Puerto Rico Rebounds

Puerto Rico has always been known for its' locally farmed ingredients. Two violent hurricanes changed all that two years ago, leaving the island to rely on canned and frozen goods from the US mainland. Thankfully , that's all changing and fresh produce and spices are coming back to centuries old recipes.

Julia Moskin wrote about this brave island endurance in today's New York Times Food section. Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the farmland and the local food movement on Puerto Rico. Everything was wiped out from restaurants to greenhouses. fish farms to food trucks.The mega storms surprisingly stirred up patriotism  of young chefs who had left the island for success
. Mario Juan is  one of them.He was trained at the CIA and worked at the famed Momofuku Noodle Bar and Blanca. Yet he felt the storms were a portent of a career on his native island. Now he is proudly making pernil sandwiches in a permanently parked Airstream trailer. Thirty year old university trained botanist Gabriel Meja Lugo had his farm destroyed thanks to Hurricane Maria. He had to retreat to his extended family in Brooklyn where he sometimes worked , helping farmers at the Union Square Greenmarket. He is back in Puerto Rico. dedicated to his farm. Older farmers aren't that loyal, just taking their insurance checks and retiring. Before the destruction, farms had a lot of restrictions thanks to the Jones Act which gave islanders all the rights of US citizens along with privileges and limitations.Only American shipping companies can legally transport goods from one  US port to another.That meant chefs sometimes had to go to Costco for their ingredients.

Some of that changed with Hurricane Maria. Food supply chains were snapped in the urgency of feeding people. Mobile kitchens were pressed into service to make sandwiches and sancocho, the island's comfort food, a stew like soup made with chicken and ham.A huge help came from Chef Jose Andres who mobilized an army of cooks, farmers and volunteers days after the storm. His top "lieutenant " Erin Shrode from World Central Kitchen has not left the island. She coordinated the relief effort long after the news crews had left, moving food, cooks and trucks as sections were cleared and power resumed. Two months after the hurricanes, she began alloting grand money from World Central Kitchen to help replant farmland, rebuild bakeries and reopen restaurants. The grant program, Plow To Plate has now garnered almost $600,000 to farmers and other food producers. The farms now are all geared to the side effects of climate change .Greenhouses can be quickly dismantled before a storm and crops saved.This means also bringing back indigenous plants that are the backbone of Puerto Rican cooking.It's sparked an interest from a new generation interested in using heirloom recipes and practicing veganism. The last is thriving on the island, thanks to the news farms and produce.

The hurricanes may have destroyed Puerto Rico but they didn't decimate its' spirit. It is thriving, especially in the  culinary arts. The food culture has come back with a vengeance that even nature can't obliterate.

Vegan Is Hip

What are your favorite Hollywood celebrities eating these days. Odds are it isn't meat. It seems that both  SoCal or Southern Californian people and restaurants are not that into any food that had a heart beat.It's all about healthy and compassionate eating which is better.

Veganism in La La Land is the subject of an article in today's New York Times Dining section. The piece written by Dining regular , Jeff Gordinier, tells about how many of Los Angeles' trendy restaurants are simply eschewing meats. It makes sense for the area, considering it is chock full of diet conscious movie and TV stars.An all veggie based diet with no dairy is a slimming one - perfect for those Hollywood types who have to watch their weight. It is a healthy one too, as many celebs are finding out. Eat vegan and lower the risk of heart disease and cancer along with just generally feeling better.

LA Chefs are getting just as   creative as their New York counterparts. One , whipped up a vegan chicken parm for talk show host , Ellen DeGeneres. Chef Craig Susser of the famed Dan Tana's  complied with a Gardein patty, a soy based sub. Another chef , Quinn Hatfield of the restaurants that bears his names has come up with a parsnip bacon.which is just thinly sliced baked parsnip strips coated in olive oil and sea salt. These chefs are challenged because a strictly vegan menu has absolutely no meat or dairy. It can be hard to create creamy sauces and rich flavors without the usual butter, cream and cheese. Yet they manage and have gotten quite a following.

LA may be the hub of the entertainment world however it;s also becoming the hub of the celebrity vegan world as well. Go to any restaurant and discover good for you meals with plant based ingredients. You may also see a few of your favorite celebs chowing down as well.

The Power of Veganism

Most Americans would never give up their beloved chicken wings or hot dogs. Yet, surprisingly , that's what millions of  people in this country are doing.  Veganism is becoming an accepted lifestyle, despite the trouble it can cause to families. There are still some minuses amongst the many pluses. These can be worked out, with some intuition and creativity.

This was the subject of an article in today's New York Times Science section. The article written by Tara Parker-Pope , tells about  the problems with following this healthy diet and lifestyle. About 7.3 million Americans now have what is known as a vegan diet. They forego all meat and dairy along with eggs, fish and even honey products. Instead soy and rice products figure prominently.Being vegan and single is easy.It's jsut one person who will deal with  all the new foods and cooking techniques. However families , especially ones with  kids, will balk at the idea of giving up beloved hamburgers or even scrambled eggs. There is also the cost . Vegan products cost more than regular ones , especially the garden and soy burgers.

Being vegan does have its' payoffs. Both heart  disease and cancer risks lower as does cholesterol and triglycerides when the diet is free of processed meats , cheeses and even butter.  There is more focus on fresh fruit and vegetables as well as cooking with olive oil. Also it's a chance to get creative in the cooking , especially with trying to recreate holiday roasts and baked goods. Families will have to embrace the goodness of tofurkey and eggless cookies and cakes. It;s also a chance to have a healthier family and basically no exposure to childhood obesity and diabetes.. Veganism can be a tough sell but it has good benefits as well as some famous fans . Former president Bill Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres are both vegans and promote their diets as often as they can.

Veganism is a healthier way of eating. It may be tough at first to eliminate meat and dairy along with fish and eggs  - and even honey, However the benefits outweigh the minuses. It means a better lifestyle and surprisingly enough tastier dishes. It's worth a try,