The coronoavirus has affected everything , from how we live to how we conduct business. Even eating out can be seen as risky. Now the focus on Chinese restaurants since the virus originated in Wuhan, China and everything Chinese is suspect. What should we do?
The dilemma is a double edged sword. If you boycott Chinese or any Asian restaurant, you're seen as racist and xenophobic. Staying away is understandable since COVID-19 , the official name for the virus - is highly contagious. Families with young children along with the elderly and autoimmune compromised are especially nervous and again, it's understandable. I hate to say avoid until the virus is eradicated but that may have to be the case. What about Asian markets? Again the answer may be stay away until everything is OK again. Keep in mind that also applies to grocery markets and other ethnic restaurants.Mall food courts are out too, since they're hangouts for all sorts of germs. Maybe the best bet is signing up for Peapod or any food delivery service. Pick out what you need , by brand and quantity and have it delivered to you. Many swear by these and are satisfied with the quality of produce and meats they receive.
This brings up the question of take out. Can we order Chinese take out by phone or computer? Again, this sounds racist and xenophobic but if you can trust your restaurant, then the answer is yes. They know you and probably realize your fears. Maybe they'll wear plastic gloves when cooking. Face masks may help but they also hold in humidity which breeds germs. Yet all take out should be suspect as well. Can we trust our pizza delivery people or our Panera drivers just as much as we trust our Chinese take out deliverers? They too are human and just as susceptible to the coronavirus as any of us. One accidental sneeze or cough could contaminate our order of pizza sticks or tomato soup. Maybe the healthier choice is the unhealthy choice of frozen and processed foods. We can still get a variety of different ethnic choices.They may not be fresh made but they're just as easy to prepare as ordering take out. If you do have the time, then you can create some of your take out favorites.
There is no easy answer to eating out right now. Be brave if you want to. Support local businesses. Just b e aware of what's going on in your neighborhoods and towns. Be aware. Be cautious.
Showing posts with label processed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label processed. Show all posts
Friday, February 28, 2020
Friday, April 8, 2016
Eight Years in The Pantry
Eight years ago I started this blog as favor to friend who needed publicity for his bottled water company. What started out as a day's publicity stunt became a full blown passion and blog. writing Foodie Pantry has made me hyper aware of the changes in the food industry for the past eight years
One aspect that is blatantly obvious is the price of food. Grapes alone are sometimes six to seven dollars a pound. Buy a three pound bag of seedless black ones and it's the price of a lunch at Wendy's. Sugar has gone up and in return any baked product. It is shocking that bakeries can sell cakes for as high as fifty dollars and no one complains. To that I say go to your local grocery store for pastries and birthday treats. They're much cheaper and actually better tasting from stores such as Acme and Stop and Shop.Another interesting fact is that the average grocery bill has gone up in these eight years and will continue to do so.It's nothing to spend over one hundred dollars on just a few groceries and to spend close to five and six hundred on a week's worth. Thanks heavens for coupons and two for one sales. These are true blessings to those who are on fixed budgets. Luckily, one of the most expensive supermarkets, Whole Foods has just launched a cheaper version of itself called 365, It will tested in Los Angeles next year and then branch out across the country . The grocery will be a boon to those who want to eat healthy and enjoy cheaper versions of free range meats and organic produce.
The last is also part of the change . Over processed foods are now almost history. Thanks, partially to the hipster movements that are taking over this country, more and more people are demanding fresh made artisenal foods.The movement ,more or less started in Portland, Washington and Brooklyn, New York. The last city has given birth to all sorts of fresh made products, from bacon to pickles along with, cured cheeses and fresh baked breads and pastas.It has paid off. Every bite has the same taste that our grandparents and great-grandparents relished.This has also given birth to the food swap movement where foodies swap home made and home processed goods. There are trades on everything from freshly laid eggs to homemade jams and cookies. Another trend that's developed in the last eight years, and one I'm proud of is the urban farm. Old factories are being repurposed to being places where veggies, fruits and herbs are grown for the community. This is happening in nearby Newark, a city that has known its' share of poverty and deprivation. People of all ages, especially the kids and elderly can now benefit from just picked tomatoes , lettuce and strawberries.
You wouldn't think that there could be changes in eight years but there are. Hopefully there will be more organic and artesenal food for more and more people who need it. It's a wish that needs to become a reality.
One aspect that is blatantly obvious is the price of food. Grapes alone are sometimes six to seven dollars a pound. Buy a three pound bag of seedless black ones and it's the price of a lunch at Wendy's. Sugar has gone up and in return any baked product. It is shocking that bakeries can sell cakes for as high as fifty dollars and no one complains. To that I say go to your local grocery store for pastries and birthday treats. They're much cheaper and actually better tasting from stores such as Acme and Stop and Shop.Another interesting fact is that the average grocery bill has gone up in these eight years and will continue to do so.It's nothing to spend over one hundred dollars on just a few groceries and to spend close to five and six hundred on a week's worth. Thanks heavens for coupons and two for one sales. These are true blessings to those who are on fixed budgets. Luckily, one of the most expensive supermarkets, Whole Foods has just launched a cheaper version of itself called 365, It will tested in Los Angeles next year and then branch out across the country . The grocery will be a boon to those who want to eat healthy and enjoy cheaper versions of free range meats and organic produce.
The last is also part of the change . Over processed foods are now almost history. Thanks, partially to the hipster movements that are taking over this country, more and more people are demanding fresh made artisenal foods.The movement ,more or less started in Portland, Washington and Brooklyn, New York. The last city has given birth to all sorts of fresh made products, from bacon to pickles along with, cured cheeses and fresh baked breads and pastas.It has paid off. Every bite has the same taste that our grandparents and great-grandparents relished.This has also given birth to the food swap movement where foodies swap home made and home processed goods. There are trades on everything from freshly laid eggs to homemade jams and cookies. Another trend that's developed in the last eight years, and one I'm proud of is the urban farm. Old factories are being repurposed to being places where veggies, fruits and herbs are grown for the community. This is happening in nearby Newark, a city that has known its' share of poverty and deprivation. People of all ages, especially the kids and elderly can now benefit from just picked tomatoes , lettuce and strawberries.
You wouldn't think that there could be changes in eight years but there are. Hopefully there will be more organic and artesenal food for more and more people who need it. It's a wish that needs to become a reality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
