Remember Those WHo Labor

 Even though it's Labor Day in the Us, remember laborers around th eworld today They're the ones that help put food on our tables. A lot of American produce come fromt farms around the world. It's also good to remember those locally too.

This is the day to thank everyone involved in the food trade. Be sure to tip the waitstaff generously at any restaurant or cafe. They too aren't immune to the high cost of living. Also thank those local farmers and who provide us with seasonal fresh produce. Say a prayer for countries Mexican farmers who provide us with seventy-seven per cent of fruits and veggies. while their Canadian counterparts who give us eleven per cent, namely wheat from  the Midwest  Provinces Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Also be civil to grocery store workers as well. They 're the ones that provide you with delcious baked good and peprare cold cuts for you as well as whole meals.

Enjoy the day before heading of to work or starting a brand new school year. Be kind and generous to all those responsible for putting food on your table.

The FODMAP Diet - The Tricks And Treats Of It

Many people are afraid to eat. because of the consequences. They're plagued by stomach aches, gas and those awful runs to the bathroom. Most likely they need the FODMAP diet, a semi specific list of foods that either relieve or aggravate the stomach and intestines.

The FODMAP diet is relatively new, first coming about in 2005 from a hypothesis  paper. The paper stated that a collective reduction in the dietary intake of  all indigestible or slowly absorbed short chained carbohydrates would minimize stretching of the intestinal wall. This was proposed to reduce stimulation to the gut's nervous system. The low FODMAP diet was first formulated by a research team at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia to help people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. What does FODMAP stand for? Fermentable, oligosaccherides, disaccherides, monosaccherides and polyols or sugar alcohol. Any one of these or all may cause such annoying and debilitating problems of increased gas, bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain. Other symptoms, according to Dr. Martin Storr,who wrote FODMAP Navigator (Digesta Press), are frequent stools
Diarrhea and constipation.It may even worsen pre-existing conditions too. Dr. Storr's book is an excellent guide because it lists every kind of food and even additives as low or high. It will definitely help those suffering navigate through groceries and farmer's markets.

What can be eaten? Most fruits which can be turned into delicious breakfast salads.They are bananas, cantaloupe,papaya, pineapple and strawberries. Some veggies are good such as broccoli and carrots, olives and red and yellow bell peppers. Tomatoes are low and can be made into stomach soothing salads and sauces. What are huge taboos are soy products as well as dairy and gluten filled baked goods. Those who have problems should stridently avoid soy burgers as well as regular and soy lattes. Luckily there are almond and rice milks that can be used  to both a tasty drink and in cooking and baking. They can also be used in making homemade ice cream too. Tempeh and hard tofu are fine.  Meat lovers will breathe a  huge sigh of relief. The big three: beef, chicken and ham are fine as are turkey, lamb  and even bacon and eggs.  Rice is another perfect food and people can sub in rice crackers and flour for regular wheat products. Gluten is another culprit, so switch over for gluten free breads, rolls and pasta. Cakes and cookies are also responsible for stomach discomfort so sub in fruits and baked goods made with a mix of rice flour and tapioca starch. Plain cocoa is non confrontational  so you can make chocolate goodies such as cupcakes. Also many companies such as Pillsbury have gluten free mixes and doughs,

FODMAP is a great guide for those who suffer from a variety of discomforts. It s' easy to switch over and start eating without any worries.It's the first step in having a life without any problems.

The Future Of Our Markets

The grocery market has improved American cuisine for home chefs.It introduced such diverse foods as egg rolls and naan along with collard greens and bagels to our culinary landscape. Yet is its' time past? Are they passe in this day and age?

That's the question posed in an interesting article and interview written by Stephanie Strom in yesterday's New York Times Food section.She was with recently published author, Michael Ruhlman on a tour of a Nutley, New Jersey Shop Rite. Mr. Ruhlman has just published "Grocery:The Buying and Selling of Food in America" by Abram Publishers.This one is an indictment of our modern grocery store being responsible for this country's unhealthiness. His trip has him singling out Special K Caramel Coconut Chewy Bar which is more candy bar than health one with its' staggering seven grams of sugar. Of course that brings up a chapter in his book, "Breakfast- The Most Dangerous Meal of the Day" thanks to our stores selling sugar soaked cereals. He also hones in on, Duncan Hines Perfect Size For One, basically make your own cupcake in a microwave.It has thirty-five grams of sugar however its' convenience is perfect for millennials  - the grab and go eaters. Luckily, thanks to Nutley's sizable Asiacommunity. there are exotic and fresh fruits and vegetables along with fresh fish. This should help boost the nutrition levels of other town residents.

He also predicts that supermarkets will change considerably thanks to many home chefs buying the essentials on line. This means that such everyday items like dish detergent., frozen foods and anything canned or bagged will be out of the store, leaving room for not only fresh produce and baked goods but also for specialty foods.Mr. Ruhlman pointed out that Krogers just acquired Murray's Cheese, an artisanal cheese and specialty foods retailer , catering to trendy Greenwich Village millennials.It started out as a simple family owned eggs and dairy store and then just expanded into charcuterie and bakery. The problem is that this is fine for those who have money and unlimited budgets, but what about those who can't afford the fancy cold cuts and cheeses, along with artesenal pickles and butters? Even the everyday items like chicken breasts and tomatoes will go up in price. Also would a company like Peapod deliver to more urban or even rural areas?A more egalitarian idea is keeping the stores as they are. It's worked for over a century . Why ruin it?

Will the supermarket survive another century? Hopefully . We need it. It;'s where palates are expanded and budgets respected. It's an important part of our American and everyday landscape.

The Economy of Time

I've been cooking a lot lately. Unfortunately it's simple stuff with a few steps as opposed to more elaborate fare. I would like to create fancy dinners followed by elaborate desserts however I literally have zero time to do this. I wish I could make different and gourmet dishes but let's face it there is no time to do so.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has this problem. There has to be foodies out there who work a full day and then go home to a crateload of chores. Where is there time to prepare? To core and peel? To puree and mash?. It basically boils down to fast food, deli food and anything pan fried. I only have half an hour to cook and serve. That's it. The rest of the day is devoted to housework and laundry. Once in a while there is the escape of shopping . I can't even devote my evenings to cooking because my work never ends. Luckily the grocery stores have excellent fresh baked products so that takes care of the sweets department.

I wish I had more time to create good , healthy scratch meals. They do taste better and are much more healthier than any of the prepared stuff.Unfortunately they are time intensive and that I don't have the time for.