ickiest morsels. His everyman demeanor has made him beyond popular.He shouldn't be, according to Ms. Severson.He has tee shirts that say "Food woody "along with making a big deal about eating coconut grubs and raw pig testicles.! Social media has shredded him  along with getting battered and bruised with low ratings. Yet he persists. He is a confessor and a guide, according to his friend,Jordana Rothman, the restaurant editor at Food and Wine Magazine.Chef Zimmern has a measure of grace and honesty, apparent in his reporting that many don't have. He is a people's favorite, still covering the Minnesota state fair like the local reporter he once was.He's also opening a chain of Chinese restaurants Lucky Cricket, sort of like PF Chang's with restaurant scion, Michael McDermott whose father created Fuddruckers and Chi-Chi's

You would think he came from a Midwestern family of cooks, who shared recipes dishes but that's furthest from the truth. He is a New Yorker, educated at the tony Dalton School. His father was an ex-Navy man who traveled the world , eventually settling down to be an adman on Madison Ave. His mother struggled with the after effects of brain damage , the result from a botched surgery to remove an appendix scar. She slipped into a coma when he was away at camp and when he returned his father did not want to talk about her. Chef Zimmern started to drink heavily, despite his young age. He also became a drug dealer. Between arrests he wound up with alcohol poisoning.He took summer jobs cooking and discovered he was good at it. He worked in European restaurant kitchens during his college breaks. By the late Eighties he was working with such culinary luminaries as Anne Rosenzweig and Thomas Keller, founder of the famed French Laundry, Yet drugs and alcohol still fuled his life. Luckily he called a childhood friend who got him into a rehab center. It worked and he turned himself around. He now also lectures to inmates at San Quentin Prison, giving them hope and promise. He is the everyman who has hit bottom and rose up , helping others along the way.

There's a reason that Andrew Zimmern is the supernova he is. He is relatable in an industry where celebrity foodies and chefs aren't/ He is the everyman who loves strange foods and earthy conversations.

Diabetic Cooking - A Healthy Variety

One of the worst scourges of our time is diabetes. It can have terrible, life threatening consequences if not regulated and the diet not monitored.Luckily the American Diabetes Association has come out with a cookbook full of delicious and tasty recipes. Even the dessert and snack ones are flavorful and fun.

A Complete Month Of Meals Collection is a compilation of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. The opening chapters deal with what can I eat, making healthy food choices and how to use the cookbook to your best advantage. The what I can eat section is crucial to a well balanced lifestyle.It lists the diabetic super foods such as beans, nuts,berries and fish to name a few The healthy food choices are also vital to better eating They give the best choices for fruits and veggies along with grains. Starchy vegetables are allowed and again the cookbook gives the best options. There is an excellent section on proteins, encouraging readers to try the "fake" or soy meats such as chicken , burgers and sausage.There's also a section on dairy as well as general tips about what to buy. The American Diabetes Association or ADA also parses out bad fats and what they are. Varieties of fish are divided into best, and good choices and choices to avoid. There's also sections on alcohol and what everyday beverages are good to drink.Home chefs will appreciate the pages discussing the amount of calories needed a day.It also shows how to regulate carbs as well.

What about the recipes? They're divided into breakfast lunch and dinner cards along with sections
on them and  on desserts located at the end of the book. All the recipes are tasty and based on regular classic ones. A Spanish omelet is modified to just use egg whites instead of the whole egg.There is baked fried chicken which is a great comfort or even party food. The lunch section tends to lean towards soups and salads. These, too, are tasty with such as cauliflower rice and chicken soup, loaded with veggies and flavor. A chicken and spinach salad is not only perfect for lunch but could also be made for a Saturday or Sunday night supper Vegans will appreciate the recipe for bean burger, made colorful and flavorful with kidney beans and ketchup (!) Kids will love the veggie pizza and the English muffin pizza melt. made with fat free mozzarella.  The dinner recipes are simple but elegant Home chefs can try  the chicken with sun dried tomatoes made special with a dash of white wine along with veal Italiano. People are curious about the desserts. There are many such as a healthier spin on the famed Sally Lunn cake and rice pudding Young and old alike will enjoy the sweet potato raisin cookies and graham pudding sandwiches. Drinks are also in here. Low sugar punches and shakes are the perfect thirst quenchers for those with insulin problems.

A Complete Month Of Meals Collection is a must have for any diabetic home chef. The meals  and treats are tasty withou being bad for you. This is the way to cook and to eat.

Healing Meals

One of the most saddest and maddening events of the summer was the Charlottesville march .It was a ridiculous and grossly archaic show of prejudice. We need to come together and the best way is by food. It unites us more than anything. A meal that heals is the best kind possible bandaid. We overlook our differences as we come together to  sample our society's different foods and flavors.

If a mayor, principal, or college president is looking for a way to unite , then look no further than a community table. Hosting dinners, lunches and/or end of season barbecues is a great way of getting people of all backgrounds together. It starts with research and organization. Create a multicultural committee where all voices are heard and dietary issues are discussed. Another good idea is getting religious leaders involved. They may want to host it at their church, synagogue, or mosque to reinforce community.If not, then think about campus halls, cafeterias or even gyms. There can even be entertainment by different ethnic groups so that others can be exposed to customs and languages. If it's outdoors (and towns should consider their local parks for a community gathering) then have games and competitions for the kids to come together and enjoy.The community get together can also be done on a smaller basis. Try block parties , using the same principles  of a varied committee to oversee food and entertainment.

What is great about a community gathering is the introduction to all sorts of foods, especially if its'a pot luck. People get to try such diverse dishes as kim chi and satays, while enjoying such classics as hot dogs and cole slaw. Those who usually stick to all American fare will enjoy a change of pace with curries and paellas. It's a wonderful introduction for the more adventurous home chefs to experiment with different flavors such as za'atar , sriracha, or garam  masala.Keep in mind that there will be restrictions. Mormons are not allowed to imbibe in any spirits and this also  includes coffee and caffeinated tea. Jews and Muslims may  also have restrictions depending on how religious they are. Be aware of these and do not offend.Also some may be vegan so have veggie dishes on the ready too. Alcohol may seem a good idea however too such may create the opposite of the dinner's intention. Someone may get drunk and mouth off about one group - something no one wants to see happen. End with favors to take home - (Oriental Trading Company has some neat ones that would go at any multicultural gathering).Another idea is to create a cookbook with a variety of dishes to take home.

We are a country sadly coming apart. We need to be united again and that can come with a good meal and good conversation. Let food heal us.

An Exchange Of Foods

Today is Columbus Day and like it or not it's when two cultures,the indigenous  American and European collided.It may have been the end of one culture yet it brought together what we now know as global cuisine.It expanded the world's diet and brought about better nutrition.

The Europeans brought various meats such as chickens , beef and lamb to the American diet.Yes the people already here ate meats but it came from hunted animals.The new kinds were able to be kept in herds or on properties.European bakers brought yeast to the New World which enabled breads to be made, thus more ready nutrition for the
young, infirm and elderly.It could go a long way in feeding large families. It could also be turned into sandwiches for easy meals.Whether considered good or bad,sugar was also introduced. One of the most dubious  "gifts" is alcohol.Fire water was a way of placate them however it proved lethal in the  20th Century. Sadly many young tribes people have fallen for the variety of junk food that their Euro American counterparts have. Luckily many are returning to the ancient pre-Columbian diets.

The tribes from Canada to Central America have given us so much.They expanded a European diet that primarily existed of cabbage and turnips.Thanks to the Western Hemisphere ,there is polenta and tomatoes in Italy,chocolate in Switzerland and France, and beans in England.Our diets have expanded so much thanks to the potato which was easy to grow. Any meal we eat today has at least one indigenous ingredient.Even our Thanksgiving is influenced not by the English who created it, but by the Massachusetts tribes.The native Tai no gave us barbecue or Barbac a which has become a worldwide staple.On a broader scale the Pacific Islanders gave us pineapple and breadfruit .

Columbus and his crew discovered a whole new world.It was a culinary exchange that changed diets around the world.It broadened our palates and diets.

Little Luxuries

During this economic crises it's nice to indulge in something not too costly but satisfying. It's easy with food and drink. There are so difference things to indulge in and if you do it once a month it's not a drain on your budget.

If you're going to splurge on liquor make it a fun buy. There are some flavored vodkas out there right now that are perfect on their own or mixed with other drinks and juices. You can get everything form chocolate raspberry to even banana. Champagne is another indulgent spend. You don't have to get the really expensive kind. Asti Spumonte, made in Piedmonte is the same as any bubbly made in the actual Champagne region of France. It's just as delicious and delivers the same kick. Fruit infused and flavored red and white wines are fun buys. They're not as expensive as some wines and are good for a night home with friends. if you want a really indulgent buy go with a moderately priced cognac and brandy. Use these to relax after a hard or scary week at work.

As for food, well, chocolate is always the way to go.There are some luxe brands at your local grocery store. Cote d'Or and Ghiradelli are premium brands and can be found next to the usual bags of Snickers and Three Musketeers. the bars are larger than average. Break them up over ice cream or eat plain. To me real Vermont maple syrup is an indulgent and I love when friends bring me back a bottle after a weekend tip there. I can also buy my store in house brand and indulge in waffles with the syrup and real butter. (yes butter to me is the ultimate indulgence). Another indulgence is avocados . These are expensive in my neck of the wood but worth it. Once can be made into a salad or guacamole. Certain fruits are indulgences as well, thanks to their high pricing. Shrimp or crab are other treats that you can have once month. Some supermarkets have pre made shrimp cocktails . Buy one for yourself for a weekend treat.

Remember treating yourself is important during these hard times. You can go off the budget every so often (once a month is good) . Just go for your favorite food or drink then enjoy!!!!