History of Food & Prices

Food is any substance, usually composed primarily of carbohydrates, fats, water and/or proteins, that can be eaten or drunk by an animal or human for nutrition or pleasure. Items considered food may be sourced from plants, animals or other categories such as fungus or fermented products like alcohol. Although many human cultures sought food items through hunting and gathering, today most cultures use farming, ranching, and fishing, with hunting, foraging and other methods of a local nature included but playing a minor role.

Most traditions have a recognizable cuisine, a specific set of cooking traditions, preferences, and practices, the study of which is known as gastronomy. Many cultures have diversified their foods by means of preparation, cooking methods and manufacturing. This also includes a complex food trade which helps the cultures to economically survive by-way-of food, not just by consumption.

Many cultures study the dietary analysis of food habits. While humans are omnivores, religion and social constructs such as morality often affect which foods they will consume. Food safety is also a concern with foodborne illness claiming many lives each year. In many languages, food is often used metaphorically or figuratively, as in "food for thought".

Prices

Consumers worldwide faced rising food prices, it was reported on March 24, 2008. Reasons for this development are freak weather, dramatic changes in the global economy, including higher oil prices, lower food reserves and growing consumer demand in China and India. In the long term, prices are expected to stabilize. Farmers will grow more grain for both fuel and food and eventually bring prices down. Already this is happening with wheat, with more crops to be planted in the United States, Canada and Europe in 2009. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization projects that consumers still face at least until 2018 more expensive food. It is rare that the spikes are hitting all major foods in most countries at once. Food prices rose 4 percent in the United States 2007, the highest rise since 1990, and are expected to climb as much again 2008. As of December 2007, 37 countries faced food crises, and 20 had imposed some sort of food-price controls. In China, the price of pork has jumped 58 percent in 2007. In the 1990s and 1980s, farm subsidies and support programs allowed major grain exporting countries to hold large surpluses, which could be tapped during food shortages to keep prices down. But new trade policies have made agricultural production much more responsive to market demands -- putting global food reserves at their lowest since 1983.

Food prices are rising, wealthier Asian consumers are westernizing their diets, and farmers and nations of the third world are struggling to keep up the pace. The past five years have seen rapid growth in the contribution of Asian nations to the Global Fluid and Powdered Milk Manufacturing industry, which in 2008 accounts for more than 30% of production, while China alone accounts for more than 10% of both production and consumption in the Global Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Preserving industry. The trend is similarly evident in industries such as Soft Drink and Bottled Water Manufacturing, as well as Global Cocoa, Chocolate and sugar Confectionery Manufacturing, forecast to grow by 5.7% and 10.0% respectively during 2008 in response to soaring demand in China and Southeast Asian markets

Organic Baby Food A Big Hit In Scotland

**50% of Scottish Babies fed Organic Baby Food

According to the Scotsman, more than half of Scottish children under two are now fed an exclusively organic diet. In fact, organic baby food accounted for 43% of total baby food sales in 2004. That represented sales of more than 63 million GBP in 2004.

A survey of 805 mothers and pregnant women conducted by the polling company BMRB found that four out of five mothers chose organic food for weaning their young children off of milk (between 6 months and 1 year old). The reasons given were clearly related to additives and chemical spraying. Mothers in the survey cited "less risk of chemical pesticides" (87%), "no additives" (80%), and "no GM" (84%)

Intensive marketing campaigns by groups such as the Soil Association Scotland are getting the message across about the negative effects of pesticides. This is clearly having an impact on the buying preferences of parents, and also on changes in school menus.

Organic milk also has positive health characteristics. It can contain up to 71 per cent more omega 3 than non-organic milk and most organic milk has a better ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 than conventional milk. Companies such as Hipp are bringing new products to market -- such as organic purees for weaning purposes -- to take advantage of the demand.

But adults are not changing their own eating habits nearly as quickly. Asda, a Scottish supermarket chain owned by WalMart, says organic produce for adults accounts for only about 2% of total sales.

**Self-Serve Machines moving in on fast food restaurants

People fond of ridiculing low-paying fast food restaurant jobs will be pleased to hear that many of these jobs will soon be a thing of the past. At least if RoberServer has its way. The company has recently unveiled its new fast food self serve machines called the "Line Buster."

According to RoberServer, the Line Buster will allow customers to place their own orders from a 15" touch screen, and then pay for their order with the onboard credit card processor. Customers then pick up their order at the counter. Industry estimates show that self-serve technologies can cut customer waiting time by as much as 33%.

The company is targeting the 115,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S. Similar technology has already been deployed in ATMs and self-checkout grocery stores.

Would you like fries with your meal?

**FDA says snack makers must show trans fats

The term "trans fats" has become a synonym for "unhealthy". That's because these ingredients hide in most mass produced snacks, cookies, and frozen french fries and then help to clog our arteries and contribute to our obesity.

As of January 1, 2006, the FDA is requiring the labels on packaged snacks and foods to list the amount of trans fats per serving.

Trans fats are an ingredient in nearly 40 percent of packaged foods, and they are suspected of contributing to diabetes, heart disease, strokes and many other unhealthy conditions.

Health researchers have found that trans fats raise the levels of unhealthy cholesterol and lower the levels of beneficial blood cholesterol. They say as little as 2 to 3 grams a day -- less than is contained in a typical donut -- can be detrimental.

Trans fats are common in processed foods because food manufacturers can use cheap liquid oils and turn them into solids by hydrogenation. Most experts agree it is better to use products that have been made with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats such as those found in canola and olive oils.

Simply avoiding processed foods and snacks accomplishes the same thing, since whole, unprocessed foods do not have trans fat additives.

Why Blessing Your Food is So Important

If you want to maintain happy emotions it is very important to pray over your food and drink before consuming it. This is even more important to do if you want to grow spiritually.

Praying over your food and drink is especially important if you are eating food that has not been prepared yourself or at least by someone who has a good energy.

Food is made of energy. Your body, mind and spirit are energy. Energy can be transmitted by touch. There are subtle invisible thought-forms that can pass from one person to another when one person prepares food and another eats it.

I will give a story to illustrate this. Like most people, I virtually never did bless my food. Then I met and married my husband Michael. He always prayed over his food and drink and blessed it in Jesus' name. My food and drink received the same treatment, so I still didn't do it.

During this time I was also growing in sensitivity to different energies and working to improve my self in as many different areas as possible. One day, I ate some sandwiches or something similar that I had purchased from a cafe. Soon after, I felt REALLY tired and rundown. I then realized that since Michael was not with me, that no one had prayed over my food. I then prayed for the food that was inside me. I reacted in some way like yawning which is a sign that energy is being released, and then I felt much better.

As you grow spiritually and increase your sensitivity, this becomes even more important. One day, after I had learned that 50% of chocolate that is not organically grown is grown by children slaves in Africa, I gave into my baser instincts and ate some chocolate frozen yogurt which was not organic. Very soon after, I got very sick. I realised that I had tuned into the energy of those poor child slaves through the chocolate and my new knowledgeof their existence. I prayed to break the connection to those children, and committed to never again eat any chocolate that wasn't organic or guaranteed to be free of promoting child slavery. Immediately thereafter, I recovered.

Blessing your food and drink is especially important to do if you are eating food prepared by strangers. Consider how many people now are involved in all kinds of negative activities, such as pornography and satanism. Some of those people may be in the kitchen that prepared the food you order.

Offering your food and drink to God before consuming it can nullify bad energies in it.

Foods and Diets Litigations

Why is that food processing and commerce are not strictly regulated by law so as to prevent health problems generated by an inadequate diet? Unhealthy products encourage an unhealthy diet, appealing the consumer by their availability within reach and the invading advertising. If the food producers are controlled by health officials, then it must be that the regulations are too lax in as far as marketed foods are concerned.

Everyone knows that, for instance, hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils are highly unhealthy. Tons of studies and informative material have been published, yet there is a population segment that still falls into traps saying that margarine is a "healthier alternative for butter, full of vitamins", when in fact the trans-fatty acids it contains surpass the "healthy benefits" it offers. For this particular case, all foods containing hydrogentated oils (if the law allows their production, though it shouldn't) should have a health hazard warning (like those on the cigarette packs), saying something like "This product contains trans-fatty acids that increase the risk of heart disease". Thus, people would be constantly reminded of the bad effects of such products on health.

Generally, when it comes to foods and dieting, people should be advised of the potential inconvenience that might occur due to some ingredients or the way the food is prepared.

Take for instance the case of the release of so many diets that are not documented, not officially controlled and approved, promissing great things but not being explicit about the great problems they generate. Such as the very popular Atkins, for instance, which is a real danger to health.

I wondered why such anti-health practices are not forbidden? Oh, pardon me! Why should I wonder? It's obvious: in an ever growing pragmatic course of events, the industrial interests have overpassed the interest for the health of people.

At this point, the role of the well-informed consumer is decisive for his own health. And if people are not fully convinced by so many scientific studies, informative articles and materials, then they surely become when finding out of the multitude of lawsuits against food producers (such as Kraft Foods Inc, the producers of Oreo cookies), fast food chains (McDonald's) or promoters of diets (such as the Atkins diet).

The producers of the popular Oreo cookies, Kraft Foods Inc were sued in 2003 by the attorney Stephen Joseph, who based his accusations on a provision of the civil code of California saying that manufacturers are liable for products if the consumer is not advised of the products' unsafety. He rightfully claimed that the public was not aware of the high content of trans-fats in Oreos. He declared that he sued out of concern for the public health and that no money was requested in the lawsuit, which he finally withdrew, explaining that the publicity on this case had made people aware of the health risks enhanced by the product. Anyway, if the lawsuit was intented as bad publicity for the Oreos, the aim was not reached, as Kraft Foods Inc will continue to produce Oreos in a trans-fat free version.

Another famous case of litigation is the suit from 2002 against McDonald's. The lawsuit was filed by the lawyer Samuel Hirsch on behalf of some obese children. The lawer sustained that the fast food producer mislead the consumers into believing that the products were healthy and safe and claimed that the children developed health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity because of eating McDonald's products. The suit was dismissed on the grounds that no one is forced to eat at McDonald's and that the law has not the role to moderate individuals' excesses.

A recent date "diet trial" is going on in Florida. The suit was filed by 53-year-old Jody Gorran against Atkins Nutritionals on May 26, 2004. The plaintiff claims that after going on Atkins diet his cholesterol level increased so much that he needed angioplasty in order to unblock an artery. In addition to financial damages, there is also the request that the company warns the public of the potential dangers of a diet favoring meats, cheeses and other high-fat proteins by labeling their products. The sequel is yet to come.

Even if some of these lawsuits started out of reasons beyond humanitarian, (as for instance the chase for money from damages that such important companies would pay) they have a positive result, namely, the publicity around such cases arises questionning, gives people the idea of doubt, the "assumption of guilt".

Summer Food

Once the warm weather hits, if you're like me, you don't like to cook. The stove heats up my whole house, and since I don't have air conditioning, this is a major problem!

There are some dishes however, that I love to prepare and enjoy in the summer time.

Here are my top ten summer dishes!

1) Gazpacho

This soup is so refreshing, and very healthy too! We prepared this soup for our Vegetarian Cooking class at Thyme to Cook, http://www.thymetocook.ca make it as spicy as your like! My favorite gazpacho recipe is posted on the Recipe page.

2) Pasta Salad

Another summer classic! You can make it with just about anything you have on hand. I like to make mine with cheese ravioli, broccoli, peppers, sunflower seeds and a vinaigrette. I find that using a ravioli makes the dish a lot more hearty. This is best prepared the night before, so the flavour becomes more intense. You can use the stove right before bedtime so the increase of temperature doesn't bother you as much.

3) Broccoli salad

This is an old favorite. A roommate of mine had me convinced that this was his original recipe. Well, he turned out to be the worst roommate ever, and the recipe turned out to be a classic that I could easily find on the internet. I wish I had known that earlier, I might have kicked him out sooner ;) You can find a good recipe here.

4) Veggie Dogs

Since I am a vegetarian, I prefer the meat free version of hot dogs. They are tasty grilled and served on a toasted bun with lots of garlic mustard, and maybe some cheese. Easy, fast and makes me feel like I'm 7 again.

5)Tomato, mozzarella and basil with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

A classic Italian appetizer, easy to prepare and delicious. Use all fresh ingredients from an Italian grocery store for the best results.

6) Alfalfa sprout, tomato and mayo sandwich

My favorite sandwich from the time I was about 8. Toasted multi grain bread, with summer fresh tomatoes, lots of alfalfa sprouts and a bit of mayo!

7) Corn on the Cob

Here in Guelph we have Strom's corn, which I believe has the best corn I have ever tasted! There are many different varieties, ready to be cooked in whichever way you choose.

8) Summer Rolls

You can find rice wrappers at any oriental grocery store. Here in Guelph, I prefer to go to Tan Dai. There are a wide range of rice wrappers, from plain to sesame seed and much more.

You can cater your ingredients to taste. I usually make them with: Smoked Tofu, rice noodles, mint, carrots, and lettuce (a dark green lettuce). You could also use shrimp, peppers, udon noodles, cilantro.... the list is endless. Have all of your ingredients chopped into thin strips and ready, I find little glass prep bowls make this much easier, and they look so cute too! Have a shallow dish of water to dip the rice paper into.

To assemble:

Dip the rice paper in water. Place thin strips of ingredients down center of wrapper. Fold like you would a tortilla, or in any style you choose. Here is a page with some ideas. Place seam down on a serving dish. Continue to make as many as you need. These can be prepared the same morning as you need them, but they will dry out if you make them too far in advance.

Thyme to Cook offers a few wonderful dipping sauces (Thai dipping sauce, peanut sauce) that would compliment this dish perfectly! http://www.thymetocook.ca

9) Portobello mushroom burgers:

Before this year, I was a mushroom hater. The first barbque i went to this year, I was served Grilled portobello mushrooms with Brie cheese. Now, I'm willing to admit that I am a converted mushroom lover.

For best results, marinate the burgers for a few hours before serving. Place on a hot grill, and cook about 5 minutes per side. In the final minute, add cheese if you are serving. I find that Brie makes the best addition, but you could also use provolone, mozzarella or goats cheese. Serve either on a bun or alone!

10) Grilled Fish

fish is light, easy to digest and cooks quickly! There is a wonderful teriyaki recipe at Thyme to Cook. Use your favorite fish, and experiment with the best way to grill it! You can find lots of ideas here.

If you're looking for a new bar b que, Aqua Mar pools offers some really great ones, along with their top notch pool service. Check out their website, or go to the store on Victoria Road if you have any questions!

You can still eat well when it's too hot to cook outside! There are lots of ways to grill your favorite foods, or else you can eat your food raw!

Next entry I am going to cover Raw Food and some recipes anyone can try!

Dealing With Food Allergies

Normal and regular people get food allergies, but, food allergies are not normal.

Yes, they are common, but they are not normal of a perfectly healthy body.

An allergic response is when a person's body reacts to certain foods in such a way that the body employs an immune system response. This is because it "believes" the food as harmful. Symptoms may occur in the digestive system, respiratory system, or other areas of the body. Some of the most common allergic responses include a tingling sensation in the mouth, vomiting, difficulty breathing, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, swelling of the tongue and throat and can progress to a drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness and even death. With symptoms sometimes showing withing minutes of exposure that the food, this can be dangerous, especially for younger kids, or people with special needs.

Severe allergic reactions can result in anaphylaxis, the extreme of an allergic reaction which can mean death. It can involve any or all of the areas of the body including, the respiratory system, skin, digestive and gastrointestinal system and the cardiovascular system. In such cases, the use of epinephrine is necessary. Epinephrine is also known as adrenaline. It is available through prescription in forms that can be self administered, such as the Twinject and the EpiPen.

Within the medical industry, they say that there currently is no known cure for food allergies. It is simply said that the best way to avoid a reaction is to avoid the foods to which you are allergic. This may seem like a "duh" to many people. But a lot of people outgrow their food allergies as they get older. However, some allergies are considered to be "lifelong" allergies. Examples of these would be peanuts, nuts, fish and shellfish, all of which are delicous foods that are good for the body. Research is currently being conducted, with a hope to one day find a cure for food allergies, so that everyone can enjoy these foods.

Warning:

If you just start to remove foods from your diet because you think they may cause allergic reactions, you are likely to wind up with a diet that is not balanced or nutritionally sound. This could result in catastrophic long-term health problems in the long run! You could end up missing out on some very important vitamins and minerals, or other essential nutrients. In fact, it is really recommended that you talk to your doctor and have allergy tests performed, before you start staying away from foods that you only think may cause you to have allergic reactions.

A person could be allergic to any food, such as vegetables, fruits and meats, however, there are eight specific foods that have been found to cause a whopping 90% of all food allergies and food related allergic reactions. These foods are milk, eggs, tree nuts such as cashews and walnuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Some of these foods are relatively easy to avoid but others require more attention. If you are mindful, though, you can still enjoy many foods, by carefully those that cause you reactions.

Hope for Many:

Many people have found that when taking glyconutrients, allergies diminish and in some cases are completely removed. Glyconutrients were recently featured on the 20/20 Television show! The glyconutrient supplements are a new class of nutrients that have shown to help improve immune system function and cell-to-cell contact. With healthy cells, you have healthy tissue, healthy organs, and a healthy body. The results that people have had with glyconutrition supplements have caught the attention of the media, research facilities, universities, and doctors. To learn more about the research and science behind "glyconutrition supplements", visit the site below.

Introducing Kid Play Food to Your Kids

Parents are often concerned about introducing the concept of kid play food to their children especially if their kids are boys. The usual idea is that kid play food may be just for girls. This may not necessarily be the case. A lot of certified chefs are males and they may have started with just their own set of kid play food. In most cases too, kid play food can effectively teach kids healthy eating habits.

In introducing kid play food to your kids, it is important to take a close look at each food item in a kid play food set. Try to pick kid play food items that have gender neutral colors. You can also go for a set with various appliances and utensils like ovens and grills just to make sure that you have a “manly” set of kid play food appliances. As for kid play food design, it would help your kids if you picked items that are simple in design and easy to recognize.

If you are a parent with specific food or eating habit rules and principles, then you should also consider weeding out kid play food items that go against your beliefs. Vegans for example can take out all the meat items. Whether you are a vegan or not however, it is also a good idea to take out all the junk food items or items that may imply eating too much sugar and preservatives. These items can include packs of junk food, pies, hard candies, and cola bottles.

You can encourage kids to become more interested in their kid play food and on food and health in general by bringing your kids to the grocery as you shop for food. It is also a good idea to let your kids help around in the kitchen when you prepare and cook food. Your little boys can be tutored by the father of the house to remove all traces of role stereotypes.

Teach your kids how to play with kid play food by participating. Line up some stuffed toys or have the toys sit on chairs around a table. Help your kid prepare a pretend meal and serve the meal to the stuffed guests. It is suggested that you maintain constant communication with your child as you prepare the pretend meal. Ask her what ingredients are in the meal she is cooking and why these ingredients are good for people to eat. Make “yum-yum” sounds as you feed each stuffed guest.