Category: Editors Picks

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Here comes more thought…

… for (regional and seasonal) food from Mark Bittman.

NOVEMBER 1, 2011, 8:30 PM
Local Food: No Elitist Plot

By MARK BITTMAN 
 
I’m not a jingoist, but I’d prefer that more of my food came from America. It’d be even better, really, if most of it came from within a few hundred miles of where we live. We’d be more secure and better served, and our land would be better used. And I’d feel prouder, as if we had a food culture rather than a food fetish. Continue reading “Here comes more thought…”

(Cook Your) Food Day

Last weekend I took a healthy cooking class.  It was not the most popular offering; Asian cooking, and brunch baking drew much bigger crowds. Nevertheless, of the six other people who attended all were there to learn to cook, many were worried about health, some had serious issues to contend with, and few knew how to make easy, fresh, healthy meals quickly at home.  I was surprised, but then I realized: that’s the problem.  We don’t.  But no matter how busy, uninspired, or cooking challenged we are, in the end our health is directly tied to what we eat.  And eating well requires us to cook for ourselves.  Period. Continue reading “(Cook Your) Food Day”

This just in From Mark Bittman

We could not have said it any better.

OP-ED COLUMNIST
Is Junk Food Really Cheaper?
By Published: September 24, 2011

THE “fact” that junk food is cheaper than real food has become a reflexive part of how we explain why so many Americans are overweight, particularly those with lower incomes. I frequently read confident statements like, “when a bag of chips is cheaper than a head of broccoli …” or “it’s more affordable to feed a family of four at McDonald’s than to cook a healthy meal for them at home.” Continue reading “This just in From Mark Bittman”

Update: 13 is the Lucky Number

The USDA has just published a study that shows apples have the highest amount of trace pesticides. According to the Wall Street Journal, pesticide residues were found in 98 percent of the apples recently tested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and this is the highest rate among all produce screened in the agency’s annual survey. While in most cases, the 48 pesticides found were within federal guidelines for safe consumption, the high rating of apples on its pesticide residue list prompted the Washington-based Environmental Working Group to put conventionally-raised apples on the top of its most recent “Dirty Dozen” list, followed by celery and strawberries, also high on the USDA list for the number of samples with pesticide residues.  Following the EWG’s recommendation we have added apples to our list of things worth buying organic.

We’ll be back tomorrow with our weekly post – this time on raspberries – until then wash those conventional apples well (or peel them) and buy organic when you can.

Come and cook with us!

The Ideal Plate

Well, it looks like the pyramids have finally taken up their rightful place in ancient Egypt where they belong, freeing the USDA to adopt a new icon for it’s dietary guidelines.  The ideal plate, called “My Plate”, is split four ways (fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins), with a glass of dairy by its side, and is coupled with a very clear message to American consumers: eat less, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink more water and less sugary drinks. Continue reading “The Ideal Plate”