Following The Dream

 Martin Luther King pushed for equality and that meant that all Americans are equal and should be treated equally.It isn;t happening these days and he would be disgusted at what is happening. Yet we can carry his own legacy. It can be easy from a culinary point of view.

There are very brave people in Minneapolis who are delivering much needed food and supplies to immigrants. Most of this last are innocent , with the only"crime" is wanting a good life for their families. This means better everything including food and clean water. If you can help these immigrant families with delivering the basics like milk and produce to them. (however if you feel its' becoming too dangerous. then talk with local authorities about what can be done.You may need an escort or a supporting group). Another - safer - option (although ICE will unfortunately show up anywhere they please) is your local soup kitchen. Soup kitchens and food pantries cannot turn away anyone in need. You can work there, where cooking, prepping serving or cleaning up. Donate food or money if you can. Also ask your local restaurants to help out too. They have leftover food that cost too much to throw out.

Of course there are people who have been in America for generations who also need help. If you know anyone who lives in a food dessert. These are areas where there are no grocery stores. Sometimes the nearest one is anywhere from five to ten or even further away. If you have time , then offer to drive then twice or three times a week. This also give you a chance to see if they 're eating healthy too. Gently suggest more fruits and veggies in their diets if they choose more meats and junk food. Cooking for them and inviting them to dinner a few times a months can also help. It makes them feel included as well as knowing they're loved .It may be way too early for Spring planting and even garden planning but you can start thinking about planting extra for those who need it. Add veggies you know will yield up a lot of bounty. Tomatoes, pepper and corn are good choices. As for fruit, strawberries and melons can profusely produce as well. If you have a fruit tree that beats fruit, make sure to save some for those who need it.

Martin Luther King believed that America can be a good country That only works if we all pitch in to make it better. We have to do it ,now more than ever.

The New Dining Hall Dilemma

Colleges and universities are scrambling around , trying to figure out how to have classes this fall. Many, like Harvard, have cancelled until 2021 or 2022. Yet there are some that will be open.With it comes all sorts of problems, especially in the dining hall. What's to be done? How will students eat in  the new normal that awaits them? There are a few plans set in place.

Jane Black,a well known food writer, wrote this interesting piece for today's New York Times Food section.where students are going to eat in another month is a true concern. Many campus dining halls will be operating at reduced capacity with restrictions set in place. Gone are the salad and make your own taco bars. If the campus keeps the first, it will be limited in ingredients to keep the line moving. Masks and gloves will be mandatory everywhere  Big universities as Rice  in Houston , Texas will have daily temperature checks along with reducing staff. The Bon Appetite Management Company ,a food service firm operating at more than one hundred campuses including Furman University in North Carolina, Portland, Oregon's Reed College , the University of Chicago and M.I.T.  is using robots in the kitchen. They did this before the pandemic, installing automatons at schools across the country. There are Blendid robots that have made smoothies, "Sally" that whips up salads and a so-called pizza ATM that can whip out a hot pie in three minutes.

Yet there are directors of dining services that will try to bring some fun to eating and meal time. Garett DiStefano, , food director at the University of Massachusetts already has two food trucks and mobile kitchen. The last serve student favorites such as burgers and grilled cheese. he plans to expand those menus along with creating additional options like a falafel bar under a tent outdoors. Another campus food service, Sodexo, another food service giant will be offering another form of robot, basically a cooler on wheels. It delivers meals and snacks from such student hangouts as Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts. Dorm eating will be popular. Ethan Hodge, an Asian studies major at Furman, stayed at the campus when it closed. its' classes.He couldn't leave because his family is homeless and he had no where to go. His college apartment was the safest place to be for him. He and roughly eighty other students picked up prepared food at the dining hall. as the student population dwindled , there was reheatable and prepared meals. They also ordered groceries on line so they could cook their own meals.

This fall will be interesting as campus scramble to open. The dining situation will have varied ones. Will they work? Hopefully so.

The Graze Craze

Snacks delivered to your doorstep? That's every foodie's dream and it can become a reality. A new company called Graze is sending goodness and good munchies. It's not only a neat spin on snacking, it's a healthier way of eating.

The company  was started by a group of seven friends who were tired of eating the usual chips and dips. They wanted variety but variety with nutrition. The groups came up with healthy snacks, thanks to their taster Eleanor (no last name is mentioned) who creates the large array of both sweet and savory noshes.The ingredients are artisanal, with small family bakeries and fruit producers contributing.Graze tries to go for the unusual and best tasting. It also has classic flavored snacks such as the Boston cream pie sweet snack mix and a sesame garlic crunch.Surpriingly  enough they also have broths like the Vietnamese pho for a quick hot mini meal. A Graze box can contain anywhere from four to eight small packs .It's a small box with  small fistfuls of crunchies that costs $11.99 per month. They also have a sharing box too which are twenty bags you can give out to family and friends.

How does the Graze snacks taste? Interesting. My box had New York Everything Bagel, Iced Cinnamon Bun, Vitamin E Defense and Pizza Margherita. My favorite was the New York Everything Bagel. These were crunchy poppy seed onion sticks, that tasted more like flavored Melba toast than bagels.The Iced Cinnamon Bun took some getting used to. Imagine a Ciinabon deconstructed and then reimagined as a healthy snack.Cinnamon honey almonds are mixed with yogurt covered sunflower seeds and vanilla cookie drops. They have to be eaten together to get the whole effect. There was one super healthy snack of hazelnuts, raisins peanuts and  dried cranberries which is a pretty tasty snack that would work on any picnic. I also liked the Pizza Margherita which has basil infused Melba toast bites and mini tomato breadsticks. What was a detractor were the cheese cashews.I would have put cheese nibbles instead of the nuts which really don't belong in a pizza mix.

Graze is a foodie's dream come true and delivered to the front door. There's an interesting array of snacks , both sweet and savory to try.It's different than the usual chips and pretzels , for sure.

Healthy Picnics

Yesterday's Times Food section  about sandwiches brought on ideas about picnics. The weather is perfect for a healthy meal outdoors whether at the park or the beach . Pack your basket with tasty but good for you sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

The sandwich is the main star of any picnic meal. Think healthy with meat from leftover roasts. Cold cuts can be good however try to get those that have less nitrates and fats in them. Although with leftover chicken and turkey , you can pack the wings and legs, if there any left over.Leftover ham, chicken and roast beef can also be devilled simply by adding chunks of leftover roasts to a food processor along with a teaspoon or two of water.This creates a nice paste that can be mixed with low calorie mayo or even olive oil for a spread. Veggie sandwiches are always good. Go Provencale by adding some sliced tomatoes on a whole wheat baguette. The Food Sandwich issue suggests not keeping the tomatoes in the fridge. This will make their flesh mushy. They should have a nice firmness and a chewy sort of meatiness to it . For the Southern French style, you can drizzle some olive oil on the bread along with some sprinklings of oregano and rosemary. For a Nicoise  use tuna, preferably tonno in olio, tuna packed in olive oil. This is both good for you and a luxury. Peeled and  sliced hard boiled eggs add another silken touch of lux,. If you have the time you can make either broccoli or mushroom pate. These are somewhat labor intensive spreads however they are yummy and delicious on artisanal rolls.

One of the most favorite aspects of picnicking are the snacks. Everyone feels like they can go wild on an outdoor jaunt. Bags of potato chips, and cheese puffs are always thrown in  along with every kind of available snack cake. These may be fun to  nibble on  but  whether they're eaten outdoors or indoors , they're still bad for you.Insteead try a bag of pretzels,. You can even pack some kind of mustard too for dipping. Nuts are always a good bring along. Nothing beats some crunchy almonds or lightly sea salted peanuts..As for sweets, dark chocolate  is always a good treat. It's full of antioxidants and flavonoids. Try fruits dipped in it for extra flavor. More natural are cuts fruit pieces such as watermelon and pineapple. Both are sweet endings full of vitamins and fiber.As Spring progresses , think about packing seasonal fruits such as strawberries and blueberries.Cookies are always fun to bring along and there are healthy ones out there such  as the Kashi brand or Fig Newtons. You can also bake a batch too but remember to use whole wheat flour and   brown sugar. All this food requires drink. Again skip the soda and bring the chilled water bottles. If you want flavor then think BAI and BAI5 juices and sodas. These are all natural  with the addition of the coffeefruit and come in tasty flavors like peach and blueberry.Their sodas are light and sparkling ,perfect thirst quenchers during a hot day.

Spring picnics are always fun.Make them healthier too, with  good for you sandwiches, snacks and drinks, It's a great way of enjoying the fresh air.

Your Spring Snack Guide

Spring brings a lot of changes.we dress lighter, We should eat lighter and we should snack lighter as well.Those whipped cream topped hot cocoas and cupcakes may have been great as we were bulking up for the cold however they may be heavy and calorie rich  during these warm days and nights.It's time to change to less dense treats.

One of the best snacks, both in cold and warm weather is popcorn . It's a better alternative to potato chips and dip .it's full of fiber and taste, perfect for filling up during games or a day at the beach.Another plus is that's it's easy to tote around - and if you have any left over is perfect for feeding the birds.a great Saturday night snack is nachos. The winter saw them piping hot with cheese and maybe chili on them. Go light  with a homemade salsa of chopped tomatoes, jalapenos and onions. You can even use this for crackers or a fiery spin on bruschetta.English muffin pizzas were also a great Sunday night supper or snack. Sub the canned sauce for fresh chopped tomatoes and replaced the heavy mozzarella with a hearty sprinkle of Parmesan. another healthy filler is cottage cheese blended with chopped veggies. Add some broccoli florets along with cut up snow pea pods  along with a few grape tomatoes and diced onion. Add a good dahs of fresh cracked pepper and a tiny dash of sea salt for more flavoring.You can also cut up soy hot dogs and wrap crescent dough around them for a low cal version of pigs in blankets.

This is the season of first harvests. That means fresh batches of peaches , strawberries and blueberries. Eat these when you're craving something sweet. They're full of fiber and vitamins,perfect after a winter of cookies and snack cakes. Fruit can be grilled too and it can be easily turned into shish kabobs. Brush the skewered pieces with honey before you put them over the fire.The fruit of the season can also be mixed into Greek yogurt for a nice pick me up at the office.As the temps shoot up you may be tempted by ice cream or even those whipped cream topped iced coffees. They may be cooling and a treat however they are fat bombs just waiting to go off. stick with ices or low calorie ice cream treat.You can even semi freeze bananas and strawberries and then have them with  chocolate syrup and low fat whipped toppings. As for the coffee- stick to iced black for a refreshing change. You'll taste the full rich flavor of the beans that way along with being enervated. You can also q8unech your thirst with BAI all natural juices and soda They're fresh and fruity, having only five calories each.

It's spring and that means lighter fare for snacking. enjoy ,kw calories sweets and treats as the temps  rise. You'll not only feel satisfied but also rewarded with good for you snacks.

Your Spring Diet

In a couple of weeks it will be Spring.That means getting rid of those heavy winter foods and adapting a better and greener diet.Those marshmallow filled hot cocoas and gravy laden dinners were good when the snow was falling and everyone was craving comfort foods. However it's time for healthier foods to help you when you're at your most active.

Warmer weather means more activities. This means energy boosting foods such as salads and veggie based dishes.Lunches can be salads, packed with  both different vegetables and meats.Keep away from the heavy dressings and opt for lighter ones like a lemon vinaigrette. Also cut down on those croutons and try heart healthy add in such as almonds or Craisins.These are both low calorie and energy boosters along with being chock full of antioxidants. Make veggies the main part of the dinner too. You can still have hot meals  but make them without gravy or stuffing. Think fun burritos stuffed with tofu, tomatoes and spinach. Have it with a zesty salsa instead of sour cream and of course guacamole. Ratatouille is another great spring meal to whip up. (although the summer version with garden fresh veggies is the best).This is a mélange of tomatoes, eggplants , onions and pepperscooked in garlic and oil. Serve with a crusty whole wheat baguette to sop up the juices. As for meats stick with fish or chicken, grilled or steamed. You can insert tofu in once or twice a week too.

One bad winter habit is snacking. This was a bad winter , full of days when most of us ate like crazy., Unfortunately most of us ate all the wrong things, from too many cookies to too many chips.Now is the time to change to good for you munchies. Try baked potato chips such as Pop chips. Stick to bags of popcorn or pretzels as opposed to regular chips and dips. Another idea is try making homemade kale or Brussels sprout chips using fresh or frozen vegetables. Get into the habit of eating more fruit. The days of spending a snowy day baking chocolate chips are over. Instead make a varied fruit salad with pears apples , grapes  and bananas. Citrus is still popular so include an orange into your diet two or three times  week.Beverages become light too. Try the new BAI5 and BAI Bubbles which are only five (!) calories each. These are tasty and fruity, perfect  when chilled, for those late Spring days when the temps rise. You can still have coffee, just nix the whipped cream and chocolate add ins.Sertle for a tall glass of iced black instead. Instead of sugar pour in a small amount of agave nectar for sweetening.

Spring is coming and with it  a slew of activities that require a lot of energy. Keep up with them by eating healthier and lighter. Banish those heavy winter foods and start eating and drinking good for you meals and snacks. The new diet will make you burst with a new vitality.

Lenten Diets All Year Round

Lent will be starting with this Wednesday.It 's a time when Christians give up certain foods, especially meat and dairy.It's an idea that's worth looking into as a year round diet.It means more fruit and veggies along with a step towards healthier living. Most Catholics and some Protestants give up meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.Starting with a day or two without meat is a good and easy way towards veganism.After a few months you can increase meatless days to four or five and then eventually have meat days one or twice a month.Since some religions allow fish this is a good time to explore the different types put there.Try a steamed salmon(easy to do in the microwave) or tuna which can be served hot or cold.This is also a convenient time to check into the many types of soy "meats"out there.You can easily make spaghetti and meatballs using mushroom based already prepared meatballs.There's also veggie burgers and veggie dogs to try on a Friday night.The Greek Orthodox also give up dairy during the forty days leading up to Easter.This paves the way to try both soy and rice milk,along with the soy and coconut based ice creams. Many people give up a favorite food for this time of fasting.It's usually cake, ice cream and cookies.If these can be given up for just a little over a month, then they can also be given up for good.Again,Lent is an excellent time to explore healthier desserts such as fruits.These are extremely versatile too.You can end a meal with apple sauce, sprinkled with cinnamon.Another treat is grilled pineapple kabobs.Make fruit salads using all sorts of fruits in your market,along with trying new ones such as kiwis and mangoes.Snacks too are usually given up.This is good way of switching over to simple snacks like crackers and rice cakes..Also think a bout having raw veggies with a lemon or lime vinaigrette as a daytime nibble.It's filling but also light. Lent is a time of giving up favorite and lush foods.It's also a chance for a healthier diet and to change unhealthy eating habits.Following one's beliefs is not only good for the soul but for the body as well.

College Prep 101

In the next few weeks millions of kids will be returning to college life. They could be dorm students or commuters there for the day. The one thing they have in common? Bad nutrition. Everyone knows that the college years are the years where kids plump out. However there are way to avoid the freshmen fifteen and the all night binges.

Any college kid should hopefully know that a diet rich in veggies and fruits is the best one for them. However it 's not always easy  especially when they're cooking on their own or grabbing a bite between class and work. Fast food tends to reign supreme sadly enough. However if they choose wisely they can avoid those fat bombs and extra calories. Go for chicken on a plain or whole wheat roll. If the eatery   offers veggie and turkey burgers, then choose them instead. Salads should be a lunch time must have. It's a chance for to scarf down those greens, including tomatoes and cucumbers too.

Snacks also play an important part in a college kid's life. Most vending machines only offer bags of chips and candy bars. Some do offer power bars and lower calorie treats such as popcorn and pretzels.If it's possible head to the cafeterias.Nowadays they offer veggie and fruit plates that are not only healthy but tasty too. Have a plate of carrots and peppers or strawberries and grapes for a quick energy booster. As for beverages, STAY away from any sodas, iced teas  or cold coffee drinks. Stick to spring water or unsweetened ice tea to quench a student's thirst.

Eating healthier means a better outlook and not surprisingly better grades. It also mean keeping off the pounds and avoiding the start of unhealthy habits.Eat right during the college years. Like a degree, it'll be beneficial in years to come.